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“Yep. The one and only.” I was focused on figuring out how to get my hands on her. I didn’t want to talk about Linc.

“Do you like having him as your manager?”

“Yeah. I can trust him, which means you can trust him.” I eyed her. The Canton brothers wouldn’t betray her. I wanted those doubts erased right away.

“That’s nice you have someone in your corner.”

“You don’t have anyone on your team like that?”

“My stylist, Helena. We’re close. I can tell her pretty much anything. She’s great. Really.”

“Alexa Wilde, what am I going to do with you?”

I tugged on the quilt that had her twirled up like Cleopatra in a Persian rug.

“I don’t know.” She bit her bottom lip.

“Liar,” I growled.

Our eyes locked and I only had one thing on my mind. I was going to use every fucking last condom in this box tonight.

19

Alexa

I didn’t realize Austin looked so small from the sky. I tried to identify Luke’s ranch but I was all turned around once we took off. I sighed and planted my forehead against the Plexiglas window.

I didn’t want to leave.

He had to shove me out the laundry door and into Linc’s truck. Linc had volunteered to drive me to the airport so we didn’t have to risk a loose-lipped driver telling someone he had driven Lexi Wilde from Luke Canton’s house.

It took a few minutes to get over the awkwardness of how Linc and I met when I was naked, but he was a nice guy. He was a slightly softer version of his brother. Still incredibly good looking and sexy. But I looked at him through different eyes now that I had Luke. Linc was playful and fun, while Luke maintained a brooding edge that I couldn’t help but find irresistible.

Jake was livid I had ignored him all day. I knew he would be waiting when I landed. Fuming. Glaring. Threatening.

I closed my eyes. It was worth it. Another night with Luke was worth anything I had to face when I was in Nashville. For two days I was able to be with him the way I’d always wanted to be with a man. Free. Exotic. Sensual.

I leaned into the leather first class seat. I had a mimosa in front of me, but I sipped it hesitantly. I needed every brain cell firing at full capacity when I faced Jake. He would throw every bit of ammunition he had. He would bring up the beginning. I knew he would.

I wondered what it would be like to show up in Nashville with Luke. One angry glare from him and Jake would back off. But Luke wasn’t my bodyguard. He couldn’t fight my battles. And I didn’t want him to know the secret Jake held over me. It could change everything. How Luke looked at me. How he felt.

I scooted the mimosa to the edge of the tray table. Ginger ale or a lime spritzer sounded better. I waved down the flight attendant and asked for another drink. In two hours I’d be on the ground.

Farther from Luke. Away from his bed. Out of reach of his arms.

I didn’t know if I was landing in the middle of the dream I had spent the past seven years creating, or running from the new one I wanted.

I slid the tortoise brown sunglasses over my eyes as I disembarked from the plane. I carried my guitar and heavy leather bag with me. I hoped it made me look like an up and comer. The way I used to look when I first started playing music.

As soon as I made it to baggage claim I realized my face was too recognizable to get away with that trick. There were a few reporters who staked out the baggage area regularly.

“Lexi! Lexi!”

I shielded my face, smiling as I side-stepped the men.

There was a firm grip on my elbow and I inhaled the strong scent of Jake’s cologne. He pecked me on the cheek.

“Good to see you, babe.”