Gifted Connections 1

I blushed and reverently stroked the sm

ooth instrument. I had been borrowing one of the violins from Will’s. He told me they had been Jace’s and that he wouldn’t mind. “I never thought I would venture beyond the piano and guitar, but someone I know made me fall in love with it.” I murmured, knowing he would know I was talking about him.

“Can you play me something?” he asked huskily. “It’s already tuned.”

I nodded and began to play the song I had played on the piano earlier.

“Blake, that’s sick!” Ben exclaimed. “We need to get this song on the track. Are your lyrics complete?”

I blushed once more. “Umm, I’ll think about it.”

“Blake, we have one more gift for you,” Will said with a small smile around his lips.

I looked up in surprise. “You guys have already spoiled me. I can’t possibly accept any more.”

He chuckled and made his way to the stairs to go down into the garage. I got up, curious and slightly overwhelmed by all my thoughtful gifts. I had never been this spoiled my whole entire life.

I followed, with everyone behind me. I gasped as I saw the yellow four door Jeep Wrangler with a huge red bow on it. How he knew that this was my dream car was beyond me. I walked around it and saw the yellow and black neoprene seats. “It’s too much and I don’t have a driver’s license.” I said hesitantly, not wanting to accept it because it was a very expensive gift but wanting to accept it because I had always wanted a Jeep Wrangler. To me it was the best of both worlds: an SUV and a convertible.

Remy handed me a driver’s manual. “We’re going to start practicing on Sunday and now that you’re eighteen you can just take the written test and take a driver’s test. It’s pretty fast and painless.”

I never bothered taking driver’s ed my sophomore year, I knew I wasn’t going to have a vehicle to drive and practice on. And Heidi wouldn’t have taken me to the secretary of state or rode along with me to get the required number of hours needed for me to get a license.

I didn’t realize I was crying again until I was surrounding my family’s hugs.

Chapter 30

I couldn’t sleep that night. I was too excited with all the new toys. So, I found myself creeping down to the garage. I took my new violin with me and I decided to see if music could lull my senses to peace.

I played for a while, getting lost in the music. I really did like this new instrument. It took some time getting used to, but I was starting to believe Dr. Allen when he said I had a natural infinity to musical instruments.

I sighed and stretched, standing up from the stool I had been sitting on.

“Is there a reason you’ve been avoiding me?” a deep, husky voice asked, startling me.

I turned and saw Jace standing in the doorway of the only bedroom down here. “I’m sorry,” I quickly apologized. “I hadn’t realized anyone had taken that room.”

“You’re avoiding my question,” he gently reprimanded me.

I ducked my head, putting my violin back in its case. “I haven’t.”

I didn’t hear him creep up on me until his hands were on my upper arms. “You have been.”

I cleared my throat; a thickness had gathered there from his touch. “I’ve been busy.”

“Molly and I are just friends. I’m sorry if the paparazzi likes to blow things out of proportion.” He elucidated.

“Jax has a big mouth,” I muttered. “If you knew that was what was bothering me, why didn’t you come to me sooner?” I accused him.

“Because I don’t want a relationship with you where we can’t freely talk to each other. If something is bothering me, I will come to you. If something’s bothering you, I would hope you can talk to me,” he explained patiently.

I blew out an exasperated breath. “Because I’m known for sharing my feelings,” I said sarcastically. “You’ve physically known me the longest. When have you ever seen me pursue people to tell them how I was feeling? I know being around you guys has made me soft, hell I cried twice today, but some things are going to be harder for me to do.”

He turned me around, so I was facing him. He scrutinized my expression and must have seen the mutinous look on my face. He muttered something under his breath before he grabbed my chin firmly and plundered my lips with his.

I was helpless to not melt under his touch. It took one taste of his lips and I wanted more, but I was determined not to make it easy on him as I gently nipped his bottom lip.

He drew back and looked at me, his eyes darkening as he licked the spot where I had nipped him. My eyes widened as I followed the movement of his tongue.