Hacked For Love & The Dom's Songbird: A Billionaire Romance Collection by Michelle Love, Celeste Fall (5)

“You can’t smell sunshine,” she says with a giggle. “You, smell like the river water and the smoke from the fire which I love.”

Love! Now there’s a word I want to try out and see if she thinks so too!

Only two days and I feel like this is real, what she and I have. I kiss the top her head and give her shoulders a quick squeeze. “I love the way you smell too.”

Okay, that was a step, but not quite far enough.

She giggles and her breath tickles the fine hairs on my chest as she does. I left my shirt off to entice her into wanting me as she has access to my defined abs I’ve worked so hard on. Her finger runs along the lines on my stomach as she says, “I love the way you roast a hot dog too. You are quite the master of making hotdogs and s’mores, I have to admit.”

“Well, I love the way you set up this little campsite we have here with the small cup of wild flowers you picked while I made the fire.” I stroke her back.

She eases her leg over mine and I can feel her soft inner thigh on mine and it nearly takes my breath away. “I love how sweet you are and how easy it is to be with you.”

“I love that about you as well,” I say, then I close my eyes and make myself say it. “I love you, Peyton.”

My heart stops beating as I wait to see if she’s going to jump up and run. She sighs deeply and now I’m about to start sweating as I’m more nervous than ever that she’s about to go into a long spiel about how we only have a couple of days and love isn’t a thing we can have.

Her lips kiss my chest and she says, “I love you too, Kip.”

Did I hear her right?

I open my eyes just in time to see two stars fall out of the sky, leaving long trails of light behind them. “So, we love each other then.”

“Seems so,” she says. Another kiss she places on my chest and I turn over, lying her back down on the blanket.

She looks up at me, her light brown eyes are nearly green as they sparkle with the light of the fire. Her skin is bronze from the sun today and her lips are pink and begging to be kissed.

“I love you,” I tell her again and she smiles.

“So I’ve heard.” She winks. “You ever tell any girl that before?”

I shake my head. “Have you?”

She shakes her head too then wiggles her finger at me to move in closer. I do as she requests and her hand cups the back of my neck as she pulls my lips to hers. They’re soft and supple and part to let me in. I kiss her softly and savor the moment. I never want to forget this moment when we let each other know how we really feel.

Her hands run over my bare back and I move over her, my knee spreading her legs apart. She opens them and I push my body onto hers and grind into her. She moans and her chest vibrates under mine.

She pulls her mouth from mine. “We should take this inside the tent. That little boy may be camping somewhere near us and tattle on us again,” she says.

I’d like to do this right here, beneath the stars, but she’s right, that kid is a menace. I stand up and pick her up as she giggles. I whisper, “I brought a whole box of condoms, love.”

Her eyebrows lift and I find myself worried she’s about to really let me down. “So did I!”

Whew! That was close!

“Great minds think alike!”

I lie her on the tall, queen size, blow up mattress. She bites at her lip as I reach down and untie her bathing suit top. Her bottoms have ties too and I untie them as well. “Never thought in a million years I’d lose my virginity on my parents’ blow up mattress. Think they’ll be mad?”

“Don’t tell them and they won’t,” I say with a chuckle. “What happens at camp stays at camp.”

She giggles too until I drop my trunks. Her eyes go wide and her hand covers her mouth.

“Is that going to fit?” she asks as she points to my generous manhood.

“Shit! I hope so,” I say as I pull her bathing suit away from her body and gaze at it. “Damn it, you’re gorgeous, Peyton.”

She smiles and wiggles that finger at me again. I comply and press my lips to hers as I ease onto the mattress. Her side rises a bit and her body turns, coming flush up against mine. I run my hand over her curvy hip and pull it towards me.

My dick is hard and wants to be inside her so damn bad. I have to remember that she’s never done this before. I have to go slow and be sure she’s more than ready for what I have to give her. Slowly I move my mouth from hers and to her neck as she runs her hands over my back.

“You have so many muscles,” she says as her hands go over my arms. “Your arms alone make me want you.”

I smile against the soft flesh of her neck, then trail kisses down it and over her chest, stopping only for a moment to nip and suck on one breast. Then I continue my journey down to the promise land. She sucks in her breath as my lips touch the little bud that only mine have ever touched and I smile at that knowledge.

This is uncharted territory and I’m about to put my mark all over it. A sudden animal instinct flows through me and I look up at her to find her eyes closed. “Peyton,” I say and she opens her eyes and looks at me. “You are mine, do you understand that? Never do I want you to allow anyone else to touch you like you’re letting me.”

She smiles. “Okay, Neanderthal.”

I bite the inside of her leg hard enough to make her squirm. Then look up again. “I’m serious.”

Her eyes go dark and she smiles again. “I can see that. I’m yours, no one else will ever have what you do.” Her hand strokes my cheek softly and my heart pounds.

I cannot believe how intense I feel about her. If I ever lose her, it will devastate me. I keep my eyes on hers as I kiss her clit softly and her eyes close as she lies her head back and makes a soft moan. Running my tongue up and down her wet folds, I find them both hot and inviting. Her hands tangle in my hair as I push her knees up to gain better access to her delectable goodies.

Slowly I run my tongue into her. She’s tight as hell and I wonder how she’s going to take me. Running my tongue back up to her clit, I push one finger into her, moving it in and out, stretching her some. She groans and I add another finger, making her arch up.

I know I have to get her wet, entirely wet, so I run my tongue up and down, tapping at her clit with every stroke. Her legs begin to quiver and her hands hold me to her as she begins to make a small squeal. Then she squeezes my fingers inside her and pulses all around them as she arches her body up and writhes under me.

Pulling away from her, I grab a condom from the box on the floor and put it on quickly.

Here it goes!

Peyton

Already I can barely breathe as my body comes apart under his mouth and fingers. What will his dick do to me?

He’s put on the condom and lies on top of me, his weight somehow comforting. The large tip of his dick I can feel on the edge of my vagina. “This is going to hurt, isn’t it?” I ask him.

He kisses me then answers, “It might.”

I look away and bite my bottom lip. “Okay,” I take a deep breath. “Okay, you can do it now.”

Slowly he pushes into me and it seems not to be going in. He kisses my neck and I relax as his warm mouth bites at my skin. My head goes light as he nips and sucks. His dick goes in some and it’s warm and it burns a little, but not like a bad burn.

My mind refocuses on what’s going on downstairs and I tense up a little. Then he bites my neck hard and my stomach clenches as I instinctively arch my body up to his and he pushes into me a bit more. The heat is white hot and I scream a little with the pain.

“Fuck!” I say between my clenched teeth. I rake my nails over his back and he kisses me from one side of my neck to the other and then bites the other side as he slips in further and I cry out with the pain and slap the bed. “Jesus!”

A tear runs down my cheek as the burning sensation continues. He’s still on top of me, then he kisses me slowly and softly back up my cheek and his mouth lands on mine and takes me away from the pain as his tongue strokes mine gently. A little harder and a little harder until his tongue is hard in my mouth. Then he pushes all the way in and I arch up to him and scream, but his mouth stifles my cries.

He stays still inside me for a minute, but keeps his kiss hard and demanding. His hands come up and he grabs two handfuls of my hair and pulls them, then pulls nearly all the way out of me and slams back into me. I scream again, only to be stifled by his hard kiss.

Over and over he slams into me as white hot heat burns me inside, then it begins to go away and he slips easily in and out of me and I stop screaming and start moaning as it switches to something else entirely. It changes to wanton desire as I arch up to meet every hard thrust.

My heart pounds and I can think of nothing, save him and how he makes me feel like I’m on a cloud, floating away with him. My stomach tenses up as I feel all shaky inside then I’m falling apart even more so than when I came undone under his mouth. I pull my mouth from his as I struggle to breathe. “Kip! Fuck! God! Kip!”

My legs shake and I pound on his back as he stiffens and lets out a loud breath. “God damn it!” he moans as he rocks back and forth. I can feel him pulsing inside me.

Thank God he had on a rubber or he’d have knocked my ass up for sure!

Kip

Crickets chirp as Peyton sleeps next to me, my arms wrap around her as she makes the smallest snore I’ve ever heard. Everything about her I find I love. As I hold her to me, I have no idea how I am ever going to be able to stop. I want her with me from now on. I never want to sleep another night without her in my arms.

Now I’m even more afraid to ask her to join me on the road, because if she won’t I don’t know what I’m going to do. I need her now, like I’ve never needed anyone. It’s almost unfair how much I need her.

A little while ago, she had to leave me to go across the way to the restroom and the bed felt cold and lonely without her in it. I don’t know what has happened to me. I was the rock star who played the field, never looking to settle down.

It’s completely crazy how quickly things have changed and thankfully it seems they’ve changed for Peyton as well.

She loves me!

A nice, normal girl loves me. It’s so unbelievable! I have something more that I want to give her now and I wonder how she’ll take it. I wonder if she wants the same thing I want. I find myself afraid to ask her anything.

If she turns me down, I feel I might break apart inside. As if the word, ‘no’ could really hurt someone, but somehow if it comes from her sweet lips I feel as if it will devastate me.

An odd scratching sound comes from the edge of the tent and as I listen to what it might be, Peyton springs to life in my arms, sitting straight up in the bed.

“What’s that?” she whispers, her eyes wide and full of fear.

I pull her back to lie down, wrapping my arm around her and pulling her to lie her head on my chest.

“Don’t worry, it can’t get in whatever it is.”

“You don’t know that.” She shivers a little. “Everything out here has sharp claws and teeth.”

The sound gets a little louder and moves to another part of the tent. Whatever the little creature is, it definitely wants in.

“Shoo,” I say.

It claws at the tent worse. I guess it wants to meet us.

“Kip, make it go away,” Peyton whines.

“I did not see you as a girl who gets scared over a little rodent,” I say as I get up and kick at the place in the tent where the thing is scratching at it.

My foot hits it and it snorts and makes a grunting sound and pushes back at me. “Well, look at that crap!” I pull on my trunks and go to unzip the tent only to find Peyton wrapped around me.

“No!” she whisper-shouts. “It might get in and it sounds big. I bet it’s a bear.”

“There are no bears here,” I tell her as I put my hands on her narrow shoulders and place her back on the bed. “I know because I asked the park ranger about all the animals we could expect to encounter here and no bears were mentioned.”

“Probably because he was afraid we would leave,” she hisses.

The thing pushes at the tent again and I quickly unzip the door and step out to see about fifteen wild hogs gathered around our campsite, munching out on the bag of marshmallows that we had left out. One looks up with a chocolate candy bar in its mouth. Large tusks come up on either side of its mouth and I’m glad Peyton can’t see them or she’d freak.

“What is it?” she asks from the confines of the tent.

I stomp and clap and the damn things just look at me. “Go on! Get out of here!” I wave my arms.

The one closest to me makes a loud snort and takes a step towards me. Peyton peeks out the door and sees the animals. She makes a shrieking sound that curdles my blood and sends the pigs running for their lives. I turn and smile at her as she continues to belt out the loud scream.

“You can stop now. You scared them away. Great job, sweetheart!”

Her face is pale and I see quite a few flashlights come on at other campsites. She moves back from the door so I can come back inside.

“That was a pack of wild hogs, Kip. Why did you stay out there with them? They could have ripped you to shreds.”

I put my arm around her and she’s shaking like a leaf. I laugh. “They were more worried about eating your chocolate bars and the marshmallows than bothering me.”

“They ate my chocolate?” she asks with a high squeak in her voice. “The bastards!”

Dropping my trunks I climb back into the bed and laugh. “You crack me up, love.”

“Well, the next time an animal comes up here, don’t go out there like that. You scared me half to death.” She cuddles up to my side and takes in a deep breath.

“Okay, let’s go back to sleep then. Surely your shriek scared every living creature out of these woods for the rest of this night anyway.” I kiss her forehead. “Tell me how many times you’ve screamed today.”

“Way too many,” she says then she leaves a soft kiss on my chest. “Except for the good screams. You can’t have too many of those.”

“No, you can’t.” I agree and tighten my arm around her shoulders.

Peyton

Little kisses wake me up as birds chirp in the cool morning air. I stretch and yawn. I’m not a morning person and we’ll see if Kip still loves me after this. I left a bottle of water on the floor on my side of the bed and reach out and take a long drink. He holds his hand up for me to give him a drink and I hand it to him. He finishes it off and puts the empty bottle on the floor.

I wipe my eyes and lie back and smell coffee coming from another nearby camp sites. “Yuk, coffee,” I say.

“It smells good,” Kips says and pulls me back to him.

A hard lump presses against my butt as his hand runs over my stomach and he kisses the back of my neck.

“I hate waking up to that smell, it reminds me of my parents’ house.”

“Don’t worry, I go out and get my coffee so it’ll never wake you up at our house,” he says and runs his hand up to grab a handful of boob. A gentle squeeze he gives it.

The words he said are not lost on me. “Our house?”

“Umm, hmm…,” he moans as he runs his hand back down to stroke my personal pleasure spot and my stomach tightens immediately.

Heat fills me and I find myself pressing my back against his front as I stretch out and move my leg a little to give him better access to me. The pressure at my rear grows, and he moves back and forth against it.

He turns me onto my back and smiles down at me. His soft hair flows over his tanned cheeks, stubble covers his handsome face and my heart beats hard at just how perfect he is. “Mornin’ love.”

“Good morning to you,” I say with a smile. “I’ve never had a good morning. Most suck.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he whispers and kisses me lightly on the lips.

My arms go around his neck and pull him closer to me. His body moves over mine and as he lowers himself to me, I spread my legs to allow him in. My body hurts, but it’s the best kind of pain that I’ve ever felt.

The large tip of his cock touches the tender edges of my vagina and I stiffen at the sensations. He pulls his mouth from mine and looks at me. “This will get better with time, love, I promise.”

He kisses me again, but hard this time and slides into me as I moan and try not to think about how much it burns. I feel raw and the first few strokes send tears streaming down my cheeks. Slow, hot kisses he trails from my mouth down my cheek and to the juncture between my shoulder and neck. Soft nips he gives me as he slowly slides in and out of me.

His teeth bite my flesh which is beginning to feel hot under his mouth. My body aches for him and I arch up to meet every stroke as he fills me completely.

“Oh, baby, you feel so damn good,” he moans against my neck as he makes long strokes that make my stomach flutter.

His body is hot and sweat makes our bodies slip against each other and our breaths grow ragged and his is so hot on my neck. His chest slides back and forth against mine and the little hairs on his rub my nipples, making them hard. His body pushes mine into the mattress which seems to be losing air with every thrust he makes.

Harder he pounds into me and the air seems to push from my lungs as he moves faster. I can’t think about anything but him and how damn hot he is as he looks at me, watching me for my reaction to what he’s doing. I grab a handful of his silky hair and pull his face to mine and kiss him.

His tongue darts into my mouth and moves the same way his large, hard dick is moving in and out of me. Little quakes start deep inside me and I’m falling apart before I know it. Then so is he as he pushes hard and fast and pulls his mouth from mine as he lets it all go and moans, “God, Peyton, I love you.”

Heat fills me as my body pulses around his. He groans as he falls onto me, his full weight on me and I love it. I love the way it seems to envelop my entire body, making me feel as if we are one and the same.

Sticky wetness is what I feel as he makes small strokes until we both stop pulsing against each other. He kisses me behind the ear. “I love you,” he whispers.

“I love you,” I tell him then kiss the top of his shoulder.

As we lie here in complete satisfaction, a tiny cry creeps into our tent. Some woman shushes the baby and my wheels begin spin. He looks at me and smiles then kisses me again.

“Isn’t this a nice way to start the day, love?”

I narrow my eyes at him and say, “I feel a lot different than the three times we did this last night. I feel wet and sticky. Why is that?”

I know why, but I want him to tell me. His eyes go wide.

“Shit! I forgot to put one on.”

He rolls off me and grabs a towel and begins to wipe me off as if that’s going to help a damn thing.

“Stop!” I shout. “Just stop, it’s too late and that won’t help anyway. Shit, Kip!”

I grab my bathing suit and tie it back and then pick up my bag full of toiletries and unzip the tent door.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

“To take a shower,” I say then walk out, pissed beyond all reason.

Kip

I’ve fucked up and Peyton is not talking to me as we drive back to Austin. She’s scared shitless about my little slip up, but I can’t really understand why. She won’t talk to me about it and I find it odd.

Reaching over, I run my hand over her knee. “Where’s that smile my summer girl had all day yesterday?”

Her head snaps to look at me. “Your summer girl?”

“I didn’t mean anything bad by that. Why the attitude, love?” I pull my hand from her knee as I fear she may attempt to break it.

“Why the attitude?” her arms fly up in the air and I see the person in the car next to us on the freeway look over at her. “No reason, Pop Rock, my little summer lover. No damn reason at all!”

“Summer lover?” I ask and start to think she must think this is just temporary which I don’t want at all. “This is much more than that, Peyton. I thought you understood that.”

“All I really understand is that you have to leave tomorrow and my life is supposed to begin and now, well now it may be out of my hands.” She looks away from me and as she does I see a tear trail down her pink cheek from under her sunglasses.

“Don’t cry, love. I’ve been wanting to ask you something and was afraid to, but I will now so you’ll understand.” I wipe the tear away and take her chin to make her look at me. “I want us to be exclusive.”

“Okay, so that’s great and all, but are we to have a long-distance relationship. One where you get mobbed by women who throw themselves at you constantly and I’m supposed to sit back at home and pretend you won’t ever do a thing with any of them. Even though your band mates set your ass up all the time?” She jerks her head out of my grasp and looks away again.

“I want you to come with me. That’s what I wanted to show you, I want to buy a bus for just you and me.” I take her hand and kiss it. “I don’t want to spend another night without you, love.”

Slowly she turns to look at me. “Are you being serious?”

“Completely,” I answer and smile.

Her face still holds no smile, nor a frown either so that’s good, I think. She pulls her shades down and looks at me. “Kip, did it ever occur to you that I have a career to start my own self?”

“You can write anywhere, pet,” I say.

“I have an interview with an agent at the end of June. I have to be around to make it to that. Where is it you’ll be at the end of June, might I ask?” Her lips are pressed tightly together and wrinkles form around her mouth.

“Washington state, but you can fly back to make that meeting.” I look at her and my heart starts to grow fluttery in my chest as she seems like she’s going to tell me no and that may very well end me.

“So, you really think my family is going to go along with this. I just met you, and there is no way in hell my family will allow me to run off with you after knowing you three damn days!” She looks away again.

My heart stops beating. “But, I love you and you told me that you love me. Do you really or was it what you thought I wanted to hear?”

Her head slowly turns back, and she reaches out and strokes my cheek. “I do love you, that wasn’t a lie. But, Kip, we can’t run off together. My family would completely flip out.”

I may completely flip out if I have to leave her behind!

“I don’t want to be without you,” I tell her and hope she can wrap her head around it. “Did you not love waking up in my arms? Because I loved it, Peyton. I don’t want to spend one night without you.”

“Of course I loved it, Kip. Don’t think I didn’t, but the reality is we have very different lives and families. Mine won’t understand or allow it,” she says then places her hands in her lap and starts to lace and unlace her fingers nervously.

“You are no child, Peyton. You can do what you want to. If you’re worried they’ll cut off any money they give you, don’t be. I have more than enough to take care of you,” I say and wish to retract my words and say it very differently as her face goes red.

Her voice goes nearly as high as when she screamed about the wild hogs.

“Take care of me! Now, see here, mister, I am not a person who wishes to be taken care of by a man. I want to make my own living and my own way in this world. My parents and brothers have ran me and now I want the chance to run my own life. Not switch from them to you.”

“Jesus, Peyton, you don’t have to yell. You can talk to me, tell me what you want in life and I can help you. I’m not trying to take a thing from you, only help you out. Once you start selling books you will have your own money.” I pause and look over at her as she starts to bite at her fingernails.

“They won’t let me go with you,” she says. “And what about what you did to me?”

“What I did to you?” I ask as I pull off on the exit to my hotel.

Her arms fly around again. “Yeah, Romeo, you came inside me. You may have knocked my ass up. So what are we going to do about that?”

I laugh and run my hand along her taut jawline. “Marry me, love. I want no other. No one else can make me feel like you do.”

Her head turns slowly towards me and I hope she smiles. “I’m not marrying the first guy I’ve ever fucked.”

My world stops turning and my heart blows apart. “Fucked?” I ask nearly breathlessly.

“Made love to,” she says callously. “Whatever you want to call it. You’ve had tons of sex with countless women. I have you and that’s all. I have nothing to compare that to. What I felt with you may be what I feel with someone else as well. How do I know it’s you who I’m meant to be with for the rest of my life?”

“How do you know it’s not?” I ask and feel shell shocked.

I thought she loved me…

Peyton

Kip drags me up to his hotel room to talk. He seems to think he can convince me to completely upset my family and go on tour with him. He holds me tight around my waist as we get off the elevator and low and behold his band mate, Bobby, is walking out of his room with a hot redhead under his arm.

Once she sees Kip, she breaks away from Bobby and smiles at Kip. “Hi, we’ve been waiting to party with you, Kip. Where have you been?”

I look up at him as I see a grimace move over his face. “You know her?” I ask.

“No, I don’t.” Kip looks at Bobby. “Keep your piece in check, mate.”

Bobby grabs the girl by her wrist. “Can’t you see he’s with someone? Are you dense?”

“See, I told you that’s how things will be, Kip,” I snap.

Bobby stops and looks at me. “Why are you talking to him like that, girl?”

“Don’t,” Kip says and pulls me as he walks away from Bobby who looks back at us.

“Whipped already, bloke?” he shouts.

Kip shoots the finger at him before he opens his door. I look back to see Bobby shaking his head as he wraps his arm around the cheap tramp and walks away.

“That’s exactly why this won’t work out,” I say as he leads me inside.

He shuts the door and pushes me against it. “Come with me. Then we will be together all the time and those groupies that bother me will disappear.”

His breath is hot on my face and he looks nearly desperate.

“I can’t.”

His forehead leans against mine. “Peyton, I need you. I’ve never needed anyone, but I need you, baby.”

“Look, we can try to make this work, but I can’t go with you. I have to get my own life going,” I tell him.

“And I want that life to be interlocked with mine,” he says as he runs his hand over my cheek. “I love you, I want you with me.”

“My, God, you’re intense,” I say. “Who does what you’re asking me to do, Kip?”

“I don’t care what other people do.” He pushes his body against mine and kisses me hard. My arms run around him almost instinctively and I kiss him back. He pulls his mouth away, leaving me gasping for air. “I’ll get you a ring and take you back to your parents’ house and ask you father if I can marry you, if that will help you to decide to stop being a baby and come with me.”

“A baby!” I push at his chest for him to let me go, but he doesn’t. “It’s not being a baby to not run off with you!”

“Sorry, poor choice of words,” he says and tries to kiss me again.

“Look, just let me go and I’m going to take off. I need to think and I can’t seem to do that when I’m around you,” I say as I push him away.

I grab my car keys and open the door. One look back at him and I nearly stop, but I know where that will leave me so I walk out, closing the door behind me.

Part Five: Lone Star

Peyton

The soda burns as it goes down my dry throat. The pill I swallow is bitter in more ways than one. With a quick stop at the pharmacy nowhere near my tiny town with all its nosey people, I made a decision to play it more than safe after Kip made his little mistake.

The man is insane!

I had the best time ever, and I do mean ever. Then he went and spoiled the day with reckless abandonment as he forgot his responsibility in the birth control process. I’m brand new to this stuff and he’s the pro, so I’m totally blaming his ass.

I’m pissed at him for a few reasons. Number one, he can’t be trusted to use a condom every time, and that’s a big deal to me. Number two, he wants me to run off and join him on his tour. Number three, his dick of a band mate, Bobby, seems to think it’s his job to keep trampy whores around for the whole band’s pleasure.

Only mere seconds after swallowing the pill my cell lights up and Kip’s name shines at me. It’s the third time he’s called in the last forty-five minutes. I pick up the phone and swipe it.

“What?”

“Hello, love,” he says, sweetly. “Look, I know why you’re mad and I get it, I do. It’s really not a problem, if we end up pregnant I’ll be over the moon. Don’t you worry.”

“Don’t worry about that,” I say as I look in the rear-view mirror and see tears running out from underneath my dark sunglasses.

Damn it! Why in the hell am I crying?

“But I want you to know what I feel and that I’ll be there for you. I want to always be there for you, no matter what, love.” His voice sounds so sweet, and he seems so damn honest.

I break into sobs and hang up the phone. It lights up and I reject the call and cry as I make my way home alone and shaky as I have no idea of what the right thing to do is anymore.

The idea of going on tour with Kip on our own private bus is something most women dream a rock star would invite them to do. Not me though. I don’t want to upset my family who still thinks of me as a little girl. One who can’t possibly be in an adult relationship.

Seems that they were right. I trusted a man to make sure we were protected, and that didn’t work at all. It’s my job to be sure I don’t get pregnant, and I went ahead and made the decision to have sex with Kip way too quickly.

A naïve idiot, I am. My phone lights up again and I answer it since I’ve quit sobbing and only tears pour from my eyes, making things blurry and I really should pull over anyway until I straighten myself up. I pull into a gas station parking lot and answer the phone.

“What?”

“Love, why are you crying?” he asks.

“No reason, Kip,” I shout. “No reason at all. Anyway, you have nothing to worry about. I stopped at a pharmacy and made sure your little slip up won’t affect us for the rest of our lives.”

Silence is all I get in response. “I see,” he finally says. “Well, it is your body after all, isn’t it?”

“It’s my body, my life, and my brothers who will try to kill you if I didn’t do that. So, yeah, you’re welcome.” I wipe my eyes and can see again so I pull back onto the road that will lead me home.

“Peyton, you’re twenty-four years old! Not a damn child!” he says a lot more loudly than he has been talking. “Go home and take a bath and get your hot ass dressed in a nice dress. Pack an overnight bag and I’ll be there in a few hours. I have some things I want you to have then I’m taking you out to somewhere expensive for dinner and back to my hotel room to spend the night with me.”

“Are you crazy?” I ask as I take the exit to get to my house.

“Yes I am. You’re making me that way.”

“What am I supposed to tell my parents?” I ask.

“Not a damn thing. I’m going to tell them. I want to teach you how easy it is to act as if you’re grown-up and can make your own damn decisions. Which you are badly in need of learning. So I’ll be there around five. Be ready.”

He’s hung up before I can tell him I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to lie on my bed and weep. He has no idea of how much I need my family’s approval. I always have. No matter how exciting I think it would be to run off with Kip, I can’t.

Kip

“Yeah, Pop, she’s gotten completely under my skin and I can’t stop thinking ‘bout her. I love her,” I tell my father over the phone as I drive the brand new Tesla Model S I had just bought for Peyton.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard those words come out of your mouth, son,” my father says. “Don’t let her go. It won’t be easy to get it all going, but make it work, Kip.”

My eyes wander for a split second to the tiny black box which sits in the passenger seat. “Do you think the things I’m going to give her are too much?”

“Hell, no!” He assures me. “You’re rich, man. Her and her family need to realize that’s what rich people do. We spend extravagant amounts of money on those we love.”

“Thanks, Pop. I’ll see you after the tour is over in February.”

“Nope,” he says and I frown. “Your mother and I will be in L.A. for Christmas so we’ll see you then.”

“Really? Not going to France?” I ask as they’ve done so for the last couple of decades.

“Nah. We’re ready to change things up a bit. Frankly, since you’ve told me your big news, I’m glad your mother decided this. One day in the near future I hope we have some grandbabies to spend the holidays with,” he says and I laugh as I picture my long haired, rock star father holding a toddler on his lap.

“Christmas will hold plenty of kids for you to practice on as I’ve invited a family I got to know while I was held over in Houston last week. They have a set of twins that will be around three years old then and a new baby is on the way and he’ll be here by then.”

“That sounds fantastic. Your mother will love to get her hands on those babies. She’s been complaining about how her friends all have lovely grandchildren and she has none.” He laughs. “You know how she is. She has to have what everyone else does.”

“Hopefully, Peyton will agree to come home with me for the month of December. We have the whole month free. You’ll love her, Pop, and so will Mum.”

“I know we will, son. I have to go. I hear your Mum calling my name. Talk to you soon. Make sure you let us know what the girl says. Bye now.”

“Bye, Pop,” I say and tap the button to end the call.

My eyes roam all around the interior of this completely bad ass machine and I pray that Peyton will be as impressed with it as I am. I pull into her long drive and see her father outside watering a tree it seems he’s just planted.

He looks at the car intently and then smiles when I get out. “Well, hey there, Kip.”

“Good evening, Matt. I see you planted yourself a tree there,” I say as I go and shake his hand.

“Yep, got me a pecan tree from the feed store today when I went to pick up some more cattle feed. I like pecans and someday I hope this one will make a few for me. If not, at least the grandkids will see some,” he says and I find it remarkable how both of our parents are going on about grandkids.

“Matt,” I say as I fidget a bit nervously, something I don’t do.

“Yeah, son?” he turns off the hose and drops it.

“You see that car there?”

“It’s a beauty. What kind is it?” he asks as we walk over to check it out.

I open the back door and it lifts up like some kind of a space ship and he gives a long whistle in approval.

“It’s a Tesla Model S. The safest automobile on the road to this date. It can do all kinds of things on its own, like park and change lanes when you turn the signal on. Plus it gets one hundred and two miles to one gallon of gasoline. It’s also electric and can run up to two hundred and seventy miles before you have to power it up again.”

“Well, I’ll be dang,” he says as he peruses the interior.

“Have a seat in the driver’s side, sir,” I say and open the door for him. I walk around to the passenger side and get in. “Start her up and take her for a spin.”

He looks all over then at me. “How?”

I point to where he needs to push, and he does. It starts up so quiet he doesn’t realize it’s on. “You can put it in gear now.”

“Is it on?” He looks confused.

“Yeah, just put it into gear and go,” I say and point to the shifter.

He does and pulls away. “Boy, this thing is smooth. It’s a rental?”

“I bought it today. Usually you have to order one of these, but this one just came in and they were going to use it in the showroom, but I added a little to the price and they let me have it.”

“You added to the price?” He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Boy, you don’t never add to the price. You make them come down!”

“Not with this car you don’t.” I laugh and watch him as his eyes light up as he looks at everything.

“Well, I thought you were having to ride on a bus,” he says as he drives down the road. “I guess you’re going to ship it back to Hollywood.”

“No, I’m giving it to your daughter,” I say and watch him intently for his reaction.

He laughs and looks over at me. “You must really like her.”

“I love her, sir,” I wait for his response.

“So soon?”

“Yes, sir.” I pull the small black box from my jacket pocket and open it to show him the engagement ring I bought her. “I’d like to ask her to marry me tonight at dinner. But only if you approve, sir.”

A silvery shimmer shines in his light green eyes.

“A bad ass car and that’s some ring there you got her. She’s our baby. Our last little chicken.” He looks me right in the eyes. “You think you can be good to her? I mean, your life is full of things that are very different from the life she’s known.”

“I know that.” I smile. “I can be good to her. Making her happy is all I can think about. Keeping her safe was at the top of my mind as I researched what kind of car to get her.”

“Safety is important,” he says. “Can’t say I even thought of that when her mother and I gave her that Jeep. Seems you have a pretty good head on your shoulders. I saw a picture of you when you’re all rock starred up. You do look different. Now that man I’d not give a yes to, but the man you are now, I have to say I do give my approval.”

I let out my breath and smile. “You won’t be sorry, Matt. I swear it to you.”

“Let me see that rock again,” he says with a smile. “Her mother is going to crap her pants over that.”

I laugh and feel better already.

Peyton

Out the window, I look for Kip to drive up as he said he’d be here around five and it’s getting close to six. Some gorgeous, black car pulls up and my father gets out of the driver’s side.

What the hell?

I get up and go outside to see why Dad’s cool all of a sudden as I see Kip get out of the passenger side. I stop and realize he was letting my father drive his new rental. Dad won’t fall for that if he thinks that my parents will give him the okay to keep me at his hotel tonight.

I packed a bag, but I doubt they’ll agree to let him keep me like that. I’m their baby, their last child, their favorite. I’m sure I am. No, they’ll never agree to anything he asks.

Kip looks devastating in a black suit with a light blue shirt under it which makes his blue eyes pop. His smile is big and bright as he comes towards me. I can’t seem to take my eyes off him as he picks me up and spins me around.

“Hello, love.” He drops a quick kiss on my cheek. “Did you miss me?”

The way my heart’s pounding I can’t lie and say I didn’t. “I guess so.”

He puts me down and laughs. “You guess, huh? Well, I missed you. Let’s go say hello to your mother then we’ll be on our way. I’ve made us reservations at supposedly the best five star restaurant in Austin. Have you heard of it? It’s called, Congress.”

I nod as I’ve heard about that place and I know it’s expensive. “We don’t have to go there. It must be uber-expensive, Kip.”

His arm goes around my waist and he gives my cheek another kiss. “Don’t ever let money stop you from doing anything. I have more than enough, so let me spoil you. Besides, this is our last night before I leave for Dallas tomorrow. I want it to be something you remember for the rest of your life.”

“Okay then.”

Mom’s eyes flash and she smiles. “Oh my! Don’t you two look amazing!” Kip lets me go and kisses my mother’s cheek and hugs her. “Oh, Kip, you’re such a sweetheart.”

I roll my eyes at his over the top shenanigans with my parents. They’re still not going to tell him he can keep me overnight. “You got something to ask my parents, Kip?”

He looks back at me and gives me his million dollar smile. “First, I want to show you what I bought you today. Come with us outside, Donna. You’ll like this too, I’m sure.”

“How exciting!” Mom says as Kip takes her hand and places it in the crook of his arm then runs his other arm around my waist as he takes us back outside.

“What a nice car you rented, Kip,” she says as we walk towards it, the gift inside it no doubt. “What kind is it?”

“It’s only the safest car they make. It’s called a Tesla. It’s both electric and runs on gas.” He turns to me and looks me dead in the eyes. “And it’s no rental. I bought it for Peyton. It’s hers now.”

“Shut up!” my mother and I say in unison.

“Kip, this is too much,” I argue as my eyes scan the magnificent vehicle. “I can’t accept it.”

My father’s voice comes from behind me, “Sure you can, sweetheart. It’s the safest thing on the road today.”

My head jerks back to look at my father. “What? Are you kidding me, Dad? This thing has to be insanely expensive. I can’t accept it.”

Kip’s hand pinches at my waist and it tickles a little. “Listen to your father, love. Don’t worry about how much it costs. The important thing is that you’re safe when you drive somewhere.”

He opens the door and it is all dark leather and looks like the inside of a space ship. He opens a back door, and it really looks like a space ship. “Kip, this is too much.” I look around and really want to accept it, but it’s not in me to.

“This is so nice, but…” His finger touches my lips stopping me.

“Don’t answer me yet about it. Just let it sink in and then you can tell me if you don’t want it,” he says then kisses my cheek, taking my breath away.

“Okay,” I say once his lips have left my cheek, I put my hand to where his lips have left as an electric current runs through it. “So, are you going to ask or what?”

With a wink he says, “So Matt, what do you say to Peyton staying in Austin with me tonight? We have reservations at eight and that will take some time, then I’d like to take her to a club on Sixth Street for a little while. It’ll be much safer for her to stay at the hotel with me tonight. Don’t you agree?”

My father’s smile I catch out of the corner of my eye. “It would. But Peyton I want you to know something, dear.”

My brows raise as I look at Kip with an, I told you so expression, then I look at my father. “Yes, Daddy?”

“Pumpkin, you do realize that your mother and I know you’re a grown woman now and completely capable of making your own decisions, right?” He wraps his arm around my mother and she smiles too.

What has just happened?

“No, I didn’t realize that, Daddy,” I say as my mouth feels dry and suddenly I feel like I’m at the edge of the nest and my parents are about to give me a shove.

“Sure, sweetie,” Mom says. “Now go and have a good time with your boyfriend.”

Kips gives me a squeeze and I find I’m light headed. “Let me go get the bag I packed.”

They all stay outside and look at the car as I go inside. As I open my bedroom door I look around and see how much it remains the same as when I was in high school. A kitten poster still hangs on one wall and my light pink curtains and bedspread look like something a little girl would have in her bedroom.

Is it me who’s been keeping myself in the baby position and not my family?

Then it occurs to me that maybe my parents are ready to let me grow up, but what about my over-protective brothers?

Surely once they see that Kip’s given me a car and has expectations of taking me away from them and their protection, they’ll make a fuss and demand that I leave him alone. I’ve never been able to make my own decisions. I had to fight to get a degree in Literary Arts. They all thought I needed to be majoring in business for some odd reason.

I hold the bag in my hand and stand still as I look around. Someone clears their throat and I turn to see my mother standing in the doorway.

“Peyton, what’s the holdup? Aren’t you excited to be going to that fancy restaurant and spending some time with that wonderful man who seems to be crazy about you?”

“Kinda.”

“Wow! Only kinda, Peytie!” She wraps her arm around my shoulders and walks with me out my door. “You’ve been sheltered, I know that, but don’t let life pass you by. If given great opportunities, take them. I see it in your eyes, baby girl. Fear. There’s no place for that. Let it go and see what happens with you and Kip. Don’t be afraid of what might happen. And please don’t think that we want to keep you from living and loving, we don’t.”

“Okay, Mom,” I say, feeling shell shocked.

Have all my thoughts about what my family would do if I take off with Kip been wrong?

Kip

“My parents are coming for Christmas, so you’ll get to meet them in December,” I tell Peyton as we go into the restaurant.

“Who says I’ll be there?” she remarks as we’re led to the table.

I wait for her to sit down then I take my chair and move it a bit closer to hers. After the host leaves, I lean near her. “Why wouldn’t you be?”

“I might have something else going on. I have no idea of what my future holds.” She picks up the menu and looks it over. Her eyebrows raise as her finger runs over the price of the first item on the menu. “Lord, these prices are ridiculous!”

“Don’t even look at those prices. Order anything you want,” I say and run my hand over her smooth thigh. The red dress she has on is a little on the short side, showing off her long, tan legs. I kiss the patch of exposed flesh behind her ear as she has her hair up. “You’re looking delicious tonight, love. I can’t wait to get you back to our room.”

“It’s not ours, Kip. It’s yours. Is that red-headed bimbo still lurking the halls, looking for you?” Her eyes never leave the menu and her tone is sharp.

“If you’d like to stay somewhere else, we can,” I say and run my hand up high on her thigh, then dip my hand between her legs. “It’s whatever you want, baby.” My thumb grazes her clit over her lace panties.

My roving hand has caught her attention, and she smiles despite herself. Her breath draws in slowly. “I don’t know what I want, if you want to hear the truth.”

“Let me help you decide then.” I look over at the menu first. “You want to try the prime rib, and the other thing you want is me.”

My thumb action has her attitude changing rapidly as she leans close to me. Her lips so close to mine I find myself leaning to touch them. “What makes you so sure?”

“The fact I can feel your heart pounding in your chest from here. Your pupils are wide, taking me in, and your mouth is quivering and you want to kiss me so badly.” I press my thumb to her clit hard and stop rubbing.

“Oh, Pop Rock, what are you doing to me?” Her lips touch mine for only a second and I just about fall apart.

Then she pulls away from me and her hand takes mine away from her sweet spot. But she plants a kiss right in the middle of my palm before she places it on her thigh. “You need me to go a little slower, baby?” I ask.

Quietly she answers, “I’d rather not have an orgasm before we even have appetizers.”

“Your loss, sweetheart,” I say with a smile. “Maybe between the appetizers and the entrée we can see what we can get accomplished then.”

She laughs and pushes at my chest. “You’re silly.”

Her eyes dance with her light laughter and she looks around the elegant room. “Tell me, are the 5 star restaurants in L.A. better compared to this one.”

“There are some a lot fancier. New York has the really fancy ones,” I say and run my hand up and down her thigh.

Her eyes run back up to meet mine. “Can I tell you something?”

“Anything,” I say and take her hand and place a kiss on it.

“My parents really threw me back there. I feel like I’m in a Twilight Zone episode. Their actions and the car you bought, it’s a lot to take in, and it’s sort of unbelievable to me.”

“The day comes when every parent lets their children go. It’s normal, natural, and healthy.” I kiss her cheek as I can’t seem to keep my lips off her for any length of time. “I told my father about you.”

Her cheeks go a shade of crimson and she giggles. “No you did not!”

I nod. “I did and he can’t wait to meet you. He told me to never let you go.”

“Why do you suppose he’d say such a thing about a plain old girl like me?” she asks with a frown.

“Please never think of yourself as a plain old girl, you are anything but that. And he said that because I’ve never told him I was in love with anyone before.” The waiter brings us the bottle of wine I chose before they sat us down and I taste it then give him a nod and he fills our glasses.

“Are you ready to order?” he asks.

“If you’re having trouble deciding, love, I can order for us both,” I say as I see Peyton get a bit of a panicked look on her sweet face. She gives me a nod and I proceed. “We’ll both have the White Lobster Bisque, then the Prime Ribeye Cap, and for dessert, the Passion Fruit Mousse.”

He makes a slight bow and rushes off. Peyton watches him then giggles. “You think I’ll like any of that stuff? I mean, where was the chicken fried steak and cream gravy? I thought you said this place was top of the line?”

Her thigh I give a squeeze. “It is. And you’ll love everything I ordered.”

Her eyebrows lift. “We’ll see.”

“So the car, love. Do you like it?” I ask and see her smile.

“What’s not to like? It’s gorgeous and ultra-cool.” She makes a long pause and looks deep into my eyes. “Tell me why you want to give it to me, though. I mean the real reason.”

“Don’t be mad,” I say and take her hand. “I know the words sound chauvinistic, but I don’t mean them that way. Not one bit. So please don’t give me any shit about this, promise.”

She bites at her bottom lip then says, “Okay, I’ll try to get past the words, but try hard not to offend me, please.”

“Take them like I mean them, Peyton and no other way.” I hold her hand to my chest. “I love you. I have this overwhelming need to protect you, to keep you safe. The car is just one more thing I can give you to help with that. Also, I want you to think of me when you go somewhere in it. I want to be close to your mind and heart even when we’re apart, like I know we’ll have to be sometimes.”

Her mouth forms a hard line and I fear she’s about to tell me what a horrible control freak I am or something else rash and untrue. “That is very, very sweet. That’s about the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. If what we have is meant to be then I suppose it will be whether or not I’m kept safe. That said, I will accept the car. I like the thought of thinking of you as I go somewhere. Keeping you close as I do the things I want to with my life sounds wonderful.”

Whew! That’s a relief!

I let out my breath. “I’m glad you understand. I want to be a part of your life, not take it over. What you want is important to me. I’ll never hold you back.”

“I’ll try hard not to hold you back either,” she says just as our bisque arrives and I feel a lot better about how his evening will turn out.

Peyton

The night was incredible. Dinner was over the top and then he took me to a club and we danced, without being hindered by my fan club. Now we’re in his hotel room and thankfully the hallway was free of any groupies.

My heels I’ve kicked off as Kip takes his jacket off and I see him pull something out of the inside pocket. I plop down on the side of the bed and lean back on my hands.

He come towards me then stops and drops down. I lean up and look to see just what the hell he’s doing. My head spins as I see he’s on one knee.

It’s only been three days! What is he thinking?

“Peyton, I know it’s been a short time…”

I interrupt. “It’s been three days, Kip. We don’t really know each other yet.”

He smiles. “Sometimes when a man is on one knee and holding a little black box it’s customary to allow him to finish what he’s saying, love.”

“Okay,” I say and press my lips together to try to keep my words in, but I have a lot of them I want to say, so we’ll see what happens.

“Peyton, it’s been a short time and most people wouldn’t be as sure as I am at this point. I want you to know I’ve never been more sure about anything in my entire twenty-five years. In your eyes, I see eternity and find myself overjoyed with the sight. I cannot promise you the moon or the stars and I never will. I can promise you my heart and soul, and that you will always be more than special to me. Peyton Gail Reed, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“Who told you my middle name?” I ask.

He laughs. “Seriously?”

I nod. “Yeah, I didn’t tell it to you. You know how I know that? Because it’s been three days since we met. So I can remember almost every word we’ve said to each other in that small amount of time.”

He leans forward and opens the black box where a monster diamond glistens on top of a platinum band, two small diamonds on each side of the large one. I am a woman after all and my eyes catch that fine, fine ring and my breath leaves my lungs and the thoughts in my head cease.

“Good, I’m glad you remember them all,” he says as he pulls the ring from the box and takes my left hand and pushes it onto my finger. “Because then you will remember how you told me that you love me. You are the first woman I’ve ever told that to and I am the first man you’ve ever said that to. So what do you say, Peyton? Will you marry me and make me the happiest man on the entire planet?”

The way the diamonds flash in the dim light hypnotizes me. The touch of Kip’s hand on my chin makes me look up at him and I see the question looming in his beautiful blue eyes with little golden flecks in them. All I can think is this feels right, this feels like home.

“Even though my brain tells me we’ve only known each other three days, my heart tells me I’ve known you forever. Yes, I will marry you, Kip.”

His mouth is on mine in an instant and he pushes me back on the bed. I part my lips and he moves his tongue right in, stroking mine. Our bodies fit together perfectly and my hands run over his back and into his silky, sandy blonde tresses.

This man wants to marry me! This man will be my husband!

He pulls his mouth from mine and looks down at me with the most gorgeous smile I’ve ever seen on him. “You’ve made me very happy, love.”

I smile back. “Have I now?”

He nods and pulls my hand up to look at the shiny ring on it. “It looks fantastic on you, just as I knew it would. Promise me that you’ll never take it off.”

“I promise,” I say and run my hand to the nape of his neck and urge him to put his lips back on mine.

He complies and his kiss takes me further away than it has before. His hand runs under the short hem of my dress and he pushes it up. The heat of his hand on my inner thigh makes me squirm under him. He pulls back and stands up, stripping off his clothes.

I try to stand up and take my clothes off too, but he stops me. “No, you wait. I want to undress you.”

Once he’s completely naked, my eyes can’t stop roaming over his gorgeous and well cut body, he pulls me up to him. His hands run slowly over the silkiness of the short, red dress I have on. The back is cut out so I have no bra on, just a lacey pair of red panties.

Moving around me to the back, his warm hands run over my bare back and down to my butt. He cups both cheeks in his large hands, giving them a squeeze. He inches up my dress and hooks his fingers on either side of my panties then pushes them until they fall to my ankles. His breath is warm on my neck as he says, “Step out of them.”

I do as he’s said and find my stomach tight with anticipation and my mind racing with what he’s going to have me do next. Never have I thought of myself as a woman who wants to be told what to do in the bedroom. My body and mind are loving it though so I might as will go with it.

Still behind me he pulls me back to him in a tight embrace. His cock is hard and huge as he presses it to my back. His hands run over my breasts, one stays and plays with one as the other runs down and under my dress as he finds my happy place and strokes it once before he plunges one finger inside me and moves it in and out a couple of times.

My heart is beating hard and I can barely breathe as he’s making my legs nearly tremble with his touch. Sliding his finger up until he reaches my clit, he kisses my neck and nips at it as he presses his finger to my hot spot and taps at it as if asking can he come in.

It shoots hot flashes through me with each light tap and my legs start to shake as my stomach begins to grow warm deep inside. The touch of his teeth on my earlobe make me groan and he pulls me tighter to him and pinches my clit between his fingers, igniting little bursts of pleasure that erupt inside me.

My legs start to give out and I fall down a bit, but his hand moves from my breast and wraps around my waist, holding me up as he continues to run his finger over my hot, wet folds then he pushes two of them into me and I fall apart as he pushes them in and out rapidly.

The sound coming out of my mouth surprises me as it’s a cross between a scream and a moan and I’ve never made it before. He lifts me up and places me on the bed still facing away from him. With his strong arms, he pulls me back until I’m on my hands and knees. His hands hot on my hips, he pulls me back until I feel the large head of his cock pressing at me from behind.

My mind clears for an instant and I’m about to tell him to put a condom on, then I hear a ripping sound and he backs away from me for a second. “No worries, love. I put one on this time.”

I smile as the tip of his large dick touches my wet opening and he pushes gently, letting it slowly move into my still not used to doing this vagina. It burns a bit as he slides it into me, but it’s a burn I’ve been craving and it ignites something in me. Something animalistic and my body pushes back to him until he’s all the way in and leans over me, leaving a kiss on my back. “You’re beyond beautiful, baby.”

I take in a deep breath as he pulls back nearly all the way out and slides slowly back in. The slow strokes are making me crazy to feel him move harder and faster. “Harder,” I whisper.

He makes a deep groan. “You sure, sweetheart?”

I nod. “This is just teasing me. Please do it harder and faster.”

He pulls back and then slams into me, forcing the breath from me and I love it as I suck it back in. He does as I’ve asked, making long, hard strokes that are leaving me breathless and aching for more from him.

The sounds he makes seem primal and guttural. They send my mind into a state that it’s never been in. All thought seems to go away and all I can think about is how great this feels and how hot I am inside as he moves in and out of me with such force.

My insides begin to quake and I’m making the scream-moan sound again, but louder this time. I lower the front part of my body and scream into the mattress as waves of intense pleasure roll throughout my body. He stiffens behind me and makes a loud moan, then moves slowly in and out as his cock makes little pulses inside me.

It’s the best thing I’ve ever felt. I don’t know if it’s the fact he wants to marry me or that we’re in a real bed that’s making it so much better than last night and this morning. Those times were pretty fantastic too, but this one has knocked them out of the ballpark.

A deep moan he makes as he pulls himself out of me and I fall on the bed in complete satisfaction. A tug on the dress he left on me has me opening my eyes.

“Time to get rid of this,” he tells me as I turn over. He pulls it up over my head and tosses it away. His deep blue eyes gaze at my body as he runs them over it.

One of my breasts he takes in his hand and lies die, pulling me into a spooning position. His soft, plump lips touch my neck just behind my ear. I run my hand down the arm that he holds across my chest and pull his hand from my boob and intertwine our fingers.

“I love you,”

“Mmmm,” he moans. “I’ll never tire of hearing you say that. I love you too. I cannot wait for you to become Mrs. Kip Dixon.”

“So, you apparently know my middle name,” I say as my eyes grow heavy. “What’s yours?”

“Reginald,” he says, sleepily. “He was my grandfather on my father’s side.”

“Oh, so a family name.” I pull our clasped hands to my mouth and leave a kiss on his then lay them back down.

“It is and our first son will have that middle name as well. Just so you know.” A gentle kiss he places on the back of my neck.

I giggle as I think about how alpha male he is and how I thought I’d never even like a man like that, much less love one.

And now I’m marrying one! What the hell?

Kip

The sound of my cell phone ringing wakes me up and I have to roll away from Peyton to answer it. I feel cold already as my body leaves hers. She stirs and moans. I see it’s Max and I answer, “Good morning.”

“Morning, Kip,” Max says. “I have a little girl here who has to talk to you. Are you busy?”

“Nah,” I say.

“Here she is,” he says and I hear Zoey’s sweet little giggle.

“Hi, Hunky Kip!” she squeals. “I miss you!”

“I miss you to, sweetheart,” I say and chuckle.

Peyton turns over and rubs her eyes as she looks at me.

“Did you find me a pony yet?” Zoey asks.

“Now you know I can’t tell you that. It’s a surprise, love.”

Peyton’s eyes go wide and she frowns. “Who the hell is that?” she whispers.

I put my hand over the phone and whisper, “Zoey.”

“But I want to know, please, please,” Zoey begs.

“Begging are you? That’s a naughty girl.”

Peyton sits up and says in a loud whisper, “You better hang up on that chic.”

I laugh as I see fire run through her eyes. I shake my head and tell Zoey, “I have someone I want you to meet when you come see me in Los Angeles for Christmas, sweetie.”

“Who?” she asks.

Peyton mouths, “Christmas?”

I nod. “Your Uncle Kip is getting married.”

Peyton’s eyes soften and the daggers she’s been shooting from them at me have stopped. “Married?” Zoey asks and I hear Max echo her in the back ground then he tells her to let him talk.

“Did she say that word right?” Max asks.

“She did,” I say and lie back and run my arm around Peyton’s shoulders and pull her back to lie on my chest. “You remember the girl I told you about?”

“Yeah, that was just a few days ago, Kip. Are you sure about this? I mean, she accepted a proposal from you after such a short time?”

“She did, albeit not exactly how I thought she would, but eventually she said yes,” I chuckle and tighten my arm around her in a hug.

“I guess when you know, you know. You’re a lot luckier than I was. It took forever for Lexi to marry me. So when’s the big day?” he asks.

“We haven’t set one. She’s got a big family and I’m sure they want to be involved, so we’ll have to see what she wants to do about it all. In all honesty I’d run off to Vegas and do it today, but I have to get on the road to Dallas and there isn’t time.” Peyton begins to squirm.

“Let me up,” she whispers. “I gotta pee.”

Reluctantly I let her go and can’t help but to give her ass a little slap as she climbs over me to get out of the bed. She gives me a look and I laugh. “I’ll let you know if we decide to have something with people involved. To be honest though, I’d like it to be just her and I.”

“Just do it, man,” Max says. “Just take her ass to Vegas the very first chance you get. You need to borrow my jet? All you have to do is let me know and I’ll send it your way. Get that wedding band on her finger before the crazy shit starts to happen. It’s a lot harder to walk away from a marriage than it is an engagement, believe me.”

I find fear creeping in and start to think I should cancel the show and take her to Vegas today. The stories Max and Lexi told me about all that went wrong before they got married has me feeling a shit load of anxiety. “You know what, Max. I may take you up on the Jet offer. Let me talk to her and I’ll get back with you. Bye.”

“Bye, talk to you later,” he says and ends the call.

Pulling on my slacks from last night, I trod in bare feet to the bathroom door. “I’m going to talk to Silas, the manager, for a minute, love. I’ll be right back.”

Her muffled voice says, “Okay, I’m going to shower.”

I grab the key off the top of the television and head out to see if I can make Silas agree to leave me out of the show tonight. Bobby can sing my parts, nearly as good as I can.

A quick knock I make on his door and am surprised as Bobby opens it. “Hey, there’s the prodigal son.”

“Yeah, it’s me.” I wave at Silas. “I’m actually glad you’re here, Bobby. I’m getting married.”

They both look at me in stunned silence, then Silas says, “To who?”

“The girl who wouldn’t kiss me when I sang her that song the other day,” I say with a smile.

No one else is smiling though. “No!” Bobby says quietly. “That’s stupid!”

“It’s not and shut up,” I say and give him a light punch on his shoulder. “So, anyway, I want to go to Vegas today and do it. I think Bobby can sing my part at the concert in Dallas tonight. We’ll catch up to you in Denver tomorrow night.”

“We’ll?” Silas asks.

“I’m getting my own bus and driver and we’ll be on that bus from now on. Don’t worry, I’m paying for it all out of my own pocket.” I turn to leave but Silas stops me.

“Buddy, I can’t let you do that.”

I cock my head to the side and turn back. “I’m not sure what you mean by that.”

A frown Silas wears. “You signed a contract, Kip. The show is your show, not the band’s. You have to go. In three weeks, you’ll have some free time to go get married. What’s the rush?”

“I want to be married to her, that’s the rush.” I pace back and forth. “I don’t want to wait three weeks.”

“Sorry, buddy,” Bobby says as he puts his arm around my shoulders. “Come on, let’s go down and get some breakfast and you can tell me exactly when it was that you lost your fuckin’ mind, mate.”

He walks me out of Silas’ room and I find myself feeling confused.

When did I lose control of my life?

Peyton

“I don’t know why you’re getting so pissed about that,” I tell Kip as he paces back and forth in his hotel room. “I don’t think running off and getting married today is a good idea anyway. I want to discuss it with Mom and see if they want to have a wedding. I am only getting married one time, I hope. I want it to be special.”

He takes me by my arms and looks at me with those penetrating blue eyes. “Come with me. I can get a bus and driver today.”

I shake my head. “No, Kip. If there is a wedding to plan, I need to be home to do it.”

The way his eyes roll tells me that he’s not happy with any of this. “Fuck that, we don’t need a big wedding. Let’s go to Vegas in three weeks and do it. If your family wants to be there I’ll fly them up and get them rooms, no problem. Just go with me on the tour, please!”

“Damn, Kip! You’ll be fine. The time will pass quickly, don’t worry.” I try to hug him but he lets my arms go and begins to pace again.

“So much can happen, and I want you. No! I need you. Don’t you understand? Won’t you hate not sleeping with me? Not waking up in my arms?” he asks.

“Of course, but we have a lifetime to do that.”

A knock comes at the door and Kip strides across the room and opens it. Purple boy, Bobby, is smiling and looks straight at me. “What have you done to my mate, girl?”

“No!” Kip says as he tries to close the door, but Bobby steps inside.

“I have not done a thing to him,” I say.

“You have, you witch,” he says. The Kip hits him. Bam!

Looks like the band is going to hate me!

Part Six: Shooting Star

Kip

A loud honking sound makes me look up. A car full of girls drives close to our tour bus ahead of me and Peyton. She’s driving as I nurse the shiner that Bobby gave me.

There are four girls in the convertible and three get up and flash their tits. Peyton chuckles. “Classy chicks!”

“Ignore them, that’s what I do,” I say as I pull the visor down and look at my eye. I run my hand over the bluish bruise. “That’s the first time the wanker has ever hit me in the face.”

Peyton smiles and pats my leg. “Shouldn’t you guys have a rule about hitting each other in the money-maker?”

“We should, and I’ll bring it up at our next meeting.” I push the visor back up and take her hand, giving it a kiss. “I want you to let me sing that song to you again, and this time I’m going to change it up a bit.”

A deep sigh she makes. “I really don’t want to get on stage. It’s not my thing.”

The crazy girls in the car keep honking and driving dangerously close to the tour bus. “Fuck this, love. Go around, we have this bad ass GPS system in this car. We can find our own way to the stadium.”

She hits her blinker and waits for the Tesla to move into the next lane. “This really is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen, Kip. Thank you again for giving it to me.”

I smile at her. “I’m glad you like it, baby. So, anyway, about the song. Please, please, please.”

“Damn! Really, Kip?” She frowns, and it makes me feel a little bad for bugging her about this, but I really want it.

“Really.” I hold her hand to my chest. “I want everyone to know you’ve accepted my proposal. I want the whole world to know.”

“You can just make a phone call to TMZ and the whole world will know. No need for me to go on stage and embarrass myself. Your female fans are sure to boo me.”

“Never! They’d never do that, love. You’re adorable, none of them would be that ugly. Just do it this one time and I’ll never ask you to do it again.”

“I don’t have a thing to wear to do that, so no,” she says, but she smiles so I know I’m wearing her down.

“That is not a problem.” I get my cell out of my pocket and call Silas who’s on the bus.

“Silas here, start talking, time is money.”

“Hey, I want a dress and heels for Peyton. I want to do the song again and she refuses to go on stage in anything she’s brought with her.”

She shoots me an ugly look and Silas says, “Already the diva, huh?”

I laugh. “Yeah, she’s a real piece of work, this girl. She wears a size three and a five in heels, so get on the phone and have her something very becoming waiting for her. Get someone there to do her hair and make-up as well.”

“I’ll have it all there. Tell the princess I’ll make sure she’s taken care of, Kip. By the way, do you want to tell me why Bobby decked you?”

“Because I hit him first, but I kindly punched him in the stomach and he took a cheap shot and hit me in the eye. Tell him I owe him one,” I say as I run my fingers over the bruise.

“You two need to make amends, Kip. Whatever he said to make you hit him, you know he didn’t mean it,” Silas says and then I hear Bobby in the background shouting. “Shut up, Bobby! For God’s sakes, let it go. Talk to you later, Kip.”

I put the phone down and frown. Peyton looks over at me. “Thanks for making me sound like a spoiled brat, Kip.”

“You’re welcome, princess.” I say and run my hand over her shoulder. “You may as well get used to it. I’m going to spoil you silly.”

I watch her as she seems to be thinking very hard about something. Finally she says, “I haven’t told my parents about you asking me to marry you. What are the chances of it getting on the news tonight?”

Picking up her phone from the console I hand it to her. “Call them and tell them. I don’t want them to hear it from anyone else. But your Dad already knows I was going to ask you, so it won’t be a real shock.”

“You told my dad about that?”

“I asked your father if I could have his approval and he gave it to me.” I smile at her as confusion fills her pretty little face.

“You asked for his approval after only knowing me three days and my father told you yes?”

“He did. I suppose he thinks I’m a catch and there’s no man better for you than I am.” I laugh, but she doesn’t join me.

“Damn! Are they that ready to be rid of their baby girl? To say I feel like I don’t even know my parents anymore is a vast understatement.” She takes the phone and makes the call.

“Hi sweetie,” her mother answers.

“Hi, Mom,” Peyton says and I chime in, making her look at me like I’m crazy.

“Hello, Kip,” her mother says with a giggle. “Where are you two today?”

“On our way to Dallas to do a gig at Arlington Stadium,” I answer.

“She’s talking to me, you goof!” Peyton says as she slaps my leg.

“I’m talking to you both, Peyton,” her mother corrects her. “Be nice, girl!”

“Anyway,” Peyton says with a smile. “Kip asked me to marry him last night.”

Her mother claps and laughs. “I know, your father told me he asked for his approval. Isn’t he the sweetest thing, Peyton?”

A sideways glance I get and she smiles. “I suppose he’s alright. So did Dad tell you what my answer was too?”

“Of course not, but you said yes, didn’t you?”

Peyton waits, I suppose a little irritated that she didn’t get to give her mother the news. “Nah, I told him to wank off.”

My mouth drops. “That’s not even an expression! Tell her the truth.”

“Against my better judgment, I finally told him yes. Frankly, I can’t believe Dad was all for it. We’ve only known each other a very few days after all.”

“When you know, you know,” her mother says.

I give Peyton’s leg a squeeze. “See, love? When you know, you just know.”

Peyton shrugs her narrow shoulders. “Well, okay then. Seems my family has gone over the edge and the world has tilted on its axis and I’m no longer the little girl who needs to be watched over any longer.”

“You’re twenty-four, Peyton. I had a husband and two sons by the time I was your age,” her mother says with a laugh. “So, when’s the wedding?”

I have to look at Peyton for that answer as she hasn’t agreed to that yet. She looks at me and smiles. “Oh! Finally something only I know. How refreshing.”

“Don’t worry Mom. I’ll tell you as soon as I make a decision. Kip wants to go to Vegas in a few weeks. He wants me to go on tour with him in the meantime. He seems to need me for some damn reason.”

“Vegas sounds great!” her mother says. “If you want us to come up there we would. But we get it if you want to do it all on your own.”

“I want you guys there. All of you.” Peyton frowns. “All these years ya’ll have been right there for every little thing I’ve done and suddenly I feel pushed away.”

“Aww, sweetie, we don’t mean it like that. We’ve babied you way too much and your father and I have realized that. We just want you to be happy. You know it yourself that you never let a man hang on to you the way you allow Kip to.”

“Mom! He’s right here!” She gives me a shy smile and looks away. “He doesn’t need to know every little thing about me.”

“Yes I do,” I say and stroke her cheek. “I want to know I’m the only man you let hold you close. That’s one of the endearing things about you, love.”

“Anyway, relay the news to my brothers as it may come on the television in the next few days as Kip plans on announcing it at the concert tonight.” Her eyes roll as if exasperated. “He’s making me get on stage so he can sing me that song again and let the whole stadium full of strangers know he’s off the market.”

“I think that’s super romantic,” her mom says. “I’ll tell the family so no one feels left out. Call me tomorrow, sweetie. I love you both. Bye now.”

I take the phone from her hand and set it down. “Your mommy loves me.”

“Lord, I don’t even know them anymore. So, have you told your parents yet, lover boy?”

“I have and they are over the moon. And just to let you know ahead of time, if we do get married in Vegas they want to be there.” I watch her for her reaction and am not disappointed.

“Oh my God! Kip, are you serious? Oh, man! They’re uber-famous, Kip!” Her cheeks flush and it makes me smile.

Finally, she shows her true self. She can get star struck!

Peyton

The day is not going anywhere near what I thought it would. Silas is standing between Kip and Bobby as me and the rest of Kip’s band stand back and watch the drama unfold.

“Why can’t you mind your own damn business, Bobby?” Kip shouts. “This doesn’t even affect you!”

Bobby shouts back, “The hell it doesn’t, bloke! Just look at what’s already happened. You and her driving to the gig on your own. What ever happened to us, the band?”

Kip’s eyes roll and I nearly laugh as he says, “Are you serious? What the hell is wrong with you? Are we never allowed to find someone and make them the center of our world? The band is a job, that’s it. Are we not allowed to have a family, Bobby?”

Bobby stops yelling and takes a step back, much to Silas’ relief. “Good! Okay, men, let’s just get one thing straight. As long as we all show up at each gig, that’s all that matters. The contract doesn’t state that any of you have to ride on the bus. Is it conducive to creativity? Yes. Is it mandatory? No.”

Bobby’s eyes level on me. “Why can’t you let him go with us on his own?”

My hand goes to my chest as I can’t believe he seems to be blaming me. “Bobby, it’s not me that wants this. It’s Kip.”

Bobby smirks. “Are you going to lie and say you don’t want to be with him?”

“I want to, yes. It’s not me that made the decision though. It was Kip.” I look at Kip and find him frowning. So I add. “He wants me around Bobby, so I will be whether you like it or not.”

Kip smiles, making me feel better. He looks at Bobby and says, “You’re the one that’s making a bigger thing out of this than is necessary. And punching me in the eye was way out of line, mate.”

Silas nods in agreement. “It was. Can we agree to keep our hands off each other, please?”

“Whatever,” Bobby says and starts to walk off then stops and turns back, looking directly at me. “You will be the end of this band, Yoko.” He turns and walks away.

Kip comes and wraps his arms around me. “Don’t listen to the wanker, love. I know that’s not true.”

The rest of his band goes away, and Silas looks at me. “He’s jealous is all, Peyton. Just stay away from him until he calms down. I’ll try to talk to him some more. One more thing you should know, Kip. Bobby won’t be playing when you sing that song to her.”

My insides quiver and Kip says, “I can do without the base guitar for that song anyway, fuck him.” His arms tighten around me and he kisses the top of my head.

“Kip, maybe you should just let that go. It’s not something you have to do, after all. Maybe that’ll help him to see me in a different light. You are kind of making me seem like I’m monopolizing your time.” I run my hand over his chest and lean into him. “I don’t want you guys not to get along because of me.”

“I don’t want you to worry about any of that crap, Peyton.” He lets me go and takes my hand, leading me away as we follow his manager to his dressing room. “You’re my life now.”

His words make me feel odd. I am his life now, means a lot when we’re talking about how busy this man’s life is. I’m not sure I can or even want to keep up with his fast-paced life.

“Kip, I have my things to do too. The writing thing, remember?”

“Sure, love. Hey, did you pack your laptop? You can write on your novel while I’m busy doing other things. It’ll help you to be better-rounded and a better writer, don’t you think?” His smile is contagious and I smile back at him.

“It should, shouldn’t it?” I ask as we walk into the large dressing room. A bottle of champagne and some fancy chocolates are in the room and a pretty, young woman waits inside.

She makes her way straight to me, which I find shocking. “Miss Reed, hello. My name is Angel and I’ll be your stylist.” Her eyes go to Kip. “Hello, Mr. Dixon. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine, Angel.” Kip lets me go and gestures to me. “She’s all yours. Bring her back to me as soon as you can. I miss her already.”

I laugh and the woman looks at my hand. “May I?”

I nod and hold my hand up so she can inspect the large diamond engagement ring. “It’s pretty, isn’t it?” I ask.

“Gorgeous! How do you feel about marrying such a public figure, Miss Reed?” She escorts me through another door and I see several dresses and shoes.

“I’m not really sure yet.” I answer as I look around at what all she’s brought for me. My mind is spiraling at how odd this all is. “The time we’ve shared has been out of the public eye. In the past I’ve been the last person you would find in the spotlight. I’m not really sure how I’ll take it.”

“You’ll be fine. I’ll fix you all up and make you gorgeous, don’t worry.”

She sets me down in front of a sink and throws a cape over me. “Are you going to wash my hair?” I ask.

“Wash, cut, dye, curl, make magic happen,” she says with a smile.

I wish I felt more confident, but I just feel kind of dumpy. I mean I didn’t realize I needed a make-over, but this woman seems to think I do.

“You think I need that much done?” I ask as she leans me back to the sink.

“Your picture is about to go viral, dear. Don’t you want to look better than you ever have before? The whole world will be judging you, you know.” She goes to work on me and the reality of being Mrs. Kip Dixon starts to settle in.

Is life with him worth all this?

Kip

The last black spike is pulled up in my hair and I hear the sound of a woman clearing her throat. I turn around in the make-up chair to see the young lady who was in charge of getting Peyton ready. “Hey, how’d she do?” I ask.

“She did wonderful,” the woman says and steps away.

A tall woman stands behind her in the shadows. I squint as I can’t really see if it’s Peyton or not. She steps forward and her smile gleams in the light. The smile I recognize, but not the woman.

Her blonde hair has chunks of black running through it. Her make-up is so heavy, she looks completely different. Gorgeous, but so different. “Where did my girl next door go?” I ask.

Peyton’s black-rimmed eyes blink at me. “It’s too much isn’t it?”

The stylist laughs and takes her by the hand, bringing her closer to me. “Not too much at all. Do you like, Mr. Dixon? This is the woman who will be in the pictures with you as the world sends them all over once you let the news out about your engagement.”

I glance down at the red T-shirt they have me wearing and notice it matches her tight as hell, red dress. Designer red heels that are at least three and a half inches high has her teetering towards me. The closer she gets, the more make-up I see.

The country girl with naturally great looks is lost in the pounds of make-up and hair dye. But I smile anyway. “You look fabulous, Peyton.”

She looks into the mirror I sit in front of and her eyes dart back and forth between her reflection and mine. “We look like the rock star couple, don’t we?”

My lips are black and hers are red, and I know the sheer amount of color on them both will rub off when we kiss on stage. I look at my stylist, Gilbert. “We have to kiss and this crap on our mouths will get messed up.” He makes a face as he looks for something to help.

I stand up to find she’s as tall as I am with her heels on. She looks uncomfortable in the form fitting dress. “Kip,” she whispers in my ear. “I feel ridiculous.”

“You look great, love.” I know she’s not one to use all this stuff or dress like this. It makes me feel awful for putting her through this. “It’s only one song.”

“There will be people taking pictures afterwards too I bet,” she says, and she holds her head awkwardly as I suppose the thick lip gloss feels odd to her. Her hand goes up to move a piece of her hair away from her eyes.

“No!” the stylist shouts and reaches between us to grab her hand. “That’s how it’s supposed to go, Peyton. Don’t touch a thing. Not your face or hair, remember, please.”

“This feels so strange,” she moans. “My hair feels yucky and stiff. My face feels like it can’t breathe, my body feels as if it’s constricted. I can’t move freely and my feet already hurt.”

I sit her down in my make-up chair. “I know. It’s not a thing you’re used to.” I turn to her stylist. “She doesn’t usually wear make-up and when she does, its light. Her hair is left loose and the curls flow around her face on their own. She’s a natural beauty.”

“That she is, but we want her to look as if she belongs with you, do we not?” she asks.

“Well, yeah, but…” I say.

She interrupts. “The way she came in here would never work with how you look now, Mr. Dixon. It would be awful to have her looking all natural with you so made up. No one would believe you’d really want to marry her like that.”

Peyton’s head goes down and I jerk my head back to her stylist. “Leave us!”

She and Gilbert leave and I take Peyton’s chin in my hand, the country girl hidden beneath the mountain of make-up.

“My family won’t even recognize me,” she says in a quiet voice. “This isn’t me, Kip.”

“I know, but maybe it is better this was.” I say with a smile. “Now, when we’re out and about no one will recognize you either. Please tell me she used dye that will wash out.”

“How should I now?” she asks with a pout on her deep red lips. “She just went to work on me and told me the whole world would be seeing my face. I guess my real face wasn’t good enough for the whole world.”

“Aww, it is too. Come on, love. Look at it like I said. Now no one will recognize either of us. It’s for the best.” I give her a hug and she sighs.

“It’s not like I could change it if I wanted to,” she says.

“Well, that’s the spirit! Not!” I touch her cheek, lightly. “You look the part, so now let me show you how to act it.”

I stand back and jut out my hips all Mick Jagger style and walk for her. It works, and she laughs. “You look like an idiot.”

“Come, love, let us be idiots together.”

She stands up and steadies herself on the sky-high heels. Slow, sexy steps she makes as she comes to me. “Is my ass moving the right way?”

My eyes go wide. “Yes, Jessica Rabbit. You are working the heels and tight dress like a pro. Get into character and let’s show the world the fake as hell couple we pretend to be, so the real us can live a bit of a normal life.”

She loops her arm with mine and puts on a fake, million dollar smile. “Shall we go greet your fans now?”

“They’re a little rowdier than your fan club, but you’ll get used to them,” I say as I lead her out.

As we make our way down the long hallway, Silas and Bobby walk out of one of the many doors along the corridor. Both stop and stare. “You like?” I ask.

“Who the hell is that?” Bobby asks as he narrows his eyes and looks Peyton up and down. “And where did the country mouse go?”

Silas takes him by the arm. “Watch what you say. Do you remember what we just talked about? Our little beauty is obviously right in front of us, Bobby.”

Peyton looks down and I speak up, “We thought it best for her appearance to be altered just like the rest of us. It’ll be better in the long run. She looks hot, doesn’t she?”

“Too hot,” Bobby says. “No one will ever believe she wants to marry the likes of you, bloke.”

Peyton looks at him and smiles. “Is that a compliment, Bobby?”

With a shrug he says, “I wouldn’t got that far, Yoko.” He smiles and I think he may be coming around. “How are you going to handle his groupies, doll?”

She looks at me and smiles. “They’ll play hell getting their hands on my man.”

“Ohhhh! Look who’s suddenly the tough little thing?” Bobby says as we begin to walk again. “Put some make-up on her and she transforms into another woman.”

I look her over and see only the tiniest resemblance to my girl and find I miss her already. This night can’t get over with fast enough.

Peyton

Bobby played the song after all and we all had a good laugh after the show was over. I soak in a hot tub of water in the fancy hotel as Kip does an interview over the phone with some DJ in L.A.

The word is out that we’re getting married and the circus has begun. I never really knew how it was to be in the media. They want every little detail and it seems my fiancé is giving it to them. Save where I’m from or what my real face looks like.

The black dye washed out, thank the Lord. I feel human again with all that goop off me. I don’t know how Kip and the guys can perform with that much crap on their faces. It’s hot as hell!

A little knock on the door I hear then Kip’s head pops around the door.

“Can I come in?”

“I’m surprised you asked. Yes, you can. Take a shower and get all that shit off you.” I splash water at him. “Then you can climb in here with me.”

He smiles and comes in, stripping down as he makes his way to the separate shower. “They want you and I to make our way to L.A. as soon as possible to do a morning talk show over there.”

I close my eyes and go under the water. That’s the last thing I want to do. To marry Kip is one thing. To become this thing with him is quite another. I push my head back up and sigh, but the fact I haven’t answered him he notices.

He hurries to get all the make-up and hair crap off him then comes and gets in the large tub with me. Facing me, he takes my foot in his hand and rubs it. “Do your feet still hurt?”

I nod and say nothing. He takes the other one and rubs it too. Watching him as he does the little massage thingy, I realize he really does care for me. Not just a little, like a lot.

He was so damn sweet when he sang to me. Running his hands along my neck and my back as he sang the words. I took them so differently this time. I kissed him this time, and the crowd went crazy. They went even crazier when he told them I had agreed to become his wife as he held up my hand and the spotlight caught the glimmer of the diamonds in my engagement ring.

A fairy tale is what it felt like. So many people cheering and after we walked off stage together, so many strangers congratulating us both. As if I was someone special too.

I pull my feet from his hands and make my way to him. Up his hard body I slide through the warm water. His deep blue eyes light up as I rub my breasts across his chest. “Will you kiss me, Kip?”

His lips touch mine and I melt in an instant. My hands slide along his bulging muscles of his upper arms and my legs move between his. His long dick begins to pulse and harden.

I slide one hand down and take his now hard dick and guide it into me as I straddle him. He and I moan together as I move him into me. His tongue slides over mine. The touch of his hands on my waist make me go warm inside as he slowly moves me up and down.

Our bodies slide easily against each other. My breasts move up and down his chest, making my nipples hard and erect. The feel of him inside me with no condom in between us is something I’ve found I missed since he forgot to put one on the other morning.

Something about him telling the world he’s in love with me and marrying me has me feeling more for him. More security, more trust, more everything. I pull my mouth away from his and leave little kisses down his cheek and place my lips near his ear. “I love you,” I whisper.

He groans and arches up to me. “I love you.”

My stomach starts to go all wiggly as my orgasm begins. I sit up and let him lift me up and down his hot, hard dick. I arch my back and feel him go deeper inside me.

The little waves start to run through me and I place my hands on his broad, muscled chest as I fall apart. A loud moan I let out.

“Oh, baby,” he moans and then he stops lifting me. “Okay, get off, baby. I have to cum.”

“Just do it,” I say as I try to move my body up and down him on my own but he holds me tight.

“Peyton, I don’t want you to take another one of those pills. I don’t like you doing that,” he says as he holds me steady and I can fill his dick starting to pulse inside me.

“I won’t, just do it, Kip.” I run my finger along his chin and lean over and kiss him hard.

His arms wrap around me and he kisses me like he never has before. Deep and hungry, his kiss is, and he growls as he moves my body up and down the length of his cock again. Hard and fast until he fills me with the heat of his seed and I find myself climaxing again.

I pull my mouth away and let out a little scream as it feels like Heaven. His moan follows, and he pulls me back and kisses me hard as he keeps moving me up and down to stroke him until both of us have stopped the hard climaxes.

His kiss softens, and he lets my mouth go. I rest my forehead on his as I catch my breath. I bite at my lip as I know what I’ve just allowed and what could happen.

“I love you, Peyton. Thank you for letting go and allowing me to love you the way I want to. I’ll try my best to never hurt you. You can trust me to always be here, baby.” His words fill my heart and tears start to fall.

Somehow he notices them and kisses my cheeks, taking them away. “I don’t know why I’m crying. I’m an idiot, I guess.”

“You’re crying because you’re letting that wall you had built up to keep others out fall apart. It has to fall so I can come in. Me and whoever else comes along to build our family.” His lips touch mine again.

My heart pounds with what I think must be hope. Hope for a real love, hope for a real shot at happiness, and hope for a future with this man and a family with him as well.

Can it really be this easy?

Kip

A sharp pain on my ass wakes me up. I move away as it seems Peyton’s foot has kicked me. The sun’s light peeks out from behind the chocolate colored drapes in the hotel room. I suppress a laugh as I don’t want to wake her up.

She and I made love a whopping six times last night. The most times in one night for me, a record. I do believe my announcement of our impending marriage has her finally believing this thing between us is real. She’s much more free, and it seems she’s more than ready and willing to get started on our family, the little minx.

As long as I’m awake I may as well go and use the bathroom. I scratch my head as I get up and walk away. “Where are you going?” she asks.

I turn back and give her a smile.

“To take a piss. I’ll be back, don’t move.”

She giggles and I find it adorable and my dick finds it exciting and begins to harden. I have to hurry if I’m going to be able to empty my bladder before my dick changes things for me.

The television is on as I come back to bed. I lie down and she cuddles up to me, laying her head on my chest. The local news is on and low and behold there pops up a picture of us from last night.

“There we are, or a version of us anyway,” she says.

She turns up the sound, and the reporter says, “Kip Dixon stunned audience members as he introduced the woman he will be marrying. That’s right ladies, Kip is going off the market, sorry. Hours after the announcement tabloid reporters went on a search for who this woman really is.” A picture of Peyton, make-up free and naturally pretty pops up. “It seems this is the real Peyton Reed. Make-up free and much more plain than the woman who stood at Kip’s side last night. Seems she’s not the glamorous thing on stage, but a dumpy, dirty blonde from central Texas. It’s something that has many of Kip’s female fans out of sorts. Here’s what a few had to say when they saw a picture of how she really looks.”

“Fuck! Turn it off,” I say as I try to grab the remote, but Peyton keeps it from me.

“No, I want to hear this.”

The picture goes to a trampy looking woman with orange spikes on the top of her head. “When I saw that I was like what the bleep, Kip? I mean, I’m more attractive than she is. Why not me?” She begins to grab the bottom of her shirt and pulls it up some. “I mean, look at these tits!” The camera leaves her abruptly and goes to another whorish looking woman.

“Yeah, why her? She’s as boring as they come. He’s much too good looking for her. Why not me, Kip?”

Peyton’s face has fallen, and she hands me the remote. “There, take the damn thing!”

“You know I think you’re gorgeous,” I say and pull at her to come back and lie on my chest again, but she’s not having it.

She throws the blanket back and gets out of bed. “I’m going to take a shower and then possibly a bath so I can drown myself.”

“Love, don’t let that crap get to you. It’s not true. They’re all jealous at how you’re naturally pretty and they aren’t. Those tramps weren’t even pretty with make-up on," I say, but she goes in the bathroom and shuts the door behind her.

Why in the hell do people have to be so fucking mean?

Peyton

I’m going home today. I don’t care how disappointed or mad Kip gets. I cannot go to any more of his shows. I won’t get dressed up and made up again as it makes no difference anyway.

This was always there in the back of my mind. I’m not good enough. Definitely not pretty enough. This is no place for me. Behind the scenes is the best place for a plain Jane like myself.

I dry off and look at my reflection. A smattering of freckles cross the top of my nose and my lips are a little too pale for my tanned skin. My eyes are too small and my eyelashes are thin.

Why can’t I be beautiful?

Why can’t I have long, lustrous hair? What does Kip see in me?

The bathroom door opens and my naked fiancé comes in. “I was going to leave you alone to deal with this, but I decided that was the dumbest thing I could ever do.”

His arms slip around me and he pushes the towel I have wrapped around me to the floor. “Kip, don’t.”

“You’re going to take a shower with me. I need you to wash my hair for me.” He takes my hand and pulls me back to the shower where he turns the water back on and tugs me inside with him.

Tears start to flow over my cheeks along with the water. I look up at him as he wets his shoulder length, blonde hair. His blue eyes sparkling at me. I pick my hand up and put my fingers on the ring he gave me and twist it.

His eyes dart to what I’m doing and he grabs my hands in his. “What do you think you’re doing, Peyton?”

“I want to give this back to you. We both know I can’t marry you.” I try to pull my hands from his, but he’s too strong.

“First, I told you never to take that ring off. And you will marry me, Peyton. I’m not letting what some dumb asses say about you take you from me.” His hands move up my arms and stroke them gently as he looks into my eyes.

“What do you see in me that others can’t? Not even myself.” I ask and study him intently.

“I see a future with love and happiness. You are beautiful, Peyton. Your beauty is so deep I guess some can’t see it like I do. But I swear to you that I do.” He kisses my forehead. “As a matter of fact I didn’t want to tell you so last night as I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. The make-up and hair that lady did on you took away from your natural beauty. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it at all. You didn’t look a thing like yourself.”

“Well everyone else thought that stage-me was pretty and the real me is ugly,” I say and find I’m just about to fall apart. “I really need to go back home, Kip. When you’re done with the tour we can see about moving forward, but I can’t right now.”

He grips my shoulders and looks at me with the sternest expression I’ve ever seen. “You aren’t going anywhere except with me. This shit isn’t breaking us up!”

“I’m not saying we’ll break up, but I don’t want to go on tour with you. It’s too embarrassing. When you’re done we can try it again. Don’t worry, I won’t see anyone else while you’re doing that. Shit, I doubt I’ll leave the fucking house.” I look away and wish I was gone already.

His mouth crashes down on mine and he presses me against the warm wall. My breath ceases in my lungs, then he pulls away. “How long can you go without that?”

“I have to…” I say, but he presses his dick into me and pulls my legs up to wrap around his waist. I moan as he slips into me and it feels like heaven.

He thrusts into me as he looks into my eyes. “I don’t want not to be able to do this with you. We can’t if you go home. I don’t even want you to call that place home anymore. I’m your home, Peyton. Wherever we are together, that’s home, baby.”

“But, how can I show my face in public? How can I stand next to you without feeling ugly?” I ask as he moves slowly in and out of me.

“Put that shit out of your mind, love. It’s stupid,” he says as he grinds into me.

His fingers massage my ass as he pushes his hard as hell dick into me and I squirm as he’s making me feel so damn good. “I can’t.” I say then moan a little. “Shit! You make me feel so fucking good.”

He smiles and kisses me hard, taking me away from the damn news and the crappy chicks who said I was ugly. Hell they were ugly in my opinion.

His hard cock pounds me as his tongue twirls around mine. My heart is pounding as in an instant my body grows hot and I have to pull my mouth away to let out a scream as I orgasm hard. His body stiffens as he climaxes at the same time.

The water falls over his back as he leans his head to mine and says, “You are mine, Peyton. You will be my wife and the mother of my children. I never want to see you attempt to pull the ring that shows who you belong to off again. Do you understand me?”

He pulls back and looks at me. His jaw is set and his body tenses as he waits for my answer. The words he said may seem crude and somewhat chauvinistic, but they hit something in me that wants that caveman. He knows what he wants, and it seems to be me, no matter how ugly I am.

I swallow hard and say, “I understand, Kip.”

His expression softens, and he smiles. “Good. It’s you and I, love. No one else’s opinion matters.”

He says it like it’s true, but I’m not so sure.

Kip

Holding tight to Peyton’s waist, we make our way from the hotel room to get on the road to Denver. We have a long drive and she’s not looking forward to the gig after the crap ass media report.

We all seem to be leaving at the same time as I see the rest of the band and Silas in the hallway. I hold her back a bit, afraid of what jack ass Bobby might say if he’s heard any of the negative comments the media is making.

“Hey,” Bobby says as he sees us.

My heart nearly stops as he looks from me to Peyton. She seems to fear his comments too as her arm runs around me and she pulls herself closer to my side. She’s vulnerable and probably won’t be able to take any shit from him without crying.

Bobby stops and waits for us to catch up, which we try hard not to do. “How’s it going, Bobby?” I ask as we near him.

He looks at me briefly. “Not great. Some wankers are talkin’ ‘bout me best mate’s girl and that pisses me off.” In a swift motion he takes Peyton away from me and hugs her. “No one gets to talk about my Yoko. Don’t worry, darlin’ no matter what they say, we all know you’re gorgeous.”

I smile as I watch him and clap him on the back. “Now, there’s my best mate.”

He pulls back and looks down at her. Tears stream down her pink cheeks. “Thanks, Bobby. You have no idea how much your words mean to me.”

He gives her a chaste kiss on the cheek, then a wink. “No worries, Yoko. I got your back, darlin’, you’re a real beauty. Never let them make you up any different than you are again. I got your back.”

“Us too,” the other band members say as they come to us.

Silas walks up and nods. “I’ll issue a press release condemning this awful attack on you. Don’t worry, Peyton.”

Tears flow from her eyes as she lets go of Bobby and clings to me. “I don’t know how to thank you guys for this. I needed it like you’ll never know.”

We part ways as the others go to the bus and Peyton and I go to the car. I fish for the car keys in my pocket. Peyton takes my arm and pulls her keys out. “I’ll drive first, you can take the next shift. I love driving this car.”

Her cell rings and she takes it out of her purse. I look at the screen and the word, ‘Mom’ shines out at me. “Tell her I said hi, love.”

She answers the phone and I open the car door for her. She slides in behind the wheel. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, baby. I have some news, are you sitting down?” her mother asks.

As I pull my seatbelt on and listen to her voice a chill runs through me as its clearly shaky. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

Donna’s voice breaks, and she starts to cry. “Your brother, Tyler, he was in an accident this morning on his way to work.”

Peyton’s jaw tenses as she holds tight to the steering wheel. “Is he okay, Mom?”

“He’s in surgery right now. It’s his back, the lower vertebrae have compression fractures. They have to fuse his bones together and put in some bone tissue from his hip bones, and…..” Donna breaks into sobs.

Peyton’s eyes begin to shimmer. “I have to go be with my family, Kip.”

I nod, I know she does. “Get out and let me drive.”

Confusion fills her face. “You can go on the bus. I’ll catch up when my brother gets better.”

“I’m not leaving you to deal with this alone. I’ll call Silas in a minute and tell him what’s happened.” I get out of the car and go around to open her door. She’s hung up the phone and as she gets out I pull her into a hug. “I’m so sorry, love.”

She breaks down and I pick her up and carry her to the passenger side. Gently I place her on the seat and pull the seatbelt down and buckle her in. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I’m a wreck.” She runs her hand over my cheek, and I take it and give it a kiss.

“No worries, mate. That’s what couples do for each other.” I close the door and get in the driver’s seat then make the call that’s going to have my band and manager pissed at me.

As I pull out of the parking lot and head back towards Austin, Silas answers his phone. “Yes, sir?”

“I’ve bad news, Silas. Peyton’s brother was in an accident and is going into surgery for his back. I’m taking her back to Austin.”

“No! I mean, no, you can’t. I’ll hire a driver to take her back and you come get on the bus. You have to do the show, Kip.”

My head spins as he thinks I’m actually going to allow that. Peyton touches my hand. “It’s okay. I can drive on my own. Go to the bus, go with your band. It’s your job, Kip.” Tears cascade down her reddened cheeks and I wipe them away.

“No, I’m going to take her. Once he’s out of surgery and we’re sure he’s going to be okay, we’ll catch up. Cancel the show or don’t I don’t care.” Reaching into the glove compartment I find a small package of tissues and hand them to her. Then I make my way to the highway.

“You’ll be in breach of your contract if you don’t do as I’ve said, Kip. Her family is who she should be with anyway. She doesn’t have to have you with her. She’s a big girl, she can take care of herself and her parents will be there. Come and get on the bus. She said she understands.” Silas waits in silence for me to do what he’s said.

“I can’t do it, man. Sorry, I’ll get back with you. If he gets out of surgery and things look alright, maybe I can fly up there in time to do some of the show anyway. The opening band can play longer, give them the heads up about it.” I look at Peyton who’s dabbing at her tears and wiping her nose and being so quiet. “Bye,” I say and hang up.

Her voice shakes as she says, “You really should go with them. I don’t want you to get into trouble over me and my family’s problems.”

“You’re my family, Peyton. My place is with you. If it were the other way around, wouldn’t you go with me?” I ask.

She nods. “I don’t have anywhere else to be though. No one is threating me with a lawsuit if I don’t show up.”

“Silas won’t sue me. He uses that as a threat, but he won’t. They can figure things out for Denver, and Cheyenne is three nights away. I should be able to make Cheyenne. I’m sure your brother will make it out of surgery fine. The man’s strong as a horse.”

She laughs and smiles. “He is. I’m sure you’re right. Thank you for being here for me. I’ve never needed anybody more than I need you right now.”

Her hand I give a quick kiss and smile even though I’ve lied. Silas is notorious for suing performers who break his contracts. His threats are anything but idle. The last guy who broke contract lives in a van on the beach in California.

Part Seven: Star Bursts

Peyton

Sterile air circulates around me and my family as we wait in a small waiting room for the surgeon to come and tell us the details of Tyler’s surgery. We’re packed in here like sardines as Levi brought his wife, Tanya and Blake brought his wife, Abby. Of course Tyler’s girlfriend, Samantha, is here and my parents.

Kip ran out to get me a tea and I assume to call Silas as the man has threatened him with all types of things if he doesn’t make it to Denver tonight for the concert. I’ve told him to go on without me, but he refuses. I have to say I am glad he’s here though. Never did I think I’d actually feel a real need for anyone, other than my family.

A monster sized clock ticks out the seconds on the wall, and I find it moves agonizingly slow. It’s been three hours since we arrived and still no word about Tyler. My stomach hurts as I think about him maybe being paralyzed.

Kip appears and motions for me to come to him outside of the waiting room. I get up and go to him in the hallway. He hands me the cup and I can tell by his drooping mouth he had words with his manager.

“I talked to Silas,” he says and fidgets with the lid of his cup of coffee.

“You should go, Kip,” I say, but hate the fact I don’t really mean it.

I’m not a person who usually says things that are untrue, but I don’t want to cause Kip trouble in his financial life. Although he has tons of money, the blow to his career if he’s taken to court over this would affect him for years to come.

“I don’t want to, but I’m afraid he’s booked a private jet, and I have to be on it in four hours.” He takes my hand and holds it to his heart. “After the concert I’ll get back on the jet and come back to you. I’ve set you and your family up in a hotel, and I’ll be back around five in the morning. Then I don’t have to leave again for a couple of days. I’ll take the jet out to Cheyenne then and right back to you, once the concert is over. It’s the best I can do, love.”

My heart is pounding at the thought of him doing so much flying back and forth for me. “Kip, that’s crazy. Just go on the bus with them. I’ll catch up to you once I know Tyler will be fine.”

The words I’ve said kind of stick in my throat as I think about the fact Tyler may not ever be fine. The fact is he could die on the operating table or come out of there paralyzed.

My knees buckle and I fall back against the wall. Kip’s strong arms go around me, holding me up as I begin to cry into his chest. “God damn it!” he says in a whisper. “I don’t want to leave you like this, baby.”

“Get me away from the waiting room. I don’t want my crying to have a domino effect on the rest of my family,” I say quietly.

Kip runs his arm around my shoulders and takes me down the hall until he sees another small, empty waiting room. “Here, love. Let’s sit down in here.”

He takes the cup from my hand and puts the cups down and sets me on his lap. I bury my face in his neck and throw my arms around him. “He could die, Kip,” I say as I let it all loose. “Or he may never walk again.”

He pats my back and hugs me tight as I cry. “Don’t think like that, love. He’s a tough guy. You have to try to think positive right now.”

“What if I do and it hurts me even more if something horrible happens?” I ask through my sobs.

His silence lets me know he has no answers and I don’t even know why I’m asking him anyway. Quietly he shushes me as he runs his hands over my back. “It’s going to be okay,” he says and then his lips touch the top of my head and I pull back and look at him.

This is too much for how early on we are in this relationship. I’m asking too much from him. I choke back my sobs and try hard to stop crying. “I’m sorry, Kip. I’m so damn sorry. You barely know me and I’ve grabbed onto you like a drowning person, pulling you under with me. This isn’t your problem, and it’s making you have issues with your job. I’ll be fine, I have my family. Go do what you have to and don’t worry about me.” I try to get off his lap, but he holds me tight.

“Peyton, stop,” he says and pulls me back into a hug. “I want to be here for you. I don’t care about anything else. I won’t go.”

The knot in my stomach grows even bigger and I cry a lot harder. This isn’t what I want. Not one bit. I don’t want to be that girl who has to have a man by her through every little thing. I push hard on his chest and I suppose the suddenness of it has him letting me go.

I stand up and run away. Down the hall, away from my family and Kip. I need to be alone. I’ve become too dependent on others. I should be able to stand on my own two feet and deal with this on my own.

I can barely see through the tears and I run into something. A large hand grips my shoulder. A deep voice says, “Aren’t you with the Reed party? Isn’t Tyler someone to you?”

I blink back the tears and try to stop crying as I look up at the blurry man in light green. “He’s my brother.” Just the mere words make me break down again and I feel an arm go around my shoulders.

“You got her, son?” the man asks.

Kip’s voice I hear. “I do. Do you have news on Tyler?”

“I do,” the man who now I know is the surgeon who was operating on my brother says. “Come with me, I like to only say things once.”

I lean against Kip as he follows the doctor. He hands me some tissues and I blow my nose and wipe my tears away. Back into the waiting room with my family we go.

All eyes go to the doctor. “Hello, I’m Doctor Baker. I was one of the attending surgeons for Tyler. He is in ICU at this moment. He’ll be in there for most likely a week. He had a ruptured spleen which we repaired, a couple of cracked ribs and the compression fractures on the last two vertebrae. We took a bone graft from his left hip and used it to make a spinal fusion.”

My mother gasps and starts to cry. Dad puts his arm around her and says, “That’s a lot of things, isn’t it Doc?”

“It is, but I’ve seen worse. We’ll know in a few hours once the anesthesia wears off if he can move his legs. We know the upper part of his body is working, so that’s something.” The doctor pauses as he searches around the room. “And who is Samantha?”

She raises her hand like a school kid. “That’s me.”

The doctor pulls something out of his pocket and walks over to her. “Before we knocked him out, he asked me to give this to you. He said he’ll do it right once he can ask you in person, but he’d like you to wear this until then.” He hands her a black box.

We all watch as she opens it and pulls out a diamond engagement ring. She bursts into tears and my brother Levi takes her in his arms and hugs her tight. “It’s all going to be okay, Samantha. You’re family now, we got you, kiddo.” He pulls back and his wife, Tanya, hands her some tissue.

Tanya helps her put the ring on her finger and smiles. “Welcome to the family, sis.”

My mother sniffles then asks, “When can we see him? I really need to see him.”

The doctor turns to her. “You can go in two at a time in about two hours. My advice to you is to go get something to eat and return here with a lot of strength and hope. He needs you guys more than ever. I’ve noticed in other patients the ones with solid family strength do so much better than those with a bunch of weak family members who come in crying. So get it together and be strong for him. Remember that the most important thing is that he’s alive. The rest can be dealt with.”

I nod in agreement and run my arm around Kip and lean into him even more. The doctor is right, Tyler is alive, and that’s what counts. Then Samantha breaks into sobs and Levi holds her up as she says, “I’m pregnant.”

Everyone looks at her in stunned silence. Then Kip says, “Well, congratulations!”

And here I go crying again!

Kip

I hold Peyton tight as I wait for the cab to come and pick me up to take me to the airport. Never have I ever wanted not to leave someone behind in my entire life.

“I’ll be okay,” she says as she holds onto me. “You’ve made sure my family and I will be together at the hotel and it’s only a few minutes away. I can’t thank you enough for that.”

“I’ll be back around five in the morning so make sure to answer your phone when I call so you can let me in.” I kiss the top of her head and hold her like I never want to let her go.

The cab is pulling up and I cup the back of her head and pull her in to kiss me. Our lips touch and a heat spreads through me like wildfire. Her arms wrap tighter around me and mine her.

Someone clears their throat. “Excuse me, did you call for a ride to the airport, sir?”

Reluctantly, I release her lips and her body. “I’ll be back soon, love. Stay strong.”

She nods and steps back. “Bye, Kip.”

Her eyes are swollen and red-rimmed. I reach out and take her hand. “You know what? I can’t leave you yet. Ride with me to the airport and then the cab can bring you back here. Come, love.” I pull at her and she stands still.

“I can’t leave, Kip. It’s about to be my turn to go in and see him. I won’t leave.” She pulls her hand out of mine and I feel alone. Completely alone even though she’s standing right in front of me. “Call me when you land safely, will you?”

I nod and feel a lump forming in my throat. Something about this feels so wrong. “Peyton,” I say as she turns away to walk back inside the hospital. “I love you, baby.”

She turns back and gives me a weak smile. “I love you too, Kip. Now go do what you have to and I’ll be here. See you in the morning unless you change your mind.”

“I’m not changing my mind, love. See you then.” I get into the cab and feel like complete shit. The very first time she needs me and I have to go. My life is running me and I’m not happy about it.

My cell rings and it is Silas. “Yeah,” I answer not stoked at all to be talking to him.

“Hey, man, you on the way to the airport?”

“Yes, boss. My girl is crying and at the most critical part of her life so far, but I am on my fuckin’ way. You got what you wanted. Now leave me the fuck alone. I’ll be there in time for the precious show.” I hang up and wish I could throw something.

After the doctor informed us of how Tyler was, we all went out and ate. The looks Levi and Blake gave me when Peyton told them I got them all rooms near the hospital, but I would have to leave, showed the disappointment they had in me. Levi even came to me afterwards and asked me if there was no way I could make other arrangements so I could stay with Peyton.

When I told him I had tried everything I could he let out a sigh that told me he saw how this would all end. I’m not a man who is available for her. I can’t always be around. Emergencies can’t stop my schedule. And I am not a person he thinks can be counted on.

I’m not, it seems. Peyton deserves so much more. She deserves a man who can help her through the tough times in her life, and I can’t be that man. Maybe I should go on and do the tour and leave her alone. Maybe she’s better off without a man who can’t be there when she needs him.

My father’s face runs through my head and I pick up my cell and give him a call. His voice sounds cheerful as he answers. “Hey there, son. How’s it hanging?”

“Not so great, Pop.” I hesitate as that damn lump moves up in my throat. “Peyton’s brother was in an accident and he’s in the hospital.”

“That’s awful. Is he going to be okay?” he asks.

“He’s alive, but they aren’t sure if his legs are going to work. They won’t know for another few hours. The doctor had told us it would be sooner, but he couldn’t move them when they checked.”

“How’s Peyton doing?” Pop asks.

“Not well. And I had to leave. She and her family looked at me with such disappointment, Pop. I can’t really take it. I think she might be better off with someone who can be there for her.”

“And why can’t you be there, Kip?” he asks.

“The damn tour. Silas is holding me to the contract. He actually told me her family is really none of my concern. If it were you or Mum then he could cut me a break, but since it’s not a member of my family he can’t let me out of the concert tonight, or any of them.”

“I told you not to sign with that jackass. So, you left her there?”

“I had to. What else could I do? She has to be there for her family and she wants to be nowhere else and I don’t blame her. It’s sinking in really fast just how out of control my life is and I’m realizing it’s not a life I should involve anyone in.” Even as the words leave my mouth my heart tells me to stop thinking this way, but my brain tells me I have to.

Pop sighs and says, “Maybe this is all happening too fast, you know? Maybe it would best for you to do what you have to and if she’s the right one she’ll be there in the end. Your life is complicated, and she needs to know that and see if it’s something she even wants. The life you’re leading right now isn’t a life everyone wants.”

“I need to let her have a choice, don’t I?” I ask, but I know the answer.

“It’s something I think is the right thing to do. If she wants to be there for her family, she can’t go on the road with you. You shouldn’t pull her right now. Let her do what she feels she needs to, and I bet that’s being there for her family,” Pop says.

“You’re right. I’ll talk to her about things tomorrow. I have a couple of days to spend with her and maybe things will work and maybe they won’t. I can’t take her away from those she loves and love her at such a difficult time in their lives. Thanks for the talk, Pop. Love you, bye.”

“Love you, son. Bye now.”

My heart feels like it weighs a million pounds. We reach the airport and I go to the private jet and grab a stiff drink and lie back in the leather seat as we take off. I have to give Peyton rope. I have to let her go so she can do what she needs to, but why does it feel as if she may never find life with me to be anything she can take?

Peyton

The bed in the hotel room is one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever been on, yet I still can’t seem to stay asleep. I drift off only to wake up as I realize Kip’s arms aren’t around me. His body is not behind mine, keeping me warm and safe.

Too quickly I’ve become dependent on him. If nothing else, this has taught me I’m losing myself. I haven’t even begun my own life and here I am wrapped up in Kip so much his absence from my bed makes it hard for me to sleep.

This is not healthy!

My cell phone rings and I see it’s Kip.

“Hi.”

“Hey, I’m here, you want to let me in?”

I get up and go open the door. He smiles, but he looks like hell. A little kiss he gives me then staggers towards the bathroom. “I need to wash this crap off then I’ll join you in bed, baby.”

I make my way back to bed and feel happy he’s here, but sad that he had to go through so much to get back to me. How hard the long trip must have been for him. I feel like shit that he felt he couldn’t leave me on my own to handle this.

He comes out of the bathroom looking beat. A dark stubble covers his face as he climbs in behind me. His arms go around me and he kisses the back of my neck. “I love you, baby,” he says in a hoarse whisper.

“You losing your voice, babe?” I ask.

“Shh. Let’s sleep. It’ll all be better after I rest for a while.”

Within seconds I feel his body completely relax and small snores he makes against my neck. It’s killing me to know how much he’ll do for me. Risk his health and travel all over just for me. And now I’m pissed at my body for betraying me and find I’m falling asleep easily now that he’s here with me.

Kip

A knock at the door wakes me up as I hear a female voice on the other side call out, “Room service.”

Why didn’t I put out the bloody do not disturb sign?

I turn my head so I don’t shout in Peyton’s ear. “No thank you, come back later.”

“Sorry,” the lady shouts back and I assume that she leaves.

My head falls back on the pillow and I realize it must be around ten or so in the morning and I’m sure Peyton wants to be back at the hospital. She’s dead to the world and I’m still tired so I lie my head back down.

She moans and stretches in my arms. Her round ass backs up until it touches me and presses against my dick. My damn body reacts to hers even though I’m tired. I begin to grow hard and my hand roams over her breast, giving it a squeeze.

A low groan she makes and leans even further into me. I run my hand down and stroke her softly along the folds and crevices of her southern regions. My dick hardens as I touch the edge of her vagina and find it damp.

I kiss the back of her neck and whisper, “Wanna wake up for a minute or two, love?”

She groans and runs her hand over mine, moving it up to her clit and pressing my fingers to it. I chuckle and kiss her neck again then give it a little nip. Moving her to lie on her back, I cover her body with mine. Her eyes never open as she runs her arms around me and I slide my dick into her wet depths.

We both moan as I do and it hurts me how much I love this. I love the way her body and mine mold to one another’s. I hate the fact I couldn’t sleep on the jet as I kept waking up and wondering where she was. We’re too damn close and it’s seeping into my mind that it’s not a good way to live life, so dependent on someone you have to have them there even for something as simple as sleep.

I thrust my dick deep into her cunt and with every stroke I feel more and more anger that I’ve come to need her entirely too much. I close my eyes and pound into her, fucking her hard.

My lips ache to kiss her, but I won’t allow them to have the taste of her sweet lips which I crave like an addict. Like all addictions, it’s important to get them under control.

Her body is no better than any other woman’s. Her kiss is no sweeter. It’s just the same as any other woman’s. It’s just a fuck, it doesn’t have to be anything more than that. If I can get through this without feeling so damn in love then I can break this addiction that I have to her.

Her legs wrap around my waist and she arches up to meet my thrusts. Her arms go around me, but I take her hands in mine and hold them back over her head. I don’t want her running them all over me and taking me to the place her touch always does.

I pound into her and look at the headboard. It takes everything in me to fuck her like this and have no thought in my head about how much I love her and need her. I don’t want to need her. I don’t want her to need me.

Her legs tighten around me and she moans as I feel her body start to contract around my dick and she climaxes. I want to let go with her, but I hold back. I don’t want to need this, I don’t want to orgasm just because her body begs me to.

I pull out and flip her over and pull her back so she has to get on her knees. I ram into her from behind and look up at the ceiling so I can’t see her. The way her blonde curls bob around, make me think about all the times I’ve craved to feel them in my fingers.

Her cunt squeezes my dick and I can’t take it anymore and let it all go. Instead of falling on her back and snuggling and telling her how much I love her, I slap her ass and get up and walk to the bathroom to take a shower. I decide that’s a little too much to do so I look back over my shoulder. “Thanks, I’m going to shower.”

As I get in the shower and rub the shampoo into my hair my heart aches. I feel unfinished and more than a little awful. A lot like a person feels when coming off an addictive substance.

I’ll have to fight this hard if I am to live my life in a healthy way.

Peyton

The small waiting room seems empty and lonely as I walk in, finding only Samantha sitting in it. “Why are you in here all alone?” I ask her.

She looks up at me with sad eyes. She dabs at the edges with a tissue. “Where’s Kip?” she asks.

“He stopped off at the gift shop for some damn reason. I told him nothing is allowed in Tyler’s ICU room, but he seemed to want some distance between us. I assume he has to call his manager and set up a time when he has to go to Cheyenne.” I sit down and offer her a bottle of water.

She takes it and says, “I saw him this morning and he looks so terrible. His legs still aren’t moving and he’s getting more and more afraid they never will.”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter if they never work again. He has his life, and that’s pretty damn good if you ask me. Plus a baby on the way and a beautiful woman who is going to be his wife. That’s a lot to be happy about.”