I grin. "Are clothes optional?"
"The first one there gets to decide." She takes off running, and like I'm sure to be doing for the rest of my life, I chase after her.
12
CAT
I'm standing at the bathroom sink in Easton's room, applying moisturizer while he strips out of his jeans. It's been over a week since his sister's visit, and in that week, I couldn't help but think about the kind of life Easton has been living. Then I started to worry how long it would be before he grew restless before he began to miss the road, the stage, his bandmates, and all that comes with being who he is. My life and Easton's life are like day and night. It's not that I would ever want him to give up his old life, but I'm scared that when he does return to that life, I won't fit in.
"What are you thinking about, baby?" Easton murmurs against my ear and wraps his arms around my middle as he comes to stand behind me.
Looking at him through the reflection in the mirror, I smile. "Nothing."
"Liar." He kisses my neck. "Tell me." The arms around my waist squeeze me tighter.
I sigh. "It's just, I've been thinking."
"About?"
"About what happens next."
"I need a little more than that, Red." Easton chuckles.
"What happens after the person who's stalking you is found."
Easton's body goes tight. "You still don't get it, do you?"
I move to face him. "Get what?"
"That I'm not letting you go. That's what this is about, right? You're worried about what will happen with us."
Casting my eyes down, I don't answer.
"Look at me," Easton demands, and I give him my eyes.
"I know what we have is real, Easton. It's not your feelings for me that I'm questioning." I sigh. "My life is here, on this ranch: my grandfather, this Inn, my memories. And your life is out there, touring, playing your music, and living your dream. I don't want to come between that."
"Baby." Easton cups my face between the palms of his hands. "You're right, I have been living my dream, but I have a new dream now."
I suck in a sharp breath, and he continues.
"There are no rules to how we live our life, Cat. Who says I have to give up one dream to have another? And the same goes for you. I would never ask you to give this place up for me."
"Then what do we do?" I ask.
"We blend, baby. We live both dreams and have the time of our lives doing it."
My eyes grow wet, and I fight like hell to keep my tears at bay.
"What do you say, Red? Are you going to take that ride with me?"
"Yes," I breathe. "I'm going to take that ride with you, Easton."
"Good." He kisses me. "Now, are we ready for bed?"
The space between my legs clenches at the way his voice drops. "Yes."
Then Easton takes me to bed, where he shows me just how well we blend, and I fall asleep in his arms where I have nothing but sweet dreams about our future, whatever that may be.
