His New Jam (5 page)

“Whoa,” she called.

He stopped and looked over his shoulder at her.

“If you pound away like that, you're going to do damage to your hands. Best case, some raging blisters. Worst case, tendonitis or carpal tunnel. Loosen your grip.”

Again, her hands came over his and made the motions with him. He should've felt like an idiot, but he couldn't, not with her pressed against his back, her spicy perfume filling his senses. His mouth watered with the thought of tasting her skin.

She continued through a few measures before straightening. This time, he felt her arch her back. Her stomach grazed his arm as he continued to play. He wanted to make her move like that in bed and the picture in his head caused him to miss a beat.

Sydney shoved his shoulder. “That's enough for today. Don't you think? Practice basic rhythms, mix it up a little. If you want, we can read some music next time. I'm sure that'll be easy for you.”

He stood, not wanting her to leave yet. “You want a beer now? Take a little break after all your hard work?”

She rolled her upper lip into her mouth and bit down. She might've been trying to hide a smile. At least he hoped so.

“It's a beer. I promise I won't tell anyone.”

“A beer would be good.”

And that was the window of opportunity he was looking for. Hunter now knew he'd break down whatever barrier had kept her icy for months. She was at least a little interested in him. He'd worked with less.

Chapter 5

W
hat the hell was she doing? More important, how did Hunter get her to do this? She was supposed to play with the band, give a quick lesson, and leave. Having a beer alone with him wasn't part of the plan. Then again, neither was touching him or laughing with him and she'd done both in abundance tonight.

It had been easier when the rest of the band had been present, though. Once they left and the drum lesson started, she relaxed a little too much, let her guard slip. And being up close and personal with Hunter stirred things in her she didn't want stirred.

She followed him back to the kitchen. Sharing a drink there would help keep things cool.

As he reached into the refrigerator, he asked, “So what are your plans after graduation?”

“I don't graduate until next year.”

He spun with two bottles of beer. “Are you old enough to drink this or am I going to get in trouble for contributing to the delinquency of a minor?”

She snatched the bottle. “I'm old enough. Wanna card me?” She twisted the cap off and took a swig. “I took some time off so I'm a year behind.” Sitting in one of the two chairs at the table, she decided that was enough of an explanation.

“Is that why you don't want anyone from band to know about our arrangement?”

She nodded. “You're leaving. A few more practices and a game and you're done. I have to come back for another year.”

“I won't be here, so what's the problem?”

“I'm going to offend you if I say it.”

“I don't offend easily.”

“You have a reputation for being a man whore. I don't want anyone looking at me like I'm one of your playthings.” The partial truth dried her throat, so she drank quickly.

For a moment, he said nothing, just watched her with his warm, friendly eyes. He really wasn't offended.

“Fair enough.” He dragged the other chair closer to her, close enough that his knees almost bumped hers. “Between you and me, I date a lot. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. But I'm far from a man whore.”

She wanted to believe him. She didn't, but she wanted to, which was a whole level of disturbing she didn't want to pick apart. “How long have you and the band been together?”

He sat back in the chair, stretching his legs out in front of him, so one passed between hers and settled beneath her chair. “Me, Jay, and Lance have been together since high school. Our drummer took off to California. I met Kevin freshman year.”

“Wow. You guys have been working together since high school?”

“We didn't actually work back then. We wanted to impress girls. We didn't start paying jobs until college.”

She turned her bottle in slow circles. “Why not play professionally?”

“We do. We'll probably continue after graduation, but this is a hobby for us. I want a steady job with a real paycheck. If I had to rely on music to take care of me, I'd probably grow to resent it. Playing wouldn't be fun anymore. I don't like to do things that aren't fun.”

“Huh.” She hadn't thought about it that way. She couldn't imagine not loving music.

Hunter leaned forward, bringing his legs back and bracing his elbows on his knees. “What are your plans?”

Her mouth dried once again with his proximity. She'd do much better if he kept his laid-back, I-don't-need-anything distance. When he leaned close like this, she felt like nothing else in the world could capture his attention. It was part of his charm and she couldn't afford to get drawn in.

“After you do graduate?” he prompted.

Great. Now she looked like an idiot who couldn't hold a conversation. “I hope to put together my own band and play full-time.”

He angled his head slightly, but didn't move back. “Why college, then? You don't need a degree to play.”

“I promised my parents I would finish. My major is graphic design, so I can do freelance work while I build a reputation for playing.” The explanation tightened her nerves. She should be able to tell him. Of all the people she knew, Hunter would understand her need to play.

“What is it?” he asked quietly.

“I'm good at graphic design. I could make a living at it, but I'm afraid it'll suck the life out of me. I want to play music.”

“So play. If it's right for you, go for it.”

She smiled and huffed a little laugh. “Sounds great, except I haven't been able to put together a band much less get hired. Three times I've tried and failed. I feel like I'm spinning my wheels, going nowhere, and I'm already so far behind everyone else.” More than a year wasted with a guy who didn't really care, a year of schooling tossed aside. The embarrassment over her choices still stung.

“Behind how?”

“Look at you.” She waved with her free hand. “You have an established band that plays for money and you don't even want to do that for a living. You're on track to graduate on time and have your career set.” She took a quick drink, not used to being this honest with anyone. “I've got nothing but some random ideas.”

“Who says you have to have your whole life figured out right now?” He laid his hand on her thigh, sending a shock wave of warmth straight north. “You'll be fine.”

She nodded, afraid to say anything because she just might blurt out, “Kiss me.” And she didn't want that.

Definitely not.

Clearing her throat, she set her bottle on the table. “I should get going.”

He stood slowly and she watched the length of his body straighten. He only took a half step back, so when she stood, they were nearly touching.

“It was a good practice. I'm glad you were here.”

“Me too,” she said, but she wasn't entirely sure what she was agreeing to. She blinked to regain her thought process and tried to step away, but only succeeded in crashing into the chair she'd vacated. Grabbing the back of the seat to steady it, she shook her head. She'd promised herself she wouldn't let a guy like him have this effect on her.

As she straightened, another question popped into her head. “What song was it? That night at Andy's.”

“I played a lot of songs that night.”

She shot him a look. “You know which one. You did an amazing solo.”

His head lifted with recognition. “ ‘Have a Little Faith in Me.' ”

He said it more like a request instead of a song title and the urge to bolt hit her again. She pointed over her shoulder and left the room without looking back.

He followed. When she reached for her jacket, he beat her to it and held it out for her to slide into. Once her arms were in, he bundled the front together and zipped it up for her.

“It's cold out. Wouldn't want you getting sick.”

His fingers were warm on her neck as he straightened her collar. She didn't know who moved first, but suddenly their bodies collided and he hauled her up for a wet kiss. His hands grabbed her head and moved her where he wanted her. Drowning in his strength, she fought for oxygen, stealing it from his lungs.

The kiss made her dizzy and hot and sexy. And so freaking turned on. Hunter pushed her against the wall, the hard length of him pinning her upper body. She gripped his hair and wanted to climb him. Raising her leg to wrap around his, she thrust her hips into him, loving the way she made him hard. His heart pounded as out of control as hers.

It wasn't until he pulled away to come up for air that she came to her senses. She pulled her leg back and wanted to melt away. Hunter braced his hands on the wall beside her head. He lowered his face, staring into her eyes as he panted. He wanted more. She saw it plainly. So did she, but that was the kind of move she'd sworn off.

Pressing a hand to his chest over his still-throbbing heart, she pushed and slid away. “That shouldn't have happened.”

“It was pretty fucking fun.”

She clenched her jaw to stop the smile. Any indication that she had enjoyed it as much as he did would be an open invitation. She shook her head.

A feather-light touch brushed her neck below her earlobe and down the side. “You can try to hide your reaction, but you're not that good an actress. My friend Free can give you lessons if you want. In the meantime, you're not fooling me.”

Heat rushed across her skin. She knew she couldn't hide anything. That was why she liked to keep her distance. She licked her lips and tasted his kiss. “I don't want this. I just got done telling you ten minutes ago that I won't be one of your playthings.”

“And I thought I was clear that I don't treat women like playthings. I date women. I've dated a lot of women. Nothing stuck.” He threaded his fingers into her hair, tugging until she looked at him. “I'm not playing games. I want you. Let's see where this goes.”

Crap. This was more bizarre than she'd considered. She figured him for wanting a quick roll. Exploring with him put her far out of her element. “Not a good idea.”

“Your kiss tells me otherwise.” He yanked her zipper up higher. “You want me to go warm up your car for you?”

Huh? The offer jolted her. No pressure to stay and continue what they'd started. No urging to commit to something. Just a gentlemanly offer to warm her car. “No, thanks. I'll be fine.”

He stepped away and opened the front door for her. She shuffled to leave, confused by everything.

“Hey,” he called as she stepped into the hall.

When she turned, he held out her bag. She reached for it, his fingers grazing hers, sending yet another surge of desire through her. Oh, man, did she have it bad. “Thanks.”

“See you tomorrow at practice.”

“Not if I see you first.” She tried for a grin, but had a feeling that she looked more crazy than funny.

He waited in the chilly hall until she was out the front door. She resisted the urge to look back once she got outside. She needed to get away from him to gather her senses. Maybe she should suggest they only do lessons in the practice rooms at school. Surely that would prevent anything from happening between them. Coming to his apartment and being alone with him wasn't smart.

She wouldn't lie to herself and say she wasn't attracted to him. She just needed to control it. By the time she got home, it was late, but Trish was waiting up.

“Where have you been?”

“I told you I was practicing with a new band. I'm going to be filling in for their drummer for a few weeks. Then I gave a drum lesson.”

“Hmm-mm. What's his name?”

“Who?”

“The guy who kept you out late on a school night.”

“I'm fine, Mom.” She knew Trish would be irritated by the comment. She prided herself on being the cool big sister.

“I'm not scolding you.”

“Using a word like
scold
totally ruins your credibility as cool. You know that, right?”

“Whatever. I'm glad you're finally venturing out. Is he cute?”

“Very.” Crap. She hadn't wanted to say it out loud.

“Ha! I knew it.” Trish patted the couch beside her. “I want details.”

“No details. His name is Hunter. I know him from marching band. He needs drum lessons and a drummer for his band. I fit the bill.”

“Maybe that's how it started, but you have that look. The one that says much more happened.”

Sydney let her bag slide to the floor with a sigh. “He kissed me before I left. But it was nothing. I told him I wasn't looking for anything like that.” She added a nod as if it would make it all more convincing.

“Why would you do that? You need to go out, Syd. Have fun. Just don't let it get out of hand.”

Like last time.
The words went unspoken, but they hung in the air. The problem was, she didn't know if she could have fun without it getting out of hand. Especially with a guy like Hunter. “I am having fun. This is a great opportunity for me to play in a real band, making money. And if I'm successful with the drum lessons, I have one more way to earn cash.”

“There's more to life than making money.”

“I know that, but I need to support myself.”

“You need to have fun.”

“Playing is fun. This is what I want and I'm not about to put it aside for a guy.” Not again. Never again. “I want to finish school so I have something to fall back on. If I've learned anything from the last few years, it's to have a backup plan.”

Trish stood and tossed a pillow on the couch. “You know I admire your determination, but this is the time when you're supposed to explore and screw up. Enjoy yourself before going out into the real world.” She patted Syd's shoulder as she walked by. “I'm going to bed.”

“Me too. Practice is early.” As she moved toward her room, Sydney thought about her sister's words. She'd already done plenty of screwing up and she hated how it made her feel. But she missed having fun. Being with Hunter tonight had been fun. Playing with the band, the lesson, the beer and conversation, but most of all the out-of-control kiss. She sighed again. She'd give anything for an easy answer to this dilemma.

Listen to her head or her body? Only one had a habit of letting her down.