Page 26 of Extended Bridge (Passionate Beats #2)

“Guys, guys,” Luke calls for the band’s attention.

“Once you finish up the encore, you have your meet and greet, and then the afterparty at a local club. Be on notice that the radio station that’s hosting the party invited twenty of your fans to be in the VIP area, so I need you to be on your best behavior. ” Luke’s gaze spears Río.

The drummer holds up his drumsticks in the sign of the cross. “What? I’m always good. You must be talking about Tris.”

We all crack up. Mr. Polite is the furthest thing from the troublemaker of the band.

Nese passes Bennett a new shirt and whispers something in his ear. He takes the shirt and offers her a blinding smile. Then he comes over to me and grabs a lock of my hair. “See you at the meet and greet?”

“I’ll be there,” I confirm. “Then I’m going to bed. Have fun at the after party.”

He yanks on the end of my hair. “I’ll see what I can do to change your mind.” He steals a quick kiss, slips his new shirt over his torso, and follows the rest of the band onto the stage, much to the delight of the audience.

After dealing with their dirty clothes, Nese joins me backstage, smiling like the Cheshire cat. After a minute, I can’t control my nosiness. “What did you say to Bennett back there?”

“Wondered how long it would take you to ask.” She focuses on UC’s encore. “I dared him to get you to come out with us tonight.”

“You didn’t!” I think about our kiss, my fingers flying in front of my lips. “No wonder he didn’t seem surprised when I told him I was going to bail.”

“That man has it bad for you. Almost as much as you have fallen for him. I, for one, am looking forward to the fireworks.”

Facing the stage, I square my shoulders. “No fireworks.” When I turn my head, Nese waves at me as she walks away.

Alone watching the end of the encore, I think about everything Nese told me.

Bennett’s easy to fall for, but am I ready for this lifestyle?

Onstage, he strips off his shirt and tosses it in my direction.

I watch it land ten feet in front of me and, of their own accord, my feet take me toward it.

Picking up the wet material from the floor, I scrunch it into a ball.

He gives me a naughty grin, causing hearts to flick at him from my eyes. Yes, too easy.

Following the meet and greet consisting of about one hundred women with a sprinkling of men, the band congregates in The Closet to prepare for the next outing.

Within seconds, Cooper and Río stand in their skivvies.

Spinning on my heel, my overheated face points toward the door. Time for me to leave.

I take one step when a large hand lands on my shoulder. “What can I do to change your mind?”

Without turning, I reply, “Bennett, I can’t go out tonight. Enjoy yourself.” I slip through the door, half-expecting him to follow me. When he doesn’t, I tamp down flutters of disappointment and use my all-access pass to gain entrance into the back parking lot and enter my bus.

The one I’m sharing with other crew members. Where I belong .

I make my way to my bunk. Leaving my shoes in the narrow hallway, I climb into my bed and curl into the fetal position.

The truth is I like Bennett way too much for my own good.

He represents everything I’m not—undisciplined, chaotic, and free.

No he’s not . He may be the first two, but free? No way. He’s bound by his own demons.

I guess we all are.

Not wanting to be stuck in my own head, I text Court. After a quick catch-up, I dive in:

Bennett’s amazing onstage, but he’s a different man from the one I’m getting to know with PT.

How so?

He wears a mask...whenever he’s performing, in meet and greets, at afterparties, in interviews, photo shoots, or music videos. Not the same person at all. There, he’s more flirty and arrogant. Not with me.

Well, are you the same amazing and warm woman you are with me when dealing with your other managers? Or construction teams? Bank officers?

No, of course not.

Why are you demanding more of him than you require of yourself?

I flip over and stare into the underside of the bed above me.

I don’t know.

Let me tell you what I think. I think you’re falling for him, big time, and you’re scared. He’s not someone you can control. Sure he has responsibilities, like you do, but have you ever considered the pressure he’s under? Maybe he sees you as the one person on earth that can help him cope.

Well, he does have pressure. Bennett’s not only accountable for his own actions, but the band pays the salaries of all the crew and roadies. That’s a lot. Like me magnified by a million.

Maybe not a million! Your shoulders carry a lot of weight too. All I’m suggesting is this isn’t the reason you’re not giving him a fair shake.

How do you know me so well?

You can thank me when I’m standing up for you at your wedding.

I cough.

Now who’s getting ahead of herself?!

All I’m saying is don’t run away from something good. Where is he now?

At a VIP thing.

And why are you texting me ?

All he did was ask me to go out with the band tonight. Like the past few nights, which I’ve always declined.

Even though he doesn’t need me to survive tonight’s VIP event, he asked me to join him. Court’s right—the least I could do is give him the little bit of help he requested.

Tossing my conscience aside, I slink out of my bed and change into the dress she gave me before the tour—seems appropriate.

When I return to the green room, only the venue’s cleaning crew remain.

I enter the area designated for the band’s exit, where a group of people are standing. I spot Kieron first.

“Hey,” I say to the tall and lanky guitar tech. “Are you all waiting to go to the VIP event?”

“Sure are. The bus should be here any moment. I thought you rode over with the band?”

I shake my head. “Nah, had to change.” I point at my less-than comfortable shoes. “Figured they’d look better at a club.”

He nods. “Gotcha.” A bus enters the parking lot. “Good timing. I’m ready to relax after the show. Not saying it’s hard work, but it’s frickin’ good to be able to not be on.” He winks as he gets in line behind me to enter the bus.

It must be good to be able to kick back without worry. Bennett and the rest of the band members don’t have this luxury. The very reason I decided to attend tonight. I climb the stairs.

We arrive at the club soon and I follow Kieron to the VIP area. Given his height and long blond hair, he’s an easy mark to guide me. After showing my all-access pass to the bouncer, I enter the VIP area and hug the wall.

Fans surround the band members. A camera crew wearing radio station garb circles the crowd. I identify a few guys, plus one woman, who look like they could be DJs for the station. Everyone has drinks and seems to be having a great time.

Especially the fans. They’re hanging on everything coming out of Bennett’s mouth. To be fair, they’re that way with the rest of UC too, but the largest contingent surrounds the lead singer .

My gaze travels to him. His smile is painted on, not allowing for even a small glimpse into his real self.

One woman in a tight black dress runs her hands over his arms, and I want to scratch her eyes out.

Bennett, however, does no such thing. Rather, he removes her hand from his forearm, pats it, and drops it by her side.

Another woman with long, jet black hair, sidles in front of him.

If he glanced downward, I’m sure he’d get an unfettered view of her cleavage.

To my amazement, his eyes don’t budge from her face.

He does, however, step to the side and grab a passed hors d’oeuvre from the server.

When he returns to the group, he chooses a different entry point.

He’s learned how to deal with these types of gatherings like the professional he is.

My heart wants to reach out to his, but I don’t want to interrupt the fans as they get their UC fix.

The DJs rearrange the groupings, so Bennett’s now with the group that was surrounding Tristan. They seem much more mellow.

“You came?”

Nese holds up her drink to me, only I’m still empty. Shrugging, I raise an imaginary glass to her, causing her to giggle. “Changed my mind. Couldn’t let you have all the fun.”

“Let’s get you a drink so we can do a proper toast.” We weave through the throngs of people, finally ending at the bar. Ten minutes later, I hold up my glass of pinot noir and we toast to another great concert.

“The radio station did this up right,” she notes. “The club is jumping, the fans seem nice, and the drinks are off the hook.”

Her gaze drifts toward UC, mine follows suit. Bennett’s now talking with the sole female radio DJ. Figures. “I remember back in the day. Darren used to drive their partying. Luke tried to get them to ease up but lost nine times out of ten.”

“I can’t imagine. This time around, things seem a bit more buttoned up.

Take Tristan, for example. He’s chatting with the group over there,” using her drink Nese points to the cluster of fans who were all over Bennett a few minutes ago.

“Seems like a civilized conversation. Río, on the other hand.” She drink-points to him.

“He looks about ready to do body shots at any second.”

I laugh at her description. “You’re pretty spot on.”

As if on cue, the bunch with Río call for the server, who reappears a few minutes later with a tray of shots. Instead of sucking the liquid off various body parts, however, they all do them the normal way, much to my relief. Not sure Río would agree.

One of the male DJs claps his hands and announces the event is over. Fans hug band members good night, and then most of them leave. It takes the DJs a few tries, but they manage to wrangle all of their guests out of the VIP area, leaving the band and crew.

“What happens next?”

Nese downs the rest of her drink. “The band goes into the main club to choose their evening’s entertainment. If they haven’t selected a fan or two already.”

“But they all left?”

“Oh, you have so much to learn. They may have exited because the DJs ordered them out, but if a guy, say Río, told them to wait by the doors, you can bet your sexy butt they’re waiting.”

“That’s so...” I search for the proper word. “Skeevy.”

“You were with the band a couple of years ago. I can’t imagine they’ve changed too much.”

My time with Darren was limited, and we never stayed at these types of things a minute longer than need be. Were they like this before? I remember enjoying a couple of drinks with a crowd but then Darren would spirit me away to his hotel room or the bus and we’d have our own private party.

A memory niggles at the back of my mind—the night I first met Bennett was at a bar.

We talked about The Godfather movies. Plenty of fans milled around, but not this sort of organized meat market.

Still, I do remember Darren talking about all the women the band took to their bunks.

He told me he was happy not to be part of that scene any longer.

How does Bennett feel about all this ?

I crane my neck, looking for him. Nese leans over, “He’s talking with the bouncer.”

My gaze jumps to the bouncer where Bennett stands. They seem to be in a deep conversation. “I wonder what they’re talking about?”

Nese grabs me by the shoulders. “Listen. I know you’ve denied you two are together, but I’m not buying it.

The Bennett I’ve heard of would be talking with the bouncer to select his evening’s entertainment, if you get my drift.

If, as I suspect, you’ve changed him, he’s asking the bouncer for the fastest exit route. ”

I watch as the bouncer pulls something out of his back pocket. “I’m going to tell Bennett I’m here. Have a good night.”

“I knew it!” Nese’s smile conveys pure happiness. “Enjoy!”

As I approach, Bennett signs a paper and hands it back to the bouncer. “Tell your daughter she has a great father.”

An autograph. He was signing an autograph. I tap Bennett’s shoulder, causing him to jump. “Hi.”

He swings around to face me, his professional mask firmly in place. The second he recognizes me, it hits the floor. “You came!”

He owes Court one. “I did.”

With an “excuse me,” to the bouncer, he takes my arm. “Did you enjoy tonight’s concert?”

“What’s not to like? You guys are great, and you didn’t do anything to endanger your recovery.”

One eyebrow raises. “That’s all you saw?”

“No,” I admit. “I also saw a hardworking man drawing thousands into his world, where nothing matters except the next note. You were the master out there.”

“Wow. I was hoping you’d say you liked how I sang. But I’ll take your review over those by Jeremy Davis any day.” He kisses my hand. “I need a drink.”

We’re on our way to the bar when a server approaches with a martini glass on her tray. Her eyes eat him up. “Thought you might like this. ”

“Appreciate it,” he takes the drink then turns to me. “Do you need one?”

I shake my head, holding up my wine. “I’m good.”

The server loiters but when Bennett’s attention remains focused on me, she finally departs. “You have people throwing themselves at you all the time.”

“Yeah, but none as intriguing as my physical therapist.” He sips his drink. “Wearing a sexy-ass dress.”

I swallow, and not my wine. “Bennett, why?”

Instead of responding, he asks, “Would you give me your shirt so I could sign your tits?”

Ewww. “What? No.”

“How about letting me take you from behind in the corner of this club?”

“Are you crazy?”

“If I asked you to pick two women and take me to your room, would you let me?”

“No way.”

He sips his drink. “I rest my case. You wouldn’t approve of such crazy behavior.

You keep me on my toes.” He shifts his weight between his now jean-covered legs.

“You give me PT and don’t let me get away with anything.

You intrigue me more than anyone I’ve ever met. Have since the first time we met.”

“And talked about The Godfather. ” I place my empty glass on top of a high table. “Still wrong, though.”

“The original rocks.”

I counter, “Second one is better.”

He grins at me, and I grin back. He places his hand on the middle of my back, pushing me toward the exit. “Let’s go back to my bus where we can watch both and make an informed decision.”

“I already know the answer.”

Luke stands near the exit. “Leaving?”

“You said we’re driving through the night. Just abiding by your wishes. ”

The manager bursts into laughter. “Since when did you ever follow my instructions, B? Jenna, you’re a very good influence on our lead singer here.”

Not waiting for any further comments, Bennett steers me out the door and into a waiting SUV. “I’m ready to be proven right.”

Once we’re both in the vehicle, I say, “What do I get when I’m proven the winner?”

He kisses my cheek. “More orgasms than you can count.”