What he hadn’t planned on was being jealous of his own brother.

  “You okay?”

  Will jerked his attention to Luke and nodded. “Just a lot on my mind right now.”

  “How’s the studio coming along?”

  Sure, the studio. That’s what he should be worried about, but instead he was worried about the fact that he’d slept with his latest artist. Not only did he sleep with her, but he also enjoyed the hell out of it and wanted more.

  “It’s getting there,” Will stated. “I’m anxious to get back into it.”

  Then he wouldn’t be tempted by memories every time he entered Hannah’s studio.

  “Some people weren’t as lucky as we were with that storm,” Luke commented as he kept watching the stage.

  “No, they weren’t.”

  People had lost homes and others had lost their small businesses, and that was the sole reason Will was going to the charity event at Mags’s house. He couldn’t care less about her showy lifestyle, but he did want to help rebuild his beautiful town.

  Hannah went on to sing one of her older songs, which the crowd also loved. Cash remained on a stool in the background until Hannah was done. Then she really turned on the charm when she started the crowd chanting Cash’s name and begging him to play something he’d written that hadn’t been heard before. Of course, this had all been discussed beforehand, but it seemed like the crowd really loved this duo.

  Will had confidence that once they started their tour, the sellouts would be epic. Maybe they’d even have to add more tour dates, which was every artist’s hope.

  “Maybe we can talk them in to making this a regular spot,” Luke said. “Or do I need to bribe you for that?”

  “I’ll talk to Hallie and we’ll see what we can come up with,” Will promised.

  Luke glanced to the sister in question, who ended up going out into the crowd and having a drink, but she still remained a little to the side as if ready to hide behind the scenes again.

  “She’s definitely different from Hannah,” Luke commented. “Sweet girl, though.”

  Will glanced to his brother. “Hands off the Banks sisters.”

  Holding his hands up in mock surrender, Luke laughed. “Just making a statement. You sound territorial. Has one of the ladies piqued your interest?”

  His interest? More like his libido and his raging hormones.

  “I’m just laying it out there that my singer and her manager are off-limits.”

  Luke dropped his hands, but kept the smirk. “Oh, man. Can’t wait to see how this plays out,” he muttered.

  Will was not taking that bait. He remained silent as Cash finished and the two performers waved to the crowd and promised to return one day. Cash even joked about knowing the owner.

  As they came off the stage, Hallie joined them. Hannah pulled her guitar strap over her head and held on to the neck of the instrument.

  “That was awesome,” Hannah exclaimed as she turned to Cash. “You killed it.”

  “We killed it,” he countered before looking to Luke. “Hope that wasn’t too presumptuous of me to tell them Hannah and I would be back sometime.”

  “Not at all. Will and I were just discussing that.”

  One of the waitstaff brought over a tray of drinks and handed them out. Hannah reached for a glass of water and took a heavy gulp.

  Will couldn’t tear his eyes away. She was so damn stunning and he wanted to get her alone again. No, it wasn’t smart, but a week had passed. He’d thought if he waited, his wants would disappear. Instead, he was more sexually frustrated than ever.

  “I’d say the duet was a hit, too,” Hallie said. “It was perfect just the way you two did it tonight.”

  “I agree,” Hannah said, tucking her hair behind her ear.

  The warm spring breeze swept over the rooftop and Will still couldn’t pull his gaze away from the way Hannah’s hair danced around her shoulders.

  “I’m glad we did this,” Cash said as he held on to his beer mug. “Just a little teaser for the big things coming down the pike.”

  “Can I get you something to eat or something other than water?” Luke asked Hannah.

  “No, no. I’m good. I’m going to head home and pour myself a drink and relax on my patio.” She finished her water and sighed. “This was a really great night. Thanks for having us.”

  “Well, you hadn’t been here in years, so it was definitely time,” Luke told her.

  “Past time,” she agreed.

  When her eyes landed on him, Will pulled himself together.

  “I need to discuss something with you,” he told her. “I’ll walk you out the back way.”

  Her eyes widened a fraction before she nodded. “Of course.”

  They said their goodbyes and Will led Hannah to the service elevator that only very few staff used.

  The moment they were in and the doors closed, Will turned to Hannah, gripped her face, and kissed her. He backed her to the corner of the elevator and swallowed her gasp. He needed her. He couldn’t stand it another second.

  Hannah gripped his shoulders and returned the kiss. Apparently she’d been holding in her passion for the last seven days as well.

  The elevator chimed and Will moved away. Hannah’s red lips were now smeared and there was no denying what she had been doing in the twenty-second elevator ride.

  “Will,” she whispered just as the doors slid open.

  He fisted his hands at his sides to keep from reaching for her again.

  “What did you want to talk about?” she asked, staring up at him.

  When no one entered, he reached around and pushed the close-door button so they would remain on the main floor and not get interrupted.

  “Hell, I don’t know,” he admitted. “I just couldn’t stand it another second.”

  “Stand what?” She took a half step forward to meet him. “Being near me?” Then she reached up and trailed her fingertips over his lips. “Because I’ve dreamed of kissing and touching you since you left the other night.”

  His entire body tightened and he released the button. The doors slid open once again and Will wanted too damn bad to take her hand and haul her out of here, but people would see them and that was the last thing either of them needed.

  “Follow me,” he demanded as he stepped out, held the door and waited for her.

  Hannah moved out of the elevator and waited, then fell into step beside him as he made his way through the back entrance of The Beaumont. He’d parked his black SUV in the usual spot, near the back door. They worked their way through the hallways where the offices were located, so they really didn’t pass anyone. When they got to the door, Will held up a hand.

  “Let me make sure nobody is out here,” he told her. “We don’t need a picture of us getting in my car together and leaving.”

  “Where are we going?”

  Will glanced over his shoulder and met her gaze. “You’re coming home with me.”

  ELEVEN

  Anticipation rolled through Hannah as she waited on Will to come around and open her door. He’d pulled into the garage of his home on the lake and Hannah knew full well why he’d brought her here. Her body was still zinging from that all-too-brief elevator ride.

  Not to mention she was always revved up on adrenaline after any show, no matter how big or small. There was also a storm brewing outside. Fat raindrops had hit the vehicle the entire drive here. Hannah had tried to focus on the windshield wipers’ pattern instead of her beating heart or her imagination running wild. She didn’t fully know what to expect, other than the obvious, but what else was Will wanting from this encounter? Did he want anything more than just the physical aspect? Were they rushing this connection too fast? Was this all a colossal mistake?

  Her career couldn’t take a hit right now, not with everything on the line with her new look, new sound and new label. And there was no way she’d go back to Cheating Hearts.

  Could she be losing control? If she continued this fling, would she be able to stay in charge here? Could she put aside all of her professional concerns and just enjoy herself? Living in the now wasn’t something she gave herself the luxury of doing very often.

  Maybe she could keep herself in check. Maybe she and Will could pull this off together.

  As soon as the door opened, Hannah slid out and found herself plastered against the side of the vehicle and his mouth on hers once again.

  Oh, she’d needed this. She’d thought about his mouth, his body, over the last seven days and she knew she hadn’t just imagined how mind-blowing he’d been, but she loved having this reminder.

  Hannah gripped his shoulders and opened to him. She went up onto her tiptoes to get closer, to have better access.

  Stripping him down in his garage was even less classy than seducing him on her studio floor. Surely she could wait and do this properly this time, right? He had to have been thinking about them being together again or he wouldn’t have brought her here...unless he’d gotten so turned on during her performance he’d just snapped. In which case, that was just as sexy.

  Will eased back, but didn’t move away.

  “You told me to think about this,” he murmured against her lips. “I’m done thinking.”

  “It’s about time.”

  He kissed her again, but just for a second, then he took her hand and led her through his home. She was sure he had stunning views of the lake and exquisite decor, but right now all she cared about was the bedroom, or whatever room he was leading her to, because her dress and panties were about to melt off.

  “Do you think anyone knows where we are or that we left together?” she asked as she followed him up the curved staircase.

  As they walked, soft, glowing lights would kick on as they approached, lighting up their path. Once they reached the landing, a flash of lightning lit up the two-story windows and she jumped.

  “Easy,” he assured her, resting his hands on her shoulders. “You’re safe here.”

  In the lion’s den?

  “I guess I’m just jumpy after that last storm,” she admitted.

  Will stepped closer and ran his hands down her arms, then slid them around her waist. “Then stay here for the night.”

  For the entire night? That was much more intimate than just sex.

  “Will, I—”

  He covered her mouth with his and lifted her up off the floor. His arms banded around her, just below her backside, and she couldn’t stop herself from wrapping her arms around his neck and holding on for the kiss.

  “I want to take my time with you,” he murmured against her lips. “I want you in my bed and not on the floor. Stay.”

  Oh, how could she argue with this man? She wanted everything he’d just laid out, and the tender, yet commanding way he spoke to her had her melting.

  He shouldn’t be throwing romance into this. She didn’t want romance. She didn’t have time for romance.

  Yet she couldn’t help but admit that she hadn’t had anyone even try to romance her in so long... Maybe that’s what she was afraid of.

  “Now you’re the one thinking too much,” he whispered as he eased her back. “Don’t overthink this, Hannah. It’s just us. Nobody knows.”

  Nobody knows. Right. And that’s what brought her attention back to the physical. There was nothing more going on here and she needed to get out of her head and into the moment.

  Hannah stepped back and toed off her boots. When she reached for the strap of her dress, Will covered her hand.

  “Don’t rob this from me again.”

  His throaty command sent another bolt of arousal through her. With the soft glow from the lighting along the steps and the sconces on the wall around the windows, she could make out that fiery passion staring back at her.

  Without any warning, Will bent down and lifted her into his arms, with one arm behind her back and the other behind her knees. He turned and started up the next set of steps to the second floor.

  Damn it. He was putting romance into this fling. When they were in her studio everything had been fast and frantic and exhilarating. She hadn’t had much time to think of anything other than the fact she was finally getting what she wanted.

  But now? Well, now she was liking this version a little too much. Which was how she found herself looping her arms around his neck and resting her head against his shoulder.

  “I can walk you know.”

  “Oh, I’m aware. I’ve watched those sexy, swaying hips for too damn long now.” He reached the top of the stairs and glanced down to her. “And I know you wore this dress to drive me crazy.”

  “It worked,” she laughed.

  “You’re a minx.”

  “Thank you.”

  Will continued down the dimly lit hall and turned into a room she assumed was his. How many other women had he whisked up here Rhett Butler-style?

  A surge of jealousy threatened to overtake her, so Hannah had to remind herself this wasn’t an actual relationship and Will wasn’t a saint. Neither was she. Of course, they’d both had lovers before now, but she sure as hell didn’t want those thoughts interrupting this moment.

  When he crossed the room and came to the edge of the bed, Will eased her down, making sure her entire body slid deliciously against his on the way down.

  The material of the dress bunched between them, leaving her bottom half exposed. Will wasted no time in reaching for her hips, hooking his thumbs in the waistband of her panties, and jerking them down to her thighs. Hannah assisted by shimmying until they fell to the floor and then she kicked them aside.

  Will gripped her bare backside and Hannah instinctively pressed her pelvis to his.

  “We can’t wait seven days again,” he growled into her ear. “I’m trying to take my time.”

  “Don’t try so hard,” she demanded. “Just take what you want.”

  With a groan or growl, she wasn’t sure which, Will gathered the material of her dress and yanked it up and over her head, leaving her completely bare.

  “No bra?” he asked.

  This was where Hannah struggled a little with her confidence. She shrugged, hoping her self-pity didn’t ruin anything.

  “I wasn’t blessed in that area, so I don’t always wear one. Nobody can tell.”

  Will glanced down, reached for her hands and held them out wide. He took a step back, still holding her arms out.

  “I don’t know who planted that seed in your head, but you’re damn perfect from where I’m standing.”

  Oh, no. No, no, no. He couldn’t say things like that and expect her to keep her heart closed off. Hearing pretty words, the perfect words, murmured during a passionate moment felt more intimate to her than using the infamous L word.

  Before she could reply, Will covered her breasts with his palms and stepped back in.

  “Perfect,” he whispered once again before sliding his lips across hers.

  Hannah fully believed him. He wasn’t saying that just to have her—he’d already had her and clearly he wanted more. Something about this man made her feel worshipped, cherished...special.

  She’d put personal relationships on the back burner for a few years. Getting involved with anyone was so risky and never private in her world. Maybe she was just letting her mind get too deep into this because she’d been alone for too long.

  Or maybe there was a kernel of something more than sex here. If that was the case, they were both in deep trouble.

  Will slid his hands down the dip in her waist and lifted her enough to set her on the edge of the bed. Then he braced his hands on either side of her hips and held his mouth close to hers.

  “You’re staying here,” he told her. “There’s too much I want to do and it’s getting nasty out.”

  Hannah nodded. There was no way she would argue and no way she wanted to be anywhere else. Finding herself in Will’s bedroom was much more than she’d bargained for when she first knew she wanted him. She thought they’d have a one-and-done and then be out of each other’s systems.

  Yet here they were and he wanted her to spend the night. Even though a week had passed, this intimate relationship was progressing rapidly. The fact she even thought of any of this using the word relationship should have had her running out of this house...

  “I’ll stay,” she agreed.

  Will exhaled as if he’d been waiting for her to agree to his terms. She didn’t know what she was actually getting into, but right now she couldn’t worry about that. They’d already crossed the line, so she might as well enjoy herself.

  “Why are you still dressed?” she asked, reaching for his belt buckle.

  “I’m waiting on you to strip me.”

  Will took a step back and held her gaze as if to challenge her. He didn’t know her that well—she rarely turned down a risk that would have amazing benefits. Taking off Will’s clothes was the equivalent of having extra whipped cream on top of a sundae. Nobody would say no to that.

  Hannah came to her feet and immediately went to work. She yanked the belt from the loops and flung it aside. Then she reached for the top button of his dress shirt and slid it through the tiny hole. One after another, she traveled down the straight path until she had that broad, bare chest on display for her enjoyment.

  She flattened her palms against his torso, relishing the fact that he had to take in a deep breath. Knowing her touch affected him so strongly was extremely useful information to have. She had him just as revved up and turned on as she was—it was really only fair. She’d been dreaming of him for seven days, for longer... Texts and phone calls came and went and he’d still never mentioned a thing.

  Thankfully he’d finally come to his senses in that elevator.

  Hannah eased her hands up and over his chest until she reached his shoulders. She gently shoved the shirt down Will’s arms until it fell to the floor.