Reckless (Thoughtless, #3)(89)

I straddled his lap, tangling my hands in his hair. Maybe his calm would seep into me, if we got close enough. I placed a light kiss on his lips and Kellan let out a soft laugh. “There, I feel better already.”

Loving the fact that we were surrounded by people and yet completely alone inside this dressing room, I ground my hips into his, and let my soft kiss turn into a deeper one. He let out a low groan and ran his hands up my back, under my shirt. I pressed my chest against his, delighting in the smell of him, musky and manly, the taste of him, slightly bitter from the beer, the feel of him, warm, hard, and yet soft too. Feeling lost and carefree, I let the world around us melt away.

Kellan’s fingers rubbed my back in soothing patterns while his tongue lightly brushed against mine. Then those tricky fingers of his unhooked my bra. Pulling back, I gave him an admonishing glare; we may be alone for now, but this place wasn’t exactly private. His grin was cocky as he murmured, “Oops.”

As I was reaching around to fix my bra, the door to our room opened again. I leapt off of Kellan’s lap, twisting so that my back was to the far wall; I incorrectly latched the hook of my bra and had to try again. As my cheeks heated to flaming hot, Sienna sauntered into the room.

Glancing between the two of us, she asked, “Sorry, did I interrupt something?”

Smiling over at me, Kellan told her, “Don’t worry about it. We’re getting used to it.”

Sienna laughed and sat down in a plush chair. “That’s a story I’d like to hear.”

My bra finally back in place, I took a seat beside Kellan. My nerves started returning, and I bounced my heels to dissipate the energy. Holeshot had started to play, and their music filtered through the speakers. They were pretty good. Not as good as the D-Bags, but good. Kellan looked back at Sienna when she asked him, “You ready for this?”

Kellan picked up his beer, showed it to her, then took a swig. “All set.” Sienna grinned and shook her head, amused by him; I sort of hated her being amused by him.

Kellan and Sienna fell into a lively discussion about music. While he didn’t enjoy the games Sienna played, I don’t think he minded her as a person. When she started talking about her parents, Kellan got quiet. Her face void of emotion, Sienna told him, “They would be screaming in my face right now, if they were still allowed at my shows. A little terrified . . . that’s how they liked to send me out on stage.”

Kellan’s expression turned thoughtful. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“Thank you.” Sienna reached over and put a hand on his leg. My nerves about the show suddenly vanished as I watched her flirt with him. “What are your parents like? Warm and fuzzy?” she asked with a smile.

Politely, but firmly, Kellan picked up her hand and placed it back on her own lap. She frowned, but didn’t say anything. Leaning back in his chair, Kellan took another drink of his beer. “No, definitely not.” Setting his beer down, he shrugged. “But, I don’t have to worry about them anymore.”

I laid my hand on his chest and Kellan smiled down at me. I knew that casual sentence was filled with more pain than Sienna could possibly imagine. I lifted my lips to his, in comfort, and as a reminder to Sienna: He may sympathize with you, but his heart is with me. As Kellan gave me a brief peck, Sienna commented with, “Family. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”

Thinking of my flighty sister, over-protective father, and wedding-obsessed mother, I tossed out, “My family is great.”

Sienna’s sad smile turned humoring. “I’m sure it is.” Her dark eyes flicked between Kellan and I. “So, will you two be creating a family of your own? Any kids in your future?” Her gaze locked onto my stomach.

Pulling my legs up onto the chair, I hid my body as much as I could. “Someday, sure.”

Kellan bumped my shoulder with his. “Maybe after we’re officially married.” He hesitated, then looked up at Sienna. “Which, just so you know, is happening on December twenty-seventh, when the tour is on break for Christmas.” Luckily Sienna’s and Justin’s tours were breaking for the holiday at the same time. If I’d had to change the wedding date after Mom had already sent out the invitations, she’d skin me alive.

Sienna’s lips twitched, but she very smoothly told us, “Well, I suppose congratulations are in order.” She looked like she wanted to hug Kellan to congratulate him, but the way Kellan and I were cuddling really wasn’t giving her the opportunity.

The same man who’d come for Deacon came to usher Kellan onstage. Sienna stood up with Kellan. Extending her elbow to him, she demurely asked, “Can I show you the way?” Maybe it was my imagination, but the question seemed laced with dual meaning.

Kellan didn’t take her elbow, but gave her a polite nod of his head. I followed them out the door, my fingers loosely held in Kellan’s. A group of men and women wearing lanyards sporting the name of one of the local radio stations spotted Sienna instantly. Of course, she wasn’t hard to miss. She was in her stage outfit—a one-piece seventies-inspired jumpsuit littered with rhinestones that sparkled in the lights. It tied around her neck in a halter and had absolutely no back on it; it was so low that I could see the dimples beside her tail bone. And I’d been trying very hard to ignore how deeply cut the V was in the front while we’d been talking in the back room. I’m assuming that a hefty amount of double-sided tape was keeping everything in place.