Turn Over

“Can you believe how much money we raised, Jake?” she asked. “And so generous of Luke, don’t you think?”

He looked me over. I knew what he thought. He didn’t want me near her. She was his country princess. His star to mold and manage. I got it. But like everything else, I didn’t give a shit what this guy thought. He stood between me and what I wanted.

“Extremely generous.” His lips pressed together. “I think we’re going to have to coordinate with Mr. Canton’s people and schedule the concert for later in the year. I’ll have our people call your people and we’ll set it up.”

“That’s okay.” I slapped him on the back, knocking him from where he was standing. “I think Lexi and I can work out the details.”

“That’s not how it works,” he snorted. “She’s booked solid through the holidays.”

I towered over him. “I just paid twenty-five thousand dollars for a concert. It’s exactly how it’s going to work.”

Jake straightened his tie and turned away. It was obvious there was something he was dying to spit out, but I didn’t know if it was my size or the look on my face that stopped him.

“Okay, that’s never happened before.” Lexi stood with her hands on her hips.

“What’s that?”

“Jake ran out of here speechless.” She held her hand over her mouth and laughed.

“Why is that guy your manager?” I couldn’t help but ask, even though it was none of my damn business.

“It’s complicated,” she answered.

I felt as if I had crossed a line. I didn’t like complicated or long stories. I didn’t usually stick around for either.

“Doesn’t matter. He’s gone. How about that drink?”

“That’s how you want to spend your twenty-five thousand?” she asked.

“Oh, no no.” I shook my head.

“What?”

“I asked you out for drinks before the auction. I have two dates with you.” I studied the V of her throat. I swore her pulse was beating faster.

“Two?”

“Mmmhmm.” I wasn’t letting her out of this.

“You don’t think it’s too late tonight? For the drinks, I mean.”

I laughed. “Where I’m from it’s never too late.”

“And where are you from, Luke?”

I bent toward her, lowering my lips to her ear. “Texas.”

“Is that supposed to impress me?”

Everyone had cleared out behind the stage. She was the last one from her crew. All I could think about was pressing her against the wall and letting my hands have free reign over her. I had never wanted to feel a woman’s lips under mine like this before. I could almost taste them. How soft they would be. The little purring sounds she would make.

I moved closer. “It should.”

“I’m from Tennessee. I guess it doesn’t have the same meaning.”

My hand flattened against the wall over her shoulder. “No it sure doesn’t. Everything’s bigger in Texas.”

I moved in to drag her lips under mine when we both jumped.