Dahlia appears enthralled by the boisterous streets. Honks, construction sites, masses of people. A permanent buzz encompasses the city, the noise deafening. I couldn’t live in this cement jungle if you paid me to. But I also appreciate the anonymity.
“It’s so loud and crowded.” She pulls the window down. “And stinks.”
“I won’t lose you to the Big Apple then?” I arch a brow, the answer irrelevant because I’d fucking move here for her if I have to.
She wiggles her brows at me. “No, I’m more of a big banana girl.”
I throw my head back and laugh so wholeheartedly, for the moment, every single one of my troubles disappears from my mind.
“Fuck, baby girl. You’re everything.”So damn perfect. So damn mine.
She smiles brightly at me, and I interlace our fingers before lifting hers to pepper a kiss on the inside of her palm.
In front of Lincoln Center, the driver opens the door for us, and cameras assault our eyes. I shield her with my body as best as I can while people recognize her and chant her name.
She waves, continuing to smile as we slip inside, and I can finally relax.
“My knight in dark armor protecting me from the bad paparazzi.”
“No jokes about your safety, Dahlia.” My tone rings with gravity. Only thinking something could happen to her turns me into a fucking ballistic mess.
She must sense my urgency because she nods. “I understand. Thank you for always protecting me.”
“That’s my duty.”
She straightens my jacket lapels before we walk up the stairs and take our seats in our box.
Inside, she bends over the small balcony, her enthusiasm radiating off her as she takes everything in.
I sit down in the velvet seat and drag her down onto my lap, smirking.
While she enjoys the concert, I will enjoy her.
21
DAHLIA
Is this my life right now?I glance from him to the spectacular concert hall as the orchestra musicians take their places on the stage.
Music and him have been my two biggest loves. For most of my life, it felt like I would always yearn for one.
Emotions tug at my heartstrings, creating a soulful melody that plays on repeat in my chest, his masterful hands playing every heightened beat.
Secluded in the shadows, our love threatens to explode into fireworks, illuminating the night sky. It cannot be contained. Our love is beyond our control.
I embrace its addictive power, ignoring the possibility that it could destroy me.
He draws my chin to look at him, and I don’t want to mask my emotions. I’m exhausted from always hiding, only loving him from afar.
“Baby girl,” he rasps, that deep voice wrapping my heart in a warm blanket.
He brushes his lips against mine. I latch onto his kiss, wishing with all of me to freeze this moment while knowing it’simpossible. It feels like that’s all I’ll ever get—precious, stolen moments. Feeding on crumbs that will have to nurture my starved soul.
He nudges his face in the crook of my neck, running his nose up and down my sensitive skin, which flourishes with goose bumps. “Tell me what you desire most.”
Determination oozes from every letter. My lovely monster, who would shift the world off its axis to rearrange it into the one I want.
“You.”
