Taste of Love (17 page)

After their meal, they headed to the Indianapolis Canal walk, then over to Circle Center Mall and Union Station. It was a beautiful night as they walked arm in arm, taking in the charming downtown shops. People were sitting on benches alongside the canal, and some were travelling down the water in gondolas.

Cameron looked over at Madison and even by the streetlight, he could tell that she was starting to look better. He still needed to feed her, get her weight back up, but that wasn't something that could happen overnight.

As they headed back to their downtown hotel, neither one could fight off their yawns. It had been such a long day for both of them, and their previous exhaustion did nothing to help the matter.

Back at the hotel, Cameron walked Madison to her bedroom door and took her hand in his. He brought it up to his mouth where he kissed it gently. After he lowered her hand, he didn't let go as he looked into her eyes. "Thank you so much for coming, Madison. I really missed you."

"I missed you too," she whispered, startled, but a bit turned on by the intense look in his eyes. "Thank you for tonight, it was perfect," she told him, kissing his cheek, then closing her door behind her before anything happened.

Cameron sighed as he made his way to his room. He most definitely needed a cold shower before he'd be able to sleep.

The next morning, Madison woke up feeling better than she had in a long time. After she showered, she changed into jeans and a red button up shirt that accented her curves. When she left her room, she was surprised to see that Cameron was up and dressed already. He was sitting on the couch, reading the morning newspaper.

"Cameron Rome reads the newspaper?" she noted. "What would your fans think?" She moved closer. "And it's even the 'World and Politics' section!" She had to admit that she was impressed.

Cameron looked back at her and smiled. In an instant, his arm snaked around her waist and puller her over the couch onto his lap. The newspaper was forgotten as he started to tickle her.

A knock at the door stopped them both in their tracks. Cameron stood up, effectively dropping Madison to the floor. He looked down at her and laughed. "Breakfast is here, do you want to get up for that, or should I feed you on the floor?" he joked as he went to open the door.

"Rock stars," Madison groaned as she pulled herself from the floor, straightening her clothes and hair. She watched as a small man rolled a large cart into their room, leaving it next to the dining table. Cameron handed the man a tip and told him he could take it from there. Madison went to help Cameron unload the cart, amazed to see all the food he'd ordered. "Are you expecting guests for breakfast?"

"Nope, just me and you," he said, looking over all the food. He pulled a chair out for Madison. "Dig in," he told her as he sat down and started to take some food. His plate was overflowing by the time he was done.

Madison started to take some small portions of a few dishes, but after seeing how much Cameron was taking, and hearing her stomach rumble yet again, she added more. She decided to start with the blueberry pancakes, making sure she would definitely be able to eat them, and not be too full if she saved them for last.

Cameron looked up at her as she ate, pleased that she was eating the way she was, and by how her eyes now had their shine back. "I thought we'd go shopping this morning before we leave for the venue. Sound good to you?" he asked between bites.

"Sounds great. I haven't been shopping in so long. But do you think you can handle shopping with me?" She knew that guys seldom liked to shop, except for Chase, and she wasn't sure she could consider him a 'guy'.

"I can handle it. I could use a few new things too. But the condition is that you let me pick an outfit for you, to wear to the concert tonight."

Her eyes widened. "I'm not too sure about that. I've seen how some of those girls dress at your concerts, and I can't see myself wearing something too lewd."

Cameron's hands flew dramatically to his chest. "I'm wounded that you would even think I would dress you like those whores." He brushed some imaginary lint from his shoulder. "I have much better taste than that."

"Fine, but if it's even close to being hoochie-like, I have the power of veto," she warned him. "Are you going to be able to go shopping without getting swamped?"

"I was invisible at the airport yesterday, wasn't I? I even had you fooled," he pointed out.

Madison nodded and pushed her chair back from the table. "I couldn't eat another bite! I bet I just gained five pounds."

"Good, you need it. You're too skinny." He eyed her, and watched her hips as she walked. "I'm done too, so let's go shopping."

Four hours and countless bags later, Madison and Cameron returned to the hotel room. "We have an hour before we have to leave. Get packed too, since we won't be coming back here tonight. We're going to drive to Chicago after the concert, and the hotel rooms are booked already."

Madison went to her room to shower and get ready. She was still a little nervous about wearing the outfit Cameron had picked out, but at the same time, she knew he thought she looked hot in the outfit. She would never admit this to anyone, but she actually agreed - she thought she looked a little hot in the outfit.

Maybe. Just a little.

As she showered, she pondered her relationship with Cameron. She had seen desire in his eyes, but he never did anything more than hold her hand or kiss her cheek. He had been treating her very well since she arrived, but she wondered what would happen that night, backstage, after the concert. She already knew he was a different person when he got up on the stage, and he was obviously a different person when he was surrounded by his fans.

And how did she feel about him? She would readily admit she was attracted to him, and she enjoyed the time they shared. There was definitely chemistry, but if they became a couple, could she handle him touring all the time, and seeing him in the tabloids with those girls? She had no illusions about his life and how he led it; she didn't think she should ask him to sacrifice his fun on the road for her.

She stepped out of the shower and worked on her hair and makeup, trying to make herself look a little less boring, but not trampy.

She entered the bedroom and packed all of her clothes. It was surprisingly difficult, considering all the clothes they had purchased earlier that day. She really needed an extra suitcase already.

There was only one outfit she didn't pack. She took it out of the garment bag that it was in and laid it out on the bed. She couldn't believe that Cameron had insisted on picking out not only her outfit, but her undergarments for the night. What was even more astounding was that she had let him.

She slowly slid the purple silk thong underwear up her legs, and strapped the matching strapless bra to her chest. Next she slid on the tight black sparkling mini skirt, and then the purple top. The arms and chest were loose and flowing, with a wide boatneck, all leading down to the tight waist at the bottom of the shirt. She pulled on her knee high leather boots, with the stiletto heels, to complete the outfit.

Checking herself in the mirror, she smiled at her reflection. She wasn't trashy, but she wasn't demure either. No one would ever mistake her for a librarian, or a schoolteacher, or even a chef, for that matter. She was ready to give the other girls a run for their money at the concert.

When she left her room, dragging her luggage behind her, Cameron was already waiting. He would be changing at the concert hall, so it took him less time to get ready. Seeing her, he whistled loudly, unable to peel his eyes away.

Madison blushed, but lifted her hands up and twirled in a circle for him. "Well? Is this what you imagined when you picked it out?"

Cameron walked over to her, shaking his head. The smile started to slip off Madison's face as he stood before her. He looked so serious that it made her uncertain of what she had seen in the mirror just minutes before.

"No," he told her. "It's better than what I imagined." He put his finger under her chin and lifted it up, so that he could look her in the eyes. "You look amazing, Madison." Slowly, his face got closer and closer to hers. Finally his lips were touching hers, and relief flooded through him, for he was finally doing what he had wanted to do since he saw her walking through the gate at the airport.

Madison sighed at the feel of Cameron's lips on hers. Without giving it a second thought, she opened her mouth to give him access. As she felt his tongue invade her mouth, her knees weakened.

Cameron was the first to back away, worried that if he didn't, he would go further than either of them could handle at the moment. There was so much they needed to talk about before they took that step again. He smiled at the dazed look on Madison's face - that was all he needed to give his confidence a boost when it came to her. Maybe she really was into him like he hoped she was.

"We better go," he said. "The bus is waiting for us downstairs."

Madison cleared her throat and shook her head, trying to come back to her senses. "Right," she said, and reached for her luggage.

"I'll get them," he told her. "You look too pretty to be carrying these heavy bags."

Madison blushed again and grabbed her purse. She looked around the room, silently saying goodbye to the luxury, and wondered if the rest of the evening would be as extraordinary.

The bus was just as Madison had pictured. It included a small sitting area in the front behind the driver, a little dining table after that, a small kitchenette, a few bunks, and a larger 'living room' in the back. His manager and agent were already on the bus waiting for them, and greeted Madison warmly as they were introduced.

Cameron stowed her luggage under the bunks, right next to his. He led her to the back sitting area where they could get comfortable and stretch out. Cameron seemed a little tense, so she sat next to him and told him to turn around. She was trying to watch how she sat in her skirt, not wanting to look all rumpled when they arrived. She reached up and started to massage Cameron's shoulders. His muscles were in knots.

"It's not fair that I got the massage yesterday at the spa. It feels like you need one," she whispered to him, working on the knots near his shoulder blades.

Cameron dropped his head forward and moaned. "God, that feels so good," he told her. "I just get a little tense before the shows."

"A
little
tense?" she said, and then didn't say anything else while she worked on his muscles. Cameron sighed and leaned back into her touch. Part of what he said was true, but the other part was that his need for Madison left him a bit tense.

Within a few short minutes the bus rolled up to the Verizon Music center, where he was performing. They all walked to an area backstage, where they found Cameron's dressing room. He vanished into it and about twenty minutes later, he emerged looking like the rock star he was.

His manager Riley led them to another private room, where there would be a meet and greet for some fans that won special tickets. Cameron signed autographs and took pictures with his fans, while Madison stood off to the side watching. It never failed to amaze her how people were in awe around Cameron. They idolized him, and she was beginning to realize how special he was to others.