Page 26 of Meant To Be - Irresistible Bachelors

“Come on. Everyone sees it, Leo. You two clearly have something going on outside of the studio,” he says.

I guess our relationship is more obvious than we realize. Nikki still wants to keep things a secret, but it looks like everyone already knows.

“We have a connection,” I begin.

“A connection? Leo, she’s half your age. Don’t you feel like you’re robbing the cradle a bit?” he asks.

“Come on, you know just as well as I do that she’s mature for her age,” I say.

“Yeah, because she was forced to grow up quick, but she’s still eighteen,” he points out. “What about her career? She’s way more famous than you ever were, and she’s twice as rich. Do you know what you’re getting yourself into by dating her?”

“Yeah, and I don’t care about any of that. I don’t mind that she’s a superstar and that the world watches her every move. If anything, our shared fame brings us closer. We both know what it’s like to grow up in this industry, and we both know how hard it can be at times,” I say.

“Just don’t hurt her,” he warns.

“I won’t. I think I’ve fallen for her,” I admit.

The bartender places our drinks in front of us.

“Thanks again for the autograph,” she smiles.

“It was my pleasure,” I say as I take a sip of the whisky.

“You mean it?” Rocky asks.

“I’m as serious as a heart attack,” I state.

He’s silent, his lips sealed again.

“Fine. Far be it from me to stand in the way of love,” he decides as he sips his drink. “Here she comes now.”

He nods his head toward the entrance.

I turn around and lock eyes with her. Luckily, she’s alone instead of surrounded by her usual entourage. She smiles as she walks over to us, and my heart starts racing. Rocky takes another sip, then tosses money next to his glass.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” he says as he leaves the bar.

As she walks toward me, I can’t help admiring her sexy strut. Damn, her body is amazing. Even when she’s fully clothed, she still makes my jaw drop. She stops in front of me, and I’m caught in her trance. Her beauty leaves me speechless, unable to utter a single word. All I can do is stop and stare.

“Hi,” she says, giggling at how the cat has my tongue.

“Hi,” I reply, finally able to speak again. “Would you like a drink?”

She giggles again.

“I’m not old enough to drink, remember?” she asks.

I feel like a dunce for forgetting.

“Besides, maybe we should go upstairs before someone recognizes us,” she suggests.

She’s right. Paparazzi is probably somewhere close by lurking. I nod.

“You go up first, and I’ll meet you there,” I say.

“Okay,” she agrees.

She switches her curvaceous hips as she walks away, each stride enticing me.

I take another sip of my whisky as I watch her leave the bar. Rocky is protective of her, but he doesn’t have to worry when it comes to me. What I feel for her is the real deal. She’s got me wrapped around her finger, and my heart is in the palm of her hands. She isn’t just some chick I’m hooking up with on tour; she’s the woman of my dreams and, quite possibly, the love of my life.

11

Leo

The chandelier hanging from the center of the hotel suite glistens when I flick the light switch on. The lavish room is decorated with plush furniture, and silk curtains are draped over the windows. A bottle of champagne is sitting in a bucket of ice next to a platter of chocolate-covered strawberries. I ordered them just before I left the bar; I wanted to surprise Nikki with her favorite sweets.

I hold her hand in mine tightly as we walk into the hotel suite. She takes a seat on the cashmere sofa and makes herself comfortable. I grab the bottle of champagne and pop it open. Taking two champagne flutes out of the cabinet, I fill them both.

“Champagne?” I offer, holding the glass out to her.

“Did you forget how old I am again?” she giggles.

“Sorry,” I chuckle. “I guess I’m not thinking straight. Not surprising considering the gorgeous woman in front of me.”

“Well, maybe I can have one drink…as long as I’m under your supervision,” she decides.

“Sounds like a deal,” I say as I hand her the champagne flute.

She takes a sip and giggles.

“The bubbles are tickling my nose,” she laughs.

I pick up the tray of chocolate-covered strawberries and bring them over to her.

“Yum! My favorite!”

I chuckle as she takes a bite of one.

“I figured you were having a craving for your favorite treat,” I smile.

“You know me so well. This is just what I need after touring nonstop for a month. I’m so glad we’re on a break for a week,” she sighs.

“Me too. I love being on tour, but it gets exhausting after a while. That’s part of the reason I went on a hiatus. Touring nonstop for years wears a person out. I was drained, and my body was in pain,” I explain.

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