She tried to move away, to let him do his thing, but he didn’t want her away. He wanted her close. So he merely tightened his hold on her hand and pulled when she tried to sneak away.

He chatted, signed autographs and answered questions as they headed toward the car waiting for them. Paul was there just behind them to keep things under control in case trouble broke out.

It rarely did. They had great fans. Supportive and enthusiastic.

They called her name now, he noted with a smile. She blushed and waved at them when they did, which only made them more excited.

“Thanks for coming out tonight, all. Nat’s only here for a few days, though, and I’m starving. I’m gonna head out.” He stepped back as many of them called out that they’d be there the next night, too.

He turned. “What do you guys wanna hear tomorrow?”

They yelled out a lot of stuff from the new album, which was already on the setlist. They liked to toss in a rarity here and there. Something they only played once or twice a tour, if at all.

And then he heard “Broken Open,” and he nodded. “Okay. I’m going to add one of those to the setlist. You’ll know which one tomorrow night.” He waved one last time, and they got into the waiting car and headed out.

He pulled her close, not caring that he was a sweaty mess. He needed to touch her. Burying his face in her hair, he kissed the top of her head. “Damn, you’re the best surprise present I’ve ever gotten. I can’t believe you’re here.”

She snuggled in closer. “Me, either. You guys were incredible tonight, by the way. It’s pretty amazing to see an arena show from the crowd, but backstage? I’m really proud of you, Paddy. What you guys have achieved is astounding. They love you.”

That meant everything coming from her.

“Thank you, baby.” He kissed her temple. “When did you get in? Why did you decide to come out now? I can’t believe you didn’t mention this yesterday when we talked.”

“I didn’t actually decide for sure until yesterday. Because of the library’s schedule and some mandatory vacation hours I had to take for budgetary stuff, I figured it would be a good time to dart out to see you. I arrived just a few hours ago. Mary arranged everything from this end. My stuff is in your room, so I hope that’s okay.”

“More than okay. It’s perfect. I’ve slept like utter shit since I’ve been away from you.”

She’d come to him. He knew how she felt about the whole wildness of his life on tour, and he’d been careful to let her know he wanted her there but not to push. That she’d made the trip to him despite all that, that she was relaxed against him and not clearly freaked out, meant a lot.

Back at the hotel, they’d gone in a back entrance and headed straight up to his room.

He kicked the door closed, locking it and giving her a long look. “I need you naked. I also need a shower to wash the show off. I think we can combine those things.”

Except she tossed her jacket and bag and stalked to him. One hand on his chest, she pushed him against the door and dropped to her knees.

“Holy f**k.”

She smiled up at him as he uttered that strangled curse. Kept smiling as she unzipped his pants and pulled his c**k from them.

“I’m dirty and sweaty.”

“I know.” She licked from the base of his c**k up to the head, and he watched, snarling as she swirled her tongue around the tip, all while her gaze was locked on his.

Caught in the magic of her appeal, of missing her and the aggressive need to f**k he always had when he finished a show, he leaned against the door and wondered at how lucky he was.

“You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Jesus, I’ve missed this.” He slid his fingers through her hair.

She knew him so well. Knew where to dig the tip of her tongue, where to lap at him, how hard to suck and to keep him nice and wet. It wasn’t very long at all before his balls had pulled close to his body and orgasm began to gather in his toes.

He’d started off close. He’d been wanting her even before she’d shown up. Had jerked off in the shower before he’d left for the venue. Thinking of the last time they’d been together. He’d taken her from behind, which he loved because he could see her ink, touch all of her at his leisure. He’d come as he recalled the sounds she made, the way she’d felt around him.

Even after that, he’d wanted her as he sang and knew she waited just to the left. Wanted her as she’d patiently held his hand as they’d woven down the halls through the crowds back at the arena. Wanted her as he’d breathed her in like oxygen in the back of the car on the way over.

And the reality of her, the hot wet of her mouth, the contrast between the mellow, public Natalie and this dirty siren who sucked his c**k and loved it, was more than he could take.

He strangled out a curse and blew, and she never shied away. Instead, she kept on as wave after wave of climax took him. Finally, he pulled her to stand, kissing her as he pulled up his pants with one hand and dragged them into the gigantic marble-accented bathroom.

“Jesus.” He swallowed hard as he picked her up and set her on the counter.

“I told you, Paddy. I like it when you’re dirty.” She leaned in and kissed him, tugging on his bottom lip a little before sitting back.

“You’re going to kill me.” He kissed her once more and left her to turn on the double-headed shower.

When he turned back, she’d grabbed her shirt, pulling it up and off.