Wicked Harmony

Chapter 15 | Sin

Chapter 15

Sin

I t’s just the two of us for dinner, since Micah’s muse hit while he was practicing earlier and the last time I saw him, he was in his workshop, fully in the zone.

Together, Cal and I whip up a chicken and lemon pasta that we both inhale in record time. Cal’s quiet, seeming to be content for us not to talk unnecessarily. And with how frazzled my brain is feeling after hours of burying myself in work today, I’m glad for it.

“You don’t seem to enjoy the trappings that come with being a rockstar,” I say.

My mind may still be on Dorian’s words from earlier.

He was right about one thing. None of these guys are what I expected from living with rock stars.

Cal lets out a deep chuckle that hits me right in the gut. “I like a quiet life. Sounds stupid, I know. But it’s true.”

“Do you like the traveling that comes with it?”

He cocks his head to one side, considering the question as he takes my empty plate. That’s something I really like about Cal. He’s deliberate with everything he does. He thinks before he speaks, and he does these little caring actions without even seeming to think about it.

“I like seeing the places. But it’s not like we experience them. It’s like living in a dream world—you see the lights, the people, the magic, but you never quite touch the ground.” He shoots me another shy smile before grabbing the last chocolate muffin and placing it in front of me.

“Do you write the songs?” I ask. “You have a way of thinking about things that’s poetic as hell.”

Whereas I... don’t. Clearly.

“Nah.” He shakes his head, watching me closely as I dig into my muffin. The look on his face is pure satisfaction, and it makes my cheeks heat. “I might chip in a few ideas, but it’s mostly Micah and Dorian.”

My eyebrows shoot up. I’m not surprised about Micah, because his entire being screams he’s got a beautiful soul. But Dorian doesn’t seem like a poetic type.

“How about you? Have you done much traveling?”

Not really, unless you count running away to Willow Ridge.

That’s the problem with getting to know Cal. It appeases my desperate curiosity, but it also leads to him asking me questions. And I’m not exactly an open book.

It’s been so long since I told anyone anything real about myself, I think I’ve forgotten how.

Cal seems to understand my reticence to answer, though. He might not know why, but he doesn’t push any further.

“Thank you for this,” I tell him as I shovel more deliciousness into my mouth.

“I like taking care of you,” he murmurs back, his eyes flicking to my lips before darting away again.

His eyes widen, like he can’t believe he just said those words. A smile spreads across my mouth and I lick the crumbs off my lips, my stomach flipping at the way Cal’s eyes track the movement.

“I hope that didn’t make you uncomfortable,” he says.

I shake my head furiously. “No way.”

He looks so fucking uncertain. I’m aching with the urge to plop onto his lap and give him a cuddle .

I don’t know why I’m holding back, really. It’s not like I’m going to get this opportunity again. Three more weeks in this cabin, then another few months on the road where I doubt we’ll see each other.

No more hiding. No more letting my life pass me by.

I push my chair back and get to my feet. His brow creases in confusion as he pushes his own seat back.

“Did you want to—”

His words cut off as I sit my ass in his lap, looping my arms around his thick neck. He’s got a perfect layer of cushioning over all those muscles and I feel like I could just about live in his lap.

“Is this okay?” I ask softly. He’s not shoving me off, which I’m hoping is a sign I’ve not misread this entire situation.

He cups my cheek, staring down at me with some emotion I can’t read burning in his eyes.

“Yes.” It’s all he says, in a tone that’s so low I can feel it right through my chest.

“You’re incredibly sweet,” I tell him. Then, just in case it sounds too much like I’m friend-zoning him, I add, “You’re also sexy as hell.”

His eyes flick down to my mouth again, and he runs his thumb over my lower lip. I dart out my tongue and accidentally catch his retreating thumb, causing him to suck in a sharp breath.

“Can I kiss you, Sin?” The words are a low growl that causes my pussy to pulse as I grasp the back of his neck and pull him down for a kiss.

The moment his lips meet mine, tingles explode over my skin. His lips are soft yet demanding as he groans into my mouth. He tastes like honey, and I suck his lower lip between mine.

Holy hell. He can kiss me any time.

We pull apart and his face molds into this perfect smile.

“We better stop,” he says.

I nod, knowing if we don’t stop now, I’ll be stripping naked and fucking him in the kitchen for anyone to see .

Part of me wants to say fuck it. I can’t help feeling like I need to grab onto these moments and ride Cal like a bull. But he looks so determined as he pulls away, palming his hard cock with a pained expression. And my mind goes straight back to Dorian’s words of warning.

The last thing I want to do is hurt anybody. So, I head back to my room and take a long, cold shower to cool my flushed skin.

By the time I’m done in the shower, I’m shivering in my towel with my teeth chattering.

Yeah, I may have gone a little hard in trying to ice out my horny desire to knock on Cal’s door and finish what we started in the kitchen.

I’ve just changed into my pajama pants and a tank top when there’s a tap at my door. My heart pounds as my feet propel me toward the door.

But instead of Cal, I find Micah standing on the other side with a little half smile on his face. My stomach flips over and I try to temper my reaction so he’s not hit with the full effect of my emotions, but I’m pretty sure I fail if the way his face splits into a full grin is anything to go by.

“Sorry I missed dinner,” he says, causing my stomach to flip over again and my cheeks to heat with the memory of being cradled in Cal’s lap. “You know how it is when you lose yourself working on something.”

I nod and he cocks his head to one side, his grin widening. “But maybe it was a good thing you and Cal got some alone time?”

“I, er—” Have no idea how to answer that. Luckily, he takes pity on me, reaching out to squeeze my arm.

“I wanted to see if you would like to go somewhere with me tomorrow night. You’ve been working so hard all week, you’ve barely left the house and there’s somewhere I’d like to show you in town.”

I blink at him. “Just the two of us? ”

He shoots me an unrestrained smile and nods. “I was thinking it could be a date. If that’s something you’re interested in... with me.”

My eyes widen and he shifts on his feet, cupping the back of his neck with his palm.

I’m sure he can feel my swirling emotions. Because, yes, sure, I’d love to. That same urgency as I felt earlier with Cal is pushing me to agree.

I like Micah. He’s sweet and incredibly down to earth, as well as being the most stunningly attractive person I’ve ever laid eyes on.

But I like Cal too. His protectiveness and gooey center behind the tough, gruff exterior has my insides melting for him.

And as much as I want to seize the moment and make the most of my time with the two of them, the last thing we need is messy drama when we’re stuck together for a minimum of three more weeks.

“IkissedCal,” I blurt the words until they’re practically unintelligible.

Somehow, Micah understands what I’m saying, though, and he surprises the shit out of me by continuing to smile.

“Yeah? That’s awesome.” His smile then slips for a moment. “You both enjoyed it, right?”

I nod, not sure what to say.

“Good. I still want to take you out. I... we’d both like to court you, if that’s something you’d be interested in.”

“Both of you?” Court me? What are they—Knights of the Realm or something?

“Sure.” He keeps his hand connected with my bare skin, tracing small circles on my palm as he speaks. “I guess I forgot how it’s not common to have multiple mates in human society. It’s pretty standard for Cal’s people, and for Iri’s too, for that matter.”

I know that it’s something that’s also common in shifters. I just hadn’t ever thought about it being something that would work for me. I’ve barely been interested in opening myself up or lowering my guard for one person, let alone more than one.

But if I can see how this thing pans out with both Cal and Micah without jealousy or drama coming into the mix? Sign me the hell up.

“I’d like that,” I tell Micah, causing him to beam at me. “What time tomorrow?”

“See you in the living room at seven,” he says, pressing a lightning-fast kiss to my cheek. “Wear something you can move around easily in.”

With that, he presses the lightest of kisses to my lips before pulling back with another grin. The tease.

He then gives a jaunty wave. “Sleep well, Sin. Have good dreams.”

I snort, practically tripping over my own feet as I stumble backward and close the door and melt against it.

Sweet dreams. Pah.

Somehow, I doubt those are in store for me tonight.