Chapter 32

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

HENDRIX

My head was throbbing when I woke up. I didn't normally go that hard. I had a clear example of what too much alcohol could do to a person throughout childhood. I didn't have more than a beer if I was out with friends. But it numbed the pain a little, and I just kept wanting more so I wouldn't have to feel it. I was feeling it now, and I regretted every damn drink.

"Here. Drink this."

My eyes flew open when the familiar voice spoke and I winced automatically as the sunlight assaulted my eyes.

"Shit."

Holding the bottle to my lips, Art urged me to drink. The smell was familiar, though it was the first time I'd ever needed a hangover potion before. Usually I was feeding them to my friends. The magic washed through me like cool water, dulling the ache in my head and settling my stomach. I sighed with relief, cracking my eyes open again.

"Art? What… Where am I?"

"My place. Laz called me last night. You were really drunk, and they were worried about you."

Damn. They called my ex because I was too drunk to function and too stupid to tell them beforehand that we broke up. This was awkward. I shoved myself up and swung my legs over the side of the bed, scrubbing roughly at my face.

"I'm sorry. They shouldn't have called you. I–"

"I fixed things with Val. Well, her boyfriend did a lot of the work, but she's agreed not to touch the custody arrangement. And she's going to revisit my visitation schedule and give me more time with Sophie."

As much as it hurt to be this close to him when I couldn't have him, I was happy it worked. Leaving got him what he needed. The pain was worth it.

"That's great. I'm happy for you. I'm gonna head out before she figures out I'm here. Wouldn't want you to get into trouble again."

"Hendrix, wait. Please."

I kept my eyes on the floor, seriously debating teleporting to escape. I was happy for Art, but I couldn't be here. It hurt too much.

His hands cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. I couldn't hold back the whine, the pain in my chest compounding as I took him in. He looked exhausted, heartbroken, and worried. I did that. I'd need to tell my friends to leave him alone, because it was killing me to continue to hurt him like this.

"I'm sorry."

Frowning, I searched his face. "For what?"

"For letting you walk away. For not having enough backbone to stand up for our relationship. I regret every second of that interaction. I shouldn't have let you take the fall. I love you, Hendrix."

It was painful to hear him say that and I tried to push his hands away, but he tightened his grip, leaning to rest his forehead against mine.

"I love you and I won't let Val dictate who I spend my life with. I'm not willing to give you up."

Hope surged in my chest, battered and bruised from the week of pain and turmoil. I didn't know if I could trust it, but I desperately wanted to.

"What about Sophie?"

"I told you, that's not going to be a problem anymore. We figured it out. I'll pick her up again on Friday, just like normal. And I'll call Val over the weekend to discuss a new schedule. I shouldn't have let her dictate that time in the first place. If I want to be a good father to Sophie, I need to stand up for myself."

Resting my hands on his wrists, I shook my head. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying if you take me back, I'll get to have both. You and my daughter. I love you, Hendrix. I don't want to lose you."

A lump in my throat choked back any words I wanted to get out and tears burned in my eyes. I wanted him back more than I wanted my next breath, but I couldn't get past the lump to tell him that. Instead, I pulled him closer, sealing my lips against his. It was every bit as perfect as I remembered. I kissed him frantically, desperately, until we fell back onto the mattress and he laid on top of me. The feel of his body against mine was like coming home, and I hugged him tightly against my chest, my face buried against his shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he whispered hoarsely.

"Don't. I get it. I love you. I love you so damn much."

We stayed that way, wrapped around each other, going back and forth on apologies and I love you's, until it got to be too much and we both had to laugh. Kissing me softly, Art leaned back to look me in the eye.

"Tell me what a mate is."

My breath caught in my chest and my mouth fell open. "How–"

A slow smile took over his face. "You don't remember? You told me when I called you last night. You said I was your mate. What does that mean?"

Aw damn. I didn't remember any of last night, but apparently in my drunken stupor I told Art what he was to me.

"It's uh… sort of like soul mates, I guess. A deep connection linking two people who love each other. Demons only ever get one. You're it for me."

His smile was soft and warm and so damn happy. I loved that smile. It was the smile that made me fall in love with him. It was hard to believe that I could keep him, that our relationship wasn't going to tear apart his life. But Art didn't lie to me. He was good, down to his core. And he loved me. I could see it in his eyes.

"Laz said you had an important gig tonight. Are you gonna be up for it?"

It took me a second to remember what gig he was talking about, but I sucked in a breath, giving Art a wide eyed look when I remember. "Oh shit. Yeah. I wanted to tell you about that. Someone from Envision Records contacted us. They heard our music and want to meet us. We might get a deal with them."

Art smiled brightly, but his lack of surprise confused me. I studied his face, my eyes narrowing slightly.

"Did someone already tell you?"

He lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. "I heard a rumor."

He was being too damn casual about it. I knew him. He was fighting for us to get a contract with a label and Envision was the best of the best. He wouldn't be this calm unless–

"You called them."

He scrunched up his nose, shifting his glasses a little. "Sort of? My coworker's older brother works for them. I gave him the demo from the studio. He told me earlier this week that they were interested."

"Holy shit. It was you! You got us a fucking record deal!" Yanking him against me, I rolled us over, caging him with my body as I peppered his face with kisses. He laughed, looping his arms around my neck to keep me close. I knew Art wanted us to succeed. He went above and beyond to help us. I never thought he'd go so far as to put us on Envision's radar. That was the dream. And he went out and got it for us.

I stared at him, wide eyed and gaping, until he chuckled and drew me closer, kissing the side of my mouth.

"I'm proud of you, Hendrix. I might've sent over the file, but it was your music that caught their attention. I told you, you're gonna make it big someday. And I'm going to be there to see you do it."

My chest tightened, and I almost started sobbing like a baby. This man was beyond perfect, and he was all mine. I kissed him softly, trying to memorize the feeling of his lips on mine, until he drew away enough to whisper against my lips.

"You know, I think this calls for a celebration. I think it's your turn, isn't it?"

All my blood rushed south in an instant and I jerked back to look at him. "Really? You want to–"

He flushed, shrugging his shoulders, a shy smile on his face. "I mean, if you're up for it."

"Babe, if I'm ever not up for it, I'll have one foot in the grave."

He chuckled, dragging me down for another kiss. We moved slower this time, savoring it. It was Art's first time, and I wasn't willing to rush it. I peeled him out of his clothes, brushing kisses along every inch I exposed, but I kept going back to his mouth for more. I couldn't get enough of him. One week apart almost killed me.

I was less patient with my own clothes, but I stopped rushing once we were skin to skin, touching every inch of him. And I wasn't the only one. Art's hands moved over me, down my chest and over my arms. When he ran his fingers over the length of my horns, I shuddered and groaned into his mouth, snagging his hands and pinning them to the bed. I liked the touch, but I didn't want to get anywhere near losing control right now. I needed to be careful with my mate, for his first time at least.

Damn, that word sounded good. I smiled against Art's mouth, dragging my lips down his throat to suck on his neck. I wanted to brand him, to let the entire world know he was mine. He moaned, shifting restlessly beneath me as I teased him.

"Hendrix… please…"

"Anything you want is yours, Art. You have all of me."