by Donna Hill
Seeing him today was simultaneously thrilling and unsettling; thrilling that he went to whatever lengths to find her and unsettling for the very same reason. She was flattered that he sought her out, but the distance that she maintained to protect herself and her space had been breached without her consent.
Clearly Rafe Lawson was the type of man that did what he wanted whenever he desired and he had the money, the connections and the charisma to pull it all off.
Avery parked in the garage and entered the two-bedroom Tudor through the kitchen. Her cell phone vibrated in her purse.
“I’m just walking in the door,” Avery said, catching Kerry’s call before it went to voice mail.
“Just checking to make sure you didn’t chicken out.”
“Very funny. Why would I do that?” She tugged open the double-door stainless steel fridge and took out a bottle of water.
“Because I know you, that’s why. Anyway, what are you wearing?”
“To be honest I hadn’t really thought about it.” She took a long replenishing swallow.
“Hmm. Well, I’m going casual. My white crepe slacks and that magenta blouse that I got from the mall and those strappy white Michael Kors sandals...some accessories. Yeah, that’s what I’ll wear.”
Avery shook her head and smiled. Kerry’s idea of casual was runway ready. “Sounds perfect. Guess I better get moving and find something appropriate so that I won’t look like the poor relation,” she said over her laughter.
“Girl, please, you couldn’t look bad coming out of a street fight. Why do you think I always have to step up my game when we go out?”
“K, please,” she sniffed and finished off her water.
“I’m serious. You are so focused on your job and scoping out bad guys that you are totally oblivious to the effect you have. Rafe Lawson tracking your behind down is a perfect example. Do you have any idea who he really is?”
Avery started toward her bedroom. “Yes. He’s Senator Lawson’s son. He’s wealthy and well connected.”
“You are pitiful. Girl, Google him. He’s a lot more than a wealthy senator’s son. I’ll meet you out front of the club at 7:30.”
“Fine. See you later.” She tossed her phone on the bed. Kerry always made everything more dramatic than it really was. She should have gone into acting instead of law enforcement.
Avery opened her closet door and stood staring at her rather ordinary line-up of outfits, the majority of which were navy and gray skirt and slack suits. She had one formal dress that she’d worn to the Lawson party and her go-to jersey wrap dress in a deep navy blue. She took the navy dress from the rack and laid it out on the bed then went to hop in the shower.
* * *
Avery’s hands shook ever so slightly as she put silver hoops in her ears. Nervous. What did she have to be jittery about? She was going to a jazz club with her best friend, something she’d done hundreds of times. But none of those times had Rafe Lawson invited her.
Her heart beat faster. She drew in a long, deep breath and briefly shut her eyes. Just another night out, she told herself. She took her purse from the dresser, dropped her wallet, keys and phone inside and headed out.
* * *
It took a bit of time to find parking. The lot behind Blues Alley was full and street parking was at a premium. Avery finally found a spot two blocks off Constitution Avenue. The short walk back gave her a chance to put on her game face and settle the flare-up of nerves.
As she approached the club she spotted Kerry standing outside with her focus on her cell phone. She glanced up and smiled when she saw Avery.
“Hey.”
“Hi. You weren’t waiting long, were you?”
“No, just got here,” Kerry said.
“Parking is crazy.”
“I know, I think I got the last spot in the lot.”
“Lucky.”
They both turned toward the entrance and went inside. It had been a while since she’d been to Blues Alley. The last act she’d seen perform was a special appearance by Wynton Marsalis.
“Good evening, ladies. Do you have a reservation?” the hostess asked.
“No. We don’t,” Kerry said.
“It might be a bit of a wait for a table.”
Avery and Kerry took a quick look around. The club was full.
“Busy night,” Avery commented.
“Quinten Parker always draws a crowd. I can get you a setup at the bar until a table opens.”
The friends took a quick glance at each other and nodded in unified agreement.
“Right this way.” The hostess led them over to the bar and took their names for the waiting list.
“Didn’t think about making reservations for a weeknight,” Kerry said as she hopped up on the bar stool. “The band is really good.”
“I think I have one of his early CDs,” Avery said. She placed her purse on her lap and looked around.
“You see him?” Kerry asked knowingly.
Avery adjusted her bottom on the stool. “No.” She linked her fingers together and worked at being unconcerned. But that didn’t stop her pulse from jackhammering in her veins.
“What can I get you, ladies?” The bartender wiped the spaces in front of them with a damp cloth.
“Apple martini,” Avery said.
“Make that two,” Kerry added.
“Coming right up.” He placed a bowl of mixed nuts and one of taco chips with dip in front of them.
* * *
Rafe walked out front from the greenroom along with Quinten to check the crowd.
“You definitely can bring them in,” Rafe said, congratulating Quinten with a pat on the back.
“Blues Alley is my second home when I leave New York.”
“Haven’t been to New York for a minute,” Rafe said. He leaned against the frame of the archway. “Need to get this next album finished.”
“How much more to go?”
“At least three more tracks to lay down.”
“Your last one was off the chain, man.” They bumped fists. “Anytime you want to come up to Harlem I have some of the best engineers in the business. Pure genius. And the next project we need to do together.”
Rafe slowly nodded in agreement. “Yeah. For sure.” He turned his head and when a waitress moved he spotted Avery at the bar. “Be right back.” He started off before Quinten could respond.
Rafe glided between tables and around bodies blocking his pathway to the bar. He eased behind her.
“Glad you could make it,” he whispered against her neck.
Avery felt her entire body tingle. She angled toward him as he came up beside her.
“Rafe,” she managed to say and was caught up for a moment in the light of his eyes.
Kerry turned.
Avery cleared her throat. “Rafe Lawson, this is my friend Kerry Holt. Kerry, Rafe Lawson.”
“Pleasure.” He gave Kerry a gallant nod and a smile. “I have a table,” he said to them both, but his focus was on Avery. “You’re more than welcome, unless you prefer the bar.”
“Absolutely not,” Kerry answered for them both. She stuck a twenty under the bowl of nuts to cover both their drinks, then slid down off her bar stool.
Avery wanted to elbow Kerry but restrained herself. “Thanks. They didn’t say how long the wait for a table would be.”
“My pleasure.” He placed his hand on her lower back as she got off the stool.
“Right this way.”
Avery used all of her concentration to put one foot in front of the other to avoid succumbing to the heat of his large hand right above the rise of her rear.
“It’s the one in the center, up front,” he said close to her ear and she knew it was that thing he did to get close to h
er and it worked—again.
They stopped at the table and Rafe helped them both into their seats. “Can I get you ladies anything?”
“We’re good for now,” Avery said, and held up her half-finished drink.
Rafe nodded. “Totally understand. But when you get hungry they have a great menu and it’s on the house.”
“Oh, you don’t have to−”
Kerry cut her off. “Thank you. That’s very generous.”
Rafe took a step back. “Enjoy your evening, ladies. See you later?” he stated to Avery in a mouthed whisper.
Avery didn’t respond as she watched him stroll away.
“Oh. My. God,” Kerry whispered and fanned herself with the menu. She leaned forward and stared Avery in the eyes. “Listen here, girl, if you don’t know what you want to do with all that—I’ll handle it for you.”
“He...is...something,” she admitted.
“That’s putting it mildly and he is so charming.”
They laughed and for a moment Avery allowed herself to imagine “what if.”
Kerry raised her glass and shifted Avery’s focus.
“What are we toasting?” Avery asked.
“To possibility.” She grinned.
Avery twisted her lips. “To possibility.”
“Now let’s order our on-the-house dinner, ’cause I’m starved.”
* * *
“Did you research him like I told you?” Kerry asked while she sliced through her medium-well steak.
“No. Didn’t have time.”
Kerry stopped cutting and reached for her purse on the empty chair. She rifled through and pulled out an inch-thick stack of papers clipped together. “That’s what I figured.” Kerry placed the papers next to Avery’s plate. “So I did it for you.”
Avery gave her the side-eye.
“I know. Don’t thank me now.” Kerry proceeded to dig into her steak.
“Kerry,” she said in a hot whisper. “I don’t believe you did this.”
Kerry wagged her fork at Avery. “Let me just say this...” She leaned closer. “That man is a serious catch. Money, looks, connections, well-traveled, educated, talented and other than some minor brushes with the law over a motorcycle accident a couple of years back, he is damn near too good to be true.”
“Then why isn’t he with someone or married if he’s all that?” Avery countered, still unwilling to take the bait. “Must be something wrong.”
“According to the articles he’s been linked to dozens of women, from socialites to supermodels, and none of them have a bad word to say about him.” She shrugged. “Maybe he’s looking for you.” She giggled and winked.
“Sure. Right.” But she couldn’t help wonder why he was single and what if Kerry was right? Now she was being silly. Clearly Rafe Lawson had mastered the art of being a playboy. It was as simple as that.
* * *
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Blues Alley. We have a very special lineup tonight. He may live in New York but he can call DC home anytime—Quinten Parker and the Quartet.”
The room erupted into applause. “That’s not all. Bringing his own brand of Louisiana jazz is Mr. Saxophone himself, Rafe Lawson.”
Kerry’s eyes widened with delight. Avery’s lips parted in disbelief.
“Did you know?” Kerry whispered.
“No. I had no idea. He told me his friend was playing a set.”
“You do know that among all of his other fineness, he is an amazing sax player with music awards for his albums. Girl, get with the program.” Kerry joined the rest of the audience in applauding the band as they took the stage.
Avery mindlessly joined in and made up her mind that she would actually read up on Rafe Lawson.
Incredible was the only word to describe the first set. Avery remained enthralled with every note, every shift in tempo, and there were no words to explain the rush of sensations that flowed through her whenever Rafe stepped into the spotlight, his long, lean form bent and curved with each note, and transported them with his version of Coltrane classics, the quartets’ numbers and his own originals.
He made love to his audience each time his lips touched the reed and Avery couldn’t even imagine what the real thing would be like.
The room erupted and many of the enthused guests rose to their feet as the members of the band took their bows.
Kerry slapped her palms on the table. “Girl...that was some playing!”
“I know that’s right,” Avery agreed. She slowly shook her head from side to side as the remnants of the experience flowed through her.
Kerry leaned closer. “I’m at a loss as to what to say about your Mr. Lawson. That’s pure sex that floats around him like an aura. I swear I thought that woman in the red dress was going to throw herself or her panties onstage if he hit another high note.”
They burst out laughing.
“Made a complete fool of herself,” Avery said over her chuckles even as she felt the same way the woman did.
“Here he comes,” Kerry said from between her teeth.
“Mind if I sit?” Rafe asked and looked from one to the other, but his gaze returned to Avery.
“Of course. Please,” Kerry said, saving Avery from looking like a fool or simply plain rude.
“Thanks.” He pulled out a chair and sat. “How was dinner?”
“Delicious,” Avery managed to say.
Rafe stroked his smooth chin. “How’d you like the set?”
Avery smiled and grew hot inside. “Loved it. You’re really amazing.”
His deep eyes crinkled at the corners, the dark orbs fanned by thick lashes. He placed the barest tip of his finger on her knuckle and a shot of electricity lifted the hairs on the back of her neck. He leaned in. “Gonna hang around for the second set?”
He was so close she could see her reflection in his eyes, the tiny scar just above his right brow and the perfect curve of his mouth. She had no plans to stay and for the life of her she could not explain even under oath why she said yes.
“Did you drive?”
“Um, yes.”
He pushed back from the table and stood. “See you shortly.” He turned and walked away.
Avery finally breathed.
“My eyelashes are singed from all of the sparks flying.”
Avery made a face. She rested her elbows on the table and propped her chin on her palm.
“He asked if I drove,” she said, her voice low.
Kerry’s eyes widened. “Hmm. I think that’s my cue.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying that he is looking for some personal time that does not include a third party.”
“Don’t be silly.”
“I’m being real. He wants to spend some time with you, not us,” she added wagging her finger between the two of them.
Avery’s gaze followed the spotlight as the band came back onstage. When Rafe took his place, she realized that she wanted that time together, too.
By the time the set was finished, Kerry had said her goodbyes and made Avery swear that she wouldn’t leave out any details.
Avery didn’t know what details there would be to tell, but she promised anyway. In the meantime all she could do was keep her imagination from running out of control.
Chapter 5
“Where’d you park?” Rafe asked as he guided Avery out of the front door and into the cool evening.
“Two blocks down,” she said, pointing in the direction of her car.
“I’ll walk you.”
She was going to protest but knew instantly that she wouldn’t mean it.
They fell into step together and Rafe confidently placed his arm lightly around her waist
and adjusted his sax case on his opposite shoulder.
“I’m really glad you came tonight. I hope it was worth it.”
Avery took a quick glance at him. “So am I,” she admitted. “And it was.”
He hummed in his throat.
“Thanks for introducing me to Quinten. He is so laid-back.”
Rafe chuckled. “Yes. Mr. Chill himself. Sorry you didn’t get to meet his wife, Rae. Totally amazing sister. Maybe next time.”
“Maybe...”
The tips of his fingers pressed a little against her side. “Looking forward.”
“This is me,” she said and came to a stop in front of her car.
Rafe released her and she dug in her purse for her keys.
“Let me get that for you.” He took the keys from her, opened the door and helped her in before handing them back.
“Thank you.”
“How far are you from here?”
“Dupont Circle.”
“I’ll follow you. Make sure you get home safely.”
“You really don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do. Wait here. I’m going to get my car.”
Before she could protest further he’d turned and headed back to the club. Her thoughts ran all over the place. She certainly hoped that he didn’t think she was going to invite him in. She wanted to but she would never... What if she did let him in? No, that would send the wrong message. But it would be rude not to, wouldn’t it?
While her thoughts were on autopilot, a car horn honked. She glanced out of her window. Rafe pulled up alongside her. His window lowered.
“I’ll follow you.”
“Uh, okay.” She pulled herself together enough to start her car and ease out without hitting anything.
The ten-minute drive was the most nerve-wracking experience of her life. It took all of her wits to stay focused on the road and not her rearview mirror. She was so consumed with tension that she almost missed the turn onto her street.
When she finally pulled into her driveway relief couldn’t describe how she felt. She jumped at the tapping on her window. She lowered the window.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. Fine.” She smiled.
“Going in?” he asked, with what sounded like amusement in his voice.
