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It had been three days since the hospital. Three days since she’d stood there, skin flushing as Zac’s green-gold eyes stared into hers while he sang that song.
She’d forgotten about it after talking to Annika, too torn up by that brave little girl to think about how flustered she’d gotten at a song he’d sung hundreds of times before. Probably while staring into the eyes of a hundred different women.
It made her nervous, how barbed that thought was. Things were complicated enough without her attraction spiraling out of control and making everything worse.
“You’re right,” she said. “I’ll just jump in the shower if that’s all right?” She spoke over her shoulder as she went, not wanting him to see her face and realize exactly hownotcoolly unconcerned she was at the thought of sleeping next to him.
“No problem. I’ll get some work done with the guys.”
She escaped into the bedroom, eyeing the huge king-sized bed with relief. She’d have plenty of room to make sure she didn’t end up pressed up against him. Because if there was one thing she knew, it was that she was a cuddler. Bryan had sometimes complained that she would make him too hot. It wasn’t something she could consciously control. What if her body mistook Zac for Bryan, and she curled into him out of habit?
Would Zac think she was ridiculous if she asked to build a pillow barrier between them? She laughed to herself, imagining his face. She bet no woman had ever asked him something like that before.
Somewhat reassured, she relaxed and had a long, peaceful shower, soaping up every inch of her skin and washing her hair.
Twenty minutes later, she was out, squeaky clean and feeling much better. She donned her sleep shorts and cami pajama top, but as an extra, completely useless form of clothing barrier, she pulled on her long, fluffy knee socks. She’d keep her bra on tonight too. When she was on the bus, she usually only took it off once she got into her bunk. She felt a little too vulnerable parading around in front of Zac with only the thin material of her top covering her nipples. Her bra was only thin satin, but it was better than nothing.
When she finally came out of the bedroom, Zac was absorbed in a discussion with his bandmates. They were talking about changing the key of the song they were working on. She went to her bag and pulled out her notebook.
She turned around and found Zac’s eyes on her. They scorched a path down her body, the flames of his gaze licking over her skin, leaving her breathless. He stared for a long beat at her knee socks, and his throat worked on a swallow.
He didn’t look away from her. Just continued to torture both of them, dragging his heated inspection all the way back up again, pausing at where her nipples were apparently trying to pierce their way through her bra and top.
Without so much as a nod of acknowledgment or a smile, he returned to his discussion.
Cassie’s legs shook as she made her way to the chair farthest from Zac. Putting some distance between them was a wise move. Though probably pointless, considering they would soon be sleeping together.Sleeping in the same bed.Notsleepingtogether.
She shook her head and scolded herself for letting her imagination run away with her. God, she really needed to get a grip. Anyone would think she was sixteen, not twenty-four. She and Zac were adults. Apart from some heated looks, and that one kiss which had meant nothing anyway, he hadn’t done anything to indicate he was planning to rip her clothes off and have his way with her. And why would he? He’d dated some of the most beautiful women in the world. Anddatingwas definitely a euphemism in this case. She was nothing to him. An employee, someone who needed his help, a distraction from what he should be focusing on. That was all. That was all she would ever be.
She tried to ignore the tightness in her chest as she bent over her notebook. Nothing was going to happen between her and Zac.
Not tonight when they were sharing a bed.
Not ever.
* * *
Zac’s fingers skimmed lightly up the length of Cassie’s inner thigh, and she sighed. Anticipation and heat built in her core as she waited for him to touch her where she needed him to. “Zac,” she moaned as he finally moved his body over hers.
His hand swept higher, higher, finally reaching the ache between her legs. She shuddered as he skimmed her clit, then circled her entrance. He brushed a kiss against her hip.
“Cassie?” It was the first time he’d spoken to her, but strangely, he hadn’t raised his head from where he was pressing his lips to her skin. The sensation of his touch faded. It was as if he were slipping away from her, even as the heat from his body burned hotter against her side. “Don’t stop,” she whimpered in protest.
“Cassie.” It wasn’t a question this time. The deep, gravelly tone jolted her out of what she suddenly realized with almost crushing disappointment was a dream. A dream about Zac. Asexdream about Zac. When he was sleeping in bed right next to her.
Cassie’s eyes flew open in horror. It wasn’t the dream Zac who had spoken to her; it was the real one. The one leaning over her right now, his knitted brows just visible in the dim light.
It was obviously the middle of the night. The room was dark, only a little shimmer of moonlight making its way through the curtains. Thank god, because her skin flared hot in an instant.
“Just a dream,” she muttered, turning her face away and hoping he’d accept that and go back to sleep.
The silvery light from the window made his eyes glimmer. “What were you dreaming about?” His voice was low and rough. It wasn’t a casual question. The air rushed out of her lungs. Did he know?
“I… I don’t remember.”
“You moaned.”
“Did I?” It came out on a weak breath.
