"You didn't answer my question," I finally say quietly.
I expect her to ask what question or try to delay the conversation, but instead, she offers a small smile. My heart races with a mix of hope and trepidation, knowing she isn't going to pretend she didn't hear me.
"Dane Hunter." Silver turns, pressing her body against mine, and cups my cheek. Her nails are long, with that slightly sharp look that is wholly erotic. I'd like to see them wrapped around my cock while she calls me her good boy. "I will marry you tomorrow—well, in a few days, because I want my mom there—but you have to understand what you're getting into. Tonightwas a big deal. I'm not saying I'm a star or anything, but singing with Gia put me on the map in a way I wasn't before. Are you sure you want that for the rest of your life?"
I tug Silver flush against my body, her gorgeous tits pressed against my chest. She grins when I lock her legs down with mine, holding her in place. "Enough of that nonsense. Do you expect me to watch you end up with some asshole celebrity because they chose the limelight and they understand something I don't? You think that would get you a better partner?"
Silver shakes her head, her eyes welling with tears and I soften.
"Baby, I've worked in this world for a long time. You will be a star, but you don't have to do it by getting your picture taken every time you try to buy coffee. You said you didn't want fame, but your music makes a difference to people. I don't want you losing that joy because the pressure of the cameras gets in your head."
Silver leans down, kissing me hard and my cock thickens ready to go again, but I'm not done. I pull away reluctantly.
"I can help you have a life of privacy the majority of your time, and I'll be by your side like goddamn glue for the times when you need to make appearances. You get to decide how your career will go, but handing yourself over and saying yes to everything is only going to burn you out."
I turn us quickly so that I'm on top of her again and gaze into her eyes. "Silver Langford, will you marry me?"
"Yes." Her response is immediate and I'm so surprised, I don't respond right away. When my brain finally registers her answer, I lean down, giving her a long kiss that is softer than our previous ones but no less intense. She sighs dreamily when I pull away. "But I better warn you. I'm going to pretend you didn't ask me until you call my mama for permission. If you value your balls, you'll do the same."
"Noted." I flip Silver onto her stomach and lift her hips in the air so that I can gaze upon my new favorite sight. "Now, put your elbows on the mattress and arch your back. Let me take care of something back here first." I lean forward, burying my face between the sweet thighs of my future-wife.
"Oh god, yes, yes, yes..."
Epilogue - Silver
Seven Years Later
"I've scheduled interviews between the first two stops this summer," Alice says in a tone that tells me she's trying to get away with something.
"How many?" I ask.
"A handful," she says brightly.
"What’s your definition of ‘a handful’? Your hand or Dane's?" I quip.
She laughs instead of answering, which tells me it's probably a multi-day press junket situation.
"If it interferes with our trip to the zoo or the days I've marked as unavailable, you’ll have furious reporters on your hands,” I warn her. “I will not switch those days, Alice."
"Fine," she grumbles. "I'll rearrange them. What is this three-day block in July?"
"We're visiting my mom in Tennessee and dropping the girls off on the way to the festival in Fox Falls."
My mom and Dane get along like two peas in a pod. And the fact that we've given her two grandkids to spoil rotten is the icing on the cake. She even has a vegetable garden they started together last summer. The kids are so excited to see what has grown this year. The only time they eat vegetables is at Grandma's house.
Dane and I married in the fall seven years ago, one month after our night in that little cabin. We had a small ceremony in Fox Falls to commemorate where we met. My mom and Dane's family attended, as did his two closest friends, Silas and Jett, with their families. Silas and Dolly live in Fox Falls, while Jett and Lulu live in Durhing Park, where Dane's sister, Naomi, and her family live. Alice was in the audience, but Dane confiscated her phone before the ceremony to prevent her from livestreaming our vows. They have a mutual understanding and generally get along well now, though she still calls him Hulk when she's mad at him.
I slowed down my touring when I got pregnant on our honeymoon, followed almost exactly one year later with baby number two. My girls are the loves of my life, next to their daddy, and I can't believe I once considered not becoming a mama. We settled in Festival Valley, close enough to Dane's family, but the town is accustomed to big names and celebrities and offers a level of privacy and security that makes us both happy. We've made friends, and our girls are thriving. I've spent the last seven years writing and engaging with fans online,building up quite a following. My new album released last month, and we’re hitting the touring circuit this summer.
"Are they coming to Dallas in August with you two?" Alice asks.
"Yep. They’re spending two weeks with Grandma, and then we'll have them for the last week before we head home so they can start school."
"Sounds good. Then you can start the next album, and we can plan for next summer with new music." Alice cackles with glee. She loves nothing more than a productive client.
I glance at my guitar, then my notebook, which is already brimming with new lyrics. "Let's see how this tour goes, but I hope to have a single ready to release for Christmas."
Alice sucks in a sharp breath, trying not to get too excited. I’d probably see dollar signs flashing in her eyes if I could see her face.
