“Ryan, maybe you need to go back? To figure out what this woman wants?” Ki’s sweet voice questions me, but I can’t. There’s no way I’m leaving her. Shaking my head, I rise from the table with a nod at Mr. Thorne and I step over to the terrace door.
“I’ll leave you two to talk this out. Ryan,” I turn to Kierra’s father, “you seem like a good man, if my daughter believes in you, then I do too.” With that, he turns and leaves us in the living room.
I turn to my girl. Taking her hands in mine, I hold them, feeling the heat of her smooth skin. “I’m not leaving you. This shit with her can wait. You’re my life Kierra, don’t push me away please?” She watches me with those stormy eyes.
“Ryan, I’ll be okay. I have my dad. He’ll be with me and when I get back, we can talk.”
“Talk? What do you mean? There is no talking Ki, you’re mine. This isn’t a discussion. I’m with you. Always. It’s been ten years and this time, I have you in my arms. I’m not letting you go.”
The tension between us makes fear grip my chest. Breathing becomes difficult, and for the first time since I told her I love her, I feel as if she’s slipping away.
“I want you to go, Ryan. This doesn’t just affect you. It’s the band. You’ve got to think about Callum and Liam as well.” She nods then. “We can go to the hospital together. But after, I want you to go to them. To sort this out before it gets worse. It’s a PR nightmare and with the tour coming up we need to put a lid on it.”
“Always thinking about work, but if I need to make a statement, it will be here, beside you. Even with everything you’ve got going on, you’re more concerned with us than yourself,” cupping her face in my hands, I lean in and press a kiss to her mouth. The sweetness of Kierra, is something I’d never tire of. My beauty. My muse. My inspiration.
Her soft moan is swallowed by the kiss as our tongues twist in an erotic dance. Her body curls into mine, fitting like a puzzle piece. Creating an incredible melody as we were meant to.
Finally, when I break the kiss, I meet beautiful gray eyes that swirl with too many emotions. “I love you, Ryan.”
“And I love you, I always will.” Nodding, she smiles then. One of her breathtaking smiles. A sight that will always still my heart.
“I better get ready, we need to leave in thirty minutes if we’re going to make it on time to see the doctor.”
“I’ll be here.” With a sweet smile, she turns and leaves me in the living room with my thoughts. I’m not leaving her again. Once she’s been to see the doctor, we’ll figure out what happens from there. I’ll prove to her and her father that I’m the man that should be by her side forever.
“Ryan.” A deep rumble of her father’s tone comes from behind me. When I rise, I find the man with the eyes that match my girls’.
“Mr. Thorne, I’m sorry about everything.”
“There’s no need to apologize. I’ve been in this world long enough to know when you’re young and impressionable you can make the stupidest choices. I’m no different. However,” he smiles then, settling in the armchair that faces a large screen TV. “When I met Clarissa, Kierra’s mother, I knew what my heart wanted. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind she would be my wife.”
He chuckles. A faraway look in his eyes tells me he’s remembering her. Kierra’s mother.
“She was so beautiful. Exactly like Kiki. With the same feisty personality. All the years we spent together were the happiest I’ve ever been. Of course, when she got sick, I was beside myself. Nothing can ever prepare you for losing someone you love.”
It’s then that he meets my gaze dead on. His expression is serious, yet, his eyes tell another story.
“I can see how you look at her. I see the love between the two of you. Just remember, whatever the prognosis, she’ll need a strong man, Ryan.” His words are earnest, and I nod. She will need a strong man and that man will be me.
“I understand. I’m willing to do anything for her. Nothing she tells me is going to make me leave, unless she comes right out and tells me she doesn’t want me. And even then, I won’t give up on her.”
The honesty lies in my words. The truth is in my eyes, and when he nods, offering me his hand, I gratefully accept it.
“What did my dad say to you?” She questions as we head to the private car I’ve arranged to drive us around. I don’t respond until we’re both seated in the back and she’s informed the driver about where we’re going. Taking her hand in mine, I plant a soft kiss on her knuckles.
I know I need to answer her, but all she gets from me is one word. “Nothing.” I can feel her eyes on me for a moment before she turns her attention to the window.
“Ryan, I’m not stupid.”
Chuckling, I reach for her thigh, placing my hand on it gently. “I never said you were. We spoke about what the future holds. There’s nothing you need to worry yourself with, baby. It’s fine. He shook my hand and we now have an understanding.”
“So you both decided on my life without me in the room?” Her tone is filled with incredulity. That’s one thing about my girl. She’s a fireball. Independent, yet needing so much support and love. And that’s the only thing you can give Kierra Thorne. There’s no person that she’ll cross paths with that won’t come to love her in some way.