Page 22 of Hard Rock Deceit

"I don't know ifIcan."

"You have so much passion inside you," August said. "So much spirit. I can see it. You just need to letitout."

He shifted on the bed, fully facing me. His eyes weren't distant or fuzzy like they had been earlier. They were clear, focused, yet somehow inquisitive. I wondered what caused the change even as nerves fluttered in mystomach.

August leaned forward, his face closetomine.

My eyeswentwide.

His scent surrounded me, warm and earthy and sweet. Soft, inviting lips wereinchesaway.

My eyes fluttered shut. I held mybreath.

Soft lipstouchedmine.

My pulse spiked, hammering in my chest. Lightning shot through me. A kaleidoscope of colors exploded across myclosedlids.

He slowly pulled away. I nearlywhimpered.

August slid offthebed.

"I believe in you,Cassie."

My heart swelled, thumping madly beneath myribcage.

Ice blue eyes gave me one last, tender look before he strode out of the room and shutthedoor.

For a moment, I'dexpected…

For a moment, I'dwanted…

I clasped my hands together in my lap, lacing my tremblingfingers.

With one chaste kiss, August Summers made the world fall out fromunderme.

ChapterEight

Snappingphotos backstage should have been easy. Or at least, it shouldn't have been thisdifficult.

I was used to pulling out my camera, switching off my brain, and letting my muse guide me. I'd never thought too hard aboutwhatI was photographing. The right angles and framing and balance simply cametome.

That was why I hadn't been able to answer one of August's very first questions, when he'd shown interest in my photo. He wanted to know what I felt whentakingit.

I had no answer. My thoughts and feelings never came into play when I worked. It all simply cametome.

If I wanted to release my full potential, if I wanted to take my inner passion and hone it into something exceptional, I needed to be more aware. Aware of my feelings. Aware of my emotions. Aware of the passion simmeringinsideme.

I'd thought I was incapable of feeling anything likepassion.

August thoughtdifferently.

And he was determined to prove ittome.

A bright light illuminated the darkness of backstage. The light immediately dimmed. Ian stood leaning in a corner, thumbs rapidly tapping on his now-dimmed phonescreen.

Though the blue-tinted glow cast his half his face in shadow, the ever-changing expressions on his face were visible. Joy and relief one moment, despondence and worrythenext.

Understandable, since he was no doubt texting his girlfriend. Happiness at being able to talk to her. Sadness at the reminder they were so far apart. Although I'd never experienced his situation myself, I sympathized with the pair oflovers.