“How about a piggyback ride down the hill for a picnic since our first one got ruined?” Mason spoke loudly from the small kitchen, and it made her wonder what Mason was doing. Up to now Mason hadn’t cooked anything.

  She balanced on her crutches and headed inside. “I’d love to. Do you need any help?” She smiled at the not so complicated ham sandwiches Mason was putting together.

  “How about you carry this, and I carry you?”

  “I have a feeling I’ll be completely healed, and you’re still going to be carrying me down that hill.”

  “Don’t tell me that you’re complaining about that. I think you secretly like it, and I make no secret that I like having you in my arms. It’s an all-around winner, so don’t ruin my fun.”

  Mason packed everything and moved to put her arms around her. The solidness of Mason was more comforting than anything in her life, and the feel of her made her want to stay there.

  “You okay, sweetheart? You’ve been kind of quiet.”

  “Colt was here.” She stopped talking, wanting—no, needing—to hear what Mason had to say. Anger was the one thing she had to let go of, but wariness had kept her safe all these years.

  Wariness had made her vigilant around some of Sophie’s boyfriends, and some of the slimy venue managers who were quick to take advantage if you gave them the opportunity. It was a tough thing to overcome, but Mason wasn’t the enemy in any scenario she could fathom.

  Mason frowned and leaned against the counter. “Did he bother you about anything?”

  “Do you know why he was here?”

  “The last place he should’ve been was here. He should be in the studio finishing the tracks he has slated. He and the band will be gone for a long while.” The way Mason leaned against the counter with her arms folded didn’t give a hint as to how she was feeling except maybe a little peeved.

  “So you don’t know why he was here?”

  “Do I want to know why he was here?”

  She couldn’t be sure, considering how long they’d known each other, but Mason actually sounded jealous. “Are you okay?” The question only got her silence, and she didn’t know what the problem was. “Do you happen to remember what we talked about last night?”

  “Every detail of it.”

  “I’m not looking to share my conversational skills with anyone else, so lose the frown, baby, and take me on a picnic.” She balanced on one foot to pry Mason’s arms down and put them around her waist. “If you kiss me, I’ll tell you what Colt wanted.”

  “He didn’t hit on you, did he?” Mason certainly sounded both peeved and jealous, and she wasn’t doing a very good job of hiding it.

  She felt Mason’s hands tighten on her hips, and she tried not to smile. “You aren’t going to go all ape-man on me, are you?”

  “No, but I also don’t want someone bothering you if that’s not what you want.”

  “Why do I get the impression some small part of you thinks I might’ve wanted that?” It was almost humorous to see Mason’s eyes drop like a chastised little boy’s. “You’re such an idiot. He wants me to record the duet with him, which is totally odd since you didn’t put my name on the list of possibles. You didn’t put my name on that list he talked about, did you?”

  “I would’ve if I’d thought you were seriously interested. Are you seriously interested?” Mason’s hands moved down and cupped her ass briefly before she lifted her onto the counter. The granite’s chill seeped through her jeans, but the way Mason was staring at her made her decisively warm. “You have a beautiful voice, and it might pave a new way for you that has nothing to do with your mom.”

  “Would that be completely true, though?”

  “What do you mean?” Mason leaned in and kissed the spot where her neck met her shoulder. “You need to start seeing yourself for the amazing woman you are. Give yourself the chance to live your dreams. You deserve only good things.”

  “You think I should do it, then?”

  “I think you should do whatever will make you comfortable in your own skin. You should chase the dreams that make you happy.” Mason kissed the same spot but on the other side. “In the end that’s all that’s paramount, and it’s not something that comes right away sometimes.”

  “Are you? Happy with yourself, I mean.” Victoria knew it was a question with layers, but she felt safe asking it. After a life spent uncomfortably adrift, being with Mason was like finding a buoy in a raging storm.

  “It took leaving here to prove myself and duck out of my father’s shadow to start seeing what I could be, not what was expected of me.”

  Mason didn’t say anything else and she kissed her for being so honest. “But you came back.”

  “I did, because I had to face that there was no getting around my dad and his accomplishments. And what I could be was enough.”

  “So you settled?”

  “I’d like to see it as adapting. There’s no denying Sonny Liner, but there is a way to survive in his shadow. And surviving doesn’t mean you can’t thrive. It doesn’t mean you can’t do great things too, things people appreciate and acknowledge, not because of your relatives, but because you’ve done them.” Mason cupped her face, and her hands felt warm and wonderful, and she wanted to stay in and enjoy the feeling all over her body.

  “You make me crazy.”

  “In a good way?” Mason moved her hands down until they landed on her ass so she could pull her closer.

  She had to laugh at that. “In the best way. Want to have a picnic inside?”

  “I’d love to if you’re okay with the fact that I’m starved.”

  The thought of keeping Mason hungry for a long time was appealing. Thoughts about the future, as usual, could wait. “Let’s do something about satisfying every appetite.”

  * * *

  The trip from the kitchen to the bedroom was short, but having Victoria wrapped around her made it seem like they were headed to another state, it was taking so long. Whatever their feelings were in the beginning didn’t matter as a hunger Mason had never experienced before consumed her. Victoria was a beautiful sexy woman who inspired that part of her core that lived to prove herself and fight off anyone or anything that wanted what she craved.

  “Take your jeans off,” Victoria said when Mason put her down. Victoria was unbuttoning hers but they weren’t coming off over the boot, so Mason removed it for her.

  “You’re so beautiful, you make me insane.”

  “Beat your chest later, baby, and put your hands on me.”

  There was nothing sexier in life than a woman who wasn’t shy about what she wanted, especially when all that need was directed at her. Victoria certainly wasn’t shy, and she kissed Mason like she really wanted her. Mason leaned back to slow them down, wanting to enjoy their time together.

  “Are you thinking about what to do?” Victoria leaned back as well, resting her weight on her palms. “Or do you need a hint?” She spread her legs and put her hand on her sex. “If you need a hint, I need your mouth right here.”

  “Jesus Christ, seeing you like this is like a blessing.” She sat on her heels and didn’t want to move.

  “Don’t make me beg, baby.” Victoria’s hand slipped lower, and she appeared almost embarrassed, but Mason could understand considering she was so turned-on it was getting painful.

  Mason lowered her head, flattened her tongue on Victoria’s hard clit, and froze again when she felt how wet Victoria was. She almost laughed when Victoria slapped the side of her head softly with her uninjured foot. “Stop Sunday driving, Liner, before I force you off the road and take the wheel.”

  “No one appreciates a back-seat driver.”

  Victoria inhaled deeply, appearing ready to comment, so Mason sucked her in and Victoria threw her head back. “Fuck…oh, fuck.”

  She increased the pressure and slowly put two fingers into her, never lifting her mouth.

  “Yes, like that. It’s so good.” Victoria got demanding as her hips came off the bed. “Harder, baby, harder.” The order came breathlessly as Victoria’s movements became almost frantic. “Come up here.”

  The way Victoria clung to her as her body went rigid made it impossible for her to move her hand, so she simply held her as best she could as the orgasm swept through her. “I’m here—let go.”

  “Jesus,” Victoria said before finally relaxing. “You’re amazing.”

  She kissed Victoria’s temple and smiled. “I am, aren’t I?” The way Victoria laughed made her widen her smile. “But it’s easy to achieve amazing when you can only take half the credit.”

  “Does being with me freak you out at all?”

  Victoria held on to her tighter, and in that moment she realized Victoria was scared and asking if she was too. “I haven’t been in a relationship in a long time, but I think we should figure out how to let go of the fear and make this work. You’re the first person I’ve wanted to try with since Natalie.” She held Victoria and waited to see if she’d say anything else, but she stayed quiet. “All we need to do is be honest with each other about what we want and, more importantly, what we don’t want.”

  “Does that mean you want me to take Colt up on his offer?”

  “That means you and I are good together, but you’re the only person who can best answer what it is you want to do.” She rolled them over so that she could see Victoria’s face. “What’ll make you happy?”

  “The answer’s what freaks me out.” Victoria took a deep breath before speaking. “You have to know that I haven’t had anyone I could trust to help me do anything for a long time. Letting you in scares me. What happens if it doesn’t work out?”

  “What happens if it does?” She wasn’t going to let Victoria quit so easily, and she wasn’t going to stop caring even if this part of their relationship didn’t work out. “Letting me in isn’t something you’re ever going to regret, sweetheart. Start wrapping your brain around the fact that you aren’t alone any longer, and you won’t be, no matter what. Even if we decide the relationship thing doesn’t work, I’ll always be here as your friend.” Making those kinds of promises actually did freak her out more than a little, but it wasn’t the time to admit that.

  Some wise person once said courage was being afraid but doing whatever scared the piss out of you anyway. Now was the time for courage, time to let someone into the parts of her that would bleed to death if they cut her, but eventually would wither and die if she didn’t let them in.

  “You don’t understand. My fear isn’t you, Mason. I’m scared because of me and all the baggage I come with. Eventually you’re going to get tired of dealing with my shit.” Victoria squeezed her shoulders hard, and she appeared upset. “And when you do, you’ll leave.”

  “Give me a chance, and you won’t be sorry.” She lay back down and was content to hold her.

  “Are you sure?” The fear mixed with hope in Victoria’s tone made her hurt.

  “I’m positive, and all you need to remember is you’re safe with me.”

  Victoria flattened her hand on Mason’s abdomen and sat up slightly. “Are you turned-on by me? I think you are,” Victoria said as she moved her hand lower.

  “I think you’re…fuck.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Why won’t you let me see my daughter?” Sophie said, sounding hoarse and tired. It had been the hardest four weeks of her life, and the fun wasn’t over yet. That’s what this damn woman kept telling her, along with the fact that the cravings wouldn’t ever subside completely. If that was the case, what the fuck was all this about?

  All she wanted was her life back the way it was before that night at the Opry. She wanted to perform, have Weston in her bed, and enjoy everything she’d worked her ass off to get, in whatever way she wanted to enjoy it. Now all she had to look forward to was this tag team of Belle and Cassandra giving her shit about her lifestyle choices. People needed to face the fact that’s what life was and what made it so great. You made choices, good or bad, and they added up to who you were.

  “It’s a good thing, you giving up the booze and the pills,” Belle said as they sat outside in the nice patio area. “And I’ve answered that question enough times that you should have it memorized by now.”

  This place they’d brought her to was gorgeous, but she had no clue where exactly it was. “I’m not forgetful, and I don’t give a shit what you think—I simply don’t see the harm.” She ran her hands through her hair, and it felt flat, disgusting her all the more. Her career was so much more than her voice, and a lot of it was wrapped up in her image. Right now, she was a tired old woman with flat hair who people stared at with pity. She needed to get the hell out of here and fast.

  “How about I explain it another way? The best thing right now is for you and Victoria to take a break from each other.” Belle seldom glanced up when they spoke, as if she was writing a novel of notes. “Stop worrying about Victoria, and worry about you. Only you.”

  “She needs me,” she screamed, but it was more from the frustration of not having her pills and a drink than from not getting to see anyone, including Victoria.

  “For what, exactly?” That question finally got Belle to make eye contact.

  “What are you talking about?” She reached for her cigarettes, but her hands shook so badly she couldn’t light one, and she wasn’t going to ask for help. “I’m her mother, and I’m also all she has.”

  “Why do you think she needs you, though?” Belle put her notebook to the side and gave her what seemed to be her full attention. “From what I can see, she’s doing everything for you, including saving your life. Weston Cagle was there—he gave you the drugs, but he called Victoria when everything went south. You put your trust in him, yet it’s your daughter you have to thank for being here.”

  “I’m her mother, so of course she saved me. That’s her responsibility.”

  Belle shook her head. “Tell me one thing you’ve done for Victoria, and I’ll make the call myself. I’ll get her here, and we can decide together what’s the best next step.”

  “I gave her a job.” Her answer was quick and would settle the issue. Her job as a parent wasn’t up for discussion with someone who probably had no children.

  “I see. Was it a job she wanted?” Belle asked with a fair amount of skepticism. “And I think you misunderstood my question. I’m talking about something you, as a mother, have done for your child.”

  “Victoria knows I love her.”

  “Sophie, I’m sure Victoria knows that on some deep level, but you need to face the truth about how you’ve treated the people who love you most. Forget about yourself for a moment, and really think about how your actions have affected them.” Belle held her hand up. “We’re going to be at this until you drop the poor, poor, pitiful me routine and start really talking to me.”

  “Talk about what?” She scratched the tops of her arms, wanting to get rid of the unpleasant sensation under her skin. “Everyone needs a little something to help them through the day, especially when you’re someone like me. You have no idea what it’s like to have everyone pawing at you and pulling you in a million different directions.”

  “So almost overdosing twice was you indulging in your little something to cope?” Belle shook her head and Sophie wanted to punch her. “You should be proud of the career you built, and of the family you have. The band guys love you as much as Victoria does, but eventually everyone gets tired of caring.”

  “Ain’t that the truth?”

  Belle shook her head again. “You didn’t let me finish. They stopped caring because you don’t care about them, or yourself, at all. You’ve allowed a man into your life who’s sucking everything good out of you, and you’ve pushed everyone else away.”

  “I’m not that hideous. Weston wants to be with me, and he’s not after my money.” She needed him and was tired of defending her choices. Why the hell didn’t anyone realize it wasn’t their business? “He loves me.”

  “I don’t know Mr. Cagle, and I don’t know his true feelings for you.” Belle opened a folder and handed over a sheet of paper. “I do know Mr. Cagle withdrew close to forty thousand dollars from your account the moment you were taken to the hospital, and he hasn’t been seen or heard from since that night. If Victoria hadn’t locked down your accounts, that might not be the only thing he got away with.”

  “Where did you get this?” Sophie’s hand shook as she held the bank statement. Victoria was going to pay for this humiliation.

  “I asked Victoria to check, and she’s taken care of locking up the house as well as your money until you’re ready to go back.”

  She laughed at how pathetic Victoria really was. The kid hadn’t been planned and had been a burden from day one, but your career went nowhere if you were a woman who abandoned your child, at least by the time she’d had her. She’d done Victoria a favor with the job, but Victoria’s problem was that she’d never overcome her lapdog ways. Everyone, starting with her clueless kid, thought Sophie was some blind idiot who didn’t realize who Weston was and what he wanted. “You can stop looking at me with all that pity. You don’t understand anything about me or my life.”

  “Okay, explain it to me.”

  “You think I’m letting some young guy get one over on me because I’m that desperate, but Weston isn’t getting anything more out of me than I’m willing to give.” Okay, she hadn’t known about the forty grand, but she knew he’d explain it once this shit show was over. She picked up the cup of coffee Belle had made and took a big enough gulp that she burned her tongue.

  “I didn’t ask you about Mr. Cagle. I asked about Victoria. She’s your child, and because she is, maybe she deserves something from you. Children aren’t something that are foisted on you.”