Hot Property (Hot Zone 4)

And that truth had been driven home to her when she’d heard the sound of Roper’s deep, familiar laugh coming from the whirlpool and she’d walked in on him making time with a gorgeous woman who, true to form, hung on his every word.

Amy knew she ought to have expected it, but since she hadn’t talked to him in a week and their last real encounter had been an argument, she hadn’t been able to laugh it off. Instead, unwanted and unbidden jealousy had swamped her and remained with her, even now.

Four days with a respiratory virus had nearly killed her, and Amy had dragged herself out of bed for the first time in days to take a sauna and visit the outside world. She hadn’t expected to run into Roper, and she sure as heck thought she’d look better the first time she did. But her nose was still red, her eyes sunken and tired-looking and her choice of bathing suit wasn’t exactly sexy.

She stepped out of the shower and towel-dried her hair, then used a diffuser to air-dry the curls. The one benefit to being in New York was the lack of constant humidity, but there was no getting away from the fact that she wasn’t a model-thin, glossy-haired starlet. She picked clothes that suited her, but at times like these it was hard to remember that she liked herself just fine.

Drawing a deep breath, she headed over to the room number where Hannah was staying. She’d told Roper she’d meet him there, knowing she’d need time to pull herself together before seeing him again.

Voices, laughter and soft music sounded from inside. Amy knocked once and the door eased open, so she let herself inside. She took in the small group of people, immediately noticing they were dressed as casually as she was in her jeans and a loose-fitting cotton long-sleeved T-shirt. One hurdle over, she managed to relax.

Then she zeroed in on Roper sitting beside Hannah, along with a bunch of other guys who joked an

d talked while she strummed on her guitar. Although he was laughing and enjoying himself with the guys, Roper didn’t look particularly hung up on the pretty musician. In fact, he seemed more mellow and relaxed than she’d ever seen him.

A sudden sense of peace settled over Amy as she realized she’d done the right thing by bringing him here. At that moment, he seemed to sense her presence. He turned her way, his gaze locking on hers. A welcoming smile eased the corners of his mouth upward in a grin that told her he was genuinely happy to see her.

She walked over and joined the group.

“Hi, there,” Roper said, light sparkling in his eyes.

“Hi,” Amy said, not wanting to interrupt the ongoing conversation.

“Join us,” Hannah said.

“We’re just listening to Hannah and her favorite relaxing music,” one of the guys said.

The other woman rolled her eyes. “They are not. They’re being guys, making crude jokes and basically ignoring me,” Hannah said.

“Who’s this pretty lady?” A big, dark-haired, tattooed guy asked. His easy laugh was at odds with his rougher appearance, and Amy could tell he was a teddy bear in wolf’s clothing.

“I’m so bad at names.” Hannah blushed. “But I remember your first name. It’s Amy. Amy…?”

“Stone,” Roper said, rising and stepping over to join Amy, placing a protective, possessive arm around her shoulders. “Amy Stone, meet Mike Morris, the drummer.”

“Hey, don’t forget about us,” another of the group said.

Amy glanced over. Two identical faces, both blond-haired men, stared back at her.

“Joe and John Glover, Amy Stone.” Hannah gestured between all involved. “You can see how rough it is. I’m surrounded by guys all the time. I’m glad to have another girl here.” She placed her guitar beside her and jumped up. “Me and the guys, we tour together all the time, but sometimes it gets a bit much, if you know what I mean.”

Amy laughed, glancing at the men she found herself suddenly surrounded by. “I can imagine.”

“Don’t listen to her,” Mike said. “She loves us.” His gaze caught Hannah’s for a brief second before he quickly glanced back at the other guys.

“Like a brother, baby.” She made a face at her drummer, but the stare and the connection lasted long enough to tell Amy there was something between them. Something they both fought to deny.

Hannah turned to Amy. “Come on, let’s get to know each other,” Hannah said, pulling her away from Roper and to the far side of the room.

She handed Amy a can of Coke and grabbed one for herself, another thing that surprised Amy. No drugs or alcohol. Everyone here seemed high on just hanging out and enjoying life.

“So how do you know Roper?” Hannah asked Amy.

“I work for his PR firm.”

“Publicist?” Hannah asked, drinking her Coke directly from the can.

Amy nodded. “But on this assignment, I’m more like his handler.”