I shove him back a little and shake my head. “Don’t get any ideas. That isn’t happening. I came here for business, remember?”

He threads his fingers into my hair. “I don’t see why we can’t mix a little pleasure in too. Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes in a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my side, “The things I can do to your body if you’d let me.”

The nerves inside my body jitter. Noel’s skin is so warm, and I swear he’s leaving a trail of fire in his wake. Fire spreads from my core causing an ache I didn’t know is possible. I’ve dreamt of his touch for the last four years. I want this so much, but I can’t let this happen. If I give into him now, he’ll tire of me quicker and not only will my heart break, but my dreams for a killer job will be crushed.

He reaches out and takes a strand of my brown hair between his fingers. The corners of his lips turn up, and he tucks the loose strand behind my ear. His fingertips linger on my cheek. “You look exactly the same. Still the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.” He brings his lips toward mine. Warmth from his breath touches my face, and all I can think about is his kiss. What it will feel like. Will it be just like old times?

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” My heart thunders with anticipation, and I bite my lip.

“You know I’ve never been great at resisting beautiful women.” Noel’s eyes search my face.

I should tell him to back off. It will be smart to say no right away, but I stare deep into his blue eyes and I can’t kid myself. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my entire life. Resisting him is so damn hard. “I—I don’t think—”

Noel cradles my face in both hands. A smile flirts along his lips. “Don’t think, Lane, just feel.”

That’s the problem. If I feel too much for him this won’t end well. I can’t let this happen. “We should really get to work.”

He rubs his nose against mine. “One kiss and I’ll behave all day.”

I swallow hard and try to pretend the mere touch of his skin against mine isn’t sending my body into overdrive. If he only knew the effect he’s having on me right now. It’s been far too long since I’d been with a guy—over a year, actually. He’s lucky I don’t strip him down here and now.

I shake the last thought out of my head, and Noel pulls back a little.

I swallow hard. “That can’t happen between us. I don’t have those kinds of feeling for you anymore.”

He raises an eyebrow and his grin turns wicked. “Are you sure about that? Don’t forget, Lane, I know you. I know how you tick and what you…”—his eyes scan the length of my body, lingering on my breasts—“want.”

Damn him. I shove against his chest. “You’re wrong.”

Noel laughs as he pushes himself away from the wall and gestures me further into the room. “Well if you’re sure you don’t require any further assistance from me, I’ll leave you to it. But…if you change your mind—”

“I won’t,” I snap, cutting him off and step past him. I can’t even look at the smug expression I know he’s wearing.

He chuckles while he lets himself out the bedroom door and I let out a sigh of relief.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Five Finger Death Punch rocks out hard on the stage and the audience is insane. I count at least five mosh pits not far from the front row. Girls sit on guys’ shoulders and flash their bare breasts at the band on stage while the crowd hollers encouragements to egg them on. Some must’ve gotten tired of tops altogether and sit there without a shirt while rocking out.

Crazy.

There’s some sort of wild energy in the air that has everyone hyped. Even I feel it as I bob my head to the beat. Now I know what Noel is talking about. This is a major rock event, and everyone is enjoying themselves to the fullest. There’s some sort of spell that sucks you into the moment going on here.

Backstage is busy as well. There are people everywhere I turn. A few of the bands I recognize off music videos or tour posters I’ve seen Black Falcon on before, but the rest of the people are faceless strangers. A few giddy female fans mill about and gush over their favorite bands, and I smile every time I hear one of them mention Noel’s band. Those girls don’t bother me much. They seem harmless. I don’t think they’re back here to attempt to get in the band member’s pants.

The hardcore groupies and strippers, on the other hand, have a different agenda. It’s like they’re on a mission to get laid by the most famous guy that will have them. A few of them have even hit on the female rockers that are backstage. Pathetic, really. What would drive a woman to want to be used for sex by someone so badly? They must have some serious Daddy issues.

A large crowd gathers by the steps that lead up to the stage area where I am. Cameras flash, and I strain my neck hoping Noel’s back from his band meeting. People cram in tight, pushing to gain every inch they can toward their target. Riff makes it to the top step while he signs autographs and kisses some of his female admirers. I sigh—still no Noel yet. I tilt my head, curious as to what it is about Riff that drives the girls wild.

I just can’t figure it out.

Sure he’s really cute, even a blind woman can see that, but that alone wouldn’t make me want to sleep with him. Who knows what kind of person he is. I don’t judge, but I’m going to sleep with a person based off looks alone.