Page 35 of The Pursuit of Happiness (Satan’s Angels #2)

Slater

I don’t hear her when she comes in but I’ve developed a sixth sense for her presence. I almost lost myself completely in the beat I was creating on the drums, but Aria Kane has this ability to recenter all of my thoughts around herself.

I got to the studio earlier than the girls, my mind needing the release that only the drums can provide me.

Well, the drums and Aria, but I thought it was best to give her a little space after last night.

Last night was amazing. Aria gave herself to me and I’m not willing to let her go ever.

I did want to give her some time to let what we did sink in without me there.

I left after breakfast and texted her, but essentially I just wanted her to come to terms with the fact that there’s no going back.

By the way she smiles at me from across the room, I’d say she came to terms with it and none of the regret she usually shows on her face after we slip is present. A win if I’ve ever seen one.

I’m shirtless, sweating from letting my thoughts run wild on the drums and I can tell she’s turned on by the way her eyes linger over my abs. Brody and Ivory are speaking to her, but all she can focus on is me. I smile to myself at the thought.

She looks perfect as she always does. Her hair is straightened and she wears a pair of tight jeans and a black cropped t-shirt, showcasing her perfect waist. She isn’t wearing another one of those damn turtleneck things and I’m happy to see that.

She also looks more well rested than she did the last time we were at the studio.

Well, as well rested as someone can be after fucking all night.

When the girls finish talking, Aria Saunters over to me and stops before my drum set. “Hey,” she greets, her eyes flickering between my eyes and my lips.

I grin, “Hey.” I gesture towards her outfit, “You look beautiful.”

A gentle blush rushes to her cheeks, “Thank you.” She looks over her shoulder at Brody and Ivory who aren’t paying us any attention. When she realizes we aren’t being watched, she turns to look back at me. “I’ve missed you all day.”

I laugh, “Well, look who went from not wanting me around to not being able to exist without me.” I place a hand over my heart, “I feel so special.”

She chuckles which catches the attention of Brody and Ivory who stare at us with confusion on their faces.

They look between Aria and I and then I watch as realization coasts across their features.

So much for keeping our newfound relationship a secret.

The door opens and Selene storms in wearing her signature Chanel perfume and four inch heels.

She has an exhausted look in her eyes, but a pleased expression on her face nonetheless.

“Guess what, deranged clients of mine?” She spares me a glance, “And Slater.”

Brody takes the bait, “What, mistress of evil?”

Selene narrows her eyes at Brody and frowns, “You don’t get to address me in creative nicknames. That’s my thing. Besides, I do it better.”

Ivory rolls her eyes, “What do you have to tell us?”

Selene props her hands on her hips, “I managed to get Aria and Slater on After Hours .”

My eyebrows practically shoot off my head and Aria immediately stiffens.

I can sense the anxiety rolling off of her in waves and I rise from my set to stand at her back, close enough to comfort her without touching her.

Her shoulders relax only slightly, but I can still see she isn’t happy about this appearance at all. “Why?”

Selene looks at Aria like Aria just argued that animals can talk, “What do you mean, ‘why?’ I just booked you a very difficult to get on TV appearance. You should be thanking me!”

“Selene, thank you for thinking about us. That was very nice of you to get us on the show, but-” I start, trying to keep my tone calm.

My girl cuts me off, bursting at the seams, “But this is not the right time! John Sweet is a very rude man. He makes jokes about people at their expense and I know he’s going to mention the tape.

And Slater’s…incident.” I notice that she leans into me as she speaks and I don’t stop her.

She doesn’t do it in a way that makes whatever it is we have obvious, but she does it in a way meant to console us both.

Selene crosses her arms over her chest, “I already made his team agree not to discuss either. I think this could take bad press and replace it with good press.”

Ivory interrupts, skepticism in her tone, “I thought you said there was no such thing as bad press?”

Selene shoots her a shut the fuck up look and ignores her comment as she continues, looking only at us “Trust me on this, guys. I would never throw you to the wolves. You know that.”

Aria doesn’t look convinced and I watch as Brody makes eye contact with Aria and they have some kind of silent communication with their eyes. Aria sighs after a moment and nods, “Okay.”

I reach up and place my hand at the base of her neck, massaging the muscles with my index finger and thumb to calm her.

She starts to relax and I don’t draw too much attention to the action, keeping my expression casual even though I want to rip her clothes off her body and sink my cock so deep inside her she can’t walk afterwards.

I use all of my willpower to not get hard. “Thanks, Selene.”

Selene dips her chin. “You’re welcome.” She looks at Brody and Ivory next, “How is the new album coming?”

Brody accounces proudly, “We have four of the seven songs finished.”

“Good. Keep working today.” Selene sounds pleased. As we’re about to break and get back to work, Selene calls, “Slater.”

I drop my hand from Aria’s neck and Aria takes only a step away from me so that she can listen to whatever it is Selene is about to say to me. She probably thinks this is about my current legal troubles. “Yes?”

Selene gives me a gentle smile, “I have a surprise for you.”

I point to my chest in complete shock, “Me?”

Selene rolls her eyes, “Yes, you. Unless you know another Slater who happens to be in this room right now?”

I shake my head, “No, that would be me.”

“Great,” Selene claps her hands together in front of her chest. She whips out her phone a second later and sends a quick text.

As she does, the door opens and Selene smiles, “I thought you could benefit from seeing some familiar faces.” I wonder what she means for a second, but then I understand completely because my mom and dad enter the room, smiles on their loving faces.

I suck in a sharp breath that comes out a choked laugh, “Oh my God,” I say excitedly as I race across the room and wrap my arms around my mom.

I squeeze her so tight and lift her off the ground in a bear hug.

My mom is a tiny woman. It truly is a miracle that she birthed me.

I’m easily about two feet taller than her.

“My boy!” Mom says affectionately into my chest, though the sound comes out muffled.

I release her and hug my dad next, clapping him on the back.

My dad is my height and I notice he’s gotten more gray in his once brown hair.

His face is slightly more wrinkled but he’s still the loving father I’ve always known.

Mom looks great. Her hair must’ve recently been dyed her blond color that looks exactly the same shade as mine, and her glasses make her look like a child despite the small wrinkles on her face.

“It’s so good to see you, Son,” Dad grins.

One thing I never had to worry about after the sex tape and this new scandal was losing my parents’ love.

They will always support me even when they know I’m wrong.

They may give me a lecture about why it was wrong, but they focus more on the solution than putting me down when I fuck up.

And growing up, I fucked up a lot . “I can’t believe you guys are here! ”

Mom pats my arm, “Selene called us, honey. She said you could use some family time and your father and I were in town.”

I ask, “How was Barcelona?”

Dad’s eyes light up, “It was amazing. Your mother took a million photos to show you,” he rolls his eyes but smiles anyway.

My father is head over heels in love with my mother and their love has never faded or dulled over the years.

I remember always wanting what they had and struggling to find that connection, that spark. Until I met Aria. Aria .

I look over my shoulder for the girl I love and find her standing awkwardly in front of the drum set where I left her. I wave her over and she shakes her head, mouthing, I don’t want to intrude . She shakes her hands to emphasize her point.

I turn back to my parents, “Mom, Dad, I have someone I want you to meet,” I can feel my eyes lighting up with excitement. I want my parents to love Aria as much as I do and I know that they will. I just hope it isn’t too overwhelming for her, especially considering her familial background.

I watch as Mom and Dad look behind me and at Aria. Aria’s cheeks turn bright red with embarrassment and my parents’ eyes practically pop out of their heads and sparkle. Mom immediately smiles, showcasing her perfect teeth. I wave my hand at Aria again, “Come here.”

She walks, slowly, uncomfortably until she stops at my side. Ivory and Brody grin as she walks, but in an admiring way as if they’re truly happy for their friend. I realize I like the girls more than I already did just for that.

Aria weakly greets, “Hi, it’s really nice to officially meet you.”

I can tell that she’s nervous. I wonder if it’s more because this is big for a new relationship or if it’s because she doesn’t have experience with the kind of family dynamic that I have.

If it’s the former, it was totally out of my control.

Mom leaps at Aria and wraps her in a hug so tight that I’m almost positive Aria’s air supply is cut off.

“Oh, Aria, honey, it is so nice to finally meet you! Daniel and I have been dying to meet the woman who has our son’s heart. ”