"Where are we even going?" Naomi asked, her eyes scanning the road in front of us. We were sat in my red geo metro once again.

"I want to take you to this bar across the city. It plays the best music. I want to see if you'll pass the test." I was trying to keep my eyes firmly on the road in front of us, but also trying to steal glances of her. Her large green eyes scanned in awe at the streets and sights of Las Vegas, Nevada.

"What was it like, growing up on these streets?" She asked curiously. Her strong English accent reminding me the difference between our upbringing.

"Probably exactly what you're imagining. I didn't spend all my childhood here, it was split between here and Utah. But Vegas, it's charming. That's what people come to see, right? The charm? The lights? Throw some money down, make a loss, see the sights. I imagine it's very different to what you grew up with." I pulled up to a stop light and seized the opportunity to observe her once again. She was already looking at me, her eyes scanning my face as if she was trying to memorise every line and curve of me. I knew this, because I was doing the exact same thing to her.

"Yeah, I've gotta admit American and English cultures are two very different things." She whispered as her eyes locked onto mine. I felt this sudden urge to lean forward and place my lips on hers, wanting to know what it was like to be the person who got to steal her kisses. The sensible part of my mind reared its ugly head and reminded me that it would be the worst thing I could do right now. I really liked Naomi, which seemed so absurd to even admit, considering I really didn't know her at all. But there was something about her, something that drew me to her and I felt myself slipping. I had to do this the right way.

She didn't elaborate the conversation further, and I didn't want to pry her. My fingers inched towards the car stereo and I turned the dial to my favourite station. I idly wondered if one of the songs from our album would debut. Would Naomi even recognise us if it did? She said she didn't know who our band was, and it seemed believable. But what about if she was lying? What if she was just hiding her knowledge of my work just to use me? She didn't seem the type, but I had to remind myself that I didn't know this girl and it was a chance I was unnervingly willing to take.

"Boring you, am I?" She asked playfully, resting her head on her hand that leant against the window.

"Not in the slightest. I gathered you'd finished talking. I just, I like listening to music whilst driving. I can turn it off if you'd like?" I reached across to turn off the stereo. My fingers were about the brush the dial when her small hand leant across and pulled it away. The connection didn't last long, her fingers too quickly let go of my hand and turned the stereo up just as Talk Talk's 'It's my Life' played.

"You bloody dare, or I'll jump out of this car right now!" She playfully shouted at me. She leant back in the seat and stared out the passenger window, her voice low but loud enough for me to hear her harmonise with Mark Hollis.

"Are you going to make it a habit of yours to sing for me every time we meet?" I laughed, remembering back to the night we met. The stop light changed and I pulled off onto the Nevada night. I saw her cheeks blush under the city lights and it melted me. "Also, I kinda really like hearing you say bloody. It's cute."

"What can I say? I just bloody love singing." She winked at me. She winked, at me! My hands nervously tapped at the wheel. I had to level my thoughts, I didn't fancy crashing the car.

...................................................................

"Happy Hour, The Housemartins!" Naomi was just about audible over the music. Her laughter was contagious as I scribbled down another notch on the napkin. "You know Brandon, considering this was your idea, I thought you'd be a bit better at this!" She pursed her lips at me before taking another sip of her drink.

"I think you need to slow down," my hand was already making its way to the glass at her lips. "And just because you get there before me, doesn't mean I don't know the songs. I'm letting you win!" I wasn't. I brought her here to my favourite bar. It played classic 80s music, all my favourites that Shane had gotten me into growing up. I wanted to test her knowledge in music, quizzing her about whether she knew the song or artist as soon as the tracks changed. She was currently eight points ahead of me. Although I was known to be a sore loser, I secretly liked the fact that she was educated and interested in music.

"OK dad, I think I know how much alcohol I can handle..." I could tell she was annoyed that I made the comment. To be honest, I wasn't sure why it annoyed me. I didn't like the idea of her getting herself drunk and not knowing what she was doing. But she was here with me, and I would be the one taking her home safely tonight, so that seemed to reassure me. "You might want to look away now because I'm going to the bar to get another drink. Can I get you one?"

"No, I'm good thanks." I stared at the almost empty glass on the table.

"Well I'm going to get you a drink anyway. Coke, of course." She stood up and shuffled past me. Her fingertips ran lightly over my shoulders and I felt my body tense under her touch. I swore she knew what she was doing to me and I loved it. I couldn't resist watching her walk across the room and up to the mahogany bar. My chest felt tight as I watched her lean her elbows on the wood, her long brown hair falling down her back. Her ass was slightly bent out and I knew I was staring but I couldn't look away. She was magnetic. A young man, about our age, suddenly was next to her. His arm leaning on the bar, but his body facing her and giving her his full attention. He was tall, taller than me, dark, muscular. His dark red t-shirt clung to all the muscles on his arms and torso. He was grinning at her and giving her a look like he wanted her. I couldn't blame him, but I couldn't fight the jealousy that was raising in me. I watched as he mumbled something to her, her shoulders shaking in response as she laughed at whatever he said. I was caught off guard when she turned around and pointed to me, for one moment both of them looked directly at me. The guy raised his glass at me and half smiled, and I returned the gesture. She grabbed the drinks and was making her way back to me.

"Making friends are you?" I asked, leaning up to take my soft drink from her hands.

"Obviously. He was very flirty. Until I told him I was here with you. He didn't seem so interested in me after that. Who would have thought you'd be such a cock block, Brandon!?" She sipped her drink and took the seat right next to me.

"Cock block! What's that!?" My laughter was uncontrollable. Her humour was undeniable.

"You know, someone who stops you from getting the dick."

"Oh god forbid I should be the reason you don't get dick when you're on a date with me!" I knew she was joking but my heart soared. I'd never met anyone who made me extremely on edge and extremely comfortable at the same time.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Ugh, I can't believe I'm still drinking when I have work tomorrow..." She sighed as she rolled her eyes. Yet her body seemed to contradict her words as she took another sip of her drink

"She says as she drinks again. What do you do for work?"

"Oh trust me, if you worked my job you'd want to be drinking any free time you had. I work in an office doing all sorts of paperwork for different departments. Mainly admin stuff. Not what I planned for my life at all."

"What was Naomi's life plans? To take over the world?"

"Ha, no quite. Something music related. Not on the front line, although that would have been amazing. I can play a few instruments but that's all just for my entertainment. I'd like to be a P.A or a tour manager, you know. Get to see live music and travel as a job, sign me up!"

"What's stopping you?"

"The opportunity. I've just got comfortable. I know I should get my head down and work on getting myself where I want to be but the last few months haven't been the easiest and I've kinda just lost myself." Her lips curled down as the last few words fell from her mouth. She oozed vulnerability and I reached over my hand and placed it on top of hers.

"I know exactly how that feels."

"Yeah, well we're not all celebrities like you. Although I'm not convinced you are. I've not see anyone begging for an autograph, no girls are throwing themselves at you. Although that could be my fault, I could be cockblocking you!"

"Is it still cockblocking if you don't have the male anatomy?"

"Yeaaaaah same thing. Although I can't say I'd let another girl get too close to you, Brandon."

"Oh yeah, and why's that?" God, this woman is amazing!

"I don't like to share, do I?"

"Is that so..." my breathing was shallow and sparse. Was she admitting how deeply she felt towards me or was I reading too far into this? Was the girl of my dreams declaring her possessiveness over me? How the fuck did this happen!? My hand was still on top of hers, I had thought about pulling it away as I started to feel my palms get sweaty but I didn't want to break that physical connection. Her eyes were staring directly into mine. I momentarily broke away just in time to watch her clamp her teeth down onto her bottom lip. Fuck!!!

"You're drooling a bit babe." Naomi's grin was massive as she turned away and sipped once again at her beverage. "Free Fallin', Tom Petty."

9 points ahead.

......................................................................

"I just, I mean, I just - I think I need my bed." The cool Vegas breeze nipped at my skin as pulled up to Naomi's apartment.

"I know you do, and we're back at your place. Let me get the door for you." She was swaying in the passenger seat and I felt bad for allowing her to get into the state she was in. "Here, grab my hand." She stumbled a little but my hand in hers helped to stabilise her. She gave me a shy smile as she straighten herself up. She was the perfect mix of cute and sexy.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...mean to get this drunk." Her hiccups had just kicked in, and I knew that she wasn't going to wake up feeling so fresh.

"That's OK. I've gotta take part blame, although I did try and slow down your drinking once or twice..."

"Or six or seven times, Brandon!" She interrupted.

"Or six or seven times, Naomi. But if it makes you feel better, you passed the test." I slipped my arm around her back and I gripped her side firmly. She followed suit, wrapping her arm around my torso, and cupping my side. I felt the muscles in my stomach clench at her touch and that made my stomach flip.

"Thank you for tonight Brandon, I really did have a nice time."

"You're welcome. Thank you for coming out with me. I think you're pretty great." The cool breeze and the feeling of being so close to Naomi was enough to dry my mouth out and I nervously licked my lips. I was so concentrated on adding some moisture back to my mouth that I didn't realise that she had stopped still until I was jolted backwards. "Everything alright?"

She didn't say anything. She just looked up at me through her long lashes. Just her looking at me like this, like she needed me, made my heart beat faster than anything I had ever experienced. She stretched out her other hand and placed it on my shoulder. She was now centred in my arms, both my hands were cupping the middle of her back. Her breathing was as shallow as mine, her eyes flicked between my eyes and my lips.

"Naomi, as much as I would really like to bend down and kiss you right now, I'm not going to do that whilst you're under the influence."

"I know what I'm doing, Brandon." She whined. A small giggle left my lips. I found it unbelievably cute that she was trying to convince me she was sober enough just to get a kiss from me.

"I never said you didn't, darlin'. If I ever have the honour of kissing you, I'd like you to be able to remember every second of it the next morning too."

She rolled her eyes at me before dropping her hands, sulking like a schoolgirl. Without hesitation, I scooped her back into my arms and hugged her into me. The smell of her was overwhelming, and I found myself nuzzling into her. The feeling was obviously mutual as her head nuzzled into my chest. The tension between us was getting too much and I was finding the ability to keep her at a safe distance was getting out of hand.

"Come on, Naomi. Let's get you to bed." I took her hand in mine and walked her to her apartment door.

"Thank you again, for tonight. It's really been lovely." We were on the threshold of her apartment. In the lights of the buildings corridors, I could see that some of her makeup had smudged around her eyes. There was something charming about how she didn't look as put together as she did at the beginning of the night. I was still as attracted to her.

"I've really enjoyed myself. Can I see you again?" I timidly asked, pushing my hands into the denim pockets of my jeans. They were safe there.

"I'd like that. I'd really like that. Soon, please. Tomorrow?" In that moment, the world had slowed down and everything was moving in slow motion. This dream girl wanted to see me again, tomorrow. I was meant to be going shopping with Ron but I already knew I would cancel anything to spend more time with her.

"I suppose I can be available." I joked, and was rewarded with the purest laugh that made me giddy. Before I had chance to do anything, her arms were around my torso and her head was pressed against my chest.

"Brandon, where have you been all my life..." Naomi's voice was soft and I was convinced those words weren't for my ears. But I'd heard them and I was in heaven.

"Ugh, you. Come on, let's get you inside and into bed." I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze.

"Are you going to come in?"

"Not tonight. You need to sleep."

"You can sleep with me."

"Haha, just go get some rest, Naomi. I'll call you in the morning." I leant forward and placed a small kiss on her forehead. It wasn't much, but it was enough for me. She sleepily grinned at me a final time before she wandered into her apartment and I was alone in the corridor.

....................................................................

My hands were shaking as I tried to button up my shirt. She would be here any minute now. I walked over to the mirror in my bedroom and stared at my reflection. My curls were lightly edging my forehead. My pale blue shirt was buttoned up almost to the top and tucked into my black jeans. I had my favourite pair of boat shoes on too. I was confident with how I looked but my confidence was about to be shaken knowing Naomi was on her way to me. I'd text her last night when I got home telling her again how much fun I had. I had half expected her to not reply, the date in itself was too good to be true. But the next morning she'd replied, telling me she remembered what she said last night and asked if she could take me out tonight. Luckily, that gave me a chance to go out with Ron earlier without having to cancel on him. He would have questioned me all day if I had to tell him I'd stood him up for a date with a girl. He knew it would be a big deal for this timid boy to want to invest my time in a girl, especially since the band was doing so well. I was pulled from my thoughts by the gentle tapping at the door. I started to panic knowing I was about to set my eyes on her again. It was scary the impact this girl had on me. I ran my sweaty palms down the length of my thighs. The door gently tapped again and I almost tripped as I raced to get it.

"I thought you'd sent me to the wrong address for a minute there." Naomi appeared in the doorway and nearly pulled me apart.

"I like to keep you on your toes." I ran my hand nervously through my curls. Naomi had this ability to make me feel so confident yet so shy, a beautiful contradiction.

"Ditto, Flowers!" She crossed her arms over her chest and stuck her hip out to the side. Oh the sass, I love it!! "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah sure!" I tapped down my jeans to make sure my keys and wallet were on my person.

We casually walked side by side through the building and down to her car. My hand was itching to grab onto hers, and I thought I felt her trying to reach out for my digits too, as our fingertips kept briefly touching. She looked up at me and sweetly smiled. I knew we both wanted to hold hands, but both were equally nervous to make that first move.

"Aren't you going to ask me where we're going?" She climbed into the drivers seat. It was always a weird feeling not being the driver, and I felt slightly anxious. "Relax, I know how to drive!"

"Sorry, I just get nervous when I'm not in control," she cocked her brow at me, "Not like that. I mean, I trust you driving, it's just, I don't know. When I'm driving, I know I'm the one who's in control, our safety is in my hands. I prefer that." I just want to look after you.

"Well I've drove for years now and have not crashed once. Plus, I kinda like you, so I don't plan on taking this car off the road." She winked at me as she clipped her belt in.

"Where are we going then, Miss Jones?"

"Well, it is somewhere I've wanted to visit since I've been to Vegas but have never been. I bet you have, Vegas boy! The Neon Museum?"

"Actually, I have never been." I saw a grin widely spread across her face as I confessed. "Why does that make you so happy?"

"I'm taking your Neon Museum virginity. I honestly thought you'd have done this before. It's definitely ideal for date night."

"Maybe I just didn't find a girl that I felt was good enough to be going on these kinda dates with." It was the truth. I'd been on dates, but I'd never felt this way about anyone, ever.

"Cheesy, Flowers. But I'll take it. I thought we could grab some food then head over to the museum?"

"Sounds like a plan."

......................................................................

"So what was it like growing up as Brandon Flowers?" Her question kinda caught me off guard. We were idly wandering through the vintage signs of the Neon Museum. Dinner had been lovely, and I put that down to the company I had. She made everything more enjoyable.

"I'm not sure how to answer that." I wasn't interesting. My life was average.

"Just tell me everything. Come on, you made me!"

"I lived a lot of my younger years in Nephi, in Utah. It was like living in black and white, you know. There were no stop signs, you settled your troubles down at the water tower. I felt out of place there. I think my brother Shane,"

"The guy from the bar?"

"Yeah, that's my older and only brother, Shane. He's twelve years older than me,"

"He doesn't look it!" I shot her a look. Was she trying to make me jealous?

"Anyway, he's twelve years older than me. I think he realised how out of place I felt there, he would come and rescue me on the weekends and take me to his house. He would play me these tapes, all sorts of music you know, The Cure, The Smiths, Depeche Mode, all of them, all the greats. And, it changed everything. Suddenly, this little black and white town was full of colour.