“I need to change clothes,” Jessica said.

Eric nodded in agreement, settling both long-fingered hands on his hips, drawing her attention again to where it did not belong. This man was all cord and muscle. And in those low slung boxer briefs, one hundred percent distraction.

“Without you in attendance.” Jessica nodded toward the door.

“Hey, I was here first.”

“The only thing you should be watching right now is Trey. I’m worried about him.”

Eric’s teasing expression turned serious. “What’s wrong with Trey?”

“Brian said Trey was dizzy on stage tonight. And now, he’s lying around with a headache. I think he’s hurt pretty badly. Sed and I tried to talk him into going to the hospital, but he insists he’s okay.”

Eric grabbed his pants off the floor and hopped into them. “I’ll take care of him.”

He left the bedroom.

The girl on the bed growled in frustration. “What does a girl have to do to get laid around here?” She dropped the industrial-sized vibrator on the floor, climbed from the bed and searched for her clothes.

Jessica tossed her ancient hard-shell suitcase on the bed and popped it open. “It’s not usually this crazy around here.”

“Hey, aren’t you that bitch who yanked Margo’s hair for sucking Sed?”

Jessica riffled through her suitcase until she found the flowing skirt and form-fitting top she sought. A little wrinkly, but it would do. “You might as well spread the word. Sed’s mine for the next two months. I won’t put up with any of you slutty groupies touching him.”

The young woman slid into her lilac-colored thong and matching tiny bra. “I think that’s his decision, not yours.”

“He likes it when I’m possessive. Run along now.” Jessica removed her T-shirt and contemplated if she should wear a bra. The twisted styling of her top’s bodice had plenty of support and it had a single tie around the neck. Her straps would show and she had no idea where she’d packed her strapless bra. Deciding against any undergarments, she slipped the green form-fitting top over her head.

The other girl had finished dressing and left the room, slamming the door soundly behind her. Jessica shrugged and changed into her bold-patterned, loose skirt. She topped off the outfit with three-inch strappy sandals, several bangles, and an anklet. She was putting on her make-up when Sed entered the room.

“What’s taking you so long?”

“Almost ready.” She applied tinted lip-gloss with her little finger.

“Always worth the wait. Damn, you look hot.”

She grinned at him. “You’re the one who looks hot. Are you sure you want to wear that coat?”

He winked at her. “I’m sure.”

She fluffed her hair with her hands and checked her reflection in the mirror before approaching him in the doorway. “Let’s go.”

He grabbed her hand and dragged her through the bus. They passed Eric sitting on the couch with Trey’s head resting on his thigh. Eric pressed a finger to his lips. Trey was fast asleep.

“We’ll be back sometime tomorrow,” Sed whispered.

Eric winked at them as they hurried past. Jessica stumbled down the steep bus steps, but Sed caught her before she fell flat on her face.

“Slow down,” she complained. “I can’t keep up with you in these heels.”

“I’ll carry you.” He scooped her into his arms and smiled down at her. “Where to first?”

“I’ve already seen all the casinos. You pick.”

Still carrying her, he cut across the parking lot, headed toward the wide sidewalk along the Vegas strip. His long strides covered ground quickly.

“Wanna go see the fountain at the Bellagio?” he asked.

She’d hoped he’d make that request. She loved the giant fountain. With its water jets choreographed to music, it was a moving work of art. Romantic. She knew from experience that it was lonesome to watch it alone. But tonight, she wasn’t alone.

“I’d like that. Can you put me down, please?”

He paused and lowered his head to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him in return. When they drew apart, he set her on her feet and took her hand.

“Let me know if you get tired,” he said, as they started up the sidewalk. At the far southern end of the strip, the crowds were relatively thin. They’d make good time for the first few blocks.

“It’s only about a mile and a half to the fountain.” She loved to walk along the strip, look at the extravagant casinos, and watch the menagerie of ever changing people. “

“A mile and a half is a long way in those shoes.”

“If you weren’t so tall, I wouldn’t have to wear them.”

He wrapped an arm around her back, his fingers pressing into her waist. “It’s times like these I wish I was shorter like Jace. We’d be more height compatible then.”

Height compatibility did have distinct advantages, but so did the strength of a big man. She admired the wide cut of his shoulders for a long moment before the name Jace sank into her addled thoughts.

“Damn. Speaking of Jace, I’m supposed to give him a message from a friend of mine. I keep forgetting.”

Sed fished a cell phone out of his pocket. “Do you want to call him?”

Jessica shook her head. “I’ll tell him tomorrow. I don’t think Aggie is working tonight anyway.”

“Aggie?”

“She’s a dancer at the club I used to work for.”

“Dominatrix chick with long black hair?” Sed pointed to his head. He also had black hair, though he kept it very short—like a military recruit.

“How’d you know?”

He laughed. “Lucky guess. A thousand bucks says Jace already picked up your message in person.”

Jessica grinned. “Don’t expect him to be able to move for a couple of days then. When’s your next show?”

“Not until Tuesday. We’re heading to Phoenix.”

“We’ll have to go sightseeing together there, as well.”

His hand flattened over her belly as he drew her closer to his side. “We’ll go sightseeing in any city you want. Let’s catch a cab. I don’t want you to wear yourself out with all this walking.”

Was he thinking of her comfort or her sexual stamina? It didn’t matter to her either way. She smiled. “Okay.”

Inside the cab, he took her hand. When had he gotten so affectionate? Tender kissing. Holding hands. He’d never been like this when they’d been engaged.

“So how’s school going?” he asked, a little too nonchalantly.

Her heart skipped a beat. Why did he want to know? He’d never wanted her to go in the first place.

“It’s all right. I do have this one professor who hates my guts and won’t give me a break.”

“Why would anyone hate your guts?”

Jessica shrugged. “She just doesn’t like me. She failed…” Jessica cringed. “She failed me on my final paper. Totally has it in for me. That’s what Beth thinks.”

“She’s probably jealous of your gorgeous legs.” He slid her skirt up to reveal her thigh. A little further to expose her mound. His fingers brushed over the curls he found there.

Jessica tugged her skirt down and rolled her eyes at him. “Give me a break.”

“And who’s Beth?”

Jessica smiled. She hoped Beth was having a nice summer. “My roommate.”

“You have a roommate?”

She couldn’t figure out why he looked so astonished. “Why wouldn’t I?”

He shrugged. “Too proud to split the rent.”

She scowled at him.

He scratched behind his ear. “Forget I said that.”

“I’m not too proud to split the rent. Splitting the rent is fine.”

“You’re yelling.”

Of course she was yelling. Why wouldn’t she be? “No, I don’t want someone to take care of me like I’m incompetent and boss me around and tell me how to live my life, but—”

He covered her mouth with one hand. “You’re still yelling.”

She slapped his hand away. “Let me finish.”

“Don’t be mad.”

“Don’t tell me how to feel.”

He pulled her onto his lap and sank a hand into her hair to tilt her head back. His mouth claimed hers. She stiffened and tried to twist away, but his free arm tightened around her body and pinned her against his chest. He kissed her until she was clinging to his shoulders like a drowning kitten.