He smiled. “It’s the best time. I didn’t want to get into who you’ve slept with before we had sex. Definite mood killer. But now I couldn’t get it up again to save my life, so I’d say the timing’s perfect.”
She laughed and slid to his side. He wrapped an arm around her and hugged her close until her head rested atop his shoulder.
“I was just going to say that we could not use condoms if you preferred not to. I know some guys don’t like them.”
He danced his fingertips over her arms as he considered what she’d said.
“I suppose there are guys who don’t use them. I’ve never been one of them. Sex is great but it doesn’t seem worth the risk, especially in the beginning of a relationship, where you may not know a lot about your partner’s past.”
She swallowed as she measured how to bring up her past. “I’m no saint. I’m sure you’ve gathered that much. I was determined that Danny wouldn’t control my sexuality for the rest of my life, but maybe I’ve been fooling myself. It seems everything I do is a direct result of his impact, so in fact, maybe he still has far more control than I’d ever admit to.”
“Makes sense.”
“I haven’t slept with anyone in a while,” she admitted. “I did sleep with R.J. and Trent. At the same time. I’ve slept with others. Being alone—truly intimate—with a man always freaked me out. But I could do meaningless sex.”
“You don’t have to justify yourself or explain yourself to me, Lyric,” Connor said gently. “I’ve slept with my share of women. Not at the same time, mind you. I leave that sort of thing to my friends. What’s past is past. It’s the future I’m more concerned about.”
“I know. But I wanted you to know that I’m on birth control and that I’m safe. I mean, I always insisted on condoms. That doesn’t make me miraculously safe, but I’ve always been careful and I have regular checkups and tests. I even made R.J. and Trent both have thorough checkups before I’d allow them in my bed.”
He squeezed her to him. “I’m glad. I’ll be even happier if I’m the only man in your bed from now on.”
She stopped breathing for a moment as his words settled over her. He couldn’t mean what she thought he meant. Or did he? It sounded so . . . permanent. Permanent was for women like Faith. Wholesome. Girl next door. Women like her screamed commitment and happily ever after. She was the kind of woman a man brought home to his family.
Oh God, Connor was bringing her home to his family today.
“Tell you what,” Connor said casually. “Why don’t we go have checkups together? We’ll get everything out in the open so there aren’t any surprises. We’ll find out together that we’re perfectly healthy and able to start something new and lasting. Then we’ll burn the box of condoms and have hot, sweaty sex and I’ll get you all sticky and then you’ll complain about the fact we aren’t using condoms anymore.”
Her body shook with laughter and she swatted playfully at his chest. “You’re a nut. But yeah. That sounds great. Let’s make an appointment.”
He raised his head and she turned to meet his kiss.
“It’ll be one of the many things I plan for us to be doing together from now on,” he murmured.
CHAPTER 30
“Holy hell in a bucket,” Connor muttered when they turned down the street where the music store was located. “Is this normal?”
Lyric surveyed the cordoned-off street, the throng of people outside the store, at least three police cars and a slew of people carrying cameras. With a puzzled look she shook her head. “No. I mean, I draw a crowd, but it’s never like this. Are you sure nothing else is going on?”
“You’re it, babe. I’m damn glad Kane went ahead of us to set up his team. This is going to be a fucking nightmare.”
She clasped her hands nervously in her lap as they glided to a stop. They were immediately besieged by people shoving their way to the car, cameras flashing, microphones shoved forward. She blinked in bewilderment and Connor swore.
“Drive,” he barked at the driver. “Make the block, circle. Do something. We’ll have to come in a different way. No way I’m letting her out in this.”
Connor snatched up his cell phone as the driver pulled away. “Kane, what the hell is going on out there? Where are you? I can’t let Lyric out in that.”
Lyric only half paid attention as she stared back at the mass of people.
“Okay, we’ll wait fifteen minutes, then circle around to the back. Be waiting and make damn sure the scene is secure. I don’t like this, Kane. I don’t like it at all.”
Connor hung up and reached for Lyric’s hand. “Don’t worry, baby, okay? I’ll cancel the damn thing before I let you go into an unsafe situation.”
She smiled. “I’ll be fine, Connor. It’s a part of the job.”
He scowled but didn’t comment further.
Several long minutes later, they traveled down the alley. Two police cars had blocked off the street and had secured an entryway for Lyric into the store.
“When we stop I want you out and into the store, no delays. Don’t stop for anything, okay?” Connor said. “I’ll be with you the whole way.”
She nodded as the car pulled to a stop. As he’d directed, she bolted from the car, he right behind her. Kane was at the door holding it open for her as he spoke into a receiver close to his mouth.
Once inside the store, she breathed a sigh of relief until she remembered the horde of people out front waiting to come in. She hoped to hell the store was prepared for the onslaught. A tall, blond woman strode briskly toward Lyric, her hand outstretched. Lyric recognized her. Sort of. She just couldn’t remember where she’d seen her before.
“Ms. Jones. Leslie Burke from Cosmic Records. I’ll be here to make sure things go smoothly for you today. I’ve already spoken with the store management and everything looks great. You’ve got quite a crowd out front but we have plenty of security.”
“We’re working in cooperation with the police officers here,” Kane interjected. “We’re only allowing so many in the store at one time and the press won’t be allowed in at any time. It’s solely your choice whether you want to go out and address them or answer questions, but only fans will be allowed inside for the meet and greet.”
Lyric pondered for a moment and then glanced at Leslie whose expression said she was willing to let Lyric make the call. “That sounds reasonable. Maybe it will keep the reporters from doing anything stupid if you tell them I’ll make a brief appearance after I’ve met with fans.”
Kane nodded. “I’ll let them know.”