A Twist of Love

by Callie Bardot

  “Why on Earth wouldn’t I be nice to you? I told you before, and I’ll tell you again—you’re one of the most loveable people I know.”

  Hearing this, the floodgates opened wide, sending Gia into a heart-wrenching storm of tears.

  “Come here. Let me hold you.” Marco held his arms open wide.

  Gia flew across the short space and straddled him, sobbing into his neck.

  “Are you sure you want to throw it down with me?” she blubbered. “I can be a handful.”

  “I’m a Marine,” he said, his arms embracing her tightly. “That has to count for something.”

  “Oh, it counts,” she said, pulling back to kiss him hard on the lips.

  When they came up for air, he added, “And I’m also hoping to get my brains back. I hope you remember what charity you gave them to,” he said, referring to her letter.

  “I lied. They’re right here.” She touched her chest. “I saved them for you.” She grinned at him. “Would you like to see what a tour bus bedroom looks like?”

  “I sure do. After you open my gift.” He fished around in his jacket, waving the box with the now-smashed blue bow. “I saved it for you. Want to see it?”

  “It’s going to pale in comparison. I’m looking at the best gift on the planet, baby. You. But yeah, hand it over.” She extended her hand, palm up.

  Her fingers trembled as she ripped open the pretty paper, revealing a jewelry box. Prying open the lid, she stared with wonder at a brilliant gold pendant. She plucked it free from its velvet nest. Dangling it before her eyes, she exclaimed, “Oh! I love it!”

  Consisting of a set of tiny 24k diamond-studded drumsticks, it had a banner that read, “Keep the beat,” on one side, “Keep the faith,” on the other. A small gold spider dangled from the back clasp on a slender chain.

  “I had the jeweler add the spider after reading your letter.”

  She lifted her head to look into his shining eyes.

  “I figured since I wove the web to catch your heart, I needed to keep watch over it when we aren’t together. And, the message on the banner is as much for me as it is for you—I didn’t do a very good job at keeping the faith.”

  “And I’m a Marine, for Christ’s sake,” he added. “Semper Fidelis. I’d better live up to our motto and not run like a little bitch when I get close to you or blow up at you. You’ve got me by the balls, girl. I’d move heaven and Earth for you.”

  “You big sweetheart. What did I do to deserve you? This is beautiful. It means more to me now than it would have in California. I think maybe I did something to earn it, you know? Standing on stage and sharing my shit was terrifying. This is way better than a Grammy.” She held it out to him. “Here, help me put it on.”

  She pivoted, fingering the pendant as Marco worked the tiny clasp behind her neck.

  “Now what shall we do?” she said, grinning at him. “Which shall we do first? Sloppy, dirty sex or sweet love-making?”

  “Let’s do both,” he said. “Where would you like to begin?”

  Chapter 25

  Through the next few weeks of the tour, Marco was as thoughtful as the sun was bright. As they made their way through the tour cities, he did things for her all the time—like buy her lunch when she practiced, so she didn’t forget to eat. And massage her shoulders and hands when she finished pounding her drums—before getting hot and dirty with her. Her love for him grew daily. Best of all, instead of representing her failure, he now stood for hope, possibility, and a juicy love-filled reward for doing the work required to stay sober.

  “Are you sure you can’t come up to our Seattle gig?” Gia asked him, as he stood packing his suitcase in their hotel bedroom. “It’s the last one before the break.”

  Outside the window, the Vancouver harbor bustled with boat traffic. Rain pelted the sidewalks and shops.

  “I got things to do, girl. There are a couple jobs I want to check into. An apartment to secure...” He kissed her long and hard before saying Good-bye.

  A week later, Gia stood in Dante’s penthouse apartment on Christmas Eve, a joy to the world and beyond lighting up her heart. She clutched a glass of sparkling lemonade, her new go-to drink. A couple weeks ago, in Denver, Marco had purchased her one of those chic-chic sparkling lemonades with a French-sounding name, and she loved it. She immediately ordered cases shipped to her apartment.

  Around her stood the band, Kennedy, and Dante’s brother, Damien, one of her favorite people on the planet. Brain traumatized at birth, Damien was smart and as sincere as they came—however, his brain worked differently than the norm.

  Gia adored him. So his mind works differently? Who cares? We’re all a little different.

  They stood around the colorful Christmas tree near the window. She and Kennedy had decorated with the tree with ornaments, lights, popcorn, and cranberries. They even found a set of delicate glass-blown instruments to place on the tree—a miniature guitar, bass, piano, and drums—at a boutique store in Greenwich Village.

  All of them were dressed in their holiday best.

  Gia’s pendant sparkled from around her neck.

  “A toast,” Dante said, hefting his champagne. “To the best damn band on the planet—Marked Love!”

  “I’ll second that,” Marco said.

  “I’ll third it,” said Keys.

  “Fourth it,” said Heat.

  “Enough!” said Kennedy. “Let’s toast already. You guys killed it in Seattle! I can’t wait for New Years in the City of Angels!”

  They each sipped their libations and cheered to one another.

  “Dante, you didn’t really kill anything, right?” Damien asked his brother.

  “No, buddy. It’s a figure of speech,” Dante said.

  “It’s a violent phrase, Dami,” Gia said, agreeably. “We really rocked it. Is that better?”

  Damien frowned, thought a moment, and said, “If by rocked, you mean it was a spectacular rock and roll event, then I understand.”

  “Good man,” Gia said. “Nothing gets past your bright mind.”

  The musical door chime sounded, and Damien raced to get it.

  He threw open the door. “Zander! Did you bring me new games?”

  “Sure did, Dami,” Zander said. “My team’s working on new promo videos for our next motorcycle event. It’s a freestyle motocross game. Shh. It’s a secret.”

  “You have my word,” Damien said in a sober tone. “Your games are the best! They need protection and testing until they’re ready to be released to the world.”

  Dante strolled toward the foyer. “Damien, step aside so they can all come in, would you, please?”

  “Sure thing,” Damien said.

  Zander, Trisha, Mia, and Kent all rounded the corner into the living space.

  “What a great surprise,” Gia said, wrapping Mia in a big embrace. “How did you get out of family obligations?”

  “All the stars aligned, for each of us,” Mia said. “I’m heading for a family day in the morning.” He eyed Marco. “I see you two managed to get past go at last. Kiss and make up?” She gave a saucy wink.

  “Oh, we did more than kiss,” Gia said, reaching for Marco’s hand.

  “You two...” Mia said, scoffing. “Dante kept Zander informed of the whole ordeal. You went through hell and back to get together, didn’t you?”

  “We did. Still working the kinks out. I’ve never been one for encores, but this guy deserves repeat performances. I’m crazy about him,” Gia said, flashing him another hundred-watt smile.

  “And I’m crazy about you, too,” he said, with a matching smile.

  “Word,” Mia said. “You both make love, and hard work look amazing. Happy for you, Gia.”

  Zander shook Marco’s hand and kissed Gia on the cheek saying, “Man, you guys killed it in Seattle. I thought the crowd would bring the roof down.”

  “They rocked it,” said Damien. “Killed it is a violent term.”

  “Right,” said Zander. “Rocked it hard.”


  Gia thoroughly enjoyed the festive evening, sober for the first Christmas holiday in practically forever. Most of the time she sat in Marco’s lap, chatting amiably with whoever sat near her.

  As the evening came to a close, Gia turned to Marco and whispered, “Let’s get out of here? You ready?”

  “I’ve been ready since we got here. No disrespect meant to the others. My fingers, mouth, and other parts are dying to touch you, though,” Marco said.

  “You melt me, Brutus,” she said. She turned to face the others. “Everyone, it’s been a beautiful celebration, but we’re out of here. Merry Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, whatever, all.”

  They hugged their farewells. Dante and Kennedy were the last to say good-bye.

  “Proud of you, G,” Dante said to Gia, embracing her warmly.

  “Guess we’re growing up a little,” she said, winking at him. “You started it. I had to follow.” Her eyes tracked to her other band members, showing Damien what starfish sex looked like.

  “She puts her arms out like this,” Heat said.

  “And then she lay there like a log,” Keys added.

  They both howled as Damien looked at them, his brow wrinkled in confusion. “Why would she do that? Didn’t she like you?”

  “I don’t suppose Keys or Heat will catch up soon.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Happy for you both,” Kennedy said, hugging Gia, and then Marco. “I know you were mad at me for raiding your trash, but I knew you two were too stubborn to make the first step. Oh, hey—I almost forgot. We’ve got babies—tigers that is. Big Jim called to let me know. Come on up before you head to the Bay Area. They won’t stay cute and cuddly for long.”

  “Deal,” Marco said. “We can come up next week.”

  “Great,” Kennedy said, beaming.

  On the street, Marco hailed a cab.

  A slight dusting of lazy frozen crystals swirled around them, too light to stick to anything yet. By morning, however, they’d no doubt have sculpted the landscape, blanketing it in white.

  “My place or yours?” he said, holding the door open for her.

  “Yours. You have that big tub.” Gia climbed in the cab.

  Marco followed, scooting close to her.

  “And I bought bubble bath. And candles. And chocolate,” he said, squeezing her leg.

  Gia’s heart soared. “You are such a romantic, Brutus. You make me feel all girlie girl. It’s like I’m discovering my private self. She lay hidden in a vat of bourbon all these years. While my public self is still pretty badass, don’t you think?” She grinned at him.

  “The baddest of the bad. Don’t mess with my woman. She’ll kick yo’ ass.” Marco threw his arm around her.

  Gia bit her lip and looked at him through her lashes as the cab driver gunned the engine, pulling away from the curb.

  “What? Spill it,” Marco said. “I know that look.”

  “I’m thinking of finding a new place to live,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about it for weeks. Coming home sober from London made me see there are too many fucked up memories at my place. Blackouts, empty encounters...That’s one of the reasons I seldom want us to hang there.”

  Marco nodded. “Where are you thinking of moving? The housing market is pretty tight these days.”

  “Who wouldn’t want to live with a Marine?” she said, suddenly overcome with shyness.

  “Another Marine, that’s who,” Marco said. He laughed. “Are you telling me you’d consider living with me?” He seemed genuinely surprised.

  “Are you telling me you’d consider having me live with you?” she asked.

  “Sweetheart, I’d love it. I wanted to ask you, but I didn’t want you to feel pressured or crowded. I wanted it to be your decision, not mine.”

  “You are such a thoughtful guy,” she said. “What did I do to deserve you?”

  “I think you know the answer to that question, love,” he said, the warmth of compassion shining from his eyes.

  She nodded and then thought a moment. “I’ll need to bring my practice pad. Maybe some of my hand drums will find their way over to the house. You cool with that? And, you know, I keep all hours.”

  “I think we can soundproof the back room. That can be your studio. I’ll need the office area. I got a call the other day—from that company I told you about. I’ll be a sober-companion to the stars. Musicians and actors who want to keep it on the down-low.”

  “Seriously? That’s great!” She ran her hand along his powerful thigh, wishing they were naked already.

  “Thank you. I’ll be making—get this—one-thousand five-hundred dollars a day, minimum. And, if you’re on the road and I want to see you and a new client is offered to me—I get to say no because I need to be with my girl. I get first right of refusal. I come highly recommended. Gray House said nothing about my dismissal. I don’t think they know the reason I got fired. Apparently, Dante made up some shit about why I had to stop working with you so my reputation would remain in good standing. The rich and famous can cover their tracks, and stay good.” He pursed his lips. “Anyway, while I don’t condone lying, I’m glad I don’t have my records red-lined.”

  “Me, too, baby.” Her brow furrowed. “You won’t be falling in love with any of them, will you? Your clients?”

  “I thought you weren’t the clingy type. You told me that yourself,” he said, smiling.

  “We’re not talking cling-wrap here Brutus. I...it’s just that...” She chewed on her lip.

  “Say it. You want to be monogamous, right?” he said.

  “Sigh. You’re onto me. No one has ever made me feel the way you make me feel. I kind of want you all to myself,” she said, squirming like an idiot.

  “Sweetheart, I wouldn’t want you any other way. I don’t want to share you, either. Let’s make a safe container to hold all this love we have for one another, what do you say?”

  Gia sighed, contentedly. “I say yes. I don’t always know what I’m doing. I’m not experienced in building a relationship. But I sure want to try.”

  “Me, too. Besides, how could anyone hold a candle to the great Ms. Styx?” Marco flashed one of his infectious grins her way.

  “You got that right. And how could anyone hold a candle to my Marine?” Gia’s heart flooded with pleasure. She grew serious as they pulled up to the curb in front of his—of their—roomy apartment in East Village. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

  “Yes, Gia, you could have,” he said, matching her seriousness.

  “No. I know I could have got sober, that’s not what I’m talking about. But what you and I have only comes around once in a lifetime, I’m convinced. I reached for that golden ring, riding my painted wooden pony around and around on the carousel. I fell, again and again, too drunk to hang on. But this time, I won.”

  Marco gave her a low, languid, heart-melting kiss, letting her know he felt the same way.

  “Meter’s still running,” the cabbie said, clearing his throat.

  “Yeah,” Gia said, releasing Marco. “That’s what she said.”

  “No,” Marco said, pulling a few bills from his wallet. “What she said is ‘let’s go inside and make-love for a long, long time.’”

  “And he said, ‘let’s make it the rest of our lives,’” Gia added. “Oops, did I really say that? I must have used my outdoor voice. In any case, let’s go.” She grabbed his hand, yelled, “Happy Holidays,” to the cab driver and then pulled Marco along, eager to get inside and enjoy showing Marco the depth of her love. She knew it would be the first of countless encounters to come, all done with a sober mind and body.

  * * *

  The End.

  * * *

  Look for Sugar Love: Book 3, in 2019

  * * *

  Want to keep abreast of new releases and gain access to exclusive content? Join the Callie Bardot Newsletter at https://authorcalliebardot.com/hot-contemporary-romance-newsletter/

  About the Author

  Give me a g
ritty story, pushing through obstacles, followed by a chance at true love and I’m a happy woman. I fought for love, long and hard, and found it. Along the way, I had a lot of fun, figuring if something exists to be explored, I may as well explore it. How else can you figure out what you like?

  My books have won awards like Romance Reviews Reader’s Choice New Adult Erotic (Blurred Lines under the pen name Calinda B) and have landed on the NY Times and USA Today Bestseller’s list (Sugar Baby under the pen name Calinda B). If I’m not writing, you can find me under the water, scuba diving, or on land, hiking, saving lives as an EMT, or exploring my breathtaking surroundings in the Pacific Northwest, alongside my sexy, firefighting guy.

  Like fantasy and sci-fi? Look for my books under the pen name Calinda B. http://www.calindab.com/

  * * *

  Books by Callie Bardot:

  * * *

  Bad Boys Need Love, Too

  •Looks Like Trouble to Me, Uncut

  •Trouble Times Two, Uncut

  •Tracked by Trouble

  * * *

  Point of Contact

  •Blurred Lines

  •Sassy Aphrodite and her Sweet Dirty Mouth

  •Riding the Edge

  * * *

  Adrenaline Series

  •Crazy Love

  •Twist of Love

  •Sugar Love

  •Key to Love

  * * *

  Standalones

  •Fire

  * * *

  Books under the name Calinda B:

  * * *

  The Blood Stone Trilogy:

  •Grave Stones: Book 1

  •Heart’s Blood: Book 2

  •Iron and Blood: Book 3

  •Stones End: Book 4

  * * *

  The Charming Shifter Mysteries:

  •Storm Shift: Book 1