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“Oh, are you someone else’s date?”

He ran his fingers through his hair.

“I’m Carter Hills. It’s nice to meet you.”

I lowered my voice. “Like the Carter Hills? The music superstar Carter Hills?”

“That would be me.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I know nothing about the music industry, but I’ve heard your name a lot. I know you’re a big shot on the country music scene.”

He offered me a shy smile.

He wore his emotions in his eyes. The man had been hurt. And guilt was eating him alive. I could work with that. First, weakness assessment: check.

“So why are you here, Mr. Hills? Why did you agree to suffer through this night?”

“Carter, please. No Mr. Hills. I’m not old enough for that.”

I watched him and pushed a timid smile to my lips, hoping my cheeks would flush just a little to add some credibility to my act.

“One of my songs is featured on the soundtrack, so that’s a requirement of the job.”

His eyes traveled to my cleavage, and I noticed, so I folded my arms to bring his attention to my expensive set of breasts.

His throat worked.

Yeah, I could have him if I played my cards right.

He was on the lookout for something, and I’d find whatever it was and provide it to him.

Second step, nailing the damsel-in-distress act: check.

Carter Hills eyed me with a gaze I had trouble deciphering.

I pouted a little because I was aware of the way men zoomed in on my lips when I did.

“I’m out of here. Do you want to grab a bite or something? I ate nothing since I got here. And now I’m starving.”

My stomach grumbled as if I’d rehearsed this scene a thousand times.

Inside, I congratulated myself for being such a great actress. Soon Hollywood would be my playground, and I would make everybody eat from my hand.

The man facing me downed the rest of his water, and the bobbing of his throat pulled me into a trance. “A midnight snack sounds awesome.”

I breathed out.

Part one of my Seduce-Carter-Hills plan was complete.

Time to put part two into action.

God, I loved the chase.

And I was the best at this game.

His hand drifted to my lower back, and I walked two steps ahead of him. And swaying my hips just a little, to give him the perfect view of my backside, I gave the audition of my life.

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