Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Lily
Sparks Fly
Taylor Swift
We stay at the Peppermill another hour, kissing, drinking beers, kissing, sharing things that aren’t of any real relevance, and more amazing kissing. The man has lips that were made for dangerous things.
We tear ourselves away from each other long enough to walk back to the hotel. We don’t say much. But things feel heavy, loaded, my hand encased possessively in his the entire time, meaning more than it probably should.
And I don’t think it’s in my head. This thing that seems to be developing so very quickly between us. It’s scary as hell. We’re both seem to plunging ahead anyway, unsure where the chips may fall, ignoring the fact he’s leaving tomorrow.
But it is only a month until his tour is over. He said he’d be in one place for at least the next year after that. So, maybe? Maybe this is something that could actually happen.
I can’t even believe I’m even entertaining the idea of this, of him. Especially given how gross I thought it was that Bri wanted to hook up with Dean. And now, look at me.
Shit. I still need to get the damn Plan B pill before it’s too late. I cringe internally, not ideal, but damn, worth it.
“You’re awfully quiet over there.” His hand gently squeezes mine as he glances my way. “You good?”
“Yup.” I nod. “Was wondering if I should go home and change?” My lie coming out smooth as glass.
His eyes scan my body from head to toe, one corner of his mouth kicking up in a crooked smile. “Please don’t.”
“Really?” My heart thumping wildly under my ribs from the scorching look he just delivered. “I feel like this might be a little too frilly for your crowd.”
“I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks.” His tone low and possessive. “I love what you’re wearing and think you look amazing. Just the way you are.”
“Okay.” I purse my lips between my teeth, trying to hold back the smile threatening to break free.
“You know I’m not leaving tomorrow without your number and address, right?” He tosses the demand out like he’s asking if the sky is blue, my head spinning off into the clouds now that I know for sure we’re on the same page.
When I don’t answer after a second, he skids to a halt, yanking me to a stop next to him. “I don’t want to hear another fucking word about rule number one. This-” He wags a finger back and forth between us. “This isn’t up for debate. I will be seeing you again. One way or another.”
His gaze bores into me, people brushing past us as we stand frozen in the middle of the sidewalk, inside our very own bubble.
He leans in, voice low. “I don’t lose what I want.” He cocks his head as he waits for me to respond.
“Okay.” I squeak out, my breath caught in my lungs as my pulse swooshes through my veins.
“That sounds like maybe you aren’t sure?” He takes a possessive step closer to me. “If that’s not what you want, tell me now, cause shit, I’m already counting the days until I’m off this damn tour and able to see you again.”
I’m reeling. His words make me weak in the knees and the world feels like it’s spinning as I try and regain my balance. How is this even happening right now?
“Yes.” I nod emphatically, then throw my arms around his neck as I surge against him, whispering my consent in his ear. “It’s definitely what I want.”
He wraps me in an embrace so tight I gasp, but not in pain, in pure joy. He holds me for a solid minute before slowly releasing me, settling my feet back on earth, his forehead pressing to mine. “Did the angel just make a deal with the devil?”
“Don’t make me regret it.” I plead, truly fearful of what he may do to my heart.
He brushes a kiss across my lips as he shakes his head before stepping back. “I promise.”
The next five hours are a complete whirlwind. When we arrive back at the hotel, Luc is bombarded by his manager, then his band mates for not showing up for soundcheck, (oops), and finally his costume people, who drag him away to get dressed for the show.
There are other people in the room, and I feel awkward and out of place.
I don’t know a single person, and no one is going out of their way to introduce themselves or make me feel especially welcome.
But, I’m guessing having random women hanging out isn’t anything new to them.
And most are probably extremely temporary, so why bother making the effort.
When Luc finally appears again, it’s about a half-hour before the band has to go on. I can sense he’s feeling rushed as he scrapes a hand through his hair, downs two beers in less than ten minutes, all while pacing back and forth.
I’m leaning against a wall near the bar when he stalks toward me, his hands coming up to rest on either side of my head as he leans into me. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I reply, blinking up at him.
“You okay?” He takes a step closer, his lower half meeting mine, the heat of him radiating against my bare legs.
“Uh-huh.” I murmur, wishing I was anywhere but here with him. I loop a finger around the chain hanging on his neck and tug it down until his lips meet mine. “How long is this show?” I ask as his lips move against mine.
He chuckles, a wicked smirk displaying as he tilts his head back a fraction. “Too fucking long.”
He presses another kiss to my mouth, then steps back, grabbing my hand. “We’re going down.” With his other hand, he tugs the hood up of the sweatshirt he has on, over his head, hiding most of his face.
He breaks into a stride, his fingers holding mine tight, and leads me behind the entourage leaving the room. “We play for just a little under two hours. You can watch from the side of the stage. I’ll show you when we get down there.”
We step onto an elevator, and he tugs me up against his body, wrapping an arm around me protectively.
“See that dude right there.” He nods his head at a man to our left. “That’s Jake.” His voice raises as he yells over to him. “Hey Jake, say hi to Lily.”
Jake gives a little salute and nods his head in greeting. Luc continues addressing him. “Make sure you give her anything she needs and look out for her. Got it?”
“You got it, Boss.” Jake nods again. I make sure to memorize what he looks like and what he’s wearing so I can find him if I need him.
The elevator comes to a stop, the doors sliding open, our entourage spilling out into a hallway. Luc keeps a firm hold on me, making me feel protected and safe, but I’m still nervous about what I should do when he’s up on the stage.
It’s a completely different perspective going to a concert with the band, instead of for the band. Bri is going to absolutely kill me when I tell her about all of this. Probably with her bare hands. I giggle at the thought, and the irony of this entire situation.
“What’s so funny?” Luc glances my way.
“I was just thinking about Bri.” I let out another little burst of laughter. “My friend from last night. She’s the one who is completely obsessed with your band. She’s going to be so mad when she finds out I got to see the show from backstage.”
“Wait til you tell her you also bagged the lead singer.” He smirks wickedly.
I slide a hand down my face as I shake my head. “She won’t believe it. Probably not in a million years.”
He tugs me over to the side of the hallway and comes to a stop. “Get your phone out.” He points to my purse.
I do as he says, and slide it out.
“Unlock it.” He requests, and when I do, takes it from me. He drapes one arm over my shoulder, presses my cheek against his through the hoodie, and then angles the phone to take a selfie. He hands the phone back to me with a nod. “Now you have proof.”
Before I can even react, he’s got my hand in his again and begins striding to catch up with the rest of the band. As we continue down the hall, the music from the opening band begins to grow louder, so I know we must be close to our destination.
Sure enough, moments later, we’re in a side room off of the stage area that’s littered with couches, tables filled with every snack you could imagine, and a large open cooler filled with ice and a variety of beverage choices.
“Do you want anything?” Luc asks, snagging a beer for himself, twisting the top off.
“I’ll have a beer.” He hands the open bottle to me, and then grabs another for himself, slugging down a few swallows.
“We gotta get mic’d up.” He nods toward the other guys in the band, already getting taking care of by some of the crew. “Once we go on, you can stand anywhere you want on the side of the stage. If you need anything, anything at all, just find Jake.”
“Okay.” I nod as he kisses me quickly, then strolls a few feet away. I watch as he tugs the hoodie completely off before a tech clips a wireless pack to his belt and runs a cord under his shirt. He pops a bud into each ear, and then rolls his shoulders, like he’s stretching before a workout.
He’s back in front of me a few blinks later, snagging my hand again as he leads me out of the room and toward the stage. My heart is thundering in my chest, and I can’t help but wonder what this feels like for him. Going up on stage in front of thousands of people screaming for him, for them.
“Okay.” He has to yell in order for me to hear him. “I’ll see you on the other side.” His hand wraps around the back of my head as he drags me in for a kiss that takes my breath away, and then he’s gone.
I stare as he walks onto the stage, the crowd roaring the moment they see him, and I watch in awe as he comes alive. He owns that stage, the fans, guitar and drums exploding into life as he begins to sing.
As I bear witness to it all, I wonder how in the hell I ever could have thought anything other than how completely and utterly incredible he is.