Suzie-Q
Chapter Twelve
Though they had yet to finish their previous conversation, Sparky had found the time to ask quite a few questions he'd wanted to quiz her about. He wanted to know where she was from, if she had any siblings, what her parents were like… and most importantly, what it was like being deaf.
It amazed him how willingly she answered that question.
"I've never really known anything different," she explained as they continued on at their leisurely pace. "I've been deaf for as long as I can remember." She merely shrugged and held out her hand to Levi as he looked at her with longing in his eyes. There was a stick clamped firmly in his mouth and she humored him by taking it from him and then letting it fly. He was off like a shot, disappearing into the looming darkness.
"Doesn't it ever frighten you?" he asked.
Her gaze lowered for a second as she thought about it, but it quickly returned to its previous level. "Sometimes… when I'm not certain of my surroundings or when people don't know what to make of me."
"Oh." Like Allie, he concluded. The things she'd said to him about Suzie weren't exactly kind, no matter how untrue they were. He knew Suzie enough to know that she was not like the other girls who seemed to constantly cross his path.
"That included deaf people though, too," she concluded, having come to terms with that fact years ago.
He was surprised by that fact. "Why wouldn't they?" He was enjoying this glimpse into her world, even if it was all a bit convoluted for him to fully understand.
"Because," she offered simply as she tossed the stick for Levi again, "most deaf people aren't able to do what I can. Reading lips, speaking; those are skills that are very difficult to learn, especially on top of everything else."
"So why did you learn, then?"
"I didn't exactly have a choice. My mom made me. She wanted me to live as normal a life as possible."
Sparky smiled as he raised his hands in defense. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you're anything but normal."
Her brow furrowed in an expression that was similar to confusion, though very close to disdain at the same time. "Was that supposed to be an insult or a compliment?"
His eyes widened in shock and he hurried to make amends before she decided to sic Levi on him or throw sand in his face. The look of disdain quickly disappeared and was replaced with a beautiful smile.
"That was a joke," he realized.
She giggled. "I couldn't help myself."
He couldn't blame her. "I can't believe I fell for it." He shook his head and rolled his eyes at himself.
"I can't believe you fell for it." Her laughter increased and it soon became infectious. He was laughing right along with her as the beach house came into view. "That's it," she pointed out at the house, its back deck illuminated by the light over the door. The lights in the house told them someone was home.
"It's nice," he approved, though he'd only glanced at it for a second. For some reason he was unable to pull his gaze away from her longer than a few seconds.
"Well, Grampa did very well for himself while he was practicing. He bought it as a gift for Gramma for their fortieth wedding anniversary." He nodded in approval as he glanced at his watch. "Oh, I'm sorry. You said you had plans tonight."
He shrugged as they stopped at the steps leading up to the back deck. Levi was already prepared to head up and inside for dinner, but he waited at the base of the steps for her. "It's okay. I'm sure Gramps will understand."
Her eyebrows disappeared underneath her bangs as she looked at him with surprise. She hadn't even thought it would have been his grandfather that he was planning on meeting tonight.
Movement caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. No one was standing at the window when she looked up, but the movement of the curtains told her someone had been. She sighed heavily in exasperation and rolled her eyes. She could easily guess who.
Sighing, she turned her attention back to Sparky.
"So, are you sure you don't want to come to D's with us tonight? You know the others won't mind." In fact, they loved having her around almost as much as he did. Almost.
She shook her head. "As tempting as it sounds, I'd feel awkward being the only girl there." Usually when that happened, it spelled trouble and Crash and Harvard were experts at causing trouble.
He seemed to understand. "Too bad Tara and Lucy had plans."
Suzie shrugged as if it didn't matter, which it didn't. "I guess, but they made these plans months ago before we even met." She couldn't really complain. And she actually thought she'd caught the better end of the deal. She'd rather take a dusk-light walk with Sparky over anything else any day of the week.
He nodded as he became lost in her dazzling eyes. "True." Their sparkling depths were still so magnificent, even in the waning sunlight. "But… um, I'd better go."
She only nodded and watched him take a step closer. Her eyes were round when he invaded her personal space. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt him so close to her.
He set her surfboard up against the wooden railing of the staircase and backed up slightly, slipping his hands into his pockets. He hoped she hadn't seen the way they shook as he fought to remain calm around her. His own heart was pounding loudly in his ears; so loud that it completely drowned out the sound of the waves crashing upon the shore.
He gave a slight nod, only because that was all he was able to get his head to move. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," she whispered back. When he said and did nothing more, she gave a nod of her own and slowly moved toward the steps. Taking in a deep, calming breath, she rubbed affectionately at Levi's ears and took the first step. She was about to take the second when she felt a hand reach out and grab her arm.
It was a light touch. Soft, simple, warm.
It was his touch.
Turning, she found him standing there, the reflection of the light in his eyes making them look dark. The breath completely rushed out of her and she shivered. What was it about that look that affected her so?
"Wait," she saw him say as the rest of his body began to quickly close the gap between them.
"Yes?" she asked, breathlessly.
She couldn't remember how to speak. The look in his eyes made her body go entirely numb except for the excited tingles that traveled to every single one of her nerve endings.
Even her toes.
Her mouth became suddenly dry and she allowed her tongue to dart out to moisten her lips. She couldn't imagine that it was possible for his gaze to become even more breathtaking, but that was until she watched the color in his eyes shift to an even darker shade.
His eyes darted over her features. Her skin burned white hot under his scrutiny, but it was a still a very pleasant feeling. She couldn't explain to herself how he made her feel inside. All she knew was that she never wanted to lose this wonderful feeling.
Everything passed so quickly then. She blinked once and then again and suddenly his lips were barely inches from her own. His warm breaths danced across her flushed skin and her knees began to buckle underneath her. A hand reached up and set itself gently upon her waist. His hold was firm and as if he knew what it would do it her, he gave a gentle squeeze. Her knees just about gave out completely.
She could barely breathe. The breaths that left her lungs felt shaky and she knew that her brain was not receiving enough oxygen. Still, she didn't care. All that mattered right now was this.
He was hovering over the slightest of gaps. All it would take to complete this kiss would be for her to bridge that tiny gap. Still, she couldn't move. She couldn't think.
But she could feel.
She trembled when he reached out to cup her chin, her gaze holding steadily onto his own. Her heart skipped a beat as his eyes silently pleaded for her permission to delve into the sweetness he craved to taste. Her brow crinkled in confusion at the sight.
A small smile graced his lips as he watched her practically melt at his feet. It wouldn't be difficult to just lean in and touch her lips. Still, something held him back.
He pulled away slightly—maybe just an inch—and looked at her questioningly. "May I?" he breathed, his sweet breath tickling her face. He wasn't certain where the urge to ask came from. Perhaps he saw a smidgeon of fright in his eyes and only asked because he was afraid she would run away.
She laughed inwardly at the thought. There would be no way her legs would allow her to run even if she wanted to.
Weakly, she nodded. She would do anything he asked her to, right now.
That was the invitation he'd been looking for and ever so gently, he leaned in a finally brushed his lips against hers.