“I’m Torpedo Ink,” Savage announced. “And Seychelle’s fiancé. You have anything to say to her in that fuckin’ tone of voice, you say it to me first.”
Hank swallowed visibly and cast around for something to say that wouldn’t make him look like a pussy but wouldn’t get him into trouble. “We’ve got a show to put on.”
“She’ll be right in,” Savage said. “A few more minutes.”
Seychelle waited until Hank and the drummer got Joseph between them and helped the scout back into the bar. Savage knew Maestro, Keys, Player and Master were right there in the shadows. Absinthe was somewhere, probably inside, keeping a pulse on the bar.
“Seriously, Savage? You’d better stop saying things like that. Torpedo Ink is news to a lot of people now. You’re going to find that little rumor sweeping through the clubs.”
“I could give a fuck what other people say. I don’t live my life by gossip, and neither do you. Am I right?”
She gave him that smile again, and his lungs burned for air.
“No, I don’t pay much attention to gossip, although when everyone warns a woman about a man, she had better listen.”
“Someone warned you about me?”
“Not me specifically, but I hear rumors and you’re considered hot and sexy, so yeah, you get mentioned. They say you don’t stick around. At. All.”
“And I don’t fuckin’ kiss them, converse or cozy up with them in a bed.”
She laughed again, just like he knew she would. That sound was shockingly beautiful, the golden notes scattering like tiny little crystals around them.
“Since you’re no longer smoking, there’s no reason for you to frequent alleys and get your sexy little ass in trouble. I mean it, Seychelle. Don’t go where it isn’t safe. That man who is supposed to be a scout sounded like a stalker.”
“How would you know what a stalker sounds like?”
“I’m stalking you, aren’t I?”
She shrugged, amusement climbing to her eyes, lighting them. “I suppose so. Since you’re such an expert, I’ll follow your advice. I really do have to go back in.”
He stood there blocking her path, knowing it would be a mistake to kiss her again, but the craving was there. She just waited, not in the least concerned that she was seemingly alone with Savage, a Torpedo Ink sergeant at arms. He leaned in to her deliberately, wrapped his palm around the nape of her neck and put his lips against her ear.
“You aren’t nearly as safe as you think.”
Her blue eyes stared directly into his, and there was a hint of laughter that sent his cock into a frenzy of urgent need. She wrapped her hand around his upper arm, or tried to, but her hand barely made it halfway around his biceps. That didn’t deter her. She put her lips against his ear, going on her toes to do it.
“You’re so full of shit.” She pulled back immediately. “I have work to do, my darling fake fiancé. Step aside.”
He’d never wanted to kiss a woman more. Okay, he’d never wanted to fuck a woman more. He stepped back from the temptation. She was pure sin and he needed her. He wasn’t comfortable needing anyone, let alone a woman. She had a smart mouth on her. He loved that about her. She also wasn’t afraid of him when everyone else was. He didn’t know how to take that. She even appeared to think he was amusing when he was seriously warning her. She didn’t believe he was attracted to her. That much was clear. He found himself wanting to smile again.
He let her go around him. She didn’t look back when she went inside. His brothers immediately came out of the shadows.
“What the hell was that, Savage?” Maestro demanded.
“I told you I know her,” he said.
“Yeah, you know her. You said she wasn’t one of your weird fucks. I want that woman singing in our band.”
Master nodded. “Shocked the hell out of me, but she’s damned good.”
“You can’t fuck this up for us because she’s got a nice ass,” Player said.
Keys just looked at Savage and then shook his head. “You might as well pack it in, brothers, he’s gone on this chick.”
Savage didn’t deny it. He just gave them the death stare. What was there to say? It was true, but he wasn’t sure what he was going to do about it. He wished she were one of his weird fucks. It would make life so much easier for both of them. She was far more than that. She’d never be just another one of his weird fucks.