Removing our earpieces, I switched off the music and led her to the small patio. A wrought-iron garden table and chairs stood opposite a couch swing, padded in dark blue.
She sat on the swing. I asked, “Why haven’t you insisted I tell you everything?”
“Because you will when you’re ready. I know what it’s like to have people either hound you or offer false sympathies just so they can crow at how miserable you are to others.”
I leaned against the edge of the table and stared at my boots. In my experience, it was the first thing people did. Some would ask outright, others would slyly sneak it into a conversation.
“I’m sorry about what happened at the fair,” she said quietly. “And for the call that put the pain in your eyes.”
Pain? A tic started in my jaw. It was anger that ate at me. I stared at the cell still in my hand. “It was my father.”
She didn’t say anything. Waited.
“He wants me back, to finish my degree and join the company.”
“What are you going to do?”
I looked up. “Finish mymusicdegree, if they let me in again.”
She nodded, chewed her bottom lip. Obviously, something was bothering her. “What?”
“Are you doing this to spite him, or is it something you truly want, Max?”
Whatever I had expected, this wasn’t it. She was siding with him? Clamping back a scowl, I bit out, “I’m doing exactly what I want!”
She blinked at my harsh tone. Why the hell was I yelling at her? All this mess was my fault. She studied me quietly, making me feel as if she could see through me—see all my sins. I blew out a rough breath. “I’m sorry I snapped, Logan. But Ihaveto play the finals.”
After an endless second, she nodded and pushed up from the swing. “Okay, then. C’mon.”
Slipping my cell into my back pocket, I twisted to watch her as she headed for the kitchen door. “Where are you going?”
Walking backwards now, she smiled. “I think we should stay in. We can watch the fireworks from my bedroom window.”
Interest chasing away the anger and despair inside me, I rose. “Is that so?”
“Yep. But, if you don’t want to, you can go to bed. I understand you’ve had a tiring day escaping mad reporters and such,” she said airily. “I’ll watch the show by myself.”
In a fast move, I grabbed her, startling a laugh out of her, and hauled her to me. “You think to taunt me?”
“No.” She put her hands on my chest and blinked those beautiful eyes when I just stared. “What?”
Did she honestly have no idea how deeply she affected me? I nipped the fast-beating pulse on her throat. Growled, “Your folks?”
“They left. They’re going out to dinner after Dad drops off the snack basket for Ray and her friends at the hill—”
I cut her off with my mouth, swung her into my arms, and walked into the house. Traversed the kitchen, headed down the corridor, then took the stairs up, stopping at the landing that parted two ways. And finally broke our kiss. “Where?”
“Up,” she panted and pointed to another smaller, wooden staircase on the side.
“Did they toss you in the attic?” I asked, carefully navigating the narrow stairs.
She laughed and opened the door. The low light from the wall sconces cast a soft, golden glow in the bedroom done in earthy tones. A bay window opposite the bed overlooked the copse of trees and dark skies. I lowered her to her feet.
She ambled to the bay window. “I love this view, just me and nature.”
My gaze fixed on her, I followed and ran my hands down her sides. Drawing her against me, I trailed my mouth along her nape. A tiny sigh escaped her. She reached behind her and locked her hands behind my neck, her back flush against my front. I doubted she was aware of the provocativeness of her actions—her breasts thrusting out, demanding my touch.
“The fireworks from here are really amazing.”
