Spin My Love

Prologue

Giselle

The music is pumping but instead of being lost in it, my eyes are on him: Tane Miller. This is the first time I’ve seen him five years.

I’m excited and nervous at the same time. If he really wanted to see me, he would have come home like he’d promised. But he didn’t—and I’m here tonight to find out why.

Almost two hours of effort went into my look for the night. I tried to tell myself that it was for me, but I knew that I hoped to impress him. My jet-black hair is ironed straight, teased on top to give it some volume. My fringe slides across my forehead, almost covering one of my smoky, blue eyes. I’m wearing a slinky royal-blue dress, which reaches just above my knees and makes my eyes pop. My tattoos are all fully showcased tonight, the half sleeve down my left arm, and the red bows I have on the back of each of my thighs. The bow tattoos look like they are on black garter belts. It’s a sexy look—or so I’ve been told.

I’ve changed a lot during the last few years. I’ve lost weight, my hair is a different colour and style, and I have mastered the art of applying makeup. More than that, more than the tattoos and other physical differences, I feel like a new woman on the inside. I’m more confident, and I know who I am.

At the end of his set, I make my way closer to the DJ booth, hoping to get his attention. I know he recognises me when his pale-green eyes instantly zoom in, oblivious to the other women around me vying for his attention. He’s a sexy man. He’s dressed in all black, and it looks good on him. His tall build is slightly leaner than I remember, and his dark-brown hair is longer, almost down to his chin.

It suits him.

A lot.

There is something different about him, though. His eyes contain something they didn’t all those years ago. They are harder, colder.

I don’t know what to make of it.

When he heads in my direction, I forget my train of thought. There are a few things I need to say to him—what I came here to tell him. Things I need to get off my chest. I open my mouth to say something to him as he gets closer, but as soon as I’m within reach he pulls me into him, fusing his mouth with mine. He tastes like mint and whiskey, and his lips are firm and demanding. This kiss is different than the ones he gave me all those years ago. I lose all common sense.

This is Tane, after all.

He pulls back and stares into my eyes, his now filled with desire mixed with a hazy look.

Come with me, he commands, his voice deeper and huskier than I remember. He puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me outside the hotel club. We step into an elevator, but we aren’t alone. I’m about to talk to him when his phone rings. He answers it, and I listen to his deep voice, greedily taking in the sound of it. He hangs up the phone as we exit the elevator and walk to his suite. I feel a little nervous. Why hasn’t he said anything? The Tane I knew would have bombarded me with questions about Gage and Levi and would have asked how I have been all this time.

But I get nothing from him.

Before I can ask him why, his mouth is on mine once again.

Thoughts forgotten, I close my eyes and feel, savouring the moment. I can’t believe I’m here right now. After all the dreaming, hoping, and wanting, Tane is finally in my arms.

Right where he belongs.

He starts to slowly undress me, and I do the same for him. He’s a little thinner than I remember, but his body is still strong, lithe. He pushes me down on the bed, mouth still on mine as I hold onto him, wanting and needing him closer.

We make love frantically, roughly. He thrusts into me whilst kissing my neck, my shoulders, my lips, paying attention to every part of me. Afterwards I lay my head on his chest, falling asleep with a small grin on my face.

I’ll talk to him when I wake up.

That is my last thought.

*****

I smile when I wake up, feeling sated and satisfied, but then frown when my arm reaches out for Tane to find the other side of the bed cold and empty.

Tane.

I sigh dreamily. I can’t believe we finally slept together. I’ve wanted this moment since I was fifteen. Now, I need to talk to him and hope that I can convince him to come home to visit us every now and again. I don’t know why he cut us out of his life, but I intend to find out. He may have distracted me last night, but that wasn’t going to happen today. I blush as I remember what we did together.

Sitting up, I stretch lazily and look around.

Tane? I call out. I get up and dress in last night’s clothes. Glancing around the room, I realize there’s no luggage or personal belongings.

The room is empty.

And Tane is gone.

I wait twenty minutes or so, hoping that maybe he went out for breakfast or something, but nothing. He didn’t even leave a note. I scoff at my own stupidity. How could he do this to me? Does he not care about me anymore? Has the fame gotten to his head? How can someone change so much? I’ve known Tane since we were kids.

I do my first ever walk of shame, out of the hotel and to my car.

Tears drip down my cheeks.

I vow never to be so stupid again.

Chapter One

Five years later

Giselle

I walk to my car after a long day at work. I love my job. Some found it odd that I had always aspired to be a librarian, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. My mother used to take me to the library when I was a little girl, and we would sit in the corner and quietly read book after book together. The fond memories I have of this place remind me of the relationship I used to have with her. We aren’t as close these days.

I hum along to the radio on the drive home, looking forward to seeing Parker. I miss him so much whenever I’m at work. I work four days a week, and each day I feel his absence like a hole in my heart.

I pull into the driveway of my unit. It’s a two-bedroom, one-bath, and I love it. While it’s not luxurious, the rooms are spacious, and it’s bright and cheerful. I unlock the door and walk in, following the sound of laughter. My lips pull up into a grin as soon as I see my brother, Gage, tickling Parker mercilessly. Parker’s laughter makes my heart melt; it’s my most favourite sound in the world.

Gage, stop harassing my son, I tease, pulling Parker out of Gage’s arms and into mine.

Mama! Parker squeals with pleasure. I hug my son against my chest, his head on my heart. I lean down and muss my brother’s hair fondly.

I hope he didn’t give you too much trouble, Gage, I say to my brother. Gage is two years older than me. He really is a Godsend; he helps look after Parker whenever he can.

No problem at all. You know I love to spend time with the little squirt, Gage says with a grin. I do know, and I’m so grateful for it.

Gage looks nothing like me, except for his blue eyes. He has brownish hair and two dimples. He is a lot taller than me at about six-foot-one, with a muscular build.

The women love him.

I’m gonna get going then, sis. Are you gonna be okay? he asks as he picks up his wallet and keys.

I’ll be fine, I assure him. Gage lives in an apartment with his best friend—a bachelor pad. I’m disgusted by how messy it gets, so I often go over there to clean it.

Gage kisses my temple before walking to the front door. Come and lock the door, Giselle, he calls out before he departs. I lock the door, putting in the code and my fingerprint for confirmation. The state-of-the-art security system Levi and Gage installed makes me feel safe. I’m not a paranoid person, but I am cautious.

After we’re secure, I turn around and stare down at Parker.

You hungry, baby? I ask him. He scrunches his nose at me and nods, his black mop of hair tumbling on his face with the motion. Okay let’s go make some dinner, I say, kissing him on the nose. 

*****

After dinner, Parker demands that I build tall towers from the blocks so that he can pretend to be a monster ransacking the city. I humour him and enjoy watching him act out the character.

The doorbell rings. I’ll be right back, Mr. Monster.

Parker nods absently, too busy throwing blocks about. I walk to the door and look at the screen to see who it is. Levi, Gage’s best friend.

Levi is a great guy. He’s laidback and funny as hell, but he’s also caring with a heart of gold. He loves Parker and me as if we were family.

I come bearing gifts, Levi calls out as he walks through the door. He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek in greeting.

Uncle Levi, Parker calls out excitedly. Parker has started calling Levi uncle. Luckily we aren’t dating anymore, or that would be kind of awkward. I drag my gaze over Levi Black. His blond hair is styled messily, a chunk of it falling on his forehead. His skin is tanned from the sun, his blue eyes pale and gentle. He’s wearing a pair of black shorts, sitting low on his lean hips, and a black singlet top, showcasing his impressive biceps. He has one tattoo, a band around his upper left arm.

We may not ever be together again, but I can still enjoy the view. He looks like he just came here from the beach, which he probably did. He lives to surf and spends most of his spare time riding the waves. He’s a free spirit, which is just another thing I love about him.

What have you brought? I ask him, wary but also curious. Please tell me it’s not a lizard or something.

He laughs. Oh, come on, that was one time.

He brought Parker a pet lizard once and I screamed when I opened the box. Safe to say—the lizard went back to the pet store.

One time too many, I reply with a shudder.

Well, for Parker I brought some new toys, he says with a grin.

YAY! Parker squeals. I roll my eyes and shake my head. Levi grins unrepentantly. I told him to stop wasting his money buying Parker more toys; the kid already has more than enough. Plus, there just isn’t enough room in this place. However, Levi loves to spoil him. He and Gage are always buying Parker clothing and toys so that I don’t need to. They tend to dress Parker in clothing identical to their own. While I’d never admit it to them, I do think it’s adorable.

I know Levi and Gage do this because they want to help as much as possible. I’m a single mother, and they are really the only family I have here. My parents live overseas, so I don’t have them to support me; I only have my brother and Levi. They are also Parker’s only male role models, since his father isn’t in the equation. Even working full-time, I’m only able to just make ends meet.  It’s tough, but I do what I can. The support that Levi and Gage give me is incredible. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

I watch as Levi starts pulling presents out of the very large bag he’s carrying.

What do you say, Parker? I ask, eyebrows raised.

Thank you, Uncle Levi, he answers excitedly.

You’re welcome.

I smirk when I see a child-sized surfboard.

Now, you can learn to surf with me, buddy, Levi tells Parker, handing him the surfboard. He takes the board from Levi’s hands and dumps it on the floor. Parker stands on it and starts making wave noises as he pretends to surf. The concentration on his little face makes me smile.

Surfing?

Why not? Levi asks.

Perhaps he should learn how to swim first, I tease. Parker does take swimming classes, and has for a while. Levi has also been teaching him at every opportunity.

He’ll get there soon, Levi says with a proud smile before he turns back to his bag of goodies. Next, he pulls out some dinosaur toys. Parker sees them and squeals, ditching his surfboard. He’s going through a dinosaur phase.

My heart melts as I watch the two of them interact. We are so lucky to have Levi in our lives. He really is a good man.

And for Miss Giselle, Levi adds with a grin. My mouth curves into a pleased smile as Levi pulls out two books that I had been dying to read.

How did you know? I gape. It’s a trilogy, and I’ve only read the first one. The books have been extremely popular at the library, so I haven’t checked them out, because our library only has two sets.

Last week you spoke about that book for half an hour. Gage told me to pick them up for you, he says as I walk over and give him a small peck on the cheek. Thank you Levi, I say as I run my hands over the beautiful book covers.

Anytime, Giselle. Now, I gotta get going. I’ll see you tomorrow at our place.

Okay, thanks again, I tell him. He flashes me a grin and bends down to give Parker a kiss on the head before he takes off.

Mama! Come and play dinosaurs with me, please, Parker calls out, raising his head for a moment before looking back down at