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We were standing in his room within the WPF mansion after arriving late last night about to head down to the studio to meet up with the guys and let them listen to what they were taking a chance on. I was filled with butterflies and nerves, but I knew we needed to talk about our relationship. It was killing me to even suggest not being upfront about it, but I was afraid.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the way he was pouting. “You’re not. I just,” I took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh, “I don’t know if there’s some sort of fraternization policy that we’ve broken. No one said there was, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t?” He stared at me, and I wanted to squirm under his gaze. “I just want them to listen to the music and not add anything personal to the mix.” His eyes softened, but only a fraction. “I think,” I shifted on my feet nervously, “we need to stand on our own.”
He deflated, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that he didn’t agree with me. I was okay with it. I didn’t need him to agree; I just needed him to go along with it.
Now, with Langston on the other side of the room and my nerves making me feel sick to my stomach, I wish I hadn’t made the suggestion in the first place. I would do just about anything to feel his strength and support right now.
His eyes burn into mine and it bolsters me. Not enough and not nearly as much as his touch would accomplish, but it’s something.
I’ll take it. For now.
Cole looks at his bandmates before looking at Langston and then me. His gaze goes back and forth between the man who owns me completely and me a few times. When a slow smile spreads across Cole’s face, my heart sinks.
“Well,” Booker holds the word out, a teasing lilt in his voice, “those were amazing.”
My gaze snaps to Booker and I blink a few times, having difficulty processing his words. My cheeks heat and I start to almost vibrate with excitement and adrenaline. Did he just? What?
When I take in the guys of SO, they’re now all grinning from ear to ear. “I knew this was going to work,” there’s a hint of smug amusement in Cole’s voice.
When Gavin and Elliot start to look between Langston and me, twin looks of pride cross their features. It has me narrowing my eyes at them. “In more way than one it seems,” Gavin teases.
My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline, but I shake off the feeling that they know the depth of what has happened while writing those songs. I clench my hands together to stop them from shaking, but there’s nothing I can do to hide the wobble in my voice, “You really like the songs?”
Elliot flashes me a big smile before doing the same with Langston. “They’re amazing.”
“Should have kept them out at the cabin longer,” Booker muses, almost sullenly, “then we’d have a whole album ready to be recorded.”
I bark out a laugh which is on the edge of hysterical. I can’t fucking believe it. My heart is beating so hard in my chest that it’s almost difficult to catch my breath.
Cole winks at me before turning toward Langston, his expression becoming serious. “We’ll get you working with a few songwriters to get the rest of the album together. This is a damn good start, though.”
“No,” Langston barks and the vehemence in that one word startled the fuck out of me. “I won’t be working with anyone other than Cove,” he snarls. “We’re a team. We’re doing this shit together or I walk.”
Cole throws his head back and laughs. I don’t even know what to think. My eyes widen when Booker grumbles something under his breath and pulls a few bills out of his wallet and slaps it into Gavin’s outstretched hand.
My voice is on this side of shrill when I ask, “What the hell is going on?”
Cole’s smile is wide, and his eyes are sparkling with warmth as he shrugs. Booker’s the one who answers me, and I almost fall off my seat; again. “I bet Gavin that nothing was going to happen between the two of you. I clearly lost,” he pouts.
A startled laugh bursts from me and then the next thing I know I’m being hauled out of my chair and pressed against Langston’s chest.
“If you want an album,” Langston’s voice is strong and sure, “then we’ll work together to write the rest of it. I’ll record it here with whoever you want to round out the band. If a tour happens, Cove is going out on tour with me. I was serious, we’re a team.”
“Seems like you’re more than just a songwriting team,” Cole pokes, but there’s no malice in his voice and I start to relax a little.
None of the guys are looking at me like I’ve fucked up or broken a rule. No, they’re clearly amused and enjoying poking fun at us. I relax and allow myself to melt into Langston.
“I swear, everyone who meets you people finds their soulmate,” Kat, who I almost forgot was in the room, teases the guys who only chuckle.
“You found yours, Kat,” Booker lobs right back at her with a wink.
“Yeah,” she sighs and glances at her watch, “which means I have a family that I’d like to get back to sooner rather than later.” She looks at the guys and then at us. “You can work together,” she starts, and Langston grips me possessively, “but if Cove ever wants to work with other bands or artists, we’ll allow that as well.”
Langston looks down at me and searches my face. I don’t want to write music with anyone else, but I also don’t think I can turn my back on the possibility either. Someone else might need my help and the music is what matters here. But will Langston see it that way?
His shoulders slump and he kisses my forehead. “I’d never stifle your music, Songstress,” he murmurs against my skin, “as long as you always come home to me.”
“Always,” I promise and realize just how true it is.
