Page 45 of Art of Love

“Why was she with me? We weren’t married or engaged. Why didn’t he want her to leave me?”

“My guess is they wanted to wait until after you’d hit it big.” She knew it stung, so she was surprised when Abe didn’t flinch or act hurt.

“Why did it matter? She had nothing to do with my career.”

She shrugged. “I was hoping you shed some light on that area. Was anything going on in Kara’s life at that time?”

“She had just started fall classes.” He glanced out to the water. “I was the one who had a lot going on at that point. I’d just finished my first record a few months back. Tony had a bunch of PR stunts lined up for me once we were done. They had released my first single a few months earlier and it was climbing the charts. So they were very hopeful for the full album.”

She smiled. “And it hit number one quicker than any other new artist in the past decade.”

His eyebrows shot up. “So you had heard of me before?”

She chuckled. “Okay, full confession time. I’ve loved your music from day one.”

His smile spread slowly and he shifted towards her. “I would have never pegged you as a fan. I can usually spot one from a mile away.”

She rolled her eyes. “Anyone who has heard you sing is a fan. Then you add all this”—she waved her hand over him—“prettiness and sexy natural swagger you have and boom!” She snapped her fingers. “I along with every other red-blooded woman was an insta-fan.”

He shifted even closer, his grin spreading, and her insides fluttered. “You acted pretty cool at first.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m very practiced. But honestly, it drove me nuts. You drive me nuts.”

He tilted his head as if thinking for a moment. “How nuts?”

She glanced at his lips. “About as crazy as when you kissed me.”

His smile slipped a little. “You were the one driving me crazy at that point.” His hand came up to cup her face. “Still are.” His eyes moved to her lips. “My heart skips each time I think of kissing you.” He reached for her hand and placed her palm on his chest. “Feel what you’re doing to me now.”

She did. His heartbeat matched her own erratic one as he leaned in and brushed his lips across hers.

“How many more questions do you have for me tonight?” he asked, resting his forehead against hers.

“None,” she answered quickly.

“There are some things I can see clearly written in your eyes.” He leaned back, searching her eyes.

“Such as?”

“You no longer think I had anything to do with Kara’s last night.” He brushed a strand of her hair aside.

“I…” She started to tell him she’d never believed he had anything to do with Kara’s death, but instead just shook her head. “Does that matter to you?”

“It’s the most important thing in my world,” he said before kissing her again.

She melted and purred with desire. How did he have so much control over her? Why did her body have to respond this way when it never had before? Why him?

Her mind switched gears as his tongue played over hers. She no longer needed proof or evidence that Abe had nothing to hide. She knew she had more secrets in her closet than he did.

When he pressed his hard body up against hers, her mind stopped working as her needs outweighed every thought. More, was all she could think. I need to feel more.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so… much.

Abe’s hands roamed over her, gently tugging her shirt up until his fingertips brushed against her skin. She moaned with delight.

His mouth trailed down her neck. “Dylan, I didn’t come here tonight for this.”

“A bonus then,” she said, sliding her fingers into his hair to keep him tight against her.