Her Dark Melody

by Michelle Love

  Despite her nerves, Ebony had to laugh. “I know, you’re right and I don’t want to seem ungrateful, because I know how lucky I am. It’s just … Atlas and the kids mean everything to me.”

  “That’s fair enough, but it’s only one life we get, and you need to make sure you reach your potential.”

  “Yes, Mom.”

  Romy laughed. “Listen, I get it. But I also got shot and stabbed yet I’m still here. I’m grabbing everything because you never know when it’s going to end.”

  An hour later, Blue came to find them. As soon as Ebony saw his face, she began to smile. Blue sat down next to her. “Clean margins and the whole of the tumor excised. He’s going to be fine, Ebony, just fine.”

  One year later …

  Ebony’s voice climbed to the final note and held it as the audience leaped to their feet, roaring their approval. The final night of her tour, back in her hometown of Seattle.

  In the box, up and to the right of the stage, was her family. Atlas, his face reflecting the absolute love she felt for him, his body strong and healthy, held Matty in his arms as Fino jumped up and down in excitement. Her friends at Quartet were there, overjoyed at the tour’s sellout success and the glowing reviews. Then there were Romy and Blue; Juno and Obe; Artemis and Dan; Magda and Stuart; Cormac and Lydia; Stanley and Vida. Her friends, her family, her life.

  Ebony closed her eyes as she took the ovation and knew she had, as Romy predicted, managed to have it all. She blew kisses at her audience and waved at everyone she could see.

  “Thank you, Seattle. I love you so much. Thank you, and see you again soon.”

  She applauded her band, making sure she namechecked everyone and high-fived them all, then left the stage, her whole body electric with adrenaline. By the time she got back to her dressing room, having been stopped by well-wishers all the way, she smiled when she saw Atlas waiting for her.

  “Hey, baby.” She pressed her body against his as she kissed him. Atlas tangled his hand in her hair as his mouth moved against his.

  “I told the kids,” he said in a low, sensual voice, “that I was going to collect Mommy … but we might be a little while.”

  Ebony grinned, reaching behind her to lock the door as Atlas slowly pulled the zipper on her dress down, then peeled it from her body. As he tugged the lacy cup of her bra down to take one dark red nipple into his mouth, Ebony sighed happily. “God, I love you, Atlas Tigri.”

  She smiled to herself as his mouth moved lower, his lips on the soft skin of her belly. Ebony hid a grin as he paused, and knew he was noticing the slight swell of her abdomen. He looked up her, his beautiful green eyes curious, and her own eyes filled with happy tears as she nodded.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I completely lost track of my periods when I went on tour, but over the last few weeks, I’d been feeling odd. Not ill, exactly, but different. Because we had switched to condoms instead of the pill, I didn’t think I could be pregnant yet. I wasn’t sure at first, but I just did a test before I went on stage. We’re having a baby, Atlas.”

  She laughed as his mouth formed a perfect ‘O’ of surprise, his face boyish, then he was gathering her up in his arms and showering her with kisses, making her giggle. Soon, though, they were naked and Atlas was thrusting his huge cock into her, and they fucked passionately, laughing and joking around the whole time.

  As Ebony came, she clung to him, gazing into his eyes. “I love you so much, Atlas, and I can’t wait for our child to be born.”

  “Me either, baby, me either.”

  Sarah Clelia Tigri was born five months later and as her parents gazed down at their first fully biological child, they knew their family was complete.

  Three years later…

  Ebony gathered all three of her children in her arms as they ran to her. Another long tour over, her third album, a huge success … and now she was taking a well-deserved few months off with her family.

  She and Atlas had bought a private villa in the Italian countryside, away from paparazzi, away from the bustle of the big cities. It had become their haven, and during the vacation months, they took their family to Italy, enjoying not only the summers but the winter holiday season too. It was Christmas again, and not only that, but Atlas’s fortieth birthday celebrations.

  For once, their villa was filled not just with their immediate family but all of their friends and family, and Ebony was throwing her husband a huge party.

  As they changed for the party, Atlas tackled her to the floor and they made love, laughing and giggling. “Are we ever going to grow up?”

  “God, I hope not.” Atlas braced his arms as he thrust harder, making her moan with pleasure.

  Ebony gazed up at him. “You’re gorgeous.”

  He answered her with a grin and a final thrust of his hips before he came, Ebony reaching her own climax as she felt his seed filling her cunt. “God, I love you fucking me, Tigri.”

  “And we get to do it for the rest of our lives, baby.” Atlas kissed her passionately and they smiled at each other as they caught their breaths. “You and I, we’re for the long haul.”

  Ebony touched his face. “Happy birthday, baby.”

  Atlas smiled. “You’re so beautiful, Ebony Tigri.”

  “Hold that thought, baby. We have a party to attend.”

  A few minutes later and they stood at the top of their staircase, looking down at the party in full flow beneath them. Ebony turned to her husband. “Before we go down, there’s something I want to tell you.”

  “And what’s that?”

  She smiled. “I love you, is all.”

  Atlas smiled. “And that’s all I’ll ever need.” And he led her down the stairs to greet their guests.

  The End.

  Shanghai Dreams: Her Dark Melody Extra Story

  “Okay, tough love time,” said Clelia Tigri-Monarato to her friend Molly Hudson, as they sat outside Clelia’s home in the Tuscan Hills.

  It was a beautiful summer evening, but Molly still shivered. Since the murder of her love, Mateo Tigri—Clelia’s brother—a few months ago, Molly had fled to Italy. Although she loved Fino, Mateo’s son, as if he were her own, being around him, and Mateo’s identical twin Atlas, had been too much to bear for the young woman. She couldn’t exile herself entirely though, and so when she had turned up at Clelia’s home, desperate for some connection to the family, Clelia had welcomed her with open arms.

  “Darling, we all miss Mateo so much, and no one blames you for wanting some space. You can stay with us as long as you need to.”

  “I know, Clelia, and I have been thinking about what my next move will be. You’ve been such a gracious hostess, but I can’t impinge on your family anymore.”

  Clelia nodded, her green eyes so like her brother’s. “And what have you decided?”

  “I have an opportunity in Shanghai, a new tutoring position. My agency told me about an American businessman who needs a tutor for his daughter.”

  “And China is far enough away from the states.”

  Molly smiled sheepishly. “There is that, but also a new challenge. Another single father.”

  Clelia grinned. “Interesting.”

  Molly tried to smile. “Believe me, Clelia, romance is that last thing on my mind.”

  Clelia leaned over and squeezed her hand. “Molly, Mateo would want you to be happy.”

  Molly was thinking of her friend’s words as she moved through the arrivals hall of Shanghai airport. Mateo’s death had left such an indelible scar on her psyche that she knew that she would stay away from any kind of situation where romance was involved. For now, and for the foreseeable future, Molly Hudson was going to be all about her career.

  She saw a sign with her name and headed towards the well-dressed man. “I’m Molly Hudson.”

  “Good to meet you, ma’am,” he said in perfect English. “Mr. Hoyland asked me to collect you and bring back to the house. Do you have much luggage?”

  They collected her two rather batter
ed suitcases and the driver, Lee, smiled at her. “Don’t look so nervous, ma’am. Mr. Hoyland is very informal, and you will like his daughter, Josie. She is a bright, funny girl with a good heart.”

  Molly smiled at the man. She hadn’t expected such an informal, warm welcome as Lee drove her through the streets of Shanghai and out of the city. The Hoyland Estate was one hundred kilometers outside the city, on China’s biggest lake, Dushu, in the city of Suzhou, and Molly couldn’t stop gazing out at the beautiful countryside and the buildings that were so different from her own experience. Lee told her about the country as he drove but didn’t ask her any personal questions, well-trained, Molly thought gratefully.

  By the time they had reached the estate, it was already growing dark, and as Molly was greeted by the housekeeper, a friendly woman called Biyu, Molly’s eyes were wide with surprise and awe. Zander Hoyland’s estate made the Tigris’ mansion in Seattle look like a homeless shelter.

  Built in the pagoda style, the black and white building was spread over a vast swath of the lake shore. Biyu and Lee exchanged amused looks when they saw Molly’s expression. “Mr. Hoyland has granted you the use of your apartment within the grounds, Ms. Hudson. Perhaps you would allow us to show you to it?”

  Molly nodded dumbly. The place looked like a fairytale, with the mirror-like lake outside, and wide, clean, open spaces within. Having lived with the Tigris, Molly had the eye for knowing how expensive everything in the vast house was, the art on the walls, to the fabrics of the drapes and upholstery.

  The apartment was set in a small, peaceful courtyard; inside, it was anything but small. Molly looked at Biyu. “This is too much, really.”

  Biyu chuckled. “Believe me, this is about as down to earth as the place gets. Now, Mr. Hoyland asks that you take your time to settle in, get some rest, and he’ll see you in the morning. Are you hungry?”

  “A little.”

  “I’ll bring you a tray, and you’ll find the kitchen in the apartment is fully stocked. Welcome, Ms. Hudson, we’re very glad to have you.”

  “You’re so kind, thank you.”

  After Biyu and Lee left her alone, Molly explored the apartment, then decided to have a soak in the tub. An hour later, she was towel-drying her hair when a maid knocked and rolled in a trolley laden with food.

  Starving, Molly ate her fill of the most delicious duck, noodle, and fish dishes, followed with fresh fruit. The living room in the apartment was spacious and the couch was soft and comfortable. Molly, tugging her book from her bag, lay down on it, intending to read.

  A half hour later, though, her jetlag caught up with her and she fell asleep. She woke in the early hours, cold and shivering. Dragging herself up, she padded silently towards the bedroom, glancing out of the window overlooking the courtyard. A movement caught her eye. Down below, sitting on one of the stone benches surrounding the koi pond, was a figure. Molly stepped closer to the window. A man, smoking a cigarette, was hunched over on the bench. Molly watched him, and perhaps sensing her scrutiny, the man looked up. For a second, Molly’s breath caught in her throat.

  Mateo.

  She shook herself and stepped back from the window. No. Don’t be ridiculous. She risked another peek. The man wasn’t looking at her, but into the darkness, his face, his glorious handsome face, wracked with sorrow, with pain. Molly let out a long breath. God. He looked so much like Mateo it was ridiculous, same dark curls, same rugged yet boyish face. Oh dammit, dammit. The last thing she needed was a reminder of Mateo … she hoped the man was merely an employee of Hoyland’s.

  She could barely stand to look at the pain on the man’s face and wondered if she should go down to the courtyard to speak to him. The next moment, however, he flung the cigarette to the ground, crushing it out, and disappeared back into the darkened house.

  Molly went to bed, almost groaning as she climbed into the soft, downy sheets and turned on her side. I have to stop seeing Mateo around every corner, in ever face I see. He’s gone. The pain that ripped through her as she told herself that her love was dead was searing and she let herself cry it out, before finally, exhausted, she fell asleep.

  She was up early the next morning, her body clock still not adjusted. She showered and changed into fresh clothes, looking at her reflection in exasperation. Her eyes were swollen, her nose blotchy, and her cheeks flushed. Well, the crying jag was a really good idea, she said to herself but shrugged it off. She wasn’t here to be a mannequin.

  She walked through the maze of hallways until she heard voices. She stuck her head around a door and saw Biyu chatting with a young girl. They both looked up and smiled at her.

  “Well, good morning. Josie, this is Ms. Hudson. Ms. Hudson, Josie Hoyland.”

  Josie pushed herself from the chair she had claimed and came to shake Molly’s hand. “How do you do?” The girl had long black hair and wide bright green eyes, and had obviously been told to greet her formally. A smile broke out over her sweet face and Molly grinned back at her.

  “I’m very well, thank you, Josie. It’s lovely to meet you. Please, call me Molly.”

  Josie looked a little unsure, glancing back towards Biyu. “Perhaps,” Biyu said, with a smile, “Josie, you should call Molly ‘Miss Hudson’ during lessons, and Molly after school.” She looked at Molly. “Is that oaky? It’s just Mr. Hoyland does like to maintain a certain … hierarchy, if that isn’t too strong a word.”

  “If Josie is okay with that, I am, too.” Molly squatted to the girl’s level. “But I must warn you, Josie … my lessons are always fun, so if you forget, it doesn’t matter. I won’t tell anyone.”

  Josie’s eyes shone—Molly had made a friend already, she could tell. Josie took her hand and led her to the table. “Biyu made breakfast.”

  Soon Molly was chatting to the housekeeper and her charge as if she had known them forever. Josie Hoyland was a bright, curious young woman, and when Molly shared her thoughts for lessons, Josie nodded eagerly.

  After breakfast, Biyu bore Josie off to get ready for her first lesson while Lee arrived to take her to meet Zander Hoyland. Molly found she was nervous of meeting the man who owned this palatial mansion, and just as Lee knocked on Hoyland’s study door, she felt a rush of adrenaline and wanted to back away, tell Lee she had made a mistake, that she didn’t want to do this and please, could he take her back to the airport …

  “Ms. Molly Hudson, sir.”

  Damn it. Too late now … Molly stepped into the study and let out along breath. She knew it was him. The man from the courtyard. Zander Hoyland looked up and seemed as taken aback as she was. Did he have that many blondes installed in his home that he didn’t know she was the tutor? Molly’s heart hardened, even though Zander Hoyland was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen, even equal to Mateo’s feral beauty.

  Zander Hoyland shook himself and shook her hand. “Ms. Hudson, I’m sorry. Welcome. I trust you slept well.”

  Did you? “Yes, wonderfully, thank you. Your home is … spectacular.”

  Hoyland gave her a chilly smile. “It’s a little too spectacular, if you ask me, but my late wife adored it. She never thought she would ever live somewhere like this.”

  “So, you made her dreams come true?”

  The smile was a little less chilly then. “In a way. She gave me far more than I could ever give her.”

  His bright green eyes were watchful, and Molly realized with a shock that this man, this billionaire, this king of his castle … was shy. Something twisted in her heart.

  “I’m so sorry for your loss,” she said softly, then offered him a friendly smile. “I just met Josie—what a wonderful little girl. She seems excited about getting started on her schooling, and I have to admit, her enthusiasm has affected me already.”

  Zander Hoyland was defrosting fast, and he offered her a seat. “Lee, could you ask Biyu to bring some tea and coffee for us? I’d like to go through some lesson plans with you, if that’s okay, Ms. Hudson?”

  “Of course. And it’
s Molly. Ms. Hudson sounds like my maiden aunt.”

  A smile hitched up the corner of his mouth. “Understood.” He hesitated. “Then please, when not in front of Josie, please call me Zander.”

  “As in Alexander?”

  He shook his head. “Just Zander. Mom was Greek; Dad was American.” He smiled. “And what about you?”

  Molly kept a straight face. “No, Molly’s not short for Alexander either.”

  Zander’s eyes widened for a moment, then he snorted, a quick, amused laugh. “I can see already, we’re going to get along, Molly.” His smile faded. “God, I’d forgotten what it felt like to laugh.” He shook himself “Sorry, that was inappropriate. Ah, thanks, Biyu.”

  “No problem.” Biyu grinned at her boss and Molly was slightly confused. Where was this hierarchy Biyu had mentioned? Biyu rolled the tray of tea and coffee next to them and then left them alone.

  Zander Hoyland was studying her, and Molly held his gaze while he did. “I heard you were working for Mateo Tigri. Terrible what happened to him.”

  Molly felt the blood drain from her face. “Did you know the Tigris?”

  Zander nodded, still watching her carefully. “I did. Both of them wonderful men. We were at Harvard together. I was often mistaken for them.”

  Her throat was closed. “You certainly resemble them.” Her voice broke and she looked away from him, concentrating on her coffee.

  There was a long silence. “Molly, I know grief. Hell, I live in it, wallow in it, so Biyu tells me, and I can see it in you too. If you took this job so you could get away, could forget … I understand. As long as it doesn’t affect Josie in any way, use this time to heal. I’m assuming you were close to Mateo?”

  Molly nodded, lifting her chin defiantly. “I was close to him. I loved him; I loved his son Fino. I believe, and Atlas Tigri confirmed, that Mateo intended to propose to me. He died before he could, so something feels … unfinished.”