Prologue
Giselle
The music is pumping but instead of being lost in it, my eyes are on him: Tane Miller. This is the first time I’ve seen him five years.
I’m excited and nervous at the same time. If he really wanted to see me, he would have come home like he’d promised. But he didn’t—and I’m here tonight to find out why.
Almost two hours of effort went into my look for the night. I tried to tell myself that it was for me, but I knew that I hoped to impress him. My jet-black hair is ironed straight, teased on top to give it some volume. My fringe slides across my forehead, almost covering one of my smoky, blue eyes. I’m wearing a slinky royal-blue dress, which reaches just above my knees and makes my eyes pop. My tattoos are all fully showcased tonight, the half sleeve down my left arm, and the red bows I have on the back of each of my thighs. The bow tattoos look like they are on black garter belts. It’s a sexy look—or so I’ve been told.
I’ve changed a lot during the last few years. I’ve lost weight, my hair is a different colour and style, and I have mastered the art of applying makeup. More than that, more than the tattoos and other physical differences, I feel like a new woman on the inside. I’m more confident, and I know who I am.
At the end of his set, I make my way closer to the DJ booth, hoping to get his attention. I know he recognises me when his pale-green eyes instantly zoom in, oblivious to the other women around me vying for his attention. He’s a sexy man. He’s dressed in all black, and it looks good on him. His tall build is slightly leaner than I remember, and his dark-brown hair is longer, almost down to his chin.
It suits him.
A lot.
There is something different about him, though. His eyes contain something they didn’t all those years ago. They are harder, colder.
I don’t know what to make of it.
When he heads in my direction, I forget my train of thought. There are a few things I need to say to him—what I came here to tell him. Things I need to get off my chest. I open my mouth to say something to him as he gets closer, but as soon as I’m within reach he pulls me into him, fusing his mouth with mine. He tastes like mint and whiskey, and his lips are firm and demanding. This kiss is different than the ones he gave me all those years ago. I lose all common sense.
This is Tane, after all.
He pulls back and stares into my eyes, his now filled with desire mixed with a hazy look.
“Come with me,” he commands, his voice deeper and huskier than I remember. He puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me outside the hotel club. We step into an elevator, but we aren’t alone. I’m about to talk to him when his phone rings. He answers it, and I listen to his deep voice, greedily taking in the sound of it. He hangs up the phone as we exit the elevator and walk to his suite. I feel a little nervous. Why hasn’t he said anything? The Tane I knew would have bombarded me with questions about Gage and Levi and would have asked how I have been all this time.
But I get nothing from him.
Before I can ask him why, his mouth is on mine once again.
Thoughts forgotten, I close my eyes and feel, savouring the moment. I can’t believe I’m here right now. After all the dreaming, hoping, and wanting, Tane is finally in my arms.
Right where he belongs.
He starts to slowly undress me, and I do the same for him. He’s a little thinner than I remember, but his body is still strong, lithe. He pushes me down on the bed, mouth still on mine as I hold onto him, wanting and needing him closer.
We make love frantically, roughly. He thrusts into me whilst kissing my neck, my shoulders, my lips, paying attention to every part of me. Afterwards I lay my head on his chest, falling asleep with a small grin on my face.
I’ll talk to him when I wake up.
That is my last thought.
*****
I smile when I wake up, feeling sated and satisfied, but then frown when my arm reaches out for Tane to find the other side of the bed cold and empty.
Tane.
I sigh dreamily. I can’t believe we finally slept together. I’ve wanted this moment since I was fifteen. Now, I need to talk to him and hope that I can convince him to come home to visit us every now and again. I don’t know why he cut us out of his life, but I intend to find out. He may have distracted me last night, but that wasn’t going to happen today. I blush as I remember what we did together.
Sitting up, I stretch lazily and look around.
“Tane?” I call out. I get up and dress in last night’s clothes. Glancing around the room, I realize there’s no luggage or personal belongings.
The room is empty.
And Tane is gone.
I wait twenty minutes or so, hoping that maybe he went out for breakfast or something, but nothing. He didn’t even leave a note. I scoff at my own stupidity. How could he do this to me? Does he not care about me anymore? Has the fame gotten to his head? How can someone change so much? I’ve known Tane since we were kids.
I do my first ever walk of shame, out of the hotel and to my car.
Tears drip down my cheeks.
I vow never to be so stupid again.
Chapter One
Five years later
Giselle
I walk to my car after a long day at work. I love my job. Some found it odd that I had always aspired to be a librarian, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. My mother used to take me to the library when I was a little girl, and we would sit in the corner and quietly read book after book together. The fond memories I have of this place remind me of the relationship I used to have with her. We aren’t as close these days.