After much convincing, that included some whiny begging, Billy decided not to delay the tour. But I did elect to stay an extra night in Seattle. Or rather, Billy decided I should stay an extra night in Seattle then catch up with the tour via plane ride at the next stop, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. It was also decided Daisy would stay with me. Billy booked us into a suite at a five-star hotel in downtown Seattle.
Billy kissed Daisy rather inappropriately outside the hotel. Then he turned to me. “You’ll be all right?” he asked, eyeing me carefully. “I can stay.”
“I’m fine.” I even tilted my neck to show that it didn’t hurt. It did hurt. It so hurt. But I knew Billy—if I gave any indication of pain, he’d cancel his next show or, worse, put me back in the hospital.
“I’ve hired a private security detail for you for the rest of the trip. Her name is Kelly. Along with being an excellent shot, she has a nursing license. She’s going to stay with you tonight, make sure you take your pills and follow the doctor’s orders. Then she’ll act as your bodyguard for the rest of the trip.”
“That’s totally unnecessary,” I bit out.
“I’m not taking any more risks with your safety, little bird.” He touched my nose with his forefinger. I batted it away. I’d hated when he did that when I was seven, and I liked it even less now. I could always sense when I was being condescended to. “Now…” He held out both his arms wide and shook his hands. “Embrace me. I’m going to miss my girls.”
I gave Billy a quick hug. Daisy sank into his arms and they did some more inappropriate kissing. I wandered off into the lobby of the hotel. It was really spectacular, marble floors, crystal chandeliers, huge flower arrangements that made the cavernous room smell like gardenias and peonies. I was looking forward to spending the night in a plush bed and having room service in the morning. I decided my injured neck and I would take advantage of Billy’s generosity.
Daisy came breezing through the lobby doors, smiling, her cheeks rosy. She looped her arm through mine. “Let’s check in and order sundaes. Then you can tell me what’s really going on between you and Warren.”
I groaned. Daisy’s quietness allowed her to observe much more than the usual person. And apparently, she’d been eyeing my interactions with Warren closely.
I yawned and stretched my arms in an exaggerated way. “Wow, I’m beat. I’m going hit the sack.” We’d settled into our three-bedroom suite and quickly ordered burgers and ice cream sundaes, the remnants of which lay on the coffee table. Daisy had gone over Wanks and Janks’ touring schedule while eating, then responded to a couple emails. Now that she was no longer my nanny she functioned as an assistant to the band. Well, mostly Billy’s assistant. He needed a lot of one-on-one attention.
Daisy glanced up from her phone. “Hold it right there, missy. You’ve got some explaining to do.”
I fell back into the plush couch. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I closed my eyes and rubbed them.
Daisy snorted, which sounded weirdly elegant. She tossed her phone onto the coffee table. I had her undivided attention. Lovely. “I’m talking about the heat between you and the prince of darkness.”
I popped open an eye. “The prince of darkness?”
“Warren Price. Or better yet just War. I think that describes him a lot better. What could you possibly be thinking, Addy? What about Gabe?”
Frowning, I pushed myself deeper into the couch. “Gabe and I aren’t really dating,” I mumbled.
Daisy cupped her ear. “Come again?”
“Gabe and I aren’t dating,” I said louder. “I just wanted Billy off my back.”
“You lied to us?” Her tone was accusatory.
“Ugh, you sound like Billy.”
“Addy.” Her voice softened. “Why?”
Fuck. Tears filled my eyes. I blinked them away furiously. “I don’t want to disappoint him.” Him being Billy, of course.
“Oh, Addy.” Daisy moved toward me but was waylaid by a knock on the door. She hesitated, indecision all over her face. She wanted to comfort me, but the knock kept coming; the person on the other side of the door insistent.
“It’s probably the nurse-slash-bodyguard Billy ordered.” God knew where he’d found this person, especially this late at night. I pictured myself being followed around by a woman who looked and acted like a cross between The Rock and Nurse Ratchet.
Daisy opened the door a crack. “Hello?” Her voice was unsure, almost timid.
“Hello, lass,” a deep voice with a thick Scottish accent said.
“I think you might have the wrong room,” Daisy said. I got up from the couch and stood behind Daisy, peeking over her shoulder.
Holy hot Scotsman. He was tall and broad-shouldered. His hair was blond, with streaks of brown, and long. Long enough it had to be tied back. A Highlander. My very own Highlander. Just what I always wanted. Someone above had been listening to my prayers. While traveling with the band in my teens, I’d gotten super into romance novels. It’s where most of my sex education came from. And man, did I love the ones featuring Scottish rogues.
“I don’t think so,” he said, answering Daisy. Damn, I could feel his soft burr settle in the pit of my stomach. I wondered if he could sing, if he would sing to me. I imagined him crooning a lullaby. “I’m looking for Addison Wanks.”
I elbowed Daisy out of the way. “I’m Addison,” I said, hitting him with a blinding smile and holding out my hand. His dry, warm palm encased mine. I caught Daisy frowning at me from the corner of my eye.
“Ach, lass. You have some nasty bruises. I’m here to care for you. I’m Kelly.” Our hands disconnected. It took a moment for me to understand what he was saying. Kelly, his name was Kelly. As in nurse Kelly, or murse Kelly. Billy had hired me a hot male nurse. I’d have to tell Billy he didn’t need to buy me Christmas gifts for the rest of his life. He’d just given me the ultimate present. Thank you, Dad. “Is your neck paining you, lass?” Murse Kelly asked in a deep timbre.
My hands fluttered to my bruises. It did feel a bit tender. “Yes.” I snuck a glance at Daisy, whose mouth was open. “I think I need to rest.” I thought about putting a hand to my forehead, but that might’ve been overkill.
Murse Kelly’s eyes softened in sympathy. “I can see that. May I come in? I have some cream in my bag that may take the sting out of it. I can even give you a light massage that’ll help with the soreness in your limbs. I read over the doctor’s report on my way here.”
I opened the door wide and Kelly stepped through. He wore a black T-shirt and plain black pants. The simple look worked on him. He carried a small black duffel. “Where’s your room, lass? I’ll run you a warm bath and then give you a massage.” While his back was turned I grinned at Daisy. She rolled her eyes at me.
“Let me show you,” I said to Kelly. As I led him to my room, I glanced back over at Daisy. She looked a little pale. She must be exhausted, I thought. “You should head off to bed, Daisy, we can talk tomorrow.” Or never. “You look tired.”
Daisy touched her cheeks. “Yeah, I need to get some rest.” Her hands moved to her belly. “I think I ate too much.”
We said goodnight and Murse Kelly massaged my shoulders until I fell asleep. The worst night ever had quickly turned to the best night ever.