Kiss Me, Katie (9 page)

Blake picked up his phone and dialed, then wandered to the back lounge as he spoke with tour security.

Katie sat down on a sofa, shaking with fear and anger. “Who would do such a thing? Some crazed jealous fan?”

“It could be some random crime, could be somebody with mental illness, we just don’t know. Could be personal, you know, you hear about fans who think they have a connection to a celebrity. Honestly we’re surprised it was our bus and not Blake’s. That’s what’s really confusing. Hopefully the police will be able to find some evidence. I’m sure that Blake will get security tightened up and you’ll be safe while we figure everything out.” Charles sat beside Katie and rubbed her back. “It’s going to be all right, kiddo. I promise.”

Katie put her head in her hands while tears streamed down her face. She looked up into Charles’s kind eyes and cried, “God, what if it’s some crazy person obsessed with Blake? What if they’re trying to get rid of me?”

“I don’t know, sweetheart, but it’s going to be fine. I really don’t think you should read that much into it before we know what happened. Chances are it was just a random act of vandalism, maybe some prank.” Charles continued to rub Katie’s back and tried to soothe her.

Blake returned to the front lounge and set his phone down on Caroline’s desk. “Security is on their way. They’ll meet with the police and then they’ll probably want to talk with you guys. I want Katie to stay with me while they check everything out. I can ask Caroline to help find a place to get the tires replaced while we’re on site today. We’ll probably have to get a few extra guys out to watch over the buses while we’re away, too. The drivers will be here but they shouldn’t have to worry about this while they are getting the rigs ready to roll out.”

Katie began crying again in earnest. Blake sat down beside her and pulled her close, holding her in his arms. Charles stood up and awkwardly moved towards the door, not sure whether to stay or go. Blake stroked Katie’s hair and kissed her tear-streaked cheeks while he whispered to her softly. He looked up and met Charles’s eyes and waved him out. “I’ve got her. You go on ahead.”

Katie took a deep breath and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. “I’m scared, Blake. I feel like this is because of me.”

“Hey, look at me.” Blake’s voice was firm but gentle, and Katie turned her tear-stained face towards him. “This is NOT your fault, sweetheart. I don’t want to hear that again,” he insisted. “There’s no reason to think that this happened because of you or that you’re in any danger. We’ll get extra security out here until we find out what happened.”

“I just feel horrible. I don’t know how we’re going to afford this, and we were barely starting to break even as it was, between the tour and all our new expenses. You know? Now we’re going to need new tires, more security, and that means more money. The guys aren’t going to come out and say it, but they’ve got to think it’s because of me. I don’t know what to do,” she finished weakly.

“You’re not a liability, and I don’t know why on earth you think that this is somehow your fault. Even if this is the work of a fan trying to send a message to you, it’s still not your fault. I’m sure insurance will cover the tires and if not, it’s just money. I can pay for the tires, and I’m happy to do it. Nobody thinks this is your fault. The guys really care about you, you know, I can tell when I see y’all together. All you need to worry about right now is staying safe and doing your job. We’ll figure the rest out.” Blake planted a kiss on Katie’s forehead and smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear.

Just being near Blake, safe in his arms soothed Katie. His confidence almost made her believe that everything would turn out all right. Katie was humbled by Blake’s unconditional promise to keep her safe, by his offers to care for her without hesitation. She could fall in love with this man. It would be so easy. And it was going to be so hard to let him go.

• • •

Blake sat in the front lounge of his massive tour bus, across the desk from Caroline Mathers. She looked at him over the top of her glasses and crossed her legs under her chair as she leaned forward on her elbows.

“So let me get this straight, you want to hire a security guard just for Katie, and you haven’t asked her what she thinks?”

“That’s exactly what I want, Caro. Until we get the buses checked out, until we have an idea of what we’re dealing with here, I don’t feel comfortable having her exposed to danger. I can’t stay with her myself, so this is the only way we can be sure she’s okay. I don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate any other way.”

“Do you want to pull someone from the security detail or find an outside firm? You don’t think there’s some kind of conspiracy or inside job, do you?” Caroline bit her lip and looked like she was trying to disguise her amusement.

“I’m a reasonable man,” Blake said with a laugh, his eyes dancing. “If we have someone on staff already who we can pull for Katie, that would be fine.”

“I’ll go check with the head of security and see if someone can be spared for the special Katie McCoy security detail.” She smiled indulgently. “Do you want to tell her yourself?”

“I’ll call her if you can find someone for her. And stop laughing at me, this is serious.” Blake balled up a piece of paper and tossed it at Caroline.

She deflected the paper. “I know, I know, this is important. I’m just not used to this side of you. I’ve never seen you care for someone like this, and I’ve certainly never seen you so protective of anyone before. Katie must be a very special girl.”

“She really is.”

Blake picked up his phone to call Katie and Caroline left to meet with the head of security.

• • •

Katie put thoughts of the bus and the police out of her mind as she tried to relax in her dressing room before the show. Her hair and makeup team was hard at work transforming her for the night, and they seemed to sense that Katie wasn’t in a chatty mood. They worked quietly as Katie took deep breaths and willed herself to focus on the show and forget about the negative energy surrounding her. There was extra security at the buses, and they hadn’t heard about any trouble since the morning. Katie was as safe as she was going to get and there was nothing more anyone could do right now. The vandal had ruined her morning, no use in letting him — or her — ruin her band’s show tonight, too.

Caroline knocked on her dressing room door and poked her head inside. “Ms. McCoy? I know you’re busy getting ready, but I just need to quickly introduce you to your new security guard. Do you have a moment?”

“Sure, come on in,” Katie answered.

Caroline breezed into Katie’s dressing room on a cloud of subtle perfume and competency, her expensive-looking high heels clacking on the concrete floor. An imposing, handsome blond man dressed in a perfectly pressed charcoal grey suit stood behind her, stoic and serious behind wire frame glasses. He looked vaguely familiar to Katie and she tried to place him, coming up short until Cara and Tiffany started giggling. He was the gorgeous security guard they had been swooning over a couple of days ago.

“Did Mr. Jackson speak with you already about how you would have your own security until the vandalism problem is cleared up?” Caroline asked.

Katie nodded and Caroline continued. “This is Jonathan James and he’s been assigned to you. He will just be watching over you and making sure that any threats against you are contained. We’d like to ask you to exercise caution, you know, be a little more aware of your surroundings and let Jonathan know immediately if you notice anything out of the ordinary.”

“I will, but having a personal bodyguard seems a little extreme.” Katie managed a nervous smile.

“I’m sure it’s overkill, but Mr. Jackson feels very strongly about making sure that you are safe. Feel free to call me if you have any questions.”

With that, Caroline left Jonathan alone with Katie, Cara, and Tiffany, her footsteps fading as she made her way through the venue.

“So, should I call you Jonathan or Mr. James?” Katie gave the serious man a winsome smile.

“Jonathan is fine, ma’am. We’ll be spending a lot of time together so please feel free to get comfortable. I’m going to try to stay out of your way for the most part. I’m just here to make sure nothing happens to you, so try to forget I’m around if you can.”

Tiffany and Cara stifled giggles and Katie laughed. “Well I don’t know if we can forget you’re here but we’ll do our best.”

Jonathan surprised them with a quick grin that revealed very white, very straight teeth. “All right, ladies, then if you don’t need anything I’ll step outside. I’ll be right outside your door.”

Jonathan stepped aside as Blake came in and poked his head in the door. “Can I come in?” He gave Katie an irresistible boyish smile.

“Sure, come on in, we’re all decent in here,” Katie responded. She slid off her chair and smiled in anticipation. Seeing Blake was exactly what she needed.

Blake made his way into the dressing room, oblivious to the charged energy that filled the space when he entered. The hair and makeup girls were frozen in place, and Katie realized that they had probably never met him. “Come on in. We’re just doing hair and makeup. This is my dream team, Tiffany and Cara. Girls, this is Blake.”

Blake crossed the room and shook each girl’s hand in turn. “It’s nice to meet you, ladies. I think you’ve got your work cut out for you; it’s hard to improve on perfection.” He laughed good-naturedly and the women giggled. Blake kissed Katie gently and squeezed her hand. “I just wanted to check in on you. Caroline said that there had been no sign of trouble today, and I see that you met Jonathan. Is everything all right?”

“Everything is fine. It’s a little weird to have a muscled bodyguard standing outside my door but I’m managing. I’m just trying to relax and focus on the show.” Katie tried to ignore the curious stares of Tiffany and Cara. “Jonathan seems like he’ll take good care of me, and I’m doing all right.”

Blake pulled Katie closer and kissed the top of her head. “All right, that’s good. I’ve got an interview to get to before the show, so if you need anything just ask Jonathan or Caroline. If there’s an emergency, get them to pull me away. Please just make sure you’re close to Jonathan until I can get back to you. I know that you’re in good hands, but I won’t feel comfortable until you’re back in mine.”

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me; I’ll see you tonight.”

Blake reluctantly released his hold on Katie, pressed another warm, lingering kiss on her lips, and left her dressing room. Katie sat back down in her chair and sighed contentedly as she watched him leave. The view was just as good coming as going. Katie laughed when she realized that Tiffany and Cara hadn’t moved an inch from where they stood when they met Blake. The girls stood perfectly still, mouths agape, staring at Katie. She cleared her throat and they snapped back to attention.

“Oh. My. God. You and Blake Jackson are together? He is so hot!” Tiffany squealed. She rooted around in her bag and found a blush brush.

“He really is gorgeous. Like seriously, the best looking guy I’ve ever seen. He even smells good,” Cara said as she practically swooned.

“He is pretty amazing,” Katie admitted. “I am one lucky girl.”

“Lucky? It’s like you won the boyfriend lottery, honey. That man is sex on two legs.” Tiffany laughed as she swirled the brush in Katie’s blush and swept it across Katie’s cheeks.

Katie giggled. “I’ll tell him you think so.”

“You’ll do no such thing!” Tiffany flushed with embarrassment. “I can make you look like a clown, missy.”

Katie threw up her hands in surrender. “Okay, Okay, not a word,” she promised with a laugh.

“He’s, like, an amazing kisser, isn’t he? You can tell by just looking at him.” Cara asked Katie with a dreamy look on her face.

Katie hugged herself and gave the girls a conspiratorial smile. “Yeah, it’s pretty amazing. I mean, he is a really good kisser. Sometimes I feel like it’s got to be a dream. Like there’s no way this could be happening to me.”

“Well, I’m totally jealous, girl. That man is beautiful.” Cara said.

Tiffany and Cara finished Katie’s hair and makeup, and Jonathan accompanied Katie to her band’s pre-show meeting. Once she left the safe haven of her dressing room, she felt exposed and her nerves were frazzled, but she forced herself to put herself in the hands of the security team and focus on the show. It was a relief knowing that once they finished the Knoxville show that the bands would load into their buses and head out for Nashville. Of course, someone could just as easily follow them to the next city, but at least for tonight she could relax on the bus, confident that no one would be able to reach them.

• • •

The buses rolled into Nashville in the early morning hours while the musicians slept. Once they woke up, the day would be full of press and fan events before the show. Blake Jackson was Nashville’s pride and joy, and since word had gotten out about his romance with the gorgeous young fiddler in the opening act, everybody wanted a piece of the story. Katie and her new bodyguard Jonathan were both on board Blake’s bus, as the police found no evidence on or around his bus after the tires were slashed on hers. There were no fingerprints, no usable footprints, nobody saw anything, and nothing was left behind.

On board Blake’s bus, Katie awoke to the annoying beep of the alarm and the tempting aroma of coffee brewing in the kitchen. Jonathan was already up and working on his laptop at Caroline’s desk. She could hear the clack of his keyboard as he worked, probably checking the morning news and catching up on emails. She stretched and luxuriated in the feel of Blake’s expensive sheets and his soft mattress. Every moment she spent on Blake’s bus reminded her of how much shabbier her own was. She loved being with her band and was proud of all that they had accomplished, but Blake’s bus sure was nice. He slept beside her, his long lashes dark against his gorgeous face. She could stare at him all day. His tousled hair and faint stubble made him seem more vulnerable to her. So different from the man who filled a room with his presence, who handled every problem that came their way with authority, who had kept her safe from harm. Katie’s eyes felt hot as tears threatened to fall as she gazed at this beautiful man. This beautiful man who would be out of her life in just a few days. How was she going to say goodbye? How could she forget him?