“What happened to you and River?” Anton asked as we drove to see Kells on-set for The Cold Conflict music video.

It had been two days since we had seen each other. Yesterday was filled with sleep and much-needed rest from my overexerted night with River. It had been ages since someone really fucked me. Fucked me so deeply that I could still feel him throbbing, pounding inside my walls. I knew I wasn’t hallucinating, but good grief, the frustration at night was unbearable. I longed for him. But what he lacked in presence, River called and texted whenever he had free time.

It was dangerous that we were reverting back to our old ways after I had reinstated time and time again that I wasn’t interested in rekindling our relationship. However, the man was unyielding.

I glanced toward one of my best friends and considered his question. “What do you mean by that?” Everyone witnessed I disappeared with him in his bedroom, but I wanted to pick Anton’s brain before stating anything. Discussing my love life wasn’t one of my strongest fortes.

“Have you seen the way he looks at you, sprinkles? His eyes were on you every time I looked at him. Like Christ, I’ve never seen anyone like that. He’s not one of your, like, secret stalkers, is he?”

I had stalkers, let alone secret ones? Ha.

“Well you see; River’s sort of like … you know … my first love, my first boyfriend.” Damn, that was hard to say out loud.

“I don’t know if he got the memo ’cause there’s no mistaking how much he still wants you. We all have eyes, and we all agree that he is crazy for you.”

“Yeah, but I’m not treading back to memory lane. Not like that, anyway. We’re just friends now.” Hearing that made it all the hollower. Did I really believe that? Fuck, River was trouble.

Anton almost hit the brakes as he stared at me, askance. “Friends? You just want to be friends with River Ellis? Not only is he one of the biggest stars today, but shit, Cara, have you seen how perfectly perfect of a specimen he is? How can you resist when he looks like he’s about to devour your sexy, beautiful pussy on the spot?”

“No, he doesn’t!” I exclaimed, aghast. River was always going to be that kid I grew up with and no some mega star that people saw him as. Besides, nothing could change the past, even though I wanted to erase all the bad memories when I was with him. “He betrayed me, Anton. That’s why it’s never going to work.”

“He cheated?”

And that was where the argument lied.

“He says he didn’t, but there were just too many women. And when Hailey Mavis came into the picture, I just couldn’t handle it.” To this day, that woman could rile me up like no other. My stomach coiled at the memory of her all over him, kissing his cheek and what of it.

“Oh, her. Yeah, she’s so cunty.” Anton threw me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, baby cakes. I’m sure that must’ve been hard to witness.”

He had no idea.

“I’m over it. I mean, I moved on from all that.” Lies. Lies. Lies. Hearing that wretched woman’s name made me want to gouge my eyes out.

“Don’t you want to give him a second chance, though? I’m sure this time will be different.”

“No, I don’t believe in second chances, Anton. River had one, and he royally blew it. I have nothing left to give him.”

“But that’s really extreme.” My friend gazed at me as though I had just announced I was the man behind Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

“River’s life is extreme. I can’t compete with it. Do you know how many women they try to pair him with? You know how it is here. Everyone’s a model or tries to look like one. I can’t put myself through all that bullshit. I’ve been there, done that. No more.” Or the insecurity and the uncertainty that came along with it. It took quite a lot for a woman to put up a lot of the twisted upheaval and mind fuckery. I had retired from that. My life was peaceful these days.

“Well, that’s a shame.” He sighed. “I really was hoping to see you get married and shit.”

I stared at him in horror. “Let’s not ruin the morning, okay? I need coffee before you can continue grilling me in the hot seat.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal, babe.” He tapped on the steering wheel before glancing toward his navigation. “We’re almost there. I’m actually excited about this.”

“So am I.” I beamed as my thought drifted toward how the day would unfold. This was an exciting experience, and I was ecstatic that our friend decided to let us in on it.

The set was in one of the Malibu’s caves. With the sun barely just out in the horizon, the beautiful set was breathtaking. The place was lined with trailers, tents, and a lot of lighting. While the sound check crew busied themselves, we scoured for our friend, who just happened to be in the finishing touches of the lead in the band, Will.

From a few feet away, my eyes were glued to his side profile. The British rock star didn’t disappoint. He was gorgeous, tatted up, and had danger written all over him.

“I like to stare at him and all, but how about we check out the food? I need coffee and a few muffins to stop scaring people away with the roaring riot inside my stomach?” Anton grumbled as I heard the loud angry sound from his belly.

“Jesus, let’s go before you pass out.” I giggled as I grabbed his arm.

As excited, as I was to be here, nothing could beat the thought of being back in the cozy, soft confines of my bed.

“Shhh, silence! I kill you.” He glared at me as we trotted toward the tent where everything we needed was located.

I giggled. “Oh, stop it, Achmed ‘the dead terrorist’.” It was the playful banter we always used. “Can I take you to one of those The Art of Shaving places? I’m sure they’d be thrilled to take you on.”

His eyes widened. “I’ve always wondered what it’d be like, so sure. You’re driving me there and taking me to lunch.”

Well, wasn’t he a bossy one.

“Thank God. It’s time to let go of Yogi the Bear.” I was more than willing to dish out whatever needed to get him primed to his old self. I knew he had self-esteem issues since he had gained more than fifty pounds in the past year. Hopefully once I had sorted out my schedule, Anton and I could take some serious butt-kicking classes to get in serious shape.

While Anton busied himself with the blueberry muffins and pain au chocolate, my eyes roved to more pressing matters, such as refueling my body with much needed coffee. Pouring the freshly roasted blend in my Styrofoam cup before adding two packets of raw sugar, I carefully took a sip, loving how it faintly burnt my tongue as it travelled down my throat.

“Grr … What the bull? Why’s my mother calling me this early? Nothing good will come out of this.” Anton groaned as he stared at screen of his phone.

Anton had a peculiar relationship with his mother, but what did I know about mothers? I never got the chance to know what that felt like.

“I’ll meet you back at Kells’ tent.” Waving at him, I made my exit as I cautiously sipped my hot beverage when I unceremoniously tripped over a piece of equipment.

I cried out from pain and shock, about to lose my balance, when I felt a strong hand steady me. How embarrassing and out on set, too. What the hell was going on?

“Are you okay?” a man asked, almost leaning into me.

Still in a daze, I looked up at my savior. Hazel eyes zeroed in on me. Beautiful and quite extraordinary. Oh my, I thought as I tried to catch my breath.

“Yes, I think I’m okay,” I nervously croaked out, disconnecting from his gaze.

“I’m Kyle Mathews.” There was faint amusement in his voice. Most likely because I seemed like a train wreck.

“Cara Quinn.” God, he was so hot. I couldn’t think straight. And why was he staring at me still? What a total disaster.

“Can I get you anything, Cara Quinn?” he asked.

“I … uh … no. I’m hot. No, I’m cool.” WTF? “Sorry, I haven’t caffeinated yet; that’s why I’m such a hot mess.” God, strike me with lightning now before I embarrass myself further.

His smile disarmed me, and I was becoming a total creep who couldn’t properly function with a gorgeous male before me.

His perfect a smile deepened, and by that time my mind turned into mush.

“Are you working on set?”

Trying my damnedest not to act uncomfortably, I licked my lips before shaking my head. “No … I’m just a fan. Well, that and my friend’s in the glam squad.”

He made a boisterous laughter, catching me off guard. “Don’t let the band hear you say that; they’ll never forgive you.”

Who was this man and why had he taken over my ability to think? He was gorgeous, but there was something more to him. He had substance.

“Are you working with crew?” Maybe he was part of the video folks. He surely wasn’t part of band.

“I manage the band. I’m here to check out if things are running smoothly. You know, temper tantrums and hissy fits. Hardcore rock star stuff.”

It was my turn to chortle. The guy had a sense of humor; I had to give him that.

“It’s nice to meet you, Kyle, and thanks for saving me from falling into the gravel.”

“Listen, I know this might seem too forward, but what the hell, I’m taking my chances,” he stated before seeming unsure, licking his lips as he glanced back at me. “Do you want to have dinner sometime?”

“Sure, that’d be nice.”

Less than seventy-two hours of being single, and here I was, agreeing to a date. But how could I say no to Kyle Matthews? He was just the kind of guy I went for. Sexy, rugged, funny, and downright delicious to look at. Which made me more wonder why I dated Parker in the first place. The man didn’t cross some on the list, but maybe it was because I didn’t go out much. Well, it was high time I remedied that problem.