When everything clicks together, his mouth drops open in shock. He walks up to where I stand and looks at the map I’m holding.
“These are all my tour stops.” Ripping the map out of my hands, he grips my arms tightly in his hold. “Are you traveling around with me?” My boyfriend looks at me with hope. He eyes me with longing as a smile slowly lifts his face. “You are traveling with me!” he exclaims.
I let out anoofwhen he yanks my body into his. You know those movies where the guy spins the girl around in happiness? That’s us right now. My arms are wound around his neck. He spins us around in a circle as I laugh up at the ceiling.
“My day couldn’t have gotten any better than this.” His plump lips kiss my entire face, and I wrap my legs around his waist.
“So, I take it, you like the idea of having a new travel buddy? Hate to inform you, even if you don’t, you’re stuck with me,” I tease him with a smirk.
He sends me a smirk of his own. “Damn, how do you think I should tell you I’m dreading all the long plane rides and the endless nights of sleepovers and cookie-making parties?”
How is it possible that this guy can make my heart flutter with one sentence?
“Be gentle. I’m pretty sensitive at the moment.”
“Oh yeah, I’d better buy you some chocolate—but dark because that’s your favorite,” his husky voice whispers against my lips.
“The darker, the better.”
My lips brush against his. Every word that leaves my mouth teases his lips, making him crave me. Our lips connect in the most toe-curling kiss I’ve ever experienced. Every stroke his tongue makes against mine isn’t filled with lust. It’s love. He shows me with his mouth how it feels to be loved.
This is a feeling I’ll never get used to. I hope the butterflies in my belly never go away.
As we pull apart, I tell him all the information Mom informed me about. To say he’s happy is an understatement. He’s ecstatic.
* * *
I watch behind the scenes as the triplets make an apology video due to the unfortunate shooting that occurred. I keep my gaze on Leonidas. He sits in the middle of Elijah and Amelia. The two of them do most of the talking.
These three people are incredible. I’m so glad they came into my life.
After they finish filming, the crew takes it to edit. Justin, X3’s agent, notifies the three that it will air tomorrow morning. The triplets just nod their heads and keep quiet.
I had my first interaction with the triplets’ dad while they filmed. The frown he sent my way made me want to shrivel up. He’s not happy that I’m joining them on tour, the band was brutally honest with me once he left the room. I couldn’t care less what he wants. He’s a horrible father. The triplets informed me he wasn’t even concerned for them after the shooting. Nothing. No emotion.
Leonidas’s body is stiff. He glares ahead of him. Amelia’s fingers pick at her jean shorts nervously, and Elijah’s face is pale. He looks like he’s about to throw up everything that’s in his stomach. With help from Elijah, Amelia stands up on one foot. I watch her as she leaves the room with her brother. My frown deepens.
An hour after the triplets film the video, Leonidas and I cuddle in the family room.
“I’ve been thinking about something,” Leonidas says suddenly into the silence.
My head rests against his chest as we lounge on the couch.
“Uh-oh, that’s never good,” I joke and squeal when he tickles my side.
He shakes his head. “Anyway, I was thinking about what you said—”
I cut in, “I talk a lot. You need to be clearer.”
“I was just getting to that!” A beautiful smile lifts his face.
I place my hands up in surrender. “Okay, mister, talk.”
“You told me to stop running, to face my fears head-on because they control my life. One fear that constantly runs through my mind is you.” He pauses when he sees my frown. “That sounded bad. What I meant to say is, how the world would react if they knew about you. Having a fan base can be a blessing, but a curse at the same time. They’ll make you feel worthless.”
Thanks for that, Captain Obvious. Where is he going with this exactly?
“I want to make you proud of me. I want to show you I’m worthy of you. I’m done running. I want the world to see the face of the woman who has my heart. What do you say?”
