Love Evolution (24 page)

CHAPTER 32 

Chris Alex was worried. Despite his best efforts this week, he
’
d been unable to convince Avery to be more than friends. Usually he just said,
“
Hey, I
’
m Chris Alex,
”
and the girl was his. Or if she was more of a challenge, he played a little guitar, and it was all over. Ok, that particular trick wouldn
’
t work on Avery. 

Well, Chris wasn
’
t giving up that easily. Avery was on the rebound, after all. He would just have to give her the full court press. On Mary
’
s advice, he had booked them a table at the Commodore tonight. The restored art deco ballroom was a
“
can
’
t miss romantic spot,
”
according to Mary, and she
’
d assured him that they were expecting some great live music tonight.

*****

‘
This isn
’
t working,
’
Avery thought, as she shimmied into the iridescent silver dress. She
’
d begun to get the vibe that Chris expected more from their relationship, more than she could offer. Not that he wasn
’
t all that, with his perfectly styled brown hair, penetrating brown eyes, and killer smile. He just wasn
’
t Marcus.

Mary had insisted that she get all dolled up and accompany Chris to the Commodore.
“
Listen,
”
Mary had told her,
“
I have it from a reliable source that the top media conglomerates are offering a substantial reward to the photographer who gets pictures of the two of you. That kind of publicity is just what Chris needs to jump start his career, and you might as well look your best while you
’
re helping him out.
”

This slinky, backless number Mary had sent over for her was bound to give Chris ideas.
The wrong kind.
So far, the subtle approach hadn
’
t seemed to get through to him. If anything, it had only made him more determined. Well, she was just going to have to spell it out for him tonight. For that matter, it was time to stand up to Mary, too. She couldn
’
t stay in Vancouver any more. There were too many memories. She would find a way out of her contract, even if she had to repay every bit of the money. It was killing her to stay.

*****

Chris reveled in all the attention. Here he was, just like the old days, surrounded by paparazzi, a smoking hot babe on his arm.
‘
Things are looking good,
’
he thought as they pressed through the crowd into the Commodore. Now, if only he could coax Avery into drinking something stronger
than the club soda she preferred or hold her close for a dance are two, he just might be able to take their relationship to the next level.

Once inside, Chris smiled, glad to see it so packed. It gave him a reason to put his hands on her. She looked so beautiful in a beaded backless dress that only reached mid-thigh. Her legs looked like they were a mile long and Chris was a leg man. Resting his hand on the small of her bare back, he gently guided her through the club to their reserved table in the back. 

No sooner had they taken their seats when a solitary figure walked out onto the stage. The crowd noise fell to a quiet murmur as Marcus stepped up to the microphone.
“
Ladies and gentlemen, I owe someone here an apology tonight. But since I
’
m not very good with those, I just thought I would let this song express how I feel.
”

Avery
’
s heart started to flutter as her eyes drank in every detail of Marcus
’
appearance. He looked wonderful. Long brown hair loose and tousled, wearing his usual jeans and t-shirt combination. She leaned forward expectantly when he picked up his acoustic and began to sing
…

My life was empty before you came along

You filled my soul with passion, helped me sing my song

I grew within while struggling deep in my heart

The changes in me were only the start

Avery made it up to the stage before he had finished the first verse of
“
Love Evolution.
”
Picking up the Les Paul from its stand, she strapped it on, and joined him at the chorus.

Marcus
’
eyes locked on her. She looked stunning. His head had been filled with thoughts of her all day, but the reality of her eclipsed them all. 

Their intermingled voices rose and fell in a flirtatious dance between the two of them - would be lovers baring their souls to one another in an emotion laden offering
…

This is the making of Love Evolution

Love stages, love changes, love grows

Love evolving that is Love Evolution

Audibly unwrapping her heart, Avery sang
…

Passion so strong you have to see

The journey we took consumed me with fear

Heart pounding how can you not hear?

Knew it was wrong but felt so right

Felt love grow for you each day and night

I had to wait and rightly so

Knowing soon you
’
d know

Their bodies slid intimately close together as Avery joined him at the
mic.
His face was so
close,
she could feel the warmth of his breath. The attraction between the two of them was a palpable thing, nerves resonating, hearts burning.

Marcus
’
eyes were heavy lidded as he inhaled her sweet fragrance. She wasn
’
t close enough. He wanted to put down his guitar, wrap his arms around her, and never let her go. Only the mic separated her lips from his. Staring longingly at her, it took every ounce of his self- control to finish singing the final chorus
…

This is the making of Love Evolution

Love stages, love changes, love grows

Love evolving that is love evolution

Love must endure all that life makes

Because that is what a love evolution takes

Marcus strummed the last chords on his guitar, and the applause began.
“
Kiss him Avery!
”
someone in the club shouted.

“
Avery,
”
Marcus said softly,
“
I acted like a real ass. I was mad. I
’
ve got a
helluva
temper, this you know. But I should have stayed and worked it out with you. After all the time we
’
ve spent together and considering how well I know you, I should have been more understanding. I was just so messed up in the head.
”

He took a deep breath, hands sliding down to capture hers.
“
I
’
ve been a fool. I hope you can forgive me. If you
’
re with Chris now, I understand.
”
Tears shimmered in his eyes.
“
All I can say is, Avery, I love you. I can
’
t imagine one more day without you.
”

“
Then don
’
t,
”
Avery said gently, her heart soaring at his words and her lips trembling.

“
Don
’
t what?
”

“
Don
’
t live without me. Don
’
t think. Just kiss me.
”

“
Oh, Avery, babe.
”
He tipped her face up toward his, blue eyes awe-filled and intense. Running his knuckles lightly down her smooth cheek, he stopped at her mouth. He traced a calloused fingertip softly over her top lip, and then his thumb reverentially over the bottom one. Her mouth parted open with a soft sigh.
“
Beautiful. You
’
re beautiful, Avery,
”
he whispered.

Stepping forward, he adjusted his stance so their bodies were flush. Her hands came up to rest flattened out on his rock hard chest. His long fingers splayed out over the curve of her hips, holding her close.

He lowered his head. Like a perfectly choreographed song, she eagerly slanted her head one way and he the other. His mouth covered
hers,
the bliss both had longed for was finally achieved.  His lips were everything she had imagined, firm yet yielding, warm and wet. Hers were full and soft, so perfect he had to nip and nibble on them. Her hands slid up to tangle in the soft silky texture of his hair, pulling him closer.

Avery let out a needy moan, and the kiss deepened, taking them to a pleasure filled place both wanted to go. Lips curled and tongues tasted, the audience was all but forgotten- until one camera flashed, then two, and then too many to count. 

Marcus pulled back slightly, arms still around Avery
’
s waist.

Avery whimpered, protesting the loss.
“
Why did you
…”

“
We
’
ve got an audience, babe.
”
Marcus had already known, even before he saw her again tonight, that she was his soul mate. She shifted and realigned something deep inside him, making him a better man. Now she was here in his arms.
Where she belonged.
With no more barriers between them.

With absolute certainty, Marcus reached down into his pocket and pulled out his grandmother
’
s wedding ring. Going down on one knee in front of the woman he loved, he said,
“
Avery Jones. I love you. I believe in you and me. I want you for forever. Will you have me?
”

“
Oh, yes,
”
she raggedly gasped without a moment of hesitation. Her expression was one of pure joy as Marcus stood, gathered her into his arms, and slid the ring onto her finger. His attempt to kiss her again was interrupted mid-descent by a
clap
on the back.

“
Congratulations, little brother.
”
Dwight smiled and kissed Avery
’
s cheek. Lisa was next to wish the couple well, and then Don stepped forward and gave each of them a big hug.

Rheta beamed as she told her,
“
Welcome to the family, Avery.
”

Avery
’
s heart warmed, touched that the whole Anthony clan had come tonight. Obviously, she
’
d been set up.

Peeking out from behind the stage curtain, Mary smiled.
“
Looks like our job here is done.
”
 

Beth looked out over her shoulder.
“
I feel sorry for Chris, though.
”

Mary turned back to her.
“
Oh, don
’
t worry about him. He
’
s a big boy. She wasn
’
t right for him, anyway. I
’
ve already got someone else in mind.
”

Beth arched a brow.
“
You
’
ve really taken to the matchmaking business. I didn
’
t realize you were such a romantic, Mary.
”

“
Keep it under wraps, Beth. It would screw with my
hardass
image.
”
She sighed.
“
We
’
d better go outside and handle the press before they go all
cannibal
.
”

*****

If music be
the food
of love,
play on
rock
on
.
    William Shakespeare

Acknowledgements

Mary Humphrey-ran the story by you five months ago in a coffee shop (on your birthday), and you said,
“
I
’
d read that.
”
This novel would NEVER have happened but for your help and encouragement.

Kari Novotny- LYRICS.
  You are so cool. Can I be you? You are the real life Avery

Steede
- 24.5 years and I
’
m still discovering more and more reasons to love you. Stylistic editing, who knew?

Beth Harwell- beta reading, hand holding- above and beyond, editing, and saving the story from being thrown in the shredder-more than once.

Lisa
Kinzel
- the best, kindest, sweetest friend- and partner in feats of lunacy
–
Viva Vancouver!

Cole and Allen Mankin- for being the two best sons a mom could have.

Ashley Ferguson, Maude
Lette
, Dr. Diane Klein, and Stephanie Lott- editing and beta reading team extraordinaire.

Katherine Neill- cover model

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.

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