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Even crazier was that I could still feel a modicum of possessiveness toward this person. I knew down to my bones that if I actually saw him touch or kiss another woman, I’d feel the burn of it. Which was why I never dared visually seek him out here at the Vault; I didn’t want to see him with others.

Given that he’d recently become not only a member of the club but one of my neighbors, I’d known there was a chance I’d bump into him at some point—I’d been prepared for that. But I hadn’t thought he’d approach me for any reason.

We’d crossed paths several times over the years while at the same venues, but we hadn’t conversed. I’d say something in passing like, “Well, if it isn’t my number one fan,” and he’d merely grunt.

He also often leveled a cool stare at me. I often returned it with a bright smile. It was like a little game we played.

I couldn’t really be offended by his lack of warmth toward me. Not while I’d personally witnessed how Kaiser didn’t make an effort to engage with anyone—not even fellow artists or others working within the industry. When such people crowded him, he mostly stood still and silent. He always looked so very alone, regardless of how many surrounded him.

Even when he was photographed with women he dated, he somehow seemed apart from them, no matter how close they stood. He’d only recently got out of a relationship and, from the rumors I’d heard via the industry’s grapevine, the only person cut up about the separation was her.

Did his past words still hurt me? Nah. I’d had plenty of time to get over them. Plus, I’d proven him wrong—there was some satisfaction in that.

Still, it was disheartening to know that he’d likely never respect me or my music as a result of me not paying my dues or some shit. But the man was fully entitled to his opinion, wasn’t he? There was no fairness or sense in holding it against him. I wouldn’t find it acceptable forhimto hold any of mine againstme.

Nonetheless, if we’d incidentally bumped into each other, I would have merely cast him a quick smile and tossed him a throwaway comment before walking off. But this wasn’t such a situation, was it?

Really, I was shocked that Kaiser had intervened on my behalf just now. He generally didn’t seem to bother himself with other people’s business. His manager had once gotten into an argument with another artist backstage—a punch had even been thrown. Kaiser had done no more than spare them a disinterested glance.

Focusing on the present, I gave him my usual bright smile. “Well hello, neighbor. It’s been a while since I last saw you in person. How’re things?”

His gray eyes narrowed slightly. He always seemed so confused by how I was nice to him. “Fine,” he said after a few moments.

One word. He’d said only one word. Yet that sexy-as-hell voice made goosebumps sweep up my arms.

He slid his gaze toward the direction that Anthony had headed in. “Who’s he?”

More than a little surprised that Kaiser hadn’t simply grunted and then done a disappearing act, I replied, “His name is Anthony Gibbons.”

“I mean, who is heto you?”

“Just a guy who wants what I don’t wish to give. Thanks for hurrying him along.” Not wanting to expand further, I changed the subject. “By the way, congrats on winning the Maverick Music Award for best album. It was well-deserved.” He might be an arrogant ass, but I’d never deny that his capacity for talent was bottomless.

Again, those eyes narrowed. Like he couldn’t decide if I was being sarcastic or not.

“Well, I’ve got to get back to my friends. Have a good night.” I was about to turn, but his words made me pause.

“You’re not going to say anything about it, are you?” It was a statement, not a question.

I slanted my head. “What?”

He took a fluid step closer, making my pulse briefly skitter. “You know what. That I was wrong about you.”

I blinked, genuinely surprised he’d admitted it.

“You’ve never called me on it. Never bitched at me for it. Never smugly rubbed it in my face.”

Going for airy, I shrugged. “Why would I bother to do any of that? Sounds boring. And there are far more interesting things in life to rub.”

His eyes darkened and flared with heat, which took me totally off-guard. My still-fluttering stomach twisted almost viciously at the sight, and ghostly fingertips whispered their way down the length of my spine.

Whoa, that was not good. I was too damn susceptible to him. It was as if, having spent so many years obsessing over himas a teen, I’d handed him some level of power over my body. It believed he was mine, and it had no problem belonging to him in turn.

Sensing two women hovering close by, I took a quick peek at them. They were alternating between shooting me dark looks and casting him covetous glances. Ugh. “Your lady friends are waiting for you,” I told him, my gut knotting.

“They’re not ‘my’ anything.”

I loathedthat that relieved me. “I think it’s safe to say they’d be thrilled to change that.”Bitches.Okay, they probably weren’t bitches, but whatever.

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