Page 41 of Of Heartbreak and Harmony
I do as he says. I wrap my arm around his waist and keep my eyes on the ground. I trust him to lead me to the tour bus, and he does. Once we’re there, he spins me slowly and backs me up against the side of the bus, then props his forearm above my head. He leans into my space once more, the closeness no easier to handle than earlier. God, I hope this gets easier.
“I’m going to make it look like I’m saying goodbye to my girlfriend,” he whispers, reaching up to trail his knuckle over my jaw. “Loosen up. Put your hands on me. You need to look like you’re in love with me.”
“I’m not a miracle worker,” I grumble, but reluctantly, I place my hands on his waist and try not to think about the abs I know he’s hiding under his shirt. He smiles.
“Good.” He hooks his index finger under my chin and lifts my face up so I’m looking into his eyes. “Tilt your head to the left, and I’m going to move in to kiss your cheek. Don’t flinch.”
I frown in his direction but once more do as he says. This time, I hold my breath when he closes in on me. His soft, full lips land on my cheekbone softly, and then they linger. He nuzzles me, then kisses me again. When my heart starts to race and I can’t hold my breath any longer, I clear my throat.
“That’s enough,” I say, and I feel his lips stretch across my skin into a small smile. When he finally releases me, though, the smile is gone.
“I’ll see you in a few hours, Calla Lily.”
I sigh. “It’s Callie.”
He takes two steps backward, then gives me a sexy wink that once again initiates vertigo-inducing déjà vu.It’s for the cameras, I remind myself. It’s all for show.
“See you in a few hours,Callie. I’ll be waiting for you.”
13
TORREN
“How was the ride?”
Callie whips her head in my direction, shock covering her features as if she’s surprised to see me. The expression is wiped away within seconds, though, and she takes the last few steps off the bus and lands on the pavement beside me.
I take her suitcase with one hand and sling my other arm around her shoulder. She stiffens briefly before reluctantly relaxing into my hold. Once she does, I can’t help but notice how perfectly she fits into my side, like our bodies are compatible puzzle pieces. Her curves fit my edges, and for a second, I want to hold her against me more tightly.
The thought makes me put more distance between us.
“Fine. I slept the whole way.”
“Did you get on good with the girls?”
She shrugs. “Sure. They pointed me to the bedroom, and I didn’t see them again until Mabel woke me up to tell me we were here.”
“I’m glad you got some rest.”
She nods, but she doesn’t say anything else as I guide her from the bus and into the five-star hotel with Damon following behind us. The band has stayed at the hotel several times while touring, and we always return because they have top-notch security, and they take the privacy of their guests seriously.
“The whole top floor is ours,” I tell Callie. “You have your own room, but it’s in a suite with Sav and Mabes. I hope that’s okay.”
“And if it’s not?”
“Then we get you your own suite,” I say pointedly, and I mean it. We’re prepared to rent out another whole floor for her if we need to. “Did you happen to go through anything in your room on the bus?”
“The only thing I paid attention to was the bed.”
I huff a laugh and lead her through the hotel lobby. A bellhop greets us, then the attendant at the front desk, but no one else pays us any mind. I can almost pretend I’m invisible. It’s how I prefer it these days.
“Did you meet your security detail?”
“I did. Craig. He seems...large.”
I smile to myself. Craig Walton is six-foot-seven and solid muscle. Large is putting it mildly.
“He’s great at his job. He’ll keep you safe.”
