Zayn smiled when Spencer focused on him.
Spencer swiped his headphones back, uncovering his ears. “How long have you been sitting there?”
Zayn shrugged. “Maybe an hour. I like watching you work. Even though I couldn’t hear the music, I swear I know which songs were playing by the way you move. Very sexy.”
Spencer restarted the audio file, playing his new set from the beginning. Then he turned off his headphones and set them aside so the music filled the room. “Tell me what you think.” As Spencer made the demand, he crossed the room. He straddled Zayn’s lap so he could watch the emotions cross Zayn’s features while he listened. After three seconds passed, he decided he would rather taste Zayn’s lips. They were too tempting to resist. When Spencer claimed Zayn’s mouth, he tasted love. It was crazy that he had never been in love before Zayn, but he recognized it so easily. Spencer wanted Zayn to himself.
“Where is everyone?”
Zayn kissed Spencer’s cheek. “Rocky is working. Jinx ran to his apartment to grab some things. Then he plans to pick out his bedroom. Mom went home two hours ago.”
Spencer couldn’t stop swiping kisses every time Zayn paused. Zayn was too irresistible. “Does that mean I have you to myself?”
“It does.”
Spencer urged Zayn onto his side so they could cuddle. “Good. I vote we hide here for a while and snuggle.”
He felt Zayn smile against his throat. Zayn’s lips skimmed his neck. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
Zayn held him tighter. “For being you. You talked to my mom and you’ve been taking care of Jinx for years. No doubt Rocky has tried intimidating you, but you don’t show it. I love you. I never dreamed I could be this lucky.”
Spencer massaged Zayn’s side, dipping beneath his shirt so he could hold on to bare skin. “Don’t thank me for doing the bare minimum. You’re easy to love and I’m stubborn. I’m pretty sure I’ll find some unique ways to fuck up.”
He felt Zayn shrug. “Maybe I will too, but I think I was meant to meet you. So I’m not worried. This was written in the stars.”
A smile tugged at Spencer’s lips as his eyes slipped closed. He savored the sensation of Zayn in his arms while his music filled the air. The moment felt like magic. In his years of spinning tunes, he felt like he had brought a lot of joy to people. He was positive music made the world brighter. Spencer hadn’t thought he needed more. Now, while holding Zayn, Spencer saw there were more ways to brighten his world. He had been missing a whole chunk of himself and hadn’t known it. Until he met Zayn, Spencer hadn’t realized there was another half of him out there. Now he would go to any lengths to hold on to this. Spencer had a new type of music to fill his soul. He had love.
Ten
Four months without his mom hadn’t eased the tightness in Jinx’s chest. Sometimes he wondered if he would ever feel normal again. He didn’t know what would have become of him if not for Zayn taking him in. It wasn’t that Jinx couldn’t afford to live on his own. Spencer had always paid him well. It was a mental thing. Jinx didn’t know if he could have lived alone with himself these past few months. Maybe he would have gone insane. Instead, there was always someone there, keeping him distracted. Hana mothered him. Zayn and Spencer were like brothers. Rocky... Jinx didn’t know how to finish that thought.
Jinx’s gaze slid Rocky’s way. This was the first time Rocky had attended a rave with them. He told himself it was Spencer’s talent combined with the sweet offer of being behind the scenes of one of Spencer’s shows that brought Rocky here. After all, only the most elite guests were allowed to sit in the back of their box truck at the edge of the stage. It was prime seating at such a wild event. Only Jinx, Rocky, and Hudson were inside the truck with the best view. Since Rocky could watch Spencer do his thing while practicing at the house, Jinx wasn’t sure that theory held water. Jinx wondered if Rocky was there because Spencer had decided he wanted Zayn on stage with him tonight, helping him with the new set. Rocky wasn’t really a bodyguard as much as he was in charge of keeping Spencer’s property secure. So Jinx didn’t know if that explanation made sense either. Plus, Spencer and Hudson already had security surrounding the stage and truck, keeping them safe.
Hudson’s hand slid up Jinx’s spine. His lips touched the shell of Jinx’s ear. “What are you doing after this?”
Jinx tried to keep his eyes from turning Rocky’s way. He usually spent half the night playing video games and talking to Rocky. That was on normal nights, though. They would already be awake until nearly dawn by being here. “I’m not sure. Probably nothing.”
Jinx swore Rocky watched them from the corner of his eye. He looked stiffer than usual.
On the sly, Hudson lightly kissed the spot beneath Jinx’s ear. “You should hang out with me again.”
“I’ll think about it.” Fuck. Jinx had never been more torn. On one hand, he already knew Hudson would rock his world. On the other... Jinx’s gaze slid Rocky’s way. Damn. There was something about Rocky. Butterflies stirred in Jinx’s stomach when they were together.
Hudson winked as he jumped from the back of the truck and headed into the crowd. Jinx tried not to stare. He was well aware that Hudson chose him. Hudson could point to anyone at the rave and crook his finger. They would be bent over in a heartbeat. Yet Hudson picked him. Rocky probably never would. He got that Rocky was older than him and likely was only nice to Jinx because of Spencer. Jinx would be dumb as hell to pass on a night with Hudson, only to go unnoticed by Rocky. Nothing in his head made sense anymore.
“That guy seems to know you really well.”
Jinx blinked. Rocky sounded harsher than Jinx had ever heard him sound. He didn’t know what to think.
“Yeah. He hires us three to four times a year to do these raves. Nine times out of ten, he hangs out in the truck with me. I guess the partying bores him.”
Rocky let out a bark of humorless-sounding laughter. “Yeah. I’m sure that’s why.”
Jinx stared at Rocky’s profile, willing Rocky to look his way. “Do you have something to say?”
Rocky finally turned away from watching Spencer and Zayn. His features were hard until he focused on Jinx. Then his eyes softened. The breath caught in the back of Jinx’s throat. Rocky shook his head. “You’re so very young.”
A spike of unexpected irritation raced through Jinx. “Maybe compared to you, old man, but I’ve been taking care of myself and everyone around me since I was twelve. So if I want to hang out with rock stars, I will. I’m not so young and dumb as to think anyone wants more than sex from me, if that’s why you’re shaking your head at me. I’m not stupid enough to think Hudson fucking Vincent will drop to one knee and ask anyone to marry him, much less a nobody like me.” Jinx honestly didn’t know why he was angry or what made him snap. Maybe he was a little pissed off that Rocky didn’t see him as anything more than a kid brother. Fuck. This was doomed. He wouldn’t keep seeking Rocky’s company each night. Jinx had turned into a goddamn idiot.
“He’d be lucky to have you.”
Confusion shook Jinx at Rocky’s firmly spoken claim. They stared at each other. Neither of them spoke. Rocky took a step closer. Jinx’s heart beat a little faster, making it harder to breathe.
“I hate to interrupt this blazing good time, but I want everyone to look at my sexy man, Zayn.”
As Spencer’s voice filled the speakers and the music lowered, Rocky turned away. Jinx swallowed. His gaze slid toward the stage. Spencer was motioning toward Zayn, showing him off like a showcase girl on a game show. He walked a circle around Zayn, as if eyeing a prize.
“Isn’t he a beauty?”
Loud whistling came from every direction. Zayn looked like he fought the urge to cover his face.
Spencer was in rare form tonight. He always did his best performances when he was like this. Jinx’s eyes widened as Spencer dropped to one knee.
A sexy chuckle rumbled from Rocky.
Jinx’s gaze turned his way. His b
reath caught. Rocky was smiling. He was breathtaking.
“What do you say, Zayn? Do you want to stay on this ride with me forever?”
With his hands covering his mouth, Zayn nodded. Even with soundproofing surrounding them, the cheers were deafening as the adorable couple kissed. Jinx smiled and clapped, but a hollow pit opened in his gut. Life was passing him by while he stayed stuck in mourning. He knew his mom would want him to live his life and be happy. Jinx just couldn’t shake this cloud that choked him. He fought the urge to look Rocky’s way again. Maybe he was wasting his time here. Hudson was a perfectly good option. He didn’t look at Jinx and see a child. Jinx was twenty-five, for fuck’s sake. This entire situation was ridiculous. He would stay and let Hudson fuck him out of this dark mood. Rocky didn’t want him. One dick was as good as another.
People milled around, finding their tents and yelling their congratulations. Zayn floated in a daze of disbelief. The past several months had been some of the craziest and happiest in his life. He had gone from spending ninety-seven percent of his time alone to having a house filled with people and love. It had been amazing. Never in a million years had Zayn expected Spencer would want to get married. Much less that he would be the one to ask... in front of hundreds of people, no less. Zayn couldn’t stop smiling.
They lingered outside Zayn’s Hummer. Spencer looked every bit as stunned and happy as Zayn. Spencer glanced over his shoulder at the vehicle. “I’m having a bit of déjà vu. Haven’t we been here before?”
A hum rose in Zayn’s throat. “Damn. That was an incredible night.” He held Spencer’s stare. “I think this one has it beat already, though.” Zayn couldn’t stop smiling. “I still can’t believe we’re engaged. You’re amazing.”
“Am I?” Spencer asked the question so nonchalantly—like he genuinely couldn’t see what Zayn did. “Or am I mediocre and your love blinds you to it?”
Zayn took a step forward. Their bodies collided with Spencer pinned against the Hummer. “I love you more than life, but that doesn’t blind me to shit. You’re amazing.”
Spencer’s stare turned sultry, making Zayn’s mouth go dry. “You’re so fucking sexy when you get bossy. Obviously, I always find you hot, but this side of you... damn.”
“We should go home.”
Spencer’s expression turned wicked. “I mean, yeah. We could, but also...” Spencer tilted his head toward the back of the vehicle.
Zayn found his gaze dropping to Spencer’s mouth. He knew exactly what it could do. In his mind, Spencer already had those sexy lips wrapped around Zayn’s cock. “You should get in.” Even Zayn heard the growl to his voice.
While Spencer scurried to do as Zayn demanded, Zayn headed for the back to turn the seats into a bed. It was by no means comfortable, but they wouldn’t notice in a minute. If Zayn knew nothing else, he knew Spencer could transport him to another plane with only a look.
As he folded down the seats, Zayn caught another glimpse of his engagement ring. His breath caught. Zayn hadn’t known this much happiness existed in the world. He stopped to catch his breath.
“Are you okay?”
At Spencer’s quietly spoken question, Zayn lifted his chin and met Spencer’s gaze. An overwhelming sense of coming home washed over him. “I’m perfect.”
As Spencer crawled between the front seats and joined him in the back, Zayn recognized how true his answer had been. Life was absolutely flawless. There was no place else he would rather be or anyone else he would rather be with. His life was one hundred percent perfect. Zayn knew in his heart, as long as he was with Spencer, their lives would always be like this. This was forever for them. He couldn’t ask for a better life.
Keep an out for the next Candied Crush, Beautifully Torn.
If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review on the site where it was purchased. Reviews really help drive more interest toward my books, which allows me to keep writing. Thank you, Charity.
About the Author
Charity Parkerson is an award-winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.
*Eight-time Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2015 Passionate Plume Award Finalist
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
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Beautifully Spun Page 10
