Saved by the Music (Saints & Sinners Book 2)

by Kaithlin Shepherd

  As he waited for her plane to land, he was accosted by a couple fans who wanted pictures and autographs. Contrary to other musicians who might have been annoyed by the interruption, he loved interacting with his fans. They were the reason behind the band’s success, and he never forgot that.

  When the announcement came that Ashlee’s flight had landed, he grew more nervous by the second. Was she as nervous as he was? He watched as people flooded through the arrival gate, and when he saw her through the mass of people, he smiled and took her in as she searched for him.

  She wore boot-cut jeans that made her legs look a mile long, with a green T-shirt under a gray jacket. Her hair was loose around her face, and God, he wanted to run his fingers through it. And her face was makeup free, and he loved that about her, so tired of women who took five hours to get ready to go out. Seeing her enjoy her natural beauty was like a breath of fresh air, and was she ever beautiful.

  He felt her eyes on him the second she spotted him, and when she smiled, he had the strange feeling that he was home. He couldn’t explain it, couldn’t put it into words, but something settled inside him. Before he could psychoanalyze his own fucked-up head, she was beside him.

  “Hey, thanks for picking me up,” she told him in that sweet voice of hers.

  “No problem. It’s the least I could do. How did your meetings in LA go?”

  She looked at him like she was trying to assess what his end game was. The truth was he really didn’t have one—not yet, anyway. He wanted to get to know her, to do whatever it took to gain her trust and make her open up to him.

  He saw the resolve leave her body when she spoke. “Better than I expected, so that’s good, but the client really worked me over. I’m beat.” He looked at her to see if she even knew what she had just said, but she showed no indication that she was playing with him. All he could think about was how he’d like to be the reason for her exhaustion, and fuck would he ever work her good.

  He ran his hand through his hair, debating between pulling his hair out and pushing her up against the wall. “Let’s get you home. You can take a nap if you want.”

  She adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder, smiling at him like she appreciated his concern more than she could say.

  He had a strange feeling that she wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of attention. He planned on changing that.

  “I wish I could nap, but I can’t. I’ll be fine.”

  “I stocked up on coffee.” Seriously? That’s the best line I can come up with? How pathetic am I right now?

  She grabbed his arm, and he felt the shock of her touch throughout his whole body. He was sure she was going to think he was stupid, but she didn’t look amused; she looked touched, and what she said next hit home for him.

  “But you don’t drink coffee.” She said it so low that it came out as a whisper, as if she were telling him one of her biggest secrets. He was dying to be the one she confided in.

  He smiled at her because she was just so damn cute. “Nope, but you do…. Wait, how do you know I don’t drink coffee?”

  She blushed like she had just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. He couldn’t wait to hear what she had to say. Was she keeping notes on him? Because he sure as hell was making a list of everything and anything when it came to her.

  “Oh, hmm… they offered you coffee at that morning charity event about two months ago and you said you didn’t drink it.” She looked down at her feet, avoiding his eyes.

  “You remembered that?” He tilted her face up so he could see her eyes. God, she had the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen.

  “You’re a pretty memorable guy, Sam Brooks.” She pulled away and stared down at her feet again, like she didn’t trust herself around him. Fuck, did that ever feel good.

  “Good to know. I parked close by.” They walked to the parking lot in a comfortable silence. Every time a fan stopped him to take a picture, she moved back to let him have his time, or she offered to take it. He was more than impressed with her—not that it surprised him that she could handle herself in any situation.

  He watched the sway of her hips as she stepped in front of him. When he looked up to see exactly where they were, he saw she was standing right beside his truck. “How did you know this was my truck?”

  “Oh, I didn’t even realize I was walking toward it. I guess it’s just you.” If it had been any other woman, he would have called bullshit, that she must have done her homework, but not Ashlee. She genuinely looked surprised that she’d ended up in front of his truck without actually knowing it was his.

  That had to be some sort of a sign, right? And then her words registered in his head. “What do you mean ‘it’s me?’”

  She glanced at him then at his truck, and he was anxious to hear her answer. “The truck… it’s very you. Old-school, yet strong and steady with an edge.”

  Who is this woman and where has she been all my life? He was pretty sure he fell in love with her at that very moment.

  She took a few steps toward him, seeming concerned. “Did I say something wrong?”

  He wanted to shout that hell no, she hadn’t done anything wrong, but that would probably be a little over the top, even for him. Instead, he grabbed her shoulders and walked them back toward his truck, helping her in before he ran around to the driver side. “No, not at all. Let’s get you home, shall we?”

  “That sounds like a plan. I would kill for a shower.” He put his truck in Reverse and almost hit another car when he heard her talk about taking a shower. Fuck, now he had the image of her naked body, under the water, all soft and wet…. His cock pressed against the zipper of his jeans, and he swore under his breath.

  This is going to be a long drive.

  He swallowed and focused on the road ahead, trying to not think about fucking Ashlee against his shower wall. “Well, I just happen to have one of those, so you’re in luck.”

  “That must be why you smell so good.” The second she said the words, she covered her mouth with her hands, and he knew she hadn’t meant to say that aloud. He was quickly figuring out that a tired Ashlee had no filter.

  I could get used to this side of her.

  He chuckled at how easily she blushed when she was around him, wondering if he was the only one who got to her like that. “You think I smell good?”

  “Shit, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.” She looked like she was either about to cry or laugh at how embarrassed she was.

  He wondered what else she was thinking about. “Well, fuck, now I’m curious to know what else is going on in that pretty little head of yours.”

  “I thought you were supposed to be on your best behavior.”

  She glared at him like he was the one who went off the reservation, and he just laughed at the irony.

  “I’m not the one who said I smelled good and got me thinking about having my scent all over you. I’m just a man here, Ashlee.”

  She took a deep breath, shaking her head like she didn’t know what she was doing. Hell, that makes two of us. He was out of his league with her. “That’s fair. I guess I’m the one who should be on my best behavior then.”

  “Not on my account, honey. I’d love nothing more than for you to always speak your mind like you just did. It’s refreshing.” The image of her riding his cock came to mind, how beautiful she would be on top of him, taking what she wanted. Fuck, what they both wanted.

  “Most people can’t handle me then.”

  The first thing that popped in his head was what kind of assholes she had dated in the past, and how he wished he could kick their asses for making her feel bad about going after what she wanted, no matter what it was. He reached for the hand that was resting on her thigh, and she jumped at the contact. “Baby, I ain’t most people. I don’t want to handle you. I want to fuck you until being bad never felt so good.”

  “Best behavior, my ass.” She whispered the words, but he didn’t miss a beat. If he thought he was going to be the o
nly one struggling to keep this PG-13, he had been dead wrong.

  His woman had a wild side, and he planned on making it come out to play.

  ASHLEE

  If someone had asked her to picture Sam Brooks’s house, she never would’ve come up with what she was seeing. Sure, she had seen plenty of famous people’s homes before, each more extravagant than the last, but she knew that wasn’t really Sam’s style. She was expecting something modern, urban-looking, but it was the complete opposite, and she immediately fell in love with it.

  The rustic house was unpretentious with a natural warmth surrounding everything. It showcased something bold and real, something very honest that aligned perfectly with the kind of man Sam was. The hewn beams gave the interior a rough edge that complimented his personality, as if he were trying to create a connection to what he wanted his life to be. She admired the unpolished furnishings that combined with the subtle pastels and nuanced colors, making the house perfect.

  “By the look on your face, I imagine this is not what you thought my place would look like.”

  She jumped at the sound of his voice, having been so lost in admiring his home that she had forgotten she wasn’t alone.

  Ashlee turned around and saw him beside the fireplace, wearing those jeans that fit him just right and a black long-sleeved button-up shirt. She could easily picture him living here with a wife and kids.

  Her fingers lingering on the furniture and the beams, she wondered what he thought she was seeing when she looked around, if he had any idea how perfect it was. “No, it’s not, but this is… perfect.”

  “You don’t have to say that just to spare my feelings. Most people don’t really feel like it fits.”

  She stared at him to see if he were kidding, but when she saw the mixed emotions on his face, she realized he was dead serious. He really thought she wouldn’t fall in love with this house?

  What about the man? Because she was pretty sure that was already a done deal. “Then they obviously don’t know you, because this house is spectacular. And when I say it’s perfect, I mean it, Sam. This place is almost an extension of who you are. It’s unpretentious, bold, unpolished, yet subtle and warm.”

  She took a few steps forward so they were within reaching distance. He placed his hands at the base of her neck, and she felt like he was looking into her soul. She wondered if he would be scared if he could really see what she was thinking.

  He was silent for a while, just staring at her, until he leaned his forehead against hers, his hands still on each side of her neck. “Seriously, where did you come from? No one has ever put that together before.”

  She closed her eyes as she let herself feel him around her, never so safe and so at peace before. She knew she should pull away from him, shouldn’t want to feel this connection, but she didn’t have the strength to move. Raising her hands, she pressed both palms on his chest. “I’ve just been listening to the man, not the superstar.”

  She felt his hands move to the back of her neck, tilting her head so he was looking right at her. She couldn’t hide, couldn’t shut him out; he was seeing everything she didn’t want him to see. “You don’t know what you do to me when you say things like that, Ashlee. To a man like me, that’s like giving him something he never even realized he wanted or needed.”

  “There’s a lot more to you than meets the eye.” She pushed harder against his chest, placing one hand over his heart. He hissed a breath, and she loved that she got to him as much as he got to her.

  He covered the hand she had over his heart with his own, and she knew fighting this man was a losing battle. “Not really, but no one’s ever looked close enough to see it.”

  He smiled at her and she could see how free he felt, something she hadn’t seen in him yet. It was like she was making whatever burdens he was carrying bearable for him. “Well, I’m looking, and I see you.”

  He moved his head closer to hers. She knew he was going to kiss her, and she could barely control the urge to grab his head and push him past his breaking point.

  “Ashlee….”

  Just when his lips barely touched hers, the sound of the doorbell broke the spell.

  Chapter Five

  SAM

  I’m going to kill whoever’s at the door. He tried to process everything she’d said about him and the house, but all he felt was an intense affection for the woman standing in front of him. She had managed to connect dots no other person—especially another woman—had ever made. The doorbell rang again, and he realized he was still standing by the fireplace, holding Ashlee in his arms and loving the feel of her hands on his chest.

  When the doorbell was replaced by loud knocking, Ashlee started to laugh before she pulled away. “You better go check who it is before they break the door down.”

  “I bet you anything it’s Jarrod.”

  On the mark, he answered the door to Jarrod, Mike, Austin, and Tyler standing on his porch. He laughed internally at the irony of Jarrod interrupting his moment with Ashlee, since Sam had been the one to interrupt more than one moment between his friend and Trish.

  “What took you so long, man?” Mike asked him, pushing his way inside.

  Well, shit. Apparently they’re staying.

  He walked back to the living room and exploded with laughter when he saw the four guys standing still as a rock, staring at the woman in the middle of his living room. “You have a woman here?”

  He cringed at the surprise in Austin’s question; the last thing he wanted was to scare Ashlee off.

  “Before we all go crazy, I guess now’s as good a time as any to make introductions. Guys, meet Ashlee Daniels. Ashlee, meet the rest of the band, but don’t take any crap from these assholes.” He felt like this could blow up in his face if the guys didn’t behave—and they never behaved.

  “Well, shit, today’s the day she was coming? Fuck, I completely forgot. I’m Mike. It’s nice to meet you, Ashlee.” He watched Mike like a hawk as the guitarist went in for a hug, and for the first time, he understood how Jarrod felt when the guys all hugged Trish. She looked happy to meet the rest of the band, but he couldn’t quite make out if she was faking it or not. If she was, she wasn’t letting it show.

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Mike.” She glanced over at Sam, and that was when he realized she needed him. He moved to where she stood and almost immediately felt her relax. He looked at Jarrod who was smiling his ass off, obviously attuned to what had just happened.

  Austin came up to her and Sam tensed, remembering how his friend had baited him when they first talked about Ashlee. “I’m Austin. It’s really nice to finally meet you, Ashlee. Sam over here can’t keep his mouth shut about you, and it’s easy to see why. You’re beautiful, darling.”

  “And you’re a sweet talker. It’s nice to meet you, Austin.” Her gaze landed on him and she gave him a brief smile.

  “I’m Tyler. Sorry, we forgot you were coming today. We left you alone with the boring one.”

  That’s it. I’m going to have to kill my best friends after this. He growled—actually growled—and he felt five pair of eyes turn on him.

  Then Ashlee laughed hysterically, and just like that the awkwardness was gone. “Sorry, I don’t see a boring one here. Am I missing a member?”

  Tyler glanced between the two of them. For a brief second, Sam felt the tension build inside him, ready for whatever smart-ass comment Tyler was gearing up for, but the blow didn’t come. “I like her… I like you, Ashlee Daniels.”

  Jarrod took her in his arms for a big hug, and she was right there with him. Sam had let it slip his mind that she knew Jarrod because of Trish. “Hey, Ashlee. It’s good to see you again.”

  “Being a new dad suits you. You look great.”

  If Sam thought she wouldn’t be able to handle the guys, she showed him. She was so irresistible and alluring, so it didn’t surprise him that all the guys loved her; he was pretty sure she had never met a person who didn’t automatically fall in love with her.
>
  “It’s the best. How’s your mom?”

  She tensed at the question and Sam realized he hadn’t even asked how she felt about being away, or how her mom was doing? He felt like a first-class jerk.

  Before he knew it, she took a few steps closer to him, so their shoulders were touching. She needed the physical contact, and he’d give her the goddamn moon if she needed it.

  He slipped one arm behind her and pressed his hand on her lower back. As if instinctive, she leaned toward him. “She’s still in the hospital, but she’s getting stronger every day.” Her voice cracked with emotion.

  All the guys were staring at them, trying to figure out what the hell was going on, but Ashlee wasn’t moving away from him. And for the love of God, he didn’t want her to.

  Jarrod glanced at the two of them before taking a few steps back. “Good. Trish said she wanted to see her, so we’ll do that.”

  She rubbed her cheek on his arm, and when she realized what she was doing, she didn’t make a big deal out of it; instead, she focused her attention on Jarrod, but still didn’t move away from Sam. “Oh, she’s going to love that. The famous Jarrod Banks in her room. She might ask you to take your shirt off.”

  Sam wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him while Jarrod stared at her, trying to figure out if she was kidding or not. “Your mom would ask Jarrod to strip?” Sam asked incredulously.

  She started laughing and couldn’t stop. “Oh, yeah. He’s Jarrod Banks, duh.” All the guys laughed and whistled. One look at Jarrod told Sam he would actually do it, an indication of just how bewitching the woman in his arms was.

  He knew he had a short window of opportunity and he took it, leaning closer to her so his mouth was over her ear. He felt her nails digging into the side of his chest. “What about me? Would she ask me to strip?”