I didn’t realize Austin looked so small from the sky. I tried to identify Luke’s ranch but I was all turned around once we took off. I sighed and planted my forehead against the Plexiglas window.

I didn’t want to leave.

He had to shove me out the laundry door and into Linc’s truck. Linc had volunteered to drive me to the airport so we didn’t have to risk a loose-lipped driver telling someone he had driven Lexi Wilde from Luke Canton’s house.

It took a few minutes to get over the awkwardness of how Linc and I met when I was naked, but he was a nice guy. He was a slightly softer version of his brother. Still incredibly good looking and sexy. But I looked at him through different eyes now that I had Luke. Linc was playful and fun, while Luke maintained a brooding edge that I couldn’t help but find irresistible.

Jake was livid I had ignored him all day. I knew he would be waiting when I landed. Fuming. Glaring. Threatening.

I closed my eyes. It was worth it. Another night with Luke was worth anything I had to face when I was in Nashville. For two days I was able to be with him the way I’d always wanted to be with a man. Free. Exotic. Sensual.

I leaned into the leather first class seat. I had a mimosa in front of me, but I sipped it hesitantly. I needed every brain cell firing at full capacity when I faced Jake. He would throw every bit of ammunition he had. He would bring up the beginning. I knew he would.

I wondered what it would be like to show up in Nashville with Luke. One angry glare from him and Jake would back off. But Luke wasn’t my bodyguard. He couldn’t fight my battles. And I didn’t want him to know the secret Jake held over me. It could change everything. How Luke looked at me. How he felt.

I scooted the mimosa to the edge of the tray table. Ginger ale or a lime spritzer sounded better. I waved down the flight attendant and asked for another drink. In two hours I’d be on the ground.

Farther from Luke. Away from his bed. Out of reach of his arms.

I didn’t know if I was landing in the middle of the dream I had spent the past seven years creating, or running from the new one I wanted.

* * *

I slid the tortoise brown sunglasses over my eyes as I disembarked from the plane. I carried my guitar and heavy leather bag with me. I hoped it made me look like an up and comer. The way I used to look when I first started playing music.

As soon as I made it to baggage claim I realized my face was too recognizable to get away with that trick. There were a few reporters who staked out the baggage area regularly.

“Lexi! Lexi!”

I shielded my face, smiling as I side-stepped the men.

There was a firm grip on my elbow and I inhaled the strong scent of Jake’s cologne. He pecked me on the cheek.

“Good to see you, babe.”

He waved off the cameras before they took a few snaps.

“Hi.” I smiled sweetly.

“We need to talk.” His fingers dug deeper into my arm.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” I think it was my nonchalant attitude that set him off more.

He practically pushed me in the back of the Escalade.

“Ouch, Jake.” I rubbed my elbow.

The driver stepped out to help with my guitar.

I glared at my manager. “What’s your problem?”

“You,” he seethed. “You can’t decide you aren’t going to fly home. You can’t turn off your phone.” He leaned in next to me. “And you can’t be seen kissing that asshole Luke Canton.”

I laughed. “You need to get laid, Jake. You are way too uptight.”

“Oh, so you got some and now you’re happy and walking on a cloud.”

I looked out the window, ignoring him. “Maybe.”

“Damn it, Lex. You did sleep with that Neanderthal, didn’t you? Look.” He waited until we pulled away from the curb to start his full tirade. I knew this was coming. “I think I have this situation contained, but it could have been catastrophic. Do you remember what happened to Whitney Rivers? Should I remind you about her story?”

“That’s crazy.” My stomach did a flip.

“Crazy? She got pregnant. A single girl pregnant, singing country music? It was professional suicide. That girl had ten number one hits. Ten. And now she has a baby. She’s a walking country song. No man. A baby on her hip. No job.”

I rolled my eyes. “She could put out another song if she wanted to.”

He huffed. “You think she could? Last I checked no label would touch her. This isn’t rock. This isn’t pop. It’s fucking country music, Lex. She is finished. You know it. I know it.”

“Well, last I checked you can’t get pregnant from kissing. And in case you’re wondering that toilet seat thing is a rumor too,” I smarted off.

“This is a joke to you? Your brand is a fucking joke?” Jake tugged on his expensive cufflinks. “I made you, Lex and I can take you down faster than you can strut your little ass on stage.”

“You wouldn’t,” I countered.

“I would and I will if you try this kind of stunt again.”

He was bluffing. There was no way he’d ruin me and lose his golden ticket. It didn’t make sense.

“I think it’s tiring how you constantly threaten me, Jake. We both know it would ruin you too.” I rolled my eyes. “So, we’re stuck. We are fucking stuck. Let me live my life and you can live yours.”

His expression changed. There was a gleam in his eye. A twinkle I hadn’t seen in a long time. There was an uncomfortable nervousness in my belly. He was up to something.

“Jake?” I softened my tone.

“You had your few days of fun. I’m sure he was a good roll in the sheets. Hell, he should be. But trust me, he is dangerous.”

“He is not dangerous.” I didn’t know why I continued to argue with him.

“Oh yeah? What about the bar fights? The hotel suites he trashed from partying? The whores?” His eyes narrowed.

I couldn’t let Jake turn my time with Luke into something ugly. It wasn’t. I’d never seen those things Jake talked about.

I knew Luke. Yes, he had a rough exterior. But how else was he supposed to act when he had to be the strongest, toughest guy on the field? He was the kind of guy who drank too much. Let off too much steam. But Jake didn’t know there was vulnerability under Luke’s hardened exterior.

He was smart. He was funny.

He was protective. And he brought me back to life.

“Shut up, Jake,” I hissed.

“Don’t cross me, babe.”

I looked out the window. I had to find out what Jake had before he unleashed my past on the world. Because if there was one thing I knew, it was that the secret he had would strip away the fans. It would peel away the accolades. It would steal away the adoration from the press. I’d be left standing alone. Outcast. Shamed. Wrecked.