Page 63 of Finding Emotion

Instead she rolled her eyes. “Hey, now, addictions can be serious. We can’t have that.”

He moved toward her, his hand cupping her cheek. “This thing, it’s not just sex for me. Want to spend the day together? Maybe somewhere outside? It’s small, but this city has a zoo.” He grinned. “We can play tourist and act like kids.”

Skylar blinked at him. “That’s…” She moved his hand away, giving it a squeeze before releasing it. “A really nice offer. Let me check with Mandy first.”

“Not your speed? It doesn’t have to be the zoo.” He shrugged and pressed his tingling hand against his jeans. “You could make anything fun.”

“It’s not the idea. Some shit came up yesterday that I’ve got to deal with.”

He was a total dumbass, forgetting how worried her manager had looked. He’d meant to check on her and had lost himself in her instead, but he couldn’t regret it. “Anything you want to talk about?” he offered, expecting the shake of her head.

“I can handle it.”

“Of course you can. I’m a good listener, if you want that, but there’s no pressure.” She still hadn’t really told him anything personal, he realized, and felt a pang at the thought. It was her choice, though, and he only wanted what she was willing to give. “Just know, I’m here, whatever you need. Even if it’s just a distraction.”

She stepped closer to run her hands over his shirt. “You are quite the distraction.”

A throat clearing came from the door. “I suppose I should be grateful both of you are fully clothed this time,” Mandy said. She lifted an eyebrow as she studied Skylar’s face. “Ready to depart, or are you wanting to flex your creative side a little longer today?”

Skylar’s hands found the pockets of her leather pants. “You wanted to talk. We should talk.”

Damon glanced between them. “I can head back first.”

“No, I feel dirty.” Skylar’s smirk didn’t seem right again. “Suite first.” She pushed past her manager and out the door as if she was trying to escape.

Mandy waved him on, crossing to pick up Skylar’s discarded notebook first.

In the limo, none of them said anything. Damon looked out the window, comfortable with maintaining their silence. Skylar’s manager cared for her, and she’d let some of that show the day before. He knew from experience that Skylar got uncomfortable when that type of caring was involved.

Mandy glanced at her phone as the limo pulled up to the hotel. “Why don’t you two go get cleaned up first? I shouldn’t intrude.”

Skylar frowned at her. “If you’re going to meet with them, I want to be there.”

Damon wondered who ‘them’ was. He bit his lip to avoid asking.

Mandy wrinkled her nose. “You need a shower, Skylar. Don’t worry, this has nothing to do with you.”

“Like hell!” Skylar reached out and plucked her manager’s phone from her hand. Her scowl hardened. “There’s nothing on your screen.”

“Of course not. I’ll be along in a little while.” Mandy reached over to push open the door. “This is an excellent photo opportunity, that’s all.”

Skylar didn’t look like she believed it, but she grabbed his hand as she scooted out, dragging Damon with her. The paparazzi were waiting like her manager had indicated, and they smiled for the cameras before escaping inside and to the elevator.

He wasn’t surprised when Skylar separated to shower alone. He lingered under the hot water, letting it pound on his shoulders. The sting of the scratches she’d given him ratcheted up his nerves.

He didn’t have to know everything about her, he reminded himself. He didn’t have to fully understand her past to love the person she was in the present. The need to protect her was stronger than he’d expected, that was all. He wanted to stand between her and anyone that put that expression on her face. Malcolm’s tendency to punch people was looking a whole lot more reasonable, but Damon had always had a pathetic right hook. He didn’t even know who he’d hit anyway.

The who was a little clearer when he exited his bedroom suite to find Jimmy with Skylar, flirting up a storm. “I have all sorts of talents,” his manager was saying, leaning toward her on the couch.

Skylar sipped another one of those smoothies as she rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you do.”

Damon looked for Skylar’s manager, but Mandy hadn’t arrived yet.

“Nothing like you, of course.” Jimmy moved even closer to her. “I have no trouble picturing you rocking the world of six guys at once like that chick said.”

Damon’s eyes burned as he watched her fingers go white around her smoothie.

Jimmy didn’t see what he saw. “In fact, if you need a little excitement with Dame, I know for sure he’d go for a threesome. He’s never done one before, but he said with you…” His manager shrugged.

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