Page 87 of Fame & Rhythm

I shake my head, taking another sip, when a sharp tingle runs over my skin.

I glance toward Amber.

Aston’s gone.

“Psst… Lennox.”

I spin around. “Aston?”

Nothing.

Then his head pops out from behind a partition I hadn’t even noticed before. He grins and curls his finger, beckoning me over. I glance around. Dad’s busy talking to Guy and the rest of Peripheral.

Perfect.

I set my drink down and slip around the partition where Aston’s waiting. The second he sees me, he grabs my arm and pulls me in. A laugh escapes me as my heart jumps into overdrive, that familiar flutter sweeping through me. He backs me up against the wall, his body pressed flush to mine.

“I’ve wanted to do this all day,” he murmurs, and then his mouth is on mine.

The kiss is instant.

My hands slide up his arms, into his hair, holding him there as I melt into him.

This isn’t like last night.

This is stronger, deeper.

He presses me harder against the wall, surrounding me, and I don’t fight it. I lean into it, giving him exactly what he’s asking for.

A soft sound escapes me, and he chuckles, easing back slightly.

Too soon.

He rests his forehead against mine, both of us breathing hard.

“I missed you,” he whispers, brushing his lips against mine again.

“I missed you too… and I may have been imagining ripping Amber’s hair extensions out while you were talking to her,” I admit.

He pulls back, eyebrow raised, clearly amused. “You were jealous?”

I glance down, nodding just slightly.

“Really?” he says, sounding far too pleased with himself.

“Aston,” I warn, looking back up at him.

He laughs softly. “Sorry. Just… no one’s ever been jealous over me before. It’s kinda nice.”

I smack his arm. “Wasn’t nice for me.”

His expression softens before he leans his forehead against mine again. “Annie Slade… there’s only ever been one girl for me.”

My breath catches as I look into his eyes. “If you turn that into a joke,” I murmur, “I will knee you.”

“This isn’t something to joke about, Annie. You’re it for me. You always have been… and you always will be.”

His words hit me right in the chest. I lean in and kiss him softly. When I pull back, our lips barely parted, I whisper, “What about Dad?”