She looked so beautiful. Forbidden.
When she started toward me, I could only shake my head “no” to ward her off.
Alex looked crushed, but to my surprise she ignored me. Placing her hand on my shoulder, she claimed me in front of the entire room. She sealed the deal when she reverentially brushed my hair away from my face.
“You are the most amazing man I know,” she whispered into my ear before going over to Zoey.
I managed a small smile before Ty interrupted my thoughts. His offer to help was heartfelt, but I wasn’t ready to share what was happening with him or any of the other guys in the band. Luckily, our tour manager gave us the sign and within minutes we were getting ready to go onstage in front of 20,000 people.
Opening with Rise, our show was fantastic. Wailing on my drums was always therapeutic for me, especially when I had stuff on my mind. Lost in our set, every now and then I caught glimpses of Alex dancing at the side of the stage with Zoey and Ronni. It occurred to me that she was actually here at my show to support me, and I was surprised at how comforting it was.
By the time we played our special version of Butterfly for Zoey, complete with a butterfly light extravaganza, I felt lighter somehow.
When Ty brought Zoey out onstage at the end of the show, the audience embraced and cheered for her. Knowing that LTZ wouldn’t be onstage together for a long time, none of us wanted the show to end so we played rock classics for over an hour. The girls were dancing their asses off, our crew was having a blast. Best of all, I was feeling good for the first time in a week.
All of us stayed at the afterparty until dawn. Connor and I played pool for hours with a couple of actors from the movie. Ronni and Alex worked the room together, charming everyone in their wake. Zane had a guitar circle going. Zoey and Ty were holding court in a corner looking cozy and happy. Her parents were dancing like they were twenty years younger. After a couple of beers, I realized my mind was completely free and clear of all responsibility and worry, and it felt amazing.
When the party began winding down, Zane and I were the last men standing. Alex was half-asleep, resting her cheek on her hand against the back of a VIP booth. Her honey hair was wrapped up in a messy bun fastened by a rubber band. Sliding in next to her, I traced her lips with my thumb, and she surprised me by sucking it into her warm mouth.
“Let’s get you to the hotel, sleepyhead.” I wiggled my thumb.
“We didn’t even hang out together tonight.” She released my thumb with a pop and promptly yawned. “Do you think I’m that easy?”
“You were flirting with Idris Elba.” I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t think I didn’t see.”
“He’s on my list.” She looked defiantly into my eyes.
I mimed ripping up a piece of paper. “Consider your list ripped up.”
“It was such a fun night.”
“Agreed.” I stood and pulled her up with me. “And now it’s time to get some sleep.”
Arm in arm we made our way to the front of the club. Texting my driver, I looked around for the security guard who had been assigned to me but couldn’t find him. Figuring it would be safe enough at the ass-crack of dawn, when I got confirmation from my driver we stepped outside to get into the car. Right into a flood of paparazzi. It was just getting light out, but the flashes blinded us.
Shielding Alex, I tucked her head into my chest and wrapped my arm around her while I tried to locate my car. For a minute, it was really scary navigating a hoard of media who held out phones and microphones shouting my name and asking for pictures. Luckily, Alex had some level of awareness and kept her face pressed into my chest, trusting me to get us to safety. Finally, I spotted the car and ensured Alex got inside before turning to address the masses.
“Great to see all of you, thank you for supporting LTZ.” I smiled broadly and waved.
“Who is the girl, Jace?”
“Is that your girlfriend?”
“What’s her name?”
“Did the band break up?”
“How much do you hate Zoey?”
“Where’s Ty?”
Ignoring all the questions being shouted at me, I waved and ducked into the car and shut the door. Alex was leaning back with an amused look on her face.
“Well, they know about us now,” I deadpanned, although fear permeated my body.
“They won’t recognize me.” Alex laughed. “I’m more known in the animal community than the influencer community now.”
I scrubbed my hands through my hair, thoughts of what happened to Zoey permeating my mind. “I’m so rarely accosted, it gets a little squirrely, but it can also turn really bad.”
“You definitely know the ins and outs of getting coverage and staying out of it.” Alex held her hands out to me. “But now I’d like you to cover me with kisses, please.”
Taking both of her hands in mine, I tugged her into my lap and placed soft kisses all over her beautiful face. Alex draped her arms around my neck and nestled against my chest. Not wanting her to move, I stroked her soft hair all the way to the hotel. The driver called ahead so we could drive into the private entrance and avoid the paparazzi that was no doubt waiting for us. We managed to make it up to my room without further interruption.
Our sex, as usual, was mind-blowing.
It wasn’t until early afternoon before I woke up with a start to find Alex sitting in the living room watching TV in my T-shirt.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” She held her hand out to me. “Or should I
