Insider (Exodus End #1)(68)
Author: Olivia Cunning

“Of the sappiest design, I’m afraid.”

She released her hold on him and pulled a tissue from a box on the end table. She dabbed at her tears and blew her nose.

She stiffened when Max tugged her against him and wrapped his arms around her back. “Is the look gone?” he asked, leaning so close she could feel his breath on her lips.

Her heart thudded so hard against her ribs, she thought it was surely bruising itself. “If you kiss me right now, I’m going to kick you in the nuts.”

He laughed and gave her a squeeze before releasing her. “I can’t say I’m not tempted,” he said, “but I learned my lesson about fooling around with a bandmate’s girl.”

Toni stepped back. The man smelled like heaven, and all the heat coming off his hard-muscled body was suddenly addling her senses. Maximillian Richardson was tempted to kiss her? Seriously? He had to be messing with her.

“Just to be clear,” he said, “you are involved with Logan, right?”

She pressed one palm to a hot cheek. Okay, she was definitely feverish. That would explain the sudden weakness in her knees. “Right.”

“Let me know when his boyish charm starts to get old,” he said, the intensity in his hazel gaze sending butterflies flittering through her belly. “I’ll show you how a real man treats his woman.”

“Logan’s a real man,” she blurted.

Max chuckled and slid the door open. “Don’t forget to give me a copy of those questions.”

She was still gaping at his back when he shut the door behind him. It took her several moments to figure out why he wanted a copy of the questions.

Why did these men turn her into a fricking idiot?

Nineteen

Logan was brought to a sudden halt by Steve’s foot in his stomach.

“Stop pacing,” Steve said from his reclined location on the bus’s common area sofa.

“Why did she have to shut the door?” Logan grumbled. “It’s not like we don’t already know everything there is to know about Max.” Including how he liked to steal other band members’ girlfriends and knock them up. “He better keep his hands to himself.”

“You’re being ridiculous,” Steve said. “If she spreads her legs for him, then she’s not worth your time. Isn’t that right, Dare?”

Dare glanced up, his attention diverted from the glow of his tablet computer’s screen. He scowled slightly as if in pain—and perhaps he was hurting since the bridge of his nose was all bruised. “Some women are worth any hardship,” he said quietly before returning his attention to his computer.

Yeah. Exactly. And Toni was one of those rare women. But Logan much preferred not having to brave any hardship. He liked how easily they’d come together. Life was fucked up enough without having to worry about heartache. Or hardship. Or Max using his smooth moves on an innocent young woman who happened to rock Logan’s world. “He better keep his hands to himself,” Logan repeated. Then he flopped onto the sofa next to Steve’s enormous feet. Steve nudged Logan in the arm with one big toe.

“What’s so great about her anyway?” Steve asked.

Logan turned his head and squinted at the lounging drummer, trying to decide why Steve wanted to know. “You better keep your hands to yourself as well,” he said.

“And whatever you do, don’t let her hug you.” Dare pointed at the bridge of his nose without looking up.

“I apologized for that,” Logan reminded him.

“And I’ve decided not to kill you unless you break Toni’s heart,” Dare said, his voice unsettlingly calm. “Then it’s on.”

“And why are you so protective of her?” Steve asked Dare. “You barely know her.”

“She reminds me of Vic,” Trey said from his seat at the dining table.

Logan was surprised the guy could talk after all the making out he’d done with Reagan all morning. Every time Toni had entered the room, the two of them started going at it like a pair of horny toads. Logan understood the need to physically express admiration for a woman, but it seemed that those two were up to something. Reagan had insisted that Trey ride with them today. And that bodyguard of hers was nowhere to be found. Logan was pretty sure Reagan was trying to hide her weird relationship with two guys by overcompensating with the one she was willing to flaunt publicly. That had to be rough for the other guy.

“She doesn’t look anything like Vic,” Steve said.

Dare didn’t respond, but he’d gone very still.

“Not the way she looks,” Trey said. “The way she is. You know what I mean, don’t you, Dare?”

“No idea.” Dare stood from his recliner and headed toward the bathroom.

“She’s nice,” Trey said, catching his brother’s arm as he walked past. “A real sweetheart.”

“Sorry, I don’t see it,” Dare said. After brushing Trey’s hand off his arm, he entered the bathroom and closed the door.

“He does see it,” Trey muttered. “That’s why he’s so broody.”

“So Vic is . . .” Reagan prodded, shaking her head at Trey.

“One of Dare’s many ex-girlfriends.” Trey leaned over to steal a kiss. “Why did you make Ethan ride in the van again?”

“I think Toni suspects something.”

“So?”

“So, she’s a journalist. If the truth about the three of us gets out, my reputation will be destroyed.”

“Your reputation?” Trey said. “What about my reputation? When you’re a metal guitarist, sleeping around is expected. But being gay?” He shook his head.

“I’m trying to protect you as well.”

“Maybe I’m tired of hiding our relationship. You know this is killing Ethan.”

The door at the back of the bus slid open, and Reagan grabbed Trey for another round of making out. Logan hopped to his feet, examining Max for signs of seduction. His clothes were still in place, hair not mussed by exploring fingers, lips not swollen from passionate kisses. Logan released a relieved huff of air.

“That was quick,” Steve commented. “Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.”

“We have to reschedule a second interview later,” Max said with a mischievous grin directed toward Logan. “Toni got so hot and bothered sitting next to me that she couldn’t concentrate.”

Logan reminded himself that Max was just fucking with him and that he shouldn’t punch him in the nose. Besides, his bandmates were now expecting him to hit them if they messed with Toni. It was unlikely he’d be able to sucker punch another one of them.