Dark Secrets (Dark Secrets #1)(56)
Author: A.M. Hudson

When we came out to the clearing by the lake, the familiar lemony spice of wet bark and the heavy clay scent of decomposing leaves awakened my senses. A spectacular rainbow of nature greeted us, and I lost myself in the awe of this secret place. With the autumn hovering on the horizon of the approaching months, the deciduous evergreens surrounding the lake began to turn a hundred different colours. An illustration of mottled pinks, yellows and reds emulated off the lake’s reflection, and dust motes settled on the water around the moss—giving it an almost snow-like aspect. Across the lake, at the centre of the tranquil masterpiece, several flocks of colourful birds disappeared into the dense greenery of the island.

“This place is so amazing, David.” And my mood just lifted like an elevator up the Empire State building.

David’s hands circled my waist. He tucked his chin against the curve of my neck and squeezed my ribs. “I can think of something more amazing.”

Aw, how sweet. I smiled, resting my elbows over his. “I like that—the feel of you against me that way.”

David pulled away, but stole my hand as he did, turning me to face him. “Come on, let’s sit down.” He swept his arm outward, presenting a small square patch of grass, flattened by the rug—picnic basket centred, and his iPhone setting the scene with some soft music.

“How did you set that up so fast?” I looked back at David, my eyes quickly darting from where he’d been standing beside me, to the rug, where he laid with his ankles crossed and the cheekiest grin warming his eyes. “I’m sure you’re not human.”

He laughed loudly. “I think you’re the one who’s not human, Ara. I’ve become accustomed to your trips outside your own head now. I set this up while you were lost in thought.”

“I should get that looked at.” I wandered over and sat down in front of him. “Hey, are you getting sick?”

“Ouch.” David jumped back a little when I touched the purple indent under his eye. “You’re freezing,” he said.

“Sorry. I always forget that.”

He cupped my hands, changing their temperature with the warmth of his breath.

“That feels nice,” I said, watching him.

“Did you know—” He closed his hands a little tighter around mine and pressed his nose against my fingers, drawing a deep breath, “—you smell like a freshly baked cake?”

“Yeah.” I gently pulled my hands away, rubbing the moisture from his breath into my skin. “That’s just my body wash.”

“No.” He shook his head, looking up at me. “It’s just you.”

I needed a subject change before those green eyes of his, all kind and smiling, made me lean forward and kiss him. “What’s this song? It has the most heartbreaking melody.”

“It’s called Overcome.” David looked down at his hands. “The one I said I’d play to you.”

The words of the song danced around in my head, lilting softly over the wistful tide of the piano, while David stared into the tree line, his mind a million miles away. I watched his soft, angel-like face for just long enough to see that he was more beautiful than I’d really noticed before. He was always lovely, but with his eyes lost in the splendour of the colourful surroundings, focused and totally unaware that I was staring, I could suddenly see just how out of my league he really was. His features were almost symmetrical, even down to the width of his mouth on both sides and the sharp, heart-shaped curve of his upper lip. There was this undeniable allure about him—something—maybe an energy that just drew me in, making me want to close my eyes and fall against him.

It was too late for me. I’d never be able to go back. Never be able to live without him. ‘Overcome’ was very suitable for how I felt about this boy.

David looked up from his reverie and frowned at my face.

I wiped away my pout, forcing a look of composure, though inside, my heart was breaking. I wondered how I could possibly ever be good enough for him.

“Do you know why they say love is blind?” he asked out of the blue.

“Um…” Okay, that was a strange question. “Because…you can’t see straight when you’re in love?”

He shook his head. “It’s because you don’t need to see to fall in love. It’s purely chemical. You can fall in love with someone before you’ve spoken one word to them, and they don’t have to be perfect, Ara, just perfect for you.”

“What if you’re not from the same species—can you be perfect for each other then?”

“Ara—” he sat up a little. “What do you mean?”

“I mean.” I toyed with the hem of my dress. “You’re…perfect, and I’m…”

He sat back, exhaling through his smile. “That’s what you meant.”

“What did you think I meant?”

“Nothing.” He reached across and took my hand. “Ara. I don’t know where you get this silly idea that we’re not right for each other, but—”

“I never said that.”

“No, you said you’re not good enough for me.”

I looked down at my pale white fingers wrapped around his golden skin.

“I’ve never loved anyone like this before. Ever. What do you think that means for me, Ara?”

I shrugged, not meeting his eyes, though I could feel them on me.

“You are more than good enough for me—from personality to spirit and all the way to superficial and unimportant qualities.” He laughed. “I mean, you’re the single most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on and, believe me, Ara-Rose, I have seen a lot of girls.”

One shoulder came up to my jaw. “I guess I just don’t see what you see.”

“Then I’m happy to keep saying it until you do.” He touched the backs of his fingers to my cheek. “Just relax into this, okay? We’re together—I’m not going anywhere. Not ever.”

“Promise?”

He looked at me for a long moment. “Yeah. But only if you promise to look in the mirror every day and tell yourself you’re beautiful.”

“Okay.” I smirked. “I will.”

“Good. Hungry?” He jumped up with a movement as light and fluid as a man on the moon.

“Um, yeah, I am, actually.” I hadn’t even noticed it, but my stomach felt like a hollow pit. It might’ve even growled at one point, but I’d been too lost in David’s flawless face to notice. I could’ve starved to death and probably wouldn’t have cared.