I crossed my legs, my robe riding up to the border of peep show territory. "You're looking good after our late night." He was charmingly rumpled.
Samson ignored my compliment. "Enjoy your sleepover?"
Damage control. With compliments and physical contact both failures I selected and discarded a dozen ways to regain his good graces. No way was I going to be sidelined from this mission.
"She did," Rohan piped up over his playing. "I have a more comfortable bed and Lolita does like her comfort."
I swallowed my sour mouthful of coffee. "But it's morning now. A brand new day."
The barest flash of hurt crossed Rohan's face before he glanced down, testing out a chord. I had no idea if it was real or put on for the sake of the mission but either way, I had to stay in character. Being Rasha came before any irrational desire to spare Rohan's feelings.
"Tell me about your film." I pressed the coffee mug back into Samson's hands, letting my own linger for a moment. "I'd love to come watch you on set. If you'll have me."
"I'm shooting in Český Krumlov the next couple days," Samson said. "Then back here Tuesday for the final day."
"We could work on the tracks after that," Rohan said.
I gripped Samson's thigh. "You're going to sing on the theme song? That will make it epic."
He studied me for a long moment. "You could come Tuesday to watch the big chase scene."
Finally, a freaking bone.
Rohan's song turned from a major to a minor key. I shivered at the darkness that seemed to drive it, but I wasn't stupid enough to take my focus off of Samson. "Hot boys and fast cars? Big yes. Is there going to be a wrap party?"
"That night," Samson said.
I leaned in, my boobs front and center. "What does a girl have to do to get an invite?"
Rohan snorted.
We both looked at him, me to will him to quit disrupting my flow, and Samson to, well, who knew what was in his head.
Rohan seemed to have lost interest in our conversation, erasing something on the sheet music. That placated Samson who didn't notice that Snowflake white-knuckled the pencil.
I trailed my fingers up Samson's arm. "I'd love to help you celebrate wrapping."
Samson broke into a slow smile. "That could be arranged."
I relaxed.
"I'm performing," Rohan said.
Count me in. Though I shrugged as if it didn't matter, conscious of Samson monitoring my reaction.
Samson raised his eyebrows. "Accepted Forrest's invitation, did you?"
"Give the cast and crew a tease of the theme song. Seemed like a no-brainer."
I allowed myself a second to enjoy the excitement that my conjurings of an on-stage Snowflake brought on, then stood up, using Samson's shoulder for balance. If he got a final cheap thrill, all the better. "I need to get dressed."
"Your clothes are in the bedroom," Rohan said.
I stumbled at his words. Had he moved me in? I hustled into his bedroom, breathing a sigh of relief that he'd only brought me up clothes for today. The dress pants and blouse weren't something I'd have worn around Samson normally. Maybe Rohan didn't plan this? Wondering would make me crazy. I slipped into my clothes and the shoes he'd brought. He'd thoughtfully fetched some make-up, too. I needed the mask.
I strolled into the living room, armor in place. "Will you text me later?" Asking not demanding since demon or psychopath, Samson would respond better to being accorded the position of power. "Tuesday is much too far away for further conversations in taste-making."
Samson scratched his head. "Now see, I remember it as further conversations in tasting."
"Lucky for you, I'm rather fluent in tasting."
"I'm quite the linguist myself." He grinned at me and I squirmed like a cat trying to coat itself in a pool of sunshine.
"Don't want to keep you from anything, Lolita," Rohan said.
I dragged my eyes back to his, having forgotten he was in the room. "Right. Stuff to do." Okay, that came out breathier than I intended, but damn.
Samson chuckled softly.
I picked up my coat. "What are you up to?" I asked Rohan.
He tapped his sheet music. "I need to work for a few hours." Perfect. I'd fill him in on Samson's black sun tattoo later.
"Bye, boys. Have fun." I shot Rohan a behave look. He busied himself with his music but a half-grin ghosted over his lips.
I escaped before I embarrassed myself, nodding at the bodyguard planted outside Rohan's room and recognizing him as one of Samson's men on duty last night.