His hands stilled as he realized how close I was to his face. Beau slightly turned my way. My hands were still under his, clutching his drumsticks like they were the last lifeline I had. They just might’ve been. My eyes scanned his flawless face. He had the most beautiful skin, and I wanted to touch him again. My eyes flitted to his lips. God, what it would be like to press my lips to his, I could only imagine.
“Did you . . . keep your drumsticks?” I felt his warm breath against my lips, and I shuddered. Tingles spread from my spine down to my toes and back again, making goose bumps break out on my skin. I wanted nothing more than to grab him and show him exactly why he should want to get to know me better.
I licked my dry lips and nodded my head. “O-of course. I told you I’d save them forever.”
He nodded. His thumbs caressed my hands and I froze, wondering if he knew what he was doing and afraid if I moved he would realize it and stop.
“You’re so handsome.” My legs shook as adrenaline coursed through my body. “There’s nothing better than seeing you doing what you love.”
Beau’s eyes searched mine as if trying to read into what I said. Of course, he didn’t believe me. Why would he? I knew from experience kids who had been abandoned never quite got over the belief that nothing they did was good enough or would bring back the people they loved. He was no different.
But I had to keep my mouth shut because that’s what had gotten me into trouble before with him.
I wanted nothing more than to kiss Beau, to show him with my mouth what I couldn’t say in words. But I was terrified of what his reaction would be, and after the stress I’d been under over Robbie, I didn’t think my fragile psyche could handle one more thing.
One of Beau’s hands moved, and I knew the moment was over. He’d want me to get away from him now. But instead, I felt his hand touch the side of my face like I’d done to him on the rooftop deck.
“You . . .” Beau cleared his throat. I could physically see how hard this was for him to do. “April.” It came out a strained whisper, like it physically pained him to say my name. I didn’t want him to hurt because of me.
“It’s okay,” I said, putting my hand over his on my face. “You don’t have to talk. Just know I’m here, all right?”
He shook his head, moving his hand and entwining our fingers together. Then he shocked the hell out of me and kissed my palm, his eyes never leaving mine. “You . . . smell incredible,” he whispered against my skin. “You’re . . . beautiful. So beautiful.” If I hadn’t been listening to every syllable like they were the last sounds I’d ever hear, I might’ve missed what he said.
But I’d heard every damn one of them.
“Time to go!” Natalie’s voice came from behind us, and I wanted to cry. Of course, we’d be interrupted now.
Beau stood, his fingers still linked with mine. He leaned over and brushed his lips against my cheek, stopping at my ear. “Stay after the show.” He dropped my hand and stepped around me, but I was frozen in place. Desire pulsed through my body like nothing I’d ever experienced before, and the biggest smile broke across my face.
Beau Anderson had kissed my hand. And my cheek. He’d asked me to stay after the show.
I thought my head just might explode right off my body.
I was in a hotel room with Beau Anderson. I was alone in a hotel room with Beau Anderson. He’d either asked Natalie not to come back to the room, or she’d made herself scarce.
I’d barely been able to contain myself the entire show. Beau had stared straight at me the whole time he played, or at least, I pretended he did. I’d never been so turned on in my entire life from a kiss to the hand and the cheek. Since it was only the second show they’d played from their new tour, the first being in their hometown, the crowd was on fire for the new music they’d never played live before.
Camryn had tried to get me to talk about what had happened, but I couldn’t even form words. It wasn’t like a whole lot had happened anyway, at least not by her standards. To me, however, I felt like I’d just won the damn lottery.
I was shaking my leg nervously, watching Beau as he poured us both a soda from his mini fridge. He hadn’t said a word to me after the show, just simply held out his hand and walked with me back to his room. I’d been afraid to breathe for fear he’d change his mind.
He slid the glass across the table to me, and I took it, gulping it a little too eagerly. I needed to relax. It wasn’t like he’d bite me or anything.
“So this was show number two, right?”