Spark in the dark

CHAPRER 2

Amanda couldn’t shake him. Not the way Caleb’s thumb had grazed her knee, deliberate and slow, or the way his voice, low and rough, had promised they weren’t done.

She sat on her bed that night, the glow of her phone screen casting shadows across her room. The same room she had hidden in for weeks, now feeling too small, too quiet, after that ride. Her fingers hovered over his number...her mom had gleefully passed it along after lunch, oblivious to the way Amanda’s pulse had raced when Caleb’s eyes locked on hers.

She typed out a text: Survived my mom’s matchmaking yet? Her thumb hesitated, then hit send. Her heart thudded as she waited, half-expecting him to ignore her. The reply came fast.

Barely. You’re so pretty, Amanda. Worth it, though.

Her cheeks burned, a grin tugging at her lips.

She typed back, thank you, you're not that bad too, with a smile emoji...her body still buzzing from the memory of his touch, the way his gaze had stripped her bare without moving an inch closer.

he replied: you know what? let's meet tomorrow evening, let's get to know each other better and explore too.

Amanda’s breath caught. A date? Or something else? She stared at the ceiling, the city’s hum filtering through her window...distant horns, a bassline from some club down the street. She should say no, keep her walls up, stay safe in her cocoon. But the ache in her chest, the one that had started in his car, wouldn’t let her. Where? she typed, her fingers trembling.

His reply was an address...a rooftop bar downtown...

The next night, Amanda stood in front of her mirror, second-guessing everything. She’d swapped her usual hoodies for a sleeveless red top that hugged her curves and a leather skirt she hadn’t worn since before service. Too much? Maybe. But the way Caleb had looked at her yesterday...like she was more than the tired, lost girl she felt like...made her want to be bold. She slicked on lip gloss, her reflection daring her to step into the unknown.

The rooftop bar was alive when she arrived, all twinkling lights and pulsing music, the city skyline sprawling below. She spotted Caleb before he saw her, leaning against the bar, a beer in hand. His dark jacket stretched across his shoulders, and the way he stood, relaxed but commanding, made her mouth go dry. He turned, and his eyes found her, slow and deliberate, raking over her like he was memorizing every inch. “Damn,” he said, voice low as she approached. “You clean up nice.”

She rolled her eyes, but her skin tingled under his gaze. “Don’t get used to it, I'm not always like this,” she shot back, sliding onto the stool beside him. The bar was crowded, bodies swaying to the music, but it felt like they were alone, the air between them charged like it had been in the car.

He leaned closer, his arm brushing hers, the heat of it sending a shiver through her. “You saying this is a one-time thing?” His voice was teasing, but his eyes were serious, searching hers. She caught the scent of his cologne again, that woodsy heat, and her pulse quickened.

“Maybe,” she said, her voice softer than she meant. “Depends on how this goes.” She sipped the drink he’d ordered her...a fruity cocktail, too sweet, but it steadied her nerves. Their knees touched under the bar, and neither pulled away. The contact was a quiet fire, building with every second.

Caleb’s lips curved, a hint of a challenge in his smile. “Then let’s make it good.” He stood, offering his hand. “Dance with me.”

Amanda hesitated. Dancing meant being close, letting go, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for that. But his hand was there, steady, and the way he looked at her...like she was the only person in the room, pulled her in. She took it, his grip warm and firm, and let him lead her to the crowded dance floor.

The music was slow, a sultry beat that wrapped around them. Caleb pulled her close, one hand on her waist, the other still holding hers. Their bodies brushed, hips aligning, and Amanda’s breath hitched at the feel of him...solid, warm, too close to pretend this was casual. His fingers tightened on her waist, sliding just under the hem of her top, grazing bare skin. The touch was electric, sending heat pooling low in her belly.

“girlll, you are trouble, you know that?” he murmured, his lips brushing her ear, close enough that she felt his breath. Her hands found his chest, fingers curling into his jacket as she tilted her head up, their faces inches apart. His eyes were dark, hungry, and she knew hers matched.

“Says the guy who’s got his hands all over me,” she whispered, bold despite the way her heart pounded. His thumb traced a slow circle on her skin, and she bit her lip to keep from gasping. The world narrowed to his touch, his scent, the way his body moved with hers.

“Tell me to stop,” he said, voice rough, but he didn’t pull back. His hand slid up her side, just under her top, fingers splaying across her ribs. Her skin burned under his touch, and she pressed closer, her curves molding to him. The music pulsed, but it was nothing compared to the rhythm of her pulse, the ache building between them.

“I don’t want you to,” she said, barely audible, but it was enough. Caleb’s eyes flared, and he leaned in, his lips hovering over hers, so close she could taste the beer on his breath. Her hands slid up to his neck, fingers tangling in his hair, urging him closer. The world blurred...lights, music, people, gone.

Just him, just her, just the heat of his mouth almost on hers.

Then someone bumped into them, breaking the spell. Amanda stumbled, and Caleb steadied her, his hands firm on her waist. He laughed, low and frustrated, but didn’t let go. “This place is too damn crowded,” he said, his voice a growl. “Wanna get out of here?”

Her heart raced, knowing what he was asking, what she wanted. She nodded, breathless. “Yeah.”

He took her hand, leading her through the crowd, down the stairs, and out into the cool night air. The city hummed around them, but all she felt was his grip, the promise of what came next. They stopped by his car, and he turned to her, backing her against the door, his body close but not quite touching. “You sure?” he asked, his voice low, eyes searching hers.

Amanda’s breath trembled, but she stepped closer, closing the gap, her hands on his chest. “I’m sure,” she said, and this time, she didn’t wait for him. She pulled him down, and their lips crashed together, hot and urgent. His kiss was hungry, claiming, his hands sliding up her back, pulling her flush against him. She melted into it, the taste of him...beer and heat, igniting every nerve. Her fingers gripped his jacket, needing more, needing him closer.

When they broke apart, panting, his forehead pressed to hers. “you little trouble,” he muttered, a grin in his voice. “oh pleasee.”

She laughed, shaky but alive, her body humming with want. For the first time in weeks, she wasn’t hiding. And with Caleb’s hands still on her, she didn’t want to.