A Trace of Love (3 page)

Was he joking? She gestured to the tour bus behind him. “
You
are the one who’s leaving.”

He glanced over his shoulder at the bus and then wet his lips. “No, I’m not. I won’t. Not without you.”

She shook her head, not understanding. “You’re…not leaving the city?”

He took a deep breath and held her hands a little too tight. “I
can’t
. I thought I lost you, Ophelia. But I won’t make that mistake again.”

The bus’ horn sounded followed by shouts from his band mates. Clearly he was supposed to be leaving. “I don’t understand. Your band—”

“Damn it, Ophelia, forget the band. I love you.” His eyes widened and he whispered, “I love you,” as if he couldn’t believe he said it the first time.

This was a nightmare. Ophelia knew she’d regret coming here. Trace only made this harder. She shouldn’t have slept with him. She shouldn’t have left the bar with him. She shouldn’t have spoken to him. Now she would have to be the bad guy and push him away, no matter how much it hurt. “What are you going to do, quit the band? Stay in the city with me?”

“You could come with me.”

She scoffed. “Typical male, assuming the woman will make all the sacrifices. I have a life, Trace. My home is here in the city. Your life is on that bus.”

Trace scanned the ground between them as though he could find answers on the grimy sidewalk. “I can stay here, with you.”

“No, Trace. You don’t know me at all. If you throw away your life for one night of sex—”

“It wasn’t just sex for me, Ophelia, it was…” he shouted, but stopped himself and lowered his voice. “It was more than that. From the moment I saw you, something was different.” He wet his lips and looked her in eyes. “I know you feel the same way about me.”

Ophelia glanced away. “No. I don’t.”

“I don’t believe you. Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t feel anything for me.”

Tears flowed down her cheeks. She took a deep breath, drew all the courage she could, and faced the man she loved. She had to do this for him. She owed him that much. “Trace, I don’t have any feelings for you. It was just sex.”

He scowled and his hands dropped to his sides. Nodding, he turned his back to her and walked toward the bus. Ophelia hugged herself and started walking in the opposite direction.

“Wait!”

Ophelia glanced over her shoulder as Trace jogged to catch up. “I only went to the bus to get my cell phone.”

Exasperated, Ophelia wiped the tears from her cheeks and scolded. “I thought I told you to—”

“Ophelia, you’re a horrible liar,” he grinned. “I just want your number, okay?”

“My number?”

Trace nodded. “I get it. You think this can’t be real because we’ve only just met. But I refuse to lose you knowing that you
do
have feelings for me, even if you won’t admit it to yourself. So…I’ll call you from the road. We’ll get to know each other.”

“You don’t give up, do you?” she murmured.

He held out his phone. “I won’t lose you again, Ophelia. I promise you that.”

She took it and punched in her number. Trace hit a few more keys, to save the number and then stashed the phone in his coat’s breast pocket. “I’ll keep you with me always.”

Ophelia managed a weak smile. “Good-bye, Trace Curtis.”

He shook his head. “I’ll talk to you later, Ophelia.”

She nodded and continued down the street, away from Trace.

* * * *

Molten Silk had only been on the road for three hours, but Trace couldn’t wait. He made sure all the guys were asleep and the door to the cockpit was shut tight. Then he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Ophelia’s number. The
click
of an automated phone operator sounded on the other end.

“The number you have dialed has been disconnected. Please hang up and try your call again.”

Trace stared at the phone, jaw slacked in disbelief. He tensed until he thought every bone in his body would snap. Like the release of a taunt sling shot, he slammed the cell phone against the floor. But it was his heart that shattered.

Ophelia’s in for a birthday surprise that turns out to be a birthday nightmare as she’s reunited with hunky rock star, Trace Curtis. The pain of her defiance runs deep and he won’t leave Ophelia alone without an explanation. The more time they spend together, the more their passion grows. Ophelia knows in her heart she should tell Trace the truth, but will her secret drive him away? Find out in
A TRACE OF PASSION: Part II of A Trace of Love

About the Author

Danielle Ravencraft graduated from the International Academy of Design and Technology with a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her two Pomeranians. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, her writing is influenced by the multi-cultural urban society of her youth which she continues to visit each summer. 

Also available at MuseItUp Publishing

Forever With You

By LJ Holmes

eBook ISBN: 978-1-926931-37-1

Coryne reluctantly hired, for her own peace of mind, the all too handsome Keith Patterson and his crew to build a very special house on her time limits.

Moving a small camper trailer to the site, Coryne keeps a close eye on the progress. Problem with that is she also is forced to be in close proximity to that very handsome, all too deliciously seductive Keith Patterson.

Resisting him is a full time job, and one she would have had enough trouble handling, but he made it harder because he let her know he was not at all adverse to the temptation she poses. She must resist...mustn't she?

Follow Coryne and Keith right to the very surprising ending and Coryne's "Forever With You" moment.

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