“I’m surprised but glad to see you.”
“Why is that, Songbird?”
“I’ve been thinking about what you said.”
“What has you thinking? I said a few things, and I’m curious which one stuck in that beautiful brain.”
Sitting up straighter with squared shoulders, I looked him in the eye.
“I wouldn’t mind hearing more of your thoughts about my performance.”
“I’m sure your performance will be just fine.”
My knees knocked, trying to calm the throbbing, happening between my legs.
“I was talking about my singing.”
“I wasn’t.”
His jaw tightened as I glared back at him. He was a handsome man, the shadow along his chin only enhancing his sexiness.
“I should be insulted by your insinuations.”
“But you aren’t.” He scooted the stool closer. “I’ll pick you up tonight at seven.”
“What makes you think I’m available?”
“That flexible job you have on the corner.”
“I have plans.”
“Cancel them.”
“I have to work at my other job.”
He lifted his finger up as a pause and brought the other hand with his cell up to his ear.
“Whatever it is can wait. You’re interrupting something important.” He listened to whoever was speaking as his eyes held mine. “No, that was your choice. I don’t give a damn.” His brows turned down, and his mouth flattened. “Stop talking. I have nothing more to say. You accept the terms or not, either way, we don’t need your business.” He hung up, placed his phone back in his suit jacket, and straightened his lapel.
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
I gawked and was a bit taken aback. “I work until eleven.”
“Send me the address, and I’ll pick you up after work.”
He wasn’t going to give up, and I didn’t want him to. I was more concerned about how he was going to react to my next statement.
“I threw your business card away.”
His right brow perked up.
“This was before I thought about everything. I tried to find you, well, came here to see you... but you never showed until now.”
He pulled out his cell and handed it to me. “Put your number in.”
I typed my number and handed him back his phone. He saved mine and sent his.
“Send me the address, and I’ll see you tonight,” he said as he stood.
He didn’t give me the chance to respond as he turned and walked out the door.
Chapter Four
Melody
I was a nervous wreck. I gave Ben the address to the Highland Coffee Bar, where I was performing. He was supposed to have picked me up after my set, but instead, he made himself comfortable in one of the booths and listened.
I didn’t realize he was there until that feeling that someone was watching came over me—not the usual creepy Derek feeling—but an unusual pull. The stage lights were bright, but my eyes immediately found his in the crowd.
Lord, he was hot. His arm was over the back of the booth, his suit jacket was open, and his large hand was holding the cup to his lips. His eyes were darker from a distance, but the smile above the rim of the glass made my heart race.
I had to take a couple of sips of water for my dry mouth. I also needed to concentrate on getting through my last set.
When the final chord was strummed, I breathed out heavily, thanking everyone for coming. Grabbing my things, I made room for Pete, the keyboard player.
I spoke to some of the regulars as I made my way to Ben. Several women looked his way, trying to catch his eyes, but they stayed on me.
“You did great,” he said, standing and kissing my cheek.
Surprised at the sweet gesture, I felt out of my comfort zone for a moment. When his hand fell to the swell of my back, a warm sensation rushed over me. Ben directed me to sit, sliding next to me. I breathed in the aromatic lemongrass of his cologne and what smelled like bergamot, different from what he wore before.
“Mel, whatcha drinking?” Suzy asked, grinning at Ben.
She was always friendly with the patrons, but her boobs seemed to be spilling out of the uniform. I saw her earlier, and the girls had been contained.
I looked at Ben. “Are we staying? I’m done with my set.”
He smiled. “Great.” He looked over at Suzy. “Do you have a decent bourbon?”
“Blanton’s.” She winked.
She was never that friendly.
“Blanton’s will do. Two Bourbon Sours.”
Suzy walked away, and I looked up at Ben.
“What if I don’t like whiskey sours?”
“You will.”
“Are you always this sure of yourself?”
He merely grinned as he finished his drink.
“We’ll have a few drinks before dinner. I’m sure you need a break after work.”
Suzy brought us our drinks with waters, and Ben reached his glass over to clink with mine.
“To new friends.”
“Is that what you’re calling this?”
“I plan to call you my lover soon enough, but we can start here unless you’re ready to...”
“Friends is fine.” I sipped the drink, and it was very good. “Except a friend would have given me what I wanted.”
“Oh, I plan to.” His eyelids fell.
I shook my head and chuckled. “The bagel. A friend would have given me the bagel.”
“A friend would have told you that kabob guy was out to get more than your bagels, Songbird. It’s obvious to anyone with eyes.”
I slammed down my drink. “Is that so?”
“You’re too good to be singing on street corners,” he said, taking another long sip.
“Hello, look around. I work here.”
“There are so many things I could do with that sassy mouth.” He licked his lips and placed his drink down, leaning back. “Have you looked for an agent?”
“Of course, the moment I moved here, but it’s not as easy as you think, Suit.”
He laughed. “When did you move to the city?”
“Two years ago.”
“Ah, that makes sense.”
“Glad it does.”
“What’s your story? Your accent is difficult to nail down, but I’m guessing from your clothes and golden skin you’re from the West Coast. Visited there recently, it looks like.”
He always appeared so sure of himself. His lip curled, and I noticed it was uneven at the top. I had no idea why that made him look hotter.
“I lived in Hermosa Beach, California, with my mom before she died.”
He sat up. “I’m sorry to hear that. People have said time helps, but a mother’s death... Was it recently?”
“It’s been three years—she died of ovarian cancer.” I looked at my dark arms. “The tan is from last month when I went back for her birthday. A couple of her friends pitched in and bought me a ticket to come back to Hermosa and be with them. Is your mom...?”
“She died when I was sixteen. Is your father still around?”
“I never knew my father. All my mom said was they were both young, and he wasn’t mature enough to be a father. I think that was one of the reasons why she moved us to California.”