Page 79 of The Librarian and the Rock Star

We laughed, but then Jack’s phone rang, and he groaned. As he glanced at the caller ID, his face froze. I tried to ask what was wrong, but he’d already answered.

“Hi, Kelly. What’s up?”

His face was tense as if preparing himself for the worst. I couldn’t read the look in his eyes at first, then he froze, then his dark eyes danced with delight. He listened intently for a while, then grinned. “No problem, please interrupt me any time you like with news this fabulous. Thanks!”

He hung up and turned to me.

“What is it?” I practically squealed.

“Jason called Kelly, telling her to tell us that not only is he keeping us on the label, he wants to be more hands on as we record and polish the next album, and they’re going to work with us more closely. He apologized for Paul’s fuckery, and said he’s putting a team together for us to help us catch up. And Kelly’s going to be in charge of most of it since she’s always been our advocate.”

He looked at me, with his eyes full of hope. “He also said that he wants us to move back to Toronto permanently. He never liked the vague plans for our next album, and wants us to write and record it at a great little spot he has picked out for us.”

My brain short-circuited a bit after the first part. “You’re moving to Toronto?”

“Yes. In about a month.”

“So, maybe...”

He cut me off with a swift kiss. “There don’t have to be maybes anymore. We can really be together.”

“Wow.” I paused, overwhelmed. “A rock star’s girlfriend is going to need to be more outgoing.”

Jack’s arms circled my back and held me close to his chest. He smelled so incredible my senses swam, but I tried to focus. “Baby, I don’t care that we’re different. You have to know that.”

I shrugged. “I can’t help it. We’re extremely different. And you could have any woman you want, so it would only be natural for you to want someone who can keep up with your crazy life.”

“Keira, sweetheart,” he murmured, looking deeply into my eyes with absolute love. “I never want to be away from you again. This week will be bad enough.”

“You said a month?”

“I’m going to talk you into coming to Vancouver next weekend. Or I’ll come to you. Whatever. We’ll figure it out until we’re in the same city.”

“Okay.” My voice sounded small and girlish, but I couldn’t help it.

“Oh, baby, you’re shaking!” His arms held me close, and he began rocking me. “I promise not to go too far too fast. I know I’m too clingy.” I looked up at him not knowing what to say. He pushed my hair back behind my ear tenderly. “We’ll just date, okay? I’ll try not to get too serious or too pushy. I’ll prove to you that I can be a good boyfriend.”

I laughed. “There’s a headline for the music blogs. ‘Jack Vegas – Is He Good Boyfriend Material?’”

“You’re silly,” he said, kissing my nose. “They’ll say, who is Keira, the girl who has all of the answers?”

I shook my head. “Not as interesting, I’m sure.” Then my blood went a little icy. “They’re not going to start asking me questions about you, are they?”

“They might. But if it becomes known that access to the band will be limited if they bother you, they’ll chill out. Canadian journalists are pretty polite, overall. And if we’re in another country, I’ll be right there with you.”

“Or I could just stay at home and out of your way,” I said softly. “That’s likely more sensible.”

“You know at some point I’m going to put you over my knee if you don’t stop putting yourself down?”

I smirked, then whispered in his ear, “Good thing you already know that I like it rough.”

He took that the wrong way, and looked so sad for a moment it was painful. “I can’t stand that Paul tried to hit you, grab you, come anywhere near you. I was beginning to suspect he might be a little off but I didn’t know he was actually a psycho. And it’s all my fault.”

Shaking my head, I snuggled into his chest. “People aren’t supposed to behave like that. I’m not some little damsel that needs protecting.”

“But I wasn’t there for you.”

“Security certainly was, and they took care of it. All good.” I gave him a little kiss. “Let it all go. It’s been a crazy day. A crazy week.”

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