Page 78 of Indescribable Love

Ducking her head a bit, she smiled before looking up at him. “Hi.”

There were so many things he wanted to say—needed to say—but ultimately, he needed to kiss her first. Reaching up, he cupped her face and claimed her lips with his and everything in him relaxed. His girl was here and everything was going to be alright.

She kissed him back with equal passion, gripping the front of his shirt, and the only flaw in his plan was that they were in the middle of this massive arena, with a small audience who were currently clapping and cheering. While he appreciated the fact that they were happy for him and Juliette, a little privacy would go a long way right now.

Reluctantly, he broke the kiss and smiled down at her. “I really wish we were someplace else right now.”

Licking her lips, she nodded. “Me too.”

Nikki leaned in close. “Lunch is waiting for you both in the dressing room, and Gage has instructions for no one to bother you for the next two hours.” She gave them an overly dramatic wink. “Quick, go! I can’t guarantee that people aren’t going to come over and start congratulating you!”

It wasn’t like he needed the encouragement, but he took it. With Juliette’s hand in his, they raced up the aisle and up the stairs on the side of the stage before making their way to his dressing room. Gage was holding the door open for them and gave Simon a thumbs-up before closing it after them.

The silence in the dressing room was almost deafening, and as much as he wanted to take her back in his arms, he knew he needed to grovel a bit first.

“Juliette, I…”

She pressed one perfectly manicured finger to his lips. “Before you say anything, I want you to know that you don’t need to. That song…that incredibly beautiful song was more than enough.”

Taking her hand, he kissed her palm. “No. It’s not enough,” he said gruffly. “I’ll never forgive myself for the things I said and how I behaved. I don’t even have an excuse for it. In my entire life, I can’t remember being so closed-minded. It’s…it’s…”

“You were hurt,” she said quietly. “You told me you loved me; you trusted me enough to fall in love with me, and you thought I’d betrayed you. If it were me, I would have reacted the same way.”

It wasn’t funny, but…it was.

Arching a brow at her, he gave her a small smile. “Seriously? If it were you, I think you would have kicked my ass and then burned the place to the ground and never spoken to me again!”

Luckily, she laughed.

“You know what I’m saying. I’m the kind of person who gives everyone the benefit of the doubt and I didn’t with you.” He shook his head. “I’m so ashamed of myself, and I’m so sorry, Juliette. You have to know just how sorry I am.”

She let out a long breath. “The entire situation was extremely volatile and Max knew exactly what he was doing and just how to manipulate us to get what he wanted. He knew all the buttons to push. As much as I wish nothing but bad things on him, he’s kind of a genius.”

“Yeah, an evil one,” he murmured.

“Oh, for sure!” Taking his hand, she led him over to the table that was set with their lunch. “Wow, Nikki outdid herself!” There was a chilled seafood platter and plates with Caesar salad, warm rolls, and a small charcuterie. “I love all of this.”

Simon held out her chair for her and waited until she was comfortable before taking his seat across from her. “I had no idea she was doing this, but I’m really thankful she did.”

“When you first came out on the stage, I didn’t think you knew I was here. You just sort of went on like it was business as usual, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. And just when I was settling in and enjoying the show, you destroyed me with that song. Did you really just write it or was it one of the songs you started back when we were in the mountains?”

“It came to me a few days ago when Jax pulled my sorry ass out of a two-star hotel in Pasadena.”

Frowning, she reached for her roll. “What were you doing in a two-star hotel in Pasadena? I thought you were going back to the house we stayed at in the Hollywood Hills?”

“I couldn’t do it. Too many memories. Plus, I didn’t deserve to be anyplace nice. I was a horrible person and felt like I should stay someplace horrible.”

She smirked. “Was it really horrible, or just…like a clean, basic chain hotel with no room service horrible?”

“Um…”

Reaching across the table, she playfully patted his hand. “Poor baby. No room service and scratchy towels. I wonder who’ll play you in the Lifetime movie.”

Laughing, he shook his head. “Ha, ha. You’re hysterical.”

“Okay, okay, sorry. So Jax found you and he inspired you to write?”

“I wouldn’t say that Jax inspired it,” he said with amusement. “But we talked through a lot of stuff and it got me thinking about what I should have been doing instead of hiding away.”