He’s quiet on the ride home, and I willingly give him his space. But once we make it back to the house, I can’t hold it in any longer.
“Why are you so upset?”
“Because Jack’s an asshole, that’s why. The only reason he’s pushing this is because he’s a money hungry fucker who wants to exploit me as much as he can.”
That thought doesn’t sit well with me at all. I can’t stand the thought of someone taking advantage of him like that. “Why don’t you get rid of him?”
“Weren’t you listening? I’m under contract. And the last thing I need right now is a legal battle on my hands.”
“I’m sorry, I’m just trying to help.”
He remains silent.
“I still don’t understand why you’re so angry. Isn’t that what you love to do most? Touring and performing?”
He shakes his head, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “You don’t understand. I love performing. I love my fans and that connection I feel with them when I’m on stage, there’s nothing like it. But the road is filled with miles and miles of loneliness. And it’s just too fuckin’ hard sometimes. And now that I have you, I don’t wanna live that life anymore.”
“Linc, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
“But I do worry about you. Every day of my life. You’re all I thought about out there on the road. And now that some of those daydreams are coming true, I don’t want to give it up.”
“You can have both,” I tell him, circling my arms around his waist. “And you won’t be lonely. I have my laptop and you have a great imagination. We can do this. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this work.”
He lets go of a long sigh, content with my response. “I wish there was a way you could go with me.”
“We both know that’s not possible.”
“I know.”
“But maybe I could come to a show or two, and bring Caroline with me. She’d love that.”
“I would love that.” He kisses me but it’s not long before our tender kiss turns heated and we are shedding our clothes and falling into bed. His handsome face hovers mere inches above mine, complete love and adoration etched in the lines fanning his soft green eyes. I could stare into those eyes forever.
There is so much love there.
More than I could ever ask for and more than I will ever deserve.
His fingers skim my cheek, drawing a trail of fire down my neck. He slowly thrusts inside of me. Our bodies moving together as one while our eyes remain locked.
“Marry me,” he whispers upon my lips, and I catch the words in a deep kiss. My heart sings along with the blood rushing through my body.
His words do not require a response. He already knows my answer. I tell him with my mouth, my hands, and my body whom my heart belongs to. There is not an ounce of hesitation.
No need to think it through.
Married or not, I know without a doubt I will love this man with every breath of my being until the day I die.
Present
Bright sunlight filters in through the plantation blinds, rousing me from my peaceful sleep. Rolling over, I find the star of my sweet dreams lying on his stomach, hugging his pillow, three days’ worth of stubble covering his jaw as he snores lightly.
I smile to myself, slipping from the bed and reaching for one of his shirts.
Floating on a cloud of pure bliss, I make my way to the kitchen and start a pot of coffee then call my mother to speak to Caroline.
“Hey, sweet girl. How was your weekend?”
“Hi, Mom, it was great! We went to the movies and Nana took me to the bookstore.”
