Chapter 11

ELEVEN

T he table is filled with food, and I watch my girl delve in with satisfaction. She doesn't hold back, taking down platefuls, and it's the sexiest thing I've ever seen—not that I'd tell her. She'd kick me out, and I'm far too happy where I am right now.

My mind keeps wandering back to her answer. I already knew Fallon had a troubled relationship with her father, but I think it goes deeper than I understand, and I'm curious, but I can't push it.

"Favorite color?" I ask around a bite.

She startles as if forgetting I was here. "Gray."

I nod. "Fits."

She swallows. "Yours?"

I nearly jump for joy at her joining in. "Blue," I reply with a secretive grin, knowing she won't understand—not yet. I wait eagerly, hoping she'll ask more.

"Favorite hobby?" Her voice is quiet, but I swear to God it's a landslide in my heart.

She is trying to get to know me. I feel like a fucking king. I can't praise her, though, because she'll close down.

"I like to cook and learn new recipes," I answer.

She grins at me. "I hate cooking."

"I'll cook for you then." I wink. "What's yours?"

"I used to like pottery. I guess I became too busy for it and haven't touched it in a while, plus my label didn't like that it took time away from my music."

I want to throttle them. This girl deserves to do what makes her happy. She gives so much to her music and to the world, so why can't she have something for herself?

"You should start again if you enjoy it," I murmur as I fill her plate again. "It isn't up to them. You have to do things for yourself or what's the point in living? Your life is more than just creating music or being Fallon."

Her eyes rise to mine. "What if it isn't?"

"Then we'll have to change that," I tell her. Her sadness tells me that she doesn't think she deserves anything outside of being a singer. She deserves to live big, even without music, and I silently promise her that I'll give her that.

I'll make her fall back in love with living, then she'll live so hard they won't be able to catch her ever again.

I send the text before silencing my phone. The couch is too narrow and short, but I'd sleep on glass to be this close to her. I expected her to kick me out, but by the time our game ended and we finished eating, it was really late, and I think she felt bad, so she let me stay.

I can hear tossing in the bed, and it's driving me crazy, imagining her sleek curves in nothing but a T-shirt with my name on it. My cock has been hard since she came out in it, but now that I'm in the dark room, my desire is so hard not to act on. I know she isn't ready. I need to win Fallon's heart before I take her body, otherwise she'll discard me along with all the others.

I fist the blanket she threw at me, wondering if she would hear me if I got myself off. Probably, and then she'd kick my ass. I smile when she huffs.

Rolling from the couch, I head her way and slide into the bed on the other side. She sits up, glaring at me. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" she hisses.

"If you toss and turn any more, you'll fall off the bed. I thought you were feeling lonely, so I figured this was the only way we could both get a good night's sleep." I prop my arms under my head, grinning as I close my eyes.

"Well, you're wrong. Go," she demands.

"No thanks, I'm comfortable," I reply without looking at her.

I can feel her silently fuming, her eyes burning into the side of my face. "Kage."

"Fallon."

I swear I hear her teeth cracking—she's grinding them that hard. "Move now."

"Shh, I'm trying to sleep," I mumble.

"I can't believe you." She sits there until she finally gives up, realizing I'm not moving. With a growl, she flops back. "Why the hell am I stuck with you?"

"Just lucky I guess." I sigh as I roll over and drape my leg over her. She writhes, trying to kick me off, but I'm much bigger, and she eventually gives up.

"Lucky my ass. You're like an annoying Chihuahua or golden retriever," she hisses.

"Guess that makes you a black cat." I crack my eyes open, looking at the dark shape of her face next to me. "Good, I always liked pussy."

"Oh my fucking god!" She groans as I chuckle.

"Just give in, sweetheart, it's easier," I cajole, and she huffs, but I feel her relax, and only ten minutes later, she is snoring softly. I cheer silently in victory. My girl is sleeping right next to me, her warm body under the covers separating us, and despite the fact that I'm cold, I don't move. I don't want to disturb her, even if I freeze to death.

I'd suffer much worse to be at Fallon's side.

Morning comes all too soon, and as soon as dawn breaks through the curtains, I open my eyes, not wanting to waste a moment of daylight. I watch her while she sleeps. It's the most relaxed I've ever seen her, and she looks so much younger . . . softer, like a fucking angel with the light hitting her.

"It's creepy watching people while they sleep, you know," she grumbles later.

"Sure. Good morning, sweetheart."

One of her eyes opens, and she groans. "You're a morning person. I should have known."

"And you're adorable when you're grumpy." I steal a quick kiss from her lips. "I'll go shower and order us food while you get ready."

"Hmm." She suddenly jerks up. "Wait, get ready for what? I'm flying home tonight."

"Which means I have all day with you, so get dressed because we have plans," I tell her, and when I get to the sliding bathroom door, I leave it open. "Feel free to watch me shower if you want, sweetheart."

"You wish!" she calls, and then says, "Wait, who said I would go anywhere with you? Where are we going?"

I can't help but smile as I climb into the shower, purposely using her shower gel to smell like her all day. When I come out, I wrap myself in a towel and head into the bedroom. She's sitting in bed, holding a mug, but her eyes drop to my body.

"Good morning to me," she whispers, thinking I can't hear her. I don't call her out on it since she'll get embarrassed. Instead, I drop the towel as I head to the phone, and her squeal makes me laugh.

She's fucking adorable.

Who knew Fallon had a shy side?

Fuck, I can't wait to explore it.

"Where are we going?" she asks, her arms crossed as she sits in the seat next to me. It's clear my love doesn't like surprises, but tough shit. We snuck out of the hotel, managing to avoid paparazzi, and I plan to make the most of the day with her in secret.

Just us, no eyes or fans, on a date because that's what this is, even if she won't admit it.

"You'll see, but first . . ." I let the driver know, and when we pull over, I wink at her. "Wait here a moment, sweetheart." I jump out and hurry into the shop.

It doesn't take me long to get what I need, and when I climb back in the car, her eyes lift from her phone and land on the flowers I thrust at her.

"You didn't think I'd forgotten, did you?" I wink as I shut my door, I fasten my seat belt as she continues to stare at the flowers.

"Why blue?" she asks. "I've always wondered."

"I'll tell you one day, when you're ready," I promise as I take her hand. She tries to wiggle hers free, but I just hold on tighter, and she eventually gives up.

Another win.

"You know, Kage, some might consider you a stalker," she comments idly as we drive through traffic.

"They would be right." I grin proudly, pressing my lips to her ear. "Let them call me that, but we both know, sweetheart, that you like it."

"Not a chance." She pushes me away, turning her face to the window.

"Keep on lying to yourself, sweetheart. I can wait." Lifting her hand, I kiss the back as we pull up to the location. "Let's go."

I get out and walk around to her door, helping her out while she turns and looks at the bustling side street, the market entrance proudly displayed.

"A . . . cheap market?" She frowns at me.

Taking her hand, I lead her onto the street and start walking backwards with a grin. "Yes, ever been to one?"

"No, because I was born into money." Her eyes widen as people bump into her. Tugging her to the side, I put my arm around her shoulders so no one else can touch her.

I lower my mouth, ensuring she can hear me clearly .

"I wasn't, and you know what I remember? It isn't the fine dining and money. It's these moments from when I was younger. I have money now, Fallon, enough to buy the world for you. I could take you to every expensive restaurant, spoil you, and buy you whatever you want, but then I'd be just like every other man you dated—forgettable. You can buy all that too. No, today, sweetheart, I plan on being memorable and taking you on dates you've never been on before because I want you to remember them for the rest of our lives, until we are old and gray together. I want this to be our first proper date."

"Presumptive of you to assume there will be a second date, never mind us getting old together." She narrows her gaze on me.

"Sweetheart, I plan on stealing all your dates until the very end. I don't need to pressure you. I know. I always have. I always know what I want, and I knew from the minute I saw you that you were mine and nobody else would ever come close. Don't worry, I'll wait for you to catch up, and in the meantime, I want all your firsts—first picnic, first sunset, first love—but let's start here, first market . . . unless you're scared."

Her eyes flare with challenge, her shoulders straightening. "Fine, where do we start?" she asks as I lead her inside. "It's like a maze."

"That's part of the fun. You walk and get lost, and you find hidden gems. Come on." Holding her hand in mine, I keep her side to the wall so no one can accidently hit her.

I kind of feel sorry for Fallon because she never had experiences like this. Those are the days I remember most—not because of the money, but because I was learning who I was and who I wanted to be. I was finding happiness, exploring this world without judgment or prying eyes, and spending time with friends, and I don't think Fallon ever had that. She always had to be perfect for the cameras watching her, so today, I'm going to let the little girl inside of her out. I'm going to let her have the childhood she missed.

"There are so many people here," she comments as we wander through the short, man-made halls. The building is large, and some of it is outside, but most stalls are inside, selling all sorts of wares, from clothes, hats, shoes, bags, and food to jewelry and homeware. I walk her through it so she can get a feel, watching people shopping, couples holding hands and flirting, families joking and laughing, and teenagers taking pictures and enjoying themselves. "Nobody seems to care what anyone is buying or doing."

"Isn't that great?" I murmur, leaning down to kiss her head. "Here, you can be anything you want. If you want a five-dollar pen with boobs on it? They have it. If you want a T-shirt with your face drawn on it, they have that too." Her laugh is soft and small but there, and I take every single sound as a victory. "Come on, you've seen, now let's shop."

"Here?" Her eyes widen, but I tug her after me, winding through the stalls until I find one selling cheap jewelry. Now, don't get me wrong, it's beautiful and handmade, but compared to the diamonds and thousands upon thousands, maybe even millions of dollars that my girl wears, it's nothing, but that's the whole point. "Pick something," I tell her.

Her eyes are wide as she scans the rows of rings, necklaces, and bracelets stacked across the small stall. A smiling older lady watches us in case we need help. I hold my breath, hoping she doesn't take this wrong, but Fallon smiles at the lady, her hand flowing over the stacks. "These are beautiful," she murmurs. "Did you really make them?"

"I did. They aren't anything compared to the jewels in your ears though." The older lady laughs.

Fallon grins widely. "The ones that half the world owns? They don't compare at all."

Fuck, right then and there, my heart melts.

"You're too sweet, girl." The woman turns to serve someone else as Fallon leans over the rings, checking them out.

"Oh, I like this one." She picks up a simple silver heart ring with a double band, smiling down at it.

"Ah, that one." The lady holds out her hand. "May I?"

Fallon nods, handing it over, and the lady smiles at us as she breaks it apart. "It can be worn as a single heart or as two bands—one for each person to create a heart. "

Fallon blinks, glancing from me to the ring as I grin. "We'll take it."

"Wait." She tries to stop me, but it's too late. I hand over some cash and then carefully hand her one half of the ring. While she watches me, I slide the other one onto my pinkie finger since it's so small. Separate, it looks like a half wave, and I can't help but grin in victory when she slides the other half onto her middle finger.

One day, she'll wear another ring for me, and it won't be on that finger, that's for sure.

"You pick one." She smiles up at me so trustingly that I would pick them all if she'd keep looking at me like that.