“I like it. Can’t wait to hear it finished.” Sipping at her coffee, she tipped her face up to the early morning sun filtering through the potted trees near the railing. “This is nice, if a little weird. My body is fucking confused as what time it actually is, and yet I feel like I should be getting ready to head into the office.”
“You’ll get used to it in time. We tend to plan the tours to work through time zones in a manner that lets our bodies have time to catch up, and sync up. It’s the biggest reason we get a head start at the beginning with days off immediately upon landing. It will be the same thing when we fly home. A few days off before we’re back in the studio working on the next album, and preparing for the new tour.”
“You were working on the album before leaving for the tour, right?”
Shade gave her a nod. “We’re about halfway done. With the time allotted before we head out again, we’ll have enough time to finish it, fine tune it, and still get in some extra days purely for rest and relaxation. That all includes the tour prep, too, in case you were wondering.” Setting the guitar aside he held out a hand to her. “Come here, kitten.”
Cat quickly curled up in his lap, and pressed a kiss to his jaw. It made him smile. One hand on her hip, he put the other on her bare thigh through the gap in the robe. Squeezing the warm, soft flesh, he pressed his nose to her hair. “Cateline, can we have a serious discussion?”
“Absolutely. What’s on your mind, Shade?”
He had been thinking about how to phrase the question for a while now. But he still had no fucking clue. “This may not make much sense at first, kitten. But I’m hoping you’ll understand, will you bear with me?”
“Always,” she told him. She set her cup aside, and then faced him fully with her arms around his neck. “Talk to me, Shade.”
Hearing the words he often used with her turned back on him tickled his funny bone. “Cute, kitten. Seriously though I know something has been bothering you for a while now. Frankly I’m shocked you haven’t said anything before this about whatever it might be. You know you can tell me anything, that we can talk about anything at all. What’s been eating at you, Cat?”
She didn’t answer him immediately, not exactly a shocker. He could tell she was thinking. The little furrow between her eyebrows a dead giveaway. Stroking his thumb over her inner thigh, Shade stared out at the view surrounding the hotel.
“It’s stupid,” she finally said.
“It is obviously important to you, therefore it’s not stupid. Give it to me, kitten.”
He loved when she wrinkled her nose up like she was now doing. Shade found it unreasonably adorable. Lifting his hand from her thigh he stroked his finger to her nose. Then, when she finally looked at him again, all he did was lift an eyebrow.
Spreading her hand on his bare chest over his heart she broke eye contact to lower her gaze. “Do you remember what I said after the Christmas Eve concert before you went to sign autographs?” she asked quietly.
Shade had to dig back through his memories to figure out what she was talking about. “You told me not to let the fans grope me too much.”
“Yeah, that. I know it’s silly, but it drives me to homicidal thoughts to see some woman cozied up to you or draped over you. I also know that you have to put up with it to some degree, but these women seem to have some serious boundary issues.”
He likely shouldn’t mention to her that her jealousy was cute. He did want to get laid again sometime in the next century. Cupping her cheek, Shade used his thumb to tip up her chin. “What would you like me to do to help with this problem?” he asked gently.
“I don’t know if there is anything you can do, Shade. It’s not like you can refuse a picture with a fan.”
“True, but I can make it clear there are limits to what I’ll tolerate. I don’t want this upsetting you, kitten. For the most part the fans understand, and will gladly settle for a quick hug for a picture. Those who think they can get more will learn that it’s not going to happen.” There was something else they could do, but Shade was worried about how she’d take the suggestion.
“Do you actually think that will work?”
“Maybe,” he said. Then he decided to go for it, and throw all the cards on the table. “One thing that would definitely help get the memo out would be to prove I’m in a relationship with the most amazing woman ever to be born. Nothing ostentatious, but I’m sure we could come up with something that would work if we put our heads together.”
“Okay.” She sounded a bit hesitant. “I’m guessing you already have a plan, and are trying to ease me into the idea.”
“No need to look worried, kitten. You know I would never do anything to embarrass you. I was thinking we could have Jeremy make a little announcement. He can make it casual, off the cuff, and would put the word out.” Shade blew out a breath. “I see one major problem with it unfortunately.”
“The media will swarm,” she muttered.
“Yeah.” They either said something or had the news outlets scrambling to get something over everyone else. Or they said nothing and Cateline would have to deal with groupies and fans who thought they could latch onto him. The other problem was when they took the relationship to the next level, something else he was currently working on, if there was no hint early on, God only knew what would crop up on social media or in the papers.
Resting her head to his shoulder, she wiggled around until her one hand was pressed against his bare back. “Well, it’ll happen whether we want it to or not. You are semi-famous after all.”
Stunned, he didn’t know what to say for a time. Finally he managed to blurt out, “What the hell is with this semi shit, woman?”
“It’s not like the media won’t clue in that we’re together all the time at some point.”
“Seriously now, we are not semi-famous, we are famous.”
“Especially on tour with fans snapping pics whenever they can.”
“We have eleven platinum records, and don’t get me started on how many golds we have.”
“Then there’s being back home where life will return to semi-normal. We’ll be going out, doing everyday things, and eventually one will twig to the fact we’re together more than only friends would be.”
“We’ve had numerous number one songs on the radio for months on end, I’ll have you know.”
“Plus I’ll be living with you at your quaintly named compound, which we need to discuss that particular name. Jen and I both agree it doesn’t inspire the right vibe.”
“So there will be no more semi-famous shit. We are famous, period.”
“Depending on what I end up doing I’ll be going in and out on a regular basis. If we warn Christine, she can put out a formal announcement after Jeremy does his impromptu one during the show. It makes sense when you get down to the nitty gritty,” she said. Patting his chest Cat pressed a kiss to his chin. “And yes, you are famous, babe. No semi about it.”
Shade gave a sniff. “Damn straight. I’ll talk to Jeremy today. It’ll give him the time he needs to find the right spot to blurt out the announcement to keep it natural feeling.”
“Good idea. Now then,” she said softly. Walking her fingers up his chest, Cat stroked a finger to his lips. “What plans might you have for us today now that I’m finally feeling rested?”
Chuckling at her words, Shade squeezed her close. “How do you feel about going out? Nowhere in particular, but maybe take a drive. You, me, in a car to take in the scenery. Right after I call Christine to give her a heads up on our announcement. I’m sure she’ll have something to say about this, and I want that over with. It will give you time to shower, dress, and grab a bite to eat.”
“Look at you being all smart and stuff. Will you put in an order for me? Doesn’t need to be fancy either, Shade. Toast, more coffee, and maybe some fruit, too.” Cupping his face, she kissed him softly, and then wiggled off his lap.
After making the calls for her food, and what turned into a message to Chri
stine, Shade settled into his seat once more. Picking up the guitar, he settled it over his lap, his fingers resting lightly on the strings. He had a song whispering in his head. The same one that had teased him for weeks. But now he had something he’d been missing before, Cateline. His lips curled up when it started to finally click into place. It was still rough, but he definitely had something to work with. Now all he had to do was figure out where the song was leading him.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Singing along under her breath while Jeremy belted out the song, Cat nearly ended up on the catwalk when Christine materialized next to her. “Jesus you need to wear bells.”
Christine gave her a patented Franks enigmatic look, and shrugged. “This will be hitting the newsstands in the morning.”
Cat took the paper from the other woman, and felt her breath catch at the title for the piece. Victorious Bassist Is Off The Market, Ladies! “Cute,” she muttered. The actual story covered how they’d met, reconnected, and were now an item. Surprisingly well written, and rather sweet.
“You approve,” Christine said.
Obviously rhetorical, but Cat felt the need to say something anyway. “I do. It’s perfect. Not too cheesy, not too probative, and yet clearly warns every female on the planet to keep their mitts off my man.”
“I had Jennifer work with our PR group to set the guidelines. The reporter was smart enough to run it past me. No, you can keep that copy and show it to Shade when they come off stage,” Christine told her, holding up a hand to prevent Cat from passing the paper back. “Jeremy will be doing the announcement a couple songs after intermission. Be ready.”
About to ask what the woman meant, Cat found empty space next to her when she turned her head. “Son of a bitch she’s quick in those heels.” Shaking her head, Cat read the article again before folding the paper up to tuck under her arm.
At intermission she gave a sweaty Shade a kiss, and let him grab some water before she showed him the paper. Unwinding the towel from his neck, she folded it up, and put it over his shoulder to rest her cheek against it. While she didn’t mind him being sweaty, when he came off stage it was a whole other level. They were all always drenched.
She knew for a fact that Lance went through three shirts per show minimum. Depending on the play list it could be as many as six. Chase always tossed one to the crowd in the first half and never bothered to put a new one on. Mark and Jeremy changed theirs out at intermission. Then Jeremy tossed that second shirt during the third last song without fail. Shade behaved himself and didn’t ever pull his off. Not that he hadn’t in the past, but in recent years he’d gotten away from the habit. One habit she was extremely grateful he’d broken.
Looking up when Jen called out, Cat caught the clean shirt the other woman tossed her way. “Thank you,” she said with a grin. Settling it in her lap she waited while Shade finished reading the article. When he was done, she took the paper from him and lifted an eyebrow. “Not bad, right?”
“I think it hits all the right notes.”
“Ha, ha.” Poking a finger into his hard abs she couldn’t help the smile. “Be serious, babe.”
“I am, kitten. The musical reference was pure reflex, my apologies. It’s a great piece, and will reiterate what will have flooded social media by the time the paper’s available at the stands.”
“Ten minutes, Victorious!”
“You’d better go sort yourself out,” she said. Sliding off his lap, she handed him the shirt when he got up from his seat to go into the bathroom. Cat fell into the now empty chair, and tossed a leg up over the arm.
While she waited on Shade to return, she watched the others in the room. Mark was tapping a beat on his knee while he, Chase and Jeremy cracked jokes. Jennifer was cozied up with Lance in another chair talking quietly. It was a comforting sensation to see them acting like they did back home, and made her forget for a second where they were.
A knock on the door along with the five minute warning ruined the effect. Shaking her head, she watched her man saunter back into the room. He grabbed some water on his way back to her. When he reached her, Cat let him tug her up and then settled into his lap once he’d taken over her spot in the chair.
They didn’t have long, but she’d take any time she could have cuddling with him. Pressing her nose to his neck, Cat inhaled deep. She loved his scent, but when he was all worked up it did crazy things to her libido.
“What are you up to, kitten?”
His rumbling voice tickled her nose where it made contact with his skin. Wiggling it slightly, she gave his waist a squeeze. “Merely enjoying being in your arms.” His hand slid up under her hair to cup her neck. Cat took it as a cue to lean back. Her reward was a hot, hard kiss from him. One they had to break much too soon.
“Two minutes, Victorious!”
She let out a low groan, and hugged him tighter for a minute. Then she let go, and climbed off his thighs. Taking his hand, she let him tug her from the room behind the others. A too quick walk later and they were backstage. The only light came from carefully placed lights, and glow strips on the floor. One more kiss and Shade slipped out into position on the stage.
Cat backed up a few steps, and settled into place where she could watch the show and stay out of everyone’s way behind the scenes. From the dark seconds before the lights came on she heard the drums start a beat. The crowd was already going insane when Jeremy stepped up to the mic and began to sing.
She got lost in the songs, singing with some, and humming along with the others she didn’t know yet. Cat fully intended to learn every song, eventually.
A different sound pulled her from her musings. Frowning slightly she looked from Shade who she usually watched during the concerts, to Jeremy. She caught the grin he shot her way and knew it was time.
“Folks, I’d like to take a moment here to pass on some good news. Shade Benson, the one and only, has fallen in love,” he said to the crowd. Right on cue the audience let out a massive “aww!” that had Cat’s cheeks warming. “I know, it’s sickeningly adorable.”
Cat was going to smack him. When he turned her way she shook her fist at him.
“We love you guys, and wish you only the best. Unfortunately, ladies, that only leaves you with the three best looking band members who are still single, and fancy free.” Shrieks sounded along with catcalls, and declarations of love.
Lance began the pounding rhythm for their next song, and Jeremy quickly slipped into the vocals. It was an older tune, a hard rock love song if she remembered right. These guys might drive her crazy, but Cat had to admit she actually did love them all. Like pesky, annoying older brothers. Ones she was all too willing to smack when they crossed the line.
Epilogue
The last days on a concert tour were always an emotionally mixed bag for Shade. He loved being on stage playing for the screaming fans. But by the end, he was ready to go home, schlep around in the rattiest clothes he owned and veg out. Now that he had Cat with him, they could do things like that together.
Smiling slightly, he eased his finger up the bass strings. Cat’s image with her hair piled on her head, looking ready to slide off at any moment, and one of his shirts swallowing up her smaller frame happened to be among his favorite mental snapshots. She wouldn’t let him take a picture when she was dressed down like that for whatever weird female reason she had, which meant he had to make do.
Lance lightly tapped the cymbals, signalling the song’s ending. Shade lifted his hand from the guitar to let the notes trail off with the soft sound at the same time Jeremy pulled back from the mic.
The crowd thundered in response. They were crazed tonight, energetic and on their feet throughout the entire concert. Shade could feel their enthusiasm thrumming in the air around him. It was what he loved about playing live.
In the studio was one thing, and a part of the musician’s life, but being on stage was where the music truly came alive. The instant feedback from the fans. Knowing you had a hit by how h
ard the rafters shook to their response. The way his blood hummed from their pleasure, and the high he got from knowing deep inside they’d done that. Something he, Lance, Mark, Chase and Jeremy created had such an effect on people. It was a fucking rush.
While Jeremy engaged the crowd, Shade took the opportunity to grab a water bottle. Chugging down a few mouthfuls, he handed it back to the roadie tucked behind some equipment. Seeing Cateline in the wings, Shade shot her a grin. When she gave him an answering smile, and a finger wave, he tipped his head her way.
Hearing Lance starting a low beat, Shade added in the low end on the bass. Jeremy was still chatting up the crowd to the point they were practically frothing. He had to hand it to their frontman, the guy knew how to get the most from their audiences.
When Jeremy bounced away from the mic to get some water, Lance, Shade, and Mark all kicked things up a notch. Dropping his head to block out the antics across the stage when Chase came in on the downbeat Shade, fell quickly into the zone. Where there was nothing but the music.
****
Crammed into the limo after the show, Shade cuddled with Cat. The others were talking quietly with the occasional laughing outburst. Resting his cheek to Cateline’s hair, he relaxed into the comfort her arms around him gave.
He had a surprise planned for her tonight. He only hoped everything would be in place. Asking Christine to lend a hand had been a small gamble. But the woman had jumped at the chance to assist, and given him some major help in figuring it all out. Now all he needed to do was get Cat to their suite without too many delays, and pop the question. Easy as pie.
“You’re being quiet tonight.”
Lifting his head at Cat’s comment, he looked down into her warm honey-colored gaze. “Thinking,” he told her. It was the truth after all. Not that he planned on telling her exactly what he was thinking about. He wasn’t about to spoil his surprise even if his nerves were starting to get to him, and he was starting to second guess it all.
The Bass Page 12
