“It’s not as common as you might think. If we’re at a pub, bar, or club, then sure. It’s like we’re fair game in that sort of environment. When I’m generally out and about, like hitting the shops or something, then there are fans who’ll be game enough to approach for an autograph, but most steer clear of anything too overtly sexual.”
“Harvey hates the lack of privacy.”
“Yeah, that can suck. It’s like every time you go out the front door, you need to make sure you’ve got the whole rock star thing happening—no running down to the shops for a bottle of milk in your trackies and Uggs.”
Parker laughed, gaze running over Rafe. He looked down at his tight jeans and designer long-sleeved T, knowing he looked put together even for a long-haul flight. “Do you even own a pair of Uggs?” Parker asked, still laughing.
“Sure thing. Hate shoes, remember? If they can’t be bare, my little tootsies love being toasty warm wrapped in all that sheepskin on a cold winter’s day. Or a pair of thongs in summer.”
“Why do I find that so hard to believe?” Parker smiled.
“Hey,” Rafe said, giving the hand he was still holding a squeeze. “I’m just an ordinary guy who does an extraordinary job. At home I’m just Rafael Moreno. None of that rock star bullshit.”
Parker smiled. But why did it feel he didn’t quite believe it?
14
The whole trip so far had been mind-opening. From the flight, to the ride to the hotel, to finding out he was sharing a room with Rafe. Nigel explained the situation, the four rooms between them and how a coin had been tossed and supposedly Rafe and Harvey were meant to share, but, maybe a little hopefully, Parker wondered if Rafe had set the whole thing up. Not that his dick seemed to care—it was excited at the prospect of sharing a room with the guy who kept it in a permanent state of semi-arousal. All it took was one look, let alone one of those sensual touches, from Rafe, for Parker’s good intentions of not getting involved to fly out the window and his libido to take over. Hell, Rafe had even managed to get him to forget he was seated in a colossus aeroplane hurtling down a runway at over two hundred and fifty kilometres an hour. Who’d have thought? The man worked better than Valium at calming his soul. And once they were at cruising altitude, Rafe had kept him distracted and amused for hours, talking about everything under the sun from favourite pizza toppings—yes, there were people in the world like him who liked anchovies—to world politics. The flight had actually turned into a pleasant experience—even with its discussion of the upcoming US election—something he’d actually enjoyed and would hands down do again if Rafe was to be his flying companion.
Nigel crossed the lobby and handed out key cards. Everyone was exhausted, judging from the dark shadows under eyes and slumped shoulders—one of the downsides of the long flight and the early arrival. Thank God it hadn’t taken long to get through customs, because there was a hotel bed upstairs with his name on it. At that thought, of the hotel room and the bed, Parker’s stomach fluttered. As Harvey’s stand-in, he now had to share the hotel room with Rafe, and he had no idea what that meant. Hell, they’d fucked.I’ve had Rafe’s cock in my mouth and his cock up my arse, so why the fuck does that makes things harder, not easier?
He bit his lip, unable to meet Rafe’s eyes. Instead he zeroed in on Gibbo, engaging him in small talk. After a quick lift ride, they parted in the lobby of the top floor, with promises to reconvene in the hotel bar once they’d all caught up on some much-needed sleep.
Rafe pushed open the door to their one-bedroom king suite, and Parker followed him through, both of them dumping their carry-on bags as the door shut. The living room was gorgeous, decorated in pale blue and white, but it was the huge windows fronting the street that drew Parker. For a moment he forgot his nerves as he soundlessly crossed the plush carpet and pulled the sheer curtain aside. The hotel was directly across from the beach, so the view was of palm trees, golden sand, and the spectacular blue ocean, with the Santa Monica Pier visible to the right.
“Wow. I can’t wait to get out there and explore. So far I’ve only seen the inside of the airport terminal and the SUV on the ride over.” He turned around and yawned widely.
Rafe chuckled. “I think sleep is calling. Let’s grab a nap, then maybe a walk along the beach with some fresh air would do us good. But first a shower. I can’t wait to wash that flight off me. Are you hungry?”
Parker shook his head. “Nah, but shower and sleep sure sounds good.”
A knocked sounded at the door, and Rafe opened it to the uniformed guy bringing their luggage. He beckoned him in, and the guy took their bags through a door that led to the bedroom, given the glimpse of the four-poster Parker could see through the opening. The porter returned to the living room, giving them the once-over, his gaze lingering on Rafe. Was it the two guys sharing a room? Or maybe it was just Rafe’s good looks. From what Parker had been able to tell, he got appreciative glances wherever they went, although he supposed a lot of that was the well-known band thing. However he didn’t think they’d get much recognition here in the States—not yet at least. Rafe didn’t respond to the glance, just tipped the guy and closed the door, leaving them on their own again.
Parker tentatively walked into the bedroom, unsure what to expect. Rafe showed no hesitation, quickly joining him and stripping off his clothes on his way in. Parker stopped in the centre of the room, eyes wide at Rafe’s exposed torso. Rafe waggled a brow, obviously knowing exactly where Parker’s thoughts had gone. “Do you mind if I use the bathroom first?”
Parker shook his head. “Ah… bathroom… sure, go for it.” He eyed their suitcases sitting side by side. “You want me to move my stuff to the other room?” he asked. The living room of the suite was spacious and certainly had the space.
“No need.” Rafe pointed across the bedroom. “It looks like there’s a dressing room walk-in closet thing, so we’ll have heaps of space.” Rafe tossed his jacket and shirt on an upholstered armchair, then sat to yank off his boots. He peeled off his jeans then made his way to the attached bathroom, crossing the spacious bedroom in nothing but his socks and jocks. The door closed with a click, leaving Parker staring at where Rafe’s semi-naked body had been moments before. He pressed his erection and rolled his eyes heavenward.Give me strength.He was never going to survive a week in this hotel suite with Rafe.
The bathroom door opened, and Rafe popped his head out the gap. “Oh, and Parker? You’ll sleep here.”
“Not the sofa bed out in the living room? Nigel said they’d make it up each night. I can call down now.”
“Parker.” His name held a warning. “There is absolutely no point in you having that bloody sofa bed made up.”
The bathroom door clicked shut again.
Parker stared at the white panelled door.
Rafe popped out again. “And Parker? Just so we’re clear, it has nothing to do with me being concerned that the sofa bed won’t be comfortable.”
Click.
Parker smiled. Rafe wanted him in his bed.Rafe wants me in his bed.And what amazed him even more was that was exactly where he wanted to be too. So much for keeping his distance and not getting involved.
By the time Rafe was finished in the bathroom and came out in nothing but a white towel wrapped around his hips, Parker had rummaged in his bag for his toiletries and fresh underwear. He passed Rafe, eyes down, determined to get himself under control. By the time he’d showered and returned to the bedroom, the curtains had been drawn and Rafe was already between the sheets. His eyes were closed, so Parker thought he was asleep, but as he approached the bed, Rafe opened his eyes and wiggled his brows. He held up the sheets, inviting Parker to climb in.
Parked climbed in and lay on his side, pulling the sheet up to his chin. He stared at the patterns on the ornate ceiling, lying stiff as a board despite the luxury mattress and down pillows. It’d been so long since he’d slept next to someone—not since the beginning of the year when he’d been living with Stav—that he wasn’t sure how to handle it. He didn’t know what his relationship with Rafe was, and despite his jet lag exhaustion, his brain was in overdrive.
