Turn up the Tempo (Lyrical Odyssey Rock Star Series Book 4)

by Charli B. Rose

  Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” began playing through the speakers. Dawson’s voice blended with his as he swept Izzy up into his arms and began swaying in time to the song that was truly perfect for them. They looked so … freaking perfect together. And there went my heart. Again. A slight twinge, a longing for something I adamantly did not want.

  ♪ Perfect by Ed Sheeran

  I helped myself to a glass of champagne from a passing server’s tray.

  Before I could take a sip, a husky voice behind me said, “Cheers to the New Year.”

  I spun around reluctantly to face Brooks in all his sexy glory. My mouth ran dry as I took him in. His black tuxedo jacket hugged his shoulders. He wore a tie and vest in the same shade of blue as my dress. We were a matched pair. I held my glass up to clink against his. “Cheers.”

  “You know it seems out of everyone here, only Dawson and Izzy are going to be lucky in love and relationships this year,” he scoffed.

  I frowned. “Not that I care about being lucky in love, but what do you mean?”

  “They’re the only ones who got to kiss at the stroke of midnight.” He winked as the corner of his lip ticked upward in a sexy half smile, causing my heart to stutter.

  “Pfft.” I waved off his words. “Stupid superstitions.”

  “Time for the bridal party dance,” the deejay announced.

  “That’s our cue,” Brooks said, then tipped his glass up and drained the contents in one swallow.

  I followed suit, then placed my hand in Brooks’s outstretched one. The strains of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” floated all around us. Such a cliché. My internal mocking was interrupted when Brooks suddenly spun me out onto the dance floor then pulled me back into his waiting arms.

  ♪ Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley

  I collided with his hard chest. My free hand flew up to steady myself against his pounding heart.

  Brooks chuckled at the surprised look on my face. He took my hand, which was planted in his, and brought it up to rest against his neck. Once he seemed satisfied I was going to leave it there, he dropped his hand to my waist. His fingers clenched possessively against my hip bone.

  Overhead, the lights sparkled and flashed, giving Brooks a hypnotic glow. I stared in his eyes, falling under some spell of the lights, the song and him. He twirled me around. As I returned to his embrace, his lips met mine, parting them in a soft, gentle kiss—a kiss unlike any I’d ever had before. He pulled back as the song wound down.

  My brow furrowed as I studied him. “What was that for?” I whispered.

  “It’s midnight in Hawaii. I don’t want you to be unlucky in love this year.” He kissed my cheek.

  The classic ballad faded into another song. Brooks changed the tempo of his steps to match the new beat.

  Before I could fall in step with him properly, someone tapped me on the shoulder. “Mind if I cut in?” April asked in her annoying voice.

  Panic filled Brooks’s eyes. Silently, he pleaded with me.

  But I needed the space. “Sure, April. I need a drink anyway.”

  Brooks plastered a smile on his face and opened his arms to accept April. I walked away. When I reached the edge of the dance floor, I turned back. Pain lanced my heart over seeing him with someone else in his arms.

  What the hell is wrong with me? I hadn’t felt the longings of a crush since early high school. Why now? And why him?

  I snatched another glass of bubbly as I strode in the direction of the bar. Only one person was in line. I was so focused on getting a drink that I bumped into the back of someone. “I am so sorry,” I exclaimed. Thankfully, I didn’t slosh my champagne on him.

  “That’s quite all right. I shouldn’t have been standing in the path to the bar,” a somewhat familiar voice said as he turned around. A huge grin spread across his handsome face, flashing white teeth at me.

  “Oh my gosh, Beckett. How are you?” I exclaimed.

  “I’m good, Brittany. How are you?” he asked, giving me a hug.

  “You know, hanging in there. Anyway … I know it’s probably awkward for you to be here. But I know it means a lot to Izzy that you came.” I squeezed his shoulder.

  “You mean most guys don’t attend the weddings of their exes?” he asked with a chuckle.

  I took a sip from my glass. “I think you’re definitely an anomaly. How are you holding up with all of this?” I waved my arm around to indicate the whole wedding.

  “I’m good. I swear. Isabelle and I are still friends. I’m glad to see her truly happy. I know what she has with Dawson is the real deal,” he explained.

  “That’s very big and noble of you,” I said, nodding my approval.

  “Oh, believe me, I wasn’t this mature initially. I had to go home and lick my wounds. But distance and time allowed me to examine everything about my time with Isabelle and our feelings with new eyes,” Beckett admitted with a sheepish look on his face.

  Before I could respond, a stunning woman in a red dress and long, dark hair approached. She handed Beckett one of the glasses she held. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.” Beckett took a sip. Then he wrapped his arm around the woman’s waist. “Brittany, this is my plus one, Rebecca Mitchell.” He winked down at her in a teasing manner.

  “Hi, Rebecca. It’s nice to meet you.” I held out my hand to shake hers.

  “Nice to meet you too. The wedding was beautiful. Isabelle looks much better than she did the last time I saw her,” Rebecca said, leaning into Beckett’s side.

  “Oh. I didn’t realize that you knew Izzy too.” I thought I knew of most of Izzy’s friends.

  “I only met her briefly a few years ago. She got sick while she was on a trip in Texas. Beckett called me to check on her. I’m glad she’s doing well.” Rebecca smiled before sipping her drink.

  “So, you know Beckett because you’re a doctor too?”

  “Yeah. We were in med school together,” Beckett chimed in.

  “He was my biggest distraction,” Rebecca teased, resting her hand on his chest.

  “I could see that,” I commented back.

  “Hey now,” Beckett said, acting affronted.

  “He must not have been too big of a distraction if you were able to graduate and become a doctor,” I said, joining her teasing.

  “I’ll have you know I was a great study buddy and provided excellent incentives,” Beckett said, planting a kiss on Rebecca’s cheek.

  She smiled up at him. “You’re right.”

  The two of them looked a touch smitten with each other. Maybe something was brewing. I didn’t want to stand there being the third wheel. “It was good seeing you again, Beckett. And nice to meet you, Rebecca. I know Izzy will be happy you made it.”

  “Good to see you too, Brittany,” Beckett said as he and Rebecca turned to walk away.

  I was back on my mission to reach the bar. There was a line now. Great.

  By the time it was my turn, I’d emptied my glass.

  “What can I get you?” a young, handsome guy in a suit asked.

  “Piña colada please.”

  As he began to make my drink, someone behind me called, “Brittany.”

  When I spun around, I found myself engulfed in my mother’s embrace, inhaling a lungful of her floral perfume. “Hi, Mom.”

  After an appropriate length of time for a motherly hug, I stepped back and drew in a breath of less floral air. “Hi, Bob,” I greeted my stepdad. “Did you guys get something to eat?”

  “We did while you guys were taking pictures,” Mom said, fingering the necklace draped around my neck—a gift from Izzy.

  “OK. I’m going to go grab something as soon as I get my drink.” I peeked over my shoulder to find the bartender finishing up. He held it out to me with a cocktail napkin. Gratefully, I accepted the glass and took a hearty sip. Mmm, pineapple, coconut and a hint of rum—it was perfect.

  “I tried to call you yesterday. That preschool left a message at home saying you got the jo
b,” Mom said excitedly.

  Great. Instead of a job even remotely related to my life’s passion, I’d be fixing lunches and cleaning at a preschool. It was the only position in my hometown available for a former dancer with no college education. I pasted a smile on my face. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll check in with them when I get back in town.”

  She pulled me in for another hug. “I know it isn’t what you wanted, sweetie. But at least it can hold you over until you find something you’ll love.”

  I squeezed her back. “I know.”

  “We need to head out now. Got an early flight,” Mom said with a pout.

  “I understand.” I stepped forward to give Bob a hug.

  “I’m going to miss you over the next few weeks,” Mom said, rubbing her hand down my arm.

  “Time will fly. Besides, I know having me back at home had to be cramping yours and Bob’s style,” I teased, making my mom blush a deep pink.

  “You hush now.” She waved off my words. “Please tell Izzy that the ceremony was beautiful, and make sure to tell her if she doesn’t like the ceramic lasagna pan we got her, then I have the receipt and can return it. It’s wrapped in the shiny silver paper with silver ribbons on it.” Mom pointed to the gift table.

  I nodded in acknowledgement. “I’ll be sure to let her know. I’ll talk to you soon. I love you, Mom.”

  “Love you too, sweetie.” She waggled her fingers at me as they headed for the door.

  Once they were gone, I headed for the food table. Platters were piled high with all manner of finger foods. My stomach rumbled just taking them all in. Thankfully, there was no line. I balanced a plate on top of my half-filled glass. Moving down the length of the table, I helped myself to anything that looked good. It had been so long since I’d truly indulged in a lot of junk food, so I added meatballs, cannolis, mini egg rolls, chocolate-covered strawberries. Everything looked so good. I added some veggies and fruit to help balance out some of my unhealthy options.

  In the corner, I spotted Cleo and Tansy. Sky was chatting with Maddox nearby. So, I headed in their direction. Before I got to them, Sky’s fiancé stormed up to her. He gripped her arm and leaned in to whisper in her ear. I picked up my pace.

  When I reached Cleo and Tansy, I asked, “What the hell is that about?” I tipped my head toward where Sky was in a heated discussion with her man while Maddox rocked awkwardly on his heels off to the side.

  “I have no idea, but it doesn’t look good,” Tansy offered.

  “Yeah, he does not look happy to see her,” Cleo chimed in.

  We ate in silence, keeping an eye on our fellow bridesmaid in case she needed our help. A Latin beat throbbed in the air, and my hips started to sway of their own accord.

  Wilder approached, a wide smile lighting up his face. “Dance with me, blue eyes?” his voice held a teasing note as he asked. He held out his hand to me, his feet already moving in a complicated pattern.

  ♪ Senorita by Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes

  I shook my head at his antics. My finger tapped my mouth in contemplation. With a sigh, I set my plate and glass down. I needed the distraction, so I eagerly planted my hand in his. “So, you remembered my eye color this time?” I joked back.

  “Hey, the lighting was terrible when I called you my brown eyed girl. Are you ever going to forgive me for getting it wrong?” he teased.

  “I’ll think about it,” I said with a laugh.

  “Besides, the song we danced to was like karma. ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ seemed like fate was saying you were that to me after I thought your eyes were brown,” he continued to defend himself while I continued to pretend to be upset at his lack of observation skills.

  He whisked me out to the dance floor and started guiding me through a sexy salsa dance. It didn’t take long for the space around us to clear as a crowd gathered to watch us.

  Wilder’s hands ran over my hips, up my sides, almost skimming my breasts. Then he spun me out. I tossed my head back then sauntered back to him with a flirty smile on my face. When he turned me in the opposite direction, my gaze slammed into a fiercely angry pair of eyes. Brooks’s lips pressed into a thin line, and he turned, disappearing in the crowd.

  After the song ended, a handsome man in a suit approached me. “You were magnificent out there. Who knew anyone could make this guy actually look like a pro?” the man teased, pointing at Wilder.

  Wilder playfully punched him in the shoulder. “Britt, this is Dub. He’s a choreographer. We worked with some of his backup dancers for a few shows and some music videos. Dub, this is Brittany, Izzy’s best friend,” Wilder said, making the introductions.

  “Wait. Dub? You’re the Dub?” I said stupidly, my eyes wide with shock. “You’re like, one of the best choreographers out there. I’ve memorized so many of your routines from YouTube. I didn’t recognize you wearing a tuxedo.” God, I need to shut up.

  He took my hand and squeezed gently. “Hi, Brittany. It’s nice to meet you. And between you and me, I’d be much more comfortable in sweats or even compression shorts. But I think that would be frowned upon at a wedding,” he responded in a sexy Irish accent.

  Wilder chuckled beside me at my stupefied behavior. “Shut up,” I hissed and elbowed him in the gut.

  “Who’s your agent?” Dub asked me.

  “I don’t have one,” I admitted, embarrassment staining my cheeks.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. You just move like a pro. Are you a professional dancer?” Dub asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

  “Dance has always been my life. Unfortunately, I haven’t worked as a dancer in over a year,” I told him sadly.

  “Well, it just so happens that I need someone for a Latin music video. And you obviously have the moves for it. Here’s my card.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a business card. “Text me your information if you’re interested. And if that works out, I might have some other opportunities for you.”

  “Really? I’d love to dance in a music video. I’ll definitely be in touch.” My heart raced at the possibility of work, real dance work. “Thank you so much.”

  Dub excused himself.

  “I think you owe me another dance,” Wilder mumbled in my ear and spun me back toward the dance floor.

  “How do you figure?” I teased.

  “If I hadn’t helped you look so stunning a few minutes ago, you wouldn’t have caught Dub’s eye. Now you might be dancing in a hot, new music video. All because of me.” He brushed the lapels of his jacket.

  I shook my head, laughing at his nonsense.

  “Come on. Dance with me, brown eyed girl,” he emphasized the word brown just to give me grief. Then he pulled me into some fancy footwork.

  For just a little bit, I allowed myself to get lost in the melody and steps with my heart a little lighter at the prospect of a job in dance.

  Chapter 4

  Brooks

  After I gave April the slip, I tossed back a couple of whiskeys, but they didn’t bring the numbness I sought. They burned going down my throat but didn’t offer that blissful, numb feeling I really needed with all the crap going on in my life.

  Stealthily, I moved among the clusters of people, dodging Izzy’s persistent cousin. All the while, I kept my eyes peeled for the one woman I shouldn’t be looking for. And she was nowhere.

  Most of the wedding party was doing some line dance. I didn’t have it in me to participate.

  ♪ Devil with a Blue Dress on by Mitch Ryder

  Unable to take the torture anymore, I stormed up the stairs, searching for the devil in the blue dress who’d been haunting my dreams for months. As I ascended, the noise of the party faded below me. The only sound over the thundering bass of my heart was the soft click-clack of heels hurrying down the marbled hallway.

  Up ahead, a flurry of shimmery blue disappeared behind a closing door. To hell with the consequences. I sprinted to the door and grabbed it just before it swung shut.

  There she was, standing in front of the vanity. Startled
eyes met mine in the mirror.

  “What are you doing in here?” she asked, unable to hide the tremor in her voice.

  “Looking for you,” I confessed. The click of the lock echoed in the small space when I turned it. “You’re a devil in a blue dress. I couldn’t resist. I was hypnotized by you.”

  “I’m no devil. I’m more like an angel,” she sassed, swiping some gloss over her lips.

  Lacking all my good sense, I closed the distance between us. I crowded her against the counter, caging her in by planting my hands on either side of her. She froze in place. The air crackled around us, charged with longing and fury. Like magnets, unable to resist the pull, I pressed my body against her back as she pushed back against me. The feel of her touching me from shoulder to thigh incinerated every logical thought in my brain. I dropped my head to her bare shoulder in defeat. The battle I’d been waging with myself was about to be lost.

  Surrounded by the scent of her perfume, I couldn’t help myself. I kissed the delicate skin of her neck. One hand fell from where it gripped the countertop, and my fingers curled around the hem of her dress. Her breath hitched as I dragged the fabric up her thigh.

  Groaning, I lifted my head and met her gaze in the mirror. “What are you doing to me?”

  “What are you doing to me?” she whispered, her eyes locked on mine. Her chest heaved as my fingers crept higher as she spoke, her words a staccato beat. “We agreed. One time. No complications. No strings. One night.”

  Though years of plucking steel strings had toughened the pads of my fingertips, I still felt the goosebumps rise on her flesh beneath my touch as I reached the crease of her thigh. I slid beneath the thin strip of fabric riding high on her hipbone. My other hand mimicked my movements on the other side, quickly catching up. With my fingers hooked in the waistband of her panties, I stared directly into her eyes in the mirror’s reflection, making sure she was still with me.

  Her lower lip was trapped between a row of perfect, white teeth. She rubbed her ass against my crotch. The slight nod of her head granted me permission to the question I hadn’t voiced out loud. She wanted this. Wanted me.