Table for Two (14 page)

*****

The next morning, Isabella woke up feeling better than she had in a long time. After she showered, she changed into jeans and a red button up shirt that accented her curves. When she finally left her room, she was surprised to see that Parker was up and dressed already. He was sitting on the couch, reading the morning newspaper.

"Parker Davidson reads the newspaper?" She teased. "What would your fans think?" She moved closer. "And it's even the 'World and Politics' section!" She had to admit that she was impressed.

Parker looked back at her and smiled. Before she knew what was happening, Parker's arm snaked around her waist and puller her over the couch onto his lap. The newspaper was forgotten as he started to tickle her mercilessly. She wiggled all over his lap, laughing until she couldn't breathe. It amused Parker so much to make her laugh, but also to feel her body on his. A knock at the door stopped them both in their tracks, Isabella trying to fix her hair that got messed up while she caught her breath. Parker stood up, effectively dropping Bella to the floor. He looked down at her and laughed. "Breakfast is here, you think you might want to get up for that or am I supposed to feed you on the floor?" He teased as he went to open the door.

"Stupid ass." Bella groaned as she pulled herself from the floor, straightening her clothes and hair, that kept getting messed up. She watched as a man rolled a large cart into their room, leaving it next to the dining table. Parker handed the man a tip and told him that he could take it from there. Isabella went over to help Parker unload the cart, amazed to see all the food that was there. "Are you expecting guests for breakfast?" She asked

"Nope, just me and you." He said, looking over all the food. He pulled out a chair for Isabella. "Dig in." He told her as he sat in his own chair and started to take some food. His plate was overflowing by the time that he was done, and he couldn't wait to taste everything.

Isabella started to take some small portions of a few dishes, but after seeing how much Parker was taking, and hearing her stomach rumble again, she grabbed more. She looked at her plate, not knowing where to start, since it all looked and smelled so good. She decided to start with the blueberry pancakes, her favorite, making sure that she would definitely be able to eat them, and not be too full if she saved them for last.

Parker looked up at her as she ate, a glimmer in his eyes, happy that she was comfortable enough around him to eat the way she was, and happy that her eyes now had their shine back in them. "I thought we'd go shopping this morning before we have to go to the venue. Sound good to you?" He asked between bites.

"Sounds great. I haven't been shopping in so long. But do you think you can handle shopping with me?" She knew that guys never liked to shop, except for Jason, and she wasn't sure she could consider him a 'guy'.

"I can handle it. I could use a few new things too. But the condition is that you have to let me pick out an outfit for you to wear to the concert tonight." He winked.

Her eyes widened. "I'm not too sure about that. I've seen how some of those girls dress at your concerts, and I can't see myself wearing something like that."

Parker's hands flew dramatically to his chest. "I'm wounded that you would even think I would dress you like those whores." He smiled at her. "I have much better taste than that."

"Fine, but if it’s even close to being hoochie-like, I have the power of veto." She warned him. "Are you going to be ok to go shopping without getting swamped?"

"I was ok at the airport yesterday, wasn't I? I even had you fooled." He pointed out.

Isabella nodded and pushed her chair back from the table. "I couldn't eat another bite! I bet I just gained about 5 pounds."

"Good, you need it. You're too skinny." He eyed her and watched her roll her eyes. "I'm done too, let's go shopping."

*****

Four hours and countless bags later, Isabella and Parker returned to the hotel room. "We have an hour before we have to leave for the venue. Get packed too since we won't be coming back here tonight. We're going to drive to Chicago after the concert and get a hotel there."

Bella nodded, and went to her room to shower and get ready. She was still a little nervous about wearing the outfit Parker had picked out for her, but at the same time, she knew he thought she looked hot in the outfit.

As she showered, she pondered her relationship with Parker. She had seen desire in his eyes, but he never did anything more than hold her hand or kiss her cheek. He had treated her so great while she was there with him, but she wondered what would happen that night, backstage, after the concert. And how did she feel about him? Sure, she was attracted to him, and she enjoyed the time she spent with him. They most definitely had chemistry, but could she handle him touring all the time, seeing him in the tabloids with all those girls?

The water began to run cold, so she got out of the shower and worked on her hair and makeup, trying to make herself look a little less boring, but not trampy like she was sure the other girls would look.

She entered her bedroom and packed all of her clothes except for one outfit. She took it out of the garment bag that it was in and laid it out on the bed. She couldn't believe that Parker had even insisted on picking out her undergarments for the night, or that she had let him.

Slowly, she slid the purple silk thong underwear up her legs, and strapped the matching strapless bra to her chest. Next she slid on the tight black sparkling mini skirt, and then the purple top. The arms and chest were loose and flowing, with a wide boatneck, all leading down to the tight waist at the bottom of the shirt. She pulled on her knee high leather boots, with the stiletto heels, to complete the outfit. Checking herself in the mirror, she smiled at her reflection. She was ready to give the other girls a run for their money at the concert.

When she left her room, with her luggage dragging behind her, Parker was already waiting for her. He would be changing at the concert venue, so it took him less time to get ready. Seeing her, he whistled loudly, not able to take his eyes off her.

Isabella blushed, but lifted her hands up and twirled in a circle for him. "Well? Is this what you imagined when you picked it out?"

Parker walked over to her, shaking his head. The smile started to slip off Isabella's face as he stood before her. "No." He told her. "It's better than what I imagined." He put his finger under her chin and lifted it up so that he could look her in the eyes. "You look amazing Bella." Slowly, his face got closer and closer to hers. In an instant, his lips were touching hers, feeling the relief flood through him, finally doing what he had wanted to do since he saw her walking through the gate in the airport.

Bella sighed at the feel of Parker's lips on hers. Before she knew what she was doing, she opened her mouth to give him access to deepen the kiss. As she felt his tongue invade her mouth, her knees weakened.

Parker was the first to back away, worried that if he didn't, he would go further than either of them could handle at the moment. There was so much that they needed to talk about before they took that step, again, but sober this time. He smiled at the dazed look on Isabella's face, giving his confidence the boost that it needed when it came to her. "We better go. The bus is waiting for us downstairs."

Bella cleared her throat and shook her head, trying to come back to her senses. "Right." She said and moved to grab her bags again.

Parker went to grab her bags at the same time, and their hands touched as they both grabbed the same bag. Isabella drew her hand back as if she had just been burned. "I'll get them." He told her. "You look too pretty to be carrying these heavy bags."

Bella blushed again and grabbed her purse. She looked around the room, sad to be leaving such an extraordinary place, not knowing what would be coming.

*****

The bus was just as Isabella had pictured it. A small sitting area in the front behind the driver, a little dining table after that, a small kitchenette, a few bunks, and a larger 'living room' in the back. His manager and agent were already on the bus waiting for them, and greeted Isabella warmly as they were introduced to her.

Parker stowed her luggage under the bunks, right next to his. He led her to the back sitting area where they could get comfortable and stretch out. Bella noticed that Parker seemed a little tense, so she sat next to him and told him to turn around. She was trying to be careful of how she sat in her skirt, not wanting to look all rumpled by the time they actually got to the venue. She reached her hands up and started to massage Parker's shoulders, noticing how tense he was.

"It's not fair that I got the massage yesterday and you didn't. It feels like you really needed it." She told him, working on the knots near his shoulder blades.

Parker dropped his head forward and moaned. "God that feels so good." He told her. "I just get a little tense before the shows." Part of what he said was true, the other part was that his encounter with Isabella's lips left him a bit tense.

Before they knew it, the bus rolled up to the Verizon Music center, the outdoor concert center that he would be playing at. They all walked to an area backstage where Parker's dressing room was. He went into the bathroom to change, coming out looking like the rock star he was.

His manager Tom led them to another private room, where there would be a meet and greet for some of the fans that had special tickets. Parker signed autographs and took pictures with his fans, while Isabella stood off to the side watching. It never failed to amaze her how much people were in awe around Parker. They idolized him, and she was beginning to realize how lucky she was to know him, especially when he kept looking over at her and winking.

*****

The concert went great. The crowd was so into it, and Parker was in his zone. She stood at the side of the stage, watching his every move. She was finally realizing why he liked what he did, why he got the rush from performing. She wasn't even on stage, but she could feel every bit of the excitement.

*****

After the show was over, Parker went to his dressing room to shower, leaving Isabella to fend for herself in the room where all of his groupies were anxiously waiting for him. She had a drink in her hand, which was almost gone due to her nervousness. She didn't know what to expect once Parker got into the room.

A door finally opened, and she knew instantly that Parker was in the room. He made his way through the crowd, a few girls stopping him to kiss him, cameras flashing the whole time. She saw that Parker was trying to be polite, but that he wasn't enjoying the girls grabbing him.

He made his way over to where Isabella was standing and kissed her lips lightly. "Glad you actually stayed this time." He joked with her.

"I had no choice, my ride wasn't ready to leave yet." She teased back. "You were great out there."

His eyes sparkled at the compliment, glad to know she enjoyed herself. "We aren't going to stay long, just enough time to say that I was here, then we can make our escape."

Isabella nodded, anxious to get out from under the watchful eyes of the groupies. She got another drink, and waited patiently for Parker to tell her it was time to leave. Half an hour later, he saved her, and led her to the bus.

"We'll be in Chicago in about three hours. You want to change into something comfortable and come in the back and watch television with me?" He asked.

"Sounds great to me." She told him. Parker got two pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt and sweatshirt out of his closet near his bunk. He handed the sweatshirt and a pair of shorts to Isabella to change into while he took the other shorts and t-shirt.

"Sorry, didn't want to have to dig your luggage out right now." He told her. Isabella just nodded and looked around a little, wondering where she could change. "Bathroom is right there, I'll be in the back when you're done."

She changed her clothes and met Parker in the back where he was sprawled out on one of the couches, already watching television. He looked up when she came in and patted the spot next to him. She went over to him and cuddled up next to his body, feeling his warmth. Parker pulled a blanket from the back of the couch and covered them both, then wrapped his arm around her waist. Together they both fell asleep, in the comfort of each other's arms.

Bella could barely remember getting to the hotel in Chicago the night before as she stood in the shower, letting the hot water cascade down her shoulders and back. She had remembered falling asleep in the back of the bus with Parker, and there were vague images of him carrying her through the lobby to the elevator, then laying her on the bed in her room. She smiled to herself, realizing how great he was being with her, giving her all the things that she really needed without even having to tell him what those needs were.

After she finished her morning rituals making her presentable for the day, Bella wandered out into the common area of the suite. It looked a lot like the one in Indianapolis, only a bit larger. She picked up the room service menu and began to formulate a list of what she wanted to order when Parker's door flew open. Isabella looked up and felt the smile spread across her face.

"I was just going to order some brunch. What're you in the mood for?" She asked, trying to keep her eyes from roaming all over his body.