Page 72 of Final Serenade

“I’d love that.”

“Me too.” I didn’t know why I was agreeing so fast. I’d never spent a night at his place. I hadn’t even seen his bedroom. This was unexpected. “Frank, I do have a lot of work. Levi and I are putting together a documentary for an artist.”

“You can use my office when you need privacy. I don’t plan on screwing you twenty-four seven.”

Blood rushed to my cheeks. I loved when he shared his naughty ideas. “How many hours a day do you plan on screwing me then?”

“How does fourteen sound?”

“What a random number. Do you have enough stamina?”

“Don’t you worry about my stamina, doll.” He chuckled. “I’m gearing up for a tour, so that won’t be an issue.”

“That’s disappointing, Frank. I thought you were an eighty percent guy. I’m only getting fifty. Looks like there are some issues with my membership. I might need me a new rock star.”

“We’ll just need to upgrade your membership. Your rock star is fine.”

We laughed and my chest filled with happiness. Frank Wallace was sweet, funny, and…mine.

“Okay. I have to think about it. I don’t want paparazzi to track me to your house. And I’ll need to be in and out a lot.”

“They won’t. It’s a private road.”

“I heard they sometimes camp out.”

“It’s a mile-long private road, Cassy. There are two more properties down the hill.”

“Who are your neighbors?”

“I believe they’re both in the movie business.”

“You don’t know who you share a mountain with?”

“I’m a loner.”

“So if someone snaps photos of me, I’ll be rumored to possibly be sleeping with one of the three millionaires who live on that road?”

“No one’s going to snap any photos of you. Not in Malibu.”

He sounded so convincing that it all made complete sense. We were in a relationship. He wanted me at his place, I wanted to be with him, and we could still have our privacy. Simple.

“I guess we’re doing this,” I drawled, staring up at the ceiling. My room suddenly seemed small and stuffy.

“Pick you up tomorrow evening?”

“I have to have my car. And I’ll get there late because Levi and I are covering an event. Midnight?”

“Midnight sounds great. I’m a night owl if you haven’t noticed.”

“That, I have.”

“See you tomorrow, doll.”

Frank’s figure lingered on the front terrace as I steered my Honda up his driveway. There was a large suitcase in my trunk and a brand new toothbrush in my purse. I felt strange. Exhausted after a busy evening with Levi, but also hyperemotional. And perhaps giddy, infatuated, and a bit confused.

A small fraction of me still couldn’t understand why this man had essentially chosen to be with a mortal enemy—a journalist. But I willed myself not to think about it. Frank and I were past the point of no return.

You need to stop doubting what the two of you have, Cassy, my inner voice said to me as I killed the engine.

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