Page 63 of Beautiful Noise

She laughed and gently shook her head. “You’re not, but in your defense, that man has something so insanely beautifulabout him when he’s on stage. It’s impossible to deny and I’m sure, for you, a painful tragedy to share.”

“I’m not…we’re not…”

“Youareand trust me, I’m rooting for any woman that managed to accomplish the impossible. Ess isn’t thewe’re doing thistype of guy.” She flashed an amused grin. “He’s also very private and no, I don’t know him that well so don’t allow your mind to go on a tangent. I’m aware of what he allows others to know, which was basically nothing,until you.”

She had a very valid point.

“I’m trying to figure this out,” I admitted. This thing with him made no sense at all but also perfect sense at the same time.

“I understand and truthfully you guys are none of my business. I respect people’s personal lives because I want that…” She pointed to Ezren and when I delivered a warning glare she clarified, “Notthatas in him, but the success, the fandom. And when I have it, I also want people to respect my personal life. What I share I share, what I choose to keep private remains private.”

I glanced at the man who obliterated my ability to think and behave logically. Nothing about what I was doing with Ezren was logical but it felt so damn good. “Is privacy a possibility with who he is and who you want to be?”

“Complete privacy? No, but it is somewhat possible to have the semblance of it.However,that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to ask about your poems…”

I frowned hard. “You know who I am?”

“The world knows who you are,Bleu. I have to admit though, I wasn’t aware until the clips of you on stage at SipLicity began circulating and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I can probably recite most of them by heart. Your words are beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

She grinned. “You’re still getting used to all this, aren’t you?” When my brows pinched slightly, she added, “The recognition.”

“Yeah I am. I liked it better when no one knew who I was.”

“I can understand that too.”

“Can you? You want the recognition.”

She shrugged lazily. “I do because the fandom means I matter, that my songs are reaching the masses and they love and respect my talent, but I can’t fully say I’m prepared to have the simple things no longer be simple. I live for Saturday mornings at a quiet, little coffee shop enjoying the moment without having to be mindful of who the world believes me to be. How tragic would it be to no longer be able to enjoy random midnight trips to grab a burger and milkshake because my cravings got the best of me? The fandom is a catch twenty-two but one I’m prepared to embrace.”

I nodded just as Ezren finished his last song and began addressing the crowd. I felt a rush, knowing he would be all mine soon. No more high-pitched screaming voices and lustful eyes from adoring fans.

“So would you consider it….”

I had been so caught up in watching Ezren I hadn’t realized Leijah was still talking until I heard her voice and swung my eyes back in her direction to be met with an amused grin once more. She looked slightly to the left, toward the stage and her smile expanded. “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”

“No, sorry.”

“I was asking if you ever thought about songwriting, and if you had, would you consider writing for me?”

“I don’t write songs, I write…”

“Beautiful lyrics that are soulful, deep, and engaging. It’s pretty much the same and I really need a songwriter. Clay has been trying to lock one down, he even asked Ezren, but herefused because he only writes for himself. I’m new and none of the greats want to waste their songs on me…”

“It wouldn’t be a waste.”

“No, it wouldn’t, but they don’t know what I’m capable of or how amazing I already am. They don’t want the risk of having their lyrics attached to a newbie. Once I prove myself, and Iwillprove myself…” She spoke with confidence. “They’ll be lining up to work with me. But for now, I need help, I need songs, and I really love the way you weave words together.”

I wasn’t a songwriter but I would surely try. Maybe being here tonight was the universes’ way of gently nudging me toward something new. Encouraging me to think outside the box and presenting an option where I could make money doing something I love.Yes, I’ll give it a trywas on the tip of my tongue. However, before the words left my mouth, a familiar set of lips covered mine. I smiled into the kiss, leaning into the warmth of his body, hard muscles, and alluring scent.

When he pulled back and dropped his forehead to mine, and I was blessed with hooded eyes and a lazy smile, my heart exploded.

“Well…”

“Well, what?”

“You just watched me perform. Tell me how I compare to your girl.”