My flight was on time. Within fifteen minutes of landing, I was signaling a cab outside the baggage claim. I had the cab bring me to the hotel where he was staying. I collected a keycard from the reception desk and went up to his penthouse suite. I saw the VIP pass he'd left for me beside the pink roses.
Nine and a half weeks. That's how long it's been since we last met up. I had to grin, thinking of the book with just that title.
One of these jaunts would have us somewhere tropical and half naked soon enough. I showered the travel grime from my body and soul, dressed and headed out to the arena to catch the last hour of his show.
I could hear the arena rocking from the furthest edge of the parking lot. I directed the uber driver to the back area and paid the man. Both of the security guys were locals out here, so I waited patiently while they made the calls. Timmy, Kian's head of security was outside in what seemed like seconds.
"Dari, hi, how are you doin tonight? Did you have an easy flight?"
"Doin pretty good so far, Tim. The flight was smooth as silk. How's the family?" I chatted, as he scanned my pass, nodded to the two local boys and led me inside.
I was already wishing I'd worn my flats, instead of these ridiculously high stilettos, but he loves the way they make my legs look, tanned and svelte. Ah, the crazy shit we do for lust and mind blowing sex. With only three minor delays, he got me backstage in the wings.
Every time I lay my eyes on him, my brain shuts off, my heart does a stuttering two step and falls flat at his feet. I know I'm so totally lost to him, but that has to wait, for him. To see him, bathed in a pale gold spot, highlighting him in a glowing aura, is pure magic.
Where the light touched, his broad shoulders, his long, toned thighs, revealed not only his powerful manliness but also his raw sexuality. Listening to him sing, his voice a husky, honeyed whiskey that could bring tears to your eyes, or send those chills racing over your body, like it was doing to mine right now.
I watched him stroke the neck of his guitar, with those huge but, oh so gentle hands, and shivered, remembering how those same hands had traveled over my skin. I knew the second he saw me, felt his eyes swiftly taking in the mile of naked legs, the mini skirt, the snug sweater, my grin. He actually paused for a second or two. I think I might have caught him drooling and that made something else in me go haywire and goofy.
"Well, well, well ...wow..." I watched him swallow his tongue, regain his wits, grinned that sweet grin that sold him to millions, that one that told me, he's got news to share, good news, and he's got something else up his sleeve.
Okay, I've gotta explain, we've been seeing each other for almost two years, as often as we could make it with our crazy careers and schedules. He's been going through a fairly nasty divorce, for the last three.
Celebrity does have high prices, and not only monetarily. I know that myself. I watched him straighten up, shift his guitar, stroke its neck.
"I have something good I'd like to share tonight." He began softly, capturing every ear in the seventy five thousand seat arena. "Since everybody already knows what's been goin on in my life these last few years, I may as well, just make the official announcement tonight, here. My battle is over, completely final, forever and ever, amen."
The crowd erupted, howling, hooting, whistling and screaming with joy. He gave them a moment, enjoying the sharing of this joy. No doubt, giving so many fans time to tweet, share, and post the news to any and all viral streams.
He motioned to one of the handlers to take his guitar, as he stood. Ka-thud, my heart hit the floor. You heard that right. From the crown of his hat, to the well-worn boots, total package, yum, made me drool.
He motioned to the crowd, his voice a soft shh, a whispered, "I've got more.", until they quieted again. He grinned at them. "Ready? I want y'all to meet someone." He strolled into the wings for me, taking my hand and leading me onstage.
"This is Dari." I couldn't focus on anything but him as I stood, shaking like a leaf, beside him. "This is Dari. She's the woman in my life." His voice caressed while his hand, at my back gave strength. "The only one, what else can I tell you but she gives me joy."
I looked up, finally, at this murmured sentence, meeting those warm, deep pools of amber caramel brown, seeing everything, seeing him lay bared, for me, in front of thousands. I took a deep breath, smiled, sighed and kissed him.
In his arms, everything fell away, just us. His hands slid from my shoulder to my ass, pulling me tight against him. I was dazed and seeing stars when our lips parted.
"I wrote this for you. Sit right here, you're lookin' a little pale and starry eyed." He sat me on his stool, as another handler brought another. "I was feelin' kind of blue, one day not so long ago. I know I was missing you, because it came out in this song. And something else came out in it too, listen." A stagehand brought out his guitar and he started strumming.
I listened to every word, every note, feeling his ache from missing me, feeling his hope for when we would be together, my own heart thumping and throbbing until his last line. "Because, girl, I've lost my heart to you. I love you."
Tears filled my eyes, tears of joy, I guess. He repeated the very last line again, making those joyful tears spill over.
He leaned over, kissed me gently, making the crowd sigh. Another handler came out onstage, this time with a box of tissues, making us both laugh. I wiped my tears away, letting this fizzy feeling fill me from the tips of my toes to my head.
Again he kissed me, murmuring against my lips to meet him in his dressing room backstage. I think I nodded, letting the tissue handler lead me off and back to his room.
In his dressing room, wandering dazedly among his stuff, clothes, guitars, I tried to find my brain and make it work again. No such luck, as it was still zooming on his declaration of love.
The besotted thing, formerly known as my brain, was plotting scenarios, envisioning dreams of golden lights, passionate sex and gossamer hopes. I grabbed two fistfuls of hair, right by my temples and gave myself a good shaking. It had taken him almost three years to say the words.
Almost an hour later, he came in, alone for a change. He stood just inside the door, leaning against it, watching me.
"I love you."
"I know, have known for some time actually." I answered softly, raising my eyes to meet his. "And I'm terrified, to be honest." I took a deep breath, let it out. "And I'm very much in love with you."
His arms opened wide and I walked shakily into them, resting my cheek on his chest with my arms circling his waist and his around my shoulders, feeling like I've finally found home. "What do we do now?"
"Same as we have been, just publicly, without reservations. I've missed you, something fierce." He said, raising my chin, making me meet his gaze. I saw his heart clearly in his eyes, felt my own jerk and thump crazily.
