AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do I want to know how long I was out?“ I ask, digging the pen deeper into the paper.
“Two days. It’s Monday. Z, what’s the point of you having a phone if you don’t check it?“
“Two days,“ I repeat in horror, turning in my chair to face him. I regret it instantly, catching him still shirtless and drawing a studded belt through the loops of his black trousers.Stupid, wicked brain.“Shouldn’t you be on a tour bus headed to another city?“
Hail slips a black sleeveless shirt over his torso, the muscles in his arms flexing. “Luckily Liam had a guest performance with another band on Saturday. Sunday was a rest day, but we’re headed to France this evening. I got you something to eat. Want me to heat it up for you?”
Before I can fully process the fact that he took care of me for two whole days or turn his offer of food down, my stomach growls loud enough for him to hear. He chuckles, then gets to work reheating something in a plastic container from the fridge. He sets the warmed food in front of me.
“Hope you don’t mind Mediterranean food. I’d picked up some on Friday but ended up eating it all when you kept sleeping, so I went back and got more last night.“
I don’t like it. I fuckingloveit. After devouring my portion, Hail offers up another container of chicken and rice.
“I can order more food. I usually have two lunches and dinners.” He shrugs, revealing that classic, sweet grin I’ve come to adore.
So I polish off his half of the food, too, then return to working on the song that was the interlude for my nightmares. Hail sits in a chair opposite of me and picks out a chunky riff on a black seven string guitar. The delicious image elicits a bit of drool along my bottom lip.
Once I feel in control of my brain again, I hold out the lyrics for his review. His gaze meets mine in question. He sets his guitar down and reaches for the notebook. I analyse every little shift in his features while he reads the words he inspired, both with his tenderness and his musical talent.
“This is good, Z.” He runs through a few melancholy chords, humming the words. Goosebumps pop up on my arms, and I have the sudden desire to hear him sing for real. Does he do smooth vocals on any tracks for Atonement? I’m sure as hell going to spend some time finding out.
“You cool if I share this with Liam? It’s not out to the public, but he’s got eyes on a studio back home. He might let us record something. Only if you’re comfortable with it, of course.”
I smile at him, enticed by the dream of visiting Hail across the ocean but knowing it’s a stretch. “I think I can handle that.”
Hail’s eyes go wide as he blinks back at me. I glance down at his beautiful hands, wondering what they would feel like moving over my body the way they glide over a guitar. Wondering how quickly he would put them on me if I asked.
Carefully, he tears out the page from my notebook and folds it to fit in his back pocket. He stretches a hand out to rest against my forehead. Brows furrowing, my hands shoot up, feeling for the curls of my hair to find that they’ve been tied up by a little rubber band.
Hail’s laugh is low and throaty. “It’s cute. You’re cute.”
My entire face heats as we stay that way for a moment, both of my hands covering his. I swallow and try to remember to breathe.
Hail pulls away and motions to a large plastic bag on the floor beside the bathroom. “I got you a few things. You can shower if you want. Or if you’re still hungry, we can order something in. Or we could watch a movie.”
Catching the little jittery bounce of his knee, I bite down on my lip at the realisation that he rambles when he’s nervous. Holding back another smile, I reply, “I’ll shower, thanks.”
His fingers brush against my forearm as I pass him. Eyes going wide, I glance down at him still sitting on the bed. Desire rushes through me as I imagine easing him onto his back. Running my tongue along the V of his waist I know is hidden beneath his shirt. Straddling him and capturing his perfect mouth with my own.
His rich whiskey eyes shimmer with emotion. “Whatever you need, Z, I want you to know that I’m here for you.”
Sadness swells in my chest when I think about him leaving today. All I can do is nod.
I take a quick shower, not keen on spending too much time in there again. I don’t really feel like being cooped up inside either when I’ve been trapped in the dark for too long.
Lips twitching with a smile, I exit the bathroom dressed in the white Atonement t-shirt and black trousers he gave me. Trousers that fit far too nicely. The guy has a knack for detail and a heart a mile wide.
“You’re pretty smooth, you know that,” I murmur as his gaze roves over me.
“What can I say?” He cracks a grin. “Never thought I’d be the possessive type, but my band name looks good on you.”
Fuck. Boundaries. We need boundaries. It would be so easy to fall into this with him, even though it’s a recipe for disaster.
I brush a hand along the back of my neck. “I should probably go home.”
Hail’s expression crumples, and I feel the weight of his disappointment heavy in my chest. “I, uh, I actually booked this room for you for another day. So don’t feel like you need to rush.”
“Oh.”
