Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)

I shrug, crossing my arms. “I didn’t think you were coming.”

“I am,” he says, sending my heart into a frenzy.

“Why?”

“’Cause I want to be with you. I want to watch you get this part, Shelli. I fucked up. I should have called you last night, but you dropped a hell of a bomb on me and I didn’t really recover. Still not sure what I am doing.”

I bite my lip before looking at the pilot, who has come out of the cockpit to stand beside me. “Can you add Aiden Brooks back on to the manifest, please?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He then turns to Aiden. “Can I see your ID, sir?”

With his eyes on me, Aiden pulls out his wallet and hands over his ID.

“You’re good to go.”

Aiden takes his ID back and then heads up the stairs as he tucks that and his wallet into his pocket. When he stops before me, two steps down so our eyes are on the same level, I find I’m holding my breath. He reaches out, snaking his arm around my waist before pulling me closer, our noses almost touching.

“I’m sorry about yesterday.” I bring my lip between my teeth as he speaks. “It isn’t fair to you, but I was overwhelmed and I was jealous. So jealous.” He leans his head into mine, and I take in a deep breath. “I don’t want to lose you.”

“Then stop acting like an idiot.”

He smiles. “Noted.” He opens his eyes to meet mine. “I couldn’t sleep last night. I was a wreck. I swear, Shelli, I feel something great for you. I may not know what love is, but I feel something.”

I roll my eyes. “You know what love is, Aiden.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I’ve seen you with your family, with mine. You’re being stubborn, but as long as you want me—”

“Shelli, I need you,” he says softly, and then he kisses my bottom lip. “I feel like I’m fucking up left and right, and damn it, you deserve better. Someone who knows what they’re feeling and what they want—”

“I want you.” I move my fingers down his jaw, and I watch as his lashes kiss his cheeks.

“I never wanted to be wanted by anyone—until now.”

That’s all I need to know.

Because by the way he’s looking at me, he’s there.

He just doesn’t realize it yet.

Chapter Thirty-One

Aiden

“Good thing you have your own plane.”

Shelli looks over her shoulder at me as she opens one of the guitars that a friend of hers brought over for her to take back to Nashville. Apparently, she leaves guitars everywhere. “I didn’t expect to see her today, and of course, I totally forgot she had these.”

Shelli is still in her dress from the audition. It’s a dark green satin ballgown that is floor-length but with a completely open back. The front has a high neck with straps that wrap around her neck and are studded with stones. She wore her hair down in wide curls, and her makeup is dramatic and stunning. I didn’t know I liked her eyes with winged eyeliner as much as I do until now.

She was absolutely mesmerizing at her audition. She sang “All that Jazz,” but a slow, haunting piano version we’ve been working on for weeks. We weren’t sure if we should do it on the piano or guitar, but I’m happy she went with piano. It was different and classy in my opinion. Everyone else came dressed in their best Chicago attire and singing the songs the way they would be in the show, but I think Shelli stood out. I think she sparkled, and I was pretty fucking proud to be in the audience, knowing she was all mine.

And to think, I almost blew it. I don’t know what it is about Nico Merryweather, but he is a thorn in my side. I don’t like the way he looks at Shelli, and I sure as shit don’t like how he thinks she wants him. I hate how insecure he makes me—in myself and in her. I know she doesn’t want to be with him, yet I get these irrational thoughts in my head that make me want to rip him limb from limb. I refuse to allow him to come between us. I’m not saying I’m completely confident in us, but I’m opening my eyes. I don’t want to lose her, and I wasn’t lying when I said I felt something for her. I do. I feel it deep in my chest, but I’m afraid that it isn’t the love she feels for me. I’m worried that I don’t know how to feel that.

She moves her hair off her shoulder and gathers it on the other side. She’s crouched down on the floor, her dress pooling around her as she wipes off her guitar and pulls it out of the case. “I bought both of these after my first standing ovation in Frozen.”