Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
His eyes are locked on me as he sings the words. I’m stunned. I don’t know what to do or say. It’s not like he’s in front of me to say anything, but I’m still speechless.
He gives me a look as if to ask me if I understand the words. I give him a nod and his face lights up with the brightest smile ever. In this moment, I know I’m in love with him too.
“I don’t think you know how big that right there is.” I turn at the sound of Dwayne’s voice.
For such a big guy, he moves with such silence. Or it could be that I was so absorbed in the music and Bishop’s words that I didn’t hear him walk up. I give him a warm smile.
“It’s a beautiful song,” I choke out.
“That it is, but it’s much bigger than a song. He doesn’t give those words up too freely these days. You mean a hell of a lot to him,” he says.
“He means a lot to me too,” I say in almost a whisper as I look back out on stage.
I love you, Bishop mouths and shoots me one of those winks.
I blow him a kiss as I try not to cry like an idiot. My mind goes back to a few days ago. I think he was going to tell me those same words then.
“Did you get that on video?” this time it’s Jag’s bitter voice that asks the question.
“Joey is recording tonight. Bishop didn’t want her up on her ankle,” Dwayne answers for me.
“Yeah, but what’s she supposed to be doing? We’re not paying her to sit around and be a groupie,” Jag says.
I hop down off my stool to give him a piece of my mind, but Dwayne is already in his face, growling like a big grizzly. Dwayne is as tall as Bishop and, shockingly, a bit wider. I stumble back and he’s not even in my face.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Dwayne seethes at Jag. “You just heard him declare how he fucking feels about her and you dare to disrespect her?”
“It’s a song—”
“Shut the fuck up. Even if he wasn’t singing about her, if I ever catch you talking out the side of your mouth to her again, I’m going to break my foot off in your ass. She’s family. Has been since she stepped on that fucking bus,” Dwayne snarls.
Just as he finishes digging into Jag, I feel heat at my back and a hand splays my belly. I turn my face up to see Bishop glaring in Jag and Dwayne’s direction. His jaw is set tight and his eyes are blazing.
“We have a problem here?” Bishop barks.
“Nope, I’ve got this,” Dwayne says with a wolfish smile as he pats Jag’s cheek. “The little guy just got lost again. He’s good now. I set him straight.”
“Fuck you,” Jag snaps, turning to storm off like a toddler.
“Don’t mind him. He’s just pissed he can’t get pussy without Bishop,” Dwayne turns to say to me.
I cover my mouth as a laugh bursts free. Bishop cups my chin, turning my face up. He captures my lips with a mind-numbing kiss. I’m breathless when he releases me to whisper in my ear.
“I love you.”
Biting my lip, I look up at him. He narrows his eyes at me. I get ready to say it back, but the usual crowd starts to descend.
“Bishop Love,” a few women squeal.
He places a hand on my back and starts to guide me to the dressing room. We’re at the door when Jag appears again. I can feel the tension between him and Bishop right away.
“Irving is here. Skip the shower. He’s coming to talk to you,” Jag says.
“Yeah, all right,” Bishop says, opening the door to lead me inside.
“Alone, Bishop. This is business,” Jag says tightly.
“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?” Bishop explodes.
“Hey, hey,” I say, reaching for his face when he won’t turn to me.
He looks down at me. His expression is hard and unyielding. I stroke his cheek, lifting on my toes to kiss his lips.
“I’ll go see what the guys are up to. I can get some photos and stuff. It’s fine,” I say.
He turns to look over his shoulder, waving Dwayne closer. “Make sure she gets to the guys without a problem. Don’t leave her side,” he says.
Turning back to me, he tugs me closer by the waist and kisses me hard. I try my best not to whimper into his mouth. I fail in the end as he cups my ass and squeezes.
“I’m coming to take you home as soon as I’m done,” he says huskily.
“Okay.” I nod.
“Get your ass inside. I got shit to say before Irving shows up,” he snarls at Jag.
So much for me defusing the situation.