Page 47 of I Need You Tonight
Chapter 17
Nicole
A godawful noise blared near my head and intruded on my dream. I groaned, but not in the same way I had in my dream. That sound had been purely erotic.
I pried my eyelids open in time to see Mason lift his hand and slam it down on what I presumed to be his alarm clock. A second later I was rewarded with a glorious silence.
Mason shifted around to face me, and a sly smile broke out on his face. His white teeth gleamed in the dim light of the loft. I couldn’t get enough of his smile, especially first thing in the morning when we woke up next to each other. Too bad that was ending as of today.
“Morning.” He traced his fingers down my neck to my breasts. I didn’t have to look under the sheet to know he was hard and ready for an encore of last night.
Too bad it was an encore we wouldn’t get.
I scooted away from his hand. “It’s my first day on the job, which means I’m officially off-limits.” My girlie parts might have groaned, but they would get over the disappointment soon enough. Or so I hoped.
Before he had a chance to respond, I scrambled out of bed.
“Your first day on the job sucks,” Mason grumbled, voice sexy with sleep.
I laughed—because I had to agree with him there—and walked down the steps, the metal cool against the soles of my bare feet.
Downstairs, I opened my suitcase and removed my jeans, white tank top, cowboy belt, and long wraparound cardigan. I might not have looked like a social media specialist for a bunch of rock stars, but at least I would look good and be comfy for our first day on the road.
Using the clothes as something of a shield against Mason’s lust-filled gaze, I hurried to the bathroom to shower and get ready. When I emerged a short time later, the delicious smell of breakfast wafted in the air. I was going to miss Mason cooking for me. Something told me there wouldn’t be much opportunity for it on the road.
I reached up and kissed him on the cheek, but at the last second he turned his head and my lips grazed his. Mason pulled me against him, his lips opening and welcoming me in…and the food was temporarily forgotten.
It wasn’t until his hands skimmed down my back to my ass that awareness slipped in and I snapped out of the spell he’d had me under. Yes, I would definitely have to remember for the next time that a handshake was a better way to demonstrate my gratitude to him.
I grabbed a plate and shoved a forkful of omelet in my mouth. “Mmm. This is delicious.” Which wasn’t a big surprise. Mason really was a good cook.
We finished eating breakfast, and while I cleaned up, Mason showered. So that he didn’t have to abandon his car at the mall parking lot for the next five months, we took a cab. Hailey and Nolan were climbing out of their vehicle when we arrived, and my heart instantly went out to her. The next time she would see her boyfriend was at Christmas, when the bands had a four-day break. Unlike yesterday, today she looked like she was barely holding things together. They walked over to us, holding hands.
“Hi.” She gave us a small smile and then laughed at my expression. “Don’t worry, I’ll survive. It usually takes me a day or two to get over him leaving.”
Nolan wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head—and I came within an inch of sighing dreamily out loud.
“It’s not like Nolan’s much better,” Mason said, impish fire sparking in his eyes. “He usually sobs like a baby for several days.”
Hailey giggled. Nolan backhanded Mason’s chest.
The rest of the band arrived shortly after, just as the tour bus pulled up. Aaron, Kirk, and Mason helped load everyone’s suitcases and bags onto the bus, then the four of us climbed on board, giving the two couples a chance to say their tearful goodbyes. Logan wasn’t with Callie and Jared, having been dropped off at his grandparents’ on the way over.
I didn’t know how any of them did it, especially Jared. Not only was he leaving his wife, he was leaving his son.
But it wasn’t like the guys were going off to war. They’d be returning home soon, in one piece.
While we waited for Nolan and Jared to join us, Mason showed me around the bus. It was larger than I had expected, and was divided into three zones: the sleeping quarters, with curtains around each bunk bed to provide some privacy; the living space, complete with couches and a small kitchenette; and the work area, which contained a built-in desk and computer. My room was small, but the bed was bigger and comfier than the guys’ bunk beds.
Next he showed me the band’s social media sites. Kirk gave me the list of passwords for each one. “Just make sure you don’t let Mason on any of the accounts.”
“And why’s that?” I knew Mason had a reputation for pranking the guys, so I was almost scared to find out what he’d do if let loose on their media sites.
Mason rolled his eyes. “I tweeted something inappropriate once and I’m banned for life.”
“Once?” Aaron said.
“Okay, twice.”
