Bleeding Edge: Elliot Security (Elliot Security Series Book 2) by Evie Mitchell (books to read for beginners TXT) 📕

I glanced at my watch. “We don’t leave for another three hours.”

“Just enough time, then.” She barged past, calling, “Emmie! It’s your fairy godmother!”

I spent the rest of the afternoon practicing for tonight’s gig and trying to stay out of their hair. Whatever Addie was doing had Emmie in fits of giggles. I found I liked the sound ringing through my house.

Hours later, the van was packed and I was getting pissed.

“Yo.” I knocked on the bedroom door. “We gotta go.”

Addie opened it, grinning. “She’s ready.” She popped on to tip-toes, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Take care of her.”

I didn’t notice her leaving. My eyes were locked on the woman in the bedroom.

Jesus, Mary, and Kevin Bacon. I’m in fucking love.

Em tugged nervously at the shirt, fidgeting. “Is this okay?” she asked, her hair bouncing as she moved to the door.

“Oh, yeah.” I stared at her, watching her tits move, watching her hips sway, watching the grin decorate her full red lips.

“Do we have to go?” she prompted, glancing at my watch.

“Yeah.” I turned abruptly, leading her down to the garage as I tried to subtly adjust my junk.

Jesus. I mean… fuck.

Emmie chatted as I plotted. This was like every fucking wet dream, teen movie come to life. I knew she was gorgeous, but when she looked like this?

Magnif-eee-fucking-cent.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Emmie

“Where is this again?” I asked as the van rolled to a stop down the back of a dark alley. Despite the reassurances, I felt uncomfortably exposed, in more ways than one.

The first issue was my outfit. The shirt was black, light-weight, and low cut. Way more low cut than anything I’d ever owned. The jeans were tight and dark, accompanied by a push-up bra and soft boy-cut underwear. She’d paired it with black converse and a leather bomber jacket. While I had to admit I looked fantastic, I still found myself tugging at the shirt regularly to ensure I wasn’t flashing anyone.

Sex bomb I am not.

The second issue was the venue. As much as I looked forward to watching Luc play, I was having a minor anxiety attack about being in public. The risk increased in public places. Luc and Pax had worked out a protection plan, ensuring I’d be covered at all times but I still felt naked.

“This is Falling Glass.” Luc slid the van door open, jumping out. I shuffled across the seat, taking his hand as he helped me down.

He squeezed, then let my hand go, moving to the rear of the van to assist his band mates in unpacking the equipment. He picked up an amp, and flashed me a smile.

“Lead on, my lady.”

I grinned and walked towards the door marked Staff Only. Inside we walked through a maze of backrooms, headed for the stage.

“We’re the only band tonight. We’ll set up, do a check, then grab some dinner,” Luc told me as he connected cables and repositioned equipment the guys were bringing in.

“Can I help?” I ran sweaty palms over my jeans, standing awkwardly while Luc crouched on the stage.

“We’re good. We’ve got this down to a fine art.” He flashed me a grin. “But thanks.”

I hovered, moving this way or that as the guys came in, handing items over when directed. I felt like a seagull at a picnic, mildly annoying, but someone was always willing to throw me a chip.

Dinner was chips and a burger at the bar. Luc snagged one of my remaining fries as I swatted at his hand. He gave me a wink as he chewed. He took a swig of beer, then glanced at his watch.

“The crew should be here soon. We’ll be wrapping up about eleven. You good with that?”

I nodded, mouth full of burger.

He watched me for a moment, tapping the side of his beer absently.

“What?” I tilted my head giving him a squinty look. “I know that face.”

He grinned. “This one?” He pointed at it crossing his eyes.

I threw a napkin at him, laughing. “No, the deep-thought one.”

He shrugged. “I think sometimes.”

“Oh really?” I grinned, taking another bite of my burger

‘’Mm.” He settled back in the chair, feet stretched out to touch mine under the bar. “Trying to work out if we’ve reached late teens or early twenties just yet.”

I raised an eyebrow.

I enjoyed this wooing experience. Aside from glitter-bomb cards and playlists, he’d given me flowers, texted me cute messages, and sent me more pictures of his abs.

The ab pictures were slowly getting lower and, I’ll admit, I was more than ready for something a little sexier.

I finished my dinner, throwing the used napkin on my plate with a happy sigh. “I’m stuffed.”

“We still have some time before our set…” Luc’s voice trailed off suggestively. The corner of my mouth tilted up.

“Did you have something in mind?”

His lips curled up, his eyes twinkling as he lent towards me, hands moving to my knee. “Trust me, Em?”

I ducked my head, hiding a blush. “Of course.”

“Come on.” He caught my hand, entwining our fingers. Luc slid off the stool, leading me through the backrooms out to the van. He slid the back open, gesturing for me to climb in.

I scrambled, settling on the back seat. He climbed in beside me, sliding the door shut, sealing us in.

The weak winter sun left long shadows in the dark alley. Inside the dim interior my eyes slowly adjusted to find Luc turned towards me. Legs clad in dark-wash jeans, his top a stone-grey long-sleeved shirt, he’d shoved the sleeves back to his elbows. Everyone knew that made a guy 1000% hotter. How was I meant to resist all his forearm hotness?

I couldn’t. I really couldn’t.

Beside me, he shifted. One arm came up to drape over the back of the seat.

“What are we doing?” I whispered in the quiet hush.

His teeth flashed as he smiled in the dim light. “University.”

He reached out, fingers finding my hand. Slowly he rubbed circles along the back of