“You can text me anytime,” I said. “I’ll send you photos of wherever we are. We can do a quick video chat every couple of days if I end up somewhere quiet for ten straight minutes.”
“I’m not going to be high maintenance, I swear,” she said quickly. “I’m not going to be one of those girls who gets clingy.”
I absolutely loved that she said that while clinging to my shoulders.
“I know. I’m not worried in the slightest. We only do a couple of these tours a year. Trust me, it will be more obnoxious when we are locked in the studio recording, and my schedule is at the mercy of the sound techs and other band members.”
Finally Corina laughed, her head falling back so that I could kiss up her throat.
“I can’t believe how good you make me feel,” she said softly.
“Good. Because I’m going to spend the rest of my life doing everything in my power to make you laugh and smile like this.”
“It’s a bit early to be thinking in lifetimes,” she grinned. Then she became serious as she looked into my eyes. “Isn’t it?”
“You can think things through as long as you need,” I said, slipping my hands into her shirt to caress her back. “My mind is already made up. You’re the one.”
Her mouth fell open, then snapped shut as she shook her head.
“Don’t be scared,” I murmured, rubbing my nose against hers until she giggled. “I love you. That’s not supposed to be scary, right?”
The words had fallen out so easily that for a second I wasn’t quite sure she’d heard them.
Then she pushed me back an inch, looking slightly dazed. “I love you too,” she breathed. “It’s just…so fast.”
Kissing her ge
ntly, I am murmured against her lips, “It doesn’t matter. We met years ago, when we were both a bit different. We were into each other then. Now that the timing is much better, why not just let things happen?”
“I like your changes,” she said, running her fingers through my hair.
“I like your changes too.” I slipped my hand down to cup her breast, squeezing gently until she made a breathy noise. “Did I get an A+ on my makeover project?” I chuckled.
Corina looked me up and down, then raised an eyebrow. “At least a B,” she joked saucily.
“As long as it’s not a C-flat,” I laughed.
Scooping her up, I carried my gorgeous girlfriend to the bedroom to increase my grade from a B to an A+, no matter what it took.
11
_____
Corina
The past week had been an absolute blur. It was hard to believe that Ethan’s big concert was tomorrow, and that we’d only been together for twelve days.
With the insane amount of work I’d been doing, it felt like a month had passed. But our relationship had also fast forwarded at a breakneck pace.
Ethan was incredibly good natured about everything I had to throw his way. He was polished and prepared for every interview, podcast, and photoshoot that I booked for him. Every bit of feedback was positive, and they were definitely receiving sufficient media coverage for the show.
It was a strange thrill to have been in the room when the band name had been finalized. They had decided that they wanted to reflect something that applied to all four of them. It turned out that they each wanted to get a cat, but due to living situations, and in one case, his Mom’s allergies, they couldn’t have pets right now.
‘Cat Badness’ was born out of wanting something they couldn’t have yet, but might someday. It was the perfect tone – light and fun, but hopefully with a pinch of a bad boy twist.
Ethan was a very good boy who did all of the homework I assigned him, but things quickly turned whenever we were alone. I loved that he was so naughty. So playful. And apparently, incredibly hungry for me at all times.
We were staying over at each other’s apartments about every other night. We were constantly in touch through texts and quick phone calls. We knew where the other one was and what they were doing at all times.