Author note:

I hope you are all are doing well. Even though I have plenty of time, I have found it hard to be motivated and to focus. I hope this chapter came out the way I intended, and I hope it brings you all a little bit of joy in these crazy times.

64-Mine

They all drove back to the condo. Emma grabbed something quick to eat and went upstairs to get ready. She wouldn't have time to change between rehearsal and the performance, so she put on what she wanted to wear on-stage. It was the outfit she had brought to go dancing in. When she came down to let Clay know she was ready to go, his mouth actually dropped open.

Emma was in her stretch, black, leather leggings, a flowing white off-shoulder top and some strappy high heels. Her hair was done long and wild around her face and her make-up was more dramatic than usual, in order to be seen on stage. She looked incredibly hot and sexy. If they were just going dancing, Clay would have been thrilled to be taking her out to a club looking like that. He would have been able to be next to her all night, enjoying her sensuality and making sure that everyone else knew that she was his. But she was going to be up stage alone with that scumbag, Zach.

They jumped in the car and Vic drove them to the venue. No one else except the band and employees were there yet. As soon as they walked in, Zach called out to Emma from up on stage.

"Emma, babe! Right on time." His face fell when he saw Clay right behind her. "And… you brought…"

"Clay," she supplied.

"Her boyfriend," Clay added. Emma turned to look at him, slightly confused.

"You know, our rehearsals are closed, so you can just wait for her somewhere and come back when doors open."

"Oh…I didn't know…" Emma started. But Clay cut in. "My buddy just dropped us off, so I can't go anywhere. Sorry. I won't be in the way. I'll just wait right here at the bar."

Zach grumbled but Clay ignored him. Before Emma left to go rehearse, he grabbed her hand and pulled her close. He cradled the back of her head with one hand and placed the other low on her hips. Kissing her breathless, he pulled back and murmured, "Break a leg Emmie." Then turned to look towards the stage with a smug grin.

Clay sat down on a bar stool. He pretended to be looking at his phone, but he was keeping an eagle-eye on the stage. Emma walked to the steps and talked to Zach. They were discussing their performance. Beyond just hating the guy because he was creepy and "handsy" with Em, Clay had to admit he was jealous. Music was one of Emma's passions. He always supported her and went to her performances. But…he couldn't participate with her. This guy could. He understood performing and could share that with her in a way Clay never could.

Their conversation continued for a few more minutes and then the music started. They were going to do a cover of, "Meant to Be." Emma was going to sing Bebe Rexha's part. Clay hated to concede that they sounded great together. They ran through parts of the song a few times, working out the melodies, intros etc. So far, it was all business and Clay started to relax.

They started to do a full run-through of the song. Once they got to Emma's part, Zach wrapped an arm around her and slid it down to her hips. Clay gritted his teeth grimaced. This guy was pushing it too far. He knew Emma was with Clay, and he did this right in front of him anyway. He must have had a death wish. Clay was trying to figure out how to put this guy in his place without screwing up things for Emma.

After they were finished with the song, they called rehearsal and were going backstage until the doors opened in ½ an hour. Clay walked over to the stage and lifted Emma down.

"You sounded great Em."

"Thanks! I'm really excited about this."

"Uh…do you think you should maybe let Zach know that he needs to back off a little?"

"Back-off?"

"Yea. He was being a little 'familiar' with you there."

"I don't think he means anything by it. He knows that you're my boyfriend. It's just part of the performance. He said we really have to sell it."

"Um, okay. Just take care and let me know if he does anything that makes you uncomfortable."

"I will honey. Clay, are you…jealous?"

He held her tighter against him. "Do I need to be?"

"Of course not. I love you!" She punctuated her statement with a firm kiss.

Zach called out. "Emma, come on back. We need to be backstage until we're ready to perform."

"Coming…"

Before she could walk away, Clay smiled to her and smacked her playfully on her bottom as she stepped out of his embrace.

A few more employees started to filter in. Clay still sat at the bar, keeping an ear open for any activity backstage. As he waited, he heard the conversation going on between the two bartenders stocking the bar.

"He's at it again," one laughed to the other.

"What?"

"Zach. He's working that little singer pretty hard. He spins their heads around about their 'performance,' feeds their egos and then pounces on them after the show." He shook his head and laughed. "He has it down to a science, man." They both chuckled.

Clay was automatically on alert. Surely, Emma wasn't naïve enough to fall for all that. But he didn't know if Zach would take 'No' for an answer. He casually walked over to stand next to the door that led backstage. No way in hell he was going to let anything happen to Emma. As he listened at the door, he didn't hear anything concerning. He weighed his options. Should he just bust in now and risk Emma's anger, or wait it out get Emma away from the asshole as soon as he could? He decided to just stay close and monitor the situation. He texted Vic to let him know what was going on. Vic promised to have his six if he needed any back-up.

The club started filling up. Vic and the girls found their way in front of the stage. When the lights went down and the band came on, Clay moved next to them so Emma would see him front and center. They played almost a full set. Emma stood at the side of the stage waiting for her cue to join them. Finally, Clay recognized the intro to the song. Zach spoke into the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, earlier today we partnered with WRKQ radio on a contest. This talented lady I'm about to bring on stage was our winner. Please welcome Emma Hayes!"

Emma walked out to cheers and whistles. As the two sang, Clay was in awe. She was so beautiful and confident, and her voice was amazing. Just as he was losing himself in their performance, Zach started to grind up on Emma. His eyes went black with rage. He looked at Emma. He could tell she was uncomfortable but was too much of a professional to stop singing.

They finished to thunderous applause. The band stayed on stage to play while Zach followed Emma to the backstage lounge. Clay made eye-contact with Vic, who nodded silently back to him and started to encourage Jeni and Hannah toward the door.

As Clay approached the door to where Emma was, he heard some raised voices.

"What the hell was that Zach?"

"Just part of the show baby. Come on. You need to unwind. Just have a drink and relax."

"No. I don't need a drink; I just want to go."

"Not so soon. I haven't told you how great you did."

Clay waited no longer. He tried the knob and found it locked. Kicking in the door he found that bastard backing Emma up against the couch that was placed across from him.

"What the f…."

Clay grabbed him, twisted his arm behind his back and pressed his face up against the rough concrete wall. "Em… you okay babe?

She took in a few shaky breaths and nodded her head. Once he was assured she was alright, he turned his attention back to the creep in front of him. Zach was squirming and whimpering in his hold. Clay twisted his arm a bit harder. "Does that hurt, you asshole? You want me to let you go?"

Zach nodded frantically, eyes wide with terror. "I'll let you go you mother fucker…then I'm gonna kill you!"

Emma stepped over and laid her hand lightly on Clay's shoulder. He turned to look at her.

"Clay, just let him go."

"What? He can't just…"

"I know that. But you don't need another bar fight on your record."

"Em, this asshole needs to learn his lesson."

"Yea, he does. But I refuse to be the reason you get kicked off Bravo. Please Clay."

"Fine." Clay let go of Zach with a harsh shove.

He grabbed Emma's hand and led her out of the room, through the club and outside. He stopped and cradled her face in his hands. "Emmie, baby…are you okay? Did he hurt you? Are you…"?

Emma cuddled up against him and began to cry. "I'm fine. He…he kissed me, but you came in before he could really do anything."

When Clay heard he had actually forced a kiss on her, he turned to go back inside and pound him into a puddle. But Emma held on to him.

"Clay, please…I'm fine. Just, please…take me home. I just want to go home."

Clay held her tight and pressed kisses to her hair. "Okay, baby. I've got you. We'll go. We'll go home now."

Vic and the girls saw them but stood back to give them their space. Clay nodded to Vic and they approached.

"You okay Emma," Hannah asked.

Emma nodded, but didn't speak. Clay answered instead. "I think she'll be okay Hannah. We need to go back to the condo. And, I think we might need some time alone. Can you guys…"

"Yea, sure. We'll find something to do."

Their ride back to the condo was almost silent. They made it back and Clay followed Emma upstairs. She stood in the middle of their room and tears rolled down her face.

"I'm sorry Clay."

"Sorry?" He rushed over and pulled her into his arms. "What do you have to be sorry about?"

"You tried to warn me…but I didn't want to believe it. I was just so excited about singing and winning that damn contest. How could I be so stupid?"

She lifted her face to look at him and her wide, tear-filled eyes broke his heart. "Em, you have nothing to apologize for. You didn't do anything wrong honey."

She sniffed, lowered her head, and nodded against him. "Clay, I…."

"What Em?"

"I need you. I need to feel you. I need …"

He grasped her jaw gently and turned her face up to his. "Are you sure Em? I can just hold you."

She reached an arm up around his neck and pulled his lips down to hers and kissed him. "I'm sure. I need you."

Clay returned her kiss and slowly began to peel off her clothes. He kissed each patch of skin he revealed. When she was naked, he laid her down on the bed and stripped off his clothes as well.

"You are mine Emmie. Just mine." His tongue swept into her mouth and stroked it against hers. He spoke softly into her ear as his hands swept over her form. "No other man ever gets to touch you like this." He grasped her breast and squeezed gently as he took the other into his mouth and licked at her nipple. "No man ever gets to taste you." Her back arched, pressing her more fully against him.

She shook her head and repeated, "No one but you."

Clay's hand slipped between her legs and worked her clit in tight circles until she was wet and ready for him. Rolling atop her, he slid into her heat and she groaned into his neck. He pumped into her with a steady rhythm as she pulled his mouth down to fuse with hers. He pulled back and she shifted her hands to his ass, trying to pull him deeper into her. She couldn't get close enough.

"And no other man ever gets to know what it feels like to be inside you."

She was almost panting now. "Only you. I only want you."

He lifted her leg to hook it over his shoulder. Now he was hitting her in the perfect spot with each thrust. She slid her hands up his back and dug her fingers into his shoulders.

"God, Clay…I…ahhhhHHH!"

He felt her let go for him. He was so close to following her over that peak. "And no one else…ever, gets to hear the noises you make, or…see how your eyes turn almost black when you come."

His words pushed her over the edge again just as he spilled himself into her. She covered his face with kisses and then buried her head in his neck. "I only ever want you Clay. I love you, only you."

He rolled off her body and pulled her against him. "Mine baby. You're mine." He felt her nod against him. "And I'm yours, I love you, Emmie."

"Mine," she repeated before she closed her eyes and fell asleep in the security of his embrace.