Page 37 of Another Postcard

“Stop looking at me like that, baby,” he growled as he changed directions to detour over to his suitcase. “You need to heal before we have sex again.” Digging inside, he shoved things aside until he found what he was looking for, pulling black boxer-briefs from the bag. He quickly donned them, though he was careful as he tucked in his cock, which looked red and angry. Then he padded over to me, pulling the covers back and lifting me up. My arms went around his neck and I looked straight into his eyes, which were brimming with happiness. He kissed my nose and swiftly carried me to the bathroom where he lowered me into a luxurious tub filled with hot water and bubbles. My aches were immediately soothed and I sighed in pure bliss.

Levi made a pained sound and I glanced up to see his eyes glued to my breasts before trailing down to my center. He adjusted himself and started for the door.

“You’re not getting in with me?” I asked, not bothering to hide my disappointment.

He looked back at me over his shoulder, his eyes dark and hungry. “You have no fucking idea how much I want to join you, baby. But, if I get in that bathtub with your wet, naked body, I won’t be able to stop myself from fucking you and I don’t want to hurt you.”

I wanted to waylay his worries, but he was right. I was incredibly tender and I didn’t think I could take his monster cock right then. He pivoted and came back to me, giving me a sweet kiss then beat a hasty retreat.

I used the time to call Baylee and check in with her. We talked about her trips into the city and the museums she’d been to. I told her about the cities I had been in and the audiences at the concerts, really anything at all. We just enjoyed sharing a little of our lives with each other while we were so far apart.

The concert had been incredible. When the audience is energetic and engaging, it makes all the difference in a performance and we’d blown the roof off that place. With the adrenaline high still pumping through my veins, I smiled wide as I entered the VIP gathering backstage. Levi and I were standing close, though I was careful not to touch him, talking to a group of teenagers who’d driven up from Kentucky, when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned to find an attractive man smiling brightly at me. He was tall, with dark hair and eyes, tanned skin, and dark stubble on his carved jaw. His features reminded me of Matteo’s, though not in a way that made me think they were related. Then he spoke and I knew why.

“Ciao. Mi Chiamo Bennedict. Ben.”

His accent was thick, indicating that Italian was his first language. “Brooklynn,” I replied. “Piacere di conoscerti?” I asked how he was while I stuck my hand out to shake his.

“Bene.” He grasped my fingers and lifted them up, most likely to kiss the back, but he was stopped suddenly when a hand came down and clamped around his forearm.

“Hands off,” Levi growled menacingly. Ben’s eyebrows shot up and he quickly released my hand and stepped back.

“Scusa!” I gasped, then spun to face Levi. “Levi! What the hell?”

He was still glaring at Ben, who interrupted me just as I was about to tear into Levi. “Non c'è problema.” He chuckled before switching to English. “I didn’t mean to offend your boyfriend. I was speaking with Matteo and he couldn’t say enough wonderful things about you, Brooklynn. When he told me you spoke Italian, I had to come over and say hello.”

Levi had dropped his arm, but he settled himself firmly beside me, arms crossed, and burning holes in Ben with his scowl. I threw him a dirty look but he either didn’t see it or had chosen to ignore it.Fucking macho cavemen.

“How do you know Matteo?” I asked curiously.

“Distant relatives of some sort,” he laughed. “You know how Italians are. If you can find a connecting bloodline somewhere, no matter how remote, you’re cousins.”

We chatted for a few minutes, sometimes in Italian, but usually English because Levi became extra agitated if he couldn’t understand what we were saying. Ben was apparently in town for business and Matteo’s mother’s sister’s. . .blah, blah, blah, had put them in touch.

“It was lovely to speak with you. I rarely get to converse with anyone in my native tongue,” he said eventually. “You are as charming and beautiful as Matteo described and I hope we’ll meet again someday. Arrivederci.” His eyes strayed to my hand but he wisely stayed back when Levi practically growled like a dog.

“Arrivederci,” I murmured with a smile and a small wave. When he disappeared, I whirled on Levi. “What the hell was that?”

“I didn’t like how he was looking at you,” he stated without remorse.

“So you had to mark your territory?” I snapped “You might as well have come over and peed all around me.”

Levi laughed and I was weak when it came to him, so I softened a bit. He took my hand and led me to an under-lit corner of the room. Drawing me into his arms, he tucked some of my hair behind one ear then kissed the sensitive spot just below it, eliciting a shiver from me. “Like I said, I’m not going to pretend you aren’t mine. And, baby, I gotta say, when you speak Italian, it’s hot as shit and it’s taking everything in me not to fuck you right now.”

I melted like an ice cream cone in the sun on a blistering July day. I was certainly dripping like one. My leather pants suddenly felt hot and very constricting, and I had the strongest urge to take them off. I was about to throw caution to the wind and attack him when he kissed the tip of my nose, took my hand, and led me back to the crowd. I was pretty speechless for the rest of the meet and greet. I spent most of the time undressing Levi with my eyes. It was so much more satisfying now that I could picture what he looked like underneath his jeans and snug, black T-shirt.

We spent another hour or so with the fans, then headed back to the buses. Indianapolis was our next stop and there was no break in between concerts so we were traveling overnight. Matteo went to bed immediately, Simon turned on a football game and vegged out with a beer, while Sasha, Levi, and I unwound around the kitchen table. After about thirty minutes, my eyes were drooping and I was ready to change out of my tight, leather pants, and the sparkly halter chafing my skin. I’d already ditched the six inch heels the moment we got on the bus.

“Okay, I’m officially dead on my feet,” I announced. “I’m going to bed.”

“Me too,” Sasha agreed with a yawn and deep stretch. “I’ll go with you.” We scooted out and started for the stairs, Levi right behind us. At the top, I started to follow Sasha to our room but was yanked backward and spun around.

“Baby, where the fuck do you think you’re going?” He was frowning at me, clearly irritated.

“To bed.”

He pointed to the front of the bus where the other bedroom was situated. His bedroom. “Your bed is that way.” His tone made it clear that he didn’t expect an argument. He got one anyway.

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