Marc held him tighter. “Your body is just letting go of a lot of long-carried tension. But I’ve got you. You don’t need to pretend when you’re with me. I don’t expect you to be the rock star. You don’t have to twist into knots to deal with the bad things. I’m here, and I love you so fucking much. The real, beautiful you.”
Valon found his voice, even though it shook. “I know. That’s why I’m crying. I never thought I’d find you.”
The way Marc squeezed Valon against his chest slowly leached the poison that had been killing him. Every minute that passed in Marc’s hold was a minute closer to a flawless life.
A watery laugh escaped Valon. “Okay. I’m ready to face the day now.”
Marc chuckled against his shoulder. “You’ve already conquered me. Next step, the world.”
Valon smiled. “I’ve already done that. You’re my world.”
For a moment, total silence followed his words. It was like Valon had stolen Marc’s ability to talk or breathe. He sniffed. The sound melted Valon’s heart. Marc cleared his throat. “You make me believe I could have things I never thought I would. I gave up on a lot a long time ago. You have no idea how much you feel like a miracle to me.”
Valon had no idea why Marc felt that way, but he was happy that it seemed like they were saving each other. “I think I want to work on a new song today.”
Marc kissed his neck. “We should get ready, then. Let’s leave this mess we’ve made for the cleaning crew and get downstairs to your studio.”
Valon chuckled as he rolled and stole a quick kiss. “I love this plan.” While they used one of the record label’s studios for recording, Valon had his own for creating and perfecting new music. Marc made him want to create again. For that alone, he could marry the guy.
There was no describing the way Marc loved watching Valon live his dream. The stars in Marc’s eyes never disappeared. He could spend the rest of his life watching Valon thrive. Just knowing he was part of the magic was like waking up every day to the best dream. He couldn’t see what Valon wrote, but he still watched. Valon would scratch in his notebook and then strum a few chords while humming. Every few seconds, he stopped and scribbled some more. The entire process was sexy as fuck to watch unfold. A silver curl kept falling across Valon’s eye. He kept swatting it away or tucking the strand behind his ear. Marc was fascinated by that curl. He swore he felt the soft lock between his fingers. Marc knew how that hair smelled. He would have thought getting to know Valon would dim his terrifying obsession. The opposite was true. Marc had progressed to a point where he scared himself. One way or another, Valon wouldalways be his. Marc felt the intense insanity roiling inside him. There was no slowing the way he felt. Each day, he sank deeper. Valon was his forever, one way or the other. He could never let Valon touch anyone else. Marc had done too much. Came too far. He would have to be put down like an animal if Valon tried to walk away.
Valon’s chin lifted.
Marc scrambled to hide his crazed expression. He became the teddy bear Valon thought he needed. A sweet smile passed over Valon’s lips, and he went back to writing. Valon didn’t realize what he truly needed was a grizzly. Someone who would kill for him without mercy. Someone who protected his peace with any force necessary. Marc was that bear. Admittedly, he hadn’t expected to enjoy being soft for Valon quite so much. It turned out all the ways he played at being a lovable protector were actually part of his personality. He hadn’t known that because there was only one Valon. It seemed he could be gentle when he wanted to be. He kind of loved being that guy for Valon. Marc swallowed a bark of laughter as the truth hit. Valon had trained him like a wild animal. He gave Marc all the rewards and treats for loving him the way he wanted. That was fine. As long as he still got that reward, Marc could be anyone. It wouldn’t be the first time he had transformed his whole existence into someone new. This was worth it.
Valon leaned toward the mic. “Why do you look so much like the cat that ate the canary?”
An out-of-control grin stretched Marc’s lips. “Maybe I’m plotting ways to eat that canary.”
A loud bark of laughter rang from the sound booth walls. Everything inside Marc hummed. Happiness looked irresistible on Valon.
Nathaniel appeared in the doorway. “Your father and Mr. Kash are waiting to see you in the front sitting room.”
Valon looked puzzled. “That’s odd. They never come here, especially without calling first.”
Marc stood. “Maybe they were in the neighborhood.”
Valon moved to his feet and set his guitar aside. “Why would they be hanging out in L.A.?”
“Why does anyone?” Marc infused as much humor as possible.
Valon tossed him a laughing look as he headed for the door. Marc hung back and followed on his heels. His gaze ate up every inch of Valon. Fuck. He looked amazing in jeans that looked like they were aged to perfection. More likely, they were just expensive. It didn’t matter which. Those jeans cupped the sexiest fucking ass on the planet. Marc wanted to dig his fingertips into those cheeks while he helped Valon ride him at the perfect pace. Thoughts of all the things he could do to Valon’s body carried him all the way to the sitting room.
Ledger sat looking a lot more serious than normal. Kash stood next to his seat, looking like the killer he was. Yeah. Marc knew everything about him. No one got anywhere near Valon without Marc knowing every detail of their lives.
“Hey, Dad. I didn’t know you were coming over today. I would’ve planned dinner or something.”
A sad-looking smile tugged at Ledger’s lips. The air grew heavy. “You should probably sit down.”
“Oh no. That doesn’t sound good.” Valon moved to sit on the loveseat across from Ledger’s wingback chair. Marc intended to fill the spot beside him.
Kash gently took his arm and steered him toward the door. “We should leave them to talk.”
Valon tossed him a scared look.
“Just yell if you need me.”
Valon nodded.
