Page 112 of Hold Still

Ozzy

PINS AND NEEDLESin my arm wake me. McKenna’s on top of it. Not wanting to arouse the beauty with the streak of green in her hair, I take my time and twist my arm until the rush of blood circulating in it catches my breath.

The pain doesn’t matter.

All that matters is the woman in my arms. Last night’s epic sex marathon replays and I know, without a doubt, she’s mine. Forever. I told her I love her, but it goes so much deeper than a four-letter word. I breathe her deep in my soul. Music exists because of her.

I stroke her hair off her forehead. She looks so peaceful—carefree even—in slumber. My heart starts to sing a new song about wanting to hold still in this moment forever. I can hear the guitar playing and the drumbeat. I have to capture McKenna’s song.

She turns onto her side and I stare at her naked back for a moment. Dropping a kiss onto her shoulder blade, I reach over and pick up some sheet music and a pencil from the side table and start scribbling.

Two hours later and ‘Hold Still’ is complete. This is one song I’ll refuse to let the band collaborate on. No. This is my song to my girl.

Next to me, McKenna stirs. Stretching her arms over her head, she turns her face toward me. “Morning,” she says in a sleepy voice.

I smile at the beauty in my bed. “Hey. How’d you sleep?”

She giggles. “Like someone who’s been well-loved.” Her hand reaches out and smooths down my chest. I watch its descent, my dick starting to warm up to the idea of yet another round.

Before she wraps her fingers around me, I grab her wrist. “You must be sore.”

Her legs move under the blankets. “Maybe a little.”

Sighing, I push her hand upward instead of down. “Let’s get you into the bath. There’s a jacuzzi tub in there.”

“I’d expect nothing less.”

It dawns on me that she thinks I own this house. Picking her up because she needs to be in my arms, I walk us into the bathroom. “Actually, this isn’t my house. Platinum rented it for me for the duration of my residency.”

When I deposit her onto the tile floor, she says, “Oh. That’s nice of them.”

I turn on the water for the jacuzzi and put a bath bomb into it. “Yeah, well, it comes out of my pay.”

“Speaking of pay, I’m glad you hired the night nurse for Mom. I now have my nights available to do what we did last night.” She kisses me.

“Not a problem.” I eye the tub and turn on the jets. “Now, get in.”

“Only if you will.”

I give her a grin. “Oh, I plan on getting in alright.”

Once we’re settled, her in front of me between my legs, I caress her shoulders. “There’s something I have to tell you.”

Underneath my hands, her body goes stiff. “You have ten kids and another dog?”

I chuckle. “Nope. I have one ex-wife and that’s it. I swear.” I kiss the back of her neck and her body relaxes against me.

“I can handle that.” She caresses my bruised knuckles, then brings my hand to her mouth and places little kisses on each one. “What’s up?”

“Well, you may think because I’m a rockstar that I have a lot of money. And I do make a shit-ton for my residency. But, I have a lot of expenses. You see, I support all of my family, plus pay for everything here. The band, the crew, this house. Platinum takes a huge chunk of my paycheck.” Inhaling, I confess, “And I paid Teresa ten million dollars to go away.”

She shakes her head. “I’m not looking for a handout, Ozzy. I fully expect to pay for Mom’s nursing care—was planning on it with the national competition. Assuming, of course, I win. Or get excellent publicity from it.”

I kiss her cheek. “I have no doubt.”

She turns and kisses me on the lips. “Thanks. I don’t want your money. I only want you.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you, McKenna.”

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