When she nodded and gave him a shy smile, his heart turned over. Forcing himself to focus on what he had to do, he leaped onto the stage and picked up his guitar. He winked at ML before checking the song list for the final set. It couldn’t be over soon enough for him.
***
I must be crazy. Genuinely nuts. I cannot believe I’m doing this.
She’d been a bundle of nerves wondering if he’d turn her away. But she wanted him—needed him—more than she thought it possible to desire another human being.
Annie had just grinned at her when she came back inside with Marc, gave her a quick hug, and said, “I wouldn’t walk away from him, either. And don’t worry; my lips are sealed. I won’t blab to Andrew or your folks. And you can tell him your name, you know.”
“I can’t explain it,” she said, feeling helpless in her own insecurities. “But when I’m with him, I’m not Emma but someone else. I feel like someone else. And right now I need that. You think I’m crazy to act this way, don’t you?” She grimaced. “I probably am.”
Annie shrugged. “It doesn’t much matter what I think. This is your life. You have to do whatever you’re comfortable with. I’m just glad to see you break out of your tight-ass mold.”
“Tight-ass?” Emma stared at her. “Is that how you saw me?”
“Only in the nicest possible way. Now I’m going to slide out of here. You go have a good time.”
So here she was, following Marc again through the quiet, nearly deserted streets. Emma, the quintessential good girl, going home for a second time with a man she wouldn’t even tell her name to.
Well, Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.
Shut up! You’re almost at his house. Get your act together.
Marc pulled into his driveway while Emma parked in front of the house. He waited while she locked her car and came up the walkway, holding out his hand to her. When she took it, she noted his skin was warm against hers and she could feel the callouses on his fingers from years of playing the guitar. She trembled, whether from nerves or anticipation she wasn’t sure. She remembered the last time she’d been here to his house and thought about what was going to happen next. As soon as Marc unlocked the door and tugged her inside, he pulled her around to face him and smiled. God, his smile could melt her panties.
It also took the edge off her nerves.
“Relax.” He brought his free hand up and caressed her cheek, his eyes locked with hers. “Everything’s fine, ML. Just like the other night. There’s nothing to worry about.” He bent his head and brushed his lips against hers. “I promise.”
When he touched her, she couldn’t think about anything except being with him. She inhaled the scent uniquely his—the earthy aroma of a man who’d worked hard on stage blended with his cologne that reminded her of the outdoors. His body felt so good pressed lightly to hers. His lips were firm yet gentle, his taste intoxicating. Their tongues glided against each other in a kiss that speared through her like lightning. He was a pure sexual animal, and she knew she was already addicted to him.
She had one brief moment to give thanks that he’d forgiven her stupidity on Sunday before falling into the sensuous web he was weaving around her. None of the erotic romances she read quite prepared her for how powerful the real thing was.
The kiss was light. Gentle. A brief touching of mouths. Then he lifted his head.
“Are you hungry?” he asked her.
“No.” Her laugh was tremulous. “Annie wanted me to get an early dinner with her at Hot Salsa but I was too nervous to eat.”
“So you like Mexican food.” When she nodded he said, “Me, too. I’ve been to Hot Salsa. Casual place. Quality food.”
“It’s one of our favorite hangouts.”
“Maybe I could take you there sometime.”
Emma hesitated. “Maybe.” She spotted a stack of DVDs on top of his television and went to check them out. The one on top, The Blind Side, was one of her favorites. She picked up the case. “This is such a great story. I could watch this movie again and again.”
His eyes lit up. “Me, too. Seems like we have similar taste in movies and food. Good to know.”
Her stomach did a funny little flip.
No old war movies for this guy. And I’ll bet he’d ask me what I like to watch and what kind of pizza I like, too.
“Maybe some time we could watch a movie together?” he asked.
Do something normal? Something besides share incredible sex?
She just didn’t know where she fit into the scheme of things with him, another reason she hugged her identity so closely—her protection against the moment things turned upside down. At least she’d have a life to go back to without him. A place where she could shut him out of her mind and continue to dwell in a grey world.
She needed to get past her Emma hang-ups and really let herself enjoy this man. Be his Music Lady. See if the connection sizzling between them was really what she hoped. A relationship needed more than just sex. Even spectacular sex. It stunned her he was willing to offer the possibility under the circumstances. Inside she was shaky and excited at the same time.
“Maybe,” she said, wondering if they would really get to that stage.
“Meanwhile I need to shower. Come on, babe. I want us to shower together.”
“Shower?” She blinked. “Together?”
He grinned. “Yeah. You know, like standing under water and using soap? I’ll bet you do it every day, right?”
“Um, yes, but I’ve never….”
“Showered with anyone? What a lot of things you’ve never done. You have no idea what you’ve been missing.” He kissed her cheek, his tongue feathering over her skin. “You’ll love it.” His voice dropped lower. “As long as I’m the only one
