Music of the Heart

by Katie Ashley

  “Without your dance partner?” he spat.

  I couldn’t help the smile that curved on my lips. He was jealous of me dancing with AJ. “The only dance partner I want is out here.”

  “Hmm,” he muttered.

  Tension hung heavy around us. Trying to ease the mood, I slid out of my killer heels. I groaned in agony. “Remind me to hunt down the person who invented heels.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s your fault for going out there with AJ and acting like you two were on Dancing with the Stars or some shit.”

  “Jake Slater, I do believe you’re jealous.”

  He jerked his gaze to meet mine. “I am not!”

  I grinned. “Pity. I kinda like the idea of you being all caveman possessive sometimes.”

  “Sure you do.”

  I scooted closer to him. “There will never, ever be anything between me and AJ. You know that, right?”

  “I guess.”

  “He and I just wanted to dance and have fun.”

  “And sadly for us, your partner has no rhythm, huh?”

  “No, you did just fine before.”

  He smirked at me. “Just fine?”

  “Fabulous? Incredibly sexy moves?”

  “Much better.”

  Taking his chin in my hands, I turned his head to where he had to look at me. “For me, it’s always you, and it’s only going to be you, Jake.”

  The corners of his lips twitched before they curved up in a cocky grin. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “I want you think about this for a minute though. That little bit of jealousy you felt over me and AJ. Magnify it by like a million for what it feels like when I think of all the other women you’ve been with or all the women who want you.”

  He glowered at me. “That’s bullshit.”

  I shrugged. “Yeah, well, since we’re being honest, that’s how I feel.”

  “You’re the only one for me, Angel. Hell, you’re the only one I’m even bothering to try a relationship with. That should tell you something.”

  I smiled. “It does, and it means a lot.” I cocked my brows at him. “So are we good?”

  “We’re good.”

  I winced as I crossed my legs so I could massage one of my aching feet. “Ugh.”

  “Here let me,” Jake offered.

  “Seriously?”

  A sexy gleam burned in his blue eyes. “You know I would never pass up the opportunity to touch you—even if it is your nasty, sweaty feet.”

  “Hey now,” I replied as I scooted back on the cement foundation. I swung both my legs up to rest my feet in Jake’s lap.

  “Feel good?” he asked as his hands began kneading my foot.

  My eyelids fluttered before I closed my eyes. “Mmm, you have magic fingers.”

  Jake chuckled. “You have no idea, babe.”

  I squinted one eye at him. “Watch it.”

  When he dug his hands into the arch of my foot while working the sole as well, I forgot all about his comment. “Oh God,” I moaned, throwing my head back.

  Scooting over, Jake’s body pressed closer against mine. His breath came scorching against my cheek. “Damn, Angel, if I get that kinda response from just massaging your feet, I can’t wait to see what happens when I—”

  “Don’t even go there, naughty boy!” I cried, shoving him away.

  Not realizing my own strength, Jake wobbled before crashing backwards. I held on to the sides of the fountain for dear life so I wouldn’t go in with him. At the huge splash, I covered my mouth in horror. His legs, that still hung over the concrete side, were the only things dry. He spewed water out of his mouth from where his head had momentarily gone beneath the water. “Oh my God!” I murmured behind my hand.

  Propped on his submerged elbows, a stunned Jake stared up at me for a few seconds. Then a smirk stretched across his drenched face. “Besides nailing me in the balls, I think that is the second most epic cockblock you’ve ever given me, Angel!”

  I held up my hands. “I’m sorry. I so didn’t mean to do it!”

  “You’re just too sassy for your own good. I think you need some cooling off.” A wicked gleam flashed in his clear blue eyes.

  I wagged my finger at him. “Oh no. Don’t you dare!” I cried, trying to scramble away.

  The next thing I knew Jake’s strong hands were gripping my waist. “No don’t!” I screamed futilely before he hoisted me up and dragged me over the side. I squealed as the first deluge of icy fountain water pricked over my exposed skin like tiny little knives.

  Huffing and puffing, I tried to adjust to the temperature as water cascaded down the front of my dress and other areas. “You bastard!” I cried, splashing Jake in the face.

  He chuckled as he rubbed his eyes. “You pushed me first.”

  “But I didn’t mean to get you wet.” I glanced down at my dress. “Ugh, I’m soaked through.”

  He waggled his brows. “I like you wet.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Of course you do.” On wobbly legs, I pulled myself to my feet. “I’m sure this dress is practically see through now.”

  Jake’s hungry gaze roved over me. “Almost.” Taking my arm, he jerked me back down next to him. Cupping my face with his hands, he stared into my eyes. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Angel.”

  Leaning in, he kissed a trail across my wet cheek before hovering precariously over my mouth. Tenderly, his lips pressed against mine. Pulling away, he stared into my eyes to gauge if I was okay with what he was doing. “Don’t stop,” I whispered before bringing my mouth to his.

  This time his lips were hungry as they worked against my own. When I gasped with pleasure, he thrust his tongue in my mouth to swirl around mine. The world around me began to spin in a dizzying flurry. I couldn’t get enough of him. My fingers raked through the wet strands of his hair. When I tugged them, a low growl came from the back of his throat, causing me to jerk away.

  “Did I do something wrong?” I asked.

  Jake’s hooded eyes opened, and he gave me a crooked grin. “No, baby, that wasn’t wrong. I liked it.”

  Heat warmed my cheeks. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry for doing something hot.” When I started to protest, he shook his head.

  “You’ll learn, Angel, and until then, nothing you could possibly do would ever make me not want you.” His teeth grazed against my bottom lip. “Mmm, you taste sweeter tonight than before.”

  With my chest heaving under his intense gaze, I panted, “It must be the chocolate covered strawberries.”

  His thumb rubbed back and forth across my lip. “Regardless of what you’ve had, I like the way you taste.” He then replaced his thumb with his tongue. I couldn’t help the whimper that escaped my lips.

  Gripping my waist, he pulled me over to straddle him in the water. His hands ran up my back and tangled into my wet hair. Something took over within me, and I began to move my hips. I rose up and then fell back against him. “Oh Angel,” Jake groaned into my mouth as he bucked his own hips against mine.

  I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth as the friction started to get to me. But I was brought out of my haze of desire when out nowhere beams of light and water shot all around us. On the hour, the fountain put on a show, and we were right in the middle of it. I squealed as the hard streams beat against my back and head.

  “Son of a bi-” Jake started before he was doused in the face.

  It was then that I began to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. As the water sprayed around us, I doubled over, shaking from amusement. When I peered up at Jake through my drenched strands of hair, he was wiping his eyes both from the water and from laughter. “I think you can mark that as your third most epic cockblock!”

  “Damn you fountain!” he shouted kicking up his leg and splashing water. He then wagged his finger at the swan. “Cockblocker!”

  I dissolved into giggles and didn’t realize we had an audience. The guys stood staring at us. “What the hell happened?” Brayden asked.
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  “We sorta had a little accident,” I replied.

  Jake snickered. “You could say that.” He put one leg over the side of the fountain and climbed out. He then held out his hand to help me.

  Rhys crossed his arms over his chest. “And just how exactly do two people fall into a fountain that isn’t more than a foot deep?”

  “It’s a long, somewhat sordid little tale that involves a foot massage, dirty thoughts, and cooling off out-of-control libidos,” Jake replied.

  “Huh?” AJ asked.

  “I’m freezing. I gotta go get into some dry clothes,” I said as I walked past the guys.

  “Well, the party is breaking up, so there’s no need to worry about coming back down. Plus, you guys have an early morning recording session,” Brayden replied.

  Jake nodded. “Do me a favor, Bray, and go tell my dad what happened. I’ll throw something on and come back down to say goodbye to Allison.” He then turned to me. “Come on, Angel. Let’s go get changed.”

  “Wait, my purse with my room key is on the table.”

  “I’ll go get it for you.” AJ hustled inside and then returned quickly looking quite comical carrying my satin clutch.

  “Thank you.”

  “Anything for you, Angel,” he replied with a grin.

  As Jake and I made our way to the elevator, we got quite a lot of funny looks from the other hotel guests. I guess it wasn’t everyday they saw two drenched people in formal wear. When we got to my room, I dug around in my purse for the keycard.

  Jake leaned one arm against the suite door above my head. “Want me to come in and help you change?” A wicked gleam burned in his eyes. “I’d love to help you out of that drenched dress.”

  I laughed. “No thank you. I think I’ll manage just fine.”

  “You’re killing me, Angel. I think I have the blue balls to prove it.”

  My eyes widened. “What happened to the ‘we need to take it slow and savor every moment’ plan?” I asked.

  “I realized that plan was fucked the moment I saw you across the lobby tonight.”

  His words caused my heartbeat to drum wildly. It took everything I had within me not to jump into his arms. “Patience, Mr. Slater. All good things come to those who wait.”

  He waggled his eyebrows at me. “I just don’t want to wait that long to come!”

  “Goodnight, Jake,” I huffed.

  “Goodnight, Angel. Sweet dreams about me.”

  I glanced back at him over my shoulder and grinned. “And sweet, G-rated dreams about me for you.”

  He groaned. “You’re killing me.”

  With a laugh, I let the door close behind me.

  ***

  Regardless of how much I wanted to sleep in the following morning, I was dressed and downstairs at eight am sharp for the car to take Abby and me to the recording studio. As she hopped in the backseat, I didn’t miss the yawn that stretched across Abby’s face. “Sleepy?” I asked as I shut the door behind us.

  “A little,” she replied with a grin. She then scooted across the leather seats to snuggle against me. “Last night was so amazing, Jake.”

  I chuckled. “I’m glad you think so.”

  Her brows shot up in surprise. “Don’t you agree?”

  Bringing my lips to hers, I devoured her mouth in a hungry kiss. I thrust my tongue against hers, seeking her taste and her warmth. I snaked an arm around her waist and tugged her onto my lap. After several long, delicious minutes passed, she moaned into my mouth before pulling away. “I seem to remember there’s someone driving this car,” she whispered.

  I grinned. “Are you embarrassed or are you afraid he’s gonna get off on me making out with my girl?”

  She lowered her eyes and then bobbed her head. “A little of both.”

  “Angel, you’re going to have to get used to me wanting my hands and lips on you. It’s hard for me to hold back, and frankly, I don’t give a shit who sees or what they think.”

  A shy smile formed on her lips that were swollen from my earlier assault. “Can we at least take baby steps to the whole mauling me in public?”

  I threw my head back and laughed. “Sure we can.” I rubbed my thumb along her cheekbone. “I never, ever want to do something that makes you uncomfortable. So, I’ll try toning it down.”

  “Mmm, my hero,” she murmured before kissing me again. We were just about to get hot and heavy again when the car pulled to a stop in front of the studio.

  “Ready to go make some music together?” I asked.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”

  I laughed. “You’ll be fine.”

  After I helped Abby out of the car, we headed inside. Pinpoint Productions was a smaller studio than what the guys and I usually recorded in, but it was the intimacy about the place and the production team that I loved. Gio, the head producer, came out of his office and shook my hand. “Good to see you, Jake.”

  “Good to see you too. This is Abby Renard. She’s the one singing the duet with me.”

  “Nice meeting you,” Gio said.

  Abby smiled. “Nice to meet you too.”

  “We’re thrilled and honored that you wanted to cut you first duet with us. That was some amazing music you and the guys laid down yesterday for the track.”

  “Thanks, man.”

  Gio glanced between us. “So who wants to go first?”

  I chuckled. “I would say for Abby to go ahead and get it out of the way since she’s so nervous, but I guess I better.”

  Abby furiously nodded her head. “Yes, you first.”

  I took her hand and gave a reassuring squeeze as Gio led the way back into the recording and sound booth. “You can sit right here.” I motioned to a chair at the soundboard.

  “Thanks,” she murmured as she eased down. I could tell from her wide eyes she was taking in every aspect and detail around her. I went inside the recording booth and shut the door. After I put on my headset, I waved at Abby. She grinned and waved back. Although the lyric sheet was laid out before me, I didn’t need it. The lyrics were emblazoned on my mind.

  Gio’s voice came through my headset. “Okay Jake, let’s try Take One.”

  “Sounds good.”

  The opening guitar melody played out in my ears, and I began singing. I closed my eyes and focused on the emotions of the lyrics. When I finished, I opened my eyes to see Abby wiping the tears from her eyes. “Good, huh?” I joked.

  She nodded while Gio gave a thumbs up. His voice rang in my ear again. “That was kickass, Jake. You’re good, but you’re never one-take good. Let’s try it again.”

  I laughed. “No problem, man.”

  We did about ten more takes to me sure that we had it just like we wanted. When I was finished, I exited the booth and went to Abby’s waiting arms. “That was fantastic!” she exclaimed.

  “Thanks, Angel. I’m sure yours will be too.”

  “Ugh, I doubt that,” she moaned.

  “Come on. Go in there and kick some ass, okay?” At her skeptical expression, I added, “I’ll be right out here, okay?”

  She gave a brief nod of her head before she stepped into the booth and shut the door behind her. I watched as she reached for the headset next to the microphone. With shaky hands, she put it on. Through the glass, I gave her a reassuring smile and a thumbs up. She bobbed her head before lowering her gaze to the lyric sheet. “Okay, Abby, let’s go for Take One,” Gio instructed.

  “All right,” she replied in a small voice.

  When the music started in the booth, Abby looked like she might puke instead of sing. She started out evenly, but then when the notes climbed an octave, she missed the note. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

  “No problem. Let’s try it again.”

  The second and third takes were even worse. Even through the glass, I could see the tears shimmering in her eyes. I leaned forward and patted Gio on the shoulder. “Hold up. Lemme try something.”

  I walked through the door and into the booth. Abb
y reached up to take off her headset. “I’m sorry, Jake. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I thought I could do it. I’m so sorry.”

  “We’re not stopping.”

  Her brows rose in surprise. “We aren’t?”

  “Oh hell no. You’re going to sing your ass off right now like I know you can, and we’re going to record this song together.”

  Her face crumpled. “But I can’t! You heard me earlier. I’m awful. You need to find someone else.”

  I took her face in between my hands. “Where is the kick-ass-and-take-names, Abby that I know?” When she shrugged, I shook my head. “The Abby I know wouldn’t fall apart right now. She’d sing the hell out of this song just like I know she can.”

  “You really believe in me that much?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  She drew in a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

  I grinned at her. “Good. I’m glad to hear it.” I took her hands in mine and squeezed them tight. “And I’m going to stay right here while you do it.”

  A determined look spread across her face that was both cute and at the same time sexy. “Okay, let’s do this.”

  I gave a thumbs up to Gio. As the music started, Abby’s gaze locked with mine. She didn’t even glance down at her lyric sheet. Instead, she sang her fucking heart out to me and only me. When she finished, I blinked a few times in disbelief.

  “Holy shit, Angel. I think you nailed it.”

  She grinned. “You think?”

  We both looked to Gio who was making a perfect sign with fingers. He leaned in to the microphone. “That was fantastic, but let’s do a couple more just in case.”

  Abby bobbed her head in agreement. “Think you can do even better?” I asked.

  “I sure as hell can try,” she replied.

  After five more takes, we stayed around the studio listening to them merge our two vocal tracks. “That’s a number one right there,” Gio said with a grin.

  “I never had any doubts,” I replied.

  Abby’s blue eyes widened. “To have my first ever song go to number one would be amazing!”

  Gio grinned. “Just wait until this drops. People are going to go batshit, especially with Jake singing a duet. He’s never done that before. You couple that with the emotions, and bam, solid gold.”