Page 39 of Unstable

A dull ache took up residence in the region of her heart, and she forced it down as she turned back to Roman. “Ready to head back?”

He lifted his chin at her. “Whenever you are.”

They were silent as they headed down the pier, then stepped into the soft sand. Conversation halted as they fell into a jog on the way back to the house. About a hundred yards from the gate, Roman turned to her, a challenging glint in his eyes. “Race you.”

Not one to be outdone, she shoved him away then sprinted forward as fast as she could. Within seconds, he was by her side and already starting to take the lead. She growled, pumping her arms faster, willing her feet to dig into the sand and propel her forward. Roman reached the gate first, his fingers brushing the hard plastic a second before hers.

“I win,” he declared, turning to her with a smug smile as he held the gate open and waited for her to precede him inside.

“Only because your arms are longer,” she shot back. Her legs felt like jelly, and she wobbled around the pool before collapsing into a chaise lounge facedown. “I feel like I’m dying. Just leave me here.”

A throaty chuckle filtered over her shoulder. “I’ll get breakfast going. Come on in whenever you’re done being lazy.”

She jumped as he swatted the back of her thigh, and a tiny smile curled her mouth. He could be such a jerk sometimes, but she was incredibly thankful that he was trying so hard to be nice. After their rough beginning, it meant a lot. Once she’d caught her breath, she hauled herself up from the lounge chair, then made her way inside on still-shaky legs to take a quick shower. By the time she got out, the smell of toast and bacon tickled her nose, drawing her toward the kitchen.

A country station played from somewhere—probably Roman’s phone since she hadn’t seen a radio—and the smooth baritone voice drew her like a moth to light. Who was that? The song was a popular one, but she was certain she’d never heard the man before. It was odd, because she knew, at least by voice, most of the singers in the industry.

She stopped dead in her tracks at the end of the hallway, and her eyes scanned the room. Roman stood at the counter with his back to her, concentrating on whatever he was chopping on the cutting board in front of him. The sound of the knife hitting wood mingled with his sexy voice as he crooned along to the lyrics.

She felt blindsided, completely taken aback. He was good. No, he was better than good—he was incredible.

“You said you couldn’t sing,” she accused from her place just outside the kitchen.

Muscles that he hadn’t bothered to cover up with a shirt tensed for a moment, then relaxed. “Never said I couldn’t sing,” he corrected. “I said I don’t.”

“Why not?” she snapped as she stepped up beside him.

“Because I don’t want to,” came his reply.

She slapped a hand on the counter next to the cutting board. “That’s not an answer. You’re really good.”

He lifted one shoulder as if it didn’t make a difference in the world. “Don’t like to sing in front of people.”

She thought about that for a second, and about the stage fright she battled for years. “Someone could help you with that. There’s⁠—”

“No.” His response was swift and abrupt. “Not singing.”

God, the man was exasperating. “I don’t understand. Why won’t you at least try?”

Even from off to the side, she could see him roll his eyes. “Yeah, I’m sure the guys would have a field day with that.”

And suddenly the lightbulb came on. He didn’t have stage fright—he was afraid of what his friends would say. She was affronted on his behalf. No way would anyone ever make fun of him, especially not someone he called a friend.

The song he’d been singing ended, rolling into a new one—a duet. An idea sprang to life. “Sing with me.”

He threw a bewildered look at her. “Didn’t we just discuss this?”

“Yeah.” She hopped up on the counter next to where he was working. “But it’s just me.”

“Yeah. And you’re a professional.” He rolled his eyes.

Instead of replying, she started singing along with the female part. Roman turned to face her, and their eyes locked. The words flowed from her tongue, and she felt like she was singing to him. A warm sensation swept over her, catching her off guard. Desire. After their argument, she’d pushed her true feelings for him down deep, but now they came flaring to life once more.

Roman gave a little shake of his head but didn’t look away. “How do you expect me to compete with you?”

“Just sing,” she replied before picking up the lyrics again as it launched into the chorus.

Looking torn and more self-conscious than she’d ever seen him, Roman picked up the male part. Quiet at first, he grew bolder, his voice blending harmoniously with hers as they finished out the song together. She drew out the last note and grinned at him. He smiled back, a lightness entering his eyes, and she hopped down.