"And I'm Lane. I remember you, ma'am. And this is my wife Melinda." He reached out and pulled a tiny brunette towards him, her eyes aglow with love as she looked at her new husband.
"Hi, Lane, Melinda. Shouldn't you two still be on your honeymoon?"
Melinda giggled and Lane hugged her to him. "We just spent a few days in the mountains. We're back now so I can get to work on our new album."
"And this is my producer Rick Baldwin, and that guy there is Fast Eddie Edwards, our drummer, and his tribe." Jake held a hand over the head of each of the four little stair steps. "This is Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. And their lovely mother, Naomi."
"And this one is a girl," Naomi said, pressing her hand on her belly. "Finally."
"Well let's all get inside," Jake instructed. "Nora's got breakfast ready and waiting. Then we'll head down to the studio and get to work."
The crowd of people moved towards the kitchen, but Marty held back. She didn't belong with this group, these old friends. She turned and headed up the stairs to see if Bonnie and Brody were up so she could start work.
"Marty." She froze at the sound of Jake's voice calling her name, turning slowly to face him.
"Aren't you going to have breakfast with us?"
"Oh, no, I don't think so. I'm really not hungry. I had an apple in the RV." She wiped her sweaty palms on the seat of her denim shorts. "I'm good. I need to get started."
He held her there pinned under his dark-eyed gaze for a long moment. She squirmed, feeling like his eyes were accusing her, calling her a coward. Okay, maybe she was, but avoiding him was easier than being near him.
At last he spoke, his voice tight.
"Okay. Send Bonnie and Brody down to eat, please."
Her gaze locked in a silent battle with his for a long instant. Finally she managed to nod and turned and ran the rest of the way up the stairs.
She didn't accomplish much that day. At first she was distracted by the sporadic laughter drifting up the stairwell, then by a barrage of kids floating in and out of Bonnie's bedroom. Eddie and Naomi's boys were fascinated by her creation, asking a zillion questions.
Marty finally handed out big scraps of paper, brushes, and little cups of a variety of paints, letting the kids each create a masterpiece of their own. When Naomi climbed the stairs to check on them, she was amazed to see her little band of holy terrors each busily painting away.
"Oh my God, it's a miracle. They're all doing something together…and they're quiet." Her tone was almost reverent. "How did you do it?"
"It's the magic of art. Works every time."
"Well, however you did it, I'm glad. Maybe we can even get enough time to get to know each other while they're preoccupied."
Marty smiled, instantly liking the tall blonde woman with the big pregnant belly. Soon they were talking like old friends, laughing and gabbing as Marty continued to work and Naomi supervised the young artists.
Naomi, too, seemed fascinated by Marty's work.
"It looks so real."
"Thanks. It's important to me that the kids like it."
Naomi lowered her voice. "I know. Those poor babies. Thank God they've got Jake. You know they would have gone to foster care if he hadn't agreed to take them in. There wouldn't have been any choice. But Jake didn't hesitate. He wouldn't even talk about any alternatives."
Marty didn't speak, just nodded as she painted a jaunty mushroom with a polka-dot cap.
"He almost went crazy at first." Naomi still talked quietly, not wanting the kids to overhear. "He felt so guilty, so blind for not having seen the signs. He wanted to kill Bobby Hammond. He didn't know how to take care of the kids, how to change his lifestyle to accommodate two children. But he's doing it. He's jumped feet first into family life."
Marty didn't want to ask but she had to.
"What was he like before?"
Naomi pondered the question before answering. "He was driven. He wanted to be the best. He tried to live up to the image Rick Baldwin said he had to have. He dated beautiful women, took them to the awards shows, was seen in all the right places. Jake Stryker was a man obsessed with making it big."
Naomi paused for a minute. "That all changed the minute he learned his sister had died. He's thought about nothing but the kids since then. He's made them his priority. He's changed his life completely. He stays home, rarely making public appearances. His world is those kids now."
Marty thought about what she said. Had Jake really done a complete 180? Had he given up the high life for good?
Or would he go back to his old ways once the kids were truly settled? Would he be able to live the quiet life of a homebody after being such a big celebrity? Marty didn't think many men would be able to do it.
But maybe, just maybe, Jake could.
Chapter 15
Bonnie stood with her hands clasped over her mouth, her eyes wide and shining. Her gaze was locked on the fantasy mural that Marty had just completed a half hour before.
"Oh my goodness." Bonnie's voice was muffled by her hands but the joy was loud and clear. "Oh my goodness."
"So you like it?" Marty's breath was suspended as she waited on the little girl's answer.
"I love it. Just look at that fairy reading a book under the mushroom. She's so pretty!"
Bonnie continued to point out the highlights of the mural.
"There's a butterfly on the bunny's nose!" she squealed. "And look, look at the robin singing in the tree."
"Down here's a little mouse peeping out around a rock." Marty pointed out the cute little rodent. "And here's a fish jumping in the brook that winds through the woods."
Bonnie clapped her hands together. "It's magic. The fairies look alive!"
Marty felt a burst of happiness within her. She was so glad to bring some bliss into this little girl's life. She wasn't like the spoiled little rich kids Marty usually painted for. This child truly appreciated the whimsical artwork. Many of her clients were hard to satisfy, always expecting something un-creatable. Not Bonnie, though. This child was exuberant with the results.
Bonnie suddenly turned and wrapped her arms around Marty's legs, burying her head in Marty's lap. Her little shoulders began to shake and Marty was shocked to realize the child was crying.
"What is it, Bonnie? What's wrong?" Marty wrapped her arms around the shuddering girl, holding her close.
"I love you, Marty. Do you really have to leave when you finish Bubby's room?" Bonnie turned a tear-wet face up towards Marty. "Please don't leave us."
"Honey, I have to. Once Brody's room is finished I need to go on to my next job. You know I paint murals for a living." Marty's heart contracted as she held the little girl next to her. God knew she didn't want to leave Bonnie and Brody. She'd fallen in love with the twins. She was shocked to realize how much the little ones had come to mean to her. Her throat constricted, her heart breaking as she held the little girl next to her.
"Why can't you marry Uncle Jake? Then we could all stay together."
The very idea of marriage to Jake Stryker shook Marty to the core. A sudden vision of waking up next to that big hunk of man sprang to her mind then quickly merged into a vision of kissing him good morning, being caught in his arms next to his naked chest.
She shook her head to stop her thought progression before it went any farther. Geez, not the time or place. Now she had to focus on Bonnie, on comforting the crying child.
Kneeling down she used her thumb and forefinger to tip the little girl's face up towards hers.
"Bonnie, honey, that just can't be." She ran her palm over the golden ringlets. "Your Uncle Jake and I don't even know each other well enough to think about such things."
"You could get to know him," she suggested hopefully.
"I won't have time, honey. I've got to get Brody's room done and then I've got to go paint a mural in Memphis. It's for a 10-year-old girl in a wheelchair who wants a picture of dolphins playing in the waves." Marty tried to distract the child with talk of another upcom
ing mural but it didn't work.
"But you're here now. Besides, you know him. He's my Uncle Jake."
"Ah, dumpling, you don't understand. When a man and a woman get married they should love each other. They should know how to make each other happy, make each other's souls sing." She floundered and stopped talking. She didn't know how to describe love to a four-year-old. Hell, she'd never been in love.
"Very well put, Marty."
Marty whirled around to find Jake standing behind her, his face serious as his gaze locked onto hers. She stared, mesmerized, for a long moment. How long had he been there?
"I was just trying to explain to Bonnie about love…and marriage…and…" her voice trailed off.
"And you were doing a great job. Make each other's souls sing." An easy smile played around his lips. "It sounds like a song. I just might write it."
"Uncle Jake, does Marty make your soul sing?
Jake looked at his niece and tugged at a ringlet. "You make my heart sing, princess. Now run find Brody and tell him it's time for supper."
"Okay," she agreed and scrambled from the room. "You two get to know each other while I'm gone, all right?"
Once again Marty blushed, a pink stain spreading on her cheeks.
"She's a funny kid."
"Actually," he moved in closer and placed his hands on her upper shoulders, "I think she was talking sense. I do want to get to know you better. Much better."
One tug and she was up against his body, her head tilting up, her breath caught in her throat. His eyes had melted into chocolate pools, drawing her into their molten depths. When their lips finally met it ignited a wildfire inside her.
Jake groaned and pulled her closer, devouring those sweet lips. His tongue traced the outline of her mouth, flicking and tasting, tempting and teasing. Lord, would he ever get enough of this woman? The hunger went deep, shooting into his gut, sending pangs of desire stabbing through him. What was it about this woman he found so irresistible?
He'd had sex with all kinds of women. Tall women, short women, redheads, blondes, and brunettes. He'd slept with models, singers, nurses, and bartenders. He'd been with rich women and poor, wild women and high society chicks.
But he'd never been with a woman like Marty.
Marty was different. There was something about her that made him want to protect her and cherish her but have wild monkey sex at the same time. He wanted to kiss her all over, to rip her clothes off and make love to her ferociously, passionately, but he wanted to be tender and gentle, too. She had him so mixed up he didn't know black from white. All he knew was he wanted this woman.
And he thought she wanted him, too. At least it certainly felt like she did. Her hands were exploring his chest, caressing it, stroking his small nipples, setting them on fire. A little moan escaped her throat as he slid his lips along her jawline, breathing in the essence of her.
There for a minute he almost forgot they were in his niece's room. He wanted to push this woman down on the bed and take her, claim her for his own, make love to her in front of this magical mural she'd created. His dick throbbed achingly as it rubbed against the front of her shorts.
And that's when he heard it: his niece's sunny voice hollering down the hallway.
"Uncle Jake! Marty! Nora said come on and eat before everything gets cold."
They jumped apart just as the girl came bursting in the room. Jake quickly turned his back to his niece, seeming to admire the painting.
"Okay, we'll be right there," he tossed casually over his shoulder, praying his erection would go down fast. "Why don't you and Marty go ahead and I'll be right behind you."
Yeah, just as soon as he was presentable. Damn, the woman was a witch…and he had fallen under her spell.
Chapter 16
By Monday afternoon Marty had gotten a good start on Brody's room. She did make the theme about police officers but kept them cheerful, colorful, and busily traversing the streets of a park. A happy patrol car, driven by a golden-haired officer with big blue eyes, made its way down a curvy road surrounded by playgrounds, a lake, and trees with smiling trunks.
She hadn't seen Jake for a couple days, which was okay by her. She just wanted to avoid the man as much as possible while she finished up her job here and then got far away from him. He was dangerous. He made her want to do foolish things.
Marty grabbed a rag and wiped sweat from her forehead. It was August and you could tell it. The temperature was over 90º and the air conditioning was fighting to keep the house cool, but it felt like a losing battle. Her white tank top clung to her damp body.
She thought longingly of that big, lovely pool out back. A swim sounded perfect right now. Although Jake had assured her she was welcome to use it anytime, shyness held her back. But she was the only one home right now. Nora had taken the kids to story time at the library in town, Joe was gone to pick up some supplies for the horses, and Jake had driven into Nashville on business. Surely a quick dip wouldn't hurt anything.
Mind made up, Marty cleaned up her paints and headed straight out to Big Red to change into her bikini. Gruff wound around her legs as she maneuvered into her suit.
"Okay, okay, you can go with me. Just don't run off, got it?" She grabbed a towel and headed towards the pool, Gruff trailing behind, the sun blazing overhead. It felt like heaven when she slipped into the water.
She did a few laps then turned over and floated on her back, utterly relaxed. She noticed a bank of clouds darkening the horizon in the west but they still looked far off. She closed her eyes and let herself drift, her mind wandering aimlessly. But of course, then she had to go and think about Jake.
Damn the man. He was like some sort of sorcerer, weaving his magic around her. And it wasn't just his kisses that caught her attention. It was everything about him. Whether he was sitting on the porch strumming his guitar or playing ball with the kids, he looked good to her. His black hair fell over his forehead, brushing against dark, thick eyebrows. Sometimes when he was really focused on something he chewed on his lower lip. Other times he'd throw back his head and laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
The splash of another body entering the pool startled her back to alertness just in time to see Jake bobbing to the surface, his hair wet and glistening. Marty shook her head quickly and blinked at him. Apparently just thinking of him conjured him up.
"Jake. When did you get here?" Marty quickly let her feet sink to the bottom of the pool, standing in neck deep water.
"I got home about 15 minutes ago. I saw you from the balcony and couldn't resist joining you. Hope you don't mind."
"Of course not. Why would I? I mean, after all, it is your pool." She tried to keep her voice casual. "In fact, I was just about ready to get out."
"Oh, I see." He tilted his head and eyed her challengingly. "I guess that means you don't want to participate in The Great Swimming Pool Race? Okay, if you're chicken." He turned his back and started wading towards the edge of the pool
"Chicken? Me? Never." She had to admit it—she did have a competitive streak that was easily provoked.
"Okay then. Let's say three laps and because you're short, I'll give you a half a lap head start."
"Short, am I? I don't need your pity, Jake Stryker. I'll have you know I earned a letter in swimming back in high school. You can keep your handicap." She pushed her wet hair out of her eyes and tilted her chin haughtily.
"All righty then." He climbed up the stairs and stood at the edge of the pool. "Let's get this race underway."
Marty mounted the short ladder and stepped out of the pool. Jake's mouth dropped open at the sight of her.
Crap. She really hadn't thought she'd get caught swimming so she'd worn her skimpiest bathing suit. Two tiny pieces of shiny bronze fabric with ties at the hips. She suddenly felt exposed in the costume that left her almost naked. Well, too late now to change.
Besides, he didn't have much more on than her. His sun-bronzed chest was bare, and Marty got her first good look
at his gorgeous thighs. Strong and muscular, sculpted to perfection. Gulp. At this rate, she wouldn't be able to catch her breath well enough to make it through the first lap. With determination, she took her mark counted to three, then shouted go.
Jake easily pulled away from her at first but her strokes were strong and steady. She made a beautiful flip at the end of the pool and nearly caught up with him. She dared peek up and realized she was holding her own, with him just a foot or so ahead. Then another flip and she started on her last lap. She poured on the steam and managed to touch the other end of the pool just an instant after he did.
Both of them turned around and lay their necks on the edge of the pool gasping for air. It had been a close race. Jake was long and lean and cut like a knife through the water with his powerful arms, but Marty had grit and determination on her side. And she was fast. Very fast. If her mother could have afforded better coaches Marty would have probably gone to the Olympics.
"You're good, little lady, real good, but"—he paused dramatically and clasped his hands above his head—"I am the winner and still grand champion of Misty Melody Farms International Water Games."
"Oh, and he's modest, too." Marty pointed out, grinning widely.
"Madam, conceit does not run in my family." He raised his eyebrow at her before they said in unison, "It gallops."
They both burst into laughter. She liked playing with Jake. His sense of humor meshed with hers and he was so relaxed most of the time she found herself relaxing around him as well. If it wasn't for that darn sexual attraction thing she thought they could actually be good friends…even if he was a musician.
They lounged there for a few more minutes before a dark shadow overtook them. The storm was fast approaching, lightning beginning to flash in the western sky.
"Looks like we're about to get a gully washer. Guess we better get out before that lightning gets any closer." Jake moved reluctantly towards the edge of the pool, taking her hand and pulling her behind him. "Playtime's over."
They exited the pool and Marty immediately felt the chill. The wind had picked up and it felt like the temperature had fallen at least 10 to 15 degrees. She grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her body, Gruff rose from where he'd been stretched out along the deck and came to rub around her ankles.
Bad Boy Series: Soul Songs (Bad Boy Romance Book 2) Page 6
