Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

TOMMY

W aking up beside Nate was something I didn't want to repeat.

It felt good. Too good. He was irresistible. In bed and out. Funny, sweet, sexy—a trifecta of temptation.

No shit, he's a rockstar.

But he was more than that.

And walking out of that hotel room meant our night, our time together, was over. The real world was calling. I didn't want that either.

We hopped in a rideshare and stopped at a diner for breakfast. Nate recommended the place, plus it was a short walk to the venue. The place was perfect. The coffee was strong, the food was delicious, and the company couldn't be beat.

I didn't do sleepovers and for good reason. There was no need. If the sex was satisfying, I was content and happy to head back to my life. If the sex was great, maybe there was a repeat. Rarely. Besides, with my schedule, there was always a new city and new lovers to find. No fuss, no stress. But a meal with my hook up the next day? And the fact I was having just as good a time out of bed as in it? Well shit, I didn't know what the hell that was about.

Sitting across from Nate, just watching him talk and laugh, made my chest ache in a way I was not prepared for. I thought he was beautiful on stage, in the club, and most of all, in my bed.

But looking at him now, sitting across from me in this grungy diner during the light of day? He took my fucking breath away.

I got up to use the washroom and my legs nearly gave out.

You're just tired.

Yeah, that's why I was sweating, and I had a boner that wouldn't quit.

I splashed cold water on my face and reminded myself that it was done. Over.

So, I liked the guy. So what?

I returned to the booth, but my heart kept on racing. Damn coffee.

Once Nate and I finished eating, I glanced at my phone and the time. As much as I wanted to stay, I needed to move my ass and get to work. After the waitress dropped off the bill, I quickly grabbed it before Nate could. The look he gave me told me I was in for it. I paid the bill without fuss and motioned to the door.

"You should've at least let me pay for breakfast," Nate grumbled as we headed out into the cool November morning.

I glanced at him, at the sight of Nate wearing my jacket, and the grumpy expression on his face, and bit back a smile. That had been a struggle, too. Nate only had a sheer top, so I insisted he borrow my jacket. I always ran hot, and he was clearly shivering. He argued with me for several minutes until I kissed him. Hard. The distraction worked and he finally relented.

But watching him wear my clothes had that possessive feeling clawing away at me again. I didn't understand it and I didn't want it. But there it was.

My only concern was him. That was a first.

"No way. You were my guest for the night," I insisted. "My hotel, my rules."

"You're really bossy, do you know that?" he snapped.

"I didn't hear you complaining last night. Or earlier, when I kissed you," I teased him as I slid an arm around his waist and pulled him in tight.

Shit. Why did I keep doing that? And why didn't Nate push me away?

"No." He shook his head, his eyes locked on mine. Then he licked these pretty pink lips of his. Fuck, I wanted to taste them again. Never thought I'd be one to pine for a goddamn kiss, but here I was.

"No complaining about last night or this morning. In fact, I?—"

Before Nate could finish what he was saying, my phone buzzed.

I pulled it out of my pocket with my free hand. It was Ace.

"Sorry. We really have to get going."

Nate nodded and pulled away. And I…I didn't want to, but I let him go.

The concert hall was only two blocks away, so we made it there quickly. I let Nate walk in first and waited a minute. Trying to put some much-needed distance between us so no one would ask questions.

When I entered the building and headed backstage, Brodie and Van were on site, talking to Nate. Holloway, Faise, and Ronin were there, too.

"Morning guys," I greeted everyone.

Ace waved me over, but I stole one last glance at Nate and nodded. Given the circumstances, it was the best I could do for a goodbye. Not that anyone around us would be surprised we'd hooked up, but it wasn't their business. And oddly enough, I wasn't willing to talk about it. And I didn't want to think about why.

Despite a night of great sex, my good mood took a nosedive.

Nate nodded in return, our gazes clashing, everything in my body lighting up. I wanted to stalk right over there and kiss him; our audience be damned.

But I didn't. He started chatting up Brodie, and Ace and I did our final inspection. I tried my best to ignore Nate's conversation, but inevitably, I couldn't help but overhear parts of it.

"Where did you sneak off to last night?" Brodie teased.

"Who said I snuck off?" Nate replied, his voice hoarse.

"You were there one minute and then, boom. Gone. Even your band brothers were surprised by how quickly you left."

"What can I say? I know what I want, and I go for it."

"And? Who was the mystery man? Was it hot?"

No one had seen us together. I should've been relieved, but instead, my stomach tightened.

"He was. It was a fun night. But now it's back to business. Speaking of, I got a text from?—"

"Come on, T," Ace called out to me. "Let's check out the basement."

Thank fuck for the distraction of work.

Nate was right. It was fun. But it was over.

Nate

Tommy headed off stage and my eyes followed his swagger, wishing I could follow him.

"…what do you think?"

I turned to Brodie, and he stared at me with those hazel eyes of his, sharp as hell.

"I'm sorry, I missed that."

"You okay?" he asked as he sipped on a cup of coffee.

"Fine, just, you know. Tired, hung over."

"Sex drunk," he quipped.

"That too."

Holy shit, was I ever.

Holloway strutted over, wrapped his arm around me, then messed up my hair.

"Tell us all about last night. And why you chose some hot piece of ass over us," he teased.

I shook my head. "He's not just a…I mean…I don't… ah?—"

"Man, you're so fucked out you can't speak," Brodie chuckled. "Faise, Ronin, get Nate some coffee, stat!"

Both guys gave Brodie the middle finger. Then they walked over to join us.

"And what about you?" I asked Brodie, desperately wanting to change the subject. "Or did Van make you work all night?"

Brodie choked on his coffee, spewing it everywhere.

"And on that note, me and Ro have to get going. We've got a plane to catch," Faise announced.

I hugged both guys and said goodbye and they headed off, Regan and two other security people in tow.

"I'm going back to the bus," Holloway added. "I need to sleep off this hangover. Nate, always a pleasure. I can't wait to hear that first album."

"Thanks. You guys were great to work with. And even better to hang out with."

Holloway gave me a hug and left the stage, Lennie following him.

Brodie finished his coffee and threw it in the nearby bin. "I gotta go, too. But thanks for an awesome time. And you better invite us to your album launch party."

"Of course," I smiled at him, and he reached over for a quick hug.

"And last night—" he started.

"Dee," Ace yelled out, waving him over.

"Next time you're in Nashville, we'll talk," I replied with a nod.

Brodie smiled and then turned, heading down the hallway to the back stairs, Dawson following.

I thought about waiting for Tommy to come back, but I didn't want to make things awkward. Besides, I had to get to my place and sit down with my boys. To review that recording contract and figure out the next steps.

Everything was about to change. I knew it as surely as I knew this city. And the fact that home wouldn't be NOLA anymore, but a tour bus, and a move to Nashville, made my nerves kick up.

So, instead of hanging around, I left the venue.

I needed a long walk to clear my head. It took me almost two hours to get home, and I was exhausted by the time I reached my condo. But that was okay. My mind was clearer, even if my gut was still clenched tight. Something about last night hit different. It wasn't just the sex, even though it was amazing. It was Tommy—or, how I felt when I was with him. Like, we'd known each other for years instead of days.

I wished I had more time with him. To kiss those dimples again—the ones on his face, and his ass. And not just that. It was sharing breakfast with him, the easy way we talked and teased, bickering with him over the bill, the way he kissed me to shut me up. It was all so natural and, yet, electrifying. I had that same feeling when I took to the stage: nerves and the spark of excitement, like I was ready to fly.

When I stepped into my place and stood in front of the hall mirror, I shook my head at my reflection.

Fucking hell. I still had Tommy's jacket on.

What was even more surprising? I didn't want to take the damn thing off.