by Debra Kayn
She lengthened her stride.
His lack of sharing his life had only recently started bothering her. She'd tried on many occasions to find out what made him Anders Stone, about the family he'd never known, his wants and needs, but he shut the door on divulging any information.
Her breathing deepened.
She'd accepted his reluctance to bridge the emotional distance because they had a business agreement. Her feet pounded the asphalt and her pulse accelerated. But, that would need to change over the weekend when she had transportation to spread her wings again and sing at different establishments.
They'd need to have a talk before Saturday. Her hope that he'd let her into his world if she weren't hired by him kept her going. Things could be wonderful between them if he opened up. She needed that intimacy because she was falling in love with him.
Physically, he gave her everything. She was happier than she'd ever been.
A car engine grew louder, closer, and broke through her thoughts. She looked down, making sure she stayed far enough off the edge of the road. A half a mile more and she'd head back. She was already feeling the strain on her calves from not running for the last three months.
The shifting change of the car revved behind her. She looked over her shoulder and found a large, black vehicle crossing onto the wrong side of the road and coming up behind her.
Fear paralyzed her, and she stumbled, catching herself before she fell, before she realized it was Anders' Hummer. Worried something was wrong, she walked toward the vehicle.
The door on the truck opened, and Anders stepped out. Her pulse racing, she hurried to find out what brought him out of the Lair during the hours he usually worked.
She stopped in front of him, taking in his scowl. "What's wrong?"
His shoulders broadened. "Get in."
Taken aback by his gruffness, she walked around the Hummer, watching him for any hint of what upset him. Putting on her seatbelt, she said, "Did something happen?"
He started the engine, turning around in the road, sending gravel pinging off the underside of the vehicle in his rush. "I told you not to go outside."
Her spine stiffened. "No, you said not to go where the cabins are located."
"Same difference." His hand tightened on the steering wheel. "I can't protect you when you're away from me."
"Protect me?" Her overheated skin grew warmer. Whether that was from her run or her fright, she said, "Why would I need to be protected?"
His lips tightened over his teeth. She held on to the seatbelt strap across her chest. For the first time, she grew irritated over his lack of talking.
All those other conversations that he'd ended by changing the subject or distracting her blew up into something essential to her.
"Anders? Why do I need protection?" she asked.
He lifted his fingers off the wheel and sliced the air with his hand to stop her from talking. She gawked at him. Floored that he'd disrespect her in such a way to think he could control the conversation, she sat in stunned silence as he parked behind the Lair.
Anders shut off the engine. "Go inside, Iliana," he said quietly.
Angered, she was past the point of wanting a conversation with him. She left the Hummer and managed not to slam the door in her frustration. Not having a key to the upstairs entrance, she walked to the back door the employees used and entered Stone Lair through the breakroom.
She headed to the bar. The change in him hurt and made her rethink her reasons for moving on.
Chapter 13
Iliana never came down and joined him for dinner in the bar. Anders climbed the steps up to his private quarters. According to Mac, she'd stayed inside.
After getting back from picking her up on the road, he'd stayed busy working because if he'd gone upstairs to try and talk to Iliana, he'd compromise the situation. It was better to keep her in the dark.
If that meant she got pissed off at him, it was better than her being dead.
He opened the top door and walked down the hallway, listening for any sign of where Iliana might be. Not hearing anything, he slowed his steps and walked into the bedroom.
He quietly walked inside the room as his vision adjusted to the darkness. Iliana's shape made a slight lump on the far side of the bed. His heart pounded. Today, he would've given anything to have stopped her from going outside to run before she'd stepped out the door.
If he'd been faster, he could've avoided the whole confrontation.
He stretched out on the bed beside her and curled his body around her. Her lack of stirring let him know she was awake.
"Do you hate me?" he whispered.
She inhaled deeply. "I'm confused, disappointed, and tired."
He could handle all those things and make them right. What he couldn't deal with was if he'd ruined any chance with her.
"Come here, Il." He rolled her over until she faced him.
He smoothed the hair away from her face. She'd taken off her makeup before going to bed and it always sucker punched him at how young and innocent she looked at night.
"I can be an asshole." He kissed her forehead. "I want to keep you by my side, and when I found out you'd left—"
"I wasn't leaving. I only went for a run." She exhaled and placed her hand on his chest. "I didn't mean to upset you."
She had no clue what had gone through his head. He'd become blind to everything around him—his employees, the customers, the danger—and had left the Lair in a panic.
He leaned forward and nuzzled her neck, kissing her skin. "It's over."
She nodded against him. He shifted, capturing her lips and slipped his arm under the blanket. Her panties stopped him from touching her and needing that connection, he shoved the elastic to the side and slid one finger inside of her.
Her tongue entered his mouth, and she rocked her hips forward on his hand.
The heat of her pussy warmed his hand. He swallowed her moan. Sex between them came easily. Drawn together, he liked how she was always there for him, opening herself to whatever pleased him. She never turned him away, and she was always touching him, even when he wasn't between her legs.
Lots of people talked with their hands, motioning fingers in front of their face as their emotions escalated. Iliana spoke a different language catered to him. Every time she passed him, her hand lingered on his arm or his thigh or his ass.
She had a special way of holding his hand where she sandwiched his between both of hers. As if she was scared of losing him.
Her lips turned up beneath his. "I need to talk with you."
"Later." He inserted another finger inside of her. "Right now, I need you."
Rolling away from her, he grabbed a condom off the nightstand and undid his jeans. He'd suffered being away from her all day, he wasn't going to waste another minute.
Condom on, he threw the blanket off her, topped her, and slipped into position between her legs. She arched her back, wrapping her warm legs around his hips. Fuck, she was sexier than hell.
He went down on his elbows above her and sank his fingers into her hair, holding her to the mattress with his demand. Thrusting forward, he entered her in one slick slide
"Oh...God." Her legs tightened around him.
He lowered his head and caught her earlobe between his lips. If only he could tie her to the bed and could keep her satisfied, she'd stay. Nothing could harm her. Nobody could touch her.
His thrusts became territorial. He possessed her in such a way that he couldn't talk. Showing the powerful feelings roaring inside of him, he grunted with each plunge.
She panted. He ground against her clit, pounding away until her eyelids fluttered.
His balls constricted, pulsed, and he dug his knees into the mattress, never letting up.
"Yes...oh, yes." She grabbed on to the sides of his shirt and held on.
His body throbbed. She was so damn tight, sucking him in. Perfect.
Capturing her mouth, he synced his tongue with his cock. Her hands cam
e up and held his head. He moaned, rocking his body against her.
Her breathing stilled before a gasp. He held her imprisoned with his body, holding her in place. Little ripples went through her, consuming him.
She came.
And came.
Every muscle in his body tensed and his agonizing groan as she milked a release out of him took his breath away. It took him several minutes to gather enough strength to slip out of her body, remove the condom, and kick off his shoes.
Even that took too long, and he crawled back on the bed and held her for the night. Today, he'd gotten lucky, and Iliana forgave him. He couldn't fuck up again.
Chapter 14
Iliana's nerves tightened her vocal cords. She closed her eyes and sang the last line of the song. Thankful the audience would only take the huskier tone as an emotion rather than fear.
She opened her eyes and finished the note.
The crowd clapped. She smiled out to the people and placed the microphone in the stand, waving as she walked off the stage.
She hadn't purposely held off talking to Anders until tonight. Every time she tried to bring up the subject of leaving the Lair, she'd chickened out.
So, she left everything to the last minute. Now.
Tomorrow, her parents would show up. She would spend time with them during the day, catching up, and enjoying what Anders offered at the Lair. Tomorrow night, she'd sing and fulfill her obligations, and then afterward, she'd leave with her parents.
Alone backstage, she pursed her lips and blew. Wired tight from performing, she couldn't shake the emotions coursing through her body. She needed all her strength to deal with changing the direction of her life once again.
Until meeting Anders, she always looked forward to moving on and singing at a new place or revisiting an establishment that she'd been hired at before.
"Hey," said Anders behind her.
She turned around and wrapped her arms around him.
He rubbed her back. "You sang a couple of different songs."
"I felt like this weekend needed a change."
He tilted her head back. "Why?"
The music she'd picked matched her conflicting feelings. Love lost followed by a woman finding her independence.
She ran her hands over the dark shadow of his jaw. "I need to talk with you."
His gaze intensified. She swallowed. He should have no problem listening.
He had a good ear when she talked about herself and would often remember little details days later, which pleased her.
It was only when she tried to get him to share more of himself that he clammed up.
Anders cleared his throat. "We'll go upstairs."
She grabbed his hand before he could step away. If she went up to his private quarters, they'd fall into bed, and she'd miss her chance to talk with him about her career. About him. About leaving.
"Could we sit in the bar and have a drink, and talk?" Her heart raced and to lighten the mood, she said, "I'll pay."
His mouth hardened. She smoothed his lips with her finger.
"I was only teasing." She shrugged, trying to take the stress off him. "I'll pay with a kiss."
She stretched to her toes and pressed her lips against his firm mouth, working them into softness. His compliance made her braver, and she smiled as she fell back to her heels.
He held her hand as he led her into the bar. Taking the back table that was reserved for him, he held out her chair. She rubbed his thigh as she scooted closer.
Anders motioned the waitress over, spoke quietly to her, and then looked at Iliana. Her stomach fluttered at his heated look. He was confused and concerned, and she felt bad for giving him the news without any warning.
Needing to get right to the point, she said, "My mom and dad are coming here tomorrow to hear me sing."
He dipped his chin, waiting for more. She glanced around the room. Anders knew her better than she'd thought. Anything but honesty would upset him.
The waitress brought their drinks. She grabbed the wine and sipped, smiling when she recognized the fruity chocolate taste of Onus One. He'd remembered.
And, she'd remembered how expensive the bottle cost. Was he showing her how much she meant to him or trying to buy her feelings?
Her heart hurt because she honestly had no idea because he hadn't opened up with her after all the time she'd lived with him.
She put down the wine glass and played with the stem to keep from touching Anders. "The insurance company sent a check to my parents' house, so after I'm done singing on Saturday, I'm going to go with my mom and dad to Spokane. We're going to stay at a hotel there, so we can get up early and spend the day looking for a new RV."
"They can stay here." Anders never changed his position or lifted his drink. "I can get them a cabin cleared, or they can stay in the guest room upstairs.
"I think it's easier for them to drive through the Idaho Panhandle when there are fewer cars on the road." She studied him. "Plus, they miss me, and it'll give me a chance to talk to them about what's happening in my career."
"You're singing here."
She inhaled deeply. "You've been more than generous letting me stay here with you and sing at the Lair while I landed back on my feet without a band."
"Il..." His mouth tightened, and he stared across the table at her.
Her heart beat heavily in her chest. She understood his reaction for the wall she'd suddenly erected. There was more to her decision that she'd kept to herself, that he wouldn't understand, and that's why she needed to talk with him.
"Getting a motorhome again gives me more options." She rubbed her lips together, her mouth going dry.
Anders continued to stare at her, on guard, as if waiting for her to rip his world apart. She took a drink from the wine glass, needing a little alcohol courage. Any misunderstanding would put a road bump in their path, and the last thing she wanted was to push him away from her.
She wanted her decision to be the best thing for them.
"I'm going to—"
"You don't need an RV if you're singing here," he interrupted.
"That's the thing." She paused and softened her voice, sensing the tension coming from him. "I need to make contact with other places and sign on more gigs to spread my wings while I sing without a band."
He seemed to grow bigger. "Who will protect you?"
"I don't understand. I'm only going to sing like I do here. I'll be staying—"
"You'll be staying in a motorhome. Your last one blew up. When you sing here, I am protecting you." He stood from the table. "Don't move."
He walked away. She followed him with her gaze, wanting to call him back and promise that she'd stay at the Lair with him.
Anders grabbed a whiskey bottle from behind the bar and instead of returning to the table, poured himself two shots at the counter. Her vision blurred. He was trying to hold on to the control he had over their relationship without hurting her.
She needed more from him.
Anders caught her gaze in a blank stare, but his body remained focused on her. Shivers rolled down her spine. So many times he'd shut her off from the conversation but she could tell he was aware of her. His body never lied.
He returned, grabbed the chair, and positioned it to face her without the table separating them. She leaned forward and placed her hands on his thighs. He had no problem showing her how much he cared sexually, but she needed actual words and confessions about how he was feeling and what he wanted for his future.
"I would like to continue seeing you after I leave." She rubbed the tension in his legs. "I only sing on the weekends, and I keep my gigs to around a three-hundred-mile radius from—"
"Excuses," he muttered.
She held still. "What?"
"You want to continue seeing me, but you're making excuses to leave me." Something unrecognizable flashed in his eyes. "I don't want you to go."
She lowered her head and stared at her hands on him. He'd spoken more than she'd e
xpected.
"I'm falling in love with you, and I don't even know you. Not truly know you inside and out," she whispered. "This is the first time you've told me you want me to stay."
"Bullshit, Il." He hooked his finger under her chin and lifted her gaze. "I asked you to stay here with me."
"But, that was temp—"
"It was because I hadn't experienced having you here every day. Now that I have spent time with you, I want you to keep staying here, keep singing for the Lair." He lowered his voice. "Stay, damnit."
She wished there was a part of her that could throw caution to the wind, who could live off the hope that he would eventually be the man who could emotionally connect with her. She needed him to depend on her as much as she depended on him. She couldn't risk her career on hope.
If she stayed and Anders remained emotionally closed off to her—and she needed more than him admitting he wanted her to stay—she would disappoint herself. She would get her heart broken.
"Can I be honest with you?" She waited until he nodded and then looked around the room. The bartender caught her eye and she realized spilling her guts to him in front of his employees was unfair to him. He couldn't let down his guard with everyone watching. "Could we go upstairs?"
He stood, taking her hand, and led her to the private door. She used the time climbing the stairs and sitting down on the couch beside him to collect her thoughts. It was scary to divulge her feelings when she had no idea if the depth of her love for him would be returned.
Stepping out of her comfort zone left her vulnerable. He could turn her whole world upside down if he responded that he had no permanent room for her in his life.
She picked up his hand and cradled it between both of hers. Tracing his fingers, she said, "My truth is I'm beginning to fall in love with you, and I'm scared because even though we've spent more than three months living together, I'm scared of staying longer and finding out that our relationship could be more one-sided than I hope. You want me here, but I don't know why."
"It's been good between us." He frowned.
