I hesitate, which is already the wrong move, but I have no idea how to explain why I can't take this assignment without getting myself fired. I decide to stick to my initial reason for resistance, long before I heard Silver's name as my new client.
"My sister is scarier than you," I say gruffly.
"Not likely."
I clear my throat, trying once more to decline the assignment. "You're bringing me in to walk one person from her car to a building? A greenie could handle this without a problem."
Sloane sighs, and I know I've run out of his patience. "Cut the shit, Dane. You wouldn't be nervous because something happened with Ms. Langford that would jeopardize your job, would you?"
I open my mouth to respond, but he continues speaking, and I know better than to interrupt.
"Because you are the utmost professional when on the job. I have that right,don't I?"
"Yes," I respond immediately, lying through my teeth.
"Stop by The Beacon when you land."
The line goes dead.
I glance at my suitcase, still packed and ready to go.
When Silver got on that bus back in Fox Falls a few months ago, it was like my future drove out of town with her. Now she'srequested me again? I don't like not being able to have what I want, and I certainly don't want to spend the next three days surrounded by Silver and her adoring fans.
"Any special requests for dinner tonight, Dane?" Naomi's voice floats down the hallway.
I realize I have a much bigger problem to deal with first.
Shit.
Chapter three
Silver
"And then he comeshoooooooome...." I turn on my heel on the last word and glance backstage, almost losing the note when I lock eyes with the dark and broody hunk of my dreams.
I’d hoped that a few months of distance might shake me loose from the hold this man has on me—that my lust-filled delirium exaggerated his sexiness to such a degree that he couldn't possibly live up to it in person should I ever find myself face to face with him again. I’m sad (not really) to report that isnotthe case.
Dane stands behind the burgundy velvet curtain, talking to Alice backstage. He's sporting business casual slacks with a dark polo that pulls snug on his biceps while hiding those washboard abs I've had the immense pleasure of running my fingers over. Memories of his hands on my body in that elevator back in Fox Falls flood my brain, and I end the song with a breathless little sigh that sounds pornographic thanks to the microphone I'm still holding.
I try to cover it with a little whoop of joy as I look out onto the field in front of me, but that also sounds like the height of a climax. I would now like to melt into a puddle. Thankfully, the field is mostly empty during rehearsals.
"Are you going to do that during the performance?" Charley, the stage manager, asks into her microphone.
I shake my head, my cheeks heating.
She shrugs. "The audience likes a little hooting and hollering."
"Cool," I croak, then clear my throat. "Do you need me to sing it again?"
"Nope, we've got it, thank you." Charley waves me off the stage, speaking into her walkie-talkie to get the next group on deck—which means I have no choice but to go to Dane.
As I walk toward him, the rest of the world falls away, and I float on rainbows and sunbeams. I've thought about no one else since setting eyes on him months ago. He walked into that hotel lobby in Fox Falls, and every nerve in my body lit up. It was like my soul had met its match. I couldn't hide it or fight it, so I ran, thinking I'd nurse my poor heart back to health with multiple pints of ice cream, a good cry, a few songs about loving and leaving, and never have to see the man again.
Yet here he is. Smart, sexy, strong, and completely off-limits. My own mother sensed I was a goner, even though she's never met him. But I can't have him, so basically, this weekend is going to be torture.
"Hi," I say, sounding somewhat normal and far less orgasmic.Good job, me.
I stare at Dane for too long before allowing my gaze to slide toward Alice, who’s eyeing me with a knowing smile.
