Say You're Mine - Layla Hagen Page 0,5

him; even though they obviously disagreed, they respected Brayden’s judgment.

But still, there were four guys in the band. I needed all of them to be cooperative, not just one. So while getting ready, I also read as many articles as I could find about each member of the band, anything that would give me some insight I could use to find an in with each of the guys.

I Ubered to the address Sasha gave me on the Upper East Side. Fortunately, they were covering the bill, because taking a car from the Bronx to Manhattan would have cost me a bundle. I texted back and forth with my brothers on the way, also asking Josie for a few pics of Sophie. God, she was adorable.

Soon enough, the car stopped in front of a large building. The entrance was a simple black door I would have overlooked if not for the two bouncers flanking it.

They looked at my ID and checked a list before they let me in. Sasha told me the location would only allow in people on the guest list. After researching more of the band’s background, I realized they were extremely popular in the US and abroad, which explained all the security.

Inside was a long hallway with silver-framed mirrors every few feet. There was a hostess too, in front of a small room to the side where patrons could leave jackets, but since it was warm outside, I hadn’t brought one. At the end of the corridor was a bar, along with a dozen or so bowling alleys. The room was very dark, with lights projecting on each alley. I liked the vibe they created. An eclectic mix of photos was hanging on the walls.

The interior of the bar seemed completely empty at first glance, but then I spotted Sasha with a large group of people at the far end. I couldn’t believe they rented out the whole space for just the band and a few guests, but it made sense or else they’d get ambushed by fans.

I wondered if being in the band was a lonely existence. They seemed a bit cut off from the world. I loved being out and about, traipsing around the city at a whim. I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like not being able to do so. I also noticed a few bodyguards, one of whom I recognized from this morning.

“Isabelle, you made it,” Sasha exclaimed upon seeing me. “Let me introduce you to everyone. This is the team working behind the scenes for the band.”

She went on to rattle off everyone’s name. I shook their hands politely, all the while feeling watched. After the last introduction, I looked over my shoulder and there he was, perched on a barstool, eyes trained on me. My whole body felt ablaze under Brayden’s gaze. How could he do that to me? No one had stirred my hormones like him.

In the meeting room, he’d seemed intense and domineering, but here against the dark backdrop, that intensity was magnified. Something in his pose and jade eyes made me think he had a wild streak and was barely keeping it under wraps.

The other guys were perched on the chairs next to him. Rolling my shoulders, I headed their way. If they didn’t warm up to me by the end of the evening, I would turn down the assignment and move on to something else. It would be hard to pass up this much cash, but I couldn’t work under conditions that were less than conducive.

Brayden stood up, flashing me a devastating smile as he met me halfway to the bar. Everything about him was delicious. Even though I tried so hard to resist the urge to check him out when we met this morning, I did notice he was wearing the same shirt as earlier.

But I wasn’t that strong now, and my eyes wandered.

The dim lights worked in my favor. No one could possibly tell where exactly I was looking. Did I mention the man was simply delicious? He had an athletic body, with muscled arms and broad, strong shoulders. The T-shirt fit him perfectly, tight enough to highlight that he obviously put equal effort in his abs training. I couldn’t check out his butt, but I was sure the opportunity would arise later tonight.

“Isabelle,” he said simply, leaning in to kiss my cheek, surprising the heck out of me. I sucked in a breath, overwhelmed by his sheer presence and his lips on my skin.