Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

TOMMY

THE NEXT DAY

I worked like the Tasmanian devil, running around getting all the band's gear packed and loaded as quickly and efficiently as possible, along with the rest of the crew. The sooner this was done, the sooner I'd be back at my condo.

Ready to call Nate. No distractions.

Ace was on vacation as of this morning, so he put me in charge of the roll up. And I relished the opportunity. It got me thinking about the future. My job was great, but there was a lot of heavy lifting, and I couldn't haul shit forever. And I had a good ear for tuning. Maybe I could go back to school, part time, and become a sound engineer, like Ace. He didn't just oversee everything on the road and soundcheck, but back in the studio, too. And I knew for sure that I wanted to stay in the industry.

Once the next set of amps was ready to go, I got out my tablet and catalogued everything while directing six of our team to load it up on the next truck.

"Did Ace leave already?"

I turned to find Brodie standing behind me, sunglasses on, in jeans, a sweatshirt, and running shoes. He looked so far from his usual glam persona that I hardly recognized him.

"He flew out this morning," I replied. "Anything I can help with?"

"I wanted to grab my purple Gibson Les Paul. Me and the guys are gonna work on some songs at my place."

"Cool." I tapped on my tablet and searched for the right instrument. "It looks like it hasn't been loaded yet. Let's check out the stage."

Brodie followed me back up the stairs, to the now empty stage, our footsteps echoing loudly.

"What about you? Are you taking any vacations in January?" Brodie asked me.

"No trip." I smiled. "But I do have plans to meet up with a friend in a week's time."

Shit, me and my big mouth.

"What kind of friend?"

My face heated, and I didn't turn away fast enough.

"So, it's like that, is it?" His laugh was low and dirty. "Come on, give me the dirt. Who is it?"

I laughed at Brodie's inquisition, shaking my head. "No way. I tell you, then you'll tell Holls, and Faise, and Ronin. Suddenly, the whole crew knows."

"That's the way we roll, T. None of us are shy about bragging," Brodie smirked. "Is it someone I know?"

My face was on fire at this point.

"Fucking hell, I've never seen you blush like that before. Now you have to tell me."

"Let's go find that guitar," I muttered, trying desperately to change the subject.

"You can't distract me that easily," Brodie replied. "You know I'm relentless when I want something."

He was. I glanced at Brodie and the wedding ring on his finger. Yeah, it was hard to believe that the provocative singer and self-proclaimed fuckboy had ended up getting married recently. And he was right. When Brodie wanted something, he got it.

"I don't know if he wants me to say anything to anyone," I finally replied, a lump in my throat. "And I want to protect him. I mean, his privacy."

Brodie pushed his sunglasses off and stared at me. "It's serious?"

I nodded. "At least, for me. But I'm not sure if he feels the same. And I don't want to fuck this up."

"I know that feeling."

I paced the stage, my mind now on anything but work.

"I've never had a boyfriend. Never appealed to me. I was happy just fucking around. Until I met him. But what if it's all me? I'm worried that I'm about to make a fool of myself. His career takes him on the road, and he's just starting to hit the big time, so what the hell is he doing with?—"

Fuck.

"Is he a musician?" Brodie's sharp hazel eyes studied me.

I guess there was no denying that part.

"Yeah. And, man, he's just—" I paused, trying to find a word that captured Nate. I hugged the tablet to my chest and bit my lower lip. "Beautiful."

Brodie whistled and patted my shoulder. "I'm not gonna give you any advice. Except to say, if you really want to be with this guy, make sure he knows it."

I nodded, my resolve leaving me grounded. Confident.

"Let's find your guitar."

After five minutes of searching the stage, I located Brodie's Gibson. He thanked me, then offered a hug, and headed for the exit.

My phone buzzed with work emails and messages, so I got back into the rhythm of my job.

And when two hours had passed, and everything was taken care of, I was officially off the clock. I grabbed an iced coffee and a sandwich, then headed home.

As soon as I entered my place, I called Nate.

To my disappointment, though, he didn't answer. I sent him a follow up text, ignoring the nervous clench of my stomach, and headed for the shower.

When I got out of the bathroom ten minutes later, there were three messages waiting.

Nate: Sorry, I was in the shower. Call me back!

A vision of the two of us showering together was suddenly all I could see.

Nate: Or I can call you.

Nate: I could've just called instead of texting that. OMG I'll stop now.

He was so freaking adorable.

I video called and waited, the anticipation making me giddy, lightheaded. Walking over to the bed, I slid over the duvet and propped myself up with several pillows.

Nate answered on the second ring and the sight of his face had my heart beating so loud I was sure he'd be able to hear it. I knew that after a long night of performing and partying, he was probably exhausted. The fact that he was as anxious as I was for this call told me a lot. It told me everything.

"Hey, beautiful," I said to him, watching his reaction carefully. His luminous smile was all I needed to see. "How're you feeling today?"

"I'm stoked. Tired, and my throat's a bit sore. But given the audience response, I'm over the moon. It was a great event."

"You kicked ass last night. And, by the way, that outfit was sexy as hell."

Nate's deep chuckle had my cock chubbing up.

"You remembered, eh, cher?"

"Fuck yes," I replied. "But more than that, I miss you. And I can't wait to see you."

No sense hiding how I felt anymore. Time to lay it all on the line.

"I miss you too," he confessed. "And eight days is gonna feel like forever."

"I know," I paused, thinking about my earlier conversation with Brodie. "I was talking with Dee this morning and I kind of let it slip that we were meeting up. I mean, I didn't give your name. Wasn't sure if you wanted me to tell anyone."

Nate's smile grew bigger.

"Well, since my band brothers interrupted our call on New Year's, I think the cat's outta the bag. And I'm shit at hiding, too. So, you can tell whoever you want."

His declaration had my adrenaline running hot.

"Are you on the bus?" I asked.

"In my bunk. Which is surprisingly comfortable."

Nate turned his phone, giving me the tour of his sleeping arrangements. When his face came into view again, I wished he was here so I could kiss those tempting lips of his.

"Are you wearing anything?" I asked, my semi turning to a throbbing hard on.

"I might have put on something just for you."

"Show me."

I frantically reached for the nightstand and grabbed my tube of lube.

"Hold on, I'm gonna prop up my phone so I can do this hands-free."

When I saw Nate's sleek body come into view, and the red lace jock he was wearing, I crushed the tube so hard it nearly exploded in my hand.

"Baby, you know I love you in lace," I moaned out loud, then realized what I'd said. Fuck it. "You better have that on when we meet up in Nashville."

"Is that an order?" Nate teased and slid the jock down his hips.

"It's an urgent request. Like, please, please wear that. I'm not above begging, beautiful."

Nate's head fell back as he laughed out loud. Shivers wracked my body as I took in the sight of him.

"Don't make me fall any harder," he admitted, then slapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes wide.

He was falling? For me? I was so turned on by his words that I was worried I might come right then and there.

"Don't worry, I'm already there. And I promise, I'll catch you," I replied, no more hesitation or evasion. "Now take off that scrap of lace and take yourself in hand. I wanna see all of you."

"Tommy," Nate whispered my name as he did just that.

And watching him strip down had me scrambling to flip the cap on the lube. He was miles of smooth skin, his pretty cock sitting heavy against his stomach. As it was, I was so excited, it would probably only take me two or three strokes to come.

"That's it, baby. Hold your knees up and let me see all of you."

Nate did as I instructed and shit, what a view. What I wouldn't give to be there with him now. I wanted to touch and taste every part of him, from his lush lips to his taut ass cheeks. And every place in between.

"Get your fingers slicked up and tease yourself real good. Imagine it's my hands on your dick and in your ass."

I watched Nate as he began to jerk off with one hand and tease his ass with the other.

"Pretty soon I'll be right there with you," I panted. "Nothing between us."

"No condom this time. Want your cum," Nate moaned, sliding one finger in his hole.

Fuck, I wanted that too. No, it was more. I needed it. To mark what was mine.

I was so far gone for this man that I was shaking all over, taking hold of my cock and tugging in rough, desperate strokes. My heels dug into the duvet and my back bowed tight.

"I'm so close, cher," Nate groaned.

"I'm right there with you," I admitted. "Come for me, baby."

Nate growled my name loudly, and then his body jerked hard. Watching him come undone obliterated what was left of my control. I gave myself two more strokes, and I was done for.

Intense pleasure pulsed through my body, leaving me breathless, and covered in cum.

"Think we can make it eight days?" Nate asked, his voice hoarse.

I glanced at the phone and licked my lips.

"It'll be the longest week of my life."