She took a deep breath and left her apartment with butterflies in her tummy and hope in her heart.

  Warming up her voice on the way to the Barn, she felt as ready as she could be by the time she arrived. Axel's car wasn't there yet, but Tony and Livia were there. She stepped through the door, remembering all too well leaving last night. Her face burned hot when she stepped in. Jami, Tony, and Livia sat on the sofas, chatting about the tour. "Morning, Mads."

  Her voice was soft when she replied. "Morning."

  Livia looked up at her, brows furrowed. "Are you alright, Mads?"

  Oh my God, they could tell. "Yes. I'm fine." It came out fast, and Livia cocked her head to the right but said nothing more.

  She sat down and chided herself for her lack of acting skills. Maybe she should take a class. For crying out loud, Livia was only asking out of concern. She patted her face with her hands, trying to calm the heat. She smiled and turned to Livia. "I had a stranger try to get into my apartment today, and it scared the hell out of me. It's all good now, though."

  "He didn't get in?" Livia asked.

  "No. He said he had the wrong address. But it scared me, and I bolted out of there. That's why I'm flushed."

  Tony and Jami stopped talking and stared at her. She could feel the heat on her chest climb up her neck and face. "What?" she asked.

  Jami shook his head. "Nothing."

  They went back to talking, and Maddyn picked up a magazine from the coffee table and fanned herself. Luckily, Sean stepped inside, and they all began chatting. Axel came in last with his brow furrowed. He didn't look at her, and her heart clenched. He went straight to Tony. "Can I have a word?"

  Tony's brows shot up. "Sure."

  The two men stepped across the room to the bar, and Axel handed him a sheet of paper. Her fingers shook. He wasn't giving notice, was he? No, he wouldn't do that. It couldn't be. He never glanced at her. Not once. She remembered Tommy all over again, and her stomach tightened. She tried not to stare, but she couldn't imagine what else it could be.

  Livia stood. "Should we go in and warm up?"

  "Sure." She blurted it without looking at Livia. Gawd, she was bad at this.

  Chapter Eleven

  Axel left his house excited to see Maddyn and ready to start the day. They were going to play music, create new songs, and he was going to do it with Maddyn and their little secret. It was exciting in a way. The two of them knew something no one else did, and that heightened his creativity. He could now hear the music in his head for the song that had been streaming through his brain last night, and again this morning. He wasn't ready to share it just yet with the band, but he was excited to see what transpired from it. It would reveal itself in bits and drabs. Most of his music did that. When he'd read the words to Sean's song, it came in a flood, but Jami wrote one, and it took a couple of days to actually come together in his mind.

  But this morning, oh, the words were showing themselves to him, and he could hear a bit of the melody in his mind. Maybe tomorrow or Friday, he'd have the whole tune in his head and ready to share.

  He grabbed the mail from his mailbox and shuffled through it as he walked back to the house. A handwritten note stopped him in his tracks. He turned and looked down the street, both ways, before continuing on. Inside his house, he dropped the mail on his counter, except for the note. On it was written: I love you. I can't wait to see you tomorrow.

  A chill ran the length of his body. Icy dread. Someone knew where he lived. And they hadn't mailed him something; they'd dropped it at his house. They'd been here. His sanctuary.

  He hurried through the kitchen to his garage and rushed out of his driveway to the Barn. He'd tell Tony about this and see what he thought. He was the band's manager, so surely if someone was stalking him, Tony could get security.

  After arriving, he rushed into the barn. Mads would know something was wrong if he looked at her, so he avoided it. He felt creeped out, and his heart beat rapidly.

  Tony took the note from him at the bar. "I found this in my mailbox this morning."

  Tony read it. "Is it Lacey?"

  Axel shrugged. "That makes sense, doesn't it? But I don't know."

  Tony nodded. He turned the note over in his hand and looked at the back. It had nothing written on it. He held it up to the light hanging over the bar and saw a watermark. "It says Hotel Norton."

  Axel took a deep breath. "Isn't Hotel Norton in Tampa Bay?"

  "Yes, there's one there. But I think they also have a smaller hotel in Crystal Cove."

  "Oh. Well, I'm worried that this person —Lacey or whoever —is a stalker. How did she find out where I live?"

  Tony shook his head. "It's a small town, Axel. A few questions to the right people and, unfortunately, word gets out. Do you have security cameras?"

  "No. I can get them installed right away, though."

  "That's not a bad idea. I was just talking to Jami about getting them here. We don't need Lacey or anyone else repeating what happened last night."

  "That's a great idea. What about the rest of you? Don't you think before we go on our extensive tour, it's a good idea for everyone to get cameras?"

  "I do." Tony looked at the note. "Can I keep this?"

  "I don't care."

  Tony nodded and pocketed the note. "Take a deep breath and get your head on straight for creating music. I'll take care of calling Jace to find out what security company he recommends, and I'll get them scheduled."

  "Thanks, Tony. I appreciate it."

  "You're welcome. Just one more question. Did you see anyone following you home last night?"

  His mind raced. Did he? He'd been so wrapped up in Maddyn, all he thought about all the way home was her. He barely remembered the drive home after he turned off to go to his place. His stomach twisted slightly. He'd not been paying attention. And what if someone had followed Mads? What if she had been in any kind of danger? Did anyone see them leaving the Barn together?

  "Axel?"

  He shook his head. "Oh, sorry. I don't recall seeing anyone following me."

  "Okay, well, I'll simply ask you to be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to things."

  "Okay."

  He took a deep breath and saw his bandmates moving into the studio. His eyes landed on Mads, who looked absolutely fantastic in her jeans and tank top. Her hair was cute in its ponytail. Thoughts of her lips on his last night and how she felt as he slid into her barraged his brain, and his body reacted by stiffening up. He took a breath, grateful he stood behind the bar right now, and turned toward the cooler to pull a bottle of water from inside so Tony didn't see the evidence of his desire for Maddyn.

  She disappeared into the studio, and Tony pulled his phone from his pocket and stepped down to the other end of the bar.

  Taking a long pull from his water, he felt less exposed and moved toward the studio. When was the last time he'd gotten a boner thinking about a woman? It had been a while since his thoughts alone had gotten him stirred up.

  He entered the studio, and everyone turned toward him. "Morning," he greeted.

  Jami nodded. "Everything alright?"

  "Yeah. It's all good."

  Jami's brows rose, but Axel ignored the look and sat behind his drums. He didn't look at Mads, worried he'd have a reaction or somehow reveal their secret.

  Jami cleared his throat. "Okay, let's start with this new song Sean and I wrote. We need the beat and a melody."

  Everyone pulled up the sheet with the words to the song written on it. He nodded and began drumming a beat. Maddyn turned to him and smiled, then she sang the words to the chorus to the beat of his drums. Her voice - it was incredible. He stared at her as she sang. Livia joined in, then finally Jami and Sean added their flair, and within an hour, they had the song written. It was incredible.

  Finally, Jami stopped them. "Mads and Liv, slow down that melody. Eyes up here, everyone."

  Axel watched Mads from behind, which wasn't a hardship. He played without actually thinking about what he was doing. His mind was on what he wanted to be doing. With her. With Maddyn. Again and again.

  Jami stopped them again. "Axel, slow down."

  "Got it." He shook his head slightly, reminding himself to get his head, the one on his shoulders, in the game. Jami's brows pinched tightly together, and Axel knew he was getting irritated. Taking a deep breath, Axel focused on the beat and the new song.

  Jami nodded. "Okay, from the top."

  The song came together perfectly. The beat was right. The words were right. The song was amazing. Goosebumps formed on his arms, and the smiles on his bandmates’ faces said it all. Making music was what they had in common. It was what drove them. But what came next was driving him too.

  Chapter Twelve

  As they packed up to leave the barn for the day, Axel hurried toward her. He whispered quietly, "Come to my place."

  She nodded, then got in her car. The others were busy getting in their cars or chatting. No one saw their exchange. But he wanted to see her again. Excitement zinged through her body. But also shame. She didn't like this sneaking around. She was beginning to feel like the dirty little secret. They were old enough; they didn't need to be doing this. Neither of them was married, nor did they have significant others. The only issue was their commitment to the band. Surely they could sit down and talk to their friends, and it would be fine. After all, Tony and Livia were doing great. At this point, they'd set the precedent.

  Taking a deep breath, she started her car and drove slowly down the road that led up to the bluff where the barn was situated. It looked over the bluff to the water below. It was an amazing location. Maybe she should have her realtor look for a little house on a bluff like this one. It would feel secluded and not in a creepy, deep-in-the-woods-alone way. Up on the bluff, it would be hard for anyone to lurk about. There were other homes along the water here in Blossom Springs. When she looked out from the upper level of the Barn, she could see them dotted here and there. At night, when the house lights were on, it was easier to see them tucked in the trees on the various bluffs that surrounded the water flowing into Blossom Springs.

  She turned onto Sunset Beach Road, then made the quick right onto Lake Street. Taking deep, even breaths, she told herself she knew Axel was a good man. She'd known him for years. They worked together. They'd traveled together in the worst conditions. In the beginning, she'd slept in the car with him and the others as they traveled to gigs far away. He wouldn't use her. He just wouldn't.

  She followed Lake Street to his neighborhood and turned onto his road, then slowed as she glanced at the houses. She'd only been here a couple of times. After Axel bought the house, he had them all over for a party. Another time, she'd dropped something off for him on behalf of Jami. Today, she felt nervous for the first time going to his place. This felt like a clandestine meeting, shrouded in secrecy. It actually was just that.

  She wrinkled her nose. She saw Axel's house and pulled over to the side of the street so he could pull into his driveway.

  Axel pulled down the street behind her. His car stereo was turned up loudly, and the music was blaring. He had the top down on his Mustang, and she saw the smile on his lips as he passed her car and drove into his driveway. Pulling his car into the garage, he jumped out and waved her in.

  "Park inside," he said.

  She pulled her SUV into the spot next to Axel's car. The door slid down to seal them inside, and her tummy flipped.

  He opened her door and grinned as he waited for her to step from her vehicle. As soon as her feet were on the ground, he kissed her. Thoughts of this morning were erased as his soft lips touched hers. He smelled so good, too. Fresh and clean, slightly spicy and citrusy. She breathed in through her nose to inhale his scent.

  He pulled away slightly and took her hand in his. "Come inside, Mads."

  She walked with him to the door. He opened it for her, and she passed through his doorway into his house. This time, though, she was his lover.

  "Do you want something to drink?"

  She smiled. "Maybe a water. It takes a little time for my throat to come back after singing all day."

  He nodded and poured her a glass of water from a pitcher in the refrigerator. He poured himself one too. Handing her the water, he nodded. "Let's sit in the living room and talk."

  She followed him to the living room. He tugged her hand, encouraging her to sit next to him on the sofa.

  "You sounded amazing today, Mads."

  She smiled. "Thank you. That song came together wonderfully. It's going to be a hit."

  "It sure is."

  She set her water on the coaster shaped like a music note on the coffee table. Turning to face him, she looked into his eyes. "What was wrong this morning?"

  His brows shot up, then he nodded. "Someone left a handwritten note in my mailbox during the night or early morning. It said, ‘I love you. I can't wait to see you tomorrow’".

  "You don't know who it's from?"

  He shook his head slowly. "Tony's looking into security cameras. He told me this afternoon that Mitch DeMario will be here tomorrow morning to install them. He's installing some at the Barn too. And I suspect Jami's house. We don't want another Lacey situation up there."

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Did Lacey write that note?"

  He shrugged. "I don't know."

  Nodding her head, she turned to look out the front window of his house. Was someone watching them right now?

  He leaned forward and took her hands in his. "I don't know if it was her or someone else. But we can't hide from the world."

  "Just our friends."

  His shoulders dropped. "I feel bad about it, too. But this is new, Mads. I want to see how things go with us first. Then, once we can tell them we've been together for x number of weeks already, it won't be scary for them. They'll see we can be together and still work together without issue."

  She tried to smile. She took a deep breath and blew it out.

  "I understand that. I don't like feeling like a liar. And I'll be honest. We probably should have talked before we had sex. If something is bothering you about me, we need to talk it out. I'll do the same. I'm a big believer in communication."

  "Were you an excellent communicator with Doug?"

  Ouch, that hurt. She flinched and shook her head. "No. He didn't want to know what my feelings were on anything."

  Axel leaned forward and brushed his fingers along her cheek. His forefinger slid under her chin, and he gently pulled her face up so he could look into her eyes. "I want to know all of your feelings. All of them."

  She stared into his deep brown eyes for a long time. His eyes were such a beautiful shade of brown. He had thick lashes surrounding them. With his hair short, his features were on full display. She'd always thought that made him sexier than other rockers. The old bands of the day were all about the big hair, but Axel, he didn't need that.

  "Okay." She swallowed. "I want to know your feelings, too."

  "Deal. So tell me what you were feeling this morning when I walked in."

  "I worried you got what you wanted and wouldn't want to have anything to do with me again."

  His head shook slowly. Then his lips touched hers softly. "Not true."

  He kissed her again.

  "Okay," she whispered.

  He pulled away and stared into her eyes again. Something thumped against the front door, and she jumped.

  He took a deep breath. "Stay here."

  He strode to the front window and looked out. A car sped down the street, and he watched it. She saw his back expand as he took in a deep breath. Slowly, he walked to the front door and opened it. Glancing down, he bent to pick up a package that had fallen against the door.

  Turning, he set the package on the coffee table. He closed the door and then came to sit next to her. They stared at the package for a long time.

  Finally, Axel said, "I don't hear ticking."

  "Oh my God, Axel." She swatted his shoulder. "That's not funny."

  Shrugging, he reached forward and pulled the envelope off the top of the package. He opened it slowly and pulled the card from inside. It was a one-sided white card with Thinking of You printed on it in black text. Nothing was handwritten on the card.

  He set the card on the coffee table and reached for the package. It was the size of a shoe box, wrapped in brown craft paper.

  Pulling on the paper, Maddyn stopped him. "Wait!"

  She pulled her phone from her back pocket and snapped a picture of the card and the box. Setting her phone next to her on the sofa, she said, "Okay."

  Axel grinned at her caution, then gently pulled the wrapping from the box. It was indeed a shoe box. The picture of the shoes on the outside was clearly women's shoes. White sandals, to be precise. Using one finger, he lifted the lid to reveal the contents.

  A rose with the stem cut short lay inside on white tissue paper. Axel's brows shot up as he stared at the flower. His phone rang as he stared. He didn't move. Maddyn touched his arm, "Axel?"

  "Oh." He picked his phone up from the side table and answered. "Peters."

  She watched his face as he listened. "Why don't you come right now? There's something else I'd like to show you."

  Chapter Thirteen

  He turned to Maddyn. "Mitch DeMario is on his way over to get a lay of the place and determine where he'll put cameras."

  "I should go then."

  His heart thumped painfully. "I don't want you to go."

  Her throat moved, and he knew she was swallowing. "If he's working with Tony, and he sees me here, he might say something."

  "Mads."

  "Axel, we have to be sure, you said it yourself, before we tell anyone."

  His heart twisted again. He was forty-eight fucking years old. He could be with anyone he wanted. "Mads..."