Chapter 17

“Kade? Are you listening to me?”

At the sound of Christopher’s voice, Kade blinked and tried to remember what he was doing. Only an hour had passed since he’d left Addilyn’s apartment, but her words still echoed in his head.

Then don’t.

Did she mean it? After a long and slow kiss, he’d let her go to get dressed. The words sounded like they could have been empty promises riding on the heels of pleasure, but she’d agreed to meet him at his hotel room later that night. They needed to have a conversation about their future, and this time, he was going to tell her everything that he was feeling.

It was strange to feel this kind of fear. Kade had never cared about rejection before, but he didn’t think he’d survive it if they walked away from each other again.

“Kade. For God’s sakes, we’re talking about your future. Where the hell is your head?”

“Sorry.” Kade cleared his throat. “What were you saying?”

“You look awful, man. Are you not sleeping? Christ, are you sleeping with Delaney Tucker?”

“What?” Kade’s head shot up. “God, no.”

Staring at him over the desk, Christopher cocked his head. “Really? She’s gorgeous, and she’s known to be a man-eater. I think I might be more concerned that you’re not sleeping with her. If it’s not sex keeping you up, then what is it?”

Before Kade could respond, there was a knock at Christopher’s door. His secretary poked her head in. “Mr. Park? Peter Homes is here.”

“Really?” Anticipation crossed Christopher’s face. “Did he say what he wanted?”

She looked at him with sympathy. “He’s looking for Kade.”

In an instant, Christopher was out of his chair. “Please tell me that you did not go see her.”

“I can’t,” Kade muttered. “I can’t tell you that I didn’t go see her. I can’t stay away from her. I’ve never felt so goddamn powerless in my entire life.”

“Peter is going to ruin you. Is she really such a good fuck that you’d ruin your career for her?”

Jumping to his feet, Kade grabbed his friend by his collar and pushed him up against the wall. With a cry of alarm, Christopher’s secretary rushed in. “Watch your mouth,” Kade growled angrily. “You don’t talk about her like that. Ever.”

“It’s fine, Susan,” Christopher said with a small smile. “Give us a minute to compose ourselves, and then tell Peter to join us.”

Kade let him go and stepped back. “You did that on purpose.”

“You’re my friend, Kade, and I recognize a man in trouble. If you’ve been in turmoil about your feeling for her, I hope you can see them now. Because Peter is going to come in and demand your head on a platter. You better damn well be able to tell him how you feel about her.” Sitting back in his chair, he smoothed a hand over his tie. “Sit down, Kade. And do not attack Peter the way that you just attacked me.”

The door opened, and Kade watched as Peter strode in. This was the man who could ruin his career, but he was even more dangerous than that. He could keep him from Addilyn.

Christopher stood and greeted him, but Peter’s eyes never left Kade as he shook their hands. He wasn’t angry. In fact, there was an unsettling sense of calm about the man as he sat down and crossed his legs.

“Kade,” Peter said in a soft voice. “Addilyn told me that things are going well for you. I’m pleased. You are very good at what you do, and I’d like a hand in your future. That’s why I’m here.”

Kade immediately stiffened. “Really? You’re here to help me?”

“Addilyn isn’t my only successful artist,” Peter said with a wry laugh. “With her success, I’ve been thinking about adding even more singers. Your work could put them on top. You’re a valuable man. And Christopher, I hear that you’re thinking of expanding into the world of production. I’d be happy to help you in any way that I can.

Huge job opportunities for him and Christopher? The implications were clear. “You’re trying to buy me.”

Peter’s eyes hardened. “Threats to ruin you don’t seem to do any good. Pictures of you standing outside her apartment are already all over Twitter. I will happily fund you and Christopher’s rise to the top if you stay away from her.”

Kade looked hesitantly over at Christopher. He owed his friend everything, and he knew that was everything that Christopher wanted, but there was nothing but disgust on his friend’s face. Instantly, the tension inside him eased. “I appreciate the offer of your help, but I don’t think that’ll be necessary. It seems that I’m going to do just fine on my own.” He’d given up so much for his daughter in the past, and now he’d have to do the same for Addilyn.

Rather than losing his temper, Peter just shook his head. “I thought better of you, Kade. I knew that you had a reputation with women, but I didn’t think you’d risk ruining their career just for a night in the sack. This is her big break, her chance to show the world what she can really do. I’ll be the first to admit that in trying to protect her from the darkness of this industry, I’ve kept her from her potential, but we both know how society is. No one is going to talk about the songs that she wrote. Everyone is going to talk about her affair with you. They’re going to watch her for signs of heartbreak. They’re going to shadow her every move and blame it all on you. She’s not going to be the next country star. She’s going to be your next victim.”

Kade’s heart slammed against his chest. As much as he hated to admit it, Peter was right. No matter what his intentions were, his reputation could ruin her. “I’m falling for her,” he said helplessly. “I just want to be with her.”

Peter stood. “Then prove it. Let her go.” Turning to Christopher, he held out his hand. “My offer for you is still good, and it has nothing to do with Addilyn. I see potential in you, and I think you could do great things. You have an eye for talent. Call my office next week and set up a time for us to meet so we can talk. Kade?”

“I don’t want anything from you,” Kade said through clenched teeth.

Peter looked at him with pity. “I understand. I hope that you’ll do the right thing.”

When he walked away, Kade felt his whole world darken. “He could be wrong,” Christopher pointed out quietly.

“He’s not on top because he misjudges people,” Kade said bitterly. “I was so focused on how we felt about each other that it didn’t even occur to me how the backlash would affect her.”

“They might go crazy. The pop princess who finally leashed the heart of the playboy songwriter? Society is a sucker for happy endings.”

“But if it doesn’t end in happily ever after Peter’s right. They’ll be so focused on her reactions to the relationships. I can’t do that to her. She’s worked so hard for this, and I could never live with myself if I were the reason that she lost everything.”

Christopher sighed. “You couldn’t stay away from her before. What makes you think that you can do it now?”

Standing up, Kade told his friend the truth. “Her happiness is more important to me than anything.”

“So you’re going to leave? How do you think that’s going to affect her?”

“She’ll understand. Her career is important to her. It’s all she knows.” Kade would go home and pack his things. Tonight, he’d say goodbye to her, and this time, he’d do the right thing.

He’d let Addilyn Wheeler go.