Page 36 of Fade (Fighting Fate)

Amy

Music drifted in the air, the sound of lapping water accompanying it like it was a part of the background melody. Eyes closed, I sighed, letting my hearing branch out, picking up more obvious noises, like Jess’s tinkling laughter and the low timbre of Corey’s voice as he softly sang along to the song.

The pool float I was drifting on rocked a little more, alerting me to the fact that someone was approaching. I smiled, knowing it would be Daniel, but kept my eyes closed just the same.

“What’s that smile for?” he asked, his voice soft against my ear before he pressed his lips to my neck, just below

my ear.

I shivered, my body automatically awakening with his touch. Reaching up to cup the side of his neck, keeping his lips to my skin, I sighed contentedly. “Just for you . . . ”

He hummed, the vibrations sending aftershocks through my body. “I’m a very lucky man . . . ”

Adding my other hand to the back of his neck, I tightened my grip and pulled myself toward him. The pool float tipped with my movement, sending me slipping into the pool in front of him, my body sliding along his wet one. He groaned and pulled me into his hard body.

“Do you have any idea how unbelievably hot you are?” he murmured.

The rough tone of his voice indicated he was getting aroused, but it was the slight movement against my stomach that confirmed it. My breath grew heavier. I didn’t know how such a small thing could turn me on, but I guessed that was just what happened when you found someone you were so connected to.

Daniel’s hands tightened on my body, and I was suddenly wondering what sex in the pool would be like.

A high squeal slapped me out of my trance, making us both look Amber’s way.

“Hurry, guys!” she said, pointing the remote at the big flat-screen mounted on the outside wall. “Entertainment Now is running a segment on the band.”

Daniel gave me a questioning look, which I knew was asking if I wanted to go see. Smiling, I took his hand and started towing him toward the pool’s steps. As soon as I was out, I broke free and hurried over to join Amber, Jess, and Kaeli.

Cassie Muldoon, Entertainment Now’s host, was already on screen with a picture of The Dark Hybrid in the top corner.

“What did she say?” I whispered.

Amber shook her head. “The ad said something about The Hybrid’s opening band taking the audience by storm.”

I squealed a little under my breath. “That’s so cool.”

A warm towel suddenly found its way around my shoulders, followed by firm arms holding it in place. Daniel’s lips brushed over my cheek before he focused on the TV.

‘The Dark Hybrid have been a raging success since their debut album stormed up the charts in 2008, but it’s a different band altogether that has their fans talking during this year’s tour . . . and sources say The Hybrid couldn’t be happier. Fighting Fate, the band The Dark Hybrid chose as their opening act on their latest tour, has The Hybrid’s fans in a spin, with some even stating it’s the best value for money show they’ve ever seen, classing the up-and-coming band as equals when it comes to quality of shows and performance.’

Amber jumped up and down with excitement beside me, while I grinned widely and squealed a little more.

‘Fighting Fate, a garage band from Sacramento, became an overnight success when their song, “To The End,” went viral on YouTube earlier this year, creating a war between recording studios across the country . . . ’

“So, they’re pretty good, huh?” Daniel whisper-laughed in my ear.

“They’re amazing,” I murmured, turning in his arms and wrapping mine around his neck, while Cassie continued on with Fighting Fate’s praises.

“I wish I could meet them while I was here,” he said, his voice showing just how sad he was.

My body automatically stilled. Over the last couple of months, I’d tried not to think about Daniel’s time limit with me. I knew it was getting closer and closer, and with each new day that came, my chest ached a little more.

I startled when Daniel gently cupped my chin in his hand and tilted my head back to look in my eyes. Frowning, he picked me up and carried me over to the other side of the pool.

When he put me down, he took my face in his hands and gazed at me. He looked worried, even a little panicked.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “What were you thinking back there?”

I blinked, more concerned with what had him worried than me. “I just don’t like thinking of you not being here . . . ”

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