I really should have been more proactive in seeking out Dora or even Kristie, having seen both only in the distance over the past few days. There had just been so much going on, with the Roger incident and the rest, that I hadn’t even thought about it.
“It’s too dangerous for you to be without security,” Rhett told me, “and you’d make it harder for them to do their jobs. Everyone is in agreement on this. We can settle debts later if it makes you feel better, but right now the priority is just to keep you safe—especially now that I’ve painted another target on your back.”
The bus lurched forward as we started to move, and since I couldn’t argue with that logic, I didn’t. My presence had already put the band in danger, and they were surrounded by security. Their staff didn’t have the same privilege.
Not to mention Angelo had gotten to me even with all the extra precautions. I already knew that random chicks like Liz were expendable to him, and I would not have that on my conscience. Just thinking about Dora being killed made my stomach hurt.
A flicker of guilt hit me. I hadn’t told any of them that Angelo had been on this bus, and I couldn’t figure out why I was holding the information back.
Was it a nostalgic feeling of old love I’d had for him that kept me silent, or was it the fact that the psycho bastard would kill anyone who came after him and I wasn’t exactly sure how Grayson—or the others—would react to the knowledge that he’d been in this bus?
Not just in the bus, but with an opportunity to take me out before anyone even knew he was there. Sure, he’d made some vague threats about his father wanting me, but there had to be more to it than that.
What was Angelo hiding from me?
Or a more important question: Would I live long enough to find out?
twenty-nine
BILLIE
All the best laid plans for a night of hot rock star sex flew right out the window when our bus hit a series of brutal potholes only half an hour into the drive and popped two tires. Luckily, we had spares between our bus and the next one, but it was aslowprocess to get them changed, and with all the excitement of the night—between nearly being shot and Angelo’s creepy visit—I was dead on my feet.
I didn’t remember getting to the hotel sometime before dawn but had a vague memory of Rhett carrying me off the bus and tucking me into bed. And holy shit, what a comfy bed it was too. In just a couple of nights I’d gotten used to the somewhat thin mattress on the bus, but the hotel bed was like a damn cloud.
When I woke, Rhett was curled around me, his breathing deep and even, and I gave myself a moment to just relax there. He made me feel so safe andadored, which I hadn’t realized I’d needed so much. He was so unafraid of his feelings, so confident in expressing his affection for me… It was both unfamiliar and nostalgic at the same time.
I could see why he and Jace were friends. Rhett was how Jace used to be: carefree, optimistic, valiant. Yes, part of the attraction for him was probably my vulnerable position. Rhett clearly held onto some trauma from his past, and I sensed that partly drove hisneedto protect me. But that didn’t detract from how intense the sexual chemistry was between us.
Even now in his sleep, his hard dick pressed against my hip and he mumbled my name like he was dreaming of me. Dreaming of fucking me, maybe?
Well shit, that thought woke me up, and my stomach fluttered with excitement. We’d been sleeping in the same bed for the better part of a week, but this was new. Or maybe just the first time I’d really woken up before Rhett.
Trying hard to behave myself—or trying a little—I rolled onto my side, snuggling back into his embrace. Little spoon was the best. Rhett gave a small moan in his sleep, his hand gripping my hip and pulling me flush against his hard dick.
Whoops. I grinned into my pillow, rocking my hips slightly. Would he wake up? Or was he well immersed in his sex dream?
“Billie,” he growled, voice thick with sleep as he ground against me. Well, that answered that. “Good morning, my beautiful Thorn.”
My pussy heated as his lips found the back of my neck, sending shivers of arousal chasing through me. “Good morning, Zep,” I replied in a husky whisper. “Were you having sweet dreams?”
He moaned thesexiestfucking sound, and his hand slipped beneath my t-shirt, cupping my bare breast. I’d taken my bra off before falling asleep on the bus, and I wassoglad for that decision now.
“I was,” he confirmed, toying with my nipple and making me squirm. Shit, that felt good, every tug and flick sparking the heat between my legs hotter still. “But being awake is looking a whole lot better now.”
Sucking in a sharp breath, I tipped my head so that his lips could reach mine. He just teased me, though, brushing a light kiss across my lips before grinning.
“You have no idea how badly I’ve been wanting to get you alone, Thorn,” he admitted, his hand trailing down my body.
I gave a throaty chuckle. “Oh trust me, I can relate.”
His fingers paused at the waistband of my panties. He must have taken my jeans off before tucking me into bed. Such a gentleman. “Oh yeah? Have you been thinking about fucking me, Billie Bellerose?” He toyed with the elastic but didn’t go any further. Fuck. I groaned, rocking my butt against his diamond-hard cock. “Am I going to find you already soaked, babe?”
I swallowed hard, trying to catch my breath, but my whole damn body was tingling with anticipation. “Better check,” I suggested. Then, because I was all kinds of impatient, I placed my hand over his, pushing it further inside my panties with a crystal-clear demand.
Rhett’s breathing stuttered as his fingers dipped inside, confirming the fact that I was more than ready to take things further. “Fuck, Thorn, it’s taking every single ounce of my willpower not to just rip those panties off and slam my dick into you right now.”
I rocked my hips, pushing against his hand and taking his fingers deeper. “No one asked for slow and gentle, Zep. I thought you were a rock star, not a country singer.”
