Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
“ I can’t believe you’re here. What do you want to do for your first night in Texas? I mean, your last night.” Mallory smiled weakly. “Your only night.” His schedule was more hectic than she could have imagined. She’d thought the different city every night only applied to tour season. “Do you want to hear a local band? Get barbecue? Or just hang out?”
Dylan moved closer and cupped her cheek. “What do you want to do?”
The answer was more complicated than a brief fling in France. They were friends now, of a sort. But the way she sparkled with excitement over his texts and his presence made it clear to her that wasn’t all they were. “Takeout and time with you.”
“I’d like that.”
They shared delicious, sweet and spicy Texas barbecue on the back patio and listened to music as the sun set. The pink and gold hues hanging in the vast sky put on a show for him. “I can’t believe you were able to get away and fly up for the day.”
“Neither could Texk.” Dylan rolled his shoulders. “You left so suddenly. I thought you’d be in Seoul longer. I don’t know why.”
Mallory avoided his gaze. “The timing made sense. I enjoyed traveling with your mom and Jenny, though I admit there was more I wanted to do and see in Asia. How long will you be there?”
“Depends. Texk wants us to shoot a variety show that will take three months to film, plus there’s the holiday award season, and music show guest spots.” He drew in a breath between his teeth. “Texk has given me a lot. Hard to not come through for them when they ask.”
She had the feeling he said that often. While it may be true, he was allowed to have a life and boundaries. “Good perspective, but jet lag must be killing you.”
“Nope.” He clinked his iced tea glass to hers. “I feel good. Did it hit you when you came back?”
“It’s always easier coming home.” That, plus the adrenaline from seeing him, meant she was wide awake.
Dylan nodded. “Thanks for letting me stay.”
Mallory rubbed her arms. “What time is your flight tomorrow?”
“Two.”
“You’ll need to leave here by 10:30 tomorrow. It’s after seven now, so you roughly have half a day left on your trip.” He’d be here overnight. With her. “What do you want to do with your remaining hours in this mystical land I call home?”
“Spend time with you.”
“Aww.” Her heart did the melting thing it did when he said something touching. How many times could it melt and be put back together? Being around him was testing her ability to stay unchanged. Was that the power of a rock idol? They captured fans by dissolving their hearts and reforming them so the chambers beat for the sounds of their voices.
He closed his eyes. “I don’t want to be misleading.” He put his tea down and clenched the armrests on his chair as if he were on a turbulent airplane.
This was an affair. It should be fun—full of daisies, moonlight, pleasure, sex, and a kiss goodbye. Why was she overthinking this and letting him do the same?
Because of the timeline? Ha. Time was a debatable construct.
He seemed to be one deep thought away from being conflicted about them. No matter how confused she was, she didn’t want him to leave, or be anything but happy about his time with her. Mallory kicked his shoe with hers. “I thought we’d only have Paris. And look, here we are on our third continent.”
Dylan met her gaze. “I’m not in a place to offer more.”
His honesty warmed her. She’d seen his schedule and watched some of his events online. The crushes of people trying to get to him were at times scary. While in his life, if only briefly, she didn’t want to be the one causing more pressure. Mallory nodded to show she understood. “I think I’ll have to label you as my groupie. Following me to Seoul, and now to Texas?” She teased him with the term he’d used back in the limo the morning they’d left Paris to lighten the moment. She put her drink down and moved onto his lap.
Dylan embraced her right away.
She put her arms around his shoulders and her lips to his ear. “What if we’d met for the first time tonight?” She placed a light kiss on his neck. “Would you ask me to dance?”
He rose with her in his arms, carefully holding her until both their feet were on the patio. Mallory’s phone synced to the speakers out here as she pulled up a slow song.
They danced until the last of the sunset faded away. Mallory looked up into his eyes. “Would you stay the night with me?”
Dylan nodded.
“I have one more very serious question.”
“I’m listening.”
“Will you turn your phone off?”
He gave a slow smile and nodded again. “I will if you will.”
They went inside the sunroom and kicked off their shoes.
Mallory secured the door and led him back to the living room. “I’ll leave my phone in here, otherwise the music will go off.” She dimmed the lights and lowered the volume of the music. “You like music, right?” She flushed at the stupidity of the question.
“I do.” He sounded wry and indulgent.
“Sorry. I know you live for music. I mean, is it like a professional hazard where it’s a distraction?”
He took her hand and twined their fingers together, then he kissed the back, setting off tingles. “I promise to keep my focus.”
“I can help.” Mallory tugged him toward the hallway that led to her bedroom. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not skipping steps, but I think it’s safer if we start on the bed.”