by Jenny Lynn
“I especially liked that duet at the end,” Scott chuckled as he looked at us. “The press is going to go nuts. I was always rooting for the two of you.”
“It was spur of the moment,” Corinne said, a flush on her cheeks. She looked radiant, triumphant. And I got to be there to see it. I was glad I came. I wanted her so much it burned me up inside.
An older woman, beautiful in a soft and natural way, stepped towards Corinne and hugged her. Corinne hugged her back, then smiled.
“Mom, this is Archer Evans. Archer, this is my mom Cynthia and my sister Beth. Nany you’ve already met.”
I nodded at them, part of me dreading what they must have heard about me.
“Cynthia, Beth. It’s nice to meet you, and nice to see you again Nancy. Nice shirt.”
“I have extras if you want one Archer,” Nancy teased.
I chucked and placed my arm around Corinne. Scott popped open a bottle of champagne and started handing out glasses.
“I want to propose a toast,” Scott said. “To a long and successful career for Corinne Williams.”
We all raised our glasses as Corinne blushed. “To Corinne,” I said along with the crowd.
We found seats and I fell into conversation with Corinne’s family. They were so warm and loving, so supportive. It was everything I had lost in my family home when my mother died, and seeing how kind her family was I saw where she got it from.
“I have to admit,” Corinne’s mom said with a sigh. “I wasn’t always happy that Corinne chose to pursue music. I wanted her to do something practical, I never wanted her to end up broke and struggling. I didn’t believe in you Corinne, and I’m sorry.”
“You wanted what was best for me mom,” Corinne said. “Like all parents do.”
“It turns out you knew what was best for you all along. I’m so proud of you sweetheart.”
“You were incredible tonight Corine,” Beth added.
“You’re a natural,” Nancy said. “I should start selling things from the apartment to your fans on Ebay. Like your hair brush and stuff.”
Corinne playfully shoved her roommate and they laughed together. I sat at her side, proud of her, letting her enjoy her moment. I kept catching glimpses of her looking at me, a softness in her eyes that made me feel like more of a man because a good woman like her loved me. Because she saw something in me worth loving.
It was late when Corinne leaned over, looking up at me through her lashes, and whispered in my ear.
“Take me home with you,” she said softly.
I looked into her eyes, rubbing her back.
“You sure you want to go?”
She nodded. “I want to be alone with you.”
Corinne stood up and took me by the hand. I followed her as she kissed her mother on the cheek and hugged Beth then Nancy. “I’ll meet you for lunch tomorrow,” she told them.
The women exchanged glances.
“Have a nice night,” Nancy said with a wink.
Corinne and I slipped out the door, out onto the street and into a car Scott had booked for her use. I gave the driver my address then pulled her against me in the back seat. I had held it in for hours, I had been craving her since she was ripped from my life and I kissed her hard, like it was the first time. Like if I didn’t feel her lips it would be the end of me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and tilted her head, kissing me back just as eagerly. I needed to get her alone, I needed to be with her again and erase all the pain that had stretched between us when we were apart.
The car rolled to a stop and we stepped out. In the lobby of my building she gasped as I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to the elevators. I held her against the wall and she turned to wrap her legs around me, kissing me as I held her by the waist. I pressed against her, wanting to feel her soft skin as I stroked my tongue against hers in long strokes. When the doors opened I carried her through my place, kicking open the bedroom door and dropping onto the bed with her.
I looked down at Corinne, her long hair fanning around her face, her lips red from the pressure of mine as I kissed her hard. Her chest was rising and falling quickly as she breathed, her pupils dilated in her gorgeous eyes. I took a moment to look at her, taking in every line and feature, memorizing the way she looked. The way she looked at me.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I can’t promise I won’t screw up again,” I told her. “But I know I never want to lose you again. You’re too important to me.”
She reached up and touched my face.
“We’ll figure it out together,” she assured me.
I kissed her then moved to her neck, covering her skin with my lips, not wanting to leave an inch of her untouched. I found the zipper of her dress and slowly pulled it down, trailing my fingers inside to find her skin. She sat up and pulled the dress over her head, letting it fall to the floor beside my bed. I kissed along her chest, touching her softly, running my fingertips over her arms. When she wrapped her legs around my hips and arched up against me, finding me already stiff, I groaned.
“I want you,” she said breathlessly.
“I want you too,” I stroked my thumb over her lip. “I want you so much it’s been killing me.”
“I’m here now. I’m yours Archer.”
I sucked her neck then gripped her earlobe between my teeth.
“Say that again. Say that you’re mine.”
I ran my hands over her breasts, slipping my fingers under the lace and rolling her nipples between my fingers giving them a gentle tug.
“I’m yours,” she gasped.
The way her body responded to my every touch set my blood on fire and made me harder. I rocked against her, pressing my erection between her legs and teasing her. She moaned and reached for me, pulling my shirt over my head then running her hands over my chest. Her nails dug into my arms as she pulled me against her. I had her pinned under my body, I leaned back and trailed my hands over her stomach, down further between her legs.
The need in me was urgent, but I used all my willpower to take my time. To bring her body to the edge. I slid down her underwear then stroked along her slit, finding her wet and soft. She bit her lip as I found her clit and started to stroke her in small circles. She rocked her hips, arching her back as I slid a finger inside her. The expression on her face, her body alive with desire. It was too much for me to handle.
I pulled down my zipper then shoved my pants and boxers down, stepping out of everything and shoving my clothes to the floor. Holding her legs apart I moved forward then sank into the soft, warm core of her with a moan.
Corinne dug her nails in deeper, holding onto me as I slid in and out of her over and over again. It felt so good, so right to fit snugly inside her. Like our bodies were made to link together just like this.
I rocked my hips faster, sliding deep into her again and again. I returned to her clit and stroked her faster as I moved with more urgency. Our bodies were glowing with perspiration as I moved against her, covering her skin with kisses and finding her lips with mine. She was trembling beneath me and gasped.
“Archer!”
I continued to stroke her, wanting to see her come. Needing to see her let go. I watched her, touching her until her mouth fell open and she cried out. She was beautiful in that moment of release, I moved against her faster, going deeper, clinging to her body as I shoved inside. Feeling all of her, skin on skin. It was all too much.
I groaned, gripping onto her thighs to steady myself as I came hard. My orgasm tore through my entire body leaving me shaking and breathless. I collapsed beside her, pulling her into my arms and kissing her. She fit against me perfectly. We fit together perfectly. This moment, this happiness we had found together - was perfect.
Epilogue
Corinne
One year later
It had been a year since my first real concert. A year of growing as an artist, a year of taking chances, and a year that saw my career explode. It was hard to get used to fame, to
the constant presence of camera phones and paparazzi but the trade off came with success and a financial stability I had never known my entire life. The kind of future my father always wanted to give us.
I bought my mom a house when my record when platinum, we both cried as I handed her the keys. I even helped her get a loan to start her own cleaning business in Florida. She had worked so hard her entire life, it was finally time for her to feel like she has some control over her future.
My sister, Beth, had another baby. A little girl with the brightest eyes and easy smile. I adore being an aunt, that our family was growing instead of shrinking. That there was new life in our world.
Nancy was doing well with school and got a job as a teaching assistant which paid more than she used to make, which was good timing, because she had her own place now and didn’t need a roommate. We may not live together, but we’re as close as ever. She was still my most trusted and dearest friend - and according to her, the original founder of my fan club.
My living situation changed too. After months of hiding ourselves away from the world in his penthouse, falling asleep in his arms every night, Archer asked me to move in with him by pulling me into his walk-in closet and showing me that he had cleared out half the space. Of course I said yes. When it came to Archer Evans, that angel voice and devil smile, I always said yes.
Being two high profile musicians, with all the demands and concerts involved with our lifestyle, wasn’t always easy but we found ways to make it work. While I was touring, Archer joined me when he could and focused on writing new material. My tour was now over, and it was my turn to think about my next album while I joined Archer and his band on the road.
The guys teased Archer at first about “getting tamed” and dating me. It was all in good fun and Archer took it in stride. My biggest supporter, and the person in Archer’s circle that I liked the most, was Billy. Archer told me about how Billy encouraged him to date me in the early days, told him not to give up. He was our cupid, and one of the best influences in Archer’s life. Now that Archer had disowned his father, Billy was as good as his brother. The family Archer chose, instead of the one he was given by fate.
I was seated backstage watching the band, proud of Archer. The critics were calling his new album his best yet - edgy rock, but with heart and soul. His ballads especially went over well with his female fans, which there was still a literal army of. Whenever I felt jealous, Archer reminded me he only had eyes - and other body parts - for me, and me alone.
They were finishing their last song. I stood up and clapped, bursting with pride for him. The guys walked off stage while the crowd shouted for more. Archer kissed me, stalling backstage. Making them wait, he always was such a tease.
“Go on,” I giggled as I shoved him off me. “Give them what they want.”
“I’d rather give you what you want,” he whispered in my ear, nibbling my neck.
He picked up his guitar then strolled back onto the stage, waving to the crowd.
“Are you guys having a good night tonight?” he asked.
The crowd roared.
“I’m having a great night too,” he said into the microphone. “In fact, there is only one thing that would make it better. Corinne, could you come out here with me?”
I blinked, caught off guard. Once in a while we sang duets together, but we usually talked about it in advance and we hadn’t tonight. Maybe he decided he wanted to sing together, spur of the moment. I walked out, smiling at the crowd as they clapped.
“This is for you,” he told me. Then he started to strum his guitar. He played me “Love you Till The End” by The Pogues, the song he liked to play for me. Our song.
A warm feeling washed through me as I stood beside him, watching him play for me in front of a stadium full of people. He finished the song, and I clapped along with the crowd. Then Archer really caught me off guard. He dropped to one knee in front of me, taking a delicate ring box from his pocket and opening it, turning it towards me. My jaw fell open and my hands flew to my mouth. Was this happening? Was this really happening, or was it a dream?
“Corinne Williams,” he said, looking up at me. “The moment I met you, I knew that to have you I needed to be a better man. Every day since then I have tried to be the kind of man you deserve, and if you let me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to be good enough for you. Would you do me the honor of being my wife, and make me the happiest man alive?”
I was trembling, my vision was blurry from the tears in my eyes and when I blinked they fell down my cheek. I nodded, unable to form words. Then, I pushed a single word past my lips.
“Yes.”
Grinning, Archer slid the massive diamond ring onto my finger. It sparkled brilliantly under the stage lights. He stood and wrapped me in his arms, spinning me around and kissing me as the crowd cheered. Just like him, Archer was always surprising me. I knew my future with him would be full of music, laughter, passion and adventure. I always thought that becoming a musician was the biggest accomplishment, that it would mean I had fulfilled my dream. It turns out falling in love with a musician, with Archer, was my destiny all along. With him at my side, nothing was impossible.
Dedicated to Andrew, my love story that is still writing itself every day. I love you till the end.
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Jenny Lynn is an award winning writer who has been published in a number of anthologies. The men in her romance novels all have their differences; from charismatic billionaires, cocky bad boys and dominant alpha males – but they are all men worth falling in love with, even though some are easier to love than others. A wife and mother, Jenny has a love of reading and writing that inspires her each and every day.