Bassist Instinct (The Rocker Series #2) (12 page)

“Come on then, you wee lemming, I promised you food and fun.” He kissed her lightly on the lips and looked back at David who was still watching them, arms crossed and an angry look on his face. Tate held up his first two fingers at him and turned to go into his hotel. “You sit right there, and I’ll be right back down.”

“I trust you, Tate.” He nodded and took her hand and pulled her into the lift. Another man stepped in with them and Tate sighed. If they were alone he would have just kissed her again and as wonderful as that would have been, it wasn’t what she needed right now. “So, what are we picking up?”

“Driver’s license, have you got one?”

“Yes, it’s in my wallet,” she tapped her jacket pocket.

The lift doors opened and Tate pulled her out and down the hall to his door. He opened it and ushered her in. He grabbed his wallet off the bedside table and grabbed two bottles of water out of the mini bar. Tossing one to her he grinned and her heart once again lost its rhythm.

“Have you got an iPod on you?” He asked. His phone made a chirp and he looked at the display and smiled.

“No.” He shook his head at her.

“Have you got one at all?”

“No.” He rolled his eyes.

“We’ll rectify that after lunch. Come on, beautiful.” They went back out into the hall and took the staircase down instead of the lift. They were giggling by the time they reached the bottom step, and Fiona suddenly realized her knee didn’t hurt anymore.

They stepped into the lobby and she heard someone say “Sweet ride.”

There was a crowd of people just outside the hotel entrance, they seemed to all be surrounding a car, presumably the aforementioned ‘sweet ride.’ She was wondering who the driver might be to garner such attention, when he got out of the car and tossed the keys to Tate. Tate caught them in mid stride and opened the passenger door and waited for her. She simply looked at him. This was Tate’s car? She was a small woman, and the car looked very low to her. The car was a dark gray and spotlessly polished. Its smooth lines were really quite beautiful. She could smell the leather seats from where she stood.

“Unless you’d like to drive,” he dangled the keys for her to take if she wanted. She gulped and sat down into the very low leather seat that seemed to wrap around her body. Once her legs were in he shut the door and walked around the car. People were snapping pictures of him and trying to get a good look at her, too. When he opened the other door she heard the crowd calling his name, but he just gave a small wave and smiled politely, mostly ignoring them. He was focusing his attention on her. “Prepare yourself, it’s louder than you’d think.” He grinned at her as he turned the key and the engine roared to life.

He’s famous, she thought, and clearly overpaid. She studied the detail of a bull on the dashboard in front of her. What kind of a car had a bull as its insignia? She looked at Tate’s face and he grinned at her, looking like a kid for a second. Her heart thumped in her chest and it had nothing to do with the car.

He put the car in gear and promptly stalled. He looked at her and flushed.

“Very smooth,” she said and he laughed, throwing his head back. Then the car roared back to life and he darted into traffic.

“You’re over paid,” she said.

“Too bloody right,” he said still looking like a kid. It tugged at her heart. Some day he would father the most adorable babies, she had no doubt.

“Where do you want to go for lunch?” It was such a normal question that it took her completely off guard. She was sitting in a supercar with a famous person whom she’d never heard of, driving down Wisconsin Avenue, and he wanted to know where she wanted to have lunch. Her world just tilted a little and she laughed. He looked over at her and laughed, too. It was several minutes before she could stop. “Lunch?” He reminded her when it looked like she could speak again.

“Lunch,” she giggled again, she felt terrific. “Turn right at M street and get on to MacArthur Blvd from there.” She looked at him. “So, I’m the only person who doesn’t know who you are, apparently. Is that why you want to spend time with me?” He stopped at a light and looked over at her. She was studying her hands and he took one and squeezed it.

“Aside from your being sexy and irresistible, yes, it’s one of the reasons, it is very refreshing, Fiona.” He tried to gauge her possible anger, but she seemed unfazed, happy even. “Are you angry?” She looked up, surprised.

“You just called me sexy and irresistible, how could I be angry?” Her smile was slow and beautiful, and he delighted in it. “I do feel like a rube, though, but I’ll get over it.”

“And what’s a rube, then?”

“Oh, a rube is an unsophisticated person, a bumpkin.”

“You’re not a rube, you’re a university professor.”

“I am a complete rube,” she chuckled. “I’m the only one in town who has no idea who you are.” Tate shook his head.

“You know me better than any one of those people barring the Irish contingent.”

“Because I met you yesterday? The only thing I really know is that you have five siblings and you are a very good kisser.”

“That’s all?”

“Okay, exceptional, outstanding, the best I’ve ever had. Satisfied?” She blushed and looked at her hands again. Tate laughed.

“I meant is that all you know about me, but I’m delighted to hear about the kissing, aye?” She looked up into his teasing face. “The best you’ve ever had? Is that why you want to spend time with me?” She laughed.

“Touché,” she said. His phone made a noise and he reached for it and handed it to her.

“Will you read me the text?”

“Absolutely not! What if it’s personal?”

“You’re the only personal thing in my life, Fi.” He said and Fiona looked at the phone in her hand. What a lovely thing to say, she thought.

“Are you sure?”

“Aye, let’s have it,” she retrieved the text.

“It’s from Mikey. He says:
Lamborghini reconsidered, you don’t have to buy it if you don’t want it. They still want pictures, though, of you and the lassie
.” She looked up. “Me?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Why me?”

“Something about your being sexy and irresistible, I expect. Will you text him back?” She nodded. “No deal, the lass stays out of it, but I’ll go Monday as agreed.” Fiona punched in the letters and sent it.

“Chivalrous of you,” she said and he laughed.

“They don’t care who the pretty face is, as long as there is one. They’ll find someone else who won’t mind the attention.” He knew it would embarrass her, and he was protecting her. She thought it was sweet. Another text came in and Fiona read it.

“
You’ve never bought a $400,000 car to impress a lass before
,” Fiona gasped. “
I hope she’s impressed
.” She didn’t wait for Tate’s response, she texted Mikey back furiously. “
I think he’s completely insane!
” And hit send.

“
Ah
,” the next text came in after a beat. “
You must be the lassie
.”

“
I am
,” she texted.

“Are you and Mikey getting to know each other?” Tate asked. She harrumphed.

“Yes, he knows it’s not you he’s texting, now.” Tate reached over and took the phone away from her and put it back in his pocket.

“Mikey has a big mouth,” the text signal sounded again.

“Did you buy this car to impress me?”

“I thought I did, but now it looks as though I’m only renting it. Unless you want it?” He glanced over at her just in time to see her mouth fall open.

“You are insane.” He chuckled.

“Maybe a little,” he admitted. “Are you impressed?”

“With your insanity? Yes.”

“Well, that’s something,” he grinned without taking his eyes from the road.

“If you did keep it, would you take it back to Ireland with you?”

“I was thinking I’d keep it in your garage,” he said and she sputtered.

“Is Christie insane, too? Is it a genetic thing?”

“Are you concerned for our children?” Her mouth fell open again and laughter spilled out.

“I’m in a Lamborghini speeding off into the middle of nowhere with a crazy person,” she said.

“Having the best kisses of your entire life,” he grinned.

“You’re not going to let that go, are you?” He shook his head still grinning.

“Never in life. We passed an Irish inn back a bit, that wasn’t where you wanted to go?”

“Nope, follow this road to the end. I thought you probably have Irish food all the time, and after what Xav said at dinner yesterday…” They laughed companionably.

“Fair enough,” he said. About ten minutes later they pulled up to the Old Angler’s Inn and Tate parked the car. “Stay right where ye are,” he said and climbed out of the car very gracefully. He was lithe and sinewy, and he moved like a predator, she thought. He came to her door and opened it, giving her his hand. She was actually very glad to have it, because the seat was very low and might have been awkward without his assistance.

“Thank you,” she said and he kissed her lightly on the lips and brought her to the door.

They were seated in a table at the back and given menus. Tate ordered a bottle of champagne with a questioning look at Fiona who nodded.

“Why is the car so loud, my ears are ringing?” She asked him and he chuckled.

“I haven’t impressed you in the least, have I?” He sighed when she bit her lip.

“Well, there
is
the whole question of your sanity,” she said and he laughed.

“Aside from the sheer size and power of the engine, which tends to make it louder than the average car, the car is also low and unobtrusive compared to the rest of them out there. Hard to see. I think, in part, it’s loud for your safety, like a Harley is.” She looked like she had a revelation.

“That’s why Harleys are so loud?” She grinned at him and he rolled his eyes.

“Will you drive it after lunch? That might impress you.”

“I plan on drinking champagne.”

“As do I, but then maybe go for a hike.”

“That’s a great idea. Have you been here before?”

“No, I just like a wee walk after I gorge myself.”

“I do, too, but I usually prefer getting a ride in.”

“That can be arranged…” he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “If you ask nicely, or demand one, or even just suggest it, really.” She had instant goose bumps to her toes. He was the perfect gentleman…but with an edge. A sexy edge that was going to have her in his bed pretty soon. Would that be so awful? She was hard pressed to find a downside if she didn’t count the inevitable heartbreak it would cause down the road.

“I meant bike ride,” she said once she knew she could form the words.

“That’s a shame, but with you, I’m game for anything.”

He took her hand that was on the table and ran his thumb over her knuckles. It felt very nice, and she wondered why Dean would shy away from innocent public displays of affection like that, she liked it.

Tate saw the change in her body and thought she must be thinking of the fiancé, had she called him Dean?

“Do you want to talk about him?” He asked gently and she stopped her mouth from falling open this time.

“How did you know I was thinking of him?” He made a small shrug and his mouth turned down slightly. He seemed to be able to read her like a book, no one but Liam had ever done it so well, and she met Tate yesterday. He was amazing.

“Your posture changed, you looked sad for a heartbeat. Fi, will you tell me if I’m going too fast for you?” The sommelier came with the champagne and began to open it for them. He poured and placed the bottle in a bucket of ice next to the table and left them.

“Yes, Tate. Ask me again when that bottle’s gone.” He laughed. She was trying hard not to be maudlin, and he thought she was very brave.

“Tell me about these,” she said and touched the friendship bracelets on his wrist with the index finger on the hand he wasn’t holding. He looked at his wrist. He had two very colorful bands of cotton braids and a thin leather band there. He smiled when he looked at them.

“My mate, Razz, has four daughters, the oldest made these for me.” He touched the cotton braids and smiled remembering. “She told me how she was meant to learn it at a slumber party with her mates, but she came down with flu and she couldn’t go. I looked up how to do it on my phone, and we picked up the supplies, and we taught ourselves. It turns out I have a flair for it,” he grinned at her. “I’ll make you one next time I’m near my craft supplies.” Fiona laughed. “I’m not fooling. What colors would you like?”

“Let’s see… red, dark blue and green,” she said.

“I think I can remember that. My eyes, your eyes and my teeth.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she said softly and he laughed. “Now tell me about the leather one.” He looked at his wrist.

“I had a mate get himself killed years back, I wear this to remind myself of him,” he said. “I have to replace it about once a year. He wore one like it.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean for it to get serious.”

“It was many years ago, love. I have some very fond memories of him to hold me over. Connor named his boy Alex after him,” Tate said.

“I’m scared of spiders, too,” she said and he looked into her deep blue eyes that were brimming with tears and he leaned over and kissed her.

“Then who will remove them from the house for us?”

“We’ll train the dog,” she said and they laughed.

“I’ve never had a dog,” Tate said.

“Tate, that’s tragic.”

They ate and drank and laughed together for hours.

“Is that the real time? Or is that the time in Dublin?” She asked looking at his watch in astonishment.

“It’s the local time, love. Have I kept you too late?” He looked nervous.

“No, I just can’t believe we’ve been here so long, it feels like we just sat down,” she said and he grinned at her.

“I can only conclude from that remark that you’ve enjoyed yourself,” he said a little bit too proudly.

“I can’t remember enjoying myself more, thank you, Tate.”

“Don’t thank me, I’ve laughed as much as you have.”

“I guess I need to do this more, I feel great.”

“Do you, now? Then let’s go for a walk,” he said with a smile.