Write You a Love Song

by Francisco, Fabiola

  I shake my head, communicating without words. Eli has been a friend in the same way Axel has.

  “Heard the good news. Cheers,” I overhear Eli tell Knox.

  “Thanks. I’m finally a free man.” Knox’s voice is even as he taps his glass with Eli’s.

  I watch the two friends drink and catch up, only hearing bits and pieces as I work. It seems like the label made the announcement like Knox mentioned would happen. Something about hearing that makes today more special. He chose me to spend such an important day with.

  Smiling to myself, I work and sing along with the music sounding through the bar, replaying our kiss from earlier as the time passes.

  …

  When Knox pulls into the parking lot in front of my apartment building, I unbuckle my seat belt and turn to him, tucking one leg under me. “Thanks for today.”

  “You don’t need to thank me.” He shakes his head.

  I lean forward and kiss his cheek. “I want to thank you, accept it.” I look up into his eyes in the dim cab illuminated by the street lights.

  Knox groans and holds the back of my neck, bringing my lips to his, sweeping his tongue against mine as he drags me into a world where nothing else exists. My arms move around his neck as I scoot closer and I tug the ends of his hair. He moans into the kiss as I scrape my nails down his neck.

  My entire body is ultra-aware and sensitive with the feel of him against me, his hand moving up and down my ribs.

  “Damn, Ainsley.” He pulls away slightly, catching his breath and leaning his forehead against mine. His hands cup my face, and he smirks. “I like kissing you.” He gives me a peck. “I like spending time with you.” Another kiss. “Did I mention I like you?” His lips swipe against mine again.

  “You did, but you can say it again.” I lean in and kiss him, wanting more.

  Knox chuckles against my lips. “You don’t let my fame affect you, and that means something to me.”

  His confession squeezes my heart. “You’re a person,” I shrug. “Your job shouldn’t define you.”

  “But it does.” He sighs and moves back, keeping his hands on my face. “I need you to understand that if we’re going to continue spending time together. Eventually, people will notice.”

  I nod. “I know.”

  “I don’t want to hide you. I made that mistake once, and I haven’t forgiven myself yet. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  I reach up and place my hand on his cheek, his beard tickling my palm. “It’s okay. I understand that your life isn’t as simple as others. When I first met you, I thought you were an ass, with your broody attitude and closed-off demeanor, but then you cracked a smile, and I knew there was more to you. It must not be easy to live the life you do, and I had heard some rumors, but you show up each day and live your life instead of letting other’s opinions control you.”

  “You have no idea how much I’ve been controlled.” His shoulders drop on a sigh, and his eyes close.

  “Good thing you’ve taken back that power and started making decisions you want,” I smile.

  “You’re always so positive,” he states.

  “I learned when I was a kid that we choose how we want to feel. My parents taught me that early on. They would tell me, it’s okay to cry and feel sad. It’s not okay to hold those emotions hostage for them to change me. I always carried that advice with me,” I shrug, grateful my parents instilled that in my belief system from the beginning.

  “I like that. I may have to borrow it.”

  “It’s all yours.” I reach for one of his hands on my face and bring it to my lap, clutching his fingers.

  “When do you have a day off from work?” He holds my hand and drops the other to my thigh.

  “Wednesday.”

  “Have dinner with me?” My stomach flips, and I nod with a smile. “Awesome.” His wide grin tugs at my heart. “First, I need your number. As much as I like teasing you about your Instagram handle, I want to be able to call you.”

  “Hey now, my handle is just fine the way it is.”

  “You’ll still have to show me your gangster side. I have a feeling you’re bluffing,” he teases.

  I touch his chest with my finger and say, “You have to earn that right, but you just wait and see. I can rap like a pro.”

  Laughing, Knox looks at me, eyes twinkling. “I’m going to make sure you keep that promise.” He grabs his phone. “Okay, tell me your number.”

  As soon as he saves it, my phone vibrates. “You’ve got mine now. If I can’t make it to Clarke’s tomorrow, I’ll call you to tell you our plans for Wednesday.”

  “Sounds good.” I hop out of his car, and he meets me by the hood before walking me up the stairs to my apartment.

  “Goodnight,” he whispers on a kiss.

  “You, too.”

  When the door closes behind me, I jump with my arms flailing all around. Total nerd moment, but I have a date with Knox Bentley in two days. Holy crap.

  Knox

  “This view is gorgeous,” Ainsley says as she stares out the gondola we’re riding on, heading up to Oaks Resort. She looks stunning in black, tight jeans, heeled booties, and a cream over-sized sweater. Her blue eyes sparkle under the morning rays.

  “It is,” I look out the window at the snow-covered mountains and panoramic view of northern Wyoming.

  I reserved one for us alone, grateful to not have other strangers with us, staring at me. When I asked her out, I wanted to do something special, different. As soon as I found out she was off the entire day, I planned an earlier date.

  It was a greedy choice to plan something earlier so I could spend more time with her, but she makes me feel again after a long season of numbness. Ainsley is the type of woman you want around you. I knew a woman like that once, and I lost her. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and if life’s given me the chance to be happy again, I’m grabbing it tightly.

  She pulls out her phone and snaps a photo. “I want to make sure I keep a memory of this.” She turns to look at me with a smirk and points her phone toward me and takes a picture. She giggles as she looks at it. “Not your best look, but I’m saving it.”

  “Let me see.”

  She shakes her head, so I lean forward across the gondola where she’s sitting to snatch her phone, but she’s quick. I leap for it, making the gondola shake a little.

  “Oh, my God! Stop moving so much.” Her wide eyes stare at me as she grips the sides, giving me a perfect chance to steal her phone away.

  “Hey!” She’s too slow, and I take a selfie.

  “There, now you have a better picture.” I hand back her phone and use her wrist to pull her toward me. She lands on my lap with a thud, and I wrap my arms around her waist. “This is better,” I whisper in her ear.

  Ainsley’s chest rises and falls on a sigh, but she remains silent as she stares out the windows.

  “Penny for your thoughts.” I look up at her, her hand brushing through her hair before looking back at me.

  “I’m confused.” Her eyes cast down where my hands rest on the tops of her thighs. She places her hands over mine and smiles, but my body is tense as I wait for her to continue. “I like you, but you just got divorced, and you’re in Everton while you figure out your next step. And then there’s…” her voice trails off.

  “There’s what?” I push, holding her chin and turning her head to face me again.

  “Your personal life and past aren’t my business, but there’s a reason the tabloids connected your divorce to another woman,” she doesn’t hold back, giving me what I asked for.

  I flinch and shut my eyes. I let air slip from my mouth before opening my eyes and looking at her. “We don’t know much about each other yet, and that’s the point of spending time together. What I do know is that you bring some kind of spark into my life when it’s been dull for a long time. Yes, part of the reason for my divorce was due to Reese, but it’s not what you think.”

  “I just don’t want history to repeat itsel
f.”

  I know she’s talking about her own relationship experiences, but when I say, “Me either,” I’m talking about my own mistakes.

  “I want to get to know you, learn what makes you smile, and hear you ramble on about your life and your favorite things. The last few years of my life have been chaos, which is why I’ve left the music industry. I’m not sure if I’ll make a comeback or not, but for some time people will be watching my moves, guessing what decision I’ll make.

  “I don’t want to hide you, but I also know what it’s like to be talked about with assumptions and rumors and have your photo plastered everywhere. I wouldn’t bring you into that life if I didn’t have the intention of spending real time with you, but as soon as we step off this gondola and walk into the resort, we’re making a statement. If you’re not ready, we’ll head back down, no hard feelings.” I squeeze my arms around her, staring into her eyes.

  “You said the resort serves breakfast all day long?” I nod. Her smile is a bright light, competing with the white snow shining below us. “I love breakfast food.” She kisses me softly, her hair fanning around us.

  “Day by day, I promise to tell you about my life because it is your business, but I just want to be in the present today.” I run my hands up and down her back.

  “I can live with that.” She shifts on my lap, causing me to groan and her to giggle. “Oops.” She winks, not one bit sorry.

  I reach up and kiss her, biting her bottom lip. “You’re gonna be really sorry if you don’t stop.”

  She shivers in my arms, and I give her a crooked smirk, pleased with her reaction.

  The gondola locks into the trail that stops at the resort, and I drop a kiss on the base of her throat before she stands. Adjusting myself, I walk out behind her and hold her hand. Ainsley doesn’t back down or cower away from the eyes staring at us and whispering amongst each other. Instead, she looks up at me and beams. I wink, pulling her to me by the hand and wrapping my arm around her shoulder.

  This woman has nothing to worry about if she thinks I prefer to spend my time with someone else.

  …

  “Which has been your favorite place to perform?” Ainsley leans back in her seat, pushing her empty plate forward a bit so she can fold her hands on the table.

  “Good one, I think the Opry. It’s such a historic place and an honor to be invited to perform there. So many admirable musicians have performed on that stage, you can feel their energy when you walk into the auditorium,” I respond.

  “That must be amazing.” She leans forward, propping her elbow on the table and resting her chin on her hand.

  “My turn,” I cross my arms and lean forward, the lingering smell of maple syrup from our waffles surrounding us. “Your favorite song.”

  Ainsley giggles and shakes her head. “I can’t tell you.”

  “Fair is fair, I answer, and so do you.” I shake my head. We’ve been at this game for thirty minutes, getting to know each other based on the questions we ask one another. So far, I know she fell and tore the skin on her knee when she was five because she jumped off a merry-go-round while it was still moving. She knows I have perfected my turkey call.

  “Fine, but you can’t laugh. I only say that because it goes with my whole gangster vibe.” She rocks her shoulders up and down.

  I bite down my laughter and widen my eyes, prompting her to speak.

  “‘The Real Slim Shady’ by Eminem.” She bites down on her lip.

  “Really?” I tilt my head. “I wasn’t expecting that, but I’m going to need you to sing this for me,” I tease her.

  “No, no,” she shakes her head. “I only save my Marshall Mathers rapping for my empty apartment.”

  “We’ll see,” I smirk.

  “Okay, what’s your favorite number?” she changes subjects.

  “Eight. I’m not sure why, but it always makes me feel lucky when I see it.”

  “Yeah, I don’t know why people have favorite numbers, but it’s interesting to learn what they are.”

  “Can I get you anything else?” the waitress interrupts.

  “No, thank you. We’re done,” I reply and give her space on the table so she can gather our plates.

  “Great. I’ll bring the check then,” she smiles at us, and I’m grateful she was professional while serving us.

  “I guess that’s our cue,” Ainsley says.

  “We can go back to my place and have a drink,” I suggest, hoping to God she wants to spend more time with me.

  “Sounds good.”

  I pay as soon as the waitress brings me the check and climb back on our private gondola as we return to the bottom of the mountain, Ainsley’s hand in mine the entire time.

  Once I’m driving back to my house, I press something on my phone and wait for her reaction.

  “You didn’t!” She slaps her thigh.

  “Come on, I’ll join you.” Eminem’s voice sounds through my sound system, and I notice her dancing out of the corner of my eye.

  I chuckle when she starts singing, not missing a beat or lyric. Impressive. I sing the chorus with her, allowing her confident mood to sweep us away and back to my place.

  “Oh man, I love that song.” Her head hits the headrest with a thud.

  “I used to listen to more of his music when I was younger, but then I discovered country music and fell in love with the genre,” she shares.

  “I’ve always loved it. It was all I wanted to do when I was a kid, and I fought for that dream.” My lips turn up sadly, thinking back to the boy who wanted to be like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.

  “You should be proud of that.” Ainsley reaches for my hand and holds on tight. “Not many people can say they’ve accomplished what you have.”

  “It’s not always what it seems, though,” I confess.

  “I’m sure it’s not. Being famous comes with many challenges, but you’re sharing your passion with the world,” she tries to comfort me.

  I nod. “Maybe for some. I haven’t written a song in a long time, let alone performed my own words in years.”

  “Really?” I feel her turn toward me. “How come?”

  “Like I said, it’s not always what it seems. When you sign your name to a label, you don’t get to call the shots.”

  “Damn, I would hate to accomplish such an important dream and then not able to fully express myself.”

  “It’s hard.” I try to push away the sobering thoughts and focus on the woman next to me.

  “Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy your songs, but I can imagine how much better they’d be if you were singing words you felt passionate about,” she comments. If I didn’t think she’d understand me before, she proved me wrong. Ainsley surprises me more and more with each wisdom she shares.

  “Anyway, I was thinking we can turn on the fire pit in my back porch. Are you too chicken to sit out in the cold?” I give her a sideways glance, challenging her.

  “As long as I can wear my coat, I’m up for it.”

  “Perfect.” I take us home as quickly as possible, ready to have her back in my arms.

  Knox

  As soon as we’re inside my house, I ask Ainsley what she wants to drink. I’m surprised when she says scotch, and serve us each a glass. Then, I head out and uncover the fire pit, filling it with firewood and lighting it.

  “Come on,” I call Ainsley over as she looks at me from the open patio doors. She joins me, handing me my glass, and taking a seat close to the fire. I pull a chair close to hers and hit my cup to hers.

  “Cheers,” I say before taking a sip, allowing the amber liquid to warm me.

  “This is beautiful.” Her eyes sweep over the flames to the view of the mountains with the sun cast low, sinking behind them.

  “I love it. It’s my refuge.” I know that when everything is wrong in the world, I can come here and put things into perspective.

  “It’s so peaceful,” she adds, holding the glass between her thighs and reaching forward to warm her hands
up by the fire.

  “Come ‘ere,” I place the cup on the table to my left and reach my hand out to her. After setting her glass next to mine, I grab her hand and pull her to me until she’s sitting on my lap.

  I move my arms up and down her body, warming her up, as she stares out. When she leans back into me, I wrap my arms around her waist and kiss her neck. Ainsley moans softly, but my dick hears it. When she moves her hair to the side, I take that as an invitation to kiss her again. Her breathing becomes heavier as I nip her skin and continue to run my hands up and down her body.

  She turns her head, catching my lips, the taste of whiskey on her breath as I stroke my tongue against hers. I press my hands into her hips and groan when I feel her shift on my lap. Next thing I know, she’s completely turned around and straddling me, her hands in my hair and her lips moving down my jaw until her teeth graze my earlobe.

  “Fuck,” I growl, desperate to feel something more than the coat she’s wearing.

  “I know,” she whispers before her lips land on mine again, and she kisses me with need. Her body pressed into mine makes it hard to control myself, and I want less barriers between us, but she calls the shots on how far we go.

  Her breathing is erratic when she breaks away and places her head on my shoulder. “Sorry.”

  I chuckle. “I have no idea what you’re apologizing for.”

  She looks up at me, making her body rub against my erection. “I got a little carried away.” Her cheeks turn pink, and I rub a thumb across her soft skin. She’s stunning with the sun’s glow behind her, creating a halo over her blonde waves.

  “You could do that again anytime you want.” I drop a kiss on her swollen lips. “Anytime,” I emphasize.

  She shivers and grabs one of the glasses, no longer aware of which is hers or mine, and takes a drink of whiskey before tipping the cup and placing it on my lips so I can have some. Her eyes burn into mine, the playful Ainsley gone, a woman full of desire in her place.

  “I’m not ready to go all the way, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to,” she admits.

  “We go at your pace.” I don’t want her to feel like I expect her to get naked and fuck me because of who I am.