Chapter 18
eighteen
HARMONY
“Hello?” I say, answering a phone call from an unknown caller. My phone is so locked down it’s rare I get unknown calls. It’s rare for me to get phone calls at all. Most people have to go through at least Robin to get a hold of me.
“Can you hear me?” the voice says from the other end. My heart starts racing.
“Beau? Oh my gosh, is it really you?” I feel every emotion at once it seems. My palms are sweaty, my cheeks heat, and I can’t get enough air. Who knew just a single voice could render me a basket case?
“Yeah, sweetheart, it is. Damn, it’s good to hear your voice.”
“But, how? Where are you?”
“At home. I caved to high-speed satellite internet. Didn’t know how much I needed it until now.” My stomach flutters. “How are you?”
“I’m so much better now,” I answer. I swear I can hear him smile over the phone. “What have you been doing? How’s Reacher? And Joe and Hoss? Tell me everything!” He laughs this time.
“Everyone is good. Reacher is still moping. Hang on, I’ll put you on speakerphone so he can hear you.” I hear the phone click.
“Reacher, sweet baby,” I purr. There’s a bark at the other end. The phone clicks back over.
“That’s enough from him. He’ll just hog your attention, and I want it all to myself.”
God, how does this man know exactly what to say? If I was there, I’d climb on his lap, rip all his clothes off and ride him like a tornado in a Kansas trailer park. I want to be with him so badly, it physically hurts.
“So, if you have fancy internet, can we video chat?” I have an idea, but I don’t want to propose it here in the middle of the band on the bus.
“We can. Any time you want, just let me know so I’m not outside working.”
“That means we can have—” I take a look around me. Most of the guys are in the back. Luke is sitting on one of the sofas, but he’s got his headphones on. “Video sex?” Beau laughs again.
“Sure. Do I get to role play?”
“Oooh, you have me intrigued.”
“Yeah, me too. I guess I’d better start working on that,” he says. “I should probably get back to work. I just wanted to let you know you can get a hold of me in the evenings now. I sort of miss your yammering.”
“Aww, I’ve started to grow on you,” I tease. “I miss you too, Beau,” I whisper before he ends the call.
“Is that grin from ear to ear because of that phone call?” Luke asks. “Wouldn’t be your mystery man from back home, would it?”
“Yeah,” I admit, moving to the sofa across from him. “It won’t last, but it’s nice to have someone for now.”
“Why won’t it last?”
“Because he lives on his family ranch he won’t leave, and I do this,” I say, motioning around the bus.
“If you want something bad enough, you figure out how to make it work. Have you told him you want it to work?”
“Not really. I don’t want him to give up anything for me.”
“Then tell him that. Tell him you want to work this shit out.” He stares at me for a long time as I scowl into space trying to envision what my life could be with Beau. “You’ll never find out if you don’t try.” He pulls his headphones back on and begins strumming his guitar again.
He’s right. I need to find the guts to tell Beau how I feel. That I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with him, and I’m not willing to give up on us.
I don’t know if he feels the same way I do. I might be nothing more than some one-time deal. I don’t think he would be calling me a month later if I were. That doesn’t mean he wants to go to the extraordinary effort it’s going to take to continue, though.
I don’t have to do this alone. There are two men in Texas who will have my back. Travis only wants what will make Beau happy. If I make his brother happy, then I know he’ll help. Picking back up my phone, I press his number in my address book.
“What’s up, sunshine?” he answers. “I’m walking to class, so it’ll have to be quick.”
“Can you get Beau to the show in Dallas?”
“I can try.”
“Can you try really, really hard. I need him to be there, Travis,” I plead.
“Then I’ll get him there.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll have tickets at the hold counter for all three of you.”
“Sounds good. Gotta go. Ciao.” The line goes dead. Now, I just need the song to be ready in time. I tap on Luke’s knee with my foot. He pulls his headphones back off and looks over at me.
“Can we work on the new song?” I ask.
“What do you think I’ve been doing nonstop since I saw it? I can’t get it out of my head. I think I’m humming it in my sleep now.”
“That’s how it started in the first place. I met Beau, and this tune started nagging my mind.” I pull my guitar onto my lap. You can usually find most of our instruments sitting around the bus at any time. “Ready? I’ll start, and you join in with what you’re thinking.” I begin the melody, and Luke jumps in on his guitar filling in the sound.
Somewhere down the bus, I hear a bass start up. It sounds odd until Kenny plugs it into the amp sitting in the living area. I guess I’m not the only one who has become obsessed with the song. Kip soon drags the small keyboard he practices on to the couch next to me.
We’re doing pretty good when Chris shows up. He uses some electronic pad things in place of his drum set. It’s not quite the same, but it gets the job done. We start and stop to tweak some chord or word until Robin appears.
An hour later, we have something that I think will be our first hit off the next album. Who knows, maybe it will even be our first real breakout hit. Robin declares it will, though she is the posterchild for enthusiasm.
What’s important is what the label will think. And what Beau will think. I’m nervous to think about singing it to him in front of everyone. But, if that’s not a declaration of my need to be with him, I don’t know what is.
The next couple of weeks seem to drag on forever. I get a small break, but between Beau’s cows having their babies and my schedule, we don’t get to see each other.
We don’t even have time for that sexy video call I’m desperate for. I’m out every evening pitching the next album to anyone who will listen, and he’s in bed early.
At least when the break is over, I know we only have a few more weeks, and then I’m done until we head into the studio. All in all, it’s been a great tour. We’ve sold out several of the venues, and the reception of the fans has been amazing.
I’m finishing up one of the good ones right now as a matter of fact. I’ve just signed the last poster when Robin turns in the door.
“Do you want to change here or on the bus?” she asks.
“Can I just have a few minutes to regroup? I promise I’ll be out in ten. Just a chance at a little silence.”
“Sure,” she answers. “I’ll be down the hall. Take your time. I’ll have the guys head outside.”
“Thanks, Robin.” I slump down on a couch and kick off my boots. Picking up my phone, I video call Beau. I just want to see his face for a few minutes before moving on. We have a long drive overnight.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he says when he answers. He’s sitting on the couch in his living room, and I’m knocked breathless by how homesick I am. “You look exhausted. Good show tonight?”
“Great show. We sold out.”
“That’s fantastic.” His one eye squints as he studies me. I know he’s worried about me, it’s his tell. He’s right, I am exhausted. “Do you have to travel tonight?”
“Yeah. We’re booked tomorrow night. I hate traveling at night. It’s hard to sleep on the bus for some reason.”
“I can help with that,” he says. His eyes grow darker, which is something because they’re already remarkably dark. “Lean back on the couch and set your phone on the table if there is one in front of you.”
There’s not, but the makeup table isn’t far away. It takes me a minute to balance my phone against the mirror and return to the couch. I lean back in anticipation. My heartbeat is through the roof.
“Is the door locked?” he asks.
I nod my head like a bobblehead.
“Good. Work that skirt up to your waist.” I do so slowly. I intend to give him the show of his life. My hands shake as my eyes cut to the door.
“Now,” he growls, and my gaze snaps back to the phone. He’s moved his tablet to the coffee table. I can’t stop from licking my lips at the view of the top button of his jeans popped open.
“Do you ache for me?” I nod again. “Show me. Show me how wet I make you.” I spread my legs until he can see the dampness of my panties. “Good girl,” he purrs. “Slide your fingers inside those panties.” I do as he orders. “Tell me what you feel.”
“I’m so slick. My clit throbs listening to your voice. Please, take it out,” I whimper. He obliges me by unzipping his jeans further until he can pull his cock out into his hand.
I imagine licking the bead of precum off as his hand slowly slides up and down the length. Without conscious knowledge, I start circling my clit with my fingers.
“No,” he growls. “You don’t get to do that until I say. Slide those fingers inside your cunt the way I know you like it.” I do so until I’m moaning. “Lick it off. Tell me how it tastes.”
“Musky, like arousal and music. But also a hint of spicy like an ancient spice that’s been lost to time,” I describe after pulling my fingers from my mouth.
“Fuck, I should be there. You should be coming on my tongue.” His fist pumps harder as he punishes himself for missing out. “Show me,” he demands, his gaze never leaving mine. “Show me how you make yourself come.”
I pull my panties to the side and use two fingers to make circles teasing my clit. He moans in the background. The noise only makes me move faster begging my body to give him the show he deserves and me the release I crave.
“Come for me, siren.” And I do. As hard as I try, I can’t keep my eyes open as wave after wave of orgasm hit me. My body quakes as the power of it surges through me.
Somewhere far away, I hear him call my name. Or maybe that’s me calling his. I don’t know anymore. My body releases me finally, and I slump back on the couch. My gaze finds Beau still sitting. His hand still holds his cock, but it’s covered now in cum.
“Better?” he asks.
“So much better,” I answer. “You?”
“Definitely.” He works at wiping his hand off and buttoning his pants back up. I wish he wouldn’t. I could stare at his naked body all day. “This was a brilliant idea.”
“There’s only one way it could be better.”
“If I’d been recording it?” he teases.
“If you were here,” I answer. He grins, and I end the call. They’ll be banging on the door soon. I should probably be decent by then.