Cheri shivered as she stepped into the seedy roadside tavern, but it wasn’t from the chill in the air outside. She was about to see Dev again close up for the first time since they’d left the back seat of the town car, and she couldn’t wait.

The band had completed another performance and had nailed it. The audience had been in the palm of Dev’s hand…the same hand that had trailed a path of fire down her cheek just hours before. Maybe it was her imagination, but she’d felt like he’d been singing to her all night long.

She felt an arm settle around her waist as the door closed behind her and she turned to see Cobb giving her a big smile.

"We killed it tonight."

"Definitely. The guys nailed every song."

"What, no kudos for the hearty souls behind the scenes that make it all happen?"

"Aw, we all appreciate the crew. I'll have to write a blog post about the unsung heroes," she said with a grin.

He still didn’t release her and she was racking her brain to figure out how to get Cobb's arm from around her waist without insulting him. She made a mental note to ask Dev if letting someone down easily might be one of their upcoming lessons. If anything, he’d only gotten more persistent since her makeover, and it was only a matter of time before he made a legit move on her. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but friendship was the only thing on the menu between them.

"You want a drink?" he asked.

"No thanks," she said. "I have some posts to do first, and drinks and social media is a bad mix."

To her relief, he nodded reluctantly and then moved to the bar. She spotted the table where Rory sat, but Dev and Connor weren't there.

She made her way to the table and sank next to Rory, shoving aside the prickle of guilt she’d been harboring for sneaking around with Dev behind his back. She was a grown woman. If Rory would open his eyes and see that, she wouldn’t have to sneak.

"Hey, big bro," she said. "Long time no see."

He laughed. "I guess you’re right. We haven't spent any quality family time together lately." He eyed her up and down and shook his head. “I’m glad Dev took you shopping, I know you deserve it. But I gotta admit, the new look is going to take some getting used to.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” she said with an eye-roll before giving him a sisterly squeeze. Apparently, Dev had decided to come clean about their day trip, which was actually good. One less thing to hide from her brother.

She opened her laptop.

Rory arched an eyebrow. "Working still?"

"Every day in every way. Gina was right about cutting short on personnel during a tour."

"What do you mean by cutting short on personnel?"

"Bill wouldn't hire a production assistant, which is nuts for a tour this size. We’re all having to fill the gaps."

Rory looked away, and he grunted in disapproval.

"I never liked Bill," said Rory. "And I'm liking him less each day."

"You always get grumpy on the road after a few nights of no sleep."

"Well, I'm grumpier this time around. Seriously, this schedule is going to kill us."

"But, as Dev says, this is your big break."

"Yes," he said sourly. "Our big break. So why are we being treated like kids by our manager?"

It was a rhetorical question that she wasn’t about to answer. The band already had enough members to muddy the waters with opinions. They didn’t need another captain trying to steer that ship.

"Where is Dev, anyway?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light.

"He and Connor are line dancing," her brother said, gesturing toward the dance floor ten yards away. "Really, Bug, you should get a picture of that. That would be hilarious for the website."

Cheri looked up from the laptop to see Dev and Connor in the front line, matching the movements of the other, more seasoned dancers, step for step. She shook her head in amazement. Some people were naturally gifted that way. She had two left feet but Rory was right. As good as Dev and Connor were making it look, their fans would eat it up.

She hopped up.

"You know what? I think this would make a great video." Grabbing her phone from her purse, she stood at the edge of the dance floor pointing her phone toward Dev and Connor as they danced to the country western band playing on the stage.

She’d always found men that could dance sexy and, right now, Dev Lachlan was looking extremely sexy. His strong legs moved deftly and with precision, and the lightning turns of the dance took her breath away.

She was still watching, her heart pounding with every move, when someone sidled up next to her.

"You with the band?" said a low, masculine voice. Cheri looked up to see a man with sandy hair, blue eyes and a broad grin towering over her.

"Uh, yes. I handle their social media."

"Wicked. I'm Steve.” He stuck out a hand and she shook it. “And you’re Cheri,” he said with a grin, nodding toward her shirt. “Want to dance?"

"Well, I'm working right now."

He shrugged. "I'll wait. Want a drink?"

The band had stopped playing and she waited for Dev to look her way, but the woman next to him had taken opportunity of the lull and threw her arms around him.

And he didn’t pull away as the band shifted gears, playing a romantic ballad obviously meant for couples. The dark-haired woman clung to Dev's neck and they started to dance, bodies so close that a piece of paper couldn't fit between them.

Her stomach twisted into a knot and she faced Steve with a pasted-on smile.

"Sure," she said. "Why not?"

Cheri put up the video post and then pocketed her phone, vowing to take the rest of the night off. She had worked hard all week, and had pitched in to cover for the lack of an assistant. The rest could be done in the morning. If she had to stand here and watch Dev covered in women, she was going to need a drink.

When Steve returned with a couple beers, she took hers and sucked down a third of it in a couple gulps.

"Hey, wait for me to catch up there, sugar," said Steve with a chuckle.

He clinked his glass with hers.

"Cheers."

After agreeing to a game of pool that took her out of the room and away from the nauseating spectacle on the dance floor, she was feeling slightly less ragey.

Dev wasn’t her boyfriend and the more often she was reminded of that, the better off she’d be. After a few beers, the room started to feel a little stuffy, so when Steve asked her to go outside for a breath of air, she didn’t think twice. He seemed like a nice enough guy, and any excuse to not have to face Dev right now was a good one.

They walked out into the brisk night and Cheri took a few deep gulps of air.

"Thanks, that’s much better."

She’d barely gotten the words out when Steve pressed her against the building and put his hands on either side of her head.

"I'm glad. Because I've been wanting to do this all evening."

He bent his head and brought his lips to hers, and Cheri froze with shock.

No. No. No.

She did not want this.

"Hey," she gulped, pressing a hand to his chest.

But Steve wasn't hearing her. She tried to wriggle away.

"Bug?"

Dev.

Thank god.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Move along, asshole,” said Steve. “And find your own girl.”

“Now, here’s the thing. I know this woman pretty well, and I’m sure that you aren’t her type.”

“We’ll let her decide that.”

“Actually,” said Cheri. She pushed her head under his arms to pop out and stand next to Dev. “My friend is right. Creep is not my favorite kind of man.”

“See? She’s decided,” said Dev. “So find someone else to annoy.” Dev moved a few steps closer to Steve, towering over him, and glared at him with an intimidating ferocity.

Steve looked up at Dev, saw he had a few inches and twenty pounds on him and did the math.

“You want her so much, you keep her,” Steve shot lamely as he slunk into the shadows of the parking lot.

Cheri slumped back against the red brick of the side of the building. She huffed a sigh of relief.

“God, Dev. Thanks.”

“He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Cheri turned her head when she heard Dev speak through gritted teeth. His eyes were blazing with fury and his hands were clenched at his side.

Cheri’s heart fluttered when she saw him ready to go to war for her. He looked so strong, so dangerous that she wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him. But then she always wanted to kiss him.

“I’m fine, really. “

“I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

“I think this whole incident shows a need for a new lesson. You should get real close just to teach me how to tell a man to back off more aggressively.”

She kept her tone light as if she was tossing the idea out in jest, but the only thing she wanted was to spend as many minutes with Dev as possible. Every second spent with him was more full and alive than when she was alone. She loved the heady sensation of being near him, of wanting him so badly that every cell in her body screamed to touch him.

Dev’s eyes narrowed and his breathing went harsh. “That’s not a very good idea right now,” he rasped.

“Why not?”

“It’s been a long day.”

“Oh,” she replied, wishing the disappointment wasn’t so evident in her voice. Why couldn’t she stop wearing her heart on her sleeve with this guy lately?

“Hey,” he said lifting her chin with his index finger. His thumb fluttered over her lip as if he wanted to stroke it. A charge of need surged through her at the anticipation of his touch that left her off center and breathless. She licked her lips, brushing the tip of his thumb, and his eyes flew open. He jerked his hand back with a hiss.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he bit off sharply. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He turned on his heel and headed back into the bar.

What the hell was going on with him? One minute he acted like he wanted her, then the next he pulled back, throwing up a shield wall between him and her.

Embarrassment flooded through her, reddening her cheeks, and bringing stinging tears to her eyes. She ran through the parking lot and onto her bus.

"Where's the fire?" said Gina from her bunk.

"Nowhere," said Cheri, throwing herself into her bunk and burying her face in her pillow. "Absolutely nowhere."

* * *

What the fuck had gotten into him?

Rory had been walking out of the bar to find him just as he’d walked in and nearly caught he and Cheri together, but all Dev could think about was that redneck's mouth on hers and he wanted to explode all over again.

Not because she was Rory’s little sister. He would’ve dragged a guy who’d crossed the line like that off of any woman, but with Cheri?

It was something else. He’d wanted to dismantle the bastard completely.

And the more time he spent with her, the harder it was to separate those feelings. Even when he’d been dancing, his thoughts had been on Cheri, wondering if she was snuggling up with Cobb somewhere. But the plain truth was, he had no right. Absolutely no right to feel that way.

Continuing down this path with her was only going to make it worse. He had to nip this in the bud.

The others went to the back of the bus to play video games so he was alone as he could be on this bus. He sat back on his bunk and heard the crunch of paper bags from the day's shopping trip and he swore under his breath.

He’d forgotten all about the other clothes he bought Cheri. Seemed like a good enough excuse to get her alone without making the others suspicious so he could tell her how he was feeling.

He hated to see the heartache in her eyes when he’d gone back into the bar, but he was at a crossroads, and it was eating him up inside. Something had to give.

He gathered up the bags and marched out onto the gravel parking lot to knock on the door of the roadies’ bus. It swung open, and Gina stood in the doorway studying Dev as if trying to figure out what he was up to.

"Tell Bug I need to speak to her."

Gina shrugged and shouted, "Bug, someone’s here for you."

Oh, good lord. Subtlety was not Gina's strong point.

"Yeah," said Cheri. Then she stopped short, eyes wide as she caught sight of him.

"Can you come outside for a sec?"

"Sure," said Cheri warily. He led her around to the back away from prying eyes.

She put her hands in her back pockets. "What’s up? You just wanted to drop off my clothes or…?"

He set the bags down and blew out a sigh born of sheer frustration. "I think it would be best it we stop the lessons."

"What?" she said, her voiced going shrill. "We’ve barely started."

"You seem to be able to attract men just fine without my help."

Cheri stood staring up at him, shock written over her beautiful features.

"We had a deal,” she started and then stopped, her gaze pleading. “And sure, a couple guys like me now, but I don't know how to tell the ones I don't want to go away. I really do need your help."

Why did those eyes of hers slay him every time? Why did he want to reach out and drag her close again? He was damned for all time by that kissable mouth, and the scent that rolled off her in the cool autumn night.

Now that he had her close, all he wanted to do was wipe the memory of those guys…any guys, out of her mind.

He knew he was going to hell for his next suggestion but he couldn’t stop the words from coming out.

"Then let me give you a demonstration."

She blinked up at him. "Now?"

"What better time?"

Her back was to the bus and he leaned over her, placing his hands on either side of her head like he’d walked out to see the country boy doing at the roadhouse. Her eyes went wide as he leaned in, his nose barely an inch from hers.

Her breathing hitched.

"Now," he said in a low voice, "I've come on to you. And you don't like it. What do you do?"

"Do?" she asked as if she was a million miles away.

"Cheri, pay attention. I'm making advances you don't want. What do you do?"

She swallowed hard.

"I-I," she stuttered.

Then, with a whimper, she threw her arms around his neck, pressing her mouth to his. She miscalculated and their teeth bumped, sending a slight shock of pain through him. But it was gone in a flash as the heat rose between them. Lights seemed to flash behind his eyes as the sweet taste of her mouth stole his reason.

At first it was her kissing him, but that quickly turned around as he claimed her mouth, his tongue dancing with hers. He was hungry for her in a way he'd never been for any other woman. His hands found the round globes of her ass and pulled her tight against him. She mewled and rolled her hips into his swelling cock. His heartbeat quickened and all he could think about was getting this delectable woman out of her clothes.

A dog barked somewhere nearby, jolting him back to reality.

Dev pushed himself away, breath sawing in and out of his lungs.

"Well," he said. "I don't quite think you got the point of that lesson." He willed himself to sound calm despite being anything but. His cock was painfully rigid and silently begging at his brain to get to the business at hand.

But he couldn't.

And at the same time, he couldn’t seem to walk away.

Each breath was sending Cheri’s breasts up to push against the straining neckline of her shirt and he wanted to tear it off with his teeth.

All the more reason to get the fuck away from her before it’s too late.

"I guess," she said between gasps, "I'll have to do some make-up work and get it right next time."

"Yeah," he said, bending low to grab the forgotten bags and hand them to her. "Next time."

And with that he willed himself to turn around and walk back to his bus.

It was the hardest twenty paces he ever walked.