He blinks a few times, then rests his elbows on his knees. “I want to be the parent she needs,” he chokes, his eyebrows pull together as if he’s admitting it to himself.
“Glad to hear that.”
“I’m going to bring her home.” His voice sounds changed, colored with determination, and I smile.
“Do you have any more doubts?”
His eyes pierce mine. “No. She’s coming home.”
#TheMonsterInsideUs
EIGHTEEN
#WyllaIsHome
I tie an elastic band at the end of the braid. “Voila!”
She lets out a high-pitched squeal before hugging my waist tight. “Thank you, Kaci. I’m gonna look at myself in the mirror.”
“Okay.”
She maneuvers her electric wheelchair and is out of the kitchen in a millisecond. I wait until I hear her giggling squeal and smile.
I look at Remi to gauge his reaction. His eyes are closed, with only a soft smile playing at his lips. “This is how I’d like to die—hearing her laughter ring in my ears, making its way to my heart, and warming it there, like my own personal miracle.”
There was never any doubt in my head that Wylla would be back. The case had been a piece of cake—Dad’s words. There was no chance of Margaret getting Wylla’s custody, not if she’d hired the best lawyer in the country, because she came to the hearing smelling of booze and could barely stand straight.
Remi moved into his new apartment two days ago, and this neighborhood is much safer compared to where he was living. Even though the apartment isn’t big, it’s enough for the three people living here to have their privacy.
And Mrs. Dunlop followed them here. She’s once again their neighbor. I’m not sure how she did that—I wouldn’t be surprised if the woman has the President’s number on her contact list—she’s just that badass.
Remi is leaning against the counter cross-legged, looking at me with those deep amber eyes. “Come here,” Remi says with a crooked finger.
A small smile touches my lips, and I do as I’m told. I join him only to be lifted up and seated on the counter before I have the time to let out a tiny yelp. “Someone’s in a mood today,” I comment, and he takes my hand and lifts it up to press a kiss on the inside of my wrist, making my inside twirl and swoon. The tip of his tongue darts out and licks the thin blue vein. “Remi,” I groan—not to protest but to encourage—definitely to encourage.
“Just trying to make up for being an asshole to you.” About that—Remi is planning something to “make it up to me,” and he’s been secretive about it. I don’t know what it is going to be, but each time I think about it, I feel tickles all over.
I shiver, and Remi hums, taking both my hands in his before lifting his head to look at me. “You’re starting college tomorrow.”
I nod.
“There are going to be a lot of sexy guys there.”
I bite a smile. “Are you jealous?”
He brings my hands behind my back and leans closer to my chest, grazing his stubble on the top of my boobs, making me jump. “Do I need to be?” he asks, his hot breath hitting my chest, setting me ablaze.
“We’ll have to see,” I say, teasing him, and to make matters more interesting, I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer.
“Is that so?” His eyes darken.
Oh, I know this look. I know this look very well. And I know I’m going to like whatever is going to happen next. “Uh-huh.”
The corner of his lips lifts before he leans forward, and his tongue makes a slow, hot, wet trail from my chest to the curve of my neck and pauses at my pulse.
“It’s so difficult to get you alone.” Remi lifts his head and pulls me closer until my ass is barely hanging on the counter. He brings my hands behind his neck, and I thread my fingers through his hair, making him exhale a long breath.
“You have me now.” He rests his hands on my hips, and I bring my other hand on his shoulder, pulling him toward me and meeting his lips.
My breathing staggers, and I nibble at his bottom lip. Then, his upper lip. Feeling brave, I slip my tongue inside his mouth, and I hear—no, I feel a growl. His hands leave my waist. One grabs my breast, and the other one cups my butt, deepening the kiss. My chest presses to his, and his thumb ever so slightly teases my nipple, making me whimper—breaking the kiss. Remi’s smoldering stare takes my breath away. He moves his thumb again, and I bite my lip, an unsuccessful attempt at suppressing a groan. I tighten my legs around him, and before I have the time to rub myself all over him, I’m on my feet.
Wylla wheels herself into the kitchen and rolls her eyes at us. “I know you were kissing.”
“We were not,” Remi and I blurt.
She crosses her arms at her chest and raises an eyebrow. “Reaaally,” she says with the sassiness of an eight-year-old. “You both should look at your hair … and your face,” she suggests, and Remi and I throw each other a quick look, confirming what Wylla just said—our hair does look messy. “And you shouldn’t be telling lies. What am I going to learn?”
Duly chastised, I nod. But Remi isn’t finished with embarrassing me, so he continues. “Next time, we’re going to take it to the bedroom.” I slap his arm, which makes Wylla giggle.
“So, you’re like boyfriend and girlfriend?”
I let Remi answer this question. I like Wylla, and I know she likes me too, but her approval means a lot to both of us, but mostly to Remi. “Are you okay with it?” Remi walks to Wylla and crouches down in front of her.
She shrugs, bringing Remi’s hands to her lap. “It’s your decision, you know. But I like Kaci.” She peeks at me under her lashes. Her acceptance warms my heart. Thank you, I mouth, placing a hand above my heart. “I also made her a bracelet,” she says, taking one from her dress pocket: a pale blue macramé knotted bracelet with a silver leaf, dangling at the end.
“It’s beautiful,” I praise, feeling something melting inside my chest.
She looks for Remi’s approval before signaling me with a nod to come nearer. I crouch down, bringing my hand forward, and she ties the bracelet. “Thank you, Wylla.” I drop a kiss on her cheek.
“You’re welcome.” She drops one on my cheek as well.
I raise an arrogant eyebrow at Remi and lift my wrist. “Not that it’s a competition, but I now have a bracelet.” I wink, totally stealing Iron Man’s line.
The sound of our happiness spreads across the room.
#HappyBeginnings
NINETEEN
#MakeItUptoMe
“Nicholas and I kissed.”
“WHAT?” I scream. “What? What? What?” I can’t believe my ears. “Candee Masters. You have been keeping things from me,” I exclaim, jumping from my bed to hers in half a second. “Tell me everything.”
She bites her lip, and her cheeks flush. “I jumped on him, knocking our lips together. He was too shocked to understand what was happening, and by the time he understood, we’d already kissed.”
And that’s how it feels when a good romantic story turns into horror. The smile withers on my face, and I slowly get off her bed.
“I think I’m too old for you, Candee. I’m going to sleep, and we’re going to pretend this never happened, okay?” I climb on my bed, pull the covers until my head is covered. Sleep—it’s now or never.
“We have class in two hours, we need to get up.”
“I think I’m in a nightmare, so I’m waiting to wake up,” I mumble beneath the sheets.
A pillow hits the back of my head. “I think he’s into me,” Candee says, and I feel the side of my bed dip. I pull at the sheets until it’s off my face. “But instead of talking to me, he avoids me.” Her lips spread into a soft smile—as if she’s smiling at a personal secret.
“What’s that smile for?”
She bites her lip and lets out a tiny laugh. “I want to kiss him again.” She lets her head fall back next to mine, with her eyes closed, and she sighs. “And I will.”
“I
don’t doubt that.”
***
I’m done wrapping my wet hair in the towel when—Bang, bang.
There’s a knock at the door.
Candee turns her head toward me with her lips lifting in a saucy smile. “That’s Mr. Kizomba, right?”
Her facial expression makes me blush, but I wave it off with an eye-roll. I open the door, and he’s standing on the other side, holding a pink box, with tiny holes on top, in his hand. His face lights up when he sees me. “Hi.”
“Hi. Come.” He walks inside, and I close the door behind him.
“Hi, Candee.”
“Hi.” She waves at him, and that’s when I notice Candee’s hair wrapped in a towel. Embarrassed at how I must be looking, I peek up at Remi.
He smiles. “You look fine.”
A sleepy smile pulls at my lips as I remove the towel from my hair.
“Aww, aren’t you two cute?”
“Shut up.” I throw the towel at her. We chuckle. “What brings you here?”
Remi holds the box in one hand and brings the other hand to the back of his head, messing with the hair there—he’s nervous. I like I can read him like this. I raise my eyebrows. He rolls his neck. “I owe you an apology.”
Oooo ...
“You’ve got me a gift,” I ask, pointing at the box in his hand.
He pinches the bridge of his nose.
“Well, give it to her, Remi. That’s how it works.”
“Wait. I have something to say first. Kaci, there’s no right way of doing this, but I was an ass for all that I said to you. I’m sorry for hurting you. And by giving you this present, I want to show you that you’re important to me.” He blows out a long breath and pushes the box in my direction. “Yours.”
Heavy emotion swells my heart.
“Open,” Candee whispers, and I don’t need to look at her to know she’s all excited, but it takes a moment to pull my gaze off Remi.
I grab the box and feel something move inside. “What’s in it?” I ask, suspicious as to what’s moving inside it.
“Well, you open the thing. That’s how you’ll know what’s in it. What’s wrong with you guys?”
I shake my head at my own silliness and open the box.
Puk. Puk. Puk. Puk. Puk. Puk …
My eyes widen.
Puk. Puk.
Candee gasps.
Puk.
Remi clears his throat.
And the chick puks.
“You got me a chick?”
“Chicken.”
Candee falls on the bed, with her hands around her belly. “Haaaaaaa … Haaaahaaa …”
“It’s a chicken,” Remi explains.
“I can see that. This is your apology?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “Well, yeah.”
“Remi, it’s a chick or chicken, whatever. What am I going to do with a chicken?”
“Keep it as a pet.”
Puk. Puk. Puk.
“Oh my God. I’m loving this. Please continue and pretend I’m not here.”
Remi steps forward, panic settling on his face. “You don’t like it?”
“No, it’s not that. I’m just a little surprised you brought me a chick.” Little surprised is not what I’m feeling, but it’s the first gift he’s brought me, so I’m trying to be compassionate.
“Is it a him or her?” Candee asks, wiping her tears.
“Her.”
Puk.
“Continue your conversation. I’ll find her a name.”
“Look.” Remi gives me back his attention. “I was trying to re-create the first time we met. Remember your T-shirt, and I kinda called you a chicken, not in an offensive way.”
“It was definitely in an offensive way—”
“I love it. I love you two. And look, you now have a kid,” Candee speaks. To no one. Absolutely no one.
“—but it was also cute. And this is why I thought getting you a chicken would be a reminder of the first time we met.”
I dare not laugh, but my lips are twitching on both sides. Next thing I know, he’ll bring me the stranger who crashed into him when we met in the rain. “He’s the one who made our almost first kiss happen,” he’ll say.
“Remi. That’s very thoughtful. I appreciate it. And thank you. I forgive you.”
Puk. Puk. Puk.
He exhales a long breath. “Thank you—”
“—but,” I interrupt him as he begins to lean down. “We live in a dorm. We can’t have pets.”
His lips part. “Shit. I didn’t think about that.”
We both look at the chick, still pecking the box. “I’ll have to keep it, then,” he says, shrugging. “I’ll just need to explain to Nicholas that we’re not supposed to eat this one.”
“I hope not!” Horror widens my eyes.
“I’m kidding. You think Wylla will let that happen?”
He’s right. “She’ll still be my pet, and I’ll come to visit every day.”
“Okay.” Sparks dance in his eyes as he grins. “Candee, can you leave us for a sec?”
“Ohhh … it’s about to get hot,” she comments but makes her way out after picking the chick from me.
“Since the first gift didn’t work according to plan. Let me do what I do best.” Remi holds my hands in his.
“Dancing?”
He shakes his head and drops a kiss on the tip of my nose. “No, darling. Dancing with you.” Stay still, my heart.
“We don’t have any music,” I whisper, allowing myself to be pulled into his embrace.
“Let our heartbeats be the music.”
How can I argue with that? He wraps his arms around me and leads the steps. I move along, in sync, feeling silly but free at the same time.
This feels like the beginning of a great journey—my journey. These past two months changed everything, and I’m discovering a piece of myself every day. My parents are on their way to falling in love with each other again. Candee is the friend I’ve always longed for, and I know our friendship is the forever kind. And Remi—he’s writing the first page of our story on my heart, one word at a time. I’ll say it’s a damn good beginning. And I’ll have it no other way.
“Kiss me,” I whisper.
Remi hums something under his breath and spins me around, making me giggle, before pressing a hand to my back as he dips me low.
“Yes, ma’am.” A mischievous Remi peers down at me as a sexy smirk pulls at his perfect lips. He takes my chin between his fingers, and his lips descend on mine as I close my eyes.
The door shoves open. “Let’s name your kid Omelette.”
#AndsoWeDance
Dear reader,
I hope you’ve enjoyed the story of Kaci and Remi. Please, do consider leaving a review of the book anywhere you feel comfortable—even if it’s just a paragraph / a sentence / a word. It’ll mean so much to me.
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To read an excerpt from my previous book, continue reading …
With love,
Aisling Magic
Read an excerpt of Silent Music by Aisling Magic
Since Darling, Dance with Me is a romantic comedy, I’m including a funny scene from my previous book, Silent Music.
Enjoy!
AN ‘OOPS’ MEETING
PHOENIX, 17 years old
08 May 2014
It was Sunday—a lazy one. And since I was left alone for the night, I tossed my bra into the basket, gathered my ponytail, and then sat down to complete some homework. Not that it’s been fruitful. All I’ve successfully accomplished in the past hour was checking my phone eighteen times. I adjusted my glasses and checked my phone again—no messages from Kai. Kai’s aunt Penelope celebrated her birthday this weekend, but it was Sunday night and tomorrow was a school day, so he should have been back by now. Plus, the jerk hadn’t called or texted all weekend.
What the hell?
Someone was knocking at my window. Getting my ass up, I gently pulled the curtains open to find Kai sporting a huge grin. I crossed my arms and glared at him. The idiot disappeared on me for the weekend, with no trace, and now he was grinning like nothing happened?
Since I was making no move to open the window, he threw his hands in the air and gloated, “If you don’t open this freaking window, I’m going to get my best frog voice out and sing and dance Gangnam style and wake up everyone, and it’s not going to be pretty.” He wiggled his eyebrows, waiting for me to open the window.
I let out a loud huff and slid open the window. He jumped inside and closed the window quietly while I walked back to my place and sat down. Footsteps approached me, but I ignored him. I felt his lips on the side of my neck, and my throat blocked the moan threatening to burst out. He started kissing my neck with an open mouth, and I gripped the table hard, leaving Shakespeare incomplete on paper. He slowed down and let his heavy breath hit my neck. God, I may die soon.
“I can feel the moan inside you, babe, let me hear it,” Kai said in a husky voice. Is it possible to come just from the sound of his voice? I feel like I could.
He continued to lay kisses on my neck with an occasional suck and gentle bite. His hand disappeared beneath my pink top, finding my breast. His fingers twirled, working their magic. His breathing increased.
“Babe, I bet you’re wet right now.”
I bit my lips hard, nearly drawing blood, trying not to make a sound.
“Okay, that’s how we’re going to play it then,” he said with fake humor. “I’m making you moan in less than a minute. Otherwise, I’ll stop bothering you and drag my ass home.”
With that, he sucked and bit with more determination. And when that didn’t work, he removed his hand from my top and moved it to my pants. His fingers snuck inside my panties, and he touched me. Someone, please get the fire extinguisher.
Darling, Dance with Me Page 10
