Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

NATE

" W hat was that?" I whispered, too depleted from that monster orgasm to move a muscle.

Tommy licked his lips and leaned in closer.

"That was the hottest fucking hand job in the history of ever," he panted.

It didn't matter if it was sex in a hotel, or his bedroom, or a bathroom in a bar. Every time with Tommy was better than the last.

But it was more than that. I'd fallen in love with him, day after day, for the past two months. It was like stepping out on stage. I was giddy. Every fucking time.

Grabbing the roll of toilet paper, Tommy wiped off his hand, his cock, then mine. I was still too fucked out to do anything but let him. Once we were both zipped up, he took my hand and pulled me away from the stall door. His phone buzzed in his back pocket. Mine did too.

"Let's wash up fast. Our friends are probably en route or already here."

We stepped out of the stall on shaky legs and quickly headed for the sinks. Both of us smelled like sweat and cum, but so what? It's not like our friends didn't know what was going on. And I was too damn happy to care what anyone else thought. I was proud as fuck to be with this man.

He gently guided me out of the washroom, his arm around my waist, protective as always. We sauntered back into the busy bar and started for the corner table again, but it was already taken. No surprises. The place was jam-packed with patrons. Looking around, I spotted a group leaving a high-top table near the bar.

"Over there."

We cut through the crowd and nabbed the table before anyone else could. We slipped off our jackets and settled in.

By the time we'd ordered our first beers, Brodie, Holloway, Ronin, and Faise arrived. Along with Van, Brodie's husband and co-writer, as well as Payton, the band's hairstylist.

The boys of Wayward Lane had the room buzzing, people taking out their phones to snap pics and ask for selfies. The guys stopped and posed for some pictures, but then their security team made a path that led directly to us.

"It's our favorite roadie and his rockstar boyfriend!" Brodie shouted. "Can I say that? I assume that's what's going on here, right? Are you ‘boyfriend official?' Or should we keep this quiet?"

Given the loudness of Brodie's voice, quiet was hilarious. No matter where Brodie was or what he was doing, the lead singer always drew attention. He was wearing his trademark leather kilt and biker jacket. Heads turned as they always did when he walked into a room.

Tommy nodded, sliding his arm around my waist. I did the same.

"We are," Tommy grinned and squeezed me tighter.

"Congrats guys!" Brodie clapped his hands, then motioned to the bartender. "The drinks are on us."

More interested patrons started to crowd around our table, vying for a chance to talk to the band, and surprisingly, to me. I was still getting used to being recognized. It was surreal. All the while, the bodyguards were a wall around us, allowing only a few people at a time into our circle.

After the latest round of selfies was done, we had the table to ourselves.

"What the fuck is going on?" Ronin asked with a smile, offering me a slap on the back. Then he turned to his bandmate. "Dee, you've started a dangerous trend. Relationships better not be catching."

"I'd sooner catch an STD," Holloway quipped.

Even the stoic bodyguards around us laughed at that comment. Well, everyone except Dawson, the one standing closest to Holls.

"Wait, this doesn't mean that you're going to leave us to work for Killmine, does it?" Faise asked Tommy.

There was a noticeable pause before Tommy replied. "Uh, no, but there'll be overlap with the summer concert schedule."

"Right," Faise replied. "Cool. And hey, if we did have to lose you, at least it's to a band we love."

Would that be possible? Tommy working for us? The more I thought about it, the more I loved the idea. But maybe that was too much for him. Working, and living, together.

One step at a time. Slow it down.

Slow was funny. I'd already agreed to move in with him.

"Hey! I found these stragglers outside. Should we let them join the party?"

Everyone turned to find Ace walking up to our group. And the stragglers? None other than my bandmates, of course.

There were hugs all around and the guys grabbed seats next to us. Our server dropped off a tray of beers, and another with shots of bourbon. I grabbed two shots and passed one to Tommy. We clinked our glasses, and downed the sweet heat. That burn was so damn good.

"I still can't believe this has happened." Otis smirked as he pointed between me and Tommy. "But you guys look really fucking happy."

"Happy's an understatement," Tommy replied, turning to look at me, those dimples in full effect. "Do you want to tell them?"

"Tell us what?" Heath asked, leaning forward.

The chatter around the table quieted as all our friends stared at us. Even Brodie was silent.

"I found a place in Nashville to call home," I started, biting my lower lip to keep from smiling and giving my secret away too soon.

"Already? We just started looking. How'd you find a place so fast?" Xander asked.

"I'm moving in with Tommy."

Our friends stared at us with wide eyes, then everyone reached for another shot.

"Holy shit!" Otis muttered.

"You're serious?" Heath asked.

"Hell yes," I replied at the same time as my boyfriend.

Tommy laughed, pulled me back into his arms, and laid a fierce kiss on me in front of everyone. There was no doubt about our decision.

"Fuck, you're hot together," Ronin commented.

Tommy leaned back. "Nope. Not gonna happen."

"What?" Ronin gave us an innocent grin. "I'm just saying?—"

Faise playfully swatted his BFF on the arm. "Leave them be."

"Ronin, I thought you were mine," Payton teased.

"Sorry, Payton. You're hot too, but you know I belong to my jealous boo here." Ronin pulled Faise into a headlock and kissed his bandmate's head.

"Wow. Living together. Congratulations," Xander declared as he offered his hand to Tommy. "You treat my friend right, eh?"

My boyfriend shook Xander's hand and nodded.

"I will."

Ace nudged my shoulder. "Same goes for you. Tommy's my family."

I made the same promise, and there were more hugs and more congratulations.

"Come on now, it's time to get this party started!" Holloway called out and stood up. He tied up his long blond hair and looked around. "I'm gonna ride that fucking bull. Who's with me?"

"Getting on that machine isn't a good idea," Dawson announced as he stepped forward.

Holloway turned to face his bodyguard. "Who asked you?"

"You wanna get thrown off and break your arm? I've seen it happen."

Holloway waved him off. "Pfft. There are mats underneath. Ain't nothing to worry about."

Dawson's face flushed as he shook his head.

"Payton? Nate? Tommy?" Holloway asked. "What do you say?"

Payton strutted forward and cocked his hip.

"I'm in, and I'm going to win. These hips were made for riding. Isn't that right, Lennie?" Payton glanced over his shoulder, waving to the burliest bodyguard. Lennie's face flushed but he said nothing in response.

Tommy stood up and took my hand. "Nate and I are gonna go dance first. But, maybe later?"

I was all for les bon temps, but Dawson had a point about riding the mechanical bull. Still, it didn't stop Otis and Ronin from joining Holloway and Payton. Shit, with that foursome, I knew that trouble was just getting started.

As they wandered off with their security in tow, Tommy and I made our way through the crowd to the dance floor. Van and Brodie joined us, along with Xander, Faise, and Ace.

There was a host at the front of the room, showing the crowd the steps and calling out the timing. The song was fast, and so were the moves. A few people turned and did a double take when they spotted Brodie and Faise, but most kept right on dancing.

Ace stepped up beside Tommy, and Xander beside me, with Brodie and Van at the end of the line. And shit, my friends got right into it. These rockers knew how to get down and dirty, country-style.

No one cared if they missed a step or if their timing wasn't perfect. It was all about having fun and letting loose.

But my eyes kept catching on Tommy, who was a far better dancer than he claimed, his hips swiveling in perfect time to the beat. And when he pivoted and shook his ass at me, I nearly lost my footing.

"Okay, y'all. We got a change of pace coming up," the host called out. "So, grab a partner and get ready."

I turned to my boyfriend as the lights dimmed. The next song was slow and sexy. And the way Tommy was staring at me, like I was the only person in this room, had the nerves in my belly taking flight.

He pulled me into his arms, and we began to move to the sultry rhythm. Slow and easy, like we had all the time in the world. He led, and I followed. And I was more than okay with that. Then we forgot all about dance moves and swayed together, as close as we could get, and kissed until we both ran out of breath.

"Baby, the way you feel in my arms is—" Tommy paused, sliding his hands up my back, and higher, gripping my neck tightly. "I don't ever want to let go."

I stared into his eyes, so warm, like the sweetest whiskey. "I don't either, cher."

The song finally came to an end.

But me and Tommy? For us, it was just the beginning.