Page 69 of Between Now & Heartbreak

Until we find our forever, for you, I’ll take them all.”

Her eyes shining with unshed tears, and when I play the final note, she claps briefly and then covers her mouth with her hand and stares wide eyed at me.

“Are those good tears?” I ask, surprised by, but not at all unhappy with, her reaction.

She drops her hands to reveal a smile, the most radiant I’ve ever seen on her face.

“Carter, this is your calling. You…” she trails off, bringing her fingers to her lip as if to still their trembling. “You shouldseeyourself.”

I can feel what she means. When I sit down at my piano, and play music I’ve written, I can see a different version of my future. One where my audience is moved to sing along with me. Performances that are part of a group effort.

Music thatIwrite and play.

And sing.

Her as my muse.

Me, as hers.

I act on impulse and without asking, I cup her cheeks and search her eyes - the same blue as the ocean - and see the same turmoil there as I feel inside myself.

Yes, we’ve become friends in the last few weeks. But, it’s so much more than that, too, and trying to ignore it, is like asking the stars not to shine.

20

FORTUNE

BETH

“I’m goingto kiss you, now,” Carter says it like he’s giving a dire warning.

“My goodness, you’re presumptuous,” I sigh, but don’t pull away. I couldn’t. His mouth is so close. That song was so beautiful and catchy. God, talk about talent.

“Fortune is on my side tonight. So, I’m going for broke. Let me kiss you,” his voice is rumble.

I’m giddy with whatever is happening, but… “Carter you said we’d just be friends.” I lick my lower lip and his eye dart to it and he moves closer to me. His big hands move so that he’s cupping head.

“No,yousaid.Itoldyouit was a terrible idea.” His voice is all seduction and mischief. A million humming birds flutter in my chest at the perfectly wicked smile he’s wearing as he brings his face toward mine.

His eyes glitter green hued promises that make heat curl in my belly, and alarm bells ring in my head.

“What are—”

His lips press softly to mine and cut off my words. My breath catches in my throat and my eyes flutter shut at the touch. His lips are soft, warm and his kiss is as light as gossamer. He starts to pull away and before I can think, I’ve slid a hand into his thick soft hair and I’m pulling his mouth back to mine. He chuckles before he covers my lips with his, shoves a hand into my hair and slides his tongue into my mouth.

And holy God, does it feel good. His hands are everywhere, running down my back, cupping my ass, pushing into the hot space between my legs through the fabric. His fingers find the heat and wet that is building and spilling from me. Through the cotton gusset of my panties, his fingers are blunt and hard and demanding and so good.

I want him. I want him. I want him.

I wanteverythingso much I can’t breathe.

I’m desperate to feel him where I need him.

There’s an ache that started blooming the night I met that only he has been able to soothe.

I groan and grind into his fingers until I feel just a taste of what I know is to come.

“Please,” I whimper and press down.

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