RUINED - The Price of Play: Everhide Rockstar Romance Series Book 2

by Tania Joyce

  Chapter 30

  “No peeking.” Hunter adjusted the blindfold over Kara’s eyes, took her hands, and guided her into the building. His heart rate jumped a scale as he pushed the heavy revolving doors open with his butt. He led her across the foyer with its elaborate carpet, through the gilded gold doors and down the steps at the side of the auditorium. “You’re not allowed to take the cover off your eyes until I say.”

  “Where are we?” Kara giggled, taking cautious steps in her silver stilettos. One hand was in his, the other outstretched, feeling her way through the air. “It smells old. Feels . . . big. Are we in a theater?”

  His cheeks ached from smiling and he steered her to the front of the hall. They’d returned home yesterday after three weeks of travel. The promotion of Everhide’s latest single was done. Tonight, he’d survived his first night at the ballet. Just. But date night wasn’t over yet. He was getting more creative in his ways to surprise Kara, from filling hotel rooms with flowers, to fine dining, to gifts. He adored the way her face lit up, he loved making love to her, and he was crazy about the way she made him feel. Move over, Cupid. Romance has a new king.

  Time to impress his girl. Ignoring his gut that jumped around like a rave party, he hoped tonight went to plan.

  He led her halfway across the floor, folded the seat down, and helped her to sit, ensuring her skirt didn’t get caught on the arms. “I’ve just spent the evening at the ballet with you. Now you have to do something for me.”

  “What are you doing?” She giggled.

  He may not have been able to see her bright eyes, but he knew she was nervous. So was he. She touched her silky blindfold. “Can I take this off yet?”

  “Nope. Stay.” He hooked off his tie and threw it with his dinner jacket beside her. After spinning on his heels, he dashed across the floor and up the steps onto the stage, his shoes clopping on the floor. Picking up his acoustic guitar, he took a seat on the single cabaret chair at the front, and stared down at Kara. The tempo of his heartbeat jumped. He could play in front of thousands of fans without a care, but tonight it was an audience of one. Just Kara. He couldn’t remember being this nervous.

  “Okay.” He fidgeted with his manbun, loosening the band. “You can take the blindfold off.”

  Kara untied the scarf and gaped. “We’re at Radio City? How the hell—?”

  He couldn’t grin any wider. Her reaction was priceless. He wiped his sweaty palm on his trousers. “Sophie’s girlfriend pulled some strings.” It helped that Gayle, his manger’s girlfriend, worked here. He owed her big time for organizing tonight. “There was no show on, so why not?”

  Kara glanced over her shoulder at the tiered rows of empty seats, at the vacant stage behind him and all around.

  “You done?” Hunter chuckled, tapping his fingers against the body of his guitar. “I wanna sing you a song. I wrote it for you.”

  “You wrote me a song?” Bewilderment widened her eyes.

  “Yeah. Can I sing it?”

  She eased back into her seat, straightened her skirt, and nodded.

  Damn, this would be harder than he’d thought. Taking a deep breath, he strummed at his strings and sang.

  The moment that I met you I knew that something changed,

  Couldn't breathe, couldn't think, my mind’s a constant race.

  I’ve had a few lovers, yeah, there’re a few names on my list,

  But my heart didn’t start beating until the moment that we kissed.

  I’ve traveled the world to find you, babe, I’ve been everywhere,

  When you’re not beside me all I wish is that you were here.

  Closing his eyes, he absorbed the acoustics in the hall. He loved performing here. Loved the way the auditorium amplified his voice, the sound of his guitar, and, right now, his crazy heartbeat. None of that compared to how he felt for Kara. I can do this.

  So no matter where you run to, no matter where you hide,

  I'll travel the world over, to keep you by my side.

  Because we belong together—there’s no doubt in my mind,

  You’re my treasure, my love, the one I was meant to find.

  I know we haven’t been together for very long,

  But the way my heart feels, I know this can’t be wrong.

  Don’t want to be lonely or miss you every night,

  Every day that I’m with you always feels right.

  Kara placed her hands over her heart. He gave her a wink and softened his voice.

  No crazy promises, not offering you a ring,

  Not today, but who knows what the future will bring?

  But I want to ask you one question that is for sure,

  It’s because each day I love you more and more.

  I’m wondering if you feel the same way about me,

  And Kara if you do, girl, please move in with me?

  Kara sat there. Frozen.

  Maybe she hadn’t heard him right. Maybe he was taking their relationship too fast. They’d only been together three months. Shit.

  He put his guitar down and jumped off the stage. Walking toward her, he outstretched his hands. His chest pounded with his heartbeat. With his mind racing, he ad-libbed and sang another verse.

  Did I stutter, or stumble, were my words not right?

  Wanted to ask you this for the past few days and nights.

  He grabbed her hands and helped her to stand. He stroked the side of her face. Staring into the depths of her beautiful blue eyes, he lowered his voice to sing just above a whisper.

  I’m wondering if you feel the same way about me,

  And if you do, Kara . . . please move in with me?

  A tear slipped onto her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb. “Will you please say something? You’re killing me here.”

  Her eyes searched his face. “You want me to move in with you?”

  “I know we haven’t been together long. Only three months, two days, and six hours. But if you’re as crazy about me as I am for you, let’s do it.”

  She clutched onto the front of his shirt and kissed him. Hard. He curled his arms around her and drew her close. He flicked his tongue against hers, savoring the taste of her on his lips. Kissing her was like music. It filled his soul. Made him feel alive.

  Melting into his arms, she rested her forehead against his. “You did all this for me? Just to ask me to move in with you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You’re so crazy.” She weaved her hands around his neck. “Yes. Yes, I’ll move in with you.”

  YES!

  “But . . . ” she winced, “could we move into my place, rather than yours?”

  What? Panic gripped his throat. How could he downsize and move into her shoebox-sized place? It would be like going back to living in an apartment the same size as the one he lived in with Kyle and Gemma before they became successful. His current walk-in wardrobe and master bedroom was as big as Kara’s entire apartment. He had his home studio, his piano, his office, spare bedrooms, space. Shit. He had to give all that up for her?

  He’d do anything for Kara, but he had to make her see reason. “I could. But my place is five times bigger than yours, with much better facilities and views, and—”

  She placed her fingertips over his mouth. Her eyes glistened in the soft light. “Hunt, stop panicking. I was joking.”

  Oh, thank God. His knees buckled. Stars appeared before his eyes as his blood pressure plummeted back to normal.

  “I would love to move in with you. On one condition: I want you to come with me when we tell my father. I want to see the look on his face.”

  His chest tightened. His relationship with Walter had not improved since dating Kara. “Are you sure you’re not just with me to piss your old man off?”

  “No.” Her tone dissolved his concerns. “I want him to see how happy I am. That I’m living my life my way. I’m away from his obnoxious world and a better person because of it. Because of you. And I love you with all my heart.”

 
“What if he disowns you?”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “He needs to respect my choices and my decisions. He doesn’t have control over me anymore. I know who I am. You make me feel beautiful, loved, and make me believe anything is possible. I belong in your world, not his. I can be true to myself when I’m with you.”

  Fate had set one of its most difficult challenges when it plotted to bring Kara and him together. It had persevered and twisted their lives in cruel, traumatic, and bizarre ways. Somehow it had worked. Kara had become Hunter’s world as much as music.

  There was no turning back. Gone were his desires for loose girls, quick lays, and cheap encounters. There was no one else but her. For the first time in a long time, he meant something to someone. He was loved and valued. That was all he ever wanted.

  He kissed her palm. “I like it when you’re with me too.”

  “So when can I move in?”

  “How’s tomorrow?”

  “Deal.” She nodded. “Are there any other surprises tonight?”

  “No. We have to get out of here. Gayle is lurking around somewhere, waiting for us to leave. Let’s go home.”

  ***

  Pouring JD into two crystal tumblers, Hunter sat at Kara’s dining table for a quick nightcap before bed. He’d done it. He’d asked Kara to move in. She’d said yes. Sipping on his whiskey, he couldn’t wipe the grin from his face. He’d never lived with someone he loved like Kara. It would be exciting, terrifying, thrilling, scary, trying, and absolutely amazing.

  He glanced at his watch. 12:13 a.m. Kara had ducked off to the bathroom a few minutes ago but seemed to be taking a long time. He hoped she was okay.

  Better check.

  He downed the last mouthful of his whiskey as she walked out of her room. The glass slipped in his fingertips. Thank God he was still sitting down. Kara sauntered toward him wearing nothing but black lacy lingerie and knee-high stiletto boots—those boots he loved. Those boots that screamed, ‘come fuck me.’ He swallowed hard. Blood engorged his dick. His pulse jumped two octaves.

  “Wow!” He placed his glass on the table. His hunger for her crept toward a burning craving as he scanned every inch of her body. He wriggled his finger at her. “Come here.”

  Blushing, she straddled his waist. He glided his hands over her smooth thighs, cupped her ass, and tilted his hips against her. His cock, hard as steel, pressed against her crotch.

  She flicked her hair over one shoulder, leaned in, kissed up the length of his throat, and made her way to his mouth. “I was wondering if there was anything else I could do to top off our night?”

  Rocking her hips against his, she moaned.

  Sweet Jesus.

  “Mmm, let me think.” He skimmed his hand up her side and molded his hand around her breast. Dragging his thumb over the lace, he felt her nipple harden beneath his touch. “I think there is. I’d like to make love to you while you wear nothing but those boots.”

  She caught her bottom lip with her teeth as she unbuttoned his shirt. Desire glinted in her gorgeous eyes. “I’d like that too.”

  He caressed the side of her face. She was so beautiful.

  Twelve months ago, he never would’ve believed he would end up here. One amazing night with her had contorted into a living nightmare, a heartbreaking tragedy, and now into something beyond his wildest dreams. They’d clawed their way back from the darkness. Become stronger. Better. One. There was nowhere else he’d rather be.

  Knotting his hands through her hair, he drew her lips to his. ““God, I love you, Kar. I’m going to like living with you. Very much.”

  He didn’t think he had room in his life for anything but music, Kyle and Gemma. But Kara had blended in seamlessly. Provided him with balance.

  She was the piece of music that had been missing from his soul. He thought he was damaged from too many broken hearts, ruined after losing Ryan, but Kara had put him back together. She was his future. Life flowed through his veins again because of her. She synced perfectly with his best friends and music. Every note, every bar and every beat Hunter now played was, and would always be, for Kara.

  NEXT IN SERIES

  RAPT – The Price of Love

  VISIT

  EVERHIDE.COM

  for behind the scenes, images, playlists, lyrics and more.

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