Hillbilly Rockstar by Lorelei James

this job isn’t such a stretch. And you’re right; those guys aren’t dumb. They’ve been there.They know what it’s like to flounder after leaving the military.” She dropped her voice. “Second, my position with you is confidential. I’d never violate that for a cheap laugh or easy camaraderie. But I will be workingwith these guys for months. By being on good terms with them, I can better protect you.”
    â€œBein’ on good terms means you’re gonna take them up on their offer to drink beer?”
    Jesus, if she didn’t know better, she’d think Devin was jealous. “No,
sir
.”
    â€œWould you have a beer with me?”
    What the hell? “No,
sir
. I don’t drink on the job.”
    Annoyance flashed in his eyes. “Stop with the
no, sir
bullshit. We both know that sarcastic
sir
is your verbal shorthand for asshole.”
    The man saw far more than she credited him for. How would she survive four months with him when they’d managed to piss each other off at least once a day for the last two days?
    His warm fingers slid beneath her chin, forcing her to look at him. Why did he have to have such compelling eyes? Why did her damn heart skip a beat when he touched her?
    â€œI don’t want to always be at odds with you, Liberty.”
    â€œMe either.”
    â€œGood.” His face softened. “I forgot to say thank you for comin’ to the hospital with me today.”
    Don’t be sweet
. She had a better handle on things when he was being a douche. “You’re welcome.”
    â€œI was serious about you havin’ a beer with me once we’re locked down in the bus tonight and on the road.”
    â€œWe’ll see.”
    â€œWoman, you don’t give an inch, do you?” He sighed softly and stood. “You’ll be at the show tonight?”
    â€œOf course.”
    He smiled, a genuine smile, not the practiced media smile he used with everyone else. “I’ll see you then. Right now, I’m feelin’ inspired to write.”
    â€œI’ve heard good sex will do that.”
Jesus, Liberty. Can’t you just keep your fucking mouth shut for once?
    â€œDon’t believe everything you hear.” He walked into the room and shut the door behind him.

    The second night’s performance was better than the first. Everyone was in high spirits. Devin had fulfilled his media and fan requirements the previous night. No groupies hung around backstage. Strangely enough, Devin sat in the arena and watched his stage set being torn down.
    What was he doing? Making sure the roadies did teardown to his specifications? Dissecting his performance?
    Liberty kept an eye on the brooding singer, watching as he tapped his fingers on his thigh, lost in some rhythm inside his head. She’d never spent time around artistic types. She wondered how people like Devin dealt with the constant pressure of life in the fishbowl.
    When he stood and scaled the arena stairs, she intercepted him at the top of the aisle.
    â€œI should’ve known you’d be close by.”
    â€œI thought you’d be used to your lack of privacy by now.”
    Devin shook his head. “To be honest, I don’t want to get used to it. That’s why I find myself in the stands after a performance.” He turned and looked at the stage. “Sometimes I look at all this and can’t believe it’s my life.”
    Not what she’d expected from him.
    He faced her again. “I’m ready to go to the bus.”
    As they approached the motor coaches, Liberty noticed Reg sitting in a lawn chair beside the main door. Having a guard outside the bus indicated someone inside the bus was worth guarding. It wasn’t a security measure she’d asked for. So who had implemented it?
    Reg stood when he saw Devin. “We ready?”
    â€œYeah. Did Check bring my guitar?”
    â€œIt’s inside.” Reg punched in