Here With You (A Laurel Heights Novel) - By Kate Perry Page 0,29

I've always believed in you and your talent."

He wanted to take her hand again. He wanted to confess everything that was filling his heart right in that moment. He wanted to tell her he'd been a fool to leave her for so long, and that her absence had left a big gaping hole in his world.

"A good friend of mine is in the audience tonight," a voice cut over the music. "Maybe he'll come up and play with us?"

Grif looked up to see Trey looking at him questioningly.

Nicole nudged him. "Go. It's what we're here for."

No, tonight was about being with Nicole. But the way she looked at him, like she wanted him so desperately to sing, got to him. He nodded, taking his cap off and running a hand over his hair.

There was a collective shocked gasp from the crowd, and then Trey announced, "Give it up for Griffin Chase."

A rousing round of applause filled the room, but he only saw Nicole's pleased smile. He kissed her cheek, unable to help it, and then joined the band on stage, accepting the guitar Trey handed him.

He took the instrument respectfully, giving it the due it deserved. He slipped the strap over his head, took a moment to tune it, and then smiled at the audience.

They smiled back, excited and eager.

Something in his chest shifted. He truly did love seeing the happiness in the faces when they listened to him.

Then he looked at Nicole.

She sat on the edge of her seat, her beautiful eyes wide and full of belief in him. She smiled and nodded in encouragement.

He returned his attention to the crowd, his fingers strumming idly, getting the feel of the guitar. "I wrote this song for my best friend a long time ago," he said, launching into Lost.

The band took a second and then jumped in, playing along expertly. He sang the words directly to Nicole, seeing the shock in her eyes. The song ended, and they launched right into the Beatles, followed by the Rolling Stones.

He winked at Trey and lifted the guitar strap over his head. Trey leaned into the microphone and said, "Griffin Chase, everybody."

The applause was loud. Waving his thanks, Grif headed back to Nicole. The band began singing their next song as he made his way through the crowd. He paused to acknowledge fans, but he only had eyes for her.

When he finally reached her, he held out his hand. "Dance with me."

For a second, he didn't think she was going to accept his invitation, but then she put her hand in his and slid off the stool. He led her to the dance floor and whirled her into his arms.

She nestled into him, raising her mouth to whisper in his ear. "Were you serious? You wrote that song for me?"

He touched the corner of her mouth, trying hard to resist kissing her. "It was my first big hit. I was playing with some band that broke up years ago, and I was homesick, and I missed you. The song came to me in a wave. You've always been my inspiration, Nicole."

They swayed slowly to the music. At first, she didn't say anything, but then she said, "You still have the arrowhead."

"I never take it off."

Her lips pursed into a frown. "You don't have to say things like that just to score points."

"I'm not." He gazed into her eyes so she could see the truth in his.

She rested her head against his shoulder. "We can't do this."

"Why not?"

"You're going to leave."

"I'm here with you now. Besides, won't it be better that way? You don't like to be trapped by any one thing. This is good for both of us. You don't have to worry about me wanting more."

"And you?"

He got to love her, even if it was for entirely too short. He pulled her close, so there was no question that he was aroused. "What do you think?"

She gazed at him. He slowed down their dance, pulling her flush against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, shimmying sexily against him.

He ran his hand up her side, resting just below the swell of her breasts. His grip tightened of its own volition.

She licked her lips, lifting her face. It was the most natural thing in the world to lower his mouth to hers and kiss her.

Chapter Thirteen

Nicole saw the kiss coming and did nothing to stop it.

She didn't want to.

She didn't want to think about it either. She closed her eyes and just