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We say our good nights, and Matt guides me through the darkness to his motorcycle. “I’d be happy to help tomorrow, if you need anything.”
I take the helmet he holds out. “I’m good, thanks. I’m going to try to see my dad again.” I haven’t heard anything from Justin or Richard, the lawyer. I need to know what’s going on up there.
“You finally got a hold of him?”
I explain about Justin sneaking me in on Thursday and my subsequent conversation with the lawyer. “My brother John is supposed to come up this week, but I’m hoping to have everything straightened out before he arrives.” I fasten the helmet strap. “Mr. Lewis, the lawyer, hasn’t gotten back to me or John—which is another reason to be suspicious. You’d think he’d have some kind of cease-and-desist type letter ready. The fact that he hasn’t even answered is just… odd.” Or maybe he contacted John who hasn’t bothered letting me know. It wouldn’t be the first time my half-brother has ghosted me.
We climb on the bike and ride for a while. The cool air makes me grateful for the leather jacket Matt loaned me. I slide my arms around his waist and rest my body against his back—warm, stable, comforting. I let my eyes close, the roar of the bike lulling me into a stupor.
After too short a time, the bike slows to a stop. I open my eyes, but it’s pitch black except for the wedge of gravel road lit by the headlight. “Where are we?” I let go of Matt’s waist and sit up straighter.
Matt twists around to talk to me. “I want to show you something. Slide off.”
I comply and pull my helmet off. “What?” I look around but can see only the shadow of trees around us.
He takes my hand and leads me along a dark path. “Right up here.”
We step out of the trees to a rocky aerie. The hills fall away below us, then rise again. The mountains are silhouetted like velvet against a blanket of brilliant stars—more than I’ve ever seen before. I gasp. “That’s incredible!”
Matt guides me to the left as I stare at the sky. He settles my back against his chest so I can watch the sky without losing my balance. We stand like that for a long moment. Once I get used to the glory of the cosmos laid out before me, I become aware of his hands on my hips, his warm breath against my ear, his heart beating fast against my back. Heat radiates from him, warding off the chilly mountain air.
“I keep telling myself I’ll stay clear of you.” The words whisper along my cheek as he leans closer. He almost seems to be talking to himself rather than to me. “That you’re just here for a few weeks. I’m not very good at relationships with expiration dates. Then there’s the whole age difference thing. You’re closer to my daughter’s age than mine. But I’m also not any good at keeping my distance.”
I grab his hands and wrap them around my waist. “I’m okay with that.”
He sucks in a deep breath and blows it out, pulling his hands from mine. He grips my hips and pushes me away from him. “I’m not.”
I turn away from the stunning view. Matt’s face is a pale blob in front of the dark trees. “Matt, I like you. I can’t do anything about the age difference, except say it doesn’t matter. Where I come from, fifteen years is nothing—at least not when it’s the guy who’s older. Look at my dad and Destiny. But I can’t change the fact that this is only a short-term thing. I have a career in Los Angeles, not Rotheberg. Why can’t we just enjoy our time together without any expectations? Keep it casual.” I reach out to press my hand against his cheek, but he jerks away.
“That’s not going to work for me. I’m looking for more than that. If that’s not what you want, then this isn’t going to work.” He turns away, moving along the path toward the bike. “Let’s get you back to your hotel.”
My shoulders drop, and I trail along behind, the dark shadows mocking me. What did I expect? I’m the kind of woman every guy thinks he wants—attractive, connected, amusing. But there’s no substance. It’s all smoke and Hollywood magic. Men get bored with the glamor and look for something new. I’m not a long-term girl, and if I tried to pretend otherwise, he’d realize it soon enough.
I climb on the bike, gripping Matt’s belt and leaning away from his warm, solid bulk. I need to get things figured out with my dad and get out of here. Back to the superficial life I’m used to.
I groan a little as I remember the musical. Why did I commit to doing it? The flyers are posted all over town, with a bright banner printed across the front: “Special Guest Star Nica Holmes.” Much as I’d like to cut and run, I can’t walk out on this. Dame Edith still has connections in my world. I can’t risk alienating her. Not to mention the contract. I may not be getting paid, but a deal is a deal.
We stop at the Gasthaus, and Matt unzips the saddle bag. He hands me my tote in silence.
I clutch the big purse to my chest. “Thanks for the tour. I enjoyed it.”
As I turn away, he grabs my arm. My heart leaps, and I swing around to face him.
“I need this jacket back.” He puts the emphasis on “this” as if I’ve kept other—
“Oh, my gosh, I still have your coat, don’t I?” I drop my bag by my feet and shrug out of the warm leather.
He takes the coat and folds it into the gas tank bag. “It’s okay. I don’t care about that one.”
“No, it’s not okay. It’s at my dad’s place. I’ll get it for you tomorrow.” I swallow and suck in a breath, reaching out to put a hand on his arm. “I wish things could be different.”
He pulls away. In the light of the streetlamp, his face is impassive as he looks past me. “Me, too.” When I shift, his eyes snap to mine and lock on, and his face goes from blank to bleak and blank again before he turns away. “I’ll see you on Monday.” Without waiting for a reply, he turns the front wheel of the bike and roars away.
With a shuddering breath and cold sense of loss, I pick up my bag and retreat to my room.
Chapter 21
MATT
