“Is peppermint tea your favorite?” I asked.
“Is that so surprising?” he asked. “Peppermint tea is supposed to be soothing and helps you sleep. It’s nice after I’ve had a crazy day. Which is usually every day,” he added.
“I can’t imagine being on the road in a tour bus, all the others are cracking open beers after a concert or doing shots, and there you are, making a cup of peppermint tea.”
“We don’t drink that much on tour, actually,” Seth said. “Don’t get me wrong, we still like to go out and get trashed a couple times to let off steam and have fun, but not every night. We want to be in top shape and put on the best show we can every single time. We can’t do that if we’re hungover and puking. Trust me, I’ve tried,” he grinned.
“So this tour you have coming up,” I started. “I’ve heard you guys talk about it a lot, but I don’t know the actual details.”
“It’s going to be awesome,” Seth said as he put a cup of tea in front of me. I blew on it to cool it down. “They've got a dozen bands signed on already. The plan is to do these huge concerts all over the world. We’ll get to spend months hanging with all our friends in foreign cities while playing to crowds of thousands. And there’s a chance Cherry Lips might get chosen as the headliners.” Seth’s eyes were unfocused and dreamy, his voice full of awe. “Can you imagine it? Out of all those bands, guys who have been around for years or even for decades longer, and the organizers might chooseusto be the main selling point.”
“I really hope you get it.” I wrapped my fingers around my teacup, feeling the warmth sink into my hands. “I can tell how much it means to you.”
Seth came out of his daze. His wistful expression faded, turning rueful and he ran a hand through his ruffled hair.
“I shouldn’t get my hopes up.” He lowered his eyes to stare into his own cup of tea. “All the other bands in the running are just as good as us. It’s kind of a long-shot, really, if you think about it. We’re still the newbies in the music industry compared to most of the others.”
“I bet you’ll get it,” I told him. “You guys work so hard, and you’re clearly dedicated. I’m sure whoever is making the decision will see that.”
He looked up at me with a soft smile.
“Thank you for understanding,” he said. “I know we don’t get to spend as much time together as you’d probably like.”
“I get that you’ve got your work. And I’ve got my studies. I don’t want you thinking I sit at home pining for you.”
“You don’t?” His face fell dramatically in a hangdog expression. “What a blow to my ego.”
“I didn’t think anything could harm that ego of yours.”
“I am pretty spectacular.”
“You really are, you know,” I said. “You’re a talented musician, and you’re funny and thoughtful, and a good friend.”
“I’m also fantastic in bed,” he added with a wicked lilt in his voice. “Don’t forget that important point.”
My heart sped up, thumping against my rib cage.
“I wouldn’t know,” I replied, teasing. “The only thing we’ve done in bed together is fall asleep.”
Seth stood from his chair and came to loom over me. He placed both hands on the table, trapping me between his arms.
“You want to change that?” he murmured.
I stared up into his eyes as he stared down. He leaned over, bringing our faces close together. I inhaled sharply as his lips came within a hairsbreadth of mine.
“Yes,” I breathed.
He captured my mouth in a fiery kiss. I moaned, opening to him immediately and clutching at his t-shirt. His tongue was hot and wet. Liquid warmth traveled from my lips to my chest, then my stomach and lower, settling heavily between my thighs. Even a single kiss from this man was enough to ignite desire inside me.
I stood abruptly, sending the kitchen chair toppling to the floor as I flung myself into his arms and clung to his shoulders.
Seth put both hands on my ass and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist, letting him hoist me into the air. Our hips pressed together, and I felt the hardening length in his jeans against me. My insides tingled at the thought of what was coming, even as my limbs trembled with nerves. Was this it? Was tonight the night?
Seth carried me through the apartment and into his bedroom. I didn’t have time to look around before he threw me onto his bed and climbed on top.
We resumed our kisses as I squirmed against him. My skirt flipped up, leaving my panties as the only barrier between him and the rough scratch of his jeans. My thighs tensed and released as they wrapped around him, wanting more friction.
His lips left mine and I made a pitiful sound, not wanting him to stop. Then he began kissing his way down my neck and I was more than happy to allow him to continue.
