My Song for You: A Pushing Limits Novel

by Stina Lindenblatt

SIX MONTHS LATER

  I kneeled in front of Logan in the room that once had belonged to me but had since been converted into a guest room. My son was even more adorable than normal, dressed in his black tuxedo. “How do I look?” I asked.

  Normally I wasn’t one to dress up in a tux. None of the guys in the band were. Jeans and T-shirts were our outfit of choice. But even though Callie had told me she didn’t care what I wore today, I had insisted the guys and Logan dress up.

  “You look great, Daddy. What about me?”

  My heart pounding from excitement, not nerves, I straightened his tie. The tuxes were black, the vests and ties bronze. “You look great too. I think Mommy’s going to approve of us both.”

  Logan grinned, revealing the new gap where he was missing his bottom front tooth. The tooth fairy had paid him a visit last night. It was one of those milestones I’d been lucky enough to witness. Fortunately, Endless Motion had scheduled a week off due to some other obligations. It wasn’t enough time for a honeymoon, but it allowed enough time for Callie and me to have one night together alone, and for me to spend more time with her and Logan as a family. Callie’s adoption of Logan had gone through last week. In the eyes of the court, she was now his legal mother.

  I stood up. “And you have the rings?” I asked Nolan, my best man.

  He chuckled. “Yep, just like I did the last five times you asked me. Don’t worry, everything is gonna be okay.”

  “Unless she’s changed her mind,” Mason not-so-helpfully added.

  I scowled at him.

  His hands went up in surrender. “Hey, just kidding. I might not be the settling-down type, but I can tell that what you and Callie have is solid.”

  Logan looked at him with a hopeful expression, waiting for Mason to accidentally curse. With us away on tour, his swear jar was woefully empty.

  The bedroom door opened and my father poked his head into the room. “We’re ready.”

  “So Callie hasn’t bailed yet?” Mason said.

  Kirk cuffed him on the back of his head.

  “What the fuck did you do that for?” he said to Kirk, then without missing a beat, he turned to Logan. “I’ll give you the money after the ceremony.”

  Logan grinned back at him. While the bulky drummer might’ve intimidated some people, Logan just saw him as Uncle Mason, the man who was bankrolling Logan’s future aspirations.

  My father took his grandson’s hand and led him to my parents’ bedroom, where the women were getting ready. I hadn’t seen Callie since arriving home last night from touring. She’d stayed at her apartment. Logan and I had stayed with my parents. It took everything I had not to enter the room and kiss her, to throw away the tradition of not seeing the bride before the wedding.

  Okay, knowing what the three women with Callie would’ve done to me might have also had something to do with my decision not to break tradition.

  The guys and I headed outside to the gazebo. Two simple yet rustic flower arrangements—created from sticks, white gauze, and fall flowers—were attached to either side of the entrance. A couple dozen folding seats, covered in white fabric, faced the wooden structure. Family and friends currently occupied the chairs.

  Standing in front of the gazebo entrance was a friend of Aaron’s in a gray tuxedo. Richard was an ordained minister and had been happy to take part in the ceremony. I shook hands with him and took my place.

  A movement at the kitchen door grabbed my attention. I looked over, as did everyone seated in the chairs. Because of Logan’s cochlear implant, we had forgone the usual music. We wanted him to hear the ceremony.

  Kristen stepped from the house first, holding Emma’s hand and a small bouquet of red, orange, and yellow flowers. Her strapless dress was light green and simple, revealing her six-month baby bump. Emma, though, was the one who stole the show in her lacy white dress. A bronze sash had been tied around her waist, and she was carrying a small basket of flower petals.

  As they drew closer, Emma let go of her mother’s hand and toddled over to me. “Hi.” She offered me the basket.

  Soft laughter rippled through the audience. I bent down and hugged her. “You’re the most beautiful flower girl I know.”

  She grinned.

  Kristen stepped up to the gazebo, and Emma lifted her arms above her head. “Up.”

  “Go see Daddy,” Kristen said, pointing to Craig, who was in the front row. Emma joined him, and he hoisted her onto his lap.

  Next was Hailey. She stepped out the back door, and a quick glance at Nolan told me he wouldn’t be noticing any other woman, including Callie, for the rest of the day. I wouldn’t be surprised if by the end of the year he and Hailey were planning for their wedding.

  Hailey’s dress, with two thin straps at the shoulders, ended above her knees and was a darker shade of green than Kristen’s outfit. Black lace accented the body-skimming dress, and Hailey’s long brown hair lay loose around her shoulders. It was easy to understand why Nolan was mesmerized.

  Logan was with her and was carrying the ring-bearer’s pillow Mom had sewn for the wedding. Hailey spoke to him, he nodded, and they walked hand in hand down the makeshift aisle. Hailey’s gaze was locked on Nolan the entire time.

  Whispering came from behind me. Aaron and Kirk were no doubt betting on when Hailey and Nolan would be getting hitched. I was sure there would be no complaints from Mason if it was sooner rather than later…assuming Nolan went for the stripper bachelor party I had vetoed when Mason had suggested it for me. I had a feeling Nolan would veto the idea too. No other woman would do for him, like no other woman could outshine Callie for me—but try explaining that to Mason.

  Logan stepped up to the gazebo, and I hugged him. “You did great,” I said, signing it at the same time. I wasn’t the only one who had been learning sign language. My bandmates had also been learning it while we toured.

  “You rock,” Mason signed to Logan.

  Logan grinned and signed the same thing back to him. My heart warmed at how supportive the guys in the band were of me being a father. I didn’t know what I would have done without them.

  Logan joined my mother and Sharon in the front row. Mom helped him onto his seat between the two women.

  Callie appeared in the doorway…and I became suddenly weak in the knees—in a good way. Hailey was beautiful, but nothing compared to the goddess standing at the kitchen door with my father. Her copper hair, shining in the late afternoon sun, like flames in a campfire, flowed in loose waves over her shoulders and down her back. Lace covered her sleeveless white dress, which skimmed the gorgeous curves I’d been craving while touring. The skirt gently flared below the hips and formed a short train behind her.

  Her gaze caught mine and I imagined her inhaling sharply. Although I could tell she wanted to race down the aisle and jump into my arms, she walked slowly toward me. My lungs paused, forgetting to suck in air, but who required air anyway? Touching, holding, kissing Callie was so much more important.

  After what felt like way too long, Callie stepped up to me. “Hey,” she said, her voice soft. How I kept from pulling her head to mine and devouring her with kisses was beyond me. I hadn’t seen her for two months, when she and Logan had joined the band for a few days on the road. Other than that, we had talked daily via Skype. But Skype was nothing like having the real flesh-and-blood woman in your arms. Every inch of me had ached to have her back there again while we were away.

  “Hi,” I said, finding my voice.

  Callie handed her flowers to Hailey and I took her hands in mine. They were even softer than I’d remembered.

  “Jared Leigh and Callie Talbert, we’re gathered here today in front of friends and family to celebrate the joining of your lives. In both good times and in bad, you’ll stand by each other, stronger together in body and soul.” Richard continued talking, but his words were a blur, my attention solely on Callie.

  Nolan handed him the wedding rings.

  “Jared and Callie have written their own vows.”
He passed me Callie’s ring.

  I slipped it onto her finger and gazed into her beautiful blue eyes, shiny with love. “Callie Louisa Talbert, until you stepped back into my life, I had no idea what love really meant. I loved my family, but I had never loved with the level of passion that I feel for you. You’re my everything. My sun on a rainy day. The warmth in my soul. The inspiration behind every breath I take. I couldn’t imagine spending a day without you by my side. And while I know it’s not always easy with the distance often between us, you’re constantly in my thoughts and in my heart. You’re the one who keeps me grounded and keeps me real and helps me be the man I strive to be. You’re the one I want to grow old with. Do you take me to be your husband?” I slid the ring into place.

  She smiled. “I do.” Her gaze dropped to my lips for a heartbeat, and I had to battle the urge to kiss her. She took the other ring and slipped it onto the end of my finger. “Jared Michael Leigh, we’ve been friends for as long as I can remember. First I loved you as a friend, and then I fell in love with you. My love for you has grown brighter with each passing day as I’ve watched you become the amazing, talented man that you are. You’ve encouraged me to follow my dreams like you followed your own. You helped me believe in myself like I believe in you. I see the love you have for your music and for your bandmates and for your family, and it makes me love you so much more. There’s no one else I could imagine growing old with. Do you take me as your wife?” She slipped the ring fully onto my finger.

  “You better believe I do!” I said with a grin.

  “By the power vested in me,” Richard announced, “I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  I didn’t need to be told twice. I cupped Callie’s cheek and stroked my thumb against the face I’d missed so much. Yes, Skype had nothing on this.

  I kissed her, the gentle touching of lips that conveyed everything I felt in that simple gesture. Everyone cheered. My bandmates patted me on the back, and Nolan gave me a wry grin. At least he had been able to make love to Hailey last night; I still had to wait a few more hours before Callie was all mine.

  I threaded my fingers with hers—and decided to screw the waiting. I had no intention of it being that long before I snuck a few stolen moments with my wife.

  And God, did it feel fucking great thinking of her that way. She was my wife, my lover, my best friend, the mother of my son. We had experienced both the highs and the lows, and I wasn’t naive to believe that we’d seen the end of them. Touring posed challenges that people with regular jobs never faced, but I was confident we would make it. If things became too much, for the sake of my son and my marriage, I would gladly walk away from the band if I had to. Because as much as I loved the music, I loved Callie and Logan that much more.

  As soon as the last person had offered congratulations, I led Callie to the tree house. She grinned, the playful woman that I loved so much making it clear she was all for my plan. She slipped off her shoes, bunched up the hem of her dress, and climbed the ladder. I followed right behind, helping her up.

  Once inside and away from prying eyes, my mouth was on hers again. This time there were no gentle kisses. No promises of what was to come. There was just this moment, this connection, this love.

  “I missed you,” I said in her ear once I stopped kissing her long enough to speak, my voice rough.

  “I missed you too, but I wouldn’t change anything.” She laid her hand on my chest, where the silver guitar pick rested. “I’d pick you every time. No matter what.”

  “And I’d pick you every time too.” I removed my jacket, vest, and tie. Then I unbuttoned my shirt.

  “As much as I want to make love to you,” she whispered, “I’m not sure this is the place to do it, with everyone in your parents’ backyard waiting for us.” She laughed, and the sweet sound almost did me in. Damn, I had missed that laugh. “Though that doesn’t mean I’ll complain if you remove your shirt.”

  And to prove it, she helped me with the rest of the buttons. Her gaze remained locked on mine as she slowly slipped each button through its hole. Her fingers caressed my exposed skin. An electrical charge hummed through my body at her touch. I was close to ripping off the offending piece of clothing just so I could feel her skin against mine that much sooner.

  Once the final button was free, Callie slid the shirt off my shoulders, pushed it down my arms…and froze.

  She let go of the shirt, and her fingers skimmed over the tattoo I’d gotten two weeks ago. The tattoo I’d managed to keep a secret…until now.

  “It’s beautiful.” She caressed the brush painting a streak of green and red along my arm. Each represented the favorite color of the two most important people in my life.

  A symbol of my love for both my son and my wife.

  A symbol that what we had together was permanent.

  Callie was my forever.

  To Ralph,

  Thank you for all your love and support. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

  Acknowledgments

  First, I’d like to thank my readers and the bloggers who’ve supported me over the past few years. My books wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for you. I especially want to say thanks to the readers who personally reach out and tell me how much they love my stories. And if it weren’t for Nina Bocci, most of you might have not known about the series when it first debuted. She’s a treasure who keeps me sane in this crazy world of publishing.

  I can’t say enough about my wonderful editor, Susan Grimshaw. She took a chance on the Pushing Limits series, and I’m ever thankful to her for that. Her brilliant and insightful feedback always helps to make my manuscripts so much stronger. And thank you to everyone at Loveswept and Penguin Random House who have also helped make this book possible—and that includes the cover, which wows me every time I see it.

  A special shout-out goes to my critique partner, Christina Lee, who has been with me on every step of my journey. She always knows the right words to say, and she knows how to make me smile no matter what’s going on. When we joined forces to create our Facebook fan group, The Swoon Room, I knew I wouldn’t regret it. I couldn’t imagine a better group.

  Writing could be a lonely profession if it weren’t for all the writer friends I’ve made over the years. They have selflessly shared their encouragement and their wealth of knowledge in all areas of publishing. There are too many of you to list, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you any less. I always look forward to attending conferences just so I can see you again.

  And finally, thank you to my family, Ralph, Anton, Stefan, and Anja. You’ve put up with so much just so I can make my deadlines. I know it’s not always easy. Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for believing in me.

  BY STINA LINDENBLATT

  Pushing Limits

  This One Moment

  My Song for You

  I Need You Tonight (coming soon)

  Lost in You

  Tell Me When

  Let Me Know

  Off the Ice

  Heat It Up

  PHOTO: © STINA LINDENBLATT

  STINA LINDENBLATT loves to travel and has lived in England, the United States, Canada, and Finland. In her free time, she’s a photographer, mother, devoted wife, and prodigious reader of great romance novels. She currently lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her husband and three children.

  Want more from Stina Lindenblatt?

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  Read on for an excerpt from

  I Need You Tonight

  Pushing Limits

  by Stina Lindenblatt

  Available from Loveswept

  Chapter 1

  Mason

  “I pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister announced. “You may kiss the bride.”

  He didn’t have to tell Jared twice. Our g
uitarist’s lips were on his new bride’s mouth faster than you could say I want to fuck you now. And, knowing Jared, that was exactly what he wanted to do. Pushing Limits had been on the road for almost five months—the halfway mark of our tour opening for Endless Motion. With the exception a brief visit two months earlier, when Callie and their son, Logan, joined us for a few days, Jared hadn’t fucked her in a long time. How he was surviving without a bad case of blue balls at this point was beyond me. I couldn’t have done it.

  Nor did I want to. That was one of the perks of being a rock star. I could get laid anytime I wanted to. I glanced around at the prospects seated on the chairs facing the wooden gazebo, which had been converted into the altar. Unfortunately, the wedding was small, with about forty guests, and only a handful of the females wouldn’t get me in trouble with the law age-wise. When you factored in how many were here without a boyfriend, that left me with one. Not a bad option either. Pretty, petite, with long black hair. Beckie something. Callie used to work with her at the diner. I’d have gone after her…if Kirk, the band’s bassist, hadn’t already been eyeing her.

  So that left me with no possibilities. Which sucked. Royally.

  The happy couple unglued their lips from each other and stepped down from the gazebo. Nolan pulled his girlfriend, Hailey, into his arms and whispered in her ear. She laughed. If I’d still been a betting man, I would’ve wagered those two would be married (or at least engaged) before the band hit the studio again.

  At the thought of making a bet, a shiver of excitement rolled through me. I pushed it away. I couldn’t go there. Not again. I had already destroyed enough people with my past gambling addiction. I was a new man. A new man who wouldn’t fall down that rabbit hole again.

  My fingers unconsciously went to the tattoo on the inside of my forearm, hidden under the tuxedo. LIVE. LOVE. LAUGH. The words were in Sanskrit. Along with several others, I got them after my stint in rehab several years ago. They were the motto I lived by every day. I lived and loved the music. And the laugh? Well…