Kiss Me, Katie (3 page)

“Brother, I was born ready,” Chet said with a chuckle.

“All right, everyone.” Blake motioned for the band members to join him in a circle. “Let’s join hands.” The men joined hands and the guitar player offered a group prayer. “Guys, let’s get out there and show them how it’s done!” Blake clapped his hands a few times, and the band bounded up the stairs onto the stage, welcomed by the screaming fans.

• • •

Katie and her band seated themselves at a secluded table together in the corner of the dark club where Caroline Mathers had sent them. Classic country music blared from a jukebox in the corner, and couples swirled around a wooden dance floor, two-stepping the night away. A couple of waitresses arrived at the band’s table with pitchers of beer and glasses for everyone.

The band was still riding high on the success of their show and were congratulating each other and chatting when Blake Jackson and his band arrived. A hush fell over their celebration, and Blake walked over to their table, a smile on his face and his eyes trained on Katie. Conversations all around the bar faltered as people noticed and recognized Blake. Katie saw people whispering to one another and pointing as he walked through the bar. He stopped at their table and looked pointedly at the empty table beside the one the band was crowded around.

“Hey guys, I invited y’all out so we could all get to know each other better, so let’s spread out a little. Whaddya say?” Blake gave Katie a warm smile, and his eyes lingered on hers as he started pushing the empty table over towards theirs. Katie’s band mates changed seats, leaving a few empty chairs between each other, and the musicians from Blake’s band filtered in and seated themselves.

Katie held her breath, hoping that Blake would take the empty seat next to her. A thrill skipped down her spine as their gazes locked and he pulled back the chair next to her. “Miss McCoy,” Blake said with a nod as he sat down beside her. He treated her to a heart-melting smile as his eyes twinkled with interest.

“Mr. Jackson,” she said as she lowered her eyes and looked at Blake shyly.

“So you two met already?” Sterling’s singer, Charles, said with a confused look. Katie could hear the familiar protectiveness creep into Charles’s question. Charles was a good twenty years older than Katie and had always had a soft spot for her. Sometimes he treated her more like a daughter than a band mate.

“We met this afternoon when Blake showed me around after we first got to the venue. We just kind of bumped into one another,” Katie replied. Her heart racing, she took a sip of her beer, determined to disguise her self-consciousness.

“Oh, well, all right, then. I’m Charles, Mr. Jackson. We are so glad to be on this tour, sir. Thank you for having us,” Charles said as he extended his hand across the table to Blake.

“Good to meet you, Charles, and just Blake is fine. Mr. Jackson is my father. I’m glad to have you on board.” Blake shook Charles’s hand. “You deserve your spot, man. You guys made this happen with no help from me.”

“I guess we’re just lucky then,” Katie said with a nervous laugh.

“I think I might be the lucky one,” Blake said under his breath. Katie thought she heard him but couldn’t be sure. She chanced a shy glance up at him through lowered lashes and was equally thrilled and embarrassed when their eyes met. She forced herself to look away and attempt to show an interest in the conversation beginning around the table.

As the night wore on, the two bands shared stories and the beer flowed. They got to know each other and congratulated each other on two great shows. Blake’s knee gently bumped Katie’s, his hand brushed against hers in passing, and he caught her eye more than once while their band mates talked all around them.

Katie wondered if Blake was initiating any of the contact on purpose or if she was just wishing he was. She had read countless interviews and articles about Blake over the years, but she could not remember ever having read about a special woman in his life. Surely he could take his pick — women must be lining up at his door every night. Katie was surprised to feel jealousy bubbling up under the surface of her composure when she imagined his female fans coming backstage. She pictured gorgeous, scantily-clad women catching Blake’s eye, maybe spending a few private hours with him, and had to deliberately calm herself down. She reminded herself that one brief encounter and a night out with eight other people gave her no claim on Blake.

As if he could read her mind, Blake turned away from his conversation and gave her a sexy smile. She was pretty sure she could drown in those dreamy blue eyes of his. Katie suppressed a wistful sigh and tried to think of something to say to him, finding herself speechless once she met his gaze. Blake leaned close enough for Katie to feel the heat coming off of his body and catch a hint of the soap he must have used earlier. She tried to be subtle as she breathed in his intoxicating scent, afraid she might actually swoon.

“You want to dance?” Blake’s breath was hot on her ear, and his soft voice sent a delicious shiver down her spine.

“All right,” she said, barely able to form the words.

Blake put his glass on the table and pushed his chair back. He cleared his throat. “Excuse us fellas, Miss McCoy and I are going to take a few turns around the dance floor.” He winked and took Katie’s hand as she rose from her seat.

Katie kept her eyes trained on the concrete floor as she trailed behind Blake, her hand in his. She could practically feel the curious stares on her back as they left, but she didn’t trust herself to make eye contact with anyone. The parquet dance floor was crowded with couples, but Blake took Katie’s hand and led her into the thick of it. A spirited country song started up, and Blake put one hand on Katie’s waist and took her hand with the other. As smoothly as if they had been dancing together for years, he led her around the floor in a two-step with the flow of the crowd. Katie had spent plenty of time on the dance floor, but she had never danced with anyone as charming and confident as Blake.

In his arms, she relaxed and enjoyed the rhythm, the give and take between them, as she looked up into his eyes. His expression was relaxed, like he knew exactly what he was doing. He led her through the dance and never once stepped on her toes or let her bump into another dancer. His hand was warm on her back, strong and masculine. As they twirled around the dance floor, Katie could tell that most of the dancers recognized Blake. He probably didn’t get the chance to enjoy himself in public like this very often. Nobody could stop him to ask for an autograph as long as he was moving around the dance floor, though.

The song ended, and a ballad started. Couples left the dance floor and were replaced by others, and before Katie could figure out how to react to the slow song, Blake was pulling her close. Pressed up against his strong, distinctly masculine body, Katie felt light-headed with attraction. Her senses were assaulted and she tightened her grip on him. His spicy, rugged scent surrounded her, his warm body was large and hard against her soft curves, and she could just faintly feel the gentle scratch of his five-o’clock shadow against the top of her head. She was acutely aware of the way his hand felt on her back, the way her breasts were crushed against his chest. Too soon, the song ended, and Blake pulled back.

“You want to get out of here?” People filled the space around them, but Blake made Katie feel like the only person in the world. She didn’t know what he had in mind, but when he focused his dark blue eyes on her, she couldn’t see or hear anything but him.

“Yes,” she managed. She smiled as he took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers.

They walked back to the table where their bands sat and Blake settled the tab for everyone.

“I’m going to walk Miss McCoy back to the hotel. Y’all behave yourselves and don’t stay out too late, you hear?” Amusement twinkled in his eyes and he turned back to Katie. “Shall we?” He offered her his arm and she took it.

As they made their way out of the bar, a few fans approached and asked for Blake’s autograph or a picture. He obliged them all with a ready smile and an easy nature, but he didn’t engage anyone in conversation.

Blake led Katie to the bar’s door and out into the hot humid July air, pulling her hand into his. “How far can you walk in those shoes?” Blake asked with a laugh, pointing to Katie’s wedge-heeled sandals.

Katie laughed and answered, “They’re actually much more comfortable than they look. I’m good for at least a mile or two. The hotel’s close, right?”

Blake laughed and nodded. “Yeah, I’ll bet you’ll be ready to get off your feet once we get inside. I doubt you thought you’d be dancing and then walking home. I guess I could carry you,” he teased.

“Don’t be silly, Blake. I can make it.”

Blake led Katie down the sidewalk past rows of stores, restaurants, and a couple of neighborhood bars. Katie took in the sights and sighed with contentment while she allowed herself to enjoy the delicious way her hand felt in Blake’s and the curious stares of the people who realized who he was as they strode past. Blake seemed completely at ease as he led Katie through town, telling her about the guys in his band, asking her what she thought about Sterling’s first major show.

In what felt like only a few moments, Katie found herself facing Blake at the door of the hotel where both bands were spending the night. Was this goodnight? Katie wasn’t ready for anything serious with Blake, but she didn’t want the night to end. Did he think that she was like the groupies that must line up outside his door? Was he expecting her to just drop her panties because he was Blake Jackson, the gorgeous country super star?

He noticed Katie tense up when they reached the hotel and smiled sweetly at her hesitation.

“This is the only private place that we can go right now. My intentions are honorable, and I promise to keep both feet on the floor, Miss McCoy.” Blake’s gentle teasing and the amusement in his eyes flustered Katie. “We can go our separate ways or maybe see how private the hotel bar is here if you’re not comfortable going to my room. It’s your choice. No pressure.”

“Oh yeah, of course. I didn’t think … ” Katie stammered. She looked away in embarrassment. Blake laughed softly and opened the heavy glass door of the hotel for her. She stepped inside and said, “I don’t mind hanging out in your room for a bit. I’m sure you’ll behave yourself.”

“Right this way then, darlin’.” Blake led Katie to the elevators, his large hand resting on the small of her back.

• • •

“Holy cow,
this
is a hotel room! I’ve never been in one this big.” Katie stepped into the cool air-conditioned room and looked around appreciatively.

“Honey, didn’t anyone ever tell you that size doesn’t matter?” Blake chuckled at his own joke as he closed the door behind him.

Katie giggled and punched him playfully on the shoulder. “Oh you, stop it.”

“Darlin’, make yourself at home. Grab a drink,” Blake gestured to a tub of melting ice and bottled drinks on a marble counter near a giant wicker basket of fruit and wrapped chocolates. Katie couldn’t believe the variety. She plucked a fancy-looking bottle of raspberry lemonade out of the slushy ice and wiped it on her jeans. She looked around the luxurious hotel suite, taking in the plush couches positioned close to ornate floor lamps and a tufted leather ottoman in a seating area. Her eyes moved to the bed across the room that sat on a platform, covered in a luxurious looking satin comforter and several fluffy throw pillows. A small crystal chandelier hung over the bed, catching light from the two crystal bedside lamps on the night stands. Katie shook her head a little, forcing herself to take her mind away from Blake’s inviting bed.

She perched on Blake’s couch and reminded herself to breathe as he crossed the room to join her. He sank down beside her and angled his large frame so that they were facing one another. Blake pushed his boots off his feet and leaned back against the arm of the couch.

“So your show was great. Very impressive,” Blake said. “I had only heard one or two of your songs before tonight. I guess it would’ve been good for me to at least listen to your whole album before y’all joined me, but hearing your stuff for the first time live was a real treat.”

“Aw, thanks. Tonight was amazing. I’ve never experienced anything like it, you know? Our gigs have all been in beer joints or at local fairs. We were so jittery and excited before we went out there tonight. Once we started playing, though, I pretty much forgot to be nervous. It all seemed to just melt into one big ball of energy. Or love. Or something,” Katie said with a laugh. “We definitely felt something out there. It was indescribable. Of course you probably know exactly what I’m talking about.”

“Sure I do. There’s nothing quite like the first time, though,” Blake stretched a bit and leaned towards Katie. “Can I have a sip of your drink, sweetheart? I’m too lazy to get up and get my own.”

Katie handed over her bottle and looked into Blake’s twinkling eyes as he took a big sip. The unexpected intimacy of sharing a drink warmed her. She relaxed and allowed herself to sink back onto the couch. She undid the straps of her sandals and kicked them to the floor, sighing with relief.

Blake chuckled and nodded towards her shoes. “Do you have any shoes that aren’t pink?”

“Well, pink is kind of my signature color,” Katie replied with a toothy grin.

“I remember those cute pink cowboy boots you were wearing earlier today. I’ll bet those are a lot more comfortable.”

“They sure are, but sometimes a girl’s gotta suffer a bit for the sake of fashion.” She winced in pain, and pulled one foot up to massage it.

“Here, allow me,” said Blake as he took her foot in his hand and began kneading it for her. Katie sighed with pleasure and allowed herself to lie back on the couch as she watched Blake through lowered lashes.

“This is heaven for me. A girl could get used to this.” She reveled in the feel of his warm hands on her tired, achy feet.

“It’s my pleasure, darlin’. You have cute little feet.” Blake smiled at Katie’s obvious enjoyment.

The day’s travel, preparation, and show had drained Katie’s energy. She was so thankful that they were playing two nights in a row at the same venue. Life on the road might take a bit of getting used to.