Play Mine (Brooklyn Dawn #3) - Cari Quinn Page 0,7
that had made me buy this place.
From the way her gaze darted around, she didn’t seem bothered by my slightly unkempt living room. I had a service who came in to keep things up while I was out of town, but I didn’t like people in my place while I was home. And I was used to being tidy most of the time from living in hotels and on busses for so long—not to mention my former army life.
She whirled around to take in everything. The wide bank of walls were covered in every print I could find that included a set of drums. Famous drummers both illustrated and in photo form, old posters, kitchy drawings, floor to ceiling panels in various artistic styles—I had them all.
My penthouse was broken out into two levels but pretty much the whole thing was open concept. I didn’t like being hemmed in.
But as with most everyone who came into my space—and that wasn’t many people—she went right for the huge open doors that led to my patio.
“Holy shitballs.”
I tucked my hands under my arms and followed her out. It was early enough that the sun was still breaking over the buildings. The heat index wasn’t at max summer strength yet so it was still tolerable to be out here in something other than trunks.
She trailed her fingers over one of the two hanging basket swing chairs tucked under the only available shade. Instead of sitting, she went right for the pool. She crouched by it and dipped her hand into the still water. The infinity edge of the pool made it look like there was a drop off into the city below.
“This is crazy.” She glanced back over her shoulder, a few stray curls blowing in the slight breeze.
“Selling point.”
“And you just hang at my house like…”
“What? I love your house.” Her brownstone was exactly like her. Cozy and a little bohemian with all her pillows and tapestries draped over every surface.
“After this?” She waved her hand to indicate the huge patio.
“I’m just a regular guy. The same one you’ve been hanging out with for the better part of two years, Teag.”
“Regular guys don’t have places like this.”
“Babe, after a few more years in the band, so will you.”
“No. Never.”
She furrowed her brow as her gaze wandered over to the glass and steel box at the edge of the pool. I grabbed the iPad that controlled most of my smart home and tapped the app. The gas fire bloomed to life.
Surprise and a little humor eased the lines on her forehead before she shook her head and stood. “Yeah, this will never be my life.”
I sighed and turned it off. “Tell me what happened today.”
The unguarded surprise in her eyes quickly vanished. She folded her arms, hugging her light jacket closer to her as if she had a chill. “It was a mistake.”
I moved to her and tugged her arms apart. I curled my hands around her ice-cold fingers and drew her back to the L-shaped couch. “Okay.”
She perched at the edge of the dark green cushion. “I just wanted a little time with my piano.”
I frowned. “We’re home. Don’t you have one at your place?”
She shrugged. “I’ve got a lot of my stuff in storage right now. I was—”
Her phone blared from my pants again. “Ignore it.”
“Lila is going to kill me. She must be calling from a different number to get me to answer.”
The phone stopped. “Go on.”
She hissed out a breath. “I couldn’t sleep so I wanted to check out the place.” She stared down at her twisted fingers. “I’ve done it before.”
“By yourself?” I stood and raked my fingers through my hair. We weren’t supposed to do anything alone these days. And yes, I was going out for a run—alone—but I actually had training and could handle myself. Teagan was barely a buck twenty. “Are you nuts?”
“Obviously.” She dug her thumb into the palm of her hand.
I crouched in front of her. “Don’t be an ass.”
Her eyes flashed. “Oh, now I’m nuts and an ass?”
“Yeah, a bit. You’re supposed to be home where it’s safe.”
“So, I’m in a cage on the road and while I’m home?”
“Why didn’t you call me? I would have come with you.”
She popped up from the couch and stepped around me, leaving her fresh peachy scent in her wake. “I can’t call you for every little thing.”
Yes, you can.
It was on the tip of my tongue to say it. Because I wanted her to lean