Page 51 of Pink and Country

“Thanks,” I said, avoiding his heavy stare, my head hanging low.

Carter held out his hands. “April Simmons, I’m Carter Hills. Nice to finally introduce myself.”

I gasped. “You knew my name all along?” Carter lowered his eyes. “I know the names of all my guests. Wasn’t fair to call you by yours while withholding mine. Sorry about that.”

I blinked. “If it means anything,” I said, “I loved the nickname game. I enjoy a little mystery from time to time.” Carter’s stare was so intense, it liquified me. I swallowed hard, my eyes fixed on his.

“Listen, I’m giving a show next Saturday in Nashville. June, my assistant manager, convinced me it’d calm the storm surrounding us. Some sort of gift to my fans. I’d like for you to come along, but it’s up to you. If you refuse, I’ll understand.” Carter said us . I wanted to fan myself but refrained. My day took an unexpected turn.

“Not sure I’m cut out for all the attention.”

Carter shook his head. “It won’t be like this, I promise. You’ll stay with June the entire time. She’s part of my team. I trust her. You’ll be backstage. It’s not a big stage. It’ll be an acoustic show. Me and my guitar. Nothing too glamourous. You know, a few hundred fans, maybe even less. My team is setting it up as we speak. I don’t have all the details yet.” Since when did HN ramble around me? He slouched his shoulders forward, and I heard the loud breath he exhaled through his nose.

After a beat, Carter tipped my chin up with a curled finger and leveled our gazes. I saw the plea in his melted steel irises.

“I’ll think about it.” Carter’s hand curved around the back of my head, and he pulled me closer, dropping a kiss on my forehead.

Time stopped.

12

Carter

“O kay, there are quite a few things I enjoy. Let’s see. My favorite things about Green Mountain are the feet orgasms I get while walking on crunchy leaves covering the ground and the sunsets.” Feet orgasm? I mirrored April’s grin. Even her words sounded like poetry. “I also shed tears every time I see old people kissing. The ocean breeze gives me goosebumps, and fireflies on summer days entice me.”

“Anything else?”

“I adore candy apples because they remind me of my childhood, and I believe wishing upon a star makes dreams come true.” April took a sip from her mug. I leaned in to wipe the chocolate off the corner of her lips with my thumb. Our gazes locked, and for a minute, I forgot how my lungs worked. Fairy averted her eyes. “Hot chocolate heals everything. Or it should.” April’s voice dropped to a lower and huskier tone. My entire body pulsed with need. She tightened the white fluffy blanket around her, and Bernice, who was curled by her side, adjusted herself. April was sitting on the couch, her legs tucked under her, next to the chair I was in. Keeping a safe distance between us seemed imperative. The crackling from the fireplace and the cat’s slow and steady breathing were the only noises in the house. April’s words had turned into a guttural whisper. “What about you? What do you like, Carter?” My heart shuddered each time my name flew from her mouth. You , I wanted to scream.

I swallowed hard, doing my best to not rip her clothes off and ravage her with my mouth. “I love music. It’s an addiction, a drug. Without it, I’m lost. It keeps me sane. Don’t tell anybody, but I also enjoy rom-coms.” I scratched my jaw. “I already told you about Jack and Dahlia, so—Oh, and I like sledding. It’s something I do with Jack. A tradition. We should do it together. You and me.”

“You’re sure it’s a good idea? I’m not even sure I like winter.”

“Get ready, woman. We’ll go tomorrow. Everything about flying down a snowy slope feels like magic.” I didn’t exaggerate. “For a minute, you’re back to being a kid again. You don’t have to like winter to enjoy this.”

“Okay, it sounds fun. I can do this.”

“Now that you know all about me, tell me why you’re staying in Green Mountain for a month, by yourself? And what are you writing all the time on your laptop? You spend hours a day glued to that screen.”

April sighed. She worked her jaw back and forth. Was she not trusting me? I didn’t have too much time to ponder this possibility when she started talking. “I’m writing a book. A novel. I’m an author. For now.”

My eyes widened. “Nice. Why for now?”

April shrugged. “I don’t know. It just kind of happened, but this wasn’t a dream of mine. I love it, believe me. I’m good at it when I put my mind into it, but I’m not sure it’s what I’m supposed to do. Sometimes, I feel like I’m missing something. Haven’t figured out what it is though.”

“You published anything yet?”

Fairy nodded. “Two books. And they’re doing quite well.”

“Anything I might have read?”

April let out a warm laugh. “No. Unless you’re into magic and fantasy world kind of literature.”

I shook my head. “No. Don’t think so. Perhaps I should try it. Do you think it would suit me?”

April’s sweet laugher doubled in intensity. “Please, don’t. I refuse to picture you as my typical reader.”

I puckered my face and pretended to stab my chest.