Page 134 of Resurrection
The ground crew sends us off with smiles, and the manager strolls over, guiding us back to the limo. I open the door with a playful bow. She lets out a giggle and slides inside. I hop in after her and pull her onto my lap.
Outside, the evening landscape rushes by in a hallucinatory blur of colors as we cruise toward Rancho Mirage. The resort is perched atop a hill with twinkling lights blending seamlessly with nature.
Naomi doodles patterns on my arm with her fingertip, tracing whimsical shapes over my tattoos while we steadily climb toward our destination.
I'm dizzy with her, with this, with everything we have again.
"I always knew you were insane," she whispers.
I kiss her forehead, knowing we're only getting started. "You haven’t seen anything yet."
"Not sure if I can take it," she jokes, her breath warm against my cheek.
I hug her tight, the scent of her, the feel of her like nothing I've ever known. It’s been a long time since I let myself want something this much, and I almost forgot what it’s like—this emotion of finally getting what I’ve dreamt of.
The same emotion filled me the day I received a response from The Deviant’s management, stating they liked my audition and wanted me in the band, wanted me to take the place of one of the most prolific rock guitarists of the decade. It was the day I called her for the first time after leaving her. Drunk and high on my success. She was the first person I wanted to share the news with.
A few years later, I called her again on New Year's night when I was wasted. I wanted to tell her I missed her but I don't remember if I actually did.
"You’re quiet," Naomi whispers.
"Just thinking," I admit.
"About?"
"Us."
She opens her mouth to speak, but that’s when limo pulls up to the resort and the driver rushes to open the door. I climb out first and offer my hand to her. The lights from the sign paint us pink and gold as we get out. She intertwines with fingers with mine, and we walk inside.
It's been forever since I've seen her like this.
Happy.
Carefree.
I think I want to keep it that way.
We pass through the hotel lobby, ride up an elevator, and walk down the hall, stopping in front of a tall, glossy door. "What’s this?" she asks, suspicion and delight in her voice.
"Find out," I say, turning the knob.
The spa suite is all ready for us. Soft music drifts through the room, and Naomi's eyes go wide when she sees the hot tub filled with rose petals.
"You didn’t," she breathes out.
"Too cheesy?"
"Very." She removes her boots, tossing them in the middle of the suite and rushes over to the tub. She tests the water first, then swivels to look at me from across the room. Her cheeks are pink, and her eyes are wild.
I shrug, trying to play it cool, but the truth is, I can’t stop smiling. "Anything for you."
We move deeper inside, and I uncork a bottle of wine, then pour a glass and hand it to her. She peeks at me over the rim, and I know she can tell how much I'm trying.
"You really went all out, huh?" she says, taking a sip.
"Told you we’d do this right."
"Looks like we are." She pulls me close, her lips brushing mine.
