Surge

“Really? Why? What…” A smile danced at the corners of her lips, but she kept it at bay.

“I knew Quinn was problematic. I’m a nice guy, not a stupid one. I could see she flirted with me and I was a thousand percent sure if I wanted to hit that I could have.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s good to know.”

I nudged her arm, flashing a smirk. “Not showing off. Just being transparent here. In any normal situation, like a club or a festival, I’d walk away and never see such a woman again. But this was different.

“I had a shot. A shot at my dream and what I was born to do. Some people only get one shot. My priority wasn’t just to be out for a joyride, it was making Graphic Temple work so I could take care of you in the only way I knew how.

“RI put me together with Quinn. I saw it as necessary evil. In my view, I could easily manage her with a simple ‘no’ if she ever crossed the line. I promise I had no idea how much it was hurting you. If I had, even touring, all the money in the world wouldn’t have been worth that.”

Maeve shook her head. “You’re right. Which is why you don’t really owe me an apology. My jealousy isn’t your responsibility.”

“See, I don’t agree with that exactly. I’m not the kind of guy who wants his woman to feel insecure. That’s not my MO.”

That smile that waited finally took hold. It was the content smile of someone truly satisfied. I had to hold back smothering her beautiful face in kisses.

Soon the smile melted, and she knitted her brows. “So I don’t get it then. Why did you decide not to work with her anymore? Like, why now?”

“She crossed the line.”

Maeve’s breath hitched.

“Not like that. Not physically. She…” I didn’t want to make Maeve feel badly so kept it curt. “…she brought you into the conversation. And I didn’t like it.”

“What did she say?”

“Let’s just say this. Just so you know where I stand. I will not work with, talk to, or even look at a person in the face if they don’t see you the way I see you. She didn’t see you the way I see you. So she’s out.”

I took Maeve’s hand. It was soft and small, and I loved that feeling of being bigger than her. I was her defender. “We’ve gotten a lot of obstacles out of our way. Your mom is better. Quinn is gone. Jay is being sorted. As far as I’m concerned, we made it through. We belong together.”

The corners of her eyes crinkled with the beginning of a smile.

“But there’s one thing left to talk about. I know love can be a roller coaster, but I don’t want to be on a merry-go-round. If I get a chance to play in this town again, or any other, Quinn’s not going to be the last woman who wants me.” I caressed her porcelain cheek, pale pink from the cold. “But it doesn’t matter. Because you’re the last one I want.”

In the past, I’d avoided making Maeve uncomfortable. That had been a mistake. As much as I wanted to protect her from pain, it was part of the process. Part of being human. Part of being whole. Part of what made us stronger every day.

I didn’t want to go through a breakup ever again with her. “What I’m saying is, things don’t have to be, and I’m sure they won’t be, perfect. But running away isn’t how we do this.”

She took my hand, and her delicate touch, barely there, like a butterfly’s caress, softened the moment. “I’m sorry.”

“No, Maeve. I’m not looking for an apology. You don’t have to be sorry for what happened. I just don’t want it to ever happen again. I need to know that it won’t. Otherwise…”

She lowered her eyes. “We can’t be together?”

I lifted her chin. “Are you serious with that? You thought that’s what I was going to say?” The corners of my mouth turned up with amusement.

“Well, yeah.”

“I was going to say then we have to wait. I’ll wait for you till you’re ready. Fairy, since the day I met you, my whole world has changed. Since meeting you, reality is better than my dreams. Even with all this shit.”

I took both her hands in mine. “That’s how I know you’re the one. Every man has a woman they’ll never stop running to. For me, that’s you. But I’m a man and I gotta be a man. That means putting my foot down when you want to run. When you come back this time, because you will come back, you’re never leaving again.” I arched a brow. “I’ll chain you to me if I have to. When we get back together, that’s it. I need you to be ready for that.”

Pier lights sparkled in her eyes and behind her, illuminating a moment I’d always wished would come but had no idea what it would be like when it did. I’d found the one. My soulmate. My one true love. And I knew then and there, as this conversation almost played out like a movie, I’d never forget this scene. Ever. I didn’t have a ring, but we both knew what I was saying. Forever was a long time, and I couldn’t wait to get started.

She glanced away. It felt an eternity before she looked back. “I’m ready. For you, I’m ready. I still can’t help but wish I hadn’t put us through this.”

I placed my hands on her hips, smoothing my thumbs along the indents leading to my favorite place to be. “You have to mine for diamonds. Dig for gold. Explode and burn for platinum. Fairy, nothing precious comes easy.”