you more. My intentions are honorable, honest.” My lips twitch again and I fight the smile because she did bring up sex a few minutes ago and the thought has crossed my mind of what it would feel like to have her legs wrapped around mine. “Mostly honorable, anyway.”
She smiles and I just want to pull her to me and kiss her but I think that might scare her some so I don’t. This girl is going to take some time and for some strange reason, I’m willing to wait for her to be ready.
“I’ve had a long night. I think I’m just going to head back to the bus now.”
I smile slightly because her eyes are beginning to sparkle and I love seeing them when they light up. It hasn’t happened except a few times since I’ve met her, but I want to see it more. “I’ll come with you.”
“That’s okay. Stay and go out with the guys tonight.”
Screw the stupid bar we’re supposed hit after the show. I want to wrap my arms around her and just hold her close. I shrug like it’s no big deal to miss it, because it isn’t and reach out to take her hand. I start pulling her down the hallway before she can argue with me anymore.
“I’d rather be with you.”
I can only imagine the shit Chase and Jake are going to give me for this, but I don’t care. I haven’t felt this way about someone in years and if I only get her for three weeks I want to enjoy her as much as I can.
What in the hell has gotten into me?
Chapter Eight
Nicole
I wake up the next morning to a strange pounding noise. It takes me a few minutes as I look around the unfamiliar room I’m in to remember that I’m on a tour bus. I wipe my eyes, trying to wake up when I hear the pounding again.
Someone is knocking on my door.
“Just a minute.” I climb out of bed and throw on some pajama pants and a robe over the camisole I wear to sleep.
I’m startled when I see Zack standing on the other side, completely dressed in jeans and a white long sleeve dress shirt. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows showing off his muscular arms and his tattoo of a snake wrapping around a Celtic cross on his forearm. A tattered baseball hat thrown on backwards covers his hair. He looks casual, and absolutely beautiful. I’m normally not a morning person. I need a cup of coffee – or two – before I can function at all in the morning, but seeing Zack like this wakes me up instantly. I blush slightly when he smiles down at me. I must look like a complete wreck compared to him.
“Get ready.”
Huh?
“I’m taking you out today. I’ve got a full day planned and we need to get moving.” His smile is so infectious, I can’t help but return it, even though I feel a bit dazed by his command.
“What?” Maybe I still need my morning coffee after all. “What time is it?”
“It’s about nine. But I want to take you around the city, and I have some things planned for later, so we’re on a time schedule.”
I feign frustration and sigh deeply.
“Let me get my coffee first.” I walk past him into the kitchen and I notice no one else is awake yet. “Where is everyone?”
Zack leans up against the doorway into my room, watching me in the kitchen. “Still sleeping. They didn’t get back until early this morning.”
I take a sip of my coffee and instantly feel better as the warmth hits my throat. I raise one eyebrow. “Want to tell me what we’re doing today?”
“Nope.”
I laugh when he doesn’t even crack a smile. “Give me at least a hint. At the bare minimum, tell me what I should wear.”
He pushes off the doorframe and walks past me through the kitchen into the living room. He plops down on a couch and turns the television on. He answers without even looking at me.
“Dress casual. Oh, and something purple.” A devilish grin appears.
“Purple?” I ask, confused and worried. He doesn’t even bother looking at me.
“Yup.”
I sigh in exasperation and go get ready.
***
“Will you tell me where we’re going now?” I ask once we’re settled into the back of a large SUV he rented for the day. Darren is driving him again. I am silently pleased that I had packed my elbow length dark purple