Page 90 of Rising Star

We kissed some more, and our focus traveled to the girls, carefree and happy.

“Sam, were you serious that night before the accident when you said you’d have more kids one day? With me?”

My fingertips traced the length of her spine, and Madison shivered against me. “Yeah. I want it all with you. Not now. But in the near future. When we’re settled. And if that’s what you desire too.”

Moving to the tiptoes of her right leg, she claimed my mouth. It was slow and tender. A pledge of our love. A promise of our devotion to each other. And the confirmation that our family would be a pillar of our relationship.

* * *

Thanks to Madison, I gave the presentation of my life. Everything shone brighter, smelled better, and tasted fucking amazing when she stood beside me. Her eyes met mine as I sang the last verse, and I could’ve blown my load right there on stage in front of fifty-thousand people. And no one would have been able to prevent it.

In the rose-gold number that sheathed her curves perfectly, she looked like a vision. My woman illuminated not only my heart, but also the lives of everyone around her. Her tongue wet her lips, and no matter how much I tried to look straight ahead, my eyes always returned to hers. I had never performed a show in the scope of this one in front of her before, and it felt so damn right. Did she have any idea how better she made me? As a man. And as an artist.

Right now, I was stiff as a pole. Performing for over an hour with a hard-on was possible. I could testify. Uncomfortable, but doable.

Stud joined me for two songs, and together we rocked the stage. Memories of performing at festivals with the Carter Hills Band years ago flooded me.

My friend was still the übertalented musician I remembered him to be.

He clapped my shoulder. “Thank you for this opportunity,” he said, before walking offstage. He joined Belinda, Madison, Riley, and Devon by the side of the stage as I played for another half-hour.

After the last song, I thanked the crowd for sticking with me after my sabbatical and rushed offstage and pulled Riley into my arms. None of this would have been possible without his stubborn ass and convincing talent. As it did each time, emotions flew out from both of us.

“Thanks, man. You changed the course of my life.”

My friend slapped my back, his arms still tight around me, and he repeated the same exact words he always did. “It was all you. Get ready, Stevens, it’s just the beginning.”

We broke apart, and the need to touch Madison, kiss her senseless, fuck her, and relieve the scorching tension that had been circulating between us made me angsty.

The way she watched me. It robbed me of all common sense.

I found an excuse to bring her to my dressing room, and without a warning, I plunged into her with abandon.

I could write an entire album from just the way she made me feel. How she colored the somber pieces of my life in vibrant shades. And hung stars in my darkness.

How every word she spoke added lyrics to the melody of my heart.

“Downtown, our place or yours?” Stud asked when we met him by the artists’ entrance of the venue after I changed and we made ourselves presentable. “Where’s the celebration tonight, Stevens?”

“There’s none. I’d rather be home with my girls and be a father in the morning without a hangover than partying all night.”

“Yeah, I get it,” Stud said. “Where are the buses parked?”

“I’ve texted you the location,” Riley chimed in. “Follow us.”

* * *

Up early, I sipped coffee as I worked on a new song, a pencil lodged between my teeth, ready to note the lyrics that poured out of me as I adjusted the melody. At this rhythm, I’d have enough material to record a new album within a month or two. Creativity had been on my side since Madison came home. Every time we loved each other, a new burst of songs flew out from me right after.

Tiny feet padded my way, and after kissing my cheeks and hugging me good morning, my daughters hurried to my bedroom where I knew they’d cuddle with Madison for at least another half-hour. Having a woman full-time in our lives hadn’t just been beneficial for me, but also for them.

And love from the woman they both considered a mother figure had skyrocketed their confidence too.

My daughters were thriving. Emotionally, physically, and psychologically.

The sound of their chatter warmed my heart. I could hear them laugh as Madison told them something.

They joined me forty minutes later, all dressed and ready to go.