Roxie nodded. “I can only imagine. It’s exhausting seeing you deal with it during this one meal. It’s constant, isn’t it? I mean, the crowd outside each arena when we pull into every town is enough to send me running for cover.”
Beckham laughed. “You should do a meet and greet with me sometime. It’s great and sometimes very, very frightening.”
“No, thank you.” She smiled as she said it.
He leaned forward, taking her hand in his and lacing his fingers through hers. “Please?”
She grew very still but didn’t take her hand away. “What are you asking for exactly?” she whispered.
“Everything. I’m asking for everything.”
He studied her eyes as she tried to keep the alarm out of them. His other hand stroked the inside of her wrist. Without taking his eyes off her, he lifted her wrist to his lips and kissed it, so soft that she shivered.
“You have me right here,” he said, kissing the palm of her hand.
“Why me?” she whispered. “Why now? I don’t know what you could possibly like about me at this point…”
“I like that I can barely touch you like this and yet it feels like my skin is going to explode from it. I like the love we’re making onstage every night. It’s driving me insane, you know.” She started to protest and he shook his head. “Don’t pretend it isn’t true. It’s totally what we’re doing.” He leaned in closer, until his head was an inch from hers. “I like the way you make everyone laugh and the way you’ve made everyone (but me, by the way) a scarf. I like that you ate all this food with me. I like everything about you except for the fact that you sometimes act like you want nothing to do with me.” His voice got lower and lower. “I like the heat in your eyes when I make you angry. I like the way your lips curl up when you try to hide a smile from me. I like that I want to be around you all the time. I like the way you look in everything you wear. I like imagining you out of everything you wear.”
She took her hand away from his. “Sometimes want nothing to do with you?” She tried to laugh, but it was weak. “I think that’s exactly it right there. I’m the only girl who doesn’t want you.”
“That’s all you heard of what I just said?” He laughed. “And not true,” he said, taking her hand back in his. “That’s not why I like you, it’s what I dislike about you, and … are you sure you don’t want me?” He leaned over until his forehead touched hers. “Tell me you’re sure and I’ll stop.”
“I’m sure I shouldn’t want you,” Roxie said.
“Two very different things. I’ll take it,” he said.
He put his hands on either side of her face and kissed her. Soft and gentle, but completely turning her world upside down. Her heart lifted like dandelion dust flying toward the sun.
“I knew I would like that about you too.” He touched her lips with his finger and then followed with his tongue, teasing her, while he looked into her eyes.
Roxie’s heart drummed through her chest. He was torturing her by taking his time, and he knew it. He smiled against her lips, as his tongue ventured inside, taunting her with his restraint. His fingers brushed against her cheek, leaving fiery sparks underneath her skin, until she felt consumed. She put her hands in his curly hair and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss.
His composure went out the window.
He moaned and gripped her hair in both fists as he explored her mouth.
A feverish dance; it was an extension of the way they moved together on the stage. She’d never felt anything more perfect. It was as if she were floating, and yet, grounded at the same time. Nothing existed but the two of them.
Until the fog broke and the commotion nearby was suddenly loud enough to penetrate their bubble. They slowly broke the kiss, but Beckham didn’t let go. Their server walked in, apologizing for the disturbance. Roxie jumped and collided into Beckham. He backed away, holding his nose.
Their moment was lost.
She didn’t look at Beckham once as they walked back to the bus. But fuck it all … kissing her had been worth it. He wanted to ask if he’d really blown it with her, but the thought of how she’d felt in his arms was too right. It couldn’t be a mistake. She wanted him too, no question. It clarified everything for him.
When they reached the buses, Roxie said, “That can’t happen again, Beckham.”
“Why not?” he asked, his heart deflating.
“I know you might remember me differently—if you ever start to remember me at all—but I’m not just some groupie, Beckham. I can’t just … have meaningless flings whenever I get a whim. I’m a responsible adult who has to make responsible decisions and you are not a responsible decision.” She turned around to walk away.
It was like a sharp kick in the gut. He felt sick.
“Roxie, wait. Please. Don’t shut me out again. It was just a kiss.”
She glared at him.
“I know,” his voice rushed out, while he held onto her arm, “it was so much more than that, wasn’t it? I felt it too.”
He looked at her and wished she could see into his mind and heart, how he felt about her.
“I’m not proud of my past. Not at all.” He looked up at the sky and took a breath. “Please hear me. I don’t need another meaningless fling, Roxie. I want you. We’re not there yet, but … I’m dying for you to give me a chance. And I don’t mean sex,” he said, through his teeth. “I mean, me. Please give me a chance.”
Her face softened for a second. He really thought she might say yes.
“I’ve gotta go,” she whispered.
He nodded, backed up a step, and let her go.
Beckham and Ian had to be at the TV station that afternoon. Anthony had gone to check the size of the studio the day before and said it was too small for everyone. Roxie would be the only dancer. She seemed fine with Ian and the guys in the band, cracking jokes about the billboards they passed on the way, but she didn’t look at Beckham the whole ride.
Right before he and Ian were supposed to go chat up the host, Rrrrrandy Reynolds, Beckham’s cell buzzed and it was his manager. Nate knew he was due to go on air. Beckham pushed the silencer and seconds later, Anthony called.
Crap, what’s going on?
He put his phone in his pocket and walked out to meet the smiley, tan guy. He didn’t know why he’d agreed to do this show. The guy had jackass written all over him.
Once they had him all hooked up and did the preliminary greetings, they did the countdown to live. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, cheesy music played.
“Beckham Woods and Ian Sterling! Welcome. The two of you have taken the entertainment industry by storm with this combined tour, playing sold-out shows every night. That has to be the best feeling in the world. What made you decide to tour together?” He looked at Beckham.
“It’s been great. When we saw an opportunity to work together, we both jumped at the chance,” Beckham said. “Being onstage with Ian every night—most fun I’ve ever had.”
The host and camera crew let out a loud ‘Awwww’ and Beckham and Ian both laughed.
“I’m the lucky one,” Ian added.
“We’ve got a bromance going on, folks,” Randy Reynolds said, facing the camera. “Lots of romance on this tour, it seems. Your wife is on the tour with you, right, Ian?”
“Yes.” Ian smiled.
“You two have been heating it up onstage too.” He pointed behind them and a clip played of Ian and Sparrow kissing after their song.