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“I know,” he said, his tone affectionately gruff, because he was the one person who recognized just how insane her life and her schedule were. “Now get out of here before I come to my goddamn senses and change my mind.”
Already feeling lighter and more carefree than she had in years, Raevynn grinned at Collin. “You heard the man. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER THREE
Like thieves in the night, reminiscent of the way he and Rae used to sneak around to be together when they were teenagers, they made their way out to her waiting limo and slipped inside, then instructed the driver to Collin’s car, which was parked in the underground structure. Minutes later, the two of them were seated and buckled into his sporty BMW and out on the open road.
As he navigated the street in front of him, he glanced over at Raevynn, who seemed completely at ease with him and the fact that they were all alone and heading who knew where. While he’d seen signs of tension when she’d been arguing with her security guy about her decision to leave with Collin, now she was smiling, as if he’d just freed her from jail—albeit a luxurious one. It was as if being out on her own and experiencing the first bit of freedom in a while, without being smothered by an entourage, had reduced her stress level tenfold.
From what he could gather from her conversation with Glen, Raevynn’s idyllic life wasn’t as wonderful and perfect as it was portrayed on social media and in interviews, and it didn’t surprise Collin at all that her mother had her on a relentless, ambitious schedule. It had always been that way for Raevynn growing up. Pageants, recitals, voice lessons, auditions, dance classes, school.
The little free time Joyce did give to her daughter, Rae had spent it over at Collin’s house with his sister and Rae’s best friend, Avery. At least until Raevynn had turned fourteen and started seeing Collin as more than a big-brother figure. Her infatuation had been obvious, and for three long years, he’d resisted her attempts at flirtation, keeping her in the friend zone for a variety of reasons. The most prominent of which was her mother, who always kept her daughter on a short leash, and whenever Joyce saw the two of them together, even casually and innocently, the look in the woman’s eyes clearly stated that Raevynn was off-limits.
He’d managed to keep his hands off her until the end of Rae’s junior year—his senior year—when he’d finally given in to their attraction and he’d kissed her, which had been her first kiss from any boy. She’d been so soft and sweet and guileless in his arms, melting against him so trustingly. She’d tasted like the cotton candy lip gloss she wore, and from that moment on, his heart had never been the same. They’d both been young, but he’d known Raevynn most of her life—her vivacious personality, how kind and selfless she was—so falling in love with her had been as effortless as taking his next breath.
And now here Collin was, somehow her savior. He never could have predicted that his desire to see Raevynn after the show would result in the two of them running off together at Rae’s request.
When they came to a stop at a red light, he reached out and wound a finger around a strand of her long blonde hair that felt like silk, giving it a playful tug. Her stunning blue eyes met his, both gratitude and awareness swirling in the depths. After years of only seeing her in photos or in video clips, he was finally able to touch her again, though he kept things light and teasing for now, until he had a better feel for where he really stood with Rae—other than being the man who’d seemingly rescued her.
“So, Rapunzel,” he murmured, not surprised to feel his own body respond to how close she sat next to him. “Looks like you just escaped your plush, lavish tower and the ogre that protects you. So, where would you like to go?”
She grinned at his fairy-tale reference, and while he’d expected her to tell him she had no plan or destination in mind, she surprised him with her response.
“Do your parents still have that beach house in Margate City?” she asked, turning her body toward him in the leather seat, which caused the hem of her sparkling minidress to slide up her bare thighs a few inches. “The one where I used to go with your family in the summers when my mother would let me?”
The light turned green and he returned his attention to the road and off the toned legs he was tempted to touch and caress. “Yes, they still have the house,” he told her of the modest three-bedroom vacation home his parents had purchased when Collin and Avery had been kids, as a place where they could spend summers, weekends, and most holidays. It was only a two-hour drive from Brooklyn—close enough to get to easily but far enough away to qualify as a getaway.
“They moved to Florida a few years ago and thought about selling the place but decided they’d keep it to have somewhere to stay when they came to visit. And when they aren’t in New Jersey, they gave Avery a
nd me a key to use the house whenever we want.” He sister loved the beach and used the house far more than Collin ever did.
He glanced over to see Raevynn bite her plump bottom lip. Her eyes, which looked so big and dramatic framed by her heavy stage makeup, were filled with hope. “Do you think we could go there for a few days? If not, I totally understand,” she amended on a rush of breath, as if realizing how forward her request was. “I just don’t want to go somewhere that my mother can track me down or where fans can recognize me and I have to stay holed up in a room, like a hotel. I’d really prefer to stay at a place that is more private and where I don’t feel so . . . confined and isolated.”
The quiet, hesitant way she said those two last words gave Collin enough insight to her current state of mind and her need for privacy and seclusion on her own terms. If he had the ability to offer her some kind of downtime and breathing space, then he was going to provide it.
“Sure, we can go there,” he said, and steered the car toward New Jersey.
“Thank you,” she said, her tone grateful. “And I don’t mean to assume that you can just take time off from your life and job to look after me. You could drop me off at the house if you’d like, and I swear when I leave I’ll make sure it looks like I was never there.”
Collin wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity to spend time alone with Raevynn. He honestly believed the opportunity had presented itself for a reason, for them to at least take the time to resolve the past, for both of their sakes.
“I’m not going to leave you alone, without transportation or a phone,” he said, giving her a quick, meaningful glance before training his eyes ahead again. “I promised Glen I’d keep you safe and I’m very attached to certain body parts, so you’re stuck with me for now.” He’d call work first thing Monday morning and take a few vacation days, of which he had plenty accumulated, so he knew it wouldn’t be an issue. He rarely took time off for himself.
“I don’t think being stuck with you is a bad thing,” she said softly, and gently clasped the hand he’d rested on the console—the jolt of awareness that passed between them confirming to Collin that their desire and connection were still instantaneous. “Despite how things ended with us, truth be told, I’ve missed you.”
The thread of pain, which he’d caused all those years ago and she clearly still felt, was unmistakable in her voice. It truly gutted him to know she’d carried that hurt with her, even now. Without pondering what it all meant, he did something crazy and foolish but didn’t care. He lifted her hand to his mouth, and meeting her gaze for a quick second, he brushed his lips over her knuckles in a soft kiss.
“I’ve missed you, too, sweet girl,” he said, and boldly placed their joined hands on his thigh.
He was glad when she didn’t try and pull away and instead relaxed. She leaned her head back against the leather seat, her face turned his way, her expression reflecting how tired she was after a night of singing and performing. “Considering you’re going to be alone with me for a few days, is there a girlfriend I need to worry about?”
“No.” And he already knew she was single after her breakup with Zane months ago, though he had no idea where she stood emotionally after being with the guy for three years. “I haven’t had a girlfriend in a long time.”
Since her, actually. He’d dated throughout college and even now went out occasionally. He certainly hadn’t been a monk and had been with other women, but nothing serious had ever come out of those hookups. Truth was, no one had ever come close to making him feel everything she had.
“When we get closer to Margate, do you think we could find a twenty-four-hour Walmart?” she asked, then indicated her elaborate stage outfit. “Clearly, I wasn’t prepared to run away and I’ll need clothes and some toiletries,” she said impishly.
“Sure.” He already knew where one of the supercenters was located, which wasn’t far from his parents’ house. “We can pick up food for a few days, too.”
