by Eden Summers
Her mom nodded into her shoulder. “I’m going to see a counselor. It’s been too long. I can’t go on like this.” She squeezed Alana tight. “Is he going to press charges?”
Alana glanced over at Blake and he shook his head. “No, Ma. He’s not going to press charges.”
“You love him?”
“What?” Alana leaned back. “No. This is Blake, not Mitchell.”
“You shot the wrong guy.” Blake chuckled, then winced and clutched his side.
Her mom stepped away from Alana’s embrace and faced Blake. “I hope you can accept my apology.”
“No worries.” He smiled and opened his arms.
Her mother glanced at him with wide eyes. Alana held her breath waiting for her mom to flee. Instead she stepped forward, paused, then did it again, and again, until finally she was in Blake’s arms.
With her mom’s stiff posture and the uncomfortable expression on Blake’s face, they wouldn’t score the world’s most comfortable hug, yet those few steps were a lifelong journey for her mother.
Alana sniffed and blinked away tears.
“You want to join in, sugar?”
She rolled her eyes and Blake released his hold.
“Are you ready to go find Mitch?” He held out his hand and she grasped his offering.
“Yeah.” Hope would kill her if she didn’t speak to him soon.
He led her past the front door and paused on the porch. Mitch rested against his car, legs crossed at the ankles as he stared at his shoes. He glanced up when the screen slammed shut and frowned when his focus lowered to their entwined hands.
Blake leaned in close, his breath whispering against her cheek as he placed a kiss on her temple. “Just for good measure,” he whispered.
She struggled not to laugh. “You’re a horrible friend,” she scolded.
“Don’t worry, he’ll thank me for it one day.”
She sighed and raised his hand to her mouth. She kissed his knuckles, silently thanking him with her eyes. “Just for good measure,” she whispered, and then pressed her lips together to stop from blubbering.
“Now, this time, don’t back down. Clamp those delicate hands around his neck if you have to. Don’t let go until all your questions are answered.”
“I plan on it.” She dropped his hand and strode down the stairs, her chest expanding with each step.
She didn’t take her gaze off Mitchell, not even to check if Blake followed. Her attention remained on the man who held her heart.
Mitch pushed off the car and wiped his hands on his jeans. He waited until Alana stopped in front of him and gazed down at the most beautiful shade of light green irises he’d ever seen.
“How’s Blake?”
“He’s fine.” Her voice was gentle, soft and sweet and feminine. “Patty gave him a few stitches. He’s lucky the pellet only scrapped his side.”
Mitch released a relieved breath. He already felt like a heel for dragging his friend here. He should be the one getting stitched up...the one Alana took care of. “That’s good.” He wanted to reach for her, to hold her hand just as Blake had.
“I’m not leaving, Allie. Not until you give me a chance to explain.” He tried to implore her with his gaze. “I’m opposed to being shot in the ass, but I’ll risk it.”
“OK.” Her lips tilted in the faintest smile.
“OK?”
Her grin widened. “OK.”
“Is there somewhere we can go to talk? Preferably out of shooting range?”
“Yeah, I live over there.” She glanced over her shoulder and pointed to a small brick cottage. “Well, I used to anyway.”
He turned to Blake on the porch of the main house and threw him the car keys. “We’re going over there for a little while.” He jerked his head in the direction of the cottage. “Do you want to drive the car out to the highway and wait for me?”
Blake nodded. “No problem. I’ll go into Monument and get a coffee.”
“Are you guys staying in Colorado Springs?” Alana asked.
He focused on her for a moment, reading the uncertainty in her features. “That depends on you.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Let’s go talk, then.”
He followed a few steps behind as they walked to her cottage. Without a word, she held the screen door open for him and allowed him to lead the way. He strode into what he assumed was the living area with a small kitchen at the back. Everything was bare, no photos, no rugs, not even furniture. The only thing in the room was a handbag on the kitchen counter.
“I...like what you’ve done with the place.”
She chuckled and slapped him gently over the chest as she passed. “The moving truck—”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her back. She gasped and sunk into him. He held her wrists to his chest, their bodies joining at the waist. Her wide eyes gazed up at him through thick dark lashes.
“I... The movers took my things this morning.”
“You’re moving?”
She bit her lip and nodded. “To Richmond.”
“I assumed you’d moved back here for good.”
“No.” The word whispered over his skin. “Mom had a bad fall, and when I found out she was in hospital, I came straight home.” She breathed deep and let it out slowly. “I’m not staying. This place isn’t for me anymore. It never was.”
“Have you ever been to New York?”
She lowered her gaze to stare at the floor. “Why are you here, Mitchell?”
His heart clenched, burying its way deeper into his chest. “I was stupid to push you away.” He released her wrist and cupped her cheek with his palm, drawing her attention back to his face. “You were right. I was scared... The way I feel about you scares the hell out of me. The time we spent together...” He inhaled deep and measured his exhale, needing each additional second to settle his hypersensitive nerves. “I haven’t had a woman treat me the way you did since before I became a part of Reckless. You were blind, yet you could see me better than anyone else. You aren’t after my fame, or my money, or my success. You’re...” He swallowed hard to clear the discomfort clogging his throat.
He cupped her other cheek in his palm and stared deep into her eyes. “You are beyond perfect. And I’m a fool for thinking I could ever let you go.”
“So why did you?” she whispered.
“It isn’t easy living in the spotlight. I thought letting you go now, while things between us were good, would be better than waiting until you started to resent me. You’re the first to admit you’ve had a sheltered life. I didn’t want to ruin your first experience away from home with the drama that follows the band around.”
Her eyes filled with moisture, and his own burned in response. "I’ve watched a never-ending line of relationships crumple around me, with each sordid detail publicized to the world. I couldn’t stand to hurt you that way.”
She peered up at him, her light green irises swimming in unshed tears. “What changed your mind?”
“Letting you go nearly killed me. I saw your blog posts. Each one made me want to throw away my commitments and fly back to you. I dialed your number a thousand times because I missed the sound of your voice. You never left my mind, Allie.”
He brushed his lips over hers. The feather light touch ignited a flame that burned his chest. “I won’t let us turn into another statistic.” He rested his forehead against hers. “I won’t. The time we’ll spend apart because of work will be torture, but I have plans to make it easier. I can handle it for now, as long as I know I will always be coming home to you.”
A single tear streaked over her flawless skin and he leaned in to kiss it away. “You won’t have to worry about my fears again. My only concern now, is that I might scare you off.”
She moved her arms around his waist so their bodies touched from thigh to stomach. “I wasn’t scared in the first place.”
“Yeah, I know. But you might be now.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the white gold ring he purch
ased a week ago. He placed it in the middle of his palm and held it out to her.
She sucked in a breath, and stepped back. Her eyes were wide as her hand raised to cover her mouth.
“Don’t panic.”
Her focus shot from the ring to his face.
“I’m not proposing.”
She released a heavy sigh and her shoulders relaxed.
“No need to be so relieved, sweetheart,” he chuckled. “It’s a commitment ring. I wanted to show you how serious I am about us.”
Her hand fell away and she smiled. “You scared me. We haven’t known each other long and, although I do love you, a marriage proposal would make me run—”
He grabbed her hand and tugged her back into his body. “You love me?” He scrutinized her face as his heart threatened to explode.
Her smile widened, bringing out two beautiful dimples. “With all my heart.”
Grabbing her ass, he lifted her off the ground. She squealed with laughter, circling his waist with her legs.
“God, you don’t know how happy that makes me.” He kissed her hard, once, twice, the third time swiping her lips with his tongue. He walked her to the kitchen counter, placed her down, and held the ring out for her to take. “Be with me, Allie. Make me the happiest man alive.”
She bit her lip and stared at his offering. Her hand shook as it rose to roughly wipe the tears away from her face. “I don’t know what to say.”
He grabbed her hand and stroked the ring finger on her right hand. “Say you’ll be mine.”
She nodded, her head bobbing up and down as tears continued to flow. He pushed the ring up her finger and winced at the loose fit.
“Well, even though it doesn’t fit, will you still be mine?”
Alana sniffed and leaned forward to place a kiss on his lips. “Always.”
Alana held up her camera and captured the shot of the three women smiling at her.
“Thanks, ladies. I hope you enjoyed the concert. The photo will be uploaded to the Reckless Beat website within the week, if you want to check it out.”
Tonight marked the last night of their U.S. tour. The fans had been wild, the screaming continuing well after the second encore. The women paid her little attention. They were too hyped, the adrenaline pulsing from them in waves as they spoke loud and fast about their favorite aspects of the show.
Alana turned away and strolled to the staff entrance which led back stage. As she walked, she scrolled through the images she’d taken via the camera’s display screen.
A strong set of hands encased her waist and she screamed when they began to tickle. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“Mitchell, stop it!” She gripped her camera tight in one hand and whacked him with the other. “People will see you.”
He stopped tickling and turned her into his body.
“Oh, boy. Who picked this disguise?” she asked.
He wore a long black wig and a patch over his left eye.
“Blake dared me to wear it.” He shrugged. “It’s a man code thing.”
“Of course it is.” She smiled and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
“Take any good photos?” He glanced down at her camera, then back into her eyes. Admiration was in his gaze and she had to fight the emotions that always hit her when in his arms.
“I have some great images of you on stage and a lot from fans as they left the arena.” Since the start of their latest tour, Mitchell had arranged for the band’s private jet to pick her up every weekend so they could spend time together.
When he was busy setting up, or practicing, or on stage, she used the time to take photos. Some were of cities, with many of the better images already under contract at boutique art galleries back in Richmond. Others were of the band and their fans which Mason had shown an immediate interest in. He used her shots as promotional material on their website and insisted on paying her for her services.
“You were awesome tonight.”
“Mmm?” He kissed her back. “The awesomeness isn’t over, sweetheart. I plan on getting you back to the hotel and being even more awesome.”
“Even more awesome? Is that even possible?” She chuckled. She would miss him like crazy once he left for their world tour in a few weeks.
“I’ve gotta keep improving my bedroom skills otherwise my gorgeous girlfriend might start looking for someone else to do the job.”
She nodded. “True.”
He retaliated by lifting her off the ground and carrying her in a fireman’s hold over his shoulder. She squealed and squirmed, clutching tight to her camera as he tickled her waist.
“Oh, you break my heart. And just when I had a special surprise for you.” He clucked his tongue.
“A surprise?”
He quit torturing her while he waited for their security guard to open the staff door leading to the backstage dressing rooms. When the door closed behind them, he started again, running the fingers of one hand up the back of her thighs, causing heat to burn in her belly.
“Unless the surprise is a vacant supply room, you really need to stop touching me like that.”
He released his grip and let her slide down his body and back onto her feet.
“And why is that?” He gave her a one sided grin and backed her into the corridor wall, caging her between his arms.
She licked her lips without thought then bit down hard to stop encouraging him. Ignoring his question, she wrapped her hands around his neck and batted her lashes. “What’s my surprise?”
He chuckled and leaned in to smash his lips against hers for a quick kiss. “Let’s go find out.”
He grabbed her hand and led her down the corridor and into the back stage rooms. The rest of the band was there, lounging with beer bottles in their hands, except Blake and Leah who nursed sodas. Tony grinned at her from the arm of one of the couches, and a few of the stage crew nodded and smiled to her in greeting.
“Hey, Alana.”
“Hey, Mason. Great show.”
The face of Reckless Beat strode toward her. “I’ve got a proposition for you.”
She raised an eyebrow. Her mind ran wild with possibilities so she kept her mouth shut to remain composed.
“How do you feel about being our official photographer?”
The room went quiet, waiting for her response.
Alana smiled and nodded. “Of course.” She turned to Mitchell. “Whatever you guys want, I’m happy to do.”
She already felt like their official photographer. Where possible, she attended their concerts and even tagged along to promotional events to take additional snaps for their website.
“So you can be ready in ten days to come on the world tour with us?”
Her gaze snapped back to Mason, and Mitchell squeezed her hand.
“You want me to come with you on tour?” Her stomach filled with butterflies.
“I never want you to leave my side,” Mitchell whispered into her ear.
Her chest expanded with too many emotions to name. “I...” Traveling around the world would be a dream come true. Getting paid to do it was unimaginable. “I... Really? You really want me to come with you?”
“Of course,” Blake announced from the sofa.
“Your photos are great.” Mason continued. “The fans can’t get enough on the website and there’s always the scope for you to place the images on merchandise and sell them. I have a heap of ideas I want to run by you, not only with your images, but in running a band blog as well...”
Alana rubbed her chest trying to dislodge the excitement building to the point of pain.
“And bringing you along with us will also ensure we don’t have to deal with a grumpy ass lead guitarist.” Mason turned his gaze to Mitchell and smirked.
“Ha ha, you’re so funny,” Mitchell bit back.
She glanced around the faces in the room, needing to make sure everyone agreed. They all smiled back at her, making warmth take over her chest. She turned to her man and swallowed over the hap
piness in his expression.
“Are you sure you want me to tag along?”
“Sweetheart, I always want you with me.” He stroked his fingers through the loose hair at her cheek and ran it behind her ear. “And when we get home in a few months, I’m hoping you will move in with me.”
Her insides burned with overwhelming elation. “All right.” She nodded her head and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“‘All right’, you’ll come on tour, or ‘all right’ you’ll move in with me?”
“Both.” Her face hurt from smiling as the room filled with words of enthusiasm and encouragement.
“And how about if I asked you to marry—”
Alana leaned back and slapped a hand over his mouth. “Mitchell Davies, don’t you dare propose to me backstage while dressed like a pirate.”
“Classy, bro.” Sean called from his position beside Blake on the sofa.
Leah tsk’d in disapproval.
Mitchell chuckled, his heated breath warming her palm. “All right, all right. I’ll work on it.”
Alana dropped her hand and stared into the hazel eyes of the man she loved. “Work on it,” she whispered, “And maybe next time I’ll say yes.”
THE END
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