Cadence (Ruby Riot Book 1) by Lisa Swallow Read Free Book Online

star.”
    “Yeah, I know.”
    “No, that’s what you told me. Repeatedly.” The elevator doors slide open and Tegan steps into the small space.
    I follow and because Tegan chooses to stand right in the middle of the elevator, I have to edge around her. I swear she laughs under her breath at me. She reaches across to press the button for the ground floor, a scent of citrus from her hair as it touches my arm briefly. I high five myself for not looking down her top when it drops forward with the movement.
    The doors close and I’m engulfed by Tegan’s presence. Even in my delicate, hungover state, all I’m aware of is the girl standing too close. I stare at my feet as the elevator lurches; if I look back into her eyes, I’m lost. This is wrong. I don’t do the unsure, teen-boy bullshit anymore. I’m not him.
    “You were very complimentary, Jax, don’t worry. Also, you didn’t try to grope me, so that’s a bonus.”
    “Complimentary?” I look back to Tegan.
    Eyes focused on my mouth, she rubs a finger along her bottom lip before lifting her eyes to mine. A simple gesture but loaded with promise I doubt she intends to keep.
    “Are you teasing me?” I ask in a low voice.
    “Teasing? No. Why would I do that?”
    Tegan is tall, almost matching my height, and my refusal to shift away from her leaves our faces close, bodies almost touching. Her subtle scent is stronger, as is my desire to push Tegan against the wall of the elevator and kiss her hard. This is wrong and bad for my health. Bryn would break my arms and Tegan’s firing an arousal she won’t satisfy any time soon.
    I move my face closer, nose almost touching her cheek. “I don’t know, Tegan Hughes, but whether you’re teasing or not, you can’t hide what I can see in your eyes.”
    Tegan doesn’t respond or move her head at all, so I shift back from her.
    Something close to a staring match follows, no more words exchanged. Neither of us backs down, until the elevator lurches to a stop. The movement jostles Tegan and her bare arm brushes mine. A jolt like a bad static shock joins the sensation of her soft skin. Tegan steps back and breaks eye contact, touching her arm where we connected.
    The doors slide open and Tegan steps out, placing a hand on the edge to hold them. “I guess I’ll see you later, Jaxon,” she says with a smile.
    Tegan attempts nonchalance, but her eyes tell a different story. Pulling her phone from her back pocket, Tegan heads away. Great, now she has me focusing on her ass again.
    I’m annoyed my hungover state prevents me matching Tegan’s game, because if I were myself, things wouldn’t stop there. I can play too, and she’ll discover I don’t play by her rules.
     

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
     
    TEGAN
     
    I meet Bryn inside the stadium entrance where he ushers me to one of the offices before I find time to have a real look at my surroundings. A huge LCD screen features an announcement about Blue Phoenix’s and Ruby Riot’s concert tonight. On another wall, one of their recent music clips plays on a matching screen. I’m itching to take pictures, already plotting my blog post. One with Bryn by the screens would be good to share, but I don’t get a chance. Yet.
    The small room we step into contains a small round table with four blue-seated chairs, the window overlooking the nearby car park. A woman in a business suit sits at the table furiously typing a text message on her phone, short blonde hair falling across her face.
    “Tina, this is Tegan,” says Bryn, to the immaculately groomed woman. “Tegan, Tina. She’s head of PR on tour and works with the tour manager. Makes decisions.”
    I grin. Awesome. Maybe I can persuade Tina to let me join her and gain some PR experience. “Hey.”
    Tina looks up from her phone and appraises me with disinterest. “Hello.” She looks to Bryn. “I thought you were sending her home?”
    Sending me home? I’m not twelve.
    “I agreed she could stay if we find her