"And I got back on my feet soon enough. It's fine," she soothed. "Like I said, it was a good learning experience."

"How can you call that a learning experience? He sounds like a nightmare."

"Looking back, I'm glad things didn't work out between us. Hence the learning." Her smile was rueful. "And it taught me something about myself, that there's nothing I hate worse than being an obligation to someone."

His jaw set and he looked unhappy. "Is there a remote chance that I'm ever going to meet this man?"

"I doubt it very much."

"Good," Cade said. He looked ready to spit nails, which surprised her. They barely knew each other. Why so defensive of her? She . . . didn't know what to make of it.

An uncomfortable silence fell. "Why don't we go back to talking about jobs?" Kylie asked. "Please?"

"All right." He shrugged. "Do you travel a lot?"

"I do. One of the perks, I suppose."

"Do you enjoy traveling?"

"For the most part, yes. You never stay someplace long enough for it to get old. But sometimes you get tired of hotels." She shook her head. "And you get really tired of having no roots. Like, I can't even have a pet because I'm gone so much. My address is basically just a place to send bills." She gave him a wry look. "You? Where are you from?"

"New York City," he told her. "It's expensive, not as hot, and has this strange smell in the summer. But I still like it a lot. There's always something going on."

"I like New York," she said. "Every time I've gone through there, it seems like a vibrant place to live."

The waitress set their plates down and left again. Cade eyed his waffle, and then hers. He lifted up his coffee mug in a toast. "To intestinal fortitude?"

She laughed and clinked her mug against his.

The waffle was surprisingly delicious, and Kylie cleaned her plate without even really thinking about it. Cade ate heartily, too, and the conversation flowed between them as they ate. They kept it on simple things, like weather, and places to eat in New York, and other places he'd traveled for business. She teased him about how many houses he had (six) and how many corporations he owned (nine) and he took her teasing with good-natured rejoinders of his own, like asking how many lipsticks she owned (dozens).

Then their plates were cleared away and all the coffee was drunk, and the bill was produced. Kylie found herself strangely reluctant to leave. It was nice being here with Cade. Kind of wonderful, really. He was smart, good looking, successful, and utterly focused on her. He laughed at her lame jokes, found her conversations interesting, and okay, he was pretty amazing in bed. Every time he smiled at her, she got a little weak in the knees.

"I should take you back," he said, glancing at his watch. "I don't want you to get in trouble."

"All right," she said, because really, she shouldn't have been gone this long anyhow.

"So when can I see you again? Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow we're heading to Indianapolis," she told him. "Another concert."

"Then the night after that?"

"More travel."

"Then tell me what night you have off so we can meet up."

Kylie hesitated. It wasn't that she didn't like Cade-she liked him too much, really. It was that the whole situation with Daphne was sticky. "I don't know," she admitted. "I feel like you need to talk to Daphne first."

She expected him to protest, but he nodded. "I do need to talk to her." An impish twinkle lit his eyes. "So, Friday then?"

And she couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not committing to anything."

As the limo drove back to the concert hall, they exchanged phone numbers. Kylie programmed him into her phone with a silent ringtone, because she was wary about more people finding out about them. Then the car pulled up in front of the hall and there was no longer any reason to stay in it.

But when she put her hand on the door handle, he stopped her. "Before you leave, I've been waiting all night to do this."

Cade leaned in and very gently kissed her. His mouth landed on her upper lip, and he softly, sensuously pressed his own lips to hers. Then, over and over, he continued to kiss her as she sat there, utterly shocked and completely and totally aroused. His tongue brushed against her parted mouth, and she swallowed the whimper that wanted to escape. She didn't dare make a sound, because she wanted this to go on forever. He was making love to her with each sweet, delicious, light kiss. She'd never been touched like this in her life, and she savored it.

"You have the most incredible mouth, Kylie," he murmured between kisses. "So full and pink and plump. I've wanted to put my lips on it for hours now. And you taste even better than I remember."

This time, she couldn't help the whimper that escaped.

He chuckled, as if he knew just what he was doing to her. "I feel the same way," he murmured, and his lips moved against hers in a tickling motion. It was as if he didn't want to pull away, not even to talk. And when she opened her eyes, she saw his were heavy, wicked slits of desire.

And that made her panties wet to see.

"I shouldn't be kissing you," she murmured, but she didn't pull away. That was the last thing she wanted.

"Why not?"

"Because it's . . . complicated." Because her job depended on it. Because she wasn't sure if he was still mixed up with Daphne. Because she worried that if Daphne got clean, he'd dump her like a hot potato if the pop star came calling again.

"Well, maybe we'll take it slow, then," he told her. And he leaned in and gently brushed his lips over her mouth one more lingering time. "I'll save the rest of my kisses for the next time we meet."

Dazed, she could do nothing but nod. His scent was in her nostrils, his body pressing against hers, and it took everything she had to open the door and get out of the limo. This time, though, he didn't stop her. They headed into the venue once more, Cade at her side, and took the long walk back to the greenroom backstage.

There, things were in a flurry. Crowds were everywhere, and it was clear the show had just ended. Kylie felt a twinge of alarm. She should have been back already. If Daphne was waiting for her, well, things were going to get ugly, and they were going to get ugly fast. The greenroom had filled up with people, and both press and fans were waiting outside. They glared at Kylie as she took Cade by the hand and dragged him inside with her. In the room, it was quieter, but there were still too many people around, which meant that they were late.

"Looks like the show is over," Kylie told Cade. "Are you sticking around to see Daphne?"

"I'm not sure," he said. "I didn't really intend to see anyone but you tonight."

Hearing that made her body flush with pleasure. She turned to smile at him . . . and noticed that a fair amount of her lip gloss was on his mouth. Oh lord. With an alarmed gasp, she leaned forward and smoothed her thumbs over his mouth, trying to wipe away the evidence even as he chuckled.

"Cade?" a voice shrieked. "Oh my God, you're here!"

A sweaty Daphne pushed past Kylie and flung her arms around Cade. Kylie watched as his eyes went wide, and then he reluctantly patted her on the back. "Hey, Daph."

Daphne wrapped her arms around his neck, crawling all over him, and then began to press quick kisses on his cheeks. Cade looked embarrassed at the show, and his gaze flicked to Kylie.

Yeah, well, Kylie should have seen this coming. Squashing down her feelings of irritation, she headed toward the makeup chair and started unpacking her things. Daphne would want her face refreshed before she went out to face the media. But she couldn't help but peer over at Cade and Daphne as they hugged.

Okay, so she was being a little prying and a lot jealous. So what? She could be a little possessive of a guy if she'd had a one-night stand with him, right? It didn't mean anything, but she also wasn't able to just turn things off just like that.

She watched as Daphne bounced, still in her shiny leotard with the black tutu, and grabbed Cade's hands. "I'm so excited you're here!"

His smile was warm. "I'm glad."

"You didn't answer my texts!"

"I was busy. You never answer mine," he chided.

"I'm busy, too," Daphne said coyly. "So what made you stop by?"

He glanced up and his gaze met Kylie's. "Kylie, actually-"

"Oh?" Now Daphne turned, and she beamed at Kylie. "You got him for me, Fat Marilyn? You're so sweet!"

"I-" Kylie began, then clamped her mouth shut. What could she possibly say?

"Fat Marilyn?" Cade asked, a frown on his face.

"Well, come sit with me," Daphne said, grabbing Cade's hand and ignoring his question. "We can catch up."

"You have press duties," Snoopy reminded Daphne.

"Don't fucking snap at me," Daphne snarled, and Snoopy's eyes went wide. So did Kylie's. Daphne had been volatile for the last few days but her reaction to Snoopy's mild comment was alarming.

The room got quiet. "Maybe I should go," Cade said.

"No!" Daphne cried, and she clung to Cade's chest. To Kylie's horror, Daphne began to cry. "I need you here with me, Cade. I don't have anyone to lean on. Please don't go." Big, racking sobs shook her thin frame. "You don't know how hard it's been for me-"

"Shhh," Cade said, voice soothing. "Let's sit down. You need to relax, Daphne. You're under a lot of stress." He gently steered her toward one of the comfortable sofas and set her down. She didn't let him go, instead clinging so that he had no choice but to sit next to her. As he did, she buried her face in his shirt and huddled against him like a sad puppy.

"Please don't leave me, Cade," she repeated.

"I'm here," he said, glancing over at Kylie. The look in his eyes was a mixture of sadness and resignation, and she gave him a smile to try and encourage him, to let him know it was all right. Daphne needed him tonight, and if it hurt Kylie to see Daphne crawling all over him, well, it wasn't like Kylie owned him, was it?

"I'm so glad you're here," Daphne murmured against Cade's chest, not raising her head.

He stroked her hair. "Why don't we get you some water to drink and then we'll see about getting you ready for the press meet and greet, okay?"

"But you'll stay?"

"I'll stay," he said softly.

- After that, things fell into a blur of activity. Daphne eventually calmed down enough for Kylie to wipe off her old makeup and set her up with fresh new makeup. Daphne was twitching and kept scratching at her skin, so Kylie had to do the best she could.

Cade remained nearby, and when Daphne did her press interviews, she insisted that he stay. So he did, and late into the night, the fans left and only the hard-partying types remained. The backup dancers broke out the alcohol, and a few people in the crew started to pass around drugs.

Kylie packed up her things and glanced over at Cade and Daphne again. Daphne wasn't shooting up in the bathrooms, so that was progress. Instead, she had splashed herself across Cade's lap and was sipping on a beer while talking to someone else.

And instead of Cade looking content at having Daphne's attention, he kept looking over at Kylie.

She should have guessed this would happen.

It didn't matter how wonderful he was, or how they'd connected over dinner. Of course Cade was great. And of course Daphne wanted him.

Kylie was just a momentary distraction. A drunken hookup, just like she'd suspected.

And really, that was okay. At least Cade wasn't being an ass about it. He wanted Daphne, and his one-night stand was staring at him with big moony eyes. He probably felt awkward that both Daphne and Kylie were in the room together. Heck, he probably felt bad for Kylie because she was clearly second fiddle.

"I'm heading out," Ginger said. "You coming?"

"Coming," Kylie said. Leaving was the best thing she could do for all parties involved. She grabbed her purse and slung it over her shoulder, heading out with the rest of the staff.

- Cade watched Kylie leave with the crew, and tried to squash his annoyance at Daphne as she clung to his chest and seated herself in his lap. She'd done that a million times in the past and he knew it didn't mean anything.

But Kylie didn't know that.

And now that his interest had moved squarely to Kylie? It felt wrong for Daphne to drape herself all over him.

Funny how his mind had changed so quickly. A week ago, he would have been beside himself with joy if Daphne had paid half the attention she was giving him tonight. But a week ago, he hadn't realized Daphne still hadn't changed. That she was still the same messed-up girl she ever was. A week ago, he'd still had hope that she was clean after her latest round of rehab.

And a week ago, he hadn't met Kylie. Hadn't realized how pure and good and right just having someone normal in your life could be.

"Get me another beer, Cade," Daphne said in her coy, flirty voice. "I'm so thirsty after all that sexy performing I did." She fluttered her lashes at him, trying to be cute.

But instead, all he could think about was how hard Kylie had worked to make Daphne look good, the thoughtful look on her face as she had carefully pressed the fake lashes onto Daphne's eyelids, the way she'd leaned in to blow gently on Daphne's eyeliner.

Makeup had never been so erotic.

He couldn't think about that now, though. Not with Daphne being a stage-five clinger. The last thing he wanted was an erection right now. So he pushed Daphne off his lap as gently as possible. "Don't you think you've had enough beer?"

"No such thing," laughed the girl sitting on the couch next to them. One of Daphne's dancers, maybe. He'd seen her disappearing into the bathroom repeatedly tonight, which could only mean food poisoning or lines of coke. He'd bet his money on the latter.

"She's had plenty of beer for someone that's trying to get clean," Cade chided in his mildest voice, even though he secretly wanted to give the girl a verbal dressing down for encouraging Daphne's bad behavior.

Daphne pouted. "Water, then. If my man wants me to drink water, I will." And she put her hand on Cade's chest possessively.

He removed it just as quickly again. "We're not together, Daphne."

Her eyes-so enormous in her lean face-looked hurt. "What do you mean?"

The dancer chose that moment to get up from the couch and head for the bathroom again, and it was just him all alone with Daphne.

"I mean that I was here two nights ago to see you after we'd talked about it, remember? You told me to come to your concert. We'd spend time together and catch up. Instead, I spent all night nursing a drink on the sofa while you threw yourself on anyone moving."

"Jealous?"

Surprisingly, no. "Disappointed. You were more interested in getting drugs than seeing me. And you were out of your mind on something all night. I want nothing to do with that woman I saw. Not friendship, not anything."

"Someone gave me some bad stuff that night. I shouldn't have been acting like that-"

"No, you shouldn't have."

"But sometimes I need something to keep me going because I'm tired." She blinked repeatedly, as if she was going to cry. "I'm trying to stay clean, but it's hard."