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I shrug my shoulders. “You know how celebrity marriages are. Once they’re public, they rarely last.”
His eyes burn the side of my skull, but I don’t dare look at him. I fear one look and everyone will be able to see my feelings for him. I can’t decide if or when we’ll be ready for that. I won’t push, taking our time is probably for the best.
“Our marriage won’t be that way.”
The sip of champagne I took burns down my windpipe when I sputter in response. My eyes widen. “You can’t say things like that. What if someone hears you?”
Ezra glances around with a smile on his lips. “I don’t care. Why do you?”
Unable to answer, I walk away, trying to clear my thoughts. I shouldn’t be surprised. It's not the first time Ezra has said things about our wedding or marriage and a baby. It's just that every time butterflies erupt in my stomach, but I don’t know how serious he is. It seems so far off to be talking about it right now.Then there’s our age gap and the fact that I’m eighteen. Even though I feel older after growing up the way I did, I worry about what people might say. I don’t want them to think that I’m too naive and immature for a man like Ezra. Plus, we haven’t even talked about a plan to navigate the media response or releasing a social media announcement. I’m surprised he isn’t as concerned about it as he was a few years ago.
“Why do I feel like you’re denying the inevitable?” He slides next to me, his hand resting gently on my hip and giving an almost possessive squeeze.
“I’m not denying anything, I’m just wondering if we’re moving too fast. It might be better to be more discreet with the public.”
“I don’t care what they think. We know nothing happened back then. We’re both consenting adults now. I’ve loved you for years, Ocean. I want you to be my wife. I want to be your husband.” He’s watching me, drawing me in with his magnetic gaze.
My cheeks blush when our gazes catch. “Maybe we should plan how this will go. Don’t you usually need a solid plan before you act?”
His lips curve into a smile. “Award season is coming up. I’ll be your date and not your bodyguard or handler. That will be enough to start making the discussion happen. Others will remember that I’ve shown up to your shows recently. And Mason and others will be able to recant how jealous I was on the set of your music video.”
My mouth opens and closes.
And opens again.
“You. Was that all part of your plan?”
He shakes his head. “No. It was divine luck that paid off in my favor.”
I blink up at him, wondering who this man is. He doesn’t talk or act like he did back then. This person is playing with fire and taking a risk that could destroy everything if it’s not handled properly. “You mean this award season? Not next fall when we’ve had more time?”
“I don’t need more time, Ocean. I’ve waited long enough. We’ve waited. If I could have, I would have made you mine back then.”
“No, you wouldn’t have.”
His hand reaches out and pushes some of my loose hairs behind my ear. His touch lingers, while his fingertips brush down my cheek to my chin. “You underestimate the depth of my obsession for you. It was only out-ruled by my devotion to give you everything you wanted. I kept you safe until I could say all of these things to you and make you mine.”
“What do we have here?” Jade’s teasing voice breaks up our moment and I am glad for the reprieve. I take a step back from Ezra and smile at my friend.
“Nothing, just some business talk.”
Her brow rises. “Right. Business. Uhm, actually Ezra, I think Mia’s husband is looking for you. Something about a company he’s thinking of investing in. They’re in the entertainment industry.”
Ezra dips his head and gives me a smile that can’t be taken as anything less than flirty. “I’ll go find him. See you later, baby. And congratulations to you and Onyx, Jade.”
He walks away and Jade takes the opportunity to grab my hand. “Baby?”
I groan once he’s put enough distance between us. “Don’t say a word.”
“Oh, I won’t,” Jade snickers. “You’re the one who will be doing all the talking. It's time you spill all your dirty little secrets, Ocean Heart.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ezra
“This is today’s headline.” Caleb places the image on his tablet down in front of me. I’m not at all surprised it happened. When I took Ocean out for her nineteenth birthday, we weren't as discreet as I promised her we were. I hadn’t lied to her when I told her I was ready to go public with our relationship. The world needs to know that she is mine and I have always been hers. I know she worries about how the public will take it, given our ages, and that she used to be my client. I’m not worried, but then again, I’ve had more time with these thoughts that we’ll be together.
“It’s a good shot.” I study the image and the way we’re looking at each other in it. Ocean may not have said that she loves me, but the truth is in her eyes every time her dark eyes meet mine. I’ve always been able to read her like an open book. “What is the running narrative?”
