Gifted with a hug, she sat down as he looked at her expectantly. “You have not brought your harp so am I to assume this is a social call?” he asked, a twinkle in his eyes.
Grinning, she said, “I wanted to see what you thought of an idea. Because of your work on Easnadh, I wondered if you would mind if I played a duet with you next weekend at the gala? Something simple. Something we’ve done before. I just thought it would be a lovely tribute to you as a teacher and as an instrument restorer.” While the words were true, the reason behind them made her feel like a liar. Worrying her bottom lip, she was not sure if she were more nervous at trying to get him to agree or if he would see through her ruse.
“Why, my dear Malyshka,” he exclaimed. “I’d be honored to have you perform with me. Oh, what shall we play?”
He immediately began to search his music for the right piece, but she was no longer paying attention. Sighing in relief, she inwardly gave a fist-pump. I did it. One down, more to go.
Later that evening, she called Todd. “Hey, I wanted to give you a heads up. I’m going to be playing with Maurice Feinstein at the gala this weekend. I thought you’d want to get some advertising and promotional materials together if you can. You know, famous String player, his student, and the harp that he restored?”
“Can this be the Annalissa that I know?” Todd nearly screamed into the phone. “Fabulous, girl. I’ll get right on it.”
“Um, can you call Sharon and Parker? I want to go in full costume for the event.”
“Oh, my God, I’ve died and gone to heaven. Now maybe you’ll decide to take more of the performances I’ve found for you.”
“Let’s take things one at a time,” she cautioned. “So, have Parker and Sharon call me and I’ll have them come to the apartment an hour before the gala begins.”
Gaining his approval, she then called Gordon.
“Well, if it’s not the difficult diva,” he said, sounding as condescending as ever.
Ignoring his attitude, she told him of her plans, gaining his surprise and approval as well. “It’s my understanding that there will be quite a few dignitaries there, so that should make Todd happy.”
“If you’d stop the ridiculous aversion to flying, then perhaps you’d meet a great many more dignitaries,” he quipped.
“I was going to tell you that I do plan on flying again soon. Nothing set in stone, but I agree that I need to travel more.”
“Well, it’s about time you came to your senses. What happened? You have a tiff with that big oaf boyfriend of yours?”
Gritting her teeth, she replied, “No, not at all. He’s just encouraging me, that’s all. I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you Saturday night at the gala.”
Tossing the phone down on the sofa, she leaned over putting her head in her hands. The pounding in her forehead was relentless. Who knew being stealthy and sly was such hard work?
Vinny walked over, saying nothing, but holding out two Advil and a glass of water. Accepting her smile of gratitude he pulled her forward so that he could maneuver her into his lap. Rubbing her shoulders and back, he felt her slowly begin to relax.
“You don’t have to do any of this.”
She sat for a moment letting the feel of his fingers moving on her muscles send her to a place of peace.
“You know that, don’t you?” he continued.
She turned to him, cupping his strong, stubble covered jaw in her hand. Kissing him softly she leaned back and said, “I know. But this feels like the right thing to do, Vinny. We need to flush out this person before they do it again to me or someone else. And also…” she hesitated. “It feels good.”
He looked at her in confusion. “Good?”
She twisted so that she was straddling him. “You get to rescue people all the time. Your job is difficult but, in the end, you get the good feeling of helping someone. Me? I just play music. So this feels like I’m helping.”
He reached up to cup her delicate cheeks, pulling her in close. “Listen up, babe, and listen well. What you do is bring joy and emotion to so many. You heal others through your playing. Don’t ever think you’ve got to be a part of this mission to help someone.”
She looked at him, questions in her expression. “Heal? You said I heal others?”
He held her on his lap, cupping her face and rubbing his thumb over her cheek. Tentatively, he said, “Yeah, healed. You healed me.”
She sat quietly, knowing that whatever he wanted to share would have to be in his way. In his time.
Bravely holding her gaze, he said, “When I was in Afghanistan, we were on patrol and I heard a woman singing and playing some kind of lyre. She and some other women were alone. Or at least they thought they were alone.” He heaved a sigh, then shook his head slightly. “Women weren’t allowed to play music or sing, but I guess they thought they were safe.”
“The desire to make music is universal,” she said softly.
“Yeah. Her music wasn’t like yours, but it still felt fuckin’ good to hear. Made me think of mom and the songs she used to sing to us. And I felt peace…crouched on the hard ground behind boulders in the middle of a warzone…and I felt peace.”
Annalissa stayed still, knowing there was more to the story.
“But the soldiers following us came through and silenced the music.” He lifted his gaze back to hers. “Permantly.”
“Oh, Vinny, I’m so sorry,” she sympathized.
“Anyway, after that I only listened to my loud, hard, heavy music. Until you. And from the first time I heard you play, I felt…peace. Healed.”
“Do you remember what you said to me that first night in the limosine?” she asked.
Before he could answer, she said, “You told me that my music was soul-changing. That meant so much to me then and now that I know why, it means even more.”
Moving forward, he touched his lips to hers in a barely there, whisper of a kiss. Smiling, she leaned her head on his shoulder. After a few minutes, her body began to relax and she was only slightly aware of him picking her up.
He deftly made his way to the bedroom and, supporting her with one hand, he leaned down to pull the covers back with his other. Laying her down on the bed, he slid her pants down and left her shirt on as he pulled the covers back over her. Her face, no longer etched in pain, looked peaceful and he stood for several minutes just staring down at her. Has it only been a few weeks that I’ve known her? How the hell could she have rocked my world in such a short time? He continued to watch her sleep, rubbing his hand absentmindedly over his heart. But she has. Rocked my world. Stolen my heart. Given me peace. Given me a future. Sighing deeply, he moved quietly out of the room, closing the door.
Calling Jobe, he asked his friend to come up. “Gotta minute, bud? Annalissa’s sleeping so I need you to come here.”
A couple of minutes later Jobe walked into his apartment, his eyes immediately taking in his friend. He saw worry. Concern. Frustration. “Okay, man. Let’s have it,” Jobe ordered, as they both sat down on the oversized sofa.
Vinny tossed him a beer and for a few minutes they sat in companionable silence, Jobe allowing his friend to gather his thoughts.
Snorting ruefully, Vinny finally said, “Never thought it’d happen for me, you know. I saw what Tony went through over there when his wife died and never wanted to feel like that. Plus, I was young, stupid, thought I fuckin’ knew everything. Cocky. Thought spreading it around made me some kind of man. Then my own twin fell in love and I couldn’t believe it.” He stood and walked over to his windows overlooking the city, shaking his head.
“Of course, I met Jennifer and realized she was perfect for him. I love her as a sister but even seeing Gabe fall in love didn’t make it seem real to me.” Chuckling, he looked back at Jobe. “Then Tony. Jesus, fuck. Who’d ever thought the Captain would fall in love again? And with Sherrie? I mean, seeing them together now, it makes sense. They’re perfect, but I sure as shit didn’t see that coming.”
Walking back over to the sofa he s
at again, taking a long pull on his beer. He looked up, seeing Jobe’s gaze still on his. “I headed out to California a month ago thinkin’ I was going to be escorting some big-shot rocker chick back to Richland. You could have dropped me when I was taken to a symphonic hall and saw Annalissa. And then heard her play. Fuckin’ shot right through the heart. If you believe in Cupid and all that shit…” he shook his head. “Shot right through the fuckin’ heart.”
“So you gonna get around to the problem? You got lucky enough to find a woman worthy of you, someone amazing. Someone who made you pull your head outta your ass. And someone, I might add, who loves you back and is currently sleeping in your bed right now.” Jobe leaned in, resting his forearms on his thighs, staring Vinny directly in the eyes. “So what’s the problem? You’re not about to fuck this up are you?”
“No, man, no. I’m just…hell, I don’t even know how to put it into words.”
Jobe sat back, a knowing smile on his face. “You’re scared.”
Vinny’s gaze jumped to Jobe’s. “What the—”
Jobe threw up his hand, silencing Vinny. “Look, you were trained to be the best the Army has to offer and you ended up in the elite squad with others just like you. Fearless, dedicated, tenacious. Ultimate control. Over situations and ourselves. Willing to execute every mission with utmost vigor. Never back down. Never say die. Never give up.”
Jobe, having obtained his friend’s attention, continued. “But you’re finding out what every one of our friends has already found out. First of all, we can’t control love. Not when it hits us, nor when it takes us prisoner. And it’s fuckin’ impossible to maintain that level of control when the one we love is threatened.”
Vinny sat back letting Jobe’s words move over him, reaching down deep. I have been about control. Control of my career. Control of my body. Control of my heart. And now? Totally, fuckin’ out of control.
Jobe chuckled as he saw understanding pass over Vinny’s face. “Sucks to lose control doesn’t it? You could, of course, dump her and get your control back,” he taunted.
Shaking his head, Vinny groused, “Fuck you.”
Both men leaned back in their seats, finishing off their beers.
Vinny looked over and said, “She’s worth it. Every worry. Every concern. Every heart-stopping moment.”
“Yeah, I know. And I knew you’d handle it when it finally came.”
“Now you, on the other hand. I could always see you falling in love and here you are the last of us still single.” The silence sat heavily in the room. “You could always try to find her, you know.”
Shaking his head, Jobe stood up. “Too much time has passed. I fucked up a long time ago and killed whatever was there.”
“Maybe—”
Jobe cut him off by walking to the door. As his hand reached the doorknob, he turned and looked over his shoulder at Vinny. Nodding his head toward the hall leading to the bedroom, he said, “Take care of her, Vinny. Don’t worry about the control. That’s what got in my head all those years ago and the reason I fucked up with the one I loved. Just care for her. Protect her the best you can. But mostly—just love her.” With that, he left, leaving Vinny to think on all they had said.
He finally headed back to the bedroom, quietly moving into the bathroom to get ready for bed. Sliding naked under the covers, he moved closer and pulled her yielding body next to his. Wrapping her in his massive embrace, he kissed the top of her head as he tucked her under his chin. Sleep well, princess. Nothing’s gonna ever harm you.
*
In the middle of the night, Vinny woke to the feel of Annalissa’s hand on his chest. Moving slowly over his muscles. Gliding up to his shoulders and then down his bicep, tracing the pattern of his tattoo. Her soft touch caressed, and as he turned toward her, he saw green eyes following the trails of her fingers.
Afraid to speak, not wanting to break the spell that she was weaving, he held still watching her face.
Lifting her gaze to his, she whispered, “You’re beautiful. Everything any woman would want in a man.”
“I don’t care about any other woman,” he whispered back. “Only in being what this woman wants.” He leaned forward just enough to kiss her forehead before capturing her gaze again. “As long as I’m what you want, princess, I’m good.”
A smile curved her lips and he felt the piercing straight to his heart once again. Only this time…no fear. Giving control over to her, he allowed her to pull his head down to kiss his lips. Warm. Pliant. She licked his lips and he growled his response.
Taking over the kiss, he teased his tongue slowly into her mouth, exploring. Tasting. Tempting. Cupping her face with his hand, he ran his thumb over her cheek, the soft skin silky underneath his finger. The kiss lasted longer than most as he was determined to not rush. We have all night. We have our whole lives.
Rolling her slowly to her back, he bore his weight on his forearms resting on either side of her head. Never losing her lips, he maintained the kiss while gently pressing his swollen cock against her pelvis.
Their lips separated only long enough for him to divest her of her t-shirt from the evening before. Bearing his weight now on one arm, he moved his other hand leisurely down her side, rubbing his thumb on the underside of her breast. He held that pose for a few minutes, gently massaging her nipple, feeling her body come alive under his. Continuing his downward path, he slid his hand over the curve of her waist and down her thigh. Throughout this exquisite torture, he held her lips, taunting and teasing them with his tongue.
She spread her legs so that he could settle between them in the natural position that had held men and women since the beginning of time. His cock nestled into her wet folds that beckoned him. He moved slightly so that his hand could explore further as his fingers found the way inside her warmth. He moved them, crooked them, felt her inner core begin to tighten and then slowly pulled them out.
Chuckling at her moan, he moved his fingers up and as he pulled his mouth away from hers, he slid his fingers coated with her juices between his lips. Her green eyes implored him, but she did not speak, both knowing what was happening between them was beyond words.
He reached over to grab a condom, rolling it on quickly. Keeping his gaze on hers, he deliberately slid his cock into her waiting body. Inch by tortuous inch. Not pounding. Not plunging. But so slow he could feel every twinge of her body. Memorizing her feel. Reveling in the sensation of her body accommodating him. Nothing…nothing has ever felt like this. Pure, exquisite torment.
He finally reached as far into her as he could go and then began to slide lazily back and forth. The friction built just as quickly as if he had been rocking her body. Both arms were on either side of her head again, and their eyes never wavered. Over and over he moved until finally the fevered pitch had reached its crescendo.
Determined to hold his gaze, she squeezed his shoulders tightly as her orgasm rushed over her, electrifying her body from the core outwards. Tightening her legs around his waist, she pulled him in as he emptied himself into her. His neck was corded with thick, straining muscles until he finally collapsed to the side taking her with him.
Eyes still connected. Hearts beating as one. Legs tangled and arms holding tightly.
“What just happened?” she whispered in wonderment.
He held her close, kissing her lips once more. “Love, princess. Love just happened.”
Chapter 22
The evening of the gala was filled with women in glittering gowns and men in black tuxedos. Earlier in the evening, Vinny had moved to the second bedroom to get dressed while Sharon and Parker worked on Annalissa. Parker was over the moon with a new dress he had procured for her. She had to admit that when he pulled it out of the garment bag she was speechless. The dress had a fitted, beaded bodice that flowed down to a full skirt made of iridescent material that shimmered with blue and green. He helped her into it and then stepped back to admire his creation.
“Oh, darling, girl. You are a vision,”
he gushed.
Sharon hustled her over to a stool and began working on her stage makeup while Parker then fixed her long curls. Leaving them hanging down her back, he expertly pulled the front away from her face so that they would not interfere with her playing. Fastening bejeweled clips all around, she had the appearance of wearing a crown interwoven in her hair.
Sharon chattered on about people in LA that she was meeting and hoping would get her acting career started.
“You are such a talented makeup artist, Sharon,” Annalissa said, laying her hand on her friend’s arm.
Giving a little shrug, Sharon said ruefully, “That’s nice to hear, but it’s kind of like always being the bridesmaid and never the bride.” Looking up at Annalissa eyes, expertly applying just the right shade of eye shadow to compliment the dress, she smiled, saying, “Speaking of brides. Anything we ought to know about with Mr. Hunky?”
“Oh, do tell,” Parker said, plopping down in front of her too.
“No, nothing to tell.”
“Well, you’re still living here. Did you ever go back to your place?” Sharon asked.
“I did, but it was so trashed. Vinny didn’t want me to go back there, and quite frankly I didn’t want to either.” Looking at them both, she admitted, “I guess that sounds kind of weird, doesn’t it?”
“Not at all,” Sharon said. “Hey, when you’ve got that, who’d want to live alone?” She stood up and walked over to her makeup case, putting her supplies away.
Parker leaned in, inspecting her face. “Beautiful, as always.” Capturing her gaze, he added, “Honey, when it’s right, it’s right. Don’t matter if it’s ten years, ten days, or ten hours. You got it, you hang on to it.”
They shared a smile before he assisted her up. Sharon and Parker wished her well and headed out of the apartment on their way to the event. “We’ll meet you there and do touch-ups before the press makes it into the room,” they promised.
Nervously, she walked out of the bedroom. Not seeing Vinny, she walked down the hall and when she turned, she stopped dead in her tracks.
Vinny: Alvarez Security Series Page 22
