Page 140 of Forever To Me

Screw it.

I set the guitar aside, reach for her, and pull her into my lap. She gasps, but it’s swallowed when my mouth covers hers.

The kiss is slow at first, hesitant, like maybe she’s still testing the waters. But then she fists her hands in my shirt and presses closer, and every rational thought I have flies straight out the window.

I used to be worried about everything. But now I'm not. I don’t care about the risks, the lines we swore we wouldn’t cross. All I care about is how good she feels and how right this feels. For once, something feels right, and I love it.

Her taste is like wild honey and temptation, her breath warm as she sighs against me. I slide a hand into her hair, letting it free, running my fingers through it, tilting her head to deepen the kiss. She melts into me, soft and perfect, and I know there’s no going back.

She is the kind of woman that ruins a man for anyone else. And I think I was already ruined since our first night together.

This isn’t a maybe for me. This isn’t a mistake.

This is everything I didn’t know I needed.

Sunlight filters through the curtains, spilling golden light across the room.

Violet’s still asleep, curled up against my side with one arm draped over my stomach. Her hair is a mess, her lips are a little swollen from last night, and I swear, I’ve never seen anything prettier.

I could wake up like this for the rest of my life. And the worst part? I don’t even feel panicked by that thought. It just feels...right.

I run my fingers down her back, watching her breathe.

But all I can think is, God, I love her. I can't imagine myself not being able to love her.

I should be scared. This should freak me out. But it doesn’t. Not anymore. Not even a little. And then, like it comes out of nowhere, another thought hits me.

I don’t just love her. I want to build something with her. Not just a life. But something real and that matters.

Something like a record label.

I’ve spent years avoiding the music industry because I hated how it chewed artists up and spit them out. But maybe that’s the problem. Maybe the only way to change it is to step in and buildsomething better. Be a safe place for artists who can create in peace and not be taken advantage of.

The idea clicks into place so fast that I almost laugh. It's like it's been there all along.

I’m sick of labels like Royce Records screwing over artists. Sick of watching people like Violet get stolen from and cheated. Artists deserve to be treated fairly.

What if I built something better? Something independent, something fair?

Violet stirs, her fingers curling against my chest. She lets out a sleepy little sound and blinks up at me. “Why are you awake? Stop thinking so loud.”

I grin. “I’ve got an idea.”

She groans, burying her face against my shoulder. “No ideas this early.”

“Oh, I think you’ll like this one.” I trail my fingers down her spine, and she shivers. “What if I started my own record label?”

She lifts her head, eyes still heavy with sleep. “Wait. What?”

"Red, I'm serious. I want to do this.” I shift to face her. “I know music. I know the business. And I know I’m sick of watching talented artists get screwed over.”

She blinks. “You’re serious.”

“Dead serious.” I brush her hair back. “What do you think?”

She studies me for a long moment, then leans in and kisses me soft, slow, and deep. Pulling back, she whispers, “Okay, I take it back. I love your early morning ideas.”

And just like that, I know this is a good idea. This is going to change everything.

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