Should I be worried? Mandy wondered,
Ethan’s fingers cupped her chin and pulled her gaze from the departing Zuriel, who was followed by two heavy-looking handlers in dark suits, complete with the FBI-type earpieces. Mandy turned to Ethan and was suddenly bathed in the sweltering heat of his gaze.
“We need to be alone,” he said simply. Mandy’s eyes darted around, aware that though they were in the now deserted backstage, people still waited by the exits for their beloved star to appear.
Mandy felt that instant pull just by looking into his captivating eyes. For one moment in time she was adrift on the clouds, her body tingling from the almost tangible feel of their mutual attraction. It hadn’t waned in the slightest. In fact, it seemed even stronger. Their two days apart had taken its toll and she shivered against him, fighting back the pulsing in between her thighs for him.
“My sisters – I somehow lost them in the crowd.” Mandy said, suddenly remembering. But Ethan smoothed away her frown of worry when he assured her that his chauffeur was already seeing them home in his personal limo, as he’d promised her parents he’d get them home well before their curfew.
Mandy heaved a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Ethan, for giving them a chance to come tonight. I know they had great fun.”
“I’m happy they enjoyed the performance. And what about you? Was the show a hit with you, too?” he asked, his eyes darkening as Mandy stared up into his face. Was it her imagination, or was there really a shadow of vulnerability crossing his handsome features?
“I loved it,” Mandy said simply. “It’s so different from watching you on screen. The live crowd, feeling the music, feeling you…”
Ethan pulled her even closer, his hands settling possessively on her rump as he rocked slightly into her so she had an inkling of what her nearness was doing to him. “And I can make you feel me even more,” Ethan said huskily.
Mandy’s stomach did that familiar back flip she got when Ethan went all sexy on her. She blushed and tried to hide her face in his shoulder, but he gripped the sides of her face and stared deep into her eyes. “Usually after a show I’m so amped up and all I can think of is getting high, drunk, and laid – in no particular order. But right now all I can think of is the excitement of spending time with you. How does that make you feel?”
Mandy had to smile. “Pretty darn special,” she murmured, eyes twinkling. Any lingering feeling of doubt was cleared from her mind. She knew that right now Ethan could be partying with his friends and their groupies or even catching up on old times with the sexy Zuriel. Oh, Mandy had definitely caught some vibes coming off the rocker chick. Zuriel would fall into Ethan’s bed in a heartbeat if he offered, Mandy figured.
But right then, she pushed all those thoughts aside. Ethan chose her; wanted to be with only her. She wasn’t going to be nitpicky about that and would just feel glad because she couldn’t lie: she wanted to be with him, too. Like crazy. Seeing him on stage, watching him perform in front of all those crazed fans had done freaky things to her hormonal balance. Now she couldn’t wait to get him alone either.
“Uh, Ethan? We’ve got to move. A fight’s broken out in front of one of the entrances,” said the deep, reassuringly capable voice of Vernon, Ethan’s driver slash handler. “We’ll take one of the service exits to avoid the crowds still waiting. Luckily, there’s a huge delivery truck blocking most of the view, so no one will see you leave till we’re way out of range.”
“Great thinking, Vernon. Let’s do this,” Ethan said before grinning at Mandy. “Ready?”
Mandy nodded, letting her hand slip into the warmth of his. His smile did things to her heart rate. Oh crap. I’m in deep, she thought as they began to make their way through the makeshift corridors leading to the wide metal doors of a side exit. Mandy had never really been in love or in lust for that matter. And she was beginning to realize she felt all that and more for Ethan. With his hand wrapped securely around hers, just one smile from him sent an arrow straight through her. She could barely breathe. The sensible, even strait-laced Mandy was forgotten when she was next to Ethan. He made her see the world in a different light and as they dashed into the waiting limo, she was laughing right along with him. Vernon sped them down the deserted back street and once they turned into the main road, they looked back to see several fans who’d noticed them start to point and scream. But it was too late. Vernon expertly maneuvered the white limo into the adjoining street and they were well on their way before even the paparazzi could make a dash for their cars and follow them.