and grab his sides, allowing my legs to rest against his hips.
Riff shakes his head. “You have to hang on tighter, babe.”
He grabs both of my hands and wraps them around him. I open my mouth to ask why, but instantly snap it shut as he guns the motor and heads out onto the street. He roars through the city streets and the cars pass by at such a frightening speed I’m pretty sure my claws are raking his skin through his t-shirt. The only thing going through my brain is hoping we don’t wreck and die considering there’s absolutely nothing protecting us.
I try not to think about it as I attempt to bury my face into his back.
A couple minutes later we pull into the hotel parking lot. Riff parks the bike in the lot and cuts the engine. My entire body tingles and feels numb as I jump off as fast as humanly possible. I have to say that’s one thing on my bucket list I can do without ever doing again.
I yank the helmet off and my hand shakes as I hold it out to him.
He laughs as he takes it from me and tucks it under his arm. “Did you like that?”
I tip my chin up and fake my best smile so he doesn’t know that scared the shit out of me. I don’t want him to think I’m a total wuss. “It was awesome.”
Riff grins as he props his bike up on the kickstand before hoping off. “Good to know you’re a bad liar.”
I throw my hands on my hips. “I am not lying.”
He touches the tip of my nose with his index finger. “You’re sexy when you’re feisty. I hope you keep this attitude up in the room.” He holds out his hand. “Let’s go get checked in.”
The moment we step inside, I follow Riff’s gaze towards the hotel bar. Loud bouts of laughter echo through the blaring rock music around the lobby. A party is in full swing. A couple of women dressed in tight, short shirts and halter tops loiter near the entrance while they hang on the arms of a couple road-beaten roadies who look like they haven’t shaved in a month. Some women will apparently sleep with anyone associated a band to get to the talent. I bet the rest of the guests in this place love the idea that a bunch of rock stars are partying it up in here while they’re on a family vacation.
Riff wraps his arm around my shoulders and leans into my ear. “Head on over to the bar while I take care of stuff at the desk. Order me a beer, would you?”
I nod and he lets go of my hand and we part ways.
The crowd in the small room is amazing. It’s hard to believe that many people are working behind the scenes of this tour. Nearly every seat in the place is taken, sometimes even double occupied. The dim lights and sheer amount of bodies make it difficult to make my way to the bar. I shoulder past a few, mumbling my apologies as I finally step up to the bar.
I run my fingers through my wind-blown hair as I wait for the stocky, male bartender to make his way down to me.
“Can I buy you a drink?” a man’s voice asks to my right.
My head snaps in his direction and my eyes land on an incredibly handsome man. Blonde shaggy hair drifts over his brow and he shoves it back as he grins at me. His blue eyes drink me in slowly as he waits for my answer.
I return his smile with a polite one of my own. “Thank you, but I’m with someone.”
He leans in closer and completely blows off my refusal. “I’m Donovan. You might’ve heard of me?” He pauses for a brief second, but when I give him a blank stare he continues, “I’m the guitarist for Embrace the Darkness.”
I nod. “I’ve heard of you. You’re the opening act for Black Falcon, right?”
Donovan smirks. “Not for long. They’ll be opening for us soon enough.”
He turns, practically pushing his chest against my arm and I take a step away. “Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
He shrugs. “Why not? I’m great at what I do and my band kicks ass. What’s so wrong in taking pride in something you know you’re good at?” Suddenly, I feel his hand on my
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley