Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Ajax let his band members into the house, directed them toward the kitchen, then walked back outside just as Finn was coming back toward the porch. He took the steps down to meet him, keeping his voice low. “I’m sorry about that, Finn. It seems I worried everyone more than I thought. I also didn’t realize they’d grown so close to Alan. Maybe I’m up in my head a little too much and need to pay more attention to those around me. Thing is, we’ve all been together a long time, built deep relationships, and I think they’re worried about that as well.” He tilted his head, taking in Finn’s fierce expression. “You okay?”
“That guy, Alan, is a piece of shit. I can’t believe you were with him so long.”
Ajax nodded. “He wasn’t always that way. Fame has a way of going to some people’s heads. I’m concerned that’s the problem with Barry and Thorn, too.” He sighed heavily, his heart aching. “I’ve clashed with them both in the past, which is normal with as much time as we spend together and all of us being creative types. I just didn’t realize they were actually scared.”
“Yeah, I picked up on that. Missed most of the conversation, but it was obvious as soon as they stepped out of that huge SUV. A couple of them fairly reeked of fear. Are they staying?”
“For a little while. We’ve been friends a long time, so I need to do what I can to set them at ease. I thought they understood what I was doing. Well, I thought Matt did. Barry and Thorn—they’re taking it harder than I realized.” Ajax glanced toward the gate, glad it was hidden by trees. “As for Alan, he’ll probably spend his time out there posing for photographs. He’ll be just fine.”
“I don’t really care how he feels.” Finn stared hard at him. “You do deserve better. So much better.”
Something in his tone had Ajax staring a little harder at him. Finn was better. Ajax couldn’t help but make the comparison. He was real. And kind. And not someone who’d get blinded by fame. Ajax truly liked him. Liked who he was.
Finn started to say something, then paused and looked up at the sky. “It’s going to rain.” Before he even finished his sentence, the heavens opened up on their heads, soaking them both instantly.
Laughing, Ajax darted back up the stairs to the porch, but it wasn’t fast enough. Water dripped down his face and had plastered his clothes to his body. He slicked back his hair, turning to Finn only to suddenly lose his train of thought.
Finn was staring at his mouth, his eyes narrowed but blazing with something so hot, it felt like the moisture on his body would turn to steam. A drop of rain dangled on the tip of his nose, and without thinking about it, Ajax reached up to slowly wipe it away. Finn’s gaze lifted to his, and the heat there made Ajax shiver.
Neither said a word, but they didn’t need to because Ajax could see that Finn returned the curiosity and need that had been building in Ajax. This jinn wanted him. Fire lit in his belly, and he took a shaky breath. He opened his mouth, not sure what he was going to say, but the front door opened, and Matt poked his head out.
“Ajax?”
“I’m coming,” he murmured, still staring at Finn and resenting the presence of his band so much right then.
Because there was a promise etched in Finn’s expression. A promise of something big, something…primal. And Ajax wanted to explore that more than he wanted anything else.
Chapter Nine
Finn
The members of Ajax’s band only stayed a few hours, and Finn had watched when they’d picked up the fuming ex as they left. He’d gotten a real kick out of seeing Alan simmering outside the gate, so pissed he was actually ignoring the flashes going off.
That moment Finn had experienced with Ajax during the rain kept going through his head, but they both backed off it as if they each needed time to process it. Another week passed, and he found that he was enjoying the shared meals and time with Ajax in the evenings. Food still wasn’t good, but Finn didn’t care. This time together felt like something special as they got to know each other. Then, Ajax had become intrigued watching Finn play on his Steam Deck, so he’d had one delivered, and they’d started playing some games together at night. Finn had introduced Ajax to survival craft games, and watching the rock star scrambling to stay alive amused the hell out of him. Ajax took it so seriously.
There were more photographers gathering outside the gate, and camera flashes went off like crazy every time Finn got close. He was sure his image was being splashed out there as people speculated on who he was and why he was holed up in this supposed private getaway with the lead singer of Back to Chaos. This was actually normal in his line of work and had happened before, but his role as a bodyguard was usually easier to spot. Here, in this rental so far from Ajax’s home, the situation was bound to bring about questions. He’d talked to Xavier about it, but his employer had just replied that it sometimes came with the territory, and nothing was being said they needed to worry about.