Page 15 of Flawless

“Not you too,” I groaned. “It’s not like Rylee’s a frickin’ convict, okay? She’s a musician.”

“Yeah, an up-and-coming musician whose career is about to blow up.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I’ve produced, and written songs with enough country artists to know which ones are on the cusp of something big. And I can tell you, without a doubt, your girl’s career is about to take off in ways she can’t even imagine.”

“Damn.”

I wanted that for her. She was crazy-talented, had worked hard and deserved it, but I couldn’t deny it was a little unnerving to imagine myself dating a celebrity. My deputies would love to bust my chops about that.

“I know, brother. It’s a lot to take in. That’s why I wanted to give you fair warning, in case you’re getting in too deep with her. You need to take a step back and decide if this is what you really want.”

“Would you believe I’ve already turned around and I’m headed to her place? I tried leaving town without seeing her again, and I just couldn’t do it.”

It scared me, how much of a hold she had over me already. Even when I thought of my life being turned into a three-ring circus, by tabloid reporters angling for a story, I still couldn’t walk away. And that was crazy, because I was a guy who valued my privacy.

“Sounds like I should have warned you before.”

“Jesus, man.” I pulled into a parking lot and put my Tahoe in park before scrubbing my hands over my face. “Am I crazy or what? Tell me the truth, should I be haulin’ ass out of town right now, forgetting I ever met her?”

“Can you do that?”

“No.”

“Then I guess you have your answer.”

Just like the night before, I was standing at Rylee’s door well after midnight, hoping like hell she wouldn’t slam the door in my face.

As soon as she opened it, she gasped, before throwing herself into my arms. “I’m so glad you came back!”

“We need to talk,” I said, walking her inside and kicking the door shut behind me. “About that shit you were spewing tonight.”

I held her face in my hands, totally overwhelmed by what I was feeling for her.

It shouldn’t be happening this fast.

I couldn’t be falling this hard.

But I was.

“I was crushed when you walked out of Jimmy’s,” she said, curling her hands around my biceps. “And I never get that worked up over guys, especially ones I’ve just met.”

“Yeah, it seems we’ve got a situation here.” I kissed her, unable to hold back any longer, and she answered me with the same intensity. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“Same,” she whispered, between kisses. “And I don’t know what the hell to do about it.”

“I was on my way out of town,” I admitted, resting my forehead against hers. “And I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t leave.”

“I’m glad you didn’t.” Her voice was rough and raw, like she was holding back tears.

“But I will have to leave soon.”

I had a life waiting for me. A career I loved. But why did it have to be so far away from the girl I was falling for? Could fate really be that cruel, to give me something I’d never had before, then take it all away?

“I know.” She lowered her head to my chest, clutching the fabric of my shirt in her fists. “And I hate that. But I’d hate it even more if you left being mad at me.”

“I wasn’t mad at you.” I was kissing her neck, sliding the zipper on her hoodie open to reveal a black lacy bra. I knew we should be talking, but she wasn’t making it easy to stay focused, looking as sexy and vulnerable as I’d ever seen her. “I was pissed at the situation.”