She gestures round the plane. ‘Being super rich and famous and having all of this at your fingertips.’
I wink to show I’m joking. ‘Don’t forget super-talented too. And I’m not just talking about my voice.’ My hand instinctively falls to her thigh. The need to touch her all the time is overwhelming.
‘And vain too.’ She laughs, then takes a sip of the liquid.
‘If my memory serves me correctly, it was you who always used to say confidence is the most attractive trait in a man.’
‘True.’ She shrugs, her lips curling into a coy smile.
There’s no doubt about it, Sasha is about to see another side to me. It’s actually funny she’s never seen it before because it’s the only side I show the rest of the world.
Talking her hand, I press my lips to the back of it. ‘You tell me, sweetheart. What does it feel like? Because you too are super rich, and the second the media works out who you are, you’re about to become super famous too.’ She flinches at that comment, but I continue anyway.
‘And all of this’ – I motion around us – ‘is at your fingertips now too.’
‘I’m terrified and excited in equal measures.’ She takes another sip of whiskey. Impressively, she doesn’t so much as flinch at the burn.
‘You’re going to love it.’ A man can only hope. Because if she doesn’t, there’s no way I can break the news to Jayden I’m moving back to Ireland to live a simple life. I scoff internally. There’s nothing simple about living in a fucking castle. Especially if it means giving up the success I worked so hard for. When Victoria goes to college maybe Sasha will consider moving Stateside for a while. Especially now the estate is financially secure.
‘So, your house is in LA… will we have time to go there?’ She tucks a glossy strand of hair between her ear.
‘Not this time. It’s about two hundred and fifty miles away from where we need to be. Unless you want to stay an extra night and I can change the flight schedule?’ I’d love to show her my place. Though I gave Mrs Garcia the month off, she’d probably come in for a few hours to get the place ready for us.
‘I’d love to, but I feel bad enough already. I don’t want to take the piss. It’s such a busy time of year at the castle.’
‘Early in the new year then.’
She nods but her expression isn’t exactly convincing. ‘What about Christmas? Where are you spending it?’
Jerking the glass from my mouth, my lips curl downwards. ‘Is that a joke?’
‘No. I, ah.’ She swallows thickly. ‘It’s just you never said what happens after the ball, I didn’t want to assume…’
Cupping her chin, I tilt until her gaze meets mine. ‘Christmas is the time of year to be with loved ones, isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, I love you. So that’s it sorted.’
‘You’ll stay at the castle for Christmas?’ Her voice is a triumphant shriek.
‘Of course. I mean, I’ll have to give you a present, right?’
A dirty snigger slips from her tongue. ‘I don’t mind if it’s something I’ve already seen before.’
My mouth instinctively lunges for hers. ‘That’s a given.’ But I’m going to buy her something phenomenal too. Something I should have bought her years ago.
Within seconds, she pulls back like she’s just thought of something. ‘So where is home for the next few days?’
‘We’re staying in the Nobu Penthouse at Caesars Palace. It’s amazing, I’ve stayed there a couple of times. You’re going to love it.’
She looks down at the jeans she’s wearing, and a tiny frown pinches her eyebrows. ‘I don’t think I’m appropriately dressed for that kind of place, Ryan. I know I’m only twenty-eight but some days I feel positively ancient. Like, I can barely remember the last time I got dolled up to actually go out anywhere. I’ve been rocking the same little black dress for years. I’ve never really had the need to buy much else…’
Her forlorn expression is fucking adorable. ‘I love that black dress. Though I love it more when it’s up round your waist, or better yet, on the floor.’
Pulling out my phone, I type a quick email to Angela, my PA, asking her to schedule an appointment for us at the Bellagio. I’m going to take my girl shopping. It’s the least I can do. I want to ruin her. She deserves to be spoiled.
Angela’s staying at The Colosseum to deal with the press and publicity aspects of my concerts.
