Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Actually, if we can find someplace where I can pick up a few toiletries, that would be great. If you don’t mind.”
“No problem. We can go wherever you need.”
The way he looks me in my eyes as he says the words places me in a trance. I can’t find words for the life of me. I’m usually a lot more composed than this. There’s just something about this man.
“Hi, can I help you guys with anything?” one of the sales associates bounces over with a tablet in her hand and says, saving me from embarrassing myself.
“We need a phone and a laptop. Saga here will explain to you all she’ll be doing with the equipment. We’ll take it from there,” Bishop says smoothly.
The young girl gasps, but I’ll give her credit for how quickly she recovers. She tugs at the front of her shirt then runs a hand down her ponytail. I shake my head. I guess no one is immune to this man.
“I’m Kerry, I’ll be happy to help. Tell me all you need, and I’ll get you sorted out,” she says as she now stands straighter and with her shoulders back.
Too bad for her, Bishop doesn’t seem to be able to keep his eyes off me. I notice his eyes glaze over and smile. The music is at it again.
Not wanting to keep him away from the bus and Lucie for too long, I hurry to tell Kerry what I need. I almost burst into laughter when Kerry rushes over to tell her coworkers who’s in the store before she collects our items to bag up.
I know that’s what she’s done because they all look in our direction as if trying to confirm her suspicion. Bishop places a hand on the small of my back and tugs me into his side. He then leans in and speaks against my temple.
“This is about to get awkward. I’ll have Dwayne pay, but we should head out of here,” he whispers against my skin.
“Oh, okay,” I breathe as I try to ignore the shiver his warm, minty breath sends through me as it fans against my skin.
Bishop says something quickly to Dwayne and we exit the store just as fast. Once out of the store, he pulls out a pair of shades and shoves them on.
“Does that happen a lot?”
“More than I would like. It’s been a long time since I’ve been free to buy a pack of bubble gum for myself.”
“Maybe we should forget about my stop. I’m sure I can find time to get those things another time. I wouldn’t want you to get mobbed over deodorant.”
“There it is again, you’re concerned about me. I like it,” he croons.
I shake my head. The man signs my checks. Of course I’m concerned. However, wanting to keep that pretty smile intact might have something to do with it as well.
Lord, help me.
CHAPTER 5
One of the Guys
Bishop
I saunter to the front of the bus, wondering what all the commotion is about. I have been in the back of the bus working on a song. Saga had gone up front to give me space—I didn’t want—and to see if she could bond with the guys and get a feel for them so she could better do her job.
Of course, the guys didn’t listen to me. She hasn’t been with us more than two full days and they’re up to their pranks on the bus again. However, her sweet laughter fills the bus along with the guys’ as she sits up front with them.
She falls into Fendi as she wipes tears from her eyes. I watch as she tries to catch her breath. It looks good on her.
It’s a far cry from how I found her in that diner. Seeing her like this makes me want to be the cause of her laughter each day. The sparkle in her brown eyes, that gorgeous smile it’s all calling to something deep within.
Saga looks like she belongs here. Fendi is laughing just as hard from beside her as Thrush looks pissed. This is a scene I’m used to on this bus. I guess they decided not to hold back.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I take a seat up front in the common area of the bus. We’re all over six feet, so we had to get a bus that would accommodate all our heights.
The aisle is wide to give us the legroom we need. The bunks are all extra long for sleeping comfortably. This bus sleeps seven. My master in the back and six bunks in the center of the bus.
Dwayne, Ed, and Martin, Fendi’s bodyguard, all ride with the band. Like I said, we’re all big guys. However, this bus has never seemed as cramped as it does now with Saga on it.
Not because she’s taking up space but because she looks so small around all of us. It makes me more protective of her. She looks so tiny as she sits laughing against Fendi.