“Now lean in like you’re about to kiss.”
Rocky tried looking Hudson’s way to argue. Jinx touched Rocky’s face and drew him closer. He stopped an inch away from Rocky’s mouth. Rocky’s lips parted on a breath. His eyes automatically fell closed while his heartbeat pounded in his ears. He wanted to close the final gap as much as he craved his next breath.
“Perfect. You two look like you belong together. This needs a little something extra, though. Tito, come take this camera.”
At Hudson’s words, Rocky came back to reality and took a step back. His heart rate didn’t slow, and his lust didn’t ebb. Jinx looked dazed and turned on. Rocky couldn’t look away.
Hudson passed the camera to the huge guard Rocky had almost nailed with the door. Then he joined them in the pictures. Jinx and Hudson exchanged a glance and a smile. Before he grasped their intentions, they sandwiched Rocky between them. Jinx moved behind Rocky, grabbed both halves of his shirt, and tugged. Rocky automatically leaned back into Jinx’s arms as Jinx exposed his chest and trapped his upper arms in the material. The clicking of the camera was the only sound filling the air as Jinx’s mouth opened against the side of Rocky’s neck. Rocky’s head fell back. A gasp escaped him. Hudson’s body melded against him. His lips touched Rocky’s collarbone. Rocky saw stars. He became hyper aware of every place they touched. They were all hard. He knew there was no way Hudson missed his erection since he was fully aware of theirs. Rocky had two tongues stroking his skin, and it was too much. He wanted to fuck. There was a bed inside the warehouse. Rocky wanted to be there right now, between these bodies. He didn’t doubt for a moment they would be explosive. Then it was over.
Hudson moved away and reclaimed the camera. As he flipped through the images, Jinx fixed Rocky’s shirt. Rocky stared at Jinx, willing him to say something as he buttoned Rocky’s shirt for him. When the tension became too much, Rocky’s mouth opened. Confessions raced to his tongue.
“These pictures are amazing, guys,” Hudson said, saving Rocky from himself. “You both did fantastic.”
Jinx took Rocky’s hand and headed for the SUV. “Please send me copies of the best shots. This was so much fun.”
Tito opened the door. Rocky did his best not to make eye contact as he followed Jinx into the backseat. This time, once they were closed inside, an odd sense of intimacy washed over Rocky. They felt shut away from the rest of the world. It was like they were in their own bubble. Rocky draped his arm over Jinx’s shoulders instead of the seat. Jinx set his hand on Rocky’s thigh. Hudson turned Jinx’s way and draped his arm across the back of the seat. His hand came to rest on Rocky’s shoulder. He stroked. Back and forth, Hudson’s fingertips trailed across Rocky’s skin. The feeling of intimacy doubled. The air felt heavy with desire. No one made any moves beyond the most innocuous of touches.
With his free hand, Hudson took Jinx’s hand. He toyed with Jinx’s fingers. “I hate that our time is ending,” Hudson said as he watched their fingers linking and stroking. Rocky was mesmerized by the sight too. He couldn’t explain why. “I have a thing tonight.”
“It’s okay. We’ll see each other again.”
Even though Hudson kept his head down, Rocky still caught a quick glimpse of Hudson’s smirk. “You’re not even going to ask what thing I have, are you? You’re not the least bit jealous or curious.”
A low and sexy-sounding chuckle rumbled from Jinx. “First off, it’s not my business. If you wanted to tell me, you would. Second, I have no right to be jealous. You belong to the world first and not at all to me.”
Hudson’s chin lifted. “That’s not true.” His green eyes looked earnest in a way that Rocky had never seen him look before. “Do you remember when you asked me what it’s like being me, and I said I felt like I’m always skating a super fine line?”
“Yes.”
At Jinx’s response, a sad smile passed over Hudson’s lips. Rocky found himself engrossed in the conversation. Hudson’s gaze moved between them. He almost seemed shy in that moment. “I didn’t feel that way today.”
Rocky didn’t know what Hudson was talking about since he hadn’t been present for the conversation referenced. He got the gist of it, though. Today, Hudson had gotten to be normal. Rocky imagined that didn’t happen often. Working for Zayn had given Rocky some insight into the rich and famous. It was a lonely existence. Rocky couldn’t let Hudson be alone. “You should hang out with us more often, then.”
Hudson smiled. His spine melted against the door and his palm smoothed down Rocky’s arm as he went. “I’d like that. Things have been kind of crazy lately. I dropped two albums back-to-back right after coming off tour. Now I have a small role in an upcoming movie. That’s what I’m doing tonight. We’re filming my scenes.”
“That sounds... legitimately exhausting,” Jinx said, mirroring Rocky’s thoughts. No doubt, Jinx knew better than him. As the sound man for Spencer’s alter ego, Zealous Blaze, he understood the hard work it took for just one show, much less an entire tour and everything else Hudson listed.
Hudson stared at nothing while playing with Jinx’s fingers. “I’ve been tired a long damn time.”
Even though Hudson sounded distant, Rocky’s chest tightened. There was something in his tone. It spoke to Rocky and scared him a little. He didn’t know why he felt so close to Hudson after one afternoon together. Something was happening between
