Eternal Flame (Mature 18+)

Chapter 13

Kristen almost jumped out of her skin. Got-damnit! This dude needed to wear bells around his neck to warn people when he was coming.

She turned around to see Roman standing directly behind her. "It's pretty," she breathlessly said, embarrassed that he'd seen her gyrating. "Is it new?"

He shook his head. "I started working on it about two years ago but I haven't found the right words to finish it. I haven't been writing anything really. I've had a block I can't get rid of. It's difficult. Especially for someone like me who's used to writing all the time."

"Yeah that sucks. I hate that. What's it about? The song?"

He thought for a moment. "I don't really know. When I started, I just had the bridge. That was about love. I can't figure out what should come before or after that."

Kristen eagerly looked at him. "Can I hear it? With the lyrics?"

He hesitated for a moment. "Sure."

He walked over to the keyboard and Kristen followed closely behind him. She stood to the side of him and was surprised when he placed her in front of him. Her eyes caught his in the mirror and her heart skipped several beats. She didn't understand why he'd moved her in front of him but she liked it.

Still standing behind her, Roman sat his glass on the keyboard then put his hands under and through both of her arms; his hands next to hers on the keys. She could hear him breathing as he began playing. Kristen's eyes wavered as she watched him. She felt drunk off of his intoxicating smell; engrossed in the sexual heat of his body behind hers.

Again, she tried not to inhale him out loud. If she turned her head slightly and lifted her mouth, she'd be right at his lips. She fought hard not to turn her head and lift her lips.

Roman started singing and his voice was strong, clear, and beautiful.

"Nothing in my life has been the same

Since I first laid eyes on you

The world feels different, I'm ready and open

Never felt this way before, it's scary but I like it

When I look into your eyes I realize

All that I need, all that I want, lies within you..."

His voice trailed off. Kristen opened her eyes and looked in the mirror at him. "Is that it?" He simply nodded with his eyes focused on hers. "It's beautiful."

"I wish I knew how to finish it."

"It'll come to you." She turned to him and leaned back against the keyboard, still looking at him. His hands were still at the keys, on other side of her. He was exceptionally close. "What inspired you to write it?"

"A relationship."

Kristen held her breath. This was what she'd been waiting to hear about all day. She didn't want to press him but she yearned to hear more.

She tilted her head and cautiously looked at him. "You want to talk about it?"

Roman shrugged indifferently and pulled back, breaking his connection with her. His voice was emotionless as he spoke. "I met a girl. I liked her. I thought she liked me. We were together a minute. It didn't work out. It made me sad. I'm taking a while to get over it."

"Sounds like your classic love song," she said with a light-hearted smile.

He mildly smiled at her. Surprise stole her breath. It was the first time he'd smiled at her all day. It warmed her all the way to her toes. But then he looked away from her like he suddenly remembered he wasn't supposed to smile. His mouth grew hard and his jaw clenched.