Free Kiss Me, Katie by Monica Tillery Page B

probably why I’ve rushed you.”
    “You haven’t rushed me,” Katie said softly. “I’ve wanted everything that we’ve done to happen. I feel it too, you know, between us. It’s scary for me though, how it’s moving so fast. I haven’t had a boyfriend or anything even close in a long time.”
    “I’ve been alone a long time too. There’s not a lot of room for relationships in a career like this.”
    “I’ll bet. I’m sure you get plenty of chances though, if you ever just want female attention.” Katie smiled mischievously. “I doubt you’d have much trouble finding someone to share your bed in every town you visit.”
    “That might be true,” Blake said, with a sly grin. “That’s not what I want, though. I want someone to actually want to know me, know who I am. Most of the time I meet girls on the road and they want the picture with me, or they want to go back to tell their friends that we met. It’s a strange situation, how everyone knows so much about me but nobody really knows me at all.”
    “Nobody? You know, I already feel like I know you, like I can trust you. It’s just too bad we’ve got so little time together before I go back home.”
    “I’ve thought about that too, sweetheart. Maybe we can figure something out.” Blake leaned over and kissed Katie’s forehead. “Will you stay with me tonight? I promise to keep my hands to myself.”
    Katie giggled and kissed him. “I know you will. I trust you.”
    Blake pulled her close and inhaled deeply against her hair as his arms tightened around her. Katie felt her body respond to Blake’s touch and pulled herself closer to him, and whispered, “All right,” before surrendering to another deep kiss.
    • • •
    Katie grabbed her toothbrush and a fresh set of clothes to sleep in while Blake sat in the front lounge of Sterling’s tour bus. Charles sat down on the sofa facing Blake and watched with amusement as the rest of Sterling tried to get ready for a night out in the cramped quarters.
    “Looks like everyone’s heading out tonight. It’ll be good to get a little breathing room, I guess.” Charles stretched his legs.
    “You guys are already put-out with one another after only a few days on the road? Hopefully you’ll find your rhythm before long.”
    “Mr. Jackson, it’s not that we’re put-out. It’s just been a little stressful for everyone. We’re not used to it, and we were already pretty cramped on board, so it will be nice to get a little breathing room. I’m a little disappointed that the reason we’re getting it is because our Katie is going to your bus, though.” Charles tried to sound casual, but the reproach in his voice was apparent.
    “Well, Katie is an adult and can make her own decisions, but for what it’s worth, I have real feelings for her and completely respect her. She’s in good hands, Charles. There’s no need to worry.”
    “I hope that’s true. Katie is a sweet girl, and she’s been through a lot. I’m just worried for her and don’t want her falling for someone who will be gone and out of her life in less than two weeks.” Charles sighed heavily and got up when Katie returned to the front lounge. “Y’all have a good night. We’ll see you in the morning.”
    With that, Blake and Katie returned to his bus while the rest of Sterling piled into a cab to head out for a late night out. Everyone had publicity commitments during the day and a show tomorrow night, but they weren’t about to pass up the chance to get out and see a new city. Nobody was on board the Sterling bus when a figure dressed all in black emerged from the parking lot’s shadows and slashed the tires.

Chapter Eight
    Soft sunlight streamed through the windows of Blake’s bedroom and the insistent beep of his alarm clock nudged Katie from her sleep. She stretched, yawned, and a satisfied smile spread across her face as she remembered where she was. Blake was already awake, propped up on an elbow and watching