Page 36 of Undeniable Temptation

She gave a derisive laugh. “The live ménage is a coping mechanism?”

Was she jealous? He scrutinized her, her cheeks turning pink under his stare. “Don’t tell me you bought that crap. You were there when we set up the charade. You know being around Flick is all for show.”

“I did. But you’re awfully convincing.” Her vulnerability lashed out at him. “And then you scored another lover who was never in the plan.”

“I have nothing but friendship for both of them.”

She scoffed and broke eye contact, focusing on the landing below. The silence stretched out, the awkwardness increasing with every second. Being with her would solve all his problems. Well, not solve them, but make them nonexistent. Nothing else would matter if he was finally with her. Nothing could drag him down.

But this place where he was—the spot between love and nothingness—was toxic.

“Leah?” He chanced another step, and reminiscent of the time when he’d backed her into a wall months ago, she retreated, maintaining the space between them. History was repeating itself, and this time he didn’t have the luxury of intoxication to excuse what could be a huge mistake.

“I’m going to do something crazy…” He took another step, the nearness making her eyes widen.

“What?” Her voice was panicked.

“I’m going to tell you there’s only one person I’m interested in. That there’s only ever been one person capable of making me happy.” He removed the last foot of space between them, backing her against the cement wall. “And you know it’s you.”

Chapter Ten

Leah didn’t react. She didn’t think she could. Her mind was too lost in thought to consider action.

“Leah?”

His voice was soft, so sweet and coaxing. She remembered how hard it’d been to get over the last time they were poised to kiss. She remembered the pain of suppressing her energized affection and vivid fantasies.

“Don’t,” she whispered. “I can’t talk about this.”

“If not now, when?”

He reached out a hand and she whimpered as his finger stroked her cheek. That one touch changed her life, her outlook and her reluctance, forever marking her skin.

“I was going to have this conversation once the tour ended,” he admitted. “But that’s too far away. I can’t wait anymore. I don’t care about the divorce or the complications. I want to be with you.”

Her heart rallied, maintaining the arduous pace threatening to instigate a heart attack. He wanted her. And was prepared to take on anything that stood in his way. Yet, the world stood in their way. Their livelihood. The family they’d made within Reckless could be torn apart. At least, for her. She could be ripped from them.

“What about Felicity?”

“You’re concerned about my gay, fake girlfriend?”

“Gay?” She balked.

He gave a mischievous grin, leaning closer, filling her with something akin to hope.

“Yeah. Her and Hannah. Apparently, this charade wasn’t only about instigating hype. Grander doesn’t want them announcing their relationship and making Slicker famous for homosexuality instead of their music.”

She gave a slow nod, understanding, yet not entirely functioning because his body was pressed up against hers. All his places touching all of hers.

It wasn’t like Scott’s abhorrent behavior was a shock. The underhanded, manipulative schemes instigated by their label were more common than not. When it came to corporate greed, there were no limits.

“Talk to me.”

She swallowed. “What do you want me to say?”

“I want you to say you’ll give us a chance, and that you’re confident we can find a way to make this work. I want you to tell me you’ll let me take what I’ve been dreaming about for nights on end. I want to hear you say you want this with the same conviction I’ve seen in your eyes for years.”

She sucked in a breath. “I want you…”

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