Black Falcon: Complete Series Collection by Michelle A. Valentine Page B

grabs her up in a hug. “Riff!”
    I roll my eyes. “On that note, I’m out of here.”
    I wander around backstage and find an empty bench. Radies rush back and forth connecting cables and tuning instruments. The opening act is set to take the stage in a few minutes. I’m really enjoying all the great music I’ve heard during the last couple shows, and I’m curious what band is playing with them tonight.
    “Lanie, love, didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”
    I jerk my head toward the voice and set my eyes on a grinning Striker. His long, dark hair hangs in a low ponytail, and a few shorter strands fall haphazardly around his face. The brown in his eyes is so dark they almost appear black. Tight leather pants, accompanied with a sleeveless dress shirt, show off his body and array of perfectly placed tattoos. I’m definitely intrigued by him.
    I smile at him. “Hey, Striker. I didn’t know Embrace the Darkness was opening for Black Falcon.”
    Striker must take my smile as an invitation because he plops down next to me and causally stretches his arm behind me. “We do from time to time. Same record label and all. Say, you think you might fancy getting a drink with me later?”
    When I gave my number to him the other day, I didn’t even think about the possibility of something happening between Noel and I. But since we kissed last night, I feel like that changes things a bit. “Striker, I’m not sure...”
    “Ah, come on. Just one drink.” He winks, and when I hesitate, he says, “Don’t tell me you’ve got a thing going with that Noel bloke. He’s not worthy of a lovely lady such as you.”
    I raise an eyebrow, taken back by his forwardness. “And you are?”
    Striker takes my hand and raises it to his lips. “I would treat you like the queen you are.”
    The skin on the back of my hand tingles from the touch of his lips. His eyes meet mine, and there’s no trace of humor in them at all. I swallow deeply, unsure what to say. Noel and I’ve already had a relationship that’s fallen apart. Who says that won’t happen again? This thing with Striker is new and unexplored, and frankly a little scary. Our apparent attraction to one another feels intense.
    “What the hell is going on?” Noel’s face is angry, and he’s staring daggers at my hand in Striker’s.
    I yank my hand away, and my heart pounds. Where did he come from? “Nothing. It’s not what you think.”
    Striker stares at me and tilts his head. There’s recognition on his face, like his suspicions about Noel and me are confirmed. “Pity.”
    I open my mouth to apologize, but I shut it quickly. There really isn’t anything to say I’m sorry for. I don’t really know Striker. I shouldn’t have to explain my relationship with Noel to him, and I’m still trying to figure it out myself.
    After a few seconds, Striker sighs before standing to face Noel. “This one’s a good girl, mate. Treat her right.”
    Noel doesn’t answer, just narrows his eyes as he watches Striker walk away, and then turns his attention back to me. “What the hell was that?”
    “He was just being nice,” I counter.
    “Nice? Kissing your fucking hand is crossing the damn line.”
    I stand and shove my hands on my hips. “ Nothing happened!”
    He jams his fingers into his hair. “You’re driving me insane. I can’t keep doing this.”
    I stare at him with my mouth open slightly. “Noel...”
    “Just stop.” He closes his eyes. “Just stop, okay? You’re ripping out my heart and you don’t even know it.”
    “I’m sorry, I just need more time. We don’t have to rush things.”
    He grabs me. “Yes, we do. If I don’t have you soon, I’m going to implode. Can’t you see that? I want you to be with me. I can’t stand all these guys coming on to you. The fact that I’m not allowed to do a God damn thing about it because you’re not mine is killing me.”
    My heart thumps as he holds me tight. I dip my head and close my eyes. “I’m