“No,” he said, stepping beside her again, his shoulder brushing hers. “I’m just not used to being told no. Especially not by women who come to my shows.
Her cheeks flushed. “oooh okay .”
Kylee tried to suppress her grin, but failed. “You’re dangerous.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“It is. I’ve got a husband, three kids, and a house in Idaho.”
Rio leaned in a little, voice low. “And yet here you are, walking through a garden with me in New Orleans, blushing like a schoolgirl with a crush.”
Kylee’s breath caught again. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
He tilted his head, eyes scanning her face. “Too late.”
They walked a few more steps in silence, tension twisting deliciously in the air between them.
“Is this how you get every girl?” Kylee asked, almost teasing.
“No,” he said easily. “Just the ones who pretend they don’t want me.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “God, you’re arrogant.”
He grinned wide. “And yet, here you are. Still walking with me.”
Kylee stopped again, this time with a knowing smile. “Just because I’m walking with you doesn’t mean I’m falling for you.”
Rio leaned in one last time, close enough that his lips hovered near her ear. “That’s the thing, Kylee. I don’t want you to fall. I want you to jump.”
She inhaled sharply as he stepped away, hands back in his pockets, striding ahead without looking back. Kylee stood frozen for a beat, heart pounding, and her pulse singing in her throat. This man was a wildfire and part of her was already smoldering.
Just as Kylee was starting to catch her breath and reign in the flush creeping up her neck, she heard Kelly's laughter, bright and slightly breathless echoing from a nearby archway draped in ivy.
Rio slowed his stride, glancing toward the sound. “Guess we’re not the only ones enjoying the scenery.”
Around the bend, Mason had Kelly backed against the stone wall, his hand resting just above her hip, his head tilted in closer than appropriate for the public. Kelly was grinning like she’d won the lottery.
“Get a room,” Kylee called out with a smirk, folding her arms as she stepped toward them.
Kelly turned, completely unapologetic. “We’re working on it.”
Mason looked over and gave Rio a nod of solidarity. “Yo.”
Rio chuckled. “Didn’t think you’d last more than ten minutes before making a move.”
“Eight, actually,” Mason said without shame, his fingers still tracing lazy circles on Kelly’s waist.
Kylee raised a brow at her sister. “So… this is happening?”
Kelly shrugged, all faux innocence. “What can I say? He’s got rhythm.”
Mason winked at her. “Drummer perks.”
Rio leaned closer to Kylee again, stage whispering, “She gets a drummer. You get a lead singer. Feels balanced to me.”
Kylee nudged him with her elbow, laughing. “In your dreams.”
“Every single night,” he murmured, just loud enough for her to hear.
