The Heir Affair (Las Vegas Nights 5)

He pulled in a breath, took control of his voice, and then spoke from his heart. “I love you.”

* * *

I love you.

Damn him for being right.

Despite the truth in his eyes and the gravity with which he spoke the words, she didn’t feel better. The problems between them weren’t based on an unspoken declaration, but rather on unrealistic expectations. She’d thought that if Kyle broadcast his love for her, she would feel safe and secure. What she hadn’t realized was that the true treasure of love was in being able to receive it.

And thus far, she’d proven herself a poor receptacle.

“You’re right about needing to think,” she said. “A little bit of time apart would be good for both of us.”

For a split second he looked crushed by her decision and then he gave his head a sad shake. “I wasn’t looking for more time apart. I think we’ve had too much of that already.”

Once again she was the one retreating. What was wrong with her? The man had told her he loved her. She should be throwing herself into his arms and smothering him with kisses. Wasn’t this what she’d been craving from him since the beginning? An admission of how he felt about her so she could feel protected?

“Look,” he tried again. “We haven’t done day twelve, communication, uninterrupted listening.”

Had Kyle memorized the entire fourteen days’ worth of exercises? It was infuriating that he remembered each activity, both the day and the detail. Melody couldn’t seem to keep anything straight anymore. Before she finished her album, she’d blamed her lack of focus on that. Then she’d blamed the various changes her body was going through. The stress of potentially having a stalker. And this past week on rehearsing for the concert. But was any of that really the cause of her distraction?

“I just don’t have the energy to talk or to listen right now,” she said, knowing that for the last two weeks Kyle had been putting more effort into their relationship than she had. Maybe she wasn’t good enough for him. Tears sprang to her eyes. She cursed the pregnancy hormones that made her want to cry at the worst times.

“That’s fine,” he said, his tone calm and reasonable. “We don’t have to say another word. It’s been a long week and you’re exhausted. Let’s go home. After a good night’s sleep, both our heads will be clearer.”

Except she didn’t want to go home with him. She wanted to slink off somewhere and lick her wounds.

Aware that she was once again avoiding him when she should work on their relationship, she said, “I can’t leave now. My friends came out to support me. Go if that’s what you want to do.”

And before he could answer, she turned on her heel and returned to the theater. She’d charged through the backstage area and reached the house before she noticed that Kyle wasn’t behind her. She shouldn’t be surprised. How many times could she push him away and expect he wouldn’t get sick of it.

When she found Trent, Savannah, Nate and Mia, they’d been joined by Craig and a pretty blonde woman he introduced as Sasha. Savannah glanced in the direction Melody had come, obviously looking for Kyle, before shooting her a questioning look. Melody shook her head. Nate bought her a soda while Craig and Sasha congratulated her on the performance.

Her joy in the evening was severely reduced by the argument she’d had with Kyle and his subsequent absence. Had he gone home? Should she have gone with him?

The party started to break up after an hour, with Trent and Savannah leaving first. Melody walked into the lobby with the other two couples, hugging Nate and Mia before saying goodbye to Craig and Sasha.

She headed backstage to collect her purse and change into street clothes. Before she left the theater, she decided to give Kyle a call. She wasn’t surprised when she got his voice mail and hung up without leaving a message. Obviously he was shutting down communications after she told him she didn’t want to talk tonight.

On the way out to the parking lot, she dreaded the idea of returning to Kyle’s house and risking another fight. Maybe she should just get a hotel room. Some space would probably be good for them. As she neared her rental car, she pulled out her phone and shot Kyle a quick text, letting him know her plan.

“You okay?”

Melody whirled around and spotted Craig approaching her across the lot. “I’m fine. I was just sending Kyle a text.”

“How come he left?”

“He had another commitment tonight.” She didn’t want to get into the details with Craig. “Where’s Sasha?” she asked, giving him a tired smile.

“She went home. We came separately.”

“So where are you headed now?”

“Back to Las Vegas.”

“Tonight?”

“Yeah, I drove down this morning to catch your show and now I’m heading back.”