Hillbilly Rockstar by Lorelei James

pussy.
    Yeah, you hauling her luggage proved you’re one badass dude.
    Three knocks sounded outside the door. “Just wanted to let you know we’re taking off.”
    Liberty moved and offered her hand. “I’m Liberty, Devin’s personal assistant.”
    â€œI’m Reg.” The rotund guy in his midfifties shook her hand with much enthusiasm. “Happy to meet you, ma’am. If either of you needs something, hit the intercom switch. It’ll turn on the light on my dashboard. Since I wear headphones, it’s best that you approach me that way and not through the beer window. Better not to scare the dickens out of me and I end up wrecking the bus.”
    â€œGood point.”
    Devin watched as Liberty put away her groceries—every bit of it labeled. “You don’t have to do that,” he said when she added a big
L
to the side of the milk. “I ain’t gonna steal your food.”
    â€œSorry. Habit left over from military life.”
    â€œWhy’d you bring your own food anyway?”
    â€œBecause when we’re out, I have to eat where and when you do. But because we’re in public, I’ll be so busy watching the perimeter, I forget toeat. I make sure to have decent food available for when I have uninterrupted time.” Then she pulled out her own one-cup-at-a-time coffeemaker.
    Devin didn’t know why that annoyed him.
    Yes, you do. That means she won’t be making coffee for you.
    â€œOnce you get settled, we need to go over a few things,” she said.
    â€œI’m settled now. What’s on your mind?”
    â€œThis job is unlike a normal job where I work twelve hours and then I’m off shift for twelve hours. I won’t have a partner to relieve me. And it’d beunhealthy and unwise for me not to have any downtime. I certainly hope you don’t expect me to work twenty-four hours a day for the first three-month leg of the tour without a break.”
    â€œOf course not,” he scoffed. “Don’t forget I’m used to bein’ alone on my bus, doin’ what I want, when I want, with no distractions and no one to answer to.”
    â€œYou’re most protected when we’re traveling, so I’ll take my downtime when we’re on the road. That’ll give you the quiet time you need to work. I’ll just hang out in my bunk or I’ll stay in the part of the bus that gives you the most privacy.”
    Devin nodded. “That’ll actually work really well for me.”
    Relief crossed her face. “Good. But as soon as the bus stops, I’m with you at all times. No exceptions unless I’m handing you off to an event security team.”
    â€œThen what will you be doin’?”
    â€œLimiting access to you.”
    He snagged a Red Bull from the refrigerator and kept his temper in check. “Limiting access meaning . . . keeping groupies away from me? Because we already discussed my conditions on that.”
    Liberty studied him. “And I said I didn’t give a fuck who you fucked as long as they pass my safety parameters. Which are: None of the ladies can bring purses, handbags or backpacks into your ready room. No more than two women at a time in your ready room. I will be stationed outside the door the entire time you’re . . . entertaining your fans.”
    Was she fucking serious? She’d be listening outside the goddamn door?
    She shook her finger at him. “I’m not a pervert; nor will I get off hearingyou getting off with your groupies. But this is a nonnegotiable point, Devin.”
    â€œFine. Whatever. Let’s practice havin’ separate downtime starting now. I’ll be in my room. See you in Salt Lake.”

Chapter Five
    S
ee you in Salt Lake.
    Talk about dismissed.
    She couldn’t help but feel relieved Devin had squirreled himself away in his master suite. The sooner they got used to each other and a routine,