"What's wrong?"

He rakes his hair angrily.

"The hiatus deal - it's probably going to fall through."

"Says who?"

"My lawyers. Hours of back and forth and this is what they come up with!"
People at the entrance begin to stare at us, so I usher Aden out into the street where we can have more privacy.
"I'm sure they did their best."

"You don't get it, do you? We need to deliver the next two albums right away. There's no break. There's no time to breathe. There's no fucking time for you and me."

"You made time now; you'll make it again."

"Don't be naïve. These trips are only happening because I was given time to spend with my family. If we're booked for two more albums, I won't have any of that. And worst of all, I'll be stuck in this contract for two more years; TWO YEARS OF MY FUCKING LIFE!"

When I see a haze pass over his eyes, I know I'm losing him. I need to get him back. I press my palms to his cheeks and bring my face close to his.

"Hey, stay here. Stay with me."

His eyes focus on mine. So, I land the sweetest of kisses on his lips. He holds his breath at first, but then releases it, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me close. Once I pull away from him, I place my hands on his chest.

"You're not doing yourself any favours by speaking negativity into the world."

"So, now you're going to tell me that my thoughts will change the outcome? Really?"

"No. What I was going to say is that a man who worries about dying will be as dead as a man who doesn't. There's no point in making it worse right now.
"They can't confirm that you're not going to get the deal, they're telling you what they think - probably preparing you for the worst."

Aden softens up. His hand caresses my cheek.

"You're right - as always."

"More like impartial as always. You do the same for me, so I guess we're even."

"No, I think we're odd."

"Are you kidding me?"

We both laugh at his terrible joke.

"Can we go home? I'm worn out."

"Okay." I acquiesce.

Once we're back in the motel room, Aden showers and goes to bed swiftly. It's not that his affectionate spirit has abated, but his morale and overall energy are too low to tend to me. So, I occupy myself. I come up with the perfect plan for tomorrow. I know he'll be in a better mood when I'm finished with him.

When I wake, I rush to the bathroom to pee. I then brush my teeth and freshen up a bit. My phone tells me it's still a little early to be awake even though the sun is up, so I head back. As I walk back into the bedroom, I feel warmth in my heart.

Aden and morning light pair well. His cheek is plumped up as his head rests on the white pillow. His hair is spread down and around his shoulders. If I'm honest with myself, this is what I'm here for.

I know I love him and yet, I feel the words stuck in my throat. It's only in moments like these, where I'm caught off-guard by his beauty, that I'm ready to spell it into the world.

"I love you." I whisper.

A few moments pass as more dust settles on the carpet behind him. Then his eyes flutter open, slowly - waking butterflies, preparing for flight.

"Hi," he rasps, making me smile.

It sounds nothing like him, but I love the sound all the same. I climb into bed and kiss him.

"Good morning."

He yawns into my neck. When he opens his eyes again, all I can think about is being the reason he closes them again - lost in pleasure.

"Oh, it's going to be."

I push his shoulders back onto the bed, so I can climb onto him and straddle his thighs as his hands fly to my hips.

"You're already turned on." I say, watching him breathe fast even though I've done nothing.

He grunts his response, cupping my nape and leading me to his lips.

I moan when a thumb slides across my clitoris. How the hell did he even find it that quick? Was I already turned on too? I move his hand away.

"Not yet, Aden."

I back away from him, hoping he's not going to get annoyed with me. Standing up on the mattress, I take his hand and pull him to the edge of the bed. Then I sit atop him and start making out with him while dry-humping him through his silk boxers.

It's easy to make Aden lose his mind - a bit of biting his bottom lip, running my fingernails over his lower back, and scooting back and forth on his lap does it. When I feel he's sufficiently fired up, I slide off his lap prompting him to extend his arms towards me.

I push them away and go onto my knees, inching his boxers down and whispering.

"I know I'm not ready to be touched, but I think I'm ready to touch you."

"It's alright if you're not."

His throaty voice licks a knot at the base of my pelvis. I release him and am relieved to see that he's probably not too far from orgasm. I've got him right where I want him.

"But it's okay if I am too."

I scratch his thighs as I pull myself up. They relax onto the mattress as I caress the small hairs under his navel, cautiously avoiding his penis. He purrs as my fingers go lower and meet the base of him. He stiffens with anticipation. For that, I go back to addressing the obscure areas of his upper inner thighs. Aden gets restless.

"Princess." he begs. "Please be gentle."
I don't want to make him beg - not today.

"I know. You're quite sensitive. I've got it."

I run a few digits over the hardened skin before daintily gripping his length. He sighs in relief as I spit on my hand and slide it up and down the length of him, observing him carefully. His hooded green eyes watch me. I kiss the junction of his stomach and upper thigh. His breathing grows more and more shallow.

I decadently lick the width of his balls. They scrunch up as he throws his head back. I grin. That's all I wanted to see. And when I look up, Aden's conspiratorial smile spurs me on. I take that as a sign that he's ready for me to drive him wild. I spit on my hands again, grab him in both and wring in opposite directions. Aden's entire frame bulks at the sudden friction.

I say his name only for our ears. He finds it harder and harder to not make any noise. I pump harder with one hand while rolling my tongue on the small expanses of him left exposed. I kiss the tip of his penis, slide my tongue down to the little bulb right below the head and keep circling my tongue around it. Aden begins to heave forward.

When I feel the first droplet of cum hit my cheek, I move away, pumping him as fast as I can and licking my lips. He finishes spectacularly. I am more than pleased with my efforts. I launch myself backwards onto my ass to admire my handiwork, wiping my hands on my chest.

Panting with hair sticking to his forehead, Aden's eyes find my smiling ones.

"I have to say, I like what I see." I giggle.

Aden stands up to carry me onto the bed as I pretend to struggle away from him. He lays me down to kiss me smoothly. I never knew a sated man could be this sensual still. I sigh into his lazy smooches.

When I've had enough, I jump off the bed and run into the bathroom squealing for him to leave me alone.

Of course, Aden follows me there. I don't see him because of the shower curtain, but I hear him brush his teeth and laugh.

"Now that is what I call a surprise party."

"That's not even the real surprise, Arrington."

"Are you turning back into a porn star then?"

I open the curtain enough to spray him with water. Aden sneers, retreating into the safety of the bedroom. We finish getting ready and head out for breakfast. Obviously, Aden is bad at the very things he likes to tease me for, so I don't even flinch when he asks where we're going.

"You should really learn to lead by example. Define a surprise again?"

First, we hit up the nearest flea market. It takes a while to find what I'm looking for. But eventually we find some mic-stands, old mixer amplifiers, speakers with their respective transformers, microphones and even compression drivers. Aden is stunned that I even know one of those things - let alone all. Little does he know that a few hours ago, I had no clue what they were.

As I'm moving back into Aden's arms while he laughs at my conceded expression, a woman attempts to squeeze between the two tables I'm passing in the middle of. It's when she bumps my hip that I hear a piercing sound. My shins instantaneously tingle in a very familiar way. I look at Aden's shocked face, but when I blink, it's black and shadows are dancing around me.