Blurring the Lines (22 page)

TWENTY NINE

He breathed in the filtered air of the hotel room as he lay in bed—Corinne on one side, Jonah on the other. Jonah’s eyes had finally fallen closed as his small head lay against Chris’ shoulder. He watched Jonah’s body move slowly as he slept.

“Do you ever get tired of just watching him sleep?” Chris whispered.

Corinne’s arm tightened around his waist as she snuggled further onto his chest. “I can’t watch him all night, but I never skip a chance to peek in on him.”

He pressed his lips to her forehead—Corinne on one side, Jonah on the other, and he’d never felt so at home. “I can’t believe you came. That you’re here. That you just… jumped in like you did tonight.”

“Me either.” Her fingers began tracing his side, sending a familiar tingling warmth through him. “But I want you more than I’m afraid… And we’ll work it all out. I’ll let you help this time. Promise.”

“You two feel like everything,” he said. “It feels like I can breathe again.”

She nipped his ear. “So, it’s still good we came.”

“More than good.”
Life changing.

“Just think about how different everything would be if you hadn’t decided to come to my house instead of Hawaii.” Her lips found his cheek.

He shrank at the thought. “Just a sec.” Chris shuffled, scooting Jonah a foot away from him on the bed, and sliding the blankets over his small shoulders. Jonah immediately shifted and lay on his side, facing the wall.

Chris turned back around,
slipping his arm over Corinne’s waist and pulling her toward him. “I’m at this weird point in my life where I don’t want anything to change. You’re here, Jonah’s here, I’m doing my music my way. Albums are selling, tickets are sold out… For the first time I can honestly say I have no regrets.”

“How’s that?” she asked.

“Because even the bad decisions, put me on a path that led to you. Those bad decisions led me to my lowest point, which led me to leave the band, which gave me a chance to go to rehab, which made me need a songwriter, and she helped me remember what family feels like, and showed me the kind of life I didn’t know I needed. A woman I’m insane for. A little boy I love with a fierceness I can’t explain.” He scooted forward until his nose touched hers. “And this feels perfect. So, maybe if I hadn’t done some of the dumb things, I wouldn’t have done some of the smart things.”

She ran her hand up his arm. The only hands he wanted on him this way. Ever. And slid her fingers through his, pressing their palms together.

He could feel her heart beat in her chest and where their wrists touched. Felt the warmth of her thighs resting against his, her feet touching his ankles… In so many ways this relaxed touch more intimate than anything else.

“I love you, Chris.”

Every word printed on him and he slid his lips over hers. “I love you.”

Her lips found his again, and he could feel her smile. “Where are we tomorrow?”

“Paris.”

“And the day after?”

“Paris until that night, and then Monte Carlo.”

“And then where?”

“I don’t know,” he answered. “I can’t remember.”

“You know what?” she asked.

“Hmm.”

“I don’t care.”

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

Yes, I took artistic license with the music business. Of COURSE I did. I make stuff up for a living ;-).

Al
so. I wrote this back in 2009. It was the first book I ever wrote. I was playing my guitar one day and tossing out ideas for lyrics, and the idea of the story hit me.

Also. Mia Josephs is a pen name – my real name is Jolene Perry
(where I have traditionally published YA books) – and my “Mia” books are purely for FUN. Thanks for indulging me ;-)

Look for Lita and Griffin’s story in CHASING THE MUSIC (coming soon)

Look for Donovan and Sierra’s story in FINDING THE DREAM
(coming soon)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

HEATHER HUBB!!! This was the first book I ever wrote. Only my husband knew I was even writing anything until I told Heather. I hadn’t finished yet, I just
knew I had this idea and that I wanted to finish it.

I think H
eather has read maybe four or five different versions of this book—one being 120,000 words. If you’re not into “novelist speak” that kind of word count is reserved for epic paranormal love stories or serious fantasy literature, not for Women’s fic.

For my husband, who has forever and always encouraged me to keep writing.
And to anyone who reads Mia Josephs, because I ADORE you. A huge thank you to Nyrae Dawn, Morgan Shamy and Lenore, who all gave me their time, thoughts, and ideas to make this story what I envisioned.

You can find me online in these places:

http://www.miajosephs.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/authormiajosephs

@miajosephs

OTHER TITLES BY MIA:

Falling

After All

10 Weeks

Unexpectedly You

COPYRIGHT

Copyright by Next Door Books August 2014

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author/publisher.

Cover design by Allie Brennan

Cover photo by bikeriderlondon/shutterstock