“Call is all for whatever lines his pockets. Greedy son of a bitch. If he wasn’t one of the best in the business, I’d shitcan his wrinkled ass and throw him off the gravy train. He acts like I need a damn daddy to keep me in line.” Kimber hadn’t seen much of the older man, but enough to know that Call felt that part of his role was to keep Jesse from selfdestructing.
“He’s trying to help you.”
“He’s pissing me off.”
“Your only choices are to fire him, put up with him, or ask him to be nicer.” That stopped his tirade. “Damn, you’re smart. You’re like your dad; you tell people how it is. I knew there was a reason I invited you on tour with me.” Jesse smiled, relieving some of the severity on his face, then he hugged her, kissed her forehead. Kimber did her best to settle into his warmth and bask. But his snarling words were still ringing in her head, distracting her. And though he was gorgeous, everything with him felt wrong. Kimber knew why.
Damn Deke and his stubborn hide. She stepped out of his embrace. “So, you ready for the show?”
“Yeah, we finally got it together. The venue is cool. I’ve really been looking forward to this.”
The look Jesse sent her made no sense. Secretive. Nervous. Eager. Tender.
Interesting…
“Because it’s the start of the tour?”
“No. This show in particular. I’m a little nervous.” She smiled and grabbed his hand, reminding herself that he needed a friend. Hell, so did she. From what she’d seen, neither Ryan nor Call really fit that bill. No wonder he was cranky. And of course he was anxious about this show. As his friend, she could provide a little comfort.
“I’m sure the first show of a new tour is exciting. It’s sold out. Fans will be there.
They love you. Nothing to be worried about.”
“Oh, I’m not worried about that. Sometimes, I think I could sing ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ and they’d cheer their asses off.” He laughed, a cynical snort. “It’s crazy.”
“Then what’s up?”
“You’ll see…” The singsong taunt was accompanied by that odd look. Jesse definitely had a secret. He was up to something.
“What are you planning?”
“You’ll have to wait until tonight to find out.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” But she lied. A dread she didn’t understand settled like a pile of rocks into her stomach. Surprises weren’t always good.
“That’s it?”
“Um, I’m sure it’ll be great.” Was he put out because she wasn’t jumping up and down to find out about the secret?
“I hope you think so.” He stared, those piercing dark eyes looking anxious and confused.
She sighed. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
A denial, pure and simple. Damn, the man was so moody. From highs to lows, from mischief to pensive, all in a snap. Everyone always just adapted, Kimber noticed. Jesse was so used to the world revolving around him. It was so unlike her father and brothers, who only had three modes: work, laughter, and anger—in that order. Jesse was all over the emotional map.
“What happened to the you I used to know?” The question was out before she could stop it.
Jesse’s gaze snapped back to her. “What do you mean?” Kimber fought the urge to fidget and looked away. But they hadn’t had an honest conversation in the last week. Passing and superficial, yes. He’d asked about her family, her schooling, scraped a bit of the surface about her wishes for the future.
Granted, she hadn’t exactly been forthcoming. She couldn’t blurt out to the man she’d come to explore a future with that her heart was someplace else. Besides, he was totally absorbed with this tour and hadn’t opened up to her. Some days, he hardly talked at all.
Unlike Deke, who’d always connected with her, even with just a glance. He’d told her where she stood, even when he was trying to lie, whether she wanted to hear it or not.
“I think you know what I mean,” she whispered, forcing her thoughts away from the iron-hearted bodyguard. “You’ve…changed.”
“You have, too. You’re more confident and mature and sexy as hell.” He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. “When I’m with you, I feel clearer, more centered. I guess it’s taking me a while to adjust to not partying all the time.” Maybe that was true. Who knew? In some ways, Kimber felt like she was talking to a stranger. “I’m not here to change your life.”