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She didn’t need to point out she was a woman. He was all too aware. His gaze dropped to her full bottom lip, and he fought the urge to lean down and nip it, then run his tongue across the tender skin to soothe the sting. Irritation at himself sharpened his tone. “What should it be about then? Your willingness to sacrifice your needs for the man you’re with?”
Her face blanched.
Fuck, where the hell had that come from?
“You don’t get to say things like that. You don’t know anything about me.” Her voice shook, and Zac was pissed at himself for bringing her down like that.
He scrubbed his hand over his face. She was right. He had no right to comment on her life. They were employer and employee, even if they were in this ridiculous situation together.
“I’m sorry, Cassie. I shouldn’t have said that.”
They stared at each other for a few seconds until she nodded her acceptance of his apology. Then she gave him a mischievous smile. “Apology accepted. If”—she held up a finger—“you agree to let me sleep on the couch.”
Still, he hesitated, and this time it was Cassie that stepped closer. Suddenly, they were standing so near each other he could smell the sweetness of her scent, see the faint freckles scattered across her nose. He swore he could feel the heat emanating from her body.
She laid her hand on his arm and looked up at him. “Please, Zac. I know you’re trying to do the right thing, but I’d hate every second.”
He could have said something about wanting the space to work on the album while she slept. She’d agree if he told her that. Whether or not she wanted to acknowledge it, she was a giver. She’d give up what she wanted for him. But he already knew how defeat would change the shade of her eyes, and he didn’t want to be responsible for that.
He gave a curt nod, and her face brightened into a delighted smile at having gotten her way. Only when she turned away from him did he let his own lips quirk with amusement.
“You want a shower?” he asked. He’d already showered before the after-party, but he figured she might want one. Working the backline of a concert could be a hot, sticky job.
She glanced at him over her shoulder, obviously undecided. Her lower lip was caught between her teeth, a lock of dark hair partially covering one eye. The unintentionally seductive look set his already half-hard dick throbbing.
Fuck, he was far too on edge around her. And he couldn’t even fuck someone else to get some relief while he was in this fake relationship. Even if it wasn’t real, he’d never humiliate Cassie that way.
That meant no sex for the next couple of months. No sex and spending all his time with a beautiful woman who had already made him lose control once.
Cassie nodded, answering his question. “I’d like that if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind. I’ll get the guys on the line and get some work done while you’re in there.”
She scanned the room, and realizing what she was looking for, he added, “Your bag will be in the bedroom. Don’t forget, everyone thinks we’re fucking.”
He didn’t know why he said it. Or why he enjoyed the slow flush that darkened her cheeks so much. Maybe he had a previously undiscovered sadistic streak. Or was it masochistic? Because the heat that flared up his spine made his body pulse with a hunger he had no way of satiating.
“Okay, I won’t be too long.” She went into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her.
Zac blew out a breath and pushed Cassie out of his mind. He grabbed his guitar out of its case and settled himself down on the couch. After propping his phone up, he dialed LA.
As always, the guys were waiting for his call, but with notably muted enthusiasm.
After about ten minutes, Zac put down his guitar. “What the hell is the matter?”
“We need a break, man,” Beau answered. “Even if you don’t. We’ve been doing this almost every night that we don’t have an event scheduled.”
“You know the timeline—”
“Yes, we know the timeline. But missing a day or two here and there won’t make a difference. Burning out will.”
Zac leaned back against the couch, frustration flaring to life inside him. Didn’t they realize he was pushing them hard for their own benefit?
“Cassie, sweetheart. You need to help your man relax,” Caleb said, his focus shifting over Zac’s shoulder.
Zac twisted around to see Cassie standing behind him. His gaze drifted over her. She’d washed her hair, and it was hanging in a still-wet streamer over one shoulder. Her skin was dewy and flushed from the heat of the shower. The tank top she’d changed into clung to her breasts, while her sleep shorts accentuated the smooth curve of her hips and the length of her legs. For a second, all he could think of was how those legs would feel wrapped around him as he thrust into her. His whole body tightened in response, and he had to force himself to turn back around.
All three of his bandmates stared over his shoulder at Cassie, and he didn’t like it. He hadn’t told them the whole thing was fake. One of them was bound to get drunk and think the situation was hilarious enough to spill to some random person. But even though Cassie wasn’t actually his girlfriend, he didn’t want them looking at her like that.
