Cat Schield - Little Secret, Red Hot Scandal

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.