The more I thought about it, the more I wondered why I’d never told him I loved him. Maybe I didn’t feel safe enough in the relationship. Certain enough of his attention and intentions. I didn’t know.
He sat on the floor near Jimmy and David, a guitar in his lap. As Mal had said, despite being about to start his first European tour, he did indeed look relaxed and happy. And he kept looking at me. Swift glances to keep checking on me. To ensure I was okay and having fun.
“What’s your next album going to be about?” asked Ben, Tommy gently being rocked to sleep in his arms.
Jimmy quirked a brow. “You’ve done the brokenhearted rage thing. What’s next?”
Adam shot a look my way and I made sure to be busy inspecting my nails. Definitely not listening into anyone’s conversation because…rude. He swallowed. “Wrote a love song this morning. Kind of more upbeat but with a blues background. Feels like that’s going to set the tone for things on the new album.”
“Sounds good,” said Jimmy.
A nod from David Ferris. “Can only write what you’re feeling.”
“I wanna do something different.” Adam picked out a melody on the acoustic guitar. “Going to give the other couple of rage songs I wrote to Martha to sell.”
“Good money in it if you’re not interested in releasing them yourself,” said Ben.
My heart, meanwhile, hammered inside my chest. Adam had written a love song this morning? Something upbeat?
His head turned to the side, his gaze sliding over me. There was knowing in his eyes along with a question. I hadn’t fooled him in the slightest. He knew I’d been listening and wanted to know my reaction. Apparently, mouth gaping and eyes wide was good with him. While I didn’t want this to mean anything, I couldn’t help but feel that it did. Adam had written me a love song. Holy shit. Just the fact turned my world upside down. With a brief satisfied smile thrown in my direction, he turned back to his friends.
Okay then. No big deal.
Deep even breaths, that was the answer. When that didn’t work, I downed my half-glass of wine in one fell swoop. The man was pulling no punches. So walking away from him was going to be nigh-freaking-impossible this time around. Good to know.
With a faint smile, Ev reached over and patted my hand. “You okay?”
“He just…” Words. I had none.
“Yeah, I heard.”
Nice to know I hadn’t been the only one eavesdropping.
“It’s big, isn’t it? Looks like he’s throwing it all at your feet,” she said, tone low. Just between the two of us. “You just need to decide if you want it or not.”
I said nothing.
“It’s interesting. You have to be a certain kind of determined to make it in the music business,” she continued, calm as can be. “I like seeing that focus and determination turned to other areas in their lives, you know? Can’t help but feel like it means good things. A well-rounded existence or something.”
“I don’t know what it means. But it’s freaking me the hell out.”
She grabbed the bottle of white wine out of a tub of ice on the coffee table and poured me a fresh glass. “To life and love.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Lena raised her glass.
Anne had gone to have sex and Lizzy was standing beside her husband, one hand resting on his shoulder. They were so obviously together. A unit. I didn’t need that. My life would go on regardless. But I wanted that with Adam. I think I always had.
Still strumming the guitar, he glanced my way once more. I’d never had so much of his attention. Before, there’d always been other things, more important things. Now he had everything except me and I got all of the devotion I could ask for. But how long would it last?
“To life and love,” I repeated and drank. What the hell?
* * * *
Adam had no sooner gotten the front door open than I was on him, tearing at his shirt, unbuttoning his jeans.
“You want something, baby?” He laughed, kicking the door closed and ripping the shirt off over his head because he was helpful like that. A couple of buttons went flying, but whatever. The boy could always buy himself more.
I had no time for words. Discussion was not required. Besides which, further talk would only complicate matters. Sex, however, could be remarkably simple. And fun.
“How drunk are you?” he asked, toeing off his boots.
“The buzz from your famous friend’s expensive booze is starting to wear off, so hurry up.”
He grinned. “Got it.”
Goddammit. His smile was so potent. The joy in his beautiful face was sheer bliss. I couldn’t not smile back at him, couldn’t resist. But I could grab his hand and drag him into the bedroom at light speed because…priorities.
“Get naked,” I ordered, half twisting to undo the zipper on the back of my fancy dress and get free of the gorgeous thing. Same went for the tiny fancy underwear and chunky ass designer combat boots. While I wanted to be buried in the outfit, right now, it all needed to be gone.
Thank goodness he had gotten the message. Boxer briefs gone, he crawled onto the big bed before collapsing into the center on his back. “Have your way with me, woman.”
“Just a second.”
With his gaze on my naked body, his cock was already starting to swell and harden. A sight so pretty it made my body weep with need. I crawled toward him across the mattress, a pleased smile on my face. “You kept watching me at the party.”
“Just checking if you were okay.”
“You wrote me a love song.”
Hands behind his head, he watched. “Yes, I did.”
“Are you going to play it for me?” I took him in hand, giving his dick a squeeze and a stroke, cupping the softness of his balls, just generally appreciating his goods. There was a lot to be grateful for when it came to this man.
“Whenever you want,”
