Kiss Me, Katie (8 page)

“So you like it?”

“Yeah, it’s gorgeous. Show me around,” said Katie as Blake took her hand again.

“Caroline actually did most of the decorating. I wanted it to feel like home, and it really needed a woman’s touch.” Blake explained.

Katie took in the plush taupe sofas and dark brown marble countertops in the front lounge area, the built-in desk holding a laptop that must belong to Caroline, the guitars hanging from wall-mounted brackets, a plasma screen television, and the glass door refrigerator stocked with a variety of drinks. She slipped out of her shoes and stepped onto a thick chocolate brown rug, sighing with pleasure. Blake led her through a hallway and pointed out a couple of guest bunks, a closed closet, and a guest bathroom. Katie poked her head into the bathroom and gasped when she realized how much bigger and nicer Blake’s guest bathroom was than the one her whole band shared. Blake showed her to a second lounge, easily twice the size of Sterling’s, where there were inviting leather chairs, more guitars, framed photos of Blake with his family, yet another television screen, and a bar that housed a small refrigerator and baskets of snack foods. A pocket door separated the back lounge from what had to be Blake’s bedroom. Katie wondered if she’d be invited to see that room too.

“So there you have it, home sweet home away from home,” said Blake.

“I can’t believe this place! It’s gorgeous, and so much room for just one person. Unbelievable.”

“Caroline rides with me a lot of the time, and sometimes I have some of the guys over. I’m on the road more than I’m at home, though, so this way I don’t go crazy. I picked this bus a couple of years ago so I’d have enough room for two, you know, thinking ahead.”

“For two?”

“I always imagined that I’d take my wife on the road with me and we’d see the country from this bus. You know, just the two of us, hitting the open road.” Blake’s blue eyes were intense. “I just haven’t found my wife yet.”

Blake led Katie through the pocket door and into his bedroom where a king-sized bed sat, a quilted chocolate brown bedspread turned down to reveal crisp ivory sheets, fluffy pillows lining the headboard, and a robin’s egg blue knit blanket folded neatly at the foot. The air was cool and quiet; the low hum of the bus’s air conditioning the only sound, and Katie could smell traces of Blake’s spicy cologne in the air. Blake took Katie’s hand, pulled her close to him, and enveloped her in a warm embrace.

“I’m glad you’re here with me,” he whispered, his voice husky with emotion. Blake pulled back and cupped Katie’s face in his hands, captured her eyes with his gaze, and breathed, “God, you’re gorgeous.” He pressed his lips to hers, gently, as he ran his fingers through her hair. Katie responded and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss as her lips parted under his and his tongue explored her warm mouth. He tasted sweet, he smelled like home, and she never wanted the kiss to end. Katie’s grip on Blake tightened as the kiss intensified, fireworks exploded in her head, and an electric energy passed between them.

Blake pulled Katie down onto his bed, his lips never leaving hers. They stretched out, side by side, and Blake explored her body, his hand moving from her shoulders down to the swell of her backside, to brush her thigh, and finally to tentatively cup her breast. She gasped but did not pull away, so he continued, squeezing gently and clearly enjoying the feel of her in his hand. He held her close to him, his other hand luxuriating in the feel of her silky hair winding around his fingers.

Blake moved until he was on top of Katie, propped on his elbows while she took his face in her hands and looked deep into his eyes before returning her lips to his. She shivered with pleasure when his lips trailed to her neck, his breath warm against her skin. Emboldened, Blake kissed her neck while his hand returned to her breast. Katie arched her body and a soft sound escaped her lips as she clutched his shoulders and held him close. He parted her legs with his knee and lowered his body onto hers, one hand working to unbutton her blouse as he propped himself up on his elbow.

“Blake,” she whispered.

“Oh, Katie,” he moaned.

“Blake.” Katie’s voice grew firm. He stilled and gazed down into her eyes, lust clouding his vision. “Blake, I’m so sorry but I can’t do this.”

“Oh, oh, okay, I’m sorry. I think I got carried away,” he said as he moved off of her and stretched out beside her on the bed. Blake kissed her chastely on the forehead and inhaled deeply against the top of her head. Blake moved to get more comfortable on the bed, obviously trying to shift gears.

“No, I’m sorry, I should have said something before it got this far. I really like you, but I kind of promised myself to save sex for a serious commitment. I shouldn’t have led you on; I guess I got carried away, too.”

“Oh, I see. So you’re like a … ” He trailed off.

“Yes, I’m a virgin. It’s kind of embarrassing, at my age, but it just hasn’t happened for me yet. I’ve been so scared to tell you, scared to find out what you would think.”

Blake cupped Katie’s chin and gave her a soft kiss, then ran his hand over her hair. “It’s certainly unusual, but I actually like that you’ve never been with anyone. It seems right for you.”

She let out a relieved breath. “Thank you for saying that. I feel like such a baby about it sometimes, but it’s become pretty important to me. When I was younger, I made the promise to myself that I would wait until I fell in love, and then with the band and everything that just never happened. The more committed I got to the band’s success, the fewer boyfriends I had that were committed to me. Nobody has been able to handle it, and I don’t want to compromise myself or my dreams for the kinds of guys I’ve come across.”

“So you haven’t found anyone who can understand what you’re doing with the band?”

“Right, it’s like when I meet someone they act like they think it’s great that I’m in the band and we’re getting so much work. When it comes down to it, though, nobody has been able to handle the time I have to spend rehearsing or playing gigs. Either that, or they’re convinced that there’s more going on between me and the guys than just work. I’m really sorry if I led you on, or if you aren’t cool with my situation.”

“Sweetheart, it’s fine. Really. Whatever you’re comfortable with is fine. I’ll behave myself.” Blake smiled down at her and kissed her softly.

“Thank you. This probably isn’t what you’re used to. I mean, getting shut down and all.”

“Oh honey, you have no idea. I don’t know what you think or what you’ve heard, but I spend most nights on tour alone. The only time I have a woman in this bus it’s Caroline, and believe me, she is all business,” he laughed. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I haven’t found my wife, and I don’t think that sleeping around with anyone who shows up on the road is the best way to find her. It’s damn near impossible to have anything real when I’m in a new town every other night.”

Blake tucked his hands behind his head and eased back onto his bed. He turned to face Katie and said, “Being with you has been the most real thing I’ve had in a long time. That’s probably why I’ve rushed you.”

“You haven’t rushed me,” Katie said softly. “I’ve wanted everything that we’ve done to happen. I feel it too, you know, between us. It’s scary for me though, how it’s moving so fast. I haven’t had a boyfriend or anything even close in a long time.”

“I’ve been alone a long time too. There’s not a lot of room for relationships in a career like this.”

“I’ll bet. I’m sure you get plenty of chances though, if you ever just want female attention.” Katie smiled mischievously. “I doubt you’d have much trouble finding someone to share your bed in every town you visit.”

“That might be true,” Blake said, with a sly grin. “That’s not what I want, though. I want someone to actually want to know me, know who I am. Most of the time I meet girls on the road and they want the picture with me, or they want to go back to tell their friends that we met. It’s a strange situation, how everyone knows so much about me but nobody really knows me at all.”

“Nobody? You know, I already feel like I know you, like I can trust you. It’s just too bad we’ve got so little time together before I go back home.”

“I’ve thought about that too, sweetheart. Maybe we can figure something out.” Blake leaned over and kissed Katie’s forehead. “Will you stay with me tonight? I promise to keep my hands to myself.”

Katie giggled and kissed him. “I know you will. I trust you.”

Blake pulled her close and inhaled deeply against her hair as his arms tightened around her. Katie felt her body respond to Blake’s touch and pulled herself closer to him, and whispered, “All right,” before surrendering to another deep kiss.

• • •

Katie grabbed her toothbrush and a fresh set of clothes to sleep in while Blake sat in the front lounge of Sterling’s tour bus. Charles sat down on the sofa facing Blake and watched with amusement as the rest of Sterling tried to get ready for a night out in the cramped quarters.

“Looks like everyone’s heading out tonight. It’ll be good to get a little breathing room, I guess.” Charles stretched his legs.

“You guys are already put-out with one another after only a few days on the road? Hopefully you’ll find your rhythm before long.”

“Mr. Jackson, it’s not that we’re put-out. It’s just been a little stressful for everyone. We’re not used to it, and we were already pretty cramped on board, so it will be nice to get a little breathing room. I’m a little disappointed that the reason we’re getting it is because our Katie is going to your bus, though.” Charles tried to sound casual, but the reproach in his voice was apparent.

“Well, Katie is an adult and can make her own decisions, but for what it’s worth, I have real feelings for her and completely respect her. She’s in good hands, Charles. There’s no need to worry.”

“I hope that’s true. Katie is a sweet girl, and she’s been through a lot. I’m just worried for her and don’t want her falling for someone who will be gone and out of her life in less than two weeks.” Charles sighed heavily and got up when Katie returned to the front lounge. “Y’all have a good night. We’ll see you in the morning.”

With that, Blake and Katie returned to his bus while the rest of Sterling piled into a cab to head out for a late night out. Everyone had publicity commitments during the day and a show tomorrow night, but they weren’t about to pass up the chance to get out and see a new city. Nobody was on board the Sterling bus when a figure dressed all in black emerged from the parking lot’s shadows and slashed the tires.

Chapter Eight

Soft sunlight streamed through the windows of Blake’s bedroom and the insistent beep of his alarm clock nudged Katie from her sleep. She stretched, yawned, and a satisfied smile spread across her face as she remembered where she was. Blake was already awake, propped up on an elbow and watching Katie.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Blake murmured as he ran the back of his hand gently down Katie’s cheek. He kissed her forehead and asked, “How did you sleep?”

“Great. I can’t remember the last time I slept so well.”

“Me too,” he said softly. “I think it’s meant to be.”

Katie giggled and pushed Blake’s shoulder playfully. “I could get used to this, Mr. Jackson. Your bed is a lot nicer than my bunk. Your bus is a lot quieter than mine, too.”

“Maybe you should just stay with me until you go home then,” Blake said, suddenly serious.

Katie was stunned momentarily, not sure how to respond. On one hand, spending her days and nights with Blake sounded like a dream come true. She imagined ending each day on the tour snuggled up in his bed, cocooned together under the blankets, whispering together, and her heart squeezed with emotion. It would be so easy to trade in her tiny bunk on Sterling’s tour bus for a spot next to the man of her dreams, blissfully passing the hours on the road in his arms instead of cramped in her little bed, pulling the curtain closed for any little scrap of privacy. Spending every night together might make it harder for her to keep her promise to herself, though. Katie couldn’t imagine lying next to Blake night after night, always remaining abstinent. Would it really be so bad if she did give in to her feelings for Blake? Or would it make it even harder to say goodbye when they went their separate ways?

Katie looked into Blake’s dreamy blue eyes and melted against his warm, solid chest as he pulled her close and kissed her deeply. How could she ever say goodbye to him? A part of her realized that it was too soon to have feelings this strong for a man, it had to be. The constant togetherness and bubble of intimacy the tour provided intensified everything. Katie had already become accustomed to an ‘us-against-the-world’ mentality, finding herself feeling proprietary over Blake, like the only one who truly knew him.

“I’d love to spend every night with you, but I’ll have to think — ” Katie was cut off by loud rapping on the bus’s door.

Blake groaned and pulled himself out of bed. He slid on a pair of shorts over his boxers and pulled a T-shirt over his head as he made his way to the front of the bus. He looked unbearably handsome, even rumpled and sleepy. Katie sat up and smoothed her hair, leaning over and craning her neck to see through the bedroom door. She couldn’t see all the way to the front of the bus, but she heard Charles’s voice when Blake let him in.

“We don’t know exactly when it happened, but our tires were slashed last night. I called the police, but that’s it. We didn’t know if we should contact tour security or what exactly the protocol is for this kind of thing.”

Katie hopped out of bed and hurried to the front. “The tires were slashed last night? Is everyone okay? Is anything else damaged? Did y’all see anybody?”

Charles looked down at Katie, his mouth set in a grim line. “We didn’t see anybody. It was late when we got back to the bus last night, so we don’t even know when it happened. It could’ve been done while we were away or it could’ve happened while we were sleeping. We didn’t see anything or notice it when we got back and we never saw or heard anything when we were on board last night. There’s no other damage or sign of trouble.”