We walked into the lobby of the hotel and checked in. Butler had already arranged to have my bags delivered to my room. Alicia and I rode the lift in silence to the fifth floor. The sexual tension was palpable. She licked her lower lip, and my cock sprang to attention. I would have taken her right there if it weren't for the elderly couple riding in the lift with us.

The carriage stopped and the doors opened, we quickly exited into the hallway, and all but raced to our hotel room. I swiped the key card and opened the door. Quick on my heels, Alicia playfully pushed me into the entryway. Turning around, I took her in my arms and kissed her. "I am going to make love to you for hours," I said, picking her up and walking over to the bed.

"Been reading up on Tantric sex, have you?"

"I have a few good moves," I mutter as I tossed Alicia on the mattress.

"I'd say you have more than a few," she purred, slowly unbuttoning her shirt.

I stripped out of my clothes and then lay down next to my gorgeous wife. Propping my head in my hand, I took my free arm and traced an invisible line from her lips to her chin and down to her breasts. Taking my finger tip and circling around her areola, I leaned in and kissed Alicia's lips. They were soft, supple and filled with desire.

"Hunter, I need you inside me," she pleaded in a hushed breath.

"There is no place I'd rather be, love," I replied as I lifted my body over hers and slipped inside her folds. Her warmth welcomed me home.

* * *

Holding Alicia in my arms, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the scent of her. A smile formed on my lips. I was happy, sated, and feeling life was great.

"Wow, making love with a rock star is pretty fantastic," she sighed.

"Who were you fantasying about?" I teased.

"Hunter Greene, he's the lead guitar player in a band called Tia Sympathy. Ever heard of them?" She inquired in total seriousness.

"Hunter Greene, that's a silly name for rock god," I replied rolling on top of her, pinning her to the mattress.

"I guess his parents have a sense of humor," she laughed. Caressing the side of my face, she said, "I'm so glad you're happy. You deserve this."

"I miss you. The only thing that could make my life perfect is if you were on the road with us," I admitted.

"I wish that too. I love my job, but getting your texts and seeing the photos you've been sending me all week has made me insanely jealous."

"Maybe the next time we go out on tour, you can join us for more than a weekend," I suggested.

"When do you think they'll send you back out?"

"I don't know. Tia and I have been writing new songs like mad. Butler says we shouldn't be in the studio for more than a month when we record the new record."

"That seems fast."

"We're a new band. It's not like we're U2 going into the studio to do a follow-up on a platinum selling album. We don't have a proven track record yet. Butler wants us in and out. The less studio time, the more money we can save. We get an advance to record, but if the album doesn't do well and we don't do our part to promote it, the record company will want their money back. It's a lopsided business and it's not in favor of the artist."

"Hunter, you aren't doing this for the money."

"No, I'm not; but I hope Tia isn't let down if we aren't the next INXS," I sighed.

"She really wants this to go big, doesn't she?" Alicia asked.

"Yeah, I don't want to see her disappointed. She's one of my dearest mates."

"Have you talked to her about your concerns?"

"Na, I don't have the heart to burst her bubble. She's so upbeat and enthusiastic."

"Tonight when I watched you play, she just owned the stage. The audience was captivated," Alicia chimed in.

"Exactly, she's a natural. For me, the band could end tomorrow and I'd be perfectly happy to go home. I could easily go back to bartending and helping my dad with the boating business."

"It's a good thing you have this in perspective."

"That's because I have someone to come home to," I told her with a kiss.

"And this need to succeed as a band is all Tia has," Alicia finished.

Nodding my head, I agreed. Tia had a great family, except when it came to Tia's dating life. With a proud Maori bloodline, they wanted her to date a Maori. Anyone else was frowned upon.

* * *

I said good-bye to Alicia at the airport the next morning. She flew back to Auckland, while we headed south to Nelson.

After soundcheck, Tia wanted to go back to the bus and do some more writing. I had other ideas, so I persuaded her to take a walk.

"We should be writing new music," Tia scowled as we walked along the crowded streets of Nelson.

"You're pushing too hard. You need to be inspired. Just take a look around you," I motioned with my hand. "It's a beautiful day. There's a business man in such a hurry he'll probably get hit by a car if he doesn't watch where he's going."

"Morbid thought. No one wants to listen to a song about someone getting hit by a car," Tia shot back.

"It worked for The Smiths," I mused. "Elderly man walking a dog. Don't tell me you have something against pet songs," I playfully remarked.

"Not very rock n' roll is it?" she questioned with a raised eyebrow.

I pointed to young couple holdings hands. They stopped on the corner and kissed one another. It was sweet and remind me of my wife. "Couple in love?"

"That's your department, not mine."

"Tia."

"What?"

"I feel like you have all your hopes and dreams pinned to this record deal. I don't want to see you hurt," I explained.

"Hunter, failure isn't an option. We're good. If we work our asses off, good things will happen for us."

"I'm just saying maybe we should have a plan B."

"No, this is going to happen. I refuse the think otherwise," she replied, effectively ending the conversation. "I'm heading back to the bus to work on my lyrics."

I spied a coffee shop a few doors down. "I'm gonna grab a coffee. Want something?"

"No, just get a cup to go and come back when you're finished."