Free Across the Miles (The Not So Bad Boys of Rock #1) by Rhonda James Page A

their hero, but in my limited experience, men didn’t run blindly into problems, they ran away from them without looking back. But Sebastian, he was different, he not only jumped in to help me when I was lying there hurt and bleeding, but he stayed and was still here beside me twenty-four hours later. This man was unlike any man I had ever known. This man was the exception.
    “I can’t travel. What am I going to do, I have to get home. I have responsibilities and bills. I can’t just stay here for ten days waiting.” I hopped off the table and began pacing frantically. “I could rent a car; I might be able to drive it in five days, six tops. I don’t have enough money to pay for a hotel for that many nights.” My mind raced, and I spoke out loud as I paced. Sebastian, however, just watched quietly. After I had covered the same ground no less than ten times, he cleared his throat and offered a suggestion.
    “You could stay with me. I don’t have any plans, and you already know that I have plenty of room for you.” He read my body language immediately, sensing my hesitation, and continued his argument. “Hear me out okay?” I nodded slowly and stopped pacing. “You can have reign over the entire east wing. We can have dinner together, or separately if you prefer, we can spend the time hanging out and watching T.V. I could show you around town, give you a proper city welcome. You can meet the rest of the band, you know how much you love our music,” he offered a lop-sided grin. “Come on, what do you say? It will give us a chance to get to know one another. I enjoy spending time with you; I’d like to knowmore about you.” He sat back, placing his hands behind his head, and waited for me to process everything he had just laid before me.
    “Are you finished?” I cocked my head and smirked. “You put up quite a good argument; I’ll give you that. And it is a very generous offer, but I barely know you. To spend the next ten days sleeping at your house makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. What if someone gets hold of this story and reports that we are sleeping together? I don’t want that kind of gossip being spread about me.” He held up a hand in protest.
    “That’s not going to happen, and if it did we could have them print a retraction. I have a very good publicist, not every news clip about me is negative you know. Come on, you said it yourself; I’m a decent guy. This offer is me doing the right thing. You need to stay here, for your health. I would worry about you if you tried to fly after what Steve said. Please, if not for me then do it for your safety,” he pleaded, even throwing in pouty lips and batting eyelashes. It was entirely unnecessary, I had already decided to stay with him before he even began his argument, I just needed to make my point. I hope I didn’t regret my decision.
    “Okay, I’ll stay, but only on one condition,” I held up a finger. “You have to let me cook for you while I am here. It’s the least I can do to repay you for your kindness.” I stood facing him, hands on my hips, waiting for him to respond.
    The next thing I knew he had picked me up and swung me around, whooping and hollering. He kissed me on the forehead and set me back down on the table, I leaned a hand against it for stability, not sure if I was reeling from the spinning or the kiss, or both.
    “I am going to make this the best week of your lifeBrooke Caldwell. You just wait, by the time ten days are over you won’t want to leave.” The butterflies in my stomach fluttered restlessly, and I smiled weakly because part of me knew that he might be right.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    “What the hell do you mean you have to stay with him? You don’t even know him,” Jade demanded through the phone, exasperation evident in her voice. “Let’s back up a minute. Tell me everything that has happened, and don’t leave anything out because I am still mad at you for only texting me after your attack and not returning my