Ballad (Rockstar #5) Read Free Page B

between me and him.”
    Ben stands there, jaw ticking, teeth grinding, hands fisted at his sides. If this were a cartoon we’d see steam coming out of his ears. Hell, the top of his head would blow off from the steam and fall back down. Of all the people to think they have a say. I scoff in his direction. He gives me looks, heated ones, interested ones, but that’s as far as it goes so he can just step off.
    I turn to Lucian, who’s still grinning, and kiss his thumb. Ben growls. I’m not kidding. He let out a growl. The man has issues. Lucian winks and drops his hand when I turn to face the mirror.
    “Finish beautifying me, Spense,” I say to a dumbstruck Spenser who has his makeup brushes clutched tightly to his chest, his eyes wide and focused on Ben. “Spenser!” I say louder and he jerks.
    “Oh, yes. Okay. Oh my. This is… I need Lucy,” he says softly. “She handles these things.” He sends a quick text then turns to me. I look in the mirror to see Ben staring at me. I wish he would stop. The looks seem like they mean more than what they do and it’s more than I can handle.
    I turn away from Ben’s hard gaze and meet Lucian’s softer one. He gives me a wink and I smile at him. He seems nice and he gives me butterflies kinda the way Ben’s gaze does—kinda.
    I hear the door open and I look in time to see Ben’s tall, muscular frame walk through the doorway. He doesn’t even look back. No. Not Ben. Instead, he slams the door behind him blanketing us in silence once again.
    “Well then,” Spenser says, all flustered. He pulls his shirt from his body and fans himself. “Is it hot in here?”
    “Scorching,” Lucian answers.
    Holy Hannah. What’s going on? What just happened in the last thirty minutes has changed what I thought I knew and what I thought I wanted. I never considered there to be more than one possibility, more than one man who’d be interested in me. I’m sick. I’m no prize. Maybe holding out for Ben Kingston is a dumb idea. And, after that display, maybe it’s one I can stop entertaining. He doesn’t want me but doesn’t want anyone else to have me. That doesn’t work for me. Not at all.
    As Spenser applies my makeup, Simone tends to Lucian.
    Maybe Lucian Cordero isn’t bad news like they think. I mean, people change, right? Some people, anyway. But not Ben. Nope. Ben will always hide within the safety of distance. I’m not sure why and I’m not sure I even want to know the answer to that anymore. He’s kept me dangling with those looks for the last couple months. But now? I think I’m going to see what else is out there for me.
    I don’t know Lucian but I do know what he makes me feel and it’s nothing I’ve ever felt before. Maybe Lucian feels something too. I guess only time will tell.
    All I know right now is Ben Kingston better get himself in check and not mess with Lucian or the chance that Lucian and I might have to get close. He has no right. He’s made it plain he isn’t ever going to act on whatever lies behind those eyes and now it’s my turn to make it plain to him that he needs to stop with those empty-ended looks.
    I’m an all or nothing type of girl and Ben has nothing to offer.
    Lucian grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze, sending me one of those blinding smiles that I can’t help but return. My heart skips a beat and low in my belly I feel those flutters. When he lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles, I lean forward, his eyes go wide for just a second before settling back to soft and wanting. Then he leans forward and kisses me again. Just a soft brush of lips and I raise my hand to his cheek.
    I lean back slightly and look into his eyes. Why is he doing this? Why me? Is it pity? I’ll kick him square in the balls if it is. If it’s to toy with the sick girl, he’ll get more than a kick in his jewels. If it’s to use me, he wouldn’t be the first. But if it’s for more? Then I want to get to know him better and see what ‘more’