Appassionato by Erin M. Leaf Read Free Book Online Page B

flutter of nerves in her gut thinking about the concert. Two weeks ago it sounded like a great idea, but now she was terrified at the thought of meeting Duncan and Jake face-to-face. Duncan was singing and joking around with his band right now, she knew that, but that didn’t prevent him from pausing to send her reassurances as he got wind of her mental state. Emma groaned, dropping her face in her hands, embarrassed.

* * * *

    Jake finished marking something on a piece of paper and then looked around stealthily, making eye contact with Duncan on stage. He jerked his head, motioning towards the dressing room, and Duncan nodded. They both felt Emma’s worry. Jake didn’t know what to do, but he couldn’t think of anything he wanted more right now than to hug his best friend. He walked to the room and opened the door, looking in satisfaction at the sofa and the bottled water on the table next to it. Duncan’s costumes hung from the racks in the corner and the dressing room table mirror was lit and ready, opposite the couch tucked against the back wall. He felt a moment’s peace at the quiet then the worry about the bonding came rushing back in.
    “Hey, man, what’s up?” Duncan walked in and shut the door behind him. He locked it. Jake flinched at the click.
    “You know what’s up.” Jake sighed and dropped onto the old sofa. He felt the springs protest beneath him and winced, hoping that the worn cushions wouldn’t give out tonight. Duncan sat down beside him and put his hand on Jake’s neck, gently massaging the muscles until the tension began to dissipate. Jake pointedly ignored the spark of heat he felt at Duncan’s proximity. He wasn’t ready to deal with that yet, and Duncan was too smart to bring it up in conversation, especially now, what with the bonding and Emma’s freaking out. They could feel her from a hundred miles away.
    “I know,” Duncan sighed then let his hand fall away. He rubbed at his eyes, breathing slowly in and out for a few minutes. Jake could feel the other man willing him to relax, and that almost made him panic all over again, but he knew that he had to get over it. He had the feeling that this was it, that this relationship with Duncan, and with Emma, his brain helpfully supplied, would be the last serious relationship he would ever have. And strangely, he realized that he wanted it. He wanted them both. He would just have to deal with the sudden and inexplicable attraction to a guy.
    “Duncan,” Jake began, trying to think of a way to talk about what he was feeling before falling silent. He shouldn’t bring it up. Emma was still upset, and he had a feeling that if he opened that particular door they would need hours to talk, and they didn’t have the time. He needed to chill out and do his job so that the concert tonight ran smoothly. Then Duncan looked at him and smiled and Jake felt his heart stop for a moment. Jesus, he’s gorgeous , Jake thought, taking in the soft brown eyes and the traces of eyeliner smudged around them, leftover from yesterday. Duncan’s affection was evident in the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. His lips weren’t smiling, but Jake could see the telltale quirk on one side that said Duncan knew exactly what he was thinking and was amused. Jake pressed his lips together, realizing that Duncan did know, for real, and not just because they’d been best friends forever. Duncan could hear his thoughts. He smiled, sweet and sexy, and Jake felt himself blush.
    Duncan’s eyes grew dark. “Jesus,” Jake breathed as the arousal built between. He had to shift position on the couch, let his legs fall open as his jeans grew increasingly tighter.
    “Jake,” Duncan murmured, reaching forward to cup Jake’s cheek. He ran his thumb over his stubble, and Jake relished the gentleness of the gesture. It made him feel alive, made him think that this was real and that he wasn’t in it alone. Am I finally getting used to this? He closed his eyes and just