Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“You okay with me touching you this way?” he asked as he slowly slid the hand around Jeremy’s waist down his hip.
“They can see?”
“With lenses that big?” Reg spread his fingers so his thumb moved dangerously close to Jeremy’s groin. “You can count on it.”
“Well, then, you should keep touching, yeah?”
“I should.”
“You don’t—” Jeremy gasped when Reg dragged his hand up, his thumb even closer to Jeremy’s zipper that time. “You don’t mind?”
“Mind touching you?” He moved his fingers over Jeremy’s nipple. “Mind holding you?”
“Yeah,” Jeremy said after a few beats.
“No, JJ, I don’t mind.” Reg pressed his lips to Jeremy’s neck and squeezed him even tighter. “Do you?”
“N… no.”
“Is that because of the cameras, or is it because of what you told me about needing to be touched?”
“I don’t… what?”
“Because I’ll touch you, JJ.” Reg moved his palm to Jeremy’s throat and dragged his thumb up and down the side of his neck. “Cameras or no cameras. You ever need to be held, let me know.” He kissed Jeremy’s nape. “I’m here.” Pulling on Jeremy’s shoulder, Reg slowly turned him around and then cupped his neck and tipped his chin up until their gazes met. “In whatever way you need me, I’m here.”
BETWEEN THE two hours they spent holed up in the building with frantic security personnel trying to come up with an alternative exit so Jeremy could avoid the paparazzi, and the time Jeremy spent on the phone with Bill going over the morning’s events and complaining, once again, about Francis, the day was shot. They barely had time to go to the hotel and get cleaned up before Jeremy had to be at the concert venue for sound check. Reg came along, staying quiet and calm in the hope that Jeremy could unwind and reduce his stress level before the show.
“You doing okay?” Reg asked after pulling Jeremy aside into the closest corner that could pass for private in the busy arena. “You’ve been really quiet all day.”
After looking at him silently for many long seconds, Jeremy said, “Yeah, I’m fine.” He fingered his shirt collar and rubbed it against his lips. “Weird day, I guess. Still processing it.”
Reg raised his hand to brush it through Jeremy’s hair and, remembering that it was already spiked for the show, dropped it onto his shoulder instead. “Anything you need to talk about?”
“Probably.” Jeremy sighed. “Later, though, yeah?”
“Jeremy!” one of the crew members yelled. “We need you over here.”
“Have fun out there tonight, and we’ll catch up after,” Reg said as he massaged Jeremy’s shoulder.
Releasing his own shirt, Jeremy fingered Reg’s, tugging gently on the fabric as he looked up at Reg from underneath his lashes. “You’ll be here?”
“What, are you kidding me? Of course.” Reg squeezed his shoulder one last time. “Haven’t missed a show yet, dude.”
“Thanks.”
“Backstage view of the best rock show around, and you’re thanking me?” He shook his head and gently pushed Jeremy toward the people watching them and fidgeting, clearly needing Jeremy to focus on the concert that was about to start. “I’m the one who’s grateful. Knock ’em dead, superstar.”
Following what had become his usual habit, Reg found a place to stand where he wouldn’t interfere with the people who seemed to run all around the backstage from the minute the concert started until the equipment was cleared. He’d stay there until the last act, and then he’d make his way to Jeremy’s dressing room so he wouldn’t be in the way at the end of the show when things were most chaotic and people were vying for Jeremy’s attention.
Watching Jeremy play to the crowd, laughing, cheering, and singing in his honey voice, reminded Reg why he was so successful—the man belonged on stage with a guitar in his hand. In fact, other than when they were alone—no press, no fans, no staff—Reg had never seen Jeremy as at ease as he was when he was singing to tens of thousands of fans. Whether he had learned that skill because of the many years he had been performing as part of his successful career, or whether he had been able to so quickly attain that success because he had been born and bred with the skill, Reg didn’t know, and he suspected Jeremy didn’t either. Not that it mattered. Whatever the reason, Jeremy was an amazing musician with an unparalleled stage presence; his songs reached past the ears and into the heart and soul of everyone who heard them.
Even if he was acting the part of pretend boyfriend, Reg knew he served a real role in Jeremy’s life. There was no doubt in his mind that Jeremy was happy with him, trusted him, felt safe in his presence. And he liked to tell himself that his filling that need allowed Jeremy to shine on stage. So Reg felt like he was partially responsible for bringing the audience members to happy tears as they listened to a show they’d surely remember for the rest of their lives. Being important to Jeremy made Reg feel important, and he found he enjoyed both of those feelings.