Page 76

I hadn’t realized how much I longed for the chase until Fia.

It took one taste of Sofia Chandler, and I’d wait for the world to end just for the off chance that a rapture may occur, and I’d be privileged to taste her just one more time.

“Sorry, I didn’t think anyone would be in here.”

Yanking my shirt from the side of the machine, I go to pull it back over my head before she grabs it, forcing my arms down to my sides.

“You know, if you wanted to fool around with someone on tour, you could’ve picked someone more fun.”

Her words are like needles. Far worse than the ones that were used to cover my skin. Bile threatens to rise in my throat, forcing me out of my workout and onto the solid gym floor.

“Excuse me?” Wanting clarification, I furrow my brow, pulling my shirt over my sweat-covered chest.

“Any of us would’ve happily been a fun time for you while we traveled. Surely more fun than who you chose.”

Anger makes me hotter, but I try not to let it show.

Not giving her the satisfaction she’s fishing for, I gather everything I came in here with, ignoring her backhanded compliments.

“I wasn’t looking for fun.” I deepen my tone, eyes narrowing.

The image of last night is still on replay in my head. Nothing about Fia is boring.

“What else is there to look for?” Shannon watches me intently as I get my things situated, and I let her. When I finally set my attention back on her, I give her a glare that I know is deep and hopefully intimidating—though girls like her never read cues correctly.

Her hands find her hips, her small body working overtime in an attempt to come off as sexy.

A sly smile peels from my lips as I inch as close as I can get to her without forcing myself to feel physically ill. Her breaths shorten as I fit myself within inches of her shoulder.

Giving her a once-over that I know makes her feel like she’s getting somewhere, I let the gravel in my voice scratch my throat as it comes through. Close to her face, but not close enough for her to mistake it as intimate, I tell her exactly what I’m looking for.

“Forever.”

CHAPTER 22

FIA

I’m so fucking confused.

I thought agreeing to be Jett Parker’s fake girlfriend would repulse me. That I’d use him just as I’ve used every other man I’ve slept with to hide the fact that I’m absolutely shattered inside.

But it does just the opposite.

We went back to the studio in Boston for the remaining three days of our trip. And every time we did, I wondered if it would end the same way as the first. I hate to admit it to myself, but since dancing for him, feeling his strong hands grip my skin, his sexy, mumbled words in my hair, it’s all I can fucking think about.

After each show, I returned to the hotel, changed, and then found him in the same spot he was every night, waiting for me.

For the first time, things felt routine, and I didn’t mind him being a part of it.

The thing about my life is, alone, I can influence the hell out of myself to make a poor decision. I’m easily shakable. But with Jett, I feel strong—stable.

Every session at the studio began the same. I’d lack inspiration, mark movements like they were being forced from my body, convince myself to quit, or even better, throw something across the room.

Then he’d come in.

Jett sat at the back of the studio every night.

With his eyes on me, I felt alive.