To Make You Feel My Love (22 page)

“What?” Dusty shrugged.

“You’ve got a big mouth, that’s what,” Logan laughed. “Your momma always did say you couldn’t hold water.”

“Fuck you, man. You got your girl back didn’t you?”

“No thanks to you,” Logan said sarcastically

“Y’all both shutup, he’s about to start!” Becky snapped.

The lights dimmed around them, as smoke rose on the stage. Carter strolled out of the fog in his black Stetson and guitar. Slow music started as he stepped up to the mic.

“I’d like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. We’re going to have a good time, but first, I’d like to play a song for two very good friends of mine. Logan, Alana, this one’s for you.” Carter’s cover of Garth Brooks, “To Make You Feel My Love” began to play over the speakers, as Carter’s smooth voice traveled through the room.

“I think that’s our song, my angel.” Taking Alana’s trembling hands in his, he led her to the dance floor.

“Did you do this?” She asked in a shaky voice.

“Well, I put in the request, but Becky made it happen.”

“You were sure of yourself, huh?” she sniffed.

“Nah, he was waiting on her text to give the go ahead,” he chuckled. “But I sure as hell hoped.”

“You’re amazing, you know that?” Raising on tiptoes, she reached to kiss him.

“Alana, I’ve never felt for anyone the way I feel for you. You own me. I’m yours, heart and soul.” Tenderly, he kissed her back while swaying to the music.

“I meant what I said, Logan. I can’t take you leaving again. I don’t know how I’ll handle you leaving on deployment.”

“That’s not something you’ll have to worry about, baby,” he said, swallowing a deep breath.

“Why? What do you mean?” she asked.

“I don’t have anywhere to go. I quit the army. Well, retired actually. You’re stuck with me, if you still want me, but I have nothing to offer you.”

Alana’s blue eyes grew in surprise. “Logan, you can’t quit, you love what you do!”

“Not as much as I love you. Nothing compares to the love I have for you, Alana. You’re mine, and I’m yours. I knew the moment we met, we belonged together. I’d give up anything for you. I know you were hurt, but I promise, I’ll never let anything hurt you again. I’ll spend eternity to make you feel my love, Alana.” Gently caressing her face, he leaned down to kiss her.

Alana looked into his hazel eyes, seeing her forever. “I love you, Logan. Forever.”

EPILOGUE

“Oh my god, Alana, you look beautiful!” Becky exclaimed. “I can’t believe you’re doing this.” Embracing one another, Alana laughed.

“You act like this is my wedding or something Becky.”

“Well, it’s your engagement party, close enough,” she sniffed.

“Dear Lord. When did you start getting so emotional?” Alana asked, fixing her lip gloss in the mirror.

“I’m not emotional, dammit! I just think it’s so sweet. It’s just, y’all went through so much, and now here you are. You overcame all the obstacles, and found love.” A tear escaped Becky’s emotion filled eyes.

“Stop. You found love too. You and Dusty see each other almost every weekend.”

“Dusty found
lust
, not love,” she huffed.

“He loves you, even if he still hasn’t said it. It’s only been six months, and you’re his first relationship. Besides, you’ve made it clear you’re not looking for anything serious either.
It’s just fun
, remember?” Crossing her arms over her chest, she raised a questioning brow.

“It is what it is I guess. Let’s go have some fun.”

Rolling her eyes at her best friend, they made their way out to the pavilion. So much had changed in such a short time, yet six months ago seemed so far away. Logan had retired from the military and was able to talk Uncle James into letting him invest in the hotel. They were still living in her tiny apartment, but that suited them just fine. Alana worked full time in the ICU, and Logan had taken over her responsibilities at the hotel. He and Uncle James had become partners and fast friends.

Part of the investment included a huge add on pavilion adjacent to the hotel’s pool for parties, weddings and other events. This was their opening night to show it off. Ella Reid was planning events on her own now, and had done a fabulous job on their engagement party. Small tables and chairs aligned the rails with white linen and lit hurricane lamps in the middle of each table. It was very romantic.

Of course, Becky had gotten her cousin, Carter, to sing for the big occasion. He was on the stage under the pavilion singing a Blake Shelton song, oozing sex appeal. With his engraved leather guitar strap wrapped around his neck, leather cuffs on each wrist and sexy as hell cowboy boots, he was a wet dream. Women loved him, and he used that to his advantage.

Alana found Ella sitting at one of the tables sipping a glass of wine. She was such a beautiful lady. Long reddish brown curls flowed down her tanned back, and piercing green eyes that could see through to your soul, yet she looked so lonely sitting there all by herself.

“Ella, can I tell you again how great of a job you did!” Alana praised.

“Thank you. This pavilion is going to help bring in lots of business for you guys.”

“We hope so. Becky mentioned you were looking for a place to host a benefit for your sister’s horse rescue? We’d love for you to use this, if it will help?” Alana offered,

“Really? That would be awesome Alana! Liv will be so happy!” she squealed.

“Just pick a date. The calendar is open,” Alana smiled.

“I can’t believe your generosity. I’ve got so much to do now. Thank you, I’m so grateful.”

“I’m sure Becky can talk Carter into playing the benefit for you.”

“Um, I don’t know?” she scowled.

Alana looked confused, shaking her head.

“Carter and I have a history, from way back before my divorce.”

“Oh! I won’t ask,” she giggled. “Well, if there’s anything we can do to help you, let us know,” Alana said, leaving Ella sitting alone at the table.

Carter Dawson
. That was one person Ella did her best to avoid. Six years ago she had walked in on her cheating husband, balls deep inside his whore “
sexatary
”.
What a dick
. Of course Becky’s idea had been “
let’s go get drunk and forget about it
”. Pfft. That turned out to be a bad idea. She woke up in the arms of Becky’s very young cousin, Carter Dawson. Gathering her clothes as fast as she could, she had run for the door and didn’t look back. She never told Becky, but she was sure Becky had figured it out anyway. Back then, he was a cocky little boy. Now, he was a cocky
man
. Strutting around like a peacock. A beautiful peacock at that. He’d always been a good looking, but now, he was drop dead gorgeous. Tall and muscular, with a broad back and thick wrist. A shiver ran through her just thinking of him.

“You thinking about me, beautiful?” a deep voice said.
Yes, oh yes I am!

“Ugh. You wish Carter,” she lied. “Don’t you have some tail to be chasing or something?” she snapped.

“Why do you hate me? Did I do something wrong?” Even his voice radiated heat. Sitting down next to her at the table, the scent of soap and leather drifted up her nose, shooting a current of electricity straight to her core.

Avoiding his question, she turned her head to watch the ocean sunset, sipping her glass of red wine. Strong fingers gripped her chin, forcing her to make eye contact.

“Carter, get your hands off me,” she demanded, as moisture pooled between her legs.

“Not until you tell me your problem,” he smirked.

“Why do you care anyway?” she asked, jerking herself from his grip.

“Because, for years you’ve skated around me, giving me dirty looks and hiding behind corners.”

“You’re crazy,” she rolled her eyes.

“Am I? Do you still get wet thinking of me fucking you, with my tongue, my fingers and my dick?” Grazing her hand with his index, she felt the heat coming off his body.

Yanking her hand away, her cheeks flushed crimson. “You’ve grown into a real ass, haven’t you?”

Carter chuckled. “I still get under your skin. I see the goose bumps on your arms, your nipples hardening for me.” Moving closer to her neck, he inhaled deeply. “Mmm, I smell your arousal, Ella.”

“Fuck off Carter!” she grated between clenched teeth.

“That’s it, baby. Talk dirty to me,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Raising an eyebrow, she decided he was not going to get the best of her. “Actually, all I remember is a little boy monkeying around, trying to figure out which end was up.”

Surprised, Carter laughed. “Is that all you remember? I remember you screaming my name, over and over again. As a matter of fact, you were screaming so loud, it woke my neighbor.” He grabbed her chin again, “And baby, I’ve only gotten better.”

“Get over yourself Carter.” Jerking loose, she shot from her chair, stomping off. Oh, that man infuriated her. Why did she let him get under her skin so badly? Feeling him watching her stomp off, she looked over her shoulder, seeing his smug grin as he raised her glass to her and took a drink.
Asshole
! This is why she avoided him.
Cocky son-of-a-bitch
, she thought to herself. She must’ve been really drunk the night she hooked up with him. She needed to stay as far away from Carter Dawson as she could. But, he was right. That night had been a night she still dreamed about.
Damn him!

Watching her run from him was a turn on, he loved the thrill of the chase. Still remembering the taste of her on his tongue and the feel of her soft skin against him, just made it that much more intriguing. Oh yeah, he was going to show her what kind of a man he had grown into. Wanting nothing more than to show her his wicked desires. He
would
have her again, screaming his name until her throat was raw, of that he was sure.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tina Rose is a freelance writer, poet and most recently an e-book author. An Eastern Kentucky native, she currently resides in Florida with her husband, two children and beloved dog. She has been writing short stories and poetry since a young age, and has been published in several home town periodicals over time.

An avid reader and writer of romance, she is currently pursuing her love of writing in the contemporary erotic romance genre. When she can’t be found typing away on the keyboard, she’ll be found hiding in a corner reading one of her favorite authors
.
You can contact Tina Rose at
[email protected]
or follow her on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/pages/Tina-Rose-Author/661386880592600

Hopefully you enjoyed reading To Make You Feel My Love, and you’ll consider leaving a positive review for others to read. Watch for Book Two, Ella and Carter’s story coming in
2015.