The waitress from earlier comes by with two mugs of coffee. “Need anything else?”
Simone looks to me.
“Can I get a basket of fries?” I want an excuse for us to stay long after we’ve finished our coffee. Besides, who can turn down French fries?
“Sure thing. Kitchen’s slammed but we’ll get it out soon.”
“No rush.” I’m not just being polite. I don’t want this night to end.
After our server leaves, Simone and I doctor our coffee with sugar and cream in silence, sneaking glances and trading grins in the process. She hardly uses any sugar, but way too much cream.
“So, Wild.” God, I love the way my name sounds from her lips. “How long have you been playing music?”
“Since I can remember.” It’s the truth. “My parents had me in piano lessons when I was younger, and then there was a short and embarrassing stint with the trumpet in middle school.”
“You were a band nerd!”
“We don’t talk about those years.” I laugh.
“I need photographic evidence.”
“If you ever meet my mother, she’ll be glad to show you. Thankfully, I came to my senses and discovered guitar in high school. Better music too. Lucas and I met in high school, started writing music and playing local gigs. Moved up to Seattle as soon as we turned eighteen. Picked up Keat, Big John, and Matty up there, and Wild Knights just came together organically.”
“Wow. How long have you guys been together?”
“Six years, and we’ve been on the road for at least half of that.”
“That’s amazing.”
Honest truth. Sometimes it feels like a dream come true. Others, it’s more chasing after an unattainable goal. “We played the festival circuit this summer, and this year we’re focusing on building our fan base. Getting our name out to as many people as possible. We’re so close to really making it, you know?”
“And that’s why you were at the mall today?”
“Yeah.”
“You must meet a lot of people.” She twists the mug in her hands, suddenly captivated with the contents.
Shit.
“Hey.” I no longer care about playing it cool. She needs to understand how special she is. I reach across the table and place my hand over hers, waiting until her gaze lifts. “I’ve passed out thousands of fliers, but I’ve never met someone who I wanted to hang out with afterward.”
She stares back as if scrutinizing my words for bullshit. “Never?” She lifts her brows.
Okay, so have I hooked up with a pretty chick after a show? Sure, a few times, but that was just sex. Maybe I’m a hopeless romantic, but there’s something more to the attraction I feel for Simone. It’s more than a physical desire. I want to learn everything about her. “Swear on my life, I’ve never been so happy to sip coffee with anyone as I am with you right now.”
Simone
He’s probably a player. He’s good with words, that’s for sure. But there’s an authenticity to the man sitting across from me that I can’t shake, no matter how hard I try. He’s into me, and I have this insane need to be with him. I’ve never slept with a stranger. Never even been tempted. Not until tonight. It’s against my rules, but for Wild I just might break them.
“Okay, you two. Time to close out your tab.” Our waitress slaps our ticket on the table.
“What if we want to order more fries?” Wild teases her, waggling his brows. Much to my embarrassment, I inhaled more than half of his order when it came to the table. Of course, I insisted on buying the next one, but three cups of coffee later, those are long gone.
“Sorry, we’re closing in thirty.”
I glance around, taking in the mostly-empty diner. I was so engrossed in our conversation, I lost track of the time. “Is it really that late?”
She shoots us a wink. “You don’t have to go home, just can’t stay here.” She heads back to the kitchen. “Let me know if you need change.”
“Thanks.” I reach for my purse and retrieve my wallet.
“I’ve got it.” Wild pulls a few bills from his pocket and sets them on the table.
“Oh, you don’t have to.” He shouldn’t pay. Not that coffee and French fries comes to a hefty bill, but I sense he’s not wealthy—something I relate to. Anyway, this isn’t a date. “Let’s split it, at least.”
“Simone. Please. I want to.” He slides his chair back from the table, moving to stand. “Besides, you’re a cheap date.”
I stand and slide my jean jacket on, anticipating the air will chill me to the bone the minute we step outside. “Yeah, well just to warn you, normally I eat a lot more.”
“Good.” He chuckles and waits for me to lead the way outside. Once again his palm rests on the small of my back and shoots a tingle of anticipation down my spine. I wish I could feel the heat from his touch. My body practically aches for it.
Stepping out onto the curb, I shove my hands into my pockets. I’m unsure where this goes next. I don’t want it to end. I’m amazed it’s nearly two in the morning, yet my mind is on such a high. I’ve never fallen into sync with a stranger like this before, laughing and conversing as if we’ve been doing it our entire lives.
“I can’t believe we talked for four hours.” He voices my exact thoughts.
“You must be exhausted from listening to me chat your ear off.”
“Not at all. I can’t believe this night is almost over.” He takes a step forward, crowding my personal space. “I feel like it’s just getting started.”
“Me too.”
“This probably sounds corny, but I don’t want tonight to end.”
He’s so close. Close enough I could pull his body to mine and kiss him. I want to. So badly, but I chicken out, breaking our eye contact to glance over at a passing car. “What time do you leave tomorrow?”
“Eight.”
“In the morning?” At his nod my eyes practically bug out. “Oh, my goodness! You’re not gonna get any sleep.”
“It’s fine.” He shrugs, seemingly unfazed. “I’ll sleep in the van. We all take turns driving.”
“You’re not tired?”
“I’ve never been more awake.” His eyes catch with the flicker from a nearby streetlight. Captivating. Mesmerizing. He’s so damn beautiful.
My gaze drops to his lips as he licks them. Lips I’ve watched curve up with a smile all night are now void of humor. The air charges between us. I wonder if he feels it too. A charge so insistent and needy, I have to lean closer. I feel as if I might die if I don’t kiss him.
“Simone,” he whispers, his voice low and throaty. Full of need. Want. Desire.
My lashes flutter, the pull between us enticing me closer. Every molecule in my body is lit up with anticipation. He’s going to kiss me. He has to. If he doesn’t soon, I’m gonna have to make the first move.
His palm cups my jaw, tilting my face up. His thumb rubs along my cheek.
My lips part on a sharp inhale and then his mouth covers mine. His kiss is tentative, learning. But as soon as I reach for his body, pulling him flush with mine, something between us erupts and our lips battle. Taking. Claiming. Seeking. It’s too much and not enough. He steals my breath and sends my pulse racing. Shamelessly, I rock my hips, needing friction to relieve the growing ache between my legs.