The Fifth Member for a Summer or Two

Chapter Eight

Luke was in my hotel room, in bed with me.

There's a shocker.

He was only in his boxers as he declared that he was sleeping here tonight. I had my head resting on his bare chest listening to his deep voice rumble and his slow heart beat. I was lightly tracing patterns against his skin as he told me about how he was going to be an uncle.

"I'm so excited though, babe." He said through a yawn.

"Go to sleep, silly." I said pulling away and looking at him.

"Just because I yawn doesn't mean I'm tired, babe." He said, tucking a piece of hair behind me ear.

He was fighting sleep, and he couldn't hide it. I ran my hand up his warm, soft side and placed it on the side of his face, cupping his cheek.

"You're tired, loser." I giggled, lightly kissing him.

"How do you stay awake when we cuddle?" He mumbled against my lips.

"Mmm, I love when you talk against my lips." I mumbled against his lips.

He smiled, and I pulled his bottom lip between my teeth before pulling away. I started kissing down his neck.

"You still didn't answer me." He said.

"What was your question?" I giggled against the skin of his neck.

"How...do you, uh...how do you stay awake when we, uh, cuddle." He struggled to ask as I still kissed the skin of his neck.

"I'm not sure really." I laugh.

I make my way back to his lips and he softly moans into my mouth. I kiss him hard one more time and pull away.

"Night, loser." I say and roll over.

"God, why do you always do this to me, Annie Mae?" He groans.

I giggle as he pulls me close to him and muzzles his face into my neck.

I reach up with my hand and stick in his hair. Within minutes, his breathing slows and he falls asleep.

***

I wake up the next morning in the same position.

Luke has his arm around my waist, almost protectively, with his face in my neck, his light breathing in my ear. I move to get up, but he tightens his arm around me.

"Nooo." He whines.

"Luke, I have to pee." I whine back.

"Fine. But come back." He says, his eyes still closed.

I go and pee and then come back.

"Thank you." He smiles sleepily as I crawl back into his arms.

He opens his eyes slowly and looks at me.

"You're so beautiful." He whispers.

"Shut up." I laugh, blushing.

"I mean it, Annie Mae." He says before he lightly kisses me.

"What do we have to do today?" I pull away and ask.

"Um...I think we have a radio interview or two and then nothing until the show." Luke answers.

"I really don't like radio interviews." I sigh.

"Why?" He asks, putting his hand on my face and rubbing his thumb against my cheek.

"We get asked the same questions over and over again." I laugh.

"That's true." He smiles, biting his lip.