Free Waiting in the Wings by Melissa Brayden Page B

time getting out of bed. The excitement from the day before had definitely had an effect on my body. Luckily, I didn’t have to be anywhere until my call time that night before the show. I had hoped to explore some of Chicago, maybe hit the Museum of Natural History or Navy Pier. I finished blow-drying my hair, deciding to let it hang loose today, and pulled out the set of brochures I’d picked up in the hotel lobby. I sat at the desk and started to look through them when I heard a faint knock on the door. As I pulled it open, I was intrigued by the sight in front of me, an outstretched arm without an owner offering up a piping hot coffee-to-go. I laughed, accepting the coffee, and peered around the doorframe to find Adrienne smiling back at me, looking very proud of herself.
    “Good morning, sleepyhead. Can I come in?”
    “Of course you can, and thank you.” I gestured to the cup. There was no better way to start the day than to have a gorgeous woman bring you coffee.
    “I scored muffins too,” she said, kissing me quickly on her way
    into the room. “But you have to eat fast; we got places to be.” “We do?” I looked after her, raising an eyebrow.
    “That we do. I thought we could head down to the pier and take a harbor cruise. I made reservations, but I can cancel if you’re not up for it. I thought we could see some of the city.”
    I moved into her a little. “No, that sounds perfect. And you kinda look that way.” She did too. In denim shorts and a black tank top, she looked relaxed and sexy as hell. I slipped my arms around her waist and kissed just below her ear.
    “Or we could just stay here,” she said weakly.
    “That would be fine too.”
    Adrienne pulled my lips from her neck and captured my mouth with hers. The kiss that started slow was picking up steam quickly, and I suddenly felt like I couldn’t get enough of her. My hands moved from her waist up the sides of her body and, in a bold move, brushed the outsides of her breasts. Adrienne gasped and pulled her mouth away from mine.
    “Damn. How is it you’re able to do so much to me?” She kissed me again.
    “This could be dangerous,” I breathed.
    “I think this goes way beyond onstage chemistry.”
    “You think?” I managed between kisses. Adrienne pushed me onto the bed and I was more than happy to oblige. As the weight of her body settled on top of mine, I thought my head might explode. Her thigh settled between my legs and I heard myself moan into her lips. It was as if that sound awakened her and she slowly pulled away and looked down at me and sighed.
    “As much as I don’t want to, Jenna, I think we should probably stop. I say this now because in another minute I won’t be able to.”
    I nodded reluctantly and placed a small kiss on her chin.
    “It’s not that I don’t want to ravish you right here and now, but we haven’t even gone on a first date yet. And although you may not realize it based on my recent behavior”—she traced the outline of my jaw with her finger—“I’m an old-fashioned kind of girl.”
    “You are, huh?”
    “Yes, I am. And if I’m going to woo you with my money and celebrity, we better get a move on. Our yacht awaits.”
    “You rented an entire yacht?”
    “Well, no, but two very fancy plastic seats on one.” “Good enough for me,” I laughed.
    ❖

    The pier was bustling and crowded with all types of people. No doubt the weather was a big draw. The skies were sunny and the temperature an even seventy degrees. Days weren’t made much nicer than this, I thought to myself, looking out across the water. We strolled down the long pier, casually perusing the windows of the various boutiques along the way. Adrienne was only recognized a handful of times and obliged the admirers with an autograph or photo. I made sure to keep my hands to myself now that we were in public. I understood the situation Adrienne was in as a well-known celebrity with a career to look out for, and didn’t want to