Page 88 of Finding Emotion

They listened to their heartbeats slow together. His hands continued their circular strokes, ones that elicited little hums he was certain she was unaware of. “How did the recording go?”

Her hands clenched on his shoulders. “There were a few tweaks, but the shit got done. The music…” She trailed off, pressing her face against him again.

He continued to massage her. “It’s okay to take your time with this. The release date—”

“No, I want people to hear it.” She lifted her head to meet his eyes. “I want you to hear it. Before anyone.”

“Skylar,” he started, but the words were lost in a shudder as she slowly separated their bodies. He clutched at her to help with her own shivers, but she rose and crossed to her discarded shorts. Damon threw out the condom and righted his pants. When she reached out, his hand came up automatically to take whatever she was giving him.

Skylar’s hands wrapped around his to close them on the flash drive that held her music. “It would mean a lot to me if you listened to this. I need you to hear it. In my words.” She shrugged, backing off. “But I can’t be here while you listen. It’d be hella awkward.” She clomped toward the door, but she was no longer looking at him. “So I’m gonna go cool my shit.” The door closed behind her.

Damon pulled in a breath, looking down at the gift in his hand. He crossed to his laptop and pulled up the flash drive. There was no video. Just her voice, and a song he never expected. One that mourned what she had gone through.

He saw what had happened to her through her lyrics. Her husky voice sang of a vulnerability, a brokenness that he could never understand, but that shattered him.

He lowered himself into the closest chair, the heels of his hands scraping at his eyes.

“Fuck,” Skylar’s voice said at the end. “This is going to suck to perform if I cry every goddamn time. What a whiner, am I right?” She didn’t laugh. “It’s stupid, because I have this empty space right here, in my gut, where this shit used to sit. I mean, I’m still crying, but it’s better. Fuck if any of this makes sense.” She sighed. “I know you’ll understand, but I don’t want to talk, okay? The song is enough. So I’m adding this other song. Shit, if I’m honest, I’m hoping it’ll distract you. Here it goes. This one’s all about you, Mr. Sweetface.”

Words of hope drifted over him next, ones from his very own love song, written just for him. It did nothing to stop his tears.

He slipped the gift into his pocket afterward, not wanting anyone to hear what he had, not until she was ready to share it herself. And then he went in search of her.

Skylar stood behind the curtain of the stage, looking out. Her arms hugged herself. He was scared to touch her and stopped just out of reach.

She turned to him. She didn’t look fragile or broken. Her smile held a peace it hadn’t before as she moved to him, reaching for his still damp cheeks.

“Oh shit, I knew you’d look like this.” Her hands were gentle as they brushed the wetness away. “How many people did you show this face to just to come here to me? The media is going to be a shitfest again.”

“Can I hold you?” he asked around the lump in his throat.

She put herself into his arms, her head resting against his chest. “I need that too.” Her soft sigh feathered over him. “Even with all the orgasms, I think I crave this right here the most.”

Damon felt the same. One hand moved to her hair, and the other one wrapped around her back as he held her. He was certain he’d hold her as often and as long as she could ever want.

Chapter 33

Damon wondered if he’d ever get used to waking up with his erection inside Skylar’s mouth. She pulled him deeper as his hips involuntarily thrust in his sleepy state, unable to hold anything back. He shouted as he emptied himself, dazed as she swallowed every drop.

Skylar crawled up his body with a laugh. “Good morning, sweet face.” She kissed him.

His hands skimmed her naked body. “What about you?”

“Fuck yes!” Her thighs parted, letting him find out exactly how needy she was.

He thrust inside, adding the perfect curl to his fingers to drive her to the brink as fast as she’d done for him.

“God, I love your fingers,” Skylar panted. She’d started doing that. She used the term ‘love’ more often than he did, but it was always about a different part of him.

He paused in his thrusting as emotions rushed through him. He knew she did love him, and he never wanted to force her before she was ready, but he couldn’t help letting his desire be known. “What do you love?” he asked.

Her eyes shined at him, more blue than green or brown in their sparkle. She wriggled against his hand. “Are you really stopping?”

He thrust over her G-spot again. “Of course not.” His lips captured hers in a searing kiss, swallowing her next gasp as he worked inside of her. “Fall apart for me, Skylar. I have you.” Her body shuddered as she orgasmed.

They cuddled together afterward, though she never called it that. Her hands found his hair this time, the small swirls of her fingers sending tingles through him.

“We’ve got to get moving. You ready for this last performance on your tour?” she asked.

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