Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars(17)

He dropped his mouth to hers, the gentle sweep of his lips a direct contrast to the way he slammed back into her fast, but there was no pain. As her muscles gripped him, she screamed against his mouth, and the fireworks behind her closed eyelids exploded into gorgeous lights. Her fingers dug into his arms as he rode her hard, and she felt his rhythm slip when he tore his mouth from hers, letting go with a groan.

Her body still humming, Gemma’s hands drifted over Travis’s shoulders, and she tried to tell herself that it was totally worth whatever guilt might hit her later.



TRAVIS HELD GEMMA against his side, her soft brown hair tickling his chest. He was afraid to move or speak, worried that if he broke the mood, she’d kick him out and run. He got the feeling she was still holding out on him, keeping secrets. But as frustrating as it was, she didn’t owe him anything.

His hand drifted over her back as he thought about their lovemaking, a mix of gentleness and fire. It had taken him back, making him compare the fast, frantic quickies in his truck to the gentleness of their first time. This had been more desperate, and he knew that although he never lacked women who wanted him, true passion had been lacking in his life.

Or maybe it’s just Gemma I was missing.

He couldn’t dwell on that thought, not so soon. He needed to take things one day at a time, starting with today. She was still holding back a part of herself, he could feel it, and he knew if he pushed, she’d close down. Gemma had never been one for confrontation.

Maybe if he suggested a way for them to take things slow, get to know each other again . . . He had a few weeks off before his tour picked up again and no reason to head back to Nashville. Maybe he could head up to Rock Canyon, see how things had changed, not just with Gemma, but with the only place he’d ever called home.

“Travis? Travis, are you asleep?”

Gemma’s question broke into his thoughts, and he kissed the top of her head. “No, just thinking.”

“Hmmm, me, too,” she said, her finger making little patterns on his chest.

“Anything I should be worried about?” he asked, praying she’d say no.

“No. Actually, I’m thinking if I’m going to go downstairs, I should probably get into the shower.”

Travis turned his head to look at the clock and knew she was right but was loath to release her. “Want some company?”


Her body shook with laughter. “Yes, but I’m afraid if I let you join me, I’ll never make it in time.”

His chest rose with a sigh. “You’re probably right. Besides, I’m supposed to go over some things with my manager this afternoon.”

“Ah, Big George. How is he?”

Big George had visited her dad’s morning show, and she had apparently charmed the old boy so much, he’d been willing to listen to a demo of Travis’s music that she’d snuck out of his room. When Big George had showed up at Buck’s and approached him after his set, Travis had been floored but flattered. And when he’d realized what Gemma had done, he’d discovered exactly how lucky he was to have found her.

“I keep losing you,” Gemma whispered, and he jerked out of his musings.

“What?”

“I asked how Big George was and suddenly you were a million miles away,” she said, sitting up.

He opened his mouth to answer, but her phone started ringing. Before he could stop her, she was off the bed, leaping across the room to her purse. Admiring the sight, he smiled.

She looked at her caller ID. “I need to take this in the other room.”

She disappeared into the bathroom, and his mind clouded with suspicion. She’d said she wasn’t seeing anyone, but she could have lied. Or maybe it wasn’t that serious, and she didn’t want to mention it.

Or maybe what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?

Travis stood up and retrieved his clothes, dressing as he contemplated exactly what he was doing with Gemma. He was tired of the bullshit; he’d always wanted to settle down and have a family, something he had missed out on growing up. He wondered, not for the first time, if Gemma and he would have made it if Emily had never pulled that crap ten years ago.

Stop living in the past and try not to overthink this. Just see where things go.

Travis pulled his T-shirt over his head and went to knock on the bathroom door but paused for a moment. Leaning his head against the wood, he strained to hear her conversation.

“I love you. See you soon. ’Bye.”

Travis backed away from the door and waited for the shower to turn on, wondering who the I love you had been for.

None of my business. It could have been her mom.

Funny how the reassurance didn’t stop a worm of jealousy from wiggling around in his brain. Logically, he knew Gemma owed him nothing, but it didn’t mean this didn’t bother him.



PREOCCUPIED, GEMMA STEPPED out of the shower and wrapped up her hair in a towel.

Charlie had called to say good night and that he was having a great time, but there had been a note in his voice she’d recognized. Something was going on, but he didn’t want her to worry or, worse, take care of the problem. Michael was constantly telling her that she needed to let Charlie fight his own battles, but it was hard to step back. He was only nine and she was supposed to protect him, to keep him safe. Which made what she was doing with Travis so much worse.