Where Lightning Strikes (Bleeding Stars #3)(78)

Never, never stop.

Even if it was stupid.

Because love makes you do stupid things.

An hour and a half later, the car pulled up to the private terminal at Hilton Head Airport. The sun climbed the eastern horizon, rays stretching out to embrace the top of the lush copse of trees outlining the area, the green leaves dusted with dew sparkling like Christmas lights.

Everyone else was already there, gathered around the small chartered jet waiting on us.

I pushed out a nervous breath and glanced at the dark, foreboding man sitting at my side, that delicious mouth quirked up in a knowing smirk, before returning my gaze to the ridiculous show of money flaunted in front of us.

Butterflies assaulted my stomach.

I got the distinct feeling I was about to enter the world of Lyrik I knew nothing about, other than those few glances I’d been granted. The few fans who’d recognized him at the bar. Anthony’s beachside mansion. The magazine stories I’d read and the entertainment headlines that had caught my eye.

“Do you guys always go overboard like this?”

Lyrik laughed lightly. “Nah…but it sure is nice when we do.”

I looked at him, feigned, wide innocent eyes. “It must be so rough when you subject yourself to commercial first-class instead. The atrocity.”

This time it was a thick roll of laughter that left him, before he edged forward and gripped my chin to keep me looking at him. He pressed his nose to mine. “You gonna sit over there and give me a hard time when I was so kind to invite you along? Spoil you with a bit of luxury? Get you backstage to a show?”

Those dark eyes flashed with mischief, a toying threat that sent those butterflies scattering. “I mean, we do know how you like your boys tattooed and screaming, don’t we?”

His lips touched mine. Briefly. Wickedly.

I struggled for a breath.

He leaned back, raked his teeth over his bottom lip.

On all things holy. No man should look that good or have the power to effect women that way.

He cocked his head. “Now are you comin’ or stayin’?”

Gone were the shadows that’d haunted his eyes last night. In their place was the ruthless man edged with this boyish excitement that skimmed the expression on his face. I couldn’t help but feel that way, too.

“Oh, I’m definitely coming.”

Chuckling, he shook his head and unlatched his door. “That’s what I thought.”

Lyrik unloaded our bags from the trunk, grabbing hold of his guitar case and passing me my camera bag. I slung it over my shoulder and followed close behind as he wheeled our suitcases toward our friends.

Shea was grinning when I approached. Her baby belly had grown huge, and she glowed with joy.

I itched to capture the moment, that old need flooding me like a sea cave swilling with the rising tide.

“I can’t believe you’re coming with us,” she squealed as she rushed forward and threw her arms around me. She rocked me in a hug as if she hadn’t seen me for ages. She suddenly leaned in close and spoke so no one else could hear. “It’s so good to have you back.”

Was it possible she read me that easily? That she saw right through the stony fa?ade?

She released me just as quickly. Her words increased in volume as if she were speaking to the entire crowd. “This is going to be the best weekend ever. I always get stuck with all you boys. About time there’s another girl there to keep me company.”

“Don’t get any ideas, Shea.” I could feel Lyrik’s presence invading me from behind. “Blue here? She’s on board for a weekend with me. Not you.”

Over my shoulder, I tossed Lyrik a bewildered look. “What are you talking about? You told me Shea was coming. That’s the only reason I agreed.”

Lyrik wrapped me in his arms, his front to my back. “Is that so?” he questioned, pressing himself a little closer. Teasing me with that body he knew left me defenseless.

“Well…I guess I don’t mind spending a little bit of time with you, too.”

By the hand, he spun me around. The entirety of that pretty face lifted in a smirk. “Don’t mind, huh? You sure didn’t seem to mind all that much last night.” He edged closer, voice dropping. “Or this mornin’, for that matter.”

I giggled.

Giggled.

Oh. God.

Undone.

That’s the way he’d left me.

He swatted my butt. “Now get that sweet ass on the plane.”

With a tiny yelp, I jumped right into his arms. A tumble of excited and joyous nerves skated through my body. Then Lyrik slowed, cupped my cheek as he gazed down at me, then kissed me gently.

Moments like these? They were the ones that left me a mixed-up, muddled mess.

Because they were the times when it felt like more.

“Come on,” he whispered. Turning, he led me by the hand toward the stairs the rest of the guys and Shea were already climbing.

Well, except for Ash.

He leaned up against the bottom of the railing, arms crossed over his wide chest.

Lyrik passed him, started up the stairs.

Ash gave us a look that was both mocking and sincere.

How the hell did the guy manage that?

“I trust the two of you had a pleasurable evening last night?” he asked. His grin grew in time with the lift of his brow.