Chapter 24

LEVI

Shadows on the horizon followed me through the city during my drive to Diana’s house. The burnt-orange sunset outside faded to black, surrounding me in darkness.

Upon arriving, I sat in the driveway, white-knuckling my steering wheel until my fingers ached, hardening my resolution.

Despite my selfish desire to take her on tour with me and show her off to the entire world, I hadn’t taken her trauma into consideration. If she’d told Damien that she wasn’t working with me in person anymore, I must have deeply hurt her.

Someone she’d grown up with had attempted to assault her and then killed her father when he came to save her. Paparazzi and journalists harassed her so relentlessly in the aftermath that she’d given up the world and relationships for the safety of isolation.

Ours was her first in-person contract since she’d given up fame and gone anonymous with her work. Taking that step to collaborate with an artist who might recognize her must have been challenging enough.

On that phone call, I should have told Raymond to pick someone else, anyone other than Scarlett, and moved on with my day. Now hindsight was biting me in the ass.

Determination to set things right flowed through me, guiding my hand to the door and pushing it open. I hopped out of the car, lungs burning with each unsteady breath I sucked in, and my heart twisted as if it wanted to run away from me.

My knuckles rapped against the front door, and heat crept over my cheeks. I hadn’t felt this nervous for our first date, but now my insides were lurching and knotting into an unrecognizable mass.

The door cracked open, and her tired voice bolted through me from head to toe.

“Levi? What are you doing here?”

Diana’s purple hair was messily bundled atop her head. Red rimmed her darkened eyes, as if she’d been crying since she left my studio. She wore an oversized sweater and leggings.

She’d never looked more beautiful to me.

“I came to talk—to apologize,” I fumbled over my words.

Her brow knitted together, and the corner of her mouth dropped. Her hand tensed on the door, preparing to slam it shut.

“Well, I’m not in the mood to talk.”

I tossed my foot out, wedging a black boot in her doorway as she tried shutting it.

Peeking through the crevice, I rushed out. “Please, you don’t have to say anything. Just hear me out and listen. Please, Diana, I’m begging you.”

Seconds of brittle silence crept past us. Until finally, a relenting sigh greeted my ears, and the door swung open.

She didn’t meet my eyes, instead choosing to glare at my boots. Yet she stepped back and gestured for me to enter her home.

A small victory, and hopefully the first of the night.

Clearing my throat, I entered the foyer. I swiped my hand over the back of my neck, unsure where to start.

Meanwhile, Diana crossed her arms, standing out of arm’s reach.

“Uh, can I go in there?” I pointed to the double doors hiding her music room.

Diana’s eyes flared wider, and her brow crinkled in surprise. She briefly nodded, and I noticed the slow rise of her shoulders as she maintained control of her breathing.

I’d seen a glimpse of her music room the other night and remembered seeing an upright wooden piano nestled in the back corner.

When I opened the door and found what I needed, I breathed a sigh of relief.

In a few long strides, I crossed the music room, briefly taking mental inventory of her impressive collection of equipment and musical instruments.

She warily followed me, keeping her guard up.

With a broken exhale, I sat on the bench and flipped up the lid on the keys. I tested a few of the keys as Diana stood off to the side, watching me from a distance as if monitoring a wild animal in her home.

Satisfied with the piano, I faced her again.

“You don’t have to say anything. All I need is for you to listen. You asked me to sing for you, and now I’m going to. Is that okay?”

Tentatively, her head dipped in a quick nod.

My fingers danced over the keys, and I brought forth the song I’d spent all night writing for her. I poured every ounce of emotion I carried in my body to the surface and hoped that Diana heard it.

I sang. I sang my heart out, pouring everything onto the floor at her feet. I sang about her power over me. I sang about how she haunted me—mind, body, and soul.

I sang that my eyes would always look for her, and that I would always want her.

As the last notes from the piano faded from the room, I lifted my head from the instrument to gauge her reaction.

The sight of tears on her cheeks and her quivering bottom lip punched all the air from my lungs.

I leapt up from the seat, gasping. “Diana?”

She sniffled. “What does that song mean, Levi?”

“I have all these feelings I’m not used to inside of me, and you’re making me feel them. Music is the only way I knew how to really get them out, and I needed you to hear it. Because I can apologize for what I asked until my face turns blue, but it’s meaningless without emotion,” I answered.

“I understand why you asked. I’m sorry for how I reacted.” Diana rubbed her sleeve under her eyes, catching the stream of tears.

“No.” I stepped closer. “Don’t apologize for reacting to something that triggered your trauma. That was my fault.”

Diana’s opposite hand shot out and splayed over my chest, keeping me at bay. Her glistening eyes turned up to me.

“My trauma isn’t an excuse to yell and scream at you, Levi.”

Reaching up, I carefully curled my fingers over her hand and pressed her palm over my pounding heart.

“But I understand why you reacted that way and I didn’t take it personally. The fact I caused you to panic so intensely is what bothered me. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Why me, though?”

She wanted to know why I’d ask at all when I had a world of artists to work with.

“You’re fierce, and a goddamn genius. You make me want to be better at everything I do. Plus, you have a voice that could shake the foundation of heaven.” I chuckled and licked my bottom lip.

“And you expected nothing out of me. You didn’t want me for money or power, unlike so many others in my past. When we’re together, it’s all about the music, and I’m at peace with that. Being with you is the greatest peace of mind I’ve had in years, and I didn’t realize how much I needed that until you came along.”

“I definitely didn’t expect this.” Diana’s eyes shut, and her fingers twisted in my shirt. She closed the distance, causing my heart to skip a beat.

“Take me to bed?”

Shame from my dream washed over me. Memories of my time with Scarlett resurfaced, and I choked on the sour taste of them on the back of my tongue.

“Tonight, can I just hold you?” My voice wavered.

Diana read something in my expression, and gears turned behind her eyes. She took my hand and pulled me toward the door.

“Of course, Levi. I’m just happy you’re here with me again.”

Our hands remained locked on our trip up the stairs to her bedroom. Each breath came easier as forgiveness swept away the pain of our fight.

In her room, Diana changed into silk shorts and a T-shirt while I stripped off my jeans and boots. She climbed under her heavy blanket first, peeling it back and welcoming me into her bed.

Once settled into the mattress, Diana covered us both. I curled an arm around her petite frame and tugged her against me.

She placed her cheek on my chest, listening to my heart, and I hugged her as close as two clothed people could get.

Surrounded by her warmth, with her softness melded into my body, those golden emotions flowed through me again. That heated feeling started in my chest and unfurled into my limbs.

As she dozed off, I asked the last thing on my mind. “Hey, this weekend I’ll be gone for a show in Vegas.”

“Yeah?” she mumbled back.

“Yeah, and I was wondering if you’d come out of town with me. Just to see the show and be with me.” I held my breath, waiting for her answer.

“Hm. I think I will. I like being with you.” She exhaled, then nuzzled her face deeper into my chest as if she wanted to bury herself against my heart.

“Thank you,” I sighed in relief. On the inside, I was almost too elated to sleep.

For a long time, I thought it was normal for people to use one another for money, power, and even sex. I knew that was all Scarlett wanted when I’d worked with her.

Diana and I shared a desire for each other that went beyond mere lust. Our connection was deeper than anything I’d felt in…longer than I could remember.

As I embraced Diana, I was enveloped in the peace she brought me. I drifted off into sleep, free from the torment of bad dreams.

By morning, I was certain. If I hadn’t already loved Diana when I wrote her song, I did now, irrevocably.