Across the Miles (The Not So Bad Boys of Rock #1) (8 page)

Steve walked back into the testing room and spoke a few reassuring words to me, he is a nice man, and then I felt a hand on my ankle. I looked in the small mirror and saw his kind blue eyes staring back at me, his gaze never leaving mine. He’s here with me, by his own choice. Throughout the entire scan, he remained there, his hand protectively placed over my leg, stroking it absentmindedly and soothing me in the process. His presence made it possible for me to tolerate the small space, and before I knew it, the test was over and I was out of the tube.

Steve came back into the room and started talking about my results, I only half listened, instead choosing to stare at Sebastian. His eyes were such a brilliant shade of blue, and I loved the way the little flecks of silver sparkled whenever he laughed. His hair looked soft and crazy, and I couldn’t help but fantasize about running my fingers through it, just once, to get a feel for it. Would that be weird? I didn’t see how it would be, considering that just last night he had run his fingers through mine while cleaning it up, surely that constituted as a legitimate excuse for me to return the favor.

“Well, I’m sorry to do this to you but I am going to recommend that you avoid air travel for the next seven to ten days,” Steve reported; the next words he spoke were lost as I couldn’t wrap my head around what he had just told me. I couldn’t go home? What was I supposed to do now? I couldn’t stay here; I had to get back to work. Where would I stay? A hotel would be expensive for that many days, and I barely knew Sebastian. Surely that would be too much of an imposition. One night was awkward, maybe, but ten? No, I had to get home. Maybe I could drive, surely that would be acceptable.

“Hey honey, are you okay?” Sebastian asked, his hand
on my shoulder. Why did my heart skip a beat when he used that endearment on me? Was it possible that I had feelings for him because he had come to my rescue? I knew it was common for women to want a man to be their hero, but in my limited experience, men didn’t run blindly into problems, they ran away from them without looking back. But Sebastian, he was different, he not only jumped in to help me when I was lying there hurt and bleeding, but he stayed and was still here beside me twenty-four hours later. This man was unlike any man I had ever known. This man was the exception.

“I can’t travel. What am I going to do, I have to get home. I have responsibilities and bills. I can’t just stay here for ten days waiting.” I hopped off the table and began pacing frantically. “I could rent a car; I might be able to drive it in five days, six tops. I don’t have enough money to pay for a hotel for that many nights.” My mind raced, and I spoke out loud as I paced. Sebastian, however, just watched quietly. After I had covered the same ground no less than ten times, he cleared his throat and offered a suggestion.

“You could stay with me. I don’t have any plans, and you already know that I have plenty of room for you.” He read my body language immediately, sensing my hesitation, and continued his argument. “Hear me out okay?” I nodded slowly and stopped pacing. “You can have reign over the entire east wing. We can have dinner together, or separately if you prefer, we can spend the time hanging out and watching T.V. I could show you around town, give you a proper city welcome. You can meet the rest of the band, you know how much you love our music,” he offered a lop-sided grin. “Come on, what do you say? It will give us a chance to get to know one another. I enjoy spending time with you; I’d like to know
more about you.” He sat back, placing his hands behind his head, and waited for me to process everything he had just laid before me.

“Are you finished?” I cocked my head and smirked. “You put up quite a good argument; I’ll give you that. And it is a very generous offer, but I barely know you. To spend the next ten days sleeping at your house makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. What if someone gets hold of this story and reports that we are sleeping together? I don’t want that kind of gossip being spread about me.” He held up a hand in protest.

“That’s not going to happen, and if it did we could have them print a retraction. I have a very good publicist, not every news clip about me is negative you know. Come on, you said it yourself; I’m a decent guy. This offer is me doing the right thing. You need to stay here, for your health. I would worry about you if you tried to fly after what Steve said. Please, if not for me then do it for your safety,” he pleaded, even throwing in pouty lips and batting eyelashes. It was entirely unnecessary, I had already decided to stay with him before he even began his argument, I just needed to make my point. I hope I didn’t regret my decision.

“Okay, I’ll stay, but only on one condition,” I held up a finger. “You have to let me cook for you while I am here. It’s the least I can do to repay you for your kindness.” I stood facing him, hands on my hips, waiting for him to respond.

The next thing I knew he had picked me up and swung me around, whooping and hollering. He kissed me on the forehead and set me back down on the table, I leaned a hand against it for stability, not sure if I was reeling from the spinning or the kiss, or both.

“I am going to make this the best week of your life
Brooke Caldwell. You just wait, by the time ten days are over you won’t want to leave.” The butterflies in my stomach fluttered restlessly, and I smiled weakly because part of me knew that he might be right.

CHAPTER SEVEN

“What the hell do you mean you have to stay with him? You don’t even know him,” Jade demanded through the phone, exasperation evident in her voice. “Let’s back up a minute. Tell me everything that has happened, and don’t leave anything out because I am still mad at you for only texting me after your attack and not returning my phone calls. I have been worried sick over here.” So I started from the beginning, making sure not to leave anything out, before finishing with him inviting me to stay at his house. “But you don’t even know him,” she reiterated.

“Jade, just think about it for a minute. This is Sebastian Miles we’re talking about. Hello. I tried really hard to say no, but he was so persuasive. Besides, have you seen him?” I asked sarcastically. “He’s been incredibly sweet so far and nothing but a gentleman, I don’t even think he has those kind of feelings for me. I think he just sees me as a woman in distress, maybe helping me is a way to redeem himself.”

“I don’t know Brooke, I still don’t like it, but I trust your judgment,” she sighed. “Seeing as how you are going
to be shacking up with a celebrity, you can get those pictures for me. Maybe you’ll get to meet the rest of the band while you’re there,” she said, now excited about the prospect of me staying a while longer.

“I’ll see what I can do,” I laughed and said my goodbyes. I made my way out to the balcony, just off my room, and placed a call to my boss, Donnie.

“So, my little Brooke goes out to L.A. and gets herself shacked up with a famous rock star. How on earth did you swing that?” He laughed heartily before continuing. “Seriously kid, are you okay? The doctor says that everything looks good just no traveling to stay on the safe side? You’re not keeping anything from me are you?” Donnie wore the surrogate father hat well, and right now he was in full-on protective mode.

“I promise, I’m okay. I’m frustrated that I have been advised to stay though. How will you manage without me for that long? I don’t want to put you in a bad spot.”

“We’ll be fine, trust me. I’ll call in a few favors and have one of our sister restaurants send me someone on loan until you get back. You are coming back, right? You’re not going to run off and marry this guy are you?” he teased.

“Stop it! You know me better than that Donnie. Besides, it’s not like that; he’s very sweet and doting. Kind of like you, but worth a lot more money,” I teased. “I promise to be careful and not fall madly in love. And I also promise to come back home. I love you and will call you later this week.”

“I mean it, call me if you need anything, I’ll come running,” he pleaded. “I love you too kiddo.”

Once I had finished
calling my friends, and the airline, I headed downstairs to find Sebastian. I searched most of the main floor before heading to the basement
studio; he was in there, and the door was closed. I stood there for a moment watching him play the guitar; his eyes were closed, and I could see his lips mouthing a song. He looked peaceful. I slipped back upstairs and headed out the back, down the pathway that led to the beach. Sebastian lived in Santa Monica, and his estate backed up to the ocean. I found a quiet spot to sit down and stare at the water. This part of the beach was nearly deserted, I looked to my left and right and spotted mostly surfers or the occasional sunbather. I stretched my legs out before me and rested on my left palm, using my right to shield the sun from my eyes. A beautiful ocean breeze and the crashing of the waves against the shore made for a relaxing setting. I had been there for only a short time when I heard Sebastian’s voice behind me; I instantly smiled.

“There you are, I thought you’d snuck off and hopped on a plane to Michigan,” he joked, plopping down in the sand next to me. I noticed that he had changed into a pair of running shorts and was barefoot. He had nice feet. Of course he did, everything about him bordered on perfection, there was no way he could look that good and have ugly feet. I drew my legs up close to my body, suddenly aware of my shortcomings.

“I told you I would stay didn’t I? I just needed some fresh air. You were busy in the studio, and I didn’t want to disturb you.” I got up and began making my way down the beach, the sudden urge to move was impossible to resist, he quickly fell into step beside me.

“You were down in the studio?” he frowned slightly. “I didn’t see you, I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. I don’t want to intrude on your routine just because I’m stuck here for the next ten days. Don’t let me get in your way, you go about your
business, I will be fine,” I waved my hand in front of me to indicate the casualness of our arrangement. “I don’t expect you to drop everything and be at my beck and call. My credit card should have arrived at the bank by now, and I’ll go pick it up later.” At this point I was rambling nervously, and my pace increased dramatically, yet he kept up without breaking a sweat.

“No, that’s not how it’s going to be at all. You are my guest; I can go about my business and still include you. I’m not sure what it will take to convince you that you’re not an intrusion on my life. It may have been unexpected, but I often find that’s when I make the best memories. What do you say Brooke, are you up for making some memories with me this week?” he nudged his shoulder playfully against mine, making my lips automatically curl into a smile.

I hesitated a few moments, but that was only because I didn’t want to appear too eager to take him up on his offer. What could it hurt? He had been a perfect gentleman so far, and I was free to escape to a hotel if at any point I felt uncomfortable. “Okay, yes, let’s make some memories together. How about we start with me making you lunch, I’m starving,” I stopped and turned, heading back to the house.

“Now that’s an offer I can’t refuse,” he replied, bending slightly at the knee before calling out, “hop on,” his hands patted his back, indicating that I should jump up and ride him back to the house.

“No thanks, I can walk,” I shook my head self-consciously, but he just motioned again. I shrugged my shoulders and jumped on, squealing as I tried to get settled. His breathing wasn’t labored, so I must not be too heavy, and once I had shifted into a comfortable position, he took off in a light jog, showing off. I held on
tightly, enjoying the proximity. In this position, I could bury my face in his hair and breathe in his wonderful scent. He smelled like the ocean and suntan lotion, and I loved it. If I wasn’t careful, I would get drunk on it; I was that close. We both giggled at the playfulness of this gesture, and I was suddenly aware that I had never ridden piggyback on anyone, let alone a man. It was great fun, and I was a little saddened it had to come to an end once he had bounded up the final steps to the outdoor patio. I slid down his body, legs a bit numb from him holding on so tight, and gave him a gentle shove through the doorway.

Sebastian~

I wasn’t sure what prompted me to have her hop on my back, and for a moment I thought she was going to refuse. Most women worry too much about their weight, and I could tell by her body language that she had some insecurities, but she surprised me and jumped on. I wasn’t sure why she would have been nervous, she barely weighed anything. Her arms and legs were wrapped tightly around me, and as she settled she leaned in close, snuggling against the back of my neck, and I felt the warmth of her breath. It was too bad the walk back hadn’t taken longer, I could have gotten used to having her this close. The offer had started off completely innocent, but with each step I took I realized it had been a perfect excuse to touch her, even if it was only her calf. It was a beautiful calf. When she slipped down my body immediately mourned the loss, like me, it had become attached too quickly.

“Chicken pasta salad sound good?” she asked, looking over the leftovers in the fridge. She turned to me before
pulling out ingredients.

“Sounds great, I’m easy; I’ll eat anything. Do you need my help?”

“Nope, just sit there, and I’ll take care of everything.” She got busy chopping and shredding, the knife moving quickly across the cutting board. “Do you like peas?” her blonde hair fell over her shoulder as she cocked her head to the side.

“Not really,” I scrunched up my nose.

“Too bad, they’re good for you, so I am throwing in a few.” She smiled sweetly before continuing to toss items together, seasoning and tasting along the way. In less than ten minutes, she had thrown together an amazing looking salad with items I would most likely have thrown out if she hadn’t been visiting. I’m a bachelor with lots of money, most days it’s easier for me to order out, so a home cooked meal is hard to come by, until Sunday when I go to my parents.

“Looks great,” I said, digging in. “Yum, thank you.”

“Oh, this was nothing,” she waved a hand in front of her face. “I hate seeing food go to waste; it’s the one thing about my industry that drives me crazy. I remember this one time at work we had a new kitchen recruit that wasted more food than he ever put out. Every night there would be plates tossed because of something he had messed up. I felt sorry for him, but it enraged me every time the food was thrown into the trash. Needless to say, he didn’t last long in my kitchen, we run a tight ship.”