Page 85 of Sky Full of Stars

I bark out a laugh at her. “What made you give in?”

“I told myself I would go out for one night with him, it would be my claim to fame. We had a nice time, he made me laugh and didn’t try to get me into bed. Well, not too hard,” she laughs. “We went out again, realised we got on but kept it friendly. I think I was a distraction from the insanity. Obviously, he still wanted in my pants and eventually I gave in.”

“How long have you been together?”

“A few weeks, it’s not serious, I’m not sure it could be. I have made him promise if he’s with me, he keeps it in his pants when he’s on tour. I do not share. So far as I know, he’s done that.” She looks away and I get the impression she maybe wants more from Nick but she isn’t sure she is going to get it. “About the exposure though, people were interested in me for a while when we went out and about but it faded, Nick is one of the band, he has his fans but the real draw is Aidan,” she gave me an apologetic look but I got it. “He has women dropping their panties just with his voice,” she gave me a cheeky wink and I laugh again. “I don’t mean to stress you out, but if it does get out that you’re dating, things could get hectic.”

“I know, he’s been frank about that. He says he’ll protect me but I’m not sure how. There’s already one picture of us out there.”

She waved her hand. “Don’t let it deter you. Going off what you’ve told me about how you met, I’d say he’s pretty into you. Aidan isn’t like the others, well Nick is kind of off the market,” again she looks wistful. “But Jordan, boy that guy is enjoying his celebrity status if you know what I mean. Nick says the number of women doing the walk of shame off their bus is beyond comprehension. Arch is fairly discreet but he’s hot too.”

We’ve almost finished a whole bottle of champagne when we hear a commotion outside. I turn to look through the window and see Archer and Nick getting out of a car.

“How do they even know?” I look at Elsa.

“They’re vultures. This place is a magnet, there is always someone here, so they hang out and wait. And here come the hordes,” Elsa rolls her eyes as I look out and see not only flashes from cameras but groups of girls. “Wait till Aidan gets here,” she adds.

Arch and Nick pose for pictures, they don’t hang about and head inside. In a few minutes they stroll in and are led to the table. Nick leans over Elsa and gives her a lingering kiss on the mouth. I half smile. No matter what Elsa thinks, it’s obvious to me Nick has feelings for her. She gives me a look when Nick pulls out a chair next to her and I wink. Nick greets me as Arch gets into the seat beside me and leans in to give me a kiss on the cheek. Nick asks for some beers and more champagne and it arrives almost before he has finished asking.

We hear another bout of screams from outside.

“God hath arrived,” Arch laughs. Adam is getting out of a car with Jordan. “And the crowd goes wild!” he shouts drawing attention from some other diners. He grabs a corona when the server puts a bucket of ice filled with beer onto the table. It isn’t jealousy I hear in his tone, more amusement which reminds me they’re best friends.

I try not to look, I don’t want to appear bothered by it all but I can hear shouting for him.

“He likes to think he’s the popular one,” Nick says. “They just feel sorry for him.”

We all laugh. The screams don’t die down but Jordan and Adam have disappeared. When the door opens and they walk in, my breath catches at the sight of him and for the first time I realise I’m really the only one he wants. Of all the women out there, the ones he could have at the drop of a hat, he chose me.

“Damn girl,” Elsa leans into me. “Even I’m feeling a tingle in my undies. He wants to eat you for breakfast. And lunch, and dinner.”

I laugh and nudge her arm. She’s right, Adam hasn’t taken his eyes off me as he strides across the restaurant never breaking contact or caring people are watching him. Everything fades out around us and I get an intense fluttering in my stomach. My heart pounds, am I really falling for this guy?

Yes. I am.

“Move,” he tells Arch who makes a show of being annoyed, but he lets Adam take the seat beside me. He sits down and takes my hand. “You okay?” I nod my head and he kisses his lips to my temple.

Jordan greets everyone and passes out the beers. I haven’t had much chance to get to know Nick or Jordan but the conversation starts to flow as we wait for our food orders. The boys tell stories about their childhood. They’re a family and it’s clear as day they would do anything for each other. They give Jordan a lot of shit for his broken arm, but he takes it with fake indignation and lots of laughter. When we’re not eating, Adam sits with his arm over the back of my chair, and I’m trying really hard not to let everyone see how the swirling of his fingertips on my skin is making me feel. It is going to be so hard to head back to New York in a couple of days, knowing it’s going to be over a month before I get to see him.

“What are you thinking?” his breath hits the skin behind my neck as he whispers in my ear. I’m hot and flustered and glance at the others but they are all deep in conversation. “Let me guess, you’re thinking about which room we’re up to.”

I laugh and it comes out huskily. He drops his arm into the space between my back and the chair and caresses the top of my ass. I laugh and lean into him and he kisses me like no one else is here.

“Shit,” Jordan exclaims. We stop and look over at him as he’s shaking his head at us kissing. “I can’t believe I’m not gonna be on the tour.”

“I’m fairly sure you’ll have no shortage of women here, Jord,” Arch tips his beer bottle at him. “I’m fucking glad we don’t have to listen to it for the next six weeks.”

Tales of his exploits are then discussed and everyone is laughing. Elsa excuses herself to the bathroom and looks down at me. I do need to go, I get up, Adam’s hand trailing down my ass and thigh as I do. I glance at him and he gives me a boyish grin.

After using the bathroom, we stand at the mirror touching up our make-up. “You have such beautiful eyes,” Elsa looks at my reflection. “I would love eyes that colour. I would love to make you up too, your bone structure is amazing.”

I blush a little. I’m not used to people saying things like this to me. I mumble thank you.

“We should go for lunch tomorrow,” she says, clutching her hands into fists excitedly.

“That sounds good.” Even if only to give my poor lady bits a break.

“Great. I’ll book us a place, let me have your number.”

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