by Jill Sanders
As she reached to unlock her front door, he set his guitar case down, took her shoulders in his hands, and turned her around to face him.
“I think we’d better get this out of the way, first.” He pulled her closer until his breath fell on her face. She could smell his shampoo and aftershave and the mixture of the scents drove her crazy. Then her eyes moved to his and she realized he was watching her mouth once more.
When his head finally dipped down, and their lips touched, she felt her insides liquefy.
Chapter Eight
He knew it was going to happen, sooner or later. He’d thought he was prepared, after the first kiss, but he was wrong.
She was softer than he remembered. Her taste on his lips was sweeter. The soft moan of pleasure that escaped her was sexier. Nothing could have prepared him for her. Nothing.
If he didn’t make a conscious effort to pull back, he’d end up… well, he didn’t want to think about what he wanted to do to her.
So, he took a big step backwards and almost tripped over his guitar case. “Um.” He held in a laugh. “Um,” he said again and was thankful when she turned around and opened the door.
“Come on in. I’m still unpacking, so it’s kind of a mess.” He could hear the nerves in her voice and searched his mind for some way to remove them.
There were a handful of boxes on the floor with half their contents spilled out. The apartment was big and open. He estimated that the living room alone was around eight-hundred square feet and he was surprised at how big the place was.
She had an old sofa he was sure he had seen in her father’s house tucked against one of the walls in the living room. He assumed her bedroom sat near the back.
The kitchen was bigger than he’d imagined would fit into a place this size. It was all new equipment and very high tech compared to his own kitchen, which gave him several ideas on how to remodel the space.
“I like the place.” He turned around as he set his guitar next to the sofa. “What made you decide to sell your dad’s house and move here?”
“My father,” she said as she walked towards the kitchen. “I think he saw me struggling to fix up the place…” She held up a beer for him. When he nodded, she flipped the top open with her belt buckle and handed it to him.
At that moment, he was more impressed with her than he’d ever been with another woman in his entire life. His eyes were glued to her as she walked around, a cheap beer in her hand as she looked out the large windows, talking about how her father had struggled financially since her mother passed. He hung on every word until she turned around and frowned over at him.
“Is there a problem with the beer?” She glanced down at the cold bottle in his hand that he’d all but forgotten. He’d been too mesmerized by watching her. She’d untied her hair from a long braid and had been finger combing it while she looked at the dying sunlight outside her window.
The sunlight caught her hair, making it glow and even though he wasn’t one for spouting poems or writing songs, a million words flooded his mind. If he had to, he could describe exactly how she looked at that moment and more important, what it did to him to watch her.
“No, it’s good,” he answered her after swallowing a long drink. The cold liquid did little to cool off his insides, but he took a few more drinks before setting it down. When he picked up his guitar case, she moved to the wall that held her guitar, then stopped and glanced down.
“Would you mind if I got out of my uniform?”
Instantly, images of her in nothing but a sexy pair of panties and a matching bra flashed through his mind. She must have guessed, because she blushed. Her eyes turned soft and she bit her bottom lip, a move that was both sexy and inviting.
“I mean… I smell like burger grease. I’ll just… be a minute.” She rushed towards the back and disappeared into what he assumed was the bathroom.
He pulled out his guitar and spent the next few minutes tuning it. He noticed some sheet music she’d written on sitting on the table and decided to give it a try.
By the time she walked back out, he’d gotten the hang of the song. He was singing along softly to the words on the paper and didn’t notice her standing in the doorway watching him until he stopped playing.
“I like this one.” He waited, but when she didn’t say anything, he started getting worried. “What? I didn’t think my playing was that bad.” He shifted the guitar on his lap.
“No!” She took a step forward. “You have a great… everything.” She blushed again. “I… I hadn’t planned on showing that song to anyone.” She blushed even more.
“Why?” He glanced down at the paper. “It’s wonderful.”
“It’s just…” She edged forward, then stopped and looked down at the paper. “Nothing. What about this one?” She tried to put another song over that one, but he stopped her.
“Actually, I’d like to keep working on this one. I was kind of thinking… Maybe I can play it next Thursday?”
“Next Thursday?” She shifted. “You? This… song?”
“Tessa, is there something wrong with this song?” He set his guitar down and reached for the paper, but she stopped him.
“No!” She closed her eyes as she took a couple deep breaths. “It’s just…”
“It’s about me?” He tried to hide the smile, but lost the battle. When her eyes flew open and zeroed in on him, the smile grew.
“How…” Her mouth looked so good as it made the sexy oval.
“It’s not hard.” He took her hand. “I’m not only very flattered, but very turned on.” He tugged lightly on her hand until she was sprawled next to him. “I’ve never had someone write me a song before.” He loved the feeling of her soft body pressed against his. She didn’t smell like greasy burgers, but sexy flowers and the spring air. He wanted to bury his face in her dark hair and breathe it in, but her skin called to him first.
When his lips brushed over the tender spot under her chin, he felt her shift towards him. Her hips pushed against his, making him wish his worn jeans were a little looser.
His hands roamed over her hips as his mouth took a tour of her soft skin. Her fingers gripped his hair, holding him to her, guiding him where she wanted.
When his mouth finally covered hers, he’d pulled her onto his lap. Her legs straddled his hips, causing his jeans to grow even tighter.
His fingers dug into her soft hips as they moved slowly over him, and for the first time in almost a year, he was willing to let his body veto his mind.
***
Tessa’s fingers shook as she held Luke’s lips to hers. His fingers brushed up her hips, under her T-shirt, until his warm hands played over her sides, causing her to let out a soft chuckle when he brushed her ticklish spot.
She pulled back slightly. She wanted nothing more than to pull every last piece of clothing off him, but she wasn’t sure she was ready and that weighed heavily on her.
Ready for him, for sex, for everything. She could tell that he wanted her. It was apparent. She’d been rubbing herself up against him and knew what it meant.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to have sex with him, but she needed more… first.
“Sorry, I guess I’m ticklish there.”
He smiled up at her and she wondered how she was going to fight the desire to rip all of his clothes off him when he looked at her like that.
“Maybe we can go over a couple other songs before you make a decision on the song…” She started to move aside, but his hands on her hips stopped her. “I’m not…” She closed her eyes, unsure of what to say.
“I understand.” He sighed and pulled her close. When she felt his warm breath on her neck, she melted into his arms. “Let’s work on this one.” He nudged her back until she met his eyes. “I really like it and think it has a chance of becoming something big.”
“Really?” She stopped herself from biting her lip again.
“Sure.” His hands spanned her hips and set her back on the sofa next to him.
“Here, listen.” He picked up his guitar and started playing it. She was surprised that he didn’t even have to glance down at the music or the lyrics she’d written. Instead, his eyes were glued to hers as he sang her song back to her in one of the sexiest voices she’d ever heard.
By the time he’d finished, she was pretty sure she could claw off his clothes and drag him into her bedroom and enjoy every last minute of it without feeling guilty.
“Well?” He shifted his guitar.
She shook her head slightly. “I… I’m speechless.”
“In a good way?” She thought he added, “I hope,” under his breath.
She nodded her head several times as she swallowed all the emotions that had welled up. Just hearing his voice mixed with her words about his kiss and what it had done to her made her believe that he’d felt the same way, but she didn’t want to assume.
“I think you’re going to be the next big thing at the Rusty Rail.” She smiled. “Might even be the best thing to ever happen to the Rusty Rail,” she joked. Humor was an easy mask and laughter helped cover the loud beating of her heart.
“Can I take this?” He picked up the sheet of music.
“Um…” She started to think of a reason, an excuse.
“Tessa.” He set his guitar down, and reached for her hand. “If I’m going to sing this in a few nights, I’d like to make sure I know it by heart.”
She sighed and then, a moment later, nodded.
“Good. I’d like to take a couple more.” He reached over and showed her the four songs she’d finished that week. “If it’s okay with you?”
She closed her eyes, trying to hide the fear. “Sure.”
His chuckle caused her eyes to fly open. “Don’t worry, everyone’s going to love them. I figured we’d do this one together.” He set a sheet on top. He nodded towards her guitar. “Of course, we’d have to spend some time practicing together.”
On rubbery legs, she walked over and pulled down her guitar. When they started playing together, it was like magic.
He started singing the part she’d marked for Grant, and she started singing Alexis’ part.
It was strange to have her voice pitched perfectly with his. She’d never sung with a partner before. She’d always assumed it took a lot of practice. Alex and Grant had made it look easy and now she knew it was.
Their voices wove in and out from one another and matched perfectly as the last chord played out.
The room was silent at the end and she felt a tear slide down her cheek.
“That’s a powerful one.”
She swallowed. “It was for my parents.”
“I’m sure your mother would have loved it.”
He put his guitar back in its case and tucked the papers on top of it. “I think we’ve got that one down. Don’t you?” He glanced over his shoulder at her.
“Yes, I’d say so.”
“What time do you get off tomorrow?”
“Eight.” She stood up and hung her guitar back up.
“I’m going to have to get a couple of those hooks.” When she turned around, he was right behind her and she almost bumped into him.
“Hum?”
“The hooks you have.” He nodded to the wall where four guitars hung, all with different colored lights shining on them from the ceiling.
“Oh, they have them online.” She smiled. “I’m kind of a freaky online shopper.”
He chuckled. “Well, maybe you can forward me the link.” His hands went to her hips and he pulled her closer. “Of course, I only have the one guitar.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “The way you play, you should have a few. I can let you borrow my electric one here.” She stepped away and took her prized guitar down from the wall.
“This is a custom Martin!” He turned it over in his hands, feeling the weight of it, and then sat on the sofa and strummed it. It was a custom black job she’d found at a pawn shop in Austin. She’d immediately maxed out her credit cards to get it. But she had to admit, it looked and sounded better with him than it ever had with her.
“I can’t take this—”
“Take it. You’ll want to practice on it before next week.” She walked to her closet and pulled out its hard case and the small amp that went with it. “Have you ever played on an electric?”
He nodded, his eyes still glued to the guitar. “I’ll borrow this on one condition.” She waited. “If you let me help move your dad this weekend.”
She laughed. “It’s a deal.” She held out her hand and, instead of shaking it, he set the guitar down and pulled her into his arms.
“And, if we continue this…” His lips brushed hers. When he pulled back, she smiled.
“It’s a deal.”
Chapter Nine
The next few days went by quickly. Every night Luke showed up at the diner. They ate dinner, then walked down to her place for practice. Every night he kissed her until they were both breathless. Then he would pack up and head home.
That weekend, along with half a dozen others, he helped move her dad into the small house on Main Street.
By Sunday evening, he was settled in and she could tell he was much happier.
When she walked to work on Monday, she stopped by and saw him sitting out front on the porch talking to the neighbor, Mrs. Cole. The woman was old, but looked younger than her father.
She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Mrs. Cole fluff her fair as she talked to her father.
She was going to laugh it off as harmless old-people flirting until she saw her father pat the woman’s hand.
“Hey, Dad,” she burst in, causing them both to jump slightly. She figured he deserved the scare.
“Oh.” He chuckled. “I guess we were too busy gossiping to see you walk up.”
“Yeah.” She stretched out the word as her eyes moved over to Mrs. Cole.
“You remember Martha Cole,” her father said, making sure his hand was tucked into his jeans.
“Sure, you taught me in third grade.” She smiled at the woman. She had nothing but fond memories of the woman. But that didn’t mean she wanted her sniffing around her dad.
“Heading to work, sweetie?” he asked.
“Yes, I wanted to stop by and see if you needed anything from the store. I have to stop by on the way back.”
“Nope, I walked over there this morning when they opened their doors. I was out of eggs.”
“Oh,” Mrs. Cole broke in. “You should have come on over. I made a whole pan of eggs and bacon this morning.” She turned towards Tessa. “I just can’t seem to cook for one.” She sighed. “Ever since my Harold died, I still cook enough food for two.” Mrs. Cole winked at Tessa, which, somehow, made Tessa feel more at ease.
“I couldn’t intrude…” her father said.
“Oh shush, it’s no intrusion. After all, we’re neighbors now.” She reached over and patted his hand.
“Well,” Tessa broke in, “if you don’t need anything.” She felt an almost urgent need to get out of there. “Oh.” She snapped her fingers and turned back towards them. “Dad, I was wondering if you wanted to come listen to Luke sing some of my songs at the Rusty Rail this Thursday.”
“Oh!” Mrs. Cole smiled. “How exciting.”
“Well, I suppose.” Her father turned to Mrs. Cole. “I’d love to go. That is, if you’d care to join me?”
She tried not to grind her teeth as she walked away as they made their plans. For the rest of the day, she was in a mood. Work didn’t hold its charm like it had. When Lucas showed up at a quarter to eight, she had a full-blown headache and tried to call off their practice for the night.
But sitting across from him eating fried catfish, she couldn’t bring herself to turn him away. Besides, maybe a good old-fashioned make-out session would do her mood some good.
When she opened her door, she didn’t even give him a chance to set the guitar case down before her lips were on his. She pushed him back against the front door, slamming it behind him. Th
e guitar case hit the carpet as she pushed his shirt open, and reached to pull his T-shirt from his jeans.
She was right, kissing him made all the other thoughts go away. Instead, her mind was on how to get him naked. What it would feel like to lay next to him. Skin to skin.
She tugged his shirt over his head, then ran her fingers over his impressive chest. It was smooth and rock hard. His muscles jumped under her fingers as she played over them. She dipped her head and ran her tongue over his pecs, something she’d always dreamed of trying. His fingers dug into her hair as her fingers explored lower to play with the buttons on his jeans.
Before she could open them, he reached down and took her wrists with his hands, then reversed their positions until her back was up against the wood of her door.
He pushed her shirt open, exposing her skin, causing goosebumps to rise all over as his hands and mouth roamed over her. She closed her eyes tight and enjoyed the feeling of his warm mouth on her. When one of his fingers pushed aside her bra, her breath hitched. The tip of his finger circled her nipple, causing it to pucker for him, then he dipped his head and replaced his finger with the tip of his tongue.
She’d never experienced anything more exciting in her entire life. She questioned if she was ready for everything that came with intimacy, but when his mouth moved back up to hers, all the doubts flew away.
Her breath was labored when he pulled back and ran his eyes over her.
“What brought this on?” He sounded winded.
“Does a woman need a reason to rip a man’s clothes off?” She ran her eyes over his half-naked body, enjoying the look of him.
“No.” His voice was husky as his eyes darkened. “But if we start, I won’t want to stop,” he warned.
She swallowed and was about to nod her head, when her phone rang.
Closing her eyes, she gathered her thoughts and sighed. His hands dropped from her wrists and he took a step back.
Reaching into her skirt, she pulled out the phone and saw Alex’s phone number.