Love Revolution (Black Cat Records Shakespeare Inspired trilogy) (17 page)

It was Danny.

“Listen,” he said. “I was wondering, would you mind if we switched rooms at the B&B? I think there’s been a cat in mine and I’m deathly allergic.”

“Sure.” She nodded though feeling less than certain. “If you think it will help?”

“Oh, it will. I’m sure. Thanks, Sam,” he told her before he headed out of the club.

Sara dipped her spoon into the crème brulee. Bringing it to her mouth, she closed her eyes, savoring the silky custard. When she opened them, Chris was watching her, the candlelight reflected in his brown eyes. She was in deep trouble where he was concerned. He was charming as well as man candy handsome. He’d kept her entertained throughout the meal with amusing stories from his glory days.

“Hey, speaking of the old days,” she said with amusement lightening her voice. “I’ve been wanting to show you something.” Sliding her fingers around the screen of her smart phone, she spun it around so he could see the picture she’d brought up. “I wondered if you remembered this.”

Chris glanced at it and rolled his eyes. “Lovely,” he said drolly. “Where the hell did you find that monstrosity?”

“Oh, I have my ways,” she told him with a saucy wink.

“You wound me, woman.” Grimacing, he ran a finger around the rim of his brandy snifter. “I thought I’d been successful destroying all the remaining copies of that, but obviously not.” The photo had been taken at the Grammy awards in ’89, the big hairband era. He’d been at the pinnacle of his illustrious but brief career, and his hairdo had been one of the biggest.

“You look like a troll doll with hair extensions.” Sara smirked.

He raised his eyebrows.

“No I mean that in a good way.” She giggled as he growled. “Really, it’s a very sexy look.” Taking a sip of her coffee, she peered over at him, her expression thoughtful. “Why’d you get out of the music business, Chris?”

“After Andrea, I lost my interest in music, in performing, in all of it.” Chris ran a hand through his hair and was silent for a moment. “I wanted to take my life in a different direction so I went back to school. Got my GED and then a business degree.”

“I didn’t know that.” She tilted her head back. “A college degree, that’s a really big accomplishment.”

“It’s been a good thing to have. It’s helped me a lot in the classic car business, and it even helped me understand
most
of the contract I signed when Mary talked me into giving the musical thing another go.” His gaze settled on her face. “Since we seem to be doing all this reminiscing, why don’t you tell me how you got started in the business? Were you really only eighteen?”

“Yes. A musical career wasn’t even on my radar,” she explained, shivering when he turned her hand over and began tracing his finger lightly over her palm. “I was barrel riding at the time.”

“What?” His brow rose.

“You know, Rock ‘N Roll Boy, a timed rodeo event where you compete by riding a horse around barrels?”

“I know what it is, Sara.” He leaned back, arms folded across his chest. “I just find it hard to picture you doing something like that.”

She straightened her shoulders. “I was pretty good.”

“I don’t doubt that. I imagine you’re pretty good at whatever you set your mind to do,” he said, staring at her lips.

She took a sip of water, suddenly feeling a little overheated.

“So what happened?” he asked quietly. “How’d you go from that to singing?”

“A friend of mine was supposed to sing the national anthem at the rodeo I was competing in. She got sick with the flu. I stood in for her. A record producer heard me and offered me a deal, and that was that.”

“Plus a lot of hard work,” he added with a nod. “And a lot of guts and determination. What you’ve accomplished Sara, it’s pretty incredible.”

“Thanks.” She flushed at the compliment while he signed the check.

He looked up, eyes locking with hers for a moment, anticipation arcing between them. “You ready for the trip back down?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess,” she said gamely as he escorted her from the table, his hand on the small of her back.

Light and flirty
Sara reminded herself as they stood on the platform waiting for the gondola. Chris could quickly and easily get into her heart given a chance. That wasn’t acceptable. Sara Daniels didn’t do relationships. She didn’t get emotionally involved. No way would she allow a man to have that kind of power over her again.

Chris held her even closer on the return trip. Truthfully, it wasn’t as bad going down as it had been going up. It was so dark, she couldn’t even see the ground, but she didn’t mention that. Chris’ warm brandy scented breath against her cheek combined with the gentle stroking he was doing with his calloused finger tips against her skin was so effing hot it was making her toes curl. Desire hummed through her veins, hitting a crescendo each time his hand passed over her bra clasp. Heaven help her, she’d made a decision to take this to the next level with him. Hopefully that would end the infatuation.

When the doors of the cable car opened, Chris left a long lingering warm kiss behind her right ear. The temperature outside was freezing. Their breath created small clouds in the night air. He put his arm around her shoulder and drew her close to his side. Lost in the silence of their own thoughts, neither said a word on the way back to the hotel.

A smile spread across Sara’s face when Chris opened the door and she saw the champagne and chocolate covered strawberries that had been placed in the room.
Way to go Alex.
The seduction scenario was already in place. She had made her decision. She was ready to do this. It was what she wanted. A tumble or two between the sheets and she’d be able to put Chris Alex out of her mind and behind her.

Peering up at him through her thick brown lashes, she slowly unzipped her ski jacket and let it fall to the floor. Flirtatiously moistening her lips with the tip of her tongue, she told him, “I’m going to change. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.” Closing the adjoining door, she took a deep breath. The heated look he’d given her had made her want to jump his bones immediately. For all her experienced bravado, she found her heart racing like some naïve school girl.

Quickly chastising herself for being overly dramatic, she pushed away from the door and went in the bathroom to take a shower. After she was done, she slipped on a short peach colored silk chemise and matching robe. Taking another deep breath, she opened the connecting door.

Chris glanced up and his eyes widened.
Holy hell
. Beyond beautiful, she was sexier than he could ever have imagined. Her complexion glowed without even a trace of makeup. Her short silk robe flowed over her skin like a lover’s caress, her long shapely tan legs beginning where the hem ended. Chris swallowed hard and his palms began to sweat. Watching her chest rise and fall with each breath, he wondered how he’d ever thought her boobs merely adequate. They were well rounded and perfectly proportioned. His body throbbed with need. “You look fantastic,” he said in a low voice, drawing out the words and hoping she didn’t notice his hands shaking as he peeled the foil wrapper off the bottle of champagne.

He’d showered and changed into a black cotton t-shirt and grey plaid pajama bottoms. His hair was still a little wet around the ends. Crossing the room, he held a chocolate covered strawberry up to her lips. She covered his hand with her own and took a bite. His eyes darkened watching her mouth as she consumed it. He tossed the stem aside and handed her a flute of champagne. As she tipped the glass back, her robe came open, revealing the plunging neckline of her slip.

“Damn, Sara.” He took the glass from her and set it down. Lifting her up, he laid her out on the couch. Leaning over, arms to either side of her, he brought a knee up between her legs and pressed against her in a way that made her moan. She gazed up at him with eyes that had turned a smoky grey.

Every nerve ending flared with heat. Her breath caught as he lowered his head and kissed the side of her neck. She was burning up from the inside out. His lips were warm and his tongue wet as he worked his way down, alternating between long lingering kisses and short licks with the tip of his tongue. Her body began to tremble with need. When he reached the space between her neck and shoulder, he stopped and pulled back to look at her.

Sara’s eyes were closed, her breath ragged, her lips parted, her hands fisted in his shirt. Chris had never seen anything sexier. “Sara,” he breathed her name and her eyes opened and focused on him. “I want you in my bed. I want to make love to you.”

She tensed. What he was asking for wasn’t what she was prepared to give. Love didn’t figure into the bargain she’d made with herself. She tried to shimmy out from under him.

His fingers tightened on her thighs. “Where do you think you’re going?” He lowered his head. “Relax, Beautiful. Give Papa a kiss.”

She gasped. His choice of words completely and instantaneously doused her desire. She shoved Chris off of her and jumped to her feet, swaying unsteadily.

“Sara. What the hell?” Chris grabbed for her arm, but she flinched and backed away. He stood there, arms spread in front of him in a placating gesture.

 She shook her head, feeling ill.

Chris took a cautious step toward her

“I’m sorry Chris.” Sara backed up even further, putting her hand across her forehead. “I don’t feel good. I’ve got a terrible headache…the champagne.”

Chris’ eyes narrowed. “Sara, why are you doing this?”

She walked past him, giving him a wide birth. “I’m going to go lie down.”

Chris watched dumbfounded as she slammed the connecting door behind her.
Shit
. Zero to sixty and then hard on the brakes. He scanned the room as if it held the answers to what had just happened. He had no clue. Frustrated, he ran his fingers through his hair. Sara Daniels turned him on like nobody’s business. He rubbed his hands over his face, a sigh escaping. He gave the closed door one last hopeful glance. Nope, definitely not gonna happen tonight. It was a date with the cold shower for him.

JR pulled into the front circle at the B&B. He jumped out and came around to open Sam’s door. She’d fallen sound asleep on the drive back. He stopped and stared at her for a moment. Her reddish brown curls formed a halo around her serene face. She looked like an angel. Well, maybe, a drunken one wearing a very provocative dress, just barely covering… His lips curved up in the dark, and he chuckled at the less than pious direction of his thoughts.

Pulling her toward him, he scooped her into his arm and carried her inside. She snuggled against his chest and sighed in her sleep. He squeezed her tighter. He loved her so much it hurt. How did he get a woman as sweet and beautiful as Sam to fall in love with him?

Lengthening his stride, he crossed the foyer and took the stairs. The door to her room was unlocked and slightly ajar. He brushed his hip against the door and pushed his way through. Sam stirred in his arms, and her eyes fluttered open when he set her feet down on the floor. She peered up at him, eyes glazed with desire. When she glanced at him like that she made him feel like he was some kind of superhero.

“Why don’t you stay with me tonight, John?”