Page 93 of Driving Beats

Rougher.

“You do things to me, Nese. You cause me to want things I thought I was beyond having. You make me want to be… more than I have been.”

He reaches into his pocket and thrusts a small packet toward me. “I even experimented with the jewelry kit you left behind. By the way, I have it with me in my Tumi carry-on.”

I stare down at blue earrings. Imperfections wink at me, but I ignore them.

“They’re not perfect,” he mutters. “But neither am I.”

His gaze locks on mine. No retreat.

He says louder, “Here’s the thing, though...”

A breath.

“I want you.”

Another step closer.

He grits out, “Because I love you, Nese Dalton.”

Tears well in my eyes. My mouth drops open. My fingers run over my new earrings, which are more precious to me than any sapphires on the market.

“I, I don’t know what to say, Coop.”

“You aren’t obligated to say anything. I’ve said what I came here for.” He starts toward the door.

Clutching the earrings, I beat him to the threshold. “You don’t get to fly across the country and give me this dress, these shoes, and earrings you made just for me, then waltz out of my bedroom.” I swallow. “Things haven’t exactly been a bed of roses for me since I got home either.”

“Oh?”

“No. For one, the bed’s smaller than I remember. The neighborhood’s a bit more, well, down than my memory served up.” I turn my head so it’s pointed down the hallway. “But my roommates still rock!”

“Damn right we do,” replies Alexis.

To Coop, in a much lower voice, I say, “But conversations with them are less exciting than ours. I fought hard to get here, Coop, and I’m proud of all I accomplished to have made it happen. However, touring with UC has opened my eyes to a world outside of Georgia and Oklahoma.”

“Do tell,” he prods.

“On tour, I’m in my element, surrounded by fashion—whether it’s for the stage, in stores, or for you guys personally.” I take a full breath. “Or for you.”

My feet carry me in a circle around the small room.

“I enjoy our conversations, where you challenge me with your deep knowledge of a variety of topics. I love learning, and you keep me on my toes. All the guys do, in their own way. However, none of them could open my eyes to the challenges of meditation.” I hold up the signed book I bought at the bookstore. “This is actually some interesting stuff.”

His gaze lands on the book. “He’s one of my favorite authors.”

“I know.” I replace it on my nightstand. “I should hate you for how you treated me.”

I suck in the silence.

“But I’m also old enough to fall in love.” I stare at him. “Because that’s what I did, dammit. I fell in love with the introverted guitarist of Untamed Coaster.”

His smile could power a small city. “You did?”

From down the hallway, Owen says, “I knew it!”

Ignoring my roommate, I speak directly to the man who makes my heart sing. “Damn you, Cooper O’Shea.” I stomp my foot.