Page 43 of Blind Attraction

“It isn’t that simple.” He wished it was. God, how he wished. If he had a normal life and a normal career, things might work out. But he didn’t. His life was on the road, over numerous countries, and in and out of recording studios and rehearsal sessions.

“Love never is.” Blake patted him on the shoulder and walked away, heading for the ladies in the kitchen. Mitch followed, ignoring the bite of jealousy when his friend spoke to Alana and brought a beaming smile to her face.

No. Things between them would be too complicated. Exactly the type of scenario both of them didn’t need right now. The best he could hope for was a little more time spent with her in his arms and an amicable farewell.

* * *

Two hours later Alana sat on the balcony of the hotel suite with another glass of wine in her hand. She couldn’t remember how many she’d had, but her cheeks flushed with intoxication and her heart now beat in a slow waltz instead of the thunderous staccato she’d experienced for the last few days.

Since leaving the bedroom, she’d only spoken a few words to Mitchell, and her mind enjoyed the relief from the constant barrage of lust and love-filled thoughts. She’d also given up on trying to talk herself out of loving him. It took too much strength. They fit together too well. They meshed perfectly.

“Is everything all right between you and Mitch?”

Alana lifted her gaze from the glass in her hand to Leah’s darkened face. The woman’s voice held a hint of concern. “Yeah…I guess so. Why?”

Leah looked away. “No real reason, I suppose. He just seems down.”

Alana watched the glint of a wine glass raise to Leah’s lips before it descended again.

“Earlier, when you both...ah...came out of the bedroom, he was happy. More happy and carefree than normal. But over the last few hours, every time I go into the kitchen, he’s sullen and detached.”

Alana took a sip of her drink and squinted toward the side of Leah’s face, trying to sharpen the darkened image. The inability to read people’s expressions drove her crazy. She’d had to learn to concentrate more closely on the emotion in their voice.

“Do you want me to speak to him?” She felt stupid asking the question to someone who knew Mitchell better than she did.

“No.” Leah shook her head. “It’s probably nothing. I just get edgy when the guys aren’t themselves, especially when we’re about to go on the road.”

Ryan’s wife, Julie, let out a burst of laughter and they both turned in her direction. Kate’s soft chuckle came next from further along the balcony.

“Wow,” Leah whispered. “I can’t remember the last time she laughed. Hell, I can’t remember the last time she smiled.”

“Really?” Alana had only been able to make out the vague details of a tall slim woman with blond hair. Julie had been quiet since their introduction. “I assumed she must be upset about Ryan leaving to go on the promo tour.”

Leah laughed without humor. “No. She prefers when he’s away. Over the last year they’ve done nothing but fight.”

“Oh.” Alana had nothing else to say. Ryan seemed like a nice guy. A damn attractive, wealthy, and talented, nice guy.

“Come on.” Leah rose from her chair and held out a hand in front of Alana’s face. “Let’s go inside and chat it up with my boys. Maybe Mitch will cheer up when you’re around.”

The staccato flutter came back to life under her ribs. The mere thought of being near him sent her blood racing. “Sounds good.” She gripped her now empty wine glass in one hand and allowed Leah to help her up with the other.

Half an hour later, she understood what Leah had meant about Mitchell. Alana didn’t need her sight to notice the difference in him. He was distant even though they now sat side by side on the sofa. He still touched her, still kissed her cheek with affection and spoke to her often, yet each time he did, he lacked his usual enthusiasm, as if his heart was no longer fully involved.

Maybe the mood change stemmed from the pressure of their upcoming album release and the nights he would spend away on the promo tour. She didn’t know him well enough to judge. She wished she did though.

“What are you doing before you leave tomorrow?” She nestled her head into his shoulder and snuggled close. They hadn’t discussed anything beyond tonight and her heart grew more demanding, needing to determine if they would spend more time together before he left.

“I’ve got promotional obligations for most of the day.”

Her chest clenched and she nodded to distract herself from the disappointment.

He slid his arm around her shoulder and pulled her a little closer. “Late morning we’re doing a pre-recording for an interview on the Daybreak breakfast show. Mason refuses to show up to anything before eleven, so we have to tape it tomorrow for the following day’s show.”

She turned her head to look at him and raised a brow.

He shrugged. “When you’ve got as much money and pulling-power as the all famous Mason Lynch, you can kinda make whatever demands you want. Then in the afternoon we’ll visit the local drug and alcohol rehab center.”

“Really?” Every day, almost every hour, he had her in awe at how different he was from her mother’s portrayal of men. Pride melted her heart.

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