***
“Today I have singing sensation America Holden with us, and let me tell you, she is a hard woman to get in touch with. I hear that’s because you’ve got something truly special in the works.”
A week after he’d left Addilyn’s place, Kade turned up the television and tipped his beer back. They were taking some time before they started recording. His songs were flawless, but the ones that she was working on still had a couple of hitches that they were trying to smooth out.
Still, he had to admit that she was talented. She just didn’t have the kind of practice that he did, but soon she wouldn’t even need help. Peter Homes was an idiot. He should have given her this chance years ago.
Working next to her was one of the hardest things that he’d ever done. Her scent was intoxicating, and even when she hid behind her beloved t-shirts and sweatshirts, she still couldn’t hide the curve of her hips and breasts. More than a couple times, he’d missed a chord because he was too busy imagining how she’d feel his arms.
How she’d taste on his lips.
She’d had a meeting with Peter a week ago, and he took that opportunity to leave the city. There was nothing more they needed to do together except work out the kinks in the recording studio, but first, she needed Peter’s approval. Normally he met with the producers, but he’d reached his limit. If he spent one more second with Addilyn Wheeler, he’d have her naked and bucking under him.
He knew that it pissed her off even more that he’d ignored her phone calls, but this was supposed to be a break, and God knew that he needed it.
“And now you’re writing your own songs. How is that?”
Addilyn grinned. “Exhilarating. One of the most amazing things about this industry is that artists can test their limits of creativity, and this opportunity has been amazing. I’ve had a little help from songwriter Kade Hardy, but I’m so excited to share with the world songs that coming from my heart and soul.”
Kade practically choked on the beer. Did she really just say what he thought she said? Immediately, he reached for the phone. “Christopher,” he growled. “Did you just see this fucking interview?”
“Kade, take a breath,” his friend warned. “Yes, I saw it. I spoke to Homes yesterday, and he’s thrilled with what you guys have come up with. She’s not trying to keep you from getting paid.”
“Some of those songs are my best work,” Kade snapped. “I’ll be damned if Peter pays me to keep quiet.”
Before Christopher could say anything, his doorbell rang. Going to the window, he opened the curtains and peered out. “Never mind. The pop princess is here. I’ll ask her myself.”
“Kade, don’t do anything—“
Hanging up on his friend, he tossed the phone on the couch. He was seething with anger. He did expect Addilyn to be the credit hogging type, but it wouldn’t the first time he’d underestimated the greed of a singer.
Kade threw open the door and glared at her. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he hissed. He turned to make sure Cadence wasn’t around, but then remembered the girl was upstairs studying for a test.
"It's nice to see you too," she said coolly. Without waiting for an invitation, she brushed past him. "I can see that you're a little upset."
"A little upset?" His eyes glittered with anger as he whirled around and stalked her. "I just saw your interview. You just told millions of viewers that I provided a little help on your new album. A little help?"
"If you had answered any of my phone calls, this wouldn't have taken you by surprise. Peter Homes didn't even want to put my name on the lyric credits. I only did this so I could show people that I'm more than a pretty face, and there isn't a chance in hell that I'm going to give all the credit to you. I worked just as hard as you did!"
Furious, he stalked to the bar and poured him a drink. Downing it one fluid motion, he slammed the glass down and glared at her. "I haven't gotten paid yet, Addilyn. Peter Homes can tear up my contract if you continue spouting that I didn't do my share of the work. Did you even think of that?"
"Of course I thought of that!" She snatched the whiskey bottle from him and poured her own glass. Without breaking eye-contact, she tipped it back. Something primal shot through him when she moved the glass and the bottle out of reach and stepped closer to him. "I didn't do this to screw you, Kade. I spoke to Peter before the interview, and he's not going to let it affect your payment."
Her body pressed against him, and he narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing, Addilyn," he whispered. "What are you doing here?"
"I want to know why you're treating me like this," she murmured. "I want to know why you're so hot and cold."
It took every ounce of control to step away from her. "I've just been working, Addilyn. Just because we have a few songs done doesn't mean we're done. Your producer wants an album, and I just get more work done when you're not around." When she stiffened, he knew he'd made a mistake. Raking his hand through his hair in frustration, he grabbed her and pulled her close. "You're too distracting, Addilyn. You make me want to do things that I know is not a good idea."
She opened her mouth to speak, and Kade lost it. Lowering his head, he captured her sexy little mouth and drowned out whatever it was that she was going to say. A low moan escaped her throat, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body closer to him.
Circling her waist with his hand, he turned them and trapped her against the counter. She tasted every bit as sweet as he'd dreamed, and the more he deepened the kiss, the more he wanted. Growling, he slipped his hands under her shirt to caress her silky skin.
"Kade," she moaned, and he broke the kiss and tilted her chin so he could stare at her.
One kiss and he was ready to strip her naked. Never had a woman affected him as much as her.
It was dangerous, but God knows he wanted more.
"Fuck it," he muttered and dipped his head again for another dizzying taste of the woman who could very well ruin everything for him.