Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“I didn’t tell you all this to make you feel sorry for me,” he says with a growl.
“I know that.”
He sits up. “Do you? Because the last thing my family needs is your family’s pity. But here’s the thing, Brianna. My family’s well-being depends on the success of this tour. And I can’t be distracted. And frankly? You’re a distraction.”
My God…
Now I do understand, and I feel like a big dirtbag for trying to manipulate him.
I reach for his hand. “Jesse…”
He holds my hand for a moment, gazes deep into my eyes, and for a split second I think he’s going to smile, but he doesn’t. He snaps his hand away. “Do you understand what I mean? I can’t get my head wrapped around you right now. I need my head wrapped around the band, our music, our performances.”
“My God… I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have come.”
“You’re here now, and you brought Maddie with you. I’m not going to insist that you leave because Maddie is looking forward to this trip. Although, I really ought to send you both home after the thing with Zane Michaels.”
“I’ll talk to Maddie. I’ll make her understand that neither of us can be a distraction, and that includes her. You can’t be worrying about her trotting off with some celebrity.”
He touches my cheek then, trails his lips around the shell of my ear. “Thank you. Maybe you truly do understand.”
“Thank you for opening up to me. I…”
“Please. Don’t say what I think you’re going to say.”
I love you.
I keep the words to myself. It’s way too soon.
It was a mistake to come here, but he’s right. I can’t take this experience away from Maddie. So Maddie and I are here for the duration.
And I need to make sure Jesse is free from distractions.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Jesse
I’m tempted to ask her to continue sleeping with me just as a physical release, but as I said before, she deserves better.
Plus, I need her looking after Maddie. Donny and Callie will be going back to the States once we leave the UK, and Rory will be too busy with the band.
I’ll have only Brock to watch over Brianna and Maddie. He can do it. He’s changed a lot since he got serious with my sister. He was probably the worst womanizer of the bunch, but somehow, he and Donny both got tamed by two of my sisters.
Brianna smooths my hair. “I suppose I should get back to my room.”
Stay.
My God, the word is hovering right on the end of my lips.
But I force it back.
“I’ll take you up.”
“There’s no need, Jesse. I’m perfectly capable of going back to my room alone.”
“You want something to eat first? We didn’t stick around the bar long enough to get that pizza.”
“No, I’m fine.” She rolls off the bed, finds her thong, eases it up over her perfect hips.
Such a shame to cover up that beautiful pussy.
God… I haven’t wanted a woman like this in a long time.
The thought of…
When I saw her and Maddie with Zane Michaels, my protective instinct raged through me for my little sister.
But for Brianna?
It went way beyond a brother protecting his baby sister.
It was more like a wolf protecting his mate.
And that scares the hell out of me.
She’s too young, first of all, and this tour… This tour is too damned important for me to get distracted by falling in love with anyone, especially Brianna Steel.
I slide off the bed as well, throwing on my jeans, sliding into my shoes, and pulling my shirt over my head. “I’ll see you to your room,” I say. “Just keep Maddie safe. I can’t be worrying about her ending up in bed with one of Emerald Phoenix. Or even with Dragon.”
“You and Cage are here.”
“I know that. And I’d like to think Jake and Dragon would leave my little sister alone. They probably would. But at this point? I just want you to take care of her.”
“You can count on me, Jesse. I promise.”
She’s dressed now. Her Dragonlock T-shirt accents the gorgeous curve of her breasts and her indented waist.
I push her hair back behind one ear. “Thank you again. For understanding.”
“Thank you for helping me understand. I promise, Jesse. The tour will be a success.”
Against my better judgment, I brush my lips over hers, my cock reacting.
Damn it.
This is going to be a lot more difficult than I thought it would be.
The next morning, I rise at eight a.m., take a quick shower, and head back to my original room. I use the key card and walk right in. If Dragon’s not done by now, I don’t give a flying fuck.
Indeed, he’s sprawled out on one of the queen beds, entwined with the two girls, all three of them naked.
I clear my throat.
Not one of them stirs.
Jesus fuck.
We have a fucking show again tonight, and my drummer is passed out with two naked women whose names he probably doesn’t even know.