Just for Tonight

12.

She leaned on her elbow and placed her face over his.

"Promise me you'll do what I say" she asked firmly. "and nothing... More".

Ville was surprised, but he promised.

"Open your lips slightly" she asked. Her voice had also become hoarser.

He did as she asked and closed his eyes.

Delicately, she placed her lips on his without pressing. He felt the warmth of her breath between his lips, her minty scent, and shivers ran through his body. She remained still for a moment. Then, gently and slowly, she ran her tongue over his upper and lower lips. Ville felt an electric current run down his spine. His heart raced and pounded in his temples. He felt desire sweep through him. It was so erotic and sweet at the same time.

With infinite gentleness, Chloe's face moved away from his.

"I can deal with that ," she said, with an angelic smile on her face.

" You little deamon ! " he said, breathless. " What was that ? Oh my, Chloe. My sweet and diabolical honey."

" The day we kiss, we lose it, as I told you", she smiled. "I want to be sure of myself, of us."

He faced her and ran his fingers in her hair. "You and me, it's going to be something beautiful, big and hot."

The big-city tour took a new turn. The concerts were so successful that new dates were added. The band adapted as best they could to this crazy pace. Hopefully, they still rested in hotel rooms with big beds, bathrooms and delicious breakfast. Ville and Chloe now spent every night together. They talked late into the night, and often fell asleep without finishing their discussion. These were precious moments for both of them, as they hardly saw each other all day.

That evening, Ville ended his concert with her favorite song. As usual, Chloe was sitting backstage.

He looked at her and winked.

"I dedicate this song to the one who makes my heart beat," he said.

He sang the first words softly.

"I'm in love with you
And it's crushing my heart
All I want is you
To take me into your arms
When love and death embrace
I love you
And you're crushing my heart
I need you
Please, take me into your arms
When love and death embrace
When love and death embrace"

He had never interpreted it so well, and everyone was aware of it. Chloe felt so moved. As the musicians finished the last notes of the song, Ville greeted the audience and joined Chloe. He wrapped her in his arms and whispered: "I love you".

He grabbed her hand and led her outside. They shared a cigarette.

"Ville, the last song....Your voice.. It was so.. Beautiful" she said.

" I don't know how it happened. I felt its meaning deeper in my...soul. I was singing for you and it happened." he smiled.

She began to sing softly
"I'm in love... With you.. And it's crushing my heart... When love and death embrace".

"Since when can you sing ? ," asked Ville, astonished

"Well, I guess, I see you do it night after night and I'm trying to figure out how my voice works when I'm alone." she laughed.

" Can you try again ? Same song." he asked.

She started again, and Ville joined her on the chorus. Their two voices blended harmoniously, Chloe's pure, clear voice and Ville's unique, lower one.

" It's great how well our two voices go together", he noticed.

"Maybe one day, if you get some time off, you'll teach me how to sing properly ?" she asked.

He agreed to her idea with enthousiasm.

"Time to pack our stuff and go back in the bus. Tomorrow, another city" he sighed.

"I feel tired", she said.

He looked at her, worried.

" Maybe this night you'd better sleep alone in the bunk."

She agreed.

The night was uneasy for Ville. He missed her in his arms. Tired and with a huge sleep debt, he tried to picture a new song. He wrote down some ideas about loss, grief, locked hearts and fears. Tears were at the edge of his eyes. He wipped them off. He felt overwhelmed and useless. He had no clue why, but deep inside he was afraid of his relationship with Chloe. Or to be exact, he was afraid of his own feelings. He loved her too hard. He craved for her touch and it was hurtful. And he was scared of making the slightest mistake. He knew he had to be careful. She was so frail and he was the first man she allowed to be so close to her since Ian's tragedy.

"Slow down, Ville" he thought. Migé had told him that the band wasn't supportive about this new relationship. He had noticed Linde's and Burton 's dark looks. He knew why, and he couldn't blame them. They'd been through everything together: addictions, rehab, heartbreak. Every time things had gone wrong, the whole group had suffered. In this situation, if things went wrong, Chloe might leave and he knew that would be hard for everyone.

Gently, he lifted the curtain on Chloe's side. She seemed deeply asleep, without him beside her. He stared at her for a long time before falling into a dreamless sleep.