“I’m not sure,” I said as I gathered the plates. I knew I needed to speak with them, but did I actually want to call? I wasn’t sure. I felt like it was something that needed to be done in person. But by doing that, I was going to have to leave her.
“Okay.”
“That’s it?” I said in surprise, turning away from the sink and looking in her direction.
“Yeah, why?” she asked as she stood, grabbing the glasses.
“I’m just surprised you’re not going to push me on it.”
“I’m not your fucking parent, Asher. You know what’s best for you and the band.” She reached out and grabbed one of the plates and I grabbed it back. “You cooked. I can clean.”
“It’s fine. It will help me keep my mind off of everything. Why don’t you go up to my room and read? I’ll be up in a bit.”
“Mm. . .” she purred as she pressed her body against me like a satisfied cat. “You know the way to my heart, Asher Blake. Good food and a good book.”
I laughed as she pulled away and started heading toward the stairs.
“You know. When you come up, there may just be a surprise for you.”
I made my way upstairs twenty minutes later after cleaning up the dishes from dinner and answering a few emails. And boy, did I have some kind of surprise. Addison was lying in my bed, fully clothed with her laptop open beside her, but she was completely passed out.
I guess in the last two weeks, we’d really worked over each other.
I knelt on the bed, trying not to jostle her, and grabbed the computer. Intent on shutting it down, I saw in the background that she had been busy today editing some shots she’d taken of me and places around town. On her browser, which was front and center, she had multiple tabs open with job postings in various magazines. A couple were music related and I got an idea.
Closing the computer, I placed the device on the console under the television and got myself ready for bed. While in the bathroom, I sent a quick email to Jason and my bandmates. Then another to my assistant with some information I needed about those magazines.
Under the sheets, Addison’s body turned into mine. She had no trouble finding me in the darkness. We were magnetic, drawn to each other by an unseen force. There was no hope in fighting it. I just hoped there wouldn’t be a time when we had to explain it to anyone. Her parents weren’t going to understand. Harlan was going to be stuck on the thirteen-year age difference and the fact that she was his daughter.
My heart lurched at the thought of not having her after this week. She’d quickly become someone intertwined in my life.
Fuck, I was falling in love with her.
God, I thought she would be the one to break first all along. She’d been the one with a crush, after all. But no. My heart knew better than I did.
There was no way we could be together. Our lives were far too different and complicated. I was going to have to find a way to fight through it or I’d risk breaking her heart without intention.
“Asher.”
My name was a mumble from her lips. A sweet melodic tune as she dreamed. And it was the best sound I’d ever heard.
“I’m here, beautiful. Get some sleep.”
Leaning forward, I pressed my lips against her forehead and she sighed contently as she snuggled her body closer to mine.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand and I ignored it. Nothing was better than what I had with me right then and I could disregard it until the morning. Everything else could wait.