I swallow, knowing he’s right, and in this perfect moment, I think I just might let him do all the things he’s been threatening to do to my body.

I start to pull away, but Noel doesn’t loosen his hold. I turn my head and watch my friend make-out with the rock star in front of me. I sure hope she knows what she’s doing.

We arrive back at the bus and all I can think about is going to bed and getting some distance between Noel and I before things get out of hand. Liquor still courses through my veins, and I know I won’t make proper judgment calls around him. I trudge back into the bedroom and search for a t-shirt to change into.

Aubrey follows me into the room. “Aren’t you going over to the hotel with the rest of the band?”

I shake my head. “I can’t afford a room over there, and I’m tired. All I can think about is sleeping.”

She studies me. “Sleeping? After the way you were flirting with Noel tonight, you want to go to sleep?”

I shrug and pretend that Noel and I didn’t just have a moment in the backseat. “Yes? What’s so wrong with that?”

She bites her lip. “You two have this whole connection thing vibing between you. Aren’t you the least big curious as to what it can turn into?”

“No. This is business, Aubrey. It can’t be anything more than that between us. You know that.”

She hugs me. “I love you, Lanie, but some times you need to loosen up and say fuck the rules. A job isn’t everything. Live a little, you know.”

I laugh and try to divert her attention off me. “Like you are with Riff?”

Aubrey blushes. “I can’t help it. I’ve always thought he was the cutest in this band. Gah! He’s a really good kisser, too.”

I plug my ears. “I so don’t need to hear these details.”

She pulls my hands down and laughs. “Trust me, by this time tomorrow I’ll have more details about Riff than how he kisses.”

I smack her arm. “Go then, and slut around, if you must.”

She winks at me. “Oh, that’s a definite must.”

I roll my eyes as she darts out the door and into what will be a night she’ll brag about for months.

Great.

I change as quickly as I can and turn to get into bed just as Noel opens the door without knocking. I scowl at him for the intrusion. “I could’ve been naked.”

He grins. “I was sort of hoping for that.”

“Men,” I grumble as I slide into the bed.

He chuckles as he closes the door behind him and pulls off his shirt. I turn my back to him to give him some privacy to change. The springs groan as he gets into bed next to me and shuts off the lights.

“Aren’t you going to the hotel tonight?”

“Wasn’t planning on it. Besides I was kind of hoping you wanted to cuddle with me some more.”

I roll over and face him. Even in the dark, his magnetism doesn’t escape me. I fight the urge to trace my fingertips along his stubbly jaw to find out what it feels like. If I did that, it’d be all over. The boundaries I’ve established with him will go right out the window, yet, I can’t force myself to turn away.

The energy flowing between us, in this small, dark room, is powerful. I bite my bottom lip, practically tasting the lust in the air. Noel reaches up and caresses my cheek with his thumb. I should tell him to stop, but the fire in his touch is makes my body crave more of his skin on mine. His eyes roam over me. I study every inch of his face. It’s so beautiful. The look in his eyes shows hope, but I’m not sure sleeping with him is a good choice. I can’t let him think I’m like all of his random groupies. I want more from him than causal sex. Which sounds completely selfish considering I’m the one who left him before—I really have no right to demand anything of him.

“Lane.” The way he says my name makes my toes curl. “I’m still crazy over you. I know it’s been a while, but it feels like just yesterday when you walked out of my life. When you left me, I was so empty. There was this huge, gaping hole in my heart that no one could fill. I tried to get over you. I really did, but you were always there. Every woman I kissed was you.”

My heart clenches at his words. He’s pretty much laid all his cards out for me to see. I’ll admit there is something between us, and it’s strong, but at this point I’m not sure if it’s just purely a sexual thing. And I can’t chance my career on such a crazy risk.

I sigh. We can’t rush this.

“Noel, we have to stay professional. I work for you now—how’s it going to look if I sleep with you my first week here. Who’ll take me serious? Diana encourages me to do whatever it takes to keep you happy, but I’m afraid if I sleep with you, we’ll step over a line we shouldn’t, at least while I work for you, anyway.”

He leans in closer, his lips just inches from my face. “So quit. I’ll take care of you. You don’t need to work as long as you’re with me. I’ll take care of everything you need.”

“You don’t get it—still after all this time. This job is my dream, Noel. If I sleep with you now and things go bad, not only will I lose you, but my dream as well.”

He frowns. “This project means that much to you? It isn’t just about getting close to me?”

I shake my head and then pull his fingers away from my face and lace mine with his. “No. I mean, at first it was just the job, but now, after this, I can’t kid myself. There’s still something between us…”