Moonlight Kiss

by LuAnn McLane

“But if you love something enough you do whatever it takes to hold on to it,” Addison said, and then her gaze fell to her shoes. “Some things are worth fighting for.”

  “Yeah,” Reid said, but he knew she wasn’t thinking about the farm and it suddenly pissed him off that two jerks had taken away her confidence. And here he was basically offering to be her no-strings-attached booty call. She deserved better. Yeah, dinner at his cabin would be a bad idea.

  Finally she looked back up at him. “I am pretty hungry and I just bet your mom is an amazing cook.”

  Damn. “Yeah, she is.”

  “Good. Then I’m accepting your offer,” Addison said, and looked at him long enough to let him know she wasn’t just talking about dinner.

  “Addison … look—”

  “No, wait. Let me stop you. This physical attraction we’ve got going on is mutual.” She came closer and tapped his chest. “So you can be my rebound guy and I’ll be your introduction back into dating. Since we’ve laid the ground rules up front, no one will get hurt. I think it’s a great idea. All of the fun and none of the heartache.”

  No … this was not where he wanted this to go! “I don’t really think—”

  “Reid, you admitted that you overthink, so squash it. And, yeah, I’m a pleaser, but this way I don’t have to worry about pleasing anyone but myself.” After patting her chest she took a step back and stuck out her hand. “Deal?”

  Reid looked at her small hand and was about to decline, but the vulnerable set to her mouth and those dark, expressive eyes sucked him in. He told himself that it was because he didn’t want another guy to hurt her and that he could somehow protect her from that. But the fact that Reid wanted to drag Addison into his arms and hug her hit him like a sucker punch to the gut. He turned into a big ball of sappy mush whenever he was around her. He needed to be careful or he’d be the one to fall in love.

  Reid grasped her small hand and squeezed, feeling better when she smiled. He wouldn’t let her know about his growing feelings for her, complicating her life when she needed to get it straightened out. Addison wasn’t the cheating Hollywood socialite he had accused her of being. Her only fault that he could see was being too sweet and way too trusting of the wrong people. This way he could protect her from any other ass who even thought of doing her wrong or spreading ugly rumors.

  “Oh, I’m getting a text message,” she said, and reached inside her pocket. “It’s Mia. She’s got the evening free and wants to help me in the shop.” She looked up. “I have so much to do. I should go,” she said softly.

  Reid nodded, disappointed but somewhat relieved. Addison needed to sleep on this proposal she’d come up with to make sure it was what she truly wanted. He understood where she was coming from. The attraction between them couldn’t be denied, but she didn’t want to give Reid the power to hurt her. Still, this had the potential to blow up in his face. What in the hell had he been thinking?

  15

  Sweet Dreams Are Made of This

  “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” MIA PUT HER WINEGLASS DOWN on the coffee table and shook her head at Addison. “Seriously, Reid Greenfield is going to be your … rebound guy? Explain again how this really bad idea is supposed to work.”

  “It’s pretty simple.” Addison leaned back on the sofa that she’d bought at a consignment shop a few days ago. Her apartment was filling up with secondhand furniture and rustic antiques and she loved it. “I’m like his practice person for getting back into dating and he’s my rebound guy to help me get over Garret. It’s brilliant, don’t you think?”

  “No, it’s a really poorly thought-out plan. Someone will get hurt, Addison. And you’ve been hurt enough. What happened to your no-men vow? I like that a whole lot better than this silly scenario.”

  Addison shrugged. “This is going to be way more fun.” She raised her hands skyward. “No worries!”

  “Yeah, until you fall for him. Then what happens to your little plan?”

  “No way. I won’t fall for him.” Addison made a cutoff motion toward her neck. “Not gonna happen, no way, no how.”

  “Right, and your over-the-top denial translates into ‘You’re already into him and trying to convince yourself otherwise.’”

  “No …”

  “I don’t get it. I thought you two were butting heads. Why would you hang out with a guy you don’t even get along with?”

  Addison picked up a slice of the pizza they’d ordered after adding the finishing touches to an ad they were putting in the local paper. “To keep me out of trouble.” She plucked a piece of pepperoni from her slice and popped it into her mouth.

  “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Not only that, but I think you’ve got it all wrong. This is going to get you into trouble, not keep you out of it. And for the record, I think it’s wrong for you to treat Reid as if he’s your secret stash of ice cream. A guilty pleasure.”

  “Maybe …”

  “Oh … shifty eyes. What aren’t you telling me?”

  After swallowing another slice of pepperoni Addison sighed. “Do you promise not to breathe a word of what I’m going to confess?”

  “Cross my heart.”

  Addison delayed her confession by taking a healthy bite of her pizza crust.

  “You still eat your pizza the same way you did when we were kids,” Mia said with a chuckle.

  Nodding, Addison took her time chewing and then washed it down with a swallow of wine.

  “Addie! You’re killing me.”

  Addison closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. “I’m afraid that I might be, well, boring.”

  “Boring? I don’t know one person who would find you boring.”

  Addison opened her eyes. “Don’t laugh.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Well,” she said in a hushed tone, “especially in bed.”

  Mia laughed.

  “Mia!”

  “I’m sorry.” Mia took a sip of wine and set her glass back down. “But that’s just absurd.”

  “Maybe that’s why guys bail on me. Because I’m not … you know. Good.”

  “So you’re going to use Reid as an experiment? See if you rock his world?”

  “Oh, it sounds so crass saying it out loud. Yeah, kinda. But look. We’re not in love or have any agenda so I’ll be able to judge from … you know, his reaction.”

  “You’re joking, right? Please say yes.”

  Addison winced.

  “My God, you’re serious?”

  “Look at my track record.” Addison raised her palms upward. “Aiden turned to another woman. I sure didn’t satisfy him, now, did I? And Garret? I mean, I thought it was pretty good but apparently I was wrong. He left me for a television show.”

  Mia scooted around to face her. “You’re forgetting the L word.”

  Addison gasped. “You think I’m a lesbian?”

  “No, Addison. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

  “Lust?”

  “I guess I have to spell it out for you.” Mia shoved Addison’s knee. “L-o-v-e, you dolt.”

  “Oh, come on. You don’t have to be in love to have great sex.”

  “True, but amazing, mind-blowing sex is with someone you love. Like I said, don’t you think it’s wrong to use Reid like that, anyway?”

  “No, it would just be sort of a by-product of our … arrangement. He’s dipping his toe back into the dating pool and I’m keeping away from getting engaged. He’ll be like … like my romance bodyguard.”

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake.” Mia reached for her wine. “I’m not buying into this, Addie. Not one little bit, but I can tell that you’re dead set on doing this. Like that time when we were kids and you said you could slide down the banister of that monster staircase without falling off. “You were wrong and got a broken arm to show for it.”

  “No chance of broken bones here.”

  “No, just a broken heart.” Mia sighed. “And you can’t put a cast on a broken heart.”

 
; “I’m not going to get emotionally invested. Reid might be going back to Lexington, for all I know. He’s just here to help his family get back on track financially. I know all of this going in. I won’t be blindsided like in the past.”

  “I just think you’re asking for trouble.”

  “Well, the other perk is that if I’m seen with Reid, it will help squelch the ugly rumor that I’m having an affair with Rick Ruleman.”

  Mia dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “True, but I still don’t like it. If you ask me you’re coming up with some pretty elaborate plans when all you really want to do is spend time with Reid,” Mia pointed out.

  “I just need to keep my guard up and this seemed like an easy way to do it.”

  Mia looked at her for a long moment and then reached over and squeezed her hand. “All right, I’ve had my say in the matter. I’ll drop it and hope for the best. But you know I’m always here for you.”

  “I know. Thank you, Mia.”

  “So, are your parents coming into town for the grand opening?”

  Addison shook her head. “No, I just talked to Mom about it yesterday and as much as she wants to come she thinks it could hit the gossip sites and bring attention to me and where I’m living.”

  Mia patted Addison’s knee. “Oh, that just sucks, but I think they’re right. Well, the Cougars will be out of town next weekend so I’ll be able to help out.”

  “You don’t want to visit Cam?”

  “He’s playing too far away to drive, but I hope to get to Nashville to see him play next weekend.”

  “It’s got to be hard to be apart so much. My dad has to do the same thing with my mom’s schedule.”

  Mia nodded. “It is, but making it to the major leagues is Cam’s dream. I could have quit my job and traveled with him but he knows how much I like it and didn’t even ask.” Her eyes filled with tears. “That doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck sometimes.” She swiped at her tears with her paper napkin. “Oh, Addison, it’s good to have you here. And I just know that From This Moment is going to be a huge success. Take it from me: Life picks up when you feel good about your accomplishments. After that, the rest just falls into place.”

  Addison nodded because she knew Mia was right. “I’m nervous, for sure, but already feeling some of that positive emotion you’re talking about.”

  “Addie, you deserve to be happy. And I’ll tell you one thing: If I ever see Garret or Rick Ruleman I’ll give them a piece of my mind. And I can get pretty darned feisty when I want to.” She lifted both fists and glared.

  Addison laughed. “I know! But I don’t think we have to worry about either of them showing up here.” She grinned. “And if they do I have my romance bodyguard.”

  Mia laughed with her. “Well, I will say this. Reid sure is hot. I don’t really think he’d have to work too hard to get back into the dating game, especially in a small town where eligible bachelors are golden. We have the hottie baseball players but they come and go. A local boy is a prime target.”

  Addison nodded. “Yeah, well, I think Reid just wants to play it cool for a while,” she said breezily, but the thought of Reid with another woman slid to the pit of her stomach and mixed with her pizza. “Flex his flirting muscles, you know?”

  “No, I think the two of you are playing with fire, but I promised to shut up about it so I will. But listen, if you need someone to talk to about Reid or anything, I’m here for you. We were like sisters when we were kids and I feel like that all over again. Ah, and speaking of … I want you to be my maid of honor.”

  Addison put her hand to her mouth. “Oh, Mia, I’d be thrilled!”

  Mia smiled and then leaned in for a hug. “I’m so happy you said yes! Well, I’d better get going. I’ve got an early Monday morning meeting with Noah Falcon.”

  Addison nodded and stood up. “Yeah, I’d better get some sleep too. I have a shipment of wedding dresses coming in tomorrow. You need to try some of them on.”

  “Oh, that will be fun! I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Addison walked Mia to the door. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for me. Get home safe.”

  Mia hugged her again. “I will.”

  Addison wrapped up the remaining slices of the pizza and then decided she’d drink the rest of her wine while taking a bubble bath. She lit a few fat vanilla-scented candles and turned on some soft music while the deep garden tub filled with water. While she missed her parents, her flat had already started to feel like home. And as she soaked in the fragrant bubbles, Addison relaxed to the point of almost dozing.

  She mentally ticked off things she needed to get done tomorrow and for the grand opening, but then her thoughts drifted to Reid. What would it be like to make love to him? She closed her eyes and imagined having him sharing the big tub with her … washing her back, massaging her neck and then caressing her breasts with his big work-roughened hands. He’d look so masculine with bubbles clinging to his bare chest… . God, it would feel amazing to slide her wet soapy body against his.

  Addison swallowed hard. What if she called him? Invited him over? Did she have the nerve?

  “No,” Addison grumbled out loud. Unless … she could come up with a really good reason for Reid to come over. Addison racked her brain but everything she came up with sounded flimsy, and so she sighed and gave up on the whole idea.

  But later, when she slid beneath the cool sheets and fluffy comforter, Reid drifted back into her thoughts and stubbornly stayed there.

  Addison sighed and closed her eyes. She imagined Reid’s hands caressing her body, his mouth tasting her skin. Maybe she’d get lucky, if only in her dreams… .

  16

  Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon

  RICK TOOK THE FORK IN THE TRAIL LEADING UP A HILL, pushing his body even harder than the day before. After nearly two weeks of living in the cabin he felt physically and mentally better, stronger and fresher than he had in too many years to count. Inhaling the river-scented air, he ran down the well-worn path through the woods, most likely used by kids riding four-wheelers and dirt bikes. With summer just around the corner, he would soon get up earlier to avoid the heat. Breathing hard, he paused to take his shirt off and mop the sweat from his brow and then slowed to a jog for his cool-down.

  With his two weeks nearly up Rick reminded himself to head up into town to extend the lease for the rest of the summer months. Although his initial reason to come to Cricket Creek had been to apologize to Addison, living in the log cabin was bringing him a sense of peace that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He had first option but he didn’t want to risk losing the cabin to someone else. He’d even considered buying the place but wasn’t quite sure, so he planned on talking to Maggie McMillan about the possibility. And he would take the opportunity to finally face Addison Monroe. He’d pulled into the parking lot of Wedding Row a couple of times but he’d been hesitant to get out, worried that he might be recognized and not wanting to blow his cover or bring unwanted attention to Addison, who was also avoiding the spotlight. He certainly didn’t want to do anything to put a damper on the grand opening of her lovely shop. The irony didn’t escape him that Addison was opening a bridal boutique, of all things. She had spunk and a sense of humor. He’d always liked Addison and the news of the breakup saddened Rick in too many ways to count.

  Hours, no, make that days of soul-searching revealed more than Rick wanted to see and a lot in his lifestyle that he planned on changing. Becca, his ex-wife, had moved on a long time ago, remarried, and had two more children but often had a hard time raising rebellious Garret. She’d complained that Garret was a chip off of the old block, self-centered, refusing to grow up. Rick knew he’d been a “Cat’s in the Cradle” father and he now felt such loss. And, in truth, he was ashamed. Garret was a damned good musician, given a hard time simply for being Rick’s son. But what had Rick done about it?

  Nothing … telling himself at the time that Garret needed to find his own way in life and not ride on Rick’s co
attails, when in fact being his son had resulted in the opposite, robbing Garret of the chance to follow his dream. What would have happened if Rick had taken Garret under his wing and helped launch his son’s career? Then again, Rick wondered if deep down he’d wanted Garret to fail rather than be sucked into a lifestyle that many couldn’t handle. Maybe even including himself. He loved his son and longed to have him back in his life.

  Rick scrubbed a hand down his sweaty face and sighed. This past week he’d poured his sorrow into songwriting, bringing himself back to his bluegrass and blues roots. He’d always wanted his music to have more heart and soul and less head banging, but even in recent years introducing new material while on tour was met with the disapproval of fans who only wanted the old stuff, and so Rick eventually stopped trying.

  During the past few days he’d downloaded several self-help, inspirational books and read each one. The sad but darkly funny truth was that he didn’t need to change, but to go back to who he was before fame consumed his life.

  Rick paused to look out over the river, letting the peace of the water wash over him. In all fairness, he’d tried to put the songs he loved on his early albums but his record label refused. He’d had success as a rock star and he was stuck. In addition, he soon became a franchise, with dozens of employees depending on continued success to put food on the table, and in order to do that he’d had to spend most of the time touring … away from Becca and Garret. Everyone saw the glitz and glamour but didn’t know the pressure, the grueling hours, and the loneliness of being on the road. Tour buses and hotel rooms were a poor substitute for being home. He wasn’t quite as selfish as Becca liked to believe when she went after a huge divorce settlement, not that Rick cared about the damned money.

  “Enough about the past,” Rick muttered as he skipped a rock across the water. All of the books preached to move on, go forward, and forgive people, including himself. He planned on doing all of those things. It just wasn’t easy facing that he’d recently been on the fast road to becoming an old, faded version of his youth, clinging to something that was long gone and he’d never really wanted in the first place. But regret caused bitterness and the last thing he wanted to become was a bitter old man.