“Oh my god, what am I going to create worthy of a Paris fashion show? I have to start working on ideas right now.” She stepped back and swiveled around. Her shoes click-clacked across the floor in a fast staccato as she made her way to the worktable in the back. In no time, she was lost in creation with her pencils and sketch pad.
I grabbed a box of blouses and began unpacking them. While I moved around the store, I daydreamed about Trystan. Mentally, I counted the number of days until I would see him again. Thirty. My body heated as I thought of all the things I planned to do to him when we were back in the same space.
Once I had the clothing sorted and hung, I turned my attention to the artificial Christmas tree sitting in the display window. I plugged in the pre-lit tree to make sure all the bulbs lit up. White lights twinkled among the dark green branches. Slowly, I walked around the tree, examining it. Everything appeared to be working. I began hanging red and silver ornaments in various shapes and sizes all over the tree.
Then I dressed a few mannequins to add to the window. A mom in the red sweater dress I’d gotten for myself reached to hang an ornament high on the tree. A teen girl in a frilly silver skirt with a blue top added a bauble to the other side. And a little girl in sequin-adorned jeans and a green shirt pulled on the ribbon of a large gift box under the tree.
It was closing time once I was finally satisfied with the display. Syd was still scratching away with her pencils. I gave her a sideways hug, and she absent-mindedly bid me goodbye.
At home, I warmed up some dinner and turned on the TV to wait for Trystan to call after his set. As I flipped through the channels, a video of Cade being escorted to the courthouse made me freeze. I leaned forward, my dinner forgotten, and turned up the volume.
Today, former head of Matthews’ Melodies, Cade Matthews appeared in court. A few weeks ago, he was quietly charged with embezzling millions of dollars from the company his grandfather started. In front of Judge Harrison, Matthews plead guilty to the embezzlement charges. The DA’s office accepted the guilty plea in exchange for Matthews serving two years in a minimum-security prison. Matthews’ Melodies removed Cade from the helm of the company he only recently took over from his father. When we reached out to Matthews’ Melodies for a statement, they informed us that they’re regrouping and are confident they can bounce back from the scandal.
I sagged against the back of the couch. I couldn’t believe Cade was going to jail. Before I could dwell on it, my phone rang with a video call from Trystan.
“Hey, princess,” he greeted me.
“Hey, my love. Did you have a good show?” I asked.
“It was awesome. But it would’ve been a thousand times better if you were here.” He ran his hand across his damp hair.
“I wish I was there too. I miss you so much,” I said with a slight pout.
“Me too. So, I saw the news. Are you OK?” he asked cautiously, concern in his voice.
“I just saw it myself. I can’t believe he’s going to jail. I mean, he did break the law, but I can’t picture him behind bars.” I shook my head in disbelief.
“I know. It’s crazy.”
“How are you feeling about just having signed for a full album contract with Matthews’ Melodies with all this going on?”
“I’d be lying if I said we weren’t a little nervous. But I think they’ll get everything sorted. There’s too much musical history with that label for them to just disappear,” Trystan said confidently.
“For your sake, I hope so.”
Nix’s face popped onto the screen behind Trystan. “Hey, Willa.”
“Hey, Nix. How was the crowd tonight?” I asked politely.
“Loud. They’re starting to pay more attention to our set instead of going to get beers while we perform,” he said.
I laughed.
Rafe squeezed into the frame. “Just wanted to let you know, Nix and I are on Operation Groupie Block tonight. You have nothing to worry about.”
I smile brightly and shook my head. “Thanks, guys.” I wasn’t the least bit concerned about the groupies. I’d refused to let Cade’s actions color the way I viewed Trystan. Trystan was as loyal as they came.
Trystan shoved their shoulders. The guys disappeared, leaving just Trystan on the screen. “I’m counting the days, princess.”
“So am I,” I whispered.
In the background on his end, the noise level rose. “I should let you go.” Though that was the last thing I wanted to do.
“I’ll call you later when I get back to my bed alone. We can spend some quality time together,” he said suggestively.
“I can’t wait. I love you,” I said and blew him a kiss.
“I love you too, princess.”
Less than an hour later, I was lying in bed when my phone rang. I sat up against my pillows and swiped to accept Trystan’s video call.
“Hey, princess,” he said, a huge smile on his face.
“Hey, you.” I couldn’t rein in my own grin. “You didn’t stay long at your party.”
His bare shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Nah. I had more important things to do. So, I showed my face, signed some photos, shook some hands and then said my farewells.”
“You know I trust you, right?” I asked, peering intensely at him. I didn’t want to hold him back from enjoying his dream coming to fruition.
Relief settled over his features. “I would never do anything to jeopardize what you and I have. I realize that the timing of this tour is terrible considering you and I are just getting started. But my heart is one hundred percent yours.” His eyes pleaded for me to believe him.
“I know that. My heart belongs to you too. And I don’t want what we have to interfere with your dream. Loving someone means supporting them even when it isn’t easy. I want to see you soar, Trystan.”
“As long as chasing this dream doesn’t ever make you doubt your position as my number one priority. Losing you is not an option,” he said vehemently.
“You won’t,” I replied with just as much conviction.
“However, I do want to see you lose control.” A mischievous glint lit his eyes.
I squeezed my thighs closer together, desire heating my body. My teeth captured my lower lip.
“Show me what we’re working with, princess,” he rasped out.
I stretched my arm above me and slowly turned the camera, so he could see me lying on top of the covers in tiny sleep shorts and a matching cami.
When I turned the screen back to my face, need stared back out at me from Trystan.
“Your turn,” I murmured, anxious to see all his lines and planes.
The video screen swept over his torso, down to his already bare cock. His thick length stood at attention. Though it hadn’t been that long since I’d touched him and been touched by him, my body ached with an emptiness only he could fill.
His handsome face filled my screen again. “Pretend I’m there with you, lying next to you.” The caress of his words warmed me. “Touch yourself, princess. Tell me how wet you are.”
I ran my fingers down my body, eager to take my nightly journey to bliss with him. Even though we weren’t in the same place, we still made it a point to spend our nights together.
Epilogue ~ Trystan
A year later …
After a year, the roar of the crowd hadn’t gotten old. We’d finished most of our set, and it was the time during the show where we chatted with the fans. One of the roadies trotted dutifully out with my stool.
Taking it in one hand, I placed it behind the mic stand. Once I perched on it and settled my guitar across my lap, I adjusted the stand so the microphone was at mouth level.
“Hello, Los Angeles,” I shouted at the crowd.
They cheered back for a few seconds. Absent-mindedly, I strummed random notes on my guitar.
When they quieted down, I turned my head toward Nix. “It’s been a whirlwind of a year, wouldn’t you say, man?”
“Hell yeah. Who knew when we dropped
our first single a little over a year ago that we’d be headlining our own tour in front of this sold-out crowd of beautiful Californians?” he said back to me, hitting a couple harmonizing chords on his bass.
“I certainly didn’t. I thought I’d be bussing tables and creating schedules at my family’s restaurant, content to play with you knuckleheads at the bar down the street a few nights a week. Who knew?” Rafe chimed in.
“Who knew indeed?” I asked, shaking my head. I turned my face back toward the crowd, scanning the front row until my gaze collided with Willa’s. She was front row, center—as she often was when she flew to wherever we were playing every few weeks. Tryst Disrupted had been on tour ever since Matthews’ Melodies fast-tracked the release of our debut album six months ago. Our music was received so well, the label was already talking about arranging a world tour next year after the release of our sophomore album, which was already half written.
“Since this is our last show of the tour, I thought you guys deserved something special. What do you think?” I asked.
The crowd went nuts. I winked at Willa, who was bouncing in her spot along with the rest of our fans.
“I was thinking you might like to hear a song from our next album.” I held my hand up to my ear to spur on their enthusiasm.
I gave them a few moments to express their love for our music. “What do you think, guys? You think they’re interested?” I asked Nix and Rafe.
My fingers began strumming purposeful notes. Rafe started pounding the beat while Nix picked up the accompanying bass notes. I stared at Willa as I began to sing a song even she hadn’t heard yet. Lyrics about loving when it was easy flowed from my lips. The first verse was inspired by my first night with Willa, when love was just blossoming without a name or expectations. In the dim light of the venue, Willa’s eyes shone brightly, filled with that very love.
“Sometimes love is easy. Sometimes love is sweet. Many times love can knock you right off your feet,” I sang the upbeat chorus with the rapt attention of the crowd focused on me.
Willa mouthed, “I love you,” up at me.
I winked at her and started in on verse two. The words to the second verse came from where my heart was when I loved her while she didn’t know who I was.
“Sometimes love is agony. Sometimes love is hard. Many times love leaves a tender heart scarred.” The words flowed from my heart.
While we played the bridge before the third verse, one of our security guards made his way to Willa’s side as I’d prearranged and led her out of the crowd and around the bottom of the stage. We’d lengthened the bridge to allow time for a confused Willa to make her way to my side. I peeked over at her, then spoke to the quiet crowd, “I’m sure most of you by now know about my girlfriend, Willa, and how she’s the muse to my musician’s soul. This song is for her. Of course.” I turned back to her. “I love you, princess.”
The music shifted back to the notes of the verse. The third verse of “Love is Easy” was about love transitioning from temporary to permanent, the type of love we had now.
“Sometimes love is forever. Sometimes love is fleeting. Love is the only thing that keeps my heart beating.” I strummed passionately, pouring all my love into my lyrics. “Loving you is easy. It’s not hard. It’s the pounding of my heart. Makes me wanna start forever tonight with you.” I swallowed hard and swung my guitar off to a roadie, who appeared from the shadows. I got to one knee and pulled a tiny box from my pocket.
“Princess,” I said, taking one of her hands in mine. Her teeth captured her lower lip. “I know it’s been a roller coaster, but there’s no one I’d want sitting next to me to hold my hand during the scary drops, to laugh on the trips to the top with or to kiss at the highest peaks than you. Will you do me the honor of giving me your forever?”
She nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes,” she whispered.
Because the crowd was waiting with bated breath, my mic was able to capture her promise. In unison, the fans all clamored, “Aww.”
Willa giggled and tugged me to my feet. “I love you so much,” she murmured against my mouth.
♪ Best Part of Me by Ed Sheeran and Yeeba
Forgetting everything but her body in my arms and her heart pounding against mine, I kissed her like the world was ending. Our tongues tangled, and heat built in my body. I ached for her. And then like a cold shower that only my closest friend could be, Rafe said, “Get a room.”
The crowd laughed. Willa blushed a deep crimson, and I blew out a frustrated breath.
Nix said, “Let’s see the ring, man. You guys wanna see it too, right?” he asked the crowd.
With sweaty hands, I opened the box and slipped the ring onto Willa’s finger. Then I held up her newly adorned hand so the crowd could see the sparkle.
Linking her fingers in mine, I moved back in front of my mic. “Thank you for being part of the best day of my life. I’ll never forget you, LA. And I have to apologize, but we’re not playing an encore tonight. I’m sure you can guess why …” I waggled my eyebrows at the crowd.
They laughed and cheered.
“I’ll owe you guys one.” After one more scorching but quick kiss, I led Willa off the stage into the shadows.
“Did you happen to find an abandoned office earlier?” she asked, tugging my shirt up so she could brush her fingers against my damp skin.
We rushed down the corridor, dodging people who shouted congratulations at our backs. When we reached the end of the hallway, I pushed open a door to reveal a room with a discarded leather couch. A pillow and blanket sat on one end. Roses filled a vase on the table, and candles flickered, creating a romantic atmosphere.
I clicked the lock on the door and took her mouth with mine. Hands fumbled, seeking skin, making connections. “Forever starts tonight, princess.”
“Trystan, our forever started more than a year ago on a night that started with heartbreak and ended with healing. We’re just continuing forever from here on out.”
“I love the sound of that almost as much as I love you.” I lowered my mouth to hers once more, kissing her with all the love in my heart, totally content to let the world around me fade to just her.
The End
Want to read a little more of Trystan and Willa’s love story? Make sure you sign up for my newsletter. In a few weeks, an extended epilogue for them will be sent out to my newsletter subscribers. http://eepurl.com/dBkmHL
Thank you
It astounds me that I’ve typed THE END on my eighth book. Each time I have the privilege to talk to a reader or share about my books, I’m in awe. I have to pinch myself because I can’t believe people actually give me the gift of their time to read my words. If this is your first time experiencing my brand of storytelling, I sincerely hope you enjoyed it and that you reach out to chat. I adore talking with readers. Read on for a sneak peek of an upcoming book and an excerpt from my first rock star book. The band members of Lyrical Odyssey, mentioned briefly in Memory of a Melody, actually have their own stories.
Sneak Peek
So, I have so many characters in my head clamoring for their stories to be told. Here is one of the stories on tap for next year. The blurb is subject to change based on the demands of the voices in my head.
Sonnets in the Sky: Book 5 Lyrical Odyssey Rock Star Series
MADDOX
My whole life, I’ve been looking for love. I find it and lose it often. I’ve accepted that love will be fleeting whenever I have. So, I fall fast and hard every single time. I finally found someone who agreed to stick around. Ever since our trip to Vegas, she’s been wearing my ring. But that wasn’t the only thing that happened in Vegas. And when they say, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? They lie. It doesn’t. And I don’t know how to tell her. Either of them. Telling one of them could ruin what I have and telling the other could ruin everything for her.
SKY
In the blink of an eye, life as I know it ends. My best friend is hiding something. His fiancée h
ates me. My fiancé is being weird. Then tragedy strikes, and I’m left floundering. So much is changing, and I can’t keep up. The solution is simple, or so I think. But Maddox thinks my plan is foolish. And I think he’s probably right. But I have no choice. It’s what I have to do in order to protect her. She’s innocent and needs me.
If you’re interested in sexy rock stars. Here’s a little taste of the first book in the Lyrical Odyssey Rock Star series,
Beats of the Heart.
Chapter One ~ Izzy
“Isabelle,” a deep voice called my name. A large hand waved in the air. I couldn’t see the person attached to the fluttering hand, but I hoped it was signaling me. All around me a din of foreign tongues filled the air. I pushed through the throng pulsing in every direction. Moments before, I’d disembarked my international flight into the Amsterdam Airport. My hot pink bag bumped along behind me as I tried to get to the still waving hand.
Finally, the crowd divided as if Moses had held up his staff and commanded them to part. There at the other side of the opening was my deliverer. Joe. He would take me to my salvation. With his hand pressed to his ear, he spoke into the blue-tooth headset. As soon as I got within reach, he scooped up my bag and tucked me against his side. Even with the chaos of the bustling airport, it was hard not to feel sheltered against the mountainous ex-cop who was my escort.
“Did you check any bags?”
“Nope. After touring last summer, I learned how to pack better. You’d be surprised how much I managed to cram in that bag.” I pointed to the bubblegum colored rectangle Joe comically pulled behind him.
“Good. How was your flight?”
“Long,” I sighed and rolled my neck in a circular motion. “Fourteen hours on a plane is no joke.”
Memory of a Melody Page 23
