Page 47 of Wild Stars

He’s surrounded by crumpled up paper and a box of half-eaten pizza, still wearing the clothes I gave him.

His dark hair falls in his eyes as he hums out a melody, completely oblivious to anything.

And for a moment, all I can do is watch him process his music, watch as he works.

And then he looks up, and I’m caught once again.

Fuck.

Dare removes his headphones.“I didn’t think anyone else was still here,” he says quickly.

“They’re not.I just got here,” I reply carefully.

“What are you doing here?”His eyebrows furrow with confusion as his gaze settles on my brown paper bag full of dinner.

“Sometimes I like to work late,” I state firmly.

When I can’t focus at home.

“Oh,” he says as he absentmindedly strums his guitar.

I should leave.I should turn my ass around and head down the hall, to my studio, and forget about Dare and his puppy dog eyes.

But I find myself unable to resist Dare Wylde, yet again.

“Working on writing your next big hit?”I ask smoothly.

Dare grins, and it’s somehow both cheesy and endearing.

“Trying to.I know what I want to write, but it’s like my brain goblins have taken a siesta.”

I raise an eyebrow.“Your what?”

Dare blushes, shaking his head.“Uh...nothing.”

“God, you are certifiable, Dare.”

I don’t miss the way his eyes light up.

“I think that’s a compliment,” he says proudly.

And for a moment, I feel relaxed.

Until my damn stomach growls.

“I, uh...guess I’ll leave you to it, then,” I say as I push off the doorframe.

“Wait...”Dare says, his voice soft.

I hate that I stop dead in my tracks.That just one word cancommandmy attention like that.

Thathecan command my attention.

I turn around to look at him.“What?”

“Maybe you could...um...”I watch as his eyebrows knit together, as he struggles with his words.

“English, Dare,” I remind him, imploring his gaze with mine.“Take a breath.Use your words.”

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