Page 50 of Her Beastly Billionaire Rock Star
“I know it like you knew I didn’t cause the accident. Something weird is going on. I’ll bet money we hear from Emilia pretty shortly.” He picked her up around the waist, kissing her nose. “You wouldneverhave betrayed me like that. I know you well enough to know that.” He chuckled. “Plus, if you were going to tell anyone, it would’ve been my sister, and she can’t keep a secret to save her life.”
A strangled laugh popped out. “I’m so sorry they found out. I just don’t know how they—”
He cut her off, touching his lips to hers. Whatever thought she’d had slipped away as she melted into him. There hadn’t been an ounce of doubt in his eyes. He believed her.
The first kiss they’d shared had been incredible, but this one held a different meaning. This punctuated the trust he had in her, and that was worth more to her than fighting to regain control of her father’s business. Octavia could have it if it meant Charlotte had Malakai. There were plenty of opportunities to start a business, but there was only one of him…and she desperately needed him.
As the kiss deepened, his arms tightened around her and her good arm circled his neck, her fingers sweeping up his neck and into his hair. He’d given her something she’d had no idea she needed. To be loved.
The act of going through the motions, day in and day out, trying to recover something that was sucking the life out of her, had become a weary, bleak existence. Being with him had breathed fresh air into her.
He trailed kisses from her lips, down her jaw, along her neck, and back to her lips, immediately deepening the kiss again. She could spend her life being kissed by him…waking up to him. Being held by him. It was time for her to let go of the past too and look to the future.
* * *
Malakai was drowningin the best possible way. Every kiss with Charlotte was better than the last. He was kissing a woman he loved. Granted, he didn’t know how she felt about him yet, but if the way she was kissing him was any indication, he at least had a shot.
He’d seen the fear in her eyes when they’d returned to the house. She’d expected him to think it was her, and that hadn’t even entered his mind. He didn’t need her to try and explain, which was an excellent reason for kissing her again.
His phone chimed, and he reluctantly broke the kiss, grumbling. “I need to get this, or I’d throw it against the wall.” He grinned and gave her a quick kiss, pulling the phone from his pocket to see the text that the car was ready. “I have a surprise for you.”
She brushed her nose along his neck. “I can’t imagine it being better than kissing you.”
In his opinion, that was true, but he also couldn’t wait to show her the car. While the press had been distracted, he’d had the car delivered to the garage. It hadn’t been easy, but it was totally worth it. “There’s a possibility it could be a tie.”
Trailing feathery kisses along his jaw, she said, “I don’t think so.”
If he didn’t stop her, he wouldn’t be showing her the car, he’d be bolting for his shower. He set her feet on the floor and held her at arm’s length. “You need to see it.”
“Right this second?” Her cute little lips stuck out in an exaggerated pout.
“Yes.” He laughed. “Now, close your eyes.”
She groaned. “Why?”
“Trust me,” he said as he took her hand and tugged on her to come with him. When they reached the garage door, he said, “Close your eyes.”
“What did you do?”
He kissed her nose. “Close your eyes.”
Charlotte wrinkled her nose but did as he asked. He took her by the shoulders, guiding her until she was directly in front of the vehicle.
“Okay, now open them.”
Her eyes opened, and she inhaled slow and deep. “Oh, Malakai,” she whispered. “Oh…” She faced him, tears streaming down her face. “You did this for me?”
“I knew it was important to you. I wanted…I wanted you to have it.”
She turned to the car again, bringing her hands to her mouth. Slowly, she approached it, taking one hand from her mouth and gliding it along the hood. “I…I don’t have words.”
Happiness filled his chest. He’d given many things to many people, and none had ever expressed this level of appreciation. What made him even happier was that he was the source of it. “I thought you should have it.”
Lifting her head, she smiled. “I’ll never be able to say thank you enough. I don’t even…” Her other hand dropped as she looked around the garage. “Where are your convertibles?” She spun on her heels. “And your bike?”
“Uh…” He honestly hadn’t expected her to ask about them, thinking maybe she’d assume he’d just stored them elsewhere for a bit.
She left the car and walked to him. “Where are your cars and your bike?”
