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“Tomorrow,” he says. “I wanted to get here sooner after Finlay told me you were at theTap Roomlooking for me, but this was the first break we had,” he explains, reaching over to hold my hand, the flames fluttering between us.
Closing my eyes, I know what I want to wish for now. Sucking in a deep breath, I blow out hard, trying to get each candle. It takes me a second try to get them all, and even then I need Adrian's help.
Swiping a finger through the frosting, I bring it to my mouth and lick my finger clean. “Mmmm,” I moan because it’s whipped cream frosting, light and sweet – my favorite.
When I look over at Adrian, he’s staring at me intently with heated eyes. “Do that again,” he groans, and I comply, except this time, I place the frosting to his lips.
“I suppose all your utensils are packed away?” I raise an eyebrow.
Nodding, he says, “We’re just going to have to eat the cake with our hands.”
Shrugging, I dig in, pulling off a small piece while Adrian laughs. The inside is vanilla with strawberry filling. I hold it out for Adrian to take a bite, but before he’s able to, I push some of the frosting on his nose and cheek.
“You’re going to have to lick that off,” he says with a smirk.
“Well, in that case…” I take the remaining cake in my hand, lift his shirt up and spread it on his chest.
He grabs hold of my wrists before I can do more damage, and I lean further across the cake so I can kiss him. Looking down between us, Adrian cocks his head to the side, smiling as I notice I’ve got frosting all over the front of my shorts.
Lifting my eyebrows, I say, “Your rules, Corvin.” I shake my head. “You’re going to have to lick it off.”
Adrian grabs hold of my hips and pulls me against him as I laugh hysterically, the cake smashed between us. Trying to undo my shorts on top of the counter proves to be more difficult than I imagined, so he hops off, pulling me with him and tossing me over his shoulder.
“Adrian!” I scream. The frosting smeared all over my shorts mars his chest as he carries me out of the kitchen. “Put me down right now!” I demand halfheartedly.
It takes only a few strides for him to carry me into the bedroom where he throws me on the bed. Pulling the frosting covered shirt over his head, he crawls across the bed, grabbing onto my hips and yanking me towards him. It’s been way too fucking long, and I ache just looking at him.
Taking him in, I feel the familiar burn in the center of my chest. I feel the need to say it even though I know he can see it written all over my face. He’s always known it, even before I did myself.
Taking his face in my hands, I look him in the eyes when I say, “I love you, Adrian Corvin.”
His smile brightens up the dimly lit space and he presses his forehead to mine. “I need you to say it again,” he orders me.
I press a kiss to his lips. “I love you.”
“Happy birthday, Lake,” he says with his deep, raspy voice, right before yanking my shorts down.
EPILOGUE
TWO YEARS LATER
Never Loved a Girl by Aerosmith
Weaving in between tents and RV’s, I make my way through this small, temporary city that has been erected by people camping out for the past three days. The music festival has some pretty big names on the lineup, attracting thousands of people from all over the place.
Adrian was invited for the first time last summer, playing the smaller stage with earlier times in the day that didn’t yield such large crowds.
This year is entirely different.
As I pass by the tents, I see some people are reading tarot cards, a few are playing music, and some are selling homemade jewelry. Stopping at one of the stalls, I pick up a beautiful turquoise bracelet for Noelle.
She’s been traveling with her college roommates and her new boyfriend over the summer. International service has been sketchy the last couple of weeks and we haven’t been able to talk much, but she comes home tomorrow. Adrian and I will meet her back in Phoenix for a much needed break from touring.
Slipping the bracelet on my wrist, I pay the girl and continue through the crowd, looking at the time and realizing how late it is. Adrian goes on soon, and I like to watch from the VIP area at the side of the stage.
When I get to the gate, I flash my badge at security, but he makes me wait.
“What’s the problem?” I ask, annoyed.
