Page 79 of Perfect Pitch

“Here you are, this knockout brunette...”

I flick my braids. “Sure about that?”

His lips twitch before he amends, “Technicolored. And you’re practically skipping because your mother’s here for a visit.”

“Hmm. I need to get back to relieve her.”

“That was her?”

I nod.

His lips curve. “I remember you lighting up the condo with sound not a handful of hours before you announced her visit to anyone within hearing distance.” His smile fades.

“And the problem is?” I ask coolly.

“I forgot. I was so focused on what I want, I forgot about what made the magic in you. Music is what forms your soul.” He lets go of one of my hands and lifts it to brush the back against the side of my face. “How am I supposed to share you with the world when all I want to do is tuck you next to my side?”

I have to fight to keep breathing regularly. “I have the same problem when you’re away.”

“Mmm. So we’re both in trouble.”

I can’t stop the chuckle that escapes. Mitch nuzzles my ear. “I don’t like when you’re upset with me, Austyn.”

“I didn’t relish it either. I felt unimportant,” I admit.

“Never that.” He feathers kisses along the cord of my neck. “Can you imagine what it did tonight to hear this voice and feel it send chills down my spine? Knowing you were only a few short steps away?”

He takes a sharp nip of my lips. I gasp, “I know what it was like to be the one singing.”

He quirks a brow. I amend, “To you. For you, because I was.”

Mitch stills.

“What’s the problem?” Did I admit to too much?

The expulsion of air wafts warm air across the side of my hair. “There’s so much I haven’t shared with you, Austyn. Not because I don’t want to, but I can’t.”

“I know. I trust you.” His body freezes against mine. I whisper his name in the shadows. “Mitch?”

He leans back until his celadon-colored eyes captivate the attention of my every cell. “Do you even realize how talented you are?”

I give him the truth, something I’ve shared with few people. “I’ve always known.”

He nods, stepping back. “One of the men you were supposed to meet tonight is my boss, but he had to duck out at the last moment. Even so, I was asked to escort you to Marco’s office.”

“Can I ask...” Mitch shakes his head no without me finishing the question.

His lips quirk. “Before I bring you back there, I want to know something important.”

I pause, waiting for him to say more. “And what’s that?”

He jerks me up to his chest so our lips are almost touching. “What kissing a prodigy tastes like.”

A flood of wetness saturates my panties at the idea of kissing Mitch in the middle of my living dream. Then he worms his way deeper into my heart when he drops his head against my cheek. “The sound of your voice is going to haunt me.”

My head falls forward, my long bright colored braids slapping against Mitch’s chest.

“That means something to you?”

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