Page 74 of Thirsty Bodyguard Summer

“I’m counting on it.”

Her thumb moved once across my knuckles.

Then she drew me into the artist suite and locked the door behind us.

I barely had time to laugh before Cassidy pulled me down and kissed me.

Her mouth was warm, firm, and hungry. My arms went around her waist. I lifted her just enough to bring us level, and she made a soft sound against my lips.

I kissed her until my lungs reminded me I’d just performed a full concert.

Cassidy drew back first.

“You’re breathing too hard.”

“I danced for ninety minutes.”

“You also just came through an attack.”

“You handled it.”

“That doesn’t make your pulse normal.”

“You’re kissing me in a locked dressing room. Nothing about my pulse is going to be normal.”

She rested her forehead against mine.

“You took the stage,” she said.

“You got me there.”

“I didn’t sing.”

“You would’ve hated the choreography.”

“I could’ve handled it.”

“I believe you.”

Her thumb traced the edge of my jaw.

“I’m proud of you,” she said.

I kissed her once more.

“I love you,” I said again, quieter this time.

Cassidy’s breath stopped.

“I needed you to know,” I said.

She blinked once beneath the mirror bulbs.

“I’m glad you told me.”

A knock sounded on the door.

“Shane,” Tracy called. “I’ve kept the label away for six minutes, which is the limit of my professional generosity.”