Jesus.
Gio had to be the most tempting man I’d met and damn sure the most talented. I knew I was weak. I knew I was recovering from an accident and hypothermia. But I wanted him. Right in that moment. Right in his bed or massive tub. I craved his hands and the big dick I was sure he had.
However, I couldn’t get involved with another musician.
He lowered me into the tub, doing his best to not ogle my breasts and thighs. He was a perfect gentleman, even though I wouldn’t have minded if he’d been a little wicked and snuck a glance. I damn sure had been drooling over him since I’d woken up.
Calm down. Remember, it would be fun to do something with him now, but think of tomorrow and the next and next. What could really come out of this?
I sighed and pushed my horny thoughts away. Warm water caressed my skin, and bubbles rose around me.
He sat on the edge and placed the plastic pillows behind my back. “Do you mind if I stay here with you?”
“No, I would love the company, but...I do feel guilty.”
“Why?”
“I’m sure you have plans—”
“All my time is dedicated to you. I invited you up because I wanted to completely focus on...our music.”
I pretended to ignore the break in his statement.
“What type of flowers do you like?” he asked.
“All of them. I’ve never met one that I hated.”
“What type of flowers does Ru get you?”
“Roses.”
“Roses.” Sarcasm dripped from his words. “That definitely says this is all business.”
“Very funny.”
“Hey, maybe I’m jealous. My manager has never brought me flowers or cleaned for me.”
I laughed, picturing his notorious manager, Midnight doing anything more than wearing expensive jewelry, smoking a cigar, and being surrounded by women.
“You mentioned women,” he said. “I’ve been on a sort of retreat for a year. I haven’t had much contact with my family and friends, and there’s definitely been no women around.”
“You did say you were bored up here. You were serious?”
“In some ways. Usually, I’m content but when I talk to you on the phone, I suddenly realize I’m bored as hell.”
“So, no dating or anything?”
He grinned. “You mean sex? No.”
I nodded. “Me too, but it’s been much longer.”
His expression changed to something unreadable. “How long?”
“About five years.”
“Jason would’ve said you were officially a virgin again.”
I giggled. “He sounds like he was funny.”
“He was when he wasn’t swimming against the current of darkness.” He reached out and touched my curls. “Would it be weird if I washed your hair?”
“Yes, but it would also rock my world and be the coolest memory in my head.”
Gio grabbed another elegant jar full of a liquid that looked like blended pearls. “Why haven’t you been dating?”
“Very long explanation.”
“We have time.”
I sighed. “I’m not a fan of dating musicians and for the past five years, that’s all I’ve been around as I try to make it to the top.”
“We do get a bad rap, but it’s not like we don’t deserve it.”
“You want to hear a joke?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“What’s a new musician without a girlfriend?”
“I don’t know.”
“Homeless.”
He nodded. “That’s definitely true. I’ve seen a lot of women foot the bill for their guy as he follows his dreams and then he makes it, breaks up with her, and she’s broke and alone.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are good guys in the industry.”
“Not many. You’re right to be wary.” He poured the pearl shampoo onto my hair. Cool liquid tingled against my scalp. He cupped some water and spilled it onto my hair and then massaged those perfumed suds into my curls. It felt so good, I forgot what I’d been talking about.
He asked, “So, your policy is no dating musicians?”
“My policy is no dating, period, until I’ve reached some of my goals. I’m focused.”
“You sound like me back in the day.”
“It’s hard dating guys that are climbing the music ladder like me.” I leaned back and drowned in his attention. “They only want us to focus on them. My songs, my time, my goals…they’re not important.”
“This is why most male musicians marry women who aren’t doing anything,” he said. “Think about it. There are a few that married models and actresses that were always successful, but when you get to the top of our world, you tend to see a lot of narcissism. And narcissists like compliant, doting wives. For her to have her own dreams and goals would be disrespectful to him. Selfish even.”
“I can see that.”
He poured water through my hair and I closed my eyes, melting away with the water. “How do you feel, Simone?”
“Like I could live in this tub with you washing my hair forever.”
“It wouldn’t be a bad way to spend the rest of my life, playing with these curls.” He lathered my hair some more and then rinsed it out again. “Can I offer another bit of knowledge?”