Under the Lights Read Free Page A

turnstile. Countless movies where criminals jumped the device to file onto the subway filled his mind.
    He’d never experienced the smell before, and the best he could equate it to was dirty socks in the gym. The heat and the sheer loudness of the train passing by caught him by surprise. Ian made a memory. Some day he might need such a moment. He’d call on it, and the scene he acted would be real because he’d done so.
    “Brooklyn Heights.”
    She halted near a bench toward the back of the platform, and he stood next to her.
    “Brooklyn?” He shouted over the roar of a passing train and then realized he had been a little bit too loud. Ian really didn’t need fan attention right then. He was with Teirney. Fans were a gift, and he almost always had time for them. But in the subway station waiting for the train to Brooklyn, he wanted to be only with Teirney. It had to be possible to have quiet moments, even for him.
    Ian pulled his hood over his head. Probably too little too late if someone who wanted to talk to him had seen him. He sighed.
    “First time in Brooklyn?” She smiled bigger. “A whole night of new beginnings for you.”
    “Hey. Can we find some pizza?”
    There wasn’t anything he wanted more than to eat pizza with Teirney.
    “I think we can probably acquire some.”
    Ian put his arm around her, and she stiffened but didn’t push him away. He’d have to warm her up to him. He couldn’t wait to see the woman she turned out to be when she let her guard down.
    As far as first dates went, tonight was a weird experience. In fact, he would bet Teirney didn’t realize dating was exactly what they had started doing the second they walked together toward the subway. He was taking her on a date to her house. Whatever it took. He’d told Presley he needed to make some major changes to find happiness.
    Teirney was the first on his list.
     
    ****
     
    The cardboard pizza box Ian held warmed his skin as he trailed after Teirney toward her house. He skipped a step to keep up with the tiny dark-haired lady whose vanilla scent he was becoming rapidly addicted to. Was it possible he could end the evening in bed with her? His cock hardened. He hadn’t thought about it when he asked to follow her home.
    After a full half an hour together, he wanted her more than he ever had. Fantasy Teirney didn’t hold a candle to the real deal. She looked over her shoulder to smile at him as she unlocked the door.
    “Wishing you hadn’t suggested coming along?”
    “No, I’m seriously excited.”
    Maybe she had old movies. They would sit and eat the pizza she’d ordered from an app on her phone. He needed to know more about these things so he could use them himself. His assistants probably knew which ones worked best.
    Another thing Ian needed to change involved handling more of his life without professional help. He followed her inside. A blonde woman who wore her clothes at least one size too tight, probably to go with her heavy makeup, stood when they entered.
    “You’re late.”
    Teirney nodded. “My apologies. Five minutes over. I’ll add it to your salary for tonight. Any problems?”
    The woman snorted. “I’d rather have the time. I told you, I have a life, and for what you’re paying me, I’m not willing to be late to see my guy.”
    “Yes.” Teirney pulled cash out of her pocket and handed a wad to the woman. “I respect the fact that you have a life. Were there any problems with Granny?”
    “I mean you need me. I think you should be a little more grateful I even show up for work.”
    Ian had had enough. Teirney needed to hear about her grandmother. He stepped forward and lowered his hood.
    “Hi, I’m Ian.”
    “Oh.” Her eyes got really wide. “You’re Ian Mackenzie.”
    “Last time I checked. Sorry she’s late; my fault.”
    He gave her his best charming smile, and she responded, showing him a mouth full of teeth.
    “It’s okay. I didn’t know she knew you.”
    He smiled, although he