Poke Checking

by Kristen Echo

  Next, she spotted her father talking to a young couple who looked very much in love. They couldn’t take their eyes off each other and the way their hands were locked sent a pang of jealousy through her. It looked like they would never let go of each other. One day, she hoped to meet someone who wouldn’t be able to let her go either. The man, no doubt another hockey player, wore a suit and his tie matched the girl’s auburn curls. They were so damn cute together. As if they read her mind, the couple turned their attention to her and smiled. Her father pointed in her direction and the couple nodded. She was still furious with her father and gave a slight irritated wave before taking her position in the center of the stage.

  She couldn’t get over the fact he let Connie stay, but she wasn’t her mother. It wasn’t her decision to make. But that didn’t mean she had to like it. She couldn’t look at her father anymore without wanting to cause a scene. Maddy stepped close enough for her long brown hair to graze her arm. “She’ll be fine for another thirty minutes. Once she hears you sing it will calm her. Relax,” she said in a low voice.

  Her entire body was stiff, and she had to take a calming breath. “You’re right. Thanks. Are you all ready?”

  The band nodded and Caroline made sure they were all set up. The ballroom had a small stage built in the corner. It wasn’t more than a foot off the ground, but it gave her a chance to look out into the sea of well-dressed party-goers. She didn’t want to find him, but that didn’t stop her from scanning the room until she found him. He stood along the entry wall, looking as large and brooding as he had when he first walked in. Only now his hair was slightly more disheveled. Caroline avoided looking down at his pants. Not caring to know if Peter had been right. Yet, once she found him, looking away became impossible. There was a pull there that she couldn’t explain.

  “Hello everyone; are you having a good time?” Nathan belted into the microphone. He had a voice meant for the radio; deep and seductive. There were some cheers, but it was all fairly subdued. Mr. Man didn’t move an inch. He stayed glued to the wall. Stoic; his expression masked by his burly beard. “I guess you didn’t hear me. Are you having a good time?”

  This time the crowd yelled back and cheered. That was more like it. But the man in leather didn’t respond, only stared at her. Nathan introduced the band, and she smiled on cue, but her eyes remained locked onto the ominous hunk of sex on two legs. She broke first and looked away before speaking into her mic. “Let’s put this year behind us in style.” She placed her violin under her chin as Brody counted them down. They started with a bluesy Elvis cover with a modern twist. Caroline closed her eyes and let the beat take over. When it was time for her to sing, she lowered the violin and let her voice take on the rasp she’d practiced. The lyrics rolled into the mic as she sang for Connie.

  Her sister loved her voice. When Connie was a baby, Caroline would slow the beat of current pop songs down and lull her to sleep. Singing to her sister was how she discovered how healing music could be. The loss of their mother had forced her to grow up fast. Her father did his best, but having an autistic baby was overwhelming even for the strongest person. Connie needed so much attention and her final diagnosis had taken years to come. If Connie was in the midst of a breakdown, Caroline would sing until it passed. As the years passed, her voice still had the same effect on her sister. She opened her eyes and noticed that Connie had visibly relaxed. The little girl wouldn’t look at the stage; she rarely looked at people directly, but Caroline knew she saw her.

  The crowd swayed to their adaptation and seemed to like it. It sent a rush through her. Being on stage was the best. She wished she hadn’t waited so long to follow her heart. When that song ended, they rolled through half their playlist to a roar of cheers. People liked their music; they liked her and that was the best feeling in the world. Her throaty sound was being well received.

  She’d purposely avoided the blond kissing machine, but her eyes sought him again. With his jacket still on, he wasn’t clapping; just staring. Once she locked onto him, the rest of the set flew by. He never danced or smiled, or showed any outward sign of appreciation.

  “Let the countdown begin,” Caroline said. Beside him, not one, but three women approached. They wanted their New Year’s Eve kiss. She couldn’t blame them, but she didn’t need to watch. She gripped the mic stand hard enough to snap it. He crossed his arms over his broad chest. His lips moved as he talked to the women.

  “Ten, nine, eight.” The crowd joined in.

  They chanted and cheered. “Seven, six, five.”

  Why did he have to be so imposing and delicious?

  “Four, three, two.” She diverted her attention and focused on Maddy.

  “One; Happy New Year!”

  The band played their version of Auld Lang Syne and the dance floor was littered with people kissing. She avoided the back wall. Keeping her eyes on her friend, who had her eyes on Brody. There was definitely something going on there. How had she missed that one?

  The second the song ended the band left the stage, retreating to the back room. Her first gig was over and she floated on a high like she’d never experienced before. Nothing could bring her down. She put away her violin, stood up and got spun around. A set of warm lips covered hers. The kiss was rough, demanding and unexpected. Her eyes widened as Brody pulled her body closer to his.

  This was not happening. She pushed Brody back with a giant shove. A second later he was on the ground and Mr. Man was standing over him. WTF!

  CHAPTER FOUR

  T he first kiss of the year was not supposed to be like that. Caroline’s heart rate accelerated but not in a good way. It was as if the world stopped spinning for a moment and everything froze. The drummer was on the ground, and Mr. Man was leaning over him with his fist slammed against his jaw. Brody’s shirt was tucked inside his death grip and his eyes wide with panic.

  This was a nightmare. She stood there in stunned silence, blinked a few times, but it was still happening.

  “Stop!” Maddy rushed to Brody’s defense, throwing herself between the two men. “Get off him.”

  Her blond leather clad hero released the shirt, stood up and backed away. His hands raised in defense as if he hadn’t been the attacker in the scenario. Both men were tall, but Brody was lanky with less meat on the bone. It wouldn’t have taken much for Mr. Man to break him in two.

  The others came over to check on the commotion and defend Brody if need be. Caroline needed to smooth this over before things got out of hand. The back room was tiny and felt even smaller with four men surrounding her. She wiped the unwanted taste from her lips as the shock wore off. She couldn’t believe he’d crossed that line.

  “What’s your issue?” Brody straightened his shirt and scrambled to his feet. “That was fucking uncalled for,” he said as he rubbed the side of his face.

  “What’s going on?” Nathan lifted his fists, ready for a fight. The guys had missed the action, but wouldn’t hesitate to help their friend.

  “This asshole attacked B. Are you okay?” Maddy doted on him as if he hadn’t just assaulted Caroline’s mouth. It’s possible she hadn’t seen what happened.

  Mr. Man shot them an incredulous look. “Are you for real? You’re calling me the asshole.” His voice was so even and smooth; a total contrast to her smoky rasp.

  Caroline stepped in front of him, planting her hand against his solid chest. She appreciated his coming to her defense, but she didn’t need a white knight to rescue her; especially not from Brody. That guy might need an ass kicking but it would come from her. “Enough. I don’t want to cause a scene. This is done. Are we all clear? Everyone put your hands down.”

  “I’m not the one in rage-mode. We’re cool, right?” That Brody would even think they were okay, showed how ignorant he was with women.

  Caroline shook her head. “We’re not even close to good. But I’ll deal with you in a second.”

  “Whatever, I’m going to grab ice.” Brody turned his back to them and mar
ched out of the room with Maddy hot on his tail.

  As quickly as the scene had started; it ended. Nathan and Peter eyed the stranger but decided not to press the matter. “You got this?” Peter asked, and she nodded. He and Nathan went back to packing up their gear and talking about the after party.

  This was a mess. She turned her attention back to the wall of muscle standing next to her. Why was he back there and what was she supposed to say? Thank you didn’t seem right given he might have cost her the spot in the band. Damn it!

  “Are you all right, Caroline?” He remembered her name.

  That shouldn’t have mattered, but for some reason it sent butterflies fluttering around her belly. “I’m fine. I can handle men like Brody. It’s not a big deal.” She downplayed it, hoping he’d let it go.

  “No one should touch a woman unless they’re given permission. Seeing how you pushed him away and screamed, I assumed you hadn’t granted him that privilege.”

  She didn’t remember screaming, but it had thrown her off guard. She hadn’t come out and told Brody no, but she hadn’t given him any signals of interest either. This was partially her fault, and she owned that. “You’re not wrong; I didn’t ask for him to kiss me. I didn’t want that at all, but he didn’t deserve to have his face punched in. The kiss was meaningless.”

  “Your kisses are far from meaningless.”

  If her pulse wasn’t racing before, it was now. He thought her kiss meant something. Her cheeks flushed. “Is… um, that why you’re here? You wanted another kiss.” Her eyes latched on his full lips.

  “Tempting, but you dropped your purse. I actually snuck back here to return it.” He pointed to the small shiny bag on the ground by the door.

  Her face turned beet red. “Oh. Thanks,” she said, twisting a lock of hair around her finger. Her other hand was still resting against his broad pecks. She’d been touching him for way too long. She went to pull away, but his hand covered hers. The heat traveled over her like a tsunami. His lips moved, and she suspected he was speaking, but she couldn’t hear. The noise of her heartbeat was too loud. He was the hottest thing ever; more scorching than lava.

  How could anyone concentrate when you’re melting from the inside out?

  “Say again.”

  He chuckled, and she wanted to bathe in that sound. She pictured him naked and in a tub, waiting for her. His thick arms outstretched, and his… Oh boy, this was not the time to get ahead of herself. He returned her bag, nothing more. There were so many things wrong with her. Like the fact, she hadn’t been laid in months; this wreaked havoc on her brain cells.

  “Are you done here, or do you have another set?” He wanted to know about her plans. Maybe he wasn’t there just to give her back her purse although that was extremely thoughtful of him.

  She took a calming breath. One enquiry into her evening did not mean he wanted to sleep with her, right? Not everything revolved around sex. But looking into his light blue eyes that was all she could think about. Him on top of her, beneath her, and more importantly, inside her. Her insides contracted, and she shuffled her feet. “One set only. What are your plans this New Year’s Eve?” Her throat sounded even more throaty than usual.

  His fingers tapped over her hand, which was precariously close to this heart. The faint beating was nowhere near as quick as hers. It made her feel like this attraction might be one sided.

  “I don’t make plans, but I’m sure we can find something to do. Are you game?”

  There was that word again. A game had gotten her into this and she wasn’t ready to call it quits yet. He also used the words we, which she liked a whole lot. “I’m always game. What did you have in mind?”

  “Why don’t you come with me and we’ll figure that out together. We can play it by ear.”

  She hated that saying. Going with the flow and not having a plan didn’t sit right. Caroline liked control and knowing what came next. Schedules had become her best-friend growing up, especially with Connie. Everything was easier to manage when she planned ahead.

  But this wasn’t about building a future. He had booty call written all over his handsome face. One night of pure sin that would end with her still single. She wasn’t sure she wanted that, but as she glanced down at his giant hands, she couldn’t help but want them all over her.

  One night of bliss would be worth the repercussions. It had to be enough, because she got the impression even if she wanted more, that wasn’t an option. Again, she may have jumped to conclusions. But a man who doesn’t even take off his coat at a party isn’t someone who plans on sticking around. At the very least, she could find out what he had in mind. She owed herself that adventure. But before she let loose, she had to check on Connie.

  “Wait right here. Don’t leave.” She lifted onto the tips of her toes and planted a chaste kiss against his lips. They were just as soft as she remembered and tasted like more.

  She didn’t look back, but she heard his laughter as she bolted out the door. The room had begun to empty, but many people still danced. She shuffled through the balloons, confetti and spilled drinks to the table where her sister had been all evening. It was empty, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Meagan had finally taken her home.

  A quick glance around and she saw her father engaged in another conversation with one of his players. She had no intention of talking with him as she b-lined it back to Mr. Man. At some point she would have to get his name. It had taken her more time to get back as several people stopped her to say how much they liked her voice and the band. The compliments enveloped her like an elixir to her soul. By the love of all that sparkled, he listened and was leaning against the wall when she returned. He stood with her purse in his hands.

  In the corner, Maddy and the guys chatted. She held up her finger and walked over to her band.

  “Hey,” she said.

  “Hey,” Brody replied, a dark shadow had already developed along his jaw. Maddy wouldn’t even look at her. “We’re gonna kick it back to Pete’s. Are you coming?”

  Caroline was happy to get the invite, but she also wanted to stay. She was torn, but the promise of pleasure won out. “I’ll catch up with you guys tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, I’d stay and tap that too.” Pete smacked her ass, and she squealed.

  “Whatever, the guy is an asshole. I don’t trust him, and you shouldn’t either.” Brody licked his wounds and tried to make her second guess her decision. “Makes me wonder what kind of person you are if you stay?” This was not how she wanted to ring in the New Year.

  “Can I talk to you? Alone for a sec.” She didn’t want what happened to affect her place in the band. Her role wasn’t solid and one mistake could unravel the whole deal.

  He nodded and the rest of the group moved to the door to gather their coats. Brody was their leader to some extent, and his opinion mattered. “Let’s make this quick.”

  “What you did wasn’t cool. I love this band, and I hope this doesn’t jeopardize my spot in it, but there won’t be any more kissing; at least not between us. Our relationship can be as friends and band mates; nothing more. Do you feel me?”

  “Get over yourself, Blondie. I thought you wanted me to kiss you. It was a mistake. For weeks you’ve been smiling at me and batting your eyelashes. I flirted, and you dished it right back. Don’t act like I’m a scumbag now.”

  Her kindness and desire to fit in had been mistaken for flirting. “You’re not and I didn’t realize I sent the wrong signal. I never mix business with pleasure. It’s a family rule.”

  “Got it,” he said, walking away. “But remember that some rules are meant to be broken.”

  She smiled, but that was one rule she never intended to break. “I don’t think so.”

  For some unknown reason, he grabbed Maddy’s ass and pulled her against him. Caroline hoped she wasn’t his consolation prize; because she deserved more than that. Hot or not, Brody had a lot to learn about how to treat a woman right.

  The crew had their foot out the
door ready to leave, when Caroline ran up to them. “Maddy, hold back.”

  Her friend stopped reluctantly. “What?” Her tone was snippy and so unlike the kindhearted Maddison she’d known since she was a kid.

  “Yikes, who pissed in your cornflakes?”

  “Nobody, I’m ready to have a drink and celebrate the New Year. Find my kiss if you know what I mean.” Her eyes traveled to Brody and back.

  Damn, she did have a crush on Brody. “You know he kissed me, right? Not the other way around.”

  “He told me in the hall what happened. It was just part of the game. He hates to lose.”

  She hoped that was true, but she doubted it. “Hooking up with Brody would be a mistake for you. He might be hot and talented, but he’s a womanizer. You can do so much better, Maddy.”

  “He’s a great guy. You don’t know him, and I wasn’t talking about him anyways. Pete’s invited half the city over. You should come.”

  Caroline glanced back at her broody Norse God and knew she would not make the party. “Another time. I am staying here for a while.”

  “You know… Never mind. Catch you tomorrow. Be safe.” Her friend kissed her cheek and hurried off.

  Caroline got a feeling she knew something, but kept it to herself. Whatever that might be, she could grill her tomorrow. Tonight, she would throw caution to the wind and have fun. The kind of fun with no strings attached. It was a New Year, and she could try something new or someone new.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  A fter waving goodbye to the band, she stood alone with her mysterious knight in black leather. He didn’t talk much. In fact, he hadn’t said a word as she cleaned up and said farewell to her friends. He kept his distance, rubbing his beard as his pale eyes assessed her. Whatever he saw, he seemed to like because he hadn’t left. Every inch of bare skin those baby blues traveled left her feeling more exposed. With each second that passed the room seemed smaller. With the band there, there had been little room to move around. But with only the two of them, it was downright claustrophobic.