Chapter 89
O n the sidewalk outside Black Cat Records, my nerves are on end, waiting for Peace to appear. Talking to her on the phone while we completed the remaining stops on the tour was nice. I felt like I was a part of her day, and she was part of mine, but I don’t want her to be just a part. I want all of her, every day and every night.
There she is. I spot the light blue Audi R8 that her dad bought for her birthday. My heart leaps inside my chest. I have the overwhelming urge to run and close the remaining distance between us. So I run. I’m done second-guessing anything that stands in the way of her being where she belongs. With me.
“Bo!” she shouts, spotting me as she closes her door. Running to me, her light brown and gold-flecked eyes sparkle. Her golden hair streams behind her, reflecting the sun. Being her unique self, she wears jeans and a pink T-shirt that says ONE MORE CHAPTER, and she’s everything I ever wanted.
“Peace,” I groan, sweeping her off her feet. “I missed you, baby.” The ache in my heart lessens the moment I get my arms around her. I wrap her up good and tight. She locks me up like she doesn’t want to ever let me go either. That’s good. This is what I want. Complete certainty. For me, there’s no question. This wonderful, sweet, and stunning girl is it for me. Watching the ambulance drive away with her in it, I had my moment of absolute clarity. I knew then that I could never give her up. That if she allowed me in her life, I’d take her however she would have me. She is worlds above me. That will never change, but I’ll do whatever it takes to make myself worthy of her.
“You feel so good, Bo. I thought my memory exaggerated how wonderful it feels for you to hold me. Spoiler alert. It did not.”
“Missed you.” My lips in her hair, I kiss the satiny soft strands. I breathe in her sweet rose scent. She’s the essence of light. Holding her, my heart settles. She’s the brightest star in my night sky.
“Missed you too,” she murmurs and eases back to look at me. “Are you ready to show me Black Cat Records’ home office?”
I want to show her around something, all right. My cock is throbbing. I desperately want to make love to her and claim her as mine.
“Bo,” she prompts and licks her lush lips.
“Huh?” My gaze on her mouth, I’m in physical agony, staring at her glistening lips. I haven’t kissed her since our night in Seattle. But I shake myself out of my haze. I’ll have her back in my bed soon. It’s not a matter of if but when, and once she’s there, she’s staying there permanently.
“Work. Black Cat,” she says with a lofted brow, reminding me that she’s supposed to check in with the boss.
“Right.” I needed the reminder. Adjusting her underneath my arm, I take her to the front steps of the two-story building and through the glass doors etched with Black Cat’s lion’s head logo.
“Hey, Margaret.” I step inside the modernly appointed lobby with its gleaming black hardwood and large chrome chandelier and raise a hand to greet the receptionist.
“Is this your girl?” Margaret asks from behind her white desk that sports a lion that matches the one on the doors.
I nod and make introductions. “Peace Jinkins, this is Margaret Blackwood. Melinda is the official CEO, but Margaret is the one who keeps everything running behind the scenes.”
“He’s exaggerating, dear,” Margaret says to me, her expression warm. “I’m at my desk during office hours. Bo has my cell number. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
“Thank you.” Peace offers her hand, which Margaret shakes. “You were on the phone when I interviewed for the internship. It’s nice to actually meet you this time.”
“Is Melinda in her office?” I ask Margaret.
“Yes,” she replies. “She’s on a business call right now, but she said you can go straight up anytime. She’s expecting you.”
“Okay,” I say to Margaret and turn to Peace. “Would you like to see your boss first or the studios where the magic happens?”
“Magic, please.” Her eyes brighten with excitement like I knew they would.
“You got it.” I tap on the desk. “If Melinda asks, we’ll be in studio seven.”
“Got it.” Margaret’s phone rings. She answers it, and I place my hand on Peace’s lower back.
“This way.” I guide her to the other side of the lobby, and we enter a long hallway together. Platinum and double platinum albums grace the walls between numbered studio doors proudly proclaiming the success of Black Cat’s artists: Brutal Strength, Avery and Justin Jones, Sara Daniels, and Tempest. One day soon, I’m determined that Shooting Star will be featured on the wall too. Then if I do this right, Peace and me.
“This is my favorite recoding room.” I push the door open and usher her into the soundproofed room.
“Nice,” she decides, taking in the plush seating area, the sound booth on the other side of the thick glass, the guitars on stands, and the baby grand.
“Let’s sing together.” I recall that long ago snowy night with her in the window seat reading to me. Books are her passion. Peace and music are mine. I’m eager to meld the two.
“Sure.” Her lips slowly curve. Apparently, she’s eager as well.
“Awesome.” I was hoping she’d agree since it’s only the two of us. She has talent, only her fear stands in the way. I suspect that fear is the only remaining obstacle standing between us. I’ll help her overcome her fear of singing, and I’ll convince her that my love for her is as real and as powerful as music. Helping her, claiming her, and then keeping her, I’m dedicated to those tasks. I’m dedicated to her. “Do you have a song in mind?” I ask.
“You can choose.” Her lids flutter in pleasure as I return my hand to the small of her back and lead her into the booth.
“I choose you, Peace.” I turn her toward me and frame her pretty face. Searching her eyes, I will her to believe in us as firmly as I do. “It was you in the past. It’s you right now. It will always be you for me.”
“It’s you for me too.” She covers my hands with hers. Peeling mine away from her face, she presses her soft lips into each palm. I close my hands around that proof of her affection and bring it to my heart.
Her sweetness is an arrow that pierces my soul, and I have an epiphany. I know just the song we should sing. “How about singing Brutal Strength’s ‘Love Evolution?’”
“That’s a classic.”
“Yeah,” I agree. And the music and lyrics say what I want her to hear. “You changed me, Peace. You changed the course of my life the moment you entered it.”
“Bo.” She breathes my name out in that awe-filled whisper that I love.
“Pretty Peace,” I say in return. My Peace. Step by step, I’ll get her to the same level of certainty as me.
“Let me grab a guitar. Then we can sing together.” I sweep my fingers across her jaw. Her skin is creamy soft. Her lids lower, her beautiful eyes darkening with pleasure. Longing sweeps through me. I want to strip her naked and caress every perfect inch of her. I will. Soon. Determination sinking into my bones, I go to the other room to retrieve an instrument.
After I show Peace how the mics work, she climbs onto one of the wooden stools. I lean a hip on the other. Holding a black limited edition Johnny Cash Martin acoustic, I gaze at her. June was Johnny’s other half. Peace is mine. She looks perfectly at home at my side, and I know I’m at home too. I am my best self with her.
“You start.” I gesture to the mic in front of her. “We’ll alternate singing each line and harmonize on the chorus. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes.” She smiles beautifully, her happiness another arrow, this one finding the center of my heart.
“You got this, baby.” I strum the opening chords.
She places her mouth a quarter inch from the mic and sings into it without hesitation. Hearing her sweet voice describing how I feel about her is the ultimate thrill.
“My life was empty before you came along
You filled my soul with passion, helped me sing my song
I grew within while struggling deep in my heart
The changes in me were only the start
This is the making of love evolution
Love stages, love changes, love grows
Love evolving, that is love evolution
Passion so strong, you have to see
The journey we took consumed me with fear
Heart pounding, how can you not hear?
Knew it was wrong but felt so right
Felt love grow for you each day and night
I had to wait and rightly so
Knowing soon, you’d know
This is the making of love evolution
Love stages, love changes, love grows
Love evolving, that is love evolution
Love must endure all that life makes
Because that is what a love evolution takes.”