“But how can you afford to take a month off work? Do you need any money? If you sold—”
“Did you get the Christmas present I sent you?”
“Yes, the gift box came, and it’s lovely. Your father loves the two CDs you included. I didn’t think I’d like this Katie-Jo person, but she’s quite good.”
Pride squeezed her chest. “I’m glad you’re enjoying them. I hoped you would.” She’d recorded her Dad’s favorites in a friend’s studio, knowing that her parents would never realize they were one-of-a-kind. “I’ll ring you soon, as long as you promise not to harangue me about the way I live my life.”
Her mother sucked in an audible breath. “I’m sorry, Cassandra. I didn’t realize I was lecturing you. I only want what is best for you, to see you succeed. Your father keeps telling me I’ll push you away, but you always listen to me. This is the first time you’ve told me to stop.”
“I should have put my foot down earlier then,” Cassie said lightly, wondering what had happened to her over-achieving parent.
“You remember Karen Ellingham?”
“One of your friends.”
“Yes, she had a heart attack and passed away. She’s two years younger than me. It’s made me think. I’ve decided to scale back and delegate more. Your father has suggested it before, but I’ve always pooh-poohed the idea. He’s taken up golf. Says it’s all mathematics and angles, and I’d enjoy the challenge.”
“Why don’t you travel for pleasure? Try golf?”
“You’re truly happy and you don’t need any money? We could send you some.”
“Mom! I’m going to go now before I lose my temper. Learn how to play golf. I’m hanging up now.” Cassie ended the call and inhaled to deal with her surge of confusion. Her mother had apologized, even though it had been half-hearted.
“Everything okay?” Hone refilled her coffee.
“My mother. All my life my mother has lectured me about my poor decision making. She didn’t approve of Emma, considered her a bad influence. She doesn’t support me being in New Zealand. She worries I’m not making the most of my opportunities. Today she didn’t make any digs about my weight, but she normally tells me I should have more self-restraint and diet. I love my parents, I do. They offered me opportunities while I was growing up. Because of Dad’s insistence, I learned to play the guitar and the piano. I have a business degree as well as one in music. Mum had several miscarriages after me, and I get that she’d want to push me to excel, but a job in the business world…that’s not me.”
“Why haven’t you told your parents you’re a singer?”
“When I was a teenager, they sent me to boarding school, but during the holidays…” Cassie shuddered. “The holidays were awful, and as soon as I finished my schooling, I applied for a job in Nashville. The distance helped me get perspective and embrace my independence. My first job really was as an assistant to a music star. I met Kevin, and I had incredible luck. My employer was generous with his help, and I became successful. Every time I talked to my mother, she lectured me about my perceived wrongs. It was easier to remain silent. I don’t deal with confrontations well. A flaw, I’m afraid.”
“You’re perfect the way you are.” Hone leaned against the back of the couch, his tattoos drawing her eye. “I can’t say I understand your silence though. I would’ve bragged of my triumph.”
Cassie laughed. “Your family seems close. Because I attended boarding school, and my parents worked long hours, we didn’t spend time together.” Come to think of it, she hadn’t explored his tattoos yet. Fingers or tongue or both? “My mother lectured me, informed me I did everything wrong. It was easier to stick my head in the sand.”
Hone sipped his black coffee, his gaze on her. “Why the costume? The disguise? I’ve looked you up on the ’net. No one would recognize you if they didn’t know your secret already.”
“That started off as a joke. I had chronic stage fright, and Kevin suggested I dress up in a disguise. It sounds silly, but it helped, and I realized the anonymity would work in my favor too, so I developed my brand and stuck with it. As long as I’m careful, it means I can go shopping or out to dinner in the States and no one recognizes me.”
“Huh, I’m fucking a beautiful country star and I can’t tell anyone.” Hone’s grin and suggestive wink took away the sting of the harsh language. “Hey, don’t freeze up like that. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You haven’t,” Cassie said, striving for a light tone. She thought she managed quite well. “You mentioned breakfast. I could eat.”
“Want to go for a walk or order in?”
“Order in,” she said without hesitation. “I still haven’t had a chance to explore your tattoos. I could have fun with syrup.”
“Deal, but we’re both eating breakfast naked. If I’m getting sticky, so are you.”
Not long after their breakfast, Cassie straddled Hone’s hips as he lay facedown on the bed. She traced her fingers over the black-and-red dragon inked into his skin. A rumble came from him as she stroked down his spine. His entire body shivered beneath her touch. The man oozed sexual charm, and every single time he touched her, he rocked her world. She leaned down to press her lips against the head of the dragon.
“Your skin is warm.”
“Because you’re torturing me with your attention, your scent. You’re wet and it’s driving me crazy.” He moved, twisting his body so fast, she almost toppled off the bed. His fingers banded her biceps, helping her balance until she leaned against the heaped pillows at the head of the bed. “I’m going to get another condom. You sore?”
Her cheeks heated. “A little.”
“I have lube. Got some when I visited the restrooms in the main building. Figured a new source of condoms wouldn’t hurt, especially since we had the first one conk out on us.” He grabbed a package off the right nightstand. “And since you keep disobeying me, I intend to blindfold you.”
