Page 67 of Stolen Voices

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Yesterday, I watched the doors to the auditorium open and close all day long. I couldn’t stop the waves of disappointment that sliced my heart like a paper cut each time it wasn’t him. As soon as I got into the car, I sent him a text, calling him out for not being there like he said he would. I wasn’t about to let him get away with avoiding me, but I also wanted him to know I understood. Whatever is going on between us scares him. It scares me too, but I’d rather figure it out than ignore it.

Whatever was bugging him yesterday must not be today as he stands confidently in front of me. His mismatching green-blue eyes drink me in and hope blooms in my belly.

My eyes have a mind of their own as they sweep down his body. Eli looks good this morning. Too good. He’s wearing a charcoal dress shirt with two buttons undone that reveal a sliver of his broad tan chest, and a pair of black slacks that fit his thick thighs to perfection. My gaze lingers a little too long on his crotch area, and like in my song, I am a ball of “burning, scorching, flooding desire”.

“My eyes are up here, Callie.”

Heat burns my cheeks as I look up to find Eli smirking at me. My nipples turn to pebbles at the grit in his voice.

Smug sexy jerk.

I clutch my guitar to my chest, covering my nipples from view. “I know where your eyes are, Eli.”

“Just making sure. You were staring pretty hard at my dick.”

“I was not,” I snap.

I so was.I swear I saw it twitch. Fine, I’m grasping at straws, but a girl could hope his dick was happy to see me.

Eli’s lips turn up. He knows I’m lying, and he’s enjoying my embarrassment a little too much. “Whatever you say, princess.”

The butterflies in my stomach take flight at the whiskey-warm way he calls me “princess”.Trying to inject irritation into my tone, I ask, “What are you doing in here?”

“I came to get you. Everyone is waiting.”

How long ago did Tommy knock?

“Oh. Sorry.” I lift the strap over my head and place the guitar that once belonged to my mom on the stand beside the couch. “I had to get this out.”

“I heard.”

“You did?” My tongue feels like sandpaper in my mouth.

He heard? Does he know the lyrics are about him?

“Well, just the last chorus,” he amends, looking sheepish.

“Oh.” I avert my gaze as my face heats again. Those few lines alone give away so much.

“Hey.” In four long strides, Eli is towering over me. He takes a seat beside me and glances at my journal.

I close the lavender leather, concealing the words that reveal too much.

“I’m sorry for barging in.”

“It’s fine.” I take a deep breath and inhale his clean scent. My stomach dips, my thighs clench, and every cell in my body settles while simultaneously vibrating with energy.

He cups my cheek, tilting my chin to the side. I fight the longing building in my bones that begs me to lean into his warm palm. His thumb skates over the slight scratch on my cheek, and I make the mistake of looking at his face. Concern etches his brow as he takes in the barely there wound.

He wants answers but doesn’t press me for them. “This looks better. Does it hurt?”

“No.” I shake my head.

Our bodies lean closer like two magnets whose poles are destined to fuse.

Kiss me,I beg Eli to make the first move.

He leans closer, his lips inches from mine.