Chapter 261

The trip to Michigan was bittersweet for Pearl. She wanted to show Erik around the town she had lived in for so many years but there were so many memories there that hurt. The bookshop. The house with Rhys. Her tiny apartment after her divorce. Her company.

Jim, along with a second car with four security guards, drove them to the Hilton hotel in town on which they were staying for a couple of days.

Erik pulled her to him as they walked through the suite door. "I love you. I can't wait to see your town." He said, smiling and kissing her. "Where are we off to first?" He asked. She decided to take him to the brewery for dinner. John, Janie, Tony and Dylan were meeting them. They all still lived in the area. Pearl didn't think Dylan would ever consider moving. Tony also. John and Janie had been looking but still hadn't found anything they could agree on.

The car pulled up and Pearl felt uneasy. "Are you sure it's ok to be out like this?" She asked.

"Of course. We have security with us. We will be fine." Erik said. Pearl nodded. They walked in to the crowded brewery and the entire place turned and looked at them. "Pearl!" One of the bartenders shouted. Everyone smiled and whispered over the music playing. Pearl found

her friends and sat down.

"Well, you can't say you aren't popular now. Look at this place. They all looked like a bomb went off when you both walked in. Hey Erik. Good to see you again." John said, shaking his hand. Erik smiled and sat down. He had on a jacket and button down shirt but no tie. It was his informal, formal look.

"So, I know you are here to relax and enjoy the town but... we have a gig tonight here. Acoustic. Sorry Pearl, I volunteered you. That's why the place is so packed on a Thursday at six." John said, smiling. Pearl looked at Erik, who seemed thrilled about it.

"I can't wait to hear it." He said, smiling.

"Great! We start at seven. Let's eat!" John said. Dylan rolled his eyes and smiled. "I am playing, too. John has had us all." Dylan said. Pearl smiled and shook her head.

"For old time's sake." She said, smiling.

John and Dylan set up their mics and amps, and the crown whispered and clapped as Pearl joined them on the small stage.

The place was at capacity with everyone taking pictures and recording.

"Hello everyone. As I'm sure you know, my name is Pearl. I'm from this area and am traveling through to show my new husband this beautiful town." Pearl said, motioning to Erik. Everyone clapped and cheered as he stood and waved to everyone. "We have been asked to do a few songs for you tonight, and as always, I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity."

John began to strum the first chords of Florence and the Machine's Never Let Me Go.

Pearl sang and the audience listened. It was so much fun for her and John and Dylan to be performing again.

After their set, they bowed and went back to their table.

"You are so unbelievably perfect, my god." Erik said, hugging her, smiling from ear to ear.

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"Tonight was amazing. I had an absolute blast with you and the fellas." Erik said, pouring a glass of whiskey, taking off his jacket and sitting down on a dining room chair. He watched Pearl walk into the room and take off her shoes, looking at her and biting his lower lip.

"I'm glad." Pearl said, walking to him slowly and straddling him on the chair, facing him. His jaw muscles clenched and he looked at her with want. She smiled and leaned in, kissing him and grinding against him.

"You drive me crazy." Erik said, grabbing her hair and pulling her head back, leaning into her and kissing her neck. "What is this power you have over me?" He asked.

"Love." She said, grabbing his belt and opening his pants, grabbing him and making him groan.

She moved her panties to the side and slowly slid down on him, quickly picking up the pace. He grabbed her throat and her hips and moved her body in rhythm with his. She grabbed the table and the back of the chair, grinding harder and faster on him. All of a sudden, a loud cracking sound happened and they both fell to the floor, Erik on his back and Pearl on top of him, one side of the chair legs cracked in half.

"Oh my god are you alright?" Erik asked. Pearl began laughing hysterically on top of him, rolling off of his body and laying on her back, practically cackling at this point.

"We broke the bloody chair. We cracked it in half." Erik said. "In HALF." He let out a big belly laugh.

"Oh my god. We are so going to have to pay for that." Pearl said, in between breaths. Erik stood up, his pants still undone. He reached for her and picked her up, carrying her to the bedroom. "Let's hope the bed is built a little more solidly." He said as Pearl continued laughing.