“What’s wrong? Did I hurt you? I was worried I might have been too rough. How can—”
I covered his lips with my fingers. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just so happy you’re here.”
He bent his head and took my lips in a kiss that curled my toes. “I’m happy I’m here, too,” he whispered against my lips.
We continued to lie there in the dark, holding on to one another when my eyes began to feel heavy. Heath pulled out of me and stood from the bed.
“I’ll be right back.”
I heard the water in the bathroom running and the next thing I knew, Heath had come back into the room with a washcloth and towel. He gently wiped away the evidence of our lovemaking. After throwing them in the laundry, he slipped back beneath the covers. I rolled to my side and pressed my back against his chest. His lips pressed against my neck and I’d never felt more content than I did in that moment.
“They want to meet you.”
I peeked at him over my shoulder. “Who wants to meet me?”
“The rest of the band. Mari’s been begging me for months now.”
“Oh,” I said. My heart began to race in my chest.
He rubbed his hand over my swollen belly. “Breathe,” he whispered in my ear. “They’re going to love you.”
I hoped so. He’d told me before how the band had truly become his family when his dad passed away, and I didn’t want to give them a bad impression by refusing to meet them. “Okay.”
He leaned over me and kissed me once more. “I’ll make reservations for dinner somewhere. Now, sleep. I can see how tired you are.”
As my eyes slid closed, I imagined what dinner with the members of Jaded Ivory might look like. Shit…I was going to meet the members of Jaded Ivory. If I hadn’t been so tired, I would have probably jumped out of bed to freak out. Instead I let Heath’s heartbeat and whispered I love you lull me to sleep.
CHAPTER 28
Jenna
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I scanned the closet again.
My foot bounced up and down and I bit my thumbnail, searching for something I wouldn’t find. The maternity clothes Mari had picked out for me were adorable, but they didn’t fit dinner with a rock band. I dropped my head back and just barely stopped myself from stomping my feet on the floor. Opening my eyes, I started looking again.
“Hey, babe?” Heath’s voice traveled down the hall from the front door.
“I’m in the bedroom.”
I tossed another shirt onto the bed. Just one more thing that didn’t fit me anymore. Getting dressed had become absolutely infuriating.
“What the hell happened in here?”
I glanced over my shoulder to see Heath standing in the doorway wide-eyed.
“My inability to find anything to wear is what happened here.”
The entire bed was covered in clothing I’d tried on and discarded. Heath walked over and picked up one of the shirts that had landed on the floor.
“So, you decided to use them as a comforter instead,” he said and I could hear the smile in his voice.
I dropped my hands onto my hips. “Don’t you dare laugh at me.”
He stepped forward and wrapped me in his arms. “I wouldn’t dream of it. But seriously, why are you chucking shit all over the room?”
I sighed and wound my arms around his waist. “I was trying to find something nice to wear tonight.”
He leaned back to catch my gaze. “You know you could wear a T-shirt and jeans and no one would give a shit.”
“Please,” I scoffed. “I’ve seen the way Mari dresses.”
Heath chuckled. “On stage, maybe. But I can guarantee you that woman prefers a tank top and jeans any day of the week.”
“Yeah, well, she still looks cute in them. I look like a beached whale.” I tried to look away and step out of Heath’s arms. I hated showing my insecurities in front of him. Heath wasn’t having it. He tightened his grip and took my chin between his forefinger and thumb.
“Listen to me very carefully, you are absolutely, positively the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen and nothing in this world could diminish that.” I found myself lost in the charcoal gray eyes staring back at me. He slid is hand from my back to caress my stomach. “And you carrying our baby only makes you more beautiful.” He leaned forward and pressed his lip to mine. “Trust me when I tell you no one is going to give a shit what you wear tonight. They’re just all excited to meet the new member of our family. And you, my love, are my family, which means you are part of their family too.”
Heath’s image shimmered before my eyes. “Okay,” I whispered, not trusting myself to say more, at least not without crying.
I forced the tears back. He always knew what to say to make me an absolute pile of mush. Or like tonight, make me feel confident in things I hadn’t felt before.
He kissed me again. “Good, now get dressed.” He winked and let me go.
I walked back over to the closet to examine what I hadn’t yet thrown on the floor. “Are you sure they’re going to like me?”
Warm hands rested on my shoulders. “I’m positive. They’re going to love you. Shit, Mari’s been begging me for months to let her talk to you when I called.”
My head snapped around. “She did?”
“Yes. She’s excited to have another girl to talk to when we all hang out. She can’t wait to get to know you.”
For the first time since I got home from work, the butterflies stopped assaulting my stomach. There was still a slight flutter there, but nothing like earlier.
“I can do this,” I muttered mostly to myself.
“Yes, you can.” Heath’s lips pressed against my cheek. “But to make sure we actually get out of the house tonight, I’m going to wait in the living room while you get dressed.”
His lips moved down my jaw to my neck. I titled my head to the side to give him better access.
“Mmm…no one said you needed to keep your hands to yourself. I’m good with being late.”
Heath groaned and stepped back. “Fuck, you’re irresistible.” He took another step back toward the door. “Get dressed. Just remember, after we get home your ass is mine.”
I glanced over my shoulder and intentionally pushed my ass toward him. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“You’re a goddamn tease,” he said, shaking his head and walking out of the bedroom.
Tonight’s dinner had been on the back of my mind all day. I had so much trouble focusing at work, I’d messed up a few orders. Thankfully, no one wanted to yell at the pregnant lady. I attributed it to pregnancy brain and fixed my mistakes. I didn’t want to mention I was having dinner with the members of one of the hottest bands right now, or that they’d seen me at my absolute worst the first time we met. Hell, no one I worked with besides Marcus and Doug even knew I was dating Heath. My co-workers still asked about the baby’s father. I figured I’d let him be the one to tell people first.
I heard my phone ringing from somewhere under the giant pile of clothes. The mound seemed to get bigger the more I moved it around to see who was calling. I managed to get my fingers around it and saw Rachel’s number lighting up the screen.
I pressed the button to answer and brought the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Hello, stranger. I haven’t heard from you in over a week.”
Ever since I called to tell her about being pregnant Rachel had made sure we talked at least once a week. If I didn’t call her, she made sure to give me a call, exactly like she said she would. She hadn’t had a chance to come and visit yet, with her work schedule. It was nice to have someone checking in with how I was feeling through this whole pregnancy besides Heath. But with all the excitement of Heath getting back I’d forgotten to call.
“Sorry, things have been a little crazy here this week.”
“What could be so crazy that you don’t have five minutes to let me know you’re feeling okay?”
I could imagine her sitting with her lips turned down in a frown and her arms cross
ed over her chest. I had to laugh at the vision it made.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. I can just imagine you sitting there all pissed off because I didn’t call.”
“Well, if you don’t want me to worry—”
“Rach? Relax. Heath got back last week.”
I sat down on the side of the bed. I could give Rachel at least five minutes before I hung up and raced through getting ready. Besides, maybe talking to her about my nerves would help too.
“Really? So back to spending all your time with him? Did you tell him you’re head over heels in love with him already?”
I smirked. I knew she’d hear it in my voice. “Actually, he’s the one who showed up on my doorstep to profess his love.”
“Oh my God. You better not be shitting me.”
“Not shitting you. He’s been here every night since.”
“Oooooh, good call, have lots of sex when you don’t have to worry about the consequences.”
“Jesus, Rachel. Could you be any more blunt?”
“Probably. What I really want to know, though, is when do I get to meet him?”
“As soon as I can get enough time off to come up there I’ll bring him with me.”
She groaned. “That means it will never happen. You won’t take a day off until every bill is paid off.”
“Can you blame me?”
“No, but it still sucks.”
“Trust me. This I know, but right now that’s the least of my worries. He’s taking me to have dinner with the rest of the band tonight.”
“Holy shit.” Her screech was so loud, I had to pull the phone away from my ear. When no sound came from the other end of the phone, I put it back up against my ear.
“Are you done screaming like a crazy person or did you pass the fuck out?”
“You’re having dinner with the members of Jaded Ivory and you can’t give me a minute to freak? Wait, why the hell aren’t you freaking out?”
“Oh, trust me. I’m significantly freaked out.” I stood and walked back to the closet. “I have nothing to wear and I’m so afraid they’re going to hate me.”
She scoffed. “Are you kidding me? No one in their right mind could possibly hate you. You are the sweetest person I know. At least until someone really gets to know you and then you keep massive secrets from your friends about having dinner with fucking rock stars.”
“Thanks, you sure know how to make a girl feel better.” I stood and went back to the closet, pushing a few of the hangers side to side as I searched.
“You know I’m just messing with you ’cause I’m jealous as hell over here.”
“I know, but I seriously have no idea what to wear. Nothing fits anymore and all the maternity clothes make me look like I swallowed a few beach balls.” Mari had great fashion sense when she picked the clothes, it was just my own head that made me feel uncomfortable in them.
“What did Heath say to wear? Are you going anywhere special?”
“He didn’t say where we were going, but he did tell me I’d be fine in a T-shirt and jeans.”
“Okay, so what’s wrong with T-shirt and jeans?”
“Besides the fact I’ll look like an epic slob next to Mari.”
“One, you’re seven months pregnant. Two, you do not look like you swallowed a bunch of beach balls and three, pregnant women get a pass ’cause pregnant women are cute with their bellies. If you’re nervous, wear whatever will make you feel more comfortable. But you being comfortable is the only thing that should matter.”
“Okay, you have a point.”
“Yes, I do. And you better call me and tell me all about it tomorrow.”
I laughed. “You know I will, now let me go get ready.”
“Fine. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
“Bye, Rachel.” I hung up the phone and tossed it on the bed. I grabbed my jeans and a T-shirt. It might be a little tight, but Rachel had a point, pregnant women were cute with bellies, so I was going to flaunt it.
CHAPTER 29
Jenna
My hands shook as we turned into the restaurant parking lot. I kept trying to repeat Rachel’s encouragement in my head, but it wasn’t working. The what-ifs got louder and stronger the closer we got. Heath put the car in park and turned to face me. He glanced down at my trembling hands and reached out to cover my hands with his.
“You need to relax, love. Everything is going to be fine.”
“I’m trying,” I said, looking up into his eyes.
“Let’s see if can help any before we go inside. What’s making you so nervous?” He was so calm.
“Where do I start?” I moved one hand out from under his and began to count my reasons with my fingers. “One, they’re freaking celebrities. Everyone in the country knows their name.”
Heath started to laugh. I moved to pull away from him. “Babe…”
“No, you’re laughing at me.”
“No, I’m laughing because you don’t put me in that category. I’m part of the same band and people all over the country know my name too, but it doesn’t bother you.”
“Well…no. I mean, I don’t see you that way. You’re just Heath to me. You don’t wear your fame or flaunt it to other people.”
He leaned forward, stealing a kiss that curled my toes.
“I love hearing you say that. You have no idea how much I hoped to find a woman who would see me and not the band when she looked at me.”
I caressed my fingers down his cheek. “Oh, I definitely see you.”
He smirked. “I can guarantee you they act the same way. They love music. That’s why we do what we do, but besides Monty, every one of them could do without the fame. They want the world to see them for who they are, not what they can do on stage. What’s the next one?”
I hoped he was right about the first one because it had really been a deflection for my biggest concern. I laid my hand across my stomach. “What if they think I got pregnant to trap—”
He covered my lips with the tips of his fingers. “Not one of them would ever think that. They’ve seen firsthand how absolutely in love with you I am. Remember, they had to spend five months on tour with me when all I wanted to do was fly home and tell you how I felt. Each phone call they noticed me falling more and more in love with you. They have no reason to believe you did this to trap me.”
He held my stare and I really, really wanted to believe him. To walk in there confident as hell being on Heath’s arm, but until I met them face-to-face there was no knowing what might happen. I sucked in a deep breath. I’d never know until I went inside. And just like when I was a little girl who had been scared of what hid in the dark corners of my bedroom and forced herself to turn out the light and go to sleep, I pushed the car door open and stepped out. The only way to overcome your fears was to face them.
Heath followed my lead and met me at the front of the car, where he took my hand and led me to the door of the restaurant. I noticed the breeze blew his hair to the left. Wait.
“Why aren’t you wearing your baseball hat? You always wear a hat when we go out to hide from the fans. We stepped through the front door. He glanced over to the left where excited murmurs raced through the restaurant. “Because tonight it won’t matter. There’s no hiding when we’re all together. Mari and Cole have their faces plastered too many places.”
“Does that mean they’re going to know who I am?”
My breath started to come quicker. Heath swung around to face me. “Are you okay? I didn’t think about them finding out about you. We can leave if you want to, but, eventually someone is going to figure it all out. We can’t live in hiding forever. Do you really want to?”
Was I ready for the world to know I was Heath’s baby momma? Not really. But he had a point. We couldn’t hide forever. We were together. Someday we would end up going out with nowhere to hide. If Heath was ready to let the world know we were together, then who was I to stop him? It made me nervous as hell, but at least the rest of t
he female population would know he was off the market.
“Okay, let’s go.” I tightened my grip on his and hand and this time it was me who led him farther into the lobby, toward the hostess.
He squeezed my hand and began searching the rooms on either side of us, looking for something or someone.
“Are they here yet?” I asked.
“Sawyer is, but he and Reagan have a habit of being early.”
He walked us forward to the room on the left. Before we made it through the door, a hostess stepped in front of us.
“Can I help you?” she asked. “We have a private…” Her gaze moved from me to Heath. When her eyes widened and snapped between the two of us, part of me wanted to laugh and the other part of me wanted to take pity on the poor girl. Heath had a commanding sexy presence about him, he didn’t even notice.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Marshall.” She gestured forward. “Your party is waiting for you.”
He flashed her the smile that would melt any girl’s panties and when I glanced over, I was surprised the hostess was still on her feet.
Heath led us forward to a large round table in the back, where two men sat next to each other, their heads close as they held a whispered conversation. They each had a drink in front of them.
“Do you two ever order for anyone else but yourselves?”
Both of their heads snapped around to face us. Sawyer was easily recognizable from all the pictures online and the blond guy with him, I recognized from that night in the club.
They came to their feet and walked around the table to greet us.
Sawyer smirked at him. “You can get your own damn drink, but I’ll get this gorgeous woman whatever the hell she wants.”
He winked at me and I couldn’t help laughing.
“Back off, Sawyer, you don’t even play for the same team.”
“For her, I might switch sides.”
Heath took a step toward him and practically growled.
“I said, back off, Sawyer.”
I couldn’t help but admit that the growly tone made my insides turn to mush.
The blond chose that moment to step between the two men. “Back off, love, before Heath loses his shit. I have no desire to deal with the paparazzi when they get shots of the two of you acting like children.”
Cover Me (Jaded Ivory Book 3) Page 21
