by Adele Hart
The dog starting barking randomly, like something stirred outside. Kris checked the blinds, but it was after eight and dark and he saw nothing. Then there was a knock on the door. He raced down from the studio with Jimmy Page right behind him.
It was Rainy, so small, her vibrant spirit crushed by her day at the office. He drew her in. The dog’s tail beat furiously against his leg. Kris was warmed by the fact that his beloved best friend liked the woman he hoped would be his.
“This sucks,” she said into his chest.
Her voice was muffled and hot against his body. She pulled away from him quickly; her face was bright despite a veil of tension. “But you know what?” she said excitedly. “It’s not going to last forever.”
“That’s right,” Kris nodded. “Call in sick tomorrow and come to Malibu with me. Your guys are coming. We’re going there to talk business. We’ll probably play a little bit too. Would you like that?”
She looked him straight in the eye. “You want to play or play?” she asked. He knew she was teasing him.
Kris laughed softly. “Both. You interested?”
He looked down and saw his dog sitting perfectly, like he was in on the conversation. The three of them fit well together.
“Yes, to both. Will my band play too?”
He loved that despite her dire circumstances, she was looking out after her mates. He would have done the same thing.
“Your stuff works well with our sound. I can’t promise every last tune will make it on our next album, but when we tour, so will your band. We’re a team.” He said the words like a proposal. If she got on that plane with him tomorrow, it would seal their fate.
“Grand Canyon made it clear that I’m out on my ear the first day I don’t show up. They already warned me about calling in sick.” Rainy stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. Jimmy’s tail wagged back and forth. “Thanks for being so incredibly sweet. Thanks for hosting my band. It means a lot to them. And to me,” she whispered.
“My absolute pleasure.” He looked down to his sweet dog. “Crate,” he commanded.
The dog happily went to his cage and Kris and Rainy went to his bedroom. He ran a bath for her, skimming off the heads of two of the flowers he picked for her and setting them afloat in the water.
She kissed him with passion. He forced himself to break from her, thinking she needed tender loving care before he segued into sex. In such a short time, he was head over heels for her. He reached for a pitcher to wash her hair with then his phone rang. Ordinarily he would ignore the call, but he recognized the ringtone. He had contacted the owner of the home next door and was waiting for a response.
“Take over,” he said to Rainy with a wink.
He smiled from ear to ear as he stepped away to take the call. He had a good feeling that it was going to be great news. He closed the bathroom door so Rainy couldn’t hear.
“Hi, this is Kris. How are you? It’s good to hear from you.” He looked over his shoulder to make sure the bathroom door remained closed.
When he heard “You can have the house,” he jumped for joy. The dog barked loudly in his crate.
“It’s okay boy.” He reached between the grates to pet Jimmy’s soft ears. “Daddy is just happy.” He smiled at no one but the news thrilled him. “Thank you. I’ll have my lawyers call you tomorrow.”
Kris ended the call, warmed and thrilled. He entered the bathroom to a Rainy who was confused by his commotion. He dropped to his knees, wanting to get inside of the tub with her. He wanted to hold her in his arms.
“Do you want to go to Malibu?” he asked her in his sexiest voice.
“Yeah,” she said with frustration. “I would love to, but I’m not ready to be homeless.”
“That’s not a problem anymore,” he said, dying to just blurt it out that he was going to be the new owner of the place next door.
Her eyes darted to him with wonder and surprise. She had the most beautiful face he had ever seen.
“How is that?” she asked.
“It’s my house now. Or as good as my house. Your company doesn’t have a hold on you any more. At any rate, they can’t kick you out of your space next door because the new landlord says you can stay.”
“You bought the house so I could go to Malibu.” She reached for him, cupping his head, pulling him close to her and kissing him.
“I bought the house because I can’t imagine you anywhere but with me. Crazy, I know, but dammit, Rainy I’m already in love with you. I’ll do anything to keep you.”
“You know what’s crazier? I’m in love with you too, and I’d do anything to make sure you’d want to keep me.”
Kris handed Rainy a towel. She draped her petite body with it. While she dried, he shed his clothes and the two of them got under the covers and made love.
Eleven
Rainy
One month later
“Pinch me.” Rainy rolled over and looked out the window at the waves breaking on the shore.
Kris rubbed his palm over her naked ass and squeezed her flesh. “You want me to pinch you?”
“Yes, I can’t believe this is real.”
He took her hand and pressed it to his rock hard length. “It’s real all right. Feel how fucking real this is.”
She straddled him and sank her body onto his shaft. She was always wet and ready for him, but today she was still feeling the high of their first performance together.
How had her life become so perfect? Her band opened every Septempermentals concert. She got to perform with both bands on the regular. They traveled between Portland and Malibu. Her bandmates often occupied the house next door while she camped out at Kris’s because they couldn’t get enough of each other. Just like now.
She rocked against him until she pulled the moan she loved to hear come from deep inside his chest.
“How did I get so lucky?” He gripped her hips and thrust into her. The control he had over her body and pleasure never ceased to amaze her. He played her clit like one of his guitars. He strummed his calloused fingers across her flesh and made her sing.
“You moved next door and liked my cooking.”
She rocked back and forth grinding her sex into his. “I moved next door and liked everything about you.”
He pulled her down and kissed her. “You happy, baby?”
“Couldn’t be happier. What about you?” She kept up a steady pace, loving the way his head moved from side to side on his pillow.
He gripped her waist and stared into her eyes. “I could be happier.”
Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. “Really? I thought you were happy?” She held her breath, waiting for him to tell her what was wrong.
He slid his hand under his pillow. “I’m fucking ecstatic. I’m a simple man, Rainy. I don’t need much to make me happy, but there’s one thing that could make it all even better.”
Her heart picked up its pace as his hips began to rotate and churn.
“Tell me what you want. I’ll give you anything.” She pressed her hands against his chest and lifted her body, only to lower it again and again. “Tell me,” she panted.
He pulled a blue velvet box from under his pillow and set it on his chest. “I want everything. Say yes.” He thumbed her clit until she shook on his shaft. All the while her eyes never left the box.
She wasn’t sure what she wanted more. Did she maintain the heavenly pleasure that coursed through her body or did she grind everything to a halt and open the box? Then she remembered. She was with Kris and everything was possible. She let him determine the pace and the depth and reached for the velvet box.
“Open it, Rainy. I want you to see and feel what forever is going to be like when you become Mrs. Brock.
Those words sent a jolt of pleasure tearing through her. She managed to flip open the box as she came undone. The only words that left her mouth as she stared at the big rock nestled on a bed of velvet were, “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
Twelve
Kris
> Five years later
Rainy Brock sang her heart out on stage. It was the first time her parents had come to a concert and Kris was filled with pride. She was beautiful standing center stage singing a bluesy tune they had written together.
Little did anyone know, but the song was written about them with the words “I sank into your love.” It wasn’t normal for people to fall in love with each other at first sight but somehow it worked for them. He’d never been more in love with her than he was now.
It took a year to mend the fences with her mother and father but they came around when they got the wedding invitation.
When their first child was born a year later, Rainy’s mom had all but forgotten how disappointed she’d been in her daughter. Now she had the baby to fuss over.
“Are you going to make me sing this all by myself?” she said into the mic.
“Oh baby, you don’t need me. You’re a star in your own right.”
He walked up to her and placed his hand on her swollen belly. “I love you,” he whispered.
She turned sideways and showed the crowd her belly. “Soon, there will be another Brock.” She pointed to the first row where her mother sat holding three-year-old Janis Joplin Brock. “My husband would like to have a dozen children. He’s got a list of musicians he’d love to pay tribute to, but this little guy is going to be it for us.” She patted her stomach. “This little Brock should be born by the end of the week.”
While the crowd cheered, Kris wrapped his arms around his wife and whispered, “Just one more. We need an Etta James.”
They finished the concert to a standing ovation.
Kris led his wife off stage. “You all right, baby?”
She bent over and grabbed her knees. “I need something.”
He kneeled in front of her. “Anything. I’ll get you anything.”
She started to pant. “Get me to the hospital.”
Three hours later Bob Marley Brock was born. He came into the world with ten perfect little fingers that would someday strum a guitar and a set of lungs that would fill a concert hall.
Also by Adele Hart
Alphas and Virgins Titles
Thrill Me
Tempt Me
Take Me
Choose Me
Kiss Me
Devour Me
Make Me Titles
Make Me Yours
Make Me Crazy
Make Me Wet
Make Me Wild
Make Me Happy
Make Me Love You
Hot Heroes Titles
My Toy Boy
My Cocky Cowboy
My Naughty Professor
Bad Boys and Good Girls
Slow, Hard Puck
Fast, Hard Ride
Long, Hard Pass
Bad Boys and Bands
Your to Love
Hers to Love
His to Love
Naughty Royal Romance
The Prince’s Bride
Boxsets
Deliciously Dirty
Guilty Pleasures
My Hot Hero
Hard
Devour Me-Sneak Peek
One
MADDY
“I can’t believe you're doing this again.” I hop one-footed toward the front door trying to put on my right shoe. It isn’t an easy task when Mom is primping my hair, and Dad is looking at his watch and tapping his foot on the marble floor.
“Oh, sweetheart. Give your parents a break. We’re not fixing you up with Malcolm.” Mom winks at Dad. “We thought it would be nice for you to have a dinner partner.” She licks her finger and wipes at something under my eye.
What is it that compels moms to do that? It isn’t like their spit contains miracle properties. If there is something under my eye, it will take a cotton ball and extra strength makeup remover to get rid of it. To my mother’s horror, I’m a low maintenance girl. I apply industrial strength mascara first thing in the morning and that’s it. I’m good to go all day.
I swat at her hand. “Let’s go.” I pick up the little black clutch from the entry table and walk out the door. The faster I get this over with, the better. It used to be a monthly thing. Mom and Dad would find some reason for me to attend one of their many social events, and each time they conveniently set me up with one of their friends’ single sons.
At twenty-five, I don’t consider myself on the shelf. Lots of women wait to settle down and have children. The issue is, my parents are late bloomers themselves, and at fifty-seven, their grandparent clock is ticking so loud. It doesn’t matter that my biological clock hasn’t been wound yet. They are ready to bounce babies on their knees, and as their only child I have the only eligible womb.
There was a false start two years ago when Anthony Bale the fourth proposed. That relationship crashed and burned the first time we got intimate. That was the day his other girlfriend barged in before he could take my virginity.
“You’ll love Malcolm.” Mom slides into the limousine and I follow. It doesn’t take Dad more than a second to open the decanter and pour himself a scotch. He hates these social events almost as much as I do, but this one pulls in a fortune for his non-profit. The proceeds will go to keep the arts in underprivileged schools.
We come from old money and the family motto is, with big money comes big responsibility. Give more than you take, and be humble. As a Leclerc, working is optional. Philanthropy is not.
“Tell me about Malcolm.” It is always easier to cave in to Mom’s interference then fight it. Tonight will unfold like all others. She will parade me around the event like a prize heifer at the fair, and if Malcolm is like the other men my parents introduce me to, he’ll want a gazelle not a fattened calf.
I’ll spend a couple of hours with Malcolm at dinner. I’ll smile and do my best to charm him, but by the end of the evening we’ll go our separate ways.
“So you see, he’s perfect for you.” The entire conversation passes without my participation. How did I get so lucky?
Inside I roll my eyes. Outside I smile. “He sounds great.” I pull at my skirt. Maybe that extra pastry this afternoon wasn’t such a good idea, but I have a thing for fresh croissants, and when they’re filled with chocolate, I can’t resist.
The car pulls up to the curb, and the driver lets us out. For a winter day, it’s warm, but that’s the norm in Los Angeles. While people across the United States are shivering in sub-zero temperatures, half of the state of California is in shorts and T-shirts. I wipe at the bead of sweat that forms on my brow and think about hot chocolate and snow.
“Stand up tall, Madison. You look like you’re marching to your death. I’m not putting a noose around your neck. I’m trying to put a ring on your finger. Now smile.” So much for her statement about not trying to fix me up.
I walk into the ballroom behind my parents with a smile as bright as the high beams on Dad’s Porsche.
At the first opportunity, I leave my parents to socialize, and go in a different direction. The only thing fun about fundraisers is buying the goods. I make it a point to purchase something at each event. Last year I purchased a cruise and anonymously gave it to a less fortunate family.
Tables full of prizes line the walls of the room. This will keep me busy all evening. I am rounding the second table when Mom finds me. Next to her is Malcolm. In all honesty, he is surprisingly handsome. I don’t generally go for the gingers, but his hair is more blond than red, and his smile is electrifying.
Everyone has a type and mine is definitely tall, dark and delicious, but Malcolm is easy on the eyes.
“You must be Malcolm.” I offer him my hand and a smile. My parents spent a fortune on orthodontics and this is as good a time as any to show off their investment.
“It’s nice to meet you, Madison.”
Mom pushes us together and squeals with delight. “You two kids have fun.” She turns and leaves as if her job is complete, and I’m grateful that she doesn’t helicopter around us.
Mal
colm and I stare at my mom’s retreating figure. “You can call me Maddy. All my friends do.” I have a feeling Malcolm and I are going to be good friends.
“Well, Maddy, how many of these fix ups do you need to attend each month?” He lifts my hand and places it on his arm. “This is my fifth.” He sounds more entertained than irritated.
“Five? You’re certainly holding up well. Let’s just keep smiling. We’d hate to crush their dreams in the first five minutes. Besides, how do you know I’m not the one?” I brush my fingers over a beautiful blown glass vase that is up for auction. The color starts black at the bottom and fades to clear at the top.
“I’m sure you’re a great girl, and you’re quite beautiful, but you’re not my type.” He picks up a pen and hovers his hand over the bid sheet.
“You’ve only just met me, how do you know?” Lord, I’ve been with this guy for less than a minute and he is already retreating.
He leans in and whispers in my ear. “You have a vagina.” He writes five hundred dollars on the sheet.
“It’s worth far more than that.” I take the pen and cross out his bid and replace it with a bid of fifteen hundred.
“So are you. I’ve just told you I’m gay, and you didn’t run in the other direction.” He pulls my arm and guides me down the table.
I burst out in laughter. Out of the corner of my eye I see my mom smile. Sadly, she’ll be heartbroken again.
“Mom always taught me to keep my friends close and my enemies closer.”
He raises his baby blues at me. “Now we’re enemies?”
“A few minutes ago you were a love interest. Now you’re competition.”
