Page 74 of Undeniable Temptation

“Changing your routine will only make you look guilty.” Mason rested a hand against the back of the booth seat. “I’m not saying you should shake the bus walls every night, because frankly, that shit was traumatizing, but if you keep your distance, there’s going to be more questions to answer.”

“I prefer questions to being caught red-handed and losing my job.”

“Hey.” Ryan got in her face, gripping her upper arms. “Nobody is losing their job. I promise you.”

Why did she believe him? There was no justification. No reasoning. But yet she became reassured by his words. Strengthened.

“We’ll pull through.”

She stared into those eyes, drowning in their warmth. Her pessimistic thoughts wanted to rebel, it was her heart that clung to his promise.

“We’ve got this.” He kissed her forehead. “Trust me.”

She nodded and sank against him, breathing in his scent. “I need to call Bruce back.”

“What are you going to say?”

“I’ll tell him the truth—Julie has been hassling your lawyers for weeks, trying to get a rise out of you. It wasn’t like we weren’t expecting the drama. We just didn’t know the shape it would come in.”

“Or that you would be the target.” Ryan gave a sad smile.

“Not only me. My boss’s company will take a hit because of the mark against my reputation. Julie has also undermined what you’re trying to do with Felicity. You’ll need to release a formal statement about the claims and spin it so the fans think it’s petty jealousy.”

“I agree.” He squeezed her hand. “But I need to speak to her first. I told my lawyer I’d go to New York with the rest of you tonight and get some answers.”

No. She stepped back, her heart, mind, and soul refusing to get on board with the thought of him going anywhere near the toxic woman. “If you’re seen, the tabloids will use it against your relationship with Felicity.”

His shoulder hitched. “That’s a risk I’ll have to take. I can’t have her going after you.”

“No.” She retreated another step. “We’ve spoken about this. You can’t make decisions based on your feelings for me.”

“He’s not,” Mason interrupted. “To anyone else, this is merely about his divorce.”

“And Julie isn’t going to leave me alone unless I see her in person.” Ryan grazed a thumb along her jaw. “So that’s what I’m going to do. We’ll talk, I’ll give her whatever she wants, and then I’ll never see her again. End of story.”

“She doesn’t deserve a damn thing.”

“Hear, hear,” Mason muttered. “Have I told you how much I don’t envy your woman situation? The hole you’re digging is getting bigger by the day.”

“I can handle it.”

Leah wasn’t so sure. Yes, his fortitude was admirable, but if it came with the price of ignorance, they were in trouble. “Don’t be quick to brush off how monumental this is. There’s a lot of fingers in this pie—Felicity, Hannah, my boss, Grander. Not to mention Blake and Gabi. One wrong move and we’re all in trouble.”

His lips curved, the acknowledgement gently reassuring as he cupped her cheeks in his palms. “I won’t be quick to brush it off. But you need to remember my promise that nothing is going to stop me from making this work.”

Chapter Nineteen

Ryan nestledinto the jet sofa, his head against the arm rest, his legs stretched over the far end, and tugged Leah’s body tighter into his chest. She’d been lying in front of him since they fled the Kansas City runway, her quiet contemplation soothing his soul. The flight was smooth. Quiet. None of the usual post-concert adrenaline was present as his friends waited anxiously to arrive home to their loved ones. He, on the other hand, tried to mentally prepare for the showdown with Julie.

He’d already called her, and the two-minute conversation hadn’t been what he expected. She was definitely up to something. Her bitchiness had been on hold, her answers almost apologetic when he’d grilled her about the stupidity of the podcast interview.

“Run away with me,” he whispered, nuzzling into the silken strands of Leah’s hair.

She glanced over her shoulder, her cheeks lifting, a tiny glimmer of a never before seen dimple. “Don’t tempt me.”

“I’m serious.” At least he could be, depending on her answer. There was too much white noise surrounding them. If they disappeared, maybe the drama would, too. They could start over. Make a new life.

“And give up Reckless?” She lazily blinked up at him. “You’re crazy.”

---