Princess Next Door

Zane cupped her cheek and forced her to look at him. “I don’t know why you’re doubting yourself, but you’ve got nothing to fear at all, baby. I like you. You like me, and there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

She smiled, shaking her head. “Ignore me. I was having a crazy insecure moment.”

“Every time you have them, tell me. I don’t want you hiding anything from me.” He leaned in close, and took her lips. “Are you ready to go inside?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re free to drink whatever you like.”

“Totally not happening.”

Riot, Jones, and Silas were there when she turned to open her door. Their faces pressed against the glass, making her jump and laugh. “They’re crazy.”

“Yeah, it just goes to show you can never take the kids out to play.”

Jones opened the door, and Silas helped her out. They all embraced her before Zane came to her side and gave them all a shove. “Know who she belongs to.”

She liked that he was possessive of her. Snuggling against him, she felt safe, warm.

“Do you want to piss on her as well?” Riot asked with a smirk.

“Just remember who has to work tonight,” Jones said. “We’ll be keeping her occupied.”

“I can sit at the bar and keep you company all night,” she said, snuggling up against him.

He kissed her lips and shook his head. “Nah, you should have fun. They’ll dance, and just know I’ll be the one that wants to be with you.”

“Don’t worry, hot shot. We’ll take care of her,” Silas said.

Zane reluctantly let her go, and she made her way inside with his three friends. There was no room inside the bar, so they had no choice but to find a chair out back where the overflow was.

Jones found them a table and went to get a drink. She watched the dancing, as the song was sexy and drew people together.

“So, do you like our guy?” Silas asked.

She returned her attention to the two men. Jones still hadn’t returned. “Yes, I do. He’s amazing.”

Silas and Riot shared a look.

“What is it?” The look they each had didn’t look great, and she started to feel nervous.

“Zane likes you, and he’s not been himself since you both moved in next to each other.”

She didn’t like the way her stomach twisted.

“Are you wanting me to break up with him?” The thought of not being with Zane filled her with absolute sadness. She loved being with him.

Silas held his hands up, but Riot spoke first.

“No, we don’t want that at all. Zane’s writing more songs now than ever before, and they’re not all shit either,” Riot said.

“We … he’s never fallen for a girl. He’s never been one to settle in one place, and we know this time it’s different. He’s different with you. No woman has ever captured his attention, and he never cooks for them.”

She nibbled her lip, staring at them.

“He’s our best friend,” Riot said. “We don’t want him to get hurt, but with you, we think there’s a risk.”

“I have no intention of hurting him.”

“We think he’s falling in love with you. Do you think there’s a chance you could ever, ever fall in love with him? We know your family wouldn’t approve of him, and even though you’re being a little rebellious now, what about in five years’ time?”

“You don’t know anything about my family,” she said. “I would never let anyone hurt him, and my family has no right to come near him.”

“We all know who Carey is. Ask around and the right people will tell us everything we need to know. Your family wouldn’t approve of Zane, and if you get over your problem, you’re going to break his heart.”

They stopped speaking as Jones came to the table. “They’re all worried that you’re going to hurt our boy. Ignore them.”

“I’m not going to ignore them. I’m not going to hurt Zane, and if you heard the rumors about my family and Carey, then you know I left everything behind. I have no intention of going back to them, and I’m not going to hurt Zane. I care about him a lot.”

Neither of them spoke again, but the damage had already been done. She sat back in her chair, wondering what the hell to do.

This wasn’t some rebellion.

This was the real deal … wasn’t it?

****

By the end of his shift, Zane was desperate to spend time with his woman. He found her sat at the table while the guys were setting up their equipment. She didn’t look happy, and taking hold of her hand, he led her onto the dance floor, not caring that he was due to perform.

“Hello, Princess.”

She smiled, but he saw that it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“What is it?” he asked.

“It’s nothing.”

“When I left you earlier, you were happy. What’s changed?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing. I’m just being silly.”