Page 108 of We Own Tonight
Eli pulls me back to his chest and kisses me again. “Come backstage after the show. I’ve got another memory I want torecreate.”
I shake my head and laugh. “I love you,Eli.”
“I love youmore.”
Just like the first time, my friends all smile and are lost in thefanfare.
“What did he whisper?” Kristinasks.
“To go backstage,” I say through alaugh.
“I totally thought he was going to propose,” Danni says offhandedly. “I’m a little disappointed hehasn’t.”
My eyes widen, and my heart skips. I hadn’t thought of that. I mean, I did, but he made a comment the other night that he was really happy that we’re where we are. I’ve been married already, so it isn’t like I need a ring, but there’s a part of me that wants to be hiscompletely.
Until now, I didn’t even give it more thought, but having her say it, makes me a littlesad.
Nicole smacks her arm and then comes in front of me. “You guys are happy, honey. Really happy, you don’t need a ring to proveit.”
I expel the rush of disappointment that hit me hard. I don’t need it, and whenever Eli wants to propose, that’s when it’ll happen. I’d rather have him than anything else. “I was beingdumb.”
Nicole nods. “Trust me, there isn’t a woman in this arena who doesn’t hate you right now. Eli kissed you, sang to you, and then invited you backstage. If he proposed, we’d have to put you in protectivecustody.”
I burst out laughing and agree. My press life with Eli is always . . . bizarre. When he was nominated for an Emmy, it was like nothing I’d ever seen before. People calling our names, taking so many photos I thought my face was going to be stuck with a smile. Not all the fans were awesome, though. Some were completely awful toward me. Not to mention the media picking apart our outfits, hair, makeup, everything . . . all for entertainment. If Eli draws attention to us, it only gets worse. It’s why I prefer our happy little bubble inTampa.
Not that he’s here that much, but we’ve found a way to make it work, exactly like hepromised.
We enjoy the rest of the show and then head backstage. The boys come out, and I hug them all. Shaun and PJ are always the first ones to enter the party. I swear, they have alcohol running through their veins instead ofblood.
Then I see him, his perfect face and gorgeous smile heads right toward me. Eli’s arms are around my waist and he lifts me, spinning around. “Hi,gorgeous.”
“Hi there, sexy. I’m mad atyou.”
“You know I had to do it,” Eliexplains.
“Uh-huh.”
Eli sets me down and kisses my nose. “Let’s go somewhereprivate.”
I hit his arm. “We arenothaving sex on thebus.”
He tugs me against his chest and grins. “Oh, yes weare.”
I start to protest, but he squats before tossing me over his shoulder. “Eli!”
“I told you, we’re heading to the bus!” he yells as he spins around to face the party. “We’ll be done in a few hours. I’m going to make my girlfriend scream for abit.”
“Oh my God!” I slap his ass. “You’re a deadman.”
I hear the door to the bus open, and he slides me down the front of his body. “I think you’ll let me live,” he says against mylips.
“Don’t be sosure.”
Eli climbs the stairs backward, and my eyes take everything in. The bus is filled with candles and red roses. Dozens and dozens of flowers fill the space. There’s no surface untouched by soft delicate petals and warm candlelight. I spin around, my eyes filling with tears as I see how absolutely gorgeous it looks. The floor has a line of petals leading to the bedroom. I turn back around to Eli and my breathhitches.
This isn’thappening.
“What are you doing?” He’s on one knee beforeme.
