Friday is another blur of class and sunshine. I already love law school. Even if I have a mountain of work to finish this weekend.

The house is still quiet when I arrive. I go to check my phone for word from Pete but something else catches my attention.

A text from my old friend back home. The only person I can still stand.

Kathryn: Isn't this your boyfriend?

There's a shortened link attached. I open it without asking for clarification.

It's a gossip site with the headline: Not So Leaked Nude Photos of Bassist Pete Steele.

I clean my glasses and read again. The headline remains the same.

What?

I try to skim the text of the article but my brain refuses to cooperate. Not so leaked nude photos. What does that mean?

I have to see them.

Now.

There's one at the bottom of the page. It's not a cell phone picture. It's a real portrait, artsy, black and white, and hot as hell. Tragically, it's chest up.

But it's still fucking sexy.

There's a link to more of these. On some photographer's website. Hazel Alexander.

Well, if it's not leaked, there's no reason for me not to look.

I click away. There are a solid two dozen pictures. The first few are chest up. Then they go lower. Lower. Lower.

Holy shit.

That's Pete, standing there, totally naked and totally yummy.

I spend far too long studying the photographs. By the time I put my phone down, I'm completely desperate to have him.

These are there, on the internet, for anyone to see.

I'm sure gossip sites, Twitter, and Facebook are ablaze with commentary. Thankfully, I gave up all of them when my friends starting reaching out with wow, you know a famous person messages.

What was it he said—he made a decision knowing the consequences? I get lost trying to figure out what that means. I'm so deep in thought I don't notice the door open until he's three feet away.

His eyes fix on mine. "Take it you saw the pictures?"

I nod and push myself to my feet. "What was that?"

"Explain in a minute. Come here first." He slides his arms around my waist and pulls me into a slow, deep kiss.

Mmm. He tastes good. His body feels right against mine. I don't want him to explain. I don't want to talk at all.

When our kiss breaks, he stares into my eyes.

Okay. This seems important.

"Need you tomorrow," he says. "Meeting with the label. Everybody wants you there."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Why are you meeting on a Saturday?"

"Has to be right away. The usual ego BS." He runs his fingertips over my chin. "But it's handled. Aiden isn't gonna bother you."

I nod to my cell—it's still displaying one of the pictures of him. "The explanation."

"Had an offer from an old friend I had to take up. Hazel's our photographer on tour. She was in Chicago."

"She offered to take nude photos of you?"

He nods, but there's guilt in his expression. He's hiding something.

"We promised honesty," I say.

"Yeah." He runs his hand through his hair. "Sit down."

"What happened?"

"Sit." His eyes cloud with frustration.

This is serious. I sit.

He kneels in front of me and takes my hand. His eyes find mine. "Somebody leaked a topless picture of you."

"Oh." No… it's not as devastating as it used to be, getting caught naked on the internet. But it could tear my career chances in half. Lawyers are still held to certain standards of behavior.

Who would do that to me?

My stomach is in knots. I sent Nathan pictures a few times. And there might be some left in one of the accounts Madison has access to. I know my trust meant nothing to them, but this is a new low.

This is my future. Someone is trying to destroy it. Or they're willing to trade it for a quick buck.

"Hey. It's gonna be okay." He runs his hand through my hair. "I know it's scary, but Tom's got his eye out. Anything else comes up, we'll convince the site to change their story."

"But… this could destroy my career before it starts."

"I know." He pulls me into a tight hug. "I won't let it."

"What if you can't stop it?"

"I'll die trying."

"But what if you don't catch it in time?"

He meets my gaze. "There a lot of pics of you floating around?"

"No. Three or four maybe."

"Same person has them?"

"Yeah."

"Then they probably sold them all in one go. If something does get through, I'll do everything it takes to shut the site down."

"But… who would do this to me?"

"Your ex had the pictures?"

I nod. "I didn't think he'd… did he really think that little of me?"

"Want me to take care of him?"

"What would you do?"

"Know people who can fuck with his future."

I shake my head. "No… that's okay." I stare into Pete's deep brown eyes. "Are you sure this won't get out?"

"Yeah."

"You promise?”

"Anybody who wants to hurt you is gonna die trying."

I take a deep breath. The certainty in his expression eases some of the tension in my shoulders. "Okay."

He runs his fingertips over my chin. "You want to talk about it?"

"No. I want to… not feel so vulnerable."

"Fuck, Jess. I'm so sorry. This is my fault."

"Stop saying that. I knew what I was getting into agreeing to do this. I made my choice and I don't regret it." My eyes meet his. "You leaked those pictures so the site would bury mine."

"Yeah. That a problem?"

"No. It's sweet. Weird but sweet."

The fear in my stomach melts. He's willing to go to great lengths to protect me. I trust him that there won't be any more leaks.

I trust him with my heart.

I… I'm falling in love with him.

His lips curl into a smile. "I have better ones for your eyes only."

"Better how?"

He pulls out his cell, taps the screen a few times, and hands it to me.

Oh my. These are better. He isn't just naked. He's touching himself.

I think I'm going to faint.

"Wait. Did this Hazel person shoot this?" I stare back at him.

He chuckles. "You're jealous?"

"Did she?"

"No. Tripod."

"Good."

He plants a kiss on my lips. "I like you jealous."

* * *

After a dinner of Thai delivery and a viewing of the ultimate legal thriller The Firm, we settle in the backyard. I sit on the cool concrete and dip my feet in the pool.

Pete sits next to me, his hands planted behind him, his eyes on the sky. It's dark enough in the hills that the black night is dotted with shining stars.

They're beautiful. They have nothing on him, but they're beautiful nonetheless.

Between the pool, the stars, and the warm breeze, the mood is disgustingly romantic. If I didn't know better, I'd be tempted to pin him to the concrete and confess my feelings.

I nudge him playfully. "Is this your usual seduction style?"

He smiles. "Not without a bottle of whiskey."

"Really?"

Pete cocks a brow. "You tell me."

I shake my head, trying not to get lost in the light flickering over his eyes. "I don't buy it."

"Don't think I need to try that hard to seduce you."

My cheeks flush. It's true. Judging from the proud expression on his face, he knows it too.

Still… "I confess nothing."

"So I need to present evidence to prove my case?"

I nod.

He slides his hand under my skirt.

It skims my thigh. Closer. Closer. Closer. Then his palm is pressed against me, over my panties.

His fingers slip inside my panties. They skim my sex. I gasp, clutching at his muscular bicep so I'll maintain some hint of control.

He leans in to whisper in my ear. "You're wet."

I groan.

He continues his cruel teasing, taking my earlobe between his lips and sucking hard, rubbing my clit with a feather light touch.

I groan. "Pete. Please. If you keep teasing me, I'm going to report you to the authorities for mistreatment of a contractor."

He pulls away instantly. His expression hardens. "That's not what you think of our relationship."

"How do you know?"

"I know." His voice gets rough. "Why say that?"

Because I can't say what I'm actually feeling. I take a deep breath. "Because I'm scared of the truth."

He doesn't acknowledge my statement. Instead, he slips back to teasing. "Might allow you to make it up to me."

"Generous of you."

A smile breaks up the frustration on his face. He moves close enough to kiss me. He slides his hand around my neck with a gentle touch.

He looks at me like he's going to kiss me.

But he doesn't kiss me. He just stares into my eyes with that penetrating gaze. The one that sees through me.

His voice softens. "Are you gonna make me guess at the truth?"

"No. You know what it is." My eyes meet his. A look of understanding passes between us.

"You have feelings for me."

I nod. "I'm sorry. You've been clear. I can't help it."

"Promise me something, Jess."

"Yeah?" I finally manage to look him in the eyes. All the affection in his expression flows through me. I forget how to breathe.

"Promise you won't apologize for your feelings ever again."

"Why should I promise you anything?"

"Cause you want to get in my pants."

"Do I have to work that hard?"

He nods.

His lips curl into a smile. It does things to me, that smile. He takes my hands, his fingertips skimming my palms.

His gaze is fixed on me. I can feel it, even with my gaze on my thighs.

He has feelings for me too. I know he does. But does he realize it?

He slides his hands around my waist and pulls me into his lap. I squeal, clutching at his shoulders. No way am I falling into that pool.

In one swift motion, he lies on his back and pulls my body on top of his.

The way he's looking at me with affection, the way he finds the tie holding together my French braid, pulls it out, and digs his hands through my hair—he must know what he's doing.

I take a deep breath. I have to ask. "Do you have feelings for me?"

"You really want to know?"

I nod.

"Yeah. I do." He brings his palm to my cheek, running his thumb over my chin with all the affection in the world. "But this isn't going to turn into something forever. Don't want a relationship."

"I know," I whisper.

"And you're okay with that?"

No. Yes. It's confusing.

What the hell am I supposed to do with all these feelings?

I care about him.

He cares about me.

We're sharing things we've never shared with anyone else.

But somehow, this can't be forever.

It doesn't add up. For a second, I wish I'd majored in math instead of literature. There's always an answer with math. Two plus two is four. With literature, everything is open to interpretation.

But then Pete isn't an algebra equation. He's fucking Heart Of Darkness—impossible to understand without careful scrutiny.

I want to tell him the truth. "I don't know." My eyes find his. I'm hot and cold at once. Every part of me wants every part of him.

Which is worse—my heart breaking now or later?

"I don't want to hurt you," he says. "I care about you."

"I…" I take a deep breath. It's better to get him now, whatever that means later. "I'm okay with it." I think. Mostly.

My stomach clenches. It's close to a lie.

He stares back at me, picking me apart. Can he tell it's close to a lie?

I'm not sure.

"I had something planned for tonight. Still want to do it." His eyes bore into mine. "If you're sure."

I nod. "I'm sure."

"Haven't told you what it was yet."

"I trust you."

His lips curl into a half smile. "I want to tie you up."

Instantly, my body is buzzing. I'm not sure which way is up or which way is down. I want him every way I can have him.

If this is the only way, it's better than nothing.

It's better than most things.

He stares back at me. "Talk to me, Jess."

"Yes. Now."

He takes my hands and pulls me up with him.