“Do you think she’ll actually abide by that?”Her brow furrowing.“She’s a reporter.Isn’t this the kind of thing they live for.”She chuffs.“Whoever breaks the story about your little love child will be hitting paydirt.”
“Cherry’s the best.”I reassure her, lowering a wiggling Larkin to the floor so she can crawl around.“We have kick-ass lawyers.She wouldn’t allow something that she thinks would harm the band or any of us in it.”
“Okay.”She sighs, getting up to redirect Larkin away from a cabinet in the kitchen.“If you trust her, then I have too as well.”
“This chick did a number on me when I crashed and burned last tour.”The confession, one that doesn’t come easily due to the nature of its occurrence.“When I thought you had ghosted me, and I went a little too wild-child.”
“So why is Cherry letting her go on tour with the band then?”General concern in her tone.
“Four grammy’s and album of the year.”I scoff with a shrug.“We’re the biggest rock band in the world right now.We need to redeem ourselves to the magazine and their following, and apparently this is how we do it.”
“Personally, I think it sucks.”A hand on her hip as she expresses her opinion.
I throw my head back as I laugh, loving that she’s on the same page as me.“We’ll make it work.I’m not going to let anyone near you or Larkin.”
She lowers her body to sit cross-legged on the floor to play with Larkin.She’s a really good mom.I know I’ve only seen her in action for a week, but it’s so obvious in how she is with her.I watch them as they interact, my heart growing fuller than I could have ever dreamed, and I know that I will do anything to keep them safe.
“I’m falling in love with you.”It’s out there before I even realize I’ve said it out loud, her head whipping up, her eyes locking onto mine.
“Luc.”Her response a mere whisper as a hand covers her mouth.
“I don’t expect you to say it back.”I rush out, leaning forward, resting my elbows on my knees as I place my hands under my chin.“I just want you to know that this isn’t something trivial for me.It’s real.More fucking real than anything I’ve ever felt before.”
She blinks several times, and I realize it’s because tears are brimming in her eyes.She looks down, brushing them away before they can fall.
“Shit.”I drop down onto my knees on the floor to get closer to her.“I’m sorry.I shouldn’t have said anything.”
She shakes her head, then looks over at me, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.“I’m happy, Luc, not sad.”She sniffles, handing a toy to Larkin before continuing.
“I wondered so many times who Larkin’s father was.Hated that I couldn’t remember.Hated that I didn’t know if I would ever find out.”She lets out a small chuckle.“And now that I know-” She breathes out a long sigh.“I’m so relieved.You could have been anyone.I mean, I didn’t expect her dad to be a famous rockstar, that’s for sure.”She laughs again.“You’re kind.And you care.And you want the best for her, for us.”
“But-” I urge, because I can feel it coming.
“You’re a rockstar.You’re famous.You have this reputation for being a player.”She winces as she explains.“I may have googled you.”
“That was before you.Before I knew about Larkin.”I defend the later, knowing I can’t do anything about the famous rockstar part.
“I know, I know.”She frowns.“Luc, your gorgeous.Like, really, really hot as hell kind of good looking.”She waves a hand up and down the length of my body.“How could I not want you?I think it’s pretty obvious in case you couldn’t tell after the last few times you kissed me.”
She glances down at Larkin, who’s playing with some blocks, then hisses out.“If she wasn’t here right now, I’d be climbing you like a tree.”
“So, what’s the problem then?”I urge, because there’s a reason she’s holding back but I don’t understand what it is.
“That is the problem.”She declares, like it should be obvious.
“I don’t understand.”My head tilting in confusion.
“Luc, I need to know my feelings for you aren’t going to be based on how I’m going to feel by F-U-C-K-I-N-G you.Because, I have no doubt it would be amazing.”
She actually spells the word out.Which makes me chuckle, even though this is a serious conversation and one we need to have.
“I can tell you from past experience that it will be.”I grumble, not because I’m angry, but because I know what she’s saying is true.I have two years of unrequited memories that tell me what I feel for her is more than lust.Two years that she doesn’t have privy to because of her accident.
I scoot closer to her and take her hand in mine.“I didn’t say the words to scare you or rush you.Take all the time you need.Just know, I’m in it.One thousand percent.If that’s what you decide you want from me.”
“Thank you.”She breathes, squeezing her fingers in mine.
“To be clear though, I’m completely fine if you just want to use my really, really hot body and climb me like a tree.”I quirk a devilish smile at her.
