no one asks me for more details about Dream Makers. It’s not something I can talk about before a show or I’ll never walk out onstage tonight.
“Alexa and I made these little craft kits I was going to drop off at the children’s hospital. Do you want to take them with you?” Heidi asks. “I work there so I try to bring stuff when I can…”
Tears sting my eyes, emotions bubbling way too close to the surface for me to handle. “That’s so sweet. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to. I just…”
I hate that Heidi seems nervous around me today. I’m still the same person who went boot shopping with her in Texas. Nothing’s changed. I glance around the concert venue—a far cry from the Tipsy Saddle, the sketchy little honkytonk I was performing at the first time we met. So, maybe a few things have changed. I reach out and squeeze her hand. “That sounds perfect. I usually try to bring something with me. Thank you.”
“Well, you better go get ready.” She shoos me toward the tour buses and loading dock bustling with roadies moving equipment. “I’ll be dead-center, screaming the loudest for you.”
Gosh, I go onstage so early, some nights hardly anyone’s even in their seats yet. It’ll be nice to have at least one person I know out there in the audience. “Thank you.”
Murphy nods and wishes me luck before curling his arm around Heidi’s shoulders and steering her toward his bike.
Then Rooster and I are alone, and I’m not quite sure what to say.
I scuff the toe of my boot over crumbling asphalt, drawing Rooster’s attention to my feet. “You’re not wearing your electric teal boots?” he teases.
“I—they’re special. I only wear them onstage.”
He blinks and also seems at a loss for words. “Guess we need to get you another pair. Day boots. Stage boots.”
“I don’t need a pair of boots to keep you on my mind, Rooster.” My whispered words are almost swept up in the breeze and rustle of leaves.
He curls his fingers around mine. “Show me around?”
“You forget, I haven’t been here myself yet.”
“Shit, that’s right.” He glances toward his bike. “Do you need me to go so you can get ready?”
He doesn’t say it with much conviction. That makes it easier to tug him toward the loading dock. “No way. You’re my guest for the night.” I stop. “Shoot. I have another pass if Heidi wants it.”
“Nah, Murphy ain’t lettin’ her out of his sight.” Rooster sweeps his gaze over me. “And I’m not letting you out of mine.”
My eager heart pounds even faster, ready to burst out of my chest and into Rooster’s hands. Taking a calming breath, I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my chin on his chest. “Did I mention that I’m really happy to see you?”
A half-smile teases at the corner of his mouth as he watches me, like he’s pretending to consider the question. “I don’t think so.”
Longing for him almost brings me to my knees. I’m completely addicted to the heat of his stare. Trembling, I lean up on tiptoes, teasing my nails over the back of his neck into his hair. “Your hair’s longer.”
His eyes close and he gives me a sleepy smile. “Haven’t had time to get it cut.”
What’s keeping him so busy? A desire to probe into every last detail of his life threatens to turn me into a dang fool. “I can cut it for you.”
His eyes pop open. “I think you have more important things to do than shear me.”
“Rooster?”
He quirks an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
“Please kiss me again.”
Instead of a cocky comeback, he edges closer. Tall, he’s so damn tall. Roughly beautiful. Strong. My whole world fills with him. His scent—crisp summer grass, leather with a touch of motor oil. His warmth. His touch. Gently, he teases his fingers through my hair and tugs my head back.
He pins me with a stare that sends shivers of anticipation down my spine. Slowly, he dips down and brushes his mouth against mine. His beard grazes my chin but I press my hands against his cheeks, tugging him closer.
His arms tighten, lifting me again so we’re at the right height. This time, no one’s close enough to interrupt, so I wrap my legs around him, holding on. Everything about him entices me.
He flicks his tongue against my lips and tingles of sensation race down my spine. The gentleness is sweet but I’m ravenous and I’ve missed him.