“Yes… okay.” She continues to pack, but a flicker of uncertainty flashes across her face.
I start pacing again, with that feeling of things crawling beneath my skin irritating me once more. “Once she clears her name, she stays,” I demand, my voice laced with authority and a hint of impatience and clear agitation.
“Distance is best right now, Danger,” Luke responds.
Lunar nods, wiping tears from her face, a small sob escaping her.
I step forward, enveloping her in my arms, and she holds me tightly, falling into my embrace.
My nose dips into her hair, just needing to be wrapped up in her. I hold her as tight as fucking possible while she cries into my chest.
“I’m gonna go. Give you time to say your goodbyes. I am sorry, Lunar,” Luke offers before ending the call.
Lunar’s hot tears feel like acid against my bare chest—our entire world is collapsing around us. This woman is my muse. My light. My world. The thought of her not being with me leaves me feeling cold, but I need to be strong for her and for myself.
“Once it settles down, you can come back. I’m sure of it. It won’t be long… a week, possibly two at most.”
She nods, looking up at me with her lashes wet, her eyes red, and her cheeks blotchy. “I’ll miss you.”
My chest squeezes as I bring my hand up, caressing her wet cheek. “I’ll miss you, too, baby.”
She looks away from me. “I’m so sorry I spoke to that woman. I had no idea who she was, and that’s on me. I shouldn’t have said anything. God, I’m so fucking stupid!”
“It’s not your fault. I should have warned you. People asking questions are there for a reason, and it’sneverto help you. They always put a spin on it to sell papers.”
“Still, if I didn’t give her my full name, then she wouldn’t have been able to find out anything about me.Why did I do that?I’m normally so smart.”
I grip her chin, forcing her to look up at me. “Youaresmart. You got caught in a moment. We can andwillfix this.”
She sighs and slips out of my hold to get dressed. While she continues packing, I stand back and watch—there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. I’m utterly fucking powerless. My world is shifting, and I detest it. Who knows what the press will do to her when she’s out there on her own?
I fucking hate this shit.
She finishes and straightens her luggage, ready to leave. Her large, doe-like eyes, brimming with tears, are watching me intently. She understands, as I do, that this might not be fixed in a week or two.
This could be it for us.
“I guess I’ll see you ’round,” she whispers, barely audible as she walks back to me.
I reach out to her, grabbing her hand and pulling her to me. “You mean so much to me,” I admit, and she half smiles.
“I know. You do to me too.”
Leaning forward, I press my lips to hers. My tongue slides into Lunar’s mouth, taking full advantage of what little time I have left with her. Who knows when orifI’ll see her again? She’s been a significant part of my life so far, and I want Lunar to know that I cherish her in every way. So I show her, forcing my body against hers and pressing my hard cock into her thigh. She moans into my mouth, and I wish I could get her out of her clothes and back into bed. But I know she needs to go to Luke, and that thought kills the mood.
She pulls back and wipes fresh tears from her face. “Thank you… for everything.”
“This isnotgoodbye,” I tell her, truly believing it.
She nods, bringing her hand up to caress my cheek. I lean into her palm, needing to feel her touch. “Keep rocking it like the rock god you are. Don’t spiral. You can do this. I believe in you!”
Looking into her eyes, I see strength and determination shining back at me, so I nod. “Don’t stop talking to me.”
Lunar steps back. “I better…” She trails off, looking toward the door.
“Yeah, can’t keep Master Luke waiting, I suppose.”
She exhales, heading toward her luggage, and hoists her handbag over her shoulder.
