I Have Lived and I Have Loved - Willow Winters Page 0,113

you did tell me to, right?”

“Since you told me you love me, and I serenaded you, I figured we should meet officially.”

Her brown eyes widen as her bashful smile flashes. She’s even prettier than I remember. Her body curves in all the right places. Everywhere a man wants to lay his hands is carved to perfection. It’s clear she’s physically fit, and I’m ready to see what’s beneath those clothes.

“I’m Nicole.” Her friend extends her hand. She then gives me one of those looks that tells me she’s watching me. I see why the blonde brought her. Smart move.

“Eli.” I return the gesture with my most sincere smile.

“I’m Heather, by the way.”

“Heather,” I repeat, allowing her name to roll off my tongue. “Want another beer?” Her face turns red. “Did I say something?”

“No,” she says as her hand touches my arm. “I’m sorry. I’m just nervous.”

I like that I keep her slightly off kilter. Most of the girls that come back here are almost too sure of themselves. Like we should be so lucky to have chosen them. Then, it’s sexual promises and over the top offers. Ninety percent of the time, I never even go there. I guess after this long, I’ve become picky.

I blame my niece and nephew. I’m not saying I want to settle down, because that’s the last thing I need, but it would be nice to have someone to talk to once in a while. I’m surrounded by actresses most of the time, so I’ve had enough fake relationships.

“Don’t be nervous,” I try to reassure her.

Heather smiles and tucks her hair behind her ear. Is there anything this girl won’t do that I find attractive? I must be losing my mind. “It was a great show.”

“I’m glad you thought so.” And I am. I sang and danced my ass off. Whenever we come home, we give a little more. “I enjoyed a few parts more than others.”

“Me, too.” Her eyes brighten.

“Why don’t we go somewhere a little more private and talk? The after-show area is always crammed, and I won’t be able to avoid everyone.”

She looks at Nicole and then back at me. Nicole nudges her a little, and I decide that girl is my new best friend. Of course, I want to do a lot more than talk, but first, I want to get her away from all the noise.

I catch my manager’s attention and jerk my head in Nicole’s direction. He’ll make sure she stays occupied.

“I don’t know.”

“I promise, this place will become something neither of us want to be a part of.” I go for the truth, hoping she’ll catch my drift. “I just want to talk, if that’s what you want.” So, I lie a little.

Nicole smiles, whispers in her ear, and shoves her forward. I extend my hand, hoping that her friend helped me out a little. Heather looks down and then entwines our fingers.

Fuck this is going to be a good night.

Chapter 4

Heather

Oh my God. Oh my God. I’m going to a private place with Eli. What the hell am I thinking? I’m not. Clearly, I’m having some kind of out-of-body experience. I would never do this. Yet, here I am, holding his hand and walking away from the meet and greet.

“You okay?” His deep voice is laced with concern.

“I’m great.” I’m such a liar.

“Yeah? Because you’re shaking.”

My entire body is trembling. I haven’t pinpointed whether it’s because I’m excited or scared out of my fucking mind. I’m pretty sure it’s the latter. I focus on my breathing. I’m in high stress situations all the time, this should be a cake walk.

This is, as Nicole says, hooking up. Apparently, people do this all the time and it’s normal. I can be normal. I can put all this crazy shit aside and be in the moment.

Just let tonight be what it is and enjoy it.

I clear my throat and smile. “This kind of stuff never happens to me.”

He chuckles as he comes to a stop in front of the tour bus. “What kind of stuff?”

“This,” I say a little high-pitched. “I don’t typically drink, scream at random people, get serenaded, get asked backstage, and now . . .” I trail off. There’s no way I’m finishing that statement, because I don’t know what exactly is happening. Maybe he wants to ask me about something dumb. He may not want sex. I don’t know that I want sex.

That’s a lie.

I totally want sex. I want to let loose like Nicole told