Page 37 of Taming His Rockstar

“I’m sorry,” I apologize. “It’s just seeing Jake as a tortured artist.”

“So, you do know him personally.”

“Yeah, I met him at the club where he works,” I add, wondering if I’m saying too much.

“Like I said, he plays at the tortured artist all too well. Maybe selling all three paintings in one day will make him realize he needs to take this seriously.”

I think of the man who talked about leaving college to go to art school, remembering the look in his eyes when he talked about everyone not believing in his dream and want to tell this man Jake takes his art seriously. Then I remember I’m Jake’s fling. Not his girlfriend or mother. So, I hold my peace as the paintings are wrapped and hand over my credit card to Richard. Together, we carry them to the car, and after taking a picture with Richard he says he wants to use score points with his daughter, Jane and I get into the car.

“Now that we’re done with that, how about we do something I want to do? You know, especially since I’ll be flying back tomorrow.”

“Come on,” I groan. “You know I don’t like to think about that. Can you stay?”

“Sorry, Katie, but I’ve got children and a husband to get back to.” She pulls her seatbelt out and buckles it. “Besides, I’ll be back in two weeks for the charity concert. Unlike you, I don’t have a stud to take care of me at night.”

I smile when I hear her call Jake a stud. “He does take care of me every night. Did I tell you he made waffles for me?”

“Several times.” Jane glares playfully at me. “In fact, I think you’re just rubbing it in my face.”

“It’s just I’ve never rocked a guy’s world so hard he made me waffles in the morning.” I smile. “I wonder what else he can cook?”

I can feel Jane’s eyes on me and turn around to find her staring at me strangely. “What is it?”

“It’s just you sound so happy I’m feeling bad I didn’t make you do this a long time ago.” She nods when I look doubtful. “I’m serious. You seem really happy, and I don’t think it’s just the sex.”

“You mean the phenomenal sex,” I correct her with a giggle. I put on my blinker as I approach a turn and stop for the car in front of me to pass before I turn. “Trust me, I now get why you’re always giddy with Travis. Have I told you it used to annoy me whenever I saw you after you guys have sex?”

“Many times,” she replies. “Gotta admit, I kinda understand why now that you’re the one getting sex and I’m left alone with those stupid toys.”

I chuckle as I drive.

“And the sex is the only thing you like about him?”

“Only thing?” I frown. “Of course not. He’s funny and smart and cool.” I pause when I realize I’m laying the compliment on too thick. “But he’s also so bossy I swear it can be annoying sometimes. But in a cute way. And he always thinks he’s right, and I hate that he usually ends up being right most of the time.”

“Travis doesn’t know how to stack the dishwasher. I don’t care?”

“I don’t understand.”

“Oh, I thought we’re talking about annoying things our guys do but we love them for it anyway.”

“I don’t love Jake.”

“Sure you don’t. You talk about him all the time, spend money on him, and think his being annoying is cute. Hate to break it to you, but you’re falling in love with him.”

I’m quiet as I think about what she says. “I don’t love him. I like him, maybe as a friend I have amazing sex with. But I’m not in love with him. We both agreed, this is just going to be a fling, and I’ve not forgotten that. Besides, he’s not the kind of guy I see myself being in a relationship with.”

“And what kind of guy do you see yourself being in a relationship with?”

“I don’t know. I just know it’s not him.” I grin at her. “I understand you’re trying to look out for me, but trust me when I say I’m fine.”

“All right. Just know I’m here for you.”

I bump her shoulder. “Like you have a choice about that.”

“Where are we going?” she asks, looking out the window.

“I thought you said we should do something you want to do?”

“Yeah?” she turns back to look at me.

“So I’m taking us shopping,” I reply, smiling when I see her grin at me.

“Gotta admit, Katie, you know me so well.”

“Of course I do. And don’t worry, no guy, not even sexy ones with cute smiles, can take me away from you.”

We both burst out laughing as I pull into a parking space. Then together we go to do damage to several of my credit cards.

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