I smiled, holding her gaze with a challenging look. “And are you?”
She stared back, her smile widening, then shook her head. “Nope. I knew there was a chance this might be difficult, but I’m good. I’m here, first and foremost, to do a job for you, and that’s exactly what I plan to do. I'm not going to let anything get in the way of that.”
“And the sex?” I cocked an eyebrow.
Her eyes beamed with mischief as she laughed. “Just a wicked hot bonus.”
I grinned and leaned across the counter to kiss her. The ice cream tasted sweeter on her mouth than my spoon. She giggled, wiping ice cream off her chin as I pulled away.
“Mmm, you taste good.” I winked at her. “Incredibly good. I think it’s possible I could eat you all day.”
“So do you,” she winked back at me, then took her spoon, rubbing some melted ice cream on her chest. “Still hungry, Owen? Has your appetite been satisfied yet, or are you still hungry for more?
“Ohhh, you really are a tease, aren't you?” I laughed as I put down my spoon, coming around the island with my eyes locked on hers all the while.
“It’s only teasing if you don’t back it up.” Her perfect lips curved into a smile as she tilted her head back, waiting for me to move in. I leaned down, licking the ice cream off her silky, soft skin and felt my desire stiffening below with an almost painful desperation. It was going to be a long, hot night.
Chapter Twenty
Nalia
“Come on, guys, let’s get your stuff loaded on the bus!” I shouted over the commotion the guys were making with their hooting and hollering. To say they were pumped about going on tour was an understatement. As each one of them arrived, there were more chest bumps, high fives, laughs, and cheers—and what seemed like way more testosterone than I could deal with. And to top it all off, not one of them was listening to me.
I had kno
wn that keeping this bunch of guys in line was going to be a challenge. I just hadn't realized exactly how much of a challenge it would turn out to be right off the bat. I could see myself being a frazzled, burnt-out wreck by the end of this tour. I really hoped that this wasn't what it was going to be like for the entire trip. How the hell would I be able to survive that with my sanity intact?
Talon was currently thrusting his hips and slapping the air in an obscene mating display while the others guffawed at him. I sighed and looked over at Owen who was laughing and obviously not going to be any help at all, even if he wasn’t joining in along with the others. If this really was a preview of the months to come, I would have my hands full and then some.
I sighed, took a deep breath, and prepared to get my attitude on. These guys would need strict discipline, and I had to let them know that I wouldn't take any crap from them.
“Talon, get your gear loaded. We need to get going soon. We have a sixteen-hour drive ahead of us to get to Seattle by the morning, and your messing around is gonna make everyone late. You can screw around as much as you want on the bus while we're driving, but right now, you're on my time, and I won't let you mess up this schedule. Now come on, get to it!”
Talon stopped what he was doing and gave me a look that I would definitely classify as defiant. He obviously didn't like being told what to do—especially by a woman.
“Come on, guys, let’s load up,” Owen finally said, backing me up. Perhaps he hadn’t remembered just how long of a drive we had until I mentioned it. There was a general grumble between the others, but they did as Owen said, obviously used to taking orders from him. I could totally understand now why he needed an assistant. Dealing with all of them, as well as all the ins and outs of planning out a tour, was downright exhausting.
“All right, so our plan of attack is to sleep on the bus tonight, work with the lighting and sound crew around lunch, then rehearsal from two to three, and then we'll be on stage at nine, as soon as the opening act has played. We have a seriously tight schedule to keep, so I need your gear loaded under the bus and your bags and anything you’ll need tonight loaded inside,” I told them once they were somewhat listening. There were more groans of protest at the schedule.
“Hey, you guys were just chest bumping and high-fiving about going on tour moments ago; did you forget touring is work, too? You've got thousands of expectant fans all pumped for this show. Now, do you guys want to let them down by being late or putting on a sloppy performance? No, I'm sure you don't. So, let's get a move on.”
Owen snickered at my gentle reminder, and I smiled to myself. The others quit complaining and finally started loading their stuff on board. I checked my watch and saw that we had another thirty minutes before we were scheduled to leave.
I was still waiting for Jackson to bring a bag I’d forgotten in my rush. I wouldn’t have asked him if it hadn’t been necessary, but that bag contained all my makeup and toiletries. I wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of having my brother come out and be face-to-face with the band he loathed me going on tour with, but Grace was working, so he was my only option if I wanted my makeup—which I did.
“Dude! Yes! Champagne!” Talon bounded off the bus holding a green bottle of champagne. He was followed by Jay, who was holding an identical bottle. Both immediately popped off the corks and began spraying them around. I sighed and looked at Owen.
“Maybe I should have told the caterer no champagne,” I said.
“Nah, let ‘em have some fun,” he insisted. “I’ll make sure we get off on time. And don't worry, these guys can handle their liquor. They'll be fine to rehearse and play, and I'll keep a tab on things and make sure they don't get too out of control.”
I shook my head, watching the guys jump around with the champagne bottles. As if right on cue, my brother pulled up. His face said everything when he got out of the car and saw the guys being idiots. He was definitely still not cool with me going. He eyed the others disapprovingly and then finally shot Owen a look of disdain as he walked over. Talon and the others noticed him, stopped their champagne fight, and came over to meet him.
“Hey! You must be Nalia’s big bro! I’m Talon, this is Nate, Jay, Jeremiah,” Talon introduced the guys, and they all went to shake hands with Jackson. He hesitated, but shook their hands, wiping the champagne on his jeans.
“Jackson Dean. Yes, I’m Nalia’s older brother,” he said, puffing his chest out a little.
Owen stepped forward past me and put his hand out. “Owen Young. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jackson.”