The Bachelor: a one-night stand boss romance

Chapter 27

Avery wanderedaround Shane’s house in her bare feet and his T-shirt. She had always wanted to wear a man’s shirt like this, while he made coffee and she was sleepy, hair rumpled, body sore from good loving. This would only be more perfect if Shane had a dog that would follow alongside of her. His house had surprised her. She really had been expecting some modern condo, lots of glass and metal and leather. But his house had creaky hardwood floors, rich wood trim, leaded glass, and teal living room walls. There were black-and-white photographs from around Nashville and in what was most adorable of all, pictures of him and his family on the fireplace mantle. It was an odd glimpse into the private life of public figures, as there was one of Jolene laughing, sticking her tongue out and going cross-eyed while he made a crazy what-the-hell face next to her.

It was the kind of picture Jolene would never want made public. Avery saw who she had to assume was their other sister, and she was worldly looking, smirking, her hair dark, pin straight. It was a group shot taken in this very living room, all three siblings and presumably their mother, a woman who looked pretty damn proud of her children. She was small, hair ashen and very Farah Fawcett, her skin surprisingly smooth, her eyes happy. Like she’d been through the worst, and was just now enjoying life. Which apparently, she had. It made Avery sick to think of Shane and his family enduring what they had.

He hadn’t asked about her family and she was glad he hadn’t because while she was happy to share stories about Mama she wasn’t prepared for the usual look of disbelief people gave her when she said she didn’t have a father. It was hard to explain. That yes, her mother knew who her father was, but no one believed her. That her father had no clue and was now deceased. Plus oh, right, he was famous. Not like president of the United States famous, but well known in certain Nashville music circles, with plenty of Grammys to his name.

Not to mention that she was sure Chance Rivers was her half-brother. Shane would think she was nuts. Hell, maybe she was. But she believed her mother. It made her feel guilty just thinking about hiding that from Shane because of his connection to Chance.

She needed to be honest with him.

He came into the living room with two coffee mugs, wearing nothing but his underwear. Her eyes traveled his incredible body, and she couldn’t believe the things she had done naked with him.

Holding one of the mugs out to her he said, “Sugar and cream.”

“Thank you.” She smiled, took the mug, and raised it for a sip. It was easy to be around Shane. To be herself.

“I see you’re looking at my goofy-ass pictures. I’m sure you’ve figured it out but that’s my mother, and that’s Elle.”

“I can’t believe how dark her hair is. Is that her natural hair color?”

“Yep. Mama swears it’s a throwback to an earlier generation but personally I just think Elle’s a witch and this is her mark.” He sipped his own coffee and sighed in contentment.

“As in a wiccan, or as in an evil creature?”

“Totally evil. It’s my favorite thing about her.”

He clearly loved both of his sisters and that warmed her heart. “I wish I had a sister. I had cousins, but it’s not the same.”

“I didn’t know you’re an only child. That must have been nice. Everything all for you.”

“My mama always said she only needed one because I was perfect. I believed that until I was about eight and the kids at school showed me I wasn’t all that.” She rolled her eyes. “Plus the neighbor lady told me in no uncertain terms God wouldn’t bless a woman like my mother with more than one child.”

He looked at her, startled. “What the hell does that mean? And who says that?”

“Mrs. Daniels.” Avery pretended to shudder. This was her opening to tell him. Besides, Mrs. Daniels was a fun story to share. She was like a caricature. “She always wore rollers in her hair. Like, always. I don’t even know why because she never took them out to actually have the curls. Does that even make sense?” It still confused her. “Anyway, she hated my mother because Mr. Daniels was always helping Mama. He said it was the Christian thing to do to help a single mother but Mrs. Daniels said sinners need to help themselves. It was a source of tension between them.”

“So basically, your mother was young and attractive and Mrs. Daniels was jealous?” he asked. “And Mr. Daniels was a dirty old man?”

She laughed. “Exactly.”

“Do you want some breakfast? I’m not much of a cook but there are a lot of great places to eat around here.”

“I’d love to. I think I’ve figured out that sex makes me hungry.”

“Oh, yeah?” He grinned. “Then I’d better be prepared to feed you often.”

“Is that a threat or a promise?”

“Both.”

“I guess I need clothes then.” She yawned.

Shane took her coffee mug out of her hand.

“Hey, I was drinking that.”

He set it on the fireplace mantle and did the same with his. “I just need to hold you for a minute before you hide everything away from me in clothes.”

God, was this man even real?

When he pulled her into his arms, she went easily. It was crazy how natural it felt to be with him. He kissed her, softly. Avery sighed.

“Are we doing this, by the way?” he asked. “Dating? It scares the hell out of me but I want to try it.”

That touched her beyond anything. She felt different now that Shane had confessed his fears to her. Instead of her being the quaking vulnerable virgin and him being the experienced man with money, she realized they were more on equal footing than she ever could have imagined. She had matured in the last few months and he had shown himself to be decent. Obviously, she didn’t want him to be afraid of their relationship, but knowing he was helped her face her own insecurities. “How could little old me possibly scare you?”

He eyed her sideways. “You look like you can get mean.”

That made her laugh. “That is so not true. But yes, I would like to try this. If we can do it a little on the down low. The timing is bad for other people to see us as… dating.”

She shouldn’t be jumping headfirst into another relationship, especially when she had so much going on work-wise.

Shane cupped her cheeks, stared down into her eyes, and kissed her.

Hell. She already had jumped head first. Like right off of a tire swing. Let go and fly through the air. There was no point in lying to herself. He looked at her and she melted, just flat out melted down into a drizzle.

“You want me to be your dirty little secret?” he said, looking amused at the idea. “The fucking irony of that is huge.”

“Dirty, yes. Secret, sort of. I mean, it’s not like we can pretend we don’t know each other. And I’m not saying we need to stay in the house all the time. I just mean, like no public displays of affection.”

“So we’re just going to pretend we’re buddies hanging out all the time? Nobody is going to believe that.” He looked like he didn’t understand what her point was. “I’m not doing that, sorry. You’re mine, and I want the world to know.”

Avery didn’t want to pretend to be buddies either. She was done taking crap off people for knowing Shane. So maybe that wasn’t even it. Maybe she didn’t want to share him. Maybe she didn’t want to lose him.

If that happened, she didn’t want to be any more hurt than she had to be, and snickers from co-workers would like salt in a wound, because it was going to hurt. “I just don’t want to come off as a foolish schoolgirl crushing on you. I want to retain some dignity.”

“No one is going to think you’re a foolish schoolgirl.”

Easy for him to say. “I’m kind of a foolish schoolgirl.”

“Avery. You are not. If anything, being public about our relationship makes it seem legitimate. Not shady.”

She really didn’t like the sound of that. “So what, you legitimize me?”

“No, no, no. That is not what I meant.” He put his hands up. “I meant that if we’re in a relationship, you can’t be sleeping with the boss for success. We’re a couple. And I won’t have anything to do with the production. The song will stand on its own. Trust me.”

“What if my song sucks? she asked, because suddenly she realized that was her real fear.

“Your song does not suck. I know talent. Jolene and Chance know talent. It’s an amazing song. And I will be your secret boyfriend because you asked me to. But it’s going to suck.”

Boyfriend. The word gave her a thrill and a chill all at once.

“It will be okay,” she told him, massaging the back of his neck. “Because I’m just happy to be spending time with you.”

His face softened. “That’s why you’re good for me. I can’t be sour when give me that look.”

She’d give him any look he wanted. It was that kind of weekend.