“There never was.”
He chuckled and his warm breath fluttered my hair. “Oh there was, June Bug. Everyone in town looked at me like they knew I had no idea what the fuck to do with myself after you were gone.” He trailed the tip of his finger down my neck and over my collarbone, following the collar of my long-sleeved shirt. “I think that was why Kirstin was so intriguing.”
I swallowed hard. Talking aboutanother woman, the one who’d gotten to walk down the aisle to him, was the last thing I wanted his mouth to be doing.
“For once, I wasn’t some lovesick guy who’d had to stay behind to run the family farm. To her, I was a blank slate. I pretended I could start fresh.” He feathered his hands through my hair. “So damn soft,” he murmured.
My chest rose and fell. I craved more of his touch. If he didn’t back away, I would scale him like a mountain to get his mouth right where I wanted it. I was too weak to take a step back, but I could put my own mouth to use. “Are you blaming me for ruining your marriage?”
“No, songbird. In the end, she was a lot like you. She had a dream, and I was in her way.”
How could he think that? “She left her kids.”
“Yeah,” he said quietly. “But it’s better for them to have a stable home. Kids shouldn’t be raised on the road.”
I stiffened. “You weren’t concerned about that before.” When we’d planned our future family, he’d known I’d be traveling for work and he’d said nothing. Now it was a deal breaker?
“I’ve always been concerned about that.”
“Why didn’t you talk to me about this? Is this because of your mom?”
His expression went stony. “I’m not talking about me.”
“It feels like this has to do with you.”
“I’m not your business anymore.”
I recoiled. “You’re shutting me outagain.”
He winced.
“Did you talk to Kirstin about your convictions or did you tell her you wanted a divorce and she needed to go be a photographer?”
“Why? Do you want to write a song about it?”
“Actually, yes. I could write about a stubborn ass of a man who denies his feelings until he kissesthe one who got awaysenseless. Then he turns around and pushes her away again. I could call it ‘Senseless.’” I sucked in a breath and held it. I blew it out in a rush. “That’s actually not bad.”
The tension between us drained and the corner of his mouth curved up. “Does the songbird have her muse?”
“Maybe?” I smirked. “Only you could upset me so bad I’d write a song about it.”
His gaze softened and sadness crept into his eyes. “Then you’d better go write while the inspiration’s hot.”
If I stayed, I might do something stupid like ask him to give me more inspiration with another kiss.
“See you next Sunday.” I did the world’s most awkward wave, spun on my heel, and continued toward the door.
“Hey, songbird,” he said, his tone light. “If you write that senseless song, do me a solid and give the guy a name that’s not mine, or the girls will kill me.”
I looked over my shoulder. “Sure. He’ll be... Conner.”
He groaned, and I laughed. I forced myself to continue walking.
Our chemistry was as strong as ever, and our conversations were getting more comfortable. Familiar. But I couldn’t start wondering... Fantasizing. He didn’t want his kids traveling. He wasn’t selling me a promise he wouldn’t keep. When I left town again, he’d stay right where he was. Just like last time.
CHAPTER NINE
June
