Thinking about Riley’s vest, tore her mind from the jerk responsible for her solo bar visit and back to Avery. Avery was king of vests and damn he wore them well. He had as many vests as she had heels and paired them with t-shirts, button ups, even plaid on plaid. He paired them plaid on plaid! And Cece loved it.
Change topic.
Her eyes shifted to Jess.
“Little lady,” she snickered to herself taking a larger mouthful.
Wrong topic.
Cece was not a drinker for the sake of getting drunk, but right now she needed the strong liquid to ease her nerves and make her forget the memories flooding back to her.
That night. That dreadful, life-altering night.
She would never forget it, and seeing Rusty, his touch had resurfaced the pain...the deep heart wrenching pain. She needed another drink.
Cece signaled Marlow and this time took a shot of hard liquor that burned all the way down her throat. The flaming blaze burned away the ache Rusty’s presence brought on. She ordered another.
Rusty will leave, dragging along his little lady. Avery is out celebrating elsewhere. It will be you, Riley and Abby. Tonight will be fine. Tonight will be a break for your head. Relax, get a little crazy...have a little fun.
When another shot was set in front of her, she stared at it, feeling the liquid beginning to work at numbing her edges. Numbing was good. She swirled the alcohol and closed her eyes as the turmoil of that night was riding her hard.
“On the prowl tonight?”
The sound of Avery’s voice was comforting...even if he was insulting her. She couldn’t tell if he was serious, joking, or being a jerk, but there was something about this man that made her feel...safe.
Maybe he loved Ems, maybe he didn’t. Maybe he slept with Cece to further his career, maybe he didn’t. Either way, she knew he wasn’t a bad guy. He was a good guy. She’d watched him interact with his sister, his band, even after the betrayal of Ems and Drew, the employees and crew at the label. Everyone liked Avery. He was one of the good ones mothers would tell their daughters to find and never let go. That made it all the more difficult to accept he would never be hers.
Cece opened her eyes. She didn’t look at Avery, as he slipped onto the stool beside her and ordered a drink. She could smell him though, bringing back memories of that night when he touched her skin like she was a delicate flower running his fingers along the soft petals, ever so gently. But at the same time, he’d done very naughty things to her that she’d never done with another man. Things she’d never thought of doing with another man. His touch hadn’t evoked fear in her that she’d expected, anticipated if ever a man touched her again. With Avery it hadn’t even crossed her mind. Maybe that’s why her mind couldn’t rid him; he made her feel safe. It had been a long time since anyone made her feel safe.
Even so, he wasn’t interested in her.
“Aren’t you supposed to be celebrating with the band?” She tipped the whole shot in her mouth needing the fiery liquid to calm the newest batch of nerves Avery caused.
“I couldn’t resist Abby’s invitation to a double date...”
A double date!
Half the liquid went flying out of her mouth in shock and she choked on what she inhaled at the same time.
“Whoa! Hey!” Avery yanked her arms in the air above her head and slammed her back in such a quick motion she didn’t have time to object...did she want to object to his fingers sending lightning jolts to her skin?
Cece caught her breath, stopped choking and was left inches away from Avery’s concerned, serious face. He held her hands trapped above her head in such a way, only using one hand, that every last bit of her sexual desire wished they were alone behind closed doors. Her thoughts couldn’t help wonder what he could do next with her hands trapped above her head...and surprisingly she wasn’t scared.
Tie them together? Whip her down hard on the mattress? Fasten them to the bedposts and do very...very naughty things.
Oh. My. Gosh!
She almost choked again at the mere passion his sizzling touch was giving her.
Do not kiss him. Do not kiss him!
His twisted lips were literally a lean away from hers; warm, soft and...
“Can I get a glass of water?” Avery called to the bartender, turning his head a notch and making her jump back into reality.
The bar tender? Marlow!
The room around her roared to life, bringing back the loud music. Marlow was across the counter, watching with his hawk eyes. And the lineup of drinkers alongside the bar were also giving their full attention to Cece and Avery.
Oh. My. Gosh.
Cece yanked her hands down. The sudden movement caught Avery off guard and he stumbled forward against her. Her rear end went sliding backwards off the stool and her body was flailing back.
No, no, no! Don’t yell. I’m going to fall on my ass! Why didn’t I stay home! Why, why, why?
Wasn’t it bad enough that everyone had witnessed her choke on her drink, then drink Avery’s amazing cappuccino eyes up with hers, now everyone was going to watch her fall on her behind!
Cece reached for Avery. She couldn’t fall. Her desperate fingers wrapped around his vest...his vest of course. She felt his arm catch her rear and slide it back into the chair.
They didn’t fall. She didn’t fall. Oh thank God.
Cece breathed a sigh of relief and closed her eyes. Okay Cece, open your eyes, retract your hands, walk over to the table, sit down and don’t have another embarrassing incident all night long. Or fake sick and run home. She was liking the latter.
When Cece felt confident she could pull it off, she opened her eyes. Avery’s serious stare wiped her on her ass again. Thankfully not literally, but she forgot her plan already.
“Are you okay?” Avery asked, and his deep, thick voice matched his deep, thick biceps.
I’m so much better than okay when your arms are wrapped around me like this.
Cece was still clutching his vest like they were back in that games room and she planned on dragging him down on top of her. Her lips wanted to press against his lips, her hips want to drill against his hips, and the sudden craving to tear away his clothes was mind stealing.
Avery’s eyes locked his bedroom stare on her, caressing every exposed piece of her flesh it could latch onto.
You’re not in the bedroom. You’re at Oakston Corner Grill.
“Yes,” she replied, barely a whisper.
She wanted to yank away from him, fully aware of the eyes on them, but she feared she might tip their balance again. As good as the little rush of excitement through her body felt, it was humiliating her right now.
Slowly Cece’s fingers released his vest and smoothed over the material, lightly patting the finish, but really she wanted to feel the hard mountains of the abs beneath. They were amazing. She didn’t move, entirely aware of Avery’s arm still wrapped around her back and he didn’t hide the pleasure in his dark stare at the intimate grasp.
Let go. Don’t let go. No, yes let go!
Cece was thankful he wasn’t listening to the conversation playing out in her head.
“Water,” Marlow said, louder than normal. “Cece?” She recognized the tone in Marlow’s voice, as he set the glass down with a thud, loud enough to hear over the music. “You okay?”
Avery let her go.
“Thank you.”
She straightened, reaching for the water. She needing liquid to dance down her throat before she could answer. She smiled at Marlow. “I’m good thank you, Marlow.”
Marlow narrowed a protective stare at Avery and Cece suddenly realized he hadn’t been referring to the drink at all. She almost chuckled at the offended look Marlow’s stare left on Avery’s face. But she didn’t dare. Instead she introduced the two.
“Marlow this is Avery McAdams.” He had no idea. “Lead vocalist of Inch Away,” she added.
Marlow’s face shifted...more than a little, but not entirely. They’d obviously
not been formally introduced. “Avery this is Marlow.”
It was understandable Marlow didn’t recognize him. Cece kept Avery and the band members busy with photo shoots, radio promotions, signing promotions, slaving in the studio working on their next album, and frequently updating their social media accounts for fans...so they didn’t get out much. When Avery wore the fedora, which she remembered tearing away and planting on her head when he lifted her onto the pool table, he hid a bit of his beautiful face...especially with the low lighting.
“Hey man I’ve been listening to your soundtrack. Awesome style.”
Their hands met in an excited shake over the bar. “Thanks.”
Cece took another sip of the water and wished it was alcohol.
You don’t need any more alcohol you clumsy fool.
Avery ordered a drink, fixing himself comfortably on the seat beside her. “Great start to a double date,” he said, loud enough that when Marlow slid him his drink he had no choice but to overhear.
Marlow’s watchful black eyes darted to Cece as if looking for a confirmation she wasn’t about to give. When he left, she turned to Avery, all her anger surfacing. The last two dreadful months of trying to ignore Avery, the speeding ticket that morning, running into Rusty this evening that was dragging up a lot of her past she’d buried, and now Avery making her look like she was sleeping with a band member she was managing was just too much.
“This is my life you’re screwing with,” she hissed at him and only him. She didn’t need every person in the bar overhearing. “This is my career. I’m working damn hard at starting yours and you’re screwing with mine.” She didn’t want a reputation as the woman who slept with her work...again.
Cece didn’t wait for his reply and slid off the stool walking straight to Abby and Riley’s booth...only to find it empty.
Empty? Where the hell was everyone?
Cece didn’t want to look around. She was tempted to turn around and waltz right out the front door and run to her penthouse. Her big, lonely penthouse, where she’d spent every evening by herself since Rusty left. Some nights sitting in the dark, thankful she was alone and other nights crying herself to sleep. How could a place with so many bad memories be so comforting at the same time?
“I love this outfit!” Abby snuck up behind her, startling her, stealing any possibility of that plan away.
Cece braced herself as she turned...she knew what was coming. Abby’s medium height and tiny, petite, frame embraced Cece in one of those all-too-often hugs these McAdams seemed to be full of. Cece didn’t dislike, distrust, or hold any jealousy for Abby...anymore. But this hugging thing, really? Like every time we see each other? Really?
Cece didn’t come from a big family of five like Abby and Avery. Although at a times she’d wanted a large family like that, before Rusty, before her brother had left. Cece wasn’t used to all this affection, touching, and talking. Honestly these McAdams talked about everything.
Cece had already learned not to pull away from Abby, or stiffen her shoulders at the touch, because both those actions would bring up her question...Is something wrong? Are you okay? Did something happen?
Cece’s answer wouldn’t be nice. All of the above, you touch too much, talk too much and I don’t like hugging.
Instead of being honest, for the sake of Riley, who had never loved another human being like he loved Abby, Cece relaxed her body, wrapped her arms semi-tightly around Abby and counted the seconds until Abby released her. It couldn’t come fast enough.
Cece smiled at her. “Thanks. I just had it hanging in the closet.”
Liar.
Abby didn’t need to know about Cece’s wardrobe malfunction this morning when Abby had mini-dresses coming out of her−
“Here are my two favorite gals,” Riley said, wrapping an arm around each of them. This was the touch she could handle and enjoyed. Now her big brother was by her side...the evening could only improve. “We got a bigger table because Rusty and his wife wanted to join us.”
That was not an improvement.
Riley glanced down at her. “Did you see Rusty’s going to have a baby?” I couldn’t miss that bump if one tried.
Cece nodded. Her lips hurting with yet another feigned smile.
“You don’t mind, do you?” Riley asked.
Yes. “Not at all.”
Cece dreaded walking to the table.
Chapter Five
AVERY COULDN’T BELIEVE he was clasping hands with the famous sandy-orange, longhaired musician Rusty Towns for a solid handshake.
Wow. Wow!
He was star struck as he sat down beside Abby and Riley and directly across from bombshell Cece, who was rocking the sexiest dress he’d ever seen her in. He appreciated his decision to bail on the band having the honor of letting his mind bounce between a man he idolized and a woman he wanted to idolize every last inch of her sexy body...again.
There was no mistaking the bedroom eyes she’d flashed him, caught off guard with her choking fit, while his hands caught hers above her head. It was instinct taught from Gran to raise hands in the air when choking, but had quickly altered the mood of both of them. Fantasies he hadn’t been prepared for, rushed through his mind, caused by the slight tremble of her body under his touch...and not in a bad way. Her blazing, amazing blue bullets had stared him down with desire, craving, and hunger.
She wanted him.
He wanted her.
How was that even possible after the confrontation in her car this morning?
Avery was concentrating on the smooth talk between Riley and Rusty, who were clearly old buddies. He noted, as the two shared inside jokes only they understood, how much Riley had changed in the past months. He’d gone from observant, quiet, and kind of a scary badass to a friendly, smooth talking and right on kind of guy.
“What was happening at the bar with you and Cece?” Abby leaned over and whispered only for Avery to hear, while straightening a napkin on the lap of her black dress. The smell of the all-natural soap she made and used wafted around him, stealing away the distinct smell of Cece’s perfume that he’d been savoring.
Without permission Avery’s eyes fell on Cece. Her thin lip smile didn’t look impressed with the conversation between Rusty and her brother. The streams of light from above her caught the deep blue, with gold flecks in her eyes that shimmered like her bare shoulders. She sat perfectly poised, but looked tense like she was...uncomfortable. Probably embarrassed they’d gotten all tangled at the bar. That had been the highlight of his day. He couldn’t imagine what everyday being tangled up with this woman would feel like.
It won’t happen, so don’t worry about it.
“Nothing,” he whispered back to Abby, trying not to snarl and give her leeway.
“It didn’t look like nothing,” she pressed in her ever so pushy Abby manner, batting her mischievous black eyelashes at him.
“That’s what it was.” That’s not what it was at all. Avery and Cece had chemistry. They had hot, raw, chemistry...and weren’t doing anything about it.
“Are you still tapping that?” Abby asked.
“No.”
“You know at first I was against you hooking up with her, but now...” Abby glanced at Cece then back again. “...I like her. She’s a little tough around the edges but−”
“Abby, if you like her so much, you date her.”
“That’s classic denial right there.”
“There is nothing to deny.”
Abby’s eyebrows arched. “Mm-hmm...” She pinched his leg before shifting away, wrapping her arm around Riley’s shoulder and leaning into him as he spoke.
“Are you going to AHJ?” Riley asked Rusty.
“I am. We are flying out.”
One day Avery would be able to charter a flight and fly out, but until that day came they were taking a bus with the band and crew. An over twenty-four hour drive.
“Avery’s playing at the AJH,” Abby said, sending Avery a proud wink. Always the bragg
art and Avery’s number one, biggest fan. Also his biggest push. Without her he wouldn’t have been brave enough to leave his dad to go on tour. He also wouldn’t have met Riley who signed him and without that connection he wouldn’t have met Cece. Cece. Lately his thoughts always fell back to Cece.
“He’s lead vocals in Inch Away,” Riley filled in, sounding as proud as Abby, which in turn boosted Avery’s coolness. In the presence of Rusty Towns, one had to try their hardest to act natural.
Rusty looked at Avery with an approving, impressed nod. Avery couldn’t help wanting to scream Rusty Towns thinks I’m awesome!...even if that wasn’t exactly what his nod meant.
“Wicked,” Rusty said.
Avery only glanced away long enough to send Abby a look that said, Wicked, wicked did you hear that? She smiled silently recognizing his look.
“That was fast...to land AHJ...” Rusty continued. “Who’s managing you?”
Cece...always back to this incredible woman.
“The best in the business,” Riley answered, with a nod in his sister’s direction.
Rusty’s attention turned to Cece and they shared a look Avery didn’t comprehend. Avery suddenly got a bad vibe from the whole situation. Was there bad blood between these two? Did everyone see it or was it just Avery?
“Cece’s a great manager,” Rusty finally said, turning away, and addressing the rest of the table.
Avery didn’t think otherwise.
“Just watch she doesn’t dip into the pot.” He winked at Avery before flashing a pearly white, crooked smile back at Cece. “Isn’t that right?”
Rusty and Cece were a thing? Rusty and Cece were a thing!
Avery’s eyes went back and forth between the two like he really couldn’t comprehend or thought...hoped...he misunderstood the meaning behind Rusty’s words.
Cece’s bitter stare met Rusty’s comical grin, but was nothing in comparison to the tone that came out of Riley’s mouth.
Lakeshore Lyrics: The McAdams Sisters (By The Lake Series Book 5) Page 4