Page 41 of Bad Habits
“So you guys are a thing now?” Auden asked.
Cece drew a deep breath before she said, “Yeah, but we want to keep it under wraps.” She touched his forearm, making me tense up. “Look, I’m sorry if I sent you mixed signals. Truth is, Knox and I were just friends back in Austin, or I never would have—”
“I get it,” he said, raising his hand. “You don’t owe me an explanation.”
Their one night together happened for one reason: because I’d been too damn slow pulling my head out of my ass to recognize a goddess when she was standing right in front of me. I was the idiot. Auden was the one smart enough to see Cece for who and what she was. A beautiful woman with a heart of gold, talent, intelligence, and just the right amount of sass to make her irresistible.
“Auden,” I said, clearing my throat. “No hard feelings.” I couldn’t hate him, as much as I might hate what happened between them. “You’re a talented musician and an asset to this tour.”
His smile spread slowly as he extended his hand. “I appreciate that, man. Thanks.”
I gripped his hand, while keeping the other hand firmly planted on Cece’s hip. I couldn’t stop touching her and didn’t want to. I didn’t care who saw us and started talking. I’d gladly tell anyone who asked how I felt about her.
“Um, there was something I wanted to talk to you about,” Auden said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was talking to Dade when he came to the show the other night and he asked whether I might be interested in doing a few shows with him on this tour, you know, as a special guest.”
“Is that right?” I wasn’t surprised, Dade told me countless times how talented he thought the kid was. “I’ve got no problem with that. Dade’s a good friend and a hell of a musician. Playing a few shows with him could only help your career.”
“That’s what I was thinking too,” he said, stroking the stubble on his chin. “Obviously we have a contract and all—”
“No worries. I can call in a few favours, get some friends who aren’t on the road right now to come out and do a few shows with me.”
“Seriously?” he asked, wide-eyed. “You’d do that?”
I shrugged, thinking it was easy to be magnanimous now that he was no longer a threat. “Sure, why not?”
“Thanks, Knox.” He grinned. “I appreciate you being so cool about this. Well, I guess I better catch up with my band. See you guys later.”
Cece turned in my arms, looking amused. “You wouldn’t be trying to get rid of him, would you?”
“No need now,” I said, locking my arms around her waist. “He knows the deal. He’s not gonna try steppin’ on my toes again.”
She rolled her eyes as she tipped her head back to meet my gaze. “You’re being ridiculous.” She glanced over my shoulder to make sure no one was within earshot before she whispered, “You’ve kind of ruined me for all other men.”
I grinned before pulling her in close. “Only kind of? Guess I’ll have to work a little harder tonight.”
“What are you doing?” she asked, when I tucked my hands into the back pockets of her denim shorts. “Don’t you think we’re getting a little too cozy for—”
“Seriously, Cece? Do you care?” I sure as hell didn’t.
“Yeah, I do.” She sighed as her eyes met mine. “Please try to understand. It’s not that I’m ashamed of what we’re doing. I’m not. I just don’t wanna become a hashtag. When we’re onstage I want the only thing on people’s mind to be your talent. But if we went public right now, on this tour, people would be so focused on us that the music would lose the spotlight, and that’s not right.”
She had a point, but hiding my feelings for her was becoming more difficult by the day. “So this isn’t just about the crew?”
She pushed her hair out of her face when a mass of curls fell over her forehead as she dipped her head. “It’s about everything, Knox. This is overwhelming. Being with you like this… I never expected that. I’m still trying to sort it all out, and I don’t need everyone up in our business right now. Okay?”
I nodded, knowing her concerns were justified. Everyone would lump Cece in with all of my other meaningless flings and one-nighters when they found out, and I didn’t want her to hear rumours or stories that would test her faith in us. Again.
“Come with me,” I whispered, gesturing to the dressing rooms down a narrow hallway. “I need to get you alone for a few minutes.” The more time we had together the more I wanted. Sex only ratcheted up my need for her instead of slaking it.
“But don’t you want to eat before—”
“I do,” I whispered in her ear. “But I don’t give a shit about food right now.”
Her eyes widened before a pretty blush spread across her cheeks. “Oh, okay.”
I grinned as I grabbed her hand and practically dragged her along the floor. No one gave us a second look. We were always together, always teasing, and wrapped up in each other. The only thing that would raise a few eyebrows would be a full-on tongue teasing contest in front of our crew. Short of that, our secret was safe.
I hauled her into my dressing room and kicked the door shut before pressing her against it and turning the lock.
