Page 83 of Undeniable Temptation

“Yeah. Something like that.”

Leah kept her focus on the tablet, refusing to meet his gaze. It wasn’t hard to see why. Puffiness surrounded her eyes, the pink skin barely covered by make-up.

“What are we looking at?” He dropped down on the sofa beside her and fought not to greet her with a kiss.

“I was explaining the plan to try and get Slicker on a chart. Time is running short and we can’t afford to let this slide any longer.” She swiveled the tablet in his direction, showing the document filled with bullet-points. “The only way we can achieve our goal is to focus all our efforts on one major promotion.”

Right. He should’ve expected this response. While he’d spent the night searching for answers, she’d focused on distraction.

“I’ve suggested the second performance in San Antonio. The show is almost sold out and the stadium holds around nineteen thousand. It’s a good size crowd to get our point across. It also gives me a week to organize promo material and advertising.”

She shot him a two second glance, the sight of those bloodshot eyes enough to suffocate him. “Will seven days be too long for you?”

It wasn’t a question of time constraints with Felicity. Her concern surrounded Julie and how many days his wife would allow before announcing his impending fatherhood.

“I’ll make it work.” He hadn’t spoken to the child incubator since she’d shared the baby news. But he would. Soon enough.

“Any longer than that and we’re cutting our chances to organize something else if our first attempt isn’t successful. Any shorter and we won’t have time to build the hype before the show.”

“Just so you know,” Mason interrupted, “I don’t plan on doing this twice. I’ll pull whatever strings necessary to ensure we get the job done right the first time.”

“Leave the strings to me. I don’t need you causing more headaches.”

Ryan kept his focus on her, hating every second she didn’t return the affection. “Seven days is fine.”

She nodded and swiped to a new page on her tablet.

“Can we hold up for a sec?” Blake glanced between them. “Three nights ago I fell asleep to the soundtrack of you two getting your fuck on in the bunk beside mine. The following night you were all over each other on that very sofa.” He pointed to where Ryan sat. “Now you can’t even look at each other. What gives?”

Leah remained silent, her gaze downcast.

“Things are complicated at the moment,” he admitted. “We’ve got stuff we need to discuss.”

“There’s nothing to discuss,” she murmured. “We need to focus on the tour.”

Silence descended as he stared at her profile, the growing noise from the engines increasing as the jet inched forward.

“What’d you do?” Mason grated, leaving no doubt Ryan was the target of his question.

“He didn’t do anything.” Leah tapped the tablet screen. “Can we please concentrate on the task at hand? I’ll want you guys to sign a heap of promotional material, and we’ll get local media involved. I’m sure Grander will help, too.”

The jet increased its speed, the accompanying sound mimicking the roar in his chest. His friends stared at him in question, some in accusation, while the bird propelled into the air. The velocity had him holding on to the arm rest, his fingers digging deep as words failed him.

Hehaddone something wrong. He’d doneeverythingwrong. And he couldn’t figure out how to fix it. The thought of getting back to the complicated existence of their secret relationship seemed like a fairytale in comparison to the current shit-storm.

“Lee?” Blake inched forward. “We’ll have to pause the business talk because I need to know what’s going on with you.”

Leah raised her chin. “It’s nothing that won’t blow over.” She held Blake’s gaze, her throat working over a heavy swallow as the jet began to level out. “I crossed a line. I made mistakes. And I’m hoping you’ll let me fix them without making a big deal about it.”

“Leah…” He didn’t know what to say. This burden was supposed to be on his shoulders. So why could he see more crushing weight on hers?

“We’re family.” Alana pushed from her recliner and came to crouch at Leah’s side, Mitch following after. “Let us help.”

Leah’s jaw worked, her forehead creasing in a show of self-control. He couldn’t handle it. Her pain was his pain, the agony clutching at his ribs and tearing bones apart. His Wonder Woman was breaking, and the worst part was knowing this was her restrained. Whatever she’d put herself through last night would’ve been far worse.

“Julie’s pregnant.” He tore his attention from her and met Mason’s judgment. “I found out yesterday.”

Silence hit like an atom bomb as matching expressions of horror beamed back at him. There was no happiness. No congratulations. The upcoming birth seemed more like an announcement of death.

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