Page 42 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

Chapter Thirteen

Everybody sat close to the stage while I preferred to put as much distance from the stage and from the crowd. I found my place in the furthest corner of the ballroom and leaned against the column. I couldn’t remember the last time I listened to music. It used to be part of my writing routine, playing my music and getting lost in the story I was writing.

Now, I was just lost. I couldn’t find an inspiration to write nor to listen to music.

The lights dimmed down and everybody quieted. Light shone onto the stage and highlighted Ainslee. She looked beautiful, her vibrant hair enhanced even more under the spotlights on her.

“The first song,” she announced, “...will be for our friend from across the pond.”

I had a bad suspicion she meant me. She continued. “They are fond of country music so we’ll do one of those.”

Despite myself, my lips curved into a small smile. I couldn’t imagine any Scottish person enjoying country music.

The first tunes played and my heart stopped. She was singing Jason Aldean’s “Tonight Looks Good On You.”I’d picked that song out of a million others. I could never forget it. I stood still, listening to her melodious voice singing the words Hunter always said were meant for me.

Ainslee sang beautifully. Such familiar words but so different coming from her lips.

A waiter came around offering drinks from a tray and I took the first drink that my fingers got a hold of. I turned around and stepped onto the terrace. Everybody still inside, I found a dark corner right behind the terrace door and leaned against the wall.

I could still hear the song, like a soft memory. I closed my eyes, listening to the words and remembering. Life threw punches, so many punches, today. I’d been hiding, avoiding them for the past year, and now they’ve been coming at me from all sides.

Words of the song under this summer night, it was a torture.

“Eve,” Lachlan's voice reached me and I opened my eyes to meet his gaze. The starry night and the crescent moon made his grey eyes seem like a shining light. If I took a step, I’d be in his arms. I had felt alone and cold for so long, but when he was around, the lonely feelings were tampered, almost gone.

“You alright?” His deep voice sent different kinds of shivers through my body.

I took a gulp of my drink. I wasn’t sure what it was but it was strong.

I closed my eyes again and mumbled, “It was my wedding song.”

Silence stretched on and I wasn’t sure what I waited for or even what I wanted.

Actually, I knew what I wanted. But I was an emotional basket case, a wreck waiting to happen. I didn’t want to sink anyone else with me if I went down.

“Let me in,” he spoke low, his voice laced with promises. His body was so close, I could feel his heat and smell his cologne. “Let me kiss every scar and wash all your hurt away. Let me in.”

His hand reached for my necklace, fingering the rings around my neck.

Through the haze in my brain I registered Ainslee switched to some Gaelic song that sounded sad and sorrowful.

“You make me want things I thought long dead,” my voice was shaking. “And your voice, your smell, your warmth… make me need things I haven't needed in a long time. ”

“I’m not him, Eve,” his deep voice was tense and held a challenge. He slightly pulled at the rings as if he wanted to remove all my past and get the heavy load off my neck. “When I take you, there won’t be room for ghosts.”

I noted he said when, not if. I watched him under my lashes, his eyes hungry on me. I needed to feel his hunger, all his hunger and desire. He made my pain bearable, and brought out desire in me, contentment and some peace. But it wouldn’t be fair to offer him less… not to warn him.

“I’m broken,” I whispered, my body trembling. “Every time I’m reminded, I’m set back and I’m drowning. I don’t want to pull you under with me, or destroy you.”

I thought for a second he’d taken my warning because he said nothing, just continued watching me.

Then he took a step towards me, his hard body against mine. His head came down and he murmured against my lips.

“You won’t.” There wasn’t a shred of doubt in his voice. “I’ll pull you out when you’re drowning.”

I slowly raised my hands and placed them on his chest, my eyes on his handsome face. I loved the heat of his body so close to mine. His hands went to my waist, and the passion in his eyes made me gasp. His soft lips touched mine, feather light as if testing waters. His tongue brushed gently on my lower lip, asking permission.

My arms went around his neck, and my mouth opened to let him in, giving him the consent. His control snapped, and he lifted me into his arms. His kiss turned hard, his tongue exploring my mouth, teasing and taking.

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