Catch Me When I Fall (Falling Stars 2)

I rested one side of my face on the hammering going down in his chest. “Bus pulls out in two hours. I need to get a shower before we leave.”

He angled up so he could press his nose into my neck. “I think I like you just fine smelling like me.”

Another giggle.

Electricity skimmed my skin. Pinpricks of growing need.

If I could have, I thought I might have stayed there forever.

“Well, you might like it just fine, but I’m pretty sure the rest of the band might have something else to say about it.”

He leaned back, hitting me with a grin.

Affection bloomed in my spirit.

I thought there was a chance I liked this bad boy far too much.

“Not sure I give a shit what anyone has to say about us.” His gaze was tender. Playful, even.

My heart expanded.

It was the first time he was even talking like this.

Like . . . like maybe we were a possibility.

“I don’t so much, either.”

Then his fingers were winding in my hair, and he was kissing me.

Deeply.

Hands exploring. Palming my bottom, urging me closer, riding up my back until he was framing my face in his firm, sure hold. Angling me just where he wanted me.

My heart stampeded, pressing full at my chest, my stomach coiled in exquisite threads that I was pretty sure were stitching me together.

Keeping me from splintering apart in his hands.

Breaking the kiss, Royce dropped back to the pillow, pants ripping from his chest and something that looked like a satisfied smirk riding his delicious mouth.

I peeked up at him, biting my swollen lip. “I really need to go.” It was loaded with reluctance.

“That’s a terrible idea,” he murmured.

“We’ll be on the bus soon. You don’t have to wait that long.”

He sighed a rough, needy sound, softness mixed in the middle of it. “Is it wrong I’m afraid this moment is going to cease to exist? That I’m going to be stepping back into an old reality the second you disappear back over that wall?”

“And why would you think that?”

“Because I can’t have you.”

I reached up and traced the scruff of his jaw. “You already do.”

A frown pulled across his brow, and I kissed it, trying to ease the pressure.

I got it.

He was supposed to be representing us. Bringing us into the Mylton Records fold. Right then, I was his job. But after last night, I was certain our hearts rose so far above all of that. We could figure it out.

“I think . . . I think I might be ready.” The words creaked with uncertainty when I released them.

His scowl came at me with full force. “For what?”

“To sign.” My tongue darted out to wet my lips. “I’m tired of letting my past hold me back from what I want. Tired of letting the people who’ve hurt me be the rulers of my life.”

Worry flew through his expression, remorse and regret. “And are you sure this is what you want? To sign this record deal?”

Why was he looking at me as if maybe he thought I shouldn’t take the jump?

“You’re the one who told me I’m a star. That I’m meant for this.”

Confusion raced through my senses, and he tightened his hold on my face. “You are. And I want you to be sure you’re teaming with the right people to get you there.”

“I want you on my side,” I whispered close to his lips.

Strain blew out on a sigh, and he curled an arm around my waist. “I am. I want everything for you. Everything that you want in this life. You deserve it all.”

I was pretty sure it was too soon to tell him that was fast becoming him.

Giving in, he loosened his hold, mischief moving across his face. “Go on, gorgeous girl. You need to get back to your room before Melanie comes looking for you, and that is a shitstorm I can do without.”

“She’s not so bad.”

He arched a disbelieving brow. “I think the girl carries around a machete for the sole purpose of protecting your virtue. Every time she walks into the room, my dick shrivels up, sure it’s in mortal danger.”

More laughter, everything feeling so easy. “She likes you . . . I think you’re okay, big man. That pretty cock of yours is just fine.”

A teasing grimace paraded across his face, and oh man, did I like this side of him, too. “Uh . . . Mells Bells earned her name from somewhere. Think Rhys might be missing a vital part or two.” A defined brow arched. “And did you call my cock pretty?”

This time, my laughter rolled, and my head was spinning with a rush of dizziness.

Like streaks of sunlight blazing through the breaks in the trees.

Disorienting and beautiful.

“If it fits,” I muttered, doing my best to flirt and not trip into self-consciousness.