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  He nodded. “Got it.” He moved his head forward a little again, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. She began to doubt she’d ever be able to breathe normally again. But he stopped, his lips close enough, his breath warm on her cheek, his arm braced on her car, and said, “What are you planning to wear on our date, Ms. Erin?”

  She swallowed again, well aware of the powerful effect he was having on her. She didn’t know if it was just part of his personality or if it was because he was the big, bad rock star. It didn’t matter really. He was having that effect and analyzing why wouldn’t change it. “Uh…I’m not sure yet. Like I said, this was kind of a last-minute thing for me.”

  “A dress?”

  “Well, yeah, I have to wear a dress.”

  His lips turned up into a half-grin. “You don’t have to, Erin. That’s a societal expectation, and you forget…my job’s all about rebelling against expectations. You wanna wear a bikini tomorrow night, I wouldn’t object.”

  She wasn’t quite sure how to take his statement, but she was pretty sure he was fucking with her, just like he had all the young women onstage tonight. Maybe he thought he was so clever, she’d never notice. Needless to say, the smoldering feelings she’d had just moments earlier iced up. “I’m sure you wouldn’t, Mr. Schultz, but I can assure you I’ll wear something date appropriate.”

  He raised his eyebrows, a look of amusement causing a twinkle in his eye. “Mister? Fuck…that’s the second time I’ve been called that tonight. What the hell?”

  Erin turned in the tight space between Riley and her car, but as she moved back to open the car door, she backed into Riley. “Apparently, I and others are trying to show you the respect we expect in return.” She turned her head slightly to the right to catch his eye.

  His left arm wrapped around her waist and held her up against his body. She could feel his strength and it made her feel instantly weak. The coldness she’d felt? Gone in a second, replaced by furious desire. But she couldn’t let it show. She refused to play the helpless victim in his cat-and-mouse game. Still…he was proving to be irresistible. “Oh, I respect you.” She felt his breath on her neck and then he said in her ear, “I just think maybe we could have a little fun together too.”

  She felt her nipples tighten and was relieved he wouldn’t be able to see it. He couldn’t know the effect he was having on her. She cleared her throat and prayed she sounded stronger than she felt. “If your idea of fun is seeing me in a bikini at something like this, I’m afraid you’re going to be sorely disappointed.” She pulled away, relieved he released her, and sat in her car seat. She took a deep breath. “There’s a Hooters in Colorado Springs if that’s more your cup of tea. Otherwise, see you tomorrow.”

  He smiled and shook his head. “It was just a joke, you know.”

  She arched her eyebrows and reached for the door handle. Before pulling it closed, she said, “I wasn’t joking.” She forced herself to start her car and not look back at the mysterious Riley Schultz before driving out of the parking lot.

  Chapter Six

  JESUS CHRIST, RILEY breathed, watching Erin’s little white car peel out of the parking lot. How could he constantly manage to fuck things up? They’d actually been having a nice conversation and he was pretty sure Erin was even admiring his body while he looked on, and wham! He just had to make one inappropriate joke too many.

  And…fuck. He already really liked her. She seemed smart and sweet, unlike a certain someone who’d ripped his heart to shreds.

  Ah…never again. And he told himself that now too. Maybe it was better this way. Hell, maybe that’s why he hadn’t been able to help himself in the first place. It was self-defense. Make her hate him right now so she couldn’t break his heart later.

  Still, even if he did forego any kind of relationship-type scenario, he wanted to have some fun on this date. He’d even wanted to kiss her back there, and she’d seemed willing.

  He let out a deep breath and shook his head, walking farther through the parking lot. And there was his first true love…a dark blue Mustang he’d bought in high school and nursed back to health. He’d left it at home with his parents when he’d moved to California, and his dad drove it once in a while to keep it from getting rusty, but she was still his baby. Whenever he came home, he gave her the attention she deserved. They’d been through a lot together and he’d never get rid of her.

  But should he pick Erin up in this car tomorrow night or would she prefer something more conservative? After her last few remarks, he wasn’t sure what to think.

  The only thing he knew is he didn’t want to fucking blow it. He was going to drive to Colorado Springs tomorrow and find something sharp to wear. She wanted conservative, he’d be sure she got it.

  But c’mon…there was only so far he was willing to go. She knew he was a rock star. She couldn’t expect him to conform, and if she did, she’d be nothing but disappointed.

  Still…he’d like to shock her a little. And he knew exactly how to pull the rug out from under her.

  * * *

  Erin wanted nothing more than to call her best friend Jackie Cole and ask her opinion on the evening’s events, but Jackie and her husband were on a romantic weekend getaway. Jackie wanted to get pregnant and they’d decided a mini-vacation scheduled around the time she ovulated would be their best bet. So…Erin would have to wait and talk to Jackie on Monday, probably long after all was said and done. She knew Jackie would love to hear the stories just the same, but she’d only be able to give her advice in hindsight.

  Jackie had always been the sensible one (thus, the almost clinical approach to having a baby). Erin wasn’t like that in the least. She’d never admit it out loud, but she wanted guys to do romantic things, things like reading poetry to her, giving her flowers, or surprising her with special gifts. She never wanted to ask her future spouse (which was highly in doubt now anyway) to time his lovemaking to create a baby. She wanted to be consumed by passion and desire and maybe even love.

  So this whole Riley thing had left her in shambles. She’d thought a good night’s sleep would cure her, but it didn’t even come close. It didn’t help that she kept waking up, visions of his face in her head. And she still couldn’t believe she’d checked him out from head to toe…while he’d watched! Oh-my-fucking-God. Jackie would have a cow when Erin told her about that.

  So she’d spent the whole day going through every single one of her dresses and nothing seemed right. God, she needed Jackie here to give her some perspective and to help her choose something. Midafternoon, she finally picked up her phone and sent a desperate text. Maybe if Jackie and Carl came up for air, Jackie could give her a quick ring. Jax, need your help! Have sudden date & no clue what to wear. Pls help!

  No answer after half an hour, so she decided to work out. She pulled out one of her exercises DVDs and put more effort into it than usual, hoping to curb her anxiety. Just as she was doing the cool down, she heard her phone make a beep, letting her know she was receiving a text. She felt relief…finally, Jackie was responding.

  But when she read the message, she knew it wasn’t Jackie. Her phone didn’t recognize the number. Pick u up @ 6:30? R

  All of a sudden, Erin’s hands started shaking again. Just having him send her a text gave her the jitters. Being nervous meant one thing and one thing only: the night would end in disaster.

  And it was probably for the better.

  She texted him back. C u then.

  Then, considering it was after four, she needed to start getting ready. She decided to shower first, considering she was feeling hot and sticky after her workout. Her phone beeped again and she smiled, wondering what Riley had to say now. Only it wasn’t Riley; it was Jackie. Want me 2 call u?

  Yes!

  In less than two minutes, Erin’s phone was ringing. “Jackie. I’m so sorry to interrupt your love fest.”

  “You kiddin’, girl? I wore the man out. He’s passed out on the bed, so I decided to come out by the pool. I’v
e been in the water this whole time, but I got out and read your message. So I leave you alone for just a couple of days and you go and get yourself into some romantic mess.” Jackie laughed. “What’s up? What’s this sudden date?”

  “Well, you know I had to do that stupid cheerleader auction thing…”

  “Yeah, and before I even left, you knew you were going to be auctioned too.”

  “Yeah, but…”

  “But…?”

  “You’ll never believe who’s taking me out on that date.”

  “Ron Gill.”

  God, Erin was blind. Well, no more. She’d figured that one out. “No…even though he put out the opening bid.”

  “I’m surprised that boy didn’t outbid all your other suitors.”

  “My other suitor bid five-hundred dollars.”

  “What?!”

  “Yeah!”

  “Well, obviously, the man doesn’t work for the school. So, cough it up. Who’s the big spender?”

  Erin let out a long breath. “Riley Schultz.”

  There was silence for a few moments. “That name’s familiar. Where do I know him from?”

  “Spawn.”

  “What?”

  “The band Spawn.”

  “What? Are you kidding me?”

  “No!”

  “Oh, yeah…they’re from Winchester, aren’t they?”

  “Yeah. So he’s the guy they got to play emcee last night.” She lowered her voice, as though there were people around who might overhear her. “He’s really hot.”

  “I know. I might not be a fan, but I’ve still seen pictures.”

  “Oh, you have no idea, girlfriend. He’s different in person…more potent.”

  “Ah…been hit by the love bug. Bad idea.”

  “Believe me, I know. But still. I can’t figure out what to wear. I’ve literally gone through everything in my closet, looked it over twice, and nothing catches my eye.”

  “Too late to go buy something too.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well…don’t wear anything slutty.”

  “Duh.”

  “But not too prim either. Well, I guess that depends on the message you want to send. Would you fuck him if it went there?”

  “Oh, my God! I haven’t even thought that far…but he almost kissed me last night.” She sighed. “I think.”

  “You got it bad, girl. What about that pretty silver dress you wore the first year you were teaching?”

  “The one that ends just above the knees?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Too flashy, don’t you think?”

  “No, not if you wear a shawl or jacket with it.”

  Erin started walking toward her bedroom and pulled the dress back out of the closet. “Maybe…” She held it up to her body so she could see herself in her full-length mirror. It could work. “I don’t know.”

  “Do it. Wear that white shawl with white pumps. You’ll look stunning. And pull your hair up. Hell, see if the salon can do your hair before you go.”

  “No time. Besides, I think I can get that.”

  “And call me tomorrow.”

  Erin nodded and smiled. “I promise.”

  “In the meantime, I’m gonna Google that boy as soon as I hang up. I didn’t remember him bein’ that good-lookin’.”

  Chapter Seven

  RILEY PULLED HIS Mustang into the apartment building’s parking lot. He hadn’t been on this side of town since he’d lived here years ago. One comforting thing about Winchester was that it hadn’t changed much.

  He stepped out of the car and ran his hands over the suit jacket. Jesus. He must have lost his mind. He was actually wearing a suit and tie, something he hadn’t done in years. He didn’t even do that for award ceremonies. This girl had really gotten under his skin.

  And why not? She wasn’t like Marla. No, Erin seemed to be a genuinely sweet girl. Marla was a slutty ambitious whore who didn’t care about anyone but herself.

  And why was he even tormenting himself? Why did he think she’d be interested in someone like him? He was just kidding himself. She was being nice, but come tomorrow, he’d be history.

  Still…there was nothing wrong with enjoying himself right here, right now. He wasn’t going anywhere for a week, and he sure as hell didn’t want to go to game night at his mom and dad’s church. They’d invited him, but his mother beamed when she found out he’d donated a large sum of money to the school, and she practically fainted when he came home from Colorado Springs with a suit in tow. So he apologized for not going to church game night. He’d rather shove bamboo slivers under his fingernails.

  So the suit wasn’t so bad.

  He took a deep breath and checked the address he’d saved on his phone. Her apartment was on the top floor and it looked like he would be right on time.

  He walked around to the other side of the car and grabbed the bouquet of flowers off the passenger seat. The woman at the floral department in the supermarket had told him most women liked the wildflower bouquet. She said it didn’t send any weird, creepy messages, but what girl didn’t like flowers? He didn’t care what kind of flowers, but for some reason, he felt a deep need to impress her, and the flowers would help. Well, that and he wanted to make amends for upsetting her the night before.

  He still hadn’t forgotten the way she’d smelled when he’d pulled her close. She smelled like…vanilla and coconut, almost good enough to eat, but he could also smell her underneath it all, and he liked it.

  God…he was so worked up now and so afraid of fucking things up, he was afraid he was going to come off like a teenage kid, acting spazzy like one of her students. He took another deep breath and started walking toward the building, telling himself to chill out. It’s not like he loved her or anything. If it didn’t work out, big fucking deal.

  Except he wanted it to.

  Gotta stop thinkin’ like that. No more pressure.

  He climbed the stairs and shook out his free hand. He found her apartment at last and took one final moment to get himself under control. What the hell was his problem? He was literally a famous rock star and women had thrown themselves at him more times than he could remember. He’d performed for stars and demanding crowds, had partied with the best of them, had been overseas and performed in venues large and small, and here he was humbled and freaking out about a high school English teacher.

  He smiled and rang the doorbell to her apartment. Here goes nothin’.

  He heard the door unlock and then open. A good sign…unless she had a roommate who was going to tell him she left for the weekend. But Erin opened the door and, God, she looked like a dream. She was wearing a strapless black satiny gown that showed off her curves, but she wore a thin white shawl over it. The dress ended mid-calf and she wore black sandals that had a bit of heel. Her hair was up and back like it had been last night, but it was higher somehow. He was awestruck. If he’d thought she was stunning last night, she was out of this world tonight.

  And sexy as hell. His mind was trying to push back all the dirty thoughts it had suddenly conjured up. She smiled, her white teeth gleaming, and Riley was pretty sure all was forgiven.

  He still didn’t regret the flowers, even if he hadn’t needed them.

  She said, “Hi.” He saw it in her eyes—she hadn’t expected him to wear a suit. She smiled. “You clean up nice, as they say.”

  “Thanks. You too.” God, that was a stupid thing to say. He cleared his throat. “Oh, uh…these are for you.” He held the flowers out to her.

  He didn’t miss the look on her face. He’d surprised her. “Oh…thanks. Uh…why don’t you come in for a minute while I find a vase to put them in?” She stood back, inviting him in.

  He stepped just inside, not wanting to push his luck by intruding, but he tried to get out of her way. She closed the door and began walking across the living room. “Come on in,” she said.

  He followed her across the room. He liked her place. It wasn’t very big but it was neat
. She had hundreds of books…he spotted three large bookshelves in the living room alone. Not surprising that an English teacher would be a book lover. The room was a bit on the dark side, but no lights were on in there. There was a chair and a couch, both in the same beige upholstery, but the couch had a colorful afghan draped over the back, and it also had several pillows tucked in the corners. There were a couple of framed prints, but he didn’t have time to check them out as he followed her into the kitchen. Unlike the living room, it felt light and airy. It was mostly white but had accents of light blue here and there, and her canisters and some potholders on the wall were decorated with brown teddy bears hugging blue hearts. The tablecloth covering the square table in the middle was lacy off-white and topped with blue placemats.

  It felt kind of like his mom’s kitchen. It felt homey and inviting. He liked it, but no way was he going to say it. Erin had opened up a cabinet door in the corner. “Hey…I hate to ask you, but can you reach that vase right there?”

  Riley liked being asked for help. “Sure.” Reaching the vase off the top shelf was no problem. He handed it to her and shut the cabinet door.

  She thanked him and then walked across the room to the sink. She poured in some water and then removed the flowers from the plastic sheet around them. “These smell really nice.”

  “Glad you like ‘em.” He felt really stupid, just hovering and saying goofy things, like he was a teenager all over again. But the awkward moment would be over soon.

  She placed the vase on the table and smiled. “Thank you.” He nodded. “So…are you ready to go?”

  “If you are.” And not only did he hold his elbow out for her to lace her arm through once they got out the door, but he also opened the passenger door for her. He wanted to make sure she was swept off her feet, because he didn’t know how long he could remain on his best behavior. He hoped his good first impression now would carry him all the way through dinner and beyond.