Could this surprise pregnancy be the ultimate betrayal...or her Cinderella moment?

Meek and mild Mia Navarro has spent her entire life in her twin’s shadow. But a brief and secret affair with superstar singer/producer Nate Tucker is about to change all that. Their one night together on tour has left her pregnant and torn between her obligation to her pop-princess sister and claiming the life she longs for. But as Mia gears up to put her own needs first for once, she faces an even starker moment of reckoning: Will her pregnancy news strike the wrong chord...or be music to Nate’s ears?

Little Secret, Red Hot Scandal is part of the Las Vegas Nights series.

“I don’t like the way we left things between us,” Nate declared, taking a step in her direction.

Mia took a matching step backward. “You asked for something I couldn’t give you.”

“I asked for you to come back to Las Vegas with me.”

“We’d barely known each other two months.” It was the same excuse she’d given him three weeks ago and it rang as hollow now as it had then. “And I couldn’t leave Ivy.”

“She could’ve found another assistant.” He’d said the same thing the morning after the tour ended. The night after she’d stayed with him until the sun crested the horizon.

Their last stop had been Sydney. Following his final encore, Nate had made sure Ivy was busy and then stolen Mia away to a romantic hotel suite overlooking the harbor. They’d sipped champagne, toasted each other, laughed and made love for the first time. But as sunlight filled the room, Mia was on the phone with Ivy making excuses for where she’d been.

“I’m not just her assistant. I’m her sister,” Mia said, now as then. “She needs me.”

I need you.

He wouldn’t repeat the words. It wouldn’t do any good. She’d still choose obligation to her sister over being happy with him.

And he couldn’t figure out why.

* * *

Little Secret, Red Hot Scandal is part of the Las Vegas Nights series: An exclusive club, for men who have it all and want more.

Little Secret, Red Hot Scandal

Cat Schield

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CAT SCHIELD has been reading and writing romance since high school. Although she graduated from college with a BA in business, her idea of a perfect career was writing books for Mills & Boon. And now, after winning the Romance Writers of America 2010 Golden Heart® Award for Best Contemporary Series Romance, that dream has come true. Cat lives in Minnesota with her daughter, Emily, and their Burmese cat. When she’s not writing sexy, romantic stories for Mills & Boon Desire, she can be found sailing with friends on the St. Croix River, or in more exotic locales, like the Caribbean and Europe. She loves to hear from readers. Find her at www.catschield.com and follow her on Twitter, @catschield.

For my daughter, who keeps me current on all things pop culture.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Extract

Copyright

One

After telling the sound engineer to take a break, Nate Tucker lay down on the couch in the control room of West Coast Records’ LA headquarters. Closing his eyes, he listened to the playback of the song he’d just recorded. Over the years he’d trained his ears to pick up every nuance of a performance. His mind then went to work adjusting the frequencies, boosting or cutting EQ, feathering in a touch of reverb to improve the natural sound.

Nothing, however, could fix what Nate was hearing in his own voice. Proof that he’d pushed too hard on the final leg of his twelve-month tour.

He’d hoped that three weeks of rest might have allowed his vocal cords to fix themselves, but his reduced range and the hoarseness that plagued him weren’t going away. The vocal cord surgery he’d scheduled for tomorrow was unavoidable. Nate’s curses echoed through the room. One more damned thing he didn’t have time for.

Since returning to his home in Las Vegas after touring all over the world with his band, Free Fall, he’d been inundated with work. Thank goodness he’d been able to do some songwriting while on the road, because he was all out of space and energy to compose for Free Fall’s next album. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. With his voice out of commission he wasn’t going to be singing anytime soon.

His phone began to ring. Nate checked the screen before levering himself off the couch. In the last three days he’d made a half dozen calls to Trent Caldwell, his business partner and friend. In addition to being partners in Club T’s, the premier Las Vegas nightclub that Nate, Trent and Kyle Tailor owned, Nate and Trent were partners in Nate’s label, Ugly Trout Records in Las Vegas, as well as West Coast Records, the company Trent had recently bought from his family.

Dropping into the control booth’s comfortable leather chair, Nate silenced the music pouring from the speakers and answered the call.

“It’s about time you checked in.” Nate wasted no time with pleasantries. “Where have you been?”

“Savannah starts shooting next week, so I took her and Dylan to a spa hotel up in Washington.” Trent sounded more relaxed and happy than ever. Being engaged to the love of his life obviously agreed with him. “We both turned off our phones for a few days.”

Ever since Trent had rekindled his romance with his former lover and found out he was a father, he’d become a whole new person. Nate understood the transformation, after what had happened between him and Mia. It was easy to be cynical and even suspicious about stuff like that until it happened to you.

“Sounds nice.” Really nice.

Envy shot through Nate. It wasn’t like him to want something another man had. He already had fame and wealth. They didn’t drive him. Nate loved what he did and didn’t really care if he made tons of money. The music mattered.

And then he’d watched his friend and business partner fall hard for Savannah, and suddenly making music wasn’t enough anymore.

“I got your messages about the meeting with Ivy Bliss,” Trent said. “Have you lost your mind?”

“What do you mean?” Nate knew perfectly well what Trent was referring to, but decided to pretend he’d been motivated purely by business.

Ivy Bliss was a former child actress turned pop princess with an impressive four-octave range. Five years ago she’d signed with West Coast Records and released two albums. They’d done okay. Thanks to the label’s poor management, the production work on the albums hadn’t been stellar and the release dates had been pushed back so many times that fans had lost interest.

That was before Trent and Nate had taken control of his family’s label the previous month. They intended to turn the record company around and make it a huge success. Ivy Bliss’s new album was a great place to start.

But that wasn’t the reason Nate had reached out to Ivy’s manager-father about producing her new album.

“You did nothing but complain about her the entire eight weeks she was on tour with you.”

“Oh, that.”

“Oh, that?” Trent mimicked. Nate could hear a baby babbling in the background. “Just a second.” There was a pause. “Dylan, Daddy’s on the phone with Uncle Nate. Do you want to sing him your new song?”

Nate couldn’t ignore the growing ache in his chest as he listened to Dylan jabber along with his father’s soft singing. Ever since Nate had decided on a career in music, every bit of his energy had been focused on writing, performing and producing. Now, he enjoyed all the money and success he’d dreamed about and yet something gnawed at him.

“That was terrific,” Nate said when the song was done.

“He’s barely a year and already starting to say a few words.”

“Have you been teaching him the signs I showed you?” Nate had learned American Sign Language as a kid so he could communicate with his hearing impaired mother, and had taught Trent a few signs Dylan could use to communicate, for words such as more, done, eat, play, finish and tired.

“Yes, he’s really taking to it. Now, back to Ivy. Why would you want to produce her new album?”

Nate sighed. “I don’t need to remind you that she’s a huge talent and poised to break out. She just needs one great album.”

“She’s a twenty-five-year-old nightmare.”

“Yes, well...she’s not that bad.” Nate winced at the bald lie.

Seven years earlier, when she was seventeen and starring in a Broadway musical after her show on KidZ Channel was canceled, she’d gotten Nate’s phone number and for four months she’d sent him impassioned texts and sexy pictures of herself. At first he’d responded with polite rebuffs and then silence. At last he’d contacted her father and warned him that this wasn’t going to play well if it got out. All contact stopped.

“She’s a little silly and spoiled,” Nate continued, “but superstars can get that way sometimes.”

Trent ignored his friend’s self-deprecating jab. “Why don’t you point her toward Savan or Blanco?” Both had worked with her on collaborations with other artists and produced hits.

Nate didn’t need to remind Trent that Ivy Bliss had a reputation for being “challenging” in the studio. She didn’t take suggestions, and criticism sent her into hysterics. Neither of the producers Trent mentioned would want to work with her again.

“I’m doing this for West Coast Records.” Another lie. There were a couple dozen guys who could produce the heck out of Ivy Bliss and make an album that would rocket to the top of the charts.

“I’m not buying it.” Trent hadn’t made a major success of every one of his business ventures by being dense. “Wait a second, are you into her? Damn. That’s crazy, but my sister said you fell for someone on the tour. I never in a million years thought it was Ivy Bliss.”

“It wasn’t.” With a shudder, Nate changed topics before Trent could press further. “The other reason I called is that I’m going in for surgery tomorrow.”

“Surgery.” Trent’s tone sharpened. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve got these polyps on my vocal cords.” He tried to keep the tension out of his voice. The situation was serious, but he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. “I need to get them removed.”

“That sounds bad.”

“It’s outpatient surgery. A couple hours max. I just wanted to let you know that I’m going to be out of commission for a few days.”

“Do you want me to take you?”

“And do what?” Nate injected as much sarcasm as he could into the words to hide how embarrassed he was at his mounting anxiety. “Hold my hand? Please.”

“Fine.” Trent sounded doubtful. “But if you need anything, just let me know.”

“Sure.”

An hour after hanging up, Nate strode into the conference room for his two o’clock meeting with Ivy Bliss. Only it wasn’t Ivy and her manager-father who awaited him, but Mia Navarro, her twin sister and personal assistant. His heart raced across the room toward her. Nate plunged after it for two strides before coming to a stop. What did he think he was going to do? Wrap her in his arms and crush her against his chest? Whisper that the last three weeks had been a living hell without her? That he ached to hear her voice and sulked without her smile to brighten his day?

She’d made her choice and it hadn’t been him.

“How have you been?” He searched her face for some sign she’d suffered as he had, lingering over the circles under her eyes and the downward turn of her mouth. To his relief she didn’t look happy, but that didn’t stop her from putting on a show.

“Things have been great. Ivy’s been busy with appearances on The Tonight Show and Ellen. She’s stoked about being asked to perform at the AMAs on the twentieth. And of course she’s really excited about working with you.”

Nate reined in his impatience, unable to believe that he was nearly back to square one with Mia. He’d spent weeks chatting her up on the tour, afraid if he pushed too fast that she’d retreat into the persona of personal assistant to Ivy Bliss. Many times he’d asked himself why he was working so hard to draw out someone who didn’t want to be noticed. Then she’d smile at him and make his entire day.

If only he could convince her to leave Ivy... Mia had more to offer the world than just being her famous sister’s flunky. For one thing, she was a ridiculously talented songwriter. When he’d discovered that she had written all the songs her sister had recorded and that she’d been denied credit on the albums, he’d been seconds away from storming into Ivy’s hotel room and demanding she go public with the truth.

Mia had been mortified. She’d claimed to be okay with the lies and Nate could understand letting the error stand for the first album, but not the subsequent one. As someone who nurtured artists, he’d been appalled by what had been done to Mia by her own family, and saddened by how she’d been bullied.

“I didn’t ask how your sister is doing. I asked about you.”

“I’m fine. Never better.” Mia could go on for hours talking about Ivy, but when it came to talking about herself, she was fond of two-word sentences.

“Tell me the truth.” He was asking after her welfare, but what he really wanted to know was if she’d missed him at all. It seemed crazy that he’d known her for less than three months and in that time she’d become like breathing to him.

“I’m great. Really.”

“What have you been doing since the tour ended?”

Mia shrugged. “The usual.”

Meaning whatever occupied Ivy was what Mia had been doing. As her sister’s personal assistant, she lived and breathed Ivy Bliss, pop princess.

“I hope she gave you a little time off.”

“Ivy was invited to a charity event in South Beach and we extended our stay a couple days to kick back and soak up some sun.”

Ivy demanded all Mia’s time and energy. That Nate had been able to spend any time at all alone with Mia during Ivy’s eight-week stint on his tour was nothing short of amazing. They’d sneaked around like teenage kids. The danger of getting caught had promoted intimacy. And at first, Nate had found the subterfuge amusing. It got old fast.

For a while Nate wondered if he’d initially been drawn to Mia because he felt compelled to rescue her from her sister’s clutches. When Mia was around Ivy, she was a quiet mouse in the corner, fetching herbal tea, being ready with Ivy’s favorite snack, loosening her tension with a quick shoulder massage. And it had bothered Nate that Ivy treated Mia like an employee instead of a sister. She never seemed to appreciate how Mia’s kind and thoughtful behavior went above and beyond the role of personal assistant.

“I don’t like the way we left things between us,” Nate declared, taking a step in her direction.

Mia took a matching step backward. “You asked for something I couldn’t give you.”

“I asked you to come with me to Las Vegas. I wanted to spend more time getting to know you.”

“It was all happening was too fast. We’d barely known each other two months.” She’d delivered the same excuse three weeks ago and it rang as hollow now as it had then. “And I couldn’t leave Ivy.”

“She could’ve found another assistant.” He’d said the same thing the morning after the tour ended. The night after she’d stayed with him until the sun crested the horizon.

Their last stop had been Sydney. Following his final encore, Nate had made sure Ivy was busy and then stolen Mia away to a romantic hotel suite overlooking the harbor. They’d sipped champagne, toasted each other, laughed and made love for the first time. But as sunlight filled the room Mia was on the phone with Ivy, making excuses for where she’d been.

“I’m not just her assistant, I’m her sister,” Mia said, now as then. “She needs me.”

I need you.

He wouldn’t repeat the words. It wouldn’t do any good. She’d still choose obligation to her sister over being happy with him. And he couldn’t figure out why.

“Your sister is a spoiled brat.” Frustration and impatience got the better of him. “The only reason I agreed to work on her album is because of you.”

Mia’s beautiful brown eyes went round with shock, and although her mouth dropped open, no words emerged.

Her phone rang, interrupting the heavy silence between them. “It’s Ivy.” She looked almost relieved by the interruption. “I should get this.”

Nate had grown weary of her sister coming between them. He crossed his arms over his chest and let sarcasm slide into his tone. “By all means, take it.”

To his surprise, she put the phone on speaker. “Hey Ivy, I’m with Nate right now and you’re on speaker.”

After a short pause, Ivy’s soprano voice came over the line. “Hi, Nate. Has Mia apologized for me missing the meeting and asked if you could meet for a drink later to chat about my album?”

Mia winced and wouldn’t meet his gaze.

“Not yet,” he answered.

“Then I’ll ask.” He could hear the seductive pout in Ivy’s tone. “Please come by my house at eight.”

He understood the invitation for what it was and barely restrained a growl. “If you wanted to talk about your album, you should’ve come by today.”

Mia’s large dark eyes went round with concern. “Don’t upset her,” she told him in sign language.

Nate pretended that he hadn’t seen the plea. While on tour they’d discovered they both knew how to sign. Something he’d used to overcome her reluctance to talk to him. That they’d shared a secret language had drawn them together.

“Didn’t Mia explain that I had a conflict? I’m meeting with a representative for Mayfair Cosmetics. It’s all hush-hush, but they’re looking for the new face to represent their beauty line.”

“Can you meet for dinner?” Mia signed, her eyes worried.

Nate reined in his temper, reminding himself the reason he’d offered to work with Ivy was so he could spend time with Mia and hopefully convince her to pick him over her sister this time.

“How about I make a reservation for dinner at eight,” Nate said.

“Sure. Dinner would be wonderful.”

“I’ll text Mia with the details and this time you’d better show up.” While Mia stared at him in horror, Nate reached out and disconnected the call. “Studio time costs money. I have a dozen artists I’m currently working with. If Ivy’s not going to show up ready to work, then she needs to find a different producer for her album.”

“Oh, no, please. She’s counting on working with you.” Mia was breathless and anxious. “I’ll make sure she’s where she needs to be exactly when you say.”

“Promise?”

He held out his hand, impatient to revisit the feel of her. From the first Mia had appealed to him. She was as natural and competent as Ivy was artificial and flighty. But it was that electric charge that sizzled through him when they touched that he craved.

Her eyes were solemn and earnest as she placed her palm against his. “Promise.”

* * *

Mia hoped Nate wouldn’t notice the way her fingers trembled as they shook hands. In those delightful seconds, Ivy Bliss faded from Mia’s mind. There was only this tall, charismatic man with eyes the color of storm clouds.

For as far back as she could remember, Mia had been invisible. Why would anyone pay attention to the ordinary-looking child standing beside and a little behind the beautiful, charismatic, talented Ivy? And the difference between the twins had only intensified when Ivy had gotten a role in a television series and gone on to Broadway and a pop music career. Mia had become the quiet shadow at her elbow.

And then she’d met Nate. Never in a million years could Mia have believed that someone as talented and charismatic as the lead singer of Free Fall would notice she existed, much less be attracted to her. He’d seen her as a distinct individual with interests and goals. That was pretty heady stuff. No wonder she’d tumbled head over heels for him. What woman with a pulse wouldn’t have?

Then the tour ended and the real world overcame the fantasy one she’d dwelled in for two months. She’d had no choice but to turn down his offer to go with him to Las Vegas. Nate had been so angry with her that last morning in Sydney. He’d accused her of leading him on. It struck her as impossible that a nobody like her could be anything more than a momentary distraction to someone as incredible as Nate Tucker.

Given all that he’d accomplished in the music industry, it amazed Mia that he was only thirty-one. An accomplished singer/songwriter and producer, he’d had six Grammy nominations for producing and won two. His band had been nominated for twenty-nine assorted awards and won eight, including several Grammys and an AMA award for favorite pop/rock band/duo/group.

“Are you okay?” he asked, peering at her.

They were still holding hands. Mia’s cheeks heated as she released her grip. “Sorry.” She took an awkward step back and bumped into one of the chairs surrounding the large oval conference table. “I was just thinking how lucky Ivy was for getting to work with you.”

The dimple flashing in Nate’s scruffy cheek vanished. “Mia, about what happened in Sydney—”

“You don’t need to go there,” Mia said, forcing lightness into her voice. “It was a crazy tour. So much fun. I won’t ever forget it.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“Please, Nate.” She longed to surrender to the intense glow in his eyes and fall into his arms. “You need to focus on Ivy. And so do I. She’s really freaked out about this new direction in her career. I told her you were the best producer in the business and that together you would make platinum.”

“I couldn’t care less about her or her album. I’m only doing this so I can spend more time with you.”

His words sent a spear of yearning through her, but Mia shook her head. “Don’t say that. Ivy needs this album to be great.” Maybe if she had a hit Ivy’s insecurity would stop consuming her, and Mia could begin to live her life far from her demanding twin.

“How long are you planning to keep on being her lackey? Don’t you want to be free to explore what makes you happy?”

“Of course.” And she would have that life if Ivy’s new project catapulted her into the big time. “And someday I’ll have that chance.”

“For your sake I hope someday is soon.” The intensity in Nate’s gaze made her shiver.

“I have to get going,” Mia said, although now that she’d seen Nate again, the last thing she wanted to do was leave. “You’ll text me the details about dinner tonight?”

“Yes.”

As Nate escorted Mia to the lobby, she noticed he didn’t touch her again.

“It was good seeing you,” she murmured awkwardly. She wanted to throw herself into his arms and declare how much she’d missed him. But that would only make the problems between them worse.

Mia maintained a firm grip on her impulses. The connection they’d share on tour had been packed up and put away with the instruments, lights and sound equipment. Sneaking around behind Ivy’s back had been necessary and exciting, but it wasn’t something Mia intended to do any longer.

While on tour Ivy had been distracted by the traveling, flirting with Free Fall’s single band members and blowing up social media for her fans. In Las Vegas, she would be completely focused on her music and on Nate. Mia wouldn’t have any opportunities for time alone with him.

Ever since Ivy learned that she was going to work with Nate, she’d been more agitated and demanding than Mia ever remembered her being. Mia wasn’t a fool. She understood why Ivy was so reluctant to give her space. Heaven forbid Mia would get a life and walk away.

After leaving Nate, Mia was halfway through the errands she was running for Ivy when her phone began to play Ivy’s latest hit, her special ring tone. Mia held off answering for several seconds. But she’d already ignored a bunch of Ivy’s texts, and her sister would have a fit if she didn’t pick up now.

“OMG. Where have you been? I’ve texted you, like, a dozen times.” Ivy’s voice poured from Mia’s smartphone, scattering her thoughts to the wind. Behind closed doors the sweetheart pop star became a demanding diva. “I’ve been dying to hear all about how excited Nate is that we’re working together.”

“Sorry I didn’t respond.” In fact, she’d been lost in thought and hadn’t heard the alerts. “Traffic was crazy and there was an accident...”

“If you were sitting in traffic you should have called.” Ivy barely gave that a second to sink in before continuing, “Whatever. Tell me. Tell me.”

“Of course he’s excited to be working with you.”

“What did he say exactly?”

“That you’re going to make the best album ever.” It was lame, but her sister would freak if Mia shared what Nate had actually said. “But listen, Ivy—”

Her sister’s squeal interrupted her. “I knew it. He is into me.”

“I’m sorry. What?” Mia almost rear-ended the car in front of her when the driver stopped abruptly to avoid hitting an SUV that cut him off.

“Nate. He’s into me.” Ivy sounded quite pleased with herself. “I told you how he was hitting on me on tour.”

“Nate hit on you?” Mia’s stomach clenched in dismay at Ivy’s words. “When was that?”

When it came to her sister, Mia was like one of Pavlov’s dogs. She panicked at the first sign that her sister was scheming. Ivy made an art form out of keeping the focus on her. Even before Ivy became famous she knew how to manipulate a situation to suit her and often Mia received the full brunt of the backlash. Since then Ivy had pulled several stunts to stay in the spotlight. Mia had learned to keep her head down.

“All the time. How did you not notice?”

“Sure. Of course.” Mia was glad her sister couldn’t see her expression.

“And I never told you, but that last night in Sydney...” She let the confession hang in the air to build suspense.

“What about it?”

“We were together.”

A curse shot from Mia before she could stop herself. “Sorry, I almost hit the car in front of me. This traffic is—”

“Whatever. Did you hear what I said?”

“About you being with Nate that last night in Sydney?” Mia was torn between a laugh and a groan. Good thing she’d already put her romance with Nate behind her. Now that Ivy had decided she wanted him, any hint that Mia had feelings for him would be disastrous.

“I should’ve told you.”

Mia’s voice was uncharacteristically sharp as she asked, “Why didn’t you?”

“You don’t need to be such a bitch. I’m sorry I didn’t say something sooner, but I wasn’t sure if what we had was going anywhere.”

“And now?” Mia turned into the parking structure closest to the stores she needed to hit.

“Ever since I found out he asked to work with me on my new album, I’ve been convinced what we have is the real deal.” Ivy sounded at the same time dreamy and triumphant. “When will you be getting back to the house?”

“I’m heading to Rodeo Drive to take care of the stuff you wanted me to return.” Ivy loved to shop, but she could be fickle when it came to liking things once she got them home. “It shouldn’t take me more than half an hour.”

As self-absorbed as Ivy could be, when it came to her twin, she liked knowing everything Mia was up to. It had gotten to the point where Mia gave up on having secrets of her own. Or that’s the way it had been until Nate came along. That they shared the ability to sign had enabled Mia to have something all to herself that Ivy couldn’t barge in on and take over.

Mia realized she’d been counting on this album to launch her sister, hoping that it would be enough of a distraction to allow Mia to escape.

Was that how she viewed Ivy? As someone Mia needed to run away from? The relationship between Mia and her sister hadn’t always been so strained. Until the last three or four years, when Ivy’s career really took off, Mia and Ivy had been as close as two people who shared the same womb for nine months could be.

If anything demonstrated how much Mia craved a chance to get out of Ivy’s shadow, it was her clandestine flirtation with a man her sister had shown an interest in. And now Mia realized that despite the way she’d left things that last morning in Sydney, a part of her hadn’t given up on pursing a relationship with Nate.

In the beginning she’d simply enjoyed Nate’s charismatic presence. Not only was the lead singer of Free Fall a musical genius, he had killer dimples that rendered her speechless, and the sort of lean muscles that made her all too aware of her vulnerable heart, unsteady knees and tendency to blush.

At first she hadn’t taken his attention seriously. Fate had seen to it that Ivy was granted all the beauty and most of the talent. Most people outside their family didn’t even know Mia and Ivy were sisters, much less twins. Ivy had taken their mother’s maiden name because she liked the way it sounded, and Bliss worked great for marketing.

And then one day Nate had been backstage while Ivy rehearsed. She’d stopped the sound check and was shrieking at the drummer for messing with the tempo. Across the ten feet separating them, Mia saw the gesture Nate made, and amusement must have shown on her face because he snagged her gaze and winked.

Mia had signed, asking him if he knew what that particular gesture meant, and he signed back that he absolutely did. For the duration of Ivy’s sound check, they’d discovered through sign language that each had a hearing-impaired family member. That day something unexpected had happened to Mia. She’d made an unlikely friend. And in the weeks that followed, it became more.

Ivy broke into her thoughts. “Can you stop and get me a coffee on your way back? You know how I like it.”

Keeping up with Ivy’s demands required Mia’s full attention. For most of her life that hadn’t bothered her. But ever since Nate had come along and actually noticed her, not as Ivy’s twin or her assistant, but as a desirable woman, Mia spent more and more time thinking about a life away from Ivy.

“Sure.” Now all she needed to do was find a way to explain to her family that she wanted to strike out on her own. And that was not going to be easy. “I know exactly how it needs to be.”

Two

As soon as Mia left the studio, Nate got on the phone with Trent’s sister. Melody had been on the tour with him as the opening act for Free Fall the entire twelve months.

Because he knew her as not only a fantastic songwriter and singer, but also as the little sister of his best friend and business partner, when she’d asked what was going on between him and Mia, he’d told her. Melody didn’t like the way Mia was treated by her sister any more than he did. She’d grown up with a father who liked to bully people and had a particular sensitivity to such treatment.

Once she’d been clued in to what was going on, Melody had helped keep Ivy distracted so Nate and Mia could have as much uninterrupted time together as possible. At first Nate wasn’t sure if Mia had any idea how Melody was helping them, but she’d caught on quickly. Mia and Melody shared a talent for songwriting and during the hours they spent collaborating became good friends.

The difference in Mia when Ivy wasn’t around showed Nate how unhappy Mia was being her sister’s personal assistant. Yet whenever he broached the subject of leaving her sister’s employment to do something for herself, he hit a brick wall.

“You told your brother I met someone while on tour?”

“I might have mentioned that you were a bit distracted.” Melody responded carefully, but there was laughter in her tone.

Nate closed his eyes and rubbed his temple. Melody had a romantic nature and succumbed easily to simple gestures of affection, like the dozen handwritten notes her boyfriend, Kyle Tailor, had tucked amongst the clothes in her suitcase. She’d discovered them halfway across the country and been over the moon that Kyle had done something so romantic.

Unfortunately, the strain of separation for so many months had led to trouble in their relationship. Nate blamed himself. If it weren’t for him, Melody never would’ve gone on tour. He’d been the one who persuaded her to leave behind the anonymity of songwriting and to join him onstage. She had a fantastic voice and deserved to shine.

Fortunately, Kyle didn’t blame him. If he had, it might have put a strain on their business partnership in Club T’s.

“He thinks it’s Ivy.” Nate spent the next minute listening to Melody’s laughter. “It’s not funny.”

“Oh, it is. Why does he think that?”

“Because I suggested I produce her next album. It’s the only way I could think of to spend more time with Mia. She’s determined we’re over.”

“I think that’s fantastic. The girl has a killer voice and needs a producer who can showcase it. Besides, no one but you can stand up to that father of hers and make sure her next album kills it.”

“I’m flattered that you think so.” Nate’s tone was as dry as the Mohave Desert.

“So how did the meeting go?”

“It didn’t. Mia showed up without her sister and father. Apparently they were taking a meeting with someone from Mayfair Cosmetics. They’re considering Ivy as their next spokesmodel.”

“Are you kidding? They stood you up? Don’t they realize who you are?”

“Obviously someone they can skip a meeting with.” Nate thought about his stern words to Mia about her sister and regretted taking his frustration out on her. It wasn’t her fault how her sister and father behaved. “I’m taking them to dinner tonight. Hopefully, they’ll show up this time. I’m going to be out of commission for a few weeks starting tomorrow.”

“Out of commission? What’s going on?”

“I’m going in for surgery on my vocal cords.”

“What? When did this come up?”

“I started noticing a problem on the tour, but we were so close to the end, and I didn’t want to cancel any shows.” In part because to do so meant shortening his time with Mia. Their relationship heated up a lot in the last two weeks and he wouldn’t have missed that for anything.

“This is serious. Why didn’t you say anything to me? Does Trent know?”

“I told him earlier today.”

“Is he taking you to the surgery appointment?”

“He’s out of town. I have a car scheduled. It’ll be fine.”

“No it won’t. I’ll get on a plane and be there to take you back to the hotel.”

“That’s not necessary. You need to stay in Vegas and work on your album. I’ve given you a deadline, remember?”

“A couple days isn’t going to matter one way or another.”

“Humor me.” Letting anyone baby him was not in his nature. “It’s outpatient surgery. I’ll be in and out in a few hours.”

“Why do you have to be so strong all the time? It wouldn’t kill you to accept help once in a while.” Melody let loose an exasperated sigh. “You are so stubborn.”

After a childhood spent bouncing from one backwater town to another, Nate had learned to take care of himself. Sometimes his dad would be gone for months, sent all over the country to whatever oil fields needed his expertise the most. If the job required an extended stay, he might bring Nate and his mom along. Nate’s dad never cared if this meant his son had to fit in at a new school or that his wife would have to take whatever job she could to make ends meet.

“I could say the same of you.” Nate knew of only one way to get Melody off this particular subject. “How are things between you and Kyle? Have you talked yet?”

“Did you know that Trent hired Hunter to DJ twice a month at Club T’s?”

“He mentioned something about it. I told him it was a bad idea.”

Hunter Graves was Melody’s ex-boyfriend. Several months ago he and Melody had run into each other in a New York City club. As they were leaving, to keep from getting separated while passing through the raucous crowd outside, Hunter had taken Melody’s hand as they headed to a waiting car. The paparazzi had snapped several pictures of the couple and the media had ruthlessly promoted its theory that the former lovers had reunited.

Back home, while Kyle hadn’t really believed Melody was cheating on him, he hadn’t appreciated seeing the woman he loved hand in hand with her ex. And the months of separation had created tension for the couple, making Kyle even more reactive.

Melody sighed in Nate’s ear. “And to answer your earlier question, Kyle and I have exchanged several texts, but we haven’t sat down to talk.”

“Don’t you think that should happen soon?”

“I’m afraid if we have the talk we’ll just end up fighting and the subject of us being over will come up.”

“Kyle hasn’t come to Las Vegas and taken over temporary management of Club T’s because he’s ready to give up on you two.”

“He’s here because Trent’s in LA with Savannah and the club needs a manager.” Melody’s voice had a ragged quality that tore at Nate’s heart. “Sorry,” she muttered. “I really hope you’re right about him, but I can’t stop feeling like he’s going to use what’s happened between us since that photo came out to rationalize that we’re not really meant to be together.”

“He’s not going to do that,” Nate said. “Especially after he finds out what’s really going on.”

“What do you mean by that?” Melody sounded more wary than confused.

“You forget how hard it is to keep secrets on tours.”

“You and Mia managed.”

“That’s because the only one we had to keep in the dark was Ivy, and in general she’s so preoccupied with herself that she isn’t sensitive to what’s going on around her.” Nate circled back to Melody’s problem. “When are you going to tell Kyle he’s going to be a father?”

“Damn. Who else knows?”

“Both Dan and Mike commented that you were looking a bit off and mentioned that their wives had both been sick like that when they were pregnant.”

“Why did they tell you?”

“Because you’re like my little sister and I’ve made it pretty clear all along that anyone who messed with you would get their ass kicked by me.”

Melody huffed out of a breath. “I can take care of myself.”

“Aww, that’s cute,” he mocked. “But you really can’t. You are too sweet for your own good and people take advantage of that.”

The same could be said of Mia. And his mother. Nate recognized he had a pattern when it came to women. He didn’t actively seek out those most in need of protecting, but he did tend to gravitate to the ones who had a hard time sticking up for themselves.

“And you don’t let anyone take care of you,” Melody countered. “Case in point, tomorrow’s surgery.”

“Okay, we’ve both poked at each other’s shortcomings long enough,” Nate said with a laugh. “I’ll shoot you a text tomorrow after it’s done and let you know how it went.”

“I’m not kidding about coming to LA to sit at your bedside.”

“And I appreciate the offer, but I’d rather you take care of things there.” He paused before delivering his final bit of advice. “Talk to Kyle. He’s going to be thrilled.”

“I will. Good luck tomorrow.”

“Thanks.”

After talking with Melody, Nate made a reservation for four at WP24, Wolfgang Puck’s contemporary Asian restaurant on the twenty-fourth floor of the Ritz-Carlton. He selected this particular restaurant knowing Mia would love the downtown LA views and the blackberry soufflé with key lime ice cream for dessert. Once that was done, he texted her the details and then headed to grab a late lunch with his former buddy whose music career had nosedived six years ago, thanks to a drug problem, but who was making a small comeback.

Nate didn’t return to his hotel until nearly six. He spent the time before dinner Skyping with his mother and letting her know in rapid ASL about the surgery the following day. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about being able to communicate with her over the next two to three weeks while he was on total voice rest. If only the rest of his clients understood sign language, he might be able to maintain his work schedule with barely a hitch.

At a little before eight, Nate stepped off the elevator on the twenty-fourth floor of the Ritz-Carlton and approached the hostess. His pulse kicked up as he looked around for Mia, but he didn’t see her or her family. The hostess confirmed they’d not yet arrived, and escorted him to a table by the windows. When the waiter arrived, Nate ordered a vodka on the rocks with a twist of lime. Normally he’d wait until his party showed up, but he expected Mia and her family to be late and they didn’t disappoint them. What he hadn’t expected, however, was Mia’s absence.

Nate stood as Ivy approached. She wore a strapless emerald dress that clung to her slim body and brought out the gold flecks in her brown eyes. Her five-inch heels put a sexy sway in her stride.

“Nate,” she cried in delight as if they were the best of friends. “It’s so wonderful to see you.”

They hadn’t gotten along particularly well on the tour. She’d made demands on everyone from the roadies to the tour manager, and some of her requests had been ridiculous. The amount of time Nate had spent running interference hadn’t sat well with him. And he had a particular distaste for how she treated Mia.

“Hello, Ivy,” he said, pushing down his annoyance at how he’d been stood up earlier. “Good evening, Javier.” He reached out his hand to Ivy’s father, a handsome dark-haired man trailing in the pop star’s wake. One member of the party was missing. “I made the reservation for four. Will Mia be joining us?”

Ivy settled into the chair beside his. “She wanted to come, but what’s the point?”

The annoyance that flared in his gut was familiar. Everything about this spoiled narcissistic brat made him long to hand off her album project to another producer, but his whole purpose in working with Ivy was to have time with Mia.

“The point is I invited her.”

“I thought the point of this meeting tonight was to discuss Ivy’s album,” Javier said, coming down on his daughter’s side. “Mia’s presence is unnecessary.”

“Of course.” Giving in was exceedingly painful. Nate could only imagine the conversation that had kept Mia away, and his heart ached that she’d received yet another slight from the people who should have had her best interests in mind.

The waiter approached before Nate could say anything more. Ivy ordered champagne and Javier ordered a gin and tonic.

“I’ve heard the food here is quite good,” Javier said.

Ivy rolled her eyes. “If you like Asian.”

Nate was pretty certain no matter which restaurant he’d chosen Ivy would’ve found something wrong with it.

Without Mia’s presence, Nate had no desire to linger over the meal. As soon as they’d ordered he cut straight to business. “I have some ideas for how to proceed with your new album.”

“I want to go in a completely different direction,” Ivy said, cutting him off before she even heard what he had to say. “I’m not going to write my own music this time. I’d like to record some of Melody Caldwell’s music. I heard what she was working on during the tour and I think it suits me.”

While Nate agreed, he was dismayed that Ivy had no plans to record her sister’s songs. Few people knew Ivy didn’t write any of her own music but claimed credit for what Mia composed. Nate had discovered this during the tour and couldn’t believe Mia let her sister get away with it. He suspected that part of the reason Mia stayed with Ivy and acted as her assistant was to have her music heard by millions. Did Mia know that Ivy was cutting her out? Would this at last be the catalyst that encouraged Mia to sever the bonds with her sister and strike out on her own?

“I can see if Melody would be open to working with you.”

“Why wouldn’t she?” Javier demanded. “Having Ivy Bliss record her songs would be a good career move for her.”

“Currently Melody is working on an album of her own. A song list hasn’t been finalized and I can’t promise what will be available for you until that happens.”

“I have several songs I’m interested in. I’ll have Mia send her a list in the morning. I’m sure Melody will understand that I can do them justice.”

“Perhaps you and Melody could collaborate on some new stuff,” Nate suggested, hoping the offer made Ivy squirm. “I’ve worked with her on several songs she’s recorded. I think you two would enjoy collaborating.”

He smiled through the patent lie. If Melody caught wind of what he’d just offered, she’d probably kill him. Nate doubted anyone on the planet enjoyed working with Ivy Bliss.

“I’m afraid my daughter will be too busy to write any music this year. This afternoon she signed a deal to become the new face of Mayfair Cosmetics. This will entail many media appearances beginning a month from now. We’d like to get in and get her album recorded as soon as possible.”

So they expected him to clear his schedule? Nate wasn’t surprised. And he would not be bullied. “I’m afraid the next month will not be good for me. Let’s look at something after the first of the year?”

“Ivy is doing a movie in January.”

Once again Nate reminded himself that the reason he’d agreed to produce the album was to have time with Mia. And then something occurred to him. It was brilliant, and he kicked himself for not coming up with it sooner.

His lips slid into a genuine smile. “Perhaps we could work something out. I’ll need to rearrange my schedule and would appreciate having Mia’s help to pull it off.”

“Mia’s help?” Ivy frowned. “What could she possibly do for you?”

“She understands sign language, doesn’t she? I could use her as a translator.”

Javier frowned. “A translator?”

“I’m going in for vocal cord surgery tomorrow and won’t be able to speak for at least three weeks. I can sign and Mia can relay my instructions.”

“Couldn’t you find someone else to help with that?” Ivy demanded. “An actual interpreter?”

No one else but Mia would do. “Mia knows the music industry and will understand what I’m saying.”

“Daddy?” Ivy’s dismay was palpable.

Nate fixed Javier with a flat stare. “Surely you can spare her for a month if it means getting Ivy’s album done.”

Javier glanced at his daughter. “W-well,” he stammered. “Of course. If that’s what we need to do.”

Nate gave a satisfied nod. “It absolutely is.”

* * *

Mia sat in a chair beside the window of her bedroom in Ivy’s house and stared at the front lawn. An hour earlier she’d watched her father’s Mercedes retreat down the driveway, and still couldn’t believe that she’d been forced to stay behind. More than ever her role as Ivy’s personal assistant grated on her.

Though Mia felt trapped by her responsibility to Ivy, she knew that her sister carried an even heavier burden: the weight of their parents’ expectations. Mia barely remembered a time when her sister didn’t sing. She recalled their modest house in San Diego, where the twins had shared a bedroom with their older sister, Eva. Their mother had homeschooled all three girls, which offered the flexibility for Ivy to audition anytime an opportunity presented itself. And their parents were able to buy a bigger house when Ivy signed a contract for a new TV show on the KidZ Channel. While she wasn’t the star, in the show’s four-year run Ivy had demonstrated star potential, which had led to her landing a role in a Broadway musical and eventually a record deal with West Coast Records.

With each rise in her career, the family home got bigger and better. Their father had quit his job with the post office to manage Ivy when she signed with KidZ Channel. Ivy became his whole focus.

Which brought Mia to tonight, and the business meeting her father and sister were attending with Nate. And just as her presence hadn’t been needed at the Mayfair Cosmetics meeting earlier that day, Mia wasn’t included now.

She wondered if Nate’s choice of WP24 had been for her benefit. She’d mentioned how she’d always wanted to try the restaurant, but that had been a couple months ago. Had Nate remembered?

Mia’s stomach grumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten anything since noon. Even though her appetite was nonexistent, her body still needed fuel. Time to stop brooding and scrounge up something for dinner. Ivy’s housekeeper usually cooked some chicken in case Ivy felt like supplementing her junk food diet with something healthy.

After pulling out the fixings for a salad and chopping up a chicken breast, Mia splurged with an extra tablespoon of ranch dressing. Too bad she gained weight simply by looking at French fries. As she headed into the den to watch some TV and hopefully take her mind off what was going on at WP24, she reminded herself that Nate had appreciated her full breasts, small waist and round hips.

Both Mia and Eva took after their mother with their dark brown hair and eyes, pale skin and curvy bodies. Ivy was built like their dad, lean and sinewy, but she had their mother’s hazel eyes, smoldering charm and singing ability. Sharon Bliss had been an opera singer in her youth, but happily traded a career on the stage for being a wife and mother when she got pregnant with Eva.

Mia had barely sat down when her cell phone rang. She smiled when she saw that the caller was Melody. “I feel as if I haven’t talked to you in ages. How are you doing?” she said by way of greeting.

“I’m doing great. Working on my album.”

“How many songs are you up to now?”

Melody was a prolific songwriter with a powerful voice and distaste for the spotlight. The two women had become close while on tour. Mia didn’t realize how much she missed having a friend until she and Melody had clicked.

“I don’t know,” Melody said. “Maybe around fifty. They’re not all good, but many of my favorites are the ones with the biggest flaws. How am I supposed to choose between them?”

“I know the feeling. Some of my best stuff will never be heard.” Until she’d gone on tour, only her family knew that she—and not Ivy—was the author of Ivy’s hit tunes. Then she’d met Nate and Melody, and both of them had figured out her secret. Or maybe she hadn’t tried very hard to conceal it. Both were such talented songwriters that Mia couldn’t resist the urge to talk to them about their process.

To preserve the illusion that Ivy was writing her own songs, Mia was always careful to work when no one was around. But sometimes a tune got into her head and she caught herself humming it. The same thing happened with lyrics. It was why she always carried around her journal.

The notebook contained bits and pieces of songs and snippets of lyrics. It also included doodles and miscellaneous thoughts. She filled one every six months or so.

“Nate could help you with that. I’m sure he’d be happy to work up some demos with you that you could shop around the industry. You never know what might get picked up.”

“Actually, he’s already offered.”

“And what are you waiting for?”

Mia hadn’t explained to anyone the real reason she stayed at her sister’s side despite the way she was treated like hired help instead of family. It wasn’t Mia’s story to tell and she knew neither Ivy nor her parents would appreciate the information getting out. Not that Melody or Nate couldn’t be trusted with yet another of her secrets.

“I’m not waiting for anything. It’s just that I barely have enough time to write, much less create demos.” But with Ivy scheduled to record her album at Nate’s Ugly Trout studios in Las Vegas, perhaps she would have time to do something for herself for a change.

“Speaking of Nate, did you know he was going in for throat surgery tomorrow?”

“No.” Mia’s heart gave a worried thump. “I knew he was struggling while we were on tour, and that he pushed through because he didn’t want to cancel any shows, but we haven’t spoken much since the tour ended.”

Nate had made it perfectly clear that he wanted to continue the relationship. As intoxicating as their affair had been, Mia knew it was only a matter of time until their paths diverged. He wanted her to choose him over Ivy, but she just couldn’t leave her sister. Would the time ever be right? It was the question Nate had posed that last morning in Sydney. Mia had no clear answer.

“I’m worried about him. He’s using a car service to get to and from the doctor’s office tomorrow, and he doesn’t have anyone staying with him at the hotel to help him after the procedure. I was wondering, since you are in LA, if you could check on him.”

“Of course.” It was something a friend would do and they’d parted on reasonably good terms. Why hadn’t he said anything to her when they’d met earlier?

Mia ran through what she would say to her sister tomorrow about taking care of Nate, and decided she would simply tell her that she needed some time off. It wasn’t as if Mia got to take vacations like a regular person. All the time she spent around Ivy was work, even when she was technically off. They might head to the Caribbean or the beaches of Europe together for a little R & R, but it wasn’t as though Mia got to party all night, drink too much and sleep in.

“Do you know what clinic he’s going to?” Mia asked. “And what time the surgery is?”

“No. I’m assuming that he’s using Dr. Hanson. He’s the best vocal cord surgeon in LA. Nate mentioned the appointment is first thing in the morning.”

“How about where he’s staying?”

“He usually gets a suite at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills when he’s in LA. It’s close to West Coast Records’ offices.”

“I know it well. Ivy stayed there while renovations were being done on her house.”

“One more thing. Don’t tell Nate you’re coming. You know how he hates accepting help.”

“I’ve got it covered. He’ll never know what hit him.”

“You’re a doll,” Melody said. “I’ve been sick, thinking about him all alone after the surgery.”

“Don’t worry,” Mia said. “I’ll take excellent care of him.”

“I know you will. And he might never admit it, but I think he’ll be really glad to have you there.”

Three

The morning of his surgery Nate’s thoughts were running on a hamster wheel, getting him nowhere. Not being able to talk for several weeks was going to make communicating with his clients a challenge. Although he’d asked for Mia’s help from her father and sister, he hadn’t approached her about acting as his voice for the next three to four weeks.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t hire an assistant with ASL experience, although it might be tricky finding one on such short notice. He also wasn’t worried that the studio was booked solid and people were counting on him. He dreaded getting turned down by Mia again.

Pushing all that to the side, Nate left his suite and headed to the elevator. When the car arrived at his floor, a young couple with a baby stroller were already inside. Nate stepped to the side of the elevator and gazed from the infant to the happy parents. Almost against his will, his thoughts turned to Mia.

During those days with her on tour, for the first time ever, he’d contemplated what it would take to balance life on the road with a family. With the amount of touring Free Fall had done for the first few years when they were making a name for themselves, Nate hadn’t even considered settling down.

Promoting an album meant grueling months on the road. It wasn’t the sort of thing where you dragged a wife and kids along. Well, some people did. But unless it was the right sort of relationship, traveling from one end of the country to another put a lot of strain on a couple.

And then he’d met Mia. She was used to long months of touring and being away from home. As Ivy’s personal assistant, she was on the go constantly. In fact, he wasn’t entirely sure if she had a home of her own. He’d easily pictured them working together in the studio and then going out on tour. If they had a baby, the whole family would travel. It had been an appealing fantasy.

The elevator opened on the lobby and the couple with the stroller exited. Nate’s mood, already battered by his anxiety about the surgery, took another hit. Damn, he was tired of being alone.

Suddenly every muscle in his body ached. He hadn’t felt a sweeping depression like this in ten years. Back then he’d fought off the darkness with pills, booze and sex. None of it had helped, but for a while he’d been able to forget.

Nate stepped into the lobby, calling himself all kinds of coward and idiot for trying to handle things on his own. He was always the first one to lend a hand if someone needed it. Why did he have such an awful time accepting help?

Shame. Admitting that he wasn’t strong enough to protect his mother when he was a kid or conquer an addiction to drugs when he was in his early twenties had led to both situations becoming worse. If he’d reached out for help, maybe his mom wouldn’t have been nearly beaten to death by his father and he wouldn’t have ended up burning bridges in the music business.

Nate headed across the hotel lobby and outside to where a car should be waiting to take him to the doctor’s office. He’d turned down Trent’s and Melody’s offers to help, and he wasn’t feeling great about his decision. But he hated being a bother. Trent was out of town with Savannah and Dylan. Melody was in Las Vegas. And while his mother would have happily flown in from Dallas to baby him for a few days, Nate didn’t want to put her out. The surgery was delicate, but not overly invasive, and he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself.

And then the most amazing thing happened. A familiar brunette got up from a chair near the front door and started walking in his direction. Her appearance was so unexpected that he rubbed his eyes to determine if he was hallucinating. If so, she was the most beautiful, wonderful, perfect figment of his imagination he’d ever experienced.

“Mia?”

“At last,” she said, gliding into step beside him. “I was worried that I’d missed you. How are you doing?” She peered up at him as the lobby doors opened with a whoosh and fresh air poured over them. “Are you nervous?”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to take care of you.” She gave him a stern look. “Why didn’t you tell me you were having surgery?”

His first impulse was to tell her he didn’t think it would matter to her. But that was a crappy response. He also hadn’t thought she’d be available since her sister kept her so busy.

Instead he asked, “How did you know?”

“Melody told me. She said you didn’t have anyone to help you after the surgery and she was worried.” The look Mia shot him was pure accusation. “And so was I.”

“I’ll be perfectly fine.”

“Ridiculous. A doctor won’t release anyone going under anesthesia unless they’re being picked up and watched over by a responsible adult. So, I’m going to sit in the waiting room while you have your surgery. And then I’m going to bring you back here. Tuck you in. And keep watch over you.”

All that sounded like pure heaven. Having her fuss over him for the next few hours would speed his recovery along.

“You don’t need to wait,” he told her as they settled into the back of the town car. “The procedure could take up to six hours.”

“I’m staying.” Her tone was firm. “I brought stuff to read.”

“Thank you.” Such simple words didn’t convey his full emotions. He was so damned glad to have her with him. But she smiled as if she understood.

Nate didn’t feel much like talking on the way to the clinic, so they sat in companionable silence. The surgery was the most terrifying thing he’d ever faced and that included the night his sixteen-year-old self had gone up against his drunk, knife-wielding father.

Singing was more than just Nate’s livelihood. It was how he’d comforted himself as a kid in an abusive home and the way he communicated who he was to the world.

No matter how successful he became as a producer and songwriter, he’d give up every penny he had to be able to perform on stage. This was something he hadn’t realized until he was faced with the grim prospect of throat surgery.

When the nurse came to take him into the back, Mia gave him a reassuring smile. It was her face that filled his thoughts as he was wheeled to the operating room and injected with something to put him to sleep.

And when he woke what seemed like seconds later—in post-op, he guessed, based on the dim lighting and hushed silence—her name was the first thought that popped into his head. He floated in post-surgery haze, happy that she was waiting to take him back to his hotel As the residual anesthesia wore off, Nate lifted fingers to his throat, but the discomfort was all on the inside. Had the surgery been successful? He wouldn’t know for several weeks, maybe months.

A nurse came to check on him and asked yes-or-no questions he could answer by nodding or shaking his head. She reiterated what the doctor and all the nurses before her had drilled into him: no talking of any kind for two to three weeks and minimal use of his voice after that. He’d start working with a vocal coach in a month, which would be a new experience. In all the years he’d performed, Nate had never had any formal training. He just got up on stage and let ’er rip.

They wanted him back in three days for a checkup, after which he could return to Las Vegas to continue healing. The nurse recommended Throat Coat tea with honey and gave him a prescription for pain meds.

“Your throat will probably grow more uncomfortable as the day goes on. Drink lots of fluids and remember, no talking.”

Nate nodded. He might suck at taking advice on most things, but this he intended to follow to the letter. He couldn’t imagine losing the ability to sing and perform. While he had songwriting and producing to fall back on, the energy that came at him from a packed stadium was a high he craved.

From post-op they sent him back into the waiting room, where Mia was still waiting, and gave him a glass of water. It slid down his throat without too much irritation and he grew hopeful.

“Are you okay?” Mia asked, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “Let me know when you’re ready to head to the car.”

He nodded.

The trip back to the hotel was a blur. When they arrived at his suite, Nate fumbled out his key card and tried to focus on getting it into the slot. He wanted to curse, but knew better than to speak. And then, Mia plucked the key from him and within seconds the door swung open. He took a step forward and his head picked that second to swim. With his reflexes not quite back to normal, he swayed and made a grab for the doorframe just in time to prevent himself from pitching forward.

Her arm went around his waist to steady him. “I’ve got you,” she said, but she wasn’t as calm and collected as she sounded. Her brown eyes looked huge in her pale face.

“I’m okay, really.”

She looked so appalled that he almost laughed, but he knew better than to make a sound.

“You okay?”

She gave a husky laugh. “I’ll be better once you’re in bed and resting.”

“I knew you’d been dying to get me back into bed.” His dry smile didn’t help ease the tense line between her brows. And then, becoming more serious, he signed, “It means a lot that you’re here.”

He wanted to follow it up by asking how long she could stay, but again sensed the answer wouldn’t make him happy. For now, he’d enjoy her company and take what time with her he could get.

“I’m sorry things between us didn’t work out...” She was prevented from saying more by his fingertips against her lips.

He didn’t want to talk about the failure of their relationship or argue about Mia’s inability to escape her sister’s demands. His arms ached to hold her. At the moment he didn’t have energy to do more than sit on the couch with her snuggled against him, though.

“Come.” He patted the cushion beside him.

“You should go to bed.”

“I’m not tired.”

For an instant he worried she might call him on that, but then she joined him on the couch.

“At least lie down.”

He obliged by shifting until he lay on his back, his head in her lap. She ran her fingers through his hair. The soothing caress made his whole body ache. Damn, but he’d missed her. How many times in the last month had he relived those precious few hours they’d spent together that last night in Sydney? Over and over the memories tumbled through his mind as he recalled every touch and kiss. The ravenous hunger with which they’d come together that first time. The ache in his chest as the sun lifted above the horizon. The glorious, joyful goddess he’d held in his arms, who faded before his eyes as the morning grew brighter.

He’d sworn then that he would have her. All of her. He intended to do whatever it took to make her happy. Only she would have none of it. None of him. She didn’t understand what it meant to be selfish. To demand happiness. Her family had molded her into someone who put her needs after everyone else’s.

He closed his eyes and enjoyed the silence. With Mia he’d learned to appreciate being quiet, for it allowed him to be fully in the moment. Almost immediately, however, Nate found himself drifting off, and fought to stay awake. He’d learned during those long weeks on tour to savor every minute with Mia, because all too often their secret rendezvous were interrupted. But with what he’d gone through earlier today, his body craved sleep.

The next time he woke the suite was dim. His head remained cushioned on Mia’s lap. He rubbed his face and sat up.

“What time is it?” he signed.

“Six. How are you feeling?”

“Sore.”

“I’ll get you some water.” She got to her feet and headed for the wet bar consisting of a mini-fridge behind a white panel door. When she returned and handed him a chilled bottle, she asked, “Do you want to take something?”

He shook his head. Although the pain in his throat required medication to take the edge off, he didn’t like the way the drugs made him feel. Early in his career he’d gotten caught up in the highs and lows of the music scene and had partied too hard. He’d relied on booze and pills to jack him up and mellow him out. And then there had always been girls. They were relentless. He’d signed boobs and butts. He’d taken two to bed and woken up with a third. And all this had happened before Free Fall had their first hit.

Then one morning, Nate had woken up with a thick head and a sick feeling in his gut that had nothing to do with how much he’d consumed the night before. There was a fist-size dent in his hotel room wall and a descriptive expletive written in lipstick on his bathroom mirror. He remembered being angry, but not why. It had been perfectly clear, however, that he’d struck out in anger. Just like his old man used to do.

Nate didn’t have any luck tracking down the girl he’d brought back to his room. She’d just been one of the faceless hangers-on who liked to party after the concerts. He’d been twenty-three and the wake-up call had changed his life. He took a break from the band and returned home to Las Vegas, where he’d spent the next twelve months writing music.

It hadn’t been an easy time. For the first two months neither the words nor the music would flow. The urge to lose himself in alcohol or drugs had been a constant nagging presence. Much of the songwriting he’d done to that point had been while he was under the influence. He was afraid he didn’t know how to write any other way. At that time his mom had still been living in Las Vegas. Being around her kept him from backsliding. He had only to look at her to remember how his father had gone after her with fists and eventually a knife.

At long last the music came more easily. The words took a lot longer. What he wanted to say came from his pain and his isolation and his sense of failure. These were not easy places to visit. He’d never really come to terms with the young boy who’d been too afraid to defend his mother. While a rational part of him knew it was ridiculous to expect a kid to take on a drunk, belligerent adult with a murderous temper, Nate knew there were things he should have done.

Like tell someone. His teacher. A cop. Anyone who could help. His mom had never learned to read lips and had had a hard time communicating. Nate became her voice from the time he could speak. But when it counted, he hadn’t spoken for her.

“Are you hungry?” Mia asked. “I can heat up some soup. I brought you some of my famous chicken broth. And I have Throat Coat tea with honey.”

Nate gazed up at her in bemusement. If this was what it felt like to be the beneficiary of Mia’s nurturing, no wonder Ivy kept her sister on such a tight leash. How wonderful to have someone so focused on your every need.

I could get used to having you around all the time, he thought, but instead signed. “I’m hungry.”

He hadn’t noticed his empty stomach until Mia mentioned the soup. The thought of eating something she’d prepared with her lovely hands made him smile.

“What?” she asked, taking in his expression.

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

“Well, don’t get used to it,” she teased, heading to the fridge once more. “You only get me for three days.”

She busied herself pulling out a plastic container and ladling soup into a bowl. The suite had only the bare minimum of supplies—a coffeemaker, cups and a microwave, in addition to the small refrigerator—but somehow Mia presented a lovely tray with silverware, a linen napkin and even a tiny vase with a daisy in it.

“All this for me?” he signed as she placed the tray on his lap.

“Eat what you can. And there’s vanilla and caramel gelato for dessert if you think you can manage it.”

Instead of joining him on the couch, she sat in a chair nearby and watched him like a hawk as he tasted the soup. “Is it okay? Not too bland?”

“It’s delicious.”

“You should be able to switch to thicker liquids and soft foods tomorrow. Maybe some creamy cauliflower or broccoli soup?” He’d once told her he hated any sort of pureed vegetable, and wondered if she was taking perverse pleasure in his situation. When he scowled at her, she laughed. “Macaroni and cheese?”

“Better.” And then, since he had her full attention, he added, “It means a lot to me that you’re here.”

* * *

Mia drew her knees to her chest, making herself as small as possible. He would have no idea how much his heartfelt words meant to her. Actually, it wasn’t his words as much as the look in his eyes that warmed her from the tips of her fingers down to her toes. In the weeks they’d spent apart, she didn’t remember ever feeling so alone and empty.

“We promised to be there for each other always,” she reminded him, proud that she sounded so steady. He couldn’t know what a struggle it was for her to keep from throwing herself into his arms and confessing how miserable she’d been without him. “What sort of friend would I be if I let you go through this alone?”

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