Free Meeting Trouble (New Adult Rock Star Romance) by Emme Rollins Page B

navel.
    “Your skinny blonde friend?” Rob’s head came up sharply.
    I raised my eyebrows at the disdain his voice.
    “Sorry, ” he said with an apologetic smile. “I know she’s your friend but there are hundreds like her out there on the road.”
    “Tyler seemed to take to her,” I reminded him.
    “His type.” He snorted.
    “She’s most men’s type.” Katie was a long, tall drink of water, built like a Barbie doll in real life. She was one of those women men couldn’t help think about naked and those thoughts seemed to compel them to pursue her, hoping perhaps they might actually get to fulfill their fantasies.
    “I’m not most men.” Rob met my eyes and I melted—the man made me melt faster than ice cream dropped on hot concrete. It was those eyes, so dark they were almost black with flecks of grey like quicksilver
    “You can say that again.” I smiled, my fingers petting the stubble on his cheeks.
    “Listen, Sabrina, I know the situation as well as you do.” He nestled his cheek sweetly against my hand, never breaking eye contact. “Tomorrow we go back to our lives. I don’t like it. I can tell you don’t like it either. But you said it—that’s reality.”
    I didn’t like hearing him say it and I looked away, toward the window in the sunlight in the world that lay beyond. I hated it.
    “Look at me,” he demanded. When I didn’t, he rolled onto me, thickly muscled thigh pressed between mine, face inches from my own. I felt the heat of his gaze and turned to meet his eyes. It was back, that dark, hot look. He wanted something, I understood that expression now.
    “We have until tomorrow,” he reminded me. “We can spend it thinking about how little time it is or we can go out there and live the dream. You and me, sweetheart. Let’s go make it the best day ever.”
    “One amazing day.” I couldn’t help but be caught up in his enth usiasm. I smiled up at him, loving the way his hair tickled my cheeks as he leaned in to press his lips briefly—too achingly briefly—to mine.
    “Our day. One we can keep. Forever.” He whispered the words, soft lips grazing my ear, my neck, brushing kisses over my cheek and jaw, sending that electric tingle through my whole body.
    “Okay.” I remembered Katie saying she wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip through her fingers. Why should I? “What do you want to do?”
    “Let’s start with breakfast.” Rob’s head came up, a grin on his face. “I’m starving.”
    I laughed, putting my arms around his neck.
    “I know the perfect place.”
    * * * *
    Leo’s was packed on Sunday mornings and today was no exception. Rob had donned his “disguise” once more, including the goofy sunglasses. I rolled my eyes when he put them on. He held my hand as the waitress led us to the last available booth. Thankfully it was near the back of the diner and Rob slid into the seat with his back to the door—and most of the patrons.
    “How ya doing, hon?” The waitress’ name was Jodie. That’s what her name tag said, but I came in there all the time, and knew her on a first name basis. She liked to tell me about her three-year-old son who had Down Syndrome, how she’d found out during an ultrasound, but refused to have an abortion, in spite of her boyfriend’s objections. He’d bailed on her, so she was raising their son by herself on the waitress’ salary. She liked me because I was a softy and always gave her big tips, even though I probably didn’t make much more than she did.
    “Good.” I was far better than good, but the words fabulous, fantastic, and phenomenal were not only insufficient, they weren’t meant for polite conversation. Jodie gave us each a menu and took our drink orders. I knew she was busy because she didn’t even stop to make conversation or even acknowledge that I’d come in with a man for the first time in two years.
    “What’s good here?” Rob scanned the menu but I saw him scanning the diner too, with a sidelong