Say You're Mine - Layla Hagen Page 0,66

dim lighting. The ceiling was peppered with spotlights that cast a moody but romantic glow over the room. They looked a bit like stars.

“The reporters aren’t going to come in here,” he said.

“How come?”

“Everyone is more relaxed knowing the party is private. During the first few launch parties, we had photographers and reporters inside, and it made no difference in how much coverage we got. It annoyed everyone. How are you feeling?”

“Like all of this isn’t quite real,” I admitted.

He brought his mouth to my ear. “How about I make it real?”

“Oh, how would you do that? From your voice, I’m guessing something naughty.”

“Very.” He trailed his fingers on my bare back seductively.

“Brayden!” I admonished.

“What? I aim to please. See those corners? There are dark corridors behind them. The things I’d do to you there... You’d love them. Beg for more.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. In fact, my whole face felt on fire. But I loved his flirty comments. They had the unexpected effect of calming my nerves, and I suspected he’d realized that, which was why he was even more shameless than usual.

I elbowed him lightly, still blushing. “Hey! Remember the lipstick incident? Don’t make me lose my head.”

“But that’s exactly what I want. You’re fucking amazing when you forget about everything except me.”

I licked my lips, shaking my head. He winked but didn’t say anything else, just guided me farther inside the room.

As the first guests arrived, Brayden managed to introduce me to them. I made a fool of myself, getting completely tongue-tied in front of a few of my favorite stars. But then everyone started arriving in larger groups, and it was impossible to greet them in person.

Brayden led me to one of the couches, pouring Dom Perignon for both of us. We clinked glasses before taking a sip.

“So let me get this straight. First time I met you, you gave me shit, but you’re quiet as a mouse when I introduce you to Hemsworth?”

I smiled. “Don’t take it personally. I didn’t know who you were. And I thought we agreed I wasn’t giving you shit.”

“No, you said that. I’m still not convinced it’s true.”

“I wouldn’t give shit to someone I want to work with.”

“Yes you fucking would. It’s how you roll, Ms. Gallagher. Sassy all the time. Except when it comes to Hemsworth.”

Well, he did have a point. I guess I just found out what it would take to make me tongue-tied.

I batted my eyelashes at him, leaning in to him and whispering, “I’ll make it up to you later. I promise I’ll be extra dirty.”

He growled, which made my evening.

***

We weren’t joined at the hip the whole time. He mingled with his friends, and I made my way over to the band members and chatted with them as well as with Sasha and Cami.

“He can’t keep his eyes off you,” Cami said in a conspiratorial tone while we stood in one corner of the room, sipping more champagne with the band. “I’ve been watching him. He’s looking at you right now.”

I glanced over my shoulder in Brayden’s direction. She was right. He was in a conversation with someone, but his gaze was fixed on me. I blushed, looking down at my glass. I had no idea how he could make me feel like we were alone in this crowded room with just one glance, but he did.

Lars put an arm around my shoulders. “I agree. He’s always either talking about you or thinking about you. Even while rehearsing.”

“How do you know he’s thinking about me?” I asked.

“He has a sort of vacant expression, like he’s lost in his thoughts.” Lars comically mimicked the look he was describing.

Harvey nodded. “It’s scary.”

Thomas rolled his eyes. “It’s normal. On the plus side, he’s even more creative than usual. Which means he’s busting our balls even more now, but it’s for a good cause. Usually while we’re preparing for a tour, we don’t play any new songs, but now he’s got creative spurts every other day, especially after you spend the night with him, so I’m going to assume there’s a link between amazing sex and creativity.”

I choked on my champagne. I couldn’t believe he said that out loud.

“Lars,” Sasha admonished.

“What? I only make sex jokes with people in our inner circle.”

“He really does,” Harvey added.

I recovered quickly and said playfully, “You guys know how to make a girl feel special.”

I raised my glass to them. “We’ve come a long way. I thought you were going to kick me