Tassia stood in front of him for a beat before she lowered her head and kissed him hard enough that it stunned him. Hyde closed his eyes and wanted so much to remove the guitar from between their two bodies. He knew if he had done that, he would have pulled her onto his lap and held her close to him.
Tassia’s soft lips molded against his perfectly. She tasted like fresh berries and she smelled like wildflowers. Before he could stop himself, Hyde cupped his hand against her and brushed his thumb over her cheek, causing her to moan and dive her fingers through his short hair.
When she touched him, Hyde had to remove the barrier. He set his guitar on the floor next to him, which prompted her to straddle his lap. This intimate connection forced him to wrap his arms around her waist.
In his mind, he imagined a relationship with Tassia that went beyond this duets album. The fact that she kissed him after the song showed that she understood him. He had intended to apologize, and she got that from the lyrics. The kiss just proved that she also caught his underlying feelings for her.
Tassia moved her hips forward as she broke from the kiss. “You included me in the song.”
Hyde tried catching his breath as he nodded. “It is a duet.”
She kissed his cheek toward his ear. “You’re a good man. A really good man.”
If Tassia stayed on his lap any longer, she wouldn’t think of him as a good man.
He tapped her back. “Thank you. It’s just one song.” He attempted to stand but Tassia didn’t move off him.
“A really good song. You’re incredible.” The longer Tassia stared at him the more she must have sobered to her position and situation. “It’ll be great for the album.” She stood and braced her hands on his shoulders for a moment before she turned and sauntered back to her seat at the table. “Did you write more?” She picked up the platter full of grilled meats and selected a chicken breast. “Do you want steak?” She stared at him while still holding onto the platter.
Days ago, Hyde didn’t think this woman would have spit on him if his body had been set on fire. Now she wanted to serve him.
“Yeah. That would be cool.” To show he could be just as accommodating, he picked up the tray of roasted vegetables and served some to her before he put some on his plate.
Hyde sat down next to her at the table. “Glad you liked the song. Believe it or not, your songs inspired me. I didn’t realize how my actions affected you until I heard you describe me as a jerk.”
“Not a jerk really.” Tassia cut up her food. “Maybe a conceited egomaniac.”
Hyde nearly choked on his sweetened iced tea after Tassia’s statement. “Oh, really? Okay, I get it.” He cut into his steak. “The bad part about all of this is that I was never like this before. I used to be so open and trusting. Then I had people who claimed to be my friends sell me out and lie to my face. I had people sneaking into my personal space.” He hesitated before continuing. “I’ve had women want to be with me to further their careers. I lost trust quick. I truly wanted a break. I relax when I’m here. I’m at peace when I’m home. I should have asked you if you wanted this trip. For that, I’m sorry.”
Tassia smiled before she put a morsel of the chicken in her mouth. “Apology accepted.” She chewed on the meat and moaned again.
It sounded exactly like when she moaned while she kissed him. The sound raised the hairs over his body and pumped blood into the area below his waist.
“You’re a gifted songwriter.” He chewed on some of the roasted vegetables. The smoky taste appealed to his taste buds, introducing a slight bitter flavor along with the vegetables’ natural sweetness.
“Thanks.” She shook her head slightly. “After listening to your song, I know I need to step my game up.”
Good. He didn’t have to say it and incur another potential argument. After that kiss, he wanted to be on this woman’s good side. He also knew that he couldn’t hide his feelings. He had to be honest with her.
“You can definitely write a hit, but it feels like the songs are on the surface.” He waited for the blowback. To hedge his bets, he continued. “It’s nice to have songs you can dance to, but what about the soul?”
Tassia opened her mouth like she wanted to argue, but then she picked up a couple of vegetables on her fork. “It’s easier to write about something fun than to expose your vulnerabilities.”
“You didn’t seem to have a problem with that in ‘Kidnapped by the Cowboy’ or the other songs. You just incorporated a catchier hook.” Hyde picked up his bowl of salad and started in on it now that he had tasted his main meal.
“I’ll make a deal with you.” Tassia crossed her legs. “You teach me to write a soulful song and let me teach you to relax a little.” She raised her eyebrows.
“Why do people think I’m uptight?” He wagged his finger at her. “Remember I managed to get you to my house.”
“But we won’t talk about that.” She smirked. “Your hit songs have been about what?”
“I don’t know. Hanging with friends, finding the right person who will make you happy, being good to your family and friends.” Hyde stopped and rolled his eyes. “Jesus, I am a Boy Scout.”
Tassia laughed. “You know, that’s not a bad thing. Not every woman wants a bad boy.”
“Is that why you kissed me?” He had to know what she thought. Hyde knew how he felt.
“I kissed you because you seduced me.” She cocked a smile at the corner of her mouth.
“I did?”
She nodded. “That song and this meal. I didn’t know any other way to respond. You wooed me.”
Hyde flicked the food on his plate as he let her words roll around in his head. His stomach fluttered in a way he hadn’t felt since he had asked out Debra Miller, the daughter of one of his tutors when he became a high school senior.
“I didn’t think I was your type.” He leaned back in his seat. “I thought Aaron was your speed.”
Tassia rolled her eyes. “Nothing ever happened between me and Aaron.”
“After all of this is said and done, what will you say about me?” Hyde placed his empty salad bowl on the table.
“That you’re passionate about your work, you’re good to your family.” She picked up her glass of tea. “And you are a phenomenal kisser.”
“Wow. Thanks.” He cut into his steak. “Just imagine if I had had some planning.”
She smiled and it brightened up the space. “A lot could be said for spontaneity.”
He nodded. “True.” He shrugged. “You could also argue that there’s something about your partner planning out a way to make your toes curl that is also very, very enticing.”
“You mean like this dinner?”
His smile widened. “What? We both had to eat.”
“And that song.”
“We have this album, which reminds me. The songs you wrote…”
Tassia rolled her eyes. “Look. I was angry. I wanted to get my feelings out there.”
“I know.” Hyde held his hand up. “With the way they are, I don’t think they belong on the album.”
She stared at him. “What? Why is that?”
“This album needs to reflect both of us. Like I mentioned before, there’s no part in it for me.” He finished off his dinner before he dropped another suggestion. “And we should concentrate on writing and recording. I haven’t shown you everything in the house.”
“You mean like the upstairs?”
Hyde understood what Tassia meant. Did she want to see his bedroom? He wanted to show her that and more, particularly after that mind-blowing kiss.
“I mean the recording studio I have in my home.” He watched her eyes widen.
“Besides the music room, you have an actual recording studio?” She finished off her dinner.
He nodded. “It’s in the basement. I’ll take you down to show you
. Once we fully concentrate on business, we won’t have time for anything else.”
Tassia stood. “Sounds like a plan.” She picked up her empty plate and grabbed his. “I’m ready to get down.” She sauntered to the back door of the house and turned at the doorway. “Get down to work, of course.” Her sly smile let him know that he would have a challenge before him.
Hyde took Tassia down to the basement area that practically spanned the entire home.
“Wow. This is like another living space but with a full studio in it.” She scanned the room and stood at the control board. Tassia peered back at him. “We could write and record here. I mean what if we go back to Virginia with a demo album?”
Hyde leaned on the boards next to her. “We could do that.”
Tassia patted his hand. “Let’s do it.”
He didn’t move. His mind raced to illicit thoughts of them kissing like they did before dinner and going beyond. Since he had been the one to set the rules of sticking to business, he needed to get his head out of the gutter.
“Let’s do what?” Hyde shrugged.
“Let’s record the song you just did. I want to hear how we sound together. That will be the true test.”
No. The true test would be if Hyde could record with her and keep his mind on business.
“Let me get my guitar and lyrics.” Hyde went back upstairs for those items, the whole time thinking about keeping his mind on business.
After he retrieved the items, he returned to the studio and found Tassia on the couch on her stomach with her back to him. Her dress rode up so that the hem fell right below her ass. This project would be difficult.
“Here are the lyrics.” Hyde crouched down next to Tassia. “This is your part.”
Tassia reviewed it and nodded. “Can I change this part here?” She pointed to a line. “I don’t want to keep saying you aren’t good enough. The song should end with hope, don’t you think?” She looked up at him, bringing her face dangerously close to his.
He remained close to her until he stood. “Let’s try it both ways to see what works. Agreed?”
Tassia got up on her knees on the couch before she stood. “Cool. Let me do some warm-ups first.”
“That’s fine. Then we can rehearse.” Hyde tuned his guitar while Tassia strolled into the studio area and positioned herself behind the piano.
She started playing a melody on the piano that almost sounded like what he played on the guitar, but it sounded better. Tassia did her vocal scales and even that sounded magical.
“Oh, I got you something else.” He reached beside the couch between it and the wall and revealed a large jar of small, green square items individually wrapped. “Sour apple Now and Later.”
Tassia hadn’t had that candy in years. Like she hadn’t eaten in a decade, she grabbed the jar from Hyde’s hand and dove inside it for one of the candies. As fast as she could, she unwrapped it, making sure to peel the white wrapper from areas on the hardened taffy candy where it stuck. As soon as she got everything off, she popped it in her mouth.
The sweetness of the candy struck her first before she had to suck her cheeks in when the sour portion snuck in to her taste buds. “So good. Better than what I remembered as a kid.” She put her hand to his knee. “I can’t believe you remembered all of my favorites.”
He smiled. “I know this isn’t your home, and I know barbecuing and candy won’t make up for my bad behavior. I hope this shows you that I do listen, I do care, and I am sincerely sorry.”
Now Tassia saw Hyde as the nice person she had remembered working with as a kid. To see this side of him come back out reassured her. She could do this project. Considering he had shot down her three songs, she would have a lot of work to do.
“Are you ready?” Hyde sat at a stool. “Let’s practice first before we record.”
“You want me to join you on the piano?” She remained seated.
“Yes. I liked what you played earlier. You start and I’ll join in.”
She nodded and started the song on the piano. Hyde started singing his part. Because he wrote the song, he knew when Tassia’s part began. Expecting to signal her, he turned toward her.
She started on her own, infusing her full self into her verse. When she got to the end of the song and sang it the original way, Hyde immediately understood what she meant about the change.
“You were right.” He nodded. “Let’s do this again and you sing the line you want to change.”
“Did you feel that?” Tassia placed her hands on top of the piano. “We harmonize so well.”
Hyde had felt it. The goosebumps on his arms hadn’t gone down even at the end of the song. When they sang the song again with the line changed, his heart thrummed. Part of the reason had to do with her incredible voice. The other reason had everything to do with the fact that the song, meant to be an apology, now had her accepting his apology and forgiving him.
By the time they recorded the song and replayed it for themselves, Hyde saw Tassia in a new way.
“I think we have a hit.” Tassia nodded.
“Maybe.” He shrugged and tried keeping his attention anywhere but on her.
Tassia managed to seduce him with her voice and her willingness to try things his way. If he looked in her eyes, he would be done.
They continued working until almost midnight. Hyde glanced at his watch.
“You don’t think listeners will like this?” She moved closer to him.
Hyde didn’t want to retreat from her, so he remained still. “I think it’s just a demo. We’ve just laid this down once. It could use some work, some finessing. We shouldn’t get too excited.” He had to repeat that last part in his head because he couldn’t deny that he wanted this woman.
“What do you think about doing this without any instruments?” She wrapped her fingers around the neck of his guitar.
When Hyde refused to give up the one barrier hiding his excitement, Tassia slid her hand down slowly until her hand connected to his. Her fingers against the various strings caused them to wail as she moved over them.
Tassia smiled and he felt powerless again. “It’s okay. Let me have it.”
Without a fight, Hyde allowed her to take the instrument from him. He watched her carefully place it next to the piano. Then she pulled the piano bench from its spot to a place next to him.
Tassia gazed up at him.
Damn. She had him. When she licked her lips, he could no longer see straight let alone sing.
“You want to count us off?” She nodded.
“Sure.” Hyde tapped his bare foot on the carpeted floor. “Two, three, four.”
He started off the song. Without the guitar or piano to back him, he heard his every word. He had to be extra careful to stay in tune. He set the octave for her part. Too low and she might not be able to dip her voice down that far. Too high and he could be setting himself up for failure.
He caught the desperation in his voice, his fear, his regret. When she sang her part, all while staring into his eyes, he melted. This time when she changed the line in the song, he felt like she had forgiven him.
At the end of the song, the room remained quiet. He heard himself breathing so hard he thought she would worry about his condition.
Tassia placed her hand on his thigh. “For all my kicking and screaming, I’m actually glad you brought me out here.” She drummed her fingertips lightly over his leg. “Maybe I need to learn to be more open, try new things.” She moved her body closer to him. “What do you think?”
Think? Hyde could barely talk. The touch on his leg shot an electric jolt through his body. He’d started staring into her eyes at the opening of the song, and didn’t think he had blinked at all during that time. His eyeballs burned and itched, but he would be damned if he broke this connection with Tassia.
He swallowed. “I think we
have a great start.” He chuckled. “After the rocky one, of course.”
She laughed.
“We had a good night. If we keep this up, we could be done in a couple of weeks, maybe sooner.” Hyde ached to touch her hand. He wanted to feel her.
“Anything else we should do tonight?” Tassia posed the salacious question without making a move. She had even stopped drumming her delicate fingertips.
Every part of his body screamed to offer this woman a place in his bed right now. Then he heard his father in his ear telling him not to mix business with pleasure. The relationship with Shelby Lynne had been arranged as a strategic business move meant to propel both careers. What Hyde felt for Tassia now came from an honest place. He had built his career on being the good guy, polite and gentlemanly. What he thought about this woman would shock his fans.
In this moment, he didn’t care about them. He only thought about what he could do to make the two of them happy.
Hyde put his hand to the side of her face. When Tassia kept her stare on his he knew he had the green light to keep going.
He brushed his thumb over her smooth cheek before he gently pulled her close to him and planted a soft kiss on her pouty lips. This time he felt transformed, like only he and this woman existed in the world.
Tassia curved her hand down to his inner thigh, dangerously close to his throbbing manhood. One side of Hyde’s head wanted her to continue that hand up his legs. The other side, the business side, screamed for him to stop, to think about his career. He had fallen for a singer before and had gotten burned. He had assumed the relationship with Shelby Lynne had been real until he discovered the truth. What a great little actress she turned out to be. Nothing about Tassia felt fake or forced.
Tassia moaned during the kiss and it made Hyde want her even more. His lips vibrated against hers and he wanted nothing more than to keep exploring. Hyde slipped his tongue into her mouth. The tip of his tongue touched hers in a playful yet seductive tease. What else could she do with that lethal organ? How could he use his tongue on her body? Oh, the places he wanted to go.
Crazy on You Page 17
