Cameron’s eyes found mine every few seconds while the band had a short meeting. But when he slid the guitar strap over his shoulder, it was like something came over him. As it was, Cameron didn’t lack for confidence. But on stage, he looked invincible. And so sinfully sexy, I had to squeeze my legs together to stop the tingling between my thighs.

No man had ever affected me that way. Not even Brad. Especially not Brad.

Pushing thoughts of my ex aside, I shifted all my attention where it belonged. To Cameron. And even though it was Logan singing when the music started, I knew the words belonged to the man with the hazel eyes, gazing down at me with a smile.

Two more days. That’s all you’ve got.

My heart stalled as the notion wrapped around my brain. And then something else took root. Hope? Austin was only a couple of hours away. Maybe our situation wasn’t that dire after all.

Cameron’s manager appeared from nowhere, stepping in front of me, and blocking my view. “And who might you be?”

Her tone was caustic, venom lacing every syllable.

Counting to myself, I looked her over. She was pretty, with dark eyes and hair to match. Classic features and straight white teeth. Unlike her clients, she was dressed to the nines. Jimmy Choo pumps. An Armani suit. And a Chanel purse to finish off the ensemble. Black lambskin. Just like the one I used to have. Before I’d pawned it to pay my rent the first month I was on my own. Nobody needs a five thousand dollar bag, anyway.

“I’m Lily.”

The words flowed without a hitch. Probably because the woman reminded me of my mother. But not. Lindsey had money. Power. But no class. As much as I hated to admit it, Mom was classy. Her opinion carried weight. I should know, because it bogged me down like a five hundred pound anchor.

“Do you m-mind?” I ask, tipping my chin toward the stage. “You’re in my line of sight.”

She leaned forward. “And why should I care about that? I’m Cameron’s manager, and my word goes. I could have you thrown out.”

I laughed. Partly to hide the tinge of nerves twisting inside my belly. I had no doubt that Lindsey could make good on her threat. But would Cameron let her? With her thin frame blocking my view, I couldn’t find the reassurance I needed in his hazel eyes, so I had to wing it. And that was never good for my speech.

“Cameron invited m-me.” Forcing a neutral expression, I counted to three. “And I don’t t-think he’d be pleased if you escorted me from the premises.”

Two little stammers. Not enough for her to form an opinion. I held her gaze, exuding as much self-assurance as I could muster.

“You sound awfully well educated for someone dressed in ill-fitting clothes and pink tennis shoes.”

She’d given me a compliment without realizing it, and my confidence soared. “You’d be surprised.”

A smirk curved her lips. “You’re the one who’s going to be surprised if you think that Cameron is the least bit interested in more than a quick fuck.”

Stunned at her candor, I welded my back teeth together. But that only served to spur the witch on. Easing into the seat next to me, she brushed a hand down her linen skirt.

“You have no idea how many women I’ve had to deal with over the years on his behalf. Close to a hundred, I’d say.” She sighed. “Cameron doesn’t like drawn out goodbyes. So I’d say he probably invited you here so I could… I don’t know…make sure that you knew the score.” After a pointed look at a group of scantily clad women gathered on the far side of the stage, Lindsey turned her gaze my way. “I keep a car on standby. If you’d like to slip away before someone else grabs his attention.”

Doubt bubbled up, and I thought seriously about taking Lindsey up on her offer. Because it didn’t matter that she got most of it wrong. That Cameron wanted me here now. Soon, I’d be nothing more than a dirty thought that made him smile. If he even thought about me at all.

Why not get a head start and avoid any more entanglements?

But then my attention shifted to the stage. To Cameron. Lost in the music with his eyes closed, his fingers flew over the frets. As if he could feel the weight of my stare, his lids fluttered open and he looked right at me. And he smiled.

“I won’t be needing a car,” I said to Lindsey. “I’m with Cameron. And he wants me here.”

“Again!” Logan shouted, glaring at me over his shoulder.

I nodded, but as soon as the music started, my attention drifted to the front row where Lindsey and Lily where locked in a heated conversation. They’d been going at it for fifteen minutes, neither of them looking like they were ready to back down. Distracted, I wandered too close to the amp and feedback hissed from the speakers.

Ripping out his earplugs, Logan stalked my way, irritation etching his features. “What the fuck is going on with you?” he growled and, following my gaze to the two women, his brows drew together. “What’s the dragon lady talking to Lily about?”

Shrugging, I fiddled with the volume on my Fender. “Who knows. Let’s get this done.”

Logan studied my face for a moment before returning to his mark. As he counted it down, I let my mind go blank. My first chord blended with Sean’s drum beat and Christian’s bass seamlessly. And when Logan’s voice floated up, filling the stadium, I lost myself in the music. Ambling over to the girls watching from the wings, I locked gazes with a strawberry blond. Not to be outdone, Logan shoved me out of the way, and soon we were vying for their attention.

When the last chord died on my strings, Logan slapped me on the back. “Fuck yeah! It don’t get any better than that! Let’s wrap it up.”

Tossing him a smile, I yanked the strap from my shoulder and handed my guitar to our roadie. “I’m outta here. I got plans.”

Logan tipped his chin to mid field where a frozen image of me gazing at the strawberry blond took up the entire Jumbotron. “You sure, bro?”

Swallowing hard, I snapped my attention to the front row. To Lily. But her focus was on the girls who hadn’t stopped trying to get our attention. “Of course I’m sure.”

Leaving Logan in the dust, I kept my eyes on Lily as I chewed up the distance between us.

Lindsey hopped to her feet as I approached. “We need to talk,” she said.

Stepping around my manager, I offered Lily my hand. “You ready?” She reached out hesitantly, and I pulled her up, breathing a sigh of relief. “Later, y’all!” I called in the general direction of my bandmates as I spun us toward the exit.

“Wait!” Lindsey ordered, rushing to follow us. “Where are you going? Pushing Lily out of the way, she grabbed my arm. “Cameron!”

Skidding to a stop, I glared down at her. “We’re done until the show. Christian needs his rest.”

Her lips parted, but I turned on my heel before she could say another word, and nearly plowed into the strawberry blond who’d been watching the rehearsal. A dark haired girl hovered behind her, smiling.

“Hey, Cameron,” said the blonde, like she knew me. Like we were friends. “That was brilliant. You guys are phenomenal.”

“Always good to hear. Y’all have a good day.”

Smiling tightly, I tried to scoot around her, but she blocked my path. “We could make sure you have a really good day.” Slipping her arm around her friend’s waist, she batted her eyelashes. “If you’re in the mood to party.”

“I don’t think so.”

Tightening my grip on Lily’s hand, I brushed past them, power walking the length of the field.

“Cameron, hold on,” Lily said, struggling to keep my pace as I tried to put some distance between us and the fucked-up mess at our back. Grinding to a halt mid field, she grabbed the back of my t-shirt. “Stop!”

I turned to her with a heated gaze, full of irritation and something else. Embarrassment.

“What?” I bit out, unable to hide my frustration.

Squaring her shoulders, she looked me in the eyes. “Look, if you want to g-go with those girls, feel free. You asked m-me to come. Don’t d-drag me out of here like I’m a dog that pissed on your carpet.”

Stunned, I blinked at her. “I—I don’t want to go anywhere with them. It’s just…” Shaking my head, I looked down. “I don’t know what to say. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

My head snapped up when she laughed.

“You didn’t embarrass me. Until you dragged me away like you couldn’t wait to find the nearest bus stop.”

Certain I didn’t hear her right, I rubbed the back of my neck. How could she think I was mad at anyone but myself?

Lily inched forward, the tips of her Converse meeting my boots. “You can tell me, Cameron. Whatever it is.”

Tell her what? That I wanted to take her to Austin and introduce her to my brother? Or go rafting with her down the Guadeloupe and sleep with her under the stars? Or maybe that I wanted to see if this could last longer than a few days, but I couldn’t promise that it would?

“Those girls—they didn’t mean anything. When I play, the audience, they’re like props. I didn’t even realize…”

I sighed, hoping the right words would drop from the sky.

Lily took my hands, a smile playing across her lips. “You didn’t realize what? That you’re sexy as hell, and every girl out here wants you to play them like you play that guitar? Hell, even I was ready to jump you.”

I laughed, the tension draining from my body as I linked our digits. “You wanted to jump me, huh?”

“Don’t judge.”

Pulling her to me with our joined hands behind her back, I placed a soft kiss on her mouth. Her fingers wiggled.

“I’m beginning to think this is a thing with you, Cameron.”

“What’s a thing?”

“This.” She wiggled her fingers again. “First you tangle me up in my t-shirt, and now you’ve got my hands twisted behind my back. If you want to tie me up, just ask.”

I drew her forward until she was on her tip toes. “You better be careful, baby. I might take you up on that.”

Biting her lip, she gave me the sweetest smile. “Promise?”