Chapter Forty-One
Zoe
After we finished showering and eating dinner, we were snuggled on the sofa, watching a movie, when I remembered the record contract. Now that I’ve eaten, I don’t feel like I have lead weights holding me down. Between the life-altering orgasms and the sweltering hot shower steam, it felt like a bulldozer had run over me.
I stretch, turning sideways on the sofa, and so I can see his expression. “I talked to Ethan James today.” I frown. “Or yesterday, at this point.”
“Yeah, what did he say?”
He lays his arm on the back of the sofa and runs small circles to my upper arm with this thumb. At this point, wearing anything more than a tank top and sleep shorts seems like a reach. Jace tossed on a pair of my brother’s black jogging shorts that he left behind the last time he visited.
“He wants you to come in next week to sign a contract.”
“Whoa.” His eyes are enormous as he soaks in the information. Seconds pass, but he doesn’t move.
“Are you in there?” I wave my hand in front of his face.
“Yeah.” He grabs my hand, and absentmindedly squeezes it, and then places his lips against the back of my fingers. “I don’t know what to say.” He blinks. “I guess I have to think about it.”
I tilt my head and study him. “Why?”
He wraps his arms around me and cradles me to his chest, with my leg straddling his muscular thigh. “Well, it’s all different now. When I was in the band, that’s all I wanted, but now I don’t know if that’s the direction I want to go.” He kisses my temple. “I mean. I want to sing, and getting a label would be the ultimate cherry on top, but I want to dictate when I perform, how often, and where. It’s just different. I don’t need adoring fans screaming my name or girls tossing their panties at me. I want to be a legitimate artist. And as long as you’re dropping your panties for me, my life is complete.”
“Okay. I think he’d be amenable. You’re not a punk kid, so he has to take that into consideration.” I stroke his skin and relax against him. Not that I was worried he’d jump right into the asshole rock lifestyle but hearing him explain what he wants now versus before warms my heart.
“Is that a crack at my age?” His voice is a deep growl that curls low in my belly.
“Not at all.” I lift my head and stare in awe at his face. It’s surreal. My teenage crush is right here in front of me. And he loves me.
“Good.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “Besides, I want to raise a family in a stable home and not jet-setting all over the place. Maybe ten to twelve weeks in the summer, an album in the early spring, and every few years or so do a few shows around Christmas. How does that sound?”
“I love it. That sounds perfect.”
“Good. Because you must be on board before I agree. If you don’t think it’s a good deal for me as an artist or us as a couple, I’m not doing it.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do.” His eyes are serious as he bites his bottom lip and inhales. “Zoe, I plan to ask you to marry me and get you pregnant with my baby as soon as possible, so I kind of need you to want the same things.”
Tears fill my eyes, and I throw my arms around him, climbing back onto his lap. “That sounds perfect.”
“Good.” He kisses my lips, dragging my bottom lip between his and running his tongue along the puffed skin. The silky sensation sends a pool of heat between my legs. I don’t think I’m ever going to get enough of this man. And I don’t want to.
“My boss’s husband asked me to do some shows at his clubs and resorts.”
“That’s awesome.” I jerk back so fast that if he didn’t grab my ass, I would’ve fallen off the seat.
He laughs as his eyes dance with merriment. “I was hoping you’d be impressed. I don’t want you to have lost your job because of me and then not be able to take care of my woman.” He winks.
Holy cow. Between that and Ethan’s offer…. Shit. I eye him up and down. “Uncle Jace, you’re going to find it awful hard to get rid of me now.”
“Wench.” He smacks my ass, causing me to squeal. “So…. You’re out of a job, and I don’t want you out of my sight, until I get over the fear that I’m going to wake up and you’re not there. And you know the music industry better than anyone. How would you like to be my manager?”
“Whoa.” My mouth drops as blood rushes in my ears. What? The room spins and I place my hands on his shoulders to stay upright and conscious. “I don’t know.”
“Say yes.” The sincerity and trust in his eyes fill me to overflowing. My father treated me like a servant and Ethan offered me a job, but Jace is giving me the entire world.
“Yes, but on one condition. You have an ironclad contract to get away from me.”
“Shut up.” He drags me down to the sofa and proceeds to fill me so full the sofa is soaked. Only to do it again until I can’t move.