Page 73 of The First Chord

“I’m never going back to him. No matter what happens between us, I will never go back to him.”

He drew in a breath. “I want us to work, Amber.”

“God, so do I,” I assured him. “I really do.” It felt odd saying it because it was our first date. We hadn’t even had sex. Yet we were talking about Ronnie and I having a future in the same breath as me getting a divorce.

“I agree it’s strange to be talking this way. This soon. But…” He paused and studied my face. “God, Amber, I can’t explain how I feel about you. How much I want this. Want you.” He captured my hand and dropped his forehead to mine, sighing. “It sounds corny and cliché, but I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. Aboutanythingbefore.”

Butterflies swooped low in my stomach as my heart began to race wildly. In three years, Jimmy had never made me feel like Ronnie had in one day—desired and cared for, maybe even loved.

“Everyone has told me to be careful,” he continued. “Guard my heart.”

Hurt slashed in my chest. “They think I’m not good for you?”

Cupping my face, he shook his head. “No, not at all. They love you. It’s the situation.”

“Then they’re right. I don’t want you to end up hurt.”

“But I don’t care. I have no desire to guard my heart. Having it broken or bruised would be worth it as long as we tried. As long as I had the opportunity to prove to you that I was a good man who would treat you like you a precious jewel.”

“I’m not precious, Ronnie, I’m not, honestly. I just want to be treated with respect and not be lied to. Not be cheated on.”

His expression changed to anger. “I would never do that.Willnever do that.”

“I know.” A gentle kiss elicited a soft moan from him, and I didn’t want to waste any more time on Jimmy. “Can we forget about everything going on, and just enjoy the view?”

“Definitely.”

His smile was beautiful and filled my heart with optimism. I was in the most romantic city in the world with the man who gave me that hope, and I knew it was how I wanted my life to continue. I deserved it.

* * *

As the car pulled up at the back of the hotel, I stretched and yawned. My head was on Ronnie’s shoulder with his arm around me, his fingers gently stroking through my hair, and I was happy and content.

“Back to reality,” I said with a long sigh.

Ronnie nodded. “Yeah, I suppose so.” He moved his arm from behind me and leaned forward. “Thanks, Patrice. This is for you.” He passed the driver an envelope that I didn’t even know he had.

“Ah merci, Monsieur. That is most generous of you,” he replied with his rich, French accent.

“My pleasure.” Ronnie, turned to me. “You ready, sweetheart?”

I wasn’t, but we couldn’t stay in the back of a Mercedes all night. “Yep, let’s go.”

He helped me out of the car and as we got to the staff entrance it swung open to reveal Destiny standing there, looking like she was on sentry duty or something.

“Hey, Dest, any problems?” Ronnie asked as we slipped inside.

“Nope.” She winked at me. “The little fucker thinks his vocals are way off. He’s currently in his room with a vocal coach and has been for the last two hours.”

I snorted out a laugh, while Ronnie full on belly laughed. “Love it.”

“He’s even missed a party that everyone was invited to by some famous footballer. Ali told him he could go but he’d have to expect shit reviews when he couldn’t reach the right notes.”

“Everyone was in on it then?”

“Fuck yes,” Destiny growled and started to lead us through the staff room and out into a corridor. “His fucking ego is bigger than Joey’s, which is massive.”

Ronnie squeezed my hand as he looked back at me with a grin, and it was infectious. The whole thing was hilarious. Maybe I should have slagged off his vocals to keep him in line during our marriage. Actually, I was glad I hadn’t because it meant that I’d only wasted three years of my life.

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