Read Online One Night with Sole Regret 06 Tell Me by Olivia Cunning - Free Book Online

after him—no doubt to have it out on his nuts—but Gabe stopped her with a firm arm around her shoulders. He drew her against his chest, stiffening slightly when her elbow gouged him in the side in her struggle to throw him off.
    “Easy,” he said. “You’ll only hurt your toe.”
    She jerked out of his embrace and glared up at him, redirecting some of her anger. At him.
    “What are you talking about?”
    “When you kick Shade in the balls,” he said. “You’ll just hurt your toe. They’re made of steel, you know.”
    Her jaw dropped. She blinked at him, closing her mouth with a snap, and then sno rted before breaking into laughter.
    “She got a bit wound up there,” Nikki said as Melanie tried to calm herself with deep, gasps for air between laughs. “She always cracks up after an explosion.”
    Yeah, he’d gotten that from earlier.
    “Oh , Gabe,” Melanie said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “You do have my best interests at heart, don’t you?”
    He grinned. “Well, of course. And Nikki’s too.” His lifted both hands in surrender. “But not because I want to get in her pants or anything.”
    “Why don’t you?” Nikki asked , her head cocked to one side as she studied him closely. “They’re great pants to get into.”
    Ask anyone, he added silently.
    “Because,” he said, “I have a thing for your smart, charming, and beautiful friend. The one who isn’t attracted to Shade Silverton.”
    “I’d say it’ s because she has bad taste,” Nikki said, her gaze skimming over his body with obvious interest, “but she likes you , so she must not be totally lacking in that department.”
    “Thanks,” Gabe said, rubbing Melanie’s smooth back, which was still jerking intermittently with her giggles. “I think.”
    Melanie finally quieted and wrapped her arms around his waist to relax against him. Nikki’s presence seemed to take a lot out of her, and he completely understood why. The woman seemed to draw drama the way stink draws flies. Gabe shifted Melanie closer to the wall so that they were out of the flow of intermittent traffic using the hallway to prepare for the concert. She felt perfect tucked against him. He rested his cheek on her soft hair and closed his eyes, giving himself a moment to experience the feel of her in his arms. This is how he’d prefer to spend their time together. Just like this. Close. Not dealing with other people’s problems and insecurities. He was sure if Nikki hadn’t tagged along, they’d be spending the entire evening just like this. Except maybe they’d be a little more naked. Thinking of Melanie naked had his hands roaming her back, slipping under the hem of her blouse to seek bare flesh. How was he going to make it another several hours without feeling the press of her warm skin against his? Maybe he should call in sick. Would anyone notice if the drummer didn’t show up for the concert?
    “I’m sorry I got jealous,” Melanie said. She drew away and stood on tiptoe to kiss his jaw. She held his gaze , so he knew she was sincere. “But I’m not sorry I want to kick Shade in the balls.”
    Gabe chuckled. He had a million things to say about why Jacob had acted that way toward Nikki, but because the woman in question was standing right there examining her fingernails with obvious boredom, he decided to keep those thoughts to himself until he and Melanie were alone. And even then he’d have to guard what he said about women with pussies more hot and ready than a Little Caesars’ pizza. He didn’t want Melanie to get mad at him for inadvertently insulting her friend, so he’d watch what he said about her. He only hoped Melanie could get comfortable after they ditched Nikki. He’d just have to suck it up until then.
    When the three of them entered the band ’s dressing room, Gabe noticed Jacob talking to their tour manager, Sally. Sally was a black-haired bombshell with big breasts that she liked to show off in skintight, low-cut