Page 19 of Gabriel's Album

I lean down and kiss and suck on her neck and ear before kissing her mouth again. She moans with pleasure as her ecstasy overtakes her, and I am fucking done for. I groan as I follow her, my cock spasming as her muscles grip me through her orgasm.

We lie together, panting in unison and cuddling for a few minutes before I pull myself out, remove the condom, and dispose of it. I come back to the bed and join her under the covers.

“God, that was even better than I imagined,” she tells me, and I can’t agree more.

“Damn straight,” I reply, holding her close to me.

It doesn’t take long for Ariana to fall asleep wrapped in my arms, but I take a little longer. This was the best second date I’ve ever had. I’m definitely going to ask April if I can take Ariana to her party next week. I need to see more of this woman, and I definitely enjoy having her in my bed. Probably a little too much, in all honesty.

4

The Fourth Song

I’m sittingout the front of Ariana’s apartment in a limousine, and I’ve just sent her a text to let her know that I’m here. I’m really nervous about our date tonight. She doesn’t know we’re going to April’s birthday party.

We saw each other twice this week, and the sex was amazing both times. More importantly, there’s an amazing connection between us that only seems to be getting stronger the more we see each other. We’ve had in-depth discussions about everything from politics through to which pizza place serves the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago. We agree on some things, disagree on others, but laugh a whole hell of a lot.

Ariana appears at the entrance to her apartment building wearing the gold designer dress and black heels that Heather helped me pick out for her. I had them couriered to her, along with a gold necklace that I’m hoping she’s wearing as well.

“How ostentatious,” she tells me by way of a greeting as she slides into the limousine and sits next to me.

“I’m happy to see you too,” I reply with a grin.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going now, Gabe?”

Damn, I should’ve known that would be her first question.

“I’m not sure you’ll be pleased when you find out,” I warn her.

“Why is that?” she asks.

“We’re going to a birthday party for April Conway.”

Ariana fails to withhold a grimace, and I’m terrified that she’s going to bail on our date. I really like April. She’s younger than us, but really talented, and she got signed to our record label right around the time we did. We’ve become good friends, and I don’t want to bail on her birthday party, but I will if I have to.

“It’s going to be obnoxiously fancy, and there will be lots of celebrities and rich people showing off how wealthy and amazing they are, and you’re going to hate it, and I’m already sorry for bringing you.” I say all of this in a rush, desperately hoping that she won’t cancel, and Ariana laughs at me.

“Why did you invite me, then? Especially since you already know I’m going to hate it.”

“Because,” I say, and intertwine my fingers with hers, not sure whether I want to answer this honestly or not.

“Because, why?” she presses me.

“Because I was already committed to coming to this party and couldn’t get out of it, but I didn’t want to not see you tonight,” I answer honestly. “It’s crazy, but I miss you so much when I’m not around you.”

There it is. Now she knows. She’s been on my mind since the night we met, and I want to spend every second with her while I can.

“Well, what is it they say? It’s the thought that counts, right?” she asks me. “Anyway, I’d brave the most obnoxious of celebrity parties to spend the night with you if that makes you feel any better.”

“You might be about to do just that, so I’m glad to hear it.” I wait until she’s looking directly at me before continuing, because if I’m going to be honest with her, I might as well be really honest with her. “I’m really enjoying getting to know you, Ari; I hope you know that.”

“I do now,” she tells me with a smile. “I’m enjoying getting to know you, too.”

I’m incredibly pleased when she confirms this for me, but I need to make it clear that she can’t just have part of me. I’m a package deal.

“Good. Because this”—I gesture around the limousine—“tonight? It’s a part of me. Well, a part of my world at least, and if we’re going to continue to spend time together, you’re going to have to get used to it.”

Ariana doesn’t respond immediately. Instead, she pours us both a glass of Dom Pérignon from the bottle that’s in the cooler and takes a deep breath as she hands it to me.

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