Snowed In with Her Ex (9 page)

“You gain an hour going back with the time change.”

Bree smiled, kissing him softly, then disentangling from his arms. “I’ve already factored that in. Sorry.”

Ian nodded. “I tried. Have fun cleaning up the reception hall.”

“I’ll see you on Thursday,” she said with a bright, encouraging smile that seemed a little forced. She didn’t seem to want to leave any more than he did.

“That’s right,” he said, nodding. “I’ll pick you up about seven Thursday night.”

“I’ll be ready. Don’t forget to take your guitar home with you,” she added. “After that party Thursday night, I want you to play for me again. This time, naked.”

Her words were meant to be a promise of a seductive night to come, but Ian felt every muscle in his body involuntarily stiffen at her words. He didn’t respond, he just smiled tightly. “Drive safely.”

Bree hugged him, then pulled away to climb into her car. He moved back to the porch, watching as she backed out and then headed down the winding road to the highway. The minute her taillights disappeared around the bend, the ache of anxiety started pooling in his stomach.

What, exactly, was he doing?

He was living in a fantasyland. Ignoring all the signs that his pleasant river cruise was about to go straight over a waterfall.

This should’ve been the end. He’d told himself he could handle this. That it was just going to be physical and everything would be fine. But now it was anything but fine. He should’ve waved goodbye to Bree and put their relationship back on the shelf where it belonged. Instead, he’d asked her to go to that party with him. He wanted her to go. He thought she’d have a good time. He was excited about the idea of seeing Bree in a slinky dress and extending this relationship beyond their time here in the mountains.

But that wasn’t the problem. The problem was that he was just delaying the inevitable.

They weren’t going to work out. He knew that the minute he’d laid eyes on her again. Things might seem okay when they were here in Gatlinburg, but back in Nashville it would fall apart. Because Bree didn’t want Ian Lawson, record producer. She wanted Ian Lawson, the musician. She wanted to roll the clocks back nine years and pretend that SpinTrax and everything else he’d done in his life didn’t matter.

Bree had pushed too hard. Harder than just a well-meaning person would. She’d pushed him to play. Pushed him to sing. Pushed to photograph him while he did. She’d asked him to write new songs. A moment ago, she’d asked him to play for her again on Thursday night. It was abundantly clear that Bree didn’t want
him
with his contracts, business meetings and A-list musical roster. She wanted the fantasy that didn’t exist, and she would do whatever she could to change and mold Ian into what she wanted.

That wouldn’t work. The ship had sailed and Ian could never return to being the idealistic musician he’d been back in school. He had been young, ignorant of the world and so excited by the potential of his future. Once all those things come crashing down around you, there’s no going back. He had grown up. He wished Bree would do the same.

With a sigh, Ian went inside and started closing up the house. He turned down the thermostat, shut doors, pulled curtains and checked locks. He quickly cleaned out the refrigerator of anything perishable and gathered up the trash in the garage so Rick could take it down to the dump later. Finally, he ran through his bedroom and bath, looking for anything left behind and then carried his bag into the entryway. He paused, looking at the guitar leaning against the wall by the front door.

Now he had to make a choice. He’d come to a fork in the road. If Bree were still here, she would needle him until it was loaded into his car. With her gone, it was only up to him. It was a tougher decision than he’d expected.

Ian was fighting with himself over wanting that same fantasy she did. It was easy to ignore his dreams when they were buried in the closet along with his guitar. At the same time, Bree spoke about his potential and his music so passionately that it made him want to believe that he could have his musical dream and his company. She insisted there was no reason he couldn’t have both.

With her miles ahead of him on the highway, the realm of possibilities was starting to crumble. It sounded like a good idea. A perfectly nice idea. Yet he knew it was impossible. His company took up so much of his time, he could barely date. Before Missy crashed into his life, he hadn’t had a date in months.

How could he possibly manage working at SpinTrax, dating Bree and rebooting his musical career? It was impossible. At least one of the three things would suffer and he was pretty sure he couldn’t let it be his record label. A hundred people depended on that succeeding. What would that mean for his future with Bree? She wouldn’t tolerate being anything but number one on his priority list. That shoved his future in music to the bottom rung. Could he stand to play knowing it wouldn’t lead anywhere?

As if the universe were answering his question, his phone rang. It startled him, having been off for the past few days, but he’d turned it back on as they were getting ready to go. He looked down to see his talent manager’s name and number on the screen.

“Hey, Keith.”

“Looks who’s back in the land of the living. Did you enjoy losing contact with the modern world?”

Ian chuckled. He didn’t think he would, but it had been easy to pass the time with a naked, willing Bree beneath him. Who needed Candy Crush when you had that? “I needed a break and I got one. Now I’m ready to jump back into the fray.”

“Good because the fray has been anxiously waiting for your return. I don’t know if I’m a talent manager or your public relations officer. Several magazines have called looking for exclusives on your side of the Missy story. Ryan Seacrest and Howard Stern both want you to call in to their radio shows. If I were you, I’d go with Seacrest. Stern would ask a bunch of creepy questions about Missy’s sex life. I’d feel like I had to listen to support you, and I really don’t want to know.”

Ian sighed into the phone. “Anything important happen? Anything aside from the mess with Missy?”

“All your other artists seem to be doing fine. The only calls I’ve gotten in the past few days have been from Missy’s manager. Big surprise. He’s trying to push for a new contract because her numbers have improved.”

“Not for all the tea in China,” Ian said. “If she’s such a hot commodity, let her jump to a new label. There’s got to be someone out there that will take her on her numbers alone. They’re not stellar, but she’s not going to play the fair circuit anytime soon, either.”

He bent down, grabbing the handle of his bag and carrying it into the garage to throw in the back of his Escalade.

“I’ll pass that along,” Keith said. “In the appropriate legal speak,” he added.

“Thanks. I’m hitting the road in about five minutes and I’ll come straight to the office. I need to make a few quick pit stops, but I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“Can’t wait for you to come back,” Keith said. “See you soon.”

Ian hung up and went back into the house. Talking to Keith made him feel normal again. His business was what drove his life and he was ready to get back to it.

In the living room, he glanced once more at the guitar. There was no room in his life for it, but he couldn’t bear to leave it behind. Just like with Bree.

In the end, the guitar went in the back of the car with everything else.

Nine

“W
ow.” It was all Ian could say.

Bree arched an eyebrow at Ian. “Wow? Really?” She looked down at her outfit in confusion.

“Yeah, wow,” he repeated. She looked incredible. How did she not know that? He’d expected her to choose something black, slinky but conservative. It was red. Fire-engine red. And lace. The dress had a conservative collar, long sleeves and a hemline just above the knee. Even then, it was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. To start, it fit like a glove. It was also sheer. Except for the appropriately placed red fabric panels that ran down the front and back, the rest was see-through. He could see her pale skin peeking through everywhere else, including along each side. Panties...were an impossibility. And his mouth went bone-dry with the revelation.

“It’s new,” Bree said with a shy shrug. “The girls took me shopping and helped me pick it out. Will it be okay for the party? I know you said sparkly, but sparkles aren’t really my thing.”

Ian shook his head furiously. This was way better than sparkles. “This is fine. It’s great. Amazing. You look incredible in it. Actually, we can even skip the party and stay home, you look so good.”

Bree smiled, her bright red lipstick a shock of color against her pale, flawless skin. Her blond waves were pinned back into a chignon at her neck, a few loose strands along her face. She was wearing nude pumps and no jewelry. She didn’t need anything else. She shined like a jewel all on her own.

“You’re not that lucky,” she said. “You promised me a party with rock stars and I intend to have it.”

“If you insist. Are you ready to go?” If she was, they needed to go now, before he changed his mind and ravished her on the gray leather sofa he could see over her shoulder.

“I am.” Bree reached to pick up a nude beaded clutch and stepped out onto her porch. She locked the door and he escorted her to the Escalade.

The party was being held in a Brentwood mansion ten miles outside of the city center. It was the home of former country music star and music producer Luke Chisholm. Luke had made his millions, burned out and dropped out of the music scene for several years. He’d reappeared four years ago, starting his own record label, like Ian. They would’ve been rivals if they didn’t target different artists. Ian was after rock and pop music, a rarity in Nashville. Luke, like so many others, specialized in country and bluegrass music. Because of that, they had developed a friendship, always talking about collaborating with their artists but never getting around to it.

It didn’t take long to get to the party and Ian was glad. Just sitting beside him in the car, Bree was a distraction. The hem of her dress crept higher when she sat in the Escalade, tempting him with creamy thigh for one mile after the next. He almost missed his exit from sneaking peeks of her as he drove.

As they pulled up into the circular driveway of the mansion, they were greeted by a valet. Ian got out of the car, turned over his key, opened Bree’s door and took her arm. They started up the stairs to the entrance.

“So, is this party for something in particular?” Bree asked as they approached the front door.

“Not really. Luke usually throws a party once or twice a year, no occasion. I always try to make it to his. It’s for social mingling, mostly. A little business. There will be a mix of business guys like me, some artists, other industry people...”

“Interesting,” she said, although she didn’t look impressed. “Any drunk karaoke singing?”

Ian chuckled. “No. But with half the music stars of Nashville in attendance, it would be one hell of a performance, drunk or not.”

A man in a tuxedo greeted them at the door and directed them through the marble foyer into the backyard.

“It’s outdoors?” Bree asked with worry furrowing her delicate brow. “I didn’t bring a coat. Or much of a dress, for that matter. Who holds an outdoor party in the winter? This isn’t California.”

Ian leaned in to Bree’s ear. “I’m sure Luke has it under control. He takes care of every detail. Look,” he said pointing at a few women just outside the glass. “Those ladies don’t look cold.”

A set of French doors opened up to a pool complex. A large semicircular pool sprawled out in front of them, crowds of people milling around it and standing on Plexiglas platforms hovering over it. Scattered around the area were tall gas space heaters. As they stepped outside it almost felt warmer than it did inside the house.

“This is beautiful,” Bree said, her gaze moving over the twinkling lights in the trees, the tables draped with rich fabrics and the floral arrangements that seemed to reach for the sky. “Don’t be offended, but I’d much rather be here as a photographer than a guest. I really want to take some pictures of this setup. And the flowers. Gretchen would just love it. It makes me wonder what florist they’re working with. But...I won’t,” she added with a shy smile. “I’ll be cool. I don’t want to embarrass you.”

That made Ian chuckle. His Bree was many things, but cool wasn’t how he’d describe her. She was much more comfortable behind the lens than strutting around in front of it, but he wanted to change that. A quick glance around was enough to prove that she was easily the most beautiful woman at the party. She should be as comfortable in front of the lens as behind it. “You didn’t smuggle that big camera of yours in that tiny purse, did you?”

She smiled. “I wish I had, but I’m no Mary Poppins.”

“Too bad. Without it, you’ll just have to play my hot date tonight.” He slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close enough to kiss. Instead, he leaned in and whispered into her ear. “And if I find you in a corner talking to a photographer, I’ll find a...creative...way to punish you later.”

“Yes, sir,” Bree said with a smile that indicated she wouldn’t mind.

They stepped into the crowd, melting into the throng of well-dressed and powerful people. When he first got into the business, he’d been starstruck. Now it was just another day at work. On the far left, he spotted the nearest bar. “Would you like me to get you a drink?”

“Sure. Bring me a white wine. Chardonnay if they have it.”

“You got it.” Ian leaned in to press a quick kiss to her cheek and pulled away. There were several people in front of him in line, including Luke, the man throwing the party.

“If you’re picking up the bar tab, shouldn’t you be able to skip the line?”

Luke turned, a smile crossing his face when he saw Ian. They shook hands. “You’d think so. But I’m okay with waiting. It let me run into you, for one thing.” The smile faded for a moment. “How are you, Ian?”

Ugh. That. Ian had tried to avoid the topic of the Missy debacle, but it was inevitable that it would pop up at an event like this. The music industry in Nashville was a small world. Everyone knew everyone’s business. “I’m fine, really. The whole thing seems sort of surreal at this point.”

“I knew Missy was a handful, but I never expected she could do something like that.” Luke shook his head. “You know, she’s been sniffing around my label this week. Her manager called the other day wanting to talk about Missy branching out into country music. I laughed at him.”

Ian winced. “I’m sure you’re not the only place she’s called. I keep waiting to bump into her here. It’s the perfect hunting grounds for an artist in need of a contract.”

“Oh, she’s here somewhere.” Luke stepped up to get his drinks, then waited as the bartender poured two for Ian. “I saw you come in with a pretty lady. You’d better hope Missy didn’t see you.”

Ian shrugged. “I don’t care what Missy thinks. After the week I’ve had, I deserve to have a beautiful lady on my arm who isn’t crazy.”

“Right you are.” Luke laughed. “But watch out for Missy. She will make it out of this scandal one way or another. Hopefully it won’t be by climbing over you to get there.”

“I will.” Ian was glad he wasn’t the only one who could see Missy for who she really was.

“Listen, call me next week and we can chat. I’ve got to get this drink back to Mrs. Chisholm.”

Ian nodded, waving at Luke before picking up his drinks and turning in the direction he’d come. His eyes found Bree in the crowd, then he froze. A feeling of dread washed over him. Luke was right. Missy was not only here, but she had Bree cornered.

The two women were talking, but he could tell it wasn’t idle chatter. Missy looked like she was on the verge of losing it. Taking her rage out on Ian’s date wouldn’t be out of character for her. They were far too close to the edge of the pool for any sort of squabbling. One or both would end up in the frigid, illuminated water.

As fast as his feet could move him through the crowd, he arrived at Bree’s side. “Missy!” he said, interrupting whatever conversation they were having. Ian handed Bree her glass of wine and then wrapped his arm around her waist. He took two giant steps backward, putting some breathing room between them and Missy and moving that much farther away from the water’s edge just in case. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”

Missy crossed her arms over her chest, pushing her breasts up to the point of indecency. She was wearing red, too, although her dress was lacking the elegance of Bree’s. It was satin, tight and short, with a plunging neckline. “You didn’t think I was just going to tuck my tail in and run, did you?”

He wasn’t that lucky. “Of course not. Why should you be ashamed of lying and manipulating everyone in your life, especially me? Now, if you’ll excuse us...” Ian tried shifting them away from Missy.

“You can walk away from me, but this isn’t over, Ian,” Missy said ominously.

He sighed, turning back to face her. “Yes, it is. And there’s nothing you can do about it, at least not here if you want a new record deal from anyone at the party. Goodbye, Missy.”

Before she could say anything else, he propelled Bree in the opposite direction, following closely on her heels. They were on the other side of the party before they stopped.

“Thank you for rescuing me,” Bree leaned in and whispered against his neck. “I thought she was going to throw me in the pool. This dress cost me way too much to get ruined the first time I wore it.”

“Don’t thank me. It’s my fault she came after you.” Ian took a deep breath. Less than ten minutes into the party and things were going downhill fast. “What did she say to you?”

“Eh.” She shrugged. “The usual jealous woman stuff. Who am I? What am I doing coming to this party with you? Do I know who she is? Nothing very original. You interrupted before I could say something ugly to her.”

Ian was glad he got there in time. Missy had a short fuse and no shame. He didn’t want her ruining this night for Bree. He could already tell the party was going to be a lot of fun with her by his side. He usually spent most of his time conducting business and checking his phone. Tonight, he didn’t have the urge to do either. He wanted to take Bree for a turn on the dance floor and introduce her to everyone. He wanted to feed her a chocolate-covered strawberry from the dessert table and snuggle with her by the fire pit.

“I’m sorry about Missy, Bree. I promised you a fun night, and after that scene, you’re never going to want to come with me to another one of these things.”

“Missy hasn’t scared me off yet. And actually,” Bree said with a smile, “all you promised me was a chance to meet Jack Wheeler.”

He had said that, hadn’t he? “You’re right.” He looked up, scanning the crowd, and found Jack sitting nearby with a group of other musicians she would probably be equally excited to meet. “Come with me,” he said, taking her hand. “I’m going to do my part and introduce you to Jack.”

“And then what?” she asked.

“And then I’m taking you home and slowly peeling you out of that dress.”

* * *

Ian kept his word. They spent another hour or so at the party, chatting with enough stars to make Bree’s head spin. And then they made a quick exit.

She expected Ian to take her back to her town house, but instead, he drove back into the city and the center of the music district. “Where are we going?”

“To my place.”

They eventually pulled into the parking garage of a tall residential building. Ian pulled into his reserved space and escorted her to the elevator that took them up to his penthouse.

“Now it’s my turn to say ‘wow,’” she said as they stepped into the marble foyer. There was a stone compass star on the floor of the round entry and a sparkling chandelier overhead. “This is amazing.”

Ian led her into the modern kitchen with black cabinets and gray, concrete countertops. “Thanks. I’ll give your regards to my decorator. She fretted over it and almost no one ever sees it but Winnie and me. Hell, I barely see it.”

Bree approached the kitchen, running her fingertips along the counter. “Is Winnie here?”

Ian shook his head. “She’s not a live-in employee, although she has a room in case she needs to stay over. She’ll be back in the morning, so no stumbling into the kitchen naked for a cup of coffee.”

“Hmm...” Bree said thoughtfully. “You think you’re going to keep me here all night, do you?”

“Yep,” he said, reaching into the wine chiller to pull out a bottle. “I’m certain of it. Because I’m not driving you home until I leave for work in the morning.” He poured two glasses of chardonnay and handed one to her.

“In that case, I’m losing the heels.” Bree kicked out of the stilettos, sighing with bliss to be flat on the ground once again. The shoes were hot, no doubt, but she really just preferred her Converse. She even had red ones that would’ve matched the dress, but she didn’t need Amelia freaking out over her major fashion faux pas.

“That’s better for the tour, anyway.” Ian started through the house, pointing out details as they walked. He had the entire top floor to himself, with an unnecessary number of bedrooms and bathrooms in addition to an office, a gym and a movie theater.

“Ian, why such a big penthouse? You could have someone secretly living here and you wouldn’t ever know it.”

Ian shrugged. “I didn’t want a house. I wanted to be in the city, close to the studio. I liked the features. And I guess I figured that someday I might need the other rooms for a wife and family.”

“Or Missy and all her assistants?”