Tatum pulls back as the song ends. I bend down and hug her tight while whispering in her ear. “You own me, Tate.”
I gently turn her, so her back is once again pressed tight against my chest so she can continue to enjoy the show. She places her hand over mine, which is resting on her belly. Her hands are shaking. I move mine over on top of hers and lace our fingers together.
As the first set ends, the lights come up and the roadies prepare for the next artist, Lee Brice. Jackson and I go and grab us all a drink. Standing in line, he and I are shooting the shit, just waiting, when a group of girls walk up beside us. I recognize them from the shop, but I don’t remember their names.
“Hey, Blaise. What do you say you guys come out with us after the show?” the redhead asks.
I’m shaking my head before she’s even finished. “No can do. Jackson here is dating my little sister, and I’m off the market myself,” I tell them.
One of the girls, this one I’ve never seen before, reaches out to touch my chest. I grab her wrist and place it gently at her side. “I’m taken,” I grit out.
“We won’t tell,” the redhead says.
What the f*ck is wrong with these girls? “Not happening. Enjoy your night,” I say, stepping up to the counter to order four beers.
Walking back to our sets, Jackson says, “So you and Tatum are official? Congrats, man.” He sounds like he’s happy for us.
“Not yet, but we will be,” I tell him.
Jackson raises his eyebrow in question. “I don’t’ see anyone but her.” Just Tatum.
He nods his head. “Trust me, I get it.” We don’t say anything else until we are almost to our seats. We stop at the end of the aisle to let a couple pass. The girls spot us and wave. “I love her,” Jackson blurts out.
I turn my head to look at him. “I do. I haven’t told her yet; I want it to be special for her,” he says, looking me in the eye.
I believe him. “She’s loves you, too. She didn’t tell me, but I know my sister. Don’t break her heart,” I warn.
We reach our seats and I bend to place a chaste kiss on Tatum’s lips before handing her the beer I brought her.
She laughs.
“What? Is that the toll I have to pay to get a drink? A kiss for a beer?” she asks, smiling.
Her smile lights up her face and those green eyes of hers sparkle. “You’d be amazed at what I would do for one of your kisses,” I say with a wink.
The lights dim and Lee Brice takes the stage. I place one hand on her hip and bring her body against mine. She settles against me and we enjoy the show.
The concert is great. All three artists put on a great show. All three artists also sing songs that remind me of me and how I feel about Tatum. Although, here lately, everything reminds me of Tatum and how I feel about her. Not a second goes by that she’s not on my mind.
As we walk back to the hotel, I watch as Jackson whispers in Ember’s ear. They stop and she turns to face us. “I think we’re just going to head back to the room,” she says.
I look to Jackson and give him a slight nod, letting him know I approve and he should tell her how he feels.
Tatum looks up at me. “What about you?” she asks me.
As if I would be anywhere she’s not. “As long as I’m with you, next to you, I don’t care what we do or where we go.”
A soft smile graces her lips. “I think I’m ready to head back, too,” she says.
Decision made; we head to the hotel. I’m ready for a good night’s sleep with Tatum wrapped in my arms.
As Blaise unlocks the door to our room, I reflect on the night. I had so much fun. Ember is a blast to be around and Blaise, well, he’s…amazing. He was constantly touching me all night. Nothing over the top, but enough to leave me crazy with want. There were several songs throughout the show when he held me tight and whispered sweet words in my ear. The first one will be forever in my memory. Cole Swindell was singing “Swaying” and, well, that’s what we were doing. Blaise whispered in my ear that “I owned him.”
Every day, he shows me more and more that he wants this, us. Leah tells me I can’t let Josh continue to rob me of my happiness. She claims to be a great judge of character, which she is. She says Blaise is good people. She also continues to remind me that she never liked Josh.
“Ugh. I need a shower; I’m sticky,” I say, gently tugging my dress away from my skin.
Blaise bends down and kisses the side of my neck. “You’re perfect,” he says, pulling back, licking his lips. His gaze is heated. Breaking the trance, he smacks my ass. “You grab a shower first,” he tells me. He kicks off his shoes and plops down on the bed. Remote in hand, he winks at me.
I grab his t-shirt from my bag. He’d left it at the apartment and Ember asked me to drop it off to him. I didn’t. I kept it and I can’t wait to see his eyes when he sees me in it. It’s just like the one he gave me that day at his house from the department with his name on it. Only this time, it reads B. Richards on the back, instead of just Richards.
After taking off my boots, I head to the bathroom to wash away the effects of the concert. I quickly strip out of my clothes and climb in under the hot spray. I lean my hair back and let the hot water soak through. It’s when I reach for my shampoo that I realize I forgot to bring it in with me. I debate on what I should do. I hate the stuff provided by the hotel. The shampoo makes my hair feel like steel wool and the soap leaves my skin feeling sticky. Ugh!
I want my stuff, and it’s just outside the door. “Blaise!” I yell, hoping he can hear me over the running water and the television. Good thing I left the door unlocked.
I watch as the door comes open. Blaise walks in with his eyes closed. It’s not like he’s never seen me. “Tatum, what’s wrong?” he asks. I can hear the panic in his voice.
“I forgot my shampoo and body wash in my bag, can you get it for me?” I ask.
I can see his shoulders relax at my question. “Sure thing, babe.” He’s back in no time, walking into the room with his eyes closed and holding his hand out to hand me my necessities.
I pull back the curtain. “Blaise, open your eyes,” I tell him.
He shakes his head no. “I can’t. If I see you, your sexy body dripping wet…” He shakes his head. “I can’t.”
An instant rush of desire hits me. I want him to see me. It seems like Blaise is the only man who ever really has just seen me, Tatum. I want that. I want to watch as those silver eyes roam over every inch of my bare skin.
His arm is still outstretched, so I grab his wrist with one hand, while taking my supplies with the other, and setting them on the ledge in the shower. “Please, Blaise,” I ask. I’m hoping my soft plea will get me what I want. He’s always telling me whatever I want. I’m hoping my “please” seals the deal and he can no longer say no.
He releases a heavy breath and slowly opens his eyes. I watch as he takes in every inch of me. His eyes eventually find mine. He swallows hard. “You are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on,” he says, his voice gruff.
I want to feel his body next to mine. “Join me?” I ask before I can talk myself out of it.
“Tate,” he says in a strangled voice.
“You said wherever as long as you’re next to me. I want you next to me,” I throw his words from earlier back at him.