Page 68 of Just What She Needed

Rhys’s eyebrows shot up. “You look quite fierce. I’d hate to be in their shoes if they ever caught you in a compromising position.” He kissed her softly. “But they won’t be in our room in New York and having you naked on your back there is something I’m looking forward to. It’ll be hours and hours before we get there, though, so put your head down and try to get some sleep.”

As soon as she laid her head on his chest, exhaustion hit her like a speeding Mack truck. “I thought Sara said it was only two hours to New York.”

“It is. But it’s a long time yet until we leave.”

“Oh.” The second she closed her eyes, the lure of sleep beckoned, and she let it take her.

She woke sometime later to the sound of Rhys’s voice rumbling under her ear.

“Jesus,” he mumbled. “Can’t you for once in your worthless life try to act civilized?”

“Couldn’t resist,” Drew replied. “You two just look so lovey-dovey.”

“Sod off,” Rhys said.

“Move out of the way,” said an unfamiliar voice. “I just want to find a bunk and crash.”

“Keep your voices down,” Rhys growled. “We’re trying to sleep.”

“Yeah, keep your voice down, Corbin,” Drew said in a stage whisper. “They’re trying to sleep. Wait. One more just to make sure.”

Rhett heard the unmistakable sound of a phone camera. “I’m going to shove that phone up your ass sideways, Drew.”

“Uh-oh,” he laughed. “I woke up the Hellcat.”

Another unfamiliar voice came from the door of the bus. “I’m here, I’m here. Don’t leave without me.”

“They’re trying to sleep, Nathan,” Drew informed him, his voice full of amusement.

“Oh. Sorry, Rhys. Sorry, Rhys’s girlfriend.”

“Her name’s Hellcat,” Drew supplied.

“Aw, they look awfully sweet, don’t they?” Nathan, whoever he was, said.

Rhys tightened his arms around Rhett. “I’m sorry, baby. Try to go back to sleep.” He pressed his lips to her forehead.

The snap of the camera app sounded again, and Rhys tried to sit up.

“That’s it. I’m going to fucking disembowel you.”

“No, you’re going to dump me off this couch,” Rhett protested.

Yet another voice joined the chaos of what once was a peaceful atmosphere. “Evening, gents. Oh, and lady, I’m sorry. We ready to roll?”

“We’re ready whenever you’re ready to drive us,” Nathan said. “I’m gonna go catch a couple hours of sleep.”

“Nighty-night, lovebirds,” Drew said. “See you in New York.”

“I warned you,” Rhys murmured to Rhett.

“He’d damn well better hand over those pictures,” she replied as she put her head back down on his chest.

“Oh, he will.” Rhys sounded quite sure of himself and Rhett relaxed. Not long after, the vibration of the bus increased as the engine was cranked, and the overhead lights went out, leaving the interior lit only by a row of dim lights next to the floor. Rhett closed her eyes and let sleep take her again.

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On the road, as a 'rock star,' there's superficial attention, and adulation is thrown at you for a couple of hours—then you're alone in your room and it's lonely.—Melissa Etheridge