Authors: Connie Lafortune
Bound by Steel (32 page)
“It will have to wait. My wife is going…”
“Mrs. Steel is the one who asked me to come and get you. She’s requesting your presence on stage.”
Suddenly, all eyes are on me. I was so busy warding off the usher, I hadn’t realized that Bella stopped talking. One glance in her direction is all the proof I need—she’s waiting for me. And I nearly keel over when I hear her say, “Tonight, I’m dedicating my dance to a very special man. My husband, Ryker Steel.” Oh, she is so going to get a spanking when we get home because of this.
I can barely hear Bella now as we make our way down to the stage. I have no idea what she has up her sleeve but I’m not the performer. When the usher pulls back the curtain and steps aside, I see my beautiful wife holding out her hand. Well, I’d be a fool if I didn’t take advantage of this honor. As I stride towards her, I glimpse a chair off in the corner that wasn’t there a few moments ago. I think I get where she’s going with this. I am so going to punish her when this is over…
“Ladies and Gentlemen, my husband, Ryker Steel.” The crowd goes wild for the millionth time tonight. I have no idea why I warrant such applause when my wife is the talented one on this stage. Well, if they want a show, I’ll give them one. I take her hand, bow and then leave a tender kiss on her fingertips. “You’re such the charmer,” she whispers.
We slowly walk to the chair but before I sit, I capture her face and savor her lips in front of a sold out crowd. They taste triumphant! “Break a leg, precious,” I whisper against her mouth.
With a deep breath, she nods and walks towards her mark. Just when I think she’s about to cue the music, she speaks. “I wouldn’t be standing here tonight if it weren’t for the man sitting there.” Bella’s gaze locks on mine as she glances over her shoulder. My chest constricts when I feel prickling behind my eyes. I’m so fucked. “Tonight will be the first time I dance contemporary in front of an audience. And the song I’ve chosen is one we danced to several months ago. Sadly at the time, I didn’t remember this man was my husband. But I always knew there was a strong connection between the two of us. It was only months later that I came to understand what that bond was. It came in the form of a note inside of our dog Cody’s collar. It said,
‘Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.’
“Ryker was my voice when I couldn’t speak. He was my reflection when I didn’t have one. He didn’t forget when I couldn’t remember…” Promptly, an usher takes the microphone from her hand.
When Bella graciously bows her head,
Remember Me
by Chris Mann fills the theatre. Chills break out along my skin as she gracefully flutters about the stage. She reminds me of a beautiful butterfly who’s just broken free from her cocoon. It’s emotional, expressive and breathtaking to watch. When she reaches out to touch me but quickly pulls away, my heart skips a beat. Bella’s cutting herself open and baring her soul to each and every one of us. A beautiful heart bleeding at our feet with every powerful beat. Every fluid motion reveals the struggles she’s gone through to get to this moment. The subtle hand across her lips. A gut-wrenching leap in the air. Or the way she grabs a fistful of hair in frustration. All leading up to a climactic end. When she stands center stage, eyes locked on mine, and reaches out her hand, I know it’s the moment when she truly knew I was her husband. It’s so damn powerful and raw that I let go. For me. For Bell. For everyone who’s ever felt this kind of pain. The kind that knows no boundaries. No limits. A grief so intense it splits you in two. We both went on living without one another, yet we didn’t live. We existed. Fortunately for us, we have a second chance. For many others, there are no do-overs. So I weep for them. For the ones who are lost and will never be found.
I don’t hesitate. In three long strides, her hand’s in mine. All I see is her. My wife. Bella Steel. The crowd no longer exists. It’s just the two of us. I’m so damn proud of her. All I want to do is kiss her senseless but tonight’s her night to shine. I spin her around to face the crowd so she can see all of the roses they’ve thrown at her feet. She curtsies, stands straight, and blows the crowd kisses. Never once letting go of my hand. It’s in this very moment that I realize what my career path is going to be. I’m going to find as many of those lost souls I can and bring them home. Where they belong.
Once the crowd quiets down enough for Bell to speak, she turns to me. “Thank you for saving me, Ry. For never giving up. But most importantly, for always loving me.”
I capture her face in my hands, wipe away her tears and close my mouth over hers. Bella and I will always be a single soul inhabiting two bodies. For every breath she takes, my heart shall beat only for her…
Playlist
Rather Hate Than Hurt by Hinder
Revival by Fisher
Love Don’t Die by The Fray
Unkiss Me by Maroon 5
Runnin’ by Adam Lambert
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
Counting Stars by One Republic
One by Ed Sheeran
Photograph by Ed Sheeran
It’s Always You by Kris Allen
Raging Fire by Phillip Phillips
Pieces by Rob Thomas
My Heart is Open by Maroon 5
In These Arms by Bon Jovi
Remember Me by Chris Mann
Other Books by Connie Lafortune
Because of You
For 21-year-old Hunter Davis, being a lifeguard on one of South Carolina's most popular beaches has its benefits. With his chiseled body, panty-dropping good looks, and penetrating blue eyes, he's every woman's dream and every father's nightmare. So why would he want to commit to one woman?
Love is not in his vocabulary.
For 18-year-old Riley Hamilton, it's just the opposite. Her father left when she was six years old, and her mother has been angry and bitter ever since. Riley finds solace in the thought that one day she will be worthy of someone's love. So when her father calls-out of the blue-asking her to move to South Carolina with a free ride to USC, how can she refuse?
When Hunter and Riley are suddenly thrown together, Hunter wonders if the demons from his past will come back to haunt him—or is the woman with the face of an angel the only one who can save him?
Because of You
is a sensuous and powerful debut novel—a story of love, loss, and the tragedy of holding on to family secrets.
The Claiming of Callan
My name is Logan Black...
I've always known I was different, that something dark and twisted lurked just below the surface of my skin. Waiting, for her... Five years of passion and pleasure so intense, we begin and end together. Until one dark and rainy night, my life is forever changed...
A heartbeat, a breath, the blink of an eye, that’s how quickly your perfect life could cease to exist. In a few short weeks, everyone I love is slipping through my fingers... Now, how can I possibly choose between the woman who owns my heart, and a family that needs me?
Walking away is the most difficult thing I've ever done. I've convinced myself she’s better off without me, but the monster inside aches for her... Callan will always be the light to my darkness. A year has passed by and I still crave her touch, her body tangled with mine. Until one phone call changes everything. Now it’s time to claim what’s always been mine.
The Claiming of Callan is a passionate and compelling novel—a riveting story of love, heartache and one man’s struggle to live without regrets about decisions he cannot change.
Recommended for mature audiences only.
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