Page 27 of Indescribable Love

He had to agree.

Looking around the kitchen, it seemed like they had it back to its pristine self. Juliette started the dishwasher and then washed her hands. “I know I probably shouldn’t even be thinking about this, but how about we bring our dessert downstairs? This way, when we’re ready for it, we can enjoy it without messing up the kitchen.”

“I like that logic,” he told her, picking up the covered cake holder. “Grab a couple of plates and forks. There are drinks downstairs. Unless you want coffee?”

She shook her head. “I could probably have some decaf, but for now, I’m fine with some water.”

Leading the way down the stairs, Simon placed the cake on the wet bar and then walked over to pick up one of the guitars. Without a word, he sat down and tried to clear his head as he warmed up. Strumming and not really thinking about what he was playing, he took a few minutes to get his head where it needed to be.

Juliette sat at the opposite end of the sofa. She was barefoot and wearing a floral, sleeveless maxi dress. Her hair was loose and falling over her shoulders, and as she shifted to get comfortable, she tucked her legs under her. When she caught him looking at her, she smiled, and that was all he needed to start singing.

And it didn’t even occur to him that this was the first time anyone outside of Nikki or his band ever heard him play new music. All he knew was that right now, there was no one else he’d rather play it for.

Chapter Six

Juliette let out a shaky breath as soon as Simon started singing. There was something so edgy and raw to his words, and it felt like he was singing from the depths of his soul.

She’d meant what she said to him earlier—she wasn’t familiar with all of his work. But what he was singing right now differed greatly from what she did know, and there was definitely more depth and emotion here. It was absolutely captivating.

In the shadows of the night, our love's a fire, burning bright. We walk the line, we take the risk, in your arms, I find my bliss.

We're rebels in a world so tame, our love's a wild and untamed flame. We'll break the rules, defy the norm, in your love, I'll weather any storm.

This attraction we have should be wrong, a tale of passion, fierce and strong. We'll fight for love, we'll take the fall, together we'll conquer it all.

In the chaos and the noise, with you, I've found my voice. We'll dance through life's darkest skies, in your love, I see no lies.

The more she watched him, the more she realized this wasn’t the Simon Bennett who placed third in a reality show competition. This wasn’t even the Simon Bennett who was loved and adored by millions of fans. No, this was Simon Wylder singing right now. This was the person he had never let anyone see.

But I’m seeing him…

It was a heady feeling to know he trusted her enough to witness this moment. Then it occurred to her just how different he looked tonight—hair askew, the scruffy jaw…it was a very different look from the man who greeted her on the driveway a week ago. This man was a risk-taker. He was daring and completely feeling what he was singing. It was fascinating to both hear and watch. Juliette couldn’t look away even if she wanted to.

I saw you from across the room, your smile lit up the darkest gloom.

Your eyes, they sparkled like the stars above, I knew right then, it was you I'd love.

Some of the lyrics were powerful and edgy and beautiful. Others were a little clichéd, but he still managed to make them sound good.

Every moment with you feels so right, in your embrace, I find my light.

You're the melody to my heart's song, with you, my love, I truly belong.

One song bled into the next and before she knew it, he was on his fifth song. He was sweaty, and she could see the muscles in his arms working as he continued to strum the guitar with everything he had. Slightly breathless, he looked up at her and grinned as he took a brief break from the lyrics and simply played the melody. She was practically on the edge of her seat when he sang, “I saw you across the room, my heart skipped a beat, in that moment, everything felt so complete. Your eyes met mine, and I couldn't look away, I knew right then, this was the start of something to stay…”

The music faded and then stopped, and there was nothing else she could do but stand and applaud. Maybe it was ridiculous, but…it felt right. Smiling broadly, Simon stood and took a bow. When he sat back down, Juliette immediately turned and went to the mini fridge and grabbed him a bottle of water.

“Here,” she said. “I’m pretty sure you need this.”

He took it from her and drank half of it down. “Thank you,” he said breathlessly.

“Wow, Simon.” Sitting back down, but closer to him this time, she couldn’t help but gush. “That was…amazing! I’m not even sure that word even comes close to how it really was. It was both different and familiar—you know, to your usual stuff. All I know is that I loved it. Like…seriously loved it. I can’t believe you did all that in a day!”

Nodding, he leaned back against the cushions. “To be fair, I’d had snippets of stuff that I’ve been working on for a while now, but none of it was gelling. But yesterday, after you left? It’s like…everything started to gel. I mean everything. Almost all at the same time!” He laughed. “The last time something like that happened was…” He paused. “Honestly, I don’t think something like that’s ever happened. I’m normally a one-song-at-a-time kind of guy.”

It would be wrong to try to take any credit for this writing spree, but internally, she did.

Yay, me!