Spark (23 page)

It’s not what you think, I can explain

But know it was to protect you, because I love you.

I love you.

You can’t deny the spark we have

It’s real and it’s not going anywhere

Give me one more chance to prove it to you

This spark is real…

I squint to look at him but the spotlight is blinding me. Ashley must notice because she dims it, giving me full view of Eric’s reaction. I can tell he’s crying, but I don’t know if they are happy or sad tears. And then he smiles. Everything in my body eases as I can tell my plan is working.

You can’t deny the spark we have

It’s real and it’s not going anywhere…

I finish the last line and wait as Brett finishes the cords. The moment is perfect.
Absolutely perfect.

I stand there silent as I wait for Eric to say something. He doesn’t move. We’re both frozen in place, and I start overanalyzing this whole thing. Maybe I’m beginning to look like one of those obsessive girls that doesn’t leave men alone…or maybe now I look desperate…or…
crazy
.

“I had no idea you could sing,” he finally says, stepping closer.
I see the desire in his eyes, making me finally feel relief.

“I’ve never sang for anyone before,” I reply, desperation and eagerness
riveting in my voice.

“Well, it was truly sensational. I loved it. Every single word.”

I step around the microphone stand and make my way toward him. We meet in the middle and stand face-to-face. I inhale his scent, letting the memories flood in as I stand close to him once again.

“I wrote it for you.”

I expect him to respond, or tell me he liked the lyrics, but nothing. If this plan didn’t work, I was all out of options.

He leans down, taking me by surprise, and crushes his lips to mine. The heat and sensation overcome me
as our lips collide. He brings his hands up to cup my cheeks as he intensifies the kiss. His tongue slides in, greeting mine as he deepens the kiss, making every part of me quiver under his hands.

I wrap my arms around him, pushing him closer to me
—needing him closer to me. I feel his hard, strong body against mine, and I want to forget everything. I want him. I need him. Nothing will come between us again. I won't let that happen.

He moves his hands down my sides and twirls his thumbs in cir
cles, electrifying every muscle in my body. It’s evident how my body responds to him—how it
always
responds to him. He pushes me in closer—if that was even possible, and lowers his hands to the small of my back. The feeling is overwhelming, but I feel nothing but happiness and relief. To have his lips on me again, to feel this—is the most reassuring feeling I’ve ever had.

He slowly breaks the kiss, leaning his forehead against mine as we catch our breath. I close my eyes,
synchronizing my breathing with his, collecting my thoughts on what I want to say.

“
I haven’t been able to breathe without you,” he whispers. I smile as it brings back memories of his oxygen tank.

“
That’s quite ironic coming from a firefighter, don’t you think?”

I think Carissa’s attitude is rubbing off on me…

He chuckles as the mood lightens. It’s intense and full of confusion, but I have no doubt he wants what I want. There’s no way he can deny it…
the spark that is so very evident between us.

“I can explain everything,” I finally say, wanting to give him the truth, although it scares me. But I won’t let Aiden run me off this time. If he comes back for revenge or not, at least I’ll know that
I’m
in control.

“You just did.” Before I can protest, he grabs me and carries me in his arms, locking his lips on mine. I can’t help the giggle that slips out as he tries to make his way out of the ballroom
, bumping into tables and chairs. I no longer care or notice that there’s a half dozen people in the room watching.

“Where are we going?” I ask, breaking the kiss. He steps in the elevator
and presses a button. “Somewhere I can rip these clothes off.” He flicks a finger under my shirt to emphasize
my
clothes.
Yes, please.

The last time Eric and I were together was incredible, but it was based on a lie.
It was meant to be the last time because I had intended never to see him again. However, this time…would be different. It would be real…raw…and true.

He continues carrying me down the hallway until we find his room.
He places me on my feet, but our eyes never look away from each other. He digs in his pocket for the keycard and slides it in, opening the door behind me. He presses his lips on mine again. I feel the passion and desire with every stroke of his tongue. His lips are wet and eager as he backs us into the room, letting the door slam behind.

We don’t waste anytime ripping clothes off and letting them fall to the
floor. It feels like it’s been forever since Eric and I were together. We frantically cover each other with our bodies.

Our lips don’t break apart as we rip our pants and shoes off. The passion and overwhelming feelings I have for him take over me.
He aggressively pushes us to the wall, smacking my ass right against the cold drywall. I wince as the cold hits me, but I don’t care. He could have me pressed against hot lava, and I wouldn’t push him off me.

“You
r taste is fucking addictive,” he mutters in between suckling my lips. The F word actually turns me on now. Perhaps it’s the fact that I’m choosing not to let that word haunt me, but it’s driving me insane just hearing it roll off his tongue.

“I have to have you. Right now,” I plead
almost breathlessly, letting him hear my eagerness. Between everything we’ve gone through, and fighting to get him back, I can’t wait another minute.

He takes me by surprise and grabs me under the ass to lift me up. My legs wrap around his waist, and I’m greeted
by his firmness. He pushes into me, not making me wait a minute longer. A moan escapes me as the force of him pulsates through me. It’s intense, fierce, and sensual—it’s fucking perfect.

I rub my hands over his biceps, tracing
my fingers over his tattoos. The way his body looks covered in sweat and tattoos is almost enough to push me over the edge. I flick my fingers between his nipple ring, wanting to suckle it between my lips.

He digs deeper inside, making me slam harder against the wall. He takes his hand in mine and raises it agai
nst my head, making him support me entirely. He does the same to my other hand, making me completely vulnerable in his arms. He presses his mouth to the nape of my neck, electrifying all my senses as the sensation sends shivers down my body.

“I thought I lost you,” I whisper,
desperately needing to know we aren’t over this time.

“
I’m never letting you out of my sight again.” His voice is breathy, looking his eyes on mine. We share a moment of passion, not wanting this moment to ever end. It’s beautiful and amazing.
Just like Eric.

He slams into me harder, leaving me almost breathless. He puts
me into a raging frenzy as I scream out his name. He nuzzles his nose into my chest as he releases himself into me.

The way Eric has the ability to complete me and make me feel whole for the first time in my life is uncanny.
I never believed in those corny love stories—
happily ever after
and all that crap. I was wrong. Oh, god, was I wrong.

We finally make our way to the bed
and collapse in each other’s arms. It feels amazing to have his body engulfed in mine.

“
Why are you always saving me?” I ask, breaking the silence.

“How can you not realize…” He pauses to place a kiss on my forehead. “You’ve
been the one saving me all along.” We lock eyes, and I can see the intensity in his face. I cup his face and slowly lean in for a kiss.

“Will you sing for me again?” he asks as we continue laying naked side-by-side.

“I’ll do anything for you,” I reply softly. It was the truth. He has my heart, my soul,
my everything
—I would give him my kidney, if he needed it. Hell, I’d give him both kidneys.

“I’d like to hear your voice again.” He brushes my cheeks with the pads of his thumb, coaxing
me. I smile as I take in the moment we finally have together. “Can I hear it now?”

“Now?” I ask surprisingly.

“Yeah, why not?” He leans up on his elbow, showing me he’s serious.

“Okay, sure. What do you want me to sing?”

“Can you sing me another one you wrote?”
Damn, I was afraid he would ask that.

“Sure…let me think.” I channel my brain to remember a few other songs I’ve written.

It feels just like yesterday…since I’ve seen you.

I still remember your face…your smile…and the color of your eyes
.

You’re unforgettable
.

I can’t forget you…don’t want to lose you
.

It feels just like yesterday…

Since I’ve seen you.

And now here you are.

You haven’t changed
.

You still have that sparkle
in your eyes…

And those moist perfect lips.

Here you are…

Right in front of me.

You haven’t changed…

You haven’t changed.

Why did you leave…

I thought we had it all.

The way you loved me,

Wasn’t anything I’ve felt before.

And now I can’t forget you…

Although I need to.

It feels just like yesterday…

Since I’ve seen you.

You haven’t changed…

But I have.

I have.

“That was absolutely beautiful, Velaney.”

“I wrote it when I was sixteen after my favorite book,” I reply, feeling a bit shy. I’ve never shared any of my lyrics with anyone before, so this is a big step for me—but it’s one I’m willing to take with Eric.

“Sixteen? Wow. I could literally feel the emotion through your lyrics.”

“Thanks…I had a lot of time on my hands. When Carissa and I weren’t hanging out, I drowned my head in books.”

“I didn’t know you liked to read,” he says, amusement in his voice.

“I guess there’s a lot about each other we still don’t know.”

“That’s true.” He smiles as if he came up with an idea. “Let’s go see my mother. I want you to meet her. She’ll absolutely adore you
, and you’ll get to see where I grew up.”

“Really? You want me to go?”

“Are you kidding? I want you to know every part of me, Vel. And I want to know every part of you.”

As if his southern charm, tatted chest, and nipple ring weren’t enough to make my insides melt, he
tells me he wants to take me to meet his mother and see his hometown. Might not sound like a big deal to other girls, but for me, this was huge. I never let anyone in before, which means I’ve never allowed them to get close, or even talk about meeting their families. Growing up with Carissa—
she
was my family.

“I can’t wait,” I say, not even trying to hide the stupid grin on my face. I may not be sure of many things in my life, and I may have a lot to overcome yet, but Eric was one thing I was
absolutely positive about. He’s been saving me since the day we met.

***

“How does this look?” I ask for the third time as I change my outfit once again.
Ugh, why am I so nervous?

“You look beautiful…just like the last three times you asked.” He playfully roles his eyes at me.
I look in the mirror once again, contemplating on my outfit choice.

I huff back at him, fi
nally deciding to keep the dress I have on. Meeting his mother is a huge deal for me. I want it to be perfect. Carissa informs me that southern men are close to their mama’s and that they have a close-knit relationship.

“Lane, southern boys are mama’s boys. They eat fried chicken and take their mama’s advice. Whatever you do, charm the shit out of his mother.”

“Fried chicken?” I ask, doubting her source.

“Yes, trust me.” I sigh
, giving into her.

“Okay…so charm mom, check. Anything else
, old wise one?”

“Yes, as a matter-of-fact.
Boots. Wear cowboy boots.”

“What? She’s going to think I’m mocking them or something.”

“No way. Plus, I bet you look fucking hot in cowboy boots.”

I chuckle as I recall the phone conversation Carissa and I
had last night. I miss her like crazy, but I love being here with Eric. He and his father finished their shifts in Santa Fe and now the three of us were flying to Dallas to go visit his family.

I look down
at my navy blue summer dress and brown cowboy boots. I want to fit in with his family. I want them to become
my
family, too.

“Are you ready, sweetheart?” he asks, grabbing our luggage.
He looks stunning in a blue button up plaid shirt and tight, holey jeans.

“Yes! I can
’t wait. I hope…she likes me.” I wrap my arms around his waist, looking up in his eyes.

“Are you kidding? She’ll love you.”
He kisses my forehead, making my whole body quiver. Looking around, I see how happy I am finally. Taking back control of my life was the best decision I ever made. Having Carissa and Eric by my side are the only reasons my life finally feels normal—
complete.