Alana held up her camera and captured the shot of the three women smiling at her.

“Thanks, ladies. I hope you enjoyed the concert. The photo will be uploaded to the Reckless Beat website within the week, if you want to check it out.”

The women paid her little attention. They were too hyped, the adrenaline pulsing from them in waves as they spoke loud and fast about their favorite aspects of the show. Tonight marked the last night of their U.S. tour. The fans had been wild, the screaming continuing well after the second encore.

Alana turned away and strolled to the staff entrance that led back stage. As she walked, she scrolled through the images she’d taken via the camera’s display screen.

A strong set of hands encased her waist and she screamed when they began to tickle. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“Mitchell, stop it!” She gripped her camera tight in one hand and whacked him with the other. “People will see you.”

He stopped tickling and turned her into his body.

“Oh, boy. Who picked this disguise?” she asked.

He wore a long black wig and a patch over his left eye.

“Blake dared me to wear it.” He shrugged. “It’s a man code thing.”

“Of course it is.” She smiled and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

“Take any good photos?” He glanced down at her camera, then back into her eyes. Admiration was in his gaze, and she had to fight the emotions that always hit her when in his arms.

He eased the gaping hole that had formed once she left the retreat for good. She knew she no longer had a place in Monument; it was no longer her home. Moving on with Mitchell made it all the more worthwhile.

“I have some great images of you on stage, and a lot from fans as they left the arena.” Since the start of their latest tour, Mitchell had arranged for the band’s private jet to pick her up every weekend so they could spend time together.

When he was busy setting up, or practicing, or on stage, she used the time to take photos. Some were of cities, with many of the better images already under contract at boutique art galleries back in Richmond. Others were of the band and their fans, which Mason had shown an immediate interest in. He used her shots as promotional material on their website and insisted on paying her for her services.

“You were awesome tonight.”

“Mmm?” He kissed her back. “The awesomeness isn’t over, sweetheart. I plan on getting you back to the hotel and being even more awesome.”

“Even more awesome? Is that even possible?” She chuckled. She would miss him like crazy once he left for their world tour in a few weeks. It would mean months apart, with his love confined to the restraints of communication via the internet or phone.

“I’ve gotta keep improving my bedroom skills, otherwise my gorgeous girlfriend might start looking for someone else to do the job.”

She nodded. “True.”

He retaliated by lifting her off the ground and carrying her in a fireman’s hold over his shoulder. She squealed and squirmed, clutching tight to her camera as he tickled her waist.

“Oh, you break my heart. And just when I had a special surprise for you.” He clucked his tongue.

“A surprise?”

He quit torturing her while he waited for their security guard to open the staff door leading to the backstage dressing rooms. When the door closed behind them, he started again, running the fingers of one hand up the back of her thighs, causing heat to burn in her belly.

“Unless the surprise is a vacant supply room, you really need to stop touching me like that.”

He released his grip and let her slide down his body and back onto her feet.

“And why is that?” He gave her a one sided grin and backed her into the corridor wall, caging her between his arms.

She licked her lips without thought then bit down hard to stop encouraging him. Ignoring his question, she wrapped her hands around his neck and batted her lashes. “What’s my surprise?”

He chuckled and leaned in to smash his lips against hers for a quick kiss. “Let’s go find out.”

He grabbed her hand and led her down the corridor and into the backstage rooms. The rest of the band was there, lounging with beer bottles in their hands, except Blake and Leah, who nursed sodas. Tony grinned at her from the arm of one of the couches, and a few of the stage crew nodded and smiled to her in greeting.

“Hey, Alana.”

“Hey, Mason. Great show.”

The face of Reckless Beat strode toward her. “I’ve got a proposition for you.”

She raised an eyebrow. Her mind ran wild with possibilities, so she kept her mouth shut to remain composed.

“How do you feel about being our official photographer?”

The room went quiet, waiting for her response.

Alana smiled and nodded. “Of course.” She turned to Mitchell. “Whatever you guys want, I’m happy to do.”

She already felt like their official photographer. Where possible, she attended their concerts and even tagged along to promotional events to take additional snaps for their website.

“So you can be ready in ten days to come on the world tour with us?”

Her gaze snapped back to Mason, and Mitchell squeezed her hand.

“You want me to come with you on tour?” Her stomach filled with butterflies.

“I never want you to leave my side,” Mitchell whispered into her ear.

Her chest expanded with too many emotions to name. “I…” Traveling around the world would be a dream come true. Getting paid to do it was unimaginable. “I… Really? You really want me to come with you?”

“Of course,” Blake announced from the sofa.

“Your photos are great,” Mason continued. “The fans can’t get enough on the website, and there’s always the scope for you to place the images on merchandise and sell them. I have a heap of ideas I want to run by you, not only with your images, but in running a band blog as well…”

Alana rubbed her chest trying to dislodge the excitement building to the point of pain.

“And bringing you along with us will also ensure we don’t have to deal with a grumpy-ass lead guitarist.” Mason turned his gaze to Mitchell and smirked.

“Ha ha, you’re so funny,” Mitchell bit back.

She glanced around the faces in the room, needing to make sure everyone agreed. They all smiled back at her, making warmth take over her chest. She turned to her man and swallowed over the happiness in his expression.

“Are you sure you want me to tag along?”

“Sweetheart, I always want you with me.” He stroked his fingers through the loose hair at her cheek and ran it behind her ear. “And when we get home in a few months, I’m hoping you will move in with me.”

Her insides burned with overwhelming elation. “All right.” She nodded and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“‘All right,’ you’ll come on tour, or ‘all right,’ you’ll move in with me?”

“Both.” Her face hurt from smiling as the room filled with words of enthusiasm and encouragement.

“And how about if I asked you to marry—”

Alana leaned back and slapped a hand over his mouth. “Mitchell Davies, don’t you dare propose to me backstage while dressed like a pirate.”

“Classy, bro,” Sean called from his position beside Blake on the sofa.

Leah tsk’d in disapproval.

Mitchell chuckled, his heated breath warming her palm. “All right, all right. I’ll work on it.”

Alana dropped her hand and stared into the hazel eyes of the man she loved. “Work on it,” she whispered, “and maybe next time I’ll say yes.”