“What? You can’t send that!” He rips the phone from my hands and I break into giggles while he deletes the entire message.
“Worried my sister might kick your ass?” I lift my brows, still unable to rein in my amusement.
He straightens his spine and hands me the guitar. “Yes. Actually, I am. She’s scary. And surprisingly strong for being so little.” He holds my phone away and narrows his glare. “If I give this back, no more incriminating messages.”
“Deal.” I nod and take back my cell to finish answering my sister.
Me: They are absolute gentlemen. Even Austin.
I lift my gaze before hitting send.
Austin’s smirk pulls at his lips in the most attractive way. I don’t know how he does it, but with that one look I almost forget who I am and that I shouldn’t fling myself at his feet. For about the thousandth time this week I wonder what it would be like to kiss him.
“You were right about one thing.” His voice lowers to a gravelly hum that pulls my body toward his.
“What’s that exactly?” I hold his gaze. My pulse picks up but other than that I’m proud of myself for not melting into a puddle of goo.
“I am a dirty little pervert.” His eyes heat with wickedness that goes straight between my legs.
I swear I stop breathing for a full ten seconds just to take in his words. I can’t tell if he’s messing with me, so I react the only way that doesn’t leave me vulnerable and stupid. “You’re the worst.” I roll my eyes and shove at his shoulders.
He erupts with laughter and just like that the tension between us breaks. He’s back to big brotherly Austin.
I text a good-bye to Lexi, and once again pick up the Gibson.
“She’s going to be so impressed.” He’s talking about the guitar, and the surprise of finding out I’ve been taking lessons, but his compliment seeps into all the insecurity and doubts I shove deep down inside. There’s nothing I want more than to make my sister proud. To unearth a connection between us that’s more than blood.
I lift my gaze to his. “You think? I still have a long way to go.”
“It’s the meaningfulness of the gesture.” He reaches out and corrects my fingers on the strings. “She’ll understand.” He nods.
I swallow the thickness of emotion that wells in my chest. He gets it. I hope he’s right. With my focus back on the instrument, I practice through the piece Austin’s teaching me today. He and Leighton have different styles, but I enjoy learning from each of them. Since we’ve set the schedule, they’ve been really good at giving the other space, too. Like right now, Leighton’s across the room writing in a notebook with his headphones on.
If he’s bothered by my time with Austin, he’s really good at hiding it. Which is good. Really good. But there’s a tiny part of me that’s disappointed in his lack of interest. Which is insane and childish. I push those thoughts aside for the next hour and concentrate on the real reason either of these men is giving up his time: to teach me to play.
“Last lesson of the day. Something really, really important.” Austin takes the Gibson out of my hands and sets it back inside the case. When he straightens his shoulders, he levels me with a stare that fills my gut with apprehension.
“Okay?” I drag the word out and wait for his wisdom.
“You cannot fall in love with me.” He winks and flashes a smile that causes my heart to flutter erratically. Damn him for being so gorgeous. But if he thinks all it takes is one smile for this girl to fall hard, he has another thing coming. Sure, he’s beautiful, and if he asked I’d most definitely make out with him, but that’s nothing close to love.
“You really are full of yourself, Austin Jones.”
“Thank you.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.” I roll my eyes.
“I’m glad we’ve had this little chat. I feel much better. Don’t you?”
“Sure you’re okay?” I question and lift the back of my hand to touch against his forehead. “You feel fine, but your head is huge right now.” I pull my hand back into my lap. “Must be really hard toting around such a large ego.”
“All I heard was huge and hard, and while I get it, there’s no need to compliment my manhood.” His gaze flits down to his crotch. “I’m already self-assured.”
“Oh, my Lord! Youarethe worst.”
“Ouch.” He rubs the center of his chest but his grin lights up his face as if that’s the nicest compliment I could give. “That stings.”
“You’ll survive.”
