As the rhythmic beating of the drums heightened, everyone around me focused on the stage. I glanced at the different faces, and what I saw left no doubt in my mind. I would get Breaking Silence the best representation possible. That meant the promise I made Ayden would be fulfilled.
Once his career took off, we wouldn’t have to be so secretive about our relationship, if we still had one. Part of me worried he’d find someone else while the band was on tour, and I’d have to relive the pain of losing someone I’d given my heart to.
The other part of me refused to believe it. Ayden knew what it felt like to have the person he loved crush his heart. He wouldn’t hurt me like that.
When I glanced at the stage, I found Ayden. He was looking at Ryan as he played his guitar solo, but I couldn’t stop staring at him. He was a natural, someone born to perform.
Despite my fears, I wanted him to succeed more than I wanted to protect my heart. If I got my way tonight, he would be doing this for as long as he wanted.
I had the feeling someone was staring at me. When I scanned the faces around me, I caught a glimpse of Richard Russell. He gave me an approving nod before approaching.
We stood side by side as we looked toward the stage. A moment later, he leaned closer to my ear. “Their sound is unique enough to set them apart from other bands, but similar enough to market. Not all bands can pull that off, Mia. You know that just as well as I do.”
“I know. Why do you think I’ve been working hard to get them to this point? I knew as soon as I heard them that they have what it takes.”
He nodded. “I want them. I’m willing to offer the moon to get them to sign with our label.”
“Do you have an offer drawn up?”
“I do. Now that I’ve seen them, I realize it needs to be adjusted. I’ll work on it this evening. You’ll have it first thing in the morning before I head back to L.A.”
“I look forward to seeing it.”
He gave me a sly smile. “You’re every bit your grandfather’s granddaughter, Mia. He would be proud of you and what you’ve accomplished.”
His words caused a lump to form in my throat. I couldn’t thank him. I knew the words wouldn’t come out, but I nodded at him and smiled. I wanted to make my grandfather proud. I’d live out the rest of my days making sure I did right by him and Music Haven.
Doing so meant making sure Music Haven would continue to be successful for generations to come. It was our family legacy. Still, I was doing nothing to protect it. There was only one way I’d be able to do that.
I needed an heir.
* * *
~Ayden~
The concert was adrenalizing, but it was nowhere close to what I felt when I met some of Mia’s associates. Several of them expressed their interest in our band and explained that they would be submitting offers to Mia, who was acting as our manager.
They’d taken the time to stick around and meet us once the performance was over. A few even hung out with us after the meeting ended. Despite the fact they were wealthy men, they seemed down-to-earth. I hoped they would be as easy to work with when the time came.
Making my way toward the condos, I listened as the guys chatted about the meeting, as well as the performance. Each of them was as stoked as I was. Yet, I was looking forward to something else even more than what we’d just experienced. Mia. She slipped me the key to her suite and asked me to wait for her there.
Once Bentley opened the door to the building, I waited for Jason and Ryan to enter. They were discussing the highlights of the performance, arguing between each other about who had the most women drooling over them. I shook my head at both of them, but they were clueless. They continued their bantering up the stairs to the upper floor.
Bentley stood beside me, looking as perplexed as I felt. “Those two will be hell to deal with on the road. I’m not looking forward to it.”
I stifled my laughter. “How come? I thought the three of you had a bet going on how many women you could screw out on the road?”
He frowned at me. “Are you insinuating something?”
“Yeah. Andi Williams is under your skin, dude.”
He glanced past me, toward Mia’s door, then back to me. “Just like Mia is under yours?”
“This isn’t about me. I’m not the one who made bets.” I laughed when he flipped me off. “Honestly, I thought you’d be finished with Andi by the time we went on the road. I’m glad to hear that isn’t the case.”
“I don’t know what will happen between us, but I like her a lot. I’d like for things to work between us.” He turned his head toward Andi’s door this time and released a sigh. “Guess we’ll see what happens. In either case, see you tomorrow.”
“See ya, man.”
After he disappeared into his suite, I approached Mia’s door and slid the keycard into its slot. The sweet scent of her perfume lingered in the air as I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. Just being inside her suite gave me a sense of peace. Her energy was everywhere. From the pictures lining the walls and shelves to the mail lying on the kitchen counter. Everywhere I looked, I saw bits of her.
Creeping across the living room, I observed the pictures sitting on one of the shelves. There were a couple of Mia and Andi over the years, even when they were younger. Strangely, they resembled each other. They could have passed as sisters.
I studied a few of the other pictures, noting the ones of Mia and her grandfather, as well as a few pictures of her and famous performers. I assumed she’d made plenty of friends over the years, and judging by some of these photos, some of those friendships were tight. Mia cared about the people she helped, and it didn’t appear she ever stopped.
That gave me hope for our future together. I worried she would forget about me when I went on my first tour. There was a fear of someone else coming in to work with her, someone she would find more desirable than me.
Cursing myself, I shook the thoughts from my head. This was my past haunting me. It was the part of me that had been broken, the part that couldn’t release the fear of having my heart ripped out again. I couldn’t go through that a second time. This time would be worse. I had no doubt, because what I felt for Mia was ten times stronger than what I felt for my ex.
The door handle rattled, distracting me from my thoughts. When it swung open, Mia came inside and shut the door behind her. It didn’t take her long to find me or to walk my way once she did.
Just the sight of her had my pulse racing. She was beautiful. Her face. Her heart. Her soul. Everything about her drove me crazy with want.
“Hey,” she spoke the words softly as she drew closer. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”
When she was within reach, I pulled her into my arms. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters to me.”
Our lips swept together in a tender kiss. I wanted it to be rougher, to be the kind that made her lose all train of thought and melt against me. Still, I knew we needed to discuss the performance and the meeting.
I eased away as every nerve in my body twitched in protest. Mia remained in my arms, but I slid them from her back to her waist. “How do you think it went tonight?”
The corners of her mouth curved. “It exceeded my expectations. I have no doubt that the offers we’ll receive tomorrow will be difficult to choose between. They’ll be amazing.”
Heat radiated from her fingertips as she caressed my jaw. I turned my head far enough that I could kiss the palm of her hand and then pressed my cheek against it. She captivated me. Completely. Undeniably. Recklessly . . .
“I think you’re amazing.”
Damn. I couldn’t control my mouth. It was the truth anyway. She’d heard the same words many times before me. I was sure of it. Hopefully, hearing them from my mouth meant more to her. It seemed like it did, especially when she wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed her body against mine.
“I’m not the one who had the crowd screaming and chanting my name. That was you, Ayden. You’re the amazi
ng one. The whole band made an impression tonight, one that won’t be forgotten.”
“Is this what we’ll be discussing in the morning when we get offers?” I waited until she nodded before teasing her lips with mine. “Does that mean we don’t have to discuss it right now?”
Her breath hitched when I slipped my hands lower and cupped her ass. I couldn’t help it. She’d awakened something inside of me, something that needed her every second of the day.
As her fingers raked through my hair, she gazed into my eyes. “We can talk business in the morning if you prefer.”
Lifting her to my waist, she wrapped her legs around me as I walked toward her bedroom. “I’ll tell you what I prefer. You, spread out on the bed, taking me deep.”
I didn’t miss the way she wiggled her sexy ass against my hands and grinned deviously. “What are you waiting for?”
There wasn’t much left to the conversation. By the time we were standing beside the bed, her feet had hit the floor. Our clothes followed.
She was underneath me in a matter of seconds, but I didn’t sink my cock inside her. No. I wanted to taste her first.
Her eyes didn’t leave me when I eased back to slip on a condom. It was only a distraction. I had other intentions. The look on her face when she realized those intentions was priceless. So was the way she squirmed when my tongue glided across her clit.
Spreading her legs wider, I licked and sucked her sweet little nub, making her writhe against the bed. She arched her back and rocked her hips slowly, wanting more, needing more.
I slid my fingers inside her, easing them in and out as her pussy grew wetter. When she fisted my hair, I swirled her clit faster.
“Ayden . . . Please. I need you.”
I loved the way she said my name, the desperation her voice held, and the soft little moans that followed. The way her hips circled had me ready to drive myself inside of her.
Her legs shook, warning me that she would come if I continued. I didn’t mind. It wouldn’t be the only orgasm she had tonight. I’d make damn sure of it.
Twirling my fingers inside of her, I plunged them deeply as I worked my mouth faster. The more I did, the harder her legs shook. Her clit swelled against my tongue, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before she came.
Any second . . .
The sweetest sound filled the air around me. Her cries of pleasure were loud, long, and throaty. I enjoyed the way her body seized before her movements slowed. When she finally lay still against the bed, I worked my way up her body, kissing and nipping every inch of skin.
As our lips met, I lowered my hips to hers. Need throbbed within me. My cock was rock hard, almost painful. If I weren’t inside her soon, I’d suffer a miserable pain.
It was as if she could sense the ache inside me. Her hips lifted just as mine lowered. I plunged deep, stretching her inside to accommodate my thickness. She fit snuggly around me, clenching me as I reached the special spot in the deepest part of her.
Another cry left her lips and she bucked against me. It made my cock twitch. She was going to make me come before I was ready. I didn’t want to lose control, even if I planned to make love to her all night. This had to be perfect. I wanted to be everything she would ever want or need.
Slamming back into her, her ass lifted from the bed. Her nails dug into my back. It eased the pressure I was feeling, helping me to regain control. This was about her, about showing her she’d never need anyone but me to make her feel complete. I’d give her anything she wanted.
Anything.
As she moaned against my shoulder, I nipped my way across her neck to her ear. I brushed my lips against it, and without considering how she would react, I whispered something.
“I love you, Mia.”
Her eyes met mine as her body slowed. She didn’t stop, but the excited state she was once in had steadied. I watched as both surprise and relief swept over her face.
Her fingers touched my cheek as she guided my face to hers. “I love you too, Ayden.”
My lips fused with hers again as our bodies moved in sync. We formed a perfect rhythm, one that had her meeting my thrusts. She took every inch of me, her pussy tightening around my hardness.
The moment her lips left mine, her body tensed. The dip above her brow formed, and the beautiful eyes that were staring into mine closed. Her face contorted as her voice grew raspy. Then she cried out my name as she came hard.
I listened to her voice, felt the beat of her heart, saw the ecstasy on her face. The painful pleasure she always caused made me thicken. The next time I plunged inside her, I broke the dam. My cock throbbed, and I let go.
Everything exploded. My thoughts. My control. My come. A lust-filled haze clouded my mind and I groaned against her neck. I couldn’t get enough. At this point, I didn’t think I ever would. She found her way inside my heart and had taken up residence. She was a part of me as much as my music. I couldn’t imagine losing either.
By morning, I hoped I would have the assurance I needed to erase my fears for good.
Chapter 11
~Ayden~
I stared at the contract in my hand, disbelieving that I was holding it. The ink on the signature line had dried a week prior, and still I was waiting for someone to wake me from a dream. That’s what all of this felt like.
After living through hell for the last few years, it was hard to believe that the guys and I had a contract to record our first album. We were also working on a tour schedule with Mia and our newly-hired agent, Dave Shultz. Life was good. Too good. It had me worried that something would happen to mess everything up. Was it possible for someone like me to catch a break? Was it possible for me to find happiness?
Whenever I looked at Mia, it felt like I could do anything. She did more than help our band get a start in this industry. She helped me find myself again. I wasn’t an arrogant person by any means, but I felt like I could accomplish whatever I wanted. I felt strong.
Still, the thought of leaving to go on tour concerned me. I wanted Mia by my side when I left. It would be impossible. She had to run Music Haven.
At least I could return when it was over. The tour wasn’t a long one anyway. We were only joining for one leg, which would be two months this round. After, we’d return to Music Haven. Mia wanted us to stay on-site. We had a few performances scheduled here as well. Besides, we had a few months before we left. We had an album to finish first.
Once I locked my copy of the contract in the safe in my room, I made my way to the front door and into the hallway. Mia would be finished with work soon. She and Andi usually wrapped things up around eight o’clock. Tonight would be no different. We’d meet up at the bar, have a few drinks, then end up in her suite before the night was over.
We’d managed to keep our relationship low-key. It wasn’t by my choice. I knew Mia wanted to prove a point to the rest of the world as much as me. She was determined to show the band’s success was because of our talent, not because of her.
I didn’t care what anyone thought. Plenty of celebrities dated their managers. Some even married them . . .
I couldn’t say marriage was the furthest thing from my mind. The thought had occurred to me on a couple of occasions, but I wasn’t in any hurry. If things worked out with Mia and our relationship continued to grow the way it had, maybe someday I’d have the balls to ask her such a question.
Until then, I would enjoy every second I had with her.
The night air was muggier than usual. The heat of the day had dwindled but hadn’t disappeared. It was still more tolerable than the weather we usually had in the middle of May in Tennessee. The humidity always made things worse. The air was drier here in Arizona. I wasn’t sure if it would last, but I wouldn’t complain if it did. The longer I was here, the more this place grew on me. Would I really have to leave it for good once our band found success?
My relationship with Mia would factor into it.
Music poured from the arena as I entered the main doors and made m
y way through the hallway. No concerts were scheduled for tonight, but a long line of performers wanted to practice their sets. Whenever this happened, it was a lot like the concerts, except the arena’s hydraulic system wasn’t activated.
It was nights like this when many of the guests went past the main dance floor and made a gigantic one out of the space between it and the stage. It’s where Mia and I shared our first dance and many after that.
As precious as those moments were, they were also torturous. Mia refused to let our relationship tarnish my reputation in the industry. To deter rumors, any time we danced, she made sure to do the same with a few other guests.
Those moments were hard for me. I didn’t like seeing her in anyone else’s arms, no matter how friendly the condition was. No one ever tried to make more of it, and thankfully, they hadn’t. I wouldn’t have sat on the sideline and let it occur without someone facing repercussions.
Taking my usual seat, I leaned my elbows against the bar and observed Max. He was finishing with another guest’s order when he signaled for me to give him a minute. It took him less time than that to reach me.
“You ready for a beer, Ayden?”
I opened my mouth to answer him when an eerie feeling washed over me. I had the urge to turn around, but before I could, a voice intruded on my thoughts.
“Hello, Ayden.”
The familiar sound had my body freezing. Instead of turning to face the person, I stared at Max. “I think I need something stronger tonight. One bourbon, please.”
Max frowned at my response, especially when he glanced toward the vixen standing behind me. I was going to lose my shit if I turned around. I just knew—
“Guess you’re still too good to talk to me, aren’t you?”