Page 157 of Bliss & Her Idols

“Idol,” Stapleton’s voice booms in warning, “Zoe insists that you keep to the script.”

“Fuck the script.” Jin appears close to losing control but that makes him even more handsome to me.

Seeing him stand up to the staff who have controlled him feels as ifhe’swon the prize.

Torin begins to clap. Cricket instantly joins in.

Leah and Sawyer whoop and cheer.

Jin’s shoulders finally relax.

He sweeps me into his arms. Then he dips me backwards as he kisses me.

I moan into the passionate kiss.

“I love you,” Jin murmurs. “Meeting all of you and spending this time with you has been the best experience of my life.”

“It’s not over yet,” I say with a determined glint in my eye.

Torin taps Jin on his shoulder. “May I cut in?”

Jin sets me on my feet.

Then Torin spins Jin and dipshim, kissing the Beta as passionately as Jin kissed me.

Easter squeaks in outrage.

“Are you trying to steal my job?” Torin arches his brow. “Writing your own songs now too, huh?”

Jin bites his lip. “Did you like it?”

“Enough to accept that we should probably co-write some songs. And you know that I never think anyone is as talented as I am. But only if you do that filthy thing with the microphone again. Inprivatenext time.”

“How about I show you just how talented a singer is with their mouth? Breathing exercises have made me highly skilled at—”

I cough, reddening. “Remember the cameras.”

Jin doesn’t look repentant. “Put me down. I haven’t kissed my little Chirp.”

Torin swings Jin around and laughing, deposits him into Cricket’s arms.

Cricket chirps happily. “Your song was beautiful. Is that how you really see me?”

Jin kisses Cricket. “When we were pen pals, I fell in love with you. I waited so many years for us to be together in real life. I wish…”

Jin turns away, pretending that he’s not hiding the distress that’s written across his face.

He pushes his sweaty hair behind his ears. He’s breathing hard from his performance, still coming down from the high.

“Here.” Easter holds out her water bottle to him. “You shouldn’t be dehydrated. Is that why you’re shaking? This is the big final. Get yourself under control.”

As someone who has lived their lives taking orders, Jin accepts the water automatically from her and has a swig. “Thanks.”

Then he hands the bottle back.

When Serenity appears at the top of the stairs with a strained smile (which isn’t surprising, considering the fact that the star and prize of their TV show has ripped up the script), the rest of us fall silent.

Jin stiffens.

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