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My blood runs hot. “She’s not.”

“You don’t know that.”

I stand, pacing the room, my grip tightening on the phone. “Yeah, I do. She didn’t ask to be drugged. She didn’t ask to wake up in my bed, half out of it for two days. And she sure as hell didn’t ask for me to be the one taking care of her. That girl has been through enough. She’s not after me, Reggie.”

Reggie exhales slowly. “I’m just looking out for you, man. You’ve been burned before.”

“This isn’t like before,” I snap. “And I don’t need you questioning every decision I make.”

Reggie hesitates, then relents. “If that’s what you want, I’ll inform the label.”

“Good.” My jaw clenches. “And while you’re at it, send me a copy of my damn contract.”

There’s another beat of silence. “Eddie—”

“I’m not asking, Reg. Send it. Or forget about me going on tour.”

He grumbles, but I hear the shift in his tone—he knows I mean it. “Fine. I’ll send it over.”

“Good.” I end the call with a frustrated sigh and toss my phone onto the bed before rubbing my hands over my face.

This should have been simple. The label wants a fake girlfriend? Fine. But I don’t do fake. And I sure as hell don’t let people dictate my life.

Now, I just have to convince Laney to go along with this. And I can’t push her. She’s vulnerable. The last thing I want is to scare her off.

I push off the bed and walk to her room, knocking lightly. After a moment, the door opens, and there she stands lookingso much better. A little pale, but steady. Dressed in leggings and one of my old hoodies, which I included in the bag her friend packed, her damp hair brushed back from her face. Seeing her in my clothes makes a rush of need race to my cock. She’s beautiful in a way that’s raw and unintentional, and it throws me for a second.

Fuck. Me.

I clear my throat, forcing myself to focus. “Hey. Feeling any better?”

She gives me a small smile. “Yeah. Still a little wobbly, but better.”

“That’s to be expected.” I nod toward the hall. “Want to take a walk? Get some fresh air?”

She hesitates, then nods. “Yeah. That sounds nice.”

I step back, letting her move past me, and we walk through the house in comfortable silence, her gaze moving around as she takes in my home. I never much cared what anyone thought of my home, but I want to hear what she thinks. As if she can read my mind, she voices her thoughts, a smile gracing her lips.

“Wow, Eddie, your home is beautiful. I love how the modern lines blend with the soft furnishings. It makes it feel elegant but inviting.”

A smile tips my lips; hearing that gives me a warm feel in my chest, and I fight the urge to pull her into my arms.

“Thank you, I love it here. It’s my sanctuary.”

Laney tilts her head to look at me, a soft lilt on her lips that makes me want to bend and taste the words on the edge of her tongue. Fuck, I’m in so deep with this woman, and I’m not sure she has any clue. Her innocence is part of her beauty, but a part of me wants to be the one to corrupt her.

“Thank you for sharing it with me.”

And there goes my heart.

Reaching for her hand, because fighting the urge to touch her is impossible, I link our fingers together and smile at her. “Come on, let me show you outside. It’s my favorite part.”

When we step outside, the evening air is cool, the sky painted in streaks of orange and pink. I watch her as she tips her head back, her eyes closing as she takes a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill her lungs.

“This place is… huge,” she says, glancing around.

I smile. “Yeah, I guess it is.”