It cratered the entire day, sucking the joy I’d felt all day and siphoned it out like a hole in my soul.
A bit dramatic, but I was feeling pretty fucking melodramatic at that moment. I knew my label wanted me to do this. They’d been pushing for it for ages, but I made sure I was busy enough not to have to deal with it. They knew how to play me.
I owed it to them for all they did to get me where I was.No matter what I did for them, it was never enough. Oh, they tried to spin it with what a money maker it would be, but there was only so much money a body could spend.
Not to mention, I’d never been driven by a big bag of cash. I wanted my music out there. And okay, I couldn’t help but want the musical achievement awards, but in the end there was one serious fear that always ate at me.
Was I more than just a Christmas song?
“Hey.”
I blinked out of my thoughts.
“Sorry. I’m just thinking about working again so soon.”
“You don’t need to do anything you don’t want to do.” His big hand covered mine.
“Yeah, easier said than done.”
“You just finished a huge sold-out tour. You don’t need to give them shit.”
Impulsively, I leaned over and laid a kiss on his cheek. “Can I send you to deal with them?”
“Yes.”
I laughed and a little of the annoyance and guilt faded. “Don’t make that offer.”
He rolled up to my parents’ farmhouse and I unbuckled my seatbelt. “I had a really good day.”
“Most of the day.”
I shook my head. “The whole day. I’m sorry my real life intruded.”
“It didn’t.”
He was a sweet guy, but I knew the truth. My crazy life always intruded and it was just a fact. I was about to open the door when he grabbed my hand. I turned and he caught the back of my neck with his big, warm hand.
He hauled me over the console, his lips like a fever.
I dragged in a quick breath through my nose and let him draw me into his tempest. The passion that rose between us so effortlessly allowed me to empty my brain and be Amber. I didn’t want to lose that.
I cupped his hair roughened cheek. The softness of his beard and lips as it brushed my skin reminded me of last night.
“Don’t let them take this away,” he said against my mouth.
His cedar scent. The spice that reminded me of Christmas and warmth. A reminder of the things I did actually love about the season. I sunk into that, giving myself another minute.
Lucy’s excited bark followed by Charlie’s barrage of yips dented the cocoon of passion.
I turned my face enough to break the kiss and we both breathed heavily. “God, I don’t know where that comes from.”
His dark laugh made my own bubble up out of the self-inflicted mood killer.
“I think my mom is staring out the window.”
“I hope it’s your mom and not your dad,” he mumbled.
“I’ll see ya.” I slipped away this time.
