Sweet Temptation: A Players Rockstar Romance (Players, Book 3)

my eyes. “But let’s not make this weird, okay?”
He went silent, for way too long—like he was actually considering pretending not to know what I was talking about.
“I tried to kiss you,” I said clearly, so he couldn’t pretend not to hear me. “And you weren’t having it. It’s fine.”
It was fine. Really.
But ever since that night, whenever we’d crossed paths, he was awkward as hell. And unfortunately, we crossed paths a lot. He was just always around, watching Elle’s back. Watching my back, too, when I was with her.
The thing was—and it had taken me a long while to fully absorb this—Flynn had never really been onboard with the idea of the two of us hooking up.
That delusion was all mine.
“Look…” he said, seeming unsure. “Summer… I….”
“It’s no big deal. Really,” I assured him. “So you rejected me. I’m a big girl. And I get it. I’m not for everyone. I’m sassy and loud. Sometimes, I catch on fire at fancy parties…” I was trying to make him laugh, maybe… something… but as usual, it wasn’t working. “I’m sure everyone has their type, and for some guys, girls who catch on fire just aren’t—”
“It’s not you,” he said, probably just to shut me up.
“Right. Heard that one before. You don’t need to spare my feelings, Flynn. Really. So I don’t float your boat. So what?”
He cleared his throat, like he’d rather be on fire than having this conversation.
“I mean,” I pressed on, “you could’ve just told me you’re not attracted to me—”
“There’s someone else,” he practically coughed out.
My jaw dropped.
Holy fuck. He was serious.
“Oh,” I said. “It’s really not me?”
“No,” he said.
And then he shut right up.
I leaned forward, scooting to the edge of my seat. Because there was something he wasn’t saying. “What? I am literally on the edge of my seat here. Who is it?”
“It’s… nothing.” He sounded all uncomfortable and freaked out, like he was afraid someone might overhear that he had human feelings. “Don’t say anything, okay?”
I waited. I could practically hear the sweat collecting on his forehead like bullets. “But… who is it? I thought you were single. Wait. You told Elle you were single.” I knew that, because she’d casually inquired on my behalf.
We’d both always assumed Flynn was single, but the man was so damn private. So Elle had asked him, just a few weeks ago, if he was involved with anyone.
He’d said no.
“Summer…”
“Why are you being weird?”
“I’d prefer not to talk—”
“Oh my God. Hold the phone. Are you not with her?”
“Uh—”
“You’re in love with someone you’re not even with??”
“I didn’t say I was—”
“Does she even know? Have you told her? Is this a secret thing? An unrequited thing?”
He coughed awkwardly.
Yeah. Hit that one on the head.
“Holy shit. This is juicy.”
“It’s not.”
“Come on, Flynn. You won’t tell me who it is? I won’t blab.”
I wouldn’t. (Maybe.) But I desperately wanted to know this shit.
“Let’s just forget I said anything,” he suggested.
And then something occurred to me. Something… not so fucking good.
“Oh… Flynn. Promise me it’s not Elle.”
“No. It’s not Elle,” he said firmly. “Of course it’s not Elle.”
Well, that was a fucking relief. Because Elle was not available. For him or anyone else. She was madly in love with her man, Seth, who I happened to be a serious fan of, and the two of them had a baby together. If any guy even thought about trying to threaten that, especially while Seth was away on tour with Dirty, he’d have the sharp end of my most kick-ass stilettos to deal with.
But… in insisting that it wasn’t Elle… he’d confirmed that it was someone else.
He was totally in love with someone.
“Could we, uh, please be done with this conversation?” I could hear the discomfort in his voice. But Flynn would never hang up on me. He was too polite.
So, I let him off the hook.
For now.
“Okay. It’s done. And rest assured, I’m done flirting with you. Ish.”
“Uh-huh.” He didn’t sound convinced.
Of course, I never really stopped flirting. He probably knew that. But at least now he’d know not to take it personally anymore.
“I just don’t like a hot guy to go to waste,” I went on. “And it always seemed like such a giant waste to let you just hang around all the time and go unenjoyed.”
“Uh-huh…”
“But don’t worry. I also consider myself an excellent matchmaker.”
He groaned silently. But I heard it.
And he had reason to fear.
I’d find out who this mystery girl was.
“Alright, alright,” I said. “Glad we got that sorted. But that’s really not the main reason I called.”
“It’s not?” The hope in his voice was adorable.
“No. I called about Ronan Sterling. Elle tells me you used to work for him.”
“I did.”
“So what can you tell me about him?”
“Well… I can tell you he’s one of the most respected security professionals in town. And there’s good reason for it.”
“How long did you work for him?”
“About three years.”
“And why did you leave his company to work for Dirty?”
“Because Dirty made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Why?”
“What was Ronan like to work for?” I settled back in my recliner and tossed my feet up. “Was he nice to you? Or was he a dick? Does he have any weird habits? Fetishes? Secret babies?”
Silence.
“Come on. Guys talk, right?”
Silence again. “Uh, Summer? Are you digging for dirt on your new bodyguard?”
“Why would I do that?” I said innocently.
Flynn cleared his throat. “I’m not sure what you’re hoping to hear. But all I can tell you is that you’re in great—”
“Great hands,” I parroted. “I know, I know. So I’ve been told.”
“Brody and Jude have put the best guy they possibly can on your security detail,” he assured me. “And if you want gossip… you’ve come to the wrong place.”
I sighed. “Fine. Thank you for your ringing endorsement. I feel better already.”
“You should,” he said seriously. “If I had a daughter who needed a bodyguard, I’d hire Ronan.”
“Daughter? What are you, like four years older than me, and now I’m your daughter?”
“I meant… you