Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
He shook his head at himself. Here he was acting like a teenager when he was a full-grown man and Crystal was most certainly a full-grown woman. And then he realized that was exactly the problem. She was a woman now, and he was just noticing, like he’d only just woken up to the real Crystal Lopez. And she took his breath away.
He took a sip of the green vitamin smoothie he drank every morning and then stared at the fresh fruit platter and protein pancakes without feeling like he wanted to take a bite. His appetite was gone. He was still reeling from the intensity of their dance at the party, his breath catching in his chest as he recalled holding her in his arms. He’d wanted to tell her then and there what she was doing to him. But she’d shut down, disappeared back into her work, and he’d been left with a pounding heart and a head full of words his mouth couldn’t form.
So, here he was, his whole body desperate to make the call, but his mind plagued by scenarios of awkward conversations and unspoken confessions. With a frustrated sigh, he set the phone down. He should really spend some time catching up on life admin. A bunch of emails waited for a reply. He could do with a run or a strength workout to clear his mind.
What would Crystal do with her day off?
As if in answer, his phone erupted into a melodic ringtone, vibrating against the countertop. His pulse quickened as he saw the name flashing on the screen. All thoughts of email and exercise flew out of his mind as he grabbed it on the second ring.
“Hey, Crys,” he said, trying to keep his voice casual but warm.
“Hi.” Her voice rang out bright and clear. After a split second’s pause, she said, “Got plans today?”
The simple request reminded him of their carefree high-school days when time stretched endlessly before them. He grinned and was glad she couldn’t see his goofy expression.
“Nothing set in stone,” he admitted, his day growing brighter as the nostalgia crept in.
“Great. Why don’t you come over? We can hang out, catch up. Like old times,” she suggested. Then added, “Before you’re dragged back out on the road.”
Damien could picture the playful glint in her dark eyes, a look he knew all too well.
“Like old times,” he echoed. The thought of returning to those days of innocence and laughter thrilled him. He had not let himself relax in a very long time. And there was no one he would rather chill with than Crystal Lopez. Even if it made him feel weirdly nervous at the same time. “Sure, I’d love to.” Then he added, “Why don’t you come to my place? I’ve just made a huge breakfast that needs two appetites to do it justice.”
“Is everything green?” she teased.
“Not everything,” he said, glancing at the pancakes.
“I’ll be right over.”
When Damien hung up, he took the time to tidy away his music magazines and lay two places at a small table outside, his appetite returning. He cut a single pink rose and placed it in a bud vase with a clip of greenery.
An agency kept up the place when he was away, and came in a couple of times a week when he was in residence. They shopped for him according to his strict dietary specifications, cleaned, did laundry and gardening, but he’d never needed or wanted full-time staff. A security company patrolled his place regularly and, though he’d rather have done without, he’d accepted that with his fame and wealth, it only made sense that his home should be secure and gated.
He didn’t live like a slob, even though he could have. His parents had raised all their kids to clean up after themselves and pitch in with cooking and chores, and he still tried to live as normal a life as he could. As though he didn’t sell out stadiums around the world and have a string of platinum albums and a couple of Grammys to his credit.
Crystal had been here often enough that he hoped she felt at home in this sprawling villa that his dad and his brother Finn had built with a little help from him. He always felt at home here, too, no matter how long he’d been away. Especially since he’d added a recording studio on the grounds. While he waited for Crystal, Damien found himself walking along the flagstone path that led to the studio. He’d been working on something new, something totally different from the rock music he’d always played. What better way to shake off this weird nervous energy while he waited than to play music?
He opened the heavy soundproof door and immediately began to relax. The studio was spacious, with dark wooden floors and a comfortable feel, while also being state-of-the-art. His setup could rival any studio in LA and, more and more, this was where he worked.