“Go. Actually. Sorry.” I push off the bed and glance around the room, unable to look her in the eye. I don’t want to leave but I have to. My uncle is relentless. He’ll keep calling until I pick up. “Yeah, I should get some sleep. So should you. Big day tomorrow.”
“Oh, okay.” She pulls one of the pillows into her chest and hugs it like a shield. “Yeah, I mean, you don’t have to, but I understand.”
“This was fun, kid.” I shove my hands into my jeans so I won’t be tempted to reach for her. I really want to.
“Oh, um, sure. Thanks.”
I stop, maddened by my own retreat and the look of hurt on her face. I put that there. And after everything she shared, how she opened up to me about her inexperience with guys? It’s a royal jerk move that even I can’t seem to stomach.
“Opal?” I wait until her gaze lifts and meets my eyes. I want her to feel my sincerity. To know even though I’m leaving, I don’t regret one second of the time we spent together. For this I can be honest. “I had a really good time tonight.”
The blush works its way onto her cheeks—my favorite—but she drops her gaze to the carpet. “I had a good time, too.” A moment passes before she lifts her chin, and in those innocent eyes she’s an open invitation. Pure beauty just begging to be unleashed. She would give me everything.
And there it is. The reason I have to run. To end whatever this dangerous game is I’m playing. I can’t fool around with Opal. She’s not the type. Despite what she says, she deserves more than one night in the sack with some jerk like me. Especially for her first time.
I look away, unable to croak out another noble good-bye, because between her doe-eyed stare and the blood rushing through my veins, my mind dares me to throw caution to the wind. To feed my desires with no regard for what that’d cost both of us.
I’m out the door and down the hall before she can convince me to stay. The door clicks shut at my back, a hollow sound. My chest tightens with an ache I can’t place because it’s a feeling I’ve never had. I want her. God, do I want her. Even as I walk down the corridor and press the call button for the elevator to take me up to my floor, I consider tossing my cell in the trash and going back to her room. But I don’t. Instead I step inside the empty elevator and take out my cell as it begins to buzz again.
“What do you want?” I practically bark.
“Hi, nice to hear your voice, too. Don’t think I didn’t notice how you’ve been avoiding me.”
“Avoiding?” I let loose a bitter laugh. “You’re the one who ditched the show tonight. Family emergency?”
“I’m working on something big.” His tone is hard. “And you’re not the only one who tells little white lies.”
“Fantastic. So is this a wellness check, or did you want something?”
“Cut the shit and dish on the girl.”
“She’s . . .” Fantastic. Amazing. Beautiful. Sings like a fucking angel. Kisses like a sinner, and will forever star in my every fantasy. Fuck. I shake my head as the doors slide open. I step off at my floor and head toward my room. “Innocent.”
My uncle laughs but it’s a bitter sound. “No way. It’s an act. It’s always an act.”
“Normally I’d agree with you, but with her, I don’t think so.”
“This is what I get when my informant’s a hormonal teenager.”
I wave my key card in front of the sensor and push inside my room. “Maybe I’d have more to share if I weren’t interrupted by my scheming uncle.”
“So, you’re digging?” The hope in his voice makes me feel shittier than I already do.
“I’m getting to know her. Like you asked. If that’s all, can I please go?”
“Fine. Oh, and one more thing.” I bang my head back against the door and roll my eyes, waiting for his next request. “The last few Three Ugly Guys’ shows? They’ve been the best I’ve ever seen. I’m not the only one who’s noticed the difference. Congrats, kid. You’re a natural rock star.”
His compliment is so unexpected, I don’t respond before the line goes dead.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.He’s not going to let this thing with Opal go. He’s not. Yet can I really protect her if I get too close? This was not in the plan. I’m already in too deep. But I like her. I really, really like her.
I am so fucking screwed, and I can’t even be mad because it’s my own damn fault.
What the hell did I get myself into?
* * *
The next morning,I make it a point to wait in my hotel room and board the bus right before we’re scheduled to leave. I don’t have the balls to face Opal. Not yet. Avoidance isn’t the answer to any of my problems, but for now it’s gonna have to do. Because after last night in Opal’s room it’s become abundantly clear that I’m in over my head.
