Page 48 of Desert King

“No one is perfect. It’s beautiful that you loved her like that.”

“You’ve never had someone love you deep and hard?”

“No. Never.”

“Prepare yourself. What’s your real name?”

“You’ll find out tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, for now then.”

“Goodnight.” We disconnect and I’m full of butterflies. I know the real him not the jerk he pretends to be. But will Tarak give me a chance? How can I ever confess the night we shared?

I grab a blanket, wrap it around myself and unlock my door. I’m sleeping under the stairs again tonight. I feel close to him that way. Close to everything. Maybe even God.

I climb into my hammock, gently swinging it with one foot. “Please, Mandy. Let him go. Give him to me. I’ll cherish his heart if I get the chance.” My wish makes its way up to the stars. I hope she hears it.

* * *

My hands shakeas I apply the light pink gloss to my lips. Jenny came over earlier to do my hair. I just told her I had a date but wouldn’t tell her with who. My makeup is light and on point. I thought about putting on a cute sundress but that might have been her style not mine. Instead, I have my comfy jean shorts with frayed ends and a simple tank top showing of my lightly tanned arms. I push my feet into my Van sneakers and grab the keys to the truck. Getting a new one is on my to-do list as soon as I can scrape enough money together.

“Here goes nothing, Amber.” I glance at my reflection barely recognizing the girl I was a few months ago when I was back in Florida daydreaming about the life I’m living now. Gone is the girl with the pasty skin, limp hair, and haunted eyes. Gone are the regrets, insecurity, and self-doubt I wore for so long.

My palms are clammy on the wheel as I drive into downtown, parking at a lot behind the strip, near the hidden park where our bridge is.

My heart is in my throat. But I can’t stand him up. I walk slowly but keep my eyes and chin up. He’s already there, leaning on the bridge, tossing a coin into the pond below. He’s wearing his jeans, Royal Bastards MC cut and his snakeskin boots. I guess he’s coming as he is, too. Not the businessman in a tux he could’ve been taken for last night.

He turns around.

“It’s you.”

I wince. “Don’t be angry. Please. Can we just talk?” He nods, saying nothing. I wring my hands coming forward. “It’s always been me, actually.”

He takes of his aviators, puzzled by my words. I step forward, boldly grabbing his left hand. Sparks shoot up my arm at the touch. I stare up at him. “I know you hated me on sight. I kind of hated you, too. I thought you were such an arrogant bully. And well, I’ve been bullied my whole life. I’m done with it. Especially after surviving my illness. In my mind’s eye, I pictured something new for myself. A do-over. I’ve found it here. Even before the magic of last night. You are just the thing I hoped to find, but if I didn’t that would be okay. This journey was more about finding me but in doing that—I found you.”

He says nothing but takes me into his arms, hugging me tightly. After a few minutes he brushes back my hair, steps back and stares down at me. “Will you forgive me for being such a bastard?”

“It is printed on the back of your cut,” I tease, playfully grabbing the edges of it.

“That it is,” he grins.

“Are you hungry? Can we go eat? Start over and just get to know one another?”

“I’d like that.”

He smiles, takes my hand, and leads me to an outdoor patio adjacent to a cozy restaurant I’ve passed by but never got the chance to try. After we’re seated, he orders a bottle of wine and pours two glasses. “To new beginnings.”

“To new beginnings.”

During the course of the meal, I share everything. About my life, my insecurities, my illness, how I met Edge and what he asked of me. Tarak’s face darkens. I’m not sure if I should tell him about Elle. It’s not my secret and yet I have so many I’ve kept. The napkin twists in my hands. “I need to tell you something. Don’t get mad. It’s not my story to tell but if we’re going to try something, I don’t want to keep anything from you…”

He places his glass of wine down. His dark eyes miss none of the worry in my face and waits.

“Edge and I made a deal.”

“Break it,” he growls. “You’re under my protection now. You don’t owe him jack for anything he’s done for you.”

“He did stop. He did have my car towed and gave me a new one. I know it was stupid to take it.”

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