by Dahlia Rose
You’re the One That I Want
By Dahlia Rose
Copyright © July 2011, Dahlia Rose
Cover art by For the Muse Designs © July 2011
ISBN 978-1-936668-22-9
This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
Sugar and Spice Press
North Carolina, USA
www.sugarnspicepress.com
Chapter One
Savannah humidity was hell in the summer. From the time the sun rose and well after it set, it was oppressive in the city. Every time you took a breath in, the air was thick and along with the smell of rich earth, flowers and the river blended together. It all became a potent mixture that Sasha loved. Savannah was her home. She lived in a third floor apartment in the historic district of the area, and the house she lived in was actually part of the ghost tours that went by day and night. For fun she usually sat out on her balcony wearing a wispy white dress and used a lace fan to cool herself. She made the tourists think it was one of the spectral beings, especially late at night. It had become so customary that now the ghost tours paid her three times a week to sit and look ghostly.
The music around her brought her out of her musings, and the people smiling and laughing reminded her why she was here. Today was her parents’ fiftieth anniversary, and this was their party. Sasha and her sisters planned this event together over the telephone. Raina and Jonelle didn’t live in Savannah. They both chose to leave as soon as they could. She was the baby of the three and choosing to stay in savannah meant that she would be in the same town as her parents, unlike her sisters. Luckily they lived far enough away so they couldn’t just pop in at inopportune times.
Raina was the oldest and now she stood talking with one of their older uncles. Jonelle was the middle child, and then it was Sasha. Her sisters were both studious and successful, while she was still working on her thesis for her masters in architecture. She could understand why Raina moved away at an early age. Mom and Dad both worked so she was in charge of taking care of her younger siblings. They put so much on her plate she broke free of the cage and moved on to live her own life. Jonelle was the epitome of the middle child syndrome. Everything about her was perfection, and it was either one hundred percent or nothing at all. While Sasha was the one who got pat on the head and sent off to play. Even now with her degree so close it felt as if she was still being coddled.
Maybe it was the cause of her personality. She tended to see everything in life through rose-colored glasses. Last week she should’ve been working on her thesis. Instead she flew to Amsterdam on a whim and bungeed from a bridge. She loved her life the way it was. At this point in her life there was fun to be had. There would be time enough for serious things. Her dream was to blend the old world history of Savannah with new contemporary architecture and start her own business. But until then she was going to live her life to the fullest. So far she had been asked umpteen thousand times when she was going to settle down and behave.
“Study like your sisters and stop catting around,” her aunt Maggie had said pointedly.
Instead of saying something snippy she turned with the excuse of checking on the caterers. She was not one for biting her tongue, but today was her parents’ day.
Sasha’s eyes found her mother and father who stood talking to guests and holding hands. Her mom waved, and she wiggled her fingers in greeting. Even after fifty years they still looked at each other with love in their eyes. Sasha wished she could find someone to spend half a century with at some point. But now she liked her life just the way it was.
The gift the three of them gave their parents went off with perfection. It was an envelope that carried tickets to a world cruise that would take them away from Savannah for six months. It cost a pretty penny, but it was worth it to see Charles and Gloria Caroway’s face. Plus it would get her mother who was not retired from out of her hair for a little bit. She loved her parents deeply, but having Mom stopping by unexpectedly to make a casserole and then ask questions about her thesis, certainly not Sasha’s idea of fun. The stress of it had her popping Tums like they were candy. Of course Mom would say “You just take your time, dear. Our little Sasha takes a bit more time to do things.” That made it worse because then she felt as if she had to finish it to prove them wrong. She was more than just “little-pat-on-the-head Sasha”. Then she would feel guilt for falling into a role that she didn’t want to play. I’m twenty-five for goodness sake. Why do I have to try and fit an assumed mold! she thought furiously. Yes, she had dreams, and she planned to live them all in her own time.
“Trying to stay out of the fray?”
Sasha hadn’t even noticed her sisters come up beside her she was so deep in thought. Jonelle was the one who spoke.
Sasha smiled and said from behind her champagne glass, “Trying not to kill Aunt Maggie and stash her in the coal cellar.”
“Does this place have a coal cellar?” Raina asked. “I could kill Uncle Chester and stash him too.”
Sasha giggled, and Jonelle sighed. “Look at you two planning our relatives’ demise.”
“Who do you want under a pile of coal, Jo?” Sasha asked sweetly.
“Little goody two shoes, Sandra and her obnoxious husband Brad,” Jonelle said. “If I have to hear one more time about how he is doing so well in the stock market and they bought a new house I will take a croquet bat to….”
She stopped, and all three of them burst out laughing. It was good to be here with them. Sasha knew they didn’t spend enough time together, but when they did there was fun to be had.
She looked at Raina who sipped from a bottle of Perrier water, and she waved her fingers in her face. “Hey, smarty pants, what’s going on with you, what’s all this in your face, secrets, secrets huh?”
Raina’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly masked it. “I don’t know what you mean?”
“Yeah you do.” Sasha snorted. “You’re just not telling.”
“How’s the thesis coming along?” Raina said tartly.
The topic made Sasha grit her teeth. “Don’t start with me either on that.”
“Sasha, it’s been eight months. I had my studies done in four,” Jonelle pointed out. “When are you going to grow up?”
“Gold star for you, sis.” Sasha raised her glass in a mock toast. “I’m grown, Jonelle. Just because I don’t schlep in an office all day does not mean I’m not. I chose to live my life how I want it. I don’t mind yours, so don’t be in mine.”
“Calm down, Midget.” Jonelle tried to wrap her arm around Sasha, and she shrugged her away. “Come on. I’m kidding. I know you have that wanderlust. Don’t be mad, midget girl.”
Sasha tried to hide her smile behind her glass and muttered, “Don’t call me that.”
Raina got in on the teasing and hugged her tight, rocking back and forth crooning, “Midget baby, don’t you cry.”
“You’re smothering me with your boobs,” Sasha squeaked.
Jonelle came up behind her and they squished her in the middle of what they used to call a super hug when they were growing up. “You’re our Midget musketeer, one for all and all for one.”
“And three for one dollar!” Sasha yelled.
“Those are my girls. Look at how close they are,” their father called out and turned everyone’s attention to their super hug. Her laughter was muffled between her taller sisters, and it blended with theirs. They always managed to make her feel better, and no matter which state they lived in, no one could ask for better siblings. Putting her thoughts aside for the night, she let her sisters hug
heal her grouchy mood, and she was once again Sasha with stardust in her hair. For now this was how she liked her life, and it was exactly who she wanted to be.
* * * *
The party broke up around nine when her parents left. Raina and Jonelle headed back to their hotel, and Sasha got in her car to head for home. She left the top down to her Copper convertible and drove through the Savannah night. The streets were still packed, and tourists walked the well-worn paths and music filtered through the air. She heard the horn of the steamboat that headed down the river and the live jazz music from the square. Even after the night’s festivities she felt restless. Her extended family never failed to leave her tense and pent up.
A voice boomed out of a megaphone. “Folk singing and karaoke tonight at Faraday’s Irish Pub!”
She was going slowly over the cobblestone on River Street
. There was no way to drive fast on the uneven pathway, and you had to watch out for the throngs of sightseers who walked the area at night. Impulsively she pulled her car into an open parking spot and after putting the top up, and locking her car, she headed on foot to the Irish pub. She’d hung out with friends and had a few Guinness at Faraday’s more than once. It had a nice atmosphere, and right now she needed to let loose for a little bit. In only a few minutes she was sitting at the bar and waiting for the bartender to get to her. He was at the end of the bar and while Sasha waited she let her mind wander. So much so that it took her completely by surprise when he tapped on the polished mahogany bar to get her attention.
“What’ll it be, miss?” His voice held the thick sweet sound of a pure Irish accent.
“Guinness in a glass and a shot of Yager,” she said automatically.
“That’s a strong combination for such a tiny thing,” he replied with a wink.
“I can manage,” Sasha said. “Where’s Jimmy? He is usually at the bar.”
“He broke his leg on that bike of his, so I’m going to be pitching in,” the bartender responded to her question. “You one of his girls?”
Sasha had to laugh. Jimmy was known for his charm with the ladies, tourists and natives of Savannah alike. Yet there was nothing about him that drew her to him except for friendship. The new bartender slid her drinks in front of her on two cocktail napkins.
“No, Jimmy is my friend and that’s it. I think he probably has someone feeding him grapes by now.”
“Good to know… I mean that you’re not one of his girlfriends that is.” He stuck out his hand. “Adrian Faraday. Owner of an Irish pub and pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Sasha took his hand and watched as his fingers enveloped hers. “Sasha Caroway, night time spooky ghost girl and other stuff when the mood suits me.”
He grinned. “A mystery woman, I like that.”
“I try my best.” She lifted the shot of Yager in a toast before she downed it easily. The licorice taste filled her mouth and warmed her tummy as it hit her center.
He was called down to the end of the bar, and he gave her a smile. “Don’t go anywhere, mystery woman. I’ll be right back.”
She nodded and watched as he moved away. There was a swagger to his body that she liked. Adrian Faraday had to be at least six foot two, and his blond hair had hints of red blended in. He kept it cut low, and even though it was night time he had a pair of sunglasses pushed back into his hairline. He probably forgot they were there since this afternoon. His face was rugged and clean shaven, and a quick almost devilish smile graced his face when he talked to the new customers ordering drinks.
He struck her as laid back and handsome as hell. It probably took a lot to get him riled up. He was sexy, and when he caught her looking at him, Adrian winked. She felt a familiar stirring in her center, and suddenly she was glad she stopped there instead of heading home.
The folk music began, and the crowd in the bar cheered. The lively beat had her tapping her feet and clapping along by the time he came back in her direction. She watched as he poured too drinks and took off his bar apron and handed it over to another man and came to sit beside her.
“Try this. I think you might like it,” he said he pushed the drink in front of her.“On the house.”
Sasha sniffed the glass and wrinkled her nose. “I am not a huge whiskey fan.”
“But, darling, it’s Irish whiskey. Do I need to tell you how the maker fought a giant squid to retrieve one barrel when it fell overboard in a storm?” Adrian asked.
Sasha laughed. “Oh that bull I saw that on the TV ad, you are trying to feed me a line.”
“You saw that, huh?” He smiled. “Try it anyway, I dare you.”
“How do you know I will accept the challenge?”
He leaned forward until his lips were close to her ear. “I don’t think there’s a challenge you have ever refused. Am I right?”
His words tickled her ear and caused a delicious sensation to run down her back. Their gazes met and without a word she took the glass and downed the drink. It burned its way down her throat, and along with the Guinness and Yager she felt the buzzing in her head. While she had no problem being drunk, she was alone with no friends to drive her home or have her back. She would be careful what she consumed for the rest of the night.
“So, ghostly girl, what else do you do?” Adrian asked. He took up his own shot and drank it down smoothly.
“I’m working on my thesis in architectural engineering. Eventually I want to open my own business,” Sasha replied. “I honestly can say I’ve been in here a few times and never saw you before. Why is that if you’re the owner?”
“My uncle owned the pub. He passed and the lawyers contacted me over in Dublin where I own the sister pub. They are now both mine, so I’ll be going back and forth,” Adrian answered easily. “I mainly lived in Dublin since my mother was there. She passed as well, and I decided to stay here for a bit. I needed the change.”
Sasha nodded. “Change can be good.”
“I’m looking at you and thinking the exact same thing.” He called the bar girl over, and she came with two more glasses of whiskey. Adrian slid one in her direction.
“I really shouldn’t drink anymore.” Sasha pushed it away. “As it is I’m going to be walking home or taking a cab.”
“I will make sure you get home ok,” Adrian replied smoothly.
Sasha gave him a direct look. “For all I know, Mr. Adrian Faraday, you could be trying to get me drunk to have your way with me. I don’t think I know you well enough to put my life and body in your hands.”
“Do you want to get to know me?” he asked.
She loved the way words seem to roll off his tongue. With the Irish brogue he could probably read the back of a cereal box and make it sound sexy.
Sasha nodded. “There might be a possibility that I want to.”
“I definitely want to find out more about Sasha Caroway, so here’s what I’m going to do. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and handed it to her. “Press number three.”
Her curiosity was peeked so she did as he asked and put the cell up to her ear. The voice on the line came up and announced “Savanna Police Department.”
“Ask for Detective Jordan Kovak,” he told her.
Two can play that game, she thought. She knew a few people from the police department as well. She placed her finger in her ear and said, “Hello, can I be put through to Detective Sandra Rhodes, badge number two- five, seven- nine- four please.” He raised an eyebrow at her, and Sasha smiled sweetly. When her call was patched through and she heard her friend’s voice on the line. “Sandra, hey it’s Sasha. I was hoping you were on tonight. Listen is there a Jordan Kovak in your division?” She listened to the answer from her friend. “Ok, cool, and he is not crazy or anything, right? Thanks. I’m talking to Adrian Faraday who wants to walk me home from the pub. He knows Jordan Kovak, so I wanted to make sure it was all on the up and up.”
Sasha put her hand over the phone to speak to Adrian. “She’s getting Jordan now.”
Adri
an nodded and took a sip of his drink. His eyes held a twinkle which told her he found this whole conversation amusing. His friend confirmed that the bar owner was who he said he was, and Sandra came back to the line to let her know that she was safe. With all those ducks in a row she hung up his cell phone and handed it back to him.
“You can walk me home,” Sasha announced.
His rich laughter filled the air. “I’d be honored. You did play that very well. I would never have known you knew someone in the police department.”
“Adrian, there is a lot about me that will surprise you.” She took a sip of her drink.
He picked up her hand and kissed the smooth skin over her knuckles. “I am looking forward to that very much.”
Chapter Two
Over the next few hours Sasha had one of the best nights of her life. The dancing and laughter that spilled from the crowd was like food to her soul, and her tiredness was replaced with pure revelry. Folk music turned into Irish sea ditties that sailors sang, and then from there it took on a life of its own. In the midst of it all was Adrian who twirled her around until she got dizzy and then kissed her until her toes tingled. Maybe it was the whiskey or just him but everything felt perfect and right in that space and time.
“Do it!” he yelled over the music. “Do I have to dare you again?”
“You are wild!” she shouted in return.
He hoisted her up on the bar. The polished wood was cool against her bare feet. Everyone cheered and encouraged her on. She shook her head causing her long dark hair to whip across her face, and she pushed it back so she could see him. Sasha couldn’t seem to stop smiling when she saw his face.
Adrian began to clap his hands, and the crowd joined in. “Dance!”
Sasha grinned and let the music wash over her and began to move her hips and swayed to the beat. It wasn’t like dancing to hip hop or techno in the club. Each sound in Irish folk music seemed to filter into her blood, and she immersed herself in the resonance. Not caring what her body did she just felt and moved until the music stopped, and the crowd practically roared their approval. She opened her eyes and looked down to where Adrian stood. His eyes were dark, and she could see the blatant desire there. It burned her like a flash of fire to the center of her being. He held out his hand to her, and she placed hers in his with trust. With one tug he pulled her, and she fell into his arms.