Play for Me (9 page)

“But Ian…” said Sam firmly. Ian had put his finger to her
lips.

“I know the rules,” said Ian. “You have to go to work
tomorrow, and I have to get up at four thirty to catch my flight.”

“Thanks,” said Sam relieved. She sat back in the cab and
gave a huge sigh. “That is a relief to get that over. I hate performing and I
don’t why I let Jordan talk me into it.” She then looked at Ian. “You didn’t
help much by agreeing with him.”

“It’s because you two were fighting like cats and dogs!” Ian
paid for the cab and walked Sam to the bar. Throngs of people hugged the bar so
they ended up standing along the wall.

“You know you could always play in the studio,” suggested
Ian. “Honestly, Sam. You’re really good.’

“Thanks,” said Sam blushing. “Do you know that I’ve known
you now for over twenty-four hours?”

“That’s a good sign,” agreed Ian smiling at her. “Do you
think you know me well enough now?”

“Nope,” said Sam. “Still haven’t seen you with animals and
old ladies. Saw you with my brother which turned out pretty good.” She looked
at Ian critically. “Did Jordan do the ‘if you hurt my sister’ routine?

“Of course he did. Do you blame him? This is a tough town
and you have to be on your guard at all times.” Ian gazed at her fondly.

“I know.” Sam met his gaze. “Do I have to be especially
careful about the people from Maui?”

“We’re the worst,” teased Ian as he lightly ran his finger
down Sam’s arm, giving her goose bumps.

“That’s what I thought,” murmured Sam. She looked down at
her drink, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. She just couldn’t believe
that she had performed in Los Angeles and now stood in a bar drinking in the
Beverly Hill Hilton with what she thought had to be the most attractive man she
had ever seen. Sam pinched her arm to make sure she hadn’t been dreaming.

“Why did you do that?” asked Ian not missing a thing.

“Nothing,” said Sam lightly. “I’m just a little numb, that’s
all. I mean, not even a week ago, I lost my job and the future looked bleak. My
dog, Cracker, and I were going to live on the street. Now here a week later,
I’m sitting in the Beverly Hills hotel bar with a famous architect, I just
performed at a night club; I now work for Jett Robinson, I mean who would have
known?”

“Let’s get back to the architect,” said Ian holding Sam’s
gaze. “What about him?”

“What do you mean,” said Sam knowing full well what Ian
wanted to talk about. “Do you mean if I think he’s nice?”

“Well, do you?” Ian had taken her hand into his. “Have you
fallen madly in love with him yet?”

“You’re something else, Ian Andrews,” laughed Sam. “You’re
trying to wear me down. Do you treat all of your women this way?”

“No,” answered Ian honestly. “I’ve never had to. I think,
I’ve lost my touch.”

“Won’t work,” said Sam with a smile. “You could go up to any
female in here and you’d have no problem.” Sam reached for her purse and
started to get up. “I’ve got to get some sleep.”

“I don’t want anyone else in this room.” Ian had reached for
her hand. “Look, I promised I’d walk you to your room.”

“Okay. A promise is a promise,” said Sam lightly enjoying
the moment.

They stood silently in the elevator while riding up to their
floor. “I just want to thank you for a lovely day. I’ve never had so much fun
in a long time.” Sam squeezed Ian’s hand. “If ever.”

“Do you really mean that?” Ian stared at her intently.

“Yeah, I do.” The elevator opened at their floor and Sam
stepped out first, with Ian trailing behind her as they approached her room.

“Can I kiss you now?” whispered Ian softly.

“Yes,” whispered Sam softly. Ian pulled her into his arms
and firmly, but gently pressed his lips to hers. Sam’s senses were overwhelmed;
the heady sensation of being in his arms, Ian’s firm lips pressed perfectly
against hers and how he brought their bodies closer together in a perfect fit. Sam’s
arms curled around Ian’s neck as he deepened the kiss, his tongue outlining her
lips. Sam tentatively opened her mouth and Ian’s tongue quickly slipped inside,
searching and meeting her tongue. Sam stepped away and tried to take control of
the situation before she lost her composure.

“Very nice,” murmured Ian as he brought his hand under Sam’s
chin so he could claim Sam’s mouth again.

“Nice?” said Sam as she quickly kissed him and pulled away.

“Extremely nice,” said Ian once again, trying to read the
expression on her face. Damn! He thought she would melt in her arms. He could
kiss her all night long. Hell, he wanted to do more than kiss her all night
long. He wanted to stake his claim on her to be his forever.

“Yup! Pretty darn special,” whispered Sam as she slid her
hands down to Ian’s waist. “But, you have a plane to catch, and I have to get
some shut eye.”

“I hoped you wouldn’t bring that up,” winced Ian painfully
as he rested his hands on Sam’s. “When can I see you again, that is if you want
to?”

“Of course I want to see you again” said Sam touched by his
insecurity. “It’s going to be a hectic couple of days. I have to talk with Jett
about how I can get out here with my dog and my stuff.”

“His plane. If he can’t, let me know because I can make some
arrangements,” said Ian helpfully.

“Then on Saturday, Jordan is in town and we’re going to hang
together Saturday night at the House of Blues.”

“In Chicago?” asked Ian as he pulled Sam back into his arms.

“Yeah,” said Sam as she accepted Ian’s lips on hers as they
explored each other slowly. The two of them became lost in one another until
they heard another hotel patron clear their throat. They parted slowly and Ian
took her hotel card from Sam’s hands and inserted it into the door.

“I’ll call you,” said Ian.

“Okay,” said Sam looking at Ian fondly. “Have a safe flight.”
With that, she turned around, entered the room and quickly closed the door
before she did anything she’d regret. She heard Ian’s footsteps as he walked
away and Sam went over to the couch and sat down deep in thought. She started
to relive every moment of the day and before she knew it, she fell sound asleep
on the couch. Sometime in the middle of the night, Sam managed to change into
her oversize tee shirt and crawl into bed, setting the alarm for nine in the
morning.

Ian tossed and turned, his mind churning with images of Sam
lying on the bed, without him which would be a criminal offense. He wanted her
so badly, he couldn’t take it. He felt jealous because Jett would get to see
her every day and he wouldn’t. How would this work out? Sam in Los Angeles
while he stayed in Maui? Would he fly to Los Angeles on the weekends? Would she
fly to Maui for the weekend? Ian sat up in bed and punched his pillow with
anger. Never, never had he been this taken with a woman. Ian rolled over and looked
at the clock, which read four fifteen. Darn! Where had the time gone and he
hadn’t gotten one lick of sleep? He jumped in the shower and got dressed. Some
guiding force led him to Sam’s hotel room. Picking up his phone, he called
Sam’s number and Sam answered the phone, her voice throaty from sleep.

“Open up the door,” whispered Ian into the mouthpiece.

“Ian, it’s four thirty in the morning, shouldn’t you be on
your way to the airport?” Sam yawned sleepily as she got out of bed.

“I am, but I wanted to see you one more time before I left.”
He smiled boyishly as Sam opened the door and pulled him in, before looking
down the hall for anyone looking at them. “Sam,” croaked Ian hoarsely as he
pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. His hands ran down the
length of Sam’s torso before stopping on her bare legs.

Sam stopped Ian before they went too far. “Ian, you’ll be
late for your plane.”

“I don’t care,” Ian whispered softly.

“Ian?” asked Sam as she scrutinized his face, the fatigue
showing in his eyes. “Did you get any sleep at all?

“No, I couldn’t,” admitted Ian honestly. “My mind is running
rampant.”

“About what?” asked Sam confused.

“When I would see you again,” admitted Ian sheepishly.

“Oh,” said Sam overwhelmed because no one in her dating life
had ever said that to her. It had always been something like ‘I’ll see you
around sometime.’ “I’ll talk to Jett and when you call, we’ll figure something
out.” She accepted Ian’s lingering kiss. “Now, you go catch your flight while I
go back to bed.” She gently shoved him out the door. “Bye.”

Sam woke up at eight rather than nine and ordered room
service. She showered leisurely and wiggled in delight in the soft robe
provided by the hotel. Ah, yes, she had made the right decision to accept this
job. Her breakfast came and she settled down to eat it when her phone rang. Hoping
it would be Ian, she quickly answered without looking.

“At least you could’ve called me,” said Bunny petulantly.

“Mom,” said Sam guiltily. “I’ve been running non-stop since
I’ve been here.”

“Tell me you didn’t take the job,” warned Bunny.

“I did. It’s going to be great! I am so excited about it. As
a matter of fact, I’ve already started.”

“Did you try any of the places I emailed you about?” asked
Bunny.

“No, I didn't. Besides, I already told Jett yes.”

“So, what is your schedule?” asked Bunny, her disappointment
evident.

“I have to talk to Jett about a couple of things. He has an
apartment for me so I don’t have to go look for a place and he has a private
plane so I can take Cracker.”

“What are you going to do with your condo? Have you even
thought about that, Sam? You just jumped into this without even thinking.”

“Give me some credit,” retorted Sam. “I’m going to lock
things up, but I’m going to keep the condo. It’s good for tax purposes, and not
only that, if this doesn’t work out, I’ll always have a place to fall back on. I
don’t have to pay rent on this apartment.’

“Your father and I have been talking and maybe I should come
out for a couple of weeks until you’re settled.”

“Oh, no! I appreciate the offer, but not now. Let me get
settled in first.” Oh, Sam could just see her mother and Jett. And Ian. Good
Lord! “I’ll be back on Friday and I’ll touch basis with you then.”

“Have you seen your brother at all?” asked Bunny.

“As a matter of fact, yes. We went out to dinner last night,
besides he’s coming to Chicago this weekend.”

“That’s right,” admitted Bunny. “Sam, you have me so
distraught over this whole ordeal, I can’t remember if I’m coming or going.”

“Relax, everything will be fine,” said Sam trying to get her
mother off the phone. “I’ve to get ready for work.” Sam ended the call with a
sigh. You’d think her mother would be happy for her. Sam finished her breakfast
and got dressed. Hoping it wasn’t too early, she called Toby for a ride to
work. Sam smiled as she left her room. Oh yes. She definitely could get used to
this!

****

Toby appeared jovial as he drove Sam to Jett’s mansion. He
pointed out places of interest to Sam and cracked jokes along the way. Sam
really liked him and felt like she had known him forever.

“You’re different from other girls who have worked for Jett,”
said Toby appreciatively.

“Thanks. My brother Jordan said I’m just one of the guys,” said
Sam with a laugh.

“You know Jett isn’t up yet.”

“I figured as much,” admitted Sam. “It’s okay. I’ve got lots
to do and when he does get up, I’ll have a list of questions for him. When did
he get home last night?”

“Last night?” snorted Toby. “Try an hour ago.”

“Get out,” laughed Sam. “Well, maybe I won’t see him. That’s
okay.”

“Naw. He wants to talk to you about something.”

“Really, what?” Sam became curious.

“He heard you play last night.” Toby’s eyes were on hers.

“He did?” asked Sam incredulously. “Why didn’t he say
anything?”

“You left too quickly. Where did you learn to play guitar
like that? You’re just as good as your brother.”

“Not really,” said Sam. Her mind reeled with all sorts of
scenarios. “I hate to perform in public where Jordan thrives on it. We just
practice with each other.” She looked at Toby with concern. “You don’t think I
took this job to break into the rock world, do you? Because that’s where you’re
wrong. I
hate
to perform. I just did it because Jordan asked me to.”

“You don’t have to convince me,” said Toby. “But I know Jett
has some questions.”

“Thanks for the head’s up,” said Sam now close to tears. Now
what? Top of the world one day and in the pits the next? She thanked Toby as
she entered the mansion. As she walked back to where she would be working, she
couldn’t help but notice a trail of woman’s clothing on the floor; first a tank
top, then a bra, a pair of leather pants and then next a thong, hanging from
the stair rail. Sam picked up the thong and turned to Toby. “Must have been a
fun night?”

“That’s Jett for you.” Toby shrugged his shoulders. “I think
it’s only one woman this time. Sometimes he has as many as three.” He gave Sam
a bemused look.

“Whatever,” said Sam shaking her head, trying not to laugh. Rock
stars. “Hey, where can I get a good cup of coffee?”

“Just go into the kitchen. Mattie always has a freshly
brewed pot.”

“Thanks.” Sam headed for the kitchen only to find it
deserted. She did find the mugs and poured a healthy cup of coffee. She
threaded her way back into the mansion, through the studio and into the office.
She worked steadily until the scheduled time for her meeting with Marvin.

“Hi Samantha, or can I call you Sam?” said Marvin cheerfully
as he shook Sam’s hand. He had joined her in the office.

“Sam is fine,” she said, immediately liking Marvin. He
looked to be around fifty years old, small frame, graying thin hair, but he had
a contagious smile and his blue eyes sparkled behind his black framed glasses.