Play (Stage Dive, #2)(31)

“No. Of course not.” I crossed my arms. “But we agreed to keep sex out of this. Generally, people not having sex don’t need to talk about tongues.”

“I disagree.”

“You really want to keep talking about this? Really?”

“You have no idea how much, pumpkin.”

“Great. Let’s discuss it.” Maybe I should just throw myself over the balcony. It couldn’t be that far down. The laws of physics aside, I might bounce. You never know. “You said you’d put your tongue in my ear, Malcolm, not halfway down my throat.”

“I didn’t put it halfway down your throat.” His eyes narrowed. “I’ve never had any complaints about the way I kiss before.”

I said nothing.

“This is bullshit. You liked it. I know you did.”

“It was nice enough.”

“Nice enough?” he asked, tendons tightening in his neck like he intended to Hulk out on me. “Did you just call my kiss ‘nice enough’?”

“We’re just pretending, Mal. Remember? Why don’t you calm down?” I stepped back, giving him a calm smile.

He stepped forward, his green eyes blazing bright. “That kiss was not just f*cking ‘nice enough.’”

“Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a little?” I tried to laugh it off.

He was not appeased. “No.”

“I guess we just don’t click that way. Which I think is pretty lucky given the situation, right? It keeps things uncomplicated, just the way you wanted them, right?”

“Wrong.”

“Careful there. I think your ego’s showing. Not every girl needs to fall at your feet.”

“You do.”

“Ha. No, Mal, I don’t.”

“Do.”

“Don’t.”

“Do.”

“Stop it.” I glared at him. Good god, rock stars were so childish. Spoiled brats.

The silence between us was deafening, the depths of space couldn’t compete. We had the bubble thing going on again. Inside the condo didn’t exist, there was no party, no music, light, and chatter. But I could control this situation. No way would my head be getting messed up by some rock star who’d be gone in no time.

“I want a do-over. Now,” he demanded.

“No way.” I put a hand to his chest, trying to hold him back. It didn’t help. His heart beat hard against the palm of my hand even through the layers of clothing.

He loomed ever more threateningly closer, licking his gorgeous lips. “Right now, Anne. You and me.”

“I don’t think so.”

“I can do better.” And closer.

“You don’t have to prove anything to me, Mal.”

“You’ll like it this time, promise.”

If I liked his kiss any more I’d have heart failure. “Truly not necessary.”

“Just once more,” he said, his voice intoxicatingly low and smooth, lulling me into compliance. Damn him. “No big deal. Just give me one more chance.”

His mouth hovered above mine, the anticipation tying me in knots. Damn it, I wasn’t going to stop him. Not even a little. I was the worst.

“Trouble in paradise?” Jimmy Ferris stepped out onto the balcony, his trademark sneery smile in place. I could have kissed him for his timely intervention. Except kissing was what had gotten me into this mess.

“Hiding from Lena?” asked Mal calmly.

Jimmy flicked his dark hair back. His gaze slid to me before moving onto the city lights below. There was a non-answer if I’d ever seen one.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Mal snorted. All of his intensity had evaporated into thin air, thank god. “We’re all good thanks, bro. Just picking out names for our future children. Anne wants Malcolm Junior for a boy but I said no, absolutely not. Kid should at least have a chance at a life out from underneath the shadow of his old man.”

“That’s real big of you,” said Jimmy.

“I know, right? Being a parent is all about the sacrifices.”

Mal slid his hand behind my neck, rubbing at the tight muscles. “Relax,” he ordered. “It isn’t good for the baby.”

“I am not pregnant.”

“Ah, shit, that’s right. We were s’posed to be keeping it quiet. Sorry, pumpkin.” He smacked himself in the forehead. I would’ve been happy to do it for him.

“Don’t worry,” said Jimmy. “We’ve been friends since we were kids. I know when he’s talking shit.”

I wish I did.

“Who’s pregnant?” asked David Ferris, wandering out onto the balcony with his wife in one hand and a beer in the other.

With a look of great pride, Mal rubbed my belly. Any roundness was far more likely due to a weakness for cake than any acts of procreation.

“I’m not –”

“We were keeping it on the down low,” said Mal. “We didn’t want to upstage you two lovebirds.”

“Fast work,” said David with a hint of a smile.

“My boys can swim.” Mal winked.

“I don’t think you can actually tell that soon, dickhead.” Jimmy crossed his arms, leaning against the wall of windows. “Science and stuff, right?”