Dump and Chase (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 1)
He comes toward me, his eyes only on me. “For those who don’t know, she’s very talented. But as all of you know, she is drop-dead gorgeous.”
There are a few catcalls and laughter, but I don’t hear it, I’m lost in his gray eyes. “I am also head over heels in love with her, and being the idiot I am, I made her question that, question how I feel for her. I never meant to do that, not when she is the best thing in my life. So I’m gonna speak to her in a way I know she’ll listen to.”
My eyes widen as Wes steps up with a mic stand for Aiden’s mic. Some of the guys holler for him, but his eyes are on me, and this naughty little grin sits on his beautiful lips. I’m surprised I’m able to identify the beating noise as his hand against the guitar rather than my heart pounding in my ears. When he starts playing, the room goes quiet. Then the words are leaving his lips.
Oh, he’s playing dirty.
“You & Me,” by James TW is one of my all-time favorite songs. He learned this for me? Every time it comes on, I jam like no other, mostly because it reminds me of Aiden. Because all I’ve ever wanted was him and me. As he reaches the chorus, he really gets into it, his eyes falling shut as he sings so beautifully. I feel as if I’m flying. There are tears in my eyes, my heart is in my throat, and I can’t believe this. When his eyes meet mine, the verse leaving his lips, the tears start to fall. I’m breathless as he plays with no cares and nothing holding him back. It as if it’s just him and me in this room. This is the man I fell in love with.
When he pushes the guitar around to his back, he starts to clap, and the room joins in, leaving me utterly mind-blown. He moves past the mic stamd, coming toe-to-toe with me, before using his thumbs to clear away my tears. He cups my face in his large hands, his voice so perfect as he finishes the song just for me.
“That’s all I want. I just want you and me,” I say, and his lips curve.
“Well, that’s what you’re getting.” He leans in, his forehead against mine. “Everyone will always know how much I love you. How you mean everything to me. How you and I are a two-person team in this world. I waited so long to fall in love for a reason, Shelli. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was waiting for you.”
“I’ve always been right here.”
“Yeah, but remember, I didn’t know what or who I was waiting for,” he says, his lips curving, and I smile. “But I know now, and you aren’t ever going anywhere.”
“I’m not?”
“Nope,” he says confidently, his eyes dark. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me—”
“It’s in the past. We have a future to look forward to, apparently.”
He grins. “Not apparently. For sure.”
I cover his hands with mine, and at the same time, we both move in, our lips pressing together. The room erupts with noise, but I’m in my own world with only Aiden by my side.
My favorite place to be.
When he pulls back, I open my eyes to find him gazing down at me with such love in his eyes. “I know it took me forever to say it, but I swear, Shelli, I’ll spend every waking moment telling you.”
A tear rolls down my cheek.
“You will?”
“Yes, because I love you, Shelli. I love you so damn much.” Those words have my world spinning. I’ve wanted them for so long. “I should have told you when you said it to me in the truck the other day. I wanted to, but I was so scared of losing you. I almost did, and now you can’t stop me from saying it.” He runs his nose along mine, his eyes beautiful and full of all things perfect. “I do, Shelli. I love you.”
I gaze up at him, almost speechless. But I’ve been saying I love Aiden Brooks my whole life.
So naturally, as if I’m only taking my next breath, I say, “I love you more, Aiden Brooks.”
Epilogue
Aiden
Shelli is absolutely stunning.
She moves across the stage in a barely there flapper costume that has my mouth dry. I still can’t believe they wanted her to lose weight for the part. Don’t they see how gorgeous she is? Those curves are dangerous and have me squirming in my seat. Really awkward when Shea Adler is sitting right next to me, not that I care one bit. Not when Shelli is onstage. I watch my girl gyrating and singing her heart out, and I’m in awe of her. I love watching her live her dreams.