Promptly at eight the next morning, I strolled into Lily’s office. Looking up from her laptop, her jaw dropped to her desk when she saw me.

“Cameron…”

Shoving my hands in the pockets of the skinny jeans, I sauntered over to her desk. “I just wanted to stop by and thank you for the new duds. I would sit down, but these jeans are so fucking tight, I might lose the ability to procreate.”

She tried to stifle a giggle. “I-I think they look great.”

“Really? Is it the pink t-shirt?” Turning in a circle, I gave her a view of the rhinestones that covered the pockets. “Or the jewels on my ass that make it work?”

Leaning back in her chair, she let loose, a husky laugh erupting from deep in her chest. “It’s the whole thing.” She moved her hand in front of her in a circular motion. “It all works.”

Her eyes widened when I skirted the desk. Grabbing the arms of the chair, I tipped forward, close enough to smell her shampoo. The cinnamon on her breath. And the perfume that clung to her skin. “Very funny, Lily. You’re lucky I can pull off any look. A lesser man wouldn’t be comfortable in pink.”

The smile touched her lips once again. And I knew if I lingered a second longer, I’d steal a kiss. And something told me she’d let me. But I wasn’t sure, so I walked around to the front of the desk and eased onto the edge of the wing-backed chair.

“As much as I’d like to continue discussing my fabulous wardrobe, I’m actually here to book a package.”

Sobering, Lily straightened and tucked a fallen curl behind her ear. “Of course.” She pulled out a laminated copy of a brochure from her top drawer. “What package are you interested in, or would you like to create your own?”

“The Essence of Texas.”

Swallowing hard, she looked down at the brochure and then back to me. “Um... of course. Cameron—Mr. Knight—are you aware of the…” She sighed. “It’s very expensive.”

“I understand it’s a two-day excursion. And the cost is in the neighborhood of ten thousand dollars. That doesn’t sound too steep. Is there something about the package that you don’t recommend?”

“N-no!” She was quick to shake her head. “It’s a wonderful package. A private tour of the Dallas Museum and the Nasher Sculpting Center.” Producing several more brochures, she laid them in front of me. “The artwork is really beautiful. Aside from that, you get to choose a night at the ballet or the opera.”

Leaning in for a better look at the photos, my hand grazed hers, and when she looked up, her eyes locked on mine. Cornflower blue and oh so inviting. Or maybe not since she pulled away.

“What dates were you interested in?”

“Thursday and Friday.”

Nodding, she shifted her focus to the calendar on her desk while I studied her face. She wasn’t just cute, but a classic beauty. Polished, with an air of sophistication.

And way out of your league.

The thought came out of left field, and I shifted in my seat, feeling suddenly exposed. Before I could abandon my plan, she met my gaze once again, that adorable crease popping out on her forehead.

“Those dates might be tough, considering it’s such short notice,” she said with an apologetic smile. “I’ll have to call the venues and get back with you.”

“No worries.” I rose to my feet and headed for the door. “I’m sure you’ll get it handled.”

“Wait!”

I glanced over my shoulder. “Yes?”

“Would you prefer the opera or the ballet?”

“I’m not sure. What do you recommend?”

Her face broke into a huge grin. “The ballet is wonderful.”

I shrugged. “The ballet it is.”

After leaving Lily’s office, I slipped back to my room and changed into yesterday’s clothes so I could meet Logan and Sean for breakfast. I was prepared to play out her little joke in private, but I wasn’t going to risk ending up in the tabloids wearing that getup.

Bypassing the hostess in the café, I headed straight for the tables in the back.

“Hey,” I said, dropping into a seat beside Logan. “Where’s Sean?”

He peered at me over the top of his sunglasses, eyes red rimmed and lips pressed into a thin line. “Probably in bed since it’s the ass crack of dawn.”

Shaking my head, I poured a cup of coffee. “Quit being so overdramatic. Nine is not the ass crack of dawn.” I slid the paper with our schedule in front of him. “Here’s a list of the interviews Lindsey lined up.”

Our manager wasn’t too happy when I refused to give up the goods on our location. But she’d agreed to quit blowing up my phone when I promised to make sure we’d handle our commitments.

Grunting, Logan pointed to a logo at the top of the page. 107.1 The Edge. The top radio station in Dallas.

“Dude, even if I was up for doing any interviews, we both know I’m not the one Wicked Wendy wants to see.”

Sinking further into my chair, I hid my frown behind a sip of coffee. Usually interviews were an either/or proposition. Any or all of us could do the honors. But not this one.

A million years ago when Caged was just a garage band, Wendy Palmer was a first year communications major at the University of Texas at Austin. Somehow she’d managed to finagle an assignment as the music critic for both the campus newspaper and radio station.

Wendy made her bones by scoring interviews with all the up and coming Austin bands.

After spying Caged at an open mic night at one of the more popular dive bars, Wendy introduced herself. I gave her an interview, my first, and then she took me back to her dorm room where I fucked her seven ways from Sunday on her twin bed. From then on, she became a fixture at our shows, following the band to every dingy venue on Sixth.

Shortly after Caged got discovered, Wendy landed a job at one of the biggest radio stations in Dallas. I always made sure to pay her a visit when the band was passing through town. Sometimes we ended up right back where we started. In bed. Although a bed wasn’t a prerequisite. A dressing room, the tour bus, or even a bathroom had served the purpose throughout the years. The last few times it was strictly business. A thirty minute interview, and I was out the door.

“Don’t worry; I’ll take care of Wendy.” Cringing inwardly when Logan waggled his brows at me, I set down my cup. “But I need you to do me a favor.”

“What?” he groaned, rubbing his forehead.

Obviously, his night had been a bit more eventful than mine. Thankfully, he wasn’t in the mood to share.

“I’m going to be off the grid Thursday and Friday,” I said, hoping like hell he didn’t ask too many questions. “Can you hold down the fort?”

Perking up, he leaned back in his chair, giving me the once over. “Where you gonna be?”

I snagged a piece of toast off his plate to avoid making eye contact. “Just some personal shit I gotta take care of.”

“What personal shit?”

Logan was like family. Even closer. We didn’t keep secrets. But we were competitive. And women were an Olympic sport for us. Fortunately, no woman had ever been important enough to come between us.

My stomach roiled at the thought of him with Lily.

Before I could think up a plausible excuse, a booming voice floated from across the room.

“Cameron Noble!” Grateful for the reprieve, I swung my gaze to the guy in the suit, heading in our direction with a wide grin. He stopped at our table, offering his hand. “You look just like your brother. I’d recognize you anywhere. I’m Greg, the manager here.”

I slid my palm against his. “Nice to meet you, Greg.”

His attention shifted to my left, his smile fading when Logan didn’t look up from his plate. And yeah, I got it. The last thing we wanted was to answer questions over breakfast, but Greg did us a solid.

Motioning toward the empty chair on the other side of the table, I said, “Join us.”

Greg eagerly dropped into the seat. “Thanks.”

“Nice place you have here,” I said, as he nodded to the server who rushed over to drop off a cup of coffee.

“I’m glad y’all are enjoying yourself.” Adding cream and sugar, he stirred them in slowly. “I’ve got tickets to your show. Not the best seats, but…”

And there it was. Time to pony up for the posh accommodations. “How many tickets do you need?”

“Just two.” Looking down at his cup of coffee, a smile hitched up one corner of Greg’s lips. “You know how it is. I’m trying to impress a girl with my connections.”

“I wouldn’t think that would be a problem,” I said with a chuckle. “You’ve got a great events coordinator on site.”

“Since the events coordinator is the girl I’m trying to impress, it would kind of ruin the surprise.”

I paused with the cup halfway to my lips. “Isn’t that kind of taboo? Propositioning your employees?”

Well, shit. That had sounded better in my head. Either Greg didn’t notice, or he was too embarrassed about being caught with his hand in the cookie jar to protest.

“Technically, it’s a little sketchy,” he agreed. “But Lily’s already given her notice. She’s graduating in May.”

Nodding, I choked down a sip of coffee. Last night, Dave had told me all about Lily finishing her fine arts degree at Southern Methodist University. That’s the reason I was dropping $10K on the package.

The package…

My ace in the hole.

Eyeing Greg, I tried not to smirk. If the dude had his sights set on impressing Lily, he’d need to up his game. Bringing her to one of my concerts after I’d dropped a small fortune for a couple of dates wasn’t likely to do the trick.

“Let me see what I can do about the tickets,” I hedged. “We’re not exactly on speaking terms with our manager, and she controls that shit.”

It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the truth, either. I could get Greg tickets to the show. Front row. But I wasn’t down to watch him grinding on Lily while I serenaded them from the stage if our dates didn’t turn out the way I’d planned.

“Awesome.” Greg extended his hand for another shake, and begrudgingly I reached across the table, squeezing a little harder than necessary.

Game on.

Poor chump had no idea.

Something behind me snagged Greg’s attention. Or someone. He licked his lips, and I swear his pupils dilated. I knew it was Lily even before I heard the click of high heels on the polished travertine. Resisting the urge to piss on her leg to mark my territory, I eased back in my seat.

Greg jumped up to pull out a chair for her when she strolled up, but Lily waived him off, all her attention on me. “I think there was some mix-up with your personal shopping order, Cameron. I’ve placed another order, and it should be delivered this afternoon.” When I nodded, she shifted her gaze to Logan. “Chloe gave me the list of items you requested, Mr. Cage. She’ll call once they arrive.”

A coy smile curved his lips. “You can call me Logan, darlin’. And tell Chloe she doesn’t need to call. She can drop by my suite anytime.” Setting his sights on the leggy redhead at the breakfast bar, he tossed his napkin on his plate. “Never mind, I’ll tell her myself.”

When he sauntered across the room to greet the redhead, I shifted my focus to Lily and Greg. “That’s Logan’s valet?” They nodded. “And I’m guessing that Sean has an equally fetching assistant?”

Lily’s flush neared crimson on the color matrix. “I told you before, Cameron, we don’t f-fetch,” she snapped. “But I’m sure Sean is quite satisfied with my c-choice.”

Ignoring the tension swirling around us, Greg’s gaze volleyed from Lily to me. “And which one of our valets did Lily choose for you?”

“Dave Salsida,” I deadpanned, looking directly into Lily’s cornflower blue eyes. “I’m not complaining, though. His knowledge of the property and the staff is enlightening.”

“Of course,” Greg said. “Dave is the best.”

I bit down a smile when Lily squirmed. She may have been acting disinterested, but I wasn’t buying it. Not anymore. If she truly didn’t give a shit, I’m positive she would have chosen someone other than Dave to stock my refrigerator and bring me my messages.

“I should be getting back,” Greg said, as he finished off his coffee. “Can I walk you to your office, Lily?”

Nodding, she glanced at her phone as he pulled out her chair, a self-satisfied smile curving her lips. “I just got the last confirmation for your package, Cameron. The limo will pick y’all up at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. Dave will bring over your itinerary by tomorrow afternoon.”

I pushed out of my seat, shaking my head. “No can do. I have a radio interview.”

“That’s fine. He’ll leave it on the desk in your bungalow. Or slip it under the door, if you prefer.”

“Nah, I’m not comfortable with that. I want everything to be perfect. Why don’t you drop by Thursday morning to make sure it’s all set?”

Lily glared at me, her tongue poking the inside of her cheek. “Of course, C-Cameron,” she finally said, irritation threading her tone.

Greg tore his attention from our standoff when his phone beeped. “I’ve got to go see about something off property,” he said, dropping a hand to the small of Lily’s back. “I’ll see you tonight.” She continued to glower at me, seemingly unaware of the poor sap trying to get her attention. “Lily?”

Snapping out of her haze, she turned to her boss. “I’m sorry, Greg. What d-did you say?”

Uncertainty flashed across his features. “I’ve got a meeting off property. I’ll see you tonight?”

She nodded. “Sure. Tonight.”

Appeased, Greg clapped me on the back. “It was nice meeting you, Cameron. I’m sure I’ll see you before you leave.”

“Thanks,” I said, my eyes on Lily the whole time.

“Hot date?” I asked once he was out of earshot. “Thought you didn’t have time for fun?”

Lily shifted her feet. “I don’t. It’s a w-work thing. There’s a new pianist Greg’s thinking about hiring for the lounge. He w-wants my opinion.”

It sounded like a date to me. Or a way to get in Lily’s panties. Since I had a plan to get there first, I didn’t appreciate Greg cock-blocking me. I was only here for a few days. He lived here. He could always hit her up for a date after I left.

Letting the wretched thought die, I shrugged. “Have a good time.”

But instead of heading for the bungalows, I took a hard right and marched to the front desk.

The clerk looked up, her eyes widening to the size of saucers. “Can I help you, Mr. Knight?”

Relieved that I hadn’t completely lost my touch, I pushed all thoughts of Lily aside. Resting my forearms on the marble desk, I leaned forward and gave the clerk a sexy smile. But the grin slid right off my face when the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Chancing a peek over my shoulder, I deflated when Lily strolled right by without sparing me a glance.

“Mr. Knight?” Snapping my gaze back to the desk clerk, I found her staring at me with a crinkled brow. “Is there something I can help you with?”

Remembering what brought me here in the first place, I asked, “What’s the dress code in the lounge?”

“Business casual.”

I didn’t own anything business, and my casual was too casual for the lounge. I thought briefly about contacting Lily so she could place another order with the personal shopper. But I feared it was only an excuse to hear her voice.

“Then I guess you’d better tell me where the nearest mall is around these parts.”