“Pffft. No one. I was thinking of the movie How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days where Kate Hudson calls Matthew McConaughey ‘Benny Boo Boo’,” I tease.
He frowns. Instantly. “No. Never call me that, Nikki.” I gasp. “I can come up with a rhyme too.”
I just bet he can. I narrow my eyes. “I never said I was going to call you that. I said it’s what had me calling you Benny before.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he chides. “That’s how it starts.”
I snort. “Okay, pal. Rest assured I won’t call you Benny anymore.”
“But I will,” Lucy says with a devilish smile.
“Me too,” Sera announces, giving Ben the finger.
“Me three,” Meggie adds.
“What the fu—eff?” Ben bites out.
“I think I’ll join in on that,” Jesse says with a grin.
“Dude, me too,” Xan jumps on board.
“Never mind. You’re all dicks. Every one of you,” Ben tells them with a laugh.
I snicker.
He narrows his eyes on me. “Stop stalling. It’s nap time for you.”
I stick my tongue out and he laughs.
“You are such a brat,” he jokes. Then he bends down, leans over, and hoists me up over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry—and I, like the girl I am, let out a squeal.
“You coulda warned me.”
“Nah. This is much more fun.” He strides off the bus and everyone shouts their “feel betters” and “rest wells”. We reach the empty bus—it’s empty because everyone’s on the other bus—and he strides right to the bedroom.
“Blah blah blah. Nap time,” I huff. Have I mentioned I hate being sick? Like seriously. And this is just the beginning. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. Much, much worse.
“HI BEN,” MISTY says, running a hand across my chest. What the hell?
“What’s up?” I ask, taking a step back only for her to follow, stepping even closer, her tits pressing up against my chest. Now I’ll admit there was a time I was attracted to this woman and I might have thought for a while that I wanted to start something up with her—until she changed. She went from the sweet Misty to this aggressive predator who tried way too hard to be sexy. I think it was because she tried so hard that she failed. She did succeed in turning me off instead of on.
“Nothing really. I just thought maybe you’d want to have a drink with me.”
I’m tempted to roll my eyes. I do roll them on the inside. I mean, I don’t want to be a total dick. She’s traveling with us, but this shit has to stop.
I put my hands on her shoulders and not-so-gently push her back away from me.
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Are you serious right now?” I ask.
She looks at me dumbly.
“You know what I’m talking about. You were there when Lucy and I were talking about Nicole and me being together—in a relationship.” My tone isn’t exactly nice. Because she’s playing stupid, I’m getting pissed.
“So?” she says.
“Are you fucking kidding me? So?” I run a hand through my hair. “I’ll tell you ‘so’. You trying to step into Coley’s zone is a total dick move.”
She pouts. God. Why do women like her always do that? Do they think it’s attractive? It’s not. The way they purse their lips—just no.
“That’s not a very nice thing to say.”
“That’s not a very nice thing to do,” I rebut.
She just stares at me, then looks down before turning to the side. Then she does it. She lets down that veneer I knew was there. She huffs and turns to face me, venom in her features leaving no trace of the ‘nice’ Misty.
“What the hell is it going to take to get you to fuck me already?” She rolls her eyes. “It’s not like you don’t go around fucking random chicks all the time, so why not me? I’m someone you know and I could use a good, hard fuck.” She tries to make that last part sound enticing and seductive—tries.
“It would take you being someone else. It would take you being Nicole. I’m not interested in fucking you or anything else for that matter. Hell, I’m not even sure I want to be your friend anymore now that I know you’ve been duping Lucy. Playing my sister isn’t something I’m going to stand for,” I inform her.
“And what are you going to do, huh?” she scoffs, putting her hands on her hips. “You gonna go tell little Lucy that you don’t like me? You know what she’s going to say to you if you do? She’s going to tell you to get over yourself.”
“You think so?” I ask, noting Sera and Cage standing nearby, listening intently. Something’s up. Something more than Misty trying to bang me.
“I know so,” she says with a sneer.
I nod. “Interesting. You think Lucy’s going to like you better or side with you? I wasn’t aware we were in a competition.”
She laughs. “There is no competition. I’ve got Lucy right where I want her.”
“Yeah?” I ask, stepping closer as I start to see red. “It’s too bad you can’t get anyone else where you want them, huh? How many of us have you tried to fuck? I think all of us, including Jesse, right? How’s that working out for you?”
“Fuck you.”
“I don’t think so. You offered, I declined. And as far as Lucy goes, you better watch yourself and step back. You have no idea who you’re up against,” I warn.
She snorts. “You think I’m afraid of you?”
“No, because I don’t beat the hell out of women.”
“But I do,” Sera says from behind Misty, her eyes going wide with that whole deer-in-the-headlights look.
Misty pastes a fake smile on her face and spins to Sera.
“Sera! I think you misunderstood—”
“I didn’t,” Sera says, inching closer to Misty, intimidating the hell out of her as she invades her space. I just cross my arms over my chest and watch the show. “I know what you’re up to. You’re not very good at this game. I, however, am the master.”
They’re nose to nose now as Cage and I look on.
Misty’s scared stiff. The color has drained from her face and I wouldn’t be surprised if she pisses her pants a little. Sera has a way of making people do that. She’s one scary chick when she’s pissed and someone’s threatening her family.
“I knew there was something ‘off’ about you from the beginning but I could never put my finger on it. No one is that nice all the time,” Sera states. “We’re going to go on that bus over there and we’re going to have a nice long chat. Then we’re going to call your sister, Kimberly, and brother-in-law, Roberto, and they can come pick you up.”
Misty’s eyes get big and I lift a brow. Obviously they’ve done their homework on Misty and it looks like she wasn’t expecting that. That’s what I love about Sera and Cage. They make sure to dot their i’s and cross their t’s before going in for the kill. Cage’s fingers fly across the keys on his phone. I imagine that’s not good for Misty either.
“But—”
“No. There are no more ‘buts’. That time has long past. Tell them to pick you up in New York in two days. Either they pick you up, or you’re on your own. You’re no longer welcome on this tour,” Sera tells her.
“And, until we get to New York,” Cage begins, “you’ll be riding on the same bus as Damian.”
Misty swallows hard.
“Did you get all of that?” Cage asks.
Misty nods.
“Good. Now get out of my sight,” he bites out. He sends a quick nod to Damian where he’s waiting.
Holy fuck. A pissed off Cage Nichols is really fucking scary.
Misty all-but runs away and Cage dials his phone. Sera smirks and I, well, I just blow out a steadying breath.
“There’s more to this than I know, isn’t there?” I ask.
“Oh yeah. Lots more,” Sera tells me.
“Like Manzinis more?”
She nods.
“And we’re not telling Lucy?”
She shakes her head. “Or Jesse.”
“Shit. If they find out, they’re going to be pissed.”
“That’s why they’re not going to find out. Not until we get to New York.”
“How will you explain Misty not cooking?”
Sera smirks. “She’s sick. It’s not a lie, not really. Misty is sick, just not the way Lucy’s going to think she is.”
“And Lucy won’t be allowed to see the sick Misty because of the babies,” I say, cluing in.
“Exactly.”
Cage closes his phone and walks over. “We need to get ready for the show.”
I nod.
“What time is it?” Sera asks, looking at her phone. “Oh, shit. Spenser is going to kill me. I’m so late.” She stands on tiptoe and gives Cage a kiss. “I love you!” she shouts over her shoulder as she runs toward the building.
“Damn, she’s fast,” I mutter.
“And, apparently, very afraid of Spenser yet she can face down the most ruthless people without batting an eyelash,” Cage says with a smirk.
The shows were kick ass, crowd packed to capacity, and backstage there were people milling around everywhere. I need some fresh air so I step outside and lean back against the wall, tilting my head back, thinking of Coley. I want her—fiercely. I want to kiss her and touch her and make her mine.
I let out a frustrated breath. Shit. I can’t just take her. She’s sick and I don’t know how experienced she is. Fuck. I don’t know if I can hold back but I know I have to. I have to take her slowly and not bang her against the wall like I want. I just want—no, I need to be inside her. To make her mine.
The door opens and Coley comes walking out with Justin and Lucian. Fucking Lucian. I grind my teeth and restrain myself from grabbing her and pulling her to my side. She’s mine.
“Hey there,” she says, giving me a wink and hugging me to her. I pull her in close and bury my nose in her hair.
“Hey.”
She looks up at me and I kiss her lips. When I pull back she’s grinning and there’s that sunshine again, taking away the darkness.
“What are you doing out here all by yourself?” she asks.
I look and note Justin and Lucian walking away.
“Just getting some air.” I bury my face in her neck again, holding her, loving the feel of her in my arms.
“It seems like you missed me.”
“Mmm. I did.”
“Then you should have found me. I’d have come out here to get air with you.”
I kiss her cheek, then her forehead. “I didn’t know how long you were going to be. Photo ops can take forever.”
“I’m really glad this one didn’t,” she purrs as she kisses my neck. I let out a groan because, damn it, I’ve waited to feel her touching me for so long.
“So?”
She sucks on my earlobe and a shiver runs down my spine.
“When we get to New York, are we going to have some alone time?” she asks.
It’s my turn to kiss her neck.
“Yeah, honey. We’re going to have lots of alone time. We’ve got four days in New York and only one of those days we have to work. I want to take you out,” I tell her, kissing along her jaw.
“Like a date?” she sighs, leaning into my embrace.
“Exactly like a date. Maybe you’ll even let me get to first base, if you’re feeling well.”
Her hands frame my face and her smile lights up the night sky. She wiggles her eyebrows. “I’ll let you get a whole lot farther than that if you play your cards right.”
My cock comes to life at the thought of being inside her, of her touching me. “Why don’t we shower and grab some z’s. You’re going to need your sleep.”
She grins up at me. “Sounds like a plan.”
“By the way,” I add. “From now on you’re on whatever bus I’m on. No more Lucian.”
Nicole nods. “Does that mean you’re going to sleep with me?” Her tone is so hopeful I want to kick my own ass for denying her.
“Nothing can keep me away anymore.”
“Promise?” she asks, vulnerability shining in her eyes.
“Promise.”
After my shower, I go to crawl into my bed and there he lies, waiting for me. Shirtless, tattoos decorating his muscular flesh. I stand and stare a minute and he winks.
“You just gonna stand there all night?”
“Uh-uh.”
“Then come on over here,” he tells me, pulling back the covers on the narrow bed and patting the spot next to him.
I walk forward, almost zombie-like. I’ve wanted this for so long, it’s hard to believe it’s come true. Ben Kingston in my bed. Ben Kingston with me. Ben Kingston and me, together.
“Come on, honey, before you catch cold,” he urges and I snuggle in next to him, immediately putting my ice cold feet against his legs. He doesn’t even flinch, just pulls me closer, blanketing me in his warmth and his scent. I know that scent. It’s not just the cologne he wears, it’s so much more than that. He smells like musk and soap and something sweet I can’t put a name to. I inhale deeply and hold the breath until I need another.
“You don’t mind my cold feet on you?” I ask.
“Nope. Whatever you need, honey, it’s yours. You have cold feet, I’m going to warm them. You want me to hold you, I’m going to wrap my arms around you. You want me to kiss you, I’m going to press my lips to yours. You want me, I’m yours,” he whispers and tears well in my eyes.
“It’s about time,” I say with a sniffle.
He nods at me but doesn’t say a word, just reaches out and wipes a stray tear rolling down my cheek.
“No more tears. Not because of me.”
I suck in a breath. “You can’t promise that, Ben. There’ll be times we may argue or unintentionally hurt one another. It’s human nature.”
“I suppose that’s so, but I’m going to try my damnedest to keep that smile in place.”
“Okay. No more stubborn Ben.”
“Nope, his dumb ass is gone,” he says and I snicker.
“I wasted too much time, honey, and I want every minute we’ve got from here on out to matter.”
“Every second with you matters,” I admit. “I’m so afraid time won’t be our friend—”
He cuts me off with a finger to my lips.
“None of that. We take each day as it comes, okay? We’ll do our worrying later.”
I nod and he leans forward, pressing his lips against mine, just a gentle pressure and a caress of breath, but it’s enough to have my heart fluttering and my body responding, wanting more.
“Let’s spoon,” he tells me between soft, quick kisses, “before I can’t control myself.”
I wouldn’t mind him losing control. I don’t care if everyone on the bus can hear. If he’d touch me, I’d melt into his arms.
He urges me to turn and I can’t bite back the sigh of disappointment. Ben pulls my back to his chest, my hips back against his and, holy Hannah, he’s hard. Then he wraps his leg between mine, his arms holding me tight, so tight, his breath wafting against my ear, causing my nipples to pucker in arousal. Damn traitorous nipples, I think as his arm moves down, over my breasts, his soft groan of approval in my ear as he discovers the hard points.
“Honey, I want nothing more than to take you right here, right now, but I’m not going to. Do you know why?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No.”
His hand lazily moves up and down my thigh. Gah. He’s making me wet. Traitorous body!
“It’s because I want to be able to take my time and savor every inch of you, touching, tasting, kissing you from head to toe. And when I’m done, I’m going to make you mine, but I’m sure as hell not going to make something special into something cheap by fucking you in a narrow bunk on a tour bus where everyone can hear you. Not our first time. You deserve so much more than that and I’m going to give it to you.”
I sniffle, unable to stop the tears. “Who knew you w
ere such a romantic?”
He chuckles. “I’m not really. I just want to give you everything you deserve. I want our first time to be perfect, something you’ll always look back at and never regret.”
“Ben,” I whisper. “I would never regret it. No matter where, when, or how.”
“I’d be ashamed of myself if it was less than that. You’re like a princess.”
I snort at that. “I come from a foster home. That’s far from royalty.”
“Don’t talk like that. I don’t care where you come from, Nicole. I just care where you go from here and if you take me with you. You’re special, unique, and you don’t even realize it,” Ben tells me, kissing my neck.
“Ben…” I want so badly to tell him I love him. But I don’t. I’m afraid. I’m a coward when it comes to him. I can face down cancer, but Ben Kingston? Pussy girl right here.
“Yeah, honey?”
I just shake my head and bite my lip. I can’t hold back the yawn.
“Aww, my sleepy baby. Let’s get some sleep,” he whispers.
I snuggle back into him. He’s so warm, so big, so mine. I close my eyes and smile. Mine.
Sera catches up to me the next morning on one of our fueling stops.
“Coley, my girl.”
I smirk. “Sera.”
“How was your first night with Benny?” she asks with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
I smile and blush. “It was good.”
“Yeah? He didn’t take advantage of you, did he?” she asks, frowning.
“No, no. We just slept.”
She nods. “Good. He better treat you right.”
I don’t know what to say so I don’t say anything.
Sera looks around. “Misty tried to come on to Ben yesterday and we caught her. We let her know we knew she wasn’t who she said she was and gave her until the day after we get settled in New York to get picked up by her sister and brother-in-law or she was out on the curb.”
“Holy Hannah.” I don’t know what I was expecting, but that’s not it.
“We didn’t tell her we knew more.” She emphasizes the word more so she doesn’t have to elaborate.
I nod. “Okay.”
“We’re going to work that out when her fam gets here and we’re in a secure location,” Sera says with a distant look in her eye.