Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
But I can’t do that.
I pull back on a pant and hold his eyes, which are so filled with lust he looks as though he was just having the same thought I was.
I release my hold on his hair and touch my swollen bottom lip. That was, hands down, the best kiss I’ve ever received in my entire life. My body trembles just recalling it. He releases my ass and I swim back just a little, reality slowly setting in. I wasn’t supposed to spend alone time with him, let alone kiss him with that kind of ferocity. I need to be careful. Our worlds will never be able to mesh together. I know this.
I’m setting myself up for a world of hurt.
“I’m really cold,” I say, smiling at him. “Want to get out?”
His eyes are holding mine so intensely and I know he wants to say something, but he doesn’t. Instead, he nods and we swim to the edge of the lake, climbing out. I’m freezing, so I find a spot in the sun and sit down. He joins me, big body dripping and glistening beneath the suns strong rays.
“It’s peaceful out here,” I say softly, deciding talking about the kiss is best avoided.
“Yeah,” he murmurs, voice low and thick, still husky from the kiss.
“Are you looking forward to seeing your club friends?”
He snorts. “Friends. Yeah, darlin’, lookin’ forward to it. My president is comin’.”
“Your brother?” I ask, eyes wide. “Really!”
“Yeah.”
“Can I meet him?” I chirp, and then slam my mouth closed. “I mean, no, sorry ...”
“You’ll see him, no doubt. He’ll be helpin’ watch out for you. Can meet him, if you want. I’m sure he’d like that. He’s a fan.”
I flush. “He’s a fan?”
“Think most of America is, babe.”
Right.
He has a point.
“Well, I’m glad you’ll have your brother with you. That must be good after so long on the road, by yourself.”
“Don’t mind bein’ by myself, to be honest. But it’s been a while since I’ve seen him, and after your shows I have to go home, so I guess now is as good a time as any to get back into the swing of things.”
I nod.
He reaches over, cupping my jaw. “Time to go, sweetheart. The sniffer dogs will get let out soon.”
I smile.
But my heart is already sinking.
Because I don’t want to go.
I just want to stay here forever. With him.
And that scares the hell out of me.
-12-
SCARLETT
We arrive in Seattle earlier than expected, so I have a good few hours before the preparations for the show begin. Maverick said his brother and another member are arriving today, and he’ll be meeting up with them at a bar down the road close to where I’m staying so that they can discuss security. Other than that, I haven’t heard from him. That bothers me some, because I feel like the kiss made both of us a little distant.
Which is completely understandable, but it sucks all the same.
I only have a few more shows left before I can finally go home to my ranch and breathe for just a little bit. It isn’t entirely quiet, but it’s better than living on this bus and in hotel rooms.
A knock sounds at my door and I call out for whoever it is to come in. I’m in my hotel room, but I’ve got the door open. I look up to see Amalie coming in, smiling. “Hey!” I beam. “Are you excited for tonight’s show?”
She nods, rubbing her tummy a little. “I’m a bit nervous,” she admits.
“Don’t be,” I say, standing and walking over, putting my hands on her shoulders. “You’re amazing, and I’ll be right there with you. We’re going to smash this out of the park.”
She nods, but I can tell she’s nervous. I know how that feels. I still get nervous before a show, but it’s comfortable for me now. I remember how it felt to be sick before a show, wondering how you were every going to get through it without vomiting all over the stage. I also know the best distraction for it.
“We have a few hours before the show, want to go for a walk?”
She narrows her eyes. “Are you allowed out?”
I grin. “What they don’t know, won’t hurt. We won’t go far. Maverick is at a bar down the road, we could go and say hello, if you’d like?”
She grins, and I’m starting to see that my Amalie has a little bit of a wild streak buried deep inside. “Okay.”
I clap my hands and rush around, grabbing my purse, a hat, sunglasses, and my phone. This hotel is a lot easier to get out of due to the set up, and I already figured out a way to duck right past security. Besides, they’re too busy watching who is coming in, not who is going out. I take Amalie’s hand and we take the elevator down to the lobby. Security have been waiting out front of the hotel, but the best part about this hotel is the three massive sliding doors. If we sneak out at the end one, and walk off quickly, sticking close to the wall, they won’t notice.