It sounds like a giddy childhood dream.
It’s not.
Ryan will be a huge star. He’s too talented for it to go any other way.
‘Why can’t you be my girlfriend, guitarist and secret songwriter?’ He nuzzles my neck, teasing me with his tender touch. Tonight, I’m finally ready for so much more.
‘I told you, I’m shy. I prefer hiding behind a pretty notepad and a pink fluffy biro. The thought of playing something I’ve written in front of a crowd is too much. Too personal. It scares the shit out of me.’
‘But you play in front of me all the time.’ He cups my face in his hands, pretending to pout.
‘That’s different. I love you.’
‘And I love you. That’s why we make such an awesome partnership. Imagine what we’d be like together on stage.’ Darting far enough back to meet my eye, he gazes at me, intoxicating me with his familiar scent; raw masculinity, tinged with hints of citrus.
Snaking my arms around his waist, my body crushes against his. Shivers rip across my forearms, nothing to do with the crisp white snow falling outside the cabin window. The first snow of the year.
‘Hmm. We’ll see.’ Deep down, part of me longs to be on that stage with him. Logistically though, even if I could get my head around it, I don’t know if my legs would support the weight of my nerves for it ever to be a realistic option.
‘We’re in this together, Sasha. You’ll see. You and me are meant to be. On and off the stage.’
I’m silenced before I can protest. His lips find mine again, parting them with his tongue.
Over his shoulder I glimpse the huge cream clock mounted over the open fire. Dragging my mouth away, I reluctantly warn him, ‘I don’t have long. My parents will be back within the hour.’
They’ve gone to watch my youngest sister, Victoria, perform in her school Christmas concert. The only reason I’m not watching a load of giddy seven-year-olds stammer their way through a nativity play, is under the pretence of studying.
A devilish grin exposes huge white teeth. ‘I can do a lot with you in an hour.’
Supple hands grip my backside, lifting me to grind against him. His mouth returns to the sensitive skin of my neck, teeth gently nipping and teasing.
‘Where’s your dad?’
Being caught like this would be beyond embarrassing, and if my parents got wind of it, I wouldn’t get as far as the castle walls, let alone the States.
‘He’s out. Another dodgy business deal, no doubt.’ Ryan pauses, a flicker of annoyance flashing over his face.
His father’s business is the one thing we don’t talk about. Ever. I know it’s less than legitimate, but I don’t judge and I never pry.
‘And your brother?’
Jayden’s a year older than Ryan and equally as exquisite to look at. Though his arrogance leaves a lot to be desired.
‘He’s probably doing exactly what we’re about to do, with one of your housekeeping staff. Jacinta? Janine? I can’t remember her name, but they’ve had something casual going on for a few weeks now. Don’t tell your parents.’
I scoff. ‘As if.’
Mam and Dad are madly in love even after all these years, but they barely have enough time to listen to each other between the day-to-day running of the estate, let alone listen to me.
They love me unconditionally, I know they do, but dealing with hotel guests and managing staff makes spending time doing normal mundane family things, like having a meal together, a rarity.
Which actually suits right now, because stealing time with Ryan Cooper is my favourite pastime.
His mouth captures mine and I’m transported directly to my own personal heaven. A space so familiar, yet still so breathtakingly rousing. Mind-blowing, yet so damn natural.
Pulling me back towards the couch, he breaks our kiss. ‘Are you sure about this?’
We’ve fooled around, come close so many times before. We’ve done everything butit. Before he left, I said I was ready to take things to the next level. I wasn’t lying.
