He hadn’t slept in two weeks, and it showed. His performances had been shaky, off-kilter. He should have refunded the fans, but Vegas said the reviews were glowing.Great,even.
But Cary knew better.
Music journalism had never been honest with him before. Why would it start now?
CHAPTER 27
TYLER
Tyler and Cary arrived at his building, pausing just long enough to say hi to the concierge. Rory wagged his tail at Arjun, despite the tragic lack of cookies.
They stepped into the elevator, and as the doors slid shut, “Love in an Elevator”started playing in her head.
Of course it did.
When they reached his penthouse, he opened the door, spun her around, and pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck, his jaw grazing upward as her body pulsed with longing. Then his lips found hers—full, insistent, and breathless—and she melted into his warmth, her chin tilting up to meet him.
“Cary,” she gasped between kisses.
He didn’t answer, just deepened the kiss, his tongue coaxing hers while her nipples ached with need. God, she’d missed this—missedhim—and she clung to the moment like it might vanish.
“Cary . . .” She pulled back an inch from his lips. She didn’t want to stop but had to get something off her chest.
“Yeah, babe?”
“Do you mind if we talk?”
“You said I was all talk, so I’m showing action,” he teased, trailing his fingers between her thighs, pressing fabric against heat.
Her head fell back as a moan slipped out. “Fuck.”
“I want you.” His fingers grazed the seam of her jeans, slow, deliberate. “Badly.”
She exhaled, pulse unsteady. “Can we maybe talk first? I want to tell you something.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Come sit.” She motioned toward the couch where Rory was already sleeping like the dead. “I want to explain why I acted like that. I owe you more than an apology.”
He shook his head, adjusting the bulge in his jeans. “I should’ve known better.”
“It’s my ex.” She sat on the couch and unlaced her old, worn-out Dayton boots. “He cheated on me the whole time we were together and now I have major trust issues.” She hated Dave for making her feel like this. When she found out about his cheating, she was more angry than upset. She hated how he’d taken advantage of her kindness and free rent.
He sat beside her and held her hand. “How long were you together?”
She met his gaze and cringed. “Five years—just over.”
His eyes turned dark. “What an asshole. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“There’s more.” She blinked away the moisture in her eyes. “He strung me along and promised we’d have a baby, and like an idiot, I waited. I have to tell you, Cary, I’m batting zero with musicians.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re not with him. I can’t speak for all musicians, just this one. I love you.” He squeezed her hand. “My tour ends in August.”
“I know when your tour ends.”
He laughed. “I guess you do. How about we try then?”
She flashed open her eyes. “Seriously?”
