“Am I hot or what?”

Trevor adjusted his skinny tie and wagged his eyebrows. Roman shook his head and buckled his belt.

“You’re hot, Trev. You’re hot.”

They’d just played their best show to date, and the adrenaline wasn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. A local radio station had put together a small afterparty for them at his condo on the north side of town. Their cab was waiting.

“Let’s find you a hot hookup, and me a handsome distraction.”

Trevor gave himself one last look in the mirror. “How big is this party going to be?”

Roman shrugged. “Just a few friends. Guaranteed hot women.”

Trevor didn’t want to meet hot chicks. He wanted Emelia. Day and night, he couldn’t get his mind off of her. Every time he attempted to rip his thoughts away to something else, his mind managed to plummet back to her.

“Hey look,” Roman mentioned and abstractly pointed his arm in the general direction of the backstage exit.

“What?”

“It’s Grant and Emelia.”

Trevor silently cursed himself for looking a little too quickly. His chest tightened at the sight of her on Grant’s arm. She was with her man, yet Trevor couldn’t stop the need to head over to them, just to be near her.

Emelia was wearing a sexy yellow sundress with a sunflower print. Trevor noticed how the dress gave her figure even more definition and accentuated how curvy and beautiful she was.

“Hey.” His gaze drew to her, Grant becoming a complete ghost. She returned his gaze just as hard.

“What are you two up to tonight?” Keep is causal, Jameson. Jesus.

“Great show tonight man.” Grant acknowledged to Roman and Trevor with a measured smile.

“Thanks, man.” Trevor appreciated receiving the compliment. “Thanks for all your help in making everything come together.”

“I just do what you pay me for.”

There was an underlying tension in the words. Probably, Trevor realized, because he was staring at the man’s girlfriend.

“Where are you guys heading?” Emelia glanced up at Trevor with a slightly desperate expression.

“We’ve got a private house party to go to.” He paused and tried to talk himself out of it.  “You guys are welcome to join us.”

“Yeah. Sure.” Roman shrugged as if he were caught off guard but still attempting to be polite. “Might as well come along.”

“It’s not your house,” Grant stated blandly.

“Hmm?” Roman placed his hands in his pockets and eyed Grant.

“How can you invite someone to a party when it’s not even your house?” Grant explained.

There was an awkward silence. What was this guy’s deal? It almost seemed as if he were looking for a way out, or to start an argument.

Roman waved off the concern. “Nah, it’s totally cool. No one would mind if you came. They have a great apartment with a terrace and a pool on the roof.”

“That sounds fun!” Emelia looked at Grant with hopeful eyes.

He cut her a sharp glance. “Emelia!”

“Oh, come on!” Emelia nudged him. “It sounds so fun.”

“It will be epic.” Trevor wanted her to come with. Suddenly, it was all he could think about. There was no telling what kind of shenanigans they could get into tonight.

Grant made a face. “We’re going to sit this one out. Thanks anyway, guys.”

Emelia’s brow furrowed. “Maybe you want to sit it out, but I don’t want to. Come on Grant. Seriously.”

“Yeah, I bet you do want to go Emelia. Care to let everyone here know why you’re in such a hurry to go along. Huh? Go ahead, tell them.”

Emelia’s face paled confusion and hurt crossing her eyes. Trevor had to resist the urge to punch him in the face. He was a total dick to Emelia.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Grant.”

“Yeah, you do. Anyway, thanks guys, but we have to run.”

“No.” Emelia held her ground as Grant tried to pull her along.

Trevor had the urge to step in between them and unwind her arm from Grant’s. He didn’t like the hold the man had on her, or the dark expression clouding his features.

“I’m a big girl, Grant, and I’d like to go and mingle. I’ll see you back at the hotel.”

“Excuse me?” Grant burst.

Emelia shrugged her arm away from Grant’s grip. “I’m just saying I’d like to go hang out for a little while. It’s that simple.”

Grant’s lips became a thin line, the harshness driving Trevor’s instinct to get Emelia slightly behind him. He did with a casual swoop of his arm. Tension crackled between them, and Trevor couldn’t shake his concern for her safety.

“I should take every opportunity I can to market your company, right? These high-profile parties are the perfect way to do that.”

Trevor smiled. He had to give the girl credit where credit was good. She had just played her cards right. She was in the game now.

“Fine.” Grant hissed and clenched his teeth. “Don’t do anything stupid. If you do, don’t come running to me for help.”

Trevor took a step in his direction. “Christ, there’s no reason to act like that. We’ll look out for her, introduce her to a few people. That’s all.”

Grant stared at Trevor, sizing him up. He pursed his lips but remained silent. He was smarter than Trevor thought. He knew this gig would be over for him if he crossed Trevor in any way.

“Have fun,” he grumbled and then trudged away without looking back.

Emelia watched after him for a long time. Maybe concerned that he’d come back and make her leave. Her expression was neutral, but Trevor would give anything to know what was going on in her mind. He caught her eyes and reality hit him.

He and Emelia were going to essentially be alone tonight. He’d wanted her and only her, and just for tonight, he had his wish.

“Have you ever been in a Ferrari before?” He asked as they walked to the private unloading zone where Trevor’s car was parked.

“No.” Emelia giggled and shook her head. “Let me guess? You have one?”

“I do,” he said as he guided her into the parking garage. “And a driver. Your chariot awaits.”

A candy apple Ferrari pulled up to them, and Trevor popped the door open. Emelia stared at it, eyes blazing. “How fast does it go?”

Trevor affectionately patted the hood. “Why don’t you get in, and you’ll find out?”

Roman gave him a sideways, disgruntled glance. Trevor knew exactly what that stare meant. He was teetering dangerously on the edge of being flirty with Emelia, but he didn’t care. What harm was a little innocent flirting anyway?

He watched Emelia climb into the car. Her sundress rode up on her thighs, exposing a wickedly amount of bare skin. Trevor took a deep breath and told the driver to go. He settled in next to Emelia, his leg lightly touching the length of hers. God, how he wished they were alone right now.

He gave Roman a glance, who looked back with a knowing and apologetic expression. As soon as they got to the party, he was ditching his best friend and taking Emelia somewhere private.

“How far away is the party?” Emelia asked, making conversation. She was a natural at keeping the conversation flowing. Trevor enjoyed how easy she was to talk to.

“Not far, when you get a driver like this.”

The car burst ahead, grinding gears as it whizzed down a straightaway. She squealed and grabbed Trevor’s knee, gripping him tightly to hold herself into place. He clasped a hand over hers, feeling like he was out of control. But not from the speed.

Her touch.

“You weren’t kidding, Mr. Jameson. This car is awesome!”

Trevor sucked in a deep breath. He couldn’t stand the way she drawled out his last name in the sexiest voice he had ever heard.

The car went faster, and Trevor welcomed it. Hurry up and get them there. The promise and potential for a new beginning was up ahead, and he couldn’t fucking wait to get there.