Read Next Song I Sing (NEXT TIME AROUND) for Free Online Page B

and stay down here with a real woman,” Max said fiercely. “I have two beds. Stay in my room tonight. Just don’t let the brunette see you with your ex or it’s over before you get started. Trust me on this, Jasper.”
    “You don’t know everything there is to know about women,” Jasper said fiercely.
    Max looked away from his brother when Taylor stopped in front of them.
    “Thanks for the piano loan, Max. Maybe we can use it again later?” she suggested, trying to feel him out about whether or not they were interfering in his work.
    “Absolutely. If you three don’t sing again, I probably won’t see a penny in tips tonight. Your friend has some fantastic voice,” Max said sincerely.
    Taylor smiled at him genuinely. He seemed mostly a nice guy, just young and still full of games. But she had to admit Max was certainly charming in his own way.
    “I owe you and need to pay my debt. Lean down here please.”
    Max had to lean out and down quite a bit, but it gave him a nice view of what her halter was covering.
    Taylor stood on her toes, put both hands on Max’s face, and kissed him softly on the mouth. “Thanks. Really. It was important for Chloe to sing again.”
    She patted his cheek, and then turned to Jasper. Max licked his lips and tried not to be obvious about it. Or about how badly he now wanted another taste of her.
    “Mr. Wade, would you like to have a drink or maybe dinner with us? We would like to say thank you for the wonderful time we’re having,” Taylor said, smiling.
    Jasper looked at Max, taking a moment to think of how to answer.
    Max tilted his head and stared at this brother. The universe was all but shouting at Jasper, the glibbest man Max knew, while he just sat there mute. Max wanted to answer for his brother and had to bite his tongue to keep from doing so.
    “Sure. I’d like that,” Jasper said finally, smiling. “Let me get some menus sent over from the café. It’s a step up from what we serve in the bar. Call it a gift for the wonderful entertainment you provided.”
    “I don’t see how our stay could be any better. This was an amazing first day. I plan to tell all my friends about the hotel. See you shortly.” Taylor turned back to Max. “I put a twenty in your jar to get you started tonight. Thanks again, Max.”
    “My pleasure,” Max said, watching her walk back to the table. “She tasted like bliss, Jasper. I want more.”
    Jasper smacked his arm. “Watch yourself. She’s a hotel guest.”
    “Yes, and you’re a lucky bastard for getting to buy them dinner tonight. By the way you owe me twenty now. One of them kissed me. I’ll collect the rest later.”
    Jasper whipped a crisp bill out of his outer pocket.
    “I’ve decided I want public humiliation. Put it in the jar so people will see you doing it,” Max said, grinning. “Now I have go play something to keep the natives settled until the second set. You should offer the woman a job.”
    “I’m not going to offer her a job,” Jasper protested, appalled at the suggestion. “Why would I do that? She’s here as a guest.”
    Max rolled his eyes. “Well, at least find out where she’s living so you can look her up once you come to your senses.”
    Max walked away to the piano, leaving a huffing Jasper sliding off the stool to head to the café for menus.

Chapter 6
     
    “The piano player is your brother?” Emma repeated, surprised.
    Jasper smiled. “Yes. He’s a lot younger, so I understand your surprise. I was fifteen when Max was born. It was quite the shock for our parents who assumed they were almost done raising children.”
    “And for you too, I imagine,” Chloe joked, smiling at him.
    Emma had cleverly made sure that Jasper was sitting next to her. Not that Chloe minded smelling his heady cologne or listening to his deep voice. Jasper Wade was a very pleasant man in many ways. She held his gaze for as long as she dared, then turned to smile at the others.
    Jasper looked at Chloe’s smile,