God damn, I want to kiss her. Just a little. Just a taste.
Her eyelids flutter shut when I dip my chin. Maybe she wants me, too.
I can’t do it, though. Instead, I allow my cheek to brush against hers until my lips are at the shell of her ear. I shouldn’t say a word. I shouldn’t allow myself the indulgence of watching her reaction.
I’ve never been good at playing by the rules.
“I won’t promise, and the next time I touch your panties it’s because you beg me to.”
Her slap comes so fast and unexpected I don’t have a chance to block it. I rub the skin, but the sting holds more surprise than hurt. Austin and Sean’s jabbering ceases and I don’t have to turn around to know they’re watching with rapt attention.
“I deserved that.” I can’t help but pull my lips up in a grin as I take a step back. I’m not into BDSM, but I’d be down for kinky fuckery with Lexi. Hell, I think this woman could make anything appealing.
The furrow of her brow lifts. “I’m sorry,” she says but quickly amends, “Not for the eyebrows, but for the face slap.”
Laughter from the guys joins in with my own. I reach out, grazing my fingers against the soft skin of her forearm for a brief touch. “All is forgiven, Lexi. You know we love you. Even when you go razor blade happy.”
She rolls those eyes. I knew she would. And I step away before I’m tempted by them more than I already am. I need a shower. A freezing bucket of ice cold shower.
There’s no show tonight so we roll along the stretches of highway until our driver Danny reaches his max. There are laws regarding how many hours he can drive and I’m glad our label is strict on adherence. We usually butt up shows close together and don’t get much down time, so when we do, we relish the freedom. We roll into a small town south of Richmond and Danny parks before checking in to the motel to sleep. We have the freedom to do the same, but since we have the option of sleeping in the bus, it’s more of a treat to go exploring.
“There’s a gym down the street. Meet up for dinner?” Sean fist bumps Austin, then me on his way out, a gym bag slung over his shoulder.
“Maybe we should go work out?” I suggest with little conviction. The idea of spending my free time locked inside four walls with a bunch of sweaty men is not at all pleasing.
“Dinner is good. Text me.” Austin nods at Sean.
Iz hustles out soon after with a mumbled good-bye. We’re pretty sure he uses these opportunities to score drugs, but we never ask him where exactly he goes or what he does. In case he ever gets into legal trouble, I want my hands clean.
“I actually need to take care of a few things,” Austin says, not quite meeting my eyes. He grabs a backpack from inside his bunk and tries to slide past.
“Hold up.” I grab his arm before he can leave. “Where you sneaking off to?”
“I’ve just got some things to take care of.”
“Dude, you’re being shady as fuck.”
“Am not.” He glances at Lexi, and I do the same. She steps out of the bathroom dressed in a plain black tee and those ripped jeans that leave a man hoping for a flash of skin through the worn threads. An inappropriate game of hide and go seek. When my gaze meets Lexi’s irritated stare I turn back to Austin.
“You are. Why so secretive?”
“Can’t a man take a break around here without giving out his damn itinerary!”
“What is it? A tinder date? A little afternoon delight?” I tease.
“No!”
“Probably just gonna rub one out in the McDonald’s across the street,” Lexi says. Her lips pull to one side and her shoulders lift in a shrug.
“I’ve taken enough harassment for one day!” Austin shouts. He beelines for the exit.
“We’ll resume this conversation at dinner!” I yell back and he flips us the bird. I turn to Lexi and hold up my hand. “Nice one.”
She smiles and slaps my palm. “I do what I can.”
I glance around the empty bus. “Looks like you’re stuck with me. Danny’s coming back to lock up in a few minutes. What should we do?”
She sighs, her eyes flutter closed, and irritation’s etched on her face when they reopen. “I’m not stuck with anyone, Trent.”
