The Bass (13 page)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Singing along under her breath while Jeremy belted out the song, Cat
nearly ended up on the catwalk when Christine materialized next to her. “Jesus
you need to wear bells.”

Christine gave her a patented Franks enigmatic look, and shrugged. “This
will be hitting the newsstands in the morning.”

Cat took the paper from the other woman, and felt her breath catch at
the title for the piece.
Victorious Bassist Is Off The Market, Ladies!
“Cute,”
she muttered. The actual story covered how they’d met, reconnected, and were
now an item. Surprisingly well written, and rather sweet.

“You approve,” Christine said.

Obviously rhetorical, but Cat felt the need to say something anyway. “I
do. It’s perfect. Not too cheesy, not too probative, and yet clearly warns
every female on the planet to keep their mitts off my man.”

“I had Jennifer work with our PR group to set the guidelines. The
reporter was smart enough to run it past me. No, you can keep that copy and
show it to Shade when they come off stage,” Christine told her, holding up a
hand to prevent Cat from passing the paper back. “Jeremy will be doing the
announcement a couple songs after intermission. Be ready.”

About to ask what the woman meant, Cat found empty space next to her
when she turned her head. “Son of a bitch she’s quick in those heels.” Shaking
her head, Cat read the article again before folding the paper up to tuck under
her arm.

At intermission she gave a sweaty Shade a kiss, and let him grab some
water before she showed him the paper. Unwinding the towel from his neck, she
folded it up, and put it over his shoulder to rest her cheek against it. While
she didn’t mind him being sweaty, when he came off stage it was a whole other
level. They were all always drenched.

She knew for a fact that Lance went through three shirts per show
minimum. Depending on the play list it could be as many as six. Chase always
tossed one to the crowd in the first half and never bothered to put a new one
on. Mark and Jeremy changed theirs out at intermission. Then Jeremy tossed that
second shirt during the third last song without fail. Shade behaved himself and
didn’t ever pull his off. Not that he hadn’t in the past, but in recent years
he’d gotten away from the habit. One habit she was extremely grateful he’d
broken.

Looking up when Jen called out, Cat caught the clean shirt the other
woman tossed her way. “Thank you,” she said with a grin. Settling it in her lap
she waited while Shade finished reading the article. When he was done, she took
the paper from him and lifted an eyebrow. “Not bad, right?”

“I think it hits all the right notes.”

“Ha, ha.” Poking a finger into his hard abs she couldn’t help the smile.
“Be serious, babe.”

“I am, kitten. The musical reference was pure reflex, my apologies. It’s
a great piece, and will reiterate what will have flooded social media by the
time the paper’s available at the stands.”

“Ten minutes, Victorious!”

“You’d better go sort yourself out,” she said. Sliding off his lap, she
handed him the shirt when he got up from his seat to go into the bathroom. Cat
fell into the now empty chair, and tossed a leg up over the arm.

While she waited on Shade to return, she watched the others in the room.
Mark was tapping a beat on his knee while he, Chase and Jeremy cracked jokes.
Jennifer was cozied up with Lance in another chair talking quietly. It was a
comforting sensation to see them acting like they did back home, and made her
forget for a second where they were.

A knock on the door along with the five minute warning ruined the
effect. Shaking her head, she watched her man saunter back into the room. He
grabbed some water on his way back to her. When he reached her, Cat let him tug
her up and then settled into his lap once he’d taken over her spot in the
chair.

They didn’t have long, but she’d take any time she could have cuddling
with him. Pressing her nose to his neck, Cat inhaled deep. She loved his scent,
but when he was all worked up it did crazy things to her libido.

“What are you up to, kitten?”

His rumbling voice tickled her nose where it made contact with his skin.
Wiggling it slightly, she gave his waist a squeeze. “Merely enjoying being in
your arms.” His hand slid up under her hair to cup her neck. Cat took it as a
cue to lean back. Her reward was a hot, hard kiss from him. One they had to
break much too soon.

“Two minutes, Victorious!”

She let out a low groan, and hugged him tighter for a minute. Then she
let go, and climbed off his thighs. Taking his hand, she let him tug her from
the room behind the others. A too quick walk later and they were backstage. The
only light came from carefully placed lights, and glow strips on the floor. One
more kiss and Shade slipped out into position on the stage.

Cat backed up a few steps, and settled into place where she could watch
the show and stay out of everyone’s way behind the scenes. From the dark
seconds before the lights came on she heard the drums start a beat. The crowd
was already going insane when Jeremy stepped up to the mic and began to sing.

She got lost in the songs, singing with some, and humming along with the
others she didn’t know yet. Cat fully intended to learn every song, eventually.

A different sound pulled her from her musings. Frowning slightly she
looked from Shade who she usually watched during the concerts, to Jeremy. She
caught the grin he shot her way and knew it was time.

“Folks, I’d like to take a moment here to pass on some good news. Shade
Benson, the one and only, has fallen in love,” he said to the crowd. Right on
cue the audience let out a massive “aww!” that had Cat’s cheeks warming. “I know,
it’s sickeningly adorable.”

Cat was going to smack him. When he turned her way she shook her fist at
him.

“We love you guys, and wish you only the best. Unfortunately, ladies,
that only leaves you with the three best looking band members who are still single,
and fancy free.” Shrieks sounded along with catcalls, and declarations of love.

Lance began the pounding rhythm for their next song, and Jeremy quickly
slipped into the vocals. It was an older tune, a hard rock love song if she
remembered right. These guys might drive her crazy, but Cat had to admit she
actually did love them all. Like pesky, annoying older brothers. Ones she was
all too willing to smack when they crossed the line.

Epilogue

The last days on a concert tour were always an emotionally mixed bag for
Shade. He loved being on stage playing for the screaming fans. But by the end,
he was ready to go home, schlep around in the rattiest clothes he owned and veg
out. Now that he had Cat with him, they could do things like that together.

Smiling slightly, he eased his finger up the bass strings. Cat’s image
with her hair piled on her head, looking ready to slide off at any moment, and
one of his shirts swallowing up her smaller frame happened to be among his
favorite mental snapshots. She wouldn’t let him take a picture when she was
dressed down like that for whatever weird female reason she had, which meant he
had to make do.

Lance lightly tapped the cymbals, signalling the song’s ending. Shade
lifted his hand from the guitar to let the notes trail off with the soft sound
at the same time Jeremy pulled back from the mic.

The crowd thundered in response. They were crazed tonight, energetic and
on their feet throughout the entire concert. Shade could feel their enthusiasm thrumming
in the air around him. It was what he loved about playing live.

In the studio was one thing, and a part of the musician’s life, but
being on stage was where the music truly came alive. The instant feedback from
the fans. Knowing you had a hit by how hard the rafters shook to their
response. The way his blood hummed from their pleasure, and the high he got
from knowing deep inside they’d done that. Something he, Lance, Mark, Chase and
Jeremy created had such an effect on people. It was a fucking rush.

While Jeremy engaged the crowd, Shade took the opportunity to grab a
water bottle. Chugging down a few mouthfuls, he handed it back to the roadie
tucked behind some equipment. Seeing Cateline in the wings, Shade shot her a
grin. When she gave him an answering smile, and a finger wave, he tipped his
head her way.

Hearing Lance starting a low beat, Shade added in the low end on the
bass. Jeremy was still chatting up the crowd to the point they were practically
frothing. He had to hand it to their frontman, the guy knew how to get the most
from their audiences.

When Jeremy bounced away from the mic to get some water, Lance, Shade,
and Mark all kicked things up a notch. Dropping his head to block out the
antics across the stage when Chase came in on the downbeat Shade, fell quickly
into the zone. Where there was nothing but the music.

****

Crammed into the limo after the show, Shade cuddled with Cat. The others
were talking quietly with the occasional laughing outburst. Resting his cheek
to Cateline’s hair, he relaxed into the comfort her arms around him gave.

He had a surprise planned for her tonight. He only hoped everything
would be in place. Asking Christine to lend a hand had been a small gamble. But
the woman had jumped at the chance to assist, and given him some major help in
figuring it all out. Now all he needed to do was get Cat to their suite without
too many delays, and pop the question. Easy as pie.

“You’re being quiet tonight.”

Lifting his head at Cat’s comment, he looked down into her warm honey-colored
gaze. “Thinking,” he told her. It was the truth after all. Not that he planned
on telling her exactly
what
he was thinking about. He wasn’t about to
spoil his surprise even if his nerves were starting to get to him, and he was
starting to second guess it all.

“Anything you’d care to share with the group?” Mark asked.

Shade shot the other man a look, and found the entire group smirking at
him. They couldn’t possibly know what he had planned. But the looks on their
faces said they did.
Son of a bitch, how the fuck did they do that?
“Not
particularly at this time.”

“You sure you’re okay?” Cat asked him.

Seeing the concern in her eyes Shade touched her cheek. “I’m quite sure,
kitten. Feeling that weird combo that’s between wired to the extreme and
exhausted beyond belief. I think the adrenaline is starting to let up faster
than usual.”

“You should get that checked out, man,” Chase told him. “It could be a warning
sign that other things might be ready to fail. You know, important things.”

Shade flipped him the bird behind Cat’s back to ensure she wouldn’t see
the rude gesture. “There is no problem in that area, but I thank you for your
concern. Given you’re older than I am, Chase, shouldn’t you be thinking about
having such things checked out yourself?”

“Oh dude, all my equipment is in tip top shape. I have several ladies
who can verify that if you’d like me to put you in contact with them.”

“I think we’ll take your word on that, Chase,” Cat said. “Your offer is
too kind, but it’s likely best we don’t remind those poor souls about what may,
or may not have occurred while in your presence.”

Jeremy and Mark burst out laughing while Chase sputtered in outrage.
“You did start it,” Shade told the other man. “If you can’t take it, don’t dish
it.” Dropping a kiss to Cat’s lips, he hugged her closer to him. She truly was
a gem, unique and too precious for words.

Twenty minutes, and a few more zingers thrown around later, they were
back at the hotel. Chase looked ready to continue the verbal battle with
Cateline, but Jennifer quickly and effectively distracted him with a question.
Giving her a mouthed thank-you over Cat’s head, Shade ushered his woman onto
the elevator. After swiping the key card, he hit the button for their floor,
and then backed her into the corner.

With her arms around his neck, she peered up at him, her lips curved up
slightly to give her a bemused look. “You are in an odd mood tonight, Shade
Benson. What the heck is up with you?”

“Patience my sweet little kitten, and you shall see soon enough. Trust
me, Cat.”

“You know I do.” She twisted her lips and then tipped her head. “But a
little hint wouldn’t be totally amiss in this situation, you know.”

Laughing, he hugged her to him and kissed her cheek. “Once we’re in our
room it will all become perfectly clear.” If everything was how it should be.
Damn but now he wish he’d thought to call Christine after the concert for an
update.

His hand in hers, Shade pulled her out into the hall when the elevator
stopped. A minute later he let them into the room, and let out a relieved
breath. It was better than he could have hoped.

“Shade, what’s going on?”

After making sure the security bar was in place should anyone foolishly
decide to be nosey, he led her over to the sofa. Sitting, he patted the spot at
his side. When she settled down, he poured her some wine and handed it over.

Candles gave the room a warm glow while setting the mood. On the coffee
table before them sat the little box, and its precious cargo which he’d picked
up several months before. Sliding off the sofa to a knee he picked up the
little box, and faced her.

Cat’s eyes were wide over the glass she was guzzling from. It was
probably a good thing he’d only given her a little wine. No way in hell did he
want her bombed when he popped the question.

Flipping the box lid open to reveal the unique ring made from diamonds,
citron, and emeralds all delicately set in white gold, he looked up at her.
“The day we met I knew you were going to be incredibly important in my life.
The years that followed only proved that to me. While life didn’t go quite how
I’d planned, I think it was necessary for us both to go our own ways for a time
to become the adults we are now. Since we met I’ve been in love with you,
kitten. You are the one I want by my side through whatever life will toss at us
next, and in all the years to come. Cateline Lyon, will you do me the greatest honor
and agree to be my wife?”

Tears streaked down her cheeks as Cat nodded, and threw herself into his
arms. Somehow, he managed to keep them from tumbling to the carpet, but it was
a close thing. “Yes,” she rasped next to his ear. “God yes, Shade. Always yes.”

He couldn’t stop the ear to ear grin that took over. Hugging her tight,
he managed to get a kiss from her before she demanded he put the ring on.
Gently, he slipped it into place. Relief hit him when the ring fit her
perfectly. “Thank you, kitten.”

“For what?” she asked staring down at the ring.

“For saying yes, Cateline.”

Cat lifted her head to stare at him. “Like I could have ever said
anything else. You are my heart, Shade Benson. Today, tomorrow, and for every
day after.”

A sentiment he was on board with. Cupping her face, he kissed her again.
Eventually they would get to the meal he knew awaited them. But for that
precise moment in time he couldn’t imagine being anywhere other than on the
hotel carpet with his fiancée in his arms. Funny how life worked out.

The End

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