Page 45 of Loved Out Loud
Sierra and Hazel share a look and leave the crowd of fans, heading back to the line of SUVs waiting to take us back to the hotel. Fuck, I wish I knew what was said. Dan opens the door for them as they slip inside, Jade jumping in along with them before he climbs in the passenger seat. I catch Xan watching with a pissed off look on his face as the SUV speeds off.
Fifteen
HAZEL
Sierra left earlythis morning giving me a solid four hours to sit and write before the buses leave for Detroit. Shockingly enough I was able to focus enough to get a couple chapters written without my mind wandering to a certain sexy rock star. But he creeps into my thoughts as I finish zipping my suitcases and get ready to check out of my room.
No one is in the hall as I walk down to the elevator. Soft footsteps sound behind me as I tap the call button. I smell his intoxicating scent before I see him.
“Good morning, little Archer,” he says quietly into my ear.
Goosebumps race down my spine as heat floods my body just from his proximity. “Morning.”
The elevator doors open, and I step on with him following just behind. He’s wearing a pair of perfect fitting jeans and a navy t-shirt that stretches over his leanly muscled body. As the doors close our eyes meet, reminding me of the kiss we shared inthis very spot. From the flare of heat in his eyes, I have to assume he’s thinking of the same thing.
God the man can kiss.
The sound of my phone ringing pulls my attention away before I can do anything stupid, like pounce on him. It’s Greg calling.
“Hi,” I answer.
“Hey. What are you doing?” His voice is soft and sweet, the Greg I fell for.
“Just getting ready to check out of the hotel and onto the bus.” I glance up at Stone, expecting him to be looking away to give me some semblance of privacy.
He’s not.
“Where are you off to next?”
“Detroit.”
“That’s right. Have you gotten anything written?”
“Yeah, I’ve managed to get about ten thousand words written so far. It’s really starting to come together.”
“That’s great. Send me what you have, and I’ll take a look.”
“Really?”
“Of course. You know nothing matters more to me than your success. I know how talented you are.”
Tears prick the back of my eyes as his words sink in. I’ve been acting like such a bitch to him lately, and here he is, offering to help me. Reminding me that he does care, he just has high standards for himself and those he believes in. Guilt churns in my belly.
“Thank you.”
The elevator doors open, and Stone gestures for me to exit first.
“I need to drop my keys off at the front desk. Can I talk to you later?”
“Yes, and make sure to email me the chapters. I’m anxious to read it.”
“Will do. Thank you.”
“Bye, love.”
The line goes dead, and I slip the phone into my purse. I bite the inside of my cheek as I think about everything I’ve done. It was selfish of me to kiss another guy and flaunt it like I did. Greg didn’t deserve that, not with everything he’s done for me throughout college and helping me navigate signing my contract.
I slide my key across the front desk and walk out to the street where the tour buses are parked. The driver takes my suitcases and stows them away underneath while I climb up into the cabin. I take my bags and toss them onto my bunk, so they’re out of the way and walk back into the lounge with my laptop.
