Always Rayne (The ALWAYS SOMETIMES NEVER Rock Star Romance Series) (11 page)

Nic
moves in even closer, so close I think he might kiss me. But he stops just centimeters before his lips meet mine.

“I want to take things slowly,” he whispers. “Do things a little bit di
fferently this time.”

I actually feel myself deflate with disappointment.

“But why?” I mumble.

“Because you’re different.
Because this is different.”

“You’ve never taken things slowly before?”

He laughs. “No.”

“Why?”

“I’ve never had to.”

I furrow my brow.”
Never?”

“Let’s just say there’s a good reason they say being in a band is one of the best ways to get laid.
Even being in a cheesy band like Tuna Casserole.”

I hold my breath as
Nic takes his thumb and slowly caresses my cheek. Just that slight touch completely activates every nerve ending in my body. I can’t imagine what it will be like when he actually kisses me.

And I can’t believe I’m once again thinking about being with him. It’s getting to be a habit. One I’m not sure I like all that much. We’re so different. We’re from completely different backgrounds. We lead co
mpletely different lives. How could there ever be anything serious between us?

But could I e
ver be with him just on a short-term basis? Is it even in my DNA to have a fling? I’ve never even considered the idea and I can’t believe I’m considering it now. He’s just so irresistibly attractive. It’s almost like he’s got me under some kind of spell and I no longer have control of any rational thought or critical thinking skills.  

“What
’s on your mind?” Nic asks. His forehead shows lines of concern.

I shake my head.
“Nothing. I think I’m just getting a little light-headed. Maybe we should get out of the hot tub.”

“Does that mean the interview is over?”

“For now,” I tease.

***

I’m not sure why it’s suddenly bothering me so much. Sleeping in the bed with Nic. Maybe it’s because I know deep down if he tries anything, I might not say no.

I don’t want to be just another one of his conquests.
Another notch on his bedpost, as they say. If he even still keeps track of how many women he’s been with. If he did, would it be hundreds? Or even thousands? He is close to thirty years old. That’s a lot of years of potential partners.

“What’s up?”
Nic asks.

“I’ve never actually slept with anyone besides Jackson,” I admit.

“He’s the only guy you’ve ever been with?”

I heave a sigh. “I had a few boyfriends in high school but it wasn’t anything serious.
Just making out in the back of a car kind of stuff. Jackson was my first and only.”

“And what do you think is going to happen when we get into bed together?”

I gulp. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“Are you afraid of me or of yourself? That I might
try to take advantage of the situation or that you’ll lose control.”

“Both,” I admit.

He grins. “Good to know.”

“I have an idea.” I take a few of the pillows from the top of the bed and make a little barrier down the middle of the bed. Like a little pillow wall between us.
Nic actually laughs so hard he snorts a little.

“That’s really how you want to play this?” He eyes me.

“I guess so.” He’s really good at making me second guess myself.

“Then let’s get in bed.”

“Okay.”

We both stare at each other.

After a moment, Nic drops his shorts so he’s only in his boxer briefs. Looking at his body again makes me completely weak and shivery all over. There’s no doubt he’s sexy. He oozes it out of every one of his pours. It doesn’t surprise me a bit that women throw themselves at him without a moment’s hesitation. Part of me wants to throw myself at him too.

And as much as my body might crave that kind of attention, my mind is reminding me that I’m not that kind of girl. At least I always thought I wasn’t. Being around
Nic it’s getting harder to tell.

He
lies down in the bed then turns toward me and frowns. “Your turn.”

I know I don’t have a choice. Sleeping in his bed is part of the deal. And that’s why I’m here, right?
For the money. To pay off my student loans.

As much as I don’t want to admit it, maybe the money isn’t the only reason I’m here.

“Do you want to get into pajamas or something? I promise I’ll keep my eyes closed while you get changed.”

He’s got a little grin on his face which indicates that he has no inte
ntion of keeping his eyes closed.

“I usually just wear a T-shirt to bed.”

I remove my shorts. The T-shirt I’m wearing is long enough to almost touch my knees. It’s almost like I’m wearing a nightgown.

I climb under the covers and stare at the ceiling for a few moments. I’m almost afraid to look over at Nic. Then to my surprise he removes all of the pillows between us and throws them on the floor.

I turn to him and frown. “What are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing?”

“It looks like you’re removing my pillow barrier. Why are you doing that?”

“Because we’re not twelve.
And it’s my bed. My rules.”

I cross my arms over my chest and pout.
Although I’m not sure why I’m pouting. He has a point. We’re not kids. And it is his bed.

After a few seconds of pouting, I feel something on my foot. Like it’s being tickled by his toes.

When I glance over at Nic he’s got his arms laced over his head and his eyes are closed.

“What are you doing?”

He cracks open one eye. “What are you talking about? Can’t you see I’m trying to get to sleep?”

I flop back down on my pillow. After just a few seconds my foot feels like
it’s being tickled again.

“You keep touching my foot with yours.”

“What?” Nic asks innocently.

“Don’t play dumb. You know what you’re doing.”

He turns on his side so he’s facing me and props himself up on his elbow. His brown eyes look so dark and so sexy it almost hurts to look at him.

“I really have no idea what you’re talking about.” He looks like he’s holding in laughter.

“Okay, fine.” I move over as far as I can to the edge of the bed without falling off.

I should have anticipated Nic’s next move. He pulls himself and his pillows right next to me on the
edge of the bed.

“Good night,” he announces before he gives a big, fake yawn.

“Point taken. I think we can both move back to the middle of the bed. I don’t want to roll right off in the middle of the night.”

“I have no problem holding you if you don’t want to roll off.”

“I’m sure you don’t.” I give him a playful little shove. “Move back over.”

He grabs his pillows and moves back to his side of the bed. I move back towards the middle of the bed as well.

After we both settle back into our spots Nic turns to me. “So was spending the evening with me as bad as you thought it would be?”

“It was much worse,” I tease. “Seriously, I had a great time. It was almost like a date.”

“Have you been on a date since you broke up with Harvard?”

“I’m not sure that’s any of your business. And why do you always call him Harvard?”

“I’ll take that as a no.” He gives me that smug little grin of his and this time I want to punch him.

“I
t takes time to get over a long-term relationship.” I glance over at him. “Not that you would know anything about long-term relationships.”

“You’re right. I’m known for not doing relationships. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have a relationship—a real one—with the right person.”

His eyes blaze into mine.

I’m not sure what to do or say. It’s difficult to imagine the infamous playboy
Nic Rayne ever settling down with anyone.

“So if this was a date,”
Nic says. “You know what happens at the end of a first date.”

“I’m not having sex with you.”

He laughs. Then he leans over and places a soft kiss on my cheek.

It feels like butterflies are fluttering over my entire body. 

“I told you I was taking things slowly,” he whispers.

“Uh, huh,” is the only thing I can manage to reply.

Then he grabs my hand and laces his fingers with mine. I like the way our hands fit together. More than I should.

“Are you planning on holding my hand all night?”

“Don’t you like it?” He eyes me.

“I never said that.”

“That’s what I thought.”

He tightens his grip on me just a little bit. Enough to show he’s not letting go. I don’t protest.

“You know we can’t hold hands in public,” I state.

“Why not?”

I laugh. “Do you really have to ask that question?”

“I guess so.
Why not?” He sounds serious.

“Because I’m a reporter.
I’m doing an exclusive story on you and the band. This is my first really big story. And I want to be taken seriously as a journalist. If we hold hands people will think the only reason I was hired to write the story is because I’m sleeping with you.”

He looks at me the
n looks around the room. “I hate to break it to you, but you are sleeping with me.”

I frown. “You know what I mean. People will think we’re having sex.”

“You mean that you’re fucking me in exchange for an exclusive story.”

“Exactly.
That would ruin my career before it even started.”

“And you know you can say fuck. Your lips won’t fall off when the word comes out of your mouth.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Really?
From who?”

“Raven.”

He laughs. “She has no problem saying anything to anyone.”

“Very true.”

He brings our joined hands to his lips and places a kiss on my hand. “I guess I’ll just have to appreciate this while I can. Now let’s get some sleep. We’ve got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

***

When the first light peeks in from under the plantation shutters, I’m glad it’s morning even though I’m exhausted.

And
Nic and I are still holding hands just the way we fell asleep.

Sleep eluded me most of the night. I just can’t seem to stop my mind from racing. And I don’t feel comfortable in Nic’s bed with my body so close to betraying me and giving into temptation.

I never thought I’d catch myself thinking these four words but they keep going through my head like a mantra:
I want Nic Rayne
.

I’m just glad that
tasks of the day should keep my mind occupied and off of Nic’s body.

I turn towards Nic
. I can hear the faintest sound of him lightly snoring. At least one of us was able to get some sleep. I watch him sleep for a few moments. He looks so peaceful. It’s the only time I’ve ever seen him look so at ease. He usually looks like he’s got a million thoughts running through his head.

Just like I do.

I can see his eyes flutter a bit and then he slowly opens them. “Were you watching me sleep?”

He wipes the sleep from his eyes and yawns.

“Maybe for a few seconds,” I admit.

“You know I’ve never slept with a woman I didn’t fuck first.”

“You have a way with words.”

“Just being honest.”

“Is it supposed to be some kind of compliment?”

He shrugs. “I’m not sure about anything with you, Shakes. Everyone says I’m cockier than hell but when I’m around you, I don’t know which way is up.”

Join the club. “This is all new to me too. I’ve never slept in a bed with a celebrity. One I’m supposed to be interviewing.”

“Your boss did want you embedded with the band.”

“I don’t think this is exactly want he had in mind.”

When he leans over and gives me a light kiss on the forehead, the butterflies start flapping all over again.

“We better get ready. We’ve still got to get back to the hotel to meet the band and get back on the road.”

“That doesn’t really match.”
Nic is eyeing the outfit I put on. A tight green flowered V-Neck top with a pink mini skirt. “Let’s see what else you packed.”

I open my suitcase up
again and Nic riffles through the clothing. “I think this is supposed to go with that top.”

He holds up a white mini skirt. Maybe he’s right. I have no idea. “I think I’m fashion challenged.”