Page 7 of Savage

“You have no idea how good it is to see you,” I groaned before kissing him again, my dripping wet hair all but forgotten as I clung to him.

He broke the kiss before he let his eyes lovingly roam over my face. “I had to convince the waiter that I was who I said I am. And I also had to promise to fly him out for TVM’s movie premiere.”

“Why the heck would you go through all that when you could’ve just easily knocked on the door?”

“Where’s the fun in that? Besides, seeing your face made it worth my while.” He chuckled, cupping my bottom with both hands, gripping each cheek with appreciation as he let out an animalistic sound. “I’ve missed all this …”

I was overjoyed to see him, but I was famished, so I begrudgingly tapped his hands away and planted a swift kiss on his lips before diverting my attention towards the food.

“I know you’re hungry for sex, but can I satiate a different kind of primal hunger?” Arching my brow, I saw his eyes flash before me. The one that foretold what kind of night he had in mind.

“I’ll feed you, if you like,” he offered, eyes sparking mischievously.

But I knew very well that his innocent question would turn into something sexual. Anything that included him never failed to transpire into a feast of desires. It was how he was wired. Most especially when he was with me.

“Hah, I see what you’re doing there, babe. Take it easy. No need to be hasty,” I murmured as I plucked one dish after the other, placing them on the table before looking over to where he stood, still simmering, eyeing me like he was about to devour me on the spot. “Why don’t you take the seat across me and let’s have a decent conversation without sex, you know, like normal human beings do.” Joking with him seemed to lighten his mood as he cracked out of those beautiful smiles I adored so much.

There was no denying how he intended to spend the night, but for the time being, I wanted to enjoy having him here. I wanted to have a conversation, though I was too exhausted to properly converse.

“So, how’s it going on your end?” I asked the moment he seated his sexy ass across me while I watched him intently watch me. “Will you pour the wine, please? It’s closer to you.”

“Of course.” He hid back a smile as he took the wine before pouring us a glass of Malbec. “So far so good. I have about twelve songs ready, but Ari and the label insist on having about eighteen altogether for the deluxe version, twelve for the regular one. They also want to start promoting right around the premier of TVM’s movie trailer, which is in two months.”

“They’re going to milk every publicity exposure they can get. Tacky but smart.”

“Have you been eating the food delivery I’ve scheduled for you?” Before I left, I made sure to have a food delivery send him meals on a daily basis, not wanting him living off of pizza and whatever junk he liked to feed himself with these days. I was a diehard junk food fan, but consuming it daily wouldn’t do any good for anyone’s heart. He needed to be on top of his game.

“Yes … Well, the ones I can. Sometimes the guys eat off, too. We’ve been holed up in the studio just to get everything done in time.” He paused. “Don’t give me that look. I’m grateful for all you’re doing for me, petal. I really am. But sometimes, I like to eat a huge, fatty slab of steak after a long sweaty workout at the gym.”

“I’m here to support you through fatness and in health.” I giggled as I slipped a piece of salmon into my mouth.

“Oh yeah?” He laughed before taking his phone out. “I have a few songs I want you to listen to. Would you mind?” Those dark puppy eyes were on me, waiting expectantly.

“Let’s listen away. I can’t wait.” When it came to music, his music, I’d trade whatever just to hear him sing. It was one of my weaknesses, and proud of it, too.

While I gobbled my dinner down, River busied himself with his new beats. Most of the lyrics referred to our old relationship: the downfall, the one of a kind love, and finding oneself during a storm. I loved his music; it had great depth, had a story that I could readily feel the pain through his lyrics. It spoke from his heart, it spoke the truth, and to me, that was what music was all about—being able to reach into the masses through experiences and struggles that we all bravely faced at one point or the other.

“What’d you think?”

My heart ached and soared with insurmountable pride. “I love it. And that’s not because I love you and all that, but I applaud how you’ve taken your craft, your ability to another level. It a reminiscent of Jeff Buckley and Ed Sheeran put together. I love that old meets new vibe.”

He blew out a breath as if he had been holding it in until he heard my feedback. “Good, I’m just hella nervous. What if they don’t like it? I wouldn’t know what to do. I’ve given everything into making this record. The other day, I read an article about me and how I might be contributing into oversaturated pop market. And that my music might just be mediocre and some shit.”

I took his hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. “Whether they like it or not, all that matters is you did it your way. You’ve given your all, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters. Seriously, you’re amazing. Don’t beat yourself up over someone’s delusions and opinions. If every artist listens to all the haters out there, do you think there’d be any artists left? We have to grow thick skin and carry on. Life’s a dance; you gotta cha-cha your way around it.”

“You’re right. I don’t know why, but that stupid article struck me. I shouldn’t be reading garbage like that, not when I’m in the middle of finishing everything.” He placed his hands behind his head before stretching his neck, stressed beyond measure.

“You look like you need a hug,” I murmured before getting up from my chair and circling around so I could sit on his lap.

River was bombarded with your typical nerves and doubts. Similarly, I was overcome with the same stressors when I auditioned.

Circling my arms around his neck, I held him, loving the feel of having of his warmth and his familiar smell.

He perked up. “I need more than a hug. I didn’t fly all the way out here just for a hug.”

“A hug is a good start.” I snickered as I kissed the tip of his nose. “I’ve missed your psycho.” To this very day, staring into his gorgeous face still made my heart constrict as if it was the first time. “Before you leave, can you please leave me this sweater so I can smell you whenever I want?”

“Anything you want, petal.”

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