No such luck and now she’d gone and blown her cover. As if she needed more problems.

  She’d known switching record labels would be difficult, no matter which one she chose. Mags ruled this town and she hadn’t wanted Hannah to move on. But Elite, and Will, were the best fit for where she wanted to go next. So she’d hoped she’d be able to ignore her attraction to one of the sexiest men in Beaumont Bay.

  Apparently she’d have to do more than pose as Hallie to keep her head on straight and focus on her career.

  “What the hell game are you playing?” Will leaned forward and spoke through gritted teeth, pulling her from her thoughts.

  Oh, those deep blue eyes got just a touch darker. Anger and arousal sometimes teetered on the very same thin line.

  She clasped her hands together under the table, pushing aside her awareness. No way could she act on her desires. What would come of that? If Will returned her advances, then what? The media would eat them both alive and she’d be seen as getting this deal because she’d slept her way into it. All her work in establishing her new persona—and getting her own songs out into the world—would be for nothing.

  No way in hell would she tarnish her reputation or that of Elite Records. Singing and performing were her entire life. She’d already risked nearly everything to leave Cheating Hearts for a chance at something new. She had nothing left to gamble on a fleeting attraction.

  Besides, she’d chosen Elite because of their strong familial bond. Will and his three brothers were all in the music industry in one form or another. She knew having all of that surrounding the Elite name would help her in this new phase of her career.

  “I’m not playing a game,” she retorted with her sweetest tone.

  “Then why the ruse?”

  The barista interrupted them by setting down their drinks, then left them alone once again. Hannah reached for her chai tea with a splash of almond milk. Ah, yes. Perfect. A little touch of normalcy and familiarity in this tense moment was exactly what she needed to relax and feel more grounded.

  “Hannah,” Will commanded.

  She met his gaze and shrugged as she curled her fingers around the mug. “I wanted to know more about what you were like as a person. Hallie met with you before, then we all signed papers, but I wanted a one-on-one in a relaxed setting to get you to know you without the pressure of you realizing who I really was.”

  He didn’t say a word, but merely continued to stare with those striking eyes. A muscle clenched in his jaw. It was a strong jawline with a little dark shadowing of facial hair... Yum.

  Calm down, Hannah. He can make or break your next career move.

  If she wanted to be seen as something more than a young girl with cutesy songs, she needed Will. She needed this change. She wanted out of the rut that Mags had put her in, and the next chapter of her career hinged on getting everything right at this very time in her life. She couldn’t afford mistakes if she wanted to go to the next level in the music industry and be seen as a serious songwriter.

  “I don’t know you very well.” She forced herself to focus on the business and not the attraction that settled between them. “But I risked a great deal to come to your label. I wanted to know a little more about you as a person before I spoke to you as me.”

  “That makes no sense,” he said. “And from here on out, there are no games.”

  “I’m not playing a game,” she insisted again. “This is my career. I’m simply looking out for myself.”

  Hannah refused to let him into her head. She wasn’t ready to share all the reasons behind her switch. All he’d been told was that Hannah hadn’t been getting along with Mags and that’s all he needed to know.

  Mags and Hannah’s grandmother went back decades, when they’d both first broken into the Nashville scene. Hannah’s grandmother was the world-famous Eleanor Banks. The woman had sold more records in the country music industry than any other woman—move over Dolly.

  No one could hold a candle to Eleanor’s stardom and Mags was jealous. When Mags married, her husband was the mayor of Beaumont Bay and had dealings with real estate. He ended up buying her a record label to keep her happy and let her still have a hand in the industry. Her life intertwined with everybody’s...and if it didn’t, she’d place herself there.

  Two generations later and Mags’s jealousy was still in effect—it’s why she’d wanted to sign Hannah nearly ten years ago.

  Now after a decade of being ruled by Mags, Hannah wanted to break out of the twenty-something persona she’d been shoved into and delve into deeper, more emotional lyrics that really showcased her talent, ability, and creativity. She wanted to take her art and songwriting to the next level and reveal that she had more talents than just her voice. She truly believed she had something to share with her lyrics.

  So she’d signed with Will and had agreed to the conditions that she’d record a song written by Cash Sutherland—one of Will’s brothers—and that his brother would be her opening act for her new tour. Cash had that bit of a bad boy reputation and Will was convinced having the two team up would only help Cash’s image with his climb to stardom.

  “We will record at my house,” she went on, keeping her tone firm. She’d learned from Mags that she had to be firm to get her way, so she was laying down the groundwork now that she wouldn’t be bossed or bullied. This move to Elite Records was her chance to make her own way and for once she would be in charge.

  “You can come look and judge all you want,” she continued, “but that’s the best place. I’m comfortable there and everything is state-of-the-art. You won’t find better equipment anywhere else.”

  Will shrugged. “We’ll see. Once my studio is restored, we will be working from there. I trust you looked over Cash’s song? The one that I sent through your sister?”

  Hannah nodded. “I wanted to talk to you about that. I’m not sure that’s the first song we should release as a single.”

  Considering she wanted to start over with a brand-new sound, she didn’t want to rely on someone else’s lyrics right away. She had her own lyrics, several songs actually, but she’d kept them locked away as a secret. Even her sister didn’t know those pieces existed.

  She’d hoped to present them to Will and see if they could make this launch new in every way. Up until now, she’d always recorded other people’s songs. She really wanted her own to be on her first album with Elite.

  “Cash’s song was written into the contract,” Will replied, as if she didn’t know that legal agreement forward and backward. “Nonnegotiable.”

  The way he delivered that final word coupled with his intense stare had her feeling...way too much. She didn’t want to find his dominance sexy. She wanted to get to work and be taken seriously as a singer-songwriter. But, in order for the songwriter part to happen, she would have to open herself up.

  Not quite yet, but soon.

  The idea both terrified and excited her. She’d never exposed herself like this before. Singing words from someone else’s mind was one thing, but letting her fans in on her own private thoughts was entirely another.

  Even though she was Hannah Banks, five-time winner of the female artist award and vocalist of the year for the past six years, she still had insecurities. Rejection was always a fear and could be a detrimental roadblock if she didn’t scrounge up some courage soon. She’d made the leap to Elite; she’d find the courage to ultimately take that final step.

  “I’ll need to come by and see your house,” he stated, cutting into her thoughts.

  “When?”

  His long fingers curled around his mug and she couldn’t help but stare. Everything about him screamed power, sex appeal, and too many other equally alluring—and frustrating—qualities to count. There was risk here—a risk she refused to take. It took every ounce of her willpower to remember she needed to shut down any hint of attraction. Will and Elite would take her to the next level of her career...and nothing more.

  “Since tomorrow doesn’t work, we’ll go now.”

  Hannah laughed. “Now? That’s not possible.”

  “Fine,” he growled. “In an hour.”

  Hannah sighed and shook her head. “That’s not much different than now.”

  Will eased aside his mug as he leaned toward her. “I’m not sure of how you handled your working relationship with Mags, but with me, I’m hands-on, and I will be with you each and every step of this process. My name is associated with this label as well, so I won’t let even one slipup happen.”

  “Do you think I want something to go wrong?” she asked, barely containing a sneer. “This is my career. I’m taking a huge leap leaving Mags to sign with another label and letting your brother open for my upcoming tour.”

  “Excuse me.”

  Hannah glanced up to see a young teenage girl wearing a nervous grin.

  “I’m sorry,” the girl stated. “But you’re like my favorite singer and would you mind giving me an autograph?”

  Hannah never tired of meeting fans and giving autographs. This was a part of the business she absolutely loved. She remembered how sweet her grandmother had always been with the public. Gram had always said without the fans, there would be no music business. So Hannah was grateful for each and every autograph and photo with the people who bought her music and kept her in the industry she so loved.

  “I don’t mind a bit,” Hannah replied with a smile. “Do you have something to write on?”

  The girl’s face fell as she reached for her little cross-body purse and started searching.

  “Here.” Will grabbed a clean napkin from the stack and pulled a pen from his pocket. “Will this work?”

  “Perfect.” Hannah slid the items across and glanced back to the girl. “What’s your name?”

  “Tasha. I listen to your music every day when I’m practicing dance. It really helped me escape since my parents separated.”

  Hannah signed the napkin, using her familiar heart signature. Everyone who asked for an autograph always told her how her music affected them and she loved every story. Affecting people’s lives in a positive way—that’s what she wanted. She loved hearing how she’d helped someone get through a difficult time, no matter what it might be.

  “I’m so sorry about your parents,” Hannah replied as she handed Tasha the napkin. “I’m glad I can comfort you in some small way.”

  Tasha looked to the autograph, her beaming smile returning. “This is so cool. Wait until I show my friends. Thank you so much.”

  Hannah pushed back her chair and came to her feet. She held out her arms and embraced the young girl.

  “It was my pleasure, Tasha. I’m so glad I could meet you.”

  The teen practically skipped back to the counter where she retrieved her drink and headed out the front door. Hannah sank back down into her seat and scooted toward the table.

  She stilled when she caught Will’s gaze studying her.

  “What?”

  “It’s not every superstar who would let a meeting or a coffee date be interrupted for an autograph.”

  “First of all, this is not a date.” Good grief. It was as if he’d gotten a glimpse into those unwanted thoughts she’d been hiding. “Second of all, if you’re offended because I interrupted our little meeting, then get used to it. If it weren’t for my fans, I wouldn’t have a career and you wouldn’t have money coming in from me.”

  Will’s lips quirked into a grin and she realized he could be both frustrating and sexy at the same time... Well, that would equal nothing but trouble.

  “I wasn’t complaining about the interruption,” he explained. “You should always talk to your fans. All I said was it’s not just anyone who would do that.”

  Flustered and still turned on from his arousing good looks and take-control attitude, Hannah huffed and turned in her seat to cross her legs. If she hadn’t slipped up, she could still be pretending to be Hallie and then she wouldn’t have to worry about anything. Hallie was calm, quiet and determined, but in a controlled way. Hannah too often felt like her emotions were out of control, like she’d lost herself somewhere during all those years when she’d let Mags determine her public persona. She was still trying to find herself.

  Which was why she needed to focus on this pivotal point in her life and career.

  “I don’t want to argue,” she told him. “So if you want to come to my house, let’s go. I have other things to do today.”

  Things that were none of his business and things that she didn’t want to share. She might be in every magazine and splattered all over the internet, but she still wanted to keep her insecurities to herself. While she loved the life she’d created, she also still valued her privacy. And just because Will owned her music now didn’t mean that he owned her as a person.

  Trying to prove to her fans and the public that she wasn’t the diva Mags had portrayed her as would take some work, too. But Will didn’t know her or her working style and there was only one first impression to make.

  Annoyingly, Hannah also had to keep reminding herself that they were only working together...nothing more. Which meant she couldn’t want him or even flirt with him. This next chapter of her life had to be completely aboveboard professionally so she could start showcasing herself as an adult performer and a serious songwriter.

  Just because she hadn’t been turned on by a man in longer than she could count did not mean she should act on her attraction now.

  Hannah’s desires would have to just go away because she refused to risk it all for a one-time, but surely delicious, romp in the sack with Will Sutherland.

  TWO

  It wasn’t often that he was surprised, but when Will glanced around the state-of-the-art studio he could barely contain his shock. He hadn’t expected Hannah to have so much technology and space in her home. He’d just assumed she’d be the type to let everyone else do the heavy lifting, so to speak, and just use others’ studios. But knowing she was this involved in the smallest details of her career was actually refreshing...and a bit of a turn-on.

  Though he really shouldn’t be shocked, not when her grandmother was Eleanor Banks. No doubt perfection and high standards had been the norm for Hannah from a young age.

  Still, with her reputation of being a diva and always having her hair, makeup, and clothes perfectly placed, he was pleasantly surprised that she didn’t just put on the façade, but she also dug deeper to work her career.

  “This will do.”

  Hannah laughed. “Wow, hold off on all the compliments.”

  He faced her and again ignored that ping of arousal. She’d changed her clothes since they’d been at the coffee shop. Now she wore a pair of black fitted jeans that sat so low they should be illegal. She’d paired those with a sparkly blue top that didn’t meet the top of her pants, leaving a good two inches of creamy skin exposed. She’d even added more makeup and done something with her hair to make it...hell, he didn’t know. Bigger?

  How did she go from small-town Hannah to stage-ready Hannah in such a short time? Was she always like this at home? A superstar even in her own surroundings? Couldn’t she just be herself? Or maybe she’d been molded into this persona for so long, she’d lost herself along the way.

  Hell, he wasn’t sure and he didn’t need to know. That was an emotional level he never needed to get in to with her. So long as she continued to crank out hits, as she’d been doing, that’s all he cared about.

  Well, he also cared about the state of his studio at the moment.

  When they’d left the coffee shop, he had stopped by Elite to check on the renovations. They weren’t getting done fast enough to suit him, but since construction wasn’t in his wheelhouse, there wasn’t much he could do besides wait. And for now, they could use Hannah’s studio.

  “I’d like Cash here when we record ‘Kiss My Heart,’” he told her. “It’s only fair since it’s his song and the two of you will be touring together.”

  He watched a variety of expressions float across her face, too fast for him to fully name, but he didn’t need to know how she felt. He wasn’t here to get personal; he was here to make money and Hannah Banks was the ticket to helping Elite and helping his brother clean up his reputation.

  “Fine,” she told him. “Do you need him to record here, too? We have the other song we were going to do as a duet.”

  Will shook his head. “We should be good for everything other than that one. He recorded quite a bit before the storm came through. He has a couple songs to voice over, but he can do that at his own place. We’ll definitely do the duet here since my studio won’t be finished for almost three more weeks.”

  It still seemed like a lifetime to him. Hannah and Cash weren’t the only talents at his label, so he needed to get back to work to make up for the lost time. Not having control over his own space was definitely putting him out of his comfort zone.

  Being at the mercy of Hannah and in her territory was sure as hell not making him comfortable. The place smelled like her. All floral and sexy. Her studio was quite a bit more feminine than his. She had a soft yellow rug on the floor of the recording area. There were a few photos on the wall of her grandmother on the stage at various shows. No doubt Eleanor Banks had been a motivation and support for Hannah.

  Eleanor had moved to the Bay area some years back. She had a massive, three-story home back up in the mountains for privacy. She still appeared on awards shows or produced duets with up and coming stars on occasion. She was, and always would be, an icon.

  He hoped like hell Hannah was this generation’s Eleanor Banks.

  “Cash is more than welcome to record here,” Hannah stated, cutting in to his unwanted thoughts. “I’ve really only met him in passing at awards shows. We might as well get to know each other since we’ll be together for months next summer.”