Rose

A yawn escapes my lips as my eyes open. I sit up slowly, rubbing the drool from the side of my face. I really need to get a hold of this drooling problem.

As my vision starts to become clearer, I notice something.

I'm not on solid ground.

It's as if I'm flying. I glance around and see I am, in fact, in the air. My heart rate speeds up and panic rises inside of me immediately at that realization.

Christian saunters out of what I assume is the restroom as I try to break out of the seatbelt's hold.

"The queen has arisen!" He says sarcastically.

I glance at the window and nearly puke when I see just how high we are. I grip the handles of the seat and face him. "Are we on a plane?"

He places his hands in the pockets of his black sweatpants and smiles. I have to look away, worried that I'll start to drool just at him smiling.

"A jet actually."

Vomit rises inside of me. "Oh, God." I mumble.

His eyebrows narrow into a frown. "What?''

My breathing grows heavy as frenzied, disjointed, unrelated thoughts zip from one to another fill my mind. "I'm going to die." I say and shut my eyes. "I'm going to die on this plane."

''It's a jet, actually— ''

I open my eyes in irritation. "Does it look like that matters to me?''

He nods and takes a seat next to me. "Right, right. Sorry." When his arm brushes against mine as he moves closer, it only increases the speed of my racing heart. "I've got you."

His pale hand, filled with silver rings on three of his fingers and veins on the top, grabs one of my clammy hands. My breath hitches. I eye him in confusion. "What are you doing?''

He smiles and squeezes my hand a little. "I'm helping you.''

After glancing at the window, my eyes widen in terror and flick from side to side in search of an escape route. My feet begin to feel as though they are welded to the floor. I face him again. "How exactly are you going to help me? You barely know me.''

He closes his eyes. "Just follow my lead.''

I hesitate for a beat before following his action. I hear him exhale a deep breath. "In and out.'' He whispers.

My eyes immediately open at what sounds like a sexual innuendo that leaves his mouth. "Christian-"

''I'm talking about the rhythm of your breathing, Rose." He mutters without opening his eyes.

''Oh.'' I reply and shut my eyes again.

With each deep exhale and inhale he takes, he rubs my knuckles with his thumb as I follow his lead in trying to calm my breathing. By the time we are done, I am able to open my eyes without panicking. He opens them shortly after and releases my hand. Thinking of how well he has helped me, I lean closer. "I'm sure you help all of your band members like this, right?"

He leans closer as well. "Nah." he replies, his voice suddenly lowering. "Just you.''

I hadn't expected that.

I was sure the shock was written all over my face.

I try to play it cool. I blow the curl that hangs in my face out of my way and shrug. "Big deal." I mumble.

He chuckles, causing heat to rise from my stomach to my chest. "Alright.'' is all he says.

I laugh nervously at our closeness and just how quickly tension has formed between us. I barely knew the guy personally, yet here I was already warming up to him.

"I like that.'' Christian says after a while. His gaze never leaves mine. With each passing second, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would say something stupid out of nervousness.

"Huh?'' I manage to whisper. My voice was low. So low, I had to remind myself I wasn't a child anymore and needed to use my voice the way I was supposed to. Just like momma taught me. "Like what?" I say a little louder.

''Your laugh. It's cute. Of course, I'd enjoy it more if it was your real one. But I'll wait awhile before I get to hear that one."

I didn't expect that either.

I frown and try my hardest to make it seem like I am offended. I narrow my eyebrows slightly. "That is my real laugh.''

"No it's not."

"Yes it—'' He smiles, his dimple appearing. When his lips become an inch away from mine, I begin panicking and my thoughts become scattered. All of the flirtatious behavior leaves my body and is replaced with the shy woman I am. I clear my throat. Standing up, I snatch my purse from behind my seat. "I... I- I have to use the restroom. Excuse me." I mutter before rushing away.

As soon as I step foot into the restroom, I drop my bag on the sink counter and hover over it. I reach for my tranquilizers and set them down. They usually helped with my social anxiety—which I know will skyrocket due to the, spontaneous and completely unconnected to my life, deal I have made with a rockstar. I glance at myself in the mirror and see I am not as disordered as I thought I was.

I exhale a deep breath, splash some water on my face, and stuff the pills back inside of my purse. I haven't even met the rest of the members, yet here I was stuttering over a man I barely know just because he has a heart-stopping, jaw dropping, smile.

I paste a fake smile on my face and sling my purse over my shoulder before walking out of the restroom. Christian's head lifts at the sound of my footsteps. I quickly take a seat before his eyes can meet mine. But my effort to escape his intoxicating gaze is useless. As soon as my arm accidentally brushes his, he turns to me and smiles. "Are we flirting right now, Rose?''

I roll my eyes. "Yes. The way my arm touched yours was very flirtatious. Definitely love at first sight."

He laughs again and leans closer. He doesn't reply, instead touches my chin with his thumb. It's a very small touch. Nearly unnoticeable and probably wouldn't be at all if I wasn't gawking at his every movement like I am now. He tilts my chin up, making me stare at him directly, before he drops his thumb. "Let's play a game.'' He says.

No.

Whatever game it is, just say no.

He eyes my breast and lingers there for a moment, causing a shiver down my spine. "What kind of game?" I manage to whisper.

His smile forms into a grin. "Relax. I just want us to get to know each other."

My breath hitches. He wants to learn about me?

"Why? Why would you possibly want to know more about me?'' I reply.

I know I shouldn't be so star-struck about someone wanting to learn about me, but I can't help it. Not to mention, a fucking famous rockstar is the one asking.

His gaze finally leaves mine, and he brings it to the glass of scotch he holds. "You ask a lot of questions, sweetheart."

I am finally able to exhale a breath now that he isn't so close. I run a hand through my hair and fix it back before nodding. "Sorry.'' I sit up straight and hit my chest. "Bring on the questions.''

His head leans back against his seat and he glances at me with a small smile. "Relationship status?''

A laugh escapes my lips. "Are you serious? That's your first question, Christian?"

His smile grows and he shrugs. "Just want to know if I'm about to flirt with a taken woman."

I just know my face is growing redder by the minute. I point my index finger at him and shake my head. "Okay, that was smooth. I'll give you that.''

"Why, thank you." He takes his head off of the chair and sits up. He faces me with a smirk. "So, do you have a boyfriend waiting for you when you return home, Rose?''

I bite back my smile. "Maybe.''

I don't.

In fact, I haven't had a boyfriend or even gone on a date in nearly three years. My last relationship ended horribly. Which resulted in me distancing myself from everyone and becoming a human version of a turtle.

But he didn't need to know that.

"Damn.'' He mumbles, lowering his head. He lifts it almost immediately after. "Well, that's a shame for him."

A frown makes its way down my face. "How?'''

His eyes meet mine. "I'm gonna take his girl and there's nothing he can do about it." He replies and takes a sip of his drink as he sits back.

My mouth opens a bit.

Why the hell do I find that attractive?

Why am I so attracted to a man I met less than three weeks ago?

I clear my throat and tell myself he is only joking. "Next question.'' I tell him.

He takes another sip. "Are you always this beautiful?'' He asks after a moment.

I nearly choke on my own spit. I laugh nervously and break eye contact with him. "O-oh, no. Beautiful is a very strong and inaccurate word to describe me."

I notice him staring at me from the corner of my eye. He stares for a while longer with his eyes widened a bit, before shaking his head and bringing his attention back to his glass.

I push the hair in my face back. I turn to him. "My turn."

He smiles and meets my gaze. "Hit me."

For the rest of the jet ride, Christian and I ask each other questions. Mine are simple and basic, while his grows more intense. I don't answer any of them, instead giving him a small detail of my life. By the time we have landed and he is walking me to my room in the hotel we're staying in, we are still playing.

By the smirk on his face, I have an inkling he's going to ask another question that will only intensify my attraction to him. I unlock the door with the card key and step inside. Christian sets my bags next to the bed and I thank him.

He stands in front of me, his hands in his sweatpants pockets as I stand in front of the bed. "I think I want to kiss you.'' He says.

My eyes lift from the ground and meet his in pure shock. He stares at me with a serious expression. My heart rate speeds up in shock. Before I know it, I begin panting.

''I don't think that's a question." I mumble and look away again.

When he laughs and starts walking to the door, it breaks the tension in the room. "You're right. I'm sorry.''

I hadn't expected him to be so bold and verbal.

I exhale a breath and wave a dismissive hand. "I know you're only joking."

Christian the door and salutes to me. "I'll see you in the morning. Then you'll get to meet everyone else, yeah?''