But I can’t tell him that.
It will only make goodbye that much harder for us both.
So I simply squeeze his fingers tight before turning my gaze back to the trouble-free blue sky.
But it doesn’t look like a promise anymore.
It looks like a warning to make love while the sun shines because the rain is on its way.
Chapter Seventeen
Zack
After Colette and I get back to the house, I put away the leftovers while she changes into hiking clothes.
Then I pull out my cell and compose a text to Chip—
I’ll start working on some upbeat stuff next week, but I want at least four of the new songs on the album. This is who I am right now, and this is the kind of music I need to make. And if I need to make it, there are people out there who need to hear it.
From me.
Falling in love isn’t something to be ashamed of, and it shouldn’t be that hard to market. As someone reminded me today—every time I turn on the radio, men are singing about their feelings.
We can brainstorm marketing strategies if you want. I’ll come to your office in the city when I’m finished here, and we’ll figure out a way to make it work. It can be done and done well. No doubt in my mind.
Talk to you soon, once I’ve got a few new things to share.
I shoot off the text, drop my phone on the counter, and walk away.
I’ve made up my mind, and I don’t want to waste another minute of the time I have left with Colette arguing with my manager.
Either Chip can get on board with my new sound and be the advocate I need with the record company, or we can go our separate ways.
Life’s too short not to take chances.
I have a safety net to fall back on in the event Lady Luck decides she’s tired of smiling in my direction. But right now, it’s time to be true to the music. To myself. It’s time to say the things only I can say and write the songs only I can write.
That’s the reason I’m here—to bring my unique voice to the world.
And maybe, to love this woman…
I step into the living room just as Colette descends the final stair, sending her flowers-and-sunshine smell wafting through the room. She meets my gaze and smiles that big, beautiful smile that goes straight to my heart every time, and I know it’s true.
I was made to love her.
Hopefully, she’ll let me. Hopefully, I can convince her I’m worthy of her trust, and that if she takes a chance on us, I’ll make sure she never regrets it.
“Hike and then head into town for ice cream?” I ask, crossing to take her hand. “Or ice cream and then hike?”
“Hike and then ice cream,” she says, eyes dancing. “That way I won’t feel guilty about having three scoops.”
“Three?” I arch a playful brow.
“When it comes to ice cream, I’m shameless,” she says, pressing on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. With her lips still warm on my skin, she adds in a softer voice, “And then we should hit the grocery store. I want to make you dinner tonight. Something special I only make for my very favorite people.”
I wrap an arm around her waist, hugging her close, my chest filling with a sweet, scary ache.
Sweet, because there’s nothing better than holding the person you love.
Scary, because I know there’s a good chance we won’t be able to make this work.
Colette is no dummy. She has to know the emotional songs I’ve been writing are about her. But instead of asking to hear them, she made plans to leave. Either she doesn’t feel the way I feel, or she doesn’t see a future for us for some other reason.
Maybe I’ll be able to change her mind.
Maybe I won’t.
Either way, I’m going to treasure every second of the time we have left.
Kissing the top of her head, I draw her closer until we’re chest to chest. I can feel her heart thudding against my ribs.
“Are you always hard?” she murmurs in a husky voice.
“No,” I say, smiling as I kiss her hair again. “Just whenever I’m touching you. You do things to me, Sunshine.”
“You do things to me, too.” She lifts her chin, her lust-filled gaze locking with mine, making me even harder. “Maybe we shouldn’t go out. Staying in can be fun, too…”
I shake my head. “Nope. You’re not getting any more of this until tomorrow. Once a day. You know the rules.”
Her bottom lip juts out. “I never should have told you about sperm count.”
“I’m glad you did.” I cup her ass in my hands, giving it a squeeze. “It turns me on, knowing I only get you once so I’d better make the most of it. Boundaries can be hot.”
She arches a skeptical brow. “Hmm…maybe you are too boring for rock ’n’ roll.”
I laugh and bite my lip. “Keep it up, woman, and I’ll show you boring. With your hands tied to my headboard while you get that spanking you’ve been begging for.”
“Oh, yeah?” Her eyes glitter. “You promise?”
“Cross my heart.” I swat her bottom, making her laugh as we start for the door. But when we reach the foyer, I stop, remembering her shopping plans. “Just a second, let me grab some bags for the groceries before we head out.”
“Oh yeah, good thinking.” She takes her purse from the table by the door and slings it across her chest, pulling out her phone. “You get those, and I’ll call Nancy and tell her we don’t need her to cook for us tonight.”
“Perfect.” I jog into the kitchen, opening cabinets until I find a soft cotton tote small enough to wad up and shove in my pocket.
I’m about to head back to the door when my phone dings. I cross to the counter, glancing at the screen to see half a dozen text alerts from Chip, but I don’t read them.
Instead, I reach down and turn the phone off.
Colette’s my focus right now. The battle with Chip will still be here in two days; she won’t.
Unless I can change her mind.
I’m a nice guy, but I’m not afraid to play hardball when it comes to the things I want. And right now, there’s nothing I want more than this woman in my life.
For now and for the foreseeable future.
Chapter Eighteen
Zack
We decide to start our hike out of the backyard, wandering past Nancy and Jed’s cottage as we start toward town.
“Have fun!” Nancy waves from the vegetable garden, where she’s camped out on a tiny portable bench pulling weeds. “Call if you decide you want a ride back.”
I lift a hand, and Colette calls, “Thanks so much! Will do.”
As we disappear down the tree-lined path, moving into the cool shade, she adds in a whisper, “But I want to walk back if that’s okay with you. I want to walk a ridiculous number of miles.”
“I thought you said you were tired.” I peer down at her, searching her face.
“I did, and I am.” She shakes her head with a heavy sigh. “But if I’m going to be able to fall asleep without pouncing you tonight, I’m going to have to be really, really tired. Like a bone-deep level of exhaustion.”