Page 39 of Backstage with a Billionaire Rockstar

Right… back to reality.

If only this bubble of ours could last.

As we make our way to the tour bus, reality starts to seep back in. The weight of my responsibilities settles on my shoulders, heavier than ever. I scan our surroundings, hyper-aware of every movement, every shadow.

This morning's stolen moments with Evan feel like a distant dream now.

***

The tour comes to a stop at our next destination, and Carmen sighs heavily, looking between each of the guys with a frown. “Listen, I wish we could continue with the tour like planned but I think it would be too dangerous right now. At least here you’ve got security outside your house, and we’ll just keep doing shows within a reasonable distance from here.”

Brent nods slowly, his eyebrows knitted together and an arm circling Julia’s waist. “You’re doing the right thing, Carmen. Who knows how much worse things are going to get, and this might be the safest place for Evan to be.”

Carmen smiles at Brent thankfully, then claps. “Plus, once this all blows over, we’ll continue with the tour as planned. Right now, smaller and closer is the best option.”

Her eyes dart around nervously as she says the words, leaving me to believe she doesn’t quite trust her own words, and that doesn’t make me feel much better. The guys each rise from their places on the couch, stretching their arms into the air, and I make sure to stick close to Evan’s side.

When we step off the bus, I make sure to scan our surroundings before following Evan onto their front porch. It’s weird being back at their house, but at least I’ll get to be in a more comfortable bed.

Evan kicks his shoes off inside the front door, nodding to the guys tiredly while making his way toward his room, and I glance awkwardly around before shrugging my shoulders. I’m about to turn down the hallway where my room is located when Evan clears his throat and catches my attention.

“Where do you think you’re going, darlin’?”

I hook a thumb over my shoulder and frown. “To my room?” I’ve got a lot to comb through tonight since I didn’t get anywhere during the drive back to New York.

He smiles brightly and nudges his head. “Come with me.”

Is that wise?

When I look around, double-checking that we’re alone, I hurry across the room and let him lead us down the hall. Thankfully, the front door opens, signaling that Carmen just walked inside as soon as we round the corner, and I blow out a relieved breath.

Evan threads his fingers through mine; the action is more comforting than it should be, and he pulls me inside eagerly. I’m about to ask him what he needs that I had to follow him, but before I can voice the question he’s got his lips slamming against mine. I open for him, my hands roaming over his back, then I pull away breathlessly.

“What was that for?”

He sighs and presses his forehead against mine. “It was torture being so close to you on that bus and not touching you, and this is all I’ve wanted to do since Carmen told us we were coming back home for the remainder of the tour.”

I tremble under his touch as he brushes his knuckle along my cheek, and then he does the most surprising thing and presses a tender kiss against my cheek. The warmth that was enveloping me disappears as Evan pushes away from me, and I whimper at the loss of it, which gets a chuckle out of him that I’d love to hear more of.

“You haven’t slept, Mia,” he says gently. “As much as I love your determination, I’d also hate if anything happened to you because you’re too tired to focus.”

Evan disappears into his closet, then comes out with a t-shirt and tosses it to me. “Put that on, then join me in bed?”

I can see the hope in his eyes, but I can’t help to dart my gaze toward his bedroom door. What if someone needs him and they catch me inside? Everything I’ve done would be for nothing, and Evan, possibly Liam, will still be in danger.

“Darlin’,” Evan says from across the room, a smirk on his face. “We’re fine. You’ve got enough to worry about.”

He pats the empty space next to him, and my eyes fall onto his bare chest. The tattoos that are always covered by his shirt are out in the open, forcing me to swipe my tongue over my bottom lips slowly, and I swallow thickly.

I can lay with him without doing anything… right?

His lips tip into a knowing smile as he watches me ogle him, and I glance away from him, my cheeks heating from embarrassment. He’s already got the blanket flipped over, ready for me to climb beneath it, and I sigh happily as soon as I sink into it. This is exactly what I was missing, and apparently, my body recognizes that as well because I’m desperate to close my eyes.

Evan chuckles, then flips the lamp off on his side of the bed and blankets the room in darkness. I’m nervous, which is something that rarely happens to me, and I can’t stop my hands from shaking as I pull the blanket up to my chin.

Just as I push my arm under my pillow and close my eyes, a loud crash echoes through the room, and Evan curses beside me. In seconds, the room is lit up again, the pieces of glass glistening on his floor, and Evan holds a hand up at me.

“Don’t move, Mia.”

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