Read Online Flesh & Bone - a contemporary romance: The Minstrel Series #2 by Lee Strauss, Elle Strauss - Free Book Online Page B

university.”
    “You’re not in university?”
    Eva paused, then answered softly. “I’m taking a year off.”
    Sebastian wondered why, but he got the feeling it was personal and he didn’t want her to feel like he was grilling her. She opened the door to a room that housed two narrow beds. It clearly belonged to a couple girls by the way it was decorated with floral fabric and lace. He spotted the guitar propped up on a stand in the corner and whistled.
    “That’s a beauty.” He caught her eye. “Do you mind?”
    “Go ahead.”
    He picked it up gently and examined the surface. “What kind of wood is it?”
    “The back and sides are Indian Rosewood,” she answered. “The top is solid cedar.”
    Sebastian whistled. “Nice.”
    Eva sat on one of the beds and Sebastian claimed the chair by the guitar.
    “Is this where you write?” he asked.
    “Usually. I can’t write in the kitchen, and it’s… easier if I stay here.”
    Right. Sebastian couldn’t imagine Eva carrying the guitar down the stairs on her own. He ran his fingers along the strings, plucking out a familiar rift, closing his eyes as he absorbed the joy of it. The bright sounds rang from the wooden instrument like honey to his ears.
    “I love that song,” Eva said.
    His eyes popped open, and he remembered where he was. “It’s a crowd favorite.”
    “I’m a fan of your band,” she added.
    Sebastian grinned, and his eyes moved to the poster on the other side of the room. He remembered that photo shoot and that thousands of copies of that poster had moved in a week. Eva’s eyes darted to where he’d been looking, and she covered her face with her hands.
    “I’m so embarrassed.”
    “Why? I’m flattered.”
    “I just don’t want you to think I’m like those groupie girls who follow you around.”
    Sebastian studied her. “Believe me. You’re nothing like them. And I mean that in the best way.” And that was the truth. Eva was like a breath of fresh air. She didn’t want anything from him, didn’t expect anything from him. He found himself relaxing for the first time in days.
    He carried the guitar over to Eva. “Your turn.”
    She smiled brightly, and a strange quiver swirled in his chest. He lowered himself to the rug at her feet and waited. She pursed her lips together and looked up at the ceiling like she was deciding what she should play—a simple expression that on Eva was adorable. Sebastian shook his head. Where were these thoughts coming from?
    Focus on the song.
    He didn’t have a chance to hear it because they were interrupted by a gust of wind and the shocked expression of a girl with short platinum blond hair who stood frozen in the doorway. She wore form-fitting jeans, a breezy blouse, and her arms were full of books. Her green eyes, the only thing that connected her to Eva, moved from the stunned face of the girl sitting on the edge of the bed, to Sebastian and back again.
    She squinted at them. “Did I just enter an alternate universe?”

 
     
     
     
     

     
     
    Eva almost dropped her guitar. She’d lost all track of time and wanted to kick herself for the lapse. She enjoyed having the sole attention of Sebastian Weiss. What girl wouldn’t? It was a dream, a fairytale: she had to know it wouldn’t last forever.
    But she hadn’t wanted it to end like this—with her beautiful, charismatic sister’s charm luring him away. She and Sebastian had shared a moment. She hadn’t imagined the admiration she saw in his gorgeous hazel eyes. Had she? She’d believed he was interested in her, at least as an artist. Maybe what they had wouldn’t have lasted to the end of the day, but it had a chance before now.
    Sebastian stood and offered his hand. “I’m Sebastian.”
    Gabriele set down her books on the dresser with the poise of the Queen of England. “I’m Gabriele, Eva’s sister.” She smirked and pointed to the poster of Sebastian on Eva’s side of the room. “Of course I already knew who you