“Emma,” Allie murmurs.
“I know.”
Chapter two
Nash
The entire time I’m singing I have to force myself not to stare at Emma. I still can’t believe she’s here. In Dogwood Cove. Of all the fucking coincidences. It’s not much of an exaggeration to call her the one that got away. For two years I’ve wondered what went wrong, why she left, and if I would ever see her again.
Never in a million years did I think when I agreed to Archer’s request that we play for his buddy Ethan’s town fair that I would see her. Emma. I don’t even know her fucking last name, but I know I need her in my life, and in my bed again. Those few hours we spent together made me feel more alive than anything. Alive as Nash, the man, not Nash, the musician.
When I finally finish my set, encore and everything, I hustle my ass off the stage and bypass Roberto, heading straight for where she was sitting. When I see her, my soul exhales in relief. She didn’t leave. She’s here. As my footsteps draw me closer, I catalogue every inch of her. Her deep, dark brown hair that’s longer now, hitting well below her shoulders. Her heart-shaped face that was so full of expression, and still is from what I can tell. Her body, the curves that I lost myself in for hours. I can’t see the tattoo that covers her ribs, but I remember it. The peacock feather with all of its vibrant colours. I spent a long time tracing every line with my tongue.
“Nash, we need to get you—”
I wave off Roberto. We’ve been working together for several years now and I know he means well. But I don’t give a flying fuck what he wants me to do right now. I need to see Emma.
When she sees me, she stands up, her hands fidgeting in front of her. I reach out and take them in my own, lifting her knuckles so I can kiss them. Her face softens into a smile.
“You were amazing up there,” she says softly.
Her praise means a lot to me, for reasons I can’t explain. “Thanks.”
“Best surprise concert I’ve ever been to,” her friend adds in. I turn to the other woman, with a camera-ready smile. “Thanks, Allie. Listen, could I steal Emma for the evening? I really want to catch up with her.”
“You certainly can. Go, Emma, I’ll see you later. Or not. Maybe tomorrow. Whenever. Just be good, and safe, and yeah, I’m leaving now.”
I watch as Allie leans in and whispers something that makes Emma blush. The two friends hug, then Allie walks away and I’m alone with Emma again, at last. Well, not really alone. Emma’s eyes dart around at the growing crowd just beyond my security guards.
“Can we go somewhere a little more private?” she asks. I can’t hold back a startled laugh.
“Oh my God. I totally didn’t mean it likethat.” A blush is covering her cheeks, and I squeeze her hand that is still holding mine.
“It’s okay. I was thinking the same thing but couldn’t figure out how to say it without sounding sleazy,” I respond, then when her blush darkens, I lean in closer. “Not that I wouldn’t be interested in that kind of private time, but I really do want to talk to you some more as well.”
A soft gasp, barely audible except for the fact that our faces are almost touching, escapes her.
“Let’s go.” Her voice is breathless with anticipation, and I grin at her as we turn toward the parking lot where I know a car and driver is waiting for me. Unfortunately, we don’t get far before Roberto stops us.
“Nash, you were going to do a small meet and greet back at the stage,” he says.
Shit. I’ve never once missed an event, especially not if it involves my fans. They’re the only reason I get to do the job I love and sing every night. I’ve always put my career first. Always. But I’ve never had anything in my life I’ve wanted as much as that. Until now, a second chance with Emma suddenly in front of me.
“Give me two minutes, ‘Berto, and I’ll be there.” I turn my back to him, my attention on the woman in front of me. The woman I seriously don’t want to disappear again. Acting on impulse, I reach into my pocket and pull out the key card for my room at a hotel in the neighbouring town.
“I’m sorry, but I did agree to do a quick thing with the fans. Will you go to the hotel and wait for me? Please?”
Emma’s eyes widen. “Are you sure?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely,” I say firmly. After a second, she nods and takes the key card from me. I walk her over to the car that was meant to take me back to the hotel and instruct the driver to take Emma there instead.
She slides into the backseat, and I lean down to kiss her cheek. “Room 425. I’ll be as fast as I can,” I whisper, before pressing one final kiss to her soft skin.
I watch the car pull away then force my head back into the game. I head to the stage where my band and the group of fans are waiting for me. I ignore the curious looks on the guys’ faces, knowing I’ll have to explain why I bolted right after the show with a woman they probably don’t remember.
Archer’s friend, the mayor of Dogwood Cove, walks up and says “Mister Parker, thank you for coming today.”
“Ethan, please, call me Nash. And it was our pleasure.”
