“Eli.” I return the gesture with my most sincere smile.
“I’m Heather, by the way.”
“Heather,” I repeat, allowing her name to roll off my tongue. “Want another beer?” Her face turns red. “Did I say something?”
“No,” she says as her hand touches my arm. “I’m sorry. I’m just nervous.”
I like that I keep her slightly off kilter. Most of the girls that come back here are almost too sure of themselves. Like we should be so lucky to have chosen them. Then, it’s sexual promises and over the top offers. Ninety percent of the time, I never even go there. I guess after this long, I’ve become picky.
I blame my niece and nephew. I’m not saying I want to settle down, because that’s the last thing I need, but it would be nice to have someone to talk to once in a while. I’m surrounded by actresses most of the time, so I’ve had enough fake relationships.
“Don’t be nervous,” I try to reassure her.
Heather smiles and tucks her hair behind her ear. Is there anything this girl won’t do that I find attractive? I must be losing my mind. “It was a great show.”
“I’m glad you thought so.” And I am. I sang and danced my ass off. Whenever we come home, we give a little more. “I enjoyed a few parts more than others.”
“Me, too.” Her eyes brighten.
“Why don’t we go somewhere a little more private and talk? The after-show area is always crammed, and I won’t be able to avoid everyone.”
She looks at Nicole and then back at me. Nicole nudges her a little, and I decide that girl is my new best friend. Of course, I want to do a lot more than talk, but first, I want to get her away from all the noise.
I catch my manager’s attention and jerk my head in Nicole’s direction. He’ll make sure she stays occupied.
“I don’t know.”
“I promise, this place will become something neither of us want to be a part of.” I go for the truth, hoping she’ll catch my drift. “I just want to talk, if that’s what you want.” So, I lie a little.
Nicole smiles, whispers in her ear, and shoves her forward. I extend my hand, hoping that her friend helped me out a little. Heather looks down and then entwines our fingers.
Fuck this is going to be a good night.
Chapter 4
Heather
Oh my God. Oh my God. I’m going to a private place with Eli. What the hell am I thinking? I’m not. Clearly, I’m having some kind of out-of-body experience. I would never do this. Yet, here I am, holding his hand and walking away from the meet and greet.
“You okay?” His deep voice is laced with concern.
“I’m great.” I’m such a liar.
“Yeah? Because you’re shaking.”
My entire body is trembling. I haven’t pinpointed whether it’s because I’m excited or scared out of my fucking mind. I’m pretty sure it’s the latter. I focus on my breathing. I’m in high stress situations all the time, this should be a cake walk.
This is, as Nicole says, hooking up. Apparently, people do this all the time and it’s normal. I can be normal. I can put all this crazy shit aside and be in the moment.
Just let tonight be what it is and enjoy it.
I clear my throat and smile. “This kind of stuff never happens to me.”
He chuckles as he comes to a stop in front of the tour bus. “What kind of stuff?”
“This,” I say a little high-pitched. “I don’t typically drink, scream at random people, get serenaded, get asked backstage, and now . . .” I trail off. There’s no way I’m finishing that statement, because I don’t know what exactly is happening. Maybe he wants to ask me about something dumb. He may not want sex. I don’t know that I want sex.
That’s a lie.
I totally want sex. I want to let loose like Nicole told me to. To be completely without fear of consequence for just one night. I’m always responsible. My life is practically a billboard for sensibility. I uphold the law, care for my sister, work to support myself and Steph, volunteer at the youth center, but I never let loose.
I’m going to have fun. Well, if he wants to.
Thank you Jesus for beer. Or whichever person made it.
“What do you want to happen, Heather?” Eli’s eyes smolder as he tugs me close.
Oh. Fuck. Me.
“I-I . . .” my mouth goes dry.
His hands move around my hips as he shifts us so my back is against the door of the bus. He’s so close. Eli’s touch travels up my sides until he stops at my neck. “Well? We can talk or we can do something else.”
I think back to what Nicole said. “Let go for one night.” And for tonight, I’m going to fulfill my teenage fantasy. I’m going to sleep with Eli Walsh . . . on a tour bus . . . after an FBD concert.
My back straightens as I muster my inner Nicole. I press my body against his, hooking my hand around his back. “I think we can find something else to do.”
His green eyes flash with surprise before his mouth collides against my lips. Every inch of his body is flush with mine. Our lips move in harmony as he fumbles for the door handle. As soon as the door opens, we fall back. He walks me backward up the steps and through the vehicle without missing a beat or stumbling.
I lose myself in his kiss. He isn’t soft or gentle. No, he devours me. It’s passion unbridled. Neither of us worry about finesse. This is unlike any kiss I ever shared with Matt. He was slow, cold, and perfunctory. There was no need.
I need this. I need to escape my mind.
Eli pushes me where he wants me while holding my head in his grip. My fingers roam his body as we continue to move. He opens the door to the bedroom. “Bed,” he mutters before his lips find mine again.
I pull at his shirt, breaking the kiss as I tear it off. “Wow,” I say as my eyes take in his chest. My fingers move slowly over his pecs and then down toward his abs, rising and falling over each valley and divot. He doesn’t have an ounce of fat on him, and I can feel every flex and pulse beneath my fingertips.
“You’re beautiful.” His soulful eyes lock on mine as he pushes my hair back.
“I’m average.”
His gaze rakes over my body before coming back to mine. “There’s nothing average about you, Heather.”
That’s all I need. My hand grasps his neck, and I bring his mouth back to me. No one has ever made me feel like this. And I’m still dressed.
He uses his weight to push me onto the bed. I revel in the feel of him braced above me. It’s Eli fucking Walsh. Before I know it, my shirt is coming off, and I’m grabbing for his buckle. I undo it before he rolls me on top of him.
Our lips move in perfect unison, and my heart beats out of my chest. In the back of my mind, I know how out of character this is for me, but I can’t stop. I want to be wild and crazy. The fact that I’m going to sleep with Eli is a little overwhelming, but it feels right. Maybe because I’ve dreamed of him since I was a kid. Maybe it’s because I’m drunk as hell. Either way, it’s happening.
I sit up, fully on display as I unhook my bra. My blonde hair spills in front of me, giving me a little coverage. Our eyes lock, and I glide the straps down.