Rock Me Faster (Licks Of Leather Book 4)

by Jenna Jacob

  Sang to her about reaching out one night to find her gone.

  About wanting to bring her home.

  Home. No, not to her mountain in Kentucky but to the home in my heart.

  “Kentucky rain keeps pouring down,” I crooned, willing her to open her eyes and let me sing the rest of the lyrics to her. But she didn’t, so I kept right on singing about the cold Kentucky rain.

  Still nothing.

  “Finally got a ride from a preacher man who asked—”

  “Where you bound on such a cold dark afternoon?” A man with salt-and-pepper hair, wearing faded blue jeans and a dark button-down shirt, finished singing the verse for me as he stepped into the room.

  I stopped the song and rose to my feet, eyeing him suspiciously.

  “That’s my little girl’s favorite song,” the man announced. Bodhi. “I know from the photos that Harmony showed me on her computer, you’re Ross Walker.”

  “Yes, sir. I am. And I’m pretty sure you’re her dad, Bodhi.” I smiled, extending a bandaged hand.

  Instead of shying away from the unknown injuries beneath the gauze, he gave me a firm shake. When I didn’t cringe or flinch, or try to pull away, a flicker of acceptance, as if I’d passed some kind of test, skimmed over his dark eyes. Clearly, Harmony’s unique blue eyes had to have come from her mother.

  Then without a word, Bodhi strode to the side of Harmony’s bed and stared down at his daughter. A look of sheer pain creased his sun-kissed face as he shook his head and sucked in a ragged breath.

  “I was trying to get her to wake up by singing—”

  “Her favorite song.” Bodhi arched a brow. “It appears you two have learned a lot about each other in a very short time.”

  “A bit. There’s still a lot we haven’t learned yet,” I replied, dragging the bulky recliner from the corner over to him.

  Bodhi glanced at the chair and nodded his thanks, then pinned me with a probing stare.

  I knew what he was thinking.

  It was written all over his face.

  And like all male animals, asserting their dominance to capture prime pieces of hunting ground or something even more coveted, a mate, I wasn’t about to roll over and give up any information. Bodhi was going to have to assert his dominance as a protective father and fucking ask. Acknowledging my challenge, his lips twitched.

  “Is my daughter still a little girl or have you made her a woman?”

  “She’s still your little girl, sir.”

  But if we hadn’t been in that wreck, I’d still be making her a woman right now.

  “I highly doubt she’ll be one much longer.”

  “I’m not pursuing Harmony’s virginity like it’s some kind of trophy.”

  Could this conversation get anymore awkward? Probably.

  “No. You’re not. I could tell by the look in your eyes and the tone of your voice when I walked in and found you singing to her. She means something to you.”

  “The world.”

  “Does she feel the same toward you?”

  “I’m not sure. Like you said, we’ve only been together a short time. But I hope she’s beginning to have the same feelings for me that I have for her.”

  “And what happens when her six-month contract is through? Are you going to keep her traveling the country in a bus, that clearly isn’t safe, in order to be with you?”

  “I don’t know, sir. Six months is a long way off.”

  “Only when you’re waiting for springtime to come so you can plant your seeds.”

  “I’m a very patient man.”

  “I’m damn glad to hear that. Not because I expect her to stay my little girl forever; I just don’t want her to ever regret who she gives her innocence to.” Bodhi gently stroked Harmony’s hair. “She looks so…small. I’m not used to seeing her like this. She’s always so strong and vibrant.”

  “She still is. Once she wakes up, you’ll see. She hasn’t changed.” Remembering how she stood up to Sylvia and wouldn’t let the pretentious snatch make her feel inferior filled me with pride.

  “I know she’s here to prove herself. I just wish she’d decided to come help you out of the goodness of her heart.”

  Wait. What?

  “Why did she decide to accept Quinn’s offer?”

  “She’s trying to atone for her mother’s sins.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t—”

  “She didn’t tell you about her mother, did she?”

  “Only that she left…that the wind took her away.” A horrible thought made me blanch. “Please don’t tell me that’s some kind of metaphor and that her mom has died.”

  “No. Astrid is very much alive. But I’m not surprised Harmony didn’t tell you that. My little girl has a lot of pride. Too much sometimes. It’s hard for her to ask for help.”

  I chuckled. “Me, too.”

  “Birds of a feather. Just like Astrid and I were…once.” Bodhi frowned. “I know that Astrid is still alive because her actions are sending repercussions rippling through the collective consciousness. Clearly, Harmony has paid for Astrid’s sins. Fate, Karma, and Free Will have now collected their pound of flesh, through my daughter. Whatever crimes Astrid commits from here on out will be paid by her own soul.” He clenched his jaw and stroked the tip of his finger down Harmony’s cheek.

  “Not that I’m proud of it, but I’m personal friends with Karma and Fate. I don’t know anything about collective consciousness. We haven’t gotten that far, but Harmony has been teaching me about crystals.” Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the moonstone. “She gave me this.”

  Bodhi’s brows arched. A tiny smile tugged his lips as he darted a glance at Harmony, then nodded at me. “Did she explain the stone’s power?”

  “She told me it was for new beginnings. But I can tell by the look on your face it does a whole lot more.”

  “Indeed, it does. It helps reduce stress and anger. Promotes intuition, inspiration, fortune, and safe travel,” he scoffed. “For women, it helps balance hormones and monthly cycles, keeps their skin and hair soft, their eyes bright and shining.”

  “Does it do anything for men?”

  “Oh, yes. It helps open us up. To recognize and get in touch with our true emotions.”

  The stone suddenly felt like a hot ember, searing through my bandages and scalding my palm.

  “She really did come here to try and save me,” I murmured. “In ways I didn’t even understand.”

  “And I can tell by the look on your face that she’s succeeding.”

  “Yes,” I choked past the emotion clogging my throat and stinging my eyes as I gazed at my priceless little miracle worker soundly sleeping. “But I still don’t know why…why me?”

  “Because she knew. She knew and didn’t even tell me. Damn.” Bodhi shook his head and smiled at Harmony. “I tried to talk her out of coming here. Told her she had no business accepting Quinn’s offer if her heart wasn’t pure. I thought she was doing this wholly for the money, but…” He paused and smiled up at me. “She knew you needed her.”

  “I-I don’t understand.”

  The sun was just beginning to break over the horizon when our tongues were finally tired. We’d spent the whole night talking.

  Bodhi told me about Astrid taking off with the money the community had saved to pay the taxes. I made a mental note to call my broker later in the day to cover the cost. He explained Harmony’s special empathic abilities—which I found completely fascinating—before skipping down memory lane and telling me heartwarming stories about her childhood on the mountain.

  I realized the reason she glowed so brightly and had touched me so deeply. Harmony had been loved, unconditionally loved her whole life. I was so fucking grateful to Bodhi for giving her that wonderful gift.

  Like his daughter, Bodhi was so warm and accepting it felt totally natural when I started sharing stories of my dysfunctional childhood.

  I told him how Harmony had accompanied me to Sylvia’s and the shit show t
hat ensued. I explained how the band started…about our early days, living in a beat-up panel van, living off fast food as we traveled from coast to coast and back again. I even told him about my addiction—not the reason why I was searching for an escape but about the guys and Quinn’s intervention, my time in rehab, and how I continued to maintain my sobriety.

  Stroking my knuckle down Harmony’s cheek, I leaned in close to her ear. “Wake up, princess. Please, wake up.”

  Bodhi smiled and pulled a harmonica from his pocket. “You know the lyrics to the song and how to perform. I know how to play. What do you say we sing our girl awake with her favorite song?”

  Our girl. Yeah, I liked the sound of that.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Harmony

  Nestled in the lush grass of my mountain home, I leaned against my favorite rock, listening to the stream gurgle as I gazed up at the stars. I was cradling my arm that was throbbing like mad. I’d hurt it somehow. Maybe chopping wood? I couldn’t remember. And though it was painfully sore, for some strange reason I didn’t care. The stars were too enthralling, the air crisp and soothing.

  Though there wasn’t a cloud in the night sky, raindrops started falling all around me as the sound of my favorite song filled the air. I smiled as the Kentucky rain spilled over my face. Then I realized Jeb wasn’t singing the song like he always did for me, and it wasn’t his banjo playing the notes.

  The music was coming from Daddy’s harmonica, and the lyrics were being sung by…Ross.

  He’d found me!

  My heartrate tripled, and I jumped to my feet. I whirled around and expected to see him standing there with his wide shoulders, bulging arms, and sinful blue eyes locked on mine…but there was nothing but darkness.

  Blindly racing toward the sound of his voice, I tried to push the inky veil aside, but only one arm would work. Still, I wasn’t giving up. The urgency to see him again, to touch, kiss, and hold him, was a living breathing, aching entity inside me. Ross’s deep alluring voice grew louder. The sweet sounds of Daddy’s harmonica grew stronger. Batting at the black curtain keeping me from the two most important men in my life, I finally saw a sliver of light ahead. Sprinting toward the barely there glow, I finally punched through the crevice and my eyes fluttered open.

  “Searching for—” Ross froze mid-lyric.

  Or at least I thought it was Ross. He was covered in bandages and sort of looked like a mummy. Was it already Halloween? I was about to ask, but when I saw tears filling his eyes as he sent me a watery smile, I couldn’t remember my question.

  “Hi, princess. How was your nap?” His voice was thick with emotion.

  “Bad. I couldn’t find you. My arm hurts.” My voice was dry and raspy, and my throat felt like a desert.

  “I’m here, sweetheart. I’ve been right here waiting for you to come back to me all night.”

  Why was he waiting for me? Where did I go?

  “Water.”

  “Here, baby girl.” I turned to the sound of Bodhi’s voice. As I watched him lift a Styrofoam cup off a tray, bend a straw, and settle it to my lips, I thought I was still dreaming.

  “Daddy?”

  “I’ve been waiting for you to come back all night, too, my love.”

  Something was wrong…horribly wrong. What was Ross doing at Gaia Garden? What room was I in and where was that pungent scent of alcohol and cleaning products coming from?

  As I sucked the cold liquid from the straw and let it trickle down my parched throat, I darted a gaze around the room. This wasn’t home.

  I was in a…hospital.

  I pushed the straw off my lips with my tongue, then dropped my head and peered down at my body. My pretty sequined dress was gone, replaced with an ugly green gown that had wires sticking out from under it. A tube was embedded into my arm that was attached to a plastic bag, suspended on a pole beside my bed. Next to the bag was a machine with numbers and lights and a jumping line that scrolled across a grid.

  The other arm, the one throbbing and hurting so badly, was hidden beneath a sheet and blanket. I was scared to pull the covers away…scared of not being able to remember a damn thing.

  “W-where am I?”

  “You’re still in New York…in a hospital,” Ross calmly explained.

  “Why am I here?”

  “They didn’t say anything about a head injury.” Fear laced my dad’s voice.

  “She didn’t. It’s the drugs. It takes a little time to flush them from her system.” Ross aimed the straw in the cup Bodhi was still holding to my lips. “Drink up, princess. We’ll explain everything.”

  “What happened to you? Why are you all bandaged up?”

  “Drink. I’ll explain,” Ross repeated with a tender but sincere look of warning.

  Deciding it was better to comply, since my throat was still dry as a bone, I took another sip of water.

  “We were in the bus on our way back to the hotel after the concert. Do you remember the concert?”

  A rush of memories flashed through my brain like bolts of lightning.

  “Yes. But I especially remember what happened before the concert,” I blurted, totally forgetting that my dad was right beside me.

  Ross smirked and quickly covered for me. “The sight of the crowd was quite thrilling for you, wasn’t it?”

  “Unbelievable.” I swallowed tightly.

  “Do you remember the wreck? Remember the trash truck T-boning the bus?”

  I gripped the sheet as the sensation of tumbling through the air crashed through me.

  “My arm.” Dread climbed through me as I peered down at my hidden limb. “Is…is it still there?”

  “Yes. It’s in a cast and a splint,” Dad assured. “I saw it when they came in and checked on you throughout the night. Your arm is there, baby girl. It just needs to heal.”

  “Is everyone else…”

  “They’re fine. They’re at the hotel sleeping,” Ross assured. “They’re various degrees of broken, battered, bruised, and sporting a shit-ton of stitches, but none of us suffered what you’ve been through. I’m so sorry this happened to you, princess.”

  His voice cracked as he bent and brushed a feather-soft kiss to my lips. I raised my left arm, heavy with tubes and wires, and cupped his nape as I lifted my head from the pillow and kissed him harder.

  “Dammit, man. Get off her. She’s been through enough,” Burk scolded.

  As Ross reared back, I watched Burk, with a possessive arm around Sofia’s waist, hobble into the room. He was wearing a thick brace on his foot that came all the way up to his knee. Sofia was cradling her arm in a sling, close to her chest. They both looked like hell, but I was beyond happy to see them.

  “Bite me,” Ross replied with a grin. “She finally woke up. I was simply telling her good morning.”

  He then introduced my dad to the couple, and I couldn’t help but grin when Burk’s eyes grew wide.

  “So, you’re the legendary Bodhi. It’s an honor to meet you, sir.” Burk stuck out his hand and the two men shook.

  “Harmony’s told us about Gaia Garden. We’re all dying to come visit one day,” Sofia gushed as she gave Dad a careful hug before she pressed a soft kiss to my cheek and whispered, “I’m glad you’re awake. You had us all worried. Especially the big guy. He totally lost his shit last night. Damn near broke my heart watching him break down, but you didn’t hear that from me.”

  My own heart squeezed, and tears stung my eyes imagining Ross—so big, strong, brave, and protective—falling apart because of me.

  “What are you two doing here so early?” he asked the couple.

  “I couldn’t sleep. I was too worried about you guys,” Sofia explained as she eased into Burk’s loving arms. “So, we grabbed a quick breakfast and snagged a cab and… Oh, I almost forgot.”

  She reached into the back pocket of her jeans, pulled out an envelope, and handed it to Bodhi. “Quinn booked you a suite at the hotel. The address is there on the front. Whenever you’re ready to g
o grab a shower or take a nap, Ross or one of us will call you a cab.”

  “Thank you. That’s very kind of him…of all of you.” A sheepish expression lined his face. “I had plenty of worries when Harmony left the mountain, but after meeting all of you, I now know they were totally unfounded. Thank you for taking such good care of my little girl.”

  “The pleasure is all ours,” Ross assured.

  “Ah, I’m sure it goes without saying, but Ava issued a press release about an hour ago. Our tour’s been put on indefinite hold so we have time to heal,” Burk announced. “Looks like we’ll all be heading home soon.”

  Sadness gripped me so hard my heart nearly stopped.

  While the others continued discussing new busses and private jets, I was swallowed up with grief.

  There was zero guarantee that Ross would still be under attack by the press or that he still needed me to bring him to life once their tour resumed. Yes, I’d made great strides with the man in a short amount of time. Ross was now smiling and even laughing, but my task was far from finished.

  I wasn’t able to thoroughly read him yet. That alone told me he was still hiding something behind his impenetrable walls. And until I found a way to pick the lock and sneak inside, I’d struggle with regret for failing him. Just like I had probably failed my family back home. I wasn’t naïve enough to think Quinn would write me a check when I’d only technically been on the job for mere days.

  Like a giant grizzly, uncertainty roared to life inside me.

  “Are you tired?” Concern lined my dad’s face.

  “No. But I am hungry.”

  Ross whipped out his cell phone and arched a brow. “What do you want, princess? I’ll get you anything and have it delivered here to your room. Do you want bacon? Or how about some bacon-wrapped scallops?”

  “They do that…wrap bacon around scallops?”

  “Yeah.” He grinned. “Both your favorite foods in one bite.”

  “Whoa, I have to try that, but not for breakfast.”

  “Definitely not for breakfast and not while you’ve got so many drugs in your system. They’re really rich. But if you’re feeling up to it, I can have some brought in for dinner tonight.”