stood as still as a statue and stared. I felt it in two places, my heart and my dick, having those beautiful eyes of hers on mine.
Her lips parted. Her cheeks turned a dusky rose, the same color as her perfect nipples when I sucked on them.
But the song wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready. It had to be perfect, the timing exactly right.
Shaking my head at her, an apology in my eyes, I stepped forward and kicked the door closed.
• • •
Lotus
Shocked, I stared at the door Journey had just closed on me.
The music and his amazing voice on lead vocals had raised chill bumps on my arms. But why was he shutting me out? For all Saber’s faults, he never seemed to mind me being around in the studio.
“Lotus,” Penny called.
I turned away from the door to watch her hurry toward me, surprisingly graceful on her high heels. A stack of papers fluttered in her hand.
“You forgot your copy of Cork’s contract.” She stopped, and the lime-green petticoat under the skirt of her polka-dot dress swirled around her calves.
“Oh, sorry.” I took the papers from her. “I was a little discombobulated by all the zeroes behind the dollar sign, and then this,” I said, gesturing toward the closed door.
“Cork got only slightly less than Journey. Oops.” She covered her cherry-red lips. “I shouldn’t have said that. Boss doesn’t like signing bonus amounts being discussed.”
“I won’t say anything.” I reached for her arm with my free hand and squeezed gently to reassure her. “But wow.” I shook my head. “I had no idea it would be so much.”
“That amount is a game changer for most people.”
“It’s a lifesaver for Cork.”
“For both of you.”
“It’s his money.” My eyes filled. “I’m so happy for him. Even if the band goes nowhere, which is unlikely.” I gestured again to the closed door.
Something as impressive as Cork’s signing bonus was going on inside that room.
“They’re pretty good. I’ve heard people commenting since they started practicing.” Penny put her hands on her curvy hips. “You here to set up for the Nightingales’ launch party?”
I nodded. “Is it in the big conference room?”
“Yeah, your delivery guys just came.”
“Awesome.” I turned, eager to get started, but she stopped me.
“Soon on the girl’s movie night?”
“Absolutely. Sunday’s my day off. Will that work for you?”
“That’s perfect,” she said.
“I’ll text you my address.”
“I know your address.” She smiled. “It was on your brother’s contract, and so was your cell. I’ll text you so you have my number too.”
I returned her smile. “Right. That sounds great.”
Penny had an upbeat personality. She’d lifted my spirts on more than one occasion.
Continuing down the hall, I saw Ramon and Linc and said hello. They returned my greeting but continued on their way. Taking in their board shorts and tanks, I had a feeling they were on their way to surf. Not me, unfortunately. Not today.
I entered the conference room. Taking a quick inventory, I found everything that I’d ordered there. I put my buds back inside my ears, then opened boxes and unwound large bundles of long-stemmed flowers.
By the end of the first volume of Tempest’s greatest hits, I was done, and stepped back to survey my handiwork.
A tall wall with the name of the all-girl band spelled in flowers and succulents provided a compelling backdrop for photos. A couple of smaller vases on the conference table and on the side tables where the refreshments and the press packets would go unified the space.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I nodded approvingly.
Nicely done. I took a picture with my phone that I would upload to my business Facebook page later. I had very few followers and so far, only Ash as a customer, but it was a start. It was something to be proud of, like Journey said.
Grabbing my bag, I exited the room. Inside the hallway, I didn’t run into anyone. I imagined most were in the largest studio, watching the Nightingales perform. I would have sneaked in to watch too, but I had a date with my bestie.
As I passed the room OB Hardy was in, I heard voices inside, but not singing or music.
Penny waved at me when I reached her desk, but she was on the phone. I returned her wave and pushed the bar to exit the building.
Outside, the ocean roared only yards away, and the cry of gulls filled my ears. Scanning the low wall that hugged the shore, I found Sophia standing by the stairs that led