Page 42 of Just Wait

“I’m gonna be real here.” His eyes drill into mine, and he licks his lips. “I was kinda hoping you’d sneak in early with me to practice, just the two of us.” He rolls his lower lip through his teeth. “Between us?”

My head bobbles up and down.

Outside of the whole NDA thing, I’m not the type to gossip about someone’s business.

“We haven’t written anything since Drew left the band. He was the one who wrote the lyrics for our biggest hits.” He frowns. “Shit, that’s embarrassing. I’m not saying Liminal is done without him. The label will stick us in the studio with songwriters and composers if we don’t have the next album lined up before the tour is over…”

I freeze.

Somehow he knows I wrote for Tangled Desires, and now he wants to use me to write music for Liminal. If I wasn’t so screwed up over what went down with Theo, it would be a dream come true, but my body riots at the thought of ending up here all over again.

“I guess I just wanted to show you what I’ve been working on,” he says as I continue spiraling. “To get a second opinion before I bring it to the guys. It doesn’t sound like Drew’s style, but I think it’s good.” He sighs. “I don’t know. I’m the fuckup. You know? If it’s shit, I don’t want to embarrass myself.”

I melt.

How someone as sexy and talented as Malcolm can be self-conscious about sharing his music with the band he’s worked with for years is confusing, but it’s also not.

We all have damage.

I’ve only seen bits and pieces of how he interacts with Kincaid and Riser.

Friends pick on each other sometimes.

They say things when they’re angry or just don’t realize they’ll have such an impact on the other person.

I know what it feels like to worry you’re not good enough.

Who knows why he cares what I think. I’m just a random woman who was dating the lead singer from the opening act, but if he needs a cheerleader, it’s the least I can do.

Right?

Yes.

I can manage a single practice session to help him make his creations the best they can be.

“I would love to hear what you’ve got,” I tell him. “I’m sure it’s a lot better than you’re giving yourself credit for.”

“Perfect,” he purrs. “I’ll see you in the morning, Lulu.” Leaning close, he kisses my forehead, cradling my skull in his massive tattooed hand.

His stormy scent hits my nose, but he’s gone before I can enjoy it.

Malcolm rolls off the bed, making his way to the door while I blink like an idiot.

His back is covered in a massive lion. The un-inked skin acts like the break between images, and he has a lot of unique designs that somehow come together to form one cohesive piece.

His lower back has the skull of a man passionately kissing a beautiful woman with long hair, thick lips, and long eyelashes. It’s stunning. The same bare skin outline frames the edges, and the tips of the wings from his pelvis wrap around from the front, ending next to their heads.

Mal hooks a finger in the door, twisting until I can see his face. “I’m in the middle bunk on the left when you’re coming out of this room. If you need anything, come get me.” He winks, opens the door, and disappears through it.

I fall back against my pillows.

Today was the longest day ever, and I’m not sure tomorrow will be any better.

Chapter Eleven

Malcolm

Imake a point of waking up early. Is it weird that I wait in the living room, so the first thing Lumen will see is a friendly face? Hopefully it’s thoughtful and romantic rather than obsessive or creepy.