Page 73 of Rising Star

“Oh, babe, I’ll shout it out to anyone who is willing to listen for the rest of my life. I can’t believe you’re here.”

I straightened and circled my arms around his neck, molding my body to his and claiming his lips.

“Get a room,” someone yelled from the crowd.

“We will,” Sam muttered against my mouth. “And nobody is allowed to disturb us for the next twenty-four hours.”

“Thank you, all y’all. Good night, Denver,” he said to his fans, holding my body against his. The rhythm of his heart syncing with mine.

The curtains closed, and Sam lifted me in his arms, honeymoon style, our mouths hungry. And our hands busy.

“My crutches,” I said, breathless.

“Someone will get them.” A smirk formed on his lips. “God, how I wish I could fuck you in my dressing room right now.”

“I don’t know how we’ll manage that,” I said, my voice husky, casting a glance at my left leg. “Though, I love the aftershow horny side of you.”

“Maddie, I love you so much. I wanna make love to you. I never got a chance to show you just how much. We’ll find a way.”

Palpitations awakened in me, and my lips returned to his. “You and me.” Kiss. “Riley is babysitting.” Kiss. “Let’s get out of here.” Kiss.

“You won’t sleep alone tonight,” Sam said, shielding me with his body as he carried me offstage. Once we distanced ourselves enough from everyone else, he stopped, searched my eyes, and asked, “How are you doing? Be honest with me.” His serious tone killed some of the sexual tension bouncing between us.

“I’m a work in progress. The pain is unbearable at times. And I’m still not accustomed to it. Not sure I ever will be. It’s paralyzing when it diffuses through my leg. I can walk a few steps on my own with the crutches now. And my mood fluctuates. A lot. I get mad easily when it becomes too much, and the pain doesn’t fade away. Fair warning.”

His lips reached for mine. “I can’t take your pain away, but I’ll do my best to do everything in my power to make things easy for you. Let’s say my mood has been shifting a lot too lately.” He breathed out. “I’m so relieved you’re here. You have no idea.”

“I wouldn’t wish to be anywhere else.”

“Welcome home, Maddie.”

22

SAM

Holding Madison high in my arms, her mouth attached to mine, we maneuvered to shut the bus door after climbing in. “I’ve missed you so much,” I said, feasting on her lips. “I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I last saw you and held you in my arms.”

Blistering desire unleashed inside me, and I believed I’d combust.

Madison unbuttoned my shirt with her small fingers, but unable to be patient, I sat her on the bed and ripped it open, buttons flying. Her eyes traveled over my blazing skin, her throat rippling and her face illuminating.

“Loving what you see?” I asked, unable to resist, relishing the blush on her cheeks.

“A lot. It’s better than in my dreams.”

“You dreamed about me?” I asked, arousal tinting my words.

“All the time,” she admitted. “I was about to go crazy. Countless times, I woke up with a start in the middle of the night, thinking you were asleep beside me, only to realize none of it was real. I wore your clothes, trying to have a piece of you with me. When I couldn’t sleep, I imagined your arms around me, rocking me until I found some comfort.”

“Do you think…we can go ahead?” I asked, not sure how to bury myself inside her without hurting her injured leg in the process.

She chewed her lips, studying me. “I want to. As long as the pain isn’t too intense, I think we can manage. I’ll tell you if we gotta stop.”

Sitting down beside her, I peeled Madison’s sweater dress over her head in a slow, tantalizing move that sent a shiver through her.

We never made love before, and the realization got me both excited and nervous. The good kind of nervous.

Holding my face still, she sucked in a breath before talking. “The scar across my hip…it’s ugly.” She pinched her lips together. “It’s not…I’m no…let’s say I’m glad my left leg is covered right now.”