Stars Dancing [Dreams-To-Lovers Romance]

Bong!

"Ungh," I groaned as Cora's warmth disappeared from my back. She fumbled on the nightstand and the light of her pad's screen filtered through the dim bedroom.

"Morning James," she said, clearing her throat.

I padded to the bathroom, grabbed a robe off the door, and found a toothbrush, but kept an ear on Cora's side of the conversation. Her voice was no longer groggy; it was animated, excited!

"Really? Next weekend?" she squeaked. "Absolutely." Pause.

"Uh huh, yeah. Of course I will! I'll get the set list done today, and we'll get started. No, no, I like booking my own airships. Right. Okay. I'll be in touch, and James? I know I don't say it enough, so thank you. I mean it! Bye."

I smiled around the toothbrush then spit into the sink, rinsing my mouth as Cora came to the bathroom clad in only an oversized t-shirt.

"Good news?" I asked, grinning at her. She looked like she was about to bubble over, bouncing on her toes, eyes animated.

"I can't believe it!" The words tumbled out of her, and I handed her the toothbrush. "A band had to cancel a show next weekend, and James got me in as the headliner!"

"Oh my gosh! Amazing! Here? Nashville?"

She shook her head, waving the toothbrush. "Denver. Outdoor show. Red Rocks!"

My eyes bulged, "Are you serious, Cora? I went there with my parents when I was a kid! It's outta this world! Oh my god; you'll be incredible at Red Rocks! We've gotta record this. Pull out all the stops! This will propel Coraline As Is to the top!"

She laughed spitting into the sink and rinsing her mouth. "I know. I know. I've got so much to do. Set list. Band. Rehearsing."

Catching my eyes, Cora stilled. "Sam, this is terrible timing—"

I cut her off, "No, it's just right, Cor. You've got your life, your music, and I need to write Discordant. I feel it weighing on me, and I need to get it out." My hands traced up her arms. "You need to get prepped. I'll go write, and it'll be good."

She stepped back, eyebrows pinched. "But Sam, we're only— we've just. It's too— too soon. I don't—uuggh!" she groaned. "I hate this bit. All the angsty 'Don't leave me, Sam' bullshit. I hate feeling needy."

The laugher bubbled outta me. "At least I'm not the only one. We can be neurotic together. Look, Cor, you're allowed to need things. Can we agree on that? Just tell me what you want, what you need so I don't have to try and read your mind. I don't wanna play guessing games with you. Why censor your feelings if you need something from me?" I pulled her to me, lips on her chin and felt her nod.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Okay. So, awkward. . . I guess I just need, um. Well— to know you'll stick around?" she sounded hesitant, like it was the last thing she wanted me to hear.

I nodded against her cheek. "That I can do. Maybe I'll be here in town, or maybe go home to Cheyenne, but I'll still be with you, you know? Does that help? This is new. It's exciting. Hot. Fiery. That's not going anywhere."

"In the meantime, we can both use all this passion and emotion. Put all that angst into your music for the next week, and I'll hammer out my book. In the end, I bet we'll both make something magical. And I'll be there in Red Rocks, cheering you on, waiting 'til you exit the amphitheater."

Nodding, she whispered into my hair, "Okay, Sam. That's a deal I can make. A week, then we go back to trying to figure this out, right? I don't really wanna long distance. I feel like that's all I've done since I was a teenager."

"Nothing is decided, Coraline. This wasn't one night for either of us, and neither of us wants to be apart. The details we can fill in, make up as we go." I pulled back, looking her in the eyes, and sort of wondering how I was the strong one in the room.

"Do you ever fly by the seat of your pants when you're writing music? Play by ear? That sort of thing?" I asked.

"Of course," she nodded.

"Then you know this, Cora. Life isn't a road that's already paved; it's what we make of each step we take. And right now, all we're choosing is each other. You're gonna get ready for an awesome concert, and I'm gonna go write a book that needs to be read. The rest is uncharted, and we'll figure it out as we live it."

"Right," she nodded. "Insecurity forgotten. More or less," she smirked.

Cora pressed her body to mine, and my lips met hers, parting, coaxing, turning more desperate. Well, we had the morning, and the shower was right there.

As the cold water pattered the shower floor and turned warm, Cora's breath against mine went ragged.

"You have no idea how many times I read that shower dream from your book. It was like you'd walked into my sleep and plucked it right outta my head," she moaned against my mouth.

"Then it's time I fulfilled a promise I didn't know I'd made."

And I pulled her tee off, pushed her against the shower wall and showed her I'd known exactly what I was doing writing that shower scene. On my knees, her back against the wall, steam rising around us, Cora's hands pulling my hair.

She came screaming my name, and it was like something she'd needed for lifetimes. I held her, limp and sated as she found her way back to me in the here and now.

Cora gave as good as she got, and maybe we didn't care about things like soap or shampoo for that shower. It wasn't about being clean, was it?

Maybe it was dirty, I can't say. Only that it was good, and everything both of us needed after being emotionally rung out and finding someone who would be there in it with us.

Bong!

"Seriously?" I rasped, voice hollow, blinking water and lust outta my eyes, chest heaving as Cora held me, water trickling down my back.

She chuckled against my hair. "You did say that we both have things to do this week, and I bet James has alerted my accompanists that we need to go to Denver."

I sighed against her shoulder. "Alright then, I should probably check in with my travel pals and figure out what we're doing next."

Gratifying shower scene over, I pulled on last night's dress and retrieved my pad. I'd turned it off after the line dancing last night, so I had messages waiting, and I was glad to see my friends had already made plans.

Paddy'd made brunch reservations at 10 AM. Groovy. I had time to get to the rental and get dressed then meet my friends for breakfast while Cora planned her next concert. Perfect!