Love Me Tender

By Paisley Cruz

She was the breath of fresh air he needed so desperately.

Kadee has rules—rules that keep her on track to become part of Nashville’s country music industry. An internship at a top record label is a sure way of getting there. A week before her internship begins, she meets Carter in a bar, and for the first time she considers breaking those rules. After an amazing night together, she leaves him asleep in a park, sure she will never see him again. Little does she know fate has a different plan in store.

Carter comes to Nashville to take over his family’s failing record label. The only thing is, he resents it. He’s ready to pack up and head home when he meets Kadee. She shows him the city, and now he can’t get her or Nashville off his mind.

With revived interest, Carter sets out to save his label, only he needs something truly spectacular to rescue the company.

Will Kadee be the one to save them both?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luminosity Publishing LLP
• Release date: Jan 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9781910397404

Paisley Cruz

Paisley Cruz grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. Ever since she could remember, her imagination has taken her on amazing adventures. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she’d end up an author. As a single mother of two little boys, her time mostly consists of new adventures daily. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, binge watching Netflix or just exploring Cincinnati. It’s amazing what you’ll find if you just search. Beauty is everywhere, sometimes you just have to look hard to see it Paisley’s works range from Western to Contemporary with a country music twist. She enjoys creating and bringing her characters to life, completely immersing herself in their world. Whether it’s perfecting a mannerism or creating the perfect scene, she’s completely engrossed in the task of making her characters her own and memorable. Look for more creative writing from Paisley in the future.

Book preview

Chapter One

The line for Tequila Cowboy was long, but Kadee and her best friend, Piper, marched right up to the front of the queue. They knew the band, and their names were on the list, not to mention they both frequented the bars on Broadway enough, the bouncers knew them by their first name. It didn’t matter how many times they’d done it, that feeling of excitement took over as everyone in line looked at them with envy. As they entered, neon signs flashed and lit up the place, welcoming her like a hug from a family member. Kadee’s heart warmed and beat a little faster in her chest. As she surveyed the crowded room, Piper tugged her arm and pulled her toward the bar.

Mark! We need beer! Piper called to the bartender.

Why do you have to be so mean to him? Kadee asked.

It’s not mean! You want a beer, right?

Yeah.

All right then, sit back and watch me work my magic. Piper turned back to the bar as Mark approached with two beers.

She watched as Piper leaned over the counter and spoke to him softly.

On the house! he told them as he set the beers on the bar.

See you later, Mark. Piper winked at him before she turned to hit the dance floor.

What did you tell him?

Piper smiled her wicked smile.

Kadee exhaled. Never mind. I don’t want to know.

Holding her best friend’s hand, she followed Piper into the heart of the crowd. When she seemed happy with their location in the midst of all the gyrating bodies, they started swaying to the rhythm until she glanced in her direction.

What is wrong with you? Piper stopped dancing.

Nothing. Why?

Oh come on, Kadee! Loosen up! We’re officially seniors!

I know, I know. That last Chemistry III exam was insane. I don’t think I passed.

"We are not talking about school right now! You need to cut loose, have some fun. You have a week before your internship begins! Enjoy it!"

You’re right. I’m going to have fun tonight! Kadee said with a newfound confidence.

Good! Now be a doll and run and fetch us another round.

She finished her drink and went to the bar to get two more beers. While she waited, a guy sitting beside her at the bar glanced over. Kadee knew he was checking her out.

See something you like? Kadee asked.

Maybe. He smiled.

Well keep looking. I’m not interested. Piper’s sauciness was rubbing off on her.

Kadee went to pay the bartender, but the guy handed over a twenty and told him to keep the change.

Interested now? he asked.

It’s going to take more than you buying me one drink to pique my interest.

Kadee took a minute to look at the guy. He was dressed in a suit. It looked expensive and hugged his body in all the right places, as if it were tailored just for him. His hair appeared dark in the lighting of the club, but she felt sure it was lighter. He had a five o’clock shadow, and when she looked deep into his green eyes something inside her warmed. When he stood to pay the bartender he towered over her.

What would it take to pique your interest?

A guy that’s not wearing a suit in a bar. Kadee joked. And a few more of these wouldn’t hurt. She smiled, gestured to the beers and turned to go back to Piper.

Hey! It’s Armani!

Kadee laughed a little. That doesn’t mean anything to me. She smiled and moved to find Piper.

She felt a hand on her arm and turned back around to see the guy.

I’m Carter.

It’s nice to meet you, Carter, but my friend is waiting on her drink.

She spun to leave, but felt his hand on her arm again.

I didn’t catch your name.

That’s because I didn’t give it to you.

Kadee flashed a mischievous smile back at him before moving through the crowd to find Piper. As she concentrated on not spilling their beer, she recited her rules to herself.

Number one, no picking guys up in bars. Number two, no one-night stands. Number three, no relationships. Number four, study and stay focused, and number five, don’t fall in love.

There were more, but these were the important ones. She had to remind herself because of the warm feeling spreading over her body at the sight of Carter. She was pretty sure that he was trouble for her.

There you are! I was wondering if you got lost. What took you so long? Piper snapped.

Some guy at the bar was trying to pick me up.

Was he hot?

Leave it to you to ask if he was hot.

Well, I know your rules about picking guys up in bars, but maybe you’re going to break them tonight?

That’s the last thing I need right now. Kadee said as she started dancing with Piper.

She wasn’t a virgin or anything, and she had one or two one-night stand notches on her belt. That was why she had the rules. Those lapses happened in her freshman year, and since then she’d learned her lesson and stuck to the rules. So far they were working well for her.

Kadee shrugged her shoulders and they sipped their beers for a second before starting to dance again. After they had downed both of them, Piper went for another round, while Kadee danced to the music of the house band, Renegade. Every now and again she would look up at the lead singer who also happened to be a close friend. She met Noah in her freshman year at Tennessee University. He was a junior with a band who needed groupies, and that is exactly what Piper and Kadee became. They went to a few of his gigs and she fell in love with his music. It was country, but with a rock feel, and his voice was like velvet. It just felt good to listen to. Ever since then, she tried to make it to most of his gigs. Tonight was no different. She caught his eye and he winked.

Kadee envied him a little. He graduated and was now doing what he loved. Granted, it was a little harder for him as an artist, but he was doing it. She grew up listening to country music. She also grew up with a crazy family. Needless to say, she spent a lot of time alone listening to her father’s old records of Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley and Waylon Jennings. Those were amongst her favorites and the list went on forever. It had been such an intricate part of her childhood, the country music industry was the only place she wanted to work.

Earlier in the year, Kadee applied for several summer internships. She heard back from a few, but she chose Compass Records. It was one of the largest and oldest labels in Nashville and she would begin her internship in just over a week. Butterflies danced in her stomach just thinking about it. She smiled at Noah just as Piper walked up with their next round.

A guy named Carter just tried to give me fifty bucks for your name.

Please tell me you didn’t.

Hey fifty bucks is fifty bucks. Piper smiled.

"Piper!"

Relax, I told him that if he wanted your name then he needed to ask you himself.

Thanks. That’s the last thing I need right now with my internship starting in a week.

Yeah, right! I know you want to run your hands over his those broad shoulders of his. I can see it in your face! Her friend teased.

Kadee blushed. She couldn’t deny she had been thinking about him, because she was more attracted to him than she cared to admit. He was good looking, and yeah, she wanted the opportunity to run her hands over those broad shoulders and just feel him beneath her hands, but that couldn’t happen. No. That couldn’t happen.

Look at you! You like him!

It can’t happen! Just leave it alone.

Without warning someone pressed their body against her backside. Startled, she whirled around and stared into a broad expanse of chest. She raised her gaze to his face. It was Carter.

She shook her head. You just won’t give up, will you?

One dance, and if you’re still not intrigued I’ll leave you alone. Besides, I bought you and your friend another round, Kadee.

Kadee looked at him for a second before smiling. So Piper had taken the fifty bucks.

All right. Only because you bought us another drink.

She downed what was left of her beer before taking the new one for her and Piper.

Hey, Carter! Piper called to him. I told you the drink thing would work!

Kadee glared at Piper but started to laugh when she stuck out her tongue at her.

Thanks, bestie! Kadee said sarcastically.

She totally needs this. Piper winked at her.

It’s one dance. Kadee confirmed as she studied Carter, her stomach flip-flopping as he gazed back at her.

We’ll see. Carter smiled as he pulled her close. Her hand found his hip and together they danced to the music. Once the song was over they danced to another.

I thought it was one dance? Carter said as he looked down at her.

Okay. You got me! I’m officially intrigued. Kadee smiled.

One song turned to two songs. Kadee couldn’t help but enjoy his eyes on her or the way his body felt against hers as they danced together. Their skin brushed and Kadee’s skin tingled there. She liked the way her body tucked into his and the way his arms went around her when her back was against him. Most of all, she liked that she was having fun with him. They danced until Renegade’s set was over and a new band came on.

Do you want to get out of here? Carter asked, leaning into Kadee.

She bit her lip as she contemplated her rules and what it would mean if she left with him. She imagined her hands running over his bare chest. Follow the rules, Kadee! She’d never been this attracted to a guy before. If she left, it didn’t mean that she was going to sleep with him. She could just hang out with him for a little bit and then leave. She couldn’t help but think if she didn’t, she would regret it for a long time.

She looked up into his green eyes and nodded. She told herself she would only hang out for a little bit before heading back to the dorm. After all, she was moving off campus tomorrow and she needed to be home at a decent hour. She decided that would be her excuse. She couldn’t be too tired or she would hear about it from Piper.

Just let me tell Piper. Kadee turned to find her friend, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Kadee pulled out her cell phone and sent her a text. Heading out. See you later. Kadee.

She slid her phone back into the front pocket of her jeans and turned back to Carter.

Ready? he asked.

What was she doing? Her head screamed not to agree, but her heart told her something else completely. Her heart pushed her toward Carter and before she could say no, the words slipped from her mouth.

I’m all yours.

Carter took her hand in his and led her out the front entrance. People were still lined up to get into the club, and the sidewalk was loud with their talking and laughing. Music from other bars could be heard all up and down Broadway.

Where to? Carter queried.

I don’t know. You’re the one who asked me if I wanted to get out of there. Kadee laughed.

I’m kind of new in town.

How new?

I’ve only been here a few weeks.

That would explain the suit. Did you come straight to the bar from work?

He nodded and she smiled at him.

Well, how about we go get some ice cream?

We could go to my hotel instead?

Or we could go get ice cream. Kadee said, trying to make it clear that she had no intentions of getting into his bed tonight.

Or we could go get some ice cream. I’ve never had ice cream this late, but I’m game, Carter said.

* * * *

Carter still couldn’t believe she agreed to leave with him. He honestly expected her to turn him down. He thought they’d be heading to his hotel about now, but instead he was getting ice cream.

He left work stressed-out from trying to learn the ropes at his family’s record label. It was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. It just didn’t work. He’d been working at it for weeks, and felt like he would never understand the country music industry. He would never understand what drew people to Nashville. Why they’d come from all over the world to sing in a bar that reeked of smoke, for years at a time, to never be signed, to never go anywhere with their life. The few who actually got a record deal had a three percent chance of having their single make it to number one on the chart. The whole industry seemed jaded. Carter was growing to hate it, and some of the artists at the label were growing to hate it as well. He was ready to pack his bag and head back home to New Orleans.

He looked at Kadee and wondered if June, his assistant, had picked up on his mood before he left. She was the one who suggested he hit Broadway.

Carter had been sitting at the bar for an hour when Kadee came up with her friend Piper. He watched as Piper demanded the drinks and actually got them on the house. A woman like that demanded a man’s attention and she was getting it from all the guys around her. Carter watched as all attention focused on her until she shifted and he caught a glimpse of Kadee. At first glance, she looked like your average girl, but then her big, dark-brown eyes met his and for the first time in a long time, he was interested in a woman. He wasn’t sure what it was about her, but she was definitely reeling him in. He watched as she and Piper disappeared on to the crowded dance floor. He sat there for a while, drinking his beer, trying to shake those brown eyes from his mind until she came up beside him to order a drink.

Carter had fended off a few girls trying to pick him up throughout the night. By the glances they gave him, they knew who he was and that he had money. Gold diggers had a look to them and Carter had familiarized himself with it. The truth was, he could have his pick of girls, but not Kadee. She was feisty. He had always been a pro at getting names yet she eluded him. Carter enjoyed a challenge, and that could be why he was so attracted to her. She was a challenge, and now he was heading to an ice cream parlor at eleven o’clock at night, instead of going back to his hotel. Because giving her best friend fifty dollars to get her name, and buying her drinks all night just to dance with her wasn’t enough for him. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to know about her, and that intrigued him a lot.

Chapter Two

Kadee led Carter toward Mike’s Ice Cream Parlor with a feeling of excitement in her stomach. She was pretty sure that it was due to two things. The hot guy walking beside her and the fact that she was breaking her rules. Stealing a glance at him, she noticed the same smile on his face that was plastered to hers. A few minutes later, they reached the small shop. As she imagined, Mike’s was pretty busy.

My head is still spinning that this place is open so late. New Orleans is missing out.

Well, you’re in for a treat.

They were the next in line and Kadee knew the attendant.

Hey, Kadee!

Hey, Shawn!

Did you see Noah’s band tonight? A couple people stopped by and said they were on fire.

How could I miss it?

Do you want your usual?

Of course, oh and whatever Carter wants. Kadee turned to Carter.

I’ll have whatever she’s having, Carter said clearly feeling a little uncomfortable.

He faced her. It seems there are a lot of people into your buddy’s band.

Noah’s? Yeah, I’ve been following him for the last couple of years. I guess you could say that I’m a groupie.

You don’t seem like the groupie type.

I don’t? You met me in a bar known for groupies. You know that, right? Kadee asked.

I’m new around here.

That’s becoming more and more obvious. Kadee giggled a little.

Kadee. The attendant got their attention and handed their cones over to them.

Rainbow Sherbet? Carter asked.

Of course!

Kadee went to pay, but Carter pushed her hand out the way and handed the attendant a twenty. It was the umpteenth time that he’d paid for her tonight and she wasn’t sure what to make of it.

You keep surprising me, Carter said as he gestured to a corner booth.

Is that good or bad?

It’s good, I think. He grinned at her before taking her hand.

They sat eating their ice cream in silence for a moment until Kadee caught Carter staring at her.

What? Do I have ice cream on my face? she asked.

No. He shook his head as he smiled.

What? I can’t take it.

You’re even more beautiful in the light.

"You’re going there?" Kadee joked.

I did go there, didn’t I? I’m a little out of practice here.

Well, I’ll just pretend that you didn’t say that. Okay?

Thanks. So, do you live around here?

Kadee looked into his green eyes. She didn’t know anything about the guy sitting across from her, but she wanted to know more and that scared her. Why hadn’t she just followed her rules?

I’m officially a senior at Tennessee University. I’m moving off campus tomorrow though. Did you transfer to TU?

Oh no, I graduated from Tulane last spring. I came here to help with the family business.

Family Business? Kadee asked as she licked her cone.

My family owns a small record label here in Nashville. My father wants me to run it for a while, you know, learn the ropes, eventually take over completely.

"Nice. Talk about