Forever My Girl (The Beaumont Series)

everything right.  I don’t want to be misquoted,” I lie through my teeth.
    “I hear that Mr. Page. Where do you want it?”
    I want it in my bedroom, but that’s just not an option. Over by the balcony is where we are going to eat, but I don’t want room service to know that. I have no doubt Michael is going to gossip when he gets back down downstairs.
    “We’ll eat at the table,” I say. He nods and pushes the cart over there, unloading and setting the table. I look at my watch, counting the seconds as they go by. He seems to be moving extremely slow. She’s going to show up any moment.
    “I put the extra bottle of champagne in your refrigerator, sir.”
    “Thank you, Michael.” I hand him his tip and he’s out the door. I breathe a sigh of relief. Now I just need Josie.
    A soft knock sends me running to the door. I look down at what I’m wearing and bang my head against my fist. I should’ve changed. We're having a nice dinner and I’m showing up in jeans and a t-shirt. I open the door, my breathing stops. Standing before me is my girl. Her hair is up in a bun, a few strands hanging down all around her head. She’s wearing a red v-neck dress that is showing me every curve that I remember and some new ones that I think I need to learn. Her dress stops at her knees and is quickly met by black knee-high boots. An image of me on my knees with the zipper in my mouth flashes before my eyes. Definitely something I want to try… with her… someday.
    “God, Jojo. You’re beautiful.”         
    She blushes and runs her hands down the front of her dress. Moving aside to let her in, I inhale deeply when she passes so I can take in her scent. Pure flowers, very Josie. When she walks by my eyes feast on her backside, I swallow hard.
    I slam the door causing her to jump. When she turns her blush hasn’t subsided and I hope it’s because I do that to her and not because she’s having second thoughts about being up in my room.
    “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    “It’s fine. I’m just a little jumpy today.”
    I understand the nerves. I’ve had them all day. I guide her into the living room area. Her eyes go wide when she sees the view from the glass wall.
    “Wow, Liam this is…” she steps over to the wall, leaving me standing here and giving me the opportunity to watch her take in the bright lights of Los Angeles. She shakes her head, her hand covers her mouth.
    “What’s wrong?” I ask, keeping my distance.
    “I can see why you left me. It’s beautiful.”
    “It’s pretty spectacular at night when it’s like this, during the day, not so much.” I come up behind her and place my hand gently on her hip. “Look over there.” I point to where the spotlights are lighting up the sky. “That’s a movie premiere. There are probably a couple thousand screaming fans down there right now.”
    “Have you ever been?” she asks. She closes her eyes and leans her head my shoulder. I have to remind myself to be a good boy.
    “I have. It’s an experience.” I hold her like this for a moment, wishing it could be all night. “Josie, what you said, about me, leaving you for this. It’s not like that. I wanted you with me every minute of every day, but I didn’t think you’d come.”
    She doesn’t reply and does the unthinkable and turns away from me to look around the room. She touches my Grammys, my gold records and the album covers I have on the wall.
    “You’ve done really well for yourself.”
    “I was determined. I had a lot to prove.”
    “To who?”
    “Me, mostly.” I bring her toward the table, pulling a chair out for her. She sits and I push it in slightly. She pulls her napkin to her lap while I pour glasses of champagne. “Sorry I didn’t dress up. This is my usual attire until I’m at one of those events.” I motion to the window.
    “Do you go often?”
    I pull the covers off our food and sit down. “It depends on what I have going on. If I have a new album coming out, yes I go. It’s free publicity and I’ll be able to push the release date or talk about the single playing on the radio. I’ve had to go a few times because I, well actually my band, have contributed to a soundtrack.”
    Josie is quiet for a few minutes. She focuses on her food and I wonder if I said something wrong. I hope that I didn’t, but she has to see how different my life is here over what we would’ve had in Beaumont.
    “Can I ask you a question?”
    “Of