Fire and Ice: Rekindled (The Fire and Ice Series Book 2) by Kiara Delaney Page A

which
is why I figured the band was considering my offer in the first place. The
commute was short and convenient. The small university Hailey attends is
located in Danville, and I knew the band had a hometown following with the
college kids. But when I caught wind of the band, I had no idea they'd have a
cougar on board. Then again, we have a diverse demographic, and if she's as hot
as Kyle says she is, we could end up hitting just about every market in the
area. While Kyle's getting the ladies' panties wet, his sidekick will be
drawing in every horny bastard within a sixty mile radius. That's if she's as hot as he says she is.

 
    Bringing my focus back to the matter at hand, I replied,
"Yeah, sure. I can spare a few more minutes. So tell me about this new
singer you have...she got decent pipes?" I caught Georgia's eye and
motioned for her to bring another round.

 
    Kyle perked up and nodded his head towards the door, saying,
"Here she is now...I'll introduce you to her." Sweeping my eyes in
the direction of the approaching woman, swaying her curvy hips with confidence
as a wide smile graced her perfectly painted on crimson lips, I broke out into
a nervous sweat as Kyle announced, "Kellan, this is our lovely back-up
singer, Leila."

 
    I stared at her speechless as I barely registered Georgia in
my peripheral vision, stepping in front of me to lean down and place the drinks
on the table. Shaking myself out of my hazy thoughts, I turned to see Georgia
flashing the band a demure smile as she stepped back from the table, admiring
her handy work, as she was no doubt already counting her tips in her mind. Turning
to leave, Georgia stopped short and her smile faltered when her eyes met mine.
I shuffled nervously on my feet as an awkward charge built in the air around
us.

 
    "Oh we've already met," Leila said coyly as she
leaned her hip against the booth, crossed her arms in front of herself, and
gave me a quick wink.

 
    "Small world," Captain said sarcastically. I shot
him a warning glare as his lips curled up into a mischievous grin. Obviously
aware of the tension, and seemingly finding humor in it, he asked, "So,
how do you two know each other?" before slumping back and popping a
handful of peanuts in his mouth. Jesus Christ, I wanted to throttle the cocky
bastard.

 
    A moment of uncomfortable silence set in as Georgia volleyed
her eyes between Leila and me. Clearly not going anywhere without an answer,
Georgia echoed Captain, asking sharply, "Yeah...how do you two know each other?"

 
    I sure as shit wasn't about to announce that she I and
shared a quick fuck a few years ago in Jim's office. It had a been a one-off for
me, but Leila continued to pursue me for several weeks after our brief
rendezvous, pestering me with dozens of voicemails and texts before finally
taking the hint and leaving me alone. I figured she'd dropped off the map, but apparently,
when she'd heard I was back in town, she did a U-Turn. She was a clingy
nightmare I had no intentions of reliving.

 
    Searching my mind for a neutral explanation, I stammered,
"I, uh...we..."

 
    My eyes landed on Leila's as her smile broadened. She
promptly cut me off, saying cheerily, "Kellan is Andrew's dad."

 
    Say what now?

 
    " Excuse me? "
Georgia interjected. "Who's Andrew?" she grilled.

 
    Effectively ignoring Georgia's piercing stare, Leila said
proudly, "Andrew's my son...well, technically I guess he's our son," she motioned between us.

 
    As the rest of the band and Georgia stared at our exchange
with rapt attention, Kyle rang out cheerfully, "Well this is a nice
surprise. I didn't think this was going to be a family affair."

 
    Unable to meet the eyes of the curious onlookers, I lowered
my head to peer at the floor as I anxiously ran my hand across the back of my
neck. My hair was becoming soaked with sweat. "Yeah, it was a...bit of a
shock to me, too, when I'd first heard about it," I chuckled nervously,
desperately trying to