Page 48 of Let Me Love You (Excess All Areas 5)

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Somehow, musical notes and chords came from his guitar, but Ben had absolutely no memory of playing a single one of them.

Because standing on the side of the stage, laughing at something Iz had just said, was Chaya.

And it wasn’t like she hadn’t stood on the side of countless stages in countless places over the years.

It was the fact he was hers and she was his.

And now, he could check out her body without feeling the guilt he often did. How many times had he tried not to notice the way her breasts moved when she threw her arms in the air to cheer with the crowd? Always reminding himself that it was sketchy to check out a woman like that.

He could get aroused by her, and fucking enjoy it for once in his goddamn life instead of trying to bury the feelings.

And at some point in the future, he’d get to strip her naked and fuck her and make love to her and just sleep with their bodies curled up around each other.

He’d get to wake up with her and not be disappointed by his choices or his behaviours.

Unable to stop himself, he walked to the side of the stage, out of sight of the audience, and strained his neck over his guitar so he could kiss her and keep playing.

She grinned against his lips. It was messy. Imperfect. But enough.

He shook his head to clear the disbelief.

As he bounced his way back onto the stage, Jase caught him.

“I’m going to pay you back the three grand.” The grin on Jase’s face made him laugh.

“Forget it. You bailed me out so many times when I was broke, I probably owe you a lot more still.”

Jase playfully patted his shoulder before returning to the microphone.

They were playing Madison Square Garden. He had more money than he needed. He glanced over at his brother, who was currently playing a second drum kit. Sweat dripped off them both. Everyone was clean, not even any alcohol before the gig.

Jesus, there was even a six-month-old baby at the side of the stage with huge ear defenders covering his ears.

And they still had one night to go.

One night.

He glanced over at Chaya, who was watching him, and winked.

While it was so fucking tempting to take her back to the hotel, he meant what he’d said to her. That they should go back to the beginning and date. Do things slowly. Get to know each other on an intimate level that meant more than sex.

Although, his dick ached in protest.

What were those tropes Alex was talking about earlier? Was there one for intense love affair without the sex to not speaking to one another to a love triangle, to dating to an intense love affairwithsex?

And, shit, he needed to stop thinking about sex and soak in every moment around him. The crowd was wild, and he could feel the waves of heat and energy pouring off them. He’d played the setlist so many times in the last six months that his fingers flew across the frets almost of their own will. Twenty thousand people were on their feet, he’d never seen so many lights or felt the floor vibrate quite so violently.

They were on the same stage that had hosted Elvis Presley, something Nan would never get over. But also Frank Sinatra and John Lennon. The Who. U2.

Matt walked toward him and yelled, “We’re playing Madison Square Garden.”

Ben laughed. “Was just thinking the same thing.”

They both looked out over the sea of moving bodies in awe. It was probably the ultimate communion. Musicians and fans. No sport or anything else got so many people on their feet for the whole event, singing the same thing, cheering the same thing. And as a musician, it fed his soul.

For three more songs, he played as if it was his last gig, using energy he was syphoning off those watching. He’d hurt once done, but he had everything to play for. He glanced over at Chaya and caught her eye, getting lost in her.

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