Once they were back in the car, Joy had leaned over and hugged him. “Thank you,” she’d whispered against his ear. She’d kissed his cheek, buckled up, then crashed hard. She’d slept the rest of the way, and during those dark hours Dylan had strung together another verse to the song Joy inspired. His songwriting inspiration came from others. It was how he wrote, observing, interacting. Personal experience made its way into his lyrics every so often. But for the most part other people enticed him more, and right now that person was Joy. He loved the way she moved with a quirky gracefulness and how she talked as much with her hands as her voice. And he was especially transfixed by what she was hiding, whatever that was. He wanted to unfold the mystery of her.

He watched the rise and fall of her chest. He watched her eyes twitch. And he watched her. He wanted to thank her for being his muse. He wanted to return her kiss, a lingering of lips on her neck, just under her ear. He wanted to do so many other things to her, too.

He lightly grazed the backs of his fingers down her cheek. So soft. The engagement ring on her finger glittered under the parking lights and he froze.

What the hell was he doing?

She was committed.

He pulled back his hand and stared hard at the ring, a large square-cut diamond bordered by two emerald-cut diamonds. Diamonds dazzled around the entire circumference. It was too much, not at all the style suitable for this woman he was coming to know. She should have something less complicated and more tastefully designed. Joy wasn’t the type of woman who needed to be flashy to get noticed, and it pissed him off that what’s-his-face didn’t get that about her.

As if Dylan knew her. He didn’t know her at all. What she did with her life and how she lived it and with whom after their trip wasn’t his concern.

Though he secretly did wish he could learn more about her. She never talked about—What was his name?—ah, Mark. Dylan didn’t know how they’d met or how long they’d been together. He didn’t know how long she’d been engaged and when she planned to marry. Had a date been set?

They’d been driving together for hours. Strange how she hadn’t mentioned Mark much. He’d think a woman engaged wouldn’t be able to shut up about her fiancé.

He gently nudged Joy. She stirred and slowly opened her eyes, looking around. “Where are we?” She yawned.

“Hotel Albuquerque.” He got out of the car, grabbed his stuff from the back seat and Joy’s bag from the trunk, and met her at her door. She stumbled from the car and took her bag from him. “I’m so tired.”