Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Lily
Cover Me in Sunshine
P!nk
“What?” My spine stiffens as I sit up straight.
“If you aren’t already doing something.” He shifts, pressing his back against the padding of the headboard, the sheet pooling at his waist.
“Why would you want to spend the day with me? And don’t you have a concert later?” I spit out. My brain not only reeling at his invitation, but at the fact I just had sex with an almost complete stranger, who happens to be the lead singer of one of the most popular rock bands in the world. Whoa.
He cocks his head, crossing his arms over his torso, his lips pursing before he speaks. “You’re different.”
“Than what?” I ask.
“Than everyone else.” He states matter of fact.
“And that’s a good thing?” I question.
“I’ve spent the last three months on the road with the guys in the band, our roadies, our crew, all the people making sure we get to the right place at the right time. Every single one of them either kissing or kicking our asses. So, yeah, it’s a good thing.”
He pauses, scratching at the scruff lining his chin, something that seems to be a nervous tic with him. “You could give two shits who I am or what I do. I kind of like the fact that you aren’t intimidated by me in the least.”
“Says who?” I reject his observation with wide eyes. “I’m completely intimidated by you.”
“Nah.” He shrugs. “Now if I was Keith Urban, maybe that would be different.”
“He’s too old.” I tease in return. “Morgan Wallen, however.”
He flashes a smile that mirrors mine. “So, what do you say?”
“About spending the day with you?” I repeat it to make sure I actually heard the original request correctly.
“Yes, about spending the day with me.” He reiterates, smiling broadly. “I don’t have to be at the arena until around seven. Let’s go do something.”
I stare at him, running different scenarios in my head as to how and where this day could possibly lead to. “I have conditions.”
“Of course you do.” He chuffs with a shake of his head. “Tell me.”
“Rule number one, no personal stuff.” I pause for effect and to take in his reaction.
“Let’s keep it light and easy. We spend the day together but we don’t do the thing where we pretend we’re going to see each other again after this, or that we’re going to ride off into the sunset together.
Let’s just have fun. No expectations. No disappointments.
” I fold my arms as I finish up, proud of myself at this practical suggestion.
“But what if I want to see you again?” A single brow raises.
“Tonight’s your last show here, right? Aren’t you leaving tomorrow for the next stop?” I defend, knowing full well the band is leaving because Bri wouldn’t stop talking about how she had to get Dean last night since the band was only in town a couple days.
“Yeah, but I have a jet.” He throws out, smirking like he’s talking about having a Honda.
“Of course you do.” I quip, unable to hide my own smile.
“Fine.” He leans forward, wrapping a hand around the back of my neck pulling me forward to press a kiss on my lips. “I agree to your terms.”
“No personal stuff. No expectations.” I repeat.
“Got it.” He salutes, a smirk breaking across his face.
“I’m going to need to go to my apartment to change though. Can we do that?” As I ask the question, I search around the bed for my scattered clothes.
“We can do that.”
I watch him stand and stretch, the sheet left behind like an afterthought. No shame, no hesitation. God, he was trouble. But even knowing this didn’t put a damper on my curiosity about him. Maybe a little trouble was exactly what I needed.
“I’m going to take a quick shower, then we can head out.” He rakes a hand through his already tousled hair as he strolls in the direction of the bathroom.
“Sounds good.” I gape at his naked ass, marveling at its perfection and the fact I had my hands on it just a short time ago.
He shuts the door behind him, and I scramble out of the bed to toss my clothes on while the coast is clear. I’m not ashamed of my body at all, but I might be a little shy about exposing myself to him again so soon.
I snatch my phone off the bedside table and sigh in relief that it’s not dead. I haven’t charged it since yesterday morning.
I silenced it when Luc shut the light off last night, not wanting it to wake him up if Bri texted. I scan my notifications and open the six texts I received from her while I was sleeping.
3:30 a.m.“Hey girl. Wya?”
3:47 a.m.“Should I be worried you aren’t answering?”
4:01 a.m. “Okay, going to crash in Dean’s room for a little bit. Text me!”
6:30 a.m. “WYA??? Now I am worried. Text me bitch.”
7:01 a.m. “Drop me a fucking pin so I know you’re alive.”
8:07 a.m. “You better be dead, cause if you’re not I’m going to kill you when I find out where you are.”
Fuuuuuck. She’s gonna be so pissed at me. I find her number and hit send, only one ring sounding before her voice is screeching through the phone. “Where in the fuckity fuck are you? I’ve been freaking out for hours!”
“I’m sorry!” I wince as I ramble out my excuse. “I found an empty room and fell asleep.”
“You just fell asleep somewhere?” Her tone incredulous and very annoyed.
“I’m serious! There was an empty room, I was exhausted, I crashed. Nothing happened.”
There’s a loud huff through the phone. “Nothing happened? So, you didn’t get kidnapped, drunk-dial an ex, or join a cult? Because those were all real options on the list I made this morning while I was worried sick about you.”
She is going to kill me when I tell her the truth. If I tell her the truth. She may never let me live this one down.
“No cults. No exes. Just...sleep. Swear.” I cross my fingers as I spout the lie.
“You’re sketchy as hell right now. I can hear it. What aren’t you telling me?”
My heart rate ratchets up a notch as I realize my best friend knows me inside and out, and can tell I might be bullshitting her, but I’m all in now, so I keep going. “Nothing! I’m just tired. I’m good.”
“Mm-hmm.” She murmurs, not buying what I’m selling for one minute. “Sure. I’m putting you on high-level best friend probation until I can look you in the eyes to sniff out the truth.”
I wait a second to see if she’s done with her rant, then chime in with my next lie.
“I’m heading home now to try and catch up on some of the sleep I missed. Are you still at the hotel?”
“I’m home.” She lets out a little growl of frustration. “And thanks to you, I barely got a wink of sleep because I couldn’t stop pacing the floor waiting for you to text me.”
I cringe and attempt another apology. “I really am sorry.”
“I know, I know.” I can hear her take a sip of something. “I’m caffeinating up and then heading to work. I have a shift at the restaurant today. I’m on until six.”
“Okay, maybe meet up later then?” I suggest, trying to redeem myself.
“Let’s meet for brunch tomorrow. At our regular place? I’m pretty sure all I’m going to want to do after being up all night and now all day, is crash.”
“It’s a date.”
I grin, relief flooding through me that she seems to have already forgiven me. “Ten-thirty?”
“Perfect.” She makes a kissing sound. “Bye, bitch.”
The line disconnects between us just as Luc walks out of the bathroom, a towel secured around his waist, steam trailing behind him.
“Everything kosher?”
I nod. “Yep, just had to check in with Bri.” I clarify for him who she is. “The friend I was here with last night that hooked up with Dean.”
“I remember.” His mouth crooks up in a wicked grin. “Did you tell her about me?”
“None of your business.” I shoot back at him. “Nothing personal, remember?”
“Oh, so we’ve started the game?” His head angling as he drops the towel, and prowls in my direction.
“Is this a game?” I take two tentative steps away from him, my back hitting the wall, stalling my escape.
“Well, you did assign rules.” He reaches me before I have time to change course, his arms coming up to rest on either side of me, effectively caging me in.
His breath smells minty as he leans his body into mine. “I think it’s only fair I get to assign some as well.”
“Okay…” I manage to mumble, my eyes transfixed on his, their color mesmerizing me all over again.
“Rule two, I kiss you when I want. If you don’t want it, you say it.
Otherwise, it’s happening. Rule three, wear a skirt.
Not for them. For me.” His gaze skims down my body, then back up, his simmering look making it clear he won’t argue on this point.
“Rule four, no makeup, I want the freckles. And rule five, I’m going to fuck you at least one more time.
” He pauses, his eyes staring directly into mine. “Probably twice.”
Yep, face is definitely red, my bottom lip now clenched between my teeth. His thumb is suddenly under my chin, tilting it up as he angles his mouth to mine before capturing my lip in a gentle nip, pulling it free from my hold.
“Stop destroying this beautiful mouth.” His tongue darts out to swipe against the tender skin, and I swear, my knees almost buckle.
“Last rule-” His hand slides up to caress my cheek, fingers sliding to the back of my head as he rests his forehead to mine. “No matter what happens, you promise you’ll give me your number when we say goodbye.”
I go to speak but he shakes his head and keeps talking. “No excuses. No more fucking rules. I can guarantee one day with you won’t be enough.”
Holy shit. Is this guy for real?
My heart is hammering in my chest and I wonder if he can feel it. He is not at all what I expected after his cocky act last night during the party.
I spit out the first thing that pops into my head, I’m sure spurred by what I witnessed. “I’m not doing drugs.”
He barks out a laugh as he takes a step back, his hold on me releasing. “Yeah, I kind of figured.”
He smiles then. And it’s warm and kind and everything I know is going to fuck with my head and heart later. “You’re the only drug I need today, Kitten.”
This time, when he calls me the pet name he seems to have so fondly assigned to me, I don’t mind one damn bit.