Hillbilly Rockstar (Blacktop Cowboys 6)

Here’s where the change in their relationship caused her hesitation and some confusion. Was she supposed to try to soothe him like a lover would? Or keep their interaction focused on business?

When Devin plopped down and rested his head against the back cushion with a sigh, she reacted instinctively. She straddled his lap, curled her hands around his face and kissed him. She didn’t offer him comfort, but distraction.

He eased back and murmured, “You taste so damn sweet. Like maple syrup.”

“And you taste like stolen bacon.”

He laughed softly and returned to the kiss. Keeping it just as sweet and soothing as she had. No rush, just focusing on sliding lips, twining tongues and gentle touches.

Something shifted inside her.

No. It was just the bus swaying; that’s all.

Devin’s lips slid free from hers, and he followed the curve of her neck down to the top button of her blouse. “Thank you.”

“Truly my pleasure. Is there anything else I can do?”

“Not now. But it’s an understatement to say I don’t trust her or that bunch of clowns she calls a management team. So just keep a closer eye on it tonight.”

Liberty tipped his head back to look into his eyes. “Should I be worried to the point I’ll need to add extra security?” Not that she could at this late in the day.

“Maybe around me so I’m not tempted to throttle her.”

“I’m keeping my stun gun away from your twitchy fingers.”

Devin sighed again—an agitated sound. “This venue is great for everything except there aren’t any backstage accommodations other than sponsor tents.”

“Want me to duck into my bunk so you can get into the right headspace?”

“Where would I warm up? In the shower? Wait. That’s your special singing spot.” His eyes narrowed. “That reminds me. We never talked about why you didn’t mention you’ve got a killer voice.”

She tried to squirm away. “Stop teasing me.”

Then he wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and held her in place. “I’m serious. When I heard you singing in my shower I thought you were Tay.”

“Maybe the manufacturer added excellent acoustics in the shower since this is a rockstar bus.”

He made an annoyed noise. “If the acoustics were that damn good, I’d record my next album in there. So try again. Where’d you learn to sing so well that I confused you with a professional vocalist? Have you had training?”

“Are you kidding me? Half the time we didn’t have enough money for food. I’ve always liked to sing. I still do. That’s it.”

“That’s it, she says.” He brushed his lips across hers. “So if you like to sing, sing with me.”

“What? No way.”

“Please.” Another brush of his velvety lips.

“Devin. Don’t.”

“Sing with me one time and then I’ll leave you alone.”

She snorted. Right.

Then he started to hum. She recognized the song and the next line popped into her head. But her lips remained firmly closed.

“Come on, you know you want to. Sing a little something with me and I promise I’ll play a song—any song you want—onstage tonight just for you.”

Devin hummed louder. Then he switched to the actual lyrics. And she couldn’t help herself when he hit the catchy chorus; she chimed in. So softly at first she doubted he heard her.

But he immediately matched her softer tone, so their voices were the same strength. On the next line, Devin sang harmony as she kept up the melody.

When they reached the end of the tune, Devin grinned and kissed her. “Screw bein’ my bodyguard. I’m makin’ you my new backup singer.”

Liberty blushed. “High praise. Thank you.”

“Would it be over-the-top if I said, Baby, we’re gonna make beautiful music together?”

“Yes, and it makes you a total dork.”

“You wound me, darlin’.” He slapped her ass. “I gotta get ready.”

“I need to make a phone call anyway.”

Devin was so distracted he didn’t ask who she was calling.

Which was a good thing because the call she needed to make might end everything.

“Garrett.”

“Liberty. I’m surprised to hear from you in person. You usually e-mail me your reports. What’s goin’ on?”

“Something came up, and I don’t know what to do.”

“What happened?”

No reason to make polite chitchat. She blurted out, “I slept with Devin.”

A pause, then, “I assume it was by mutual consent?”

“Of course.”

“Is he demanding replacement security?”

“No. In fact, just the opposite. Devin seems to think we’re in some sort of personal relationship.”

“Of course he does,” Garrett drawled. “Think that’ll put him in danger? He expects you to act like his girlfriend and not as his bodyguard?”

Liberty leaned her head against the plush padding in her bunk wall. “To be honest, I’m not sure. This is a job, but yet it feels different somehow.” Until now she’d avoided drawing parallels between this situation and the one with her commanding officer. They were similar in that she and Sean had to keep what they were doing a secret; they both could’ve faced disciplinary actions. Devin wasn’t asking her to keep their intimate relationship under wraps, but her purpose for being with him, who she really was, was a secret from the rest of the band. Part of her thought that was a harder pill to swallow.