Chapter Twelve.

I went still as I tried not to freak out at Neil's question. How did he know about me and Jayce? Or was he just guessing? Did everyone know? My eyes grew wide and I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I didn't know what to say. There had been something between us, but there wasn't anymore. But there could be? Maybe.

Oh god.

The corners of Neil's lips turned down slightly. He ran a hand through his hair, making it stick up even more.

"I thought so."

I wanted to explain everything, but I also didn't want him to think I was making excuses. I looked down at the table.

"How did you know?" I asked quietly. "Did someone say something? Does everyone know?"

"No, no one said a word. I had no idea until today."

"Why? What happened?"

"Jayce is acting strange around me. At first I thought he was angry, but he also has this look of resignation about him. Then he said something that made me think."

"What did he tell you?"

"He said if I hurt you he'd cut off my balls."

I couldn't help the bark of laughter that escaped. "He didn't!" I put my head in my hands, embarrassed, but also amused.

"Those were his exact words."

"Neil, it's not... I mean, we did have a little something, but that's over with now."

Neil looked skeptical.

"We have an attraction to each other, but we both agreed it wouldn't do either of us any good to get involved. He's a famous rock star with fans to string along. He needs to play the rock star god. I'm just a newbie in the industry. We don't need crazy fangirls attacking us."

He nodded. "Then I don't have anything to worry about?"

"No. Not at all. Whatever we had, it's over."

"I like you, Ailey. I'd like to get to know you more. But I don't want to get stuck between you and another guy."

"Our decision to break it off was mutual. We both agreed it was for the best."

"I just want to make sure we're both going into this on the same page." He quirked his lips into a smile.

"I think we are." I gave him a shy smile. "I've wanted to meet you for months, after all."

"I'm the same. Even though I had no idea what you looked like, I loved talking with you and getting to know you. I had a feeling there would be chemistry if we got together in person."

I bit my lip nervously, wondering if I should ask. I mustered my courage.

"And is there?"

He leaned forward and stroked his fingers down my bare arm, brushing over my palm to the fingertips, causing a shiver to run down my spine.

"Like you wouldn't believe."

MY DATE WITH Neil had gone wonderfully. We talked for hours, laughing and joking. It really was like we were long lost friends. He walked me back to my hotel room long after midnight. I thought about inviting him in but wondered if it was too soon. He just kissed me goodnight before I could make a decision.

We didn't manage to get much private time, but ran into each as other as often as would be expected when working together. We kept it professional, only giving each other a few longing stares and brushing our hands together a few times when we thought no one was looking.

Our messaging, though, was another story.

I can't wait to feel the heat of your tongue on my cock.

I'm imagining you lying in bed wearing nothing but high heels and panties.

The next time we're alone, I'm going to spread your legs and fuck you wide open.

I had an almost perpetual blush and had to tilt my screen to hide it from prying eyes whenever I received a new notification, never knowing whether or not it was from Neil.

The only negative was the awkwardness of being around Jayce. I'd cornered him to get some answers for a question and answer thread on a popular online forum. His answers were curt, and I found myself having to soften them up before I posted a response.

It was frustrating. I knew he was acting this way because he had seen Neil kiss me, but both of us had decided to break it off. Being together would never work. Besides, it wasn't like we had a real relationship. We'd kissed one time in a stairwell! That didn't mean we were boyfriend and girlfriend, and it certainly didn't mean I couldn't date other people.

Despite knowing all that, I could understand how he felt. We had made a connection. We were attracted to each other. It must have been hard to see me with another man. Although I didn't feel sorry for kissing Neil, I did still feel the need to apologize. I waited until the Q&A was done.

"Is that it?" Jayce asked.

"That was the last question."

He got up from the tour bus sofa and started toward the exit, but I stopped him with a hand on his arm.

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

"What?" He didn't even turn around.

"It's about me and Neil. The assistant producer."

Jayce flopped back down on the sofa, as far away from me as he could get, eyebrows drawn down.

"Why do you call him that, anyway? I thought he preferred Connor."

"I know him as Neil. We've been messaging each other online for months. Neither of us had any idea who the other was. It wasn't until I posted something I'd told him about in real life from my personal account that he figured it out. That time when you saw him kiss me, that was the first time we'd properly met in person. I had no idea he was going to do that. It took me by surprise, too."

The tension in his body slowly melted away, but the frown stayed. "You were dating him online?"

"No! No, not at all. We were just friends."

"That didn't look like a friendly kiss."

"We had agreed to meet up for drinks at the end of summer. I guess he was more into me than I thought." And I was more into him, but I didn't say that out loud. "I know we both agreed there could be nothing between us, but I got the feeling you might be upset about the whole situation. I wanted to apologize."

"There's no need." Jayce flicked his eyes away from mine and looked out the window. "It's not like we're together or anything."

"I want you to know that I wasn't with Neil when we kissed. Or anyone else for that matter."

"It's fine, Ailey."

I hesitated before pressing on. "I just want to know that things are okay between us."

"We're cool. Are we done here?"

"Yeah."

He stood back up and stalked down the aisle until he reached the front, pounding down the stairs with a heavy gait.

Things weren't fine between us at all.

Chapter Thirteen.

My phone pinged and I rolled over, groaning. After a few late work nights, I'd finally gone to bed early. I should have turned off my alerts, but I was always worried I'd miss something.

It was Neil.

You asleep?

No. Not anymore.

Sorry. Did I wake you?

It's okay.

Are you in bed?

Yeah.

Are you wearing sexy little pajamas like I'm imagining?

A thrill of excitement swept through me. I decided to be bold.

What if I told you I didn't wear anything to bed?

Then I'd wish I was there with you.

What would you do, if you were here next to me?

First off, the sheets would have to go. I'd want to see you lying naked on the bed.

If that's what you want, I'd throw the blankets to the floor.

I'd drink in the sight of you, take in every inch of your skin.

From your breasts to your ass to your legs.

You're beautiful.

Flatterer.

It's true.

What else would you do?

I'd tell you to touch yourself. Take those nipples between your fingers and play with them.

My breath caught in my throat. I'd never done anything like this before. Heat washed through me as I did what he said, rubbing one of my nipples in circles, sending sparks through my body.

Are you getting hot, sweetheart?

Yes. Absolutely, yes.

Good. Now part those thighs so I can see you.

All of you.

I gasped out loud, the sound echoing in the room. I imagined Neil staring at the most private part of me. The thought filled me with heat. I slowly shifted my body until my legs were splayed on either side of me.

Are your legs spread open, sweetheart?

Yes.

Good girl.

You're going to keep them there, you understand?