Blink 1-3 Bundle: Rebel Minds

Blink 1

Chapter 1

ARIA

Smoke hangs in the air like a thick layer of fog. Heavy, cloying and stale, mixed with an even less inviting scent of old sweat and old beer. The dim lights fight to shine through it, weakly illuminating swirling patterns just above the patrons of the dive bar.

My lip curls as my gaze roves over the dubious looking ragtag bunch of people milling about Reacher’s Row, somehow known as the hottest pub in the Section. Clearly ‘hot’ needs to be redefined. They’re all swilling drinks and grinding their hips on one another. My gaze lands on one couple practically naked in the corner, and I hastily avert my eyes. Patrons is definitely too nice a word. Tonight’s gig is anything but glamorous.

I tuck my hair behind my ear and run my fingers along the keys of the baby grand in front of me, mentally rehearsing my starting note. Taking a deep breath, I jump into the chorus of one of my favorite songs and close my eyes, letting the melody wash over me. The words coming out of my mouth, straight from my soul, sparkle. They remind me of what could be. Of better times. Not that I’ve known many of those. 

Most of the audience is already well on their way to complete intoxication, either from one too many drinks, or from the drugs they took before coming in. Typical. 

But there are a few—just a few—who actually stop what they’re doing to listen. I can see them in my brief glances around the dim room as I play and sing. Their eyes follow my hands as they dance across aged black and white keys and their lips turn up at my snarky comments, thinly veiled by music and melody. My own lips curve slightly in acknowledgement, one snarky soul to another.

I am a rebel in my own right. 

But my songs are as far as I can go. As far as I'll ever go.

Chapter 2

The door swings open, letting in a rush of cool air that tingles across my hot skin. Goosebumps rise along my forearms, and a small quiver tightens my abdominal muscles. The man walking in captures my attention even before I realize it, like a shock of electricity in the air, zinging between us. I lift my eyes, still singing, and track his progress across the room. 

He strides confidently to the bar and orders a longneck. My nose wrinkles imperceptibly. Figures. He looks like a beer drinker. Then he sits down, but not with his back to me like I expected. That’s the first thing that surprises me. The second is his intense stare. He’s bold. I like that.

I let my own gaze linger, wishing one of the dim lights would shine on his face like a spotlight. I want to see the features I only glimpsed when he walked in. The firm set to his jaw. The piercing nature of his eyes. The dark stubble along his chin. I smile inwardly, amused with myself. My memory fills in more than I ever could have actually seen. Maybe it’s better there’s no spotlight. Always a chance he won’t live up to expectation.

I run my fingers along the keys as the last chord fades and a round of spotty applause fills in the empty spaces. I lift my gaze briefly, glancing in his direction again and notice he’s set his beer down to join in. Color me impressed.

My eyes find the neon clock on the wall above the bar, noting the time. There’s one more song in this set, then I have a fifteen minute break scheduled. I hesitate, mentally arguing with myself, Cover song or original?

Original wins out and I start the haunting melody to my favorite ballad. It pours out of me, pulled smooth like taffy, and I close my eyes, my fingers dancing along the keys, letting the words do the rest. It’s about love and loss. Joy and sadness. Tears and laughter. It’s about me, mostly.

With a final exhale, I finish the song with a delicate arpeggio and pause, savoring the stillness as the final note rings out and fades to oblivion. Then the applause starts up again, stronger this time, and my lips curve. I speak into the mic, my voice husky from smoke and singing, Thanks all. Don’t go too far now—I’ll be back.

I rise to my feet as the murmur of conversations start up all around me and make my way off of the rickety stage, taking care not to fall in my thick, rather dangerous looking wedges. It’s all for show, I’d never be caught dead in these things at any other time. A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.

I manage to land safely on the dingy carpet and stop, goosebumps rising along my flesh again. I can feel those eyes of his drilling into me, like he can see right down to the core of my being. It’s at once provocative and inviting, though not in a bad way. Maybe somewhat unsettling, if I’m honest. I chew the inside of my lip, but something draws me forward in an uncharacteristic move. I’m not normally the girl that demands a guy buy her a drink, but tonight… tonight I think I could be her.

You have a beautiful voice. The timbre of his own voice is like dark chocolate, smooth and rich but with a bite to it. Maybe a hint of salt. It washes over me as I approach, sending a rush of warm heat to my already flushed cheeks.

My lips part and my brow wrinkles. Caught off guard, I’m surprised at his opening line. I resist an urge to joke back and ask if that’s the best he’s got. Ha. Like you’ve got anything better, I chide myself. Besides, something tells me he’s being genuine.

I clear my throat, shifting on my feet. I wince inwardly when my pinky toe is pinched in pain by my heinous shoes. Thanks. You’re new. My voice is strangled and my words are lame, but I can’t think of anything else to point out. His lips quirk at the corners, and I see a brief flash of white teeth.

Name’s Wisdom.

Chapter 3

I lift a brow at the odd name, but refrain from comment. I study the planes of his face. They are as defined as I’d thought, his strong jawline emphasized by a shading of dark brown stubble tinged with hints of gold that glint in the flashes of poor lighting. His eyes capture mine, never leaving my face. They look to be a light blue, but it’s hard to tell. Could even be a silver-gray. My breath gets caught in my throat for a nanosecond, but I recover quickly.

I’m Aria. Wanna buy me a drink? Blurting the words out, I shock myself. Chagrined, I sigh inwardly. Looks like tonight I am that girl.

His eyes crinkle at the corners, and I think I see a faint dimple peek at me from his right cheek. Dimples. Of course he’d have dimples. You’re such a sucker, Aria. Most definitely.

He pulls out the stool for me and I sit, the brush of my knee against his sending a shiver through me, curling my toes. Hard to do, encased as snugly as they are in canary yellow wedges. I think briefly of my worn, black combat boots, and long for them, shifting restlessly. It’s that spark of electricity again. I can’t help but feel like I know this man. As if I’ve seen him somewhere before. I realize I’m staring, and give myself a mental shake.

No, I must be mistaken. I would remember those eyes, that jawline… my gaze drifts lower… the way his shirt pulls tight across his broad chest beneath that leather jacket. I squirm on the bar stool again, resisting an urge to fan myself. Is it just me, or is it getting warmer in this place? I feel the blood rushing to my cheeks, but can only pray it’s too dark in here for him to tell. I jerk my eyes back up to his. Safer territory. Kinda.

So tell me about yourself, Aria. Where do you get inspiration for your songs? He glances to my left, signaling the bartender to bring us two drinks, then turns his attention back to me.

Laughter bubbles up, escaping my lips before I can stop it. Is he playing me? Asking about my songs just to get me into bed? My brow furrows, a twinge of disappointment eating at me. It wouldn’t be the first time. Leaning closer, I peer into his eyes, looking for an angle. I can’t find one though. All I see is honesty mixed with curiosity.

All right then, buddy, you asked for it.

Chapter 4

The bartender places two drinks down in front of us, and I gratefully pick mine up, raise it in a quick toast of thanks, and gulp. The liquid burns on its way down, making my eyes water. I blink. Good old liquid courage. He lifts his own glass, the corner of his mouth tilting up, that dimple making the tiniest of appearances once more. Oh, brother.

Thankfully I manage not to roll my eyes. I take a deep breath, and launch into a grand explanation of my past, present, and somewhat hopeful future. At first it starts off as me feeding him the same lines I always use when someone seems interested and I can’t quite figure them out. But it quickly turns into something else. The truth. I’m spilling my guts to this mysterious stranger named Wisdom, telling him all about my hopes and dreams, and I can’t seem to help myself. It’s like an episode of way-too-personal word vomit.

I—I don’t know that I’ve told many people much of that.

He leans forward, intent. The faint lights flash in his eyes, and I blink again, dazzled. What do you mean? His tone is quiet, husky. Intimate.

The truth. I drop my gaze from his, embarrassed for some reason. Geez, Aria… overshare much?

His hand, warm and firm, drops on top of mine. His fingers wrap around it gently. Well, to be fair, I do tend to have that affect on women, he deadpans.

I bet you do. And just like that, I’m laughing, looking back into eyes that remind me of moonlight. Or maybe the ocean on a clear summer day. It’s like they keep changing color or something. My laughter fades and I clear my throat. "So, what’s your story, Wisdom?"

For a moment, I think he isn’t going to answer me. Then he looks around the bar and leans in, his warm breath fanning over my bare shoulders, raising more goosebumps across my skin. Wanna get out of here?

I’m caught off guard. My forehead crinkles, my lips turning down in a slight frown. Was I wrong about him? Was the freedom and ease I felt talking to him mere infatuation?

Hey, he pulls back. He tilts my face up toward his with a gentle hand, I won’t hurt you.

The words seem strange, yet somewhere in the back of my mind they are so very right. They resonate inside me and spread warmth throughout my limbs.

I swallow hard and nod. Let’s go.

Chapter 5

My second set is forgotten, and we rush out of the dive bar hand in hand. Which somehow, doesn’t feel weird to me at all. It’s like my hand is made just for his. The night is colder than I expected for late summer and when Wisdom notices me shiver, he takes off his jacket, draping it across my shoulders. I offer a smile of thanks, and promptly trip thanks to my stupid wedges. Wisdom catches me, keeping me from falling.

I gasp, tumbling against him, and he draws me closer. I stare up into his eyes, caught by his gaze. He feels warm and hard against me, his spicy, clean, somewhat smoky, scent filling my nose. Before I can think twice, under the surveillance of the stars in the dark night sky, his head dips and his lips find mine. My breath hitches at the unexpected contact, but I don’t pull away. Instinctively, I know it’s right. So right. Even though I can’t explain it. Don’t want to explain it.

Instead, I press closer, wanting to fill the same space as him. I’d crawl inside of him if I could. He hugs me tighter, as if wanting the very same thing. The kiss deepens, and my stomach flip-flops. I’ve never connected like this with anyone before. Ever. It’s surreal.

After what feels like an eternity and a second, we part, both of us breathing a little faster than before. We stare at each other for a few seconds. His lips curve and his teeth flash as he brushes a strand of hair from my face.

Wanna get something to eat?

I bust out laughing at the abrupt change in direction. How very… guy-like. Sure, why not. I grin. I know it’s crazy, but I think I’d agree to anything he says at this point. I slip off my wedges, deciding to opt for comfort over style, and slide my hand into his.

We start to walk down the street, my hand in his left one and my shoes dangling from his right. It’s the perfect night. Our hips bump as we walk, and we crack jokes about how irresponsible this is. I’ve just walked out on a paying gig—something I never do—and he’s supposed to be somewhere. None of that matters though.

We stop for Chinese takeout and wander through the park, eating out of the cartons, and talking up a storm. We stop once to toss bits of our stale fortune cookies to the ducks. I smile at the way they snap up the unexpected bounty. Wisdom watches me, a smile tugging at his lips. He pulls me close and kisses the top of my head.

What’s one thing you wish, Aria?

My stomach does a little flip-flop. I like how he says my name. It rolls off his tongue like he’s always known it. Then his question registers.

I wish I could go to the mountains. It pops out of my mouth before I can filter this stupid statement with something more dreamy and romantic. I wince inside. Nice one, Aria.

Really? He glances down at me, a curious look on his face.

I flush and chew my lip, lifting a shoulder in a tiny shrug. Really.

He stares at me for a