Read Between Love & Fire (Backstage #1) for Free Online

tingles straight to my clit.
    “If you can handle six months with me, then you’re unquestionably getting an extension.” When he steps back, he drops my hand and turns to walk out of the office. Before he disappears, he pauses, facing me again. “And Tayla, you look beautiful.” His hungry eyes rake over me, from my head to my trainers. The heat that follows his gaze over my skin has me squirming. With that, he’s gone.
     

     
    It’s almost lunchtime when Kierra walks into the editing studio to find me. I have been sitting with the video editors learning about the process of getting a music video from raw footage to the final product. “You hungry, doll?” I smile and nod. “Come on, let’s get something to eat. We can chat.”
    We make our way downstairs and she is talking a mile a minute. I think she’s so excited to have someone to chat to that she doesn’t realize she’s doing it.
    “So, when are the guys recording?”
    “Callum is busy writing every day. He works on the melodies, using the piano, or his laptop. He hands it to Liam and Ryan to work through. They add in their parts, and then if Cal has the lyrics ready they sit down and record. It’s a long process, one song could take two weeks maybe more to get to a place where Callum is happy.”
    “My brother is never happy.” A deep rumble behind me has me jumping. I turn and come face to face with Liam.
    “Liam, please don’t start. Your brother is in a mood today.”
    “He’s always in a mood.” He turns and smiles. “You’ll get used to it.” Heading to the coffee machine, he grabs a mug and fills it.
    “Anyway. Do you eat meat?” She stares at me and I nod.
    “Yes, I do.” Seeming happy, she turns and continues plating food and pops it into the microwave. “And you?”
    “Yes, sometimes. I end up just eating meat at home. Since Callum doesn’t, I tend to forget about it. It's second nature now.” She smiles, handing me the plate of stir-fry. It smells incredible. “He made this yesterday. Sorry about the left overs, but I promise it’s good.” I am still aware of Liam watching us.
    “Right girls, I need to go bang… some drums.” He flashes me a cheeky grin and winks as he makes his way out of the kitchen.
    “He can be such an ass.” She laughs and shakes her head. The rumors must be true. Liam has been seen photographed with countless beautiful women on his arm. Then again, so has Callum. Who am I kidding? Cal is in a league of his own. I have seen the women he dates. They’re a far cry from me.
    “Do either of them have a girlfriend?” Her laugh is loud and I suddenly feel self-conscious for asking.
    “No, doll. They’re both single. Liam, will never settle down. At least that’s what I think. Callum, he’s different. He plays the bad boy, but he’s actually a sweetheart. The girl that steals his heart will be one lucky bitch.” She glances at me and her mouth curls in an easy grin. “He’s like my big brother. I want him happy. Both of them for that matter.”
    “I always thought you and Callum were dating. Most of the fans do.”
    “Oh, God no. I could never date him. That would be weird. There is no way I can handle Callum Hayes. He’s a nightmare at the best of times.” We both collapse in a fit of giggles. I like her, she’s honest, sweet, and I feel at ease with her.
    We finish up our lunch in relaxed silence and she takes me into the studio. We find Ryan with his keyboard, he looks so happy. Almost as if he is smiling at himself. He glances up as we enter and offers me a face splitting grin. “Hello. I am Ryan.” We shake hands.
    “Tayla. The newbie.”
    “Welcome.”
    “Ryan, can you show Tay the sound stuff?” She waves her hand around and he chuckles. “That’s my technical term for all this.” Kierra normally handles the paperwork. And her so-called technical term has me giggling again. The look that passes between them is distinct. The way she looks at Ryan is filled with more