Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 129207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
“That’s bullshit and you know it. No amount of time or distance can change the fact that I know you on a level that nobody else ever has or ever will, not even Axel,” she argues, stepping into me and gripping my arms as desperation flashes in those beautiful eyes. “You don’t need that shit. You never have, and despite how I feel about you right now, I am yours and you are mine, and all you’ve ever needed is me.”
The crowd roars for the boys. Their screaming is deafening, but nothing will keep me from hearing the words of this sweet angel before me.
“Ezra,” the stage manager warns, needing me in place, but I don’t move a fucking muscle, knowing she’s not nearly through with me yet.
The intro starts, the speaker physically shaking the stage as the vibrations rock through my chest, and along with it comes the screams of fifty thousand people, every single one of them waiting for me to give them the performance of a lifetime.
Her hand moves further up my arm, over my shoulder, and doesn’t stop until she’s gripping the back of my neck. Her other hand clutches my wrist. “You can do this, Ezra. I know you can,” she tells me, creeping in so close that I feel the warmth of her body against my skin. “If you feel yourself start to spiral, just look at me. I’ll be there the whole time. I’ve got you.”
“EZRA!” The stage manager calls, knowing I’m dangerously close to missing my cue. “NOW!”
I go to pull away, but Rae closes the gap, crushing her lips to mine, and I feel everything I’ve ever wanted right there in my grasp. Her body is stiff as though she can’t believe what she’s doing, and as she goes to make a hasty escape, my arms lock around her, pulling her right back in.
I’ve waited eleven fucking years to feel her lips against mine, and there’s no chance in hell I’m about to let her pull away from me just yet.
Her lips are so fucking warm, just as I knew they would be, and as I kiss her back, her body finally relaxes against mine. She opens her mouth just a little wider, and I take everything she’s willing to give as my world finally comes back into focus.
She was right. All I’ve ever needed was her.
She pulls back, her chest heaving, but I don’t dare release her. “Ezra,” she murmurs, clutching me tighter than ever before. “You need to go.”
I nod, knowing she’s right, but the idea of stepping away to do this show and not being able to touch her physically pains me. But there’s still tonight. I’ll get this done and then tonight . . . we talk. Or maybe we don’t, and I just spend the rest of my life drowning in her lips.
Reluctantly, I release my hold around her waist and allow her to back up, and as I listen to the intro coming to a close, I grab her hand and drag her to the side of the stage. “Stay right here,” I tell her.
She nods, and I move back into her, holding her stare as I clutch her wrist, unable to be so close without physically touching her. “After.”
“After,” Rae confirms. “Now go.”
Fuck.
I turn on my heel and sprint, racing down a ramp and through the scaffolding beneath the stage as I desperately try to reach my mark. Then just as I hear Rock’s tempo increase on the drums, starting my intro, I launch myself onto the base just in time for it to catapult me high up into the center of the stage.
The crowd is fucking insane, screaming in a way I’ve never heard before. The light show goes off with the pyrotechnics, and I can’t lie, it’s the best introduction I’ve ever had. Maybe Lenny was on to something.
Jett leads into the opening song, and I take the microphone, glance back at Dylan and Rock to let them know I’m good, and then without skipping a beat, I give my all to the eager Parisians, knowing that as long as Rae remains right there at the side of the stage, I’ve got everything I need.
A wide fucking grin stretches across my face, and despite not having Axel here, I feel more at home than I ever have in the past eight years, and it has everything to do with having Raleigh’s eyes on me.
I can’t help but glance toward her and take in the awe on her face. She’s never seen anything like this, at least, not with Demon’s Curse. I don’t know if she’s been to other concerts over the years and what her experience was like, but judging by how wide her eyes are, I’d dare say this is a first.