Finding Us

by Debra Presley

  “What’s that?”

  She swallowed, her mouth suddenly parched. This was it. Could she do it? She inched closer to him, her eyes automatically traveled to his alluring, full lips. Her breath quickened while her whole body began to tingle with desire. “You.” Her voice came out breathy and needy.

  In a rush of boldness she leaned over and grabbed Danny’s shirt to pull him toward her. His eyes widened, but he didn’t pull away. She leaned in.

  The boldness she felt a second ago melted away when she thought of King and Freddie looking on. With the exception of the bathrooms and her bedroom, the entire house was wired with monitors.

  “The cameras…”

  He smiled. “If they want to keep their jobs, they’ll have shut them off by now.”

  “Oh.” His comment surprised and delighted her. She bit her lip to hide her smile.

  Before she could say thank you, Danny pulled her toward him and covered her mouth with his. She hesitated for only a moment before allowing Danny’s tongue entrance, and her body relaxed as his right hand pushed her hair away from her face. His kiss ignited a fire in her. Her hands traveled up his hard biceps, something that she had wanted to do for a long time, and eventually found their way into his hair to pull him closer. His arms tightened around her waist, and it felt so good and so right.

  Why had she been so nervous?

  He peppered chaste kisses down her neck until he buried his face there and held her in a tight hug.

  “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” he said softly.

  “Same here,” she confessed.

  * * *

  “It’s getting late,” Danny murmured softly as he kissed the top of Abby’s head. She was tucked tightly into his side, a spot he didn’t want her to move from, but he had to leave.

  “You could stay here,” she said quietly, and her cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink.

  Danny tightened his grip on her shoulder as he thought about the meaning behind her words and the blush creeping up her face. He was tempted. “I have an early meeting and no clothes.”

  She turned her face and looked up at him with the cutest pout he’d ever seen. He wanted to give in to her but knew staying wasn’t a good idea. Not yet. He didn’t want to rush things.

  “So you think you might come back?” She sounded a little uncertain. “Tomorrow?”

  “I’d like nothing more than to come back. But aren’t you recording?”

  “Yes, but I’d love for you to hear what we’re working on. You’ll get to meet Aisling, Jax, and the rest of her crew.”

  “I’d love that.”

  “It’s Friday, so maybe we can go out after.”

  “Sure. Whatever you want. Just let me know so I can call a few more guys out here to check out the restaurant and make sure we’ll be able to handle the weekend shore crowds. Depending where you want to go, it can get out of hand quickly.”

  Abby opened her mouth and closed it. He could tell she had something on her mind.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You know how I asked the guys to stay tonight so you didn’t have to be Mr. Bodyguard and distracted? Can we do that tomorrow? I’d like to hang out with you, not him.” She smiled.

  “It’s not that simple. I can’t just turn off my instincts.” He needed to explain why but not now. He needed a minute to think how to tell her about his past. About Vanessa. Damn. Her smile faded.

  “I understand,” she said, but judging from her tone, she didn’t like it. “But I want to spend time with you. I don’t want you to work. I don’t want to be your job.”

  “You have a good point. I’ll try.” He cupped her face and lifted it so he could look into her light blue eyes. “I can’t make you any promises about that, but I’ll try.”

  “Thank you.” She leaned into his hand and closed her eyes.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  She opened her eyes and no longer looked sad. They sparkled with excitement. “Yes. Come whenever you want. We’ll be in the studio most of the afternoon and into the evening.”

  He stood and pulled her into his embrace.

  “Will you call me when you get home? There are crazies on the road this time of night.”

  “I will.” He smiled into her hair.

  He took her hand and walked to the front door. “Sweet dreams, Abby.” Danny bent down and placed a light kiss on her lips.

  “Night.”

  He unlocked the door and turned. “Lock up behind me.”

  “Yes, sir.” She winked.

  He smiled and waited until the door had closed and he heard the lock engage before he returned to his car. He got inside and started the engine with a huge smile on his face.

  Abby showered and changed into a pale-blue, tailored men’s nightshirt. She opened her bedroom window for the cool night breeze. She loved sleeping with the window open because she was able to hear the waves hitting the shoreline. The smell of salt water floated into her room, and Abby shut off all the lights except for one small lamp.

  She opened her bedside table drawer and grabbed her notebook. She’d stopped journaling during all the crazy Sean drama occurred. Since she arrived at the beach, she’d started to write nearly every night before bed. She used the time to work on new ideas and melodies, but tonight, she sat and stared at the blank page before her. She’d finally done it. She’d kissed him. And he’d kissed her back. She wanted more. Much more. She had no idea how long she’d been sitting there thinking about that kiss and what more would be like when her phone rang.

  She checked the screen and smiled. Danny. “Hi,” she answered. She glanced at her alarm clock; it was nearly one o’clock in the morning.

  “Hey, I just got home.”

  “Did you hit any traffic?” Abby had worried about him traveling back to the city at such a late hour.

  “No, it was pretty clear.” Danny yawned.

  “Good.” She was smiling so much her cheeks hurt.

  “I had a great time tonight.”

  “Me, too.” She admitted. Gah, she totally wanted to squeal like a teenage girl.

  “So…I’ll see you tomorrow. Well, technically tonight,” he joked.

  “Yes, tonight.” She laughed softly into the phone.

  “Okay. Um, I’m going to get some sleep. Good night.”

  “’Night.” She hung up and set her notebook aside. Once again her thoughts drifted back to Danny. His smile, his laugh, and the way he smelled—clean with the soft, musky undertones of his cologne. And she thought about how he wrapped his arms around her as though he wanted to keep her safe and about the sharp tug of desire when he brushed his lips against hers.

  Inspiration hit her, and she grabbed her notebook and started writing. The lyrics spilled out of her and onto the pages.

  * * *

  It was pushing three in the afternoon when Danny exited the Garden State Parkway on his way to Abby. He’d enjoyed such a great night with her, and all the doubt he’d had about Abby’s feelings for him evaporated the moment his lips touched her.

  Still, if he was honest with himself, he was anxious about tonight. He needed to open a door that he had shut firmly years ago. Before anything went further, he wanted to lay it all out there for Abby. She deserved to know about Vanessa. He didn’t want secrets, and then maybe she’d understand why he held himself back.

  “Hey, boss.” Freddie was sitting outside.

  “Are the rest of the guys here?”

  “Just pulled in twenty minutes ago.”

  “Good. Where’s King? He scanned the neighborhood looking for anyone or anything that seemed amiss.

  “Control room.”

  Danny gave a quick chin lift of acknowledgement and then proceeded up the walkway. Everything looked good. He punched the code in the door, slipped inside, and headed straight to the control room.

  “King, gotta minute?” He took his sunglasses off.

  “Sure. How was the trip?”

  “Fucking traffic
was insane, as usual.” Danny wasn’t a fan of sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but he wasn’t about to say no to Abby, not when things were progressing between them.

  “What’s up?” King turned toward Danny.

  “I want you on lead tonight.”

  “No problem. Aaron and John just got here. They’re heading out in five to get the lay of the land for the restaurant and the bar.”

  “Good. Abby asked me to take a backseat for the night.” He crossed his arms in front of him, feeling a bit awkward talking about this sort of stuff with King.

  “Don’t worry, boss. I got it covered.”

  “Keep me posted if I should know anything.”

  “Absolutely.”

  Danny clapped King on the back and went to the studio.

  * * *

  When Danny entered the studio, he heard Abby’s melodic voice coming through the speakers. He was amazed at how rich and soulful she sounded. Definitely a departure from her previous work. He didn’t want to interrupt, so he stayed near the door and watched Abby in her element.

  Her vocals were spot on, and she was clearly enjoying herself. This was so different from the only other time he’d watched her in the studio. That time, she went in, belted out the vocals to go with the musical scores that were previously recorded, and then left. It was a very clean, brief experience that lacked emotional resonance the same as most business transactions.

  Now, though, he watched as she suggested alternative arrangements. It looked like she was really embracing her new role. She sang with her eyes closed, her hands extended, and her whole body vibrating with the power of the song. Danny was transfixed.

  “That’s a wrap on this one. Ten minute break?” Some guy called out.

  Abby agreed, and then she removed her headphones and made her way to the door.

  “Has my phone buzzed at all?” Abby asked as she walked out of the recording booth. Then she noticed Danny. “Oh, hey, you’re here.” Her face lit up as she walked over to him.

  “Hey,” he smiled and pulled her into his arms. “I missed you,” he whispered in her ear.

  She tightened her hold and looked up at him, “Me, too. How long have you been here?”

  “Long enough to hear you. That was amazing.” Danny smiled.

  “I’m having so much fun.” Her happiness was apparent on her face, in the curve of her mouth, the sparkle in her eyes, and the way she almost vibrated with excitement. Joy radiated from her.

  “I can tell.”

  “Wanna meet everyone?” Abby pointed to the group in the control room.

  “Absolutely.”

  Abby took his hand and led him into the next room. It was spacious and packed with recording equipment, couches, and people.

  “Hey, all. I just wanted to introduce you to Danny. Danny this is Aisling and Jax her co-producer and assistant. Then over here we have Misha, Tami, Anja, and Loredana. Poor Jax is the only guy on the team.”

  “It’s not so bad, and Abby makes the experience bearable.”

  Abby laughed, and Jax winked. Danny stifled a growl. He did not want anyone else winking at Abby, especially not this guy. He slipped his arm around Abby’s shoulders and stepped just a little closer to her.

  “Nice to meet you, Danny,” Aisling extended her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Abby’s said nothing but fantastic things about you. If the rest of what you’re doing sounds like what I just heard, I’m sure you’ll have no problem with getting the record company to pick it up.” Danny complimented.

  “We’ve sent a few songs their way and all’s good so far.” Abby smiled.

  Danny squeezed her shoulder. “That’s awesome.”

  “Right. Okay, we’ll be back in ten. Um, maybe twenty minutes.”

  “Girl, if you want to cut the session short, no biggie. It’s Friday, after all.” Aisling gave her a knowing smile. Danny liked her.

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah, don’t sweat it.” Aisling waved them away.

  “Okay. Then we’re out,” Abby said.

  “Nice meeting you all.” Danny waved and followed Abby out of the studio. He managed to not glare at Jax, but only because he got distracted by the sway of Abby’s hips as she walked.

  * * *

  “Can I get you anything?” Abby poured the boiling water in a cup and dunked her teabag in it. She always drank ginseng with honey and lemon after singing; it soothed her throat.

  “I’m good for now.”

  “Okay, but help yourself if you change your mind. You know how to navigate through a kitchen.” She laughed nervously. “Better than I do, that’s for sure.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll make myself at home.”

  “Yes, please do.” She finished making her tea and joined Danny at the table. She sat there in silence, waiting for something to pop in her head. She felt so shy around him all of a sudden.

  “I can’t do this,” she blurted.

  “Huh? Can’t do what?”

  “This. Small talk. I don’t know. I’m really nervous. I’m sitting here trying to think of something to say and I come up blank. All I can think is how glad I am that you’re here.” She let out a breath and felt better having confessed her fear.

  His shoulders relax. “It’s okay. This is new for the both of us.”

  She looked into his warm, brown eyes, and still she had nothing to say. She didn’t get this far only to have her nerves get the better of her did she?

  “Look. Relax. It’s just you and me. Abby and Danny. The same Abby and Danny who spent the last year together on a bus watching corny movies, playing board games, and eating crap diner food across the country. We never had a problem talking then.”

  “No, we didn’t.”

  “In fact, we’ve probably spent more time together than the average couple that’s been seeing each other for years.”

  “True.” They’d spent a lot of time joking, laughing, and getting to know each other. “I feel kind of silly.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, because we have hung out so much. Seems silly that I’m so nervous.”

  “It’s not silly. I’m a bit nervous too. We’ll figure it out.”

  He was feeling the same way too? That made a bit of Abby’s nerves settle. It seems that they were both worried about the same things. “Okay, we have a reservation, so I’m going to head upstairs and get ready.”

  “Sounds good. Don’t mind me. I like kitchens.”

  She smacked him playfully on the arm. “Back in a few.” Abby left Danny waiting for her. Now, what to wear? Man, she wished Sophie were here.

  Finally, Abby was dressed and ready, but Danny wasn’t where she left him. She had an idea where he would be. She knocked on the door off the kitchen. Danny opened the door to the command center.

  “Uh-huh. I thought only women gossiped,” Abby teased, raising her eyebrows.

  “Could you have given them a smaller room?” Danny pulled her against him and kissed the side of her head. “You look amazing,” he whispered so low she doubted anyone else heard. Sparks raced up her back, and she thought about doing a lot of other things that didn’t involve going to dinner.

  She’d chosen a scoop neck navy blue maxi dress that faded in color as it reached the floor. It was fitted but not skintight. She paired it with sexy, high-heeled, nude-colored sandals with one thick strap across the toes and one around the ankle. She’d finished the look with a plain gold bracelet on her wrist.

  She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t pick this room. They could’ve had any room. I even offered to have a room built for them.” She shifted in Danny’s arms to look at King. “That offer still stands, too. But you’ll have to talk to Sophie about it. She’s the queen of resources and numbers.”

  “It is something to think about,” Danny said. “If we do something like that, I’d like to talk to you about other security measures.”

  She looked up at him. “Whatever. If you want to talk business with me, Mr. Nucci
, you’ll need an appointment. Tonight, you’re off duty.”

  “Fair enough. I’ll talk to Sophie.”

  “That’s what I like to hear. Let’s go.” She pulled him down the hall to the front door.

  * * *

  Abby scanned the intimate restaurant as the waiter filled their glasses with water. The manager had seated them in a remote part of the dining room, and King and Freddie sat a few tables away. They were close enough to see, but not hear. She wondered what they thought of Danny and her together. She knew Sophie was ecstatic when she told her. She said something along the lines of “about fucking time you got your head out of your ass.”

  “I’ll leave you to look over the menu.” The waiter held out the menu for Abby to take.

  “Thank you.”

  After a few minutes, Danny asked, “Do you know what you’d like?”

  She blushed.

  “Time for that later,” he said with a sexy little smile.

  “Oh, you mean dinner. Yes. What about you?”

  “Yes.” He waved the waiter over.

  “Ready to order sir?”

  “Yes, we are.” He looked at Abby.

  “I’d like the fresh mozzarella and tomato for an appetizer.”

  “The caprese.” The waiter clarified.

  “Yes. I can never say that right.” She laughed. “I hate to mess it up.” She heard Danny chuckle but ignored him. “For my entrée I’d like the penne alla vodka with grilled chicken, and a glass of white wine. sauvignon blanc, please.”

  “Excellent. And for you, sir?”

  “I’ll have the stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer, and for the entrée, I’ll have the eggplant rollatini. Could you make the sauvignon blanc a bottle, please?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Thanks.” He handed the menu to the waiter, who took Abby’s as well before he left the table.

  “Are you okay?” Abby asked. “You seemed distracted on the way over.”

  “Actually, I have something I wanted to share with you, and I admit I’m kind of nervous about it.”

  “You can tell me anything. I hope you know that.”