"I like when you don't think too much."

I chuckle, "oh yeah? You're into dumb chicks then?"

"No. I'm into you - more so when you just let things happen."

I blush. "I'm sure you do."

Steele finishes chewing, "Come on, babe, we have some serious chemistry. You can't deny that."

"I'm not denying it. It's just...reality."

"Reality is whatever you want it to be."

He lets that sink in while we eat some more. I look at him - at us - me in my pajamas, him in his jeans, sitting here in bed enjoying a meal together. It's like we we've always been meant to do this - to be like this.

It's not like I haven't dated. I've just never felt this comfortable with anyone else. I don't know if I ever will - or if I even want to. It's just that he's Steele - Steele Rush, rock star. He lives this crazy life that I vowed never to be a part of.

The life I chose to leave behind. The life that he built after leaving me - but he didn't leave me. He wanted me to come. I left him. I let him go. Now here we are again, like nothing ever happened. It's crazy how fate works sometimes.

We both finish eating and get up to clear everything from the bed. I open the door to place the trays outside in the hallway. When I turn to go back inside, I hear someone say, "hello." It's Jasmine. Great.

"Oh, hey, Jasmine," I answer.

"Hungry?" she asks, looking at all the plates I'm leaving outside.

"It was a long day," I respond vaguely.

As much as I would love to throw it in her face that Steele is here with me, I don't need anyone knowing - especially not her and especially not now.

She walks closer. My body stiffens protectively as she approaches. I notice she's holding a beer bottle. I assume she's coming from the bar in the lobby.

"Having fun here so far?" she asks. I'm not one hundred percent clear what she means, but I'm confident she couldn't care less if I was having a good time.

"So far, so good," I reply. I try to walk back into my room, but she doesn't stop.

"Good for you."

Jasmine is next to me, making it awkward for me to shut the door.

"Thanks. So, have a good night," I say, not so gently making it clear that I don't wish to make any more small talk.

She peers over my shoulder and catches sight of Steele. Her eyes widen.

"Well, looks like you really are having fun," she says through gritted teeth, "hi, Steele."

"Hey, Jasmine." Steele gives her a wave from inside the room. He's still in nothing other than his jeans. There's no pretending this is a business meeting - or anything remotely innocent for that matter.

"Okay, well, good night." This time, I don't bother trying to be polite. I turn around and close the door behind me.

Shit.

I really didn't want to be rude, but I basically just got caught doing something I'm not supposed to by a woman who would give anything for a chance to ruin me, I'm sure. I didn't want to try and explain myself. I wouldn't know what to say anyway.

"So, you wanna watch a movie?" Steele asks nonchalantly.

"I don't know. Maybe you should go."

He looks at me like I'm crazy, "why would I do that?"

"Jasmine? She knows you're here. This was a bad idea."

Steele walks over to me and takes my hands in his, "look at me, Annika."

I comply, looking up at him.

"I don't give a fuck about Jasmine or anyone else. You're here. We are finally together. I've waited too long and come too far to let you go again - not tonight, not ever."

I smile meekly, his words cutting right down to my soul. He's right. Maybe. I think. Ugh, this is all so confusing.

Last week, I wouldn't have given Steele a second thought. So much has changed - and so fast. I shouldn't have let this happen, but I couldn't have stopped it if I tried. I didn't want to.

Steele takes my chin in his hand and tilts my face up to his, "never. You're mine now. I'm not going to let you get away again."

He presses his lips onto mine. It's not soft and gentle like the last time. This time, it's hard and rough and needy - and I like it.

I consider myself a strong woman. Normally, the idea of a man saying I'm his would make me laugh. Not this time. I want to be his. I never wanted anything more - and that scares me.

He pushes my back up against the wall, pinning me there, his mouth on mine, his body pressing against mine. Steele takes my hands in his and raises them up over my head. He uses one of his to hold mine up. We continue to kiss. I can feel how hard he is already - even through his jeans.

Steele takes his free hand and moves it under my shirt. He grabs my breasts and firmly massages them. Instinctively, I try to take my arms from his grip so I can touch him, but he doesn't let me. That only turns me on more.

He maintains his hold on my hands. Our mouths still on one another, he reaches down and unfastens his jeans. I feel him working them down his legs. He never put his underwear back on and his cock is hard and ready and pressing into my hip.

I make another attempt to reach for him, but he's still not letting me go. He easily removes my pants and my panties in one motion. It's not like I'm trying to fight him at all.

Steele slips his hand between my legs. My body starts to fold, but he's holding me up. I want to touch him so bad, but I can't, he wont let me.

He slides one strong finger inside my slit. He pulls his mouth from mine, "I love the way your pussy feels, baby."

I pant, breathless. I've never wanted someone as bad as I do right now.

"Can you do something for me?" Steele asks playfully. His finger is moving back and forth, making me even wetter. It doesn't matter what he's going to ask, the answer is yes. Fuck yes.

"Promise me you're not going to leave me again."

"Mmhmm." I'm having trouble forming words.

"Come on, I want you to say it."

He inserts another finger and moves faster. We're not kissing anymore, but his face is close enough that I can feel his warm breath against my cheek.

"I promise," I whisper.

"You promise what?" He skillfully rubs his fingers against my clit. I moan.

"I promise I'm not leaving again."

"Good. I'm not going to let you this time anyway."

Steele releases my wrists and I grab at him, wrapping myself around his shoulders. Unable to touch him before this moment, I don't know where to put my hands first.

In one motion, he picks me up and plunges his cock inside me. I gasp and dig my nails into his back. Steele crashes his mouth back onto mine. His tongue works my mouth while his shaft works inside me. Good thing he's holding me up against the wall because I feel weak right now.

This is nothing like the sensual love we made earlier, this is very different. It's like Steele wants to give me as many reasons as possible to stay, but I don't need any more.

His thrusts are deep. His pace is steady. My body is pressed between Steele and the wall behind me. Steele is holding me in place. His body is solid, his skin is warm, almost every inch of our beings are in contact.

He buries his cock deep inside of me, making me quiver. I feel him from my core all the way into my soul. I lean my head back and Steele uses the opportunity to kiss my neck. He sucks gently and tunnels himself deep inside again.

I shudder. My body convulses. I hold onto Steele's back and lose all control. He pushes into me making sure every inch of his thick cock is buried inside me. I tighten around him, causing him to climax with me. He rocks back and forth, still holding me up. Slowing the tempo with each thrust until we're almost still.

Steele holds me in place against the wall, nuzzling his face into my neck. We catch our breath and he loosens his hold on me. He reluctantly moves back, but not much, just enough to see my face. He looks at me with that crooked smile I love so much - even more so when I know it's just for me.

"Now you're not gonna forget your promise, right?" Steele teases.

"What promise?" I kid back.

Steele presses his body against mine again, "do you need a reminder?"

"Maybe."

He puts his hands on my bare hips and places a soft kiss on my lips. I slide my tongue into his mouth. We kiss, slowly. It's passionate and loving more than needy this time - and it's perfect. It's like he knows just what I need even when I don't.

"So...my place or yours?" he asks.

I look at him and roll my eyes.

"Come on babe, Jasmine already knows I'm here which means everyone will know tomorrow at some point. Might as well make the best of it."

"Then I guess you can stay here." I beam up at him.

He takes my hand and leads me back over to the bed. My heart sinks a little knowing Steele might be right about Jasmine telling everyone on tour that she saw us. I cringe with the thought of what might happen if everyone finds out Steele and I spent the night together.

His whole crew is bound to lose respect for me - not that they really had much to begin with - but that was for different reasons. If they think I'm just some trashy one night stand, there will be an entire new set of obstacles to overcome.

Not to mention that Jayne will flip the fuck out. I would take a lot of heat for getting involved with my client and quite possibly lose my job. It doesn't matter what history Steele and I have, it's complicated. Every single part of it - of us.

I don't want to think about all of that right now. I want to live in the moment and enjoy what's left of tonight before I have to deal with the consequences of tomorrow.

We get into the bed. Steele lies on his back and I instinctively curl up against him. It's weird. It comes so naturally, like we've shared this routine for years. The last thing I remember, is him petting my hair as I lay on his chest.

Chapter 7.

We woke up early and Steele snuck back to his own room. He didn't think it was necessary - that was my request. I decided to start my day with the belief that no one will ever know him and I were together last night. I'm going to give Jasmine the benefit of the doubt. I'm having a hard time believing it myself, but maybe if I keep telling myself it's true, it will be.

I pack my things back into my travel bag and go down to the lobby to wait for the bus. I try to look busy and keep to myself so I don't have to talk to anyone - especially Jasmine.

The buses are outside, but I opt to skip the chance to do interviews today and ride with Steve. I don't have it in me to face anyone who might already know about Steele and I.

I casually look around the lobby, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. I notice Steve sitting alone on one of the couches drinking a cup of coffee. I scan the rest of the area. The coast is clear so I walk over to him. Steve looks up when I approach.

"Hey, Annika. How was your night?"

I realize he means nothing by it, but I'm immediately on the defense. Today should be fun.

"Pretty good, and yours?"

"It's always nice to get a good night's sleep. I didn't join in the festivities last night, I went up to bed."

"That's never a bad idea, you know." I smile in agreement, "mind if I ride with you today?"

"Sure. I would love the company."

"Thanks."

"Are you sure you don't want to ride on the bus? We have a few hours left until we reach New York. I'm sure you can get some interviews in on the way."

He's right. I should be doing that, but I'm not.

"I'm sure. I thought maybe you and I could talk a little more today. Some of the crew are still giving me a hard time. Maybe you can shed some light or give me some tips how I can get through to the rest of them."

It's not a total lie. I could use some advice anyway.

"Sorry you're getting so much resistance."

"Don't be. I'm used to it - besides, it's not your fault."

We hear some chattering and laughing from behind us and turn around. Several members of the crew are entering the lobby together. I tense up, skeptical about what to expect.

"Steve," one of the guys addresses him with a nod and continues to walk passed.