Silver Edge

by Ciara Knight

  I shrugged. “Don’t know.” Silence filled the car for several moments. “What did Ton say? Let me guess, he threatened to beat you into a coma if you hurt me. Don’t worry. I won’t let him do that.”

  “No. Worse.” Drake squeezed my hand and I held my breath. “Ton’s worried that you’ll spin into a downward spiral of self-medication and rage and you’ll end up dead in an alley.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Drake opened the front door to Bands for me and I entered, leaving the afternoon sun behind for my comfy all-black home. My anger toward Ton’s intrusion into my life had dwindled to resentment. I’d call him later and give him my own version of a Ton Tantrum.

  When Drake closed the door, I spotted light flickering on the stage at the other end of the room. Chopin drifted from the stage speakers.

  I stopped, but his hand at the small of my back nudged me forward. “I wanted you to know what it was like to feel special. To be treated the way you deserve.”

  He steered me through the room and I saw more candles sparkling along the stage and around the side rails to the dance floor. In the center of the stage sat a blanket with hamburgers and French fries on paper plates. “I thought we could have a picnic with some of your favorite food. I knew that chicken salad was too mushy for you.”

  “How did you know that?”

  His hand moved up to between my shoulder blades. “It’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, but I wasn’t sure how to explain. You’re worth the time and effort to get to know before we sleep together. I want to connect with you in a way neither of us have ever known. It might sound silly and sappy, but I want something real with you.” He ushered me up onto the stage and we both knelt on the picnic blanket.

  I knew he was waiting for me to say something, so I tried to think of what a normal person might say. “Thank you.” It didn’t seem to be enough, so I added, “It’s nice. I like it.”

  He lowered onto his side and crossed his legs, his smile telling me he was pleased with my response.

  “Dig in before it gets cold. You must be starving.”

  “I am.” I devoured the cheeseburger. Halfway through, I remembered I was supposed to eat like a lady, not like a teenage boy, but it was too late. He took a napkin and wiped up the ketchup at the side of my lips. I slowed down and concentrated on minding my manners. When I looked up again, I saw ketchup streaming down his chin.

  I laughed and picked up a napkin, wiping the ketchup from his chin. I realized I didn’t have to try to be perfect. He was relaxing and enjoying himself despite my poor table manners. It felt good, but different.

  We ate in silence as I let my mind flow with the music. When the piano concerto ended, I realized I’d checked out for a while. Drake sat by my side, lost in his own thoughts. It was nice to feel comfortable with someone without having to worry about paying attention and doing all the right things.

  He slid our empty plates to the side and wrapped his arm around me. I settled into him and we listened to another piece, the notes hauntingly beautiful. At the end, I whispered, “This is nice.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I do, too. I don’t remember the last time I just relaxed, without a computer, or cell phone, or some marketing plan.”

  “Who did all this? You were with me all day.” Then I realized what time it was. “What about the reporter?”

  “There was no reporter. I needed us back here at four because my friend had to be somewhere at five, so I wanted to get here while the food was still warm.”

  “Oh, you’re sneaky.” I ran my hand along his chest, feeling the hard muscle through his long-sleeve T-shirt. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure, anything.” Drake ran his fingers up through my hair, and I liked it.

  “Are you scared to sleep next to me again?”

  “Not at all.” He scooted me into his side. “There’s nothing more I want than to have you in my arms again tonight. I was worried you’d insist on going back to the warehouse. I’ve been nervous all day about it, but if that’s what you wanted, I wouldn’t stop you.”

  “You wouldn’t follow me back if I left?”

  “I didn’t say that. I care about you too much to risk losing you. If you insisted on going back to the warehouse, then I was going to park myself on that dang floor again.”

  I chuckled. “I guess I shouldn’t put you through that.”

  “Can I ask you to do something for me? You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

  “What’s that?”

  He kissed my head in that sweet way of his. “Would you play something for me? Your gift is so amazing and you look so beautiful when you play.”

  My hands trembled. “I don’t play in front of people. I can’t.”

  He took my hands in his and squeezed. “I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do, but can I ask why?”

  “I feel like I’m being stripped bare, analyzed. Like I’ve opened a vein and all my deepest secrets, everything I’ve ever done wrong are being put up on a gigantic screen for all to see.”

  Drake squeezed me. “That must be why it’s so beautiful. You’re baring your soul. My brother could do that. It always amazed me how much love he had to give the world. I wish I were more like him.”

  “I think you’re perfect the way you are.” I turned my torso so I could see his face. “If you don’t look at me, maybe I can play something. I’m not sure, but I’m willing to try if you’ll do something for me.”

  He slid a finger down my arm. “Anything.”

  “Will you lie naked with me tonight?”

  His mouth dropped open.

  “I’m not asking to have sex. I know how you feel about that, but there’s something I need to know.”

  He took a long breath. “What is it?”

  I sighed. “The skin-to-skin contact thing. It’s what makes me want to get sex over with. The idea of sweaty, sticky skin pressed together makes me cringe. Yet, the thought of you naked makes me horny. It’s conflicting.”

  He chuckled. “Well, that’s the problem. As you put it, lying next to you naked will make me hornier than a sailor on Viagra.” His eyes dipped in that delicious, caressing way he had that made me feel like the most attractive sexual being on the planet.

  “You want me to bare my soul for you, you can bare your body for me.”

  “If it’s what you need, I’ll do it. There is nothing more I want to do in the world than spend the night next to your naked body.” He released me and stood up, adjusting himself. “I hope this song’s going to cool my groin. Just the thought of you naked is making me so hungry I feel like once I have you, I’ll never get enough.” He winked and walked to the end of the stage. After cutting off the music, he sat facing the door.

  Finding my footing, I stood and made my way to the piano behind the partition. “I can’t make any promises that I can play.”

  “Well, I can’t make any promises I can control myself all night, so we’ll call it a risky investment. We’ll see if it all pays off.”

  With a deep breath, I sat on the bench and faced the glistening keys. After a few moments, I relaxed and let my mind wander. The smooth white surface welcomed my fingers and I tried to block out the thought of anyone listening or watching me play. No one had ever listened like this. The only time anyone had heard me was when they walked in while I was already lost in the music. What did Drake even want to hear?

  My arms stiffened, and I hit a few keys, but nothing joined to form a song. I closed my eyes and envisioned a family, a real family like the photo of Drake’s parents and brother in his album upstairs. My fingers took the inspiration and my soul found the song.

  A sweeping, lovely, childlike melody began to piece together until it turned into a mischievous march of adolescents then into the darker path of young adulthood. Separation of parents and children, loves won and lost. A staccato of darkness plagued my spirit while I heard car crashes, beatings, and deception. It dulled into a nothingness and lulled there fo
r a measure or two until it dared to find a happy tone, but then it drifted back into heavy keys. Again, my fingers danced along a few higher notes, a hint of sun showing on the horizon, until it crescendoed into a mad dash of whirling feelings and emotions all tied up in a huge knot of chaos. The notes stopped abruptly. A long, silent measure followed, then a tentative play of soft music until it rested in the unknown.

  I sat for several moments, breathing through the pain and happiness. Tears streaked down my cheeks, and I shook from the emptying of all the emotion from my body. Tentatively, I stood on shaking legs and rounded the partition. Drake met me halfway and pulled me into his arms. He held me, rocking back and forth. I usually did that alone when I was agitated, but this time it soothed me into a bliss of happiness.

  He released me, wiping my tears from my cheeks. “That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. Your talent is beyond anything I’ve ever witnessed. Thank you for sharing it with me.”

  I swallowed. “Only you. I never have and will never play for people. It’s not something I can do, okay?”

  “Understood.” Drake cupped my cheeks and a stage-fright grin creased his face. “I guess it’s my turn to deliver.” He led me up the stairs without another word.

  My heart started pounding against my sternum and I wondered if this was all a huge mistake. “If this is too much…” I mumbled when we reached the door.

  “No. As long as you don’t mind me being…excited, I can handle this.” He walked over to his dresser and removed his watch and cell phone while I waited by the bed. Kicking off my shoes, I bent over and removed my socks. He did the same before returning to the end of the bed. “Come here.”

  I rounded the bedpost and stood with my eyes raised to his.

  He inhaled a long breath. “I’m going to remove your shirt now.”

  I nodded. My breath jarred somewhere in my throat. He lifted my shirt over my head, his eyes immediately dropping to my lacy hot-pink bra. “I like that one. It’s the most girly thing I’ve seen on you.” His tongue swiped across his lips, and I longed to feel it on me again, but I pushed the thought from my mind.

  “My turn.” He ducked his head as I lifted his shirt and tossed it to the floor then reached for his belt. He stood stock-still as I unhooked it and slid it apart. His fingers went to the button on my jeans as I worked his. When my fingers touched his belly, he gasped.

  I paused for a moment and waited for his breathing to slow before I unzipped his pants. The sound echoed through the room, as if announcing he was about to be free.

  He slid my pants down my legs and I stepped out of them, leaving me in only a bra and underwear. I thought about telling him that was as far as I needed to go, but when he reached around me for the clasp on my bra, I didn’t stop him for some reason.

  Liberated from my bra, my breasts felt free, and I rubbed them of their tightness after being harnessed all day. He stopped my hands with a growl. “You really can’t do that right now.”

  I nodded and slid my wrists from his hands, then pulled his jeans down to his ankles. Halfway down, I was greeted by his eagerness. I wanted to touch his hardness to see if it felt as good as it looked, but now wasn’t the time. He was struggling enough as it was.

  When I stood, he tugged my thong down and I was left in nothing but my flushed skin. He stepped back and removed his boxers, revealing what I had suspected. He was one impressive man. I longed to jump him right there, but I held my eagerness back and crawled into bed, hoping sleep would come quick.

  He turned off the light and pulled the covers down. “You’re so beautiful. I don’t know how I’m going to remain in this bed all night with you and not go mad with want.”

  “You promised,” I teased.

  “I did.” But when he crawled onto the bed, I thought I would lose my mind worse than I already had.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The aroma of fresh coffee lured me from slumber. My eyelids fluttered, protesting against the bright morning light. “What time is it?” I moaned.

  “Time for Sleeping Beauty to wake up.”

  I opened my eyes to find Drake crawling back into bed with me, holding out a steaming mug. “Thank you,” I rasped and sat up, taking the warm cup between my hands.

  He rubbed a knuckle up my exposed forearm. “You look beautiful.”

  “Liar. I’m a mess. I can’t believe I slept so well. Did you?”

  He smiled. “At first it was a challenge. We’ve got to do something about that twitching butt of yours. But after about an hour, exhaustion won over my desire to have my way with you.”

  “I’m glad it wasn’t too much torture to sleep next to me.”

  “You have no idea.” He lifted the sheet, exposing my breasts. “I never thought of myself as a boob man, but those are mighty tempting.”

  I smacked the sheet back against my chest. “No peeking.”

  “Hmm…that’s all I did last night.” His eyes blazed with passion, and I knew he’d struggled to keep his deal with me. “Now, you need to get up and be downstairs in ten. I have a feeling being up here naked isn’t a good idea right now.”

  “Why’s that?” I sipped the rich flavor with a hint of vanilla. “Mmmm.”

  “Because Ton will be here soon.”

  I choked and coughed, trying not to spew coffee all over his bed.

  “Ah, I hope this is a good surprise.” He set his mug down on the side table and took mine to rest it next to his. “Did I get this wrong? He called and said he had business in town and asked to see you.”

  “Business in town? What kind of business does an electrician have in Atlanta? Besides, he never leaves the Community.”

  “I suspected as much. I think big brother is checking up on you.” He stood and offered me his hand. I took it and rose from the bed, the covers sliding down my body. His gaze followed the retreating material then rose back to meet my eyes.

  “I wish I could tolerate cold water, ’cause I think it’s my turn to cool off,” I muttered. I hopped down from the bed and trotted to the bathroom.

  “It’s about time you suffered, little one. I’ve been tortured enough.”

  I waited for the water to warm up then stepped inside. “You’ve only known me for less than two months.”

  “That may be so, honey. But still, I know you better than any woman I’ve dated in years, yet I haven’t been with you. How strange is that?”

  I shampooed my hair, thinking about his words. He was right. I was more comfortable around him than any man I’d ever known. He’d been so patient and took his time with every touch. “You have a point.”

  He pulled back the curtain and peered into the shower.

  “Aren’t you sick of looking at me yet? It’s the same tits and ass you saw earlier.”

  “Oh, I’ll never get sick of looking at you.”

  I flicked soapy water at him, and he retreated with a yelp. Sudsing the washcloth, I washed and rinsed the soap from my body. “What are you gonna do while I’m with Ton?”

  “You don’t want me to hang out with you guys?”

  My mind reeled with images of Ton’s incessant questions and accusatory tone. “For your sake, I’m gonna say no. Trust me, Ton won’t like you. Not for any reason other than the fact that you’re around me and you’re male. To him, every man just wants to use and abuse me.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing I have that interview with the reporter today. I’ll be gone for a few hours. Ton says he’s got to leave by five tonight to make his flight back to New York City. He’s got something going on tomorrow that he needs to get back for.”

  I shut off the water and the curtain slid open. Drake stood on the other side, waiting with a towel open. “Why do you call him Ton anyway?”

  Banging at the front door downstairs drew our attention to the doorway. I gasped, hoping the door was locked and Ton wasn’t about to barge in at this very moment. Another, louder pounding confirmed the visitor still waited at the entrance.

  “I thin
k he’s here. Get dressed. I’ll take our coffee down and sit with him for a while.” Drake disappeared through the doorway as I dove for my clothes and brushed my hair with lightning speed. I managed to make it to the bottom of the stairs before he opened the door. The way Drake stumbled backward, I knew he’d realized how Ton got his nickname.

  “Scarlet here?” Ton boomed, his almost robotic voice freezing Drake into silence.

  “I’m here.” With a quick step, I ran across the floor and met Ton and Drake a few feet inside the club.

  Ton eyed the place then looked down at Drake. I was sure Drake wasn’t used to looking up at many people with his six-foot-two height, but Ton gave new meaning to mutant.

  “Please, come in. We’ll have coffee at the table near the kitchen.”

  “I don’t drink coffee,” Ton said, his eyes not leaving me.

  “Come on. Don’t be that way.” I slipped my hand around his elbow and tugged him toward the main hall then into the smaller stage area to the table off the kitchen. “Sit, and play nice.”

  “Who are you?” Ton narrowed an eye, his chiseled cheek and jaw twitching. The tattoo of three X’s vibrated on his neck.

  “Stop. It’s me.”

  “Yeah, but you’re happy. What happened to Sarcastic Scarlet who left New York City with her grumpy, edgy mouth? Since when do you invite anyone in to have coffee?”

  Drake pulled out the chair for me and Ton’s gaze fixated on every move we made. He was analyzing, sizing us up. His attention snapped to my eyes then the hollows of my arms, no doubt looking for track lines.

  “Cut it out. I’m not high or drunk, and I didn’t fuck him. Although, I want to.”

  It was Drake’s turn to choke on coffee.

  “Scarlet,” Ton reprimanded.

  “Well, that’s why you’re here, right? To yank me back to that plane with you by my hair because I’ve screwed up. Well, I didn’t. Okay, he didn’t, but that’s beside the point. Do I think about getting high?” I shrugged. “Sometimes, but I haven’t. Do I want to have sex with him? Absolutely, but I haven’t. Now, that ticket you bought for me is gonna go to waste because I’m not going back with you. You said it yourself, I’m happy. For the first damn time in my life, I’m happy.” I shoved my chair back with a loud squeal, wanting to pummel the beast in front of me.