“I’m all right,” Trey insisted. “I just need quiet. The other bus is too noisy. I feel a little better already.”
Jessica bent to kiss Trey’s cheek. “You sure, sweetie? We can take you to the E.R.” She ran a finger down his lightly freckled nose.
“I’m good. I just need to rest. Quietly.”
“Eric will keep an eye on him,” Sed said.
“Eric? You’re kidding, right?” Jessica said.
“Well, Brian’s not here and Jace keeps taking off, so who else is there?”
“Dare? He is his brother.”
“Guys, I said I was fine. Just shut up, get the f**k out of here and leave me alone.”
Jessica and Sed looked down at Trey. “He’s fine,” they said in unison.
“I’ll go change clothes now.” Jessica carried the suitcase to the back bedroom and knocked on the door. A moment later, Eric opened it.
He wore nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs and a smile. She tried to keep her eyes from drifting down to where the sexy V of his hipbones disappeared into his underwear, but failed.
“Yes, you can join us.” He pulled Jessica into the room by the arm. The girl on the bed covered herself with the heavy red comforter, but not before Jessica saw the huge vibrator she was plunging into her body. Eric still liked to watch, apparently.
“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.