by Rae Spencer
He looked out the window. “We travel a lot. There will be a lot of people around.”
“I understand.” Truth told she was excited to go with him.
“You’ll have a pass. I want you to keep the pass on you. Most will know who you are after the first day with us, but security at the venues is not ours. So, you need to keep the pass.” He knew some of the venue’s security men could be real bastards if you didn’t have a pass and he wanted to make sure she never had any problems.
“I see.” She understood enough about what he did to realize the importance of a pass.
“We'll be hitting the bus later than the others so you won’t meet them until we get to the first show.”
“How much time will we spend on the bus?” She chewed her lip, concerned about being alone with Tom for long periods of time on his bus. What would happen?
He squeezed her fingers. “We will pretty much be living on the bus.”
“Do you always fly first class?” She looked around at the accommodations suddenly feeling the need to change the conversation. There were only four other people in the cabin with them.
“Yeah.” He didn’t like coach and had the money to spend. He could tell she was uncomfortable talking about the bus so he let her change the subject.
“Comfy.” She twisted her head on the seat, looking out the window again.
“Yes, it’s comfy. If you want to catch some sleep, go ahead. It’s been a busy few weeks.” He continued to stroke her fingers.
Arianna laid her head back against the seat, closing her eyes.
Her head rolled on his shoulder. He wanted to kiss her soft lips. He would tonight on the bus. Nothing more. He was happy she agreed to come with him. He leaned his head against hers watching the clouds float by.
****
He rubbed his fingers over her cheek. “Arianna. Wake up, we’re about to land.”
She snuggled closer, rubbing her face against his shoulder, not quite ready to wake up.
“Come on, Ari.” He watched her sleepy eyes open. He was lost in the lush green of her eyes. His thumb stroked her cheek and without thinking lowered his head brushing her lips. A slight touch. A gentle brush.
His eyes closed, her breath feathering over his lips. His body tensed. He wanted to deepen the kiss, but didn’t dare. Not here.
He pulled away. His mouth was a breath away from hers as he stared into her eyes. “We’re about to land.”
She wasn’t tired anymore. She was wide-awake. The touch of his lips against hers had been staggering. She wanted him to kiss her again. Her butterflies were in full fluttering mode. She rolled her head back on the seat then slowly sat up. She stretched looking out the window struggling for composure.
“Are we descending?” Her voice was a little husky from sleep.
Tom leaned over her looking out the window. “Yes, we are.”
“Wasn’t bad at all,” she said.
“No, it isn’t.” He slid his fingers over her shoulder.
“That’s a big airport.” Arianna tried to suppress the shivers his touch created.
He laughed. “No worries. I’ve navigated it before.”
“The ground is coming up fast.” Her voice cracked.
His hand ran down her arm pulling her against the seat. “A little bump that’s all.”
She swallowed, staring at him.
Tom brushed her cheek. “Easy.”
The plane touched down. She only moved a little bit and her breath rushed out.
****
Arianna sat in the limo, not noticing the interior. The leather seats or the bar filled with alcoholic delights never clicked in her mind. Instead, she was plastered against the window staring at the sites of L.A. Her eyes darted everywhere. She was overwhelmed. She couldn’t believe she was here with Tom.
Tom had people waiting for them who took care of their luggage. A few fans had recognized him and approached for an autograph and pictures. Tom had taken a few photos, signed some autographs then excused himself. They had to leave to make the bus on time.
“You okay?” His fingers rubbed over his lips hiding his smile at her antics. He was quite sure there would be face prints on the window.
“Yeah.” Her fingers pressed against the glass of the window, but she didn’t move.
“Here we are.”
“Where?” She whipped her head around.
Tom laughed. “The store. Let’s go.”
Arianna climbed out of the limo with him. Together they walked into the huge 24-hour superstore. Tom took a cart and they walked toward the food section.
Arianna had never been in a store so large. Her little town had a small grocery store. The larger town forty-five minutes away had a 24-hour store, but she had never been inside it.
Distracted’s concert had been the first time she had gone into the big town in years. She looked around the store her eyes wide at all the isles of food. “What do we need?”
He had never done this before. He didn’t usually keep food on the bus. Only alcohol. “What do you want?”
Her brows rose in a question.
“What do you like to eat?” he asked.
“Fruit is always good. Do you like fruit?” She rubbed her hands over her thighs, walking toward the fruit.
“Yes. I like some fruit.” Tom followed pushing the cart.
They shopped for another hour ending up with a cart of junk food and drinks and headed to the check out.
Tom pulled Arianna in front of him wrapping his arms around her waist. Her head barely reached the top of his shoulder.
“So, you’re going to cook breakfast for me?” His fingers lay lightly against her stomach.
“I can. I know how to.” She smiled over her shoulder. Her stomach muscles quivered.
“John teach you?” he asked.
Her face bloomed into a blush. “Some. I like to read cookbooks.”
“Read cookbooks. Really?” Tom laughed, squeezing her.
“Yeah.” Her face got hotter.
“Well, I won’t complain if you want to cook for me.” He pulled her tighter against his chest kissing her pink cheek.
“You better not.” She tried to give him a stern look, but a smile hovered on her lips.
He bent forward and brushed her lips. His mint-flavored breath whispered over her lips. He moved a hand from her waist and reached back, pinching her butt.
“Hey!” She giggled.
“Couldn’t help myself.” His fingers burned from the contact with her butt.
“Load up the belt.” She stepped forward, her stomach fluttering.
She helped him put their stuff on the belt. She turned around and he pushed the cart into her butt. Arianna scowled and pushed the cart into him.
Tom grinned, pushing the cart back at her. Laughter flowed from their lips as the cashier rang up their stuff. The cashier gave the amount and Arianna automatically reached into her purse.
“Don’t, I'll pay.” He scowled.
She nodded and stepped forward. He pulled out his credit card and handed it to the cashier. They left the store with Tom pushing the cart. The limo driver popped the trunk and helped him with the bags, taking the cart back while Arianna and Tom got into the limo.
“So, where to now?” She leaned back against the seat.
“To the bus.” His eyes darkened. How the hell he was going to keep his hands off her when they were alone on his bus.
“What do we do there?” She fidgeted with her shirt.
“We’ll get our food and your stuff loaded then we’ll head out. We’ve a show tomorrow night.” He glanced out the window taking a deep breath.
“What time is the show?” She looked at him from beneath her lashes.
“I need to be at the arena before three. Clay is going to cover the interview scheduled for tomorrow.”
“You have an interview. You’ll miss it because of me?” Her breath hissed across her lips
“No. Clay is doing the interview instead,” h
e said.
“But you’re not going because of me?” she asked.
“No, you’re not interfering. Clay doesn’t mind covering the interview,” he said.
“You’re sure?” she asked.
“Yes.” He caressed her cheek.
She nodded, clasping her fingers together.
“I mean it…” He covered her hands with his, squeezing gently.
She smiled slightly. The limo slowed down.
“We’re here.” He pulled his hand away from hers clenching his fingers against his thigh. Tonight was going to test his control, touching her hand had sent shockwaves through him.
Tom climbed out and helped Arianna. She glanced at the bus, the only other vehicle in the parking lot. It was running. Waiting for them. She took in the cool orange, red and green colors plastered along the outside.
“Flamboyant.” She giggled.
Yeah, his bus was. He grabbed her hand pulling her over to the door.
He punched in a code and the door popped. She walked up the three steps and took in her surroundings. There was a living room area with two couches, a kitchen with a small table and a door toward the back. The sleeping quarters.
Her fingers tingled. Her nerves jumped. She felt jittery thinking about the sleeping quarters.
“Wait here. I'll bring the stuff on.” Tom and the bus driver brought on all the groceries placing them on and around the table. Her two suitcases came next. Tom opened the white door exposing a small hallway with a closet on one side and another door. He placed both her suitcases in the closet. He didn’t open the other door. The bedroom. She could wait to see it.
She started unpacking the bags. “Tom?”
“Yeah?” He was walking back out of the little hallway.
“Do you have any particular place you put these?” She gestured to all the groceries.
“No. However you want. Usually I only keep beer on the bus.”
Arianna stared at him. “Seriously?”
He laughed. “I only ever ate at catering.”
“Catering?” she asked.
“We have people who cook for us at the shows. When at the hotels I use room service or restaurants.” He stopped next to her.
“So this food.” She moved her hands, encompassing all the bags.
“Is for us. I thought it would be best to have food for you while you were on the bus. I wouldn’t want you to go hungry,” he said.
He didn’t eat well if he spent all day on the bus without anything but beer. She began putting the stuff away.
“Can you finish if the bus is moving?” Tom walked toward the front of the bus.
“Yeah,” she said.
Tom went to the speaker and paged the driver. “We’re good to go.”
“Okay,” the driver called back.
“Do we have the same driver the whole way?” She placed some items in the refrigerator. She searched around for places to put things and reorganized a little to fit their food.
“No. We use two. ” He helped Arianna put the stuff away, asking where she wanted the items.
When she was done with the groceries, Tom showed her around the bus.
“You sure have a lot of movies.” She had never seen so many movies in one place, except perhaps the store.
“It gets boring on the bus so I end up watching a lot of movies or playing video games. Let’s get your clothes put away now. If you don’t have enough room for your clothes, let me know and I'll move mine.” He grabbed her hand, pulling her back into the little hallway. He pushed open the closet doors.
Arianna opened her suitcase and began to hang up her clothes. He went into the bedroom.
“Tom, no dressers for the little stuff? Should I leave them in the suitcase?” She looked into the bedroom.
“No. There’s a dresser of sorts in here. I cleaned a drawer out for you. They’re under the bed.” He motioned for her to come into the bedroom. There were three drawers under the bed. Blue and brown sheets and comforter covered the bed. It was a big bed and she stared at it for a moment.
“The bathroom is here.” He pointed to the door to his right. He saw her staring at the bed and swallowed repeatedly. He itched to touch her.
“No shower?” She looked at the bathroom. It was very small.
Tom explained how things on the bus worked. The code for the door, the shower, the storage tanks, TV and DVD player.
“What’s over there?” She pointed to the other side of the closet.
“Two bed bunks.” His eyes followed her finger.
“Is that where I'll sleep?” She looked over at him sitting on the bed.
He hesitated then cleared his throat. “No.”
“Why not?” She turned to look at him.
“Because I will. You get the bed. ” He stood.
“You’re giving up your bed for me?” Her breath escaped in a rush.
“I can’t ask you to sleep in the bunk. I asked you remember?” His body tensed at the thought of sharing the bed with her.
“Tom, are you sure?” She caught her lower lip between her teeth, her hands fisting on her hips. It didn’t seem fair she got his bed while he slept on the tiny bunk.
“Yes, I’m sure. Finish putting your stuff away.” He looked away from her lips. He wanted to kiss the lip she had between her teeth. He walked toward the couches.
When she finished putting her stuff away, she stood and looked around. She took a deep breath. She was here. She was with Tom. She wondered about this tour, this trip, and about Tom. She walked down the hallway, found him sitting on the couch and joined him.
“Want to watch a movie?” He smiled over at her.
“Sure.” She chewed her lip. He put a movie in glancing at the clock. 8 pm… it was still early.
Chapter 4
Arianna couldn’t believe how much she enjoyed Tom’s company. Watching the movie together, just the two of them. Her butterflies annoyed her because they wouldn’t go away, but she had a great time hanging out with him. She always did.
His fingers tensed on his hip. “Perhaps you should go to bed. Tomorrow night will be long with the show and all.”
She glanced at him. “You’re sure it’s okay for me to have the bed? I feel bad.”
He brushed his hand over her shoulder. He shouldn’t have touched her. His stomach knotted and he wanted to devour her lips. “Don’t. Go ahead. I’m going to watch a little more TV before I turn in.”
She went into the bedroom closing the door behind her. She changed into her nightie and climbed in the bed.
She only ever had a twin bed and she felt so small lying in his.
There was a knock and the door opened a little. Tom tried to glance anywhere but at her, but his eyes landed on her anyway. He sighed in relief, seeing she was covered and lying in the bed. He stepped inside. “Sorry. I need to use the bathroom and grab my stuff. Should have thought of it earlier.”
“Okay.” Her eyes raced over him.
Tom hit the bathroom then found a pair of shorts and quickly left the room, closing the door behind him.
He sat on the bunk, staring into space. He wanted to sleep next to Arianna. Just sleep, but he couldn’t ask her. He promised no pressure. He lay down knowing sleep wouldn’t come easy tonight. Actually, sleep hadn’t come easy in the last three weeks. Not with her so close, yet so far away. He heard her tossing in his bed like she couldn’t get comfortable.
His body reacted fiercely to the thought of making her comfortable. He stood and went back out to the living area, putting on a movie. He needed the distraction.
****
She lay staring at the ceiling. Her skin crawled with excitement and her fingers tingled. She couldn’t relax and her butterflies wouldn’t go away. She always experienced these when around Tom, but usually they slowed down when she went to bed. Tonight they grew, exploding along her nerves.
She stood and turned in a circle, trying to calm her body. The TV played. Tom was watching another movie and she quietly walk
ed out.
“Can I join you?” Her eyes fell on his exposed legs covered in blond hair. His chest was bare, too. Her fingers began to tingle more.
He jerked. He hadn’t heard her approach. He had been too involved in trying to control his body.
“Can’t sleep?” His stomach tensed at the sight of her in her nightie. It was a green mini tank dress, barely covering the top of her thighs. His mouth watered. He closed his eyes, smothering a groan.
“No. It’s strange.” She gestured toward her chest.
“What do you mean strange?” He opened his eyes, gripping his thighs and only looked at her face.
“I’m jittery. I can’t relax.” She sat next to him.
His pulse pounded and his cock rose. Her heat washed over him. She was too close, too exposed. “Something bothering you?”
“I don’t think so.” She clasped her hands in her lap.
“You sure?” He watched her eyes.
She gestured again staring into his eyes. “I feel excited, tingly. It’s like my body can’t calm down. I don’t understand.”
His stomach flip-flopped. Drops of sweat dotted his upper lip. He digested her words. Excited. Tingly. Did she not understand? He stared at her.
“What?” she said.
“Arianna.” He rubbed his fingers over his face then covered his eyes. His breath was shallow as he struggled with her nearness and her words. It sounded to him like she was having a physical reaction. To him. His presence. Part of him was elated and another part confused. She was twenty. She couldn’t still be a virgin.
She turned to him, her nightie pulling tight against her thighs. “If you know what’s causing this, please explain.”
He stared at her helplessly. Her exposed thighs and loose hair drove him nuts. He couldn’t do anything. He promised no pressure.
He dragged his eyes from her thighs to her face and stared right into her confusion. “I’m not sure I understand. Maybe you could explain better so I don’t jump to conclusions.”
She gaped. Jump to conclusions. Could there be more than one thing causing this reaction? “I’m jittery. My nerves are on edge. I can’t relax or sleep. There are butterflies in my stomach.”
