Heartbeat

by Belinda Williams

  “Nothing to be sorry for.”

  “But Viktor—”

  He squeezed my hand. “Is going to have an awesome time. You’ll see.”

  Chapter 17

  “This is amazing,” I said to Gabe a couple of hours later. What I really wanted to say was, “You’re amazing”.

  “It’s pretty great, huh?”

  I darted a glance at him lying beside me. We were soaking up the sun’s rays while the yacht cut effortlessly through the water. Gabe looked pleased with himself and I didn’t blame him.

  “I still have no idea how you did that,” I told him quietly so Viktor wouldn’t hear.

  “Did what?” His cheeky grin suggested he knew exactly what I was talking about.

  I turned and took in the sight of Viktor steering the yacht just to make sure it was real.

  “Told you,” Gabe said. “He’s having the time of his life.”

  I giggled and turned so Viktor wouldn’t see my reaction. “He is. He really is.”

  “I like him.”

  I twisted to face Gabe. His cap cast a shadow over his features but I could still make out the twinkle in his eye.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. He’s a real decent guy. Anyone who would break my arms to protect you is alright in my books. Although I’d prefer if he broke my legs so I could keep drumming.”

  I laughed and the sound of my happiness caught the breeze and floated out to sea. “I’ll suggest that to him.”

  “Please.”

  We lay back and I listened to the water lapping at the hull as we floated along. The yacht tipped as we were pulled down gently into the swell and the motion caused me to slide toward Gabe. As we bobbed up again I realized we were so close that all I had to do was reach out my pinky to stroke the back of his hand. I lay there paralyzed, my heart in my throat, while I willed myself to have the courage to reach out that fraction of an inch to touch him.

  Then, in a movement so smooth it felt like it was the most natural thing in the world, Gabe twined his fingers through mine.

  “Do you like it out here?” he asked.

  I nodded, trying to ignore the way my fingers tingled and my hand throbbed from our contact. “I love the sense of freedom,” I managed.

  “Tell me about it. All those hours I clocked up? Coming out here was like therapy when the band made it big.”

  The yacht rolled over another large swell and shifted us so we were pressed together. “You don’t like the fame?” I asked casually, even though my arm against his made it feel like my whole body was on fire.

  Gabe put his other hand behind his head and I did my best to avert my eyes when his T-shirt rode up and revealed a tanned, taut strip of his abdomen.

  “Do you?”

  His question caught me off guard. “Huh?”

  His mouth quirked like he knew what I’d been thinking. “Do you like the fame?”

  “I wouldn’t say I like it, but I’m used to it. You’re not, are you?”

  “A bit more now. At first, being out here on this yacht was the only place I still felt like myself.”

  “Gypsy Hour’s popularity happened quickly, didn’t it?”

  “Not according to Levi and Johnnie. They were doing gigs and cutting singles for almost seven years before I met them.”

  “Hang on. Weren’t you always in the band?”

  “Nope. And I thought you were a fan.” He nudged me gently with his shoulder. “Levi approached me one night when I was playing at a gig. Back then I was in a few different bands and played around LA regularly. He told me their drummer had just left. Something about a difference of opinions with Johnnie if you can imagine that.” His wry grin told me he could imagine exactly that. “Anyway, a few months later one of our singles made it big and I was officially in a famous rock band.”

  “Wow. I had no idea it was like that for you.”

  “Right place, right time.”

  “It’s always like that with fame,” I told him. “Too often success comes down to that one lucky moment.”

  Gabe propped himself up on his elbow but didn’t let go of my hand. Those beautiful gray eyes regarded me seriously. “You really believe that?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “But you’ve been working at acting since you were a kid.”

  “Yes, I have, and I’ll keep working hard, but the thing I learned early on was luck plays a huge part. Mama’s connections got me started easier than most. It allowed me to pick up a few commercials when I was kid. What people didn’t see were the hundreds of auditions I went to for television pilots that I didn’t get. And the one I did get? I got the part on School Daze because the director had been on the crew for one of the commercials I’d done. Simple as that. I wasn’t necessarily more talented, cuter, or more professional. I was just lucky.”

  “That doesn’t bother you?”

  “No, why would it?”

  “Because don’t you want it to be your hard work that got you there?”

  I looked down at our hands and my pale skin against his tanned complexion. We were so different, in more than just our looks. Fame had always been part of my life but it was new to Gabe and I sensed in him an unease that I was only just beginning to understand.

  “When Gypsy Hour made it big you didn’t feel like you deserved to be there, did you?” I asked him.

  Gabe shrugged and cast his eyes to the horizon. “Maybe.”

  “But you had been working hard—in other bands. If you hadn’t, Levi wouldn’t have seen you and approached you.”

  He let out a deep sigh. “Yeah, that’s true, I guess.”

  I took in his profile. He had a regal quality that I liked. Unlike Johnnie, who was all bravado, Gabe’s confidence was quiet, but maybe a little less self-assured than I had first thought.

  “How old are you?” I asked.

  My question seemed to break Gabe out of his reverie and he met my eyes. “Twenty-eight. Why?”

  “And how long have you been drumming?”

  “Since I was eleven.”

  “So you’ve been playing drums for . . . ” I did the math in my head. “Seventeen years. I’d say that makes you very experienced.”

  “More experienced than you.”

  Oh boy. Those few words changed the tone of our easy conversation into something a whole lot less easy, and I swallowed.

  “Does that bother you?” he asked, his voice low.

  I wet my lips because my mouth suddenly felt dry. “No. Should it?”

  “I’m not Johnnie, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Despite the delicious tingling in my fingers and toes, I frowned. “I told you, Johnnie’s not my type.”

  “Good to know.”

  Everything about the moment felt blindingly bright. The sun, the light glittering off the waves, the impossibly white yacht—and Gabe’s eyes.

  They were bright as they focused on me, and only me. I felt like I was a planet caught in the orbit of the sun. The funny thing was, the way he was looking at me it was like I was the sun.

  He moved so close I could feel his breath, and I could smell his masculine scent mixed with the salt and the sea. I tipped my chin toward him, my body instinctively knowing what came next—

  The sound of Viktor clearing his throat startled me and I moved back.

  “Wind’s changing. Probably a good idea to turn back,” he called out.

  Gabe’s eyes didn’t leave mine and I saw his lips twitch. “Yep, you’re right. I’ll trim the sails.” He looked at me a moment longer and then winked before hopping up to help Viktor.

  I lay back down to enjoy the warmth of the sun on my skin, the memory of Gabe’s eyes heating me from the inside out.

  I WASN’T SURE HOW MUCH longer it had been when Viktor’s oath woke me from my doze.

  I squinted and started to get up but froze at Viktor’s sharp tone.

  “Stay down until I tell you otherwise, Chloe. We’ve got company.”

  I let out a long br
eath and positioned my sunhat to shield my face. “Where?”

  “In the parking lot,” I heard Gabe say.

  I inched my hat up so I could look around. We were moving slowly into the marina and in the distance I could make out the rows of parked cars.

  “I’ve seen worse,” I told them. “There are only a few photographers.”

  “A few is enough.” Viktor swore again.

  I already knew he’d be angry with himself for coming alone. Normally when we went on more public outings there’d be him and at least two others.

  “Can you get her to the car safely?” Gabe asked Viktor.

  “Of course,” Viktor replied gruffly. “It’s the publicity I’m worried about. The last thing she needs after your pal Johnnie’s antics is to be seen with you.”

  My cheeks stung with embarrassment underneath my hat. Viktor knew about Johnnie? I should have realized he’d find out somehow, but I was hoping it wouldn’t be until it was old news. I was amazed he hadn’t tried to stop me from coming out with Gabe today. Mama must have convinced him. He’d always had a soft spot for my mother.

  “So I’ll drop you off at the marina and then head out again. That way they won’t see us together,” Gabe said. “It will just appear like I’m the skipper of a boat dropping you off.”

  I removed the hat from my head and sat up. “But I don’t care if anyone sees us together!”

  Viktor’s dark look was enough to make me put my hat back on again, but I didn’t lie down.

  Gabe strode over and crouched in front of me. “Hey. I’m happy to be seen with you too, but the last thing you need is more drama.”

  I was close to pouting I was so frustrated.

  “Hey,” he said again and put a finger underneath my chin. “Thanks for coming today.”

  All my frustration dissolved as I looked into his eyes. “Thanks for inviting me.”

  “Can I call you?”

  “Of course.”

  Viktor cleared his throat and I shot him a filthy look. He might be my bodyguard but it was time he knew when to butt out.

  Gabe went to stand up but I grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.

  “Whoa.”

  I’d tugged on his arm so hard he’d almost ended up on top of me. Next time, I’d use more force.

  I checked that we were still far enough from the dock and grabbed my hat from my head then positioned it sideways to cover our faces from view.

  Gabe’s expression was halfway amused and wary.

  That made two of us because I never did things like this—but then I’d never liked someone the way I did Gabe.

  “Kiss me,” I instructed. I was damned if I was going to let fear, nerves, or even my bodyguard stop me from finally having my first kiss with Gabe.

  Gabe blinked, his eyes flaring with surprise and if I wasn’t mistaken, lust.

  “I want a goodbye kiss,” I told him. “I won’t run away this time. I promise.”

  Viktor cleared his throat for about the hundredth time and I pointed at him with my free hand, but didn’t move my gaze from Gabe. “Please be quiet, Viktor, or I’ll tell Mama you were the one who dented the Porsche.”

  Mama’s classic Porsche was a source of much pride and she’d been furious when she discovered one of the drivers had dented the bumper. Except it hadn’t been one of the drivers, it had been Viktor when he’d taken it for a spin without Mama knowing.

  My threat was met with blissful silence and Gabe grinned at me.

  “Goodbye, Chloe.”

  I held my breath as Gabe’s lip came closer to mine. Inside, my heart was doing cartwheels and my brain was screaming, finally!

  I closed my eyes and—

  Let out an ‘oof’ as the yacht lurched sharply and Gabe landed on top of me.

  “Goddammit! Get off her now.”

  Before I could make sense of what was happening, Viktor had pushed Gabe off me and scooped me up.

  “Viktor! What on earth—”

  “Reporters, Tinker. In that boat over there.”

  Gabe’s sneakers squeaked on the deck as he scrambled to get up.

  “Bring us in close to the dock and we’ll jump off,” Viktor said.

  Gabe nodded and ran to the wheel.

  Viktor grabbed a few of my belongings strewn on the deck.

  “We’ll get the rest later.” He tossed me my sunglasses and hat, which I put on, and then I let him direct me to the ladder.

  As the yacht glided in close to the dock, Viktor leapt from the deck and landed far more gracefully than a man of his size and physique should be capable of. He turned and held out his hands.

  “You want me to jump?” I cried. Was this really necessary? Surely I could just use the ladder when we came to a stop?

  “That’s what I said! Quick!”

  I glanced back at Gabe, who was grinning at me.

  “Actually, I take that back,” I called out to him. “Sometimes fame stinks.”

  I jumped from the yacht and straight into the waiting arms of Viktor. He caught me as though I was as light as a feather and I cursed the fact it wasn’t Gabe’s arms I was in.

  “Head down, Chloe, so they can’t see your face. I got this.”

  I let him march me from the marina toward the waiting reporters and prayed that once we were gone they wouldn’t stick around long enough to see who was skippering the yacht.

  Chapter 18

  I texted Gabe on the way home. Fortunately, there hadn’t been too many paparazzi in the parking lot—just a few photographers—and they’d been content to snap off shots while Viktor led me to the car.

  Hey. I’m so sorry about that. And about Viktor.

  G: Don’t worry. It made for an interesting day. I hope you had fun.

  I did. Until the reporters showed up. Are you still on the yacht?

  G: Yep. I’m just taking in the sunset and then I’ll head in.

  I wish I was with you. Alone.

  G: That could be dangerous. When can I see you again?

  I brought a hand to my lips, remembering our almost kiss. It wasn’t fair!

  I’ve got full days of filming for the next week and a half :(

  G: Dinner then. At my place in a week and a half. Can we leave Viktor outside?

  Oh, don’t worry. I won’t be bringing Viktor! Whoever I bring can stay outside.

  G: What do you like to eat?

  You, I thought, but didn’t type that. Then I had a brilliant idea. It was quite possibly crazy, but maybe living with fame had done strange things to me.

  I’ve decided our first date hasn’t finished yet.

  G: No?

  No. In fact, we’re going to have the longest first date in history.

  G: We are?

  Yep. So you know all that first date stuff? Like favorite color, food, movie etc Let’s get that stuff out of the way over the next week and a half.

  G: Kind of like a continuous first date?

  Exactly!

  G: Alright. I’m game. So, favorite food?

  “SO LET ME GET THIS straight. You two have been texting solidly since Thursday?” Faith’s dark eyebrows raised in a look of disbelief.

  “Well, I wouldn’t say solidly. We’ve had to sleep and work and things.”

  “Eyebrows down, Faith,” Kelly, the make-up artist, instructed.

  It was way too early in the morning and Faith and I were getting our hair and make-up done ready for the day’s filming. Usually I wouldn’t talk about private things in front of the crew, but Kelly was a good friend of Faith’s and sworn to secrecy. Doris, my make-up artist, was so old she probably didn’t even know what a text was.

  “We’re getting all that first date stuff out of the way,” I said. “So when I see him next it won’t be awkward.”

  “Awkward like being forced to dive for cover off the side of his yacht while your bodyguard rushed you to safety?”

  I ignored Faith’s dry tone. “Thankfully the pictures that made the media were only of me and Viktor.”


  “Uh huh,” agreed Kelly. “You and your mystery man, according to the headlines. Are you going to tell us who he is?”

  “She would but then I’d have to kill you,” said Faith quite seriously, and Kelly rolled her eyes.

  “Anyway, now I know all about him. His favorite color is blue, he loves sailing but didn’t learn until he was an adult. He’s an only child and his parents separated when he was really young. He was brought up by his mom and she’s a nurse. He even hates strawberries like me!”

  “Cute,” replied Faith. “How about who he’s slept with?”

  “Faith!”

  “I’m serious. Has he had any serious relationships, marriages, children?”

  “Isn’t that a bit personal at this stage?”

  “Personal is asking him his favorite sexual position, but that’s worth knowing too.”

  Kelly shot me a look in the mirror. “Don’t listen to her. You don’t see her in a relationship, do you?”

  “Some of those things are why I’m not in a relationship, Kel,” Faith said. “All this touchy-feely stuff is great Chloe, but you need to ask the serious questions.”

  Doris pushed in between us as she worked on my blusher and I was glad for the momentary reprieve. Faith’s comment smarted, but only because I realized it was true.

  “I’ll get to those questions,” I said, affecting a carefree tone. “It’s early days.”

  “Yeah, well, for your sake. Get them out of the way before you sleep with him, OK? The last thing you need is to discover he’s into kinky sex when you’re in the bedroom.”

  “Speaking from experience, hey Faith?” Kelly winked at me.

  “Something like that,” Faith grumbled.

  “In my day,” Doris said, “it wasn’t polite to ask those sorts of questions.”

  “Yeah, you know I love you, Doris,” Faith replied. “But in your day you didn’t have to apply bronzer to Kim Kardashian’s ass so she’d look good for a completely impromptu selfie in her bathroom mirror.”

  Doris tsk tsked and we all laughed.

  LATER THAT DAY—SO MUCH later it was nearing midnight—we headed for our trailers.

  “I feel like I could sleep for a week,” Faith complained.