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His shoulders shot to his ears. So much for the calming effect. He kept his gaze fixed on the view.

She stepped around him and offered a mug of coffee. “You don’t like me, do ya?”

Accepting the cup, he raised it to his mouth. It was the Hawaiian blend he kept in the back of the cabinet. Dark roast and black, the way he liked it. No surprise she’d been paying attention. “I don’t like anyone. Ask around.” He didn’t like any of his tour managers. They were too often intrusive and demanding, assigning rigorous schedules and nagging endlessly about itineraries and travel expenses.

“I see.” Her face crumpled.

For fuck’s sake. “You’re a nice girl. Don’t take it personally. Just do your jobquietly, and we’ll get along fine.”

She nodded, molding a smile in her creased expression. “We’re fixin’ to roll out in a few minutes. Gotta be in Little Rock in a couple hours. After the sound check, we need to check into the hotel suites—” Her gaze flicked over his shoulder, and her smile wavered.

Hands ambled around his waist, and a tight little body pressed against his lower back. He handed his mug to Ella and twisted in the circle of arms.

Darts of silver shimmered in the blue eyes smiling up at him. Heaven help him. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

Her rosy lips bowed up. “Still not tired of hearing that.”

With one hand framing her face, he cupped the back of her thigh and lifted her to straddle his hips. She crossed her ankles over his ass and drew his bottom lip between hers.

He’d never get enough of this woman. He spread kisses over her mouth. “Mmm. Morning.”

“It’s four in the afternoon,” Ella huffed.

Charlee pushed her hands through his hair. “Mmm. Coffee. It tastes like morning on your lips.”

“Ella.” He nibbled and licked at Charlee’s mouth. “Some privacy?” Another nip. “We’ll be along shortly.”

“Sure thing.”

80

Three hours later, Charlee cruised the dining room in the rear of the Little Rock arena, one hand in Jay’s, the other gripping her growling stomach.

“You should’ve eaten on the bus.” He narrowed his eyes at her as he led her along the tables.

Brisket, sourdough rolls, coleslaw, potato salad, and a dozen other catered dishes scattered the surfaces. The hearty fragrance of liquid smoke and seasonings produced another rumble in her belly.

“Let’s see. Microwave burrito on the bus? Or catered meal? Hmm…” She slammed to a halt. “Oh, wow. Is that—”

She released his hand and lurched toward a small bowl filled with a smooth yellow mixture specked with green and orange chunks. She fumbled for a spoon and dug through it. Chopped eggs, pickles, oranges. She thought her favorite dish was her own secret concoction. Apparently, it was a catered side in Arkansas.

“What the hell is that?” He scrunched his nose.

“This is the way to my heart, Jay. Pay attention. Egg salad. Mandarin oranges. Chopped gherkins.” She cradled the bowl to her chest and shoveled in the first bite. The tangy sweet ambrosia launched her taste buds into a writhing orgasm. “Oh, God. I’m so not sharing this.”

His lips rolled, working to contain his laughter. “I don’t think you’ll be fighting anyone off.”

He was right about that. An hour later, she plodded after him to the edge of the stage, the entire bowl of egg salad pitching violently in her stomach. She perched on an Anvil case and wrapped her arms around her waist.

The din of screaming fans thundered from the stands, inciting a rip-roaring headache. She moaned.

“Charlee?” Brown eyes hovered as he squatted before her. His hand prodded her brow, cheek, and neck. “Fuck, she’s burning up.”

Another hand followed the same path, less gentle. “I’m going to take her to the hotel.” Nathan raised her chin and lifted one of her eyelids.

“Stop.” She swatted at his hand and a burn hit low in her belly, doubling her over.

“One minute till show time.” Faye skidded next to Jay, swiping a finger over her phone screen, with Ella on her heels. Faye glanced up. “Oh honey, you don’t look so good.”