She did a good job. She’s made my shoulder-length blonde hair look choppy and messy in a rocker kind of way. How she managed to do that with a flat iron and some gel stuff is beyond me.

“Thanks.” I grin. “You know, if that whole investment banking shit doesn’t work out, you could totally do hair.”

“I’ll keep it in mind,” she replies sarcastically as I reach for my makeup bag and dig in, with Brynna hovering close by, giving me pointers on making my eyes smokey. Finally, after what seems like forever, Brynna, and the rest of the girls, are satisfied with my face.

“I’m getting dressed,” Jules announces.

“Me too.” I follow her into the bedroom and pull my tight, thigh-length silver-studded black dress over my hips. It has a deep V neckline, showing off my boobs, thanks to a really great push-up bra.

“Holy fuck, you’re hot.” Jules is staring at me, her mouth open. “What shoes are you wearing?”

I pull my super-strappy black heels out of my bag and hold them up smugly. “Fuck me shoes.”

“Leo’s gonna need some sort of resuscitation.” She smirks and steps into a pair of tight blue jeans and a red halter-top that is loose with a cowl neckline that also dips down between her breasts. Red patent leather Choo stilettos complete the look.

“We’re all showing off our boobs tonight.” I snicker.

“Hell yes, why not?”

We join the others and earn catcalls and whistles.

“We are one group of hot bitches,” Meg nods appreciatively. She’s stunning in a green strapless, thigh-length baby doll dress with a handkerchief hemline. Nat and Stacy are both in gorgeous short black dresses.

Meg’s right, we’re a bunch of hot bitches.

“Are we ready? Leo will be shocked that we’re on time.”

“Let’s go shock him,” Jules agrees.

***

The place is packed. Key Arena is smaller, much smaller, than the Tacoma Dome, but it’s also more intimate. I’m not surprised in the least that the guys chose to play here tonight.

This kicks off their twenty-day U.S. Tour. The Sunshine Tour. I grin at the t-shirts as we walk past on our way down to our seats. Leo already gave me mine.

As we work our way down to the front row where I can already see, and hear, our guys, a security guard approaches us.

“Which one of you is Samantha Williams?” He asks.

The girls all point to me and keep walking to their men.

God, the guys all look fantastic tonight.

“Would you please come with me?” He asks. “Mr. Nash would like a word.”

“Sure.” I follow him past the others, the stage and through a black door to the back stage area. It’s surprisingly quiet back here, despite the flurry of activity of roadies and other people bustling about, all wearing official VIP badges around their necks.

“Right through here.” He opens a door and motions for me to go in, and closes the door behind me.

“Thank God.” Leo pulls me to him and kisses me madly, then pulls back and those gray eyes move up and down my body. “Holy fuck, Sam, how am I supposed to concentrate on the show when you’ll be in the front row looking like this?”

I grin and turn in a tight circle. “You like?”

“I think I just had a stroke.” He confirms.

“You look pretty hot yourself.” He’s in black leather pants and a tank from an ancient AC/DC concert. “How long till the tank comes off?”

“Probably in the first song. I get too hot,” he murmurs.

“You want to show off your stars.” I contradict him and laugh when he scowls at me. “The girls will be happy. They’re excited to see your stars.”

“What about you?” He asks and kisses my forehead.

“I enjoy the stars as well.” I grin and push my hands under his shirt and rub my thumbs where the stars are, right along his V. “They fucking rock.”

“No turning me on right before a show, sunshine.”

“Is that what I’m doing?” I ask with wide eyes.

“You’re trouble,” he mutters and smiles. “I love it. Security will bring all of you back after the show. Just stay in your seats.”

“Will do. You’ll be awesome,” I remind him.

“Honestly, the show isn’t what I’m nervous about.” He frowns and kisses my forehead again.

“What are you nervous about?”

“You’ll see.” He shakes his head and checks his watch. “You’d better get back out there. I have to get back to the guys. We have a pre-show ritual that I’d better not miss.”

“Sacrifice a virgin?” I ask with a laugh.

“Nothing that dramatic.” He shakes his head, smiling softly. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Okay. Break a leg.” He kisses me, hard and fast, and shows me out to the hallway where the security guard is waiting to escort me back to my seat.

“This is Lionel. He’s been assigned to you guys all night. If you need anything, just ask him.”

“Okay.” I turn to Lionel. “I’m ready.”

***

~Leo~

Aside from Samantha, there is nothing I love more than performing. The rush of being surrounded by thousands of people singing along with songs I’ve written is better than any drug-induced high.

The first half of the show has gone without a hitch. The band is warm, playing flawlessly. I’ve been with these guys long enough that we communicate with hand movements or eye contact.