“Man,” Steven shook his head, mercifully deciding to change the subject. “Every time I come here, I can’t get over this place—the barns, the fields, even your recording studio is picturesque. Very cool. Coming from Manhattan…well, you know.”
“I certainly do.” Malcolm nodded.
“You guys coming back to the city anytime soon?” Steven lifted Sabrina and placed her on his shoulders as he spoke.
Malcolm smiled. “I don’t know. You know, Sum…she works like mad.”
“I hear she’s put you to work…” Jeanette rubbed her tummy as she spoke.
“Oh yeah…” Malcolm nodded, smiling. “I love the folks around here—they have no idea who I am…” He chuckled. “This morning we visited an old woman with a sick horse who couldn’t afford vet services, so she asked me if I wanted a chicken as payment.” Malcolm grinned. “She said I needed to eat, because I looked like one of those ‘rock and roll boys’ who are too skinny.” Malcolm sighed, contently.
Steven laughed. “You must like the people here, ’cause they’ve even got you calling them, ‘folks’.”
Malcolm grinned and suddenly adrenaline coursed through his veins. Summer was heading toward him. He knew it. He could feel her presence even before he saw her.
“Aunt Summer!” Sabrina shimmed off her dad’s shoulders and ran up to Summer. Summer carefully laid down a box she was carrying, and in one swoop, lifted Sabrina, plopping her onto one round, full hip. A hip that was made to carry a baby.
“What’s in the box?” Sabrina wiggled against Summer, and Summer laughed.
“Well, we need to ask your mom about this gift first. The rest of your gifts are for later.” Summer turned to Malcolm, her face lighting up. “Could you?” She nodded to the box.
Every time he looked at her, it was like that first time he saw her from stage.
She smirked as Malcolm grabbed the box and handed it to Jeanette.
“What is it?” Jeanette held it cautiously.
“You got me.” Malcolm shrugged.
The box moved slightly, startling Jeanette. “Hey,” Jeanette laughed, turning to Summer. “Don’t you know better than to scare a pregnant lady?”
“Just peek inside. Carefully…” Summer bounced on her toes, excited. She bounced Sabrina along with her. Summer was so young, and beautiful, and filled with kindness and goodness. She was perfect.
Jeanette cracked the lid and peeked inside. “A frog?”
Summer walked over to Jeanette and sat on the arm of Jeanette’s chair, balancing Sabrina on top of her. Sabrina peeked in the box.
“Cooolllll!”
Summer stroked Jeanette’s hair. “Because you were right. For all those years…I—I never believed. But you were right. And soon it’ll be time for Sabrina to kiss her own frog.”
“I’m not kissing that…” Sabrina buried her face against Summer’s shoulder.
Jeanette wiped a tear and embraced Summer, as much as her belly would allow. “You’d better help me keep this one alive.” She mumbled through tears.
Summer laughed, tossing her hair. Malcolm stared, awestruck.
“So.” Summer stood, still carrying Sabrina. “Who’s ready for a party?” Summer’s voice rose an octave when she spoke to the child.
“Me!” Sabrina threw both hands into the air.
Summer pointed over her shoulder. “The barn’s all set up with cowgirl decorations, a cowgirl boot piñata—so we won’t have a repeat of the last party when the piñata was a horse and we cried when someone hit it—and pony rides.” Summer tossed Sabrina with each word she said, and the two giggled together.
Malcolm watched them with a longing he had never before experienced. Summer placed her free hand on her opposite hip, triumphantly. She was wearing a simple red knit dress with a skinny brown belt at the waist and brown boots. Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders.
Malcolm moved toward her, his eyes locked on her. “You are so beautiful…” For a moment, he forgot anyone else was there. For a second, he forgot to breathe. For eternity, he would love her.
Summer placed Sabrina on the ground, and walked straight to Malcolm. He opened his arms, and Summer laid her head on his chest. He held her tight as images of visiting Santa and teaching their kids how to ski the bunny slope raced through his mind. All too soon, she patted his chest and stood up.
“Come on, let’s get this party going before Jeanette drops another one.” Summer smiled sweetly at Jeanette.
Steven helped Jeanette out of the chair and they all made their way to the barn as more and more kids began showing up. Jimmy and his gang arrived, along with the rest of Malcolm’s band. Summer welcomed everyone, hugging them and offering each his or her favorite beverage. She was the most thoughtful person Malcolm had ever known.
****
Once the party was successfully underway, Malcolm spotted Summer lingering outside the barn, watching as the party hosts pinned sheriff badges to the tiny guests. She giggled.
Malcolm made his way to her, grabbing her hand. Together they watched as a small army of kids played games, their parents laughing. It was a beautiful scenario—filled with life and happiness. Summer watched, wistfully. Malcolm’s heart ached when she wiped a tear.
“It’s okay, Malcolm…” She turned to him and leaned back against the wall of the barn. “I don’t need that. You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted. You’ve given me the world, but all I ever really wanted was you.” She smiled, and there was no doubt she was an angel…his angel…Summer Angel.
“But what if I want you to have everything…?” As soon as he said the words, he realized he meant them.
“Malcolm…” She shook her head.
“What if I want everything with you?”
“What are you saying, Malcolm?” She looked up at him with her giant eyes, her lips, quivering. She was so beautiful and soft and…his…
He stood up taller, wanting her like he had never wanted her before. He pulled her farther from the entrance of the barn, and nudged her to a far wall, gently. His breath raced, and he began panting, wondering if he would have the ability to stop. He planted his forearms on either side of her, his body holding her against the wall, possessiveness taking over his being. She reached up and stroked his face with her hands.
“I’m right here, Malcolm…I promise…”
He nodded, pushing against her, holding her tighter to the wall. Suddenly the thought of her with a swollen belly…with a baby…his baby…growing inside, was more than he could stand. But no—he would not conceive a child, their child, against a wall of a barn.
He felt her tremble as he leaned closer to her ear. He spoke softly. “I wish I could marry you over and over again, every second of every day. I wish I could place wedding bands on every one of your fingers. I wish I could be inside you…always…claiming you…making you mine…always. I love that you’re Mrs. Malcolm Angel…”
She moaned, softly, and he felt the swell in his pants. He pushed against her.
“I am yours, Malcolm…every bit of me.”
“Promise me…”
“Mmm…” she moaned. “I promise, Malcolm…”
He leaned down and kissed her, his tongue taking her as the rest of him wanted to.
He pulled back and looked into those gorgeous, round eyes. “Summer, baby…I’m ready.”
“I know…but the party…” Her words were barely audible. She moaned again.
“No…” He smiled and chuckled. “I mean…I’m ready.”
Her eyes flew open, and she shook her head, focusing. “What?” She fought it back, but a shiny glimmer of hope flashed through her eyes.
She planted her hands on his chest. That was always the position she took when they needed to discuss something serious. He smiled.
“Malcolm, this can’t be desire talking. This…you know…if we do this…there’s no changing our minds. It’s forever.”
“We’re forever.”
“Yes…but…”
“I’m terrified if we do this, you’ll be sorry. Or blame me. Or hate me.” The tears fell fast and hard.
He kissed her forehead, gently. “I wanna have a baby with you.”
“Malcolm…” Her voice dropped off, and she searched his eyes, desperately.
“I wanna have a baby.”
She shifted and bit her lip.
He leaned closer and whispered into her ear. “Summer…I want you to have my baby.”
She looked up at him with joy in her eyes that were already heavy with lust. She threw her arms around him, hugging him fully and completely. And in that moment, he knew nothing in life mattered more than making her happy. Whatever they faced, they would face together. As they had already.
He held her tightly, lifting her off the ground, counting the minutes until they could be together completely. Tonight, he could throw away the thin barrier of protection that protected his heart. Now, finally, there would be nothing at all between them.
He held her at arms’ length, staring at her beauty. Summer Angel—his summer angel—the woman who swooped down one particularly hot summer in Manhattan to save him. And he was eternally grateful she had. There was only one thing left to say.
“Summer… Baby…”
“Yes, Malcolm?”
Her breath was hot on his neck. He held her, his strong arms tight around her tiny waist. He dropped his forehead against hers, closing his eyes.
“Thank you…”
A word from the author…
I am so excited to bring you Summer of Irreverence, the first book in my New York Artists series, standalone novels about strong, artistic men, and the smart, unexpected women they fall for.
I am an Amazon and Barnes and Noble bestselling author and a NYC girl at heart. I write “gritty romance,” in the genres of YA, NA, women’s fiction, and romance. I’m also the author of The Letting and The Coupling, books 1 and 2 of The Letting series. I began my career as an award-winning playwright, and I am a proud member of RWA, PAN. I have my BA in English and my MA in Theatre.
I believe in Luna Bars for lunch; lots of decaf coffee; running to clear my mind; yoga as often as possible; time with friends; and reading Hemingway and Bukowski. But mostly, I believe in kindness and love, especially my love for my husband and my two young girls.
To find out more about me, the New York Artists series, The Letting series, and what’s coming soon, please visit: www.CathrineGoldstein.com.
Thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy Summer of Irreverence!
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Summer of Irreverence: The Rock Star (The New York Artists Series) Page 20