Spark of Desire ; All for You

by Sheryl Lister

“You heard me. I have asked you to respect my friend time and time again. But you can’t resist getting in your little digs. And I don’t want to hear it.”

  Her mother sighed. “I’m sorry. Tell Brent I apologize.”

  The half-assed apology did nothing but piss her off even more. “What do you need?”

  “Honestly, Aria, do you have to get so worked up about everything? I came here because I—”

  The snicker that escaped Aria’s mouth surprised her, but she wouldn’t back down. “Please, I know why you’re here. And it’s not because you haven’t seen me in a while and missed me. It’s not even because you wanted to check out my business or even look at some of my artwork. In all the years I’ve been doing this, you’ve never supported me, never bought a painting, never attended a show. You seem to think that if you don’t encourage me, all this work—which I suspect you see more as a hobby—will go away. So why would I think you were here for any other reason than to be nosy?”

  “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

  “Elizabeth Bell,” Aria said simply.

  “Your mother. I’m still your mother.”

  This conversation felt surreal. Aria couldn’t believe that her mother had the audacity to come to her business and want to know anything personal about her. As far as she was concerned, Elizabeth didn’t deserve to have any piece of her life even if that piece was simple information.

  “Okay, Mom.” Aria let out a humorless chuckle. “I’m on my way out, so let’s make this quick. You heard that I’m dating a Jackson and you wanted to confirm. Right?”

  “Actually, I couldn’t believe that you were dating anyone with that status. The Jackson family is extremely wealthy. Dr. Lawrence Jackson is a world-renowned plastic surgeon who’s done work for several women at the club. I’ve even consulted with him about a little filler.” She switched her handbag to the other arm. “If you are, I think it’s great. But I hope that you know how to conduct yourself when you’re around the family.”

  Aria tipped her head up toward the ceiling. “I can’t believe this,” she mumbled.

  “I’m hoping that I can help you with your unfortunate fashion sense. If this relationship is to go anywhere, it might provide an impetus for better choices.” Elizabeth gestured toward Aria’s hair, which wasn’t styled in any way her mother approved of. Her natural curls were wild and the green highlights she’d just applied the other day stood out like a beacon of light in a sea of dark waves. “I’m sure people of that ilk wouldn’t appreciate that hair color.”

  “I’ve had enough!” Aria sliced a hand through the air. “You’ve never had anything good to say about me. All of my life, I’ve never felt like you loved me, and this is why. I’ve tried to have a relationship with you, but I can’t do it anymore. Because you’ll never be satisfied. There will always be something about me that you want to change. But guess what? I love who I am. It has taken years, but I’ve worked my ass off—with no support from you. One day, you’re going to realize the error of your ways, but I’m not waiting around for it. I’m successful, intelligent, and not too shabby to look at. I have my own money and I don’t need a man to make me feel good about myself. You may not think so, but I’m a catch. Myles should be happy to have me.”

  Her mother gasped. “I did not teach you to be so conceited.”

  “You didn’t teach me shit.”

  “Watch your tone,” Elizabeth warned.

  “No. Everything I learned about being a good human being I learned from my father and Celeste and Brent. The only thing you did for me was parade me in front of your peers like some made-up doll or try to pimp me out to the next wealthy bachelor.”

  “Aria!”

  “I’ll make this really easy for you. My relationship with Myles is my business. You have nothing to say to me that will make any difference.”

  “Just remember that when this all blows up in your face, I’m still going to be your mother and you’ll wish you had behaved better toward me, that I could have helped you avoid disaster.”

  The thought of it all “blowing up in her face” sank like a brick in her stomach. She pressed her hand there to quell the ache that had set in. “Mom, I need to leave. Until you can come in here and accept me for who I am and support what I’ve accomplished, I don’t want to see you anymore.”

  “You may not believe this, but I do love you. I want the best for you.”

  She had waited forever to hear her mother tell her she loved her. But the words didn’t ring true, because it felt like they came with conditions. “I love you, too, Mom. But I don’t love how you have always made me feel.”

  Aria brushed past her mother and headed toward the door. Opening, it, she turned and said, “I am closing up. I have to go.”

  Elizabeth lifted her chin in the air and approached Aria. She stopped next to her. “I hope...”

  A moment of silence stretched between them as Aria waited for her mother to finish her sentence. Only Elizabeth didn’t say another word. She simply left.

  It didn’t take long for Aria to get to Myles. She’d driven through the city in a haze, tormented by the realization that her mother had walked away without a fight. But Aria had vowed not to shed a single tear, because she shouldn’t have to beg her mother to love her or accept her.

  Using the key Myles had given her, she opened the door. She couldn’t help but smile at her painting, the Phoenix, which was now sitting on the floor in the front room. They’d discussed the best place to hang it, but hadn’t made a decision.

  The house was silent. Frowning, she walked through the living room into the kitchen. His car was outside, so she knew he was home. The music room.

  Aria poured herself a glass of water and slid her feet into his slippers. She’d grown used to wearing them while she was at his house. As she neared the music room, she heard faint melodies coming from within. He’d mentioned that he wanted to add another layer of insulation to make it completely soundproof.

  After opening the door, she stepped in. Myles looked up from the piano and smiled at her. He didn’t stop playing, though. And Aria was glad he didn’t because the notes were soothing, comforting to her. She hugged him from behind, kissed his cheek and sat next to him on the bench.

  She leaned her head against his shoulder as his fingers moved over the ivories, wringing emotion with every chord. When he finished, when his finger hit the last note, a lone tear fell from her eyes. She quickly wiped it away, hoping he didn’t see it.

  Of course, he did. He brushed her cheek where it had fallen. “What’s wrong, baby?”

  She moved away from his touch. “Nothing,” she lied. “That’s beautiful, what you were playing? What was it?”

  “‘Aria.’”

  “What?” Aria focused on the keys, tapped one with her thumb. Anything to not look him in the eye.

  “‘Aria.’ That’s the name of the song.”

  Shocked, Aria stared up at him. “What?” she repeated.

  “I wrote the song for you.”

  She blinked. “Are you serious?”

  “Very. I couldn’t get your voice out of my head. I memorized the inflections of it, the tone. And this just came to me. I recorded it for you, along with other original work. I’ve never let anyone hear it before.”

  Aria pressed her hand against her heart. “Oh,” she breathed. Apparently, she couldn’t find her words even though she knew he deserved to hear something other than oh from her.

  Tears pricked her eyes. Aria was stunned because she was on the edge of an ugly cry, and it wasn’t because she was thinking about the conversation she’d had with her mother. She wasn’t sad. No, it was because she felt happy. It was because of him. I’m probably crazy. Am I dreaming? Just to make sure, she pinched herself—a little too hard because she winced from the pain. Ouch.

  Myles frowned. “Did you just pinch yourself?�
�

  Damn. He had caught that. She felt her chin tremble. Oh, no. Don’t cry here, not in front of him. A tear fell, followed by a dam bursting as she fought back a sob.

  With a concerned stare, he used his sleeve to wipe her face. “Aria, talk to me. Are you okay?”

  She stood abruptly. “Okay, so I just have to say this, and I want to caution you not to interrupt me or let it go to your head. Because that will ruin everything, which would be a shame.” She backed away from him slowly.

  “Okay.”

  “I really like you.” She ignored the frown on his face and forged ahead. “Like really. A lot.” He smiled, and it was like the sun came out of the clouds and bathed her in its heat. “I’m lying.” His brows creased together again. “I’m pretty sure I’m falling for you. No, I’m already there.” She swallowed. “I mean, there’s no falling. It’s more like...fell.”

  Myles laughed then.

  Aria shifted on her feet, one side to the other, then back again. “You’re laughing at me. Why are you laughing? This is not funny.”

  “It is.” He stood and approached her. “I thought you were crying because something happened to you. I was worried.”

  “Something did happen,” she admitted. When he opened his mouth to respond, she placed a hand over his mouth. “But it doesn’t matter now.”

  His hand wrapped around her wrist, pressed against that pulse again. Closing his eyes, he whispered. “As long as you’re okay.”

  “I am,” she assured. “I did just say something pretty big, though.”

  Myles leaned his forehead against hers. “You did.”

  “Did you...? I mean, what do you think?”

  “I think...good. Now, we’re even.”

  She felt her lips turn up, and soon she couldn’t stop the grin that spread over her face. I’m not crazy. And she didn’t need to hear the words. Just the fact that they were “even” erased any fears she had about it. She dared to hope it was her reality.

  Myles placed his fingers under her ear. “You once asked me why I always place my finger or lips against your pulse point?”

  Aria nodded, her gaze locked on his.

  “I love the feel of your heartbeat, the rhythm, the way it matches mine. It wasn’t just your voice I memorized. I know every beat, every note of you. And...” Myles kissed her, then. Hard. “I love you, too, Aria.” He smacked her butt. “Let’s go get dinner.”

  Aria couldn’t move. She couldn’t even feel her legs. Because though she’d thought she didn’t need the words, the sound of them seeped into her soul and bloomed. Dinner? She didn’t want dinner. The only thing she wanted was him—his hands roaming over her, his body against hers, his tongue stroking hers and his teeth nipping at her skin.

  “Myles?” She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his chin. “I don’t want food.”

  With a raised brow, he rested his arms on her shoulders and buried his fingers in her hair. “What do you want?”

  “You. Naked. Now.”

  * * *

  Myles had an epiphany during his last surgery, one that changed everything. And he wanted—no, needed—to tell Aria.

  He’d left the hospital early, abandoning a mound of patient files on his desk, and sped over to Aria’s house. Because this was too big to wait until tomorrow.

  Myles had been drowning in the details of his life for too long, turning his back on a huge piece of himself in the name of obligation. Now he could see clearly, and he knew what he wanted. It wasn’t something he was willing to compromise for anything or anyone. Aria was right. He could do both. He could play and operate and love Aria. So, when Martel, the guitarist friend he’d taken Aria to hear, had texted him and asked him to join him onstage at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge next week, he’d responded with one word. Yes.

  Arriving at her house, he rushed to the door and used his key to unlock it. He found Aria engrossed in the painting she’d been working on all night.

  Aria on a regular day was beautiful, but Aria in her zone, creating masterpieces, was stunning. Her eyes were narrowed, focused.

  She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and smiled. Then she returned her attention to her work. “You’re here. I thought you were working late.” She dipped her brush into an azure blue and swiped it over the canvas.

  He registered the music playing through the surround sound speakers, then. His music. And he could barely contain himself.

  “I’m almost done,” she murmured. “Your song is so beautiful, Myles. I can’t stop listening to it.” She babbled on about something, but he had no idea what she was saying because he couldn’t concentrate. The sight of her working, listening to his music, made him want to strip her bare right there and make love to her. He didn’t care if she was covered with paint.

  He unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off. He took his pants and his underwear off next. And Aria was still talking.

  “Aria,” he said. “Stop talking.”

  She glanced at him, and her eyes widened. “Myles, you’re... You took your clothes off.”

  “I did.” He nodded. “Now, take yours off.” He stalked toward her, circling her like an animal would its prey. Reaching out, he turned her stool around, so she was facing him. “You’re moving too slow.”

  He tugged her shirt off and tossed it behind her. Then he pulled her to her feet and pushed her yoga pants down.

  “Myles, I can’t. We can’t do it right now. I have to take a shower.”

  He gripped the fabric of her underwear and yanked her to him, enjoying her sharp gasp as she crashed against his body. Soon her panties were a tattered mess at his feet. He cupped her breasts in his palm while his other hand brushed against her core.

  “Oh, God,” she groaned. Her head fell back, and he took the opportunity to kiss the delicate column. “The ladies... We’re having Tacos and Tequila here tonight. I’m already running late.”

  He shushed her with a kiss, groaning at the feel of her tongue against his. “I want you,” he whispered against her mouth.

  “But—”

  “Aria, quiet.” He gripped her hips in his hands and lifted her, backing her against the wall. He pressed his erection against her entrance. “Time to stop talking, baby.”

  A beat later, he was inside her. Myles closed his eyes, relished the feel of her around him. She was so perfect. They were perfect together, like they were meant to be. When she squeezed his hips with her long legs, he began to move.

  “Go harder,” she moaned.

  Myles loved it when she told him what she wanted. Aria wasn’t a timid lover. She met him thrust for thrust, taking as much as she gave. He picked up the pace as she whispered filthy words in his ear. He wasn’t going to last. But he needed her to come with him. He slipped his hand between them, pressing his thumb against her clit.

  Shit, please, yes, oh God, and I’m coming. He wasn’t sure who’d said the words, but it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was their intense connection, the love they made together.

  Aria cried out, screaming his name as she came. Myles let go, kissing her deeply as his orgasm pulsed through him.

  His legs nearly buckled from the pleasure, so he turned and slid down the wall with her still in his arms. For the next several moments, he tried to catch his breath.

  Aria finally looked up at him with hooded eyes and a lazy smile on her swollen lips. “You’re crazy.” She kissed his jaw.

  “Crazy, about you, baby.”

  “That’s so cheesy!” She laughed.

  “It’s so true.” He circled her nose with his. “I love you.”

  She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him to her. “I love you more.”

  Half an hour later, Aria emerged from the shower. “Do you have to go back to work?”

  Already dressed, he wrapped a towel around her. “No. I’m hea
ded out with my brothers.” Since the ladies were getting together, Ian had suggested they hang out and watch the game. “We’re headed to Buffalo Wild Wings.”

  “Fun. What made you stop by?”

  Myles had been so distracted by her that he’d forgotten why he’d rushed over. “Oh, I have news.”

  “What is it?”

  “Martel texted me earlier, asked me to sit in for his pianist.”

  Her eyes widened and she blessed him with one of her soul-snatching smiles. “Really? That’s great. Did you say yes?”

  “I did.”

  She jumped in his arms. “Oh, my God! I’m so happy. Finally.”

  “I figured it was time to stop hiding.”

  “I agree.”

  “I wanted to tell you first.”

  Aria fixed his collar and peered into his eyes. “I’m glad you did. Who knows? Maybe this experience will be a catalyst for you to do more.”

  “I want you to come.”

  “Are you crazy? I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I will definitely be there. Cheering, you on. I’ll wear good underwear, too, so you can destroy another pair later.”

  Myles chuckled. “Silly.”

  Her doorbell rang. “Oh, shoot. They’re here. Go answer the door and leave. It’s about the ladies tonight.”

  After a few more kisses and another “I love you” Myles said goodbye and left.

  Chapter 14

  Myles looked out at the packed Baker’s Keyboard Lounge and sighed. Tonight he’d go out onstage and play with his friend. Over the past week, he’d thought of every reason in the world to cancel, but he didn’t. Because it was time.

  Although Martel had sent him the sheet music, he barely used it when practicing. He’d heard the music many times and thought he would be able to find his way. He eyed the piano off to the side of the stage. Martel had asked if he would rather play on the keyboard or the piano, and Myles had emphatically insisted on playing on the house Steinway. Having visited the establishment numerous times, he was excited to be able to use the same instrument that so many jazz legends had played on. He could barely wait to touch the keys.