He licks his lips. “You are so damn beautiful.”
Noel’s lips crush into me and all I can think about is how much I want him. The thought of a night without him makes me savor this moment. Every inch of my world interweaves with this gorgeous man. It’s amazing how attached I am in such a short time.
His fingers are magical as they trace the delicate skin under my waist band. I moan and squeeze him tighter in my arms and then run my fingers through the dark hair on the nape of his neck.
A loud knock on the bedroom door startles me and I lose my focus. I reluctantly pull away from Noel's lips and my shoulders slump. Noel sighs and rests his forehead against mine and lets out a string of soft curse words.
I giggle at Noel’s frustration and kiss his lips knowing exactly how he feels.
The bedroom door flies open and I gasp. Riff barges through the door and his eyes land directly on my naked breasts. A shriek assaults my ears and it takes me a second to realize it came from me as I attempt to cover up my shirtless chest.
Noel protectively wraps his arms around me. "What the fuck, dude? I didn’t say come in."
"Sorry, Bro. Didn't know you were..." Riff's eyes slide down my body and a slow grin spreads across his face. "...busy."
Noel's eyes narrow at Riff. "Well, now you know. So get the fuck out."
Riff glances at my horrified face and then turns his attention back to Noel. "Just thought you would want to know your ride to the airport has been waiting for almost twenty-five minutes, but I can see you’re busy. I'll tell them to piss off."
A heavy sigh leaves Noel's mouth. "Thanks, man. Tell them I'll be out in a second."
Riff raises his eyebrows. "You sure? If I were you, I think I’d make them wait."
Noel’s fingers roll into fists. "Yeah. Now get the fuck out."
The door closes behind Riff after he shrugs and mumbles something that sounds like “your loss” under his breath.
The tension in Noel’s body lets up after Riff leaves the room. “I don’t like how he looks at you.”
I know exactly what he’s talking about. Riff’s gaze always seems to stay on me a few seconds too long, but I don’t need to feed Noel’s overactive imagination before he leaves. “He doesn’t mean anything by it. Besides he and Aubrey have sort of a thing.” I kiss Noel’s neck. “My eyes and body are only for you.”
He peers up at me through his long, sexy eyelashes. “Promise?”
I nod and place my lips on his.
“God, I wish you could come with me. I don’t want to leave you.”
“It’s only for a night, Noel. How much trouble can I possibly get into?”
Noel wrinkles his nose. “With this bunch…a lot. Don’t let them corrupt you while I’m gone, and don’t listen to a damn word they say.”
I laugh and kiss the tip of his scrunched nose. “You’re adorable when you worry.”
A smile creeps across his lips. “You think I’m adorable?”
“Quit fishing for compliments. You know the entire world thinks that about you.”
“Fuck the entire world. All that matters is what you think of me.”
I study his face. Does this man really need validation from me? He’s Noel Falcon, for crying out loud. He shouldn’t need me to validate anything, but after looking into his soulful eyes, I can see that he does. The look on his face tells me my opinion means everything to him right now.
The tips of my fingers trace the light stubble on his jaw line. “Of course I think you’re adorable. You are irresistible and great in bed.”
A sideways grin lights up his face before he threads his fingers into my hair. “That ride is going to have to wait after all.”
I giggle as he flips me around and tosses me on his bed.
****
The bed is cold and lonely with Noel gone. The bus hums down the road at an even pace. The bumps in the road sound almost rhythmic as the tires roll along the asphalt. I toss back and forth. It’s pointless to try and sleep.
The guys are playing music toward the front of the bus and their laughter is inviting. Four in the morning and they are still full of energy.
I sit up and shove myself off the bed. Light from the hallway streams into my eyes when I open the door—I squint to shield them.
“Hey, if it isn’t sleeping beauty,” Trip teases. “Lonely back there in the love shack?”
Heat creeps up my neck. These guys are never going to let me live down the fact they can hear Noel and I make love through the thin bus walls. I squeeze onto the small love seat beside Riff and try to avoid their stares. They hover around the small television, while Trip and Tyke battle in some shoot ‘em up game.
“Lanie, since he isn’t here, you have to tell us what Noel was like when you guys dated before,” Trip says.
“Yeah,” Tyke agrees, while adjusting the bandanna on his forehead. “We need dirt—the good stuff. Did he get the crap kicked out of him in school? We need ammo to torment him.”
He always led a pretty drama free life. “Sorry, guys. There’s isn’t much to tell. Noel’s pretty straight laced. He doesn’t have many secrets.”
“That you know of,” Riff chimes in.
My head snaps toward him. “What’s that suppose to mean? You keep alluding to some big thing Noel is keeping from me.”
Riff shrugs. “It means just that.”