Page 9 of The Roadie
She heard his smile through the phone, and it made her stomach flip-flop. “I’ll call you as soon as I’m done.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“Problem,” the audio guy said, as soon as she walked back into the studio. “Background noise. We need to re-record the drum tracks.”
Kira dropped her chin into her chest. It was going to be a long night.
It was almost ten when Kira finally got back to the hotel. She was utterly exhausted but, at least, the single was done. And it fucking rocked. She plopped down onto the bed and pulled her phone from her handbag. There were two messages from Brett, the last only 30 minutes ago, and she sent a quick reply.
KIRA: Just got in – exhausted! But still ready to rock. Give me 20 mins to grab a shower.
She checked her emails while she waited for a response from Brett. Forty-seven new email messages. Her vision started to blur as she scrolled through them and read a few, her lids growing heavier with each one. She yawned and leaned her head back onto the pillow.Ten minutes, she told herself.Just let me close my eyes for 10 minutes.
The sunlight slashed across Kira’s face, forcing her to shield her eyes. Momentarily dazed, it took her a few seconds to remember she was in a hotel room in Chicago. Her eyes shot open and she sat up.Brett!Disappointment made her frown, and she let out a sad whimper. She couldn’t believe she’d slept through the night and missed seeing him. She knew it was silly because they’d just met, but she rarely had such a strong physical connection with someone. The sexy, bearded roadie, filled with swagger and confidence, lit up her boring life with passion. She ached for one more night with him, but her commitment and dedication to her career came first and robbed her of a wild night of uninhibited sex. Or at least time spent with someone who excited her.
The clock read twenty minutes past six. She didn’t care that it was early; she needed to tell him what happened. She found her phone hidden under one of the pillows scattered across the bed. There were three messages from Brett from last night asking if she still wanted to get together and if she was OK. “Damn it!” She quickly typed back a message.
KIRA: I’m so sorry! I fell asleep and just woke up. I really wanted to see you.?
She put her head back down on the pillow, visions of Brett filling her body with want. Her phone dinged an incoming call, and she jumped. “What are you doing up?” she asked into the phone.
“Your text woke me.”
“I didn’t mean to disturb you. I just wanted you to know that I didn’t intentionally leave you hanging like that. I’m so mad at myself right now.”
“You’re up. I’m up. Let’s have breakfast.”
She didn’t have to be at O’Hare until nine so she had time. “How soon can you get to The Godfrey Hotel? There’s a rooftop breakfast buffet with bottomless mimosas!”
“I’ll see you in half an hour.”
“Great!”
“And, babe?”
“Yeah?”
“Wear those boots again.”
“The same boots two days in a row? What a fashion faux pas.” She smiled into the phone. “I’ll make an exception, though. For you.”
After a quick shower, Kira took the elevator to the rooftop and settled into a private table near a trellis covered in wisteria. The silly smile on her lips gave away her lighthearted impatience. The last-minute date for breakfast with a hot roadie was the perfect way to end her little trip to Chicago.
The waiter dropped off a mimosa, and as she brought it to her lips, she saw Brett walking toward her. His tank top exposed scrolled writing across his collarbone and displayed his powerful, sculpted arms. Bulletproof’s logo strained across the taut material covering his chest. Everyone was looking at him, but he was looking at her. Not just looking at her, his eyes beamed at her from across the room. They zeroed in on her, as if no one else existed.
When he reached the table, he pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. “I think you were just playing with me last night. Making me wait.” He kissed her hard on the lips, claiming her in front of the other hotel guests.
Normally, she would have resisted, pushed back to exert her independence, but this man made her submit. She didn’t know what skill or magic he possessed, but she was powerless when he touched her.
“Did you eat anything yet?” he asked. “I saw an omelet station on my way in.”
“I never even had dinner last night. I’m starving.”
His eyes took on a look of genuine concern. “Let’s get you something to eat, then.”
He took her hand and led her through the restaurant. Several people were watching them, and Kira felt flattered, as if they were worthy of other’s attention. They made a nice-looking couple, she decided.
After they filled their plates, they sat back at the table and ate quietly for a few minutes.
