A chill shot through him. Like a taillight.
He screeched the car to a stop, fishtailing on the wet road. Made a U-turn and headed back, scanning the thick wall of trees. There it was. Definitely a taillight. Someone had gone off the road. Please, don’t let it be Starly. He pulled around and parked the Jeep on the shoulder, then grabbed a flashlight from his bag.
As the heavy rain drummed on his bare head, he scrambled down the embankment through the wet brush. The wind howled and made the trees sway back and forth. The heavy rain made it hard to keep track of the red light.
After what seemed like an endless trek through the Sierra Nevada woods, he reached the vehicle. A four-door sedan was jammed sideways against a pine tree, the passenger side completely shoved in. Fighting back panic, he broke through the last barrier of prickly branches and aimed the flashlight at the license plate.
Look for a light-colored Lexus, he’d been told. Either silver or pale gold. Ohio license plate beginning with B.
Check, check and check.
Starly.
Sheer, stark terror sent ice through his veins. “Starly!” he shouted. Tripping over roots, rain blurring his sight, he ran the rest of the way to the Lexus. “Starly!”
No answer.
“Beatrice,” he tried. He had no idea why. He never used her real name. No one did. Okay, sometimes he did, in the secrecy of his own thoughts. It was such a soft name, so flowing and lovely. It suited her. Not the on-stage version of her, but the version he sometimes saw when she was messing around with her guitar or scribbling lyrics in her notebook.
He reached the car and crouched next to the driver’s side door. He shone the flashlight inside.
There she was, the world’s most famous missing pop star. She was sitting in the driver’s seat, head tilted against the headrest. She looked like she was sleeping peacefully behind the glass window. Her long, wavy hair draped across her torso, as gracefully as if a stylist had spent hours on it. A small half-smile curved her lips.
Goddammit. Not a stitch of makeup, a ragged sweatshirt, dark circles under her eyes, and still she looked angelically beautiful.
Angelically? No, no, no. He didn’t mean that literally. Starly was not angelic, especially not in the after-life, heavenly choir sense of the word. Starly was too alive to be dead.
Like that made any sense.
His heart felt like a stone as he carefully opened the door. He reached for her throat to test her pulse and noticed that his hands were shaking. “Starly.” He could barely squeeze the word past the gigantic lump in his throat. It came out as a harsh croak. “Goddammit, Starly.”
* * *
Hunter.
A beam of light kept flashing across her vision, but Starly could definitely see Hunter behind it. She would recognize the shape of his head anywhere, even soaked with rain. And his scent, always so clean and male, like pine trees and leather.
No, it couldn’t be Hunter. How could it be, out here in the woods? She blinked, sure she must be hallucinating due to lack of food. Or lack of sleep. Or lack of control over her car. She’d had so many fantasies and dreams starring Hunter. Of course she would imagine him coming to her rescue after a car crash.
But then...if she was just imagining him, why would he still be here even after all her blinking? Why would he be touching her neck in that gentle, careful way?
She drew in a joyful breath.
He was real! Hunter had really come for her. It was just like every fantasy she’d ever had about him, except even better because he was real. Even though it was hard to see him behind that blinding light he kept flickering over her, it was definitely him.
Maybe he’d missed her. Maybe her disappearance had made him realize how much he loved her. Maybe he’d searched everywhere for her. Now he was about to declare his passion and say they should never be apart again, ever. She would totally agree with that, one hundred percent.
She opened her mouth to spill her heart to him, when she caught a full glimpse of his scowling expression.
He looked absolutely stone-faced grim. “Goddammit, Starly,” he said, as if he was completely furious with her.
“What?” That came out sounding all wrong—too irritated—so she added, “What are you doing here?”
His gaze shot to meet hers. For a moment she saw an expression in those gray-green depths that sent tingles all the way to her toes.
Then it disappeared. The scowl returned. “Getting your ass out of trouble, like always.”
Oh, great. She hated it when Hunter got that growly tone in his voice. It made her feel like a wayward teenager. She wasn’t. She was a grown woman trying to gain control of her life.
Okay, so she probably should have had better control of her car. But that was no reason for Hunter to get all superior on her.
“Well, who asked you to?” She sat up, causing him to put a warning hand on her shoulder. “Just get back in your own car and keep on driving, would you? I’m on a mission.”
“A mission, huh? A mission to mow down a forest with a Lexus?”
His irritated tone didn’t bother her so much when his warm hand was holding her firmly to her seat. She couldn’t help sighing at the delicious tingles spreading from that point of contact directly to her heart.
“Please don’t move until I check you out,” he ordered. Sure, he used the word “please,” but she knew an order when she heard one. Normally she didn’t like orders much. But when coming from Hunter’s firm lips, in his deep voice, orders totally worked for her.
Through her sudden breathlessness, she tried a joke. “I’m pretty sure you’ve checked me out before now.”
His quick hot look made her insides go quivery. “You noticed that, huh? Just doing my job. Now stay still. Let me know if anything hurts. I’ll try to be gentle.”
God, his husky voice saying the word “gentle” brought all sorts of naughty images to mind. Those images got more and more interesting as he began running his hands down her arms, then along her rib cage. Then to her hips and down her legs. By the time he was done, she was one hot mess of shivers, head to toe.
She couldn’t tell if he was equally affected. But she figured it was a good sign that he had to clear his throat to speak next.
“All good?”
So good, she wanted to say. So good I never want to leave this car. I want to stay right here and pretend to be injured and let you feel me up.
“I’m fine,” she said as briskly as she could. “Honestly, I think my lack of food helped me survive. I went all rag doll and just flopped around while the car did its thing. Then I took a little nap, and now I’m good to go. If you can just, maybe, drop me off in the nearest town, which might or might not be Hope Falls, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
He gave her an incredulous look. “You’re not going anywhere without me. Have you forgotten I’m your bodyguard?”
“Have you forgotten that you quit?” He was unfastening her seat belt, which made it really hard to concentrate.
“How did you know that I quit?” The seat belt slid off her body.
She felt her face heat. “I heard you mention it on the phone.”
He didn’t show any reaction to that confession. Did he remember the other stuff he’d said in that phone call? Each word was branded onto her soul, but it probably meant nothing to him. The fact that he thought of her as a whiny brat was just that—a simple fact. Nothing to fuss about.
“I’m still on the job for now, so let’s get you out of here. Lean forward and I’ll put one arm behind you, then the other one under your legs. I’ll carry you up to my vehicle.”
As delicious as it sounded to be carried by Hunter, she shook her head. “I can walk. I’m fine.”
“Don’t be a—” He clenched his jaw. “Don’t be stubborn.”
“What were you about to say? No, let me guess. Don’t be a whiny brat?” She pushed herself out of her seat and planted her feet on the ground. Grabbing the door for support, she stood upright. He too s
traightened up. His tall, broad frame made her yearn to press herself against him. But no—she had something to prove here. This was the new Starly Minx, the one who didn’t have people tending to her every need. She could stand on her own two feet.
Rain streamed down her face, but other than that, she felt completely fine. Energized, even.
“See, totally fine.” She pushed past him and opened the door to the backseat.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting my suitcase.”
“Forget the damn suitcase. I’ll come back for it later.”
“No, I need it. Just the one. It’s important, it’s the entire reason I came here. I’ll leave the rest. And don’t worry, I’ll carry it myself.”
She felt his warm hands on her shoulders, then she was being moved to one side as if she weighed nothing.
“Just tell me which one.” His tone was all business now. That was the Hunter she was used to. Strong, quiet, watchful—the perfect protector. The guy she loved to tease just to get a reaction.
“The burgundy Louis Vuitton.”
He mumbled something probably not very flattering and reached into the backseat. “What the hell is in here, gold bricks?”
“Sort of.” She refused to explain when he obviously thought the worst of her.
“Can’t you pick something lighter? What about your stage wardrobe? That can’t weigh much. There’s nothing to it.”
She laughed from sheer surprise. A warm feeling sparked inside her. He’d not only paid attention to her stage wardrobe, but he sounded kind of jealous about it. “Is that a joke, Hunter McGraw? I never heard you make a joke before.”
“Joking isn’t really part of the job description.” He straightened up, the suitcase safely in his grip. He handed her his flashlight. “Hold this in one hand to light the way. Take my hand with the other. This terrain is tricky.”
She slid her hand into his and nearly groaned at the sensual roughness of his palm and the way it completely engulfed hers. She’d noticed his hands the first time they’d met, when she’d welcomed him to her team with a handshake. Electric tingles had sparkled on her skin. She’d felt them for hours afterwards. His hands were big, warm, skilled, rough, gentle. His hands were lust-worthy all on their own, never mind the rest of his spectacular body.
A sense of calm settled over her as they made their way hand in hand up the slope toward the road. Every time she came close to stumbling, he steadied her. The heat radiating from his hand actually kept her warm despite the rain soaking through her clothes. She didn’t even feel hungry anymore—how strange was that? Apparently Hunter McGraw satisfied all her needs just by walking by her side.
And then he ruined everything.
As they reached the road, the beam of the flashlight picked up the skid marks left by her tires. Hunter put down her suitcase, grabbed the flashlight and followed the tracks back and forth across the road. “Jesus Christ, Starly. What the fuck were you doing, checking your Instagram? Do you have no sense at all?”
A combination of fury and humiliation washed over her. He really did think the worst of her.
“Screw you, Hunter.” She gave him a little shove and picked up the handle of her Louis Vuitton. “You can go now. Goodbye.”
She marched to the edge of the road, dragging the suitcase behind her, and stuck out her thumb.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Hitchhiking!” she shouted over the din of the rain, which poured onto her bare head. “I’d rather get a ride with a drunk trucker than with you.”
“Don’t be so frickin’ dramatic.” Even from yards away, his furious scowl scorched her soul.
“Well, guess what?” she yelled back. “I am dramatic. I’m a performer. A superstar, as a matter of fact. I am dramatic but I’m not stupid. A deer ran into the road and I swerved so I didn’t hit it. So screw you. Now go tell the label or whoever sent you that I’m fine and I’m not coming back. You did your job. You found me. Now go away.”
He didn’t go away. Instead, he jammed the flashlight into his pocket and strode toward her with a look so fierce, she nearly turned and ran. But she stiffened her knees and stood her ground. She was Starly effing Minx and she wasn’t about to back down to anyone.
He seized her shoulders and yanked her against him. “I’m not here for the label. I’m here because I couldn’t not be here. Got it?”
Riveted by the fire in his eyes, she nodded wordlessly. His face lowered until his lips hovered just inches from hers. She barely noticed the rain anymore as her breath caught in her throat. She swayed against him. As soon as her front came in contact with his hard chest, heat raced through her. He cursed under his breath, then his mouth swooped down on hers and, omigod, it was the best thing she’d ever felt in her life. Not just because his lips were warm and firm, or because of the way he claimed her mouth as if it belonged to him.
It was more than physical, so much more. Their connection felt sudden and absolute, as if she could see directly into his soul, and he into hers. Everything that he was poured into her—his strength, his integrity, his rock-solid nature, his caring and protective heart.
She surrendered to his exploring tongue, gripping his broad shoulders to keep from falling over onto her suitcase. Hot sweeps of his tongue sent sparks radiating through every inch of her body. He cradled her head in his big hands, tilting her mouth to the perfect angle. She nearly swooned at his feet. All the desire that had built over the past year lit her up like a midsummer bonfire.
This. This was what she’d been craving. But not just this...more. She pushed her hips against the hard swell in his pants. That. She wanted that too. She wanted him inside her. Inside her mouth, her body, just inside her. Now. In the rain. By the road. Wherever.
Just when she thought she might detonate from sheer desire, he pulled away from her. With his hands firmly on her shoulders, keeping distance between them, he whooshed out a long, harsh breath. “Jesus, Starly.”
She touched her tongue to her lower lip, which still tingled from his kiss.
His kiss. Hunter had kissed her! She didn’t usually feel unsure of herself with men. Generally, they were easily pleased, and she never made the mistake of caring enough to get hurt. But with Hunter, everything was upside down and backwards. Had that kiss upset him? Didn’t he like it? Were all those passionate feelings only on her side?
She was about to switch seamlessly into self-protective “Starly” pop-star mode when he spoke again. “You’re shivering.”
The tenderness in his voice completely undid her. “It’s been a long—” night, trip, life, you name it “—week.”
“Let’s get you inside and warmed up. Get some food in you.”
The mention of food made saliva gather in her mouth. Or maybe it was the delicious way he picked up her suitcase and put his arm around her.
“Okay,” she said meekly. She, Starly, who never did anything meekly. “But I’m not sure where we are. I think my GPS was malfunctioning.”
“We’re right outside Hope Falls, probably about five minutes away.”
She started laughing, then couldn’t stop. Five minutes away. Seriously? Seriously?
He watched her with a worried expression as the fits of laughter kept on coming. She couldn’t take a step forward because she was laughing too hard. Honestly, she was a little afraid she might pee her pants if this kept up. She just couldn’t get a grip on the waves of hysterical giggles that kept coming and coming. Finally Hunter shrugged, put down her suitcase and swooped her into his arms. He marched her to the Jeep parked by the side of the road and set her inside.
As he was getting into the driver’s seat, she wiped her eyes and remembered her mission.
“Don’t forget my suitcase,” she told him, her voice still shaky with laughter.
“Only if you tell me what’s in it.”
“Fine, but you might not believe me.”
“I just experienced the best kiss of my life with Starly Minx. I�
�ll believe anything at this point.”
Best kiss of his life...Had Hunter really just said that? Had any girl in the world ever felt happier? She pinched herself as he went back for the suitcase.
The suitcase.
At the sight of his dim figure bending down to grab its handle, her happiness shriveled.
Reality splashed over her, cold as the rain outside. When she told him what was in the suitcase, he’d go right back to thinking the worst of her.
3
Hunter had done some quick research during the flight to Lake Tahoe and knew that there were only two places to stay in Hope Falls. Just in case, he’d called ahead and reserved the apartment above Sue Ann’s Café. It seemed like the most private of the two options. “I’m hoping to keep this completely quiet,” he’d told her. “Can you handle a celebrity guest, someone who doesn’t want the word to get out that she’s in town?”
Sue Ann sounded almost amused on the phone. “Well now, I suppose I can find a way to work with that. Don’t you worry about it, hon. I’ll leave the key under the flowerpot.”
Yeah. He’d felt like a jackass after that. Hope Falls, at last count, was home to the ultra-famous Karina Black, two married snowboarding stars, a reality-show hosting couple, a former senator, and probably a few other celebrity residents bouncing around. What was one more?
But Starly, by disappearing, had entered a whole different level of fame. Every celebrity reporter in the world would kill for the scoop on her location. Then again, if she wore normal clothes and kept a low profile, maybe no one would even recognize her. Maybe he and Starly could leave Hope Falls the next day with no one the wiser. And then—
At that point, he blanked. Then what? What was Starly doing here in the Sierra Nevadas? Why did she care so much about that suitcase? Most importantly, did that incredible kiss change anything? How would he ever be able to forget about Starly after that? He couldn’t. But he also couldn’t trail after her like a puppy. What about his plans to return home to Jupiter Point?
One day at a time.
Seeing Stars Page 2