Tudor Redemption (Tudor Dynasty Book 4)

by Jamie Salisbury

  I hung up the phone.

  ****

  Having given the tracks a final listen and satisfied with what we’d done, I left it in Amadeus’s capable hands. We’d spent the past evening recording backup vocals, finishing late into the night.

  Even Peter was excited by what he heard and wanted to talk more. He told Amadeus and me it had taken him a few seconds into the song to realize who it was. He was floored, which in this case was a good thing. Things were most definitely looking up.

  On the ferry ride back to Seattle, I stood on the deck, the breeze blowing through my hair. I watched as the island I used to live on faded from sight. One day soon, perhaps I’d find another place on a somewhat remote island. I walked towards the bow. As I did, I could see the city of Seattle coming into view. I stood at the railing, watching the gulls flock near and the watercraft darting around us. Peace is what I felt. An afternoon sail might not be a bad idea either.

  I didn’t remember to call Beth until I was pulling into the garage at the condo. Unbelievable. I’d let myself get caught up in nothingness. Something I didn’t allow myself to do very often.

  “Hi there,” she said as I shut off my SUV. “All finished?”

  “Yes, and I have to admit, it’s a good feeling.”

  “Where are you?”

  “In the elevator headed up to the condo,” I hesitated. “Have you given any thought to our date?” I cringed at the term. It sounded so old fashioned.

  “I have. I was thinking since we have so much to catch up on, talk about, what would you say to coming over here?”

  “I’m open to it. Just remember the paparazzi snapped that photo of us on your deck.”

  “I know, but we were outside. They can’t see in the house. Ethan’s not here, so I’m not worried about them hanging around.”

  I opened the door to the condo and dropped my jaw at what I saw. Obviously, the girls weren’t expecting me back until tonight or tomorrow. I knew one thing, I couldn’t have Beth come here. Not that it was an option this early on.

  “Dame? Did I lose you?”

  “No. I just walked into a huge mess. Obviously, the girls haven’t had cleaning up behind themselves on their minds.”

  “I’m sorry. Do you want to call me back?”

  “No.” I sighed. “Is tomorrow too soon? I would say I’d sail over, but my boat sitting at your dock would be a huge giveaway.”

  “Tomorrow is perfect. Why don’t you just plan on driving over? That way, you don’t have to deal with your boat. We can do that another time.”

  “I think you’re right, driving is the better plan. The weather is too iffy right now.” I walked into the kitchen and right back out. What was going on here? What had those two been up to?

  “Dame, why don’t you settle in, do whatever you need to do with the mess the girls left? Call me later, and we can decide on a time and stuff.”

  “Thanks, Beth. I’m sorry I’m not more attentive. They’ve never done this before.”

  “Don’t apologize. Call me in an hour or so. In the meantime, I’m going to decide what I’m going to feed you and make a grocery list.”

  “You’ve got it. I’ll talk to you then.”

  I put the phone in my pocket and began to survey the damage, trying to make sense of what’d been going on here. Rather than speculate, it would be better to let them know I was home and that papa bear was not happy.

  I typed out a group text so I wouldn’t have to do it twice.

  I see while the cat’s away the mice will play! What in hell have the two of you been doing? This house is trashed and I want to know why. Now!!!

  I waited for about a minute. They were probably talking among themselves.

  I’m waiting!

  Finally, Courtney chimed in.

  Sorry Daddy. We’ve just been really busy. We planned on cleaning the house this evening.

  Busy? With what? You know what - never mind. I don’t want to hear your excuses. As far as I’m concerned there are no excuses good enough outside of being in the hospital or death that excuses this sort of filth.

  Sticking my phone on vibrate, I began walking through the house. Unbelievable. What had possessed them? It looked like the remains to a party. Little did they know, I could easily bust them out. Guests had to be on a list and had to sign in. If they’d had a party, there would have been a list for that day.

  I sent one more text to them.

  Checking with security to see who’s been visiting while I’ve been away.

  I let that one go before sending one last missive.

  I’m hugely disappointed in you both.

  Not waiting for either of them to respond, I did call down to the security desk and told them what I was looking for. Bingo. Party.

  I decided I could best get out my frustrations by cleaning the kitchen. Yeah, I could leave it for them, but it would mean my having to see it until they got home. Meaning my temper and blood pressure would skyrocket, and I wasn’t having that.

  Disgusting. Trash overflowing, two filled bags that should have been taken out. I took care of that revolting mess before I tackled the sink. Obviously, they had not used the dishwasher in the days I was gone because the counters were littered with plates, coffee mugs, and silverware.

  Thirty minutes later, I had the dishwasher humming, the sinks and counters shining. The trash was all in a neat pile for two wayward young ladies to take where it belonged. I would leave the floor and the living room to them.

  After heating a piece of pizza, I grabbed a beer and went to sit in the sunroom which was now my office. I sat back in the chair and guzzled half the brew. After taking a bite of the pizza, I decided it wasn’t fit for human consumption. I threw it back on the plate.

  I was about to get up when I heard the front door open. Not budging or turning around, I stared out at the sound. I knew it had to be Courtney. Britt would be working this time of day.

  “Hi, Daddy.”

  “Hi, yourself.”

  “Daddy, we didn’t expect you home until tonight or tomorrow. Britt and I were really planning on cleaning the house as soon as we got home.”

  “Don’t want to hear it, Court. This makes me wonder what else has gone on when I’m gone.”

  “We don’t do anything. Ethan had given us a bunch of his CDs and merchandise before he left. Britt and I thought we’d have some friends over. Play his CDs and have pizza. We weren’t drinking or anything like that. We really didn’t think you were coming home until tomorrow, or maybe tonight.”

  “Right now, I’m too mad to talk. I came home, after cutting the best CD of my career, to this mess. Right now, all I want to do is grab a shower and go out and get something to eat, since there is obviously nothing here. I cleaned the pig-sty of a kitchen. You and Britt can wash the floor and clean the rest of the house. Maybe by then, I’ll be calm enough to talk. But don’t count on it.”

  “I could make something if you want.”

  “No. Please. Don’t. Just do what I ask. The three of us will sit down and talk later this evening.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Standing at Beth’s front door, I sucked in a deep breath. I knew Beth liked nice wine, so I’d bought a bottle before leaving Seattle. I’d also brought a bouquet of flowers. Thought it would be a nice touch. A good first impression, since this time it was finally just the two of us.

  The front door opened suddenly. “I thought I saw you drive up. Come on in,” she said, smiling at me.

  “Hi.”

  I started in the door and past her. Whatever perfume she was wearing, it was faint, but something citrusy. I’d smelled it on her before. I walked to the kitchen entry to my left.

  “These are for you,” I said, passing the bouquet to her. I held up the bottle of wine. “This is for dinner. I hope it’ll go well with whatever you’re preparing.”

  “Thank you. Why don’t you put that on the counter while I find a vase to put these in?” She kissed me on cheek. “These are beautiful,
Dame. I love mixed flowers like this.”

  “I’m glad. I wasn’t sure what to get.” I placed the bottle on the counter and watched as she pulled a vase out of a cabinet and began putting the flowers inside.

  “How was your evening with the girls?”

  “It went okay once I calmed down. They’ve never pulled anything like that before. If they have, they cleaned up before I got back.”

  “They seem like good girls, which is amazing considering what they’ve been through.”

  “They are. I couldn’t ask for better. They have their heads on straight. At least, I think they do.”

  “And do they know you’re here?”

  “No. Britt was at work, and Courtney had left early to go to some sale with a few of her friends. I left a note.”

  “Pray tell, what did it say?”

  “Gone out. No parties!”

  She giggled. “Straight and to the point, I see.”

  “After what I walked into yesterday, that’s as good as they’re getting.”

  “I never knew you to carry a grudge.”

  “I don’t. I’m getting my point across. Besides, we’d get no peace if they knew I was here.”

  “I see your point. Endless texts.”

  “Yep.”

  “Dinner won’t be ready for a couple of hours. Can I get you a beer or something?”

  “A beer would be great. I hope you didn’t go to a lot of trouble for dinner.”

  “I didn’t. Homemade lasagna.”

  “I’m impressed. I haven’t had that in, I don’t know when.”

  She walked to the massive Sub-Zero refrigerator and opened it. I watched in awe as she reached in and found what she was after.

  “Here you go. One cold beer.”

  “Thanks,” I replied. I uncapped it and slowly placed the cap in her hand, all the time watching her face. Her fingers wrapped around the cap and my fingers.

  “Why don’t we go sit somewhere more comfortable?” She drew her hand back, smiling sensually. “Let me grab this vase. I want to put these where they can be seen.”

  I stared down at her, never taking my eyes off her. I wanted to memorize this moment, this day, into my brain. Forever.

  Following her into the living room, I sat down on one of her leather chairs. I glanced around the room. It was quite eclectic, a mix of styles. Beth made it work somehow. “So, now that you’ve got Ethan off, what does Beth do to relax?”

  “Relax? No rest for the weary. Had to get laundry caught up, clean this place. Get all the loose ends with Ethan’s tour tied up. Today’s the first day I’ve had the opportunity to slow down.”

  “Tell me how it is. I haven’t had the pleasure. It’s looking like it may be a while.”

  “That good, huh?”

  “What?”

  “This new CD you just finished.”

  “Yes. I really believe it is. Well, after Courtney’s part is added. Amadeus and Peter are ecstatic, so it must be. Seriously, it’s the best I’ve ever done.”

  “I have no doubt it is. You had to take a lot of side roads to get to this point.”

  “That’s a good way of looking at it. I did. There were a few years I didn’t think I’d sing, let alone tour.”

  “All things happen for a reason.”

  “I believe that. Especially since that day in the cafe.” I grinned at her, picked up my beer, and took a long swallow. All the time I could feel those blue eyes on me. “That day is forever burned in my brain.”

  “It was life changing. To say the least.”

  “For everyone.”

  I chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “How well behaved my family is being. Usually, they would be all in my business.”

  “What do you think it means?”

  “That everyone is busy with their own stuff. Mother is helping my sister Mary with the babies. Otherwise, I’d be getting the questions.”

  “I remember your mother quite well. A very elegant lady to have three sons become rockers.”

  “She still is, and very much the matriarch of the family.”

  “I was surprised when I read she’d married Peter.”

  “We all were. I believe it even surprised them. Peter’s been good for her. I even hear rumor he’s encouraging her to pursue her dream of being a concert pianist.”

  “That’s wonderful. Does your family intermingle with his? His children?”

  “Oh yes. Peter and Mother usually try to schedule something once a year for everyone to get together. I was trying to get his daughter Nora to do the images for my CD.”

  “And?”

  “She’s busy. Quite in demand, from what Peter says.” I took a swallow off my brew. “We all get along and have a good time when we’re together. I wondered at first how we would all get along.”

  “How’s that?”

  “We’re a boisterous bunch. I was sure they were reserved and quite proper. But they’re as bad as us. Loud and fun to be around. They’re all successful at whatever they do. They’ve all gotten where they are on their own merits and not on who their father is.”

  “I don’t see Peter as being the sort to throw money at his children’s whims.”

  “As far as I know, he doesn’t. He backs them financially to get started, or if it’s a special project, but they’ve pretty much done it on their own.”

  “Results in less spoiled kids.”

  “Right. You’ll really like him. He’s down to earth and a lot of fun to be around.”

  “I look forward to meeting him. Everyone else as well.”

  “He’s interested in helping with The Consortium. He’s willing to let me use some of his resources until things get off the ground. Like a silent partner, but work together on special projects. He amazes me the ideas he has.”

  “Didn’t he help Amadeus go solo?”

  “He did. He knew Amadeus wanting to add classical music to his set would be tricky, so he had my brother join him on part of his tour. Worked quite well.”

  “You said he loved your new CD?”

  “Oh yeah. He’s as excited as Amadeus, and all Peter’s heard are two tracks. Unless my kid brother has shared it all with him.” I snorted.

  “I really think things are about to open up for you, Dame. Of anyone I know who deserves it, it’s you.”

  I gazed at her, watching her every movement. “Are you ready to be part of it if it does? And I’m not speaking professionally. I’m talking personally. You and me. Will you take this ride with me, because I don’t want to take it alone?”

  Those blue eyes locked with mine. “You won’t be alone, Dame.”

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

  “I know. To answer your question, yes. Yes, I’ll take this crazy ride with you.”

  I was on my feet and next to her before I knew what I was thinking. This was what I wanted. Some sort of affirmation that I wasn’t crazy. That she felt the same. Leaning over, I kissed her hard. She didn’t hold back.

  “Come,” I whispered, getting to my feet and pulling her up with me. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her again, my hands exploring what they once had known well.

  “What about dinner?” she squeaked when I finally broke the kiss.

  “Screw dinner. It can wait. We have some long overdue catching up to do.” I held her tight against my chest, my face buried in her hair. I needed to have her, to be with her.

  “Is this really happening? After all these years?” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. So low I almost missed the words.

  “I guess it is. If that’s what you want, baby. Because it’s sure as hell what I’ve waited a lifetime for.” I loosened my grip on her and allowed her to take me by the hand and lead me out of the living room and down the hall to her bedroom.

  The room was bathed in light. On one wall sat a massive, engraved sleigh bed and another was all glass windows. A slider was slightly ajar. Curtains hung down from just above the door, movin
g slightly from the breeze. Other furniture lined the walls. Like the living room, a mixture of styles.

  My heart was pounding hard by now as I watched her come out of her blouse, letting it fall to the floor. I held my breath as she stepped out of her jeans. She stood before me, perfectly still, in nothing but a black, lace bra and thong.

  “Your turn,” she murmured.

  Immediately, I was out of my t-shirt, casting it aside to the floor. Beth walked closer, stopping right in front of me. I watched as she unfastened and unzipped my pants. I pulled them down over my hardened cock before kicking them off. As I did, she unhooked her bra and let it drop.

  As I rolled my forefinger and thumb around one of her erect nipples, she whimpered. I laid my free hand on her butt and pushed her against my erection. She responded by grinding her hips against me.

  My mouth covered hers, exploring the depths as I walked her backward to the bed. I picked her up and laid her in the middle. I stared at her in wonder for a moment before covering her with my body. I kissed her neck, slowly making a soft trail to her breasts. I felt her suck in a breath, as though anticipating what I was about to do. Taking a nipple into my mouth, I ran my tongue around it then sucked hard until she moaned.

  Wanting more, I spread her legs apart and moved down. I explored her folds, tasting her as I stuck my tongue inside. I felt her hands in my hair as she pushed me into her sex. She was on the edge, so I followed with my fingers. Beth pushed herself into my fingers harder and faster until I felt her body begin to shiver and quake.

  Sitting up, I looked around and located my jeans. I grabbed them and pulled a condom out of my wallet. I felt Beth watching as I tore the foil open and rolled it over my cock.

  “I need to be inside you,” I whispered hoarsely as I covered her body. She arched as I pushed slowly inside. “Watch me, Beth. I went farther, her sex stretching around me until my balls were against her. I braced myself on my elbows and kissed her. I pulled out then slammed into her as hard as I could. I stayed that way. We were one.

  We came together in a hot, wet, needy kiss. I plunged my tongue into her mouth, keeping time with my cock. As I did, I felt her legs wrap around me, holding onto me. I thrust in deeper, faster. She squeezed herself around me as an orgasm raced through her. I rode with her through it.