Where Lightning Strikes (Bleeding Stars #3)(21)

What the hell just happened? What did I just allow to happen? Again.

I turned to glare back at him. “You’re such an *.”

He laughed this horrible, cutting sound.

“I think we’ve already established that.”

My body was on fire and my mind was reeling with the memory of how the crude, simple bear had felt in my hand. I was engulfed in emotion—hate and want and a crazy drive to know a man I didn’t come close to understanding.

Was I stupid for wanting to?

My chin lifted and I forced any connection I thought we shared aside.

Drawing blood, I bit at my bottom lip to keep it from trembling. “It’s a good thing your apologies are rare…because they don’t mean anything anyway.”





“WELL, DAMN.” ON AN exaggerated sigh, Ash plopped down into his chair between April, Shea’s long-time best friend, and me.

Twinkle lights were strung through the trees above. They draped across the space to create the illusion of an outdoor ceiling over a clearing in the wooded area behind the church where the ceremony had been held. Round tables were set up along the perimeter, making a horseshoe around the dance floor and stage that had been constructed in the center.

A cool breeze blew through the night. It rustled the leaves, mixing up the voices and laughter from the reception with the faint trickle that could be heard from the stream running in the distance.

The scene was breathtaking.

It was no wonder Shea had chosen this spot.

“Damn what?” Anthony lifted his drink, eyeing Ash with a grin from across the table where he sat beside his wife. Anthony was Sunder’s long-time manager, but I knew he was more of a friend to all the guys than simply a business partner.

Next to him on the other side, almost lost in the shadows, was Lyrik. Sable eyes severe. Dark and confusing and twisting me up just a little tighter. Right into that knot that’d refused to leave my stomach since he’d been so kind to make a fool out of me in his apartment two days ago.

But what did I expect? I knew the games those kinds of boys liked to play. And I’d willingly stepped right into the ring.

I wouldn’t be making that mistake again.

Ash huffed in astounded frustration. “I thought weddings were supposed to be all about the hooking up? Lovely ladies for miles. A buffet. A smorgasbord. Only single women here?”

He hooked his thumb over his shoulder toward a table on the other side of the dance floor. “Three chicks I already bagged back in L.A. So that leaves April and my Tam Tam.”

He waggled his brows between us. “Which of you knockouts wants dibs? One night with a rock legend.” He stretched his arms out to the sides, offering that overabundance of cockiness, dimples lighting up in his cheeks. “All-access pass.”

April curled her nose in disgust. “Ew, no…just no.”

He turned to me, blue eyes gleaming. “Guess it’s just you and me, then, Tam Tam. Only thing I ask is that you not chop my dick off in the middle of the night.” He grinned. “You kinda scare me, but I’m willing to take the risk.”

I lifted a teasing brow, playing along. Funny how I could spar with Ash without qualms or sweaty palms or fear slicking down my spine. “Feeling awfully brave, now, aren’t we?”

Leaning on his forearms, he spun the heel of his half-empty rocks glass on the table. “Brave?” He acted as if he were in deep contemplation. “No…No…I believe the correct description would be horny. Yes, yes, that’s it.”

“Ew,” April said again with a shake of her head and shove on his shoulder. He jostled into me and I pushed him back.

“What, can a man get no love around here? Does only Baz get this privilege, the lucky bastard? This is just not damned fair. Someone help a man out here.”

I laughed. “Looks like you’re going to have to help yourself out tonight, buddy, because it’s sure not going to be me.”

“Sounds like someone else I know…taking matters into their own hands.” That dark, smooth voice cut through the air.

My eyes flew Lyrik’s way.

Was he really going to go there?

My stare narrowed in warning and hatred and a flash of hurt I just couldn’t keep at bay. I knew what he was implying. Going back to that night when he’d backed me into a corner in the storage room. When I’d turned him down then days later he’d turned around and done the same to me.

I thought both of us would finally have had enough and thrown in the towel, giving up this stupid, futile game. Quit hurting each other for sport.

Because neither of us were going to win.

But, no.

He just kept right on like he wanted to go another round. Watching me as if he couldn’t stop.

Big question?

Why?

Why wouldn’t he give this up?

That fierce gaze shifted between hunger and remorse and an apology I didn’t want him to speak.

Not that I’d be foolish enough to fall for it again.

Casually, he sat rocked back in his chair, as if he were just another person in the small group gathered at Shea and Sebastian’s wedding reception.

As if he wasn’t single-handedly setting fire to my safe little world.

Lights from above glowed against his face.

Like a halo bestowed on a dark angel.