She swallowed hard. “Yes. I wear a compression sports bra.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because these jiggling things are a pain in my ass. I started binding them when I joined the military.”

“But—”

“You say they’re spectacular? All they’ve ever done is get in my way. I wanted the guys in my unit to see me as a soldier, not a woman. It’s a habit now because I’m still mainly working with men. I’m taken more seriously in my profession when I don’t display distracting mounds of flesh. And I shoot better.”

His eyes softened. “Doesn’t it hurt you, though? To bind them all the time?”

“I’m used to it.”

“You don’t have to hide them from me anymore. Because, darlin’, no offense, but now that I know about your gorgeous rack? I’m gonna be lookin’ at your chest way more than is probably healthy.”

“Or wise.”

Devin laughed. “Maybe.” His gaze zeroed in on her br**sts again. “But even though I know you’re always armed, I’d still be willing to take my chances to get my hands and my mouth all over you.”

“Devin, you’re making me uncomfortable.”

“Now you know how I’ve felt since the moment you stepped combat boots on my bus.” His gaze traveled up to her lips. “We never talked about setting some parameters in this relationship.”

“I am not discussing it when I’m naked!”

“Would it be easier to talk about if I was nekkid too?” he said in that deep, silky tone of his.

Yes! “No!” She closed her eyes. “Please. Back off and let me get dressed.”

“No.”

Her eyes flew open, and she saw he’d closed the gap between them, leaving her trapped against the wall and by his eyes. “What do you want from me?”

“Your promise that we’ll have an honest conversation about what’s goin’ on between us. As soon as possible.” His eyes narrowed. “And, darlin’, lose that defiant look. Don’t insult either of us by pretending we’re still just protector and protectee after those kisses yesterday.”

“But . . . we are that.”

“We can be so much more than that, and you know it.” He slanted his mouth over hers. The kiss started out sweet but quickly caught fire. Even as Devin kissed her, he didn’t touch her anywhere else. He focused on putting every bit of passion into the kiss.

Just like before, she lost her need for control when he put that wicked mouth on hers.

When he finally broke their lip-lock, a full-body shudder worked though her and she expelled a loud “God.”

“I wasn’t imagining it.” Devin pushed back. This time, his gaze didn’t leave her eyes. “The day is a wash as far as us getting time alone to talk without interruption. But tonight? As soon as that bus door closes and we’re on the road, you are mine, understand?”

She just blinked at him.

“Liberty? Say something.”

“I’m not sorry I used your shower.”

That dazzling smile appeared. “Me either.” He handed her a towel. “But you’ve gotta move your sweet ass outta here. I need to shower too and I only have so much willpower.”

After he closed the door, she realized he never asked her about the second thing he wanted to know.

For this part of the tour, Devin had two new opening acts. The first night Big Sky required all three acts to convene in the ready room after the first rehearsal. Devin wasn’t happy about the interruption to his preshow solitude. Liberty wasn’t happy with the two dozen extra people running around.

The promotion company had gone all-out—the catering was outstanding. The bands and their crews fell on the food like starving teenagers. Liberty stationed herself in the corner, observing the crowd while nibbling on a mini pastrami sandwich. She’d mentally sorted band members from roadies when Devin beckoned her over.

She ditched her plate and wiped her hands.

Crash stood on Devin’s left side, a redheaded bombshell on his left. Or more accurately, the redheaded bombshell was plastered against Devin. Resting her head on his biceps. Putting her hands on his chest. Pressing her hip into his groin when she stood on tiptoe to speak with him.

Jealousy seared Liberty’s gut like a red-hot poker. She wasn’t sure who annoyed her more. The hot little number who assumed it was all right to put her grabby hands all over Devin. Or Devin, who wasn’t telling said hot little number to keep her mitts to herself.

As soon as she reached the group, Devin reached for Liberty’s hand and sidestepped the redheaded leech. “Hey, darlin’. You ate?”

“Yes. Did you?”

“Workin’ my way in that direction. But first I wanted to introduce you to our opening acts.” He pointed to the pouting redhead, who up close looked to be about twelve. “This is Jesse-Belle Archer. She’s a big talent coming out of Alabama. Keep an eye on her because she’s goin’ places.”

Liberty choked back a laugh at Devin’s warning. She offered her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Who is she?” Jesse-Belle demanded of Devin, ignoring Liberty completely.

“My personal assistant,” Devin said, keeping an arm around Liberty’s shoulder.

“Personal assistant, my ass.” Odette snorted. “Those two are inseparable. We can hardly get them off Devin’s bus. Be warned, Jezebel. You wanna talk to Devin, you gotta go through her first.”

Tags: Lorelei James Blacktop Cowboys Western
Source: readsnovelonline.net