Page 23 of Hard Rock Temptation
I tightened my arms around her, grip strong but gentle, the way you would hold something precious and breakable, like antique glass. Because she was. Kay was utterly precious to me.
I inhaled deeply, my chest expanding into her, pressing us even further together. We’d been close before, but not like this. Not with the knowledge that my feelings had grown, expanded, and shifted completely. Not with the knowledge that hers had done the same.
“I really did like your song,” she said softly. “Especially the part about you being fearless.”
“I was never scared ofus.“ I placed a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in deeply as I buried my face in her red curls. “I was never scared for myself. I was only ever scared about what could happen to you. I thought I had to protect you.”
“I know you’ve always thought you needed to protect all of us, to take care of all of us,” she said. “But you don’t need to put that burden on yourself. We can take care of each other now.”
I slumped against her, the heavy weight I’d been carrying for years finally lifting.
That was when Kay stilled in my arms.
“Micah…” she started, sounding reluctant.
Now it was my turn to go stiff, suddenly worried again about what bomb she might drop.
“I know I told you not to burden yourself, so I hate to add to it, but we need to talk about something,” she continued. “Now that the two of us are together, things are going to change.”
“Of course they are,” I said, worry turning to confusion. “That’s the point, isn’t it?”
“The band,” she clarified. “What are we going to do about the band?”
Right. The band. The two of us weren’t the only people this relationship would affect.
I paused, wanting to think through the question thoroughly.
“You said before that it was obvious to everyone how we felt about each other,” I replied. “How obvious? How many of them know?”
“Anya knows,” she said. “I’ve confided in her a lot.”
“What does she think?” I asked.
Kay smirked. “She thinks you need to get your head out of your ass. But you’ve got that covered now,” she said sweetly while giving me a mocking pat on the arm.
“Good to know,” I said dryly. “Chris told me pretty much the same thing. He’s an observant guy.”
“I don’t think Finn knows for sure,” she said. “He might have sensed something is up, though.”
“Zain knows,” I said. “We had a talk a while ago when he was having trouble with Grace. I think…” I hesitated, mouth twisting as I thought back. “Based on how our conversation went, I think he might not be so hot on the idea.”
“So that’s two for it, one against, and one unknown,” she said with a quick laugh. “I like our odds!”
I let out a wry snort.
“It’s not a lottery,” I said. “This is the band. Our family.” I turned somber. “I don’t want to start a fight over this.”
“There’s nothing to fight about,” Kay said. “We tell them that we’re together now. That we’re in love. And they learn to deal with it.”
“That simple, huh?” I said with an indulgent smile.
“It is,” she said with a happy nod. “You always think too much and overcomplicate things.”
“And you don’t think things through enough,” I countered on instinct. It was a common refrain between the two of us.
“It’s perfect then,” she said, beaming up at me with a smile full of promise and hope. “We balance each other out.”
My arms tightened where they were still wrapped around her. I looked down, gaze falling to her lips. I wanted to lean down and kiss her—our first kiss—but somehow, I knew that wasn’tenough. Something primal inside me needed more. Neededher. Needed her entirely, completely, without reservations.
