Free Untamed (A Moretti Novel) by MJ Carnal

was wasting feeling lonely.  The chimes alerted her to another half hour gone.  Or was it an hour?  She didn’t know.
    It had been three days since she had spoken to Steve.  She had packed an overnight bag the morning after their talk and had shown up at Kevin’s doorstep after an emotional day of teaching.  Andi had welcomed her with open arms, feeding her dinner and insisting on a girl’s night.  Kevin had been quiet, watching her every move and giving her time to open up about what happened.  She admitted her feelings about Steve and talked about how torn she was between letting her heart or her head win. 
    The only time she had laughed was while she talked on the phone to Damien.  They had spent hours talking every night.  His band rehearsal was going well and her teaching assignment was coming to an end a s summer quickly approached.  He told her stories about his band mates and they laughed about childhood memories with her sister.  She felt at peace during their calls and realized that he not only deserved a chance, but that he was willing to follow her to the ends of the earth to get it.
    She pulled her white sundress from her bag and let her hair fall in waves to her mid-back.  She smiled in the mirror as the first wave of excitement hit her.  This was their first official date and she was happy she had made the choice and said yes.  “It’s ok to feel something.”  She whispered to herself in the mirror.
    A soft knock sounded at the door and Kevin stuck his head in.  He smiled at her and whistled.  “Your date is here.  Make sure you’re home before midnight, young lady.”
    “Watch who you’re calling a lady.”   Kevin laughed as Lily smiled at him.  “Thanks, dad.  I’ll do my best.”
    Lily walked down the hall and stopped short when she saw Damien.  “Hi.”
    “Hi.”  Damien grinned.  His dark hair was spiked on top and his piercing blue eyes drew her in. Slight stubble lined his jaw.  She longed to touch it.  His smile made her heart flutter. 
    She knew in that instant that moving forward with him had been the right choice.  Her distance from Steve had been good.  She knew she loved him more than she could ever explain.  But his choice to move forward, without giving her a chance, was one she would have to live with.  Damien was a good man and she knew he could make her happy. 
    He had chosen a restaurant in a high rise in Santa Monica Beach.  Getting off the elevator at the eighteenth floor, Damien took Lily’s hand.  She gasped as she took in the view.  The floor to ceiling windows were framed in white cascading curtains that gave it a romantic feel.  The sunset in the background took her breath away.  He led her to the white couches surrounding their table.  Candles danced and the chandelier sparkled.  The waiter brought them a bottle of champagne and left them alone. 
    “This is so beautiful.”  Lily was breathless. 
    Damien’s eyes roamed her body and his heart began to thunder in his chest.  “You are beautiful.”  He handed her a glass of champagne and motioned for her to sit. 
    Lily’s eyes remained glued to the sunset.  “Thank you for this.  I don’t know what to say.”
    “Thank you for saying yes.”  He ran his hand down her arm and she leaned back into his chest.
    Her skin was soft and warm and he wanted more.  He leaned in to kiss her neck and she moaned.  His pants were getting impossibly tight. His hands massaged the tight muscles in her shoulders and as she relaxed, he smiled.  She pressed her back into his chest, looking over her shoulder and smiling.  He was suddenly nervous. 
    He could stand up in front of thousands of people, singing and dancing and didn’t have a care in the world.  But sitting here in this small booth, surrounded by romance, his palms began to sweat.  He chuckled and she turned to look at him.  “I’m suddenly nervous.”
    She giggled.  “Me too.”
    As the appetizers arrived at the