“Mama!” The back door claps closed behind me as Shep leads the way into the kitchen.

“Boy, stop yellin’,” my mom shouts from the sink, making me laugh.

“I will if you will,” I tease.

“Look at you. So handsome.” She cups a hand to my bristled cheek.

“Thanks, Mama. Can you help me with this fu—darn tie,” I amend when she gives me the stink eye.

“Course, baby. Where are you going all spiffed up?” Winding the red and black plaid tie around my neck, she hums softly.

“I have a charity dinner to go to with Addy Mae.” Her hands still for just a beat.

“Oh. I thought she was your boss or something.” She’s not fooling me.

“I guess she is. She’s also gonna be attendin’ all kinds of things like this with me though. Better get used to it, woman,” I chide with a teasing grin.

“It’s just so soon is all.” The worry in her tone is mirrored on her face.

“Soon for what? We’re not together. But even if we were, I’d expect you to welcome her the way you did Jenny.”

She takes a step back and shakes her head. “She was like a daughter to me. There will never be anybody able to fill her shoes.”

“Well, I’m sorry to hear that,” I say frustrated with her. All over nothing really, since I have no plans to bring anyone home.

“Now, Beau, you can’t be mad at me for loving that girl. You brought her into this family—”

“And you kept her here,” I interrupt testily. The doorbell rings, saving us from saying any more. “That’s my ride. See you in the mornin’.” I press a swift kiss to her cheek and stride out the door. My good mood all but gone after the talk with my mama.

The drive to Addy’s apartment is done in complete silence, the driver Jimmy hired not pushing for conversation. He did point out the convenient bar set up in the back of the limo though. Pouring a tumbler of bourbon, I toss it back and savor the burn as the alcohol settles in my stomach. The little fight with my mother eats at me.

One of the reasons I’ve stayed away is because I don’t want to talk about Jenny. About that night. I don’t want to take any trips down memory lane or have them all look at me in pity. None of it. I don’t deserve it, don’t want it. Why can’t they all just leave well enough alone? Bringing her up all the time isn’t going to change the fact that she’s gone. I wish it would. But it won’t.

I’ve done my best to forget that she’s gone, instead convincing myself in some morbid way she’s just not speaking to me…again. I’m doing my best to forget what happened, push it all aside and bury it with whatever I need to. It hasn’t necessarily worked, but up until now I’m the only one who noticed. Now I’m surrounded by people who cared about her and our past which they feel compelled to help me keep remembering. Frustrated with my current mood and my mother for helping me into it, I try to shake it off. Instead focusing on the night ahead.

Careful not to spill as the car navigates traffic, I pour another glass and sip this one as I watch the country hills give way to the lights of the city outside the tinted windows. We pull to a stop in front of a swanky building right on the water just a short time later.

“Should I circle?” the driver asks.

Just as I’m about to say yes I see her. She’s standing in front of the glass doors talking to an older gentleman, gesturing animatedly with a skinny red purse as her prop. Her hair is knotted to the side, just below her ear. A sexy black dress with little sleeves and a double skirt that falls just above her knees. Slowly my gaze follows the path of her legs to her bright red heels. Must be the reason she asked what color tie I was wearing. My gaze is drawn to a simple bird tattoo on the top of her foot, the urge to trace it with my mouth strong.

“I’ll be right back,” I mumble as I step from the car, folding a stick of cinnamon gum into my mouth as I do. The second my feet hit the pavement, she catches sight of me and turns back to the man. “Hot fucking damn,” I mutter. Her back is completely bare. Tan and toned, I’ve never considered backs to be sexy until this moment. The top of her dress is held in place by a bow. A bow that would take only one good tug to undo. I find myself wondering if the dress would pool to the floor as soon as I got that bow untied. Aware of people around us pointing and taking their phones out to snap pictures, I step forward and take her arm to get her attention.

“We gotta get goin’, Sugar. You messed around and caught some attention looking as hot as you do.” I wink at her in appreciation.

Addy smiles in thanks and then glances around us. “Oh, wow. When did that happen?”

I lean into her side and put my lips to her ear. “I reckon it happened when you turned around and they got a look at your back.” My hand settles on the small of said ridiculously sexy back and I have to stop myself from sliding my palm into the side of her dress and down over her ass. Or maybe even dip into the front of her panties. Fuck. All that from a bare back. Frustrated, I open the door, waving the driver away when he moves to do it. Addy and I slide in, and he shoots off to the hotel where the dinner is being held.

“You clean up nice, Beau,” Addy says, reaching out to straighten my already straight tie. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a hat. I like it.” The smile she hits me with is sweet and sexy, just like her. It makes me wanna write a song. A song about her and her smile. I better be careful or I’ll be the one getting attached.

Smoothing a hand over my hair, I grin and can’t help but tease her. “You think you’ll be able to keep your hands off me? I gotta tell you, one of us is gonna have to show some restraint tonight, and with you lookin’ the way you do, it’s probably gonna be up to you.” The pretty blush that creeps over her cheeks just adds to her sex appeal. Wonder what it would take to keep it there all night. I’m willing to try.

“Thank you. And yes, I’ll be able to keep my hands to myself, Beau.”

“We’ll see, Sugar. We’ll see.”

Addy sits back in her seat, crossing her legs and drawing my attention. I’d be lying if I told you I’m not trying to catch a glimpse of what she may or may not have on under her dress. I know for damn sure she’s not wearing a bra. Much more relaxed than I was on the way here, I lean back and move my whiskey glass to the cup holder on the bar. “You want a drink?”

“No, thank you.” I wait for her to mention the fact that I’ve obviously had one. She never does. Doesn’t even look at me in that quietly disapproving way women have. I sink further into the seat as relief takes the place of the tension bunching up in my shoulders. I don’t want to always be on guard with her. Now that I see this whole situation in a different light I’m looking forward to spending time with Addy, but not if she’s gonna ride my ass the whole time.

“So are these people going to be upset that they’re getting little ol’ me and not Stone Lockhart?” Hell, if it were me, I’d probably be pissed.

She chuckles softly. “Upset? No. Worried? Probably just a little.” Nudging the toe of my shoe with hers, she grins wider, “The director is actually a really big fan and excited to meet you. I don’t think she knows a single song that Stone sings.”

“I doubt that.”

“No honest. She’s more of a Willow fan than a Stone fan. Willow has done a ton for them over the last year.”

“What can I expect when we get there? Is there like a red carpet or something?”

“Not at this one so much. There will be members of the press attending though. Brings in more awareness. Plus like I said, they love to write about all the movers and shakers and big money folks in there paying the big bucks for their seats.” We slow to merge into the long line of limos entering the hotel. “We could have walked here from my place.”

“Well, I’m no Luke Bryan, but I do get recognized from time to time. Mighta been hard to get here before the dinner was over.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I forget you’re not a normal guy.” My brows rise, a grin teasing across my lips. I can’t wait to see her talk her way out of this one. “Oh shit. That’s not what I meant. Not that you’re not normal, because you are, but not really.” Shaking her head, she puffs out a breath and grabs the drink I set aside, downing it in one shot. It must go down smooth because she pours another, and that one follows the first.

“You okay, Sugar?” There’s laughter in my voice as I watch her. Hell, maybe she’s the one who needs the babysitter.

“I’m fine. These things just make me nervous is all.”

“Dinners make you nervous?”

“It’s not just a dinner. There are probably going to be somewhere around five hundred people here tonight. And I’m with you which means they’ll see me and pay attention to me. I’m not used to all that. I’m the girl in the background making sure everything runs smoothly, giving people hell when they’re not. I’m not a spotlight girl. It just doesn’t suit me. Or I don’t suit it.” The whole time she talks, her eyes are glued to the lights over the lake. Hands gripping her bag so tight her knuckles are turning white.

“Hey. Sugar. Look at me.” I lean across the space separating us, and when she doesn’t look at me right away, I slide into the seat beside her. My arm along the back of the bench, I hook her chin in my other hand and pull her to look at me. “You can be whatever you need. You suit more than you think. You’re strong and smart and sexy.”

I run the pad of my thumb over her bottom lip wanting so badly to have a taste of Miss Addy Mae Masterson. “You took on my mama and lived to talk about it. You can handle this.” She’s watching me without blinking, her eyes on my mouth. It’s killing me. She’s killing me. With her sweet smelling skin, the feel of her slender shoulder pressed into me, and her hazel eyes heavy and full of the same want coursing through me right now, all more than I’ve ever been able to resist. For once in my life, I have nothing to hold back for. No guilt to have me regretting my actions. And yet I don’t give in. Not like I want to at least.

Dropping my hand from her face, I move forward, not able to contain the smirk when she sucks in a breath and holds it, and press a kiss to her cheek, just shy of her pink painted lips. Close enough to tease the hell out of both of us and leave us aching for more.

“Now come on, Sugar. Let’s go so you can make me look good.”

* * *

Addy was right about one thing—actually a few things. It isn’t just a dinner. The press is everywhere and they are very interested that we are there together. And the charity head, Lauren Ryan, is a huge fan.

“Beau, I was so thrilled when Willow called to say that you would be here. I was sad that she and Stone couldn’t make it, but she more than made up for it with you.” Lauren goes on, “I am so very sorry to hear about your sweet fiancé, Jenny. I read about it in Exposé Magazine, well, everywhere actually. Such a tragedy.”

My hand tightens around Addy’s much smaller one. The urge to yank her away in every muscle fiber. Not for nothing, but every time someone mentions Jenny while I’m standing beside Addy feels like a slap in the face to her and makes me madder than hell on her behalf. I know that she’s here with me because she has to be, not because we’re together, but damn.

“Thank you. I’ve been eager to get Addy Mae out on the dance floor, if y’all could excuse us.” Giving a slight nod, I pull Addy into me and lead us toward the band and the dancing couples there.

“I’m sorry about that. They shouldn’t be bringin’ her up with you standing there beside me.”

“It’s okay, Beau. I know what a big part of your life she was. Your mama told me.” She gives me a smile. “And these people just want to feel like they know you. About your life. Especially your private life. That’s how it works.”

I grunt in return. Knowing she’s right and still not liking it. “You two-step?”

“What kind of question is that? Course I two-step.” Her laugh mingles with the fiddle from the stage.

“In those heels? Watch out now!” I tease as I spin her wide then into my arms when the band starts up a cover of “Dirt on My Boots.”

“I can’t sing to save my life, but I’ve got moves you ain’t never seen before, Beau McCrae.”

“Is that right?” I ask in a slow drawl, catching her around the waist and pulling her so that we’re flush. “We’ll just see about that, Sugar.”

I begin moving us with the rest of the people on the dance floor. Falling into rhythm with Addy is easy. It takes us two beats to move as one. Slow slow, quick quick. Our thighs brushing with every step.

“You ready?” The second she nods, I take her hand from my shoulder and spin her under my arm and back. She ducks and follows seamlessly. She wasn't kidding, she's got moves. Addy grins an “I told you so” grin and follows my lead into another set of turns and spins.

There are more and more people gathered around us as I push her around the dance floor with elaborate dips and lifts to go with all the spinning, and Addy stays with my every step, never faltering. For someone that doesn’t like to be the center of attention, she just danced her way right into the spotlight.

The band sings the final chorus and I dip her nearly to the floor, my hand hooked behind her knee pulling her leg high and tight against me. I gaze down at her, a smirk on my face brought on by the wide smile, flushed skin, and panting breaths of the woman in my arms. She looks freshly fucked.

The thought that this is what Addy Mae looks like after a roll in the hay has me hardening against her. Placing her upright before she can feel it, I gesture for her to take a bow. With a small curtsy, she turns into me and hides her embarrassment by burying her head against my chest. At that moment, the band starts to sing one of my songs. A slow song from my first album. The lead singer indicates for me to come up there. I shake my head no and place a hand to Addy’s bare back. Immediately she moves with me.

“Isn’t this your song? Is that awkward?” She pulls back just far enough to look up at me.

I groan, “It is. Just don’t stop dancing. He wants me to get up there and sing.”

“Don’t you wanna?”

“I just want to be here with you right now.” I’m not sure why I said that. I realize that I mean it though. Addy doesn’t question me. Just nods and rests her hand on my shoulder as I trail my fingers up and down her spine. It’s intimate and familiar. More so than it should be. Than I should be with her, really. But I can’t find it in me to care much. I like touching her and until she tells me to stop, I’m gonna keep on touching her.