I smiled as I disconnected the call. I was so happy for my sister. She was getting the life she hadn’t even known she wanted until she fell in love with Knox. She always thought marriage and babies were for other girls, until the love of her life made her believe she could have it all. With him.
I stood, grabbing my guitar as I made my way to the door. As soon as I opened it, Dade was on the other side.
“Hey.”
I licked my lips, taking a step back as he closed the door behind him. “Uh, hey. Anything wrong?”
He pressed a bottle of water into my free hand. “Thought you could use this.” He was looking down at me, his eyes fixed on my lips. “Lubricate the… vocal chords.”
“Uh, thanks.” I curled my hand around the bottle, knowing there was a hell of a lot more on his mind than concern for my voice.
“I didn’t get to do this earlier because Max was here.” He lowered his head, sweeping his mouth over mine. “Good luck, gorgeous.”
I swallowed, feeling my nerves about the performance give way to confusion. I thought we were trying to keep things professional, friendly. “What was that about? You kiss all your employees?”
“You’re only my employee when we’re working.” He backed me into the desk. “We’re not working now.”
“Yeah, but I’m pissed at you.” Before he could question me, I said, “You had no right to tell Knox about us.”
He dropped his head, looking contrite. “Baby, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to. It just kind of—”
“Slipped out?” I wasn’t buying it.
“Something like that.” He took my guitar out of my hand and set it down on the desk behind me before curling my arms around his neck. “Are you really pissed at me?”
“I know we can trust them, it’s not like they’re going to tell anyone, but still, you should have talked to me first.”
“You’re right.” He kissed my cheek, making me tremble. “Forgive me?”
Like I had a choice. Staying angry with this sexy beast didn’t seem like an option. “Maybe. I’ll think about it.”
His lips trailed down my neck before he said, “I’ll have to work on convincing you. Maybe later. At home?”
At home? We didn’t share a home. We shared common grounds, but I was supposed to have a place of my own. Hundreds of feet from his. “Home?” I echoed, flattening my palm against his chest. “Uh, we don’t share a house. Or a bed, Dade.” I tipped my head back to look him in the eye. “And this afternoon you made it sound like you had no interest in sharing a bed ever again, so what’s this about?”
“I—”
“I don’t appreciate being jerked around.” I’d had enough of that to last a lifetime. Deadbeats who couldn’t make up their minds giving me whiplash with their on-again-off-again bullshit. I was over it.
“I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I know it must seem like I’m running hot and cold, Charli.”
“Because you are!” I took a deep breath and stepped around him. “And I’m done, Dade. You listed all the reasons why you can’t get into another relationship right now and I understand.” I held my hand up before he could interject. “Sort your shit out and come talk to me when you’ve got it figured out. Until then…” I glared at him, speaking through the tremble in my voice, ‘cause damn it, this was hard. “I’m not your plaything. You don’t get to take me off the shelf when you’re horny or bored. I’m sure you have plenty of willing groupies to fill that role.”
Chapter 10
Dade
Having Charli tell me off in her dressing room was… unexpected. And hot as hell. It had been years since a woman shut me down like that. And I respected her even more for standing up for herself. She was right. I was in one minute, out the next, wavering between wanting her and trying to save face. I couldn’t have it both ways. And if I didn’t figure things out soon, I had no doubt she’d slam the door in my face. For good.
“Damn,” Archer said, nudging me with his elbow. “Your girl’s good, man.”
My girl.I knew I should correct him. I had no right to claim Charli as mine, but these were two of my closest friends and I knew my secrets were always safe with them. “I told you.”
Reed nodded. “I’m thinkin’ I might’ve just found my next opening act.” He held his phone up and started taking a video of Charli singing an original song. “I’m gonna send this to my manager and Evan, see what they think.”
“What the hell?” I snapped. “You don’t even talk to me first?” The thought of Reed on the road with Charli for months didn’t sit well. Especially since he was single now.
“Why should I?” Reed asked, holding the phone steady as he glanced at me over his shoulder. “She’s just your assistant, right?” He smirked. “Like I believe that. You haven’t taken your eyes off her all night.”
