“Ok, honey.” She rose and swayed only a little bit when she crossed the room to kiss my cheek. “Have fun. And don’t sacrifice your happiness just to please your father. It’s not worth it.”
The door clicked closed once more. I let out a breath knowing the words she had spoken were not just for me. I knew she was miserable and drank to escape but I couldn’t fix things for her. All I could do was what I felt was right for me and my own life.
I grabbed a small clutch. Karen had helped me pack it before she had left. The square foil packet she had added had been accompanied by an admonishment for me to be safe.
I checked my reflection in the dresser mirror. Hair up for sophistication, lots of soft gardenia scented skin revealed by a daringly low corset style bodice that I’d covered up with a sweater. No way my dad would let me out of the house if he saw what was underneath. I slipped my bare frosty pink tipped toes into my rhinestone flip flops and withdrew a cherry flavored gloss from my clutch. I was just swiping the wand across my lips when the doorbell rang.
I popped open the door and heard Ash talking to my father downstairs. He looked up when I swept down the stairs making a big entrance as if this were a real date and Ash was my real beau.
His lips lifted slowly, appreciation and something else flashing in his eyes that passed too quickly for me to read. “You look stunning, Simone,” he told me taking my free hand and pulling me toward him so he could kiss my cheek. “Linc’s going to flip,” he whispered in my ear and my heart summersaulted.
“You look very handsome,” I said which was the truth. He looked sharp in a pair of khakis and a white button down that set off his platinum hair and accentuated his tan. Fingers tightening on his I turned to my parents. “I’ll be in at two. I promise. You don’t need to wait up for me.”
Ash led me outside to the porch. He held my hand until we reached the waterfront, much longer than was probably necessary but I didn’t complain. It was a little chilly and I was a bit nervous. I found the contact reassuring even though I knew he wasn’t my biggest fan.
“I’m sorry about the things I said to you the other day.” Ah, Lincoln must have said something to him.
“It’s ok, Ash. You’re entitled to your opinion. I’m sure you have Lincoln’s best interest at heart but there’s something you ought to know.” I pulled in a breath for courage. “I love him, Ash. I plan to tell him tonight.” And show him but that was more than Ash needed to know.
Eyes suddenly bright, he nodded once. It seemed as though he might have already known. “So we’re good?” he asked after a moment in which he seemed deep in thought.
“We’re good.” I agreed.
“Then, c’mon, surfer’s girl. Your man’s waiting for you. And he’s driving the rest of us all crazy.”
When we reached the bar a couple of minutes later, I put my hand on the downstairs newel, glanced up at all the twinkling lights of the club and lost my courage for a moment. No matter what Linc had said I was still nervous and didn’t want to disappoint him.
“Everything ok?” Ash asked me just as I heard Lincoln’s voice over the sound system doing a sound check. His voice steadied me. This was right. In every way he was right for me.
“Yeah.” I nodded my head and shook the last of my lingering doubts away. “My flip flop just slipped.” I followed Ash up the stairs falling behind him as he bounded up them two at a time.
When I reached the top Linc was there waiting to meet me. His gaze swept me head to toe with something beyond just appreciation in his eyes. My heart fluttered in response.
“You look…” we both said at the same time and then we laughed unashamedly as if neither of us had a single care in the entire world. Maybe just this one night that could be true.
He swept me into his arms his warm lips pressing into my temple. I heard him inhale. “You smell as good as you look and you look like a goddess.”
My lips pulled into a wide smile. He touched my nose softly when he leaned back, his clear blue eyes sparkling with joy I was sure reflected my own.
“If I’m a goddess then you’re a god.” I raised a brow trying to make my tone flippant and keep my expression playful. He looked divine in a faded but form fitting wine stripped button down and cargo shorts that were loosely belted to his narrow hips. “If you insist on putting me up on an unrealistic pedestal, then I’ll put you on a higher one. So don’t go there,” I teased.
“Already have, gorgeous. And then some. So deal with it.” He tugged my hand. “Come on. I saved you some seats up front. Apparently the place is sold out.” He lowered his voice to a confidential level. “There’s a rumor that Charles Morris, the head of Zenith Productions is stopping by to listen.”
“You’re kidding.” My eyes widened. “How’d you find that out?”
“Patch’s dad caught wind of it on his shift. Apparently the guy gets chatty when he’s had a couple of extra strong drinks. He’s been up and down the coast recently scouting for new talent. Soon as Ash found out he threw up…twice.”
“Oh, no!” I glanced over at Ash. He was seated behind his drum kit, his features waxen. He caught me staring and rolled his eyes.
“On the stage, loser.” He motioned with his sticks.
“I gotta go,” Linc said. “But I have special plans for us later.” He softly pressed his firm lips to mine.
After that kiss my body hummed. After those words my mind buzzed with even more anticipation.
I was really glad I’d worn my sexiest lingerie.
I watched her as the place filled. I wasn’t really nervous about the singing thing. I was on edge for entirely different reasons. I wanted everything to be perfect. I wanted tonight to be one she would never forget. I wanted to show her that I was the only one for her.
The sound of her carefree laughter carried over the din loosening the tangle inside my chest. Her pretty eyes glittering she peeled off her sweater and draped it over the back of her chair. I nearly came unglued. She was practically falling out of the tight corset top. How was I going to keep guys away from her with her looking like that?
I put the mic back in the stand and started toward her.
“Whoa. Where are you going, man?” Patch pointed to his watch. “Show’s starting in five. That producer guy is here, too. Didn’t you see him come in?”
“I’ve got bigger issues.” I shook my head and hiked a thumb toward Simone.
“Yeah, I can see that she does. I mean that you do.” He grinned and slapped me on the back. “It’s gonna be ok. She can handle herself. Look.”
I turned my gaze back to her. Simone had her arms crossed over her chest giving some dude with a death wish the brushoff. She pointed over at me and he glanced my way. He smartly took the meaning of my ‘get the hell outta here’ stare.
Simone smiled at me, all white teeth and ‘kiss me’ glossy lips with her inner light on full glow. I beamed back at her.
Looking back and forth between the two of us, Patch groaned. “Let’s get the damn show started before I gag.”
When the club lights dimmed to just the twinkling ones in the rafters and the spots shining on the stage, I reached for Karen’s hand and clasped her fingers tightly. The energy within the packed club crackled like the air in a lightning storm.
Then Linc wrapped his fingers around the mic and embodied that energy. Song after song it radiated out from him rippling through the restive crowd.
Wide eyed with wonder I turned to Karen as rabid fans pressed toward the stage after the set, several feminine voices chanting Linc’s name.
“Did you know he could sing like that?” she asked me.
I shook my head. “I only heard him the one time at Dominic’s party.” He’d been good then but tonight he seemed to be in his element. He must have been practicing every day with the guys during the week we had been apart. My gaze drifted back to the stage. Linc was signing bar napkins and chatting amiably with some of the patrons but he looked as if his mind were somewhere else as he glanc
ed frequently at me.
I smiled to let him know that we were ok. It was just nine thirty. I hadn’t told him yet about the extended curfew.
Karen and I were sipping our third round of diet cokes by the time the crowd finally thinned and a distinguished man with jet hair and piercing blue eyes approached Lincoln saying a few words to him that I couldn’t hear. Afterward he pressed a business card into Linc’s hand and turned away.
Linc passed it to Ash and hopped off the stage to where I waited, his body coiled with tension and his eyes intense.
“Who was that?” I asked taking the hand he offered me feeling the pop and sizzle of anticipation the instant we connected.
“Charles Morris. The Zenith guy.” He shrugged. “He said he liked our sound.”
Lincoln’s sound, I thought but kept that inner observation to myself.
“You ready?” His gaze slid to Karen and then back to me.
“Yes, absolutely.” Was that my voice? Did I really sound so smitten?
Linc’s gaze dipped to my mouth and his eyes darkened.
“Don’t worry about me,” Karen said with a knowing smile. “Patch and I have plans of our own.” She had shared briefly about her burgeoning relationship with Dominic. Seemed I wasn’t the only one head over heels for a surfer.
His determined expression discouraging any additional devotees, Linc led me though the throng. I had to almost jog to keep up with his long strides.
“Let me catch my breath.” I dug the soles of my flip flops into the concrete sidewalk outside.
“Never.” His grin slashed possessively across his handsome face right before he spun me into his arms and his mouth crashed onto mine. Firm lips moved insistently parting mine and his tongue immediately swept into my mouth. I clutched his hard shoulders for balance in a world that suddenly tilted on its axis. His strong arms tightened around me. My breasts were pressed into his rock solid chest. Against my belly I felt the undeniable thickness of his arousal. Everything in me responded. My body bowed into his, my mouth widened and the hot ache between my legs became unbearable.
“Linc,” I cried when he ripped his lips away. I was desperate for him. No longer afraid. So turned on that I started to tremble.
“Mona.” His palms pressed into my lower back his fingers opening and closing bunching the fabric covering my rear. “I want you so badly.” His breath blew damp heat across my face. His eyes were twin molten pools that reflected my desire. “Watching you from that stage. Not being able to touch you.” He stopped speaking abruptly and released me, stepping back.
I swayed suddenly feeling terribly bereft without my body against his. He lifted his chin and pointed to an idling vehicle along the curb.
“Brent’s a friend. He’s gonna take us where we need to go.”
“Where are we going?” I asked as he took my hand again helping me onto the middle bench seat of the old pickup truck.
“It’s a surprise.” His heated gaze stoked the embers of my desire. I licked my parched lips. His gaze dipped to my mouth. His eyes flared. I could feel the hot blazing combustible chemistry ready to ignite between us. I swallowed as he turned to Brent. “Drive,” he ordered.
The main drag disappeared as we turned left onto Nimitz Boulevard and headed downhill toward San Diego. Lincoln put our joined hands on his thigh, his warm fingers drawing random circles on my skin making it difficult for me to concentrate. I sat up straighter as we turned and entered a marina.
“What are we doing here?” My brows drew together in confusion. Brent stopped the truck in front of a dock filled with spired catamarans and gleaming hulled power boats.
“You’ll see.” He leaned forward, slapping our taciturn driver on the shoulder and thanking him before popping open the rusty door, pulling me out and immediately sweeping me off my feet and into his arms.
“Linc!” I exclaimed breathlessly twining my arms around his neck as he strode purposefully across the pavement and onto the wooden planks of the dock that creaked under his feat. “Are we going on a boat?”
“I want tonight to be special for you.” He dipped his head, waves of sandy brown shadowing his gaze briefly beneath the orange dock lighting. “I want to make love to you over and over again on the ocean that we both love so much.”
I burrowed my face deeper into his chest feeling his heart beat pounding beneath my cheek and pulling in deep lungfuls of his unique scent, reminiscent of a briny Pacific breeze brimming with limitless possibilities.
At the end of the dock he stepped onto the stern of a huge tri decked mega yacht. Ducking beneath an overhang he adjusted his hold on me so he could open a swing gate before he inserted a key to open the glass door that led inside.
Eyes wide at the luxurious interior my fingers dug into the soft cotton of his shirt. The living room we were in was bigger and fancier than the one at my house.
Wall to wall cream carpeting, gleaming cherry wood walls and loads of expensive furnishings lay beneath a soaring ceiling that opened to the deck above.
“This is incredible, Linc. It’s so beautiful.” My voice was thick.
“Yeah, it’s amazing what five million can get you. It belongs to a wealthy friend of my aunt’s.” He sounded a little wistful. “I can’t afford to buy you all this luxury, Simone. But I can certainly borrow it for my gorgeous goddess for a night.”
“I don’t care if you can’t. I just care that you did all of this for me. I…”
“Hold this,” Linc interrupted before I could finish the three words. He shifted to pick up a bucket from the granite bar. I kept one hand on his chest and took the handle of the bucket with the other, peering inside to see the sparkling cider and Ziploc of hulled strawberries it contained.
My heart rate kicked up even higher. Opulent surroundings fit for a queen with all of the accoutrements. Extravagantly romantic.
He took me past a large dining room table in two toned cherry, crossing a central hallway with a staircase and more gleaming wood that reflected the spot halogens that were scattered throughout the interior.
He finally set me down inside the master bedroom by a huge bed. Its luxurious cream comforter had been folded back in preparation for our arrival. My feet sank into the plush carpeting. Tears sparkled in my eyes as I took in all the thoughtful details.
When I turned back to him he extended a flute already filled with bubbly cider. Then I noticed something else, the music emanating from the boom box on the dresser beneath a shuttered window. Sweeping violins and lilting clarinet from an instrumental version of ‘No One is Alive’ from Into the Woods.
Every single detail seduced but none more so than the handsome man gazing back at me with the promise of passion such that I had never known gleaming from his bright eyes.
“Linc, I don’t know what to say.” My free hand fluttered in front of me. “This is so much. You’re so much. And I’m just me.”
“Drink your faux champagne.” His eyes narrowed to slits as he slowly circled me. I could feel his intense perusal like a physical caress. My throat went dry. My body tingled and tightened as he regarded me with the grand music adding even more drama to the scene. I took deep sips. The refreshingly sweet beverage moistened my mouth.
Holding me captive with the power of his gaze, he lifted his glass to his sexy lips. I was spellbound watching his Adams apple move as he drained it dry as though he were just as parched as I was. “You are everything to me, Simone Bianchi. You overwhelm me.” I had never heard his voice so deep.
“Linc.” I blinked back the rush of tears from his words. “Please touch me.” I stepped toward him.
“Be still.” He held up a hand to stop me. “I’m not finished. And once I start touching you I’m not going to be able to stop. I very much doubt I’m going to be able to go slow, either.” A wry grin lifted his lips. “At least not the first time.”
A sheen of warmth cascaded through me at the idea of him making love to me again and again.
“I love you.” My breath caug
ht. “Almost from the first moment I met you. When I first saw you something clicked inside of me like when I saw the ocean for the first time. And then when I kissed you I knew for sure.” He closed the distance between us and I lifted my chin to keep his gorgeous impassioned face in view. His hands wrapped around my elbows to draw me to him, his fingers curling into my flesh.
It felt so good, so right, that I sighed. His gaze dropped to my mouth and then his lips took mine in a searing kiss that I felt from the tips of my toes to my tingling scalp. His mouth was gentle but I could feel the cost of his restraint in the way his forearm muscles vibrated beneath my hands.
When he lifted his head and looked at me his eyes alight with adoration I did feel like the goddess he had named me. Boldly I spun in his arms lifting my hands to remove the pins that held my hair and peered at him over my shoulder. “Could you undo my zipper?”
His adoring eyes flared at the request. “I could.” My hair whispered to my bared shoulders and I drew in a sharp breath as the cool air within the room met the fevered skin along my spine. “You ok?” he asked his voice husky.
“Just cold,” I explained.
“I can certainly fix that.” He turned me, his grip on my shoulders gentle but purposeful. His gaze dipped to take in the sheer lace of my demi bra and the matching thong before it returned to my face, the look within his eyes darker than I had ever seen it. “Dammit, Simone. You are beyond anything that I have ever imagined.” He traced a lock of my hair from over my ear to where it ended over my breast. His hand trembled. I shivered. Not from the cold this time. From desire.
“The way you treat me, Lincoln Savage. The things you say to me. You make me feel like anything is possible, as if I really am all those things to you.”
“You are.” He skimmed the pad of his thumb across my bottom lip parting the two. “You so are.” He kissed me again. This time the kiss was wet and delectably deep. This time his mouth slanted first one way and then the other before his slick tongue glided between and touched my own.
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