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I feel the air suck from the room in that moment. Astonishment and concern weighing heavy around us like the newsroom before presenting worse-than-normal news.
“Aria?” My brow furrows further, my eyes flicking between hers, searching for what her silence means.
“I … uh, wow.” Her arms tighten around me when she stumbles over her words. “Jesus, I’m … fuck.” The concern threatening to etch itself in my ribs loosens when tears well in her beautiful eyes and spill over. “Dammit, I missed the shit out of you, too, Rex.” She sniffles and it’s enough for me. I smash my lips to hers, claiming the win in front of most of those that are important to me. She meets me with as much force as I give, her hands finding and fisting my hair to hold me in place. Tugging me closer, even.
I’m reluctant when I pull back, but I do so I can read her face.
“You still have nineteen questions to answer.” She pants her words out through a smile I’m so fucking glad to see.
“Of course, babe.” My grin matches hers. “I’ll give you 1900 questions to ask me just so I can answer all of them for you.” Another peck to her reddened lips and I’m walking us back into the small bedroom at the back of the bus.
I kick the door closed, leaving friends and family on the other side, and essentially carry my girl to the bed. Arms around her waist, hers around my neck, I lift her onto the bed and settle in beside her.
She sighs, her body nestling into the fur blanket beneath her and my warmth at her side.
“Has anyone heard anything from Cedar yet?” she asks, looking up at me, catching me take in the sight of her.
“Ian’ll find her, babe. She seemed pretty fucking scrappy when I saw her.” Aria’s chuckle lightens the load on my shoulders even more.
“That she is.” She pauses, fiddling with the hem of my shirt. “I can fix this, if you’d like.” I follow her gaze to where the worn shirt has popped threads, the edge of the material rolling freely. “It’s actually weird to see you in this.” Another snicker leaves her lips and I’m certain she’s recalling the first day we met.
I opted for dress clothes that day.
First impressions matter.
“But somehow they both suit you.” My face aches and my hand finds its way to her bent knee, my other arm wrapping around so that her head rests on my bicep. “Versatile. I like that.”
“Right back atcha, babe.” I press a gentle kiss on the top of her head. “Now stop padding me with compliments and give me the real shit.”
She snorts, legit snorts, and throws an arched brow in my direction.
“I know you’re a rock star and all, but that was a statement of what I like,” she jabs. “Not a compliment.” Laughter overtakes me, my hand coming to my chest to tend to my feigned bleeding heart.
“You wound me, baby.” She rolls her sweet mossy eyes but brings her hands up to massage her aching cheeks.
“Fine … tell me why you left my hotel room? Why you never called me?” I suck in a sharp breath, my stomach knotting before the words finish leaving her lips.
“Damn, we’re going straight there.” I nod, knowing I asked for it, and rest my hand on her exposed stomach. “I thought it would be the best thing for you. And for me.” Tracing little circles on her belly, I feel the goosebumps raise in my wake. “How stupid that was.”
“Very.” Her nod vibrates the bed, encouraging me.
“I didn’t want you to get caught up in the media if you weren’t prepared for that. Thought maybe you’d find someone who wanted a minivan and a white fence.” She snorts at me again for that one. “It’s true, babe.” I chuckle at the thought of myself behind the wheel of a minivan—tattoos and all. “Someone else could give you a life you can keep private. With me …” I pause, the moment bearing enough weight between us to change her mind. “With me, your name’s gonna be trending on social media. Pictures are no longer for just your immediate friends to take. People will kill to get a money shot of me. Even more so if they catch me with you.” My voice cracks. “Your life isn’t just yours anymore.”
I have to stop myself. I’m almost talking myself out of all the shit I’ve been working towards. All the plans Ian and I have put together to make shit possible.
I know I can’t protect her from everything. There will be attention from the public. It’s inevitable, especially at the beginning.
But maybe I can control it.
For her, I’ll try anything.
As long as she’s willing to stick by my side.
“If you thought I’d be better with someone else, then why now?” Her words are spoken softly, concern rounding out the edges of her tone, echoed by the tension I feel in her muscles. “Was it Cedar? How did she even find you?”
My brow furrows, my hand pauses its trek across her delicate skin, as realization settles in.
“I texted you well before she showed up atMoonMan, babe. In fact, I sent my location to you, thinking maybe you’d be nearby and might come. It was a shot I took in the dark.”
