Midnight Diamonds by Cynthia Hampton

“Go to sleep or go away.”
    Silver snuggled back down under the covers and tried to go back to sleep, but her mind raced around the tribal drums beating inside her skull. Last night had been such a spontaneous experience. She thought about the dinner and the ride home…and Justin’s lips on her neck. And how she’d wanted more.
    But I don’t like cowboys, she reminded herself. I don’t like their hats or their shoes or their tight jeans. Or their deep, sexy voices and soft lips. Maybe I do like their tight jeans. I kind of like the smelly hat a little bit. I definitely liked the lips.
    If only he played classical or jazz or something more refined. Something…better.
    Too bad she didn’t want to date a cowboy.
    But you had a date with him last night , a tiny voice pressed.
    No, she reassured herself, not a date. Just an encounter. A small blip that amounted to nothing. A brief study in the irony of life.
    When had she become such a liar, especially to herself?
    Why not be honest? It had nothing to do with cowboys. She was scared to death of being hurt again. Of having her heart shattered and of being a disappointment…again. Her mother had adored Chase Richards and blamed her for breaking off the engagement.
    Silver shook her head as she remembered the argument with her mother. Amelia Madison wanted her daughter married to a professional man, maybe a lawyer, or a doctor, or Prince Harry. “William is taken, but you could still be a princess.” The woman had been serious, and their conversation had descended into accusations and anger. Six months had gone by and not a word from Amelia. No apology. No “how are you?” Nothing.
    Her head brutally reminded her of its agony, so Silver slipped out of bed and grabbed some clean clothes. She eased past the sofa and tiptoed down the hall to the bathroom. After taking a quick shower, she dropped her wet towel in the clothes hamper, brushed her teeth, and dragged a wide-toothed comb through her long hair. Then she located the aspirin bottle. Shaking out two of the pills, she decided on an aggressive assault and shook out a third.
    Making her way to the kitchen, she reveled in the quiet house. Early morning stillness rejuvenated a person like nothing else could.
    She glanced toward the sofa to see Justin still asleep.
    As much as she liked seeing him in her house, she hoped no one found out. Silver shuddered to think about how the GaGa school board would react if they knew she’d let a man sleep in her house. Their strict rules about teacher behavior, on and off the campus, were a little old-fashioned, but gave very little room for interpretation, and the school had enough to deal with right now.
    The last thing she wanted was a man in her life adding noise and confusion. Having this type of life was fine. Lonely sometimes, but she could always find someone to be with once in a while. It didn’t have to be anything more than two consenting adults enjoying each other. Right?
    Moving around the kitchen, Silver turned on her coffee maker and reached for a mug while the machine warmed up. She should wake Justin. Surely he had things to do and people to call. After all, the man had been nominated for Best New Artist last night and had a Nashville agent ready to talk.
    She dropped in a K-cup and started the brew. So many things to figure out. Connie’s words…the Amelia situation…why her hands shook with desire every time she glanced toward the sofa where Justin slept.
    Silver rubbed her forehead and picked up the hot cup of coffee. She didn’t have the energy for puzzles right now.
    Sitting at the kitchen table and holding her head until the aspirin kicked in sounded like a much better idea.
     
    * * *
     
     
    Justin’s eyes opened slowly to bright sunlight on his face. He squinted and sat up as he sniffed the aroma of freshly brewed coffee—and something unpleasant—while running a hand through his hair.
    Where was he?
    Memories came rushing back as he stretched his