Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Leaning back against the dingy gray brick she inhaled deeply. She’d needed to get out of there, just for a minute, to get away from those sexy dark eyes. She nearly choked on the stream of exhaled smoke when the owner of those eyes came through the door. “What are you doing out here?” she sputtered.

He pulled a crumpled pack of Marlboros from his pocket. “Smoking, same as you.” He tapped out a cigarette and fished in his pocket for his lighter. “Fuck” he muttered. Jon had it. He looked sheepishly at Billie Sue. “Got a light darlin’?”

She reached into her pocket, coming up with her pink Bic. “Here.” She held it out, her fingers trembling slightly and she flicked the flame to life. “Ya know ya can smoke inside, right?”

Tilting his head he cupped his hand around hers, his fingers lingering on her skin as he inhaled, his eyes never leaving hers. Letting out a steady stream of smoke he plucked the lighter from her fingers and slipped it back into her pocket. “Thanks.”

Turning his head slightly, he caught a hint of her scent and his body tightened. She smelled faintly of diner food mixed with just a hint of vanilla. “I want to apologize for my friend. He can be an ass sometimes.” He thought about that for a minute. Alec was an ass most of the time but he really didn’t come out here to talk about him.

Nervously, she dropped her cigarette, stubbing out the butt with her heel. He was standing so close, his breath was right there in her ear. Her body blossomed with goose bumps. If she just turned her head she could get a taste of those luscious lips. “He’s not the first, sure as shit he won’t be the last.”

Guys like him were why she had had her uncle, the deputy, teach her some self defense moves. She used that thumb and two finger take down at least three times a week. God if she could just get out of here she wouldn’t have to worry about creeps like him anymore.

Stretching his arm, he rested it high on the door frame, fitting his long, lean body between it and her. “Yeah, well, I just wanted you to know that we’re not all like him. We actually do have manners. Most of the time.”

She nearly snorted. “Someone oughtta remind your friend of that.” She glanced at her watch and then up into his face, a beautiful face that was surrounded by a mass of thick dark hair. She wondered if it was as soft as it looked. “I need to get back.”

He dropped the forgotten smoke to the ground, crushing it with his foot. He wasn’t quite ready to let her go just yet. Looking down at her, he trailed one long finger lightly down the side of her face and across her jaw, fascinated when her eyes dilated and her mouth dropped open ever so slightly. What he wouldn’t give for a taste of those shiny pink lips and that pretty little tongue. “What time do you get off?”

Her fingers pressed tightly into the brick at her sides and her heart raced. She was sure she was going to have a heart attack just from that one light touch. “10:00” she nearly squeaked. “I’m closing tonight.” She needed to move away from him before she really embarrassed herself, but she couldn’t seem to get her feet to work.

He nodded and stepped back, giving her room to get to the door. “I may have to come back for dessert.”

She hesitated, her hand on the door. Would he really come back? Pulling the door open she stepped in ahead of him desperate to change the subject, to get herself under come kind of control. “Are ya staying around here long? Y’all playing a show somewhere around here or something?”

He leaned in, resting his hand on the wall again, his front nearly pressing against her back. “Just passing through on the way to our next gig and, wouldn’t you know it, our bus broke down. It’s over at the garage so I guess we’re stuck here til it’s fixed.”

She swallowed heavily, he was so close she could practically taste him. “Where are y’all staying?”

He turned his head, his breath caressing the shell of her ear, his fingers teasing the ends of her ponytail. “I don’t know darlin’. Is there a hotel around here somewhere?”

“J-just up the road” she stuttered and stopped to take a breath. Damn it Billie Sue she berated herself, cool it. “Just up the road a piece there’s the Motor Inn.” It probably wasn’t what they were used to, but it was all their little town offered.

“Cool” he practically sighed in her ear. “I’ll have to tell Jon.” It was probably some little rat hole of a place but he didn’t care. As long as there was a bed with a pillow it was fine with him. Even better if they actually had to stay the night. He had her so flustered he was sure to get a little action if he came back later. When she didn’t say anything more he touched the hand that was on the door, “are you going to open this? My food’s getting cold.”

“Sorry” she stammered and pulled open the door. She really needed to get herself together before heading back out to her customers. Without another word she detoured to the kitchen to wash her hands and he continued back to his table.

Sliding back into the booth he frowned at his plate. “Who ate my fries?”

When no one owned up he glared at his friends. “Fuckers, all of you.” He picked up his sandwich and took a bite before turning to Jon. “We staying here tonight?”

Jon shrugged, “dunno. Doc’s trying to find out how long its going to take to fix the bus. Why?”

“Bille Sue said there’s a hotel just up the road.”

Jon eyebrows shot up in speculations. “Isn’t that convenient. Does she provide room service too?”

Richie elbowed him in the gut. “Shut up.”