Pushing Limits (Fighting Love #1) - kali cross Page 0,23
you hungover? Did y’all hit a club last night?”
“No, Sally moved in last night. She brought a bottle of Patron to christen the room. We didn’t even start drinking until one.”
“Did y’all get rowdy?” His sapphire eyes alight with mischief.
“Not really,” I say with a sneer. “Woke the neighbors,” shrugging my shoulders. “So, tell me more about you. You’re a musician – how many years have you been playing?” I take a bite, hoping he will talk for a bit, so I can finish my meal.
“I’ve been playing for about fifteen years. I do demos in Nashville to try out new songs for more established singers to listen to. That’s really what I like. I write some, but wish I wrote more. It’s harder than I thought. Everything with music has always come easily for me. But writing? I am leaving Suckville on that one…but I’m just now pulling into Mediocre Town. I keep pluggin’ along. I play around Nashville, but I prefer studio work. I can do the spotlight, but I’m not sure I have what it takes. I love music, and whether I end up in front of a mic or behind a sound board, I’m glad I can scrape out a livin’.”
“If you’re doing demo work, you must be good.”
“I’m good at a lot of things.” He locks eyes with me, letting his words hang in the air with a devilish grin. “But…I enjoy interpreting a song and putting my own spin on it. It’s cool when someone like Tim McGraw uses your interpretation when they record the song.”
“How many years have you been in Nashville?”
“Oh, about three years. I graduated, packed up my truck, hitched up my bike, and drove straight there.”
“You mentioned riding on the way in from the airport. What do you ride?” I ask.
“Harley…of course. I ride a Switchback. She’s right outside. How about you? What do you like to ride?” His eyes get that mischievous look again.
Oh, he’s asking what I like to ride. Well, smartass, two can play that game.
“Harley.” I grin. “Sportster Low.” Lowering my voice, I lean in closer, staring into his eyes hard, licking my lips lightly. “It has a wonderful vibration to it. Horsepower is tight. I feel it every time I ride. There’s nothing like a good, long ride on a powerful machine, ya know?”
His eyes dart from my eyes to my lips and back again. Ca-ching! I hear his breath hitch. Soft, just a hint. How do ya like me now, sucker?
“Wanna take a ride after we finish eating?” he asks.
Shit, he’s upping the ante. Put up or shut up.
Staring into his face, my whole body tingles. Shit, I can’t do this. I’m just me…I’m not Sally…shit. I’m tempted to see where this goes. Sally was right about it having been a while. But, crap…I don’t want to look like a total dork. Or worse, a stupid high school girl.
“You want to take me for a ride on your machine…or your bike?” I ask, feigning innocence. Shit, I hope he laughs…let him laugh…please laugh. I hold my eyes and face steady, waiting for his answer.
His blush is so brief, I almost miss it. His hand closes around mine, and he smiles shyly. “Shoot girl, you make me blush. I didn’t think that was possible so much anymore.” He laughs.
I laugh, too, thankful for the release. Now, if I could get that electrical current flowing between us to stop, I’d be golden. Studying his face for a moment, I know he’s older, but I can’t tell how much. “Wait…didn’t you say you’ve been playing for fifteen years? How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-five. How old are you, if you don’t mind me askin’?”
“Twenty,” I say. Well, almost.
“So, what’s your major?” His tone indicating he is well aware of how cliché he sounds.
“I’m undeclared now, but I plan on majoring in music once I get all the Gen Eds out of the way.”
“Really?” He locks eyes with me. “Ok…CD or Vinyl?”
“Vinyl, of course.” Staring at him like he is only slightly learning impaired.
“Interesting. There’s a vinyl shop down the road. Wanna go check it out?”
“Sure.”
He pays the check at the front. I’m thankful I don’t have to sit through more of the waitress’ hair twirling, and side-to-side dances, coupled with vain attempts to flash her cleavage at him. I say goodbye to Carrie as she pulls two helmets out from behind her station and hands them to Tommy.