Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“When Chord called me, I was holding my breath and hoping he’d tell me to sign with Harley. My gut is leaning in that direction. Creative control. I get to work with you. I get to spend the next year creating an album and a brand with you and Harley while still being here with Kaylee.”
“You … want that?”
Lyric lets out a loud breath. “I don’t want to scare you off, but yeah. I fucking want that. My father would absolutely think I’m making the wrong decision, but the thing is, I promised myself, and my mother, that I would do things differently. I want to be smart about this, and Cameron’s offer is shiny and pretty and one of those insane change your life type deals. My dad wouldn’t have even hesitated to leave his family for an offer like that. But you have to remember the last thing I wanted was to become like him.”
His words begin to sink in, and hope starts to grow. I didn’t think he’d make this choice. I haven’t allowed myself to believe he would.
“What happens if Harley’s idea fails?” I ask. “What if he can’t get the other three Eleven guys on board and doesn’t have the funding to even cut your album?”
I’m not trying to push him away, but I need him to be sure.
He leans forward. “Then I’m hoping my family will be there to cheer me on while I put myself out there time and time again to find another contract like it.”
“Your family …” The pounding against my rib cage grows.
Lyric shrugs. “Yeah. You know, Chord. Brenna. Chase.”
“Oh.” My heart sinks, and I turn away.
“There’s the reaction I want. I’m gonna say something that you’re probably not going to like, and then I’m going to hold my breath and pray you don’t run away. Or kick me out …”
“What?”
“I want you and Kaylee, and hell, even Maggie to be part of my family too. I want you to ask me to move in with you for real, and I want everything with you.”
“Yes,” I blurt. “Sign the contract with Harley. Move in. Be with me.”
The idea of it is perfect, but there’s one problem we haven’t discussed.
Lyric moves to kiss me, but I stop him. His face falls.
“I know you want to come out to the media, but—”
Lyric cups my face. “Being an out artist is important to me. You know that. But I will do anything to protect our little girl. The media doesn’t need to know who I sleep with, just that I’m gay.”
“Our little girl.” I love the sound of that.
“If she’ll have me. She’s known to be picky, you know.”
I huff. “She loves you, but if you’re living here, it might tip the paparazzi off.”
“We’ll work something out—a cover story. They already know I’m Kaylee’s nanny. Maybe we formed a bromance during that time. Maybe my awesome producer is letting me crash with him while we work on my album which might take a really, really, really long time to get out.”
“Because of all the sex we’ll have in the studio?”
Lyric laughs. “Yeah, we just won’t tell them that part. I promise you we can both be in music and still protect Kaylee. And with Maggie on board …”
I suck in a sharp breath. “We’re really doing this?”
“All you have to say is yes.”
“Fuck yes.”
Lyric grins. “Even better.”
A hot, wet mouth makes its way down my chest, and in my half-asleep state, all I can do is moan and hope it’s real.
My hand seeks Lyric’s hair and tangles in the loose locks as my hips thrust upward.
I have no idea what time it is, but that nagging father instinct is on alert. “Where’s Kaylee? Do we have time before she wakes up?”
Lyric chuckles against my skin.
I crack open my eyes and stare down at him.
“It’s past ten, sleepyhead. Kaylee’s been awake for hours.”
I blink and then glance around the room. “And you got up with her?”
“It is my job. Technically.”
I beckon for him to come up higher. “I know it’s still your job, but I hope you don’t feel that’s all you are to her.”
He climbs my body so we’re face-to-face, and I feel his hard cock against mine. “I don’t.” He bites his lip. “How do you think she’ll take the news today?”
“That you’re moving in? She won’t even blink. You practically live here now anyway except for the days you have Chase. And speaking of Chase, how do you think your brother and Brenna will handle it?”
He lowers his head and buries it in my neck. “I don’t know, but it’s not like I won’t still be able to take Chase. We’ll just have to work out a different schedule.”
“You won’t be able to once your work with Harley starts.”
“I know. And Chord already knows that too.”