You're Still the One (5 page)

Actually, she’d chickened out sophomore year. The fear of leaked photos and her dad’s disapproval kept her from taking the plunge. “I’ve always wondered how it would feel, having the cool water glide across my bare skin…” She bit her lip, imagining the moonlight dancing on the water, and excitement pebbled across her arms.

“Right.” Charlie cleared his throat, and Arabella snapped back to the present. Embarrassed, she glanced at him, prepared to see him smirking, and quickly sucked in a breath. Were the lights playing tricks on her…or was that
desire
darkening his amber eyes? “And the last one?”

His voice came out as a rasp, and the moment felt so surreal, so incredible, that the words simply fell out of her mouth. “Stare at myself naked in the mirror.”

Arabella’s eyes doubled in size, and Charlie’s mouth curved in a slow, sinful smile. “That one’s my favorite.”

His eyes raked over her body as if he was already imagining it without clothes, and a drumbeat began low in her stomach. No one had ever looked at her like that before. The fact that it was
Charlie
had her biting the inside of her cheek to suppress a nervous squeal.

“However, for scientific purposes,” he continued, leaning forward. “You’ll need an impartial observer.” Soft lips brushed her ear as he spoke, and the vision of him boldly watching her as she stood before him naked nearly had her crawling into his lap. Instead, she curled her hand around his thick forearm and dug her nails into the fabric of his shirt. Charlie hissed.

“So you’re impartial?”

He sat back and stared into her eyes. “No. But I won’t tell if you won’t.”

The line between fantasy and reality disappeared. Arabella no longer knew which way was up, which way was down, and which way led back to the bathroom, so they could get on with checking that last activity from her list. The only thing she
was
sure of was her best friend’s panicked face suddenly appearing beyond Charlie’s shoulder, silently communicating with wild eyes and unsubtle gestures.

The mythical clock marking Ella’s fairy tale had struck midnight. Her father had arrived.

Ella whimpered, feeling everything she’d ever wanted or dreamed about float away. She wanted to stay, wanted to see where the night could lead, but reality wouldn’t wait any longer. Placing a hand on Charlie’s chest, she exhaled her frustration and reluctantly pushed to her feet.

His hand shot out to snare her wrist.

“Charlie…” She shook her head. The next time she saw him things would be different. He’d know who she was and would be angry with her for keeping her it a secret. Either that or he’d pity her, which would be infinitely worse.

On second thought…

If this was her only chance, maybe there was time to steal one last memory.

Curving her free hand against his cheek, Ella slowly pressed forward, her heartbeat flitting like a hummingbird. She hesitated only a second, telling herself to savor the moment, then tentatively brushed her lips across his firm mouth.

Once, twice, three times, she hovered there, lingering and breathing in the intoxicating scent of soap, aftershave, and Charlie Tucker. It didn’t quite curl her toes, but holy moly did it leave her weak in the knees. He came alive under her mouth, tugging on her bottom lip and licking the seam of her lips, asking for entrance, and when he tightened his grip around her wrist to yank her closer, by God, she was tempted.

For the briefest second, Ella imagined what it would be like to let go. To throw caution to the wind, let him pull her into his lap, and feel what it was like to be wanted. But then, that was the thing…Charlie didn’t want
her.
He wanted the nameless woman who followed strange men into bathrooms. How could he want her when he didn’t even know who she was?

The harsh truth gave her the strength to pull back, and Arabella stared into the hazel eyes she’d memorized from Blue’s posters. Eyes now filled with a desire that matched her own.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Tonight…tonight was everything.”

Then, spinning on her heel, she dashed into the crowd
.

Chapter Three

Stunned didn’t cover it as Charlie sat there, lips tingling as he watched the sexy brunette disappear into the crowd. He didn’t follow her because a) he couldn’t move, and b) now that her doe eyes weren’t holding him captive, the sober voice of clarity rushed in.

What in the hell just happened?
Somehow, he’d gone from innocently buying her a drink to kissing her in the middle of a crowded dance club, despite the photographers, the members of the press, and his previous vow to clean up his act. Not only that, but he wasn’t even the one to end it. Nope, that had been all her, bolting out of the room like the devil himself was after her. A bark of humorless laughter broke past his lips.

He’d been ditched!

Charlie smiled and dragged the pads of his fingers across his mouth. The shy, in-over-her-head woman had actually pulled a kiss-and-run. Man, he hadn’t seen that one coming.

He shook his head, amused as much as he was disappointed. He couldn’t deny a part of him would’ve liked to have seen where that kiss led, but mostly he knew it was for the best. He didn’t want Blue’s publicist hounding him over yet another story, or worse, his boss catching a glimpse of the lip-lock.

That was the last thing Stone needed before he made his decision.

Sighing, Charlie grabbed his beer and shifted his attention to the club.

Women were off-limits for the summer. It didn’t matter that this particular one had been unique, or that she’d crept under his defenses with her intriguing list and self-effacing humor. She was a good woman with a soft heart
,
a
sweet
woman, and Charlie only brought them trouble.

She had been cute, though. The past hour was probably the most fun he’d had in a long while…even though, come to think of it, he’d never bothered to get her name.

Smooth, Tucker. Real smooth.

Leaning against the bar, he shook his head at what a skilled player he was and took another pull of beer. Country Roads was nearing full capacity. Eden’s new single rolled through the speakers and people flooded the dance floor. As Charlie’s eyes trailed over the crowd, he spied one man standing a head over the rest just a few tables over.

Shit.
Stone had finally arrived and he was currently talking with Ace Johnson, the highest-rated DJ in Nashville.

On principle, Charlie didn’t discuss women with the press. It didn’t affect the music, and he subscribed to the thought that his private life was just that.
Private
. But if the CEO of Belle Meade Records and the town’s favorite radio personality saw him kissing the brunette, it’d only feed into his current troubles.

Charlie hitched his foot onto the barstool. Who was he kidding? Being seen with any woman, kissing or not, would make the tabloids at this point.

He couldn’t catch a break. All night, he’d ignored the slips of paper the wait staff had brought him, avoided eye contact with anyone with breasts, but he’d honestly thought he was doing the right thing by buying that woman a drink. Just as he’d tried to do the honorable thing with the mayor’s daughter.

So far, he was zero for two.

Unlucky
. It was the story of his life. From the crazies to the innocents to the dashed good intentions, it seemed if it was possible for something to go wrong in his life, it did. The one exception was music, which was why he’d do a better job sticking to his summer goal from now on. With him headed back to Magnolia Springs in a couple days, laying low shouldn’t be that hard.

As Charlie watched, Stone slapped Ace on the back and turned his gaze toward the crowd. Pride shone in his eyes as he surveyed the revelers. Success oozed from his pores. This was his dynasty, and the man ruled it like a king. His eyes traveled further, eventually landing on Charlie sitting at the bar, and his thin lips flattened as he lifted his chin in acknowledgment.

Gee. Nothing beat having your boss happy to see you.

David Stone had a love-hate relationship with his artists. When they were on top, he celebrated their victories, but also instantly demanded a repeat, and he always expected perfection. Charlie couldn’t argue with the man’s results. Every single one of Blue’s albums outsold the last. What he did take issue with was Stone screwing with people’s private lives in the name of the all-mighty bottom line. Tyler lucked out that his accidental Vegas marriage to Sherry was one for the books, but Charlie never forgot that it could’ve just as easily gone the other way.

As David cut through the dancing couples, Charlie drained the rest of his beer. He knew where he stood. Stone held his future in his hands. Not only with Blue, but with his foundation. Charlie had sent his office the full proposal for Life & Lyrics over a week ago, including Abby’s personal story, without her name attached, and the statistics on the alarming rise in teenage depression. Six days later, Stone’s assistant had called and
strongly suggested
he attend tonight.

Charlie was prepared to kiss the man’s ass, take his lumps for his past mistakes, and even go so far as to wear a stupid tie, but he’d be damned if he cowered in his presence. Placing the empty bottle on the bar top, he took a deep breath and squared his shoulders, meeting the CEO’s scrutiny head on.

“Tucker.” His tone was curt and patronizing. “Glad to see you could make it. I know how busy your social calendar can be.”

Charlie smiled tightly. “Wouldn’t miss it. Tonight’s a big night for Belle Meade, and Eden’s a friend of mine. She opened for our Rain Dance tour.”

Stone merely nodded, continuing to watch Charlie over the rim of his glass.

This was why Charlie loathed these events. Playing nice for the bigwigs, rehashing the same old crap everyone already knew. He’d much rather be riding the back roads of his hometown, or grabbing a beer in Magnolia Springs. Playing a show, stuck on the bus.

Pretty much anywhere but here.

Stone lifted his drink to his mouth and the scent of coconut rum hit Charlie’s nose. Countless meetings were laced with the same scent. Rum and Coke was his boss’s go-to drink, and he’d held it, along with Charlie’s future, in hand at numerous industry events—in nightclubs like this one, and even in his own home. Back in the early days, that’s how Stone had won Blue’s allegiance, inviting the band over for dinners and pool parties. Treating them like family and introducing them to his daughter.

They’d been a bunch of suckers.

“Listen, I’m not going to beat around the bush,” Stone said finally, pursing his mouth as he lowered his drink. “I know a good investment when I see it, and I was impressed with the information you sent me regarding your foundation. It could use some tightening up, of course,” he added somewhat condescendingly, but it rolled right off Charlie’s back. He was hung up on the words
good investment.
“But I think it has potential. I’m strongly considering your invitation to sit on the board, as well as a sizeable contribution, and have shared the information with a few colleagues. They should be contacting you within the week.”

Charlie didn’t know what to say, a first for him. His heart sped, and he was seconds away from hugging the man. This foundation meant everything. It was a chance to right a wrong, to make Abby proud, and to help others who felt as lost as she did. There wasn’t a thing he wouldn’t do to make it a reality.

“Thank you, sir.” He exhaled, humbled, and tried to align his racing thoughts. “I believe Life & Lyrics can help a lot of people, and as a musician in the public eye, I’m in a unique position to make a real difference.”

“I agree,” Stone replied, shocking him further. “Which is why I’ve already sent your proposal to my team. If they see the same potential that I do, we should be in business before the start of the tour.”

The words almost made him weak. Before he could string together a proper response, a way to express his appreciation, his boss cleared his throat. “Speaking of business, I have something I wanted to run by you.” Charlie set his jaw, waiting for the other shoe to drop. “I hear you’re headed back to Magnolia Springs. I have a possible opportunity for you.”

His eyebrows shot up. “What kind of opportunity?”

“There’s an independent recording studio down there that I have ownership in—”

“Strange Wheel,” Charlie interrupted, even more intrigued. Blue recorded several songs for their third album at the studio, and they’d been impressed with their professionalism and methods. He often drove out to visit with the guys in his free time, hanging out and laying down tracks for clients in need of a good bass line. “What about it?”

“I want you to buy me out.”

Now
that
got Charlie’s attention.

Strange Wheel was an up-and-coming studio, and he knew for a fact they weren’t hurting financially. Business was booming, thanks in large part to a recent article in a top trade journal, and he’d planned to bring Abby there when she visited so they could record her songs. Beyond that, he’d been searching for a creative outlet to sink his teeth into while getting his foundation under way. This opportunity could be ideal.

Which meant there had to be a catch. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“There’s nothing wrong with the studio, if that’s what you mean.” Stone said, a bite of irritation in his tone. “I’ve recently decided to simplify my portfolio and, as I rarely make it down to New Orleans these days, it’s an obvious choice.” Ice cubes clinked in his glass as he took a short sip. “When your proposal hit my desk and I remembered you lived there, it seemed to be a sign.” He leveled Charlie with a glance. “You help me out, I help you out.”

Charlie caught the man’s meaning, but for the life of him, he couldn’t find a downside. The answer to all his troubles had fallen into his lap. Buying Stone out of his share of Strange Wheel would ensure his foundation’s success, it’d help earn back the CEO’s trust, and it would give him another outlet. A way to fill the void now that women were off the table. The choice was obvious.

“Strange Wheel is an incredible setup,” he said, holding out a hand. His boss clasped it with his own. “As long as my lawyers don’t find anything objectionable, I’d be honored to be a part of it.”

What passed for relief overtook Stone’s features, and a faint warning rang in the back of Charlie’s mind. “So, would this be a silent partner situation, or are they looking for a more hands-on role? Blue leaves on tour at the end of August…”

“That’s fine, that’s fine.” The odd look from earlier crept back. “They know about your fall schedule. Actually, you’d only be required to be an active participant this summer. They’d like for you to lead up a few marketing efforts and oversee the two interns.”

Charlie shrugged. Sounded good to him. “Should be easy enough. How tough could managing a couple of newbies be?” Turning, he caught the bartender’s eye and signaled for another beer. Had he known a monkey suit could lead to all this, he’d have worn one more often.

Drink in hand, he spun back to find his boss frowning into his rum and Coke. “It
will
be easy. In fact, I can personally vouch for one intern in particular.”

That warning bell in his head? It suddenly got a whole lot louder.

“My daughter, Arabella, has been chosen for the summer term.” Stone’s stern face transformed with a slight smile, and he raised his head. “Actually, Tucker, that’ll be your main task until you leave on tour. Keeping an eye on her. Helping her find her way at the studio, and making sure she stays safe and out of trouble.” He narrowed his eyes. “And out of the tabloids.”

There was the catch.

Charlie wasn’t stupid. He’d known there was something the man wasn’t telling him and, reading between the lines, he finally understood. If he wanted Stone to invest in the foundation, to sit on the board and use his name to get other big shots to do the same, Charlie would have to spend the summer babysitting his daughter.

That wasn’t exactly the role he’d had in mind when they shook hands. He wanted to experiment with music and help artists find their sound. He certainly didn’t want to fill the next three months with chaperoning duty. But then, could beggars really be choosers?

Charlie wanted back in his boss’s good graces, and he needed the man’s help with his foundation. It was the only way he could make it right after not being there for Abby when it truly counted. Surely that was worth a few hours playing “manny” over the summer. As for keeping the girl out of trouble and out of the tabloids…

A vision of a debutante with a mouthful of braces flashed in his mind. The last time Charlie had seen Arabella Stone, she’d been a quiet kid who blushed too much and darted out of the room whenever he smiled at her. It’d been a few years, but people talked, and from what he’d heard, she was still about the same. A nice but awkward chip off the old emotionless block.

What kind of trouble could a girl like that possibly get into?

“Consider it done.” Charlie knew, without the man saying so, how important this was. Stone had always held Arabella on a pedestal, especially after her mother died, and if his boss had a heart beneath the steel, she was it. Beyond the soft-core coercion, trusting Charlie with her safety was a big deal. “Anything else I should know?”

Stone raised his eyes. “Just one detail. She can’t know how you got the job, or that I was ever involved with Strange Wheel. It’d break her heart to learn I had anything to do with her getting that internship.”

The request, while understandable, made Charlie uneasy. Deceit wasn’t his thing; growing up in his overstuffed family, lying only led to trouble. You inevitably left something out, or told a sibling one lie too many, and it all came crashing around you. But, in this case, he guessed a lie of omission couldn’t do much harm. It was to protect the girl, raise her self-esteem. If memory served correctly, she could use a dash of that.

“Your secret is safe with me,” he replied, and the two men shook again.

Satisfied, Stone left to schmooze with more big shots, and Charlie raised his bottle in a silent toast to new adventures. This night had certainly turned out better than he’d anticipated.