I grip her hips so tightly I’m afraid I’ll bruise her.
Then, I release. Pouring myself into her. Giving her every part of me.
I breathe hard against her neck. Her hair tickles my cheek and nose, following my breath. Her skin is damp with perspiration. Chest rising and falling, face flushed as a rose.
I grip her fiercely because she’s a part of me now. Whatever happens, she’ll always be.
“Was that okay?” I ask.
She lifts her head. Then, drops it back as if there’s no strength left in her.
“No,” she pants. “That wasn’t okay.”
I count the spaces between her breaths like a metronome.
“That was amazing. Mind blowing.” She tips her head toward me now, stroking my beard. “You asked if I would be okay with never going to the music festival?”
I arch an eyebrow.
“I’d be okay with never leaving this room.”
I chuckle, something breaking loose behind my chest as I lean forward and take her mouth again.
“Me, too.”
I lie on my back, pulling her against my chest and savoring the feel of her hair like silk between my fingers. Her breath regulates to mine. Her heartbeat, too.
Or maybe it’s the other way around.
Timing.
Essential to music.
Locked between us now.
“What are you thinking?” I finally ask, staring down at her.
“That you have very talented fingers. Not just for music.”
“Oh, yeah?” I growl, play biting her neck.
She giggles, raising up on one elbow to look me in the face. Her fingertips dance over my chest. Ripples of pleasure wash through me.
“How’s that for the cadenza?” I ask.
But then her face goes timid, her eyes looking away. “The one you wrote for her?” she asks in low tones.
I wrap my fingers in her hair, drawing her mouth to mine. In the moment before our lips touch, I stare into her eyes, correcting, “The cadenza you wrote. The one that rewrote me.”
Ours, now.
Her eyes pool, face softening. She bites her bottom lip.
“What is it, Ivy?”
“It’s just…” Her voice trails off. “For as long as I’ve wanted you, I always knew you wanted someone else.”
I bring my hand to her cheek, urging her to look at me. “You’re jealous?” I ask gently.
