Page 101 of Perfect Composition

The intensity of his eyes fills the cracks of my heart. I scrub my hand through his beard and whisper, “I believe you. Okay. This time, you’re in charge.”

He scoots forward away from the wall, placing my face directly beneath the spray of the shower. “Damnit, Beckett!” I shout.

Struggling to his feet, he turns off first one nozzle, then the other. “First order of business is to dry off. I prefer my woman to be landlocked and not sprouting gills.”

I giggle as he steps out of my enormous shower, eschewing the towels and heading straight for the master bedroom. “Beckett, you’re getting water everywhere!”

“No, you are.” Then he sends me sailing in the direction of my bed before following me.

I laugh from the bottom of my gut, the feeling so intense, it’s euphoric. He wants me. He loves me. And he’s committed to making this—us—work. He has to be.

We’re his priority. Even beyond his music.

His words ring in my ears as he looms over me before we compose some of the most beautiful melodies of love heard.

BECKETT

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Rumors no more. Wildcard Records has released an official statement. We are thrilled to announce Beckett Miller, Brendan Blake, and Erzulie will represent Wildcard Records by performing at this year’s Grammy Awards. Set your favorite recording devices!

— StellaNova

Kane keeps a safe distance as I walk around the overgrown remains of where the placeI should call home should be. “But it was never much of a home here,” I finally conclude.

That’s when I hear the footsteps behind me. Her arm wraps around my waist. I’m not surprised she’s here when I need her the most. After all, other than the one time, she was always the person I turned to when things were the hardest.

Until I had to let her go for both our sakes.

I pull her tight against me, refusing to do that ever again. Breathing in Paige’s scent amid the memories of rotten food, bugs, and rodents that were a part of my life here, I ask, “How did you get here?”

“I rode, of course.” Her head moves up and down on my chest as she motions toward the foundation of her ancestral home about a half mile back.

“I should paddle your ass for walking through the field all alone.”

“Really? Can we arrange a time for that?” The interest in her voice has my cock leaping to attention, but I refuse to give Kane a show.

“Later.”

She hums her approval before settling in close, content to just be with me.

And that’s when the tragedy of everything I gave up truly hits home. Paige would have been as content to have lived in a home just like the one I was raised in so long as she had me and our daughter. “And it would have been beautiful,” I whisper above her head.

It would have been perfect.

“Beckett, what’s wrong?” Concern laces her voice.

“I just got lost in a moment.” It’s the truth, only the moment is a vision of what our past would have been. I press my lips to hers, a sweet benediction of thanks to whatever god saw fit to bring us together again. I vow to donate buckets of gold to whatever deity did the trick. “What brings you here, Dr. Kensington?”

“Austyn said I’d find you here. I have some news.”

Tipping her head back, I encourage her, “Tell me.”

“I was approached by another audiologist about purchasing the practice today.” A combination of nerves and excitement flit over her face.

“How soon?” Living in a world of contracts, I know these kinds of negotiations can either take place at the speed of sound or a snail’s pace.

“A few months. Unless something falls through or there’s some kind of complication, right about the time you’re done with the Grammys.” Her nose wrinkles. “Now, I have to find a job and a place to live.”