“You’d make a terrible spy.”
“I wasn’t sneaking out, obviously. I just didn’t think it mattered.”
“It didn’t. But I was up, so I came with you.”
She shot him a quick grin. “Couldn’t catch me?”
Sure. He’d rather she think that than realize he was just watching her run because he loved the way she moved. “You’re fast. You do this middle of the night running routine a lot?”
“Sometimes.”
“Tell me next time, okay?”
She nodded.
“You had a great show tonight,” he said. “Really impressive.”
“Thank you.” She stared straight ahead. “It felt good.”
Polite, but not expansive. What was he expecting from the middle of the night? He let her finish the run in silence. When she stretched against the side of the hotel, he mirrored her, then followed her to her room.
She stopped before going inside. “My apologies for the moment of stress that caused.”
He shook his head. “No stress. But I’m glad I went after you.”
She gave him a curious look, then smiled. “Me too.”
He grinned and stepped back. “Now get some rest?”
“Definitely.”
And he did sleep, like a baby. Except with totally grown-up dreams.
Chapter Thirteen
CHARLOTTE wasa repeat of the incredible performance in Raleigh. Dean was starting to get the hang of the tour, and he had the best seat in the house.
When the lights came down after the encore, she bounded off the stage with the band. They handed over their instruments as they moved deeper backstage, then she flung her arms around Jackie’s neck, then squeezed West hard and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on Andrew’s cheek.
But the whole time her eyes were on him.
He gave her a slow, proud grin. “Good show,” he said as they headed through the crowd backstage.
“Thanks,” she breathed.
He cleared a path all the way to her dressing room, and when she opened the door she hesitated. He felt the invitation loud and clear.
He could look around and slip inside if nobody was watching. But he was quickly learning that he didn’t have a lot of will-power when it came to the temptation of Liana Hansen. “I’ll stand guard.”
She nodded in understanding, her eyes dancing. She totally had his number—yeah, he wanted her. No, he wasn’t going to do anything about that just yet. At least she was amused by his moral dilemma.
But she didn’t step inside right away. Instead she leaned against the door, stretching in front of him the same way she had earlier in the tour bus.
Vixen.
She smiled slowly. “There’s an after party.”
“You deserve a celebration.” A crowd of people pushed past behind him, and he moved a little closer. He didn’t miss how her eyes lit up at the increased proximity.
