When the interview was over, Hector said, “He didn’t even look at me or Kyle. All they care about is the Jared and Maddie will-they-or-won’t-they bullshit.”

“Sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean for that to come up.”

“It’s not your fault,” Kyle said, shooting Hector a look. “It’s the producers trying to test us again.”

“I just wish they’d remember we’re part of the band, too.” Hector shook his head. “Forget it. I need to get some air.”

He took off down the hallway, and Jared frowned. “I should talk to him.”

“He’s pissed at you right now,” Kyle said. “I’ll handle it.”

He left us alone or as alone as we could be backstage with other bands and people who worked on the show. Jared rubbed the back of his neck, and even without my glasses, he was beautiful. I wanted to press my mouth to the stubble along his jaw and trace his tattoos with my tongue. I licked my lips and his gaze lingered on them, and I knew he was thinking along the same lines.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said, his voice husky.

“Where?” We didn’t have much time before we had to get back on stage at the end of the show, but a few minutes alone with Jared were too tempting to pass up, even if it was risky. Or maybe, because it was risky.

“Anywhere. I don’t care, as long as we’re alone.”

We sneaked out the back door, and Jared took my hand as soon as it closed. I still couldn’t see much without my glasses, but he guided me through the parking lot for the trucks with the show’s equipment until we found a secluded spot against a chain-link fence between buildings, where it was unlikely anyone would see us.

I leaned back against the fence and slipped my fingers under the red sash at his neck, using it to pull him to my mouth. He yanked my blindfold down to cover my eyes, and I gasped into his lips.

“Do you have any idea how hard it was not to kiss you on stage tonight?” he asked, as he grabbed onto the chain-link fence above me, fitting his body against mine.

He claimed my mouth with his before I could answer. With the blindfold on, my other senses exploded with Jared. The taste of his skin, slick with sweat and desire. His smell, like soap and leather and something unmistakably male. The feel of his stubble against my cheek, his hard chest pressing against my breasts. His voice as he groaned my name, like I was chocolate and he wanted to take a bite. My entire world was Jared’s lips and hands and breath and body.

“Jared, you’re making me crazy.”

“Tell me what you want,” he said against my neck.

“I want you,” I whispered. “Here. Now.”