by Skye Turner
She blinks at him and her face flushes.
I know, right?!
I have the same reaction every time he looks at me, too.
Clearing her throat, she talks through her blush. “Um, her name is Dayna. She’s sixteen.”
Sean nods and Rafe winks at her, too. Her hands are visibly shaking from the attention of those two men.
Ha, I SO get it!
Rafe says, “We’ll sing her ‘Happy Birthday’ on stage. Is that ok?”
Her hand flies to her mouth and she nods as a tear tries to escape her eyes. Finally, she whispers, “Are you serious? She’s going to die… thank you so much… I don’t know what to say.”
Sean salutes her as security opens the door and mutters, “Time to move. Cars are pulled around and the crowd is only getting thicker.” She waves back with the look of shock still on her face as we’re shepherded out the door and into the waiting SUV’s. As we sit on the seat, I slide over and Sean settles beside me. Leaning over, I poke his shoulder. His head turns to me and his brow arches. “You had to one up me, huh?!”
He blinks and frowns. “What? No, I didn’t. I wasn’t trying to…”
He looks really worried, so I laugh to show him I’m just messing with him. “It’s not an insult, Sean.” He’s still frowning so I cup his cheek and smile again as I shake my head. “Chill. I think it’s sweet. You just made that woman feel like a million bucks and you really are going to elevate her up there to like supermom to her daughter.” Pulling his head down, I kiss him lightly. His lips soften underneath mine before he bites my bottom lip.
Daisy mutters, “Now who’s being all romantic and losing street cred?”
Pulling back, I laugh as I look over to her. She’s smiling. “I know… we’re both sickening, huh?”
She nods and sighs as Rafe links his fingers with hers. “Who’d ever have thought that the Anderson sisters would fall in love with dirty rockers?”
Rafe’s fingers tighten around hers and she gasps as he growls, “You like it and you’re pretty dirty yourself…”
Sean leans over and licks my ear and then his warm breath is on my ear. “You like me dirty don’t you, sweetheart?”
My pulse races and I can feel the blush cover my cheeks and chest. Glancing at Daisy, I see she’s having the same reaction.
Turning my head to look at Sean, I whisper, “Behave.”
He stares into my eyes. “Not until you say that you like my dirty ways.”
I stare into his eyes and hold my breath as the sexual tension thickens in the cab. Finally, an uncomfortable throat clearing stops the dangerous thoughts racing through my head.
Roman mutters, “Jesus… the hormones in here… Not in front of me, please.”
Glancing over, I see him working his collar as he stares out of the window. I chuckle and look at Roger, near the door. He winks.
If they were not in here…
Pretty sure Daisy and Rafe AND me and Sean would forget about anyone else…
Damn, that idea is oddly sexy.
What is happening to me?!
Sean
The meet and greet tonight is a joint one. Sometimes Sweet Southern Sass has their own and we have our own. They’re usually close together, but they do tend to keep them separated in most arenas and stadiums, but this one is joint. Both bands are here and fans from both fan clubs as well as those the radio station gave passes to are here. The line is wrapped around the room and extending out into the hallway of stadium. There are probably two hundred people here.
Everyone waits in line. They say “Hi” and we exchange a few words. Then, they step in front of the backdrop. We take the photo, only one, and they are handed a card with the website on it, and told the photo will be up in twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
The whole thing is pretty fast. Those with All-Access passes are able to go backstage during and after the show, but we are pretty selective with those these days… since Rafe is with Daisy and I’m with Summer. Xavior and Russ still pass a few out for their hook-ups, but even they have slaked off some.
It’s funny… it’s almost like they don’t want to hook up in front of the girls.
I’ve seen Xavior looking at Fannie a good bit, and she seems to glance over in his direction more than occasionally, but as far as I know… nothing is happening there.
I’m smiling for the photos as people walk up, but I’m wishing this was over with. We’re about halfway through and we’re on one side as the girls are on the other.
The fans stand between us and the photo is snapped.
Summer catches my eye and I can see on her face that she’s caught on that I’m over this. She mouths. “Almost done,” and winks. I smile and it instantly revives me.
Within twenty minutes, we’re taking the last photo and the fans are led back into the hall. As the door closes behind them, I sigh and stretch. “Thank God, that’s over.”
A chuckle has me looking over. Summer is standing there watching me. Her brow arches. “Well, that’s not nice. Those people are why Firefly Heartbeat is sitting at number one.”
I nod and instantly feel chastised. “I know. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant that I’m glad we have a break tomorrow.” Strolling over to her, I sort of listen to the other chatter in the room as I look around. Rafe and Daisy head out the door toward the dressing rooms. Xavior is chatting with the pretty blonde I recognize from the radio show we did first thing this morning. Russ is talking to Gavyn and Roman. Fannie is standing off to the side, glancing at Xavior with a slight frown on her face. And McKenzie is furiously texting on her phone… also frowning. Shaking my head, I look back at Summer. “We have a day to ourselves tomorrow… you and me… just us. I’m excited about that.”
Her cheeks turn pink and she giggles. “You’re not sick of me, yet?”
What?
Yeah, right. I’m not sick of her yet?
As if I’d get sick of her. Hell, if it was up to me, we’d never sleep apart anymore. We spend ninety percent of our nights together in hotels or on either bus, though it’s usually theirs. It’s getting a little crowded now though since Rafe and Daisy are together every single night and then there’s Fannie and McKenzie, not to mention Roman and usually Dyse.
That luxury bus gets cramped with that many people.
It’s something I can deal with though.
She pokes me in the chest and I stop my musings. Her forehead is furrowed as she looks at me. “Uh oh. So, you are sick of me then?”
Shaking my head, I blink and sputter, “What? No, no way. I’m not sick of you. Never, sweetheart. Why would you think that?”
She shrugs and I can see her chewing on her lip. “I was just checking. I was joking at first, but then you didn’t say anything so I got a little nervous.”
Looking around, I notice all of the people still in the room.
I want to be alone with her and make sure she knows that I am most definitely not sick of her.
Our dressing room was empty, since Xavior and Russ are still in the room along with Fannie and McKenzie and Daisy and Rafe are probably in the girl’s dressing room, so I brought her in here. She’s looking at me with wide and uncertain eyes. “What–– what are you doing? What’s wrong, Sean?”
She needs to know that I’m in this… like I’m in it… I’ve told her that I love her.
I mean it, too.
I love her.
I don’t ever want her to think that I’m sick of her. The idea of NOT being with her makes me sick… But no, sick of her… no way.
Taking her hands, I look deep into her eyes and see the emotion swimming in them. “Summer… I love you. I’ve told you that. And I’ve never told any woman that other than my mother.” Her face lights up and I reach up to stroke her cheek. I can feel her shudder against the pad of my thumb. Leaning down, I stop just in front of her mouth. Our noses are touching as our eyes lock and my warm breath mingles with hers.
Her breathing is jerky.
I
smile though I know she can’t see it. “Summer, I’m so into this. You and me… I’m in this. I’m all in.”
She gasps and a tear slides down her cheek. She whispers. “I’m in this, too, Sean. I love you.” And her lips press against mine.
The kiss quickly ignites our passion and our hands are everywhere. Her hands caress me through my clothes as my own slide under the hem of her shirt to clutch at her waist.
She sucks my lip ring and I groan. “Summer, we have like no time before someone walks in here to get us for the set… if we even try to do this right now… someone is going to walk in and catch us and then I’m going to have to fuck someone up for seeing you naked.” I pull back and look into her desirous and humored eyes.
She laughs and mutters, “Yeah, the idea of someone seeing you having sex with someone suddenly upsets you… like it’s never happened before.”
She’s right… It has and I haven’t cared.
But they weren’t her.
They weren’t the woman I love.
Grasping both sides of her face and staring straight into her eyes, I say, “It has. You’re right. But they aren’t you. And the only person who needs to see you naked is me… only me.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Summer
The concert last night was great. The crowd was into it and we rocked Legion Field. It was a gorgeous night and the acoustics were spectacular. It’s starting to cool off here in the South, which means that it’s in the fifties most nights. It made for perfect weather for the outdoor concert.
We got back on the road immediately after the concert last night and headed to Biloxi. The concert tomorrow night is here and then we’re heading to the AT&T Stadium in Dallas for the next leg of the tour. We’re about halfway through now and the second stretch is always much faster. There’s something about the end being in sight that just makes it less tedious though it’s no less exhausting.
Sean told me last night he had a surprise for me and now I’m standing in the back entrance of the hotel with Roger as we wait for Sean to call and say I can go meet him. He stayed in my room last night, but left about an hour ago after telling me to get ready and make sure to grab a hat for our surprise today. He’s going to call me when I’m supposed to head to wherever I’m meeting him.
Rolling my eyes as I check the time on my phone for the sixth time in as many minutes, I mutter, “What the hell is he doing? I feel like an idiot just standing here.” Roger laughs at my side and I glance over. “You know what he’s doing?”
He nods. “Of course I do.”
My eyes bat at him and he chuckles as I say, “Tell me.”
He shakes his head and presses his Bluetooth earpiece before he says, “Copy that. Coming out now. Right front.”
He winks and says, “Come on, Miss Summer… you’re about to find out.”
I frown as I follow him. I have an LSU baseball cap on with my hair pulled through the back, a light hoodie over a tank top, jeans, and Asics on. Gesturing at myself, I ask Roger, “This is ok for what he has planned? He only said to dress comfortable and wear a hat.”
He looks me over. “It’s perfect, Miss Summer.”
He pushes the door open and gestures to the waiting black older model Camaro in front of me. My eyes widen as I take in the beautiful automobile I’ve seen a few times before. Sean is leaning on the top of the car from the driver’s side. He opens his arms and smiles as he sees my face. “Like her? This is my baby. And today, you and I are going to spend the day cruising the coast incognito.”
Sean and I are taking off in this car?
“It’s beautiful. It’s yours though? How is it here?” I ask.
Roger laughs as he leads me to the passenger side and opens the door. I slide in and Sean guns the engine as Roger shuts us inside the car. The smell of leather, spice, and salt water infiltrates my nose. The windows are rolled down and I notice that Sean is also wearing a baseball cap, though his is a Daughtry one.
He revs the engine again and waves as Roger steps back. Roger leans back into the car through my open window. “Be safe. Call if you run into trouble and I’ll be there ASAP. Have fun, but call before you head back tonight. I need to make sure we’re ready for you and I can see if anyone is hanging about.”
Sean nods and Roger winks at me as he backs up. “Enjoy your day, you two!”
Before I can respond, Sean shoots out of the parking lot. I scream as he floors it on the beach road. “Sean… oh my God! Don’t kill us!”
He looks over and laughs as the wind rushes in through the open windows. His face is carefree and the smile on his face has my knees going weak. He yells, “I’m not going to kill us, sweetheart. This car is meant to be wide open and further down this road is the perfect place to do it!” But he slows down. We pass all of the hotels and casinos in Biloxi and cross into Gulfport. After we stop at a three-way stop and Sean goes, I see that things are thinning out. We pass one more hotel and casino and then… I see that the road is straight and empty as far down as I can see. The water and beach are on the right of us and it’s just lots where houses and businesses used to be before Hurricane Katrina wiped them off the map to the left. You can see the slabs where buildings used to be, though most places weren’t rebuilt.
Sean looks over and says, “Are you ready to see what my baby can do?”
I feel a surge of adrenaline as I realize I do want to see what it’s like to fly down a deserted road in a speed car with the man you love at the wheel.
If this isn’t the perfect way to summarize your life since Sean Scott raced into it… I don’t know what is.
I yell back, “Let’s do this!” and squeal in delight as he hits the gas and the sandy, salty air hits my face.
It’s so exhilarating!
We stopped at a little seafood place on the beach back in Biloxi and are sitting at a table overlooking the water. It was a perfect day. We literally drove along the coast all day until my stomach reminded us that we hadn’t eaten anything since last night. I drank coffee, but that didn’t count.
Sean pulled into this place since it was pretty empty and the old man who apparently owns it has no idea who we are. It’s glorious and we’re reveling in being a normal couple out on a date.
I’ve forgotten what it was like to go somewhere without security. This tour has certainly changed our lives.
Sean is eating his second plate of charbroiled oysters as I peel my last jumbo barbeque shrimp. I’m pretty much full, but it’s so delicious, I’m not leaving it.
I sigh as I lean back and rest my hands over my happy stomach. Sean looks me over and licks his fingers. His plate is also empty of food. “You know how sexy it is that you eat food?”
“What? Of course I eat food. I’m human… we kind of have to eat to live, Sean…” I laugh.
He nods and winks. “I know that. But you’re not a stick figure. You eat and you actually enjoy eating… it’s sexy. Too many women munch on rabbit food because they think that’s what men want. We don’t… Well, I don’t.” His eyes flick over me and I see them flash. “I like the meat on your bones, sweetheart. It’s sexy as fuck.”
Good thing. I like food.
But, I really like that you think I’m sexy as fuck!
I smirk. “Well, I’m glad. You’re pretty sexy, too…” Leaning up, I lean over the table at the empty restaurant and watch his eyes darken as I get closer to him. When I’m practically on top of the table, I lick his lips and smile as he groans. “In fact… you’re the fucking sexiest thing I’ve ever seen and I think we need to get out of here… right now. I need to work off some of these calories and I know the perfect way to do that.”
He stands up so fast, I almost fall off the table. He tosses a $100 bill down to cover our $44.67 ticket and reaches for my hand. “Let’s go, sweetheart.”
Sean
Summer is waiting for me in her room. We decided after our day today and the fantastic sex we had in the backseat of the car on the deserted beach (yeah, sh
e ate her previous words and we both loved every minute) that we would just stay in the hotel tonight and watch something on TV with a pizza. We have a 5AM wake-up call tomorrow since we have a live segment with the local news at seven and then two radio shows before tomorrow night’s concert.
I forgot to give Summer the little gift I had for her earlier. I was so into spending the day with her, I forgot all about it being under my seat and when we got back, I left it in my car. The car is being driven to Texas for me, but I don’t want to leave the gift in there. Besides, I want to actually give it to her.
So, I told her I was running back to the garage to grab something I forgot while she ordered the pizza.
I’m whistling as I walk through the empty second level. Unlocking the car, I reach under the seat and feel for the small box. “Ah, gotcha. There you are.” Chuckling because I’m in here talking to myself, I mutter. “Dude, you’re talking to yourself in an empty garage.”
A voice says, “Well, you’re not totally alone.”
I whirl as my hand tightens on the box. My back straightens as I see Jake standing under a light near me.
Shit! Did he follow me?
Dude, why would he follow you?
He’s a roadie, not a serial killer. A roadie whose girl you took…
No, I didn’t… I had her first. But still…
Crossing my arms and feigning calm, I ask, “What’s up, man?”
His eyes widen and he looks me over. “Nothing. What are you doing in here?”
What am I doing in here? What are you doing in here?
I shrug. “Forgot something in my car. What are you doing in here?”
He nods and points. “Getting in my car…”
Oh shit… he’s leaving. He wasn’t following me.
You’re an idiot, Sean!
I chuckle. “Ah, ok. Well then… have a goodnight.”
He nods and doesn’t say anything as he walks to his car. I hear the doors unlock and let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
I’m starting to walk back to the hotel when he calls out. “Sean…”