Page 70 of Fractured Trust

“Noah,” she whispered, tears welling up and overflowing. She couldn’t express to him everything she wanted to say, so instead of babbling helplessly, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

Noah let go of her hands and cradled her head, slanting his mouth to kiss her deeper. When he hardened beneath her, she reached down and, without taking her mouth from his, raised herself up and positioned him at her entrance, then slid down onto him.

She swallowed Noah’s groan, her hips rocking against his as she showed him exactly how much she loved him.

Afterward, when she was cuddled up to him again, she asked, “Was Zac upset?”

Noah hesitated. “I’m not sure, to be honest. He seemed to take it well; kind of like he expected it. He probably did, actually. He’s always known Crossfire was a bit of fun for me. It was his dream, not mine.”

“You mean being frontman?”

“Yeah.”

“What do you think he’d do if he ever had to choose between Crossfire and Fractured?”

Noah winced, then sighed. “I don’t know. And I can’t say that doesn’t worry me.”

“Well, I’m assuming they’re planning to replace you as drummer. If Zac left Fractured, would you replace him?”

Noah’s expression was thoughtful, but he shook his head slowly. “I don’t think so. I mean I can’t speak for the others, but I can’t imagine continuing Fractured with someone else. It just wouldn’t be the same. It wouldn’tfeelthe same.”

Summer stroked her hand over his shoulder. “I’m sure it won’t come to that anyway,” she said.

The tightness in his jaw and the way his fingers began tapping on her thigh proved he wasn’t convinced. She cupped his cheek, and when his eyes met hers, she smiled. “Don’t worry about what-ifs,” she told him, repeating the lesson she was trying very hard to learn.

He rewarded her with a slow, sexy smile, the tension leaving his face. “You’re right. Why worry about something that might never happen when I’ve got you, naked in my arms.”

Her eyes widened at the suddenly very obvious sign of his arousal. “Surely you can’t…”

He laughed. “You seriously underestimate me when it comes to you, Summer. But, now that I’m home, we’ve got all the time in the world. Come on, let’s get you to bed. That way you can be nice and rested for tomorrow.”

“Why, what’s happening tomorrow?”

He just looked at her, then took her hand and placed it on his erection. “This. This is happening tomorrow. A lot of this.”

Summer’s laugh turned into a shriek as Noah stood quickly, then bent down to sweep her up in his arms. He grinned down at her as he walked them both naked through the house and up the stairs to his bedroom. She giggled the whole way. But his expression turned serious as he laid her on the bed. “I love you, Sunshine. You are the only woman I want, the only woman I’ll ever want. Please tell me you believe me?”

She studied his brilliant blue eyes, the angles and planes of his face, his seductive lips, and nodded. “I believe you, Noah, and I love you, too. It’s always been you in my heart. No one else, only you.”

And as he smiled and slid under the covers with her, wrapping her up in his strong arms, she knew this time she was ready to love him—and be loved by him—the way they both deserved.

Without fear.

Epilogue

Noah looked around at the smiling faces of his friends, then back to Summer, looking stunning in a flowy green dress with a top that hung off one shoulder, enticing him to pull her to him, so he could press his lips against her soft skin. But that would have to wait, because he was currently manning the grill, finishing off some burgers to add to the pile of food in the middle of the table.

Everyone was at his and Summer’s house to celebrate the fact that Fractured had received multiple nominations for the American Music Awards, including for Favorite Album and Favorite Artist. They’d also been invited to perform on the night. This wasn’t the first time they’d received a nomination for an AMA—they’d won previously in several categories—but this was the first time they’d been nominated when he could celebrate with Summer.

He caught her looking over at him, her seafoam green eyes bright with joy. She mouthedI love youat him and his heart swelled, the rhythm of his love for her so deeply embedded in it he knew it would never beat for anyone else.

He gave her a grin and a wink, and she turned back to the table, laughing at something Tex had said. When Noah finished with the burgers, he plated them and brought them over to the table, then dropped into the empty chair next to Summer.

Now that he’d joined them, everyone jumped in and started loading their plates up. There was a lot of laughter around the table, although Zac was a little quiet where he sat down at the end. Crossfire had been nominated in two categories this year, including Favorite Album, putting them in direct competition with Fractured. He didn’t know if that was what was bothering Zac. It shouldn’t, after all, that just meant he had twice as much chance of winning an award. And it wasn’t like they’d be pissed if Crossfire beat them. It would be fucking well-deserved if they did. Their new album was incredible. So, he couldn’t quite figure out why Zac wasn’t more excited.

But that was a problem for another day. Tonight, he just wanted to enjoy what he had, these people, this life, he turned his head to look at Summer,this woman.

She was so damn strong; rising to the challenge and fighting for him just as hard as he was always going to fight for her. There had been some shaky moments over the last year, but she’d been honest and let him know whenever she was feeling anxious. And he’d never hesitated to tell her, toshowher, that she was, and would always be, the most important thing in the world to him. And every time they’d gotten through it, they’d grown closer, their love grown deeper, her trust stronger. Now those moments were getting farther and farther apart.

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