Free Hillbilly Rockstar by Christina Routon Page A

of the hottest country stars in the business. She'd worked with Trace years ago, so they knew each other. Rumor was, back then, that they were more than songwriter-slash-performer. She was younger, she was famous in her own right, she had number one songs, platinum albums and a body men adored. Who could compete with that? She certainly could not. Well, what did you expect? You turned him down.
    Because he was being a jerk, she argued back, and he didn't mean anything he said. All you have to do is look at the two of them to see that.
    Maybe you're not seeing what you think you're seeing, her conscience said again.
    "Shut up," Lisa whispered, not wanting to seem crazy by continuing to talk to herself out loud. But she was tired of the voices in her head -- her own and Danny's.

Chapter Nine
     
    An assistant walked over and said something to Michelle. Lisa froze, watching as Michelle tapped the brim of Trace's hat and gave him a big smile. That was a flirty smile if she'd ever seen one. Michelle walked away, following the assistant. Lisa watched Trace shake his head as Michelle walked away, her hips swaying. When he turned around again, she walked over to the table.
    "Seemed like I interrupted something." She plunked her purse and binder on the table and sat down, her arms folded.
    "Just dinner. We're about to do a wardrobe change and rehearse some introductions and the closing. Want to come along?" He stood and held out his hand.
    "No, I can't. I wanted to go over some things with you, but it can wait." She stood, picking her purse up again, but didn't move. When she continued to just stand there, he dropped it to his side.
    "What's wrong?"
    Lisa shifted her purse from one shoulder to another. He was flirting with Michelle and he wants to know what's wrong.
    "I'm not going to bother you. I needed to let you know of a few more interviews scheduled for next week. I have the details here." She took the information from her binder and handed it to him. "Just keep them where you can find them and don't forget. If you need a ride, let me know and I'll arrange it."
    A few seconds passed in silence, long enough for Lisa to feel uncomfortable.
    "Okay, I'm going now. It's been a long week." She turned to leave, but Trace caught her hand.
    "What's wrong?" he asked again.  
    "Nothing's wrong. Why do you think something is wrong? Have a nice chat with Michelle?" The words came out nothing like she'd intended. She sounded bitchy and cold. His eyes widened at her tone.
    "So that's it. You're jealous." He shifted his hat again and she could see the grin on his face.
    "I'm not jealous. I was asking a question. You're free to see whomever you like."
    Trace laughed at her comment. "I asked you out, if you remember, and you turned me down. So I guess I can't see whomever I like."
    Lisa didn't know if he expected a response to that, and she didn't have one anyway, so she stayed quiet.
    "To answer your question," Trace continued, "yes, we did have a nice chat. It's been a long time since we've seen each other and we were catching up."  
    Before she could say anything else, Mary, the production assistant came back.
    "Mr. Harper, we don't have time for a wardrobe fit right now. You're needed on stage to do run-throughs, then you can go to wardrobe."
    "Okay, I'll be right there." He turned back to Lisa. "Got to go."
    "I know." She paused, not wanting to end the conversation on a personal subject. Back to business. That's what this is, after all. "Keep the papers and make sure you get to the interviews. Let me know if you need anything." She turned to leave once more.
    "Lisa, are you coming to the taping tomorrow?"
    She turned back to face him. "I hadn't planned to come. Why?"
    Trace took a step closer. Her breath caught in her chest as heat radiated from his body. He bent his head to her ear, just like he'd done at Six Guns the night they'd officially met.
    "Because I want you to come."
    His words evoked a vision of the two of them in her bed,