Surrender & Salvation

Ten years ago Skye Monroe left St. Francisville and David Kincaid just as his career was taking off. Now she’s back to take photographs of the bad boy Country superstar on sabbatical as he tries to rehab his image and career. She could have turned down the assignment, but she didn’t. Was it curiosity, the need for closure or something more that brought her home? Whatever the reason, she can’t deny the fire he still ignites within her with just a look, but is she willing to give him another chance?

David Kincaid’s life started to unravel the day he got his record deal, which also happened to be the day Skye Monroe walked out on him. Since then no amount of fame, fortune or women can fill the void she left behind. When she suddenly appears on his door step for a magazine shoot, looking and sexy as ever, he realizes he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win her back. But is it too late to salvage their relationship and what’s left of his career?

Read Part One - Homecoming - here
Read Part Two - Revelations - here
Read Part Three -Memories - here
Read Part Four - Declaration - here
Read Part Five - Surrender - here
Read Part Six - Reciprocity - here
 

Surrender & Salvation

by

Fiona Summerville

The Proposal

Skye cat-stretched and yawned as her eyes fluttered open. The room was dark with the exception of the opalescent glow of the moon pouring in through the parted drapes. She sighed softly and smiled as each delicious detail of the afternoon’s events replayed through her mind.

After they had indulged in a slice of chocolate cake, they made love again. Slow and easy, reverently. He worshipped her with his lips, venerated her with his touch, but when she tried to reciprocate, he held her arms over her head by the wrists, pinning her down. A move that electrified her body even more.

“Mmm…you still like that don’t you, baby girl?” He had whispered against her ear as he eased into her. “I just might have to break out those old handcuffs of mine.”

She responded to his suggestion with a moan as her body tightened around him and she arched to meet his thrusts.

She sighed, feeling the pool of heat between her thighs the memory had evoked. Purring softly, she rolled over and reached out for David only to find an empty space. She ran her hand over the sheets where his body should have been and found them cold to the touch. Wherever he had gone, he’d been gone awhile.

She flipped on the bedside lamp, slid out from under the sheet, and padded over to the high-boy dresser across the room. If her memory served her, his t-shirts should be in the middle drawer, and she was going to borrow one. While she knew he probably preferred her wandering around naked, she couldn’t bring herself to do it, especially when this wasn’t her home…anymore. 

Her brow furrowed at the painful thought. This...he...wasn't hers anymore. What happened between them today didn't change that fact. She let out a heavy sigh as she pulled open the middle drawer only to find it empty with the exception of a shoe box with her name scrawled across the lid in thick black ink. Her heart skipped a beat, and she rushed to shut the drawer, but paused. She glanced over her shoulder to the bedroom door. It was ajar. She glanced back at the box. These were his personal belongings. She had no right to look. But, it has your name on it! The naughty, nosy parker in her brain whispered. What can it hurt? No, she wouldn’t look. If it was something he wanted to share with her, he would…someday. What if there is no someday? Just look and get it over with.

She glanced back at the door once more, and then lifted the lid of the box with one finger. She flinched and turned away slightly as if she thought something might jump out at her. Something did. Skye let out a soft gasp. There, sitting on top of what looked to be dozens of photographs and cards, was a ring sized box with the insignia of the jewelry store where David had purchased her engagement ring. The engagement ring she’d left it behind on the entry table when she left ten years ago. He wouldn’t have kept it. He had no reason to keep it. But it's here...

With a trembling hand, she reached for the box and slowly cracked the lid. Tears flooded her eyes and she let the lid shut with a snap.

“It’s not there, baby girl,” David’s smoky voice broke the silence of the room.

“I was looking for a t-shirt,” Skye choked out softly, dropping the ring box into the drawer. She didn’t turn to face him. She couldn’t. He’d caught her snooping, and she was a teary-eyed mess.

“I know, and that’s where they normally are,” he said, moving towards her. “But I haven’t slept in here since I came home, so I moved them to the guest room down the hall.”

She felt the heat from his body as he stood behind her and she shivered. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her close. She could feel he was bare-chested, but he had on a soft pair of sweat pants. She leaned back against him, reveling in his warmth.

“I was going to wait until tomorrow,” he whispered. She felt him fishing in his front pocket with his free hand. “But, I guess now is as good a time as any.”

He gently turned her to face him before dropping to one knee, holding the ring up to her. “Skye, please… will you marry me?”

Every molecule of air disappeared from her lungs, leaving her fighting for a breath. She looked down at David and even in the dimly lit bedroom the love in his eyes shined like a beacon. He eyed her pleadingly, pushing the ring up towards her. “You know, this ring is only temporary. I’m gonna get you the biggest, most beautiful ring your finger can carry. Harry Winston, Tiffany’s…whatever you want, baby girl, you can have. Just. Say. Yes.”

The moment dragged out interminably. She knew she had to say something. Yes, no, maybe. But, every time she opened her mouth she only looked like a fish out of water gasping for air.

She couldn’t believe he was on his knee proposing to her. She couldn’t believe he was proposing to her while she stood there…naked.

“David, I’m naked,” she whispered.

A puzzled look crossed over David’s face, then he chuckled softly. “That you are Skye,” he murmured as he stood. “I guess I should have waited, but you know me. Once I set my mind to something, I get carried away in the moment.” He grinned down at her as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “If it will help you think clearer, I’ll get you my robe to cover up.”

She flushed and dropped her forehead to rest on his broad, muscled chest. “It’s not that. Well, maybe it is…a little. I never imagined being proposed to naked, but that’s only part of it, David.”

She looked up and gave him a weak, watery smile. His eyes clouded over, and his smile faded. “What is it, Skye? Whatever it is, I’ll fix it. I’ll change it. I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back and make you happy.”

Her heart ached as she stared up at him. She had always been the reality check to his optimistic dreams. But now, with everything between them so fragile and new, she hated being the voice of reason. Reaching up, she cupped his face in her hands and smiled softly.

“You don’t have to look so glum, David. I’m not saying, no. Get me that robe and we’ll talk. What time is it anyway?”

“Ten thirty,” he said, bending his head to place a gentle kiss upon her lips. When he pulled away, he stared intently for a moment before snorting softly and grinning. “Little Miss Skye, always my voice of reason.”

As he emerged from the bathroom, he held the robe open for her. She tucked her arms in the sleeves, and he moved around to tie the sash. It was enormous. The hem dragged on the floor and the sleeves hung several inches below her fingers, but it covered what she needed it to cover, so she was happy. She rubbed her cheek against the soft terry cloth and inhaled. It smelled like him.

She sighed softly, and when she realized he was watching, she smiled sheepishly and shrugged. “It smells like you.”

“You like my scent on you, don't you girl?” His eyes glowed as he grabbed the lapels of the robe and pulled her to him, his lips crashing down on hers.

“God, yes,” she whispered raggedly as she tried to catch the breath he’d stolen from her. She resisted the urge to wrap herself around him, instead pushing gently against his chest. “Come on. I’m thirsty. Let’s get some tea.”

They chatted as they walked downstairs to the kitchen, both giving wide berth to the discussion that loomed before them. Skye watched in silence as David poured them each a glass of sweet tea. She was terrified of the conversation she was about to have with him, but it was necessary if their relationship was going to have any chance of success.

Glass in hand, she walked out to the sun porch and hopped up on the daybed, tucking her legs under her. He slid up next to her and draped a lazy arm over her shoulder. “So, Skye, let’s talk.”

She sipped her tea thoughtfully for a moment before she huffed out a sigh. She might as well just dive in head first.

“Ten years is a long time, David. People change, their circumstances change.”

“Oh God, you’re seeing someone, aren’t you?”

Her eyes shot up to meet his gaze. “No, David. I’m not. Do you think I would have slept with you if I was? That may be a regular occurrence in your world, but not in mine.” The words spilled out of her mouth before she could stop them. Shit! She had planned to be a little more tactful when she brought up the issue of groupies, but instead she let that big ugly toad plop right out. “Sorry, before you even say anything. I’m sorry. That came out all wrong.”

“That really is a thing for you isn’t, Skye? You’re absolutely terrified that I’ll sleep with another woman,” he said softly, his voice filled with astonishment as if he couldn’t fathom how a thought like that played such an important part in the demise of their relationship.

She bit her lip and nodded, the lump in her throat preventing anything more. David pulled her close and kissed her temple.

“Well, there’s an easy solution to that. No fans will be allowed backstage before, during or after a show. Only contest winners or family friends will be allowed.”

She looked incredulously at him. “You can’t do that.”

“The hell I can’t. My show, my rules. Most of the guys in the band are paired off or married any way. Anyone that doesn’t like it can find a new gig. See? Problem solved. Next talking point?” He shot her a self-satisfied grin as he leaned back against the pillows, taking her with him.

Could it really be that easy? She wanted to believe it was. She wanted to believe in him. It wasn’t as if she didn’t trust him, it was the women she didn’t trust, and if he eliminated them from the equation, technically there was no longer a problem. Technically…

She took a deep breath and turned to face him. “Okay...you drink too much.”

Again, he grinned at her. “Not anymore. While you were sleeping, I poured every bottle of booze I could find, down the sink. I don’t need it if I have you, Skye.”

“David, it might not be as easy as you think.”

He nodded and smiled thoughtfully. “I’m well aware of that, but give me a chance to fix this on my own. If I can’t, I swear to you, I’ll get help. No more bimbos, no more booze, just you by my side. I can do it. Believe in me, Skye, please. I promise, I won’t do you wrong ever again.”

Her gaze softened as she watched him reach deep into his pocket and bring out the ring. Holding it out to her, he grinned. “So what do you say? Will you take a chance on this broke down country boy one more time?”