“You messed up, my darling girl,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
She lifted one eyebrow and cocked her head to the side in question.
“I’m afraid you’ve created an oral sex addict. Blow jobs are now my new best friend. You’re going to have to do that more often now. Alotmore often.”
She grinned and then dissolved into laughter. “And that’s a problem why?”
He groaned and then hugged her to him fiercely, burying his lips in her hair as he kissed her over and over.
“What did I ever do to deserve you?” he asked hoarsely. “I still wake up every morning and wonder if it was all just a dream. And then I look over at you, lying there in my arms, and I marvel at the fact that, not only are you very real, but you’re also mine.”
“I will always be yours for as long as you want me,” she said with absolute sincerity.
He held her there for several long minutes, neither disturbing the quiet. Then he sighed as if in regret.
“You should be practicing today, princess. Your recital is just a short time away.”
She lifted up so she could look at him. “I know, and I’m terrified. I’m so worried about panicking or just freezing on stage and having all those people stare at me while I sit there unable to perform.”
He squeezed her. “Not going to happen. You have incredible talent.”
“You’re going to be there, aren’t you?” she asked anxiously.
He smiled and leaned up to kiss her on the nose. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, princess.”
27
“Now?” Silas asked, making no effort to hide his irritation. “What the fuck? This can’t wait?”
Sitting beside him in the car, Hayley cast a curious look sideways at him. He had just picked her up from the school and had planned to take her to lunch and do as much as possible to get her mind off tonight’s performance. Now that wasn’t going to happen.
Goddamn it.
His lips thinned but he also knew he couldn’t ignore Drake’s summons. He’d said it was important and he was calling all his men in as soon as they could all get there.
He swore a blue streak over the phone, letting Drake know what he thought of his timing.
“Okay. I’ll be there, but I have to run Hayley home first.”
He tossed his cell phone into the center console and looked at Hayley, allowing his sincere regret to show in his expression.
“I’m sorry, princess. I’m not going to be able to make lunch. Drake called an important meeting. I have to get there as soon as I run you by the apartment.”
She smiled and reached over to squeeze his hand. “It’s all right,Silas. I’ll grab something to eat at home. I’m not sure I’m up to eating anyway, and I’d like to get in at least one more practice session before tonight’s performance.”
“Okay, but don’t leave the apartment without me. I’ll be back in time to take you to the concert hall. We’ll do dinner afterward to celebrate. Sound good?”
She flashed him another smile that had him precariously close to melting.
“I like that idea much better than eating before,” she said ruefully. “At least then I won’t worry about throwing up everywhere.”
Pride shone brightly in his eyes as he squeezed her hand in return. “You’re going to do great,” he said softly.
He drove faster than usual to his apartment and insisted on walking Hayley up before reminding her to set the locks behind him, and then he hurried back down, an intense scowl on his face because of the fucking meeting Drake had called. Now? Today of all days? He’d promised Hayley lunch and then he’d intended to spend the afternoon taking her mind off tonight’s performance. Whatever bug was up Drake’s ass, he better get over it before it was time for Hayley’s recital.
When he arrived at Impulse, the nightclub Drake owned, the other men were already present and Drake glanced up at Silas’s arrival in relief.
“What’s so urgent?” Silas demanded as he sank down into a chair close to where Drake was seated.
