Page 70 of Words I Couldn't Say
OUR DATE HAD STARTED OFFmuch earlier than expected. Which, after the long few weeks we’d had, was exactly what we’d needed. And the conversation we’d had? Knowing he wanted me even after I was done filming lifted so much weight off my shoulders. Sure, he’d told me that he loved me, but the confirmation that we were both on the same page about the future was what I’d needed.
We did the usual first-date stuff: dinner and dancing. We shared mouth-watering tapas, and the way Tucker fed me with his fingers then slowly slid them from my mouth had my legs quivering in a way that had me wanting to signal for our check. Our bodies moved together in perfect rhythm on the dance floor as electronic dance music pulsed in the nightclub around us. I shivered when Tucker kissed the curve of my neck then trailed his lips up to my ear, where he nibbled on my lobe. His arms tightened around my waist, and his hand settled on my belly.
“Wanna get out of here?” His seductive whispers sent instant heat between my legs, and I nodded.
He grabbed my hand, and I struggled to keep up as he led me out of the club and to the car, apparently as eager to make love in our bed as I was.
Except he clearly had something else in mind.
I was surprised when we pulled up to the studio. “What are we doing here?”
He parked the car and exited without a word. When he opened my door, he held a hand out. “Trust me?” he asked.
My eyes met his warm ones, and I rose on my tiptoes to place a reassuring kiss on his lips. “Always.”
He entwined our fingers and held me close as he led me into a small room with a massive computer and several sets of headphones.
“What is all of this?”
“As part of my contract, I get to pick two songs for the soundtrack. I think I’ve found them and wanted to see what you thought.”
“Really?” I asked, excitement bubbling up.
He nodded and placed a giant set of headphones over my ears. Before he pressed play, he pulled one ear piece aside and whispered, “This is Trevor’s wedding song for Abby.”
Butterflies rose in my stomach, because if it was a song Tucker has chosen for their marriage, it was one he’d pick for ours. I studied the screen. The song was by an unknown band to me, Kodaline, and it was called “The One.”
I closed my eyes and allowed the lyrics to shower me with words that touched me deep down in my soul. The last lyric came and went, just as the tears streaming down my face. Then it was silent and I blinked my eyes open.
Tucker was watching me intently. “Do you like it?”
“Like it? Are you kidding? I love it! It’s absolutely perfect for Trevor and Abby. Just perfect.” I felt silly when I hiccupped on the last word, having been so moved by the lyrics.
He cupped my cheek and used his thumb to wipe my tears. “This isn’t for them. This is for you.” He leaned in close, his lips were a whisper of a kiss on mine. “If I could write you a song, Ava, it would be this.”
“Tucker, this song is beautiful. I’m touched it made you think of me. But a song? Babe, you wrote me a book. The most eloquent, touching, heartfelt words I’ve ever read, and they were for me.”
His thumb stroked my cheek. “It’s all for you. All I’ve ever done is for you.”
My throat closed as I was once again floored with the depths of his devotion. I sniffed and wiped my tears away. “What was the second song you had in mind?” I asked, getting us back into lighter conversation.
Tucker’s face broke out into a devilish smile. “I was thinking ‘Strokin’.’”
Giggles erupted from me. “Dad wouldlovethat.” I threw my arms around his neck and pressed a firm, smacking kiss on his lips. “This has been the best date ever,” I sighed.
He gave me a wicked gleam. “And it’s only just beginning.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
Ava was lying on my chest, her fingertips running circles along the skin around my nipples. We were in bed, home from our date and mindlessly watching the Reds. The hand I had been lazily running up and down the curve of her spine froze. When I glanced down, she was watching me intently, her lips curved up in a cute, little half grin.
