Annette carefully rolled on her side, bracing her head on her hand to look over the men she’d slept with. Literally. She rarely found herself in bed with more than one guy, and never after getting a good night’s rest.

After the day they’d had, they’d all needed it.

Connor took up most of the space, face buried in the pillow, one hand where her cheek had been, the other on Balthazar’s bare chest. He’d managed to kick off the blanket, but had the dark grey sheets tangled around his legs. All the muscles in his back were relaxed, but the definition still made her mouth water. Would he wake up if she licked him, just once? Probably, but he was damn irresistible. As her gaze moved down to the curve of his ass the idea of licking turned into biting and she forced herself to look away.

Down girl. Annette laughed softly, squeezing her thighs together as the sweet ache in her core proved her body agreed with where her mind was at. Connor would probably be cool waking up to her mouth and hands on him, but it wasn’t his reaction that worried her.

Stretched out beside him on his back at the very edge of the bed, Balthazar’s chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. He looked comfortable enough, even though she and Connor hadn’t left him with any blankets. She wasn’t sure how she’d ended up cocooned in all the bedding, but she wished she’d woken up at some point to share.

The house was quiet, so the guys could sleep a bit longer. Once the rest of her band got here things would go nuts. Might as well let them enjoy the peace while it lasted.

Slipping out of the bed, she pulled apart the blankets, padded quietly over to Balthazar’s side to cover him. She tried not to stare too long at his rock-hard abs, or the black boxers riding low on his hips, barely covering his impressive length.

Her cheeks heated and she quickly covered him, drawing the blanket all the way up to his neck, both for warmth and her own sanity.

His hand wrapped around her wrist as she released the blanket.

She yelped, jerking back.

“Shh.” He sat up, pressing his finger to her lips. “I’m sorry, you startled me.”

“Right back atcha.” She licked her bottom lip as he lowered his hand. “I figured you’d be more comfortable with a blanket. Sorry I hogged them all.”

He smiled, pulling the blanket off his thighs and spreading it gently over Connor. “I was fine, but thank you.”

“Yeah…” She swallowed as he stood. Not staring was much harder with him stretching his arms over his head in front of her, his pecs flexing, his erection clearly outlined against the snug black cotton of his boxers. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was doing it on purpose. “You probably want to get dressed. I’ll…go.”

His eyes shone with amusement. “No need, but I’ll put some clothes on if it makes you more comfortable.”

“I’m not uncomfortable.” She frowned at him. Maybe he had done it on purpose. “I’m in a band with four guys. I’ve seen them wearing less.”

“But you’ve known them for years.” Balthazar’s expression turned thoughtful. “And I imagine the boundaries between you are clear.”

“Mostly?” She wrinkled her nose. “Not so much with North.”

His lips thinned. “I see.”

“No, you really don’t.” She wasn’t sure if she wanted to have this conversation with him. Would it prove how wrong she was for Connor? Would Balthazar judge her for how much she’d let her feelings for North fuck with her life? Jeopardize her career? She folded her arms over her breasts. “I thought I was in love with North. I tried to be the kind of woman he’d want, but I only ended up feeling used. And don’t want to play his games anymore. But he knows how to mess with me. He’s hard to resist and he fucking knows it.”

“I’m not trying to ‘mess’ with you, Annette.”

The man was sharp, she’d give him that. She couldn’t help drawing parallels between what he’d just done and North flaunting himself at every opportunity. As if to assure himself she still wanted something she’d never really have.

Balthazar never really flirted with her, but he could be making sure she never forgot what he could give Connor. She and Balthazar might be getting along better, but they were still falling for the same man. And he had the advantage. With his experience in counseling, he could support Connor in ways she’d have to learn over time. He was strong and sexy and Connor would have everything he needed with him alone.

What was she really bringing to the table? Her own insecurities? Her inability to commit to anyone because the idea of giving that much of her heart again terrified her?

“I see you, Balthazar. You’re fucking hot and you know it. And you’ve got amazing chemistry with Connor. I’m not trying to come between you.” She hiked her chin up, ignoring the way her throat tightened as she considered how easily she could be pushed aside. “But so long as Connor wants me around, I’m not going anywhere.”

“And I don’t expect you to.” Balthazar closed the distance between them, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “I see you too, Annette. Perhaps I misunderstood the way you were looking at me when you covered me with the blanket.”

Her cheeks heated. She chewed at her bottom lip. “Perhaps.”

“Understood.” His lips curved slightly. “But so we’re clear, you’re difficult to resist as well. You might not be aware.” His fingers brushed her cheek before he lowered his hand. “But you should be.”

Pulse racing, she stared up at him, not sure what to say. When Joanna had suggested seducing him, Annette hadn’t really believed she could. Balthazar was like no man she’d ever met. So controlled, sure of himself and what he wanted. She couldn’t fit in his world. She was messy and uncertain and hadn’t the slightest clue what she needed. Sure, they’d had a moment, but Balthazar had made it pretty obvious he wouldn’t let her tempt him.

Had he changed his mind?

Before she could ask someone pounded at the door. She backed away from Balthazar, shook her head, then sighed. “Come in.”

The door opened and Orion stepped into the room, frowning as he looked from her to Balthazar. “Bad timing?”

“No, we were about to head up.” Annette smiled at Orion as he handed her a pile of clothes. “Thank you. I was going to message you to bring me some stuff, but I slept in.”

“You didn’t really. It’s only 8:30.” Orion’s jaw tensed. “North’s been up for a couple hours. Me and Kace had to talk him out of coming earlier. I’ve never seen him this eager to be on time for anything.”

“That’s good though…right?” She wasn’t sure what to make of North’s behavior. Fine, he was as driven as the rest of them for XVI Hours to succeed, but he was horrible at sticking to a schedule without someone nagging at him.

A task she thankfully shared with the whole band. Keeping him from getting distracted by the perks of the business could be challenging. If he was forced to choose between spending the morning posting pictures on Snapchat and interacting with fans, or heading to rented rehearsal space to practice a song he could perform in his sleep, he’d dig in his heels and bitch to anyone willing to listen.

“I guess.” Orion shoved his hands in the pockets of his favorite faded blue jeans and shrugged. “He’s hanging with Tate. Quinton don’t look too happy. And Jesse’s keeping Brave and Alder upstairs. He and Skull are talking to them. Last I heard, he was telling them to chill.”

“Good. They’ve got to stop acting like North is gonna fuck with Tate.” Annette bunched her clothes under her arm. “He’s not stupid.”

“Maybe not, but—”

“We talked about this, Orion.” She understood his concern, but they couldn’t let North face Winter’s Wrath alone while they still considered him the goddamn antichrist. “Let me get dressed. Stick with him, got it?”

“Yep.” Orion eyed Balthazar, then Connor, who’d woken at some point during the conversation, sitting up and leaning against the headboard. “I don’t know what’s going on here. And I don’t care. You hurt her and I will fuck you up.”

“Nice.” Annette grabbed his shoulder, propelling him out the door ahead of her. “That’s all we need, you threatening the people who actually like us.” She shot the men an apologetic smile as she started to close the door behind her. “Sorry. He’s not housebroken.”

Connor laughed, giving her a lazy smile. “He didn’t actually piss on your leg, so we’re good.”

“Agreed. You have protective friends. I respect that.” Balthazar crossed the room, putting his hand over hers on the door. “We’ll finish our discussion later.” He brushed his scruffy cheek against hers, speaking softly. “Don’t forget what I said.”

She shivered, not sure how to handle him being so close. She shoved him back. “I hate you.”

“It would be easier if you did, wouldn’t it?”

Not sure how to respond, she slipped past the door, shutting it in his face.

Would hating him be easier?

Probably not. Life would be simpler if she didn’t care about him. If she didn’t want him to like her. If she felt nothing for him at all.

But she did. He knew she did. Another point for him.

Only, this wasn’t a game. Or even a competition. Not that it ever had been.

They all had too much to lose.