“Hey baby.”
JR took her breath away tonight. He was tall and rakishly handsome with that closely cropped beard and mustache. His sun streaked locks were judiciously gelled. He’d foregone his usual Diesels for some obviously custom cut form fitting black slacks with a coordinating silk button-down open at the neck.
“Hey,” she echoed, chiding herself for worrying. Just looking into his eyes convinced her that he was true. That Sara and the tabloids had it all wrong. Her heart was safe. She was just being paranoid.
“Did you finish your errand this afternoon?” He had been very mysterious about the whole thing and when she’d pressed him before, he had refused to elaborate.
“Yeah,” he said, offhandedly, his gaze traveling the length of her. The little black dress she had chosen covered her arms but barely reached mid-thigh. It hugged her curves, leaving little to the imagination. He frowned. “I wish I had you all to myself tonight, but Mom’s anxious to meet you.”
“It’s ok, John. I want to meet her, too.”
He grabbed her wool coat off the back of the couch. “Cover up,” he told her, holding it up for her to slip into. “It’s cold out there.”
The jitters were back by the time they arrived at Mad Chef Café, silver and black themed like an old fashioned fifties diner, on the outskirts of town. Keith and JR’s mom already had a table and rose to greet them as they approached.
“Glad to finally meet you, Sam,” said the tall elegant woman, extending her hand.
Sam knew she was in her mid-fifties, but with her stylishly cut and highlighted blond hair and immaculate complexion along with the same megawatt smile as JR she could have passed for someone ten years younger. Well now she knew where JR got his good looks. “Good to meet you, too, Dr. Raymond,” Sam said nervously.
“Diane. I insist. You’re all my son talks about lately. Now I see what the fuss was all about. She’s precious, John.”
They all sat back down. The conversation and the wine flowed. In fact before she realized it, Sam was finishing a second glass of Chardonnay. It helped her relax a bit. Diane seemed genuinely interested in her and peppered her relentlessly about her educational and career goals. Sam handled the questions all with aplomb.
All the while, JR played the perfect gentleman. He was unabashedly affectionate and attentive and clearly pleased that she and his mother seemed to have developed such a quick rapport. She did wish that he would quit topping off her wine glass. She wasn’t use to drinking like this.
After she and JR shared a chocolate bomb, the restaurant’s signature dessert, Dr. Raymond rose to make her apologies. “Big day of cataract surgeries for tomorrow. Sixteen, I think, and a seven AM start. She’s a keeper, John,” she said, smiling warmly before she left.
They made plans to meet Keith at the Bridge Lounge in downtown. On the way over, JR remarked, “I think she really likes you, Sam.”
Sam blushed. “I like her too. She reminds me of you.”
JR’s white teeth flashed in the darkness. He reached out and interlaced his fingers in hers. “I have something really important that I want to talk to you about tomorrow.”
Registering the seriousness in his tone, doubt began to creep back into her mind. What if he’s found someone else? Was the mystery errand another woman? Was he already tired of her and ready to move on? But then why had he taken her to meet his mom? “Why don’t we just talk about it now?” she asked, insecurity making her stomach churn.
“It can wait,” he assured her. As if he could read her thoughts, he leaned over and trailed feather light kisses from her cheek to her neck, erasing the tension from her. “Besides we’re already here.”
The large nightclub with one entire wall composed of glass panels like a greenhouse afforded a prime view of the Puntledge River and bridge. It was always a popular spot, and tonight was no exception. JR frowned when he realized that Danny was making his way through the press along with Keith. He guessed that he should have expected it, and grudgingly admitted that he might have overreacted the other day. Still, Danny had always been a little off in his opinion, and he wasn’t looking forward to playing nice with the guy. He ordered a beer and a wine spritzer for Sam. They all sat at the bar, sipping their drinks and making small talk.
By the time JR pulled her out onto the crowded dance floor, Sam had nearly finished her third drink and was feeling a little giddy. JR was an incredible dancer. His long rangy body moved instinctively under the pulsating house lights in time with the heavy techno tempo.
“I should have known you’d have good rhythm,” she shouted to him over the noise.
“You don’t know the half of it,” he told her with a sexy smirk.
Finally, a slow song began to play and JR pulled her in close, resting his hands on her hips. Slowly, sensually they swayed together. The feel of his hard body against hers sent shivers down her spine. His desire was evident in his gaze and whether it was that or the wine, her mood was euphoric.
After the slow song, Keith cut in. “You need to share.”
“Ok,” JR scowled. “But no slow dancing,” he chided before threading his way back to the bar through the bouncing crowd.
Danny came and stood beside him and ordered a tequila shot. “I’d be pretty possessive, too, if I had a girl like her,” he eventually commented.
JR nodded and nursed his beer, trying to keep his cool.
“I guess since you and Keith have been friends for so long you’re ok with him being all chummy with Sam.”
JR gave Danny a narrow glance. The guy didn’t seem to know when to quit.
Danny smirked. “Still, she doesn’t really seem like the fooling around type.” He threw back his drink and wiped his hand across his mouth. “You probably don’t have anything to worry about.”
JR gave him the silent treatment. After an awkward interval, Danny told him that he was going to turn in early and disappeared into the crowd.
When the song ended, Sam realized that she really had overdone it with the alcohol. The euphoria had faded and been replaced by plain ole dizziness mixed with an unpleasant dose of queasy. She excused herself and headed to the ladies room to splash a little cold water on her face. As soon as she came back out, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
It was Danny.
“Listen,” he said. “I was wondering, would you mind if we switched rooms at the B&B? I think there’s been a cat in mine and I’m deathly allergic.”
“Sure.” She nodded though feeling less than certain. “If you think it will help?”
“Oh, it will. I’m sure. Thanks, Sam,” he told her before he headed out of the club.
SARA DIPPED HER spoon into the crème brulee. Bringing it to her mouth, she closed her eyes, savoring the silky custard. When she opened them, Chris was watching her, the candlelight reflected in his brown eyes. She was in deep trouble where he was concerned. He was charming as well as man candy handsome. He’d kept her entertained throughout the meal with amusing stories from his glory days.
“Hey, speaking of the old days,” she said with amusement lightening her voice. “I’ve been wanting to show you something.” Sliding her fingers around the screen of her smart phone, she spun it around so he could see the picture she’d brought up. “I wondered if you remembered this.”
Chris glanced at it and rolled his eyes. “Lovely,” he said drolly. “Where the hell did you find that monstrosity?”
“Oh, I have my ways,” she told him with a saucy wink.
“You wound me, woman.” Grimacing, he ran a finger around the rim of his brandy snifter. “I thought I’d been successful destroying all the remaining copies of that, but obviously not.” The photo had been taken at the Grammy awards in ’89, the big hairband era. He’d been at the pinnacle of his illustrious but brief career, and his hairdo had been one of the biggest.
“You look like a troll doll with hair extensions.” Sara smirked.
He raised his eyebrows.
“No I mean that in a good w
ay.” She giggled as he growled. “Really, it’s a very sexy look.” Taking a sip of her coffee, she peered over at him, her expression thoughtful. “Why’d you get out of the music business, Chris?”
“After Andrea, I lost my interest in music, in performing, in all of it.” Chris ran a hand through his hair and was silent for a moment. “I wanted to take my life in a different direction so I went back to school. Got my GED and then a business degree.”
“I didn’t know that.” She tilted her head back. “A college degree, that’s a really big accomplishment.”
“It’s been a good thing to have. It’s helped me a lot in the classic car business, and it even helped me understand most of the contract I signed when Mary talked me into giving the musical thing another go.” His gaze settled on her face. “Since we seem to be doing all this reminiscing, why don’t you tell me how you got started in the business? Were you really only eighteen?”
“Yes. A musical career wasn’t even on my radar,” she explained, shivering when he turned her hand over and began tracing his finger lightly over her palm. “I was barrel riding at the time.”
“What?” His brow rose.
“You know, Rock ‘N Roll Boy, a timed rodeo event where you compete by riding a horse around barrels?”
“I know what it is, Sara.” He leaned back, arms folded across his chest. “I just find it hard to picture you doing something like that.”
She straightened her shoulders. “I was pretty good.”
“I don’t doubt that. I imagine you’re pretty good at whatever you set your mind to do,” he said, staring at her lips.
She took a sip of water, suddenly feeling a little overheated.
“So what happened?” he asked quietly. “How’d you go from that to singing?”
“A friend of mine was supposed to sing the national anthem at the rodeo I was competing in. She got sick with the flu. I stood in for her. A record producer heard me and offered me a deal, and that was that.”
“Plus a lot of hard work,” he added with a nod. “And a lot of guts and determination. What you’ve accomplished Sara, it’s pretty incredible.”
“Thanks.” She flushed at the compliment while he signed the check.
He looked up, eyes locking with hers for a moment, anticipation arcing between them. “You ready for the trip back down?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess,” she said gamely as he escorted her from the table, his hand on the small of her back.
Light and flirty Sara reminded herself as they stood on the platform waiting for the gondola. Chris could quickly and easily get into her heart given a chance. That wasn’t acceptable. Sara Daniels didn’t do relationships. She didn’t get emotionally involved. No way would she allow a man to have that kind of power over her again.
Chris held her even closer on the return trip. Truthfully, it wasn’t as bad going down as it had been going up. It was so dark, she couldn’t even see the ground, but she didn’t mention that. Chris’ warm brandy scented breath against her cheek combined with the gentle stroking he was doing with his calloused finger tips against her skin was so effing hot it was making her toes curl. Desire hummed through her veins, hitting a crescendo each time his hand passed over her bra clasp. Heaven help her, she’d made a decision to take this to the next level with him. Hopefully that would end the infatuation.
When the doors of the cable car opened, Chris left a long lingering warm kiss behind her right ear. The temperature outside was freezing. Their breath created small clouds in the night air. He put his arm around her shoulder and drew her close to his side. Lost in the silence of their own thoughts, neither said a word on the way back to the hotel.
A smile spread across Sara’s face when Chris opened the door and she saw the champagne and chocolate covered strawberries that had been placed in the room. Way to go Alex. The seduction scenario was already in place. She had made her decision. She was ready to do this. It was what she wanted. A tumble or two between the sheets and she’d be able to put Chris Alex out of her mind and behind her.
Peering up at him through her thick brown lashes, she slowly unzipped her ski jacket and let it fall to the floor. Flirtatiously moistening her lips with the tip of her tongue, she told him, “I’m going to change. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.” Closing the adjoining door, she took a deep breath. The heated look he’d given her had made her want to jump his bones immediately. For all her experienced bravado, she found her heart racing like some naïve school girl.
Quickly chastising herself for being overly dramatic, she pushed away from the door and went in the bathroom to take a shower. After she was done, she slipped on a short peach colored silk chemise and matching robe. Taking another deep breath, she opened the connecting door.
Chris glanced up and his eyes widened. Holy hell. Beyond beautiful, she was sexier than he could ever have imagined. Her complexion glowed without even a trace of makeup. Her short silk robe flowed over her skin like a lover’s caress, her long shapely tan legs beginning where the hem ended. Chris swallowed hard and his palms began to sweat. Watching her chest rise and fall with each breath, he wondered how he’d ever thought her boobs merely adequate. They were well rounded and perfectly proportioned. His body throbbed with need. “You look fantastic,” he said in a low voice, drawing out the words and hoping she didn’t notice his hands shaking as he peeled the foil wrapper off the bottle of champagne.
He’d showered and changed into a black cotton t-shirt and grey plaid pajama bottoms. His hair was still a little wet around the ends. Crossing the room, he held a chocolate covered strawberry up to her lips. She covered his hand with her own and took a bite. His eyes darkened watching her mouth as she consumed it. He tossed the stem aside and handed her a flute of champagne. As she tipped the glass back, her robe came open, revealing the plunging neckline of her slip.
“Damn, Sara.” He took the glass from her and set it down. Lifting her up, he laid her out on the couch. Leaning over, arms to either side of her, he brought a knee up between her legs and pressed against her in a way that made her moan. She gazed up at him with eyes that had turned a smoky grey.
Every nerve ending flared with heat. Her breath caught as he lowered his head and kissed the side of her neck. She was burning up from the inside out. His lips were warm and his tongue wet as he worked his way down, alternating between long lingering kisses and short licks with the tip of his tongue. Her body began to tremble with need. When he reached the space between her neck and shoulder, he stopped and pulled back to look at her.
Sara’s eyes were closed, her breath ragged, her lips parted, her hands fisted in his shirt. Chris had never seen anything sexier. “Sara,” he breathed her name and her eyes opened and focused on him. “I want you in my bed. I want to make love to you.”
She tensed. What he was asking for wasn’t what she was prepared to give. Love didn’t figure into the bargain she’d made with herself. She tried to shimmy out from under him.
His fingers tightened on her thighs. “Where do you think you’re going?” He lowered his head. “Relax, Beautiful. Give Papa a kiss.”
She gasped. His choice of words completely and instantaneously doused her desire. She shoved Chris off of her and jumped to her feet, swaying unsteadily.
“Sara. What the hell?” Chris grabbed for her arm, but she flinched and backed away. He stood there, arms spread in front of him in a placating gesture.
She shook her head, feeling ill.
Chris took a cautious step toward her
“I’m sorry Chris.” Sara backed up even further, putting her hand across her forehead. “I don’t feel good. I’ve got a terrible headache…the champagne.”
Chris’ eyes narrowed. “Sara, why are you doing this?”
She walked past him, giving him a wide birth. “I’m going to go lie down.”
Chris watched dumbfounded as she slammed the connecting door behind her. Shit. Zero to sixty and then hard on the brakes. He scanned the room as if
it held the answers to what had just happened. He had no clue. Frustrated, he ran his fingers through his hair. Sara Daniels turned him on like nobody’s business. He rubbed his hands over his face, a sigh escaping. He gave the closed door one last hopeful glance. Nope, definitely not gonna happen tonight. It was a date with the cold shower for him.
JR PULLED INTO the front circle at the B&B. He jumped out and came around to open Sam’s door. She’d fallen sound asleep on the drive back. He stopped and stared at her for a moment. Her reddish brown curls formed a halo around her serene face. She looked like an angel. Well, maybe, a drunken one wearing a very provocative dress, just barely covering… His lips curved up in the dark, and he chuckled at the less than pious direction of his thoughts.
Pulling her toward him, he scooped her into his arm and carried her inside. She snuggled against his chest and sighed in her sleep. He squeezed her tighter. He loved her so much it hurt. How did he get a woman as sweet and beautiful as Sam to fall in love with him?
Lengthening his stride, he crossed the foyer and took the stairs. The door to her room was unlocked and slightly ajar. He brushed his hip against the door and pushed his way through. Sam stirred in his arms, and her eyes fluttered open when he set her feet down on the floor. She peered up at him, eyes glazed with desire. When she glanced at him like that she made him feel like he was some kind of superhero.
“Why don’t you stay with me tonight, John?”
JR hesitated, sorely tempted to do just that. She looked amazingly seductive right now with her eyes all sleepy and her hair disheveled. This was the woman he loved though, not just some random one night stand. He wanted the first time with her to be special and private, and he definitely wanted to get that ring on her finger. “You’re exhausted, Princess.” He gently kissed her parted lips. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning. Alright?”
Her lips formed a provocative pout. “Ok.”
When he softly closed the door, Sam unsteadily kicked off her shoes and unzipped her dress, leaving it and then her undergarments in a heap on the floor. Stumbling toward the bathroom, she stopped when she heard a knock on the door. She grabbed a robe out of the closet and pulled it on, belting it tightly. Opening the door, John’s name on her lips, she was surprised to find Danny standing there instead.
Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3 Page 28
