Rolling over, I threw my arm over my face to block the sun. Lily’s scent lingered on my skin. And on the sheets. In the air. But the bed was empty.

I cracked one eye open and the unfamiliar room swam into focus. Sketches of all sizes adorned the walls. Some in frames, but most were tacked up haphazardly. I sat up, glancing over the cities and faces and streets that only existed in Lily’s imagination. It was like waking up in someone else’s dream.

Rather than trying to figure out why I felt so comfortable here, I let the smell of coffee propel me to my feet. On the desk, amidst the colored pencils and bits of charcoal, sat a steaming mug. I took a sip. Strong and sweet. My favorite.

Dropping onto the chair, I picked up a half finished sketch from the desk. Pausing with the cup halfway to my lips, I examined the portrait. A man, naked from the waist up, with strands of long hair falling over his face. My face. It was perfect. Exactly how I imagined I looked when I was sleeping.

A female voice I didn’t recognize floated from beyond the door. “What are you going to do?”

And then Lily. “I don’t know…shit…” A sob broke free and I jumped up, looking around for my jeans. Before I could get the zipper up, a phone rang. “It’s my mom,” Lily said, panic lacing her tone. “What should I do?”

“You’d better answer it. You know she won’t give up until you do.”

Lily cleared her throat. “H-hello. Hi, M-Mom.”

She must’ve put the phone on speaker because another voice cut in. “Lilian! What’s the matter with you?”

“M-mom, l-let me explain—”

“Don’t you ever think about how your actions will reflect on others?” I cringed as Lily struggled to answer. But her mother was having none of it. “Of course you don’t. Your father’s office has already fielded a dozen phone calls. We’ve stayed out of your business. But this…” She sighed heavily. “Grinding on some musician at a night club.”

“I was just d-dancing.”

“Don’t lie to me! I saw the other pictures as well. The ones from the stadium. Is that what this bohemian lifestyle of yours is all about? Do you follow rock bands around and sleep with any man who’ll have you?’

Enraged, I jerked the door open in time to see Lily fling her phone at the wall. Sliding to her butt, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

Her friend noticed me rooted to my spot, and stepped over the broken pieces of plastic. “I’m Tess. Lily’s roommate.”

“Cameron.”

She smiled tightly. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

Lingering for a moment, she looked down at Lily, then up to me. Concern etched her features. Along with a warning. Or maybe it was a plea. Don’t hurt her. The words were as clear as if she’d spoken them aloud.

Satisfied with my quick nod, Tess disappeared into the room across the hall.

Crouching beside Lily, I smoothed a hand over her hair. “What happened?”

She looked up, last night’s mascara streaking her face. And for a long moment she just stared at me. Then her focus shifted to the newspaper spread out on the floor. It was opened to the society page. To a picture of us at the stadium.

Is Cameron Knight playing a new tune? Caged guitarist spotted getting cozy with Lillian Tennison, socialite daughter of high-profile business magnate Marcus Tennison.

I pulled her against me when fresh tears spilled onto her cheeks. “It’s okay.”

I wasn’t sure why I said it. Because nothing was okay. I’d been so caught up in my own head, I’d never thought about what Lily might be risking by getting involved with me.

Cradling her in my arms, I carried her into her room. Easing her between the sheets, I crawled in behind her and wrapped her in my arms. “I’m sorry, Lily.”

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d apologized to anyone. And that said something about my life. There was no give. Only take.

She turned to face me with a furrowed brow. “W-why? I’m not. Except for last n-night. I knew you were m-mad. I shouldn’t have just shown up like that.”

“I wasn’t mad. I was hurt. I thought you were blowing me off.”

She gave me a watery smile. “I would never blow you off.”

Rolling her onto her back, I looked into her eyes. So blue. An ocean of possibilities. “Lily, I don’t know how to do…this. I don’t want to hurt you. But, shit—I just want to be with you. However we can.”

Her fingertip glided along my bottom lip. “I suppose we can try…”

Pressing my lips to hers, I silenced any conditions or limitations she was about to impose. She’d said yes, and that’s all that mattered for now.