I woke up with Nash wrapped around me. His arm was around my middle, holding me to him even in his sleep. I sighed and closed my eyes, loving the feeling of being with him again. Last night had been an emotional roller coaster, but it was the best possible ride. I felt like a million pounds had been lifted off my chest and I was happy. Actually, happy wasn’t a strong enough word. I was overjoyed, ecstatic, delighted. For the first time since Nash left to go on tour, my world felt right. A sense of peace and contentment settled over me, making me drowsy again.

I turned over enough to see Nash’s face, which was relaxed in slumber. Before I could stop myself, I traced a finger lightly over his skin, relishing in the fact that I could touch him, that he was here with me—and he was mine. I smiled and snuggled closer, never wanting to leave the warm cocoon of the bed. The outside world be damned. I was staying here with him as long as I possibly could.

Hearing his words last night, I understood why he’d done what he did. If I’d thought there was still a chance he loved me, I wouldn’t have given up. I would have continued to wait for him, to wait for some scrap of him. What he’d said was hurtful and potentially stupid, but it made sense. A part of my heart healed when he told me I’d always been enough for him. Even when he kissed me and touched me, that old insecurity had played in the back of my mind.

How could he find me sexy after being with someone like Vivienne? I definitely had more boobs and hips than she did, but she was glamorous in a way I’d never be able to achieve. She didn’t pack on the little bit of extra weight I did, nor was she as tall as me. I was still a few inches shorter than Nash, but she was barely five feet. She was dainty and feminine in a way that I never would be. It was a relief to hear Nash still found me sexy, especially after being with someone like her.

I was dozing off again when my phone rang. I slipped out of bed, still completely naked, and rushed into the other room. I chuckled when I saw the way my purse’s contents were strewn everywhere. I couldn’t even be mad at Nash. I’d been just as desperate and needy as he’d been. I saw it was Peyton, no doubt wondering where I’d gone after leaving my parents’ house.

And I shut my phone off. I didn’t want the outside world to intrude on our reunion. I didn’t want my parents or Peyton or work to interfere with my time. I’d have to figure out how to placate Nadine, but if Nash and Vivienne split on their own terms, my job wasn’t in jeopardy. She’d chalk it up to Hollywood being Hollywood. She wouldn’t be happy, but I played no part in that. If she caught wind of me hooking up with Nash, there’d be hell to pay. I’d just have to keep it quiet for a while. That should be easy enough to do.

I went to the bathroom, then checked myself in the mirror. My cheeks were still flushed, my lips were swollen, brush burn along one side of my chin and across my chest. My hair was wild. I smiled, loving this look. My eyes were clearer, and I felt lighter. Nash was a good look on me.

I went back to bed, curling up with Nash. He hummed and pulled me tight against him again. “I was afraid you were gone,” he grumbled, his voice rough with sleep. “I didn’t want to open my eyes if you weren’t here. Afraid it was all a dream.”

“It’s not a dream. I’m here.” I touched his brow and his eyelids. Really, I just wanted to feel as much of him as I could. My chest felt like it was going to explode with the love I felt, the happiness filling it.

One of his eyes opened, and he smiled, dimple and all. “I didn’t think it was a dream because I still smelled you on the sheets, but I wasn’t totally convinced. I thought maybe my imagination was working overtime.”

I kissed him. “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

His phone ringing tore through the moment, shattering the sweetness of it. He got out of bed and scrambled for his phone. “It’s Bryant, my manager. I’ll call him back later.”

“Peyton called earlier. I turned my phone off.”

A grin curved his lips. “Amazing idea, Bee.” He turned his off and crawled back into bed. “What do you want to do today?”

“Be with you. We have a lot of time to catch up on.”

“God, do we.” He kissed me, taking it deep and sensual. My blood heated, and desire pooled between my legs. I needed him again. I’d need him always. He reached back and grabbed the last condom and rolled it on, then threw my leg over his hip. “I hope you’re ready for me.”

“Always,” I breathed, then he was sliding inside of me. I gasped. It wasn’t as slow as the night before. He still stroked me, played with my breasts, and touched me, but he was a man on a mission. He nipped at my ear and licked along the curve of my neck.

“I’m going to wear you out this weekend.”

“Not if I wear you out first.”

He chuckled and thrust quickly, going deep. I gasped. “Is that a challenge, Bee?”

I nodded. He rolled me over on my back and fucked me. This wasn’t the tender, slow lovemaking of the night before; this was desperate fucking. I clawed at him, gripping him tighter. I pressed my heels into his ass, urging him to go deeper, harder. We both came on long, loud moans, then kissed as we floated down from our highs.

After he’d disposed of the condom and climbed back into bed, he held me, tracing his fingers along my side, his eyes following the movement. Shivers and goose bumps raced along my skin, my body already heating again. He hadn’t done more than lightly touch me, and I was ready for him again. I’d gone months without sex before, sometimes even a year or so, and I’d been fine. With Nash, I felt like I’d never get enough. I needed him again and again. My desire was never sated, my body always anxious for more.

His lips and tongue traced along my naked body. It wasn’t necessarily ramping up for anything, it felt more like he was savoring me, getting reacquainted with all the different parts of me.

“We have a problem,” he said, kissing my shoulder.

“What’s that?”

“That’s our last condom, and that will definitely not be the last time I’m inside you this weekend.” He nipped at the soft flesh of my nipple.

“I have an IUD, and I’ve never had sex without a condom.” I ran my fingernails along his scalp.

“Me either. I always used protection. With everyone.” He pressed his lips together, clearly not wanting to have this conversation. “Even with Viv.”

“Then I think we’re good to go without it, don’t you?” I didn’t have to wait for an answer. Even though he’d finished just moments before, he was hard and ready for more. He rolled onto his back and pulled me on top of him.

“Ride me, Bee. Take what you want.”

His words, so suggestive and dirty, spurred me on, and I did.

We didn’t move from the bed for at least two more hours. Every time we’d come down, our touches and caresses would ramp us back up. It was a never-ending cycle that I was fine to stay on forever.

Unfortunately, my stomach had a different idea. It grumbled loudly, and Nash laughed. “Hungry?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m not ready to leave this room yet. Let’s order room service.” After we picked what we wanted, Nash called down and placed the order.

“I’m going to get a shower,” I said, feeling sticky and sweaty. Hours of sex would do that to a person, plus my muscles were sore, and I ached in places I didn’t know it was possible to ache. It was the most luxurious feeling I’d ever had.

“I think I’ll join you.”

We both went to the bathroom, where a shower turned into more sex. It seemed we were making up for lost time and wasting no time doing it.

Later that night, we sat on the bed, me in front of Nash. His legs surrounded my body, and his arms held me tightly to his chest. He was always holding me as though he was afraid I’d slip away. We were watching The Breakfast Club on TV.

“Who do you think you’d be in that group?” Nash asked.

I tossed some popcorn into my mouth. It was amazing what you could order from room service in this hotel. We’d had burgers for lunch and then steaks for dinner. We continued to work up an astonishing appetite. Nash had ordered popcorn and wine, plus some beer for him, not too long ago. “I’m not sure. I’m definitely not the princess, and I don’t think I was the basket case either.”

He brushed my hair to the side and was touching my neck. “You would have been the brainiac control freak.” He chuckled, his breath tickling my ear.

“Hey.” I pushed his hand away. “I wasn’t that big of a control freak.”

“You handed me color coded schedules every week. Each class had its own color, plus band practice, plus other shit I had to do. You made one for yourself, Peyton, and Felix. You absolutely were a control freak.”

I pursed my lips, disappointed in how right he was. “You’re right. Who would you have been?”

“Hmm,” he hummed as he thought. “I’m not sure. I don’t really fit any of them. I got along with pretty much everyone, but I wasn’t one of the popular guys. I definitely wasn’t a jock or a brainiac.”

I turned in his arms and kissed him. “You were the hunky musician.”

He threw his head back and laughed, his throat moving with the movement. I wanted to trace my tongue along those muscles, but I didn’t. My body needed a break, plus I loved just being here with him like this. Where we could enjoy each other’s company. “The hunky musician?” he murmured. “Who found me hunky?”

“Pretty much everyone did. All the girls lusted after you. It was really annoying.”

“I didn’t notice a single other girl than you. Nobody’s opinion mattered.”

“Is that right?” I teased.

“You know it is.”

I smiled, his words warming me, continuing the healing process.

I wasn’t naïve enough to think that we’d had this grand reunion and things would be smooth sailing. We had a lot of wounds to heal and things to make up for. We had big obstacles to overcome that I was refusing to think about. Namely, he had to eventually return to California, and I had to stay here for my job. The thought of being away from him for extended periods of time caused panic to rise, but I tried not to think about it.

If he left again, went across the country, would he decide that we wouldn’t work anymore? Would he end things and move on with his life?

A soft finger ran down the side of my face. “What are you thinking about?”

“What happens when we leave this hotel room? How do we continue being together when the country separates us again?”

“Hey,” he said softly. “We have the rest of our lives to figure it out.” He pressed a kiss to my lips.

“What happens when you go back to work, and you decide that you don’t have time for me again?”

His eyes softened, the green irises filled with sadness. “I’d give up music before I’d give you up again.”

I gasped, my hand actually covering my mouth. “You can’t mean that.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, rubbing his thumb along my earlobe. “I do. More than music, remember, Bee? I love you. You’re it for me. I let the other bullshit get in the way, and it’s never happening again. I need you. I can find another outlet for the music; I can’t find another you.”

My insides melted, and my eyes welled. “I don’t want you to give up music, Nash. It’s important to you; it’s part of who you are.”

“And you’re part of who I am. I’ll go wherever you need me. If you want to stay in Pittsburgh, I’ll relocate here. I can record here, move here. If the record label has issues with it, they can go fuck themselves.”

I tucked my head against his neck, inhaling his fresh, clean scent. “I don’t want you to give up music.”

He shrugged. “I’m not letting you go. There’s no getting away. I’m yours and you’re mine and there’s not a fucking thing you can do about it.”

“I think it’s more like you’re stuck with me. I’m going to be a clingy, needy girlfriend who demands all of your time and attention.” It was partially a joke, though I was sure I’d be more demanding in the beginning. I still struggled with the fact that he was here, that he’d left Vivienne for me, that he’d want me at all.

He kissed me deeply. I moved until I straddled him, my legs wrapped around his hips. His fingers were featherlight against my back, and a shiver danced down my spine. How could I want him again? “You take as much as you need from me, Bee. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not making the same mistakes again.”

I hugged him to me, my heart soaring, and my throat tightening. I don’t know what I’d done in any lifetime to deserve this man, but I was so glad he was here now.

He said I’d ruined him for other people, but the truth was, he’d ruined me. There’d never been anyone but him, I was just too stubborn to realize it.