“Just keeping her company for you.” He tossed his shoulder-length hair back and stood. “I’m going to do a final check before we get started.”
I took the seat he vacated, focusing my attention on Britt. “Have you ever been backstage at a concert before?”
She shook her head. “Not unless you count my ballet recital when I was about six.”
“I’m sure you crushed it.” I watched her throat as she took a sip of her water and swallowed. I wanted to reach out and smooth a hand over the tender spot on her neck where I could see her heartbeat pounding.
“Actually, I never made it onstage. I was so nervous I puked right before I was supposed to perform.” Her cheeks flushed a faint shade of pink.
I wanted to make her feel comfortable. Based on the way her toe tapped on the concrete floor, her nerves were getting the best of her. “I still get nervous every time I get on the stage.”
“I find that hard to believe.” She glanced up at me, barely meeting my gaze.
“Honest. In fact, I usually go through a pre-performance ritual to help me keep my nerves in check. You want to come with me?”
“Um…” She bit her lip and looked at her friend.
“Abby can come, too. I like to walk around behind the stage and make sure everything’s good to go.”
“Sure.” Britt stood, a little shaky on the sexy, red high-heeled sandals strapped to her feet.
“Watch yourself.” I immediately reached out to steady her.
“Thanks.” Her lips tipped up in a smile.
My chest filled with warmth when her eyes met mine.
“Abby, you want to come with us? Shane’s going to walk me around backstage.” Britt looped her arm through the crook of my elbow.
“If it’s okay with you, I’ll just stay here.” Abby looked pretty damn comfortable with Spike’s arm around her shoulder. I’d better warn Britt about his philandering ways before her friend got her heart broken by my sex-crazed bandmate.
“Looks like it’s just you and me.” Britt flashed me a nervous grin.
I wasn’t about to admit it to her, but that’s exactly how I preferred it. We moved down the hall, heading toward the stage. Every night before we went on, I went through the same routine: checked my own mic, thanked the crew, and called my son so he could wish me good luck.
Britt gripped my arm while I checked over the wireless mic. I wasn’t sure if it had more to do with her excitement being around the energy backstage or the sky-high heels she had on. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t complaining about having a gorgeous blonde on my arm. Especially when our opening act filtered past to take the stage.
“Break a leg tonight, y’all.” The lead singer held his fist out for a bump.
“Yeah, you, too.” I liked to show my support before they got started. It wasn’t too long ago that I was the one opening for bigger names. Being on the road sucked, but it sucked a lot less as the headlining act.
The guitarist strummed the first few notes, and the crowd went wild. Britt squeezed my arm. I’d been around this scene so long that the thrill had worn off. But seeing her eyes light up sent a bit of a thrill through me.
“I’m glad I came tonight.” She looked up at me, her eyes shining with excitement at the energy pulsing through the arena.
“Me, too.” The moment stretched while we stared at each other. Her tongue darted out and swept along her lower lip, pulling my attention to her full mouth. Fuck it all. I wanted to kiss her. I inched closer. Close enough to see her pulse hammering away. Close enough to hear her suck in a long breath. Close enough to feel her breasts brush against the front of my shirt.
Beep. Beep. Beep.My phone vibrated in my pocket, playing the special ringtone my nine-year-old son had picked out.
“I’m sorry, I need to take this.” I pulled it out of my pocket and gave Britt an apologetic grin. “Can you excuse me for a minute?”
“Of course, take your time.” She gestured down the hall. “I’ll just go freshen up and meet you back here in a few?”
Nodding, I pushed the button and held the phone to my ear. “Hey, bud.”
Britt moved down the dark tunnel toward the green room. I couldn’t help but watch the hypnotic way her ass swayed back and forth. Maybe if we’d met under different circumstances… maybe if we had more time…
5