Jessa rubbed her temples, trying to clear the image out of her mind. If she just stayed away from him, she’d be able to keep him safe.
At least she had the memory of her lips on his to keep her warm.
As if she needed a reminder, the text message on her phone when she’d left the concert had said it all.
IF HE TOUCHES YOU AGAIN, I’LL KILL HIM… ESCHER
Chapter 33
CARA
CARA STOOD WAITING for her drink when she was spun around to see a wild-eyed Brett hanging on her arm. Words tumbled out of his mouth between gasps.
“She left. She’s gone. Where’d she go?”
His alarm hit Cara squarely in the chest. Jessa must’ve run. Oh boy. Not again, Cara thought. In their long history, this wouldn’t be the first time Jessa had done something bizarre in front of a guy.
“Calm down,” she said, touching his arm and pushing soothing energy straight to his core. “If we’re going to figure this out, you need to chill.” He relaxed instantly under her touch. She looked him in the eye. “You better?”
He nodded and straightened up.
“Come with me. We’ll sort this out.”
She spotted Isaac talking to Simon. As they wove through the crowd, she wondered with evil glee if she could get away with not-so-accidentally spilling a drink on Isaac as she passed by. Too bad Brett pulled her away from the bar before hers was delivered. Instead, she swung by Simon and pinched his butt. He looked up and she winked at him, before silently telling him she was assisting with a “Jessa Emergency” and disappeared with Brett down the stairs.
They went into Simon’s bedroom to retrieve her cell phone. She texted Jessa.
Jessa texted back a couple minutes later to say she had a migraine and had returned to the penthouse to go to sleep. Her socially acceptable shorthand for: “I’m fine. I just need some space.” At least Cara knew she was safe. She handed her phone to Brett so he could read her message.
A mixture of panic and longing filled his eyes. “Let’s go.” He moved to leave.
Cara gently grabbed his forearm. “Can we back up a moment? Tell me what happened.”
Brett took a deep breath, his eyes filled with confusion as he told her the story. It didn’t make sense; none of it made sense. The fear she’d sensed in Jessa at the concert, her kissing Brett, and then bailing on him.
Knowing Jessa as well as Cara did, the best thing to do was to not push her and let this sit until morning.
She blew out a breath and looked into his eyes. “I know I said I wouldn’t interfere, but something’s not right. I’ll help you find out what it is. But going there? Not tonight. It’s not a good idea.”
Frustrated, Brett looked like he might jump out of his skin. He pleaded. “Cara—”
“Do you trust me?”
He closed his eyes and nodded.
“I promise—you’ll see her again before she leaves, even if I have to steal her plane ticket.”
His eyes popped open. “Plane ticket?”
Cara smiled wide. “Sorry, I forgot to tell you. She’s a California girl. She lives in Marin County right outside of San Francisco.”
Brett’s face lit up with delight. “You’re kidding me, right?”
“I kid you not, my very handsome and irresistible friend.” Then Cara’s face clouded over, wondering how much she should say. “Brett, Jessa’s one of my closest friends…”
Brett narrowed his eyes at her. “What aren’t you sharing? Is she with someone?”
“No, it’s not that,” she said, knowing Jessa wasn’t currently involved. As a matter of fact, she’d had a really rough breakup about a year ago that she refused to talk about. “I think you guys would be fantastic together, but she’s different.”
“What do you mean, different?” he asked cautiously.
“You’ll need to get to know her and find out for yourself. Her secrets aren’t mine to tell.”
Brett sat wrapped in frustration and thwarted desire. “So, you’re just going to leave me hanging and confused?”
“Look at me,” she said, pulling his gaze to hers. “Be patient for tonight. I have your back, okay?” She smiled. “Come on. Let me go get that drink I ordered.”
He let out a deep breath and threw up his arms. “Fine.”
Chapter 34
MICHAEL
New York City. Sunday, May 26, 12:45 AM ET
AFTER THE CONCERT, Michael bypassed the waiting SUVs and slipped into a cab for his ride downtown. He had the driver drop him off on Houston. Wandering around SoHo and enjoying the warmth of the evening gave him the extra time he needed to prepare himself to face Sienna.
On his way to Simon’s Greene Street loft, he took a detour to the liquor store. Michael bought Simon an expensive bottle of Côte du Rhone as a gift for hosting. He also bought a second bottle—an amazing bottle of Sancerre from his dreams—on the hope that he might need it later. Then again, maybe that one he should hand straight to Sienna so she could club him over the head with it for being such an idiot.
After hiking up the five flights of stairs to Simon’s, he stashed the white and left his gift on the island with a card.
Here goes nothing, Michael thought. Taking a deep breath, he walked out onto the roof deck into the buzz of people. Directly ahead, Cara and Simon stood talking to Brett. To his right, Isaac, his ceremonial Trinity Guardian, was in deep conversation with another linebacker-sized Nephil.
There she is. He spotted Sienna on a lounge chair to his left, sipping a glass of wine and flirting with baby-faced Zeke. His pulse quickened and a pang of jealousy hit him straight in the heart, not that he had any right to feel it.
Surreptitiously, he drank her in before she could catch him staring. She looked amazing, wearing a short, clingy dress that caressed every curve, and high-heeled sandals. Sexy and hot. Had he expected anything less?
Filling his lungs a second time, he approached Cara and willed himself to banish thoughts of Sienna. The tingle in his groin signaled an unwelcome filling and tightening. He’d be sporting an erection soon if he didn’t do something to distract himself.
Cara spotted him first and waved him over. He went to greet her while still watching Sienna in his peripheral vision. Her eyes would occasionally flit over and scorch him from where she sat.
No way she’d let him off easy.
As Michael approached, Simon gave Cara a little kiss and waved to him before moving off to join Angel and another guest, leaving Michael with Brett and Cara.
He shook Brett’s hand. “Great concert, man. I loved it.”
Brett grinned. “Thanks, it was a lot of fun. I don’t get a chance to play smaller venues or go unplugged very often.”
Cara cleared her throat and shot a sideways glance toward where Sienna sat with Zeke. “Our mutual friend asked about you earlier.”
Butterflies fluttered in his stomach. Breaking down, he openly stared in her direction. Engaged in conversation, she avoided his gaze.
He nodded. “Duly noted.”
“Well? Haste makes waste,” she silently teased.
“I can take a hint,” he replied. “Would anyone like a drink?”
With no takers on a refill, Michael excused himself and headed to the bar, hoping a glass of wine would calm his nerves.
The bartender handed him his drink. His first instinct was to drain the glass. Instead, he took only a sip. His shoulders relaxed the moment the crisp notes hit his tongue. Taking his drink, he turned to find Sienna with her feet planted and arms crossed over her chest.
“What? You’re not talking to me now?” she asked, her sky-blue eyes hard and accusing.
Caught off guard, he stepped back. And here we go… “Of course I’m talking to you. Why would you say that?”
She arched her brow. “I’m not sure, let me count the reasons,” she said, wiggling her fingers at him. Even pissed, she was… exhilarating.
Time to man up and dig into his arsenal for a little fire power. Maybe wh
at worked with the women he didn’t care about would work with one that he did. It was worth a shot.
“Can we go over there and talk?” he whispered, turning on his sexy voice, hoping to diffuse the situation. He motioned to a darker, more secluded corner of the deck by some fruit trees in huge planters.
“Sure,” she replied, startled.
He took her arm gently and led her to the privacy wall surrounding the garden.
“Listen, I’m sorry I’ve been so elusive,” he began, realizing as he spoke the words he truly meant them. The comfort he’d found with her in the dreams reached out and engulfed him.
Her eyebrows drew together. “Then where have you been? It’s been two months,” she asked. It was a fair question and he wished he could provide a suitable answer. The best he could do was to give her this moment.
“I don’t know, but I’m not avoiding you now,” his voice carried sincerity from his heart. She looked so beautiful. Her eyes searched his and he let them. Her full lips were wet, reminding him of their kiss.
She reached up to touch his shirt collar and swallowed. “I’ve been dreaming about you,” she said and looked away as a blush spread across her cheeks.
Her words surprised him and his face grew warm. “What kind of dreams?” He suspected he already knew the answer.
She met his gaze boldly. “Hot ones… of us in the recording studio.”
“Really?” His heart rate jumped.
“Yes, really.” Her eyes softened.
He couldn’t have felt more naked standing there fully clothed if he tried. A psychic connection? He’d never shared dreams before. That warranted some research.
He found it difficult not to reach out and take her into his arms. Despite their intimate relationship while asleep, awake they’d only shared one kiss. Before that, they would’ve gladly thrown sharp objects at one another. No one had ever come close to unwinding him like Sienna did… then and now.
His eyes slipped down to her hard nipples straining against the clingy fabric of her dress. That’s all he needed to see. The erection he’d been afraid of sprang to life with an uncomfortable throbbing in his pants. Any remaining fear drained out of him with the shift in his decision making to below his belt. If he’d had any reservations about making his dreams a reality, he’d subconsciously abandoned them, too. Second thoughts could wait until morning.
For better or worse, he was ready for something he could experience while awake.
“Come with me,” he whispered, abandoning his drink on the closest table.
Taking Sienna by the hand, he guided her to the stairs and down into the temporarily unoccupied loft below. He steered Sienna through the apartment and into the privacy of Simon’s art studio, far away from the party and any unwelcome interruptions. Closing the door behind them, he pulled her toward the antique daybed with the intention of picking up where they’d left off in the recording studio.
Unable to wait a moment longer, he drew her into his arms and kissed her. His tongue explored her mouth, deepening the kiss as desire poured through him. She returned his kiss with abandon. The feel of her body was welcome and satisfying against him. His fingertips ran over her silken black hair, the smell of jasmine imprinting on his senses.
“I’ve been dreaming about you, too,” he confessed in between kisses.
Pulling away, she met his gaze. “We were so good in my dreams,” she said. Trying hard to hide the insecurity in her eyes, she asked softly, “How were we in yours?”
“Incredible… the best. You were amazing,” he said, kissing her again for reassurance. She relaxed in his arms, melting into him. He tucked her head against his neck, enjoying the feel of her body against his… finally. “It took all my willpower the night in the recording studio not to rip every shred of clothing off you. That’s why I had to leave.” His voice was hoarse and deep. He inhaled the scent that clung to her, her hair warm against his cheek as he held her close.
She pulled away again and looked at him with longing. “That makes me feel better. But after all those dreams, if I can’t be with you tonight I might scream.” Her admission stirred him on a level he had trouble grasping while his lower half gave him a throbbing high five.
His resistance over these last months now seemed ridiculous. He had the strength, at least for tonight, to keep up the façade he showed the world.
Looking around, he made a snap decision and let go of her. “I have an idea. Let’s get out of here. But I need to stop by the kitchen first.”
“Sounds good to me,” she said with bright and eager eyes.
Pulling her to a stop on the way out of the studio, he wrapped her in his arms. “I thought you were going to beat me senseless for being such a jerk.”
She leaned back, narrowing her sexy blue eyes at him. “The night’s still young. And to be crystal clear, I’m still pissed at you. Just not as much as I want you naked.”
He chuckled, enjoying her playful fire. Cara had been right, though. Underneath Sienna’s hard exterior really was someone softer, more vulnerable… the woman in his dreams.
Taking her hand in his, they went to the kitchen to retrieve his bottle of Sancerre. After leaving a note for Cara on the kitchen island, they slipped outside and hailed a cab.
He planned to spoil Sienna as if tonight was the one and only night they’d ever have together. A possibility given his track record.
Chapter 35
MICHAEL
New York City. Mercer Hotel. Sunday, May 26, 1:12 AM ET
MICHAEL INSTRUCTED THE DRIVER to take them to The Mercer, a boutique hotel, not far from Simon’s loft. Sparing no expense, he checked them into the best room available. He wanted to live his fantasy with Sienna in style.
“Wow,” Sienna said when they entered the suite.
Michael smiled. They stood in the middle of the living room, a bedroom with a king-size bed to the right. French doors overlooked the bamboo terrace. Not that they needed it, but the suite also contained a kitchenette and two full, oversized bathrooms.
He set the Sancerre down on the table in front of the love seat.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, her jet black hair flowing down her back. “I’m impressed.”
“Then I guess my work here is done,” he teased and gave her a dazzling smile.
“I’d say it’s just beginning.” She winked and let him go.
“Glass of wine?” he asked, eyeing the Sancerre.
She nodded, giving him a knowing smile. “Nice choice in wine.”
A blush spread across Michael’s cheeks as the memory of how he’d used the wine in their dream came rushing back. He cleared his throat and rose. “Music?” he asked, finding the sound system and turning it to something soft and romantic. After grabbing a corkscrew from the bar, he settled back onto the loveseat and poured them each a glass.
Michael lifted his for a toast. “To making dreams come true?”
“I’ll drink to that.” She took a sip then set her glass down. “I’ll be right back,” she said before retreating to the bathroom.
While she was gone, Michael sat sipping his wine, his mind drifting back again to the last dream. A bout of anxiety gripped him and he wondered if his performance would live up to his own expectations. He sighed. No turning back now. Guess he’d find out.
Back from the bathroom, Sienna snuggled next to him. “I have something for you.” Eyeing him innocently, she handed him her underwear.
A thrill shot straight to his crotch. “You’re going to be my undoing,” he teased and placed his wine glass on the coffee table. He tossed the underwear over his shoulder, stood, and pulled her into his arms.
Gazing into her eyes, he turned his lips up in a smile as he wrapped an arm around her and pressed her into his chest.
He glanced at the wine glass. Taking two fingers, he dipped them into the cool liquid, and then slid them under her dress and slowly up along her inner thigh.
Her eyes locked on his and she drew her lower lip bet
ween her teeth, moaning as his fingers gently explored her hot, delicate folds under the dress. So wet, all for him.
“You feel incredible,” he said softly and kissed her neck, his body aching for her. But first he wanted to give her as much as he could before taking anything for himself.
He gently pushed her back onto the sofa and lifted her dress. Like the dream, she was almost fully bare, her delicious folds exposed, wet and glistening. Parting her legs, he knelt on the floor positioned in between them and sought her out with his mouth, teasing her with his tongue. She moaned and twisted her fingers in his hair, drawing his head closer. He found the feminine smell of her intoxicating.
He pulled back slowly. “You taste as delicious as you feel,” he said.
“My turn,” she said with a wicked grin. “Stand up.”
Huh? Not part of his plan. Michael’s lips parted, surprised at her commanding tone. He was far from finished, yet he reluctantly did as she asked.
As adept in reality as in his dreams, she made quick work of his belt, and then slid his clothes down to his mid-thigh, springing him free, rock hard and ready.
She looked up at him, pleased. “Remind me later that I owe you an apology,” she said and took a sip of her wine.
Only one? he thought, amused. There were at least half a dozen apologies he could think of that she owed him.
Grabbing his hips, her mouth engulfed him.
“Umm… Sienna…” he moaned, all conscious thought forgotten as he clutched her delicate shoulders in his hands. His nerve endings exploded with sensation. The wine felt cold and tingly in contrast to her hot tongue as she worked him. When her hand moved down to massage his balls, he threw his head back and groaned deep in his throat.
It’ll be a short night if she keeps this up, he thought.
“Stop. It feels too good,” he whispered, gently removing himself from her mouth and away from her grasp.
“My turn again,” he said, mimicking her wicked grin. He kicked off his pants the rest of the way, leaving him in just his shirt. Pushing her back onto the couch, he stretched the fabric of her dress back to free her naked breasts underneath.
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