Holding Out For Skye (22 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Ash’d taken her to one of the poshest restaurants in town—
Elegance
. The name suited it, Kiera thought. It was absolutely elegant both inside and outside.

The restaurant gave off a quietly sophisticated
air
. The lights were golden and slightly dim, giving a feeling of being in a pleasant dome. There were flowers on all the tables, cutlery polished to a shine and beautiful landscapes done in pastel colors on the walls.

“Do you like the restaurant?”

Kiera turned from her awed inspection to Ash. “It’s awesome. But… isn’t it expensive?”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s worth it.
You’re
worth it.”

Ash took her hands in his. A shiver went down her spine at his touch, at his words. He’d asked the waiter to give them some time before ordering.

“Ash—”

“Kiera. Please, let me. I have so much to make up for my actions. I am so sorry.”

“I forgive you.”

“I don’t know if you can ever—what?”

Kiera’s lips curved. “You heard me.”

His green eyes filled with wonder. “You forgive me?”

“Yes. We all make mistakes. It’s not our mistakes that define us but what we do to make up for them.” She squeezed his hand. “And I know you’ve suffered too.”

“It’s been hell without you, Kiera. I’ve missed you so much,” Ash admitted, leaving himself open.

Kiera’s heart skipped a beat at his words. “I’ve missed you, too.”

“Will you give me another chance?”

How could she not? “Yes.”

Ash let out his breath in relief. “Thank you. You won’t regret it.”

“But I want to take it slow,” Kiera elucidated. “No misunderstandings. If we have any doubt on anything at all, we ask each other truthfully before making assumptions.”

“You are right. I won’t make that mistake again,” Ash said humbly.

“We’ll be okay. I heard about how Skye ripped one into you.”

“Ah, yes, the ‘Wrath of Skye’. She was right to be pissed off at me. I deserved it.”

“Count yourself lucky she didn’t punch you.”

“She tried. Cian held her back.”

Kiera’s eyes widened at that. “She
did
?”

“Yeah.” Ash could laugh about it now.

“Wow. Count yourself lucky she didn’t dump milkshake on you then.”

“Come again?”

Kiera told her about how Skye dumped milkshake on Rachel.

Ash’s eyes widened with shock and admiration. “Holy cow.”

Kiera giggled as she remembered Rachel’s milkshake-covered face. “She’s a pistol.”

“That she is.”

They grinned at each other conspiratorially. Where Skye was concerned, the few friends she had, knew just how tough she was. And to what heights she could go to protect the people closest to her.

The night was magical. For both of them, it felt like the first date, the first touch. And yet at the same time, it felt like they’d been together forever. The pain and anger were gone. They understood each other even more clearly than before.

The food was great, yet Kiera couldn’t have sworn to relate what she ate. His company was what mattered most to her. She had missed him
so much.

Ash for his part, considered himself lucky she had given him another chance, that she was here with him. He could feel the eyes of other men wandering in his date’s direction and he wanted to shout to the whole world that she was his. She didn’t know what a rare and beautiful jewel she was.

There was a small garden behind the restaurant where patrons were encouraged to stroll if they wanted to. After their dinner, he suggested a walk through the garden. There were small lamps strategically placed at intervals to light their way and strands of twinkling lights strewn among the trees and plants. The whole garden was as enchanting as in a fairy tale. They encountered a few couples but were otherwise alone.

He took her hand as they walked. Kiera could sense his nervousness and it made her smile, because of course she was nervous, too. Her hand in his felt right, the simple touch sweet. The silence between them felt comfortable somehow. They found an unoccupied bench and at his questioning glance, she nodded her assent and being careful of her dress, they sat down.

The sky was clear and studded with stars here and there. Kiera was filled with enchantment as she looked skyward.

“What are you thinking?”

Kiera turned to see Ash watching her. “Just what a beautiful night it is. And that I’m happy I’m here with you.”

“Me too.” He leaned closer. “God, you’re so beautiful.”

“You’re prejudiced.” A tingle of anticipation whisked up her spine.

“Nope. My vision’s twenty-twenty.” Their lips were only inches away. Their eyes met and the air seemed to quiver with their feelings. “I love you,” Ash murmured and then he kissed her.

A kaleidoscope of colors exploded behind Kiera’s eyes and tingles spread throughout her whole body. His hand cupped her face, his touch as real as the stars above, igniting a light inside of her just as brilliant. Love for him swelled her heart and overwhelmed her.

Ash twined his fingers in her hair, marvelling over the silky feel. His heart thumped hard against his ribs. He wondered how he could ever express to her the intensity of the feelings she arose in him.

When he pulled away, they smiled into each other’s eyes. Kiera could see his feelings for her evident in his bottle-green eyes. He was letting her see how much she meant to him.

“Kiera—” Ash began.

“Shh,” Kiera broke in, pressing a finger against his lips. “I love you, too.”

A sparkle of wonder shone in his eyes. Ash’d never thought she’d give him this gift, that she’d ever say those words to him, not after the hurt he’d caused her.

“I don’t deserve you.”

Kiera shook her head. “I’m not a prize, Ash. I have my own share of faults and mistakes to contend with.”

“To me, you are priceless, faults and all.” Ash pressed a tender kiss on her lips. “What happened to ‘taking it slow’?” he teased.

Merriment danced in Kiera’s eyes. “It’s taking a backseat to wanting to be with you.”

Ash chuckled. “Go steady with me?”

Her lips curved. “Do you even need to ask?”

“I don’t want to make the same mistakes. I don’t want to ever hurt you again.”

“Let’s agree not to hurt each other.”

“Deal.” Ash smiled at her. “So, what do you say?”

“Yes!” Kiera threw her hands around his neck. “I say
yes
!”

His laugh was full of joy as he squeezed her tight. He kissed her again. When they moved apart, he wrapped one arm around her and pressed her against his side. They stared up at the stars, wrapped up in the bubble of their contentment.

A DREAMY SMILE on her face, Kiera let herself into the house. Neither she nor Ash had been willing to put an end to the evening. They’d sat in the garden until almost closing time, talking.

And kissing
, she thought giddily.

Hope lived inside of her again. Love was no longer a heavy burden to bear but a joy as light as the air. Life was such a jumble of surprises! Just last week, she’d been so heartbroken and now, look at her!

A delighted laugh slipped past her lips. Her happiness knew no bounds.

Kiera didn’t know what the future would bring, if she and Ash were meant to be or not but she was willing to see it through. She had faith again, faith in their love.

What their time away from each other had taught her was that this love they had was precious,
he
had shown her it was worth fighting for.

She turned off the porch light that Skye must have left on for her. As she started towards the stairs, she heard the muted sound of the TV coming from the living room. Had Skye fallen asleep watching it?

Kiera peeked into the living room. A startled squeak escaped her lips when she caught sight of the tangled figures asleep on the couch. Cian was lying on his back, his arms wrapped around Skye, who was firmly tucked against him, her legs curled on his and her head on his shoulder.

They looked so perfect together, like they were two halves of a whole. Watching them, Kiera felt like an intruder. She started to back away but she must have made a sound because Cian looked up and squinted at her.

“Oh, hey,” he said groggily.

“Hey. I was just heading to bed.”

“Wait, don’t rush off on my account.” Cian sat up slowly, being careful not to jostle Skye. “I dozed off watching her. She fell asleep on me again. Now that I think of it, she’s always falling asleep on me, you know.”

He smiled at her and Kiera understood he was trying to put her at ease. He must have sensed her awkwardness. She stepped further into the dim room and sat on the arm of the couch.

“I’ll tell you a secret,” Kiera spoke as softly as he was. “It’s because she trusts you.” She smiled at the surprise in his eyes. “She may never admit it, maybe not even to herself, but deep down, she knows she can trust you to watch over her. That you’ll take care of her.”

Cian’s throat closed as emotion rushed through him. It meant a lot to him that Skye trusted him. He looked down at her. She hadn’t stirred at all, he saw, smiling. He inclined his head in gratitude at Kiera. “Thank you for that.”

“You’re welcome. Was she feeling better?”

“Yes, I think so.” Cian brushed a hand tenderly over Skye’s hair. “She loved the chicken soup my mother sent for her and managed to finish off two bowls.”

Kiera laughed softly. “Good. She must have been
famished
.”

They shared a grin at one of Skye’s frequently used words.

“So how was the date?”

“It was okay,” Kiera said nonchalantly.

“That good, eh?” He grinned when she blushed. Cian could clearly see the two lovebirds were back together and he was happy for them. “Daniels’ a lucky man.”

“Thanks, Cian. I’m the lucky one.”

“I’m happy for you two. I should get going. If you could turn off the TV and point me in the direction of her bed, I’ll drop off Sleeping Beauty here and be on my way.”

Kiera gaped at him. “You’re going to
carry
her?”

“Yes. Yes, I would like that very much.” Cian looked at Skye with a tender smile on his face.

“Wow.”

“Directions, please.” Amusement tinged his voice.

“Um, upstairs, second door to the left. Sofa bed.” Kiera watched in amazement as Cian picked up the sleeping Skye in his arms as if she didn’t weigh a thing and headed for the stairs.

Kiera turned off the TV and DVD player and followed after him. At the bedroom, Cian stepped aside to let her open the door and turn the lights on. He strode to the sofa bed and was setting Skye down when she stirred.

“Cian,” she murmured sleepily.

“I’m here, baby.” Cian saw she was still asleep. She sighed when he pressed a kiss on her forehead but didn’t wake up. He tucked the covers around her, then with one last look at her, turned to go.

Kiera locked up after he left, then slowly climbed the stairs to her room. She glanced at Skye. She was sleeping on, soundly. Would take nothing short of a blast to wake her, she knew. Skye adored sleeping.

Memories of her date with Ash came back to her and she felt like she was walking on air. She looked at her feet to check.

Nope, they
were definitely on the ground
, she thought, the dreamy smile back in place.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

The next morning, Skye woke up with a smile on her face. She snuggled deeper in the bed, enveloped in a cozy and warm feeling.

Happy
. She felt happy. Skye opened her eyes, expecting to find Cian lying beside her, his trademark smug smile on his face. She’d let him be smug just this once.

Her mouth drooped in disappointment when she found herself alone in the bed. Make that sofa bed. She was in Kiera’s bedroom, she remembered.
Of course, he wouldn’t
be in bed with her
, Skye thought with mortification.

How the hell had she ended up in bed anyway? The last thing she recalled had been watching
Iron Man 2
with Cian. God, not again. She had fallen asleep
again
. Drat.

Kiera watched the conflicting emotions on Skye’s face with humor. She’d woken up early but had stayed in bed, still basking in the glow from last night.

“He left after I got in last night.”

Skye looked up, startled. “What?” Then in a casual tone, “Who?”

Kiera laughed. “You don’t fool me. You know who I’m talking about.”

“I wasn’t thinking about him anyway.”

“Who? Cian?”

Skye gave her a disgruntled look. “Aren’t you the smart one?”

Kiera rolled her eyes at that. “He carried you up, you know.”

“WHAT?” Skye sat up in shock.
He’d
carried her?
Oh my god.

Kiera giggled at her expected reaction. “Yep. You fell asleep on the poor guy again.”

“I did not!” Skye exclaimed in an affronted voice, though she suspected she had.

“You did.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah. You two were in la-la-land when I got in.”

“He was asleep too?” Skye could feel a blush creeping up her cheeks in embarrassment that Kiera had seen them like that, even as a warm feeling trickled into her heart. She had yet to see him sleeping. She became aware she wanted, very much, to see his sleeping face.

“Yeah, he woke up when he heard me come in. Then he carried you up. Too bad you missed it. Oh, right, you were dead to the world.”

The trickle of warmth turned into a flood. Skye pressed her hands to her flaming cheeks.

“What, no comeback? Wait, are you
blushing
?”

“Shut up,” Skye muttered. Time to turn the tables on her. “How was the big date?”

“It was fine.”

“Oh, just
fine
? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Won’t work with me.”

“Sheesh, you’re becoming tougher than me,” Skye agreed. “He planted a hot one on you again, didn’t he?”

Shoot!
Kiera’s cheeks burned. So much for her calm.

“Gotcha!” Skye chortled.

“Shut up,” Kiera laughed, throwing her pillow at her.

Skye ducked and the pillow hit the wall behind her. “Lame trajectory, Captain.” She giggled. “You owe me details.”

“Geez. Okay. It was great. The restaurant was so posh. So awesome. There was a garden behind it and we went for a walk under the stars. And it was magical. He was terrific. And we’re back together!”

Skye grinned at her enthusiasm. “Wanna see the photos I took of you two last night?”

“What photos?”

“The ones I took while you and Ash were lost in each other’s eyes,” Skye sing-sang.

“Aren’t you the witty one?” Kiera retorted. “Come on, show me.”

“Phone. Where’s my phone?” Skye looked around her.

“Must be downstairs on the couch.”

They looked at each other a moment, then as the same idea occurred to them both, they made a run for the door.

“It’s
my
phone!” Skye yelled.

“They’re
my
photos!” Kiera yelled back as they thundered down the stairs like children, laughing.

They reached the bottom of the stairs simultaneously, but Skye sprinted down the hallway a step ahead to enter the living room before Kiera and managed to get to her phone first.

“Why don’t we sit down on the couch and check them out like adults?”

“Speak for yourself. Gimme.”

“Hold up, Oh Impatient One.” Skye toggled to the pictures on her phone, selected the one she wanted her to see first and handed it over.

Kiera took one look at it and just stared. Skye began to worry when the silence stretched on with no reaction from her. Maybe it hadn’t come out right. Maybe she’d like the other ones she’d taken. She’d been so sure she would love that one best.

The photo was of the moment when Ash had taken Kiera’s hand at the bottom of the stairs.

“You hate it, don’t you? Maybe the other ones will be better.” She started to take back the phone.

“No.” Kiera finally looked up and her eyes were full of wonder. “It’s… I look—” Words failed her.

In the picture, her face glowed with excitement and her eyes seemed to shine with an inner light. Her cheeks were flushed with a rosy tint that no artificial blush could ever attain. And Ash…

Ash looked spellbound.

“Beautiful,” Skye finished for her.

“Yes. It’s absolutely perfect. Thank you. I wouldn’t have thought to take pictures.”

“That’s what I’m here for. See? I’m the best BFF ever!”

“Talk about modesty.”

“Hey! Who got the best photos ever?”

“You did. Let’s look at the others.”

They did. Kiera was amazed at how perfect the photos were. Skye, the camera-shy-my-photo-always-comes-out-horrible paranoiac, had captured the most perfect moments of her life last night. She was definitely saving these photos.

“Thank you, Skye.” Kiera reached out and gave her a one-arm hug.

“You’re welcome.” Skye smiled, glad to see her happy.

“Let’s put them on my laptop before you leave.”

Skye blinked at her. “Eh? Leave? Where am I going?”

“Cian’s coming to pick you up this afternoon.”

“Uh?”

“Yep. So we should go pack your bags.”

“What? Wait, run that by me again.”

“Skye, I’m really grateful you stayed with me when I was so down over Ash. I could never have gotten through that bad time without you. But hon, you can’t put your life on hold for me. I know you. There are millions of other things you could have been doing while you were here with me. You’ve been spending all your time with me, making sure I was okay. You barely even touched your Kindle and we both know neither of us can go long without reading a book. We go into withdrawal. Not to mention I know how much you need your alone time,” Kiera observed wryly.

Skye rolled her eyes at that. “Yeah, I’m the typical hermit. I can do all those million things later. You needed me here.”

“Yes, I did. And I’ll always need you. But I’m doing okay now and you have to get back to your life too. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Skye blew out a breath. She could see Kiera was really going to be okay. “I know. You’re sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“You know I’m only a phone call away.”

“Skye, I know.”

“Alright, alright. That was sneaky, by the way, asking Cian to come get me. You know damn well I can’t get out of
that.
”

“Duly noted.” Kiera smiled smugly.

“And you call yourself
my
BFF. Maybe you should call yourself Cian’s.”

“I’ll take that up to him when he gets here,” Kiera gave her a sunny smile.

“Smart-ass.”

“To deal with you, you betcha!”

IT WAS pouring when Cian pulled up at Kiera’s house in the afternoon. He sat in the car for a moment, feeling helpless. Taking out his phone, he looked at Skye’s picture in it. What would he do if he had to spend his life without her? If he had to go every day without looking at her, talking to her, touching her? He hoped he never found out.

Cian finally grabbed the black umbrella from the backseat and got out of the car. He looked at the sky from under the shelter of his umbrella. The rain was really coming down. Looked like this week was going to be a wet one. He rang the doorbell and waited.

“Cian, I’m sorry I made you come out in this rain,” Kiera apologized as she opened the door. She stepped aside to let him in.

“It’s alright.” Cian quickly entered and closing the umbrella, propped it by the door. “I don’t mind. Besides,” he leaned down and added in a stage whisper, “it actually gives me an excuse to spend more time with Skye.”

“And she gives you so few,” Kiera smiled impishly.

Cian smiled back and looked around. “Where’s the Ice Princess anyway?” The nickname had now become another endearment for Skye.

“She’s in the living room, skyping Crystal.”

Cian stepped into the living room and stopped short. Skye was sitting on the couch, her legs tucked under her, her laptop on the coffee table, laughing at something Crystal must have said. She hadn’t looked up at him yet.

There
she was
.

Then he was striding towards her. Cian bent down only long enough to say hi to Crystal on the screen and then he was scooping Skye up in his arms.

“Hey!” she called out indignantly.

The next thing Skye knew, her mouth got very busy as his covered hers in a searing kiss that had shivers running down her spine. She automatically wrapped her arms around his neck and hung on. There was something in his embrace that tugged at her heart, an intensity that was different from the other times he had kissed her.

When Cian finally pulled back, Skye blinked, unsettled and deeply in love with him. She started to blast him as per her habit, to cover up for how she felt about him, when she really focused on him. She tilted her head slightly to one side. Something wasn’t right. There was an unhappiness in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

Cian smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Later. Crystal’s waiting.” He set her back down on the couch.

Skye looked at Crystal on the skype video screen. She was beaming, her blue eyes alight. Before Skye could say anything, Crystal said, “I see your
Beau
’s here. Be gentle with him.”

“You’re an angel, Crystal.” Cian sat down next to Skye.

“You charmer,” she retorted, smiling.

“Don’t fall for his flattering,” Skye told her.

“Oh, like you, you mean.” Crystal laughed when Skye spluttered. “You two have fun. I’ll talk to you later. Bye,” she called out as she signed out of skype.

A disgruntled Skye turned to glare at Cian. She started to say something but then as if dismissing it as futile, just settled for narrowing her eyes at him and pressing her thumb and forefinger in a menacing gesture which translated into her wanting to slice him into small pieces.

Cian grinned. God, be it cloudy or rainy, she always brought out the sun for him. He dropped an impulsive kiss on her mouth. She slapped a hand on his shoulder and he let himself be pushed away.

“Should I leave you two alone?”

“It’s a little too late for that, isn’t it?” Skye retorted dryly.

“There is that,” Kiera agreed, trying not to laugh. “Cian, do you want something to drink?”

“No, I’m good.”

“Tell me what’s wrong,” Skye told Cian.

“Why would you think anything’s wrong?”

“I just
know
.”

“Is that right?” She’d be surprised how well she really knew him.

“Yes. If you feel like talking about it.”

Cian took her hand in his and enlaced their fingers together. It never failed to amaze him how much a simple touch like holding her hand meant to him.

Skye didn’t try to pull away. She could feel something was bothering him. Besides, she secretly liked it when he held her hand.

“Thea’s father found out about her and Nick. He was livid and he refused to let them be together.”

“What?” Skye said, appalled.

“Oh, no!” Kiera exclaimed. “That’s terrible.”

“Yeah. The separation’s very hard on them both.”

“How did he find out about them?” Skye said quietly. No wonder he had looked upset.

“Nick doesn’t know and I haven’t been able to talk to Thea yet.”

“What are they going to do?” Kiera asked.

“I don’t know. Uncle Lee won’t listen to reason,” Cian replied.

Skye looked at their held hands. A ripple of foreboding went through her as she thought of Thea and Nick’s plight. “It’s so weird, you know.”

“Weird?” Cian shared a confused look with Kiera.

“Yeah. First Kiera and Ash. Now Thea and Nick.” Skye finally looked up at Cian. Their eyes met. “It’s like the season of break-ups for couples.”

Cian’s hand tightened around hers. She was voicing out his own fears. He wasn’t the superstitious type and neither was she and yet, there seemed to be an ominous feeling in the air.

As if realizing the significance herself, Kiera reassured, “Hon, it’s two different situations. Besides, Ash and I didn’t stay broken-up. We got back together, thanks to you. It’ll work out for Thea and Nick too.”

Skye shook off the dark cloud from her mind and smiled. “Don’t thank me. I had nothing to do with it. You both deserve all the credit for getting back together. I guess we’d better get on our way before the weather worsens.”

“Like it hasn’t already.”

“Hey!
I
wasn’t the one who told you to come pick me up, you know?” Skye shut down her laptop and put it in its carrying case.

“Unfortunately, yes, I know. Like I would have let you take the bus or a cab while I’m around.”

Kiera laughed. “Are you two ever going to stop arguing over everything?”

“No,” they both said in unison which made Kiera laugh again.

“You sure you’ll be okay, alone?”

“Yeah. It’s only a week and a half till mom gets back. Besides, Ash is coming over later.”

“
Ooh, Ash is coming over
,” Skye sing-sang.

“You can be so immature,” Kiera stated with dignity. Then spoiled it by retorting, “And who got carried to bed last night, uh?”

Skye gasped and tried hard not to blush. “You’re a very bad friend, Kiera. Very bad.”

“Aw, I’m hurt.” Kiera’s hazel eyes danced merrily.

Cian had to grin at their verbal exchange. He got Skye’s bags, refusing to let her carry them, and after hugging Kiera and saying their goodbyes, they both trudged to the car with Skye carrying the umbrella. The rain had slowed to a drizzle but it could start up again. After putting the bags in the backseat, they were on their way.