Kissing The Hero (The Dangers of Dating a Diva Book 2)

by Christina Benjamin

“I know singing together may not have been our first choice,” she said, “But I’m glad it happened.”

  I watched her bite her lip as if deciding to say more. I prayed she would because I liked the way the tiny tremble in her touch made my pulse race.

  “I’m really, really glad it happened,” she added, tipping her face up to lightly kiss my cheek.

  The gesture was so intimate and kind I sat frozen in my spot.

  Layne was talking about us, but not in the way I expected.

  She was actually grateful we’d been forced together!

  My heart pounded in my temples. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Well, that was a lie. I knew exactly how I felt. I just wasn’t supposed to feel that way.

  But as I stared at her perfect heart-shaped lips wanting nothing more than to taste them again, I forgot all about the rules. I wanted to live in this moment and pull her into my arms, kissing her until nothing else mattered. Because that’s how she made me feel when she looked at me like she was now—like I was the only person in the world.

  I don’t think anyone had ever looked at me like that before.

  I never wanted it to end.

  As if sensing my intentions Layne cleared her throat, dropping my hand to put some separation between us. “It’s getting late. I should probably get going.”

  Disappointment speared me. “Don’t you want to finish watching the movie?”

  She shrugged. “I know how it ends.”

  I looked at my watch. “Why don’t you just stay? I mean, you’re still planning to come over tomorrow to finish recording, right? It’ll save you a trip.”

  “Yeah, but my mom needs the car tomorrow.”

  “Oh. Okay, then I’ll follow you home,” I said, sliding off the bed.

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  I walked around the bed, picked up my jacket and draped it over her shoulders. “I know,” I whispered into her hair. “But it’s late and I want to make sure you get home safe.”

  She blinked up at me with those gorgeous brown eyes. “What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Who’s going to make sure you get home safe?”

  I winked. “I’m okay on my own. You don’t need to worry about me.”

  “But what if I want to?” she asked, softly.

  Her words warmed my soul through, sparking indecent thoughts. I took her hand, trying to fight my grin. “Come on, Penny Layne. Let’s get you home before I change my mind about letting you leave.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Layne

  “Thank you for tonight, Wyatt.”

  He smirked. “You’re welcome.”

  We stood on my dark front porch, much too close together. Wyatt insisted on walking me to my door again and this time I hadn’t really tried to fight him. I’d been the one to say it was getting late, but for some reason now that I was home, I found myself wanting to prolong the night.

  Trying to think of something else to say, I swallowed my pride. “You were right about the song.”

  Wyatt’s grin turned electric, his perfect white teeth glowing in the moonlight. “I’m sorry, can you say that again?”

  I shoved his arm. “Don’t ruin the moment.”

  “I can’t help it. This is momentous! I was right!” he shouted.

  I covered his mouth. “Shhh! You’re going to wake up the whole neighborhood.”

  “I’ll wake up the world if it means you’re going to record with me tomorrow,” he said, trying to speak around my hand.

  “I am, but only if you keep your voice down.”

  He laughed and pulled my hand away from his mouth, placing it on his chest instead. I could feel his heart thumping beneath it. Wyatt placed his hand over mine, his crooked grin growing. “If I only ever get to be right about one thing in my life, I’m glad it was this. You were incredible on that stage tonight, Penny Layne.” He leaned closer, his warm breath whisper-soft against my ear. “You were unforgettable.”

  I shivered, my whole body buzzing to life as he placed a soft kiss on my cheek and turned to go.

  “Wait,” I called after him, realizing I was still wearing his jacket. “Here,” I said, slipping it off.

  Wyatt shook his head. “Keep it. It looks better on you, my little diva.”

  I slipped the jacket back on wrapping my arms around myself to contain the fuzzy feeling humming in my chest. Wyatt Nash wanted me to have his jacket! It was almost as good as having his arms around me.

  I watched his long legs carry him down my steps and across the yard. He was nearly jogging—or as close to jogging as his boot allowed.

  “What’s the rush?” I called.

  “I have a movie waiting for me,” he said as he stood next to Scarlet, the door already open.

  “So, you like it?”

  “That depends.”

  “On what?” I asked.

  “Whether the hero gets the girl.”

  I grinned. “Well, I’m not going to ruin it for you.”

  He winked. “Goodnight, Penny Layne.”

  “Will you text me, so I know you got home safely?”

  He winked. “I could get used to you worrying about me, you know?”

  I laughed. “Goodnight.”

  I practically floated into the house on cloud nine. Tonight had been one of the best nights of my life. I faced my fears, I sang on stage, and I loved every minute of it. I’d shared my music with the world and the world hadn’t rejected me—at least not the tiny part of it that existed at Journeys anyway.

  I knew I owed Wyatt for everything I’d accomplished tonight. I never would’ve gotten on stage without him. I couldn’t explain it, but just being around him made me believe in myself. Knowing he was by my side gave me the confidence I needed to go after what I really wanted for my music.

  I had to admit, I liked this new feeling of invincibility. I felt like I had the courage to do anything—maybe even go after other things I might want.

  My fingers traced my lips as I thought about our victory kiss. My whole body tingled with the memory. I sighed as I walked into my bedroom and slipped out of Wyatt’s warm leather jacket, hanging it on my bedpost. I showered quickly and climbed into bed, letting thoughts of my incredible night lull me to sleep.

  Chapter Forty

  Layne

  “What?” Wyatt asked, looking much too handsome considering the hour. “I thought it was my turn to bring breakfast.”

  He stood on my front porch with a large pink box of donuts. “Did you bring enough for the whole neighborhood?”

  He laughed. “Well, I did buy half a dozen for Robby to ensure we’d actually get some.”

  “And the rest?” I asked.

  He shrugged. “I thought maybe your mom might like some.”

  “Well, that was sweet but she’s at work.” I replied, wishing I’d had the foresight to at least put on cute pajamas last night.

  I’d known he was picking me up this morning. I should’ve planned ahead.

  I led Wyatt inside, nervously twisting my hair into a braid, wishing I’d called Lola before I went to bed. She would’ve made sure I was prepared. She was always good with those kinds of details—how to look girly and adorable.

  Lola would have ordered me to wear a pair of matching pajamas like the cute sets she always wore. Instead, I was still wearing my glasses, baggy polka dot pants and a red music camp t-shirt from eighth grade. It fit more like a crop top than the t-shirt it used to be. But it was the last summer I’d been able to afford to go and it held a special place in my heart.

  That was the summer Lola and I made our pact to do the Diva competition together. That’s what we’d called it back then—and I guess, now too.

  Man, did I miss my best friend. I crossed my arms self-consciously over my chest and sighed over my wardrobe fail. Too late to change now. I walked into the kitchen and knocked on the wall between my house and Robby’s and shouted. “Robby, breakfast!”

  About thirty secon
ds later the back door to my kitchen banged open and Robby burst in wearing his Star Wars pajamas. At least I could always count on Robby to look dorkier than me.

  “Wyatt!” he greeted much too loudly. “What’d you bring me?”

  “Well, they’re no clown waffles, but how do you feel about donuts?”

  Robby recognized the box. “From Sweet Pea’s? Yes!” he swooped in to examine his options.

  I knew I should’ve reminded him of his manners, but I was exhausted, and normally, I didn’t have Robby-duty on the weekends. Still in my foggy morning trance, I moved to the stove, turning the kettle on. “Do you want coffee?” I asked Wyatt through a yawn.

  He gave me an incredulous look. “Our drinks are in the car.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and leaned against my kitchen counter. “Though it doesn’t look like you’re ready to go, so why don’t I bring them inside?”

  “Yeah, sorry. I didn’t realize you’d be here so early.”

  He grinned. “Being a diva is hard work, huh?”

  Robby snorted. “Layne’s not a diva.”

  “She is too,” Wyatt replied. “She sang with a band last night.”

  “No way,” Robby said, managing to get more chocolate on his face than in his mouth as he took another bite of his donut.

  “It’s true,” Wyatt confirmed, his green eyes sparkling when they met mine.

  Robby looked between us for a moment as if he was considering believing Wyatt, then he snorted another laugh, his mind already back on more important things, like picking his next donut. In true Robby style, he was already onto the next subject. “Wyatt, can I go for a ride in your car?”

  “Sorry, mate. I’m kind of in a bit of a rush today.”

  “Oh man!” Robby whined. “I told my friend Thomas at school that you have the coolest car on the planet, and he doesn’t believe me. I wanted to call him while I was riding in it.”

  “How ‘bout we take some pictures of you standing next to Scarlet so you can show this Thomas character you speak the truth?”

  “That’s a great idea! You’re the best!” Robby exclaimed, already running toward the door.

  Wyatt turned to me. “I am actually in a bit of a rush this morning. I have a stop to make before we head back to my house, if that’s alright?”

  “Oh, yeah. Sorry, let me just change really quick.”

  Wyatt smirked. “If it were up to me, I’d tell you not to,” he said, his eyes drinking me in, dorky pajamas and all.

  My cheeks warmed at the hunger in Wyatt’s eyes, especially when they caught at my bare midriff. Wyatt took a step closer, until he was standing right in front of me. I was trapped between him and the counter and as he settled his hands on either side of me, the smell of his divine cologne melting my brain.

  Wyatt reached up and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, his fingers lightly touching my glasses. “You know, these are actually kinda cute,” he said, his voice more gravelly than I’d ever heard it.

  What was happening?

  I struggled to find words or even remember how to breathe, but Wyatt and the way he was looking at me made that impossible. Thankfully, the slamming of my front door snapped me out of it.

  “Here,” I said, finding my voice and reaching for a dish towel to hand to Wyatt. “You better go or Robby’s going to get chocolate fingerprints all over Scarlet.”

  Wyatt’s eyes widened. “Right!” Then he jogged toward the front door calling after Robby.

  I took a deep breath, shaking away the heart-stopping feelings that had momentarily possessed me. I didn’t know what had just happened between us. Maybe it was my imagination, but it really seemed like Wyatt had wanted to kiss me.

  I shook my head. I was being ridiculous. My dreams from last night must’ve been trying to carry over into today. I was having trouble trying to wake up this morning.

  Yes, that’s all this was. I just needed to clear my head.

  I ran upstairs, splashed some cold water on my face and changed while Wyatt took pictures of Robby posing in front of his car. I could see them from my bedroom window and had a hard time keeping the smile off my face.

  It was sort of adorable how sweet Wyatt was with Robby. He was certainly making it difficult for me to stick to my ‘strictly partners’ rule.

  I was convinced Wyatt’s photograph would appear under the definition of Prince Charming if I looked it up—good thing I knew fairytales weren’t real.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Wyatt

  Layne stole my breath when she came outside wearing my jacket. I’d never known a piece of leather could look so good. Perhaps watching the rest of that movie last night hadn’t been a good idea, because I was starting to have a hard time not acting on the feelings I’d been fighting over the past few days.

  I needed to get it together. I’d almost made a fool of myself in her kitchen.

  Unless . . . Was Layne starting to feel it, too?

  There was an undeniable spark whenever we were together. And if I wasn’t mistaken, she’d been looking at my lips in her kitchen. She could tell me that kiss at Journeys was purely celebratory all she wanted, but I hadn’t been able to stop craving another one.

  That had to mean something, right?

  I’d kissed plenty of girls, and I couldn’t remember ever wanting a repeat performance so badly. I was trying to curb my bad boy ways with Layne, but she wasn’t making it easy.

  She was holding the pink bakery box of donuts when she walked toward my car. “You didn’t get any. Did you want to take these to-go?”

  Even though my stomach rumbled as she held the box of donuts out to me, I shook my head. The only thing I wanted to taste right now were her lips. “Why don’t we let Robby have them?”

  “Yes!” Robby exclaimed, taking the box from Layne before she could protest.

  “Share with your parents,” she ordered.

  “I will.” Robby turned back to Wyatt. “Don’t forget to text me those pictures.”

  “Doing it right now,” I called back, hitting send on my phone.

  The phone in Robby’s hand dinged and he did a little dance. “Eat your heart out, Thomas!” he yelled, before running back up the steps and disappearing into the house.

  Layne shook her head, trying to hide her laughter. “I think I’m going to have to start limiting how much sugar you bring him. His mom’s going to have her hands full all day if he eats that whole box of donuts.”

  “You and your rules,” I teased. “Can’t a guy just have some fun?”

  She gave me a strange look but slipped silently into my car without a response. I shut the door, walking around to the driver’s side wondering what I’d said. I was just messing with her. She had to be used to my teasing by now. Not taking things too seriously was basically my life motto.

  Or that’s what I let everyone think, anyway.

  I guess Layne would find out the truth soon enough. I didn’t want to hide who I was from her anymore. And this morning, I’d made my hasty decision to let her see the real me.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t want any donuts after raving about them yesterday,” Layne said, her face looking casual again.

  “Who said I didn’t want any?” I arched my eyebrow, glancing in the rearview at what was in the backseat as I started the engine.

  Scarlet purred to life and I pulled away from Layne’s house. She turned in her seat and broke out into a fit of laughter. “Okay, you and Robby seriously have a problem. You can’t eat that many donuts, Wyatt!”

  “They’re not all for me.”

  Layne gave me a wary look. “Do you have a donut delivery route I don’t know about?”

  I smirked. “Something like that.”

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Layne

  I grew more and more anxious on our drive. It didn’t help that I didn’t know where we were going. I hadn’t been lying when I told Wyatt I wasn’t someone who liked surprises. What if he was going to surprise me with some sort of romantic
gesture?

  I cringed.

  Why had I suggested watching Say Anything? That movie was way too romantic to watch with a friend. It sent the wrong message.

  Lola’s words popped back into my head. ‘You need to keep your guard up. At least until you get through the competition.’

  I pressed my head back against my seat and closed my eyes, hating Wyatt’s stupid reputation. It made my confusing feelings even harder to interpret. But he had his reputation for a reason. He was notorious for being the loving and leaving kind.

  I opened my eyes and peeked at him. Was that what was happening here? Was he about to make his move and then leave me high and dry?

  Ugh! Why did I have to let my stupid heart go falling for him?

  Lola was right. I needed to nip this in the bud while I still could and keep this relationship strictly professional. Because no matter what my screaming hormones told me when I was with Wyatt, music was more important than anything I thought I felt for him.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, catching me staring.

  I swallowed hard, realizing I’d better just blurt it out now and save us both the embarrassment if this was some sort of surprise date. “Um, I need to tell you something.”

  “O-kaaay,” he drawled.

  “It’s serious.”

  “Like I need to pull over, serious, or you finally realized I have better taste in music than you, serious?”

  “No, I think you should keep driving. It’ll make it easier for me to say if you’re not staring at me.”

  That wiped the smirk right off Wyatt’s face. “I’m listening,” he said, all traces of sarcasm gone from his voice.

  “So, I had a really, really great time last night . . .”

  “But,” he said cautiously.

  “But I think it would be smart if we just kept our relationship strictly business.”

  He glanced at me, a sincerely wounded look in his eyes. “Is that so?”

  “Yes, I mean,” I wrung my hands in my lap, my heart pounding in my ears.