Page 70 of Just Wait

She’s a snuggly little thing, and she didn’t fight me at all. I’d like to think we both needed that affection.

I’ve got a hell of a crush on her, and I’m not even bothering to try to hide it.

It’s crazy.

I’ve been with a fair number of people. It’s like I have radar to tell when someone is interested, but she throws me off my game. Sometimes I’m convinced she’s as into me as I am to her. Other times, I get self-conscious as hell because I can’t tell if she’s just too nice to blow me off.

The bus driver forces us off the bus ungodly early—also known as before noon. The buses are being serviced while we’re in Columbia, and he was ready to start his mini vacation.

We’re all dragging ass as we make it into the hotel suite.

It’s nice.

Not as fancy as some of the places they’ll put us up in when we’re in Chicago, Baltimore, or New York, but it’ll do.

Ten and Parish take off to check out the rooms while Kincaid and I unload the bags off the luggage cart. The attendant—or whatever he is—would have done it, but it’s easier when we do it ourselves, since we know what things belong to who.

I love seeing Lumen’s bags mixed in with ours. We very responsibly pile all our shit near the door, and I leave Kincaid to handle the tip while I go check on Lumen.

Riser will take good care of her, of that I have no doubt. It’s just our first time in a hotel since the week Ruined Records covered in Miami before the tour took off. I didn’t get to see her reaction then.

I want to be by her side as she explores.

When we were first signed, I was blown away by the lavishness. Hell, I’d never been in a penthouse hotel suite in my life.

This place isn’t like the hotel in Miami, but we’ve got the nicest room.

I make it into the living room area and freeze.

Lumen is out on the balcony with Riser. She stands close to the railing, cheesing like crazy. Her hair blows around her face as she cycles through a multitude of poses.

Shit.

I need to call my mom.

I’m going to marry that chick, and my mom will murder me with her bare hands if she’s not the first to know that I met my dream girl.

“You have a balcony to smoke on if you drink tonight,” Lumen says, appearing at my side.

I meant to head out and check on her, but I scared the shit out of myself with my own thoughts. That lasted about two minutes before I decided I believe in love at first sight. I’ve been drawn to her since the first time I laid eyes on her.

I’m physically attracted to a lot of people upon meeting them, but I’ve never had my chest get warm and fuzzy while experiencing that comforting, nostalgic feeling when you come home after a long trip.

That has to mean something, and I’m not going to let it freak me out.

“No demonic serial killer clowns can get you way up here.” She laughs, wrapping her arm around my lower back and leaning around to grin at me.

I slide my hand up her neck and weave my fingers into her hair. Bending, I dip my mouth close to hers and barely hold myself back from shoving my tongue into her mouth.

“I trust you to protect me, baby doll,” I say, brushing my lips over hers.

Her fingers dig into my lower back, her eyelashes fluttering.

She wants me to kiss her, and I surely fucking would if Ten and Parish didn’t choose this exact moment to come into the room.

“You want the good news or the bad news?” Tennyson asks.

I release my hold on Lumen’s hair and make sure she’s steady before pulling her in front of me. Even that small brush of our lips was enough to make my dick half-hard. Her back rests against my chest, and I smile like a fiend.