“These next two songs were written during a time when I was utterly heartbroken and thought I had lost the love of my life forever. I’ve never publicly discussed who she was. We, uh, we lost touch for many years.” I looked over at Zane, who smiled at me and continued strumming.
“But everyone is here to celebrate the announcement of the Rainier Arts Foundation.” I pumped my fist into the air, and the crowd cheered. Alex and Zoey stood still, I could feel them staring at me.
“So, before you guys out in Sirius land start giving her shit, know that without her, my foundation wouldn’t exist. Without her, these songs wouldn’t exist.” The crowd buzzed, and a slow smattering of applause started and got louder.
“So, I’m feeling, well, psyched that we have reconnected.” I strummed a few notes. “Well, I’m grateful for her, and I’m a little nervous for her to hear these songs in person tonight. Be kind, everyone.”
Zane picked up the pace on the guitar which was my cue. I looked right at Zoey and sang Shine. Her face was unreadable, she looked at Alex for most of the song. When the opening notes of Butterfly started, I tried to hold her gaze, willing her to look at me so I could sing to her. I needed to sing to her. Like telepathy, my heart started pounding out of my chest when she looked up and held my gaze. I saw her wipe a tear from her cheek. When the last notes of Butterfly ended, the crowd erupted. It was a perfect rendition.
“Okay, okay, shhhhh.” I moved my hands up and down to quiet the audience, who immediately hushed. “I know you’re only expecting six songs tonight, but I wanted to thank you for your support by debuting a new song just for all of you here, and for our Sirius fans.”
The rest of the guys left the stage and Zane handed me my Breedlove. I strummed the first few notes. By now, Alex had her arm around Zoey, and they leaned together as they watched me.
“This song is called Heart and it’s for the girl who has mine.” I caught Zoey’s eye and then looked away when I began to play.
I got so lost in the song that it took me a minute to come back to Earth when it ended. Then we were done. The audience was small but a bit wild, and we were starting to get squeezed in. Considering this was my event, I had to take a few minutes to greet the fans and make the necessary small talk with the station suits.
All I really wanted to do was get to Zoey. Barely able to catch a glimpse of her hair, I saw that she and Alex were standing outside on the outer observation deck. I must have been staring, because Jace grabbed me by the arm and spun me around, and said, “For fuck’s sake, you’ve been waiting for this chance for eight years, will you stop dicking around and go get your girl?”
I didn’t need to be told twice. Sergey, my security guard, stood at the door to give us some privacy. When I stepped onto the platform, I approached them tentatively. Alex looked at me and silently waved me over, squeezing my forearm when I neared. She kissed Zoey on the head before heading back inside. Leaving us alone. Blessedly alone, away from spying eyes and mobile phone cameras.
I sat on the bench next to where she was standing and patted the seat. Zoey obliged by sitting next to me, looking over and giving me a small smile while fidgeting with her sparkly bracelet. Searching her eyes, I reached across and stroked her hair. “Hey, are you okay? Was it that bad?”
“It was wonderful, you didn’t have to say those nice things.” Zoey blinked at me and captured the hand playing with her hair, cupping it to her face. Sighing and leaning in closer, she closed her eyes and breathed deeply.
“I meant everything.”
“The song, Ty? Was that really for me?”
“Zoey.” I looked down at my beauty, tracing her face with the knuckles of my other hand down her neck where I touched the butterfly on her eighteenth-birthday necklace. “There’s always been only you.”
“I’m so nervous. I don’t know what’s happening between us.” She let my hand go and held her arms around herself as if she were cold.
“Yes, you do.”
Without another thought, I did what was long overdue and bent down to kiss her sweet lips. Moaning, she reached up and laced her fingers through my hair and pulled my head to her. Our kiss deepened into something desperate and needy. I sucked on her tongue gently before I pulled her even closer so that there was little air between us. Her full breasts pressed against me was sweet torture. I tried to control myself, resting my forehead on her shoulder. Breathing heavily, I kept her flush against me, unwilling to release our embrace.
After a few minutes of holding each other, she kissed my eyelids, then my nose and mouth. Her hair was still tied back in the loose braid, but I loved it wild and untamed. I released the clasp so it fell all around her shoulders and down her back. My hands caressed the sides of her breasts, thumbs sneaking over her nipples as we touched lips, then tongues, teasing but sweet. Zoey gripped my hair again, this time more tightly, which stung beautifully.
Our passion was unleashed after eight long years, and I didn’t want to move from where we sat. Breathing in her delicious flowery-citrus scent, kissing, overlooking our beautiful city from its most iconic landmark was my idea of heaven. If only I could make everyone else inside at the party disappear, it would be a perfect end to a perfect night. There was no question anymore, she was my home.
“What are you smiling about?” She
