Surrender & Savation

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
Read Part Seven - The Proposal - here
Read part Eight - Mine - here
 

Surrender & Salvation

by

Fiona Summerville

Salvation

David ushered her out of the pub and tucked her into the back of a waiting cab. Skye sat quietly, staring at the small crowd that had followed them out as David rounded the back of the cab and slid in next to her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her temple.

“Il Forno or home?” He whispered against her hair.

“Home, please,” she murmured as she glanced down at her trembling hands.

Ugh!  Never in her life had she physically struck another person in anger, much less jealously, but seeing that lecherous hag groping David’s privates, had raised an ire and a possessiveness within her she’d never before felt. And, even though she initially walked away, the vision of the red taloned hand grabbing David’s crotch coupled with the look of hurt and helplessness in his eyes, screamed at her to turn back and deal with the situation, as she should have done ten years ago.

David gave her another quick peck and then instructed the cab driver where to take them, before leaning back and pulling her to him. He captured her left hand in his, lifting it to his lips and kissed each one of her pink, quickly swelling knuckles.

“We’d best put some ice on your hand when we get home. It will help with the swelling,” he said, gently setting her hand on his thigh, covering it with his own.

The warmth of his hand soothed not only the throbbing ache from knuckles, but also her fragged nerves. She sighed softly and collapsed against his shoulder.

“Ugh, David, I can’t believe I hit her,” she groaned.

“I know. Your redneck was on full display tonight, Skye,” David snorted and then snickered at the stunned look Skye shot him. “Seriously, baby, it was awesome. She deserved it. She was kind of rough with Little Dave and the rodeo clowns.”

Despite the chaotic feelings swirling in the pit of her stomach, Skye she couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “How long have you been calling them that?”

“Oh, forever,” he said, shooting her a wicked grin. “I guess you’ve just never been formally introduced.”

Skye blinked as she shook her head and laughed, but then sobered. Shifting in the seat to face him, she gently stroked his cheek with her free hand. He always had a way of pulling her out of a sour mood. “Thank you.”

He winked at her, but gave her a quizzical look. “For what?”

“For being you. For making me laugh,” she shrugged and let out a heavy sigh before turning to look out the window. “For not forgetting about me after I walked out on you, even though you should have.”

Skye bit down on her bottom lip in an effort to hold back the tears that suddenly clouded her vision. A wave of relief washed over her as the cab pulled up to the entrance of her condo complex. The last thing she wanted was to have the discussion of their relationship turn into an episode of Cabbie Confessional. As the doorman opened the passenger side door, Skye slid out and waited as David paid and tipped the driver.

Once inside the elevator, David pressed the button for the sixteenth floor and then turned and pressed her up against the wall.  As he claimed her mouth, Skye felt that familiar liquid heat flow through her. His tongue dipped into her mouth, coaxing and teasing hers to dance. She melted into him, threading her fingers through his dark chocolate waves, pulling him closer. God, how had she gone without him for so many years? She thought she was happy. Fulfilled. She loved her career, had an awesome core group of friends. She didn’t mind being single, really.

Of course, that was before she’d gone back to Louisiana, and found that she was still hopelessly in love with David Kincaid. Seeing him again, making love to him was like finding that one perfect missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle and snapping it into place. There were many pieces of similar shape and size, but only one would ever fit. David was her missing piece.

He pulled his lips away from hers as he pulled her right hand to his chest, resting it over his heart. “Do you feel that Skye? That’s you. I’ve carried you there since the first day we met in high school. Everything I’ve ever done, good and bad, is because of you. Lord knows I tried to wash you away with alcohol, but I couldn’t. I could never forget you. You’re my heart, soul and salvation, baby girl. I’ll go to my grave loving you.”

Skye knew trying to speak was useless thanks to the golf ball size lump of emotion blocking her windpipe. Thankfully, the elevator chimed, signaling their arrival to the sixteenth floor and the doors slid open.

They walked in silence down the corridor to her condo. Once inside, Skye kicked off her heels and dropped her purse on the hall tree. She sensed an odd shift in David’s mood. Not bad, just edgy. Maybe the evening’s events were finally catching up to him.

He brushed past her and walked into the kitchen. Digging through the freezer, he withdrew an ice pack, and wrapped it in a dish towel before handing it to her.

“Why don’t you sit and let the ice do its job while I slip into something more comfortable,” he grinned as he waggled his brows at her.

She laughed softly and plopped down on the couch. “Go. I’ll be fine.”

She watched him saunter off down the hall before turning her attention to the flashing red light on her answering machine. Pressing the play button, she laid her head back on the cushions and propped her swollen left hand and the ice pack on her knee.

Hey Skye, it’s Linda. I tried your cell phone but you must have turned it off. I don’t really blame you, but I just wanted to let you know that TMZ already got wind of your throw down with the red-headed skank, so you’re probably all over their website by now. The troll was more than willing to give an interview, but after she hit on the camera guy, they pretty much took everything she had to say with a grain of salt, so I think you and David are ok. You did good standing up to her tonight. I didn’t know you had it in you. I guess it just took the right guy to bring it out. David’s awesome, by the way. I’m glad you found each other.  (voices and laughter in the background) I’m coming! I’m leaving a message for Skye. Ok, girlie, I gotta go. We’ll talk in the morning. Love yaz.

Fan-fucking-tastic. Skye groaned as she lifted her head slightly to see David standing a few feet from her, hands on his hips, sporting an amused smirk. He was bare-chested, wearing a well-worn pair of sweats that hung low on his hips. He, as usual, looked edible. She assumed he’d heard the message, so why he was smiling was beyond her comprehension. This sort of thing did nothing to help rehab his image. Even if he wasn’t directly involved in the fight, he was the catalyst for it.

“Well, that’s just freakin’ awesome. I’m so sorry, David. This is the last thing you need right now. Your Dad is going to kill me.”

He knelt on the carpet in front of her and snorted. “My dad loves you. As my manager he’s not going to care one iota about what happened tonight, that’s what I have a publicist for. He’s just happy you’re back in my life. And as for me, I could give a fuck. I’ve done worse and had worse written about me. Now, let me see your hand.”

She sat up as he slid the ice pack off her hand. Although his touch was gentle, she winced as he took her hand in his.

“It’s sore, huh? Let’s see if you can bend and wiggle your fingers,” he said, wincing a little as he watched her gingerly comply. “Good. I didn’t think anything was broken. You’re a little thing, but you’re pretty tough. I tell you what, why don’t we try to get that ring off your middle finger.”

Skye looked down at the engagement ring. She’d decided at the last minute to wear it, but felt odd about showing up to the party suddenly engaged, so she opted to wear it on her middle finger. Now, in retrospect, she wished she hadn’t been so weird about it. Once again, she had put her feelings ahead of David’s. When was she going to learn?

As she carefully wiggled it off her finger, she gasped. “Oh my God, David, I hit that woman square in the jaw with this ring. I must have left a divot!”

“You did, Skye. I saw it. Which got me thinking,” David grinned as he took the engagement ring from her and tucked it in his left pocket while reaching into his right, withdrawing the biggest solitaire Skye had ever seen. “I doubt it will, but should a situation like that ever come up again, you might need something that will leave a bigger impression,” he winked. “Do you think you can put it on?”

Skye nodded. She had never seen anything as beautiful as the ring David held out to her. Her hand was trembling as he started to slip it on her middle finger, but she jerked her hand back.

“Oh, baby, I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

“No, you didn’t,” she whispered, as she lifted her gaze to meet his. “It’s just that an engagement ring doesn’t go on the middle finger, dummy,” she smiled and held out her hand to him once again. “It goes on the next one over.”

David drew in a sharp breath. “Is that what this is, baby girl…an engagement? Are you finally saying yes?”

She nodded and winced as he slipped the ring on the proper finger. “I love you, David. I’m just sorry I wasted so much time.”

David slid up onto the couch next to her and wrapped her in his arms. “We’re here now, Skye. That’s all that matters. So, what do you say we seal the deal?” He asked, his eyes twinkling.

“I thought the ring did that,” She eyed him curiosity.

He grinned. “Well, yes it does, but seeing as how we’re now officially engaged, I think it’s time you were formally introduced to Little Dave and the…”

“Oh, David, stop!” She cut him off with a swat and erupted into a fit of giggles as he scooped her off the couch and carried her to the bedroom.

As he laid her back against the pillows, she looked up and smiled. Their time apart hadn’t extinguished their love. If anything, it had made it stronger. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, the man kneeling before her cherished her, as much as she did him. He always had. When he lowered himself down, capturing her lips in a reverent kiss, she vowed never to doubt their love...his love again.