Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
His laughter was loud and boisterous, sexy because he wasn’t trying to be. “Drink up, then.”
“Did you mean it? All that stuff you said to Edith about your job?”
He nodded. “Yes. I love my job, just like you do. But press and gossip, overzealous fans for me, are like dealing with insurance and death for you.”
“A necessary evil.”
“Exactly.” He smiled, as if pleased that someone understood him. “Last relationship?”
I sighed. “We’re getting right into it, huh?” I laughed and finished my glass. “I was seeing someone when I started medical school. He couldn’t handle it, which was fine until he started sabotaging me—stealing my books, partying all night so I couldn’t study or sleep, and sleeping with someone I thought was a friend.”
“Asshole.”
I smiled at his immediate defense. “I agree. You?”
A little over four years ago, I dated Angel Santos. It worked for a while because we were both busy—me recording all the time and her on photoshoots around the globe. We were so busy that she decided a photographer was a perfect substitute.”
“Dammit. What a bitch. I’m sorry, Mac.”
He grinned widely. “Thank you.”
I listened to Mac talk about his bandmates while I mashed the potatoes and plated the meat and mushrooms on a serving platter. “Sounds like you guys really like each other.”
“You have to, or else touring is a disaster, and these days that’s what we do most.” The pride and joy in his voice only made him more attractive. “It’s like having five brothers you can’t escape from for months, even years, at a time.”
I cackled as I brought the food to the table, smiling when he jumped up to help. “Sounds rowdy. And amazing for an only child.”
“It’s better these days. Back when we used to crisscross the country in a beat-up VW van, it was crazy. And smelly. When we upgraded to the bus, it was an improvement but still smelly. Now we travel by air and stay in nice hotels with our own suites. It smells a lot better.”
“It’s good to move up in the world, isn’t it?” He wasn’t just a pretty face; he was a talented musician and singer who had worked his way up to become one of the biggest stars in the world.
“Damn good.” He waited for me to sit before he did, taking the seat beside me so our legs brushed under the table. “To new friends, hot kisses, and understanding.”
I smiled at his sweet toast. “I’ll drink to that.” The cold, fiery whiskey was surprisingly smooth, and I moaned before licking my lips. “Can I say something? It might be a weird thing to say considering we just met, but screw it. I’m proud of you, Mac Lancaster. You are the American dream, living your dream of creating music and bringing joy to people with your voice and lyrics. Screw anyone who looks at that beautiful face of yours and sees anything less than your talent.”
His gaze was intense, focused on my face until my heart raced wildly in my chest. “You, Kayla, are making it impossible to keep my hands off you.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine.
“Luckily, I’m starving, and my aunt would kill me if I let your hard work go to waste.”
Bummer. We ate quickly, as if we both sensed that something better than dessert awaited us after dinner. Between bites, we exchanged stories—he shared about growing up with his aunt and uncle, and I recounted losing my parents just before graduating from college. By the time dinner ended, it felt like we had formed a connection.
That was amazing.
It was also terrifying.
“Thank you, Kayla. That was delicious.” He licked his lips, and never in my life had I wanted to be a pair of lips so badly.
“You’re welcome.” My voice was breathless, filled with desire.
He stood and grabbed the bottle. “Come on.”
I followed Mac to the living room, captivated by the movement of his ass and his powerful legs in those jeans.
“Doc,” he groaned.
I looked up to find him staring at me while I was clearly checking him out. “Oh, um. Sorry?”
He stepped in close, his laughter reverberating against my chest. One hand cupped the back of my neck and slid up until his fingers tangled in my hair. “I’m not,” he growled, and then—finally—his lips were on mine again. His tongue plunged between my lips with force, taking control and kissing me until all the breath left my body.
He kissed me until I shook with need, clinging to his broad shoulders. I pressed my chest against his, eager to get as close to his hard muscles as possible. My hands roamed freely down his back and around his narrow waist, resting lightly on the waistband of his jeans, brushing against the dusting of hair that disappeared behind the hem.
“Kayla,” he growled, pulling back to press his forehead against mine. “I want you. I need to have you.”