Page 110 of Stormswept Colorado

“That’s definitely on my mind, but Sheriff Douglas is heading a task force to pinpoint the suspect. It’s not all on me.” As Piper reminded me yesterday.

Ayla kissed my cheek. “How long can you stay?”

“A few days. Through the weekend.” Frustration bled into my voice, because I couldn’t stay for long, and I couldn’t pack her up and smuggle her back to Silver Ridge either.

I had to focus on the present. Be in the moment. Like those yoga videos always said.

Ayla put her arms around my neck. “Earlier, I told Cheryl that I needed the weekend to myself. I was planning to head to Silver Ridge to visityou. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.”

Damn. We’d been thinking the same thing. That gave me hope, more than anything else she’d said lately, that I wasn’t fooling myself. That I actually had a shot at keeping a woman like her.

“Then I take it you’re free this weekend,” I said.

“I am.”

“What about today? Assuming I don’t get hauled away in cuffs for smacking Paul around. If that happens, I might need help with bail.” How the tables had turned.

“They’ll take you away over my dead body.” Her frown was adorable. Especially that little crease when she scrunched her nose. “I’ll stage a protest. They can arrest me too.”

“I believe it. I’ve seen firsthand how difficult you can be.”

“That’s not ever going to change.” She leaned in to nuzzle at my jaw, and I nuzzled back.

“Glad to hear it.” Because I wanted the real Ayla. Opinionated and authentic. Even if things got messy. Her talent bowled me over every time I heard one of her songs, but her passion was even more addictive.

I still barely understood how this had happened to me. Falling for her so hard and so fast, and having even a fraction of those feelings returned. But there was no turning back. Not for me. I planned to be in her life for a long while.

In fact, I had my sights set on forever.

THIRTY-FIVE

Ayla

Paul finally backed down,agreeing not to press charges against Teller. In exchange, I agreed to give Paul a few days to prepare before I called the heads of the label and the media.

My stance hadn’t changed. I would not be working with Paul again, and I refused to be silent about it. But if Paul needed a long weekend to figure out what to tell Papa Ruxton of Ruxton Records, he could have it.

If only I could use this to get out of my contract. That was less likely. The label would probably assign me a different executive.

But in the meantime, recording my new album was on hold. I planned to spend every minute of the next few days with Teller. And I was going to enjoy it. That meant putting Paul out of my mind.

Same with the stalker. River was working on tracing the new email from Biggest Fan, and he would let Teller and me know when he had any new updates.

In the secured parking lot behind the studio, Bryan greeted Teller with a huge smile and a firm handshake. “Chief Landry. Good to see you again. Especially since I’m not in handcuffs.” I knew Bryan didn’t bear him any ill-will since Teller had let him offthe hook after that street fight thing. Also, I’d dropped plenty of hints that Teller and I were more than friends.

“I’m off duty and way outside my jurisdiction. You can call me Teller. How’s the concussion? Giving you any problems?” Teller’s brows drew together with concern.

“It’s better, thanks. I’m not a hundred percent. But you know how it is. I had to get back to work.” Bryan lowered his voice. “My boss is kind of a monster. She’s working me to an early grave.”

“I believe it. High maintenance, this one.” Teller’s hand trailed from my hip down to my butt and squeezed.

“Hey,” I protested. “You’re both spreading lies.” In fact, I’d offered to help Bryan with money so he could rest at home for longer. When he refused, I offered a loan. But the man wouldn’t accept.

Laughing, Bryan opened the back door for us to climb inside the vehicle. “My other problem is that Ayla’s man keeps sending heavy boxes for us to lug inside her house. The guy is obsessed with her.”

“You’d better be talking about me,” Teller joked in a grumpy voice. “I’m definitely obsessed.”

Bryan put up the privacy screen as we drove home. Probably because Teller and I couldn’t stop kissing.

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