Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“We’re here tonight to celebrate our city, our history, our musicians, our songs, and relationships that inspire them,” he said. “And now I’d like to bring out someone very special to me. You might know her by a different name, but she’s still country music’s sweetheart. Please help me welcome Miss Kelly Jo Sullivan.”
My heart hammered in my chest as I joined him on stage, and as the band behind us played the opening bars, I tapped my chest three times, just in case Xander was watching. Then I let the music fill my soul, the energy in the room lift me up, and the lyrics tell the story. I played the role of a woman longing to go back in time, to forgive and forget, to fall in love again. To deliver the most compelling performance I could, I thought about Xander, about our days in the cabin, about the way he made my pulse race and my skin warm and my heart open. I might have been looking at Duke, but every note I sang, every word I uttered, was for another man.
But it was also for myself. I knew that this performance was the start of something big for me. I felt it in my bones. I gave that song my all, and when it was over, the entire auditorium echoed with thunderous applause.
Duke took my hand and squeezed it hard. When I looked up at him, he smiled, and I smiled back. A glimmer of goodwill flared in me. Of affection for this community. Maybe he and I could be friends. Maybe I could find it in me to forgive him for the way he’d treated me, and we could just move forward. I didn’t want Duke Pruitt as an enemy. Perhaps this fence could be mended.
So when he kept my hand in his, leading me to exit stage right instead of stage left as planned, I went along. When we reached the wings, he turned to me. “Got a minute?”
“Don’t we have to get to our seats?”
“I’d really like to talk to you. Please. It’s important. And it will only take a minute.”
I hesitated, then gave in. “Okay.”
He took my hand. “Come upstairs with me. I keep an office here. We can talk there.”
“I should let my security know,” I protested as he opened a door and pulled me into a dark, narrow stairwell.
“No need. You’re with me.” He began going up the steps. “You’re perfectly safe.”
An alarm bell went off in my head. “Where are we going?”
“I told you. My office.”
“Slow down, Duke. I’m in heels. And this dress isn’t easy to move in.”
“Sorry, darling.” He moved a little slower. “You were amazing out there. Never sounded better. Our voices blend perfectly, don’t you think?” He opened a door into a well-lit hallway after only one flight of stairs, and I breathed easier.
“Thank you. Yes, I thought it went well.”
“Well?” He laughed as he led me down the hall and opened the last door on the left. “We brought down the house. Didn’t you hear the applause?”
“I heard it.” I entered the room and looked around. Corner office. Desk. Chairs. Couch. Window overlooking the city. Framed records on the wall. “This is nice.”
“Can I get you anything?” he asked, closing the door behind him. “Are you thirsty?”
“No, thank you.” Aware I was alone with him and no one knew where I was, I started to get nervous. What if I had to run back down the hall? Scramble down those stairs? I slipped my heels off. “You know what? My feet are a little sore. Maybe I’ll just take these shoes off for a minute.”
He smiled as he came toward me. “Yes. Get comfortable. Take the whole outfit off. Or I can do it for you.”
I backed up until my butt hit the desk. “That’s not funny.”
“It wasn’t a joke.” He moved closer and braced his hands on either side of my hips. “Why do you think I brought you up here?”
“You said it was to talk. You’re too close, Duke.” I pushed against his chest, but he didn’t budge.
“Stop fighting this.” His hands moved to my hips. “We belong together, sweetheart. And the sooner you admit it, the sooner we can stop all this cat and mouse bullshit.”
“What cat and mouse bullshit?”
“These games. Trying to hurt each other. I know that’s why you went away with someone else. Why you’re dating someone else.”
“I’ve never done anything to hurt you.”
He gripped my hips harder. “The guy in the photographs Hoop took. Is that your new boyfriend?”
Icy cold fear slithered through my veins. “How do you know Hoop took photographs of us?”
“God, you’re so naive. That’s why you need me. You’ll be eaten alive without me to protect you.” His smile was patronizing and sinister. “I knew he took the photos because I sent him up there to do it.”