Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

NATE

A WEEK LATER, NASHVILLE

I 'd never taken a road trip that I was so glad to see the end of.

Our bus pulled into the studio parking lot in Nashville, and I couldn't wait to get out. I had my bag in hand, my guitar in the other, ready to bolt.

As soon as we came to a full stop, of course.

My heart was galloping like a runaway horse, my legs couldn't stop bouncing up and down, and my lips were suddenly dry. I was so happy to be here, to finally see Tommy again, but my excitement was tempered with nerves. What if things between us weren't as good as that night? Would the chemistry be the same? Different?

Then I thought about our phone calls and texts. We didn't go a day without communicating. So, yeah, things would be different. This was so much more than sex. And this time, I was staying at his place for two days. That was a big step—for both of us.

After a week of live performances, many, many interviews, and parties scheduled by our label, I was in bad need of a break. Time off with Tommy. No work. No interruptions.

When the bus finally pulled to a stop, I was the first one at the door.

"I'd say have fun, but that's a given!" Otis shouted at me.

I turned and noticed that all the guys were smiling at me. "I'll see you in a few days."

"Remember, you need to save some of your voice for the studio," Heath quipped.

"I'd give you my favorite finger, but my hands are tied up at the moment," I replied as I held up my stuff.

"Kinky. Is Tommy into that?" Otis chuckled, and Heath joined in.

"Ignore them." Xander shook his head. "They're just jealous."

"Hell no. Single forever!" Heath announced and Otis high fived him.

"Stay out of trouble!" I yelled back and headed down the stairs.

Our driver, Parker, preceded me and kindly pushed the door open.

"Thanks, Park, have a good one," I said to him.

He tipped the brim of his ball cap and stepped aside. I got off the bus, surprised at the warm temperature here despite the gloomy skies.

Then I paused. I'd forgotten to book a rideshare.

Tommy had insisted he'd pick me up, but I'd said no, since I wasn't sure exactly when we'd arrive, and I didn't want him to have to wait around. Placing my bag on the ground, I pulled out my phone.

"Welcome home, beautiful."

I nearly dropped my guitar case at the sound of Tommy's voice.

Turning around, I found him standing near the back end of the bus, looking finer than the first time I'd laid eyes on him. In dark jeans, a bomber jacket, and cowboy boots. Those killer dimples of his were in full effect. And when his dark eyes met mine, I struggled not to throw my favorite guitar on the ground and run over to him. Then, I didn't have to. Good thing too, because I was so overwhelmed that I could barely breathe, never mind move.

Tommy strutted towards me, a white box in hand.

"I guess I don't have to worry about a rideshare."

I was surprised I could speak at all, given the huge lump in my throat.

His smile grew brighter, and I couldn't wait to taste it.

"That's right. ‘Cause I'm the only one you'll be riding," he teased as he drew closer, taking the guitar case gently out of my hand and placing it on the ground.

Tommy wrapped his free arm around my waist and pulled me in tight, our lips meeting in a fierce kiss. How had I gone two months without this?

All the crazy emotions I was feeling the day I left NOLA came rushing back.

It was the best kind of homecoming I could've imagined.

Tommy

Part of me wondered if I was still dreaming.

I'd barely slept last night, too pumped up for Nate's arrival. Despite his insistence that he could grab a ride to my place, I'd made up my mind to pick him up. I knew they'd be arriving at the studio first and when he texted along the way to let me know how far out he was, I arrived early and waited.

And man, it was worth the wait. Not just now, but the past two months.

I didn't care that we were in a parking lot, or who might be looking at us. I needed Nate's kiss, and it was better than I remembered. So good, that when he teased me with that wicked tongue of his, I nearly dropped the box I was holding.

When we finally came up for air, both of us looked punch-drunk.

"What's in the box?" Nate asked.

"What?"

All the blood in my body had rushed south, so my brain was a bit slow on the uptake.

Nate chuckled as he leaned over and gave me another kiss, a quick one this time, and asked again. "The box?"

"Oh, that. Just a little something sweet to start things off," I whispered and handed the box to him. Then I squeezed his waist. "Let's get your stuff and get the hell out of here."

"My thoughts exactly."

I reluctantly let go of him and reached down for his guitar and his bag. "I'm the black F-150 at the end of the row."

"You don't need to carry?—"

I leaned over and kissed him again, silencing any further comment.

"It's my pleasure," I said as I held on tightly to his stuff. "Now get that sexy ass moving."

Nate laughed, and the deep sound was so much better in person. Fuck, I'd missed this man.

"Still demanding," he quipped.

"Still waiting."

Nate started off, and I followed, walking slowly for a bit, enjoying the view. When he turned around and caught me staring at his ass, he laughed again and waited for me to catch up.

Once I got his stuff loaded on the flatbed of my pickup, I ran around to open the passenger door for him. He paused, biting his full lower lip, looking like he wanted to say something but was holding back.

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

"Nothing," he smiled at me. "I'm just not used to, you know, this."

He pointed to the door.

I had a brief flash of self-doubt, but it vanished when I noticed the flush on his cheeks. Making any rockstar blush was a feat. Making this rockstar blush? It was heady.

"I enjoy it. But I gotta be honest. I'm only this way with you."

Taking care of someone wasn't my usual, but with Nate, it felt entirely natural. I didn't even have to think about it.

Nate nodded, and I offered to hold the box while he got seated. Once he was settled, I quickly made my way around to the driver's side and hopped in.

"What?" Nate exclaimed as he finally opened the box. "Beignets?"

I smiled so wide my cheek hurt

"You said you were missing NOLA, and that beignets were your favorite thing ever. Now, I'm sure the ones here aren't as good, but?—"

"They smell amazing. Thank you."

Nate reached in, pulled out one of the square pastries covered in powdered sugar, and took a big bite.

The appreciative moan that rumbled out of his chest had me squirming in my seat. My hard cock was about to burst free of these jeans at any moment. And then he offered me a bite of his beignet. No way in hell I was gonna resist. Him, or the pastry.

I took a bite, the sweet goodness hitting my tastebuds.

"It's the second-best thing I've ever tasted."

I winked at him, then licked my lips, savoring more sugar.

It was the damn truth. I reached for Nate, leaning over the console to take his mouth in a deep, drugging kiss. Fuck, I could make out with him for ages and come just like this.

"I'd love to see just how durable this truck is, but first, I want to see your place," Nate whispered.

I took one last taste of his sinful lips and leaned back from temptation.

Once I'd calmed down enough to drive, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home. It was a ten-minute drive from the studio and while I was driving, Nate told me all about the band's trip to Chicago.

"It's one of my favorite cities in the midwest," I admitted. "Great food, big art scene, and lots of live shows. Love the energy."

"Speaking of shows, we got some news today. We're gonna be touring the West Coast this summer. And during the month of July, with Wayward Lane."

"Seriously?" I glanced over. "That's amazing! That means we'll get to travel together."

Granted, it was six months away.

"I can't wait," Nate replied and reached over to squeeze my right thigh. I put my hand over his and interlinked our fingers tightly. He was so damn close, and still too far away.

"Where are you going after this break?" I asked.

"Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. But our manager informed us today that we'll be in Nashville for a week instead of two days. We've got some studio time locked in before we hit the road again. And it works out since I need to find a permanent home asap."

"Don't you have an apartment here already?"

Nate shook his head. "Just a short-term rental the label set up in November. It's located on the outskirts of the city, and I don't want to have to drive every day when I'm back here. I'd like to be downtown."

"I'm happy to be your guide. There are plenty of great neighborhoods and lots of cool condos."

"First, I want to see yours."

"It's my pleasure," I replied as I drove down the street where my condo was located. I pointed up at the brick building on the left. "That's my place. It used to be a clothing factory, and they turned it into lofts a decade ago. It doesn't have tons of amenities, but the location and the views can't be beat."

I pulled into the parking garage, unloaded Nate's stuff, and steered him toward the elevator.

He was suddenly quiet, not like him, and it made the nerves in my belly tighten.

"Look, there's no pressure here," I explained to him when we got in the elevator. "If you want to stay for a bit and then head back to your place, it's fine. I know staying over is a lot. We haven't seen each other in weeks and?—"

"It's not that," Nate replied and stepped closer. "I'm just kind of in shock at how right this feels. How much I've missed you. And I'm really fucking excited about staying."

"Baby, I'm the same."

Then I leaned over and kissed Nate soundly. Of course, we missed getting off at my floor and had to wait another five minutes.

It was totally worth it.