Smoke and Mirrors: (Fire and Fury Book Two)

by Avery Kingston

  “It’s some drawing you must have done of him, Tori. He’s stark naked on a bed sleeping.” Presley giggled, turned and looked at Scott. “Tori was either very generous, or you’re one well hung man.”

  “Why do you even care about that?” Scott snorted. “You don’t like the dick.”

  “I do if it’s strapped onto a hot blonde with big tits.” Presley licked her lips, nodded her head toward Tori, and winked.

  Scott rolled his eyes and flipped her the finger.

  Presley grabbed Tori’s hand and pulled her down next to her. Tori ran her hands across the frame. “I drew that our first night together,” Tori whispered and turned her head toward Scott. “I can’t believe you kept it all these years.” Tori clutched the frame to her chest. “And you framed it?”

  “I never put it up. That would be weird.” He cleared his throat. “It was well done. I didn’t want it to get crinkled or ruined.”

  He turned back to his box of clothing.

  “But you kept it,” Tori said in awe. “Most guys would have tossed it in the trash the second they walked out the door.”

  Scott frowned. Because that’s what most guys did with Tori. They treated her like garbage. Scott had always hated that Tori not only allowed it, but almost relished in it. She was the girl that was hot, sexy, and fun for one night. Sure, he may have hooked up with her for the same reasons, but he also saw her better than anyone else ever had. He knew from that first night together this girl was something special.

  “I’m not most guys,” Scott said matter of factly as he pulled out more of his clothes and hung them in the closet.

  Tori sat there for some time. When he glanced up, her brow was wrinkled, deep in thought. He went back to his organizing but was startled when she ran from the room, tripping over every box on her way downstairs.

  “What the hell got into her?” he asked Presley after all the commotion.

  Presley's eyes grew wide and she shrugged. “That seemed to rattle her pretty good.” She cringed. “I didn’t mean to upset her. I was just having fun.”

  Scott frowned. He walked down into the kitchen where Tori was fumbling through boxes, running her hands across the labels—searching like a madwoman. “Babe? What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t fucking find anything!” she screamed. “Everything is a jumbled mess of boxes. It’s so goddammed frustrating.” She sniffled as she wiped her nose and her voice cracked. “It's like being trapped in a damn hedge maze with your eyes closed.”

  “Can I help you find something?” Scott stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders.

  She shrugged him off, not saying a word. She reached down toward another box running her fingers over her braille label.

  She grabbed the packing tape on the side of the box and ripped it open with a vengeance—digging in and clanking glass bottles, pulling out the hard liquor. “There we go.” She grabbed the first one she could find, unscrewed the cap, and took a large gulp directly from the bottle—which happened to be vodka. She took a second drink then placed the bottle down. Her shoulders shook with sobs as she leaned against the counter.

  “Tori?” He put his arm around her. “What the hell, babe?”

  She spun around, facing him, tears flowing down her cheeks. “I’m so fucking stupid.”

  “What?” He hugged her as she buried her head in his chest, sobbing more. “Why do you say that?” He stroked her hair, still not understanding what had gotten into her.

  “I wasted so many years. All those years you would’ve been there. I could have let you in. I should have let you in. All I had to do was say the word.”

  “Hey, we’re here now.” He kissed her on the top of the head.

  “Yeah, but where could we have been?” She sobbed. “I’ve always tried hard since my accident to not dwell on the what if’s because it can send me spiraling. But right now, those are screaming in my head more than ever.” She pounded her temple. “What if I hadn’t gotten in the car that night. What if I wouldn’t have slept with Nathaniel and what if I would have given into my feelings years ago? Every time you left, my heart would scream, tell him to stay, but I didn’t. What if I would have?” She pulled back and leaned against the island, crossing her arms. “I was so selfish. I wanted my cake and to eat it too.”

  “I wasn’t much better. I could’ve stayed and fought for you.” He was filled with his own list of regrets and what if’s. There were about a thousand times he almost told her the same, but every time something was in the way. BUD/S, deployments, other meaningless relationships and most of all his gigantic ego.

  She shook her head and wiped her face. “I wouldn’t have let you. I was too scared and selfish.”

  “No. You were wild and uninhibited, and it made me desire you even more. I wasn’t about to snuff out that flame in you.” He rested his hands on her shoulders. “I knew we’d get here. I knew your heart. Thankfully, I’m a patient man.”

  “So patient that you had to settle for a damaged version of me?” She sighed. “I’ve been in my head a lot lately. I’ve been worried that you only settled for me because of this.” She motioned to her eyes. “But the fact you kept that picture. You really have loved me all along, and all I can wonder is why?” Her chest heaved as she choked back the sobs. “You deserve so much more, Scott. You deserve a wife who isn’t blind, a wife that can give you kids. Scott, you’re so much better than me. Let’s face it—you’re out of my league.” Tori gave a wry chuckle. “Hell, I can’t even get you to sleep in the same bed as me.”

  Ouch. He’d been so hell bent on protecting her, he never thought how lonely that made her feel. If she’d been struggling with feeling not good enough, him not sleeping in the bed would only magnify all those fears of hers. God, his father was right with all his words of wisdom about relationships. He swallowed hard, feeling like such an asshole.

  “Are you kidding me?” Scott’s eyes widened at her ridiculousness. “You still had guys tripping over themselves to be with you right after this happened. The reporter, your instructor who apparently smelled very, very, good,” Scott groaned.

  “That was snarky of me to say that.” She shook her head and chuckled.

  “I scooped you up on sale right before your price was about to skyrocket. I know a good deal when I see one,” Scott teased.

  She let out a dry chuckle. “I’m kind of a broken mess. You may want a refund.”

  Scott pulled her in close and pressed his lips to hers. “You’re beautifully imperfect. I wouldn’t trade you for another flawed woman with two working eyes even if she could pop out twenty kids for me.”

  “But—”

  “But nothing,” he stopped her. “You have no idea how I felt as I read that article in the news. My stomach churned when I read your name. The words severe brain injury gutting me…that phone call waiting to see if you were still you…” his voice cracked, and he fought back the tears brewing under the surface, reliving all the grief he felt. “I thought I’d lost you. I hated myself for not telling you sooner what you meant to me. I partially blamed myself for your accident, hell—part of me still does. If I had only given into my heart sooner, you may have not been with him. I have my own regrets as well, baby.”

  “I guess it took me going blind for us to see we needed each other,” Tori said sarcastically.

  “Ooh,” Scott cringed and chuckled. “Bad pun. So cliched.” He lovingly stroked his thumb across her cheek. “Stay here for a minute. I have something else I want to show you.”

  Tori listened as he dashed upstairs and rustled around, coming back down a few moments later.

  “I don’t know if you realized this, but you called yourself my wife, right? I don’t believe I’ve given you a proper proposal yet.” He wrapped his strong arms around her, giving her ass a firm squeeze.

  Tori smiled sheepishly into his massive chest. “I was wondering when you were gonna get on that.” Her heart pounded with excitement.

  “Well, you said no to my romant
ic, drunken proposal. Then you said no to me in the barn in Texas. That kind of shit can make a man a bit twitchy,” he lovingly scolded. “I can’t have you going around telling people we’re engaged when I haven’t properly asked you yet. You said it yourself—my mom raised me to be a gentleman.”

  “Oh, I know she did.” Tori raised her brow. “So, are you finally asking for real?”

  “Are you gonna do this, or am I?”

  “Sorry.” She grinned.

  “Check your back pocket.” The smooth timber of his voice sent chills down her arm.

  Tori smiled slyly and reached for her bottom—finding a lump in her back-left pocket. “This better not be a pair of underwear.” She laughed, slipping her hand in and grabbing the metal ring.

  “Baby, we’re both damaged, shattered messes. On the course of our life we’ll continue to cut each other with our brokenness. But there’s nobody else I want to patch my wounds other than you.”

  Scott grabbed Tori by the back of the neck and touched his forehead to hers. “Tori, you’re the most unique, beautiful, wild, sexy, reckless and fierce woman that I’ve ever met. Taming you hasn’t been an easy task. You challenge me more than I could ever imagine. Loving you is like riding the waves of a wild storm—frightening yet exhilarating. Allow me to protect that fragile heart of yours, and I promise to love you in a way that will defy all you know love to be. Victoria Rose, will you marry me?” He kissed her on the forehead.

  Tears rolled down her cheeks. The man could wield words like a skilled swordsman. “A thousand times yes.” She pulled him in and kissed him deeply.

  Tori pulled back opening her palm with the ring in it.

  “God dammit, tell her about the ring already! That’s the best part!” Presley yelled from across the room.

  “How long have you been there?” Tori asked, wondering how she hadn’t heard her footsteps.

  “Long enough to capture the proposal on video.” Presley had such a smile in her voice. In fact, it almost sounded like she was sniffling.

  “On video?” Tori was shocked. “That’s so unlike you!” She poked Scott in the chest.

  “I want to capture every moment I can with you.” He stroked her cheek.

  Scott took her by the hand. “Finding a ring to fit someone like you wasn’t an easy task. There was no way I was walking into a store and buying you something in a display case. Not for my Tori.” He squeezed her hands. “I wanted it to be something you would know in your mind and recognize.” He took her finger and gently ran it across the metal pattern. “I had this made custom. I took a photograph of the painting you made above the sofa and took it to a jeweler.”

  “The silver leaves and black flowers?” Her breath caught in her throat.

  “Yes, that’s the one. It was always my favorite, because it reminds me so much of you,” Scott said. “The ring is all white gold with dark glazing in between the engraved details. In between the leaves there are rows of black diamonds.”

  He ran her pinky finger across the fine details. “Like the flowers.” Her face hurt from smiling so much. She never knew she could be so happy.

  “Yes, and then here is the clear solitaire main stone…” he continued.

  “He means huge rock,” Presley interrupted causing Tori to giggle.

  Scott cleared his throat in annoyance. “And then on the back…” He ran her finger across the raised braille dots on the back side of the ring.

  “It says Scott.” She deciphered the braille lettering.

  “And mine will say Tori.” Scott slipped the ring on her finger.

  “It’s…it’s…” It was perfect. Actually, it was beyond perfect. It was the most thoughtful and beautiful gift she’d ever been given. Words were inadequate, her breath caught in her throat. She wrapped her arms around him and planted her lips to his, lacing her fingers through his hair.

  “I wanted to give you the fairy tale proposal. I’m sorry; I should’ve done this better…”

  “Baby, you’re my fairy tale.” It was so goddamn perfect.

  “Are you ready to be Mrs. Harris?” His voice wavered, almost as if he feared she wouldn’t take his name.

  Of course, she’d take his name, silly man.

  “Victoria Harris, huh?” She puckered her lips and pretended to mull that over for a moment. Finally, she couldn’t contain her joy anymore, and her lips curled into a grin so wide she was certain her jaw would break. She had no desire to stay Victoria Johnson anymore. She was ready to put that life behind her. “I like the way that sounds.”

  THE END

  Dear Readers,

  Thank you for reading my words, for helping my dream become a reality, and for giving me a chance to entertain you. I’m so glad that you stuck with me for the second installment in Scott and Tori’s saga. The fact that readers love this couple so much makes my heart soar. Stay tuned to my updates, there’s still more. Book three is coming very soon. To stay up to date on my most recent releases and events I’d love to have you join my Facebook reader group: Avery’s Angels!

  Please leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads and to tell others what you thought about the book. Reviews are the number one thing that readers can do to help out an indie author. I want to hear what you thought!

  I’d love to hear personally from my readers. Feel free to drop me a line at:

  averyjkingston@gmail.com.

  Also I LOVE to be social. Come stalk me!

  Website | Twitter | Facebook |Instagram

  XOXOXOXO,

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  First of all I want to thank my husband. Without him, Scott and Tori would have never come to life. In an effort to remain connected during his military leave, he sent me a story about a military amputee meeting a blind woman in a bar. Little did he know that this would ignite an entire series of books. (A decision I’m certain he regrets to this day).

  Thank you baby, for being my biggest fan (and harshest critic). I love you with every fiber of my being. Thank you for helping me breathe life into these amazing characters. Thank you most of all for believing in me, encouraging me and drying my tears through this process.

  Next, I want to thank Annabelle Costa. I can’t even begin to express the depths that she has helped me along this journey as an indie author. Annabelle, thank you for your sound advice and friendship. Writing is sometimes a lonely journey, and it’s been refreshing to have someone that’s been there and understands.

  To my editor, Writer’s Rebirth, thank you for painstakingly assisting with my comma abuse. I know this journey has been a difficult one. Through all the trials and tribulations you remained a true professional.

  To my betas (my besties): Tamara, Karole and Sarah, thanks for taking the time to read Scott and Tori’s story. Thank you for putting up with my endless texts of, “Does this line make sense?” Or, “Hey check out this promo I made!”

  To all the book bloggers that have given me love over the past several months I can’t thank you enough for helping this newbie author. I’m so grateful for your support and thank you all for constantly pimping out my books!

  Finally to my readers, my fans. Avery’s Angels. I can NOT thank you enough for your support. Thanks for pimping my books and giving me words of encouragement. I’m truly humbled at your love and support of my work. I’ve grown to know and love so many of you over this past year and consider you all friends. Thank you SO much. You all keep me going.