Page 92 of Dear Rockstar (Dear Rockstar 1)

I whimpered when he slid out, rolling off of me and reaching for the covers, not wanting it to be over, but I didn’t have to worry. We’d waited a long time to come together, both literally and figuratively, but the first time wasn’t anywhere close to the last time we would come together that night.

It turned out the first time was just the warm-up for what was to come.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Barbara Streisand was telling us to have a merry little Christmas, snow fell heavily outside, and Dale and I were alone in front of the Christmas tree we’d spent all afternoon decorating with his father.

“I can’t believe he’s out on a date.” I took a sip of my hot chocolate. It had lots of mini marshmallows, just the way I liked it.

“I know, but I’m glad. He deserves to be happy.”

“Mm-hmm.” I agreed, eating marshmallows with my spoon. “So is he serious about finding another place?”

“He’s looking.” Dale stirred his hot chocolate, looking thoughtful. “Someone broke into our storage bin again. There’s staff housing near Rutgers.”

“I guess that’s not too far.” I couldn’t imagine not being just moments away from Dale, just two flights of stairs. I didn’t want more distance between us, I wanted less. Even if it scared me.

We sat in silence, watching the lights on the tree blink and the snow fall outside. After a while, I felt Dale’s eyes on me. I put down my empty mug and slid across the floor to get close to him. He smiled, snuggling my head into the familiar niche between his shoulder and neck. Everything was so comfortable with him. It felt as if I’d known him four years, not just four months.

“So, I didn’t see you carry anything in for me.” Dale nuzzled my neck and sent goose bumps down my arms. “Does that mean its small enough to fit in your pocket or you didn’t get me anything because I’ve been such a bad boy?”

“Actually, neither. It’s already here.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“And it’s not totally from me,” I admitted.

“Oh?”

“Well, John and I split the cost. I used some money I’ve been saving for a couple of years, but I still didn’t have enough, so your dad helped out.”

His eyes widened. “Holy cow, what did you get me, a Porsche?”

“Not exactly.” I grinned. “Something better. Close your eyes and I’ll show you.”

Dale dutifully closed his eyes and I helped him to his feet, leading him back to John’s room. I sat him down on the bed and closed the door.

“Are you sure my Christmas gift is in here or is this just a ploy to get me into bed?”

I laughed, opening the closet door. “Are you ready?”

“I guess so.”

“Okay.” I pulled off the towels and clothes we had covered it with. “You can open your eyes.”

He did, eyes widening, jaw dropping. He sat there like that for a full ten seconds, stunned.

“I... you... wow!”

I laughed, clapping my hands. “You really like it?”

“Like it?” Dale stood and swung me into his arms. “You are the sweetest, most generous, most wonderful girl in the world. Thank you.” He hugged me close. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” I whispered against his neck. “Now you don’t have an excuse not to win the Battle of the Bands.”

“I can’t believe you did this. Amplifiers cost a small fortune. You must have spent your life savings,” he murmured into my hair, hugging me so close it was hard to breathe.

“Almost,” I agreed. “But you’re worth every penny.”

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