At first I thought I was only hearing what I wanted her to say, then I realized she was actually agreeing to join me on the tour and I was ready to ask her to fucking marry me on the spot. Every last emotion I’ve carried over the years after she slipped out of my life comes out in the form of a desperate, deprived kiss that’s bigger than the both of us. Fuckin’ A. I need to feel her silky skin rubbing against my bare chest, get a taste of her beautiful tits, hear her beg for more as I drive my cock into her warm pussy.

But now’s not the time. As badly as I want to revisit the sensation of her hot little body naked beneath mine, I’m not going to do it backstage like she’s a desperate fan.

I lift her until her feet are dangling in the air, then carefully set her back down and pull back. “Tell me again, baby.”

“I’m going,” she says in a breathy voice. Her hands drop down to my ass and she squeezes. “I figure I owe the lovesick kids from camp a second chance. But I also owe my band mates a little TLC, so I may have to come back to the city a few times.”

“I’ll fly you back here as often as you need.” A grin nearly splits my face as I run my hand over her glossy black hair. I half expect Reggie to bust into the room and tell me I’m being punked. I don’t deserve this beautiful woman. “We head out early tomorrow afternoon. Have you packed?”

When she shrugs one shoulder and wrinkles her nose, I’m able to appreciate how she’s not the type of girl to get too worked up over that kind of thing. “Mostly. I wasn’t sure how much room there’d be for my stuff.”

“We’ll make as much room as you need. Just don’t get too out-of-hand or my tour manager will bust my ass.” Then I nuzzle my face against her temple. “Damn, baby. You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.”

A short burst of laughter rips from her lips. “That’s funny, because I hear you’re already one of the sexiest men in the world. Why do I get the feeling I’m going to spend the next six months fighting off barely dressed women who want a taste of Roman Stone?”

“Doesn’t matter,” I grunt, tracing the line of her jaw with my nose. “You’re the only one who’ll have me.”

Belle bites down on her bottom lip. Desire burns through her big brown eyes like she’s ready to jump me here and now. God, she’s so gorgeous it’s unreal. Sex still isn’t the best idea under the circumstances, but maybe it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I threw her down on the couch and buried my face between her legs. Hearing her breathy moans and making her scream my name would be enough to keep my energy level high for the entire show.

Then there’s a blunt knock on the door and Normie steps inside. His short forehead is lined in sweat and his beady eyes can’t quite focus on anything. Fucking great. Something’s wrong.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“There’s a slight problem I need your help with.” He jerks his hooked nose in Belle’s direction. “I’ll have Luke escort your friend back out.”

“This is Belle,” I snap. “Remember I mentioned she might be joining us?”

“Right. The old girlfriend.”

“She’s agreed to come along,” I tell him, tucking Belle against my side and giving him a warning glare. He was a dick when I brought the possibility up earlier this morning, ranting about how I’d destroy the tour if I started thinking with my dick instead of my head. I’ll throttle him if he says anything to offend her.

His fingertips brush over his balding head. “Whatever you do with your personal life is your own business, but this thing between you two better not affect your performance in any way. That means no drama.” His eyes narrow on Belle. “Are we clear?”

“Crystal,” Belle deadpans.

“Don’t be a dick,” I snap at him before turning to her. “Normie’s job is to make sure everything runs smoothly on this tour. If you need something and I’m not around, let him know and he’ll take care of it.”

Normie huffs loudly. “I manage the band, Roman. Not your groupies.”

“She’s the furthest thing from a fucking groupie!” I snarl, flexing my hand into a fist. “And I pay you to take care of my needs, meaning you’ll do everything in your power to make sure my girl is happy! Got it?”

Normie still doesn’t seem convinced the way he shakes his head and grumbles to himself.

“Com’on,” I tell Belle, joining my hand with hers. “I’ll take you to meet the chef and you can let her know what you like so she can add to her grocery list.”

Once again, Belle answers with a half-hearted shrug. “I’ll eat what everyone else eats. No big deal.”

I could kiss her for being so damn agreeable. Instead I throw Normie a hard glare as we head out, letting him know I won’t put up with his crap. As invaluable as he may be to this tour, if he treats Belle like shit again I’ll throw him out on his ass. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t give up to make her happy, including my future.

* * *

Between broken props, missing crew members, a mix-up in wardrobe, meet and greet with the fans who paid for backstage access, and a short jam session with the guys, it’s nearly show time before I have a chance to see Belle again after she helped me run through a few voice exercises. I find her sitting on an empty food service table, legs swinging beneath her as she snacks on a celery stick and seems to be involved in an animated conversation with the chef.

I’d be full of shit if I claimed touring with Belle would be easy, but she sure makes it seem as if it’ll be smooth sailing. She’s clearly no longer the shy girl from camp, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she was able to get along with literally anyone. It’s no stretch of the imagination to envision her on a tour of her own once she’s recognized for her talent. If I have anything to say about it, she’ll be offered a recording deal sooner rather than later.

“So what do you think, Nick?” I ask, slipping my arms around Belle’s waist from behind. “Will she be a fun addition to this tour or what?”

Belle leans back against me, wrapping her arms over mine. As much as we’ve both changed, our bodies still mold together like they’ve been meant to fit together like a puzzle. Though I’ll be exhausted after the show, it won’t stop me from executing my plans for her sweet little body later.

“Hell yeah,” Nicki answers, setting a hand on her hip. “She tells me you guys have been friends since you were kids. I don’t know what you’re waiting for, Roman. Better marry her before she gets away from you again.”

No shit.

“We’re taking it one step at a time,” Belle tells her.

Grinning, Nicki rolls her eyes. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, sister.”

I found Nicki a few months back when she was working as a short-order cook for one of my favorite dives in Hell’s Kitchen. I’ve always had this weird thing for crepes, and she prepared the best I’d ever had. When I asked the waitress to send the cook out, I was surprised to learn “Nick” was easy on the eyes with short dark hair, the biggest smile I had ever seen, and was barely taller than my elbow. Doesn’t hurt that she’s spunky and unafraid to speak her mind. I especially like how she’s easy to get along with and rolls with whatever idea I have. Thank fuck I didn’t sleep with her or it would’ve been awkward as shit seeing her with Belle.

“Thanks for the great burgers, and thanks for keeping my girl company,” I tell Nicki, releasing Belle. “We have to go, but we’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

“You’re still going to meet up with me before the show?” Belle asks her.

Nicki nods. “Wouldn’t miss it.” Then she winks at me. “Break a leg out there!”

“I really like her,” Belle says as I take her hand and lead her back to my room. “I heard you guys warming up earlier…you sounded fucking killer. Are you mentally ready for the show?”

“Now that you’re here? Abso-fucking-lutely.” I pull her hand up and brush my lips over the backside. “Best good luck charm I could’ve asked for.”

“There’s my boy!” I hear just as Grandma Caroline comes into view in her favorite blue pantsuit, white halo of curly hair looking recently styled.

As much as I sometimes wanted to resent her for not sticking up to my father all those years, her kindness and belief in my musical talents were one of few things to keep me going after I left Belle. Time has made her skin more wrinkled and her hands too gnarled to continue playing her beloved piano, but when I look into her gentle eyes the same greenish tint as my own, it’s like coming home.

She’s the only family member I honestly give a shit about, so I’m irritated to see my mom and sister waiting behind her, dressed like they’re going to the fucking opera in black and white dresses with obnoxiously large diamonds as accessories. Perfect. If anything will change Belle’s mind, it’ll be my vindictive mother. The only thing that could make it any worse is if my asshole father were to be stupid enough to show his face.

“Here we go,” I mumble to Belle, flexing my fingers around hers. “So fucking sorry for this, babe. I’ll make it up to you later.” Belle’s shoulders stiffen as she puts on a brave face.

I’m pulled away from her with Grandma Caroline’s embrace. It’s like putting my arms around a bag of bones as thin and fragile as she’s becoming. “This is so exciting!”

I come out of the hug chuckling. “Glad you could make it, Grandma.”

Her thin lips spread with a smile. “You know I wouldn’t miss your very first concert for the world!”

“Roman?” Mom asks, raising her eyebrows in expectation of an introduction.

“Guys, this is my…uh…girlfriend, Isabelle.” Shit, that came out all wrong. She means so much more to me than the lame label of a girlfriend. “Belle, this is my Grandma Caroline, my mom, April, and my sister, Madeline.”

Grandma Caroline’s eyes light with recognition when she says, “It’s so nice to meet you, Isabelle.”

My sister mutters, “Hey,” without looking up from her phone.

“Girlfriend?” Mom’s response comes out bitchy, just as expected. “Darling, you hadn’t mentioned that you were seeing anyone when you stopped by the other day.” Her judgmental eyes flicker down to Belle’s lacy top and tight leather pants. “Please tell me this is just a phase.”

Fueled with a shot of anger, I begin to pull my hand from Belle’s, prepared to release a fury of hell on the woman who turned a blind eye to my old man’s abusive bullshit.

But Belle refuses to release my hand, instead holding on tighter. “Sorry if something about me offends you, ma’am, but I’m planning to stay in your son’s life for at least the next six months. He tells me that he cares about me, so if you want him to continue talking to you, I’d suggest you accept the fact that we’re together.”

Grandma Caroline beams at Belle with a prideful smile. “Good for you.”

When Mom’s burgundy lips part with a retort, I hold up my free hand. “Save it, Mom. She’s right. I’ve asked her to go along with me on the entire leg of this tour. If you can’t show her the respect she deserves, then don’t bother coming to see me again. I’m glad you’re here, but I don’t need any shit before the biggest performance of my career.”

Mom shifts her weight, passing an unsure look between Belle and me. Madeline glances up from her cell phone, snickering.

Grandma Caroline clears her throat and steps close to straighten the collar on my leather jacket. “It’s a full house out there! Are you at all nervous?”

I bend to kiss the top of Belle’s head. “Not as long as I have my girl at my side.”

Grandma winks at Belle. “Ah yes…I imagine it will be comforting to finally have your muse within reach.”

Normie steps in beside Grandma, his expression pinched. “Roman, you have ten minutes to take your ginseng shot and line up with the guys in the underworld. Don’t fuck up opening night by becoming known as one of those pompous assholes who doesn’t start on time. You haven’t made it big enough yet for that kind of attitude.”

“We better let you go, sweetheart,” Grandma says, patting my arm. She throws Normie a sharp look, probably for all his swearing. “Good luck, Roman.” She throws Belle a sweet little wink while beaming from ear-to-ear. “I hope I’ll be seeing you both tomorrow at brunch.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I bend to kiss her cheek and she pats me on the back.

“Nice meeting you,” Belle tells all of them with a level of sincerity my mom and sister don’t deserve. When we turn our backs on them and walk away, she whispers, “Well they seem nice enough.”

With a roaring laugh, I sling my arm around her neck. “I’m so fucking glad you’re here.”

In the privacy of the back hallway, I kiss her one last time before we part ways, savoring her taste and touch in hopes that they’ll give me added strength when I take the stage. I didn’t stutter in rehearsal, but I’m still counting on the sight of her to keep it away when I’m standing before a packed audience.

Belle kisses me back with a surprising force, the strokes of her tongue urgent as she grips my ass. Everything about the adult version of my girl leads me to believe she’ll be a total animal in the sack, but the reminder that other men would’ve taught her how to be that way all at once has me feeling livid. She hasn’t mentioned any other men since we’ve been reunited, but the way I caught her guitarist and other guys ogling her in Vinnie’s, it’s clear I’m not the only one to find her smoking hot. The idea of any other man touching her body makes me want to hunt them down and rip their balls off.

I know it’s not fucking fair for me to have those feelings since we were apart for so long, but if I’m talking about what’s fair, I still don’t know the reason why she ended things, and in all the time we were together she never told me that she loved me. I’m well aware she had her own shit to deal with, but I’m taking it on good faith that she even has the ability to love me back.

I’m ready to drag her back to the prep room when I swipe my finger over the warm spot between her legs and she releases a quiet whimper into my mouth. Instead I draw back, losing myself in her beautiful eyes.

“Everything I do on stage tonight—every fucking lyric I sing—it’s all for you, Belle.” I grip a handful of her long hair in my fist and breathe in her warm and spicy scent. “And as soon as I’m finished, I’m going to start making up for all the time we should’ve been together.”

The way she looks up at me—like she wants to believe me but her heart is still unsure—is all the fuel I need to prove to her that we belong together.