Liberty Begins (The Liberty Series) by Leigh James

NINE
     

Closer
     
    I was probably going to regret all of it. In that moment, though, I savored it. He grabbed my hair, pulled it back, and kissed me. Hard. I felt heat surge through me as I kissed him back. I jumped onto his lap again, unthinking, unselfconscious, and threw my arms around his neck. I tried to wrap my legs around his waist, to press myself against him, but he had to pull himself forward, to readjust, and it was enough of an awkward movement that it cleared my mind. I slid quickly off his lap and caught my breath. Um ... I probably should not be straddling him on a tour bus filled with his coworkers ... and his prisoner.
     
    I could feel my face burning red. “I’m sorry,” I said, exhaling. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
     
    “I hope you’re kidding,” John said, looking at me with hooded eyes. “We’ll get back to that tomorrow,” he said, and took my hand. His shirt was rumpled now and his brown hair was tousled. He looked sexy as hell.
     
    I reached over and smoothed his hair. “Tomorrow,” I said, and I knew that even though I was ready, I would never be ready.
     
    “Where are we?” I asked, shaking my head, trying to clear the hazy lust out of it. It was midmorning at this point. There were fields outside the window, and flatness.
     
    “The lovely state of Nebraska,” John said and kissed my forehead. “You should try to get some more sleep. When we get back you’re going to have work to do.”
     
    “What kind of work?” I asked, and yawned. The tall grasses blew in the fields. There was so much that was different, so much that was new. I was exhausted.
     
    “Hard work,” John whispered to me, and nestled me against him. “Now sleep, Liberty. Sleep. You’re safe. I’m right here.”
     
    * * *
     
    I was dreaming about pizza, of all things. We used to get the best pizza in Eugene. Thin crust with extra cheese. It was about as fancy as we ate. My mouth was watering remembering the smell. I felt some saliva slip out of my mouth and as I sat bolt upright, suddenly awake, I realized that I was drooling.
     
    I clapped my hand over my mouth and wildly looked around. John was in the back talking to some of the guys. Phew . I lifted my shirt up to wipe off my mouth. My stomach started growling then, loud. I’m just a mess. I needed a hot shower, some food, and some privacy, so I can think about John in peace. Without him touching me and making me so crazy that I tackle him in public.
     
    I looked out the window: it was twilight. The fields were gone and we were on a highway in a more urban area. I had no idea where. The furthest from Oregon I’d ever been was Vegas. I figured I must have slept for eight hours or so. Again, I had to pee. I needed to brush my teeth and change my clothes. The tour bus was cool and all, but I really wished I was someplace alone, or someplace alone with John, so that I could take care of my human needs without being on display.
     
    I stood up and stretched my legs. “Liberty,” John said, walking up from the back. “You must be starved.”
     
    I nodded. “I have to use the bathroom,” I said, suddenly dreading walking by Darius again.
     
    “I’ll walk you back,” John said. “I have some clean clothes for you if you’d like to change, too. Although I’m fond of that outfit.” He smiled at me and my heart stopped. I looked down at my stripping outfit, which was badly wrinkled and wet from drool. I had long ago kicked off my shoes, and they were under the seat in front of me somewhere. I shook my head and looked down at my bare feet.
     
    “Forget the shoes,” John said, “I have new sneakers for you so you’ll be more comfortable.” I nodded and he let me out into the aisle first, ever the gentleman. “After you change, would you like dinner? You must be starving.”
     
    My stomach howled again and I felt my face start to turn red. “That’d be great,” I said, thankfully, trying to at least have good