Page 165 of Hope & Harmony

I blinked at her and then the boxes behind her. Her living room was now lined with cardboard boxes. Stacked high, they were clearly marked with the contents in big, bold letters.

“You packed?”

She laughed and looked back at the boxes behind her. “Yes. I could have let the moving company do it, but I can’t stand the idea of someone else having their hands all over my things, you know?”

I furrowed my brow. “Let’s back up a step. You’re moving? Why would you leave this pad? If I lived on this coast, I’d be all over it.”

Her hands went to her hips, and the furrow in her brow matched mine. “Well…wait, what do you mean?”

“Just that I like your place, and I find it hard to believe you’re going to find one better.”

“Oh, well.” She crossed her bare feet. “My new place isn’t anything like this, but I’m looking forward to living in an actual house after a lifetime of apartments.”

“You’re leaving the city?”

“Marco.” She brought her hand to my chest. “I know I told you I was moving…didn’t I?”

I shook my head slowly. “This is brand new to me.” Snagging her around the waist, I tugged her against me. “Tell me about it, mama. Where are you going?”

The corners of her plush lips curved like she had a naughty secret. It pulled me in, wanting her lips next to my ear, sprinkling her stardust.

But what she said out loud, in plain, direct words, was more than magic.

“The thing about writing music is I can do it anywhere, but most musicians live in LA. I’ve been traveling back and forth the last few years, but I got tired of the long flights, plus I’m ready for some sunshine.”

My blood roared in my ears, and my arm tightened around her. “You’re moving to LA?”

“I really thought I told you.” She tilted her head as she looked me over. “I didn’t tell you I’m moving next week?”

“Not at all. I think I’d remember you were moving to my city.” I dropped my hand to her ass, squeezing her firmly. “Then I wouldn’t have been tearing myself up at the prospect of never seeing you again.”

“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “But I kind of like that you were tearing yourself up over me. You like me, huh?”

I gave her a light smack. “I thought you were a sweet girl. Now I know you’re nothing more than a sadist.”

“I’m not, I promise. I’m just really into you, and now I’m thinking you’re really into me too.”

I pressed my lips to hers. “Yeah, I’m into you. But you need to work on your communication skills, mama. Youdefinitelydidn’t mention your move to LA. Where I live.”

“It isn’t possible you didn’t hear me?”

“No, Selena.” I nipped at her bottom lip. “It’s not possible. Because if I’d heard you tell me you were about to move to my town, I would have been here helping you pack so you could get there sooner.”

She curled her arms around my neck. “I’m going to work on that since Ireallycould have used some help today.”

I rocked my hips into her soft tummy. “I need to be inside you more than anything right now.”

“Yes, please.”

She led me to her bedroom, and it was even more incredible than it had been last night. We moved together, eyes locked, smiles on our kissing lips. She rose over me, showing me all of her. Curves and valleys I’d have time to explore because this was the beginning,notthe end.

We kissed, and then she slid her lips next to my ear. “I can’t wait, Marco. I can’t wait to see you in the sunshine. I can’t wait for all of it.”

Words like stardust…

EPILOGUE

One Year Later

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