Love Resolution (Black Cat Records series)

by Michelle Mankin

  She sighed and he felt her shoulders relax as she snuggled into his side.

  He ran his long fingers through the silky coppery strands of her hair. He glanced in the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of the Vancouver skyline as they crossed the Granville Bridge and left downtown behind. His muscles ached from all the tension. Unease trickled down his spine.

  Ray met his gaze in the mirror. “Is she ok?” he whispered.

  “Yeah,” Marcus replied, kissing the top of her head. “You know Avery. Life keeps throwing her curveballs, but she keeps on swinging.”

  Ray nodded soberly.

  By the time they crossed Thirty-Third Street, her breathing had evened out. Marcus’ flattened lips turned down into a frown. The entire evening had been an emotional drain. The downtime he had anticipated at the apartment had been spent at the hospital. They’d barely had time to pick up their bags on the way to the airport.

  Worry gnawed at his insides and his hand tightened possessively on her hip. Their idyllic interlude in Vancouver was over. He’d been dreading this for weeks. Soon they would be out on the road. Exposed. Any mistakes or missteps were sure to be magnified. The pressure on their relationship would be immense. Avery would have tons of guys throwing themselves at her. Better guys. He was forced to confront the very real possibility that he might lose her.

  He took in a deep breath. The familiar scent of her coconut shampoo flooded his senses and helped to ease his anxiety.

  “My mom made the two of you some of Avery’s favorite oatmeal cookies,” Ray said interrupting his troubled thoughts.

  “That’s very kind of her. I’m sure we’ll enjoy them. Give her our thanks, would you?”

  “Sure, Boss.” Ray turned his attention back to the road. “Mom also wanted me to mention that she’s praying for you both.”

  “Thanks,” he replied. We’re definitely gonna need it.

  Ray pulled the Mercedes into a restricted area of the airport next to a large metal hanger for Sunset Air. His gaze flicked back at Marcus. “I’ll get your bags unloaded and up to the plane.”

  Marcus nodded, and shifted his body to wake Avery. “We’re here,” he said softly and kissed the side of her mouth.

  “Hmmm,” she replied sleepily, snuggling closer.

  “Ace,” he said more firmly.

  “What?” she grumbled, opening her eyes.

  “It’s time to board the plane,” Marcus informed her gently. Avery was always a little grouchy when she first woke up.

  “Ok.” She rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms over her head.

  Marcus’ gaze dropped to her chest as her shirt stretched tightly across her breasts. He groaned as his body inconveniently hardened in a rush.

  Avery looked at him, the sides of her mouth curving up seductively. She threw a knee over his lap and gathered the front of his blue t-shirt into her hands before molding her soft lips to his.

  Heat spread out in every direction of his body. Forget convenience. This was how it was gonna be the whole damn tour. He was gonna have to take it where he could get it. He subtly increased the pressure between their lips to open her mouth so he could taste her. Greedily, he traced the contours of her mouth, feeling her shortened breath against his lips. He moved his hands up and under her shirt. Suddenly, there was a knock on the back window, startling them both. They broke apart, chests heaving.

  “Dammit!” Marcus cursed, tugging her shirt back into place.

  “Save it for the honeymoon, guys,” Dwight said chuckling. “The pilot’s ready to take off.”

  Marcus opened the door and reached back for Avery’s hand. Her cheeks were flushed as he helped her get out of the car.

  “Holy crap!” she exclaimed, eyes wide. “Is that our plane?”

  “Yeah,” Dwight answered, glancing sidelong at Marcus. “You didn’t tell her Mary leased us a plane for the duration of the tour?”

  “I did.”

  “I just assumed it would be a small one like the one we took to LA.” Avery shook her head. “This one’s as big as a commercial plane.”

  “It’s a 727,” Dwight said proudly. “We’re going in style. Tempest, the rest of the gear, and the roadies will go on tour buses.” He glanced over Avery’s shoulder. “Hey Marcus.”

  “What?” Marcus asked from behind them, a guitar case in each hand.

  “Hurry up. I wanna show Avery around this big ol’ jet airliner.”

  Marcus nodded, following behind as they clanged up the metal stairs to the plane.

  “Welcome aboard,” a uniformed flight attendant greeted them as they stepped into the cabin. She immediately went back to stocking the fridge in the small galley kitchen.

  Turning the corner, they walked into a large lounge decorated in neutral tones and blond wood accents. Mary and Beth were waiting on a cream colored leather sectional.

  “How’s your dad?” Beth asked, concern knitting her brow.

  “He’s stable now,” Avery answered evasively, pulling on her wristband.

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  Noticing Avery’s uneasiness, Marcus laid his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. “I’m gonna take Avery to the back. Get her to lie down for a while.” He glanced back over his shoulder at Dwight. “Full tour will have to wait, Bro. She’s beat.”

  “No worries,” Dwight replied.

  “Have a great tour.” Beth stood and embraced Avery. “We’ll miss having you around the studio.”

  “Thanks,” Avery offered with a weary smile.

  Marcus slung an arm around her shoulder and guided her to the rear of the plane. He opened a narrow door and gestured for her to precede him inside.

  “Whoa,” Avery exclaimed.

  Marcus smiled, closed the door and drew her backward against his chest. “You like it?”

  “Yes.” She swiveled her head to look into his eyes. “That’s our comforter from home, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah.” His chest twisted tight. It pleased him that she referred to his apartment as their home now. That was the way he thought of it, too. Squeezing her shoulder once, he moved to turn back the comforter on the queen bed that dominated the tiny space. “Come on, get in.”

  Avery shuffled forward, sat down on the edge of the bed, and bent over to pull off her suede ankle boots.

  “Let me,” he offered, putting his hand over hers. He knelt down and slid off one boot and sock and then the other. He softly traced her ankle before straightening. Using all the willpower he could muster, he stepped back from her. “Get some rest, Ace, while you still can. It’s only a short flight to Seattle. I’ve got some stuff I need to go over with Mary before she leaves.”

  “Ok,” she mumbled, pulling the covers up to her chest and rolling immediately over.

  He watched her for a moment before stepping out and closing the door softly behind him. In the main lounge, JR and Sam were deep in conversation with Mary and Beth. They all turned in his direction with matching questioning expressions.

  “Where’d Dwight go?” he asked.

  “He said he was going to lie down for a bit,” Beth replied.

  Translation: He wanted some private time to talk to Lisa, Marcus thought. He could certainly relate to that. Marcus sat down in one of the captain’s chairs that faced Mary. “Fill me in. I know we’re late. We missed the thing you had planned out in Seattle, didn’t we?”

  “I was just telling Sam that I’ve rescheduled that VIP meet and greet till tomorrow night.” Mary glanced down at her watch. “I mean tonight. You guys need to get going. Everything else is still on schedule.” She glanced over Marcus’ shoulder toward the bedroom. “Do you think she’s up to this?”

  “I think so.” Marcus ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not like we have any choice at this point. My parents have volunteered to take care of her dad as soon as he’s discharged. They’ve got room at the farm and are going to bring in a home health nurse to help with him.”

  “That’s really nice of them,” Sam observed. �
��Isn’t Avery’s brother going to be out there with them also?”

  “Yeah,” Marcus said with a sigh. “I’m sure the conversations are going to be real interesting around the dinner table out on the Anthony farm.”

  Marcus leaned back against the penthouse door, propping it open as he talked with Trevor.

  “You sure she’s gonna be alright?” Trevor asked, brow furrowing. “The last time I saw her like this was after we thought Justin had been murdered.”

  Marcus cast a worried glance back over his shoulder. Avery stood in front of the floor to ceiling glass windows, arms tightly wrapped around her body. He’d picked this suite because he thought it would remind her of the apartment. What she really needed right now was to feel grounded, but that was nearly impossible when on the road. “I’ll make sure of it,” he said, turning back to Trevor.

  “Ok. I’ll leave her in your hands then.” Trevor eyes narrowed. “How are you holding up?”

  “I’m ok,” Marcus replied offhandedly. He wasn’t used to anyone checking up on him. Stephen usually deferred everything band related to him. Trevor definitely took a more hands on approach to management.

  “I noticed you didn’t sleep any on the plane.”

  “No, but I’ll try to get in a couple of hours before sound check.”

  “Good. It’d be better if you did. This is only our first stop. We’ve got a lot of miles to log before the end,” Trevor said, adjusting his glasses. “Do you guys need a wakeup call or anything?”

  “No.” Marcus glanced at his watch. “There’s no way I’ll sleep very long and I want to get in a run on the treadmill before then.”

  “Ok. I’ll see you both at two,” Trevor said with a wave over his shoulder. “Call me if you need anything.”

  Marcus stepped inside the suite, letting the weight of the door pull it closed. Avery still hadn’t moved. He toed out of his Vans and crossed the cool marble floors on his bare feet. He wrapped his arms around her, and buried his face in the side of her neck. He kissed her lightly before turning her around to face him.

  She let out a long sigh.

  “Why don’t you go and get a shower?”

  She shook her head. “I’m too tired.”

  “Come on, Ace. You’ll feel better, and…” He tried to inject a little levity to lighten her mood. “You’re hair’s all scary and shit from the plane.”

  It worked. Her lips turned up a bit and she peered up at him from beneath the thick fringe of her auburn lashes. “Only if you’ll join me.”

  “I’d love to, but if I go in there with you it’s gonna be a good while before we get out.” He framed her face with his hands, running his thumbs across the bruised shadows under her eyes. “And you look so tired.”

  She closed her eyes briefly. “I’m not that tired, though,” she said, smiling seductively. “I don’t think I could ever be that tired.”

  You will be, he thought but swept her up in his arms anyway and strode quickly down the hall to the master suite.

  Avery peeled off the cotton t-shirt she’d changed into on the plane while Marcus watched her in the mirror. Her lips curved as she unfastened her jeans and slowly slid them down her legs. He made her feel so sexy, especially when he watched her like that. When she straightened back up he’d moved right behind her.

  “Let me,” he said voice rumbling against her back as he kissed her shoulder and deftly unhooked the clasp of her bra. “This new lingerie of yours is gonna kill me.” Peeling the straps off, his darkened eyes met hers in the mirror. He gave her a smoldering smile with those sculpted lips of his curled up ever so slightly before he moved her hair to the side. He bent over and grazed his teeth against the base of her neck.

  She moaned. He knew her so well.

  “Avery,” he groaned, large hands covering her breasts and plucking at her nipples as they stared at each other in the mirror.

  She smiled, eyes glittering with passion, and turned around in his arms. His hands moved to cup her bottom, shaping the naked flesh that her thong left bare. He pulled her forward even closer and rocked, pressing the hard evidence of his desire against her. “Marcus,” she moaned, eyes drifting shut as he fitted his lips to hers. His mouth feasted on hers, tongue advancing and retreating, over and over again, mimicking the rhythm of the deeper joining soon to come.

  Her body flushed with pleasure. Her knees went weak.

  He drew back. His passion glazed eyes focused on her. She melted even further when she felt him slide a warm finger beneath the thin lace material of the thong, and shivered as he slid it off. “Hey,” she whispered, running her fingers underneath his shirt and over the flat ridges of his abdomen. “Why do you still have so many clothes on?”

  “Not for long,” he said in a rough voice. “Go ahead and get in the shower.”

  Avery turned on the water and climbed in as soon as she felt the temperature running warm across her outstretched fingers. When she turned, Marcus slid his naked body against hers. Hard masculine flesh brushed against her soft feminine skin. She reached out for him, but he stopped her.

  “Uh-uh. Let’s get you washed up first.” He reached for the shampoo. “Wet your hair, Ace.”

  Avery leaned her head back, hot water sluicing over her face, and steam filling the enclosed space of the marble shower stall.

  “Turn back around.”

  She slowly turned, intentionally brushing her body across his, the roughness of the hair on his thighs and the blunt edge of him outlining the elemental differences between them in a sensual way that made her flutter with anticipation.

  Marcus worked the lather through her hair, massaging her scalp with circular motions with his fingertips. She leaned her head back and rested it against the firm planes of his chest.

  “Rinse,” he ordered, passion making his voice rough and demanding.

  While she did as he ordered, he stepped back to shampoo and wash off himself. As soon as the water ran clear of bubbles, he drew her out of the direct stream of water, switched places with her, and crushed her to his chest. Her breasts hardened into tight velvety points against the taut skin of his muscular chest. The water rushed over them in a warm stream. He molded his mouth to hers, taking possession of the interior with his tongue. When he eventually lifted his head, his blue eyes were dark with desire. He reached for the soap with hands that shook with a fine tremor. She watched him with heavy lidded eyes not knowing how much more of this sensual torture she would be able to take.

  He lathered his hands several times and began soaping her body, worshiping it as he washed. His hands shaped her shoulders first before lingering over the perfectly rounded globes of her breasts. Her breath starting seesawing in and out in short bursts. Then he dipped his hands into the hollow of her waist and traced each leg before gently lathering the heated center of her.

  She moaned deep in her throat.

  He smiled darkly before reaching behind her and sliding his soaped palm between the twin spheres of her ass. “Rinse,” he ordered again.

  “Marcus,” she sobbed. “Please.”

  “Avery, you know I can’t hold out when you say my name like that. Turn around. Now.” His low command vibrated across her skin making her body throb with need. “I’m ready.”

  She immediately complied, placing her hands on the cool tile, gulping for air when she felt his warm skilled hands massaging her bottom.

  “Avery,” he whispered biting down lightly on her neck.

  She sighed in a long moan, and he breathed her name again and completed the union between them. It was only moments before they unraveled together.

  She was half asleep by the time Marcus deposited her in the king sized bed.

  He pulled the heavy brocade curtains tightly closed before climbing into bed behind her. He dragged her body back into the cradle of his thighs. “Mine,” he said, dropping a kiss on the top of her damp hair and draping a possessive arm around her.

  She pulled his hand up to her lips, and kissed it before settling it
back in place against the center of her chest. She fell asleep to the soothing rhythm of his warm steady breathing against her neck, a dream taking her back to a time she had long forgotten.

  “Go. Play.” Her beautiful mom with her long straight red hair and easy smile swatted her on the rear and settled back against her dad on the wooden park bench they shared. Avery took one last furtive glance at them and caught her parents kissing, locked together in a lover’s embrace. Her mother had turned in the opposite direction, but when they separated she saw the expression on her dad’s face. He was gazing at her mom as if she was the most precious thing in the world.

  Embarrassed, she looked for her brother. Justin was half way across the park now. Rapidly swinging her thin arms and pumping her legs, she tried desperately to catch up to him. He was climbing the rungs to the tallest slide when she finally reached him.

  This slide terrified her.

  Frustrated, she watched Justin enter the chute of the covered slide and shoot out the bottom. He continued on to the swings without looking back. She turned back to her parents, wanting the reassuring comfort of her mother’s arms, but she was gone.

  It was only her father on the park bench now. She called out to him, but he didn’t hear her. She walked toward him, but instead of getting closer he just seemed to get further and further away. She started running but no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t reach him.

  She woke up with her pulse pounding in her ears and her heart aching from the pain of the past.

  Knowing there was absolutely no way she could sleep anymore; she slid silently out of bed, grabbed a robe from the armoire, and padded into the main living area.

  The hotel suite was the biggest she’d ever been in, almost as big as Marcus’ apartment. Way too extravagant for two people really. A large formal seating area with an off white damask sofa and matching high backed chairs dominated one glass framed corner. Her guitar case and Marcus’ rested on the marble floor in the middle of the room next to an ebony baby grand piano. Its glossy surface gleamed in the midday sun streaming through the wall of windows.