"It's cozy," I say, glancing at Dane.
He’s staring at the bed. His gaze shifts to me, then immediately bounces away as we walk inside.
"Are you sure we can't go back to the hotel?" I ask.
Dane shakes his head. He won't tell me anything about the threat at the concert, only saying he'll give me more details when he gets the all-clear. Whatever it is, it has him rattled.
I nod, licking my lips as I try not to think about having to share this itty-bitty space with him tonight. I'm not worried. The threat he's freaked out about wasn't aimed at me. And I've never felt safer than I do with Dane. He can “ma'am” me all he wants, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that this man cares about my safety.
"How did the paparazzi know we'd be in the alley?" Dane asks. He's been muttering about it since we got out of there.
I grimace, having put two and two together on our drive to the middle of nowhere. "I'm pretty sure that was Alice's doing. She wouldn't come with us, so I think she probably tipped them off, wanting to capitalize on whatever drama is about to come out of the event."
Dane curses and rolls his eyes. "We’re going to talk to her about that little stunt. If I say it's an emergency, she isnotcalling a press conference."
I know I should be listening to him, but all I can focus on is that one little word.
We.
Over these past few days, my entire being—body, heart, and soul—has been screaming at me not to let him go this time. Every single glance my way makes me want to rip off my clothes and hand myself over on a silver platter.
What the hell is going on with me? I sing about love lost and strong women who survive heartbreak, but the longer we spend together, the more I want to ride him like my favorite horse. And it's not just physical. I want to bake him a pie and have his babies too—and I've never made a pie or thought about kids before. My heart races and my body heats with desire as I think about what tonight could mean for me. For us.
Dane sets my bag on the bed and turns to me. "I'll take the chair. Let's get some sleep."
The bubble bursts.
I've done as much as I can to entice him, stopping short of full-on sexual harassment, though I'm skirting that line too. I'm terrified to tell him how I feel because whatever we shared back in Fox Falls is over—at least on his end.
Dane Hunter is done with me.
I stomp to the bed, grab my bag, and head into the tiny bathroom. Once inside, I realize I don't have many toiletries. I splash cold water on my face and sit on the toilet lid, allowing myself a minute to clear my head. After eight deep breaths, I dig through my bag to figure out what I'm working with.
Aha! I have the T-shirt I wore between my set and the song with Gia.
Gia. Holy shit. I was on stage performing with one of the biggest superstars in the world tonight. I shake my head, willing my heart to calm down. I have no idea if the adrenaline pumping through my body is from the rush of performing on stage or because the man of my dreams is right behind this door. I'm never going to sleep tonight, and the only other non-sleeping activity I'm interested in is completely off the table.
I slide my bra straps down my arms, freeing the girls for the evening, then slip the soft white cotton shirt over my head. I was wearing a dress, so my lucky black lace panties with the pink hearts will have to do for pajama bottoms. They make my ass look amazing, and I've also had some of the best concerts of my life wearing them. A quick glance in the mirror, and I realize going braless in this fabric leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination.
Screw it.Eat your heart out, Dane.
I fling the bathroom door open wide to find him sitting in the chair facing me. He’s removed his jacket, and his shirt ispartially unbuttoned. His hair is a little tousled, making me want to run my hands through it. Is he planning to sleep sitting up rather than lie next to me?
I drop my bag next to the bathroom door. "We can share the bed."
Dane's eyes travel the full length of my body, pausing for a long moment on my chest before flicking to my face. My nipples harden in response, and my heart squeezes. Butterflies erupt in my belly from the heat in his eyes.
"Get some sleep," Dane growls, flicking the switch on the lamp and pulling out his phone.
I clench my jaw. I refuse to make a fool of myself by begging him to touch me.
The duvet looks like it’s seen better days, so I fold it and place it at the foot of the bed. The small cabin is warm, so I climb on top of the sheets and turn my back to the brooding bodyguard I can't stop thinking about.
"I'm sorry I ruined your moment." Dane's voice cuts through the silence.
I turn to face him. "You didn't."
Our eyes lock, his face illuminated by the glow of his phone. This time, he doesn't look away. Neither do I.
