Page 10

Who checks someone's pulse to see if they're genuinely upset? It’s wild. "I'm fine." I take a deep breath and try to step away, but he holds me tightly.

"Can I have another minute like this?" he murmurs.

"Yeah. This is nice," I whisper.

Nice? It's the most incredible thing I’ve felt in my life. A crisp breeze blows through my hair, yet I'm not chilly, since this gorgeous man is holding me like he never wants to let go. My chin tilts up to see the crescent moon almost directly above, a few trees filtering the moonlight with their topmost amber leaves.

"I don't know if it's a valid excuse," he says, "but I took longer because I was buying that piece with the antique clock. This show is up until the end of the month, then it will be delivered to your office. They'll even hang it for you."

He chuckles at my choked noise as I step back to look up at him. "You didn't."

"Of course I did! It went with your collection perfectly, and your office has three walls, so it will make it look more complete."

My bottom lip is wobbling. I jam my lips together to stop it.

"Shit," he mutters. "I didn't upset you, did I? Or are you still jumpy from the crowd?"

I shake my head and take a deep breath before meeting his eyes again. "No one's ever done anything so sweet for me. It's…overwhelming." I smile. "Thank you. That's unbelievably kind."

He grins, then looks around, realizing for the first time that we're in the employee parking lot. Taking my hand, he walks us down a back alley that runs between two buildings and leads out to a park. He heads straight to a large tree that's just beginning to turn golden around the edges of the leaves. Now the moon is unobstructed, and we’re all alone.

“No cameras," he whispers softly, brushing my hair back, then tipping up my chin. "This is just for us. You can say no. Please, if there's any hesitation at all, say no, and I won't be offended."

My heart is turning cartwheels in my chest.

"I've had a wild crush on you ever since I first saw you," he whispers, his rich, smoky voice hypnotic. "May I kiss you, angel?"

My breath stops. My vision blurs. I clutch his arm, in case I explode.

Somehow, I am able to nod.

I've dreamed about being at a Sam Silverton concert, even speaking with him. I never imagined kissing him. Never imagined his palm cupping my cheek, bringing my lips to his. Never imagined our breath mingling, or his soft groan as the kiss deepens, until we’re clutching each other.

His hand slides down to grip my hip firmly as my fingers glide into the back of his hair. I moan, then he does, or maybe we both do at the same time. Our mouths move together, a wisp of his tongue touching mine as the kiss overtakes us.

I don't want this moment to ever end.

I have no idea how much time has passed when Sam finally steps back and clears his throat. His eyes are bright, like he's high on something.

"I'm going to be writing all night about that moment, beautiful," he says with a grin. Then he kisses the top of my head. "But it's been a long day, and I should get you home." He keeps an arm around me, walking slowly to match my pace. "The boots were better than the flats, yeah?"

"For sure. Good call."

Some women might be impressed by the sports car and the classy restaurant. I'm still dazzled that a famous rock star is concerned for my ankle.

This is not acting for the cameras. On paper it's one hundred percent impossible, but I think there might be a shred of reality sneaking into this fake relationship.

6

SAM

Thank goodness I always keep so many notebooks handy. I filled an entire one last night just writing about Julia. How good it feels to hold her. How solid my life feels with her in my arms. That pure, beautiful kiss in the park under the golden tree under the silver sliver of the moon.

I'm not quite sure about the chorus, but the hook is solid. It feels like a hit. And yet, I'm second-guessing myself. Do I want to share a song about Julia with the entire world? I don’t know. I do know I have to write and record it. Maybe she can decide if the public ever hears it.

I was so busy writing I didn't get much sleep last night, but a coffee and a quick shower makes me right as rain. Which reminds me…I check the weather…hmm, possible light rain in the afternoon. So the top will be up on the convertible.

Still, I think Julia liked the car. More importantly, she likes me. Those shy smiles and warm, slow caresses. The way she taps my arm when we're chatting. When she was cornered in that gallery, she immediately relaxed the second my arms went around her.