by Andrea Hurtt
Hope laughed. “What’s a matter too hot for you?”
“I knew you liked it hot, but, holy cow!”
She turned the temperature down a little and muttered that he was a big baby.
They switched places so he could wash off.
While he shampooed his hair, Hope lathered up a cloth with body wash and started rubbing it on his body. She began with his chest and worked her way down to his legs.
Hope knelt to wash his calves and feet. She made him turn and worked her way back up his back and arms.
When he turned back toward her, his erection bobbed a greeting.
“Are ya happy to see me?” Hope teased.
Nick didn’t reply; he bent down and kissed her. His hands slid around her back and grabbed her butt. He lifted her up, wrapping her legs around him and pressed her against the side shower wall.
She held on tight when he thrust, then threw her head back in pleasure, driving him on further.
The hot water glided over them while they made love.
Nick’s need was so urgent.
Her body spasmed around him, which pushed him over the edge.
He held her against the wall, both of them panting, and resting his forehead against her collarbone.
“Well that was unexpected,” Hope said, with a giggle.
He looked up at her, searching for some kind of answer in her eyes.
“I don’t know what you’ve done to me, but I just can’t seem to get enough of you,” he said.
She smiled and kissed him softly. “How was I lucky enough to find you?”
He set her back on my feet. “I’m the lucky one,” he whispered.
When Hope didn’t answer, he met her eyes and flashed another smile, wondering what she was thinking.
“What are your plans for today?” Nick inquired.
“I, um. I don’t know. I’m supposed to spend the next few days with Grace, but as we know, that changed. I’m really excited for her, but I miss her already.”
He nodded. “Let’s go get something to eat and do some shopping. You’re spending those days with me.” Somehow, it just felt so natural for them to do things as a couple. They’d only known each other two days.
Nick and Hope had lunch at the Monsoon Café, an elegant Asian restaurant.
“I’m impressed you can eat with chopsticks, most people can’t.” He laughed at the face she made when he ordered sushi. “You don’t like sushi?” he asked.
“If I’m paying this much for fish, they damn well better cook it,” she said.
He laughed loud enough to draw the attention of some people around them. “You’re so funny,” he teased.
“I know, but looks aren’t everything.”
He laughed more. “So, I have a thing tomorrow, with Razor’s Edge. And I’d like you to join me.”
“Oh, um, okay? Do I need to dress nice? Because I’m down to just my touristy clothes.”
“After lunch, let’s go shopping downtown.”
While Hope explored the ladies’ section, Nick took off to get a royal blue silk shirt. She was looking through racks of dresses, when he returned. “How’s it going?”
She rolled her eyes, sure her irritation was apparent on her face. “I hate shopping for clothes, Can’t ever tell how something on a hanger would look on.”
“Everything will look good on you. Mind if I help?”
“You don’t have to. I’m sure you could find a million things you’d rather do than help me find a dress,” she pointed out.
He chuckled. “I grew up with three sisters. This will be a piece of cake.”
She wasn’t convinced, but was willing to try.
Within twenty minutes, Hope had an arm-load of dresses to try on.
Nick followed her to the dressing room.
“I want to see them all,” he said.
After trying on almost every dress and all of them being rejected by Nick—whom Hope had declared would now be known as Mr. Picky—she put on a strapless royal blue and black dress and stepped out of the dressing room.
The dress was a basic black slip that stopped to mid-thigh and had a second layer of blue material that looked like someone had drawn vertical squiggles running down it.
She was surprised to see that Blaze had joined Nick.
“Well?” she asked, getting their attention.
Blaze wolf-whistled, and it made Hope smile.
Nick cleared his throat and looked a little uncomfortable. “Yeah, that’s it. That’s the one.”
She headed back to the dressing room. Why had Nick reacted like that? He’d seen her in a lot less than this dress.
Hope changed back into her jeans and pink V-neck T-shirt, then stepped out to meet the guys.
“Hey babe, Blaze is gonna keep you company while I run an errand. I’ll meet you back at your hotel room before the event, okay?” Nick said.
“Sure,” she said.
“Oh, here.” He handed Hope his credit card.
“What’s this for?”
“For the dress.”
“Nick! You’re not buying me a dress. I’m quite capable of paying for my own clothes.” Hope stuffed the card in his jeans pocket.
“But I meant to buy it for you. It’s just that I got to be somewhere, soon.”
“That’s very sweet of you, but I’m a big girl. Now, get outta here and I’ll see you tonight.”
She kissed him goodbye and watched his ass as he walked out of sight.
Blaze followed her to the check-out. He then led her out to a quant street café for coffee. “Pretty impressive,” he said, after they sat down with their drinks.
“What’s impressive?”
“That you wouldn’t let him pay.”
“Well, it’s my dress. It doesn’t make sense for him to buy it.”
“It’s just…well…not how most girls would react. After all, he did spend $5000 to dance with Grace.”
“Yeah, well there’s still no reason he should pay for my dress. Besides, that money went to a good cause. Those kids need some positive influences in their lives. So, speaking of Grace…”
“I think I love her. Damn. I can’t believe I said that. Please don’t repeat that.”
Hope giggled. “I won’t. It’s not my place to share something that intimate. But, have you heard from her yet?”
As if it was fated, Blaze’s phone pinged. He picked up and chuckled. “She landed.”
“Oh, good. Um, I should ask, since you’re the only other member of Razor’s Edge I know, is it really all right that Nick invited me to…well, I’m not even sure what he invited me to.”
“I can tell you, he didn’t ask me, or the others, but I’d be honored for you to be there. Speaking of which, we have rehearsals in less than an hour. Should we head back to the hotel so you can drop off your things?”
An hour later, Hope walked with Blaze into a studio.
Nick was still nowhere to be seen.
She looked around and where they were sunk in. It was a TV studio. A production crew member met them at the door.
“Mr. Solan, if you’ll follow me, the rest of the band is over here.”
“Nick?” Hope whispered.
Blaze shrugged.
“BJ! You’re here!” A tall, thin, blonde woman ran toward them, stopping only when she got right in front of the dark-haired man. “I was so worried. You aren’t normally late like this.” She looked over at Hope, a sneer across her face. “And who is this?” Her tone said everything her words didn’t.
Hope tried not to cringe at the beautiful woman’s voice.
Blaze slipped his arm around the petite’s woman’s shoulders, pulling her close. “This, dear Ronnie, is Hope. Nick’s girl. Be nice to her, or you’ll have to deal with me.”
The blonde’s attitude changed. As did her body language. “Oh, I’m so sorry, sweetie! We get so many freaks that sneak in here, I never know who belongs and who doesn’t.”
“She belongs. That’s all that matters. So, where are we
set up?”
Ronnie led the way, at least ten steps ahead of them, giving Hope a chance to speak privately with Blaze. “Why did she call you BJ? And who is she?”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot you don’t know us for Razor’s Edge. That just doesn’t happen in our lives. Well, um, the fans know me as BJ. Only close friends call me Blaze. And Ronnie, she’s one of our makeup artists. She’s a little rough around the edges, but has a good heart. Come on, let me introduce you to the band.”
Hope tried to calm her nerves when her bestie’s boy took her to meet the members of Razor’s Edge.
“This is Dwaine,” he introduced the shortest of the men.
A handsome guy that looked Hispanic. Maybe Puerto Rican?
“Hi! How you doin’?”
She giggled. “I’m well, thank you.”
“Scoot over,” an adorable blond man said, shoving Dwaine out of the way. He reached for Hope’s hand. “Never fear.” He kissed her knuckles. “Thomas is here.”
Hope glanced at Blaze, who looked like he was trying hard not to laugh.
“Bro, Nick’s standing behind you with murderous intent on his face. You might want to let his girl go.”
Her man stepped around Thomas, opening his arms to Hope, asking her to come, without saying a word.
She stepped into his embrace.
He held her tight.
Too tight.
“Nick.” She pushed back just enough to be able to look up at him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just needed to check on my brother. He infuriates me. I’m good.”
“Are you going to hold on to her forever, or do I get to be introduced?” The voice behind her was smooth, deep, and far too sexy.
Nick released her and turned her around. “Hope, I’d like you to meet Scott. The big brother of our group. He just came back, after taking a few years off.”
Scott didn’t wait for an invitation; he just pulled her straight into a deep hug. “Welcome to the family,” he whispered in her ear.
Welcome to the family?
Does he know something I don’t know?
“Boys! Let’s go!” A woman with a headset called and gestured.
“Honey, you can sit over here,” Nick said, leading her over to the side.
Chapter 10
Hope had never seen anything like this in her life.
Five men with perfect harmony, in sync with each other’s movements, absolutely professional.
That was, until they finished rehearsing. Then, they were five brothers, laughing and teasing each other like children.
It was amazing to see the comradery they shared; the family values they had for each other. It reminded Hope of her and Grace, when they had done their first and only play together. It made her miss her friend. However, she was excited to hear what the future held for the tall chestnut-haired beauty.
After three hours of rehearsing, Nick came to her, sweating and exhausted. He leaned down to plant a wet kiss on her cheek. “Hopefully, we only have a few more run-throughs, then we can head out of here. I’m fucking beat.”
“I bet.”
Where would they head? Should she ask? As it was, she’d had no clue rehearsal was what Nick had wanted to bring her to.
Why did he want me here? To see what he does, to brag?
She shook her head when he walked away, banishing the absurd thought. Hope still couldn’t wrap her head around why he wanted to spend time with her at all, let alone bring her to the filming of a TV show he was going to be on.
It was a foreign feeling.
She rarely felt wanted.
He made her feel even more than just wanted.
Desired, cherished, loved.
What?
Love… no.
She pushed that away, too. They’d met four days ago.
What was going on between them? Everything in the last few days had been overwhelming.
She’d come to L.A. to see her best friend. That was all.
Then she’d met Nick.
That could have… no, should have been a one-night stand.
He wasn’t the type of guy that looked at her, let alone spent a night with her. She never would’ve thought to ask for more.
Why should she?
He was a tall, hot, famous rockstar who traveled the world, singing to thousands of beautiful women every night.
She was a short, curvy girl who’d only been to three states in her whole life and spent her free time in jeans and boots, mucking horse shit.
What could they possibly have in common?
Yet, he was there with her, bringing her to meet his family.
They might not be blood, but it was clear they were a family. They’d welcomed her.
Her only real concern was their sexual habits. He made her so hot and crazy, she didn't think about protection until it was too late. She was on birth control, but he’d possibly been with hundreds of women. She needed to insist they pick up some condoms.
Hope swallowed when Nick came back a short time later, offered her his hand, and pulled her to her feet.
“Are you ready to go?”
She just nodded.
“Okay. I could use a shower and I’m starving. Blaze is gonna give us a ride back to the hotel. If it’s all right, I’d rather stay with you again. I think he’s gonna mope about and complain about missing Grace.”
She laughed. She understood that. Her dear friend had seemed to leave a mark on people wherever she went.
It wasn’t intentional. Grace just had something about her that drew people in.
Grace had always been the outgoing one in their friendship, where Hope was the one that simply was along for the ride. She wasn’t adventurous, or wild. Just a simple country girl.
Nick had had a day. All he wanted to do was spend it with Hope, getting down to all the little things about her he didn’t know yet.
As he stood in the hot shower, letting the water wash away his day, he contemplated all the things he did know about his little dark-haired beauty.
She had a big heart. He’d seen it in the way she handled not only his brother at the masquerade, but how she’d been with Blaze.
She was beautiful in a way most others were not.
She didn’t see the beauty she held. It wasn’t just the baby softness of her chocolate hair or the olive tone in her perfect skin. Nor was it the fact that her ass had just the right amount of plump to it to cause his cock to harden, or her cherry nipples that begged to be suckled.
It was more than that.
He couldn’t put it into words.
Nick had had more than his share of lovers over the years. Hell, he’d been with the band since he was twelve. RE was all he’d known.
Hope was nothing like the others. Everything he needed.
He didn’t care if there’d be backlash over desiring a girl with some meat on her bones. He was sick of dating girls with no meat on their thighs because it was expected of him.
Damn the media to hell for choosing who he should date. This time, he’d made his decision. To hell with anyone that didn’t agree.
The water was turning his fingers to raisins, and all he could think about was shouting out to the world, he wanted this woman.
His body was alive with the thought of her.
Nick stepped out of the shower, wrapped the towel around his waist, not caring that his hair was still dripping wet, and stepped into the other room.
He wanted her, needed her.
She was asleep.
He gazed at her for a few minutes; couldn’t really be upset. He’d kept her awake most of the previous night, after all.
Nick dressed silently before picking up the phone to order food. He was starving but didn’t want to wake her.
It was dinner time, but waffles, eggs, and bacon sounded really good to him.
Less than thirty minutes later, the knock at the door awoke his sleeping beauty.
“Is that bacon I smell?” Hope asked, the sleep making her
voice raspy.
“It is. And waffles. I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving.”
She stretched like a cat, flexing all her muscles before climbing off the bed and joining him at the small table under the window. “I’m sorry I fell asleep. I didn’t mean to.”
Nick chuckled. “It’s okay. I almost curled up next to you. But I needed food more than sleep. It doesn’t help, I took an hour-long shower. I kept hoping you’d come join me.”
Her cheeks flushed with color. He loved that about her.
“I, well. I thought you’d be too tired for extracurricular activities. Guess I was the one that was too tired.” Hope picked up a piece of bacon and took the smallest of bites.
He watched her face; her eyes were intense.
She was debating something.
But what? It made his stomach twist in knots.
“Nick, why am I here?” she asked, her voice low and sincere.
He frowned. “Don’t you want to be?”
“I do, it’s just...” Her cheeks went even redder, and she wouldn’t look at him.
“Just what?” He tilted her chin up so she’d have to.
“You’re famous. Lots of people look up to you and I’m nobody,” she said, dropping her hands and eyes to her lap again.
“Hope.”
She didn’t respond.
“Look at me.” Nick waited until she did so. “You’re not nobody. You’re the first girl in, I don’t know how long, that hasn’t treated me like I’m famous. You don’t see me as a guy from Razor’s Edge. You just treat me like a normal man. Do you know how rare that is for me?”
“Don’t you like being famous?” she asked.
He shrugged. “I love what I do. I love singing and I love my brothers, I even love every one of our fans, but what I want is someone who gets me.” He ran his hand across her cheek and up into her hair. “Your eyes are really green,” he said, cocking his head to one side.
She smiled conspiratorially.
“I could’ve sworn they were hazel, a mix of brown and green,” Nick said.
“They’re hazel, but they get more green for two reasons, and this time, I’m not crying,” she said.
He smiled and leaned in, kissing her tenderly.
Her lips were soft and yielding under his.