Page 72 of Rock On

His eyes widened slightly and then he reached for my hands, holding them between both of his and pulling them to his mouth. “If I have you, that’s all I need.”

“You can’t survive without music,” I protested. “Onyx Knight is everything to you.”

He was quiet for a long time, his eyes searching my face.

“When did you start believing that?” he asked after a moment, still holding my hands. “The only thing I can’t live without is you.”

I tried to think of a response, but nothing came to mind. It was like my brain went completely blank.

He couldn’t live without me?

Was that true or something he was saying to woo me back into his extremely complicated orbit?

I wasn’t doing a very good job of surviving without him, but I’d truly believed he’d moved on. If nothing else, that he’d initially masked the pain with music and groupies and the lifestyle he loved so much. It never occurred to me that he hadn’t gotten over me.

And I fell more deeply in love with him than ever.

I was in so much trouble.

“Why?” I whispered when I could finally formulate a sound.

“Why what? Why can’t I survive without you?”

I nodded.

“Because you’re my person, Harley. My heart, my love, my soulmate. We managed to fuck everything up, but I’m here to tell you I’m not going to do it again. Unless and until you tell me you don’t love me anymore, I’m not giving up. We’re going to find a way back to each other. We have to.”

I didn’t want to cry but my eyes felt watery.

“Don’t.” He gently kissed my fingers. “No tears. Not tonight. Look at the water, enjoy the food, and let me remind you why you married me in the first place.”

Instead of fighting it, I let the tears slide down my cheeks.

I’d been holding in so many emotions, for so long, I couldn’t do it anymore.

And I didn’t want to.

“Ah, baby, I hate to see you cry.”

“I’m sorry,” I sniffled. “I’m a little overwhelmed.”

“If I could drop to my knees I’d come to you,” he said. “But since I can’t, come sit on my lap.” He tugged gently at my hands, and I let him pull me toward him.

“I don’t want to hurt your knee,” I protested as I sank down.

“Knee is fine like this.” He wrapped one arm around my hip and used the other to cup my cheek, forcing me to look at him. “Tell me what I can do to make you happy,” he said.

“I’m happy just being here with you,” I admitted. “Overwhelmed, but happy.”

“That sounds confusing,” he said, stroking his knuckles across my cheek.

“To me too.”

“Okay, so hang on to me while you work through it. I’m not going anywhere.”

“What happens when we leave here?” I whispered, resting my cheek against his.

“Whatever you want.”

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