Bud, one of the drivers for my bus, pulled into the rest stop. The second bus pulled beside us. The guys in the band never missed a chance to get out and stretch their legs. They were used to long hauls with few stops so when we pulled into a dusty rest area just west of Las Vegas they were surprised.

I stepped in front of Gia as she made her way to the door.

“I’m letting you off now so you have time to think about what’s happening between us. Make no mistake, there’s something here and you’ll be in my arms and my bed before this tour is over. You want this as much as I do. Don’t try to deny it.” I leaned down and brushed my lips across hers. “The only way we’re not happening is if you quit, and something tells me you’re not a quitter, Gia.”

The door to the bus swung open to reveal my band-mates walking around with what-the-fuck looks on their faces.

I moved out of Gia’s way and flagged over Toby.

He stepped aside for Gia to pass. “What’s up man?”

“She’s a bit overwhelmed right now and wants to ride on the band bus. Keep an eye on her. No one fucks with her or they answer to me.”

Toby looked at me like I’d lost my mind. If women were on the bus, everyone fucked with them or fucked them. “She wants to ride with a bunch of assholes?”

I let a smile break on my face. “She thinks it will be for the best.”

“You want us to behave or simply keep our hands to ourselves?”

“No one touches her, but other than that, do what you normally do.” Basically that meant Gia would be in a den of debauchery. My drummer Jess was a nudist. Toby, liked to jam while the bus was in motion. He’d been in a bad accident a few years ago. The music kept his mind off the road. Scott, my lead guitarist, generally fucked his way from one stop to the next. God help Gia if there was a carload of chicks following behind us because Scott liked his sex loud and long lasting. We called him Piston for a reason.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my wallet. Inside were several hundreds. I pulled one out and slapped it into Toby’s palm.

“I’ll buy the beer if you guys can get her to want to come back on my bus.”

Toby looked down at the bill in his hand. “What the fuck did you do to her?”

I shrugged. “I kissed her.”

Toby stuck out his arms like wings and took flight in a circle around me until he growled and sounded like a plane going down. “Crash and burn man.” He laughed. “You lost your touch? Never saw the chicks flee from you.” He looked over his shoulder to where Gia took the first step up onto the bus. She glanced back at him. Their eyes held each other’s for a moment until she disappeared into what was no doubt a jungle.

Before I’d made it big, I traveled on a single bus with my band. The place smelled like stale beer, cigarettes, and sex. There was never a moment of silence. The only time the place was clean was the second everyone entered, and then it was a hovel until the end of the tour.

No doubt Gia would be back on my bus by the end of the night.

* * *

The damn woman was killing me. She checked in every few hours by email and text, but she stayed on the bus. We arrived in Dallas the next day to kick off the tour. I knew she was exhausted. Dark circles lined her eyes.

“How’s the trip going?” I raised a brow in question. “Getting much sleep?”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s like sleeping at the zoo, but smells worse.”

I chuckled. “You probably shouldn’t have given cheese to Matt, your driver. He’s lactose intolerant.” I watched her give him a cheesy bagel the day before.

“Good to know.”

“You can come back to where it’s quiet and smells like lavender.” She looked longingly over my shoulder to my bus. “I also have a jetted shower.”

She looked back to the bus she rode on. “I wore my shoes in the shower because Scott said he pissed in it last night.”

The guys behind her smiled toward me. Toby and Scott gave me a thumbs up. I was really going to owe these guys. Generally, I got what I wanted right away, but I knew without a doubt, Gia would be worth the wait.

“They’re animals. It’s why I have my own bus.”

“What now?” She smoothed the wrinkles out of her T-shirt. “What do you need from me?”

“We’re back at that question? I thought I was pretty clear.” I leaned in and whispered, “You in my bed.”

“As tempting as a real bed sounds, I meant what do you need me to do. You’re on in two hours.”

I told her I’d be heading to sound check soon. “Maybe you can decide what I’m wearing on stage tonight?”

Her head pushed back as she looked at me. “You want me to pick your clothes? Isn’t that an important element of the show?”

“They say clothes make the man. I’m all yours.”

She ate me up with a look I was pretty certain she had no idea she was giving me, but my cock knew it. It hardened the minute her eyes skated over it.

She stared at my length pressing against my jeans. “Is that a perpetual problem for you?”

I cupped my crotch. “Not a problem for me. Is it for you?”

She licked her lips and my dick jumped in reaction. What I wouldn’t do to see her on her knees in front of me with my cock in her mouth.

“Don’t tease me with those lips, sweetheart.”

“You’re awful.” She rolled her lips between her teeth and bit down.

“I’ve been told I’m awfully good.”

“So you keep telling me.”

She took another glance at my pants, turned around, and marched toward the bus. I watched her ass sway back and forth with every step up. When I got up on stage tonight, there would be thousands of screaming fans, but the only woman I’d see was Gia. The vision of her curvy ass was burned into my brain cells.

Sound check took about an hour. I walked back to the bus to find lots of sweet, thoughtful gifts. On the counter was an ice bucket with fruit juices and smoothies. Next to it was a note that said the sugar would help my energy and the vitamins would help my stamina. She had no idea about my staying power, but I planned to show her.

I walked into my room to find a worn pair of jeans on the bed along with a gray cotton T-shirt. I loved that she wanted me in comfy clothes. It was as if Gia got me—really understood me. She wasn’t a musician, but she was observant. I imagine she’d browsed through hundreds of pictures where I wore these exact jeans and this shirt. They were my favorites. I was touched by her consideration and attention to detail.

Although it was her job, Gia went a step farther to make sure whatever she chose was good for me. When I lifted the shirt, she had tucked a note underneath it.

Abel,

Break a leg or whatever is right to say.

I listened to the set today on my phone. I have to say it’s amazing.

Yours,

Gia

Damn straight she was mine. The problem was she didn’t know it yet.