Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
“Yeah, you did, babe. I think you cast a spell.”
She laughed again, the sound inviting. “First he calls me an angel, and now I’m a witch.”
“Love the way you laugh,” the third man said. “Name’s Gedeon Lazaroff. You have that same perfect pitch Seychelle has. Do you sing?”
Gedeon, aka Player, had striking blue eyes, was tall and muscular. He had light brown hair and wore a mustache and a small, barely there, beard.
Azelie looked horrified. “If I sing, the children put their hands over their ears.”
“She can’t lie worth shit,” Keys said. “That’s one thing you’ve got going for you, Andrii.”
“They don’t put their hands over their ears,” Azelie conceded, “but I don’t push my luck.” She sent Keys a little smile.
“We’re going to have to get this show on the road,” Maestro said. “Are you going to be all right sitting here by yourself?”
“Of course. But I might go say hello to Lana. She’s got a table right near the piano. There’s four chairs, and it’s just her and the man she came in with.”
“I’ll walk you over there,” Maestro offered, and stood up to circle around the small table. Things were working out exactly like he needed them to.
* * *
* * *
Azelie took Andrii’s hand as they walked around the tables to join Lana and the man she was with. Lana jumped up and hugged her. “I’m so happy you’re here.” Her gaze flicked to Andrii and their linked hands. “Hi, Andrii. We came to be supportive tonight. You know we’re crazy about your music.” She switched her attention back to Azelie. “I go to most of the Crows Flying gigs.”
“I think everyone knew about the band but me,” Azelie said. “I don’t get out much.”
“They’re all over the internet,” Lana said helpfully. She turned to the man who had stood when Azelie and Andrii approached the table. “This is my brother, Kasimir. He’s not too bad until he gets in his bossy mode. Kas, this is Azelie. She goes to the college.”
Kasimir Popov, aka Preacher, had curls no matter what he did to tame his hair. He looked far less intimidating than the band members because of those curls. That was deceptive, Azelie decided. He had muscle running beneath his clothing. He might look friendly, but he had that same reserve Andrii’s bandmates had.
Preacher flashed a grin. “Someone needs to boss her.” He shook hands with Andrii. “Would you care to join us? We have the room.”
“I’ll be playing shortly, but I’d appreciate your looking after Azelie.”
“You got it, brother,” Kasimir responded easily.
Azelie looked from Kasimir to Andrii. They knew each other. She couldn’t tell with Lana, but she was certain there was a connection to Kasimir. Maybe it was the fact that Lana attended the Crows Flying gigs and Kasimir went with her. Still, Andrii didn’t really look at Lana, and she was gorgeous. She was one of the most beautiful women Azelie had ever seen.
Andrii caught her chin and tilted her face up to his. “I’ll be the one playing either guitar or piano. You can focus on me.” He murmured the command against her lips, his tone low, the words barely spoken aloud, but she heard them, and it made her smile. Did he really think any other man in the room could compare to him?
She licked along the seam of his lips, deliberately inviting his kiss. He was a member of a popular band, and there were bound to be others watching them, but in that moment, she didn’t care. She wanted only to reassure him. Maybe it was a mistake after all. He kissed her. Gathered her into his arms, locked her against him and kissed her. Not gently. Passionately. Claiming her. Demanding surrender, and she gave herself to him because that was what he needed. That was what she wanted. It was only when she was certain she was going to burst into flames that he lifted his head. Even then, his thumb whispered over her lips.
“Be good while I’m working.”
She gave him her mischievous smile. “I’m an angel, remember?”
“Stay that way until I’m with you,” he cautioned and held out her chair.
Azelie obligingly sank into it and watched him saunter across the floor, threading his way easily through the tables to join the other three members of Crows Flying.
“I love their music,” Lana said. She waved her hand to take in the entire bar. “You can see how popular they are.”
Azelie wanted to enjoy the moment. Enjoy watching her man play with his band for the first time. He’d set the date up himself. Chosen to surprise her. The food had been delicious, and he had been totally focused on her, not paying any attention to the female interest directed his way. She’d noticed, but he hadn’t seemed to. Or if he had, he didn’t care. Azelie chose to put aside her questions about Andrii’s friendship with Lana and her brother until she was back home and alone. Right now, she was determined to soak in every moment of her dream date.