Matt had slipped an arm around his shoulder and shook him. “We should play it for Nan before we play it for anyone else.”
Jase turned his head to face him. “You honestly think it’s a good idea? That my songs are any good?”
Matt grinned. “I owe you a decade of telling you they’re shit before I admit that.”
Yeah, he deserved that, even if it was a joke.
“Yeah, Jase. They’re as good as mine,” he said with a wink before he went to talk to Luke.
He caught sight of Cerys’s curls as she disappeared through the doors towards her office, and Jase quietly followed her until an arm gripped his.
Firmly.
“Not yet, Palmer.”
Fuck. “Jimmy.”
“I think you know as well as I do that I don’t have much currency to act like a dad right now. But it’s hard to separate this. You’re a fucking talented guy who seems to have somehow found his calling.”
“You can thank Cerys for that.”
“And that’s what I’m worried about. This sudden outpouring of emotions into song. Is it possible you’re confusing relief and expression with something for Cerys? That once you’re back home and out on the road, you’ll realise it was the heat of the moment?”
Jase sighed. “You’re wrong, Jimmy. I can’t tell you how wrong you are. She makes me into a better man. Are you sure this isn’t because I saw just how great she was before you did? Or because she’d rather walk out on you than see me screwed over? Because I’m not the only one with vested interests in all this.”
Jimmy shoved his hand into his jeans pocket. “I don’t want to give you the don’t-mess-with-my-daughter speech. Just. Ah, fuck it. I am. Don’t hurt her.”
Jase grinned. “Nobody’s given me that speech before. Feels like progress, Jimmy. I’d rather rip my eyes out than hurt her.” Jase passed him and stepped out of the recording studio door.
“Looking for me?” she asked. One foot was propped up against the wall next to her office, her arms folded across her chest, the pretty gauzy blouse with little black birds on it was cute as fuck with her tight black jeans. But it was the smile on her face that made him approach her.
“You left me in your bed.”
“I know. I’m sorry. But I needed to solve this. Are you mad?”
“Not if I can get a hall pass for the next fifteen minutes. I mean, it’s not like anybody in there doesn’t know about us now.”
Cerys stepped towards him. “Five. We’ve got work to do.”
He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he backed her into her office. One hand tangled in her hair as he brought her lips gently to his. It was a kiss of reassurance, of something . . . secure and solid.
“Do you know how fucking special you are, Cerys?” he whispered against her cheek as he hugged her.
“Yes, but you can tell me again.”
Jase smiled, his nose pressed against her neck. “Your dad just told me to not mess with you, but I want you to know I intend to mess with you mightily when we are done here.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Come to the hotel tonight. We can get room service for dinner, and I can show you how special you are.”
She grinned against his lips. “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll come over tonight if you get at least one whole song down today.”
Jase dropped her to her feet. “Stop distracting me with those pouty lips, then, sunshine. It’s mean when I’ve got shit to do.”
13
Wearing nothing beneath her long, thick, puffy winter coat and snow boats beyond black lacy lingerie had seemed like an inspired idea, until she actually had to walk through the lobby of Jase’s hotel. Every single person was looking at her like they knew what she was up to.
At least, that’s what it felt like.
She thought about the clothes in the small tote bag over her shoulder.
The clothes she would wear when she left later that evening, or tomorrow.
Whichever.
Maybe this was a dumb idea, but she’d wanted to surprise him.
They’d worked their arses off. Practising new songs, laying down drum tracks. To save time, she’d even recorded the piano to “Am I Him?” to save Alex from having to learn it, so he could focus on “Fantastic Distraction”. The lyrics had made her cry.
I’m waiting for that mortal sign,
That I’m gonna screw it up again.
And so I wait and I kill time,
Wondering if I’ll fall in love again.
I try not to fall too fast,
But only think of her
I’m not ready I tell myself
But I can’t let her go ’cos I think I’ve fallen.
The first time the band performed it together, he’d sung it right to her. And while it was easy to imagine him on a large arena stage singing it to thousands of screaming fans, she’d always remember this version, with Ben cursing the chord changes and Luke stopping drumming halfway through because he’d lost the chorus.
To her, it had been the most imperfectly perfect thing.
And yes, just like the lyrics, she realised she’d fallen for him too.
He’d left the studio with the band to work on lyrics and arrangements for tomorrow at the hotel. But she’d promised she’d drive to her place, pick up what she needed to sleep over, and head back to his room.
Because now she knew for sure her foundation had settled. Making a start at putting things right with her father had fulfilled a wish she wasn’t aware she was carrying until it had all fallen into place.
And seeing Jase and the band function and communicate to create had been so incredible, she’d burst with pride for them. And no alcohol or drugs or women or fights or anything had got in their way. Just talented, lucid musicians doing what they did best—making music.
Seeing Jase lead the conversation had been a miracle.
Hence the lingerie.
She made her way to his room and debated knocking, but opted to just let herself in, and then put her bag on the floor by the door. Jase lay propped up in bed, his chest naked. She didn’t know about the rest of him because the bedding lay across his lap.
“You survived,” she said when he turned to look at her, a huge grin on his face.
“Fuck, babe. Only just. I made it to the shower about ten minutes ago. Come here.” He offered his hand to her, and she took it before sitting on the edge of the bed.
Jase slid his hand around her neck, pulling her to him for an intense kiss. He tasted minty, as if he’d just brushed his teeth. Playfully, she bit his lower lip.
Jase dragged his nose along her jaw. “You smell so good.”
“I have an idea,” she said, and placed her palm over his hardening dick.
“Where are you going? I liked that,” he said as she stood and toed off her boots. “You didn’t give those back to Neil Armstrong yet?”
“Funny.” Cerys reached for the zipper.
He held out his hand to her. “You need to come back here so I can keep doing what—holy fuck.” Jase’s eyes went wide when she parted her coat. “This might be the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen. Get your arse over here.”