MARRYING THE ROCKSTAR (#3 ROCKSTAR SERIES)

♪ nine ♪

Days passed, my questions didn't subside, but I ignored them. Leo was busy in his studio while I researched, typed mock-up articles, and made the effort to look up ideas for the wedding.

I'd never given it much thought before, and perusing Pinterest for hours on end only gave me too many ideas, instead of narrowing them down. Blush themes or dark, gothic vibes? Outdoor venues or indoor locations? Chicken or beef for the menu?

I ended up with dozens of mood-boards loaded with color schemes, dress pictures, tuxes, flower patterns, and links to lists of how to plan your wedding. For weeks, I ate, drank, slept, breathed wedding stuff. And I found that a great deal of my fashion article research was turning into searches on celebrities who got married and shared their wedding publicly.

I was considering contacting Sapphire to ask her who she knew who'd gotten married recently, when Leo surprised me by sneaking into the room and setting his warm hands on my shoulders.

"Ah, glad to see you're taking it all seriously," he said, as he lowered over my shoulder to see what I was looking up.

On my computer screen was an article about wedding preparation steps, and I'd been taking notes. I placed a peck on his cheek, his stubble tickling my lips. "I told you I would, I just needed some time."

I doubted he'd meant to, but he'd ended up giving me much more time than planned. Nearly a month had passed since his proposal, and he'd been so loaded with work in the studio, wrapping up songs and writing new ones and setting up collaborations with contacts he made at the engagement party.

Which meant he didn't have a chance to bother me about things I'd never considered before.

"Well, I have another idea for you, if you're able to listen," he said, sitting on the bed, tapping it so I'd join him.

I hesitated; since our wild, angry sex night we hadn't been very active, and I knew we were both craving another round. But that session had taken much out of me, surprised me in ways I hadn't been prepared for. Good ways, bad ways...ways that made me overthink a lot. Doubt a lot.

I didn't want to doubt.

I turned in my chair and crossed my arms. "What idea? For the wedding?"

"No," he said, patting the space again more insistently, "for your career."

That prompted me to go sit by him, to take a deep breath to brace myself for whatever celebrity friend he was about to offer up for me to interview.

"I kind of made an executive decision, here," he winced, "so please, forgive me in advance. I bought you your own office studio."

"Office studio?" I cocked my head. "So...a place to work?" I gestured at my desk, my computer, my space. "I have everything I need here. That wasn't necessary."

"Yeah, well, this would be bigger, spacious. Meant for you. Isolating, inspiring...whatever you need it to be. It's set up for long, uninterrupted writing sessions. There's an area for photo-shoots, closets for clothes and accessories...even space for you to nap and unwind and shower if it's been that kind of a day. Almost like an apartment, but more geared towards work." He placed his hand on my knee, warmth shooting through me. "So you can concentrate better."

This space had sufficed for me so far. I kept the door closed, and no one interrupted—Leo's staff didn't bother me. And if the music from the basement ever got too loud—it rarely did—I had headphones to put on. Not that Leo's music ever distracted me to the point of losing focus.

"This works fine for me, Leo, I mean it. You didn't have to do that."

"Well, I did." He squeezed my leg. "There's little natural light in here, and noise from the street, and noise from me. And I myself am a bit distracting, too," he smirked, "so I figured...maybe you needed somewhere you could isolate. The distance might help you. I know you've been struggling with inspiration lately."