She scoffed again. “You can't be saying that. I'm unlovable, remember? Even my dad says so.”
“I don't give a shit what your father says. I'm saying you aren't. I'm saying I want you. I'm saying I want to be right here. I'm saying I can't bear watching you sitting here in agony. I'm saying I want to protect you. I'm saying that I would give up everything for you. Right now. That is what's important.” His eyes bored into hers, searing her with desire and his words scorched straight through to her soul, imprinting her with the sincerity. She felt like a parched piece of earth and his words were balm for her soul.
“Don't say it if you don't mean it, Calvin.”
He grabbed her hand before speaking, his voice coming out rough. “I never say a damn thing I don't mean, Zoe.”
She simply stared at him for a moment, her eyes searching his face, as if looking for a crack in some facade, some lie he was telling. Her heart drummed in her chest and she swallowed. “You're serious.”
“Yeah, I am.” His hand twined in her hair and he brought his lips to hers, gently touching, seeking, and pleading for her trust. Tears filled her eyes as her heart broke into a million pieces then he picked them all up and set them right again. She was filled with fissures, and probably always would be but he was going to be the glue that held her together. A part of her deep inside knew it. She pulled him down to her again and their lips met, desperately. She saw stars lighting up the sky behind her eyelids and felt a drumming start in her core.
“Calvin,” she whispered against his lips.
“Zoe.”
“Love me.”
“I do. I don't know how I know. But I do. I love you.” He touched his lips to hers again, just a brush of his mouth. “Damn, I do.”
“I feel like I'm falling,” she whispered, the pit of her stomach churning.
“Let's fall together.” He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to her neck. “Damn, I'm so glad I came home.”
“I don't want to stay here,” her voice was small.
“Where do you want to go?” His breath tickled her neck and goose bumps popped up against her skin.
“Can we runaway?” She murmured softly.
“I'll go wherever you want.” He splayed his hands on her back.
“Can we just leave this small town for tonight? Please?” She squeezed her eyes shut.
“Yeah. Let's go.” He pulled back and stood. He grabbed her hand and pulled her from the couch. “My Grandma brought over chicken and dumplings. You wanna eat?”
“Not right now. I just want to get out of here. I can't take it.” She pushed her hair off her face. “Give me a few minutes; I'm going to get myself together.” She walked toward the bathroom.
“Do we need to leave a note for Amy? Where is she?”
“She isn't staying here anymore,” she whispered, turning and looking at him.
“What?” His brow furrowed.
“I kicked her out this morning,” she murmured, her mouth turning down in a grimace. “Turns out, Callie wasn't the only best friend I had fucking my ex-boyfriend.” She didn't give him a chance to respond, just went into the bathroom and slammed the door.
“Damn it,” he muttered, rubbing his eyes. She has some shit luck.
She looked in the mirror, the freckles spattering her nose and cheeks standing out vividly against her chalky skin tone. She had dark circles under her red rimmed eyes and her hair was wild. She grabbed her brush from the sink and started forcefully brushing the snags out of her hair, the pain making her wince. She brushed her teeth and washed her face, letting the cool water soothe her. She quickly pulled her hair back in a low ponytail and dried her face. She rested her hands on the edge of the sink and took some slow breaths. It is too much for one day. I can't take anymore. I just want to run away and never look back.
Calvin fingered the ring in his pocket that his grandmother had left with him, assuring him he'd know exactly when to use it. He was ready to make her his. He wanted to wipe every bad memory out of her mind, even if it was just for a little while. He put the chicken and dumplings in the refrigerator and leaned back against the counter. I'm in love with her. This is it. This is more than lust. I've felt lust. I just want to wrap her up and protect her from everything. I want to fall asleep with her in my arms and wake up to her smile every morning. His heart thumped hard. Grams is right. I'm head over heels. I can't leave the states without knowing she's waiting for me. He heard the bathroom door open and he straightened up, watching her come down the hall. Her eyes were red rimmed and she looked exhausted.
“Where do you want to go?” He asked softly.
Her lips twisted. “I want to have fun. Ever done karaoke?”
He nodded. “Yeah we get bored in the barracks.”
“Can we find a bar in Mobile doing karaoke?” She rubbed her arm.
“Yeah, we can do that.” He pulled his phone from his right pocket and handed it to her. “Look one up. Let's go.” He walked to the door and opened it, ushering her out.
“I need some cash.” She moved to the jar by the stove and pulled out the last twenty, jamming it in her pocket.
“I got this.” He grabbed her hand.
“You can't take care of me all the time,” she sighed.
“Why the hell not? What would be so wrong with that, Zoe Parker?” He jerked her to him and caught her in his arms, feeling her soft curves press against his hard angles.
“I... Nothing would be wrong with it. But you will be leaving.” She was flustered.
He lowered his face to hers and growled softly, “I told you don't keep reminding me about that.”
Her breath caught and her eyes went wide. “Calvin,” she breathed.
“Let's go.” He grinned brilliantly, knowing exactly where her thoughts were going. She frowned as he hustled her out the door.
“You are a tease.” She pouted.
“Me? No...” He grinned again, shutting the door behind them and jumping off the porch. “Let's go, Zoe. I want you to have a great night.” He opened the passenger door and ushered her in. “Okay, look up a bar with karaoke.”
She climbed in and buckled her seat belt. “Okay.” She fiddled with his phone as he began driving toward Mobile. She felt the weight lifting off her as the miles took them away. She took a cleansing breath and let it go, focusing on the passing landscape.
“Earth to Zoe. Have you found anywhere?” He touched her thigh and she jumped at the electric jolt that hit her core.
“Yeah, a bar called Starving Maggots. It sounds horrible.” She laughed. “Want the address?”
“There is an app on my phone for directions, just plug it in.” He turned the radio on softly and he drummed his long, slender fingers against the steering wheel. She poked some buttons on the phone and a voice began directing them. He caught her hand in his and squeezed it, shooting a quick smile her direction. She couldn't help but smile as she turned to look out the window. It feels so damn natural to be with him.
He let go of her hand as they got deeper into town, following the directions to a small, squat brick building in a strip mall. A tattoo shop stood on one side, and a coffee shop stood on the other. The door was a red metal affair with a silver handle and there were two windows along the front that showed a dusky interior and some fluorescent beer signs. She looked at him curiously. “For a place called Starving Maggots, I can't say that it looks all that bad ass.”
“Who needs bad ass? I don't want to get in a fight and get in trouble. I just want to go have fun.” He parked the car against the curb and got out, hustling to her side and letting her out before pressing the lock button on his keys. He took her hand and led her to the door, opening it and holding it open for her. The inside was cool and smelled a little like fries. Her stomach grumbled. She hadn't eaten yet today.
“Kinda wish I'd eaten some chicken and dumplings before we came,” she laughed softly.
“Want something to eat?” He headed to the bar, where a bartender stood, wiping a
glass. The man was bald, with tattoos covering the top of his head and arms. He smiled widely.
“Hey, y'all. What can I do you for?” He sat the glass down on the mahogany bar and leaned forward.
Calvin looked at Zoe. “What do you want?”
She stuck her hand in her pocket and fingered the twenty there. It was the last one that had been in the jar. “Um. A water and do you guys have fries?”
The bartender nodded. “Yeah, regular and bacon cheese.”
She licked her lips unconsciously. “I want some bacon cheese fries too.” She pulled the crumpled twenty from her pocket.
Calvin looked at the bartender. “Can you set us up a tab? I'd like a Coke. Put her fries on there, please.”
The bartender looked between them curiously. Zoe was shooting daggers at the side of Calvin's face. He ignored her. “I can pay for the fries.”
“Just put it on my tab.”
She stomped her foot. She knew she looked like a petulant two year old, but she didn't care anymore. “I can pay for the fries.”
“And I want to buy them for you. Can you just let me?” He smiled gently.
She sighed, giving in. “Fine.”
The bartender looked between them and shook his head. “You two need some sex. The tension here is enough to choke a horse.” He smacked two glasses up on the counter, a coke and a water with a slice of lemon before walking off.
Calvin started laughing. Her eyes flashed. “Don't you laugh at me, damn it.”
He grinned wide. “Laughing with you. You're so damn cute.” He snagged her by the waist and pulled her close. “I can't believe I spent this long without you.”
Her eyes went dark and she swallowed. “I can't believe it either.” He leaned forward and their lips nearly touched.
The bartender came back around the corner and smacked the wooden bar with the palm of his hand three times. They jumped apart. “No necking in my bar!”
Calvin grinned, leaning back. “Alright, how about some karaoke then, man?”
He grinned. “We can do that. It's all computerized. Just pick your song, like a juke box, then it will start. Best investment we ever made.” He paused. “Ain't like y'all got a crowd.” He waved to the empty bar. “Should start getting in some happy hour folks soon.”
Zoe grabbed her water and headed toward the small stage in the corner, decked out in horrible flamingo lights. She pointed to Calvin. “Sit.”
He raised an eyebrow and sat at the little round mahogany table in front of the stage. “Fine.”
She leaned forward, poking buttons on the little machine. The song she picked made her smile. It was “Breathe” by Faith Hill. The music started pumping and she felt the tune slide into her veins and flood her with endorphins. Best high ever. She grabbed the mic and started singing to him. It was the closest she'd come to saying she loved him yet.
He sat back in the chair, watching her sway and sing. Her voice was sweet and smooth. Her eyes stayed closed as her hips swayed to the beat. He found himself getting hard just watching her curves shimmy and undulate. He shifted in the chair to get more comfortable. As the strains of the song drew to a close, she opened her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed and a smile crossed her face.
“Is it my turn yet?” He drawled. She stuck her tongue out at him and stepped off the stage, handing him the mic. He caught her wrist and pressed a kiss to the sensitive skin there. Her eyes went wide and she licked her bottom lip, the dewy rose shade drawing him in. The bartender coughed, breaking the spell. He shook his head and climbed up to the stage. Zoe had grabbed her fries and was devouring them. He noticed she'd gotten a soda and couldn't help but smile. He bent to pick a song.
The music started and her eyes went wide. Expecting something a lot different, I bet, he thought to himself. He belted out “Head over Heels” by Tears for Fears, his voice gravelly and smooth, honey hot and sensual. She shivered, her fries long forgotten. Her eyes devoured his splayed legs and hand stuck in his pocket, traveled up his chiseled chest to his gorgeous face, drinking in the half smile on his lips, his sleepy and sexy eyes. As the song ended, he looked at her and smiled.
The bartender clapped. “Can I request a song that you two sing together?”
Calvin looked at Zoe quietly, waiting for her to answer. “Sure,” she said, standing and wiping her hands on a napkin. “Why not?”
“Sweet,” he said, coming around the bar. He jumped up on the stage and punched a song in. “You two are gonna have some magic on this one. Enjoy, kids.”
He headed back to the bar and the song slowly filtered through the speakers. She climbed up on the stage, and realized they had to share a mic. “Do you know the song?” Calvin whispered quietly.
“Yeah,” she murmured, her heart thumping. She knew the song all too well. It was “Wonderwall” by Oasis. Their voices melded and made love to each other through the mic, her higher pitch being perfectly complimented by his lower one. As they sang, the world seemed to lose focus and it was only the two of them. The song ended and they stood looking into each other's eyes for a few more moments, the spell broken by the bartender clapping.
“Damn kids, I knew you two would have magic... I just didn't think it would be quite like that.” Zoe flushed beautifully. He bit his bottom lip watching the tendrils skim then dip beneath the neckline of her top.
“Thank you,” she smiled at the bartender. They stepped off the stage.
“So, I see you are wearing dog tags, man. What branch you in?”
Calvin took a sip of his Coke. “I'm Army.”
“You stationed near here?”
“Nah, home on R&R from Afghanistan.”
“Damn, son. Tell you what. Your stuff is on me tonight. Thank you for serving our country.” The man shook Calvin's hand and Calvin smiled tightly.
“You don't have to do that.” He said awkwardly.
“No, man, really. I have it. It's the least I can do. You and your lady enjoy yourselves.” He tapped the bar and grinned, heading to the other end to continue doing inventory.
Calvin rubbed his head. “I hate that.”
“What?” Zoe asked curiously.
“People fawning over me being in the military,” he sighed.
“Why? It's a big deal.” She touched his hand.
“Yeah. I guess.” He shrugged. “Just don't feel I deserve to be treated special. I'm still just me.”
“I like that about you. I always have.” She took a sip of her Coke and looked away quickly.
“What's that? You've liked me?” He grinned and touched her knee.
“Yeah. I always have. You were the guy I always wanted and knew I'd never have.” She watched him with wary eyes.
“Yeah? Who says you can't have me? I certainly don't.” He leaned back and crossed his arms. “Do you want me, Zoe Parker?”
She shrugged and played with her straw for a minute before staring him down. “What if I do?”
He leaned forward and murmured conspiratorially, “Maybe you could find out.”
She raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Maybe? Can't handle the job?”
He coughed. “Hey. I can handle the job, damn it.”
She shrugged again. “It may have been a while, Cal. I mean, I hear it's pretty rough out in the desert.”
He growled. “I can show you rough, Zoe.” He caught her hand and brought her knuckles to his mouth. “I can show you soft too.”
“But can you last?” She pursed her lips. “That is the question.”
He grinned. “Can you? How many times can I make you scream in pleasure before you beg me to make love to you, Zoe?”
Her breath caught in her throat. “Wanna find out, Calvin?”
“You got that shit right. Let's get out of here.” He grabbed her hand and raised his arm to the bartender. “Heading out to cut that tension!” The bartender started laughing and Zoe flushed as she smacked his arm.
“Calvin!” She squeaked. “That was so inappropriate.”
He shrugged.
“Baby, it has been five years since I have touched a woman. I want the world to know I'm getting ready to rock yours.” He opened her door and she climbed in. He ran around the car and jumped in. He looked at her quickly. “Do you want to drive back to Major?”
“Do you?” She breathed.
“Fuck no. I want you now,” he growled. He started the car and pulled out into traffic. “Look up a nice hotel. Now.”
She smirked and poked at his phone, sending directions through to the GPS app. “Done.”
He caught her hand and squeezed it. “You sure about this?”
“Yeah, Calvin. I've wanted something like this to happen with you since I was fifteen.”
He looked at her quickly. “Really?” She nodded, saying nothing more.
Chapter Eleven – Saturday Evening
He pulled into the parking lot of a beautiful old building. It was a tall, square brick hotel with tons of windows. “This is the place,” she said softly. “The Renaissance Broadwater Hotel.”
“It is magnificent,” he said, a lump in his throat, his pulse thundering in his ears. “Come on, Beautiful.” He led her up to the sweeping staircase that led to the door of the hotel, opening the gilded glass door. The woman at the marble counter was statuesque, with blonde hair piled in a bun on top of her head, and her ruby lips matching her satin shirt and the brocade drapes at the windows. The place oozed opulence.
“You sure about this, Calvin? It looks incredibly expensive,” she whispered.
“Yeah, I am.” He strode to the counter and said, “I need a room for the evening, please.” The woman smiled and happily checked them in. Zoe stood there toeing the carpet, a bundle of nerves. He took the room key and grabbed her hand. “Let's go.”
They rode the ivory elevator to the third floor, and she watched the muscles in Calvin's jaw play as he clenched his teeth. He almost ran down the hall, jamming the key in the door before twisting the handle. He pulled her inside and murmured, “Are you sure?” His mouth was a hair's breadth from hers and she shivered.
“Are you sure?” She parroted back.
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