The Heir Affair (Las Vegas Nights 5)

“I could say the same about you.”

“My wild days ended before Melody and I got together. We’re going to be a family. She needs stability and consistency.”

“Has it occurred to you that maybe she doesn’t want what you’re offering? Did you see her out on stage tonight? She’s a star. She shouldn’t have to settle for your limited vision of her as your wife and the mother of your kid.”

Hunter’s words came at Kyle with all the speed of a fastball and caught him off guard. That wasn’t all he wanted for her. She deserved to have whatever career she wanted. And if that career took her away from him? True, the nine months they spent mostly apart while she was on tour had created an enormous rift in their relationship.

But should she be expected to give up her career for the sake of their family? Was that what he was pressuring her to do? Kyle thought over their last few conversations surrounding the future. She’d offered up vague answers about how she intended to promote her new album.

“This isn’t any of your business,” Kyle growled.

The stage door opened and Melody appeared. She took in the tense scene before stepping into the alley.

“What’s going on?” She gazed from Kyle to Hunter.

Hunter spoke first. “I was just telling your boy here that you’re too talented to take a step back from your career right now.”

“Was he arguing with you?”

“He has some old-fashioned expectations when it comes to you.”

“And you are setting him straight?”

Kyle repressed a grin at Melody’s mild tone. Hunter had no idea how much trouble he was in at the moment. It almost made Kyle feel sorry for him. Except he figured as soon as she was done with her ex-boyfriend, her sights would be set on him.

“Yes,” Hunter said. “But I only have your best interest at heart.”

“If that was true, you’d know that not only can I make my own decisions, but I’ve been doing a good job of it for a long time.” There were icicles in her tone.

“I was merely trying to help.”

Melody nodded toward the stage door. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to Kyle alone.”

“Sure.” With a quick glance in Kyle’s direction, Hunter headed back into the club.

“Was that necessary?” she demanded as soon as they were alone.

“It felt pretty damned necessary to me.”

“Why?”

He didn’t understand how she’d managed to get him on the defensive. She was the one hugging and kissing her ex. “Do you seriously need me to answer that?”

“I rather think I do.” She crossed her arms over her chest and fixed a steady, determined glare on him.

“You and Hunter.”

“He hugged me. I hugged him back.”

“He kissed you.”

Some of her righteous anger dimmed. “I certainly didn’t plan for that to happen. And maybe I shouldn’t have hugged him, but I was excited.”

“Has it occurred to you that you’re encouraging him?” The accusation might not be fair, but Kyle couldn’t hold it in.

“That’s not true.” She sucked in a shaky breath. “Okay, maybe it seems that way because he’s been there for me a lot lately.”

Kyle raked his fingers through his hair, struggling for calm as he absorbed her statement. “Meaning I haven’t been?”