“You’re not a stand-in for some existential crisis … or anything else.”
The connection between us strengthens and holds. I inhale slowly, trying to get a handle on my erratic emotions. “You and Zoe have had problems since the band split?”
“Yeah.”
“Why did you split from the band?” I hold my breath, waiting for his answer. It occurs to me that my job as a reporter has become secondary. I truly want to know because I’m interested in him on a personal level.
He draws into himself. “That’s not important.”
“If this is going to work, then you’ll have to open up eventually. I’m only asking because I care.” Or because I’m a fraud who’s after a story.
He reaches for my hand, his thumb stroking my skin. For a second, all I can think about is his touch.
“Can we just take it slow? See where this goes?”
The man of my dreams wants to explore a relationship with me. Slow would be good. Slow is safe. Slow will give me a chance to try to figure out how to navigate this. “Under one condition.”
Wariness trickles into his expression. “What's that?”
“Break things off with Zoe.”
He gives me a measuring look. “Okay.”
That was easier than I expected. Hope flares in the center of my chest—bright and terrifying. “No more kissing until after the breakup.” I’m drawing the line, mostly for myself, because I would like nothing more than to kiss him again … and again.
He groans. “Seriously?”
“Seriously,” I affirm with a giggle. How can he be so cute and ruggedly appealing at the same time?
“What about dancing?”
“We’ll see.”
Warm laughter flows from his throat, and then he tosses me a cocky grin. “Okay, we’ll play this your way.”
He thinks he’s winning.
Maybe he is.
And maybe I should just enjoy the dream while I can—because when the truth comes out, everything will come crashing down.
Hard.
Chapter
Nine
“A little to the right.”I shift to get a better view of the star Axel is putting on the tree. “Too far. Go back.”
He makes an adjustment. “How’s that?”
“Crooked.”
“What?” he exclaims in dismay.
“Sorry, but it’s still not right.”
He throws me a taunting grin. “Who’s the perfectionist now?”
