Archie makes it down first, having no problem on the rocks.
When our feet hit the pebbly beach, I smile in triumph. “We did it! I wish I’d known this was here the entire time.”
“If you hadn’t hurt your ankle right after I arrived, I might have told you about it earlier.” He looks out at the water that laps gently at the shore. “I used to come whenever I wanted to be alone. I wrote a lot of songs here.”
Archie looks up at us and whines. Ryder leans down and lets him off the leash. The dog runs to the water and starts stomping through the shallow surf.
We share a seat on a large rock, laughing while we watch Archie play. Our thighs touch, we’re seated so close.
Ryder gives me a half smile. “See? This dating thing isn’t so bad.”
“I don’t think dating means what you think it means,” I tease. “Spending one night in bed and going for a walk doesn’t count as dating.”
“Don’t forget we went to Ed’s.”
“We went to Ed’s because you had a misguided impulse to protect me. Not because you wanted a date. You told your brother we’re dating without bothering to ask me first.”
“You’re not dating Brendan,” Ryder states. “Fake or otherwise.”
“And why not?” I watch him, wondering if he’s jealous.
“I know you said you don’t look at the gossip,” Ryder says. “And I’m glad. But the speculation is getting toxic. If my fans think you’re dating my brother, they will eviscerate you. I want to defend you. Ineedto protect you. And I can’t do that to the best of my ability unless people think we have a relationship.” He looks out at the water. And when his gaze returns to mine, I see pain there. “Shit, Daisy. I didn’t protect you before. I didn’t keep you safe. I need to do it now. Let me. Please.”
My stomach contracts, and heat flares in my face. “Don’t use the stupid thing I did ten years ago as a reason. I don’t want your pity. And I sure as hell don’t want your guilt.” My throat constricts. “I know you see similarities in the two situations. I was in the tabloids both times and the subject of media gossip. But it’s different now becauseI’mdifferent.” I shake my head. “I’m a strong woman, not a kid anymore. I can handle myself, and I’m not going to fall to pieces just because people are talking shit about me.”
Ryder grabs my hand. “I know it’s different,” he says, the sound of the surf mingling with his words. “And I know you’re strong. You handle the paparazzi beautifully. Better than I do. I don’t see you as the same girl you were then, though that girl was pretty spectacular, you know. I think you underestimate her.”
I laugh. “She was a mess.”
He gives me a ghost of a smile. “You’re wrong, you know. Yes, I want to protect you from my fans and the tabloids. But I also want to spend as much time with you as I can while we’re here. Iwant to watch you sing karaoke and throw dog parties and have more incredible nights—like last night.”
Shivers run through me at his look. Could I do this? Could I date Ryder and still protect my heart? Could I come out of this unscathed?
“I think we know each other pretty well.”
“Not well enough,” he counters.
I brush aside the strands of hair that escape my high ponytail and whip across my face in the salt-tinged breeze. “You’re acquainted with me and my orgasms. I think that’s bestie material. And I know things as well.”
“Yeah? What things?”
“I know you swim when you’re stressed. And you’re a coffee snob. When you’re concentrating, you get a frown line right here.” I touch the space between his eyebrows. “I know you don’t laugh as often or as freely as you should. But when I say something outrageous, you chuckle, and it lights your eyes. And I really, really like that.”
He captures my hand, and the heat in his eyes flares to life, just like I described.
“I know the tabloids paint you as a party boy,” I continue in a steady, sure voice. “But you don’t like to have a hangover, so you rarely get drunk. And I know you can hold a crowd of thousands in thrall with the sound of your voice and the strum of your guitar. And you pretend it comes easily, but I know it doesn’t. Because you work obsessively to get everything exactly right. And you worry if you let go, if you relax, then you might lose what you worked so hard for.” My smile softens. “And that’s where I know that you’re wrong. It’s holding on too tightly that causes you to lose the music.”
“Be with me.” Ryder orders, but it sounds more like a plea.
“And what would we do on this date?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never actually dated anyone. I became a star at thirteen. There wasn’t time for dates.”
“Not true. You had Mallory Sweet. And Sheila Rodriguez. And all those models. I also seem to remember a few singers and actresses along the way.”
“I had hookups. But not dates. And what about you? Every time I saw you when you visited Chase, you talked about a different guy.”
“Hookups. Not dates.”
