Page 22 of Hard Rock Temptation

Anya gave me a sweet smile with a light chuckle.

“Nope,” she said. “It all came from his heart.” She squeezed my hand briefly before letting go. “Good luck,” she said as she walked out.

That left me on one side of the room and Micah on the other. I stared at him through the glass. He still hadn’t looked up from his hands, head bowed and messy dark hair falling over his forehead.

I wanted to say something,neededto say something, but every time I tried to speak, my breath hitched.

Micah must have worked night and day to compose this new song, including lyrics, just for me. Just so he could finally express himself. So he could give me an answer the only way he could.

Micah finally looked up. Our eyes met through the glass. His expression was open, unguarded, defenseless. I knew I had the power then to either break his heart, or make it whole.

I flicked the button to turn on the intercom so Micah could hear my voice in the other room. His whole body tensed in anticipation.

“Do you think the others will let us put that one on the album?” I asked. “It’s your best yet.”

Micah paused, taking that in. Then I smiled at him. Relief flooded his face as he leaped from the piano and bolted out. Within seconds Micah was at the doorway. He looked around, as if making sure there was no one else there. Then he slowly, purposefully, shut the door, leaving the two of us alone together.

“I want you to know,” he started, looking down at his hand, still on the doorknob, clenching tight, “I’ve never had an easier time writing a song. But this was also one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done.” He looked up to meet my eyes, brown gaze pooling with desperation, with a plea and a prayer. “And you have to believe me, I meant every word of it. Every single word.”

“I believe you,” I told him.

His whole body sagged, tension bleeding out of him.

“But,” I continued, “did you really think I’d forgive you?”

TEN

MICAH

Ifroze at Kaylee’s words.

Did you really think I’d forgive you?

It hadn’t worked. I’d tried so hard, but it hadn’t worked.

Despair began to fill my chest.

“Really Micah,” she continued, her expression stern, unyielding. “I expect better from you. Rhymingalongwithbelong? That’s so basic and bland.”

I blinked.

What?

I looked down at Kaylee. She couldn’t hide the beginnings of a cheeky grin.

My despair was soon overtaken by disbelief and then amusement. I felt color return to my face as I shook my head and laughed.

“Remind me why I put up with you again?” I asked.

“Because you love me,” Kay said smugly.

I reached out and enveloped her in my arms, so quickly she let out a squeak, and held her tight.

“That’s right,” I said, voice thick with emotion I couldn’t suppress, and didn’t want to. “I love you.”

She rested her head against my chest. She couldn’t quite tiptoe high enough to nestle her head under my chin. She wasn’t wearing her usual chunky heels today.

“I love you, too,” she whispered. “And I forgive you. Of course I forgive you.”