His fingers skimmed down the sides of my bare torso and my body arched at the sensation.

His touch electrified me.

His hips rocked against mine and my nails raked his back.

I was so close.

He sat up suddenly, pulling me with him so that we never separated. I let out a long moan at the new sensation. I rolled my hips and he cursed.

He grasped the nape of my neck and pulled my lips to his, kissing me deeply. Our lips parted and I panted from the lack of oxygen.

I closed my eyes, tightening my hold on his shoulders. “I’m coming,” I warned.

“Fuck, I’m close too,” he breathed, his lips skimming mine when he spoke.

Our chests pressed together, adding even more friction.

I moved faster and his own thrusts sped up.

I tipped over the edge, and my cry filled the room. With a groan he came too and we fell back onto the bed in a tangle of limbs.

My chest rose sharply as I struggled to get enough air.

I didn’t think it was possible, but it got better every single time.

I didn’t know how I was ever going to give this up, but I knew eventually our arrangement would have to come to an end.

He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me against his body, tenderly kissing the crook of my neck.

My eyes closed as a happy sigh escaped me. The gesture had been so sweet, something a real boyfriend would do, but I had to remind myself that we weren’t really a couple.

All too soon he pulled away and rolled out of bed. He put on his boxers and stuck his hands on his narrow hips.

“We better get ready.”

I glanced at the clock on his nightstand. He was right. It was a little past noon, but the guys were playing at a local festival later this afternoon. Even though the guys were a big deal now they still made an effort to perform local gigs. I thought it was nice that they still appreciated their roots.

I sat up and began gathering my clothes strewn about his room. With them clutched in my arms I mumbled that I was going to take a shower.

He nodded, already distracted by something on his phone.

After my shower I dried and curled my hair. Instead of putting on a pair of shorts I opted to wear a dress. It was new and I hadn’t had a chance to wear it yet. I wasn’t dressing up for Ezra, though. Nope, definitely not.

I slipped the dress on and admired my reflection in the mirror above the dresser in my bedroom.

It was white and hugged my body. It had an open design in the middle that exposed parts of my stomach and the design continued at the bottom of the dress. The back was low cut, and my tattoo was on full display. It was a dream catcher that started between my shoulder blades with the feathers extending down my back. I got it a while ago, straight out of high school. Ezra had been with me when I got it, since I didn’t want to go alone. I’d gotten it, because at the time my dreams had seemed so far out of reach and I wanted something to remind me that I could go after them and, well catch them.

Satisfied with the dress I put on a pair of strappy gold flats and added a flowered headband to my hair.

“You look beautiful,” Ezra commented, appearing in the doorway.

“Thanks,” I smiled at him.

He was dressed simply in a pair of khaki shorts and a white t-shirt.

“I thought we’d head on over now,” he looked at the large watch on his wrist, “and have some time to do a few things before the show.”

My brows rose. That sounded suspiciously date-like to me, but I wasn’t going to say anything.

“Sounds good.” I swiped some more gloss onto my lips before following him outside.

“Security is meeting us at the festival. Just to be safe,” he told me, slipping inside the Escalade.

I didn’t like going places where their security tagged along, but it was better than being swarmed. Most fans were pretty chill, but there were still the crazy ones. Someone gave Mathias a lock of hair one time. The look of disgust on his face would’ve been comical if it hadn’t been downright gross. She literally ripped it out of her head and thrust it at him. She’d also said something about them being destined to be together and that she’d already picked out the names of their children. She then proceeded to rub her stomach and told him that little Leopold would be arriving in the fall. Mathias hauled ass out of the meet and greet room after that.

They were actually doing a meet and greet today after they performed. Hopefully no more scenarios like that one played out.

Ezra and I were quiet the whole drive over. He parked in a section off to the side where the people working at the event parked their cars. I immediately spotted two hulking security guards. Each of the guys had two of their own security personnel. Ezra’s were named Jon and Kenny. They were massive—all of their bodyguards were—and built like linebackers.

Ezra hopped out of the car and the bodyguard’s met us at the parking lot exit. They flanked us on each side as we headed into the festival.

It was already packed, and as we walked the whispers and stares started up. Soon it would be all over the festival that Ezra was here walking around.

The guards kept people from approaching, but it didn’t stop them from taking pictures as we passed.

“I thought we could go see the circus.” Ezra glanced down at me to see if I was in agreement. He was completely oblivious to the crowd growing around us. He was so used to it at this point that he didn’t even bat an eye. “It’s supposed to be one of those aerial acts. Not clowns,” he winked.

“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” One time I confessed that I was terrified of clowns and Ezra thought it was the funniest fear ever. But those things were scary. Yes, things, because I did not believe clowns were people. They were far too horrifying to be human.

“Definitely not.” He smiled at me boyishly, a slight skip in his step.

He seemed to know where he was going so I followed him, while the bodyguards kept the crowd at bay.

He approached a red and white striped tent and ushered me inside. One of the guards stayed by the entrance while the other followed us.

The place was packed with people waiting for the start of the show.

Ezra continued forward and I grabbed his elbow, hissing, “I think they’re sold out.”

“Just trust me.”

He turned to the first row and sure enough there were three empty seats. “After you.” He waved his hand dramatically.

I shook my head and took the end seat. “You had this planned,” I accused.

He smiled and sat down beside me with his bodyguard on his other side. “Maybe,” he whispered in my ear.

A girl, no more than thirteen, sat beside the guard. She leaned forward, peering around his massive body and let out a small shriek of excitement before skirting back and hiding her red face behind her hands.

Ezra chuckled and leaned forward. “Hi, I’m Ezra.” He held out a hand to the girl who was still hiding behind her hands. Her friends sat beside her, both of their mouths hanging open in shock.

The one beside the girl bumped her with her elbow and said, “He’s talking to you!”

The girl lowered her hands. “I’m Sarah.” When she noticed that he was holding out his hand she stuck hers in it.

He gave it a quick shake before letting go.

Sarah looked like she’d just won the lottery. “You’re my favorite,” she exclaimed suddenly, finally finding her voice. “I know most people overlook the bass player, but yeah, I love you.”

Ezra chuckled, flashing a smile. “I’m happy to not be overlooked.”

“We’re going to the concert later.” The girl that elbowed Sarah piped in.

Ezra grinned, pushing strands of his dark hair away from his eyes. “Cool. Hey, Jon make sure these ladies get passes into the meet and greet.” He pointed to Sarah and her two friends.

The one that had been quiet up until now let out a shriek that had everybody in the nearby vicinity covering their ears. “You mean I get to meet Maddox?!” She gasped, fanning her suddenly flushed face. “Oh my God, I love him so much. He’s beautiful and when he plays the drums…” Her whole body shook with excitement. “He’s amazing.”