Page 108 of Lightning Angel

Tristan chuckled with her, his eyes mischievous, tender, and laughing. He cupped her face and pressed his forehead to hers. “Guess I can’t call youanything,after all.” His thumb traced her wide smile. “I’m curious. What’s with that smile?”

Alexa tilted her head, not breaking the contact of their foreheads. “I’ve never felt so happy before.” She sighed. “I feel… ecstatic.”

Tristan closed his eyes, as if he was soaking in the warmth of her confession. “You make me the happiest man alive, Alexandra Ford.”

Alexa traced her fingertips around his eyes, smiling as he smiled against her touch. She ignored the rapid beat ofher heart and pressed forward the question burning in her mind.

“Do you… do you think we were meant to meet?”

Tristan opened his eyes. “There’s nothing else I believe more than that,” he said and kissed her soft and sweet.

Alexa smiled against his lips, and returned the favor, her heart full and light, soaring to the clouds. At that moment, she knew it. He had her heart. And there was no one she’d rather trust with it than him, to keep it safe, cherished, and treasured.

This night was indeed sparkling.

19

Blissful Fall

Life had so many unexpected turns. Life, in fact, wasfullof unexpected turns. Some of them were good, and some bad. Today’s turn of events, however, was the best of all in Alexa’s always messed up life.

The best of the best.

She stole a glance at Tristan’s side profile, illuminated by the highlights of the passing vehicles that cast shadows across his sharp cheekbones. So much like the first day they met and he took her to the carnival.

Though only a few weeks had passed since, it felt like so long ago already. So much had changed since that night. Mainly, her life was no longer messed up, and she didn’t complain about another minute she got to spend on this earth.

Because he was in her life.

If he hadn’t been there to save her that day…

Alexa stopped that train of thought, scolding herself out of it. No. Hehadsaved her, and she was now with him. They were together. That’s all that mattered.

Above all, he had her heart. She hadn’t intended to give it to him, but at some point over the last two weeks, he’d stolen it. And she had no complaints. The more she mulled over it, the more she realized it had always been his to keep, and now to cherish.

Tristan parked his car in front of her house and killed the engine before turning to her. His eyes danced. “I had the best night imaginable.” He slumped into the seat relaxingly. “Thank you for bringing me with you.”

“Well, you’re my boyfriend.” She smiled and shrugged. “There’s no one else I’d rather go with other than you. Frankly, I wouldn’t have gone at all, if I didn’t have you or if you wereunavailable.” She gave him a knowing look that he smiled off. “I turned down a dozen proposals.”

“What?”

Oops.“Imayhave had a lot of boys asking me to go to prom with them when they learned Jude and I broke up.” She gave him a sweet smile. “And I told every single one of themno.”

His edges softened, and he arched an eyebrow, almost expectantly. “Because?”

Alexa laughed in surrender. “Because there was only one boy I was interested in, even when I was supposedly mad at him at the time.” She tilted her head with a teasing glint in her eyes. “Satisfied?”

“Very much,” he grumbled, but with a smile.

“Aw, is my Tristan jealous?”

He rolled his eyes. “Trust me, angel, I’ve got better things to do than being jealous of the boys you rejected.” His eyes twinkled. “Did you have a good time tonight?”

“I had the perfect night.” And they both knew it.

Tristan dropped his eyes to her smiling lips and she to his. Alexa unbuckled her seat belt. He did the same, not taking his eyes off her lips as he leaned forward and met her halfway.

“You taste like chocolate,” he mumbled against her lips, pulling back just a hair away.