“Oh, come on, admit it, you’re a little excited,” I said, grabbing her slim shoulders. “Or, at least you will be once I show you where we’re recording.”
“I thought you said we were recording here?”
I gave her a mischievous smirk. “I did say that, didn’t I?”
“Wyatt,” she groaned, making me grin further. “I don’t like surprises.”
“Trust me, you’ll like this one,” I whispered into her ear, steering her out of the kitchen.
Somehow, I convinced Layne to let me blindfold her before I led her down the stairs to the basement, which my father had converted into a recording studio.
I may have been enjoying the way she clung to me a bit too much as we traversed the staircase. Her hands were locked around mine as I led her into the room, telling her to pick up her feet and step over imaginary things just to see if she’d do it.
She listened without pause every time. I was having a hard time holding my amusement in, my shoulders shaking as I tried not to laugh. I knew I should probably stop messing with her, but I couldn’t resist one more.
“Now lift your right foot,” I commanded. “You have to step over another wire.”
I watched her high step behind me and bit my lip to control my laughter. She looked ridiculously adorable.
“Okay, we’re almost there,” I said, moving her into the perfect spot for the big reveal. “No cheating,” I added, as I tugged her a step closer.
I placed her hands on my chest, enjoying the slight tremble that rippled through her as I reached for the blindfold. My eyes fell to her lips as they parted. I could just make out their heart-shaped silhouette in the darkness. A sudden ache to taste her lips again rocked me, nearly crushing my resolve. I reminded myself I wasn’t supposed to be reacting to Layne this way. We were strictly business.
I took a steadying breath and let my mouth find her ear. She shivered as my breath whispered softly against her skin. “Keep your eyes closed until I turn on the lights,” I murmured before letting the blindfold slip away.
I moved quickly to the wall where I’d be able to see her reaction and flipped on the lights.
“Open your eyes.”
Her brown eyes blinked open and her heart-shaped lips parted in awe as I knew they would. With wide eyes she took in the room before her gaze settled on me. She whispered my name in that breathless way of hers that made my knees weak.
“Wyatt?” she said, “What does your dad do, again?”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Layne
Laughter bubbled up in Wyatt, deep and husky, like it did whenever I truly shocked him. But I honestly couldn’t understand how he was surprised by my reaction considering where we were. I was staring at a full-blown music studio! In. His. House!
“Do you really not know who he is?” Wyatt asked.
“Does this look like the face of a girl in the know?” I whispered.
He cocked his head to the side, analyzing me like he occasionally did. He must’ve decided he believed me because he laughed again. “Well, if you don’t know by now, why spoil the mystery?”
I rolled my eyes and moved toward the nearest wall where framed photographs and platinum albums hung. My mouth dropped open again when I recognized one of my favorite bands.
“It’s Chris Martin, isn’t it?” I teased. “Chris Martin is your dad.”
Wyatt leaned back against the wall, smirking. “I wish.”
“I will figure it out,” I taunted, moving about the incredible space.
Three of the walls were brick, but I moved to the one that was painted brown, drawn by the three guitars that hung there. Each were highlighted by a light and open framing like they were more art installation than instrument. As I got closer, I saw why.
I read the gold plaques under each one, then looked up to see the signatures of each musician adorning the guitars—Tom Petty, Prince, Joan Jett.
“Please tell me you’re somehow related to Joan Jett,” I begged, eyeing the gorgeous white Gibson.
Wyatt pushed off the wall and walked over to me. “Huh, I wouldn’t have pegged you as a Joan Jett fan. Isn’t she a little before your time?”
“Are you kidding me? She’s timeless.”
Wyatt’s smirk deepened as I rattled off my favorite songs.
“I Love Rock ‘n Roll, Cherry Bomb, Crimson and Clover, I Hate Myself for Loving You, Dirty Deeds, Bad Reputation; she’s a legend.”
“You’re full of surprises, aren’t you, Penny Layne?” he teased, amusement