Pulling into the long driveway, my heart started pounding, creating a frantic beat for the riverdancing. I didn't think there was enough yoga I could practice to calm my nerves at this point.

I'm expected to eat? Fat chance of that happening.

Parking in a space that wouldn't block any other cars, I sucked in a deep breath.

I know I can do this. I did it last night!

But it was so much more real in the light of day than the secret part of the dark night. It was more exposed, revealing so much more of ourselves. The walk up the steps to the front door proved to be a bit shaky, but I managed without puking, and I even rang the bell.

The door opened to reveal...Sheri.

"Yeah?" she snapped.

I wasn't really used to such hostility from complete strangers. I could handle odd looks, sure, but not blatant hatred. I felt myself faltering a little.

"Hi, I'm meeting Phil," I said as nicely as I could manage, trying to diffuse the nasty energy.

"Sure you are. He's not here. You can fuck off now."

She slammed the door in my face.

Anger, bright and hot, blazed through me, searing away my apprehension.

I rang the bell again.

"I told you to fuck off," she snarled by way of a second greeting.

I noticed that her mouth was bruised and slightly swollen.

"He's expecting me," I told her coldly.

"Let me set you straight, sweetheart. When you left last night, someone else crawled into his bed and took care of his itch, okay? So, do us all a favor, and stop deluding yourself into thinking he's got only you on his dick. Now, go ahead, and get bent."

And she slammed the door in my face once more.

So, I did what any rational woman would do. I busted out my phone and called him, desperately trying to ignore the pain bleeding into my chest over her remark about someone else crawling into his bed. I couldn't believe that, not after- "Hey, Baby Girl."

"Hey, Phil. I'm at the front door, and Sheri's just informed me that someone else took care of your itch last night, so...if that's the case, I'll just be going. She also told me to fuck off twice and to do everyone a favor and get bent."

I could hear him moving around, and then a couple of doors slammed. He was breathing like a beast on a hunt.

"I mean, if this is going to be the norm, I think I'd rather just-"

The door crashed open, and he stood there, looking ready to start all hellfire and fury.

I snapped my phone shut.

"What are you saying?" he asked.

He was pissed-at me.

"I'm saying, I don't deal with petty bullshit. You need to put that bitch on a leash, or I'm-"

He stepped up to me, so close that I automatically took a step back.

"So, what? You're backing out because a chick answered the door?" His voice was laced with fury.

It was ridiculous how much the sound of it turned me on.

"No. I'm telling you, I don't deserve to be spoken to like that, and I won't stand for it. I was invited here-"

"Actually, I offered to pick you up. You invited yourself here."

He might as well have slapped me for all the hurt that statement caused. I couldn't stop my eyes from watering, and I was suddenly so thankful for my enormous sunglasses.

Swallowing hard, I nodded.

"You're right," I said, my voice sounding thick with my unshed tears. "Maybe I'll see you around," I told him. I turned on my heel, beating a hasty retreat down the steps.

I will not cry, not until I get into my car. Then, I'll bawl my eyes out for the rest of my life. Fucking asshole. That bitch can have him- "Kenna!" he bellowed like a furious bull.

I must have a diabolical sense of humor because I didn't even break my stride as my right hand snapped up, and I flipped him the bird.

"Oh, hells no!" he cussed. "Don't you fuckin' take another step-"

I completely ignored him as I continued walking to my car, tears streaming down my face.

Just make it to the car, and then you can break down all you want. Just make it to the car- A warm huge hand clamped tightly around my upper arm and spun me into a wall of solid chest muscle.

"Please, just stop," he said softly, wrapping his arms around me, holding my head against his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"You're an asshole!" I sniffed.

"Yeah, I am," he agreed simply, making no excuses for himself.

I really appreciated that, and I relaxed in his arms. He smelled fucking delicious.

"When you said you were out, I freaked. I don't respond well to threats."

"It wasn't a threat-"

"Felt like one to me," he stated. He pressed a kiss to my hair. "And you're welcome here at all times. My home is yours."

"I'm not coming back here, not if that's what I have to put up with every time I do. I've done nothing to her, and I don't deserve that."

"No, you don't." He slightly pulled back, so he could look down into my face. His right arm let go of me, so he could reach up and thumb off a few stray tears that had leaked from beneath my sunglasses. "Don't cry, Baby Girl," he whispered. "It hurts me to see you cry."

Kissing me softly, his tongue ran along my bottom lip. I totally forgot the last ten minutes had even happened. Fireworks went off in my mind, and the creatures of the riverdance marched their way south into my crotch. I felt so sublime, subdued even, and I had to wonder what sort of voodoo he had that made me go all weak inside for him.

"Come on," he softly said to me, taking my hand and pulling me toward the house.

It took me a few steps to get my brain right, but then I stopped walking.

"Oh, man! Can't we just go get lunch? I don't want to see her again."

He had his fierce angry face on and said flatly, "This shit's gettin' resolved now."

All but dragging me through the foyer and living room, he advanced through the house like a predator. It was an absolute wreck in here, reeking of old beer, cigarettes, and some ripe-ass body odor.

"Ugh. I don't envy you for this cleanup," I said as I pushed my Jackie O's to the top of my head.

"You should. Cleanin' service gets here at three," he replied, not even slowing his stride into the kitchen.

We found Sheri sitting at the breakfast bar with Jason Jones. He was the only one in the band I hadn't met, and I felt a little thrill pass through me. This guy was a goddamn genius on the guitar. He was a legend, and to see him in the flesh...wow.

He really was quite stunning to look at, too. A true golden blond, his hair was about halfway down his neck, the front sweeping to his chin. His dark blue eyes and healthy golden tan made him the quintessential gorgeous all-American type. I could see how women just wanted to throw themselves at him.

However, I was much more partial to the Dark God of the Universe.

Phil pointed viciously at Sheri, his deep voice booming out as he said, "You."

"I didn't do anything!" squeaked Sheri, sitting ramrod straight on the stool.

She looked terrified, and I felt a smidgen of satisfaction over that. It was only fair since she'd terrified me with her nasty comment of his itches being scratched by others.

Phil pulled me to stand in front of him. "You see this woman? This is Kenna MacGregor, and she is my woman, Sheri. My Baby Girl. You disrespected her in my home. You told her to fuck off twice and denied her entrance into my house. On top of that, you lied and told her I was fuckin' around with other bitches last night."

"Phil, I didn't know-" she tried to protest.

"Bullshit. I told you last night who she was!" he shouted.

Oh, man, he is furious.

Sheri turned the color of a very painful, horrific sunburn. Even her shoulders were creeping out in a flush.

"I-I'm s-sorry, Phil-"

"I'm not the one who deserves an apology, Sheri. That would be Kenna."

Sheri glared at me, her tongue glued to the roof of her mouth. It was obvious she found the idea repugnant.

"Are you fuckin' serious?" snapped Phil, stepping in front of me once more. "You know what? Fuck this! Get your shit, and get the fuck out of my house!"

"Now, wait a fuckin' minute!" shouted Jason.

"B-but you said I could s-stay!" Sheri wailed.

"That was before you shit on my hospitality!" he roared at her.

Around us, an odd person was wandering here and there, wanting to watch the exchange without being busted for actually watching.

"I have nowhere to go!" she cried, her big gray eyes filling with tears.

I sensed my own irritation with her dissolving a bit.

I tugged on Phil's hand.

Without looking at me, he said softly, "Yeah, Baby Girl."

"Phil," I whispered, "you can't kick her out if she has no place to stay."

"Sure I can."

"Phil!" I whispered a little more loudly.

"I ain't ever gonna chance losin' you, especially not to a-"

"You aren't going to lose me over something like this," I said. "At least give her some time to find a place."

He looked down at me, his face still angry but his eyes softened.

"For me?" I asked quietly.

Turning to face them once more, he glared at Sheri. "You got a week."

Shakily, she said "Thanks, Phil."

"Seriously?" he yelled, making all of us flinch. "She just pleaded your case for you, and you can't even acknowledge her?"

"I'm sorry!" she cried. "Kenna, I'm sorry!" She turned her eyes on me, and for the first time, she was not scowling at me.

I got the sense we'd met somewhere before. She suddenly looked extremely familiar.

"No worries," I replied.

"And, um, thanks."

"You're welcome?" It came out as a question, because I wasn't too sure if I meant it.

Jason looked ready to spit acid.

"Right. We're going out." Phil looked at Sheri. "When we get back, I want your bony ass scarce."

"Okay," she replied softly, teary-eyed and pink-cheeked.

As we turned, I heard Jason ask quietly, "Shit, Sheri. How stupid can you be?"

Taking my hand again, Phil started to pull me along behind him. We went through the kitchen, hung an immediate right, and went down a small hallway leading to a sliding panel door.