Blondie (Midland Springs Book 2)
Page 21
A man comes onto the stage with a stool. They have a private conversation, and the man claps him on the back before rushing back off the stage. Max plants his sexy ass on the stool and adjusts the mic stand, before looking out to the crowd with a bittersweet smile on his face. “This is something I wrote on the plane ride over here, so forgive me if it’s shit.”
Everyone laughs, and I hear a woman scream, “We love you, Maxwell!”
He smiles and waves toward the opposite side of the crowd where the woman who yelled out is. He focuses on his guitar as he starts playing. “This one’s called Blondie.”
My hands fly up to my mouth and a little squeak escapes me, drawing the attention of some of the people around me. They quickly turn back toward the stage, ignoring me. “He wrote me a song.”
I’m so shocked that I don’t even realize I’ve said it aloud until the man next to me taps my shoulder. “You’re the girl he’s leavin’ music for?” he drawls out. I can’t do anything, but nod and stare at Max as his words dance around me and slip into my soul. “Woman, what you doin’ down here then?”
My head snaps over to this stranger. What am I doing down here? “You’re right...I need to go get my man!”
“Hell yeah!” he says, smiling and laughing. He reaches over to grab a pretty girl in daisy dukes. “Gretchen, look. This here’s Maxwell’s woman.”
“What’s she doin’ down here?” She looks up at the man then back down to me.
We both laugh. “I need to figure out a way to get to that stage.” I start moving forward, trying to push my way through throngs of people with very little success. Nobody wants to miss the chance to witness Max’s gift.
Shit.
Another tap on my shoulder has me turning around to see the man again. “I’m Mike.”
“Uh, hi, Mike.” Turning back around, I try one more time to move the person in front of me. Mike reaches over and taps them, when they see him the step to the side immediately. “Well, shit.”
I look back at him, and he smiles a brilliant grin that’s missing a couple teeth, but is no less infectious. “Want a hand, Miss?”
“Lydia. My name’s Lydia.”
“Well, Miss Lydia. If you don’t mind, I think hoppin' up on my shoulders might be the easiest way to get you up there and in your beau’s line of sight.”
“Really? You’d do that?”
“I’d be nothin’ without my Gretchen. If Maxwell is willing to leave music for you, I’m guessing it’s pretty close to the same. What can I say? I’m a big ol’ softie.”
I glance at his giant frame. The man is over six feet tall and wide as an ox. I’m sure most people would look at him and call me crazy for even considering this. But I was raised in Midland, and we try our best not to judge people. Because of that, I’d like to think I’m a pretty good judge of character. This ridiculously large man has kind eyes and just offered me help in getting closer to Max. “Yes, please. Thank you so much, Mike.”
“And you’re stubborn as hell,
But that’s how you got me under your spell.
Oh, Blondie.”
Mike crouches down and I hop onto his shoulders. Gretchen is standing just beside us, beaming at Mike with pride. He straightens out and I have to put forth extra effort not to rip his hair out from holding on too tight. It’s really high up here.
“We’ve got our mark on the big oak tree,
And you’ve got your mark on me.
Oh, Blondie.”
Mike barrels though the crowd, and I just sit atop his shoulders begging Max to look up and see me. The gorgeous melody courses through my veins, putting me into a trace. His heartfelt words slipping in and wrapping around my heart.
“There was never a doubt in my mind,
And no other girl for me to find.
Baby, you’re it for me.
Always have been and always will be.
Oh, Blondie.
Would you mind growin’ old with me?
Sitting out by that old oak tree,
A couple blue-eyed babies runnin’ round our feet?
Would you, oh would you,
Oh, Blondie?”
The last words stretch out and I can feel his question deep in my bones. He’s strumming out the last chords on his guitar and I know if I don’t say anything right now, he’s not going to hear me once the applause crashes around us.
Cupping my hands around my mouth, I shout, “HEY, COWBOY!”
Max looks up from his guitar and squints into the crowd. With how bright the stage lights are I’m afraid he won’t see me, and my heart sinks. But then in the midst of the raucous applause, his lips quirk up and our eyes lock. Never taking his eyes off of me he speaks into the mic, “What d’ya say, Blondie?”
The crowd falls silent, and I look around to see the mass confusion. Everyone seems to realize who he’s looking at around the same time, and their gazes dart back and forth between us. I bring my attention back to the man that just poured his heart out on a stage in front of hundreds of people, not even knowing I was here to witness it. I can hear everyone around me whispering, speculating if I’m the girl he was singing about. But it’s as if they’re all thousands of miles away, all of my focus is on Max. No one else matters, just us. With a smirk and shrug of my shoulders, I shout, “Why not?”
He throws his head back and laughs. It’s this carefree, blissful sound that I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life hearing over and over again.
I look down and tap Mike on the arm, smiling at him and gesturing that I want to get down. The crowd caught on to what’s going on, and there’s no way he’ll be able to hear me over the cheering. Lucky for me, Mike is as smart as he is kind. He sets me down on the ground and I can’t help but throw my arms around his neck, shouting, “Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure, Miss Lydia.” I give Gretchen a matching hug, thanking her as well, then start moving in the direction of the stage.
When I reach the barrier, I’m let through by security and shown around the side to the backstage area. As soon as the security guard waves me on, I’m running. Turning a corner, I run and jump right into Max’s arms. I don’t give him a chance to speak, he already said everything and then some with his song. All I need right now are his lips on mine.
We pull apart entirely too soon and he’s got a smirk on his face and laughter in his eyes. “What’s so funny, Cowboy?”
“I told you I’d always be there to catch you. I just didn’t realize I’d be doing it all the way in Nashville.”
“Well, I didn’t know I’d have to come all the way to Nashville to tell you I love you, so I guess we’re even.”
The biggest, brightest smile comes across his face then. “I guess that’s fair, brat. I love you too.”
“Always have, always will?”
“Damn right!”
And then he’s kissing me all over again...and again.
Max
45
After our reunion backstage, I introduced her to everyone, apologizing to each of them personally for the news I sprung on them. Each and every one of them kept waving off my apologies, saying they were happy for me. Well, everyone except Austin, at least. He’s not a man who enjoys surprises. He almost blew someone’s head off with his shotgun the time we tried to throw him a surprise party. In hindsight, I probably should have warned him of my intentions. But five minutes with Lydia, and he was bent over holding his sides from laughing so hard. My stubborn girl can get just about anyone to laugh.
Now, we’re sitting on the loveseat out on the back porch of my house in Nashville, watching the Fourth of July fireworks light up the night sky. I don’t know if I ever really considered this place home, but it’s a nice place. At least Blondie seems to think so, if the way she let out a whistle and ran around the place exploring is any indication. “I was thinking of selling this place.”
“Now why would you go and do that?”
“My home is with you, in Midland. Why wouldn’t I?”
I freeze, my beer touching my lips. Letting my arm fall down, the condensation from the bottle dripping on my lap, I look over at her. “Did you miss the part where I announced that was my last show. This isn’t the life I want. I want to be with you, in Midland...makin’ babies, growin’ old. I’m starting to think you weren’t listening to my song, Blondie. Do I need to bust out my six string and play it again?” I joke.
“No, I heard everything. I was just thinking, maybe I was wrong, maybe—”
“Wait, I’m sorry.” I shove my finger in my ear, wiggling it around. “I must’ve heard you wrong did you just—” She backhands me right in the gut. Laughing, I pull her closer to me, tickling her sides.
“Would you quit?!”
“Sure, only cause you asked, oh so nicely.”
She smacks my chest, but there isn’t any force behind it. Leaving her hand there, right over my heart, she snuggles into me, and I wrap my arm around her. “Like I was saying...I was wrong. I don’t think it ever had to be me or the music. I didn’t see it back then, but I can see it now. I don’t want to take your dreams away from you.”
“You are my dreams, Blondie. I don’t need the music, but I need you. I always did.”
She lifts her head, giving me a view of those gorgeous blue eyes. “I know that now. I understand that having another dream didn’t mean you gave up on the ones we had together. What I’m telling you now is, I want you to have it all. I want it all...with you.” Sitting up and straddling my legs, she bends down to kiss me. “I’ll grow old with you, if you promise to keep doing what you love. I’ve seen your house. I know you make enough to pay people to run the farm. As long as we can still live in Midland, I want you to keep making music. You’re too talented and you love it too much to give it up. Deal?”
A grin spreads across my face, and I start shaking my head. “You know you’re perfect, right?”
“For you, maybe.”
“For me, definitely. Now c’mere, woman.”
I wrap my hand around the back of her head, pulling her to me. This woman has always been my everything. It never mattered how much time or distance we put between us, it was always her. We come together in a clash of lips, tongue and teeth. Every swipe, peck, and nibble turning my dick to steel. When she starts circling her hips over me, I groan and pull away from her mouth to trail kisses down her neck. My hands rove over her body, and she arches her back.
Fuck, she is so sexy.
My fingers slip to the hem of her shirt and lift it inch by inch, revealing her soft, glorious skin. Once her shirt is off, it gets tossed to the side, and she gives me a little push. Leaning back, I watch her as she slowly takes her bra off, then runs her hands over her bare skin, up to her breasts. “You’re a goddess incarnate, I swear. I have never seen a woman as beautiful as you. I don’t think one exists.” She gives me a salacious grin, a twinkle in her eyes. I need to touch her. As soon as I lift my hands though, she grasps my wrists and lays my hands over her thighs instead.
She wants to run the show, and that’s fine by me.
Her hands slip over my shoulders and around my neck, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. She leans forward until her breasts hit my chest and her lips are on mine.
Teasing me with feather light kisses.
When I think I’m going to lose my mind, she deepens our kiss, until we’re both moaning and our breath is coming out in pants. “God, I want to touch you, Blondie.” She just chuckles and shakes her head slightly, before running her hands over my chest, down to my stomach. She bunches up my shirt and starts lifting it. I raise my arms and let her take it off. I fucking need it off.
She starts swaying slightly, while her hands light my skin on fire. When she bends down and starts running her lips and tongue over my skin, all I can do is groan and throw my head back. My hands are back on her thighs, and I can’t help but knead them. Up and down from the tops of her thighs to her knees and back...so close. When I get back up to the top, my thumbs curve in, skimming the bottom of her short denim shorts. And now it’s her turn to groan.
Curving my hands around to her ass, I squeeze the globes, while pulling her closer. Lifting my hips, just a little, I know she can feel what she does to me when she throws her head back. I stop all of my movement, waiting for her to tip her head back up, to show me those baby blues. As soon as our eyes lock, I plead, “Let me love you?”
She bites her lips and nods. With her hands poised on my shoulders, she starts to slip off my lap. With her bare feet on the deck, she bends at the hip and brings her lips next to my ear, “I’m on birth control. I want to feel you...all of you.”
“Oh, fuck, Blondie. Yes. God, yes.”
She straightens up and starts to unbutton her shorts, but I move her hands out of the way. Never letting my gaze leave her eyes, I flutter kisses from hip to hip, while I undo her shorts. Then I slip my fingers under the waistband of her shorts and panties and slide them down her legs. As soon as she’s completely bare to me, I slip off the love seat and push her to take a seat, kneeling before her.
I give my woman a deep kiss, making her whimper when I pull away. A smirk on my lips, I start making my way down her body, touching and kissing every inch of skin I can. While I love on her, she takes the time to caress my shoulders and the top of my back. When I make it down to push her thighs apart, she slips her hand to the side of my face, tipping my head up to look at her.
There is so much love, hope, and life in her eyes. They look like the sky, on a bright summer day. The kind where you look up and your whole body buzzes with excitement, knowing all the possibilities a beautiful day like that can hold. Looking into her eyes right now, I feel that same buzz, except I’m looking forward to all the possibilities a life with her could bring. No matter what life brings us, as long as I have her by my side, I know it’ll be a life worth living. “I love you, Max. So damn much.”
“I have always loved you, Lydia. From the moment I first saw you, I was a goner.”
“We were just kids then,” she says, chuckling.
“And I knew right then. I went home and told my dad that I found you. I mean it when I say I’ve loved you from the moment I first saw you. You were always it for me. Always.”
“Oh, Max…” She pulls me up, and I sit beside her on the seat, but not for long. Before I know it she’s straddling my hips, and we’re kissing again. I slip my fingers down, to tease her clit. With her hips rocking, we kiss and I pleasure her until she’s shaking above me. Her head is in the crook of my neck as she falls into her orgasm. “I’m gonna need you to take your pants off. Now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She hugs my neck and lifts up on her knees, giving me just enough room to slip my pants down my thighs. Before I can toe them off, she’s reaching down to grab my rock hard dick, and lining it up to her entrance.
She slowly sinks down.
And for the first time ever, I feel her bare. Any woman, actually.
“God, you feel so fucking good, Blondie,” I grunt out.
“Soooo good,” she agrees.
She grips my shoulder, her nails digging into my skin, and she starts moving.
Oh my fucking God.
My hips snap up to meet her, as she bounces up and down.
My hands fall to her hips, gripping her as she controls the rhythm of our lovemaking.
I lose all ability to form words, only grunts and groans passing my lips. Leaning forward, I lick a salty trail up the side of her neck, and she moans, then slams down and swivels her hips. Reaching between us, I strum over her clit in a rhythm that matches my racing heart. When her movements become stunted from too much pleasure coursing through her, I wrap my free arm around her. Clutching onto my woman, I piston my hips up and rub her clit until she crashes over that edge, screaming my name. Seconds later, I follow her into the abyss, coming deep inside of her.
Sh
e slumps down into my arms, and we sit there catching our breath. Stroking her hair and down her back I whisper, “I love you more than life, my sweet, stubborn, loyal, crazy beautiful, Blondie.”
Lydia
Epilogue
August 12th. Another date with renewed significance.
Max’s birthday.
It’s on a Monday this year, so we both had to work. He’s still working on the farm every day, but he’s been writing songs in his spare time. We spend every free moment together, and I get to be the first to hear his music. He hasn’t made another announcement saying he’ll be returning, but we’re planning a trip to Nashville for New Year’s. And he told Austin and his band. He didn’t want to blindside them...again. Once was enough.
Things are much different than I originally thought they would be, but it’s us, we make it work. Our life has been a series of special dates, little moments, and a whole lot of love. We have this push and pull that I thought would be what broke us, but it turns out that’s just us. I’m stubborn, and he’s sweet, and together, we’re better. I have loved this man for so many years, I don’t think I remember what it’s like to not be in love with him.
I glance over at my sexy, country as hell boyfriend, arm slung over the wheel, while he drives us in his ridiculously big pickup truck.
“It’s your birthday. I wish you would have let me drive.”
“Blondie, there is no way I was riding shotgun in that tiny thing all the way back to town,” Max says, shaking his head.
“I could have just drove your truck, jackass.” I have absolutely no desire to drive this monstrosity, but the way his eyes bug out is just way too amusing not to fuck with him.
“Nope, no way. Not happening. She’s my baby. I’ve seen the way you drive your purple wind-up toy. She needs a little more finesse than I think you capable of, no offense.”
“All the offense taken. All of it,” I pout. “I thought you said you’d do anything to make me happy.”