Made in Nashville: HarperImpulse Contemporary Romance by Mandy Baggot Page A

it as much as he kept saying it needed her.
    ‘I wish I had half the talent you do,’ he told her.
    The truth was she’d spent the afternoon learning so much from him and it had affected her deeply. The way he composed was so similar to the way she worked. He was thoughtful and thorough in his composition. There weren’t any missing elements. Although the music he wrote had a harder edge from what she was used to, it was nothing short of brilliant.
    ‘You do, and you have the confidence and your own take on things and … ’
    Being in a tight room with him for hours, listening to the rock-edged vocals with that Southern accent - her body had been reacting to it the whole time. She knew the curve of his shoulders as he played the guitar, the way his strong fingers gripped the strings, how taut his jeans became when he sat on the stool.
    ‘I should really go,’ she repeated, taking a step towards the door.
    ‘Yeah, why not. Run away.’ It was a curt response.
    ‘What did you say?’ There was deliberate fury in her tone. She hadn’t asked for this, any of it. She’d wanted to be left alone but no one could do that. They kept prodding and poking and goading.
    ‘I’m not gonna let you do this. You have more talent in one digit than any of those other singers out there.’ He threw his hands up. ‘You can’t live your life without music so why are you tryin’ to persecute yourself?’
    ‘I’m not ready …  I’m just not ready. I thought I was but I’m not. There, I’ve said it.’ Her voice wobbled and gave away everything she felt and feared.
    ‘That’s bullshit.’
    The tears were threatening but she wasn’t going to give into them. ‘You know this reverse psychology has already been tried by several different medical professionals in the state.’
    ‘I don’t do psychology, reverse, up-front or any other which way.’
    ‘I won’t be bullied.’ She folded her arms across her chest and attempted to look defiant.
    He shook his head at her. ‘Fine. I’ll take you home.’
    Inside she was shaking as she watched him take his guitar off his body, his vest riding up his back a little as he bent to put it down. She swallowed and closed her eyes. What was she doing? She’d been rude and stupid and he’d done so much for her. And he’d listened. He’d listened to her talk about her life as an unwanted child in care.
    ‘Jared.’
    The tone of her voice made him turn around. What he saw across the room had his stomach coiling up. Her lips were trembling and she was rubbing her palms up and down each denim-covered hip. Her curls were hanging down over her face and she just looked so lost. Had he been too harsh? He hadn’t meant to be. He just wanted to help her, guide her through this …  protect her.
    ‘I want to do it but … ’ she began.
    He kept his lips together, afraid to interrupt.
    She didn’t elaborate further, she just stood there, looking to him.
    He didn’t know what to do. He was torn. He knew the obvious thing to do would be to bridge the gap, put his arms around her and tell her everything was going to be OK. But that wasn’t him. Cuddling up and hand-holding wasn’t his style. He had tried it once and had his heart trampled on so hard he’d learnt his lesson. Since then it had only ever been about sex. Good, wild sex with women he didn’t have to make small talk with afterwards. He had no shortage on that front. But there was something so unique about Honor, something that moved him, something that left him weak. Something that made him want to behave differently.
    He swallowed and made a move, spanning the distance between them in a couple of strides.
    ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered as he reached her.
    The words seemed to catch on her lips, falling into the divide and catching him unawares.
    ‘Hey, what are you sorry for?’ He cleared his throat as he gazed at her. Those clear, bright eyes were dewy with unspent tears.
    She looked up at him and he saw it all