Page 110 of Ever With Me

She stared out at the crowd, her heart pounding loudly now.Please.She sent the message out to them all.Please be the people I know you are.

Then the entire audience climbed to their feet, shouting and cheering more loudly than they’d done for anyone. The spotlight popped back on, and Maddie squinted against the harsh light as Brooks set the guitar down and came toward her. “Take a bow,” he said with a wink, then started for the edge of the stage.

She grabbed his hand. “Take one with me.”

His fingers slipped against hers, interlacing hers with gentle pressure. Her chest squeezed, his touch sizzling with a fire that jolted through her. He lifted their hands up and then took a bow together.

The crowd continued their boisterous, standing ovation.

Rather than releasing her hand, Brooks tugged her closer to him. “I cheated myself of a kiss earlier,” he said in a low voice against her ear. “But not because I didn’t want to pay one thousand dollars for it, Madison. Or because I didn’t want to.”

What is even happening right now?

He cupped her face softly as though there wasn’t a loud crowd continuing to clap. His eyes searched hers. “A kiss from you is priceless. But I won’t ever force you.”

Is that what he thinks? That I don’t want to kiss him?

Before she could overthink it, Maddie wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on her tiptoes, her mouth colliding with his.

She didn’t care that everyone she knew was watching.

She cared about the way her body fit against his, his arm curling around her upper back. His hand slid to the small of her back, tugging her closer as the soft pressure of his mouth molded against her own.

Cameras flashed, but she closed her eyes, ignoring them all.

Her body heated with desire, her head spinning as she forced herself to break away before a simple kiss turned into a full-on make-out session in front of her parents. And the town. And his niece and sister. That wouldn’t do anything to win anyone over.

Butdamn,she wanted him.

Okay, Maddie, calm the fuck down.

Her breath was ragged as she stepped back, heart slamming hard in her rib cage. She didn’t venture a look at her family.

Brooks held out a hand toward the crowd to settle them.

When they were quiet enough, Brooks used a voice that was clearly well-practiced on stage and said, “Not sure what happened with sound there, as a plug has never simply come out of its socket for me before, but let’s get it fixed. In the meantime, I’ll be back in town for the festival in just a few weeks to headline the Saturday night concert. Looking forward to it, Brandywood.”

Wait. What?

The crowd cheered again.

“I thought you said the deal was off?” she whispered to him.

He shrugged. “I’m not doing it because I owe you. I’m doing itfor you. Because I want to.”

She searched his gaze. “What are you saying?”

“I’m not ready to walk away from this, Maddie. From you. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

As though he hadn’t already practically melted her into a puddle.

She was tempted to kiss him again.

Brooks leaned his lips close to her ear. “Want to get out of here?”

“I can’t think of anything I want to do more,” Maddie whispered back.

They hurried off the stage, hand in hand, heading for the back. Maddie pulled Brooks forward, away from the noise and chaos of Applepalooza. Her family would want to come celebrateandrage with her, but right now, she just needed this man in front of her.

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