by Tina Donahue
“Wait.” Bree’s words finally sank in, so did the outfit she wore, different from yesterday’s. Pants instead of a skirt. “What time is it?”
“Eleven.”
Jacquie gripped the armrests. “In the morning?”
“Yeah.” Bree propped her hip against the desk. “What the hell happened with you and the guys? Why are you still wearing the gown and your makeup?” Her face paled. “Where are the earrings?”
Jacquie unlocked her drawer and gave the gems to Bree. “Your door’s locked. My clothes are in there. I couldn’t change.”
“I left it unlocked for you.”
Now you tell me. “The makeup’s waterproof. I don’t know how to remove it. Even after a shower it hung on.”
“Yeah?” Bree bounced the earrings in her palm. “You and the guys took a shower?”
“Two.” She hung her head. “The first time because we wanted to, the second for them to clean me.”
Bree leaned in. “How’d you get dirty?”
“We ate in bed. Or rather they ate off me.”
“Dayum. Outstanding.”
Tears welled in Jacquie’s eyes. “They didn’t ask me out or even suggest returning here to do more research.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Bree leaned down and hugged her gently. “That doesn’t matter.”
“Are you serious?” Jacquie pried Bree’s arms away and rolled her chair back. “I wanted them to. I like them. Too much, I know, but I can’t help myself. We had an awesome time in the gazebo, the Black Room, the communal shower, the bedroom adjoining it… How can you even think what happened doesn’t matter?”
Bree held up her hands. “I wasn’t being dismissive. I was trying to point out that you have a voice, right? Why didn’t you use it and ask them out? Or call them now and do so?”
“What?” Jacquie pushed farther away. “I couldn’t do that.”
“Because?”
She was the world’s worst coward. No makeup, jewels, gown, or kinky sex was going to change who she was deep down. Putting herself out there only to have super-hot guys shoot her down wasn’t something she could stomach. “I don’t like rejection, okay?”
Bree leaned against the desk, ankles crossed. “What makes you sure they’d say no?”
“The second the ten-minute warning came on, Devlin wouldn’t even look at me. Max and Andy fussed with their clothes—which they couldn’t wait to ditch during the evening. When they knew they had to leave, it was a different story.” She crossed her arms and squeezed them. “No one even offered to help me dress. Or said they liked what we’d done. Hell, they didn’t even offer a good-bye. What would you have done in my situation?”
“We’re not talking about me.”
They didn’t have to. Bree had been a basket case when she’d troubled over her guys. If Jacquie hadn’t talked her down and given her great advice, she would still be alone, working herself to death here and saying that was how life was supposed to go. “No, we’re not. And you know why? You knew from the beginning your guys loved you. They wanted you when you worked together at Mortganson even though you kept putting them off. They came to you, not the other way around when you needed investors to start Surrender.” She dug her fingers into her arms. “They didn’t even want their freaking investment back. Just you, here, stripped and willing.” Jacquie leaned up. “What you went through and what I have is not the same.”
Bree patted Jacquie’s knee. “It’s not. However, if they don’t make a move, someone has to, which leaves you.”
She bunched her shoulders. “I can’t. I won’t.” She hated to whine, but couldn’t stop. “If we had such a great time, why wouldn’t they want to see me again?” She enumerated what they’d engaged in, right down to the last orgasm.
The details would have killed Jacquie’s mom.
Bree’s eyebrows kept lifting, her cheeks turning rosy. “Wow.”
“Exactly.” Jacquie uncrossed her arms and pointed. “They wanted me. Even if it’s not emotionally, sexually was definitely on the menu. They barely gave me a chance to rest—then nothing? Why?”
“Are they going on tour?”
Jacquie hadn’t considered their performances. “Let me check.” She scoured the internet and shook her head. “They have two weeks before they leave.” She turned the screen toward Bree and tapped the schedule. “Plenty of time to hook up again.”
Bree glanced at the screen. “I know zip about bands, but in between performing don’t they have to do publicity, rehearse, compose songs, write lyrics?”
Another matter Jacquie hadn’t contemplated. One night with them and her IQ had fallen several points. Agitated, she rocked in her chair. “They don’t have time to eat, sleep, maybe go over stuff with me they saw here and what we did so they can perfect it for their album? I’m not buying it. Andy loved the notes I took on his smartphone for my novel.”
“He knows about that?”
Jacquie flicked her hand. “They all do. Since I didn’t have my phone, Andy lent me his. He read my plot points. I told Max about them too. Devlin might have heard us discussing some parts as he slept. Like learning a language while you snooze. I’m sure that gave them ideas. Couldn’t they use it as an excuse to initiate more contact with me?” Her stomach fell. “Unless they don’t want to.”
“You don’t know how they feel.” Bree squeezed Jacquie’s shoulder. “And you won’t unless you ask them.”
They were back to her doing the pursuing? “I can’t call them out of the blue. We’re not friends. We’re barely lovers. However…” She gripped Bree’s wrists. “You could phone and ask how they enjoyed Surrender and if they need it for further research. That’s totally legitimate.”
“And just like high school when a girl asks her friend to talk to the cool guy, find out if he likes her while bragging on her to him.”
Jacquie released her. “If you’re trying to shame me, it won’t work. I totally want them.”
“But not enough to make the first move.”
“I wasn’t raised that way.”
“You did okay here with them.”
Jacquie covered her eyes.
“Okay, okay, relax.” Bree pushed out a breath. “I suppose I could call Max. He’s the one who initially set this up. I can feel him out. Mention you when the time’s right.”
Jacquie bounced in her chair. “Exactly.” What she wanted Bree to do was adolescent, but who said a person had to be adult all the time? “Don’t be too obvious though.”
“I’ll do my best.”
The phone in Bree’s office rang.
Jacquie straightened. “Want me to get it? I should be working.”
“You need to take off your makeup, change, and get some sleep. You can use my sofa. Come on.” Bree unlocked her door and gestured Jacquie inside.
As she dropped to the sofa, Bree picked up the receiver and depressed the flashing button. “Bree Debussey.” She listened to the caller. Her eyes goggled. “Ah, yeah. Just a sec.” She put the person on hold and pressed the receiver to her chest. “Andy wants to speak to you.”
Jacquie jumped off the sofa. “What? Seriously? He used those words?”
“Not exactly. He asked if you were here. Why else would he want to know unless he called to talk?”
A thousand other reasons came to mind, none good. Like his sock being stuck inside her gown and he wanted it back. Or the soap they’d used had given him hives, since he was a ginger, and he needed an antidote for the problem. Or…
“Do you plan to take the call?” Bree held out the phone, her finger hovering above the lit button.
Jacquie nodded, unable to speak. She hoped words would come when she heard his voice.
Bree pushed the button. “Hey, Andy. Yeah, she’s coming into my office now. Hang on.” Bree shoved the phone at her and offered a thumbs up.
Jacquie lumbered closer, her legs leaden. Her hand shook so badly, she could barely hold the receiver but she did grip Bree’s wrist, not wanting her to leave.
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Bree rubbed Jacquie’s back.
After taking a calming breath, she brought the receiver to her ear. “Andy?”
“Yeah. Hi.”
His vibrant voice calmed her faster than any drug and made her higher than an illegal stimulant. “Hey.”
He made a pleased sound. “I’m surprised you’re there. You were up pretty late.”
“We did sleep at times.”
Laughter boomed from him. “That we did.” He cleared his throat. “Do you have time to talk?”
“Sure.” She gave the okay sign to Bree and released her wrist, wanting her to leave.
Bree closed the door on her way out.
Jacquie leaned against the desk. “What did you want to talk about?”
Andy paced his studio, its length impressive, his legs rubbery. Being in a band hadn’t given him brass balls or the ability to shrug off rejection. Shitty reviews hurt. Women turning their noses up at him was worse. If only those babes understood what guys endured when putting their egos on the line for a connection and approval. Women had it so damn easy.
Since he didn’t, he willed his voice not to reveal his desire or uncertainty. “I didn’t get to see all your ideas last night.”
Jacquie breathed into the receiver. “You mean the ones I left on your phone?”
He’d forgotten about them and having her number from the texts she’d sent. Going through Bree wasn’t necessary. He cursed his stupidity and tried not to sound like an idiot. “I was actually talking about the ones you’ve brought to life at the club. You have more creations there, right?”
“Ah, sure. I’m throwing out ideas all the time. Did you want to come by to see them?”
That wasn’t his plan. “A photo will do. You have some, right?”
“Uh-huh.” Her voice had grown fainter. “I can email them to you. What’s your address?”
This wasn’t going as planned. He didn’t give a fuck about Surrender, pornographic ideas, or his stupid lyrics. “I thought you might come by my place. We could discuss your ideas there.”
“With Max and Devlin?”
Andy halted, his stomach sinking. Here it was—the inevitable. Another woman who wanted his bandmates. His initial caution and apprehension faded, indifference replacing it. He wouldn’t allow himself to feel. “No. They won’t be there. By we, I meant you and me. I’m sure you’re busy though. Please forget I said anything.”
“Wait, wait, wait. I don’t want to forget it. Are you mad at me?”
In addition to hurt and confused? Yeah. “No.” He hoped she’d believe his lie. “I thought…” He wasn’t certain how to end his comment. “You want to come over here tomorrow, say noon or so? Do you work on Sundays?”
“No. I have them and Mondays off.”
His hope shot into the stratosphere at the chance to spend even more time with her. He paced faster than he had earlier. “Good. I—” His phone beeped. Call waiting. “Sorry. Can you wait a sec? I have to take this other call.” His dad recently had a bypass and his mom liked Andy coaxing him to stay on his bland diet and exercise routine. “Do you mind holding? I’ll go as fast as I can.”
“Don’t be mean.”
He chuckled. “I swear I’ll be a good boy.”
She made a purring sound. “Not that good.”
Damn. He couldn’t wait to have her in his arms, surprising her with the plan he hadn’t yet proposed. “Be right back.” After putting her on hold, he answered the call. “Yeah?”
“What took you so long?”
Andy frowned at Devlin’s question and intrusion. “Why are you calling? I’m busy. Phone me later.”
“Hold on. This will only take a sec.”
Still too long. “Like I said—I. Am. Busy.”
“Doing what?” Devlin made an annoyed sound. “Nothing is that important, unless you’re balls deep in some woman’s pussy.” He breathed into the phone as Jacquie had. “Are you?”
Andy wished. “Would I be answering your fucking call if I were?”
“What’s with the ‘tude? You don’t usually snarl.”
“I’ve changed.”
Another pause. “Since last night. Since Jacquie.” Tapping sounded from Devlin’s end, either him pacing or drumming his nails. “Are you planning to hook up with her?”
Andy couldn’t believe the question. “If I were, why would I have to tell you? You’re not my mom or priest.”
“You’re not Catholic and that’s no answer, which means you are. When we were in the limo this morning, I knew you were planning something while you read what she put on your phone. Your smile couldn’t have been goofier.”
“Good to know. Maybe you’ll meet someone you like who’ll put a grin on your homely face.”
“I already have. I—”
Andy cut off Devlin’s comment and would have deactivated call waiting, but didn’t want to leave his parents in a lurch if they needed his support. He took Jacquie off hold. “I’m back. How about I send my driver to your place at noon Sunday and he’ll bring you here?”
“You have an actual driver?”
She made it sound like a big deal when it wasn’t. The guy also did odd chores around the grounds. “Sometimes I have to work on my lyrics while he takes me to my appointments.”
“In a limo?”
She’d grown breathless. Andy hated to disappoint her, but his middle-class roots kept him from using gas-guzzlers. “A Benz. Is it okay?”
“Absolutely. I hope jeans and a tee are all right. I don’t have much else except office wear.”
He’d prefer she arrived naked, except for high heels. He definitely wanted those. “Whatever you choose will be—” His phone beeped. If it was Devlin… “I have another call. Be right back.” Once he’d returned her to hold, he answered. “Mom?”
“Max.”
Andy’s head fell forward. “What do you want?”
“Hi to you too. Did I call too early? You didn’t get enough beauty sleep—not that a lifetime would change how you—”
“What do you want?” Andy jogged around his studio, burning off tension. “Make it fast.”
“Fine. Are you going to see Jacquie again?”
Andy jerked to a stop and pulled in as much air as he could. “Have you been talking to Devlin?”
“No. Why?”
“If I see her or not, it’s none of your business. His either. Tell him so for me.”
“So you are going to see her. I figured as much given how you looked at her last night.”
“And you didn’t?”
He sniffed. “Not to the point of losing good sense.”
Andy squeezed his fist. “Of course not. You drooling over a woman would be too uncool. Something you’ve never done before—oh wait. You did last night each time she was around. I was there. I saw.”
“You misinterpreted.” Max’s voice had dropped an octave, ice in it. “I was being polite.”
“So your manners made you shriek during your orgasms when you didn’t want to? Damn, you’re one great actor. You should consider films.”
“Andy.”
“Gotta go. What I do on my own time and who I do it with is my business, no one else’s.”
He did to Max what he’d done to Devlin then came back on the line. “The Benz is green so you know what to look for. Phil, my driver, is in his fifties. Nice guy. Wear whatever makes you comfortable, okay?”
“You bet.” As she gave him her address, passion rang in her voice. “See you then.”
Once the call ended, Andy whooped and made his plans to wow her as she’d done to him.
Chapter 8
Dressed casually and wearing minimal makeup, Jacquie regarded herself in her bathroom mirror, not hating what she saw but not loving it either. She hoped Andy would recognize her when she arrived at his place since she looked way different than when they’d been at the club. Then, her appearance whispered elegance, while also being seductive. Now, she might as well have been doing laundry.
Her doorbell rang.
According to her smartphone, it was noon, Phil having come for her as promised.
She’d expected him to honk his horn, like her few dates had, not collect her as a gentleman would. Already this was turning out nicely.
Clutching her shoulder bag, she raced to her door and opened it.
Middle-aged, Phil had salt-and-pepper hair cut in a crew, his features craggy. He wore navy pants and a white knit shirt.
“Hey, Phil. I can call you that, right?” He was her father’s age and where she came from no person in the younger generation used first names to address someone older.
“Ah, sure.”
She smiled and stuck out her hand. “I’m Jacquie. Nice to meet you.”
Surprise crossed his features, but he did accept her greeting, his grasp firm. “Same here.” He pointed past his shoulder. “I’m parked over there.”
The Benz shone in the brilliant sun, the day perfect thanks to Santa Ana winds blowing away clouds and fog.
He opened the back door for her.
“Do you mind if I sit up front with you?” Riding in back seemed pretentious on her part, or like she’d been arrested and a plainclothes cop in a luxury car was hauling her away.
Renewed shock touched his watery blue eyes. “Wherever you’d like.” He got the door for her.
The car smelled similar to the Suzy-Homemaker dolls she received for Christmas as a kid. Since she was the oldest sibling, she’d scored new stuff rather than hand-me downs.
She stroked the buttery leather seat. Phil put in the latest Dominant Men CD, her personal fave. She smiled. “So you like driving for Andy?”
Phil glimpsed at her and nodded.
“Does he have you pick up his… ah… friends often?”
He kept his gaze on the traffic. “You’re the first.”
Her heart soared. She tamped it down, not wanting to read too much into today—or what tomorrow might bring. Max and Devlin hadn’t called, texted, or emailed. Not that they had her personal information to do so. However, they hadn’t contacted Bree either for the particulars.
Jacquie hadn’t wanted to choose between the guys. It seemed they’d already done so for her, which didn’t sit right. However, she didn’t want to dwell on her feelings about the murky situation. It wasn’t fair to Andy or herself. Having a good time at his place was the only thing she should consider and concentrate on.