Page 16 of Just Business

Well, damn. He’s got me there. “I wasn’t sure it was a good idea. I mean, you’re you, and there was—there was that thing last night and…” My words trail off, and one side of his mouth hitches up.

“What thing last night?” he asks, his question a challenge. He knows damn well what I’m talking about.

My throat works on a swallow, but I refuse to break eye contact. “You know what I’m talking about.”

He puts the van in park and turns to face me fully. This close I can see that his eyes have turned a deep azure. “You mean that thing where I’d just seen the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on and I knew I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t at least try to see her again, even if she was calling me an asshole?”

Gulp. Shut this down right now, Penny Miller.My cheeks are flaming hot and I’m pretty sure my body temperature has risen ten degrees.

I shake my head, a tiny smile threatening to betray me. “That might work on other women, but not me.” It’s a bald-faced lie, and he knows it. “Grab your stuff and come on.”

That damn rumbling laugh follows me as I unbuckle and climb from the van. Once he’s grabbed his luggage and guitar, I lead the way up the wooden stairs and into the apartment. He sets his stuff down and turns to me expectantly. I might as well go ahead and lay down the rules now.

“Listen, I want you to be comfortable here. Treat it like it’s your own home. There is one rule I need to ask of you, though.” I pause, making sure I have his attention before continuing. “I occasionally have a drink or two. It’s no big deal; we’re both adults here. But since we’ve established that I know who you are, no binge drinking up here. Please. I’m not interested in babysitting anyone who’s blacked out drunk. I’ve worked hard to fix this place up and there’s no extra money in my budget to fix or replace anything you might break. I don’t have the time or energy for that.”

I’m thinking about an article I read where he caused some pretty expensive damage to a hotel room a few weeks ago. My words come out harsher than I intend, but it’s important to be straight with him from the get-go.

“Here in Singing River, we avoid the tabloids.”

Austin has the good sense to look embarrassed, or maybe it’s genuine shame. “I swear to you that won’t happen. Like I said, I’m trying damn hard to give all that up. And it's great in here.” He gestures around the room. “How much do you charge?”

“What about $500 a week? It’ll be more private than a hotel room,” I offer after taking a few seconds to think over a fair price.

“$1000 a week, but that includes room and board—with a little twist.” His expression turns mischievous.

“What kind of twist are we talking about here?” I ask, allowing my curiosity to show.

“Lemme cook for you.”

I stand there, blinking at him. Of all the things I thought he might say, cooking for me was not one of them. I can’t even picture him doing something as domestic as cooking. “Do you even know how to cook? Will we be eating microwave meals and frozen pizzas?”

“Trust me Penny, I know my way around the kitchen,” he says, tossing me another wink and my stomach does a giant swoosh.

I’m not sure a wink has ever elicited a feeling like that from me.Get it together, I mentally scold myself, trying to settle the butterflies threatening to take flight in my belly.

“Don’t make me regret this. And also, don’t go getting any ideas. If you sleep in your van, it’ll probably show in your music cause I’m sure it’ll make you cranky. That’s all this is.”

“Hey, who chased who down in the parking lot last night?” he teases, raising his hands in mock surrender.

“I did not chase you!” I have to roll my lips in to keep from laughing. “Now, shake my hand and tell me this is a business agreement that might include cooking.”

His large, warm hand completely engulfs mine, guitar calluses brushing against my thumb, and I can’t help but wonder how those calluses would feel against the most sensitive parts of me. Warmth spreads straight to my core at the thought.

“Penny, darlin’. This is just business…for now.”

Well, shit. I certainly didn’t put this on my summer bingo card.

Through a narrow slit in the blinds, I watch Penny head across the gravel driveway and disappear through the side door of her house. I meant what I said when I told her she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, whether she believes it or not. Every time I look at her, my cock seems to take on a life of its own. Working beside her for two weeks will be absolute torture. I’ll probably be taking a lot of cold showers.

Once she’s inside, I walk around, taking in my new digs. She made it sound barebones, but it’s actually pretty nice. It’s a studio with a small kitchen, living area, bathroom, and in one corner is a king-size bed that looks ridiculously comfortable. When I get to it, I flop down, stretching out in the middle, and good lord! Either I slept worse last night than I thought, or she went above and beyond on this bed. The rest of the furniture is probably thrifted, but this mattress is something else.

This day has completely turned around my expectations for this trip. It’s already been the attitude adjustment I need, and that feisty redhead next door might have something to do with it. In the world I’ve existed in, it’s all about who knows who—the greater the net worth, the better. Something tells me she couldn’t care less how famous I am. No, it takes a lot to impress that woman. Plus, I’ve enjoyed my time around her so far, and she saved my back from the hell I was willing to put it through. I might have told Ty that I was calling this whole thing off, but the minute I looked up and saw Penny standing at the studio, I knew I’d sleep in my van as long as necessary for the chance to spend more time with her.

Realizing I haven’t updated Ty yet, I grab my phone and hit his contact, putting him on speaker while I start unpacking my bags.

When he answers, I hear that familiar note of concern in his voice, and guilt pricks at me for all I’ve put him through.

"Just letting ya know, you’re welcome to say ‘I told you so.’” He was right to postpone the tour and send me here. Even after a day, I know this is the right call.

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