Gavin’s eyes light up with reward and he settles back into me, lapping up my juices as if I’m a succulent fruit and he’s been thirsting for days.
“Gavin!” I scream cathartic ally, mounting the peak once again. Even faster he laps, sucks and then nips ever so gently at my clit. The gathering of nerves elicit heightened cries from me and I’m falling. Falling, falling, falling into the haze of pleasure and need that has been sated even more so by Gavin’s attention. He’s made love to me and it creates a tingling sense of joy all through me.
“My God, Aria. You’re it for me.”
Gavin cradles me against him and I sway into the warmth he gives me. Small, tender kisses cover my neck and throat and then his mouth engulfs mine in a heartrending kiss that steals my breath all over again. When he draws away, I wrap my arms around him even tighter and gaze up.
“Me? You’re the one for me, Gavin. I didn’t think I’d ever find—Baby, I found it with you”
I cup his smooth face in my hands and know my eyes are filled with all the love inside me.
“I found you.”
Three Months Later
I’m filled with a mix of excitement and nerves as I make my way onto the stage where I’ll find my passion again. It’s only been a week since Mr. Hayes called me with the opportunity to audition for the part of Lena in Alas the Night, a new and up and coming ballet production. I never dreamed I could find an opportunity so quickly after the one that I lost only months ago. Kel drove me in, but I insisted I do this myself. This is my dream, after all.
I come to a three seated table with what I can only guess are the audition coordinators. The man seated in the middle of the table gives me a welcoming smile and asks me to fill out the check-in sheet with my name and credentials.
My hand shakes as I write my name and everything else the sheet entails and then I hastily find a seat next to at least forty others that must be auditioning for my role, also.
Anxiety creeps into my mind while I look around at each and every girl and lanky male dancer around the waiting area. I start to worry about whether I can really do this. Am I a better dancer and performer than all of these women? Do I really measure up?
As if she sensed my nervousness, a girl next to me leans forward and looks at me with kind dark blue eyes.
“Don’t worry about everyone else. Just focus on your talent. You’ve got to believe in yourself, Sweetie.”
She reaches over and pats my knee and I do my best to smile at her.
“Nerves get the best of me, I think. Is this your first audition?”
She grins and shakes her head hastily.
“Oh, no. I lost count.” She chuckles and then from the left of where I’m sitting I hear my name called.
“Here goes nothing,” I whisper, more to myself than the girl next to me.
“Hey, my name is Jessica. Come find me when we’re all done. You want to grab lunch?”
She has the kindest eyes I’ve seen and I could really use a friend through all of this.
“I have plans, actually. How about we exchange numbers, though? I’m Aria.”
We shake hands, giving each others numbers and names before parting ways. I turn to see the smiling man I met at the desk only a few minutes ago.
“I’m Leo. One of the directors. Come on in, Ms. Morgan”
* * *
I turn left away from the auditoriums with the smile that I’ve had on since I walked out of the audition room. I did it. I aced my audition, for the first time in God, weeks, I feel like myself again. My phone buzzes in my pocket as I walk to the small bakery me and Kel agreed to meet at. She raves about the pastries at this place that just opened and finally talked me into indulging in some sweets after my auditions. I reach into the pocket of my sundress and don’t bother to look before answering.
“Hey.”
“How did it go? I’ve been on my toes all morning!” I can practically feel the excitement Farah has. I laugh softly and wind a finger through my hair as I tell her.
“I aced it! I mean, of course there’s a chance they won’t give me a call back, but I aced my routine. The scene I had to repeat for them was easy enough and even the director I spoke to said I exude the spirit of Lena. I can’t believe I was so nervous.”
“I knew you’d get it! Were there others auditioning with you or was it just you?”
I wish it was just me. I wouldn’t have been so darn nervous while I’d been waiting.
“Farah, you should have seen the girls there! All skinny blondes and no curves—made me even more nervous than I already was.”
“You’ve got the talent. You just have to believe in yourself.”
Well if that doesn’t sound familiar…
“I know. I have to go, I’m meeting Kel in a bit.”
She’s quiet for a moment and I’m not sure why.
“OK, see you later.”
I click off and open the glass doors to a small bakery and pastry shop called Hidden Sweets. There are several wooden tables set in the front when I walk in and I don’t see Kel or Lucas right away. The white marble counter top draws me deeper into the bakery and then I see Kel, her blonde hair wound up in a messy bun and Lucas pressing his nose in her neck as they stand with another girl behind the counter.
“Hey.” I walk over and feel a surge of warmth seeing such love and affection between these two. I’m so happy for their happiness.
“Hey! This is Jenna, she owns the bakery!” Kel practically bursts in excitement.
I laugh and outreach my hand to the petite brunette who looks at me. She has pale blue eyes and a soft smile on her face.
“I’m part owner, Kel. Remember?”
My sister waves her hand in dismissal. Luke laughs behind her.
“Sweetheart, she’s right. Her mom does own half of this shop”
“And she lets me know whenever she can,” Jenna says, casting her eyes down for a moment. I can tell she feels ashamed that her mother’s been brought up and she seems like such a sweet girl. She can’t be a day over twenty.
“I know the feeling.” I place my hand on her shoulder and squeeze gently. She looks at me again and a smile lifts her mouth.
“Let’s get some pastries and we can sit,” Lucas offers, leading Jenna to the display case as Kel comes around the counter, wraps an arm around my shoulders and looks over to me with happy eyes. I’m so glad I have good news for her, too.
“So, I’m guessing you found a bakery to cater the rehearsal tonight?”
“Oh, yes! Don’t you love this place? I had no idea this bakery was even here until I tried Jenna’s lemon danish! It’s to die for, Ari. To. Die. For.”
Uh, huh. I just let her spiel on and on about the baked goods while I think about how wonderful this morning was. I had to be at Fell’s Auditorium at noon so I got to sleep in with Gavin for a few extra hours. He woke up before me, which has come to be the norm since I haven’t been working. I felt his touch before I was even awake and he tongued me to an amazing climax while I was still in my sleep-like euphoria. The best part? I woke up and the sexy man from my dreams was still there. I let him keep going and when he found out I’d been awake the whole time, Gavin smiled and started all over again. I’m beginning to think sleep sex is my favorite.
“And then he reached into his pocket and pulled this out! Isn’t it absolutely gorgeous?”
Kel nudges me with her shoulder and I’m pulled out of my daydream.
“Wait, what? What is that?”
I take a hold of her left hand and my jaw drops open when I see the much larger stone set in the middle of her gold banded engagement ring. But, it’s not a diamond. It’s a ruby stone set with small diamonds encompassing it. It’s… breathtaking.
“Another ring?” I look up to see what I think are happy tears in my sister’s eyes.
“It was his mother’s.” She sniffs and I go to her and hug her gently in my arms.
“You make him happy. Of course he would give you something so
dear to his heart.”
She laughs through her tears and I lean back to wipe them away.
“Jesus, Kelly baby, what’s wrong? Are you OK?!”
I look up to see Lucas come into the bakery heading straight toward my sister. His steps are quick and his face a mask of worry. His voice is filled with panic and I can hear the tremor in it as he speaks. I let Kel go and when she sits in the closest chair, Lucas drops to his knees in front of her. The devastation in his eyes surprises me. I reach down and press my hand to his blond head. He must have seen her tears. My sister is a lot of things but a crier is not one of them. She’s the strongest woman I know.
“She just got emotional for a minute. She’s alright, Luke.”
He nods, but I can tell he is concerned about my sister. His hands come up to grasp hers, eyes pleading with hers.
“Talk to me,” his voice pleads and Kel reaches up and soothes the stray hair that fell in his eyes away. Her eyes dip to the ring on her left hand and then slowly lift back to her fiance.
“This is the only thing you have left of her. What if I lose it or… ”
He shushes her quietly and wraps his arms around her waist.
“Then I’ll get you another, Kel. It symbolizes my love to you, my promise. That’s what matters OK?”
I watch as the sadness lifts from my sister’s face and she grins shyly.
“I love you, crazy boy,” she whispers just loud enough so I can hear.
Lucas smiles wider and kisses her, effectively banishing my worries about seeing my sister cry. I don’t even remember the last time I saw her really cry. It had to be when Jeremy was hurt. She was a mess that night. God, we all were.
In the span of a minute, Kel is back to her cheery self.
“Hey, stop pouting. I’m good. Let’s eat!” she says, looping her arm through mine.
We sit at a nearby table and she dishes out over large cupcakes with vanilla, lemon, and chocolate frosting on them. My stomach growls in appreciation.
“Oh, yes,” I say then bite into the nearest one.
Twenty Eight
I LEAN AGAINST THE DOOR JAM and listen while Gavin talks on the phone with his sister. Not that I’m eavesdropping, but the sweet affection in his voice melts my heart.
“You sure about him, Cal? First he stands you up and now he’s moving? Is this boy even worth it?” He pauses to listen and in that moment I see the concern in his eyes that I hadn’t heard in his voice. He’s truly worried about Callie and this boy she’s seeing. I can’t say I blame him, but if he’s worth it to her, that’s what counts.
“Yeah, I know he’s had a rough life. I promise, Cal.”
His eyes flick up to mine then and the blue grays immediately fill with softness.
I can tell his sister says something else and it makes him smile.
“You too.”
“You look beautiful.” Gavin murmurs when he reaches me, grabbing my waist to pull me into his body.
“Thank you, I got it¸” I whisper into his chest as he holds me. I feel his smile against my hair and before I know what he’s doing, I’m being spun around in a circle.
“I knew you would, baby. Congratulations.”
When he stops spinning me, I tangle my fingers in his hair and press my mouth to his for a kiss. I feel his joy and hunger for me immediately.
“It felt so good to dance again, Gavin. You have no idea.”
His hand tugs me to follow him and as I’m laid out on the bed, Gavin hovers over me and cups my chin gently. He urges me to look at him.
“Trust me, I do have an idea. When you dance, Christ it’s nothing like I’ve seen before. Your free spirit, your innocence comes out and you shine. You shine.”
God, when he says that to me, all I want to do is get up and dance for him right here and now. But my feet hurt and I really want to do something else.
“You really love me, huh?” I ask, running my hand down his chest toward his belt buckle. When I come in contact with his shaft he sucks in a rough breath.
“Unconditionally.”
* * *
When I wake, I’m still buzzing with contentment from Gavin’s love making. I hear the shower running in the bathroom across the hall and before I can go there, my phone buzzes with a text. When I open it, the number is blocked.
I can still see you, Princess.
My blood runs cold reading those five words. There isn’t a doubt in my mind who it is. Who it could be. My eyes dart around the bedroom as if Bryce will bust down the door at any second. I squeeze my eyes shut and try to talk my nerves down from the brink. I’m OK. I’m here with Gavin in our home and Bryce is in the past. He is in the past. Most likely the text is just to scare me. He wants to know he still has that power to yield over me. I refuse to be powerless again. I refuse to be scared. I take a deep breath and step into a pair of worn yoga pants then pull on my favorite of Gavin’s tees, determined to forget about the text and focus on my day.
Once in the kitchen, I set in to make breakfast and let the text slide to the back of my mind for the rest of my morning.
The air seems to shift around me when I hear the bedroom door open and light footsteps approach from the hallway. Gavin comes up behind me and gives my behind a little squeeze.
“Sexy girl. Are you cooking? I thought that was dangerous.”
I laugh softly and lean up to kiss his cheek.
“Morning, Gavin.” I turn in his arms and wrap a hand around his neck.
“I can handle it, I think. Go have some coffee and I’ll bring this out when it’s done.”
Gavin smiles warmly and plants a hard kiss on my mouth before sauntering out to find coffee.
While eating my only offering of cooking I can muster, I remember I promised Kel we’d go dress shopping today. Her friend Melody is coming too, I think.
“I forgot to tell you, Kel wants to dress shop today. The rehearsal is tonight.”
Gavin looks up from his plate and nods, taking my hand that sits across my lap.
“Do you want to have dinner with Callie and her boyfriend tonight before the rehearsal? She’s been asking.” I leave my half empty plate and climb onto his lap.
“Sure. We have an hour to waste, though.”
Gavin tips his head down and kisses along my jaw. It elicits a low moan of arousal out of me.
“I’m sure we’ll find something to occupy us.”
Twenty Nine
“SO?” JENNA ASKS AS I JUST about devour the sampling of red velvet cheesecake she gave me. Kel sits next to me nibbling away at the lemon topped cupcake she had her sights on the very moment we set foot in here. I take another bite and fail at hiding my groan of satisfaction.
“This is a definite yes. What about you Kel?” My sister bites her bottom lip and nods between bites of her second cupcake.
“Um, I’m not sure… ”
I throw Jenna a wink and finish off the cheesecake frosting on my favorite treat yet.
“Awesome! Two down, three to go.”
She pushes a tray of assorted cupcakes in front of us and I see Vanilla-Oreo, Apple-Crust, and Boston Creme topped cakes that are begging for me to devour them. God, give me strength. Any more sweets in my body will not be a good thing. We’ve only been here an hour and my belly is already full.
I throw my torso down on the love seat we are sitting on in the closed bakery and hide my face in one hand. Giggling, I shake my head when Kel nudges my hand with what must be another treat.
“I’m going to get sick from all these cupcakes, Kel! Just pick three out of the thirteen flavors we’ve tried.”
I can hear Jenna laughing and open my eyes to see my sister well into her third Lemon cake.
We are going to be here awhile, I am guessing.
* * *
Once we leave Hidden Sweets, Kel’s car is filled with assorted cupcakes, treats and pastries that Jenna insisted on offering us for the reception. It’s almost one by this time and I know we’re seriously stressed for time wi
th having the rehearsal dinner starting at five.
“Stop stressing out, girl. I’ll drop you off so you can get your dress, change and head over before four. We have everything set for tonight. Hell, Luke took care of most of it.”
I see her eyes twinkle when she talks about Luke, the man I know she’s dreamed of marrying for so long. She’s finally going to get her happy ending. The wedding is tomorrow, after all.
“Yeah, sorry. My mind is on overdrive today. You doing okay, Kel? Any jitters?”
My sister shakes her head and laughs softly.
“Hell to the no. I’ve wanted to be Luke’s wife since I was seventeen. I’m so excited.”
I reach over and grab her free hand in mine. Squeezing gently, I nod.
“I know.”
We turn into the parking lot beside the penthouse only five minutes later and I hug my sister tightly before getting out of the car and waving her off. I can hardly wait to see her walk down the aisle tomorrow. She’s going to be such a beautiful bride. With that thought still causing a smile on my face, my cell phone rings with Farah’s ring tone, Wild One’s by Flo Rida. I reach in my purse and press the phone to my ear.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Where are you? We’re about to go pick up Kel’s dress at the boutique!”
I would laugh at the haste in her voice if she didn’t sound so stressed right now.
“Kel just dropped me off. We’ve got time.”
I run up the steps and fumble my hand into my purse again, searching for the familiar rattle of the key Gavin gave me for the back door.
“Oh, OK. I was worried you hadn’t left the bakery yet. How did it go, anyways?”
“She spent two hours trying every flavor before she could make a decision. I swear I was going to kill that sister of mine!”
I hear Farah laughing hysterically, knowing just how indecisive my sister can be.
“You home now?” She asks after her giggles stop.
“I had to stop at home to grab my dress and change out of these sweats. I won’t be longer than an hour or so.” Longer if Gavin is home, already.
“Okay, you want to pick us up at three?”
I make it to the back door and pause before opening it when I see a bouquet of white roses with a pink envelope attached to the basket holding them. I freeze completely.
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