“I’m seeing that.” He moves around some cables and a large white board where I keep the layout and plans of upcoming shoots, never taking his eyes off me. “Then again, a reality check may be what I need.”
“What does that mean?”
“The music industry is full of yes people and ass kissers.”
“Oh.” I lean back against my desk. “You’re being pacified.”
“Something like that.”
Ronan walks past me and stands in front of the wall of images, staring from one to the next. He takes his time, studying each one. While I do the same, only it’s him I’m studying. Has he really come here for a break from the shittery of his life?
And why do I feel immense pressure to make him feel better? That isn’t my job. He must have plenty of women willing to fawn over him. Hmm, he said he’s had enough of ass kissers though. Should I insult him some more? Make him feel better?
Perhaps I could tell him he has a nice butt. Those jeans are snug. I tilt my head a little to get a better angle.
“The PR machine is out of control,” he says, breaking the silence and jolting me from my inspection of his ass. “Theywant to let everyone see that despite the troubles, we’re still a band, and we’re not going anywhere.”
“Is it true?”
He comes over to my desk. I resist the urge to move out of his space when he stops in front of me. “I get the feeling I can trust you, Cora.”
Oh shit, I shouldn’t like the way my name rolls off his tongue. He’s a charmer. Well, I’m no easy, panty dropping snake… That made more sense before the thought fully formed. As in he’s a snake charmer. Jesus. He’s making me stupid.
Ronan’s eyes are locked on mine with the briefest dip to my lips and back again. Even a snake could fall foul of that look.
“You still with me?” he interrupts my nonsensical thoughts.
“Did you see me leave?”
He smirks, choosing to ignore my fluster. “Caden is a better singer than Christopher.”
I take a second to realize we’re back to the topic of the band. “He is the best looking one in the band.”
“Ha.” He steps back. “Now I know you’re playing. Him and Gray are identical.”
“Double trouble.” I wink and move around him to go stand by my chair.
“That your kind of thing?”
Not on your life but he doesn’t need to know that. “May I have my picture? I wouldn’t want to hold you up.”
“Don’t worry about it, I have nowhere I need to be rightnow. Besides…” He puts his hands in his pockets. I don’t notice how that tightens the fabric around his crotch, not at all. “I might have some work for you.”
I almost tell him I don’t need the work, but my business brain overrides the one who has allowed this man to make my IQ drop. Still, it’s a good idea not to let on how eager you are.
“Oh, by the way, I listened to those songs you suggested. They’re on your mixtape.”
“Mymixtape?”
“Yep. So, our PR team want to show that we can make it as a four piece. I think a photoshoot would do that.”
“God, you’re even worse than me for tangent hopping.”
Ronan grins. “I think this could work out in both our favors. You get to work with Velvet Echo.”
“Are we back to those negotiations you’re so fond of?”
He walks over to the set area. Oh fuck, my personal things are behind there. He can’t see that.
