And then I sensed him. Legs like jelly, my eyes opened after the first chorus to find Blake’s gaze fixed on me. My heart lurched at the sight of him, a full breath of relief filling my lungs. He came.
A sense of completeness and comfort washed over me and realization hit me—hard. I wasn’t whole when he wasn’t around. Like I was half a person in those times. He kept me glued together. Kept me from coming apart at the seams.
Locked into him, I started the next verse, asking him to promise he’d always be in reach. I wanted him to feel it, too. Feel the weight of the words bearing down heavy on my chest as they passed my lips. They meant so much to me. I needed him to know how scared I was, but that I trusted he’d provide a safe place for me to fall.
I kept on, letting him know how delicate I was and how hard I was falling for him. He progressed toward me, and my heart stuttered. Each time I saw him, I swore he took a beat away. Standing before me, his demeanor was intense. He wasn’t smiling. Devotion and what looked like love showed in his eyes, coupled with something else that almost resembled pain. He didn’t have to say the words. I was saying enough for both of us.
The ending lyrics—telling him he kept me from falling apart—echoed through the speakers as Blake leaned down and scooped me up, whisking me off my feet.
Arms tightly circled around my waist, he whispered in my ear, “Always, my angel. Fall into me. I got you.”
I pushed my nose into his neck and inhaled a deep breath of him. “I already am.”
Tingles whisked through my body. I was content to stay here, just like this—suspended in his arms. This man had me. I couldn’t run from him. I’d be running from myself.
“Blake, I—”
“I know.”
Moving so our mouths were a breath apart, his eyes flicked to my lips, and my insides squirmed, wanting to feel what I’d nearly denied myself of.
He brushed his nose along mine, and I watched the slow dip of his dimple as he lowered his head the rest of the way and covered my lips with his. I hugged his neck tighter, missing the feel and taste of him. Blake groaned into my mouth and then pulled back, clasping my bottom lip between his teeth. He carried me back to the bar, my legs draping down the front of him, and set me down behind it.
“That was beautiful, Eva. I’ll never get used to hearing your voice. You really should do something with that,” Rick called, tossing a rag to me so I could wipe up a spill at the end of the bar.
“I do. I’m a Backdoor exclusive.” I winked.
With Blake here, my mood shifted exponentially, and I became more lighthearted and playful. Even while I was busy, I felt him staring, his aura surrounding me in a protective bubble, and my mind, body, and soul were at ease.
Jace twirled Jessie and then dipped her backward over the top of the bar so her head rested on it. She looked at me upside down, giggling and out of breath.
“Come dance! Your favorite song’s about to start. I requested it,” Jace yelled over the music.
“Can’t. I’m working.” I pinched the straw poking out of my glass between my fingers and placed it in the corner of my mouth. “Besides, who would Jessie dance with then?”
“Me,” Rick cut in, his body rigid as he stared down at her tight curls lying across the bar. She scrambled out of Jace’s hold and stood to face him.
Unspoken words traveled between them before she stretched out her hand to him. “Well, come on then. Song’s about to start.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Jasmine smirk as she focused on the liquor she was pouring.
I smiled. “Hold on, we’re missing one.” I turned, motioning to Blake to meet me half-way. “This better be good,” I said to Jace as I grabbed Blake’s hand.
“Bitch, please. Never doubt me.” Jace stuck his nose in the air.
“This next song is by special request, dedicated to our very own Eva!” The powerful guitar strums at the beginning of My Own Worst Enemy by Lit, erupted from the speakers.
“Yazzzz!” I squealed, hauling myself at Jace. “I love this song!”
We all sang-yelled the lyrics in a tight clump, bopping and jumping, heads wagging. Jace and I screamed into each other’s faces while we held hands. More dancing and hopping ensued, and I was pretty sure bodies were tossed in the air. The place exploded with whistles and claps as the last note sprang from the speakers.
“One more! One more!” I called to the lead singer. “Play Livin on a Prayer for me!” I smiled, exposing all my teeth and grabbed Blake’s hand, having more fun than I ever remembered having in my life.
“You heard the lady. One . . . Two . . . A one, two, three, four . . .”