All Your Reasons
Page 8

 Nina Levine

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Once she’s changed, she pulls the bed covers back and gets in. I move to the bed and pull them over her before squatting so we’re at the same level. I want to take one last look at her before leaving. Her eyes are already closing and she smiles at me as she fights sleep.
“I’m so glad I went to that club tonight,” I admit.
The smile is still on her face and her voice is sleepy. “I’m glad you went, too.”
“When do you fly home?”
“Tomorrow, late afternoon.” She’s barely awake now.
“I want to see you again, Presley.”
“Yes... the sex will be good... we need to do that...”
“No, I want to take you on a date.”
“No dates...just sex...I don’t do rock stars...” she mumbles through a sleepy haze.
“What do you mean you don’t do rock stars?”
“No, don’t want to do it again....”
She’s almost asleep, and I have no clue what she’s talking about, so I decide to finish this conversation when she’s awake. I kiss her on the forehead and stand. “Night, sweetheart.”
There’s no response except for her steady breathing as she sleeps. She looks so peaceful. I consider sitting in the chair and watching her for a while, but it feels wrong, so I don’t do it. Instead, I take one last look at her and then leave. This won’t be the last time I see her. She can try to say no to me all she likes, but I’m not the kind of man who ever takes no for an answer. If I want something, I always find a way to have it.
Chapter Three
Presley
I hang up the phone from Darla and mutter a swear word. Our flight has been cancelled, and while she’s decided to take the opportunity to stay in Sydney for a couple of extra days, I have to get home. My cat, Urban, has been staying with a friend, and I need to get back to him. I’m just about to call the airline when there’s a knock at my door.
“Hi,” I say, surprised to see Jett.
He holds a coffee out to me and takes a step forward to enter my room. Although I’m not sure I want him here, there’s a sureness in his stride I like. “Morning.” He greets me with a million dollar smile that sets butterflies off in my stomach.
Shit.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I inquire as I take a sip of coffee. Hot damn, it’s good coffee. Just what I need this morning.
He walks further into the room before stopping and turning to face me. “Just checking in on you. You were pretty tired so I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss your flight.”
“Thank you.” I hold the coffee up. “And thank you for this. It’s heaven in a cup.”
“It is¸ isn’t it? It’s from that same café I took you to.”
“I’ll have to remember that café the next time I visit Sydney.”
“What time’s your flight?”
“It’s been cancelled, so I’m just about to find a new one.”
A thoughtful look crosses his face. “I have a spare seat you can take.”
“Huh?”
“My band’s flying home at seven tonight, and our manager was supposed to fly out with us, but he has to stay another night now, so we have a spare seat.”
I’m not sure why I’m feeling all mushy and excited at his suggestion when my head is screaming to refuse. I don’t fucking do mushy. And yet, my heart and stomach are all mushy.
Shit.
The words fall out of my mouth before I can stop them. “That would be great.”
His face lights up. “I’ll organise it. We’re leaving the hotel at four, though. Sorry about that.”
“I don’t mind, but why so early?”
He sighs. “Our drummer, Hunter, has this thing about always being on time. He hates being late, and we always have to leave for everything hours in advance.”
I shrug because I get that. Totally. It’s something I do. “Well, I guess on the upside, your band must have a reputation for never being late to a concert. I bet your fans love you for it ‘cause I’ve gotta say, there’s nothing worse than when you go to a concert and they can’t even be bothered to start on time.”
He grins again. “Yeah, that’s us, and you’re right, the fans do love it. Thank fuck for Hunter, huh?”
I raise my coffee in the air. “Cheers to Hunter.”
He chuckles, and it warms me. It’s been too long between men for me, and I’m enjoying this more than I want to. “I would ask you to lunch, but I’ve got some meetings to attend before we head out.”
I wave my hand at him. “No, that’s okay. I’ve got editing to do anyway. I’ll see you at four down in the lobby.”
He spends a moment or two looking at me. I’m not sure why, and it flusters me a little. And the fact it flusters me, shits me because I don’t get flustered. A bit like I don’t do mushy. Bloody hell, this man is bringing all kinds of shit out in me.
I’m relieved when he finally speaks. “Okay, sweetheart. I’ll see you then.”
He leaves, and I’m left in a bewildered state. It’s been a long time since a man’s managed that. I’m a little disappointed, though. Jett’s a rock star and I won’t date a rock star ever again. Not after the last one ripped my heart out and left me to bleed tears of heartbreak and regret.
***
I spot Jett as soon as I enter the lobby later that day. He’s standing near some couches, talking on his phone. Sitting on the couches are three men and they all look fairly bored. Must be his band members.