“It makes sense you’d snag a hottie, butdamn.”
Key kisses my cheek and slips out the door with a ‘nice to meet you, handsome,’ and I don’t fear Talon’s reaction at all. There is no beating coming. There is no punishment waiting on the threshold. There is no threat, no hiding my location, no lying about where I’ll be after the show, because he’ll be right beside me, where Iwant him.
“Nice guy,” Talon says with a smile, handing me the drink. With his hands now free, he reaches forward and pulls me toward him, careful not to smudge my stage makeup. “Have I ever told you how fucking gorgeous you are?” he asks, making me smile.
“Maybe once or twice, but I wouldn’t hate hearing it again.”
“You’resofucking hot, baby, and I can’t wait to get you home tonight.”
Me neither, because I have something special in mind. I think enough time has passed that I want to give the last piece of myself to Talon. I need his mark to be the only one I bear and for his DNA to erase any that was there before him.
“I love you,” I tell him.
“I love you, too. See you onstage.”
The standing ovationfrom the crowd is deafening, and I beam with pride, my hands clasping those of the incredible artists next to me as we bow again. I can’t see past the lights, but IfeelTalon’s presence. His whole family is here, including Lukas, Annie, and their girls.
I’ve gone out for drinks dozens of times with my castmates and have made so many friendships, but tonight, I decline the offer.
“Sorry, guys, I’ve got something to do.”
“ButZeeeekkkkeee,” Ashley whines. “Youalwayscome.”
Kevandre knocks her with his shoulder. “I think that’s still the plan, honey.”
I throw my head back in laughter because he’s not wrong.
The entire Devereaux family is waiting for me once I’ve gotten changed, and I’m immediately wrapped up in hugs, everyone singing praises of my performance.
Talon waits patiently for his turn.
When his arms wrap around me, I finally take a deep breath, inhaling my place of peace.
“You are so talented, you know that? I wish it had been my theater that hosted your debut, but I understand why it wasn’t.”
“Thank you,” I tell him, appreciating that he didn’t give me shit when I said I needed to start my career apart from his name.
Cupping the back of his neck, I pull his ear to my mouth. “Now, take me home so we can celebrate properly.”
Talon starts the round of goodbyes, and once we’re free, he practically runs us to the waiting car.
Alone in the elevator, he types in the code, and then his body is pressed against mine, comforting and familiar. Grabbing his hand, I guide it to my dick, needing his touch.Wantinghis touch.
We’re a tangle of limbs and tongues as we trip down thehall toward the door. Clothes start coming off as soon as we hear the click and the door swings open.
Frantic hands pull at sweaters, rip buttons, and scramble to unzip zippers. We knock a picture off the wall in the hallway and almost topple to the floor in our haste. When we’re finally naked and bathed in the moonlight coming in through the sheer curtains in our room, Talon reaches for my already hard cock, handing me the lube at the same time.
I push the bottle back toward him, earning a confused frown.
“I was thinking maybe we could try something new tonight,” I tell him, thrusting into his fist as I stroke his cock with my free hand.
“Anything,” Talon answers, just like always.
“I thought tonight, you could try…fucking me?”
Talon freezes, his mouth forming a perfect ‘O’, and I smile.
“We don’t ever have to?—”
