Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss #1)(40)

There was the big stuff like setting up the stage and any pyrotechnics, but all that had been done already. Today, it was about going over the myriad tiny details, from making dead sure each of the speakers around the grounds was functioning as it should, to checking the individual lamps in the light system, to ensuring catering staff knew what to bring in for band and crew both, to confirming that there was a fridge backstage for the water and sports drinks.

Maxwell had every one of those thousand-and-one things on a mental checklist and he used Molly like she was a real intern.

Dropping her bag to the floor when she returned to the hotel room, Molly took off the black-framed glasses she’d worn for the past hours and flopped down on her back in bed. “I hope you pay Maxwell what he’s worth,” she said to the half-naked man who’d come to lean in the doorway between their rooms.

“Why do you think he’s still with us?” Prowling over, Fox straddled her supine body, the top button on his jeans undone to reveal a hint of dark hair.

Oh, but he was beautiful.

With that mental sigh, she placed her hands on his abdomen and shivered at the flex of all that gorgeous muscle as he leaned down to nibble at her lips.

“Sorry I left you to Maxwell’s devices.” Whiskey and hard rock, his voice had her nipples beading against the cotton of her bra, the heat of his body another kiss.

“It’s part of my cover.” Her breath caught at the sensation of his mouth on her throat. “I could hardly leave with the band when I’m meant to be learning the ropes.”

“Are you telling me you’re too tired?” Raising his head from her throat, he settled his lower body more heavily against her.

“I,” she somehow managed to say, her breasts swelling and lower body clenching, “am telling you I need a bath and a massage.”

A deeper smile, the dimple lean against his cheek. “Since they both involve your naked body”—words punctuated by kisses that made her smile even as they made her want—“I’m willing to make the arrangements.” Petting her breasts with bold possessiveness, he pushed off her and the bed. “Stay there.”

Since he’d turned her limbs to jelly, Molly had no trouble obeying. She heard him turn on the water and then he walked back into the room. “Let’s get you naked while the bath’s filling.”

“You know,” she said, teeth sinking into her lower lip and her mind blaring a warning she ignored, “we spend a lot of our time together naked.”

Fox’s expression was pure sin as he tugged off her sneakers and socks. “Are you complaining?”

“I’m not insane.” Being naked with Fox was the experience of a lifetime, but part of her wished they could do things like the market more often, like any ordinary couple. Her chest ached at the idea of it.

She knew it was her fault that they couldn’t. Fox hadn’t ever wanted to treat her like a dirty little secret. She was the one who’d made that choice, decided to hide what was becoming a relationship she knew she’d never forget, even if she lived to be a hundred years old.

One month. Don’t let the pain to come steal your one glorious month with him.

Swallowing her tears, she held out her hand to the rock star who kept slicing away pieces of her heart.





Chapter 16


Fox slid into the bath behind Molly, luxuriating in having her here. He knew it was a big step for the woman whose smile had captivated him and whose heart, intelligence, and honest, generous sensuality now held him prisoner. He intended to do everything in his power to make her see his life through a less aggressive and less terrifying lens. Being a roadie wasn’t the same as being his, but it provided a gentle, easy introduction to his world—because he wanted, needed her with him, and he’d do whatever it took to convince her to take a chance on him.

The hard stuff… yeah, that could wait until she’d committed to him.

Turning her face, she kissed his jaw. “I missed you last night.”

He’d missed her, too, hating the cold loneliness of the hotel bed. Now, cupping the heavy warmth of her breasts from behind, he took her mouth in ravenous demand, soothing the ragged edges of his need enough that he could take this slow. “How was dinner with Thea and Charlotte?” Meeting her best friend was on his agenda—Charlotte was clearly important to Molly, and so the other woman was important to Fox.

“I made a Thai mango-chicken salad. It was a success.” She softened against him as he moved his hands from her breasts to massage her shoulders and arms, aware how hard Maxwell could work his people.

Molly sighed and closed her eyes, the quiet expression of trust his undoing. “Can I just stay here?”

Grabbing the loofah she’d fished out of her toiletries case, he squeezed some liquid soap onto it. “No,” he said, smoothing the puffy, girly thing over her body for the simple pleasure of touching her. “I f*cking hate cold water.”

Her laugh was startled, her eyes sparkling when she looked up. As she sassed him about being a tough-guy rocker, he thought of the wistfulness he’d sensed in her when she’d spoken of the amount of time they spent in bed and promised himself they’d do something silly and touristy and fun together in Sydney.

He wanted to take his Molly on a date.




Molly slept in Fox’s arms. The first time she woke, it was to the thick heat of him sliding inside her; the second time, she found herself alone, though the pale morning light told her it wasn’t yet time to go to the site—and Fox would’ve woken her for that anyway. Sitting up, she pushed her hair out of her eyes and looked around for a note. It was scrawled on a slip of hotel paper thrust under the radio alarm clock.