Princess Next Door

“Don’t be so stupid, Wynter. You’ve been dating Carey.”

The man in question stood at the back, looking bored.

“No, I can’t stand Carey, no offense. I don’t want him.” She moved toward Zane, who wrapped his arms around her. The moment he touched her, everything in her world felt … complete. “I love him.”

She stared into his eyes, and she saw that she’d surprised him.

“I’ve been wanting to tell you.”

He pushed some hair that had fallen off her face, and she realized how much she loved it when he did that to her.

“I love you, too.”

“This is just plain stupidity. I will not have a daughter of mine dating this … this ruffian.”

She smiled. “There’s nothing you can do, and he’s not a ruffian. He’s a rock star. I’d be careful, Mother. You wouldn’t want all my neighbors to know what a fucking bitch you are.”

With that, she took Zane’s hand, walked back into her house, and shut the door.

He pulled her into his arms, kissing her head, and she held him tightly, never wanting to let him go.

“I can’t believe I just swore at my mother.”

“I can’t believe you love me.”

Just like that, her focus went back onto Zane. “I’ve been wanting to tell you for some time now. I was so worried.” Then she realized he’d said the same thing back to her, but insecurities hit her hard. “I understand if you don’t—”

He silenced her with his lips, pressing her up against the wall, holding her hands above her head as he ravished her mouth.

She opened her lips, and he plundered inside her.

Zane released her hands and sank his fingers into her hair, tilting her head back, and she lowered her arms to grip his hair.

“I love you,” Zane said. “You’re my reason for everything.” He pulled away, and she stared into his eyes once again. “You’re my muse. My inspiration. I’ve never known a woman like you, and I don’t want to ever find anyone else.”

Tears filled her eyes, and she stared at the man she loved, and for some strange reason she thought about their homes. “Do you think it’s real?”

“What?”

“The crazy idea that our homes bring people together.”

“That all depends,” he said.

“On what?”

He went down on one knee and held up a velvet box. “Only if you say yes to my next question.”

Her heart pounded, and she didn’t have a clue what to do. He opened up the box, and inside rested a small diamond ring.

“Wynter Princess Griffin, would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“You know my name,” she said.

“Of course I know your name. I just prefer Princess a lot more.” He held the box up and chuckled. “You’re really making a man wait here.”

“Yes. A gazillion times yes.”

He took the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. Kissing him back, she cupped his face, and knew this was where she was meant to be in the world.

“I want to come with you. When you’re on tour. I don’t want to miss a moment.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything else in my life. I know what I want, and I know it’s you,” she said. “I’ll be happy listening to you, and watching you guys. I know your friends don’t really approve of me.”

“Fuck ’em.”

“What?”

“My friends will come to adore you, but it’ll be me that will love you until the end of time.” He pressed his lips against hers, and she moaned.

This was exactly what she wanted, and she knew without a doubt she’d never look back.

Epilogue

One year later

After touring for the past year, and having a number one release, Zane and Princess had no choice but to head back home to deal with their houses. They couldn’t leave them vacant for much longer, and they had both recently sold. Leaning against his truck, he watched as Princess handed over the keys to two men who’d decided to purchase the house. They were two good-looking men as well. Muscular, strong, and Zane noticed quite a few of the women on the street made a point of putting out the trash when they came around.

He wasn’t taking any chances with his woman, who was smiling as she came toward him.

“They’re charmers. Asked if I’d stay with them.”

He pulled her into his arms, and watched as the girl he’d sold to came out of the house just as a movers’ van appeared.

“Do I need to go and kick anyone’s ass?” he asked, holding his wife as he watched the three people move in.

“Nah, I told them straight. I come with a plus one.”

They’d gotten married while on the road. They’d been in Vegas on a break when they decided to tie the knot. Jones, Silas, and Riot had all been there. They’d called Tammy and Marshall, who’d been there on a video call to watch the event.