Rock Me Faster (Licks of Leather #4) - Jenna Jacob Page 0,5
of his blinding, tantalizing smiles.
Without thinking twice, I’d replied to Quinn’s email. After a few more exchanged messages, and finally a cell phone call, I’d agreed to let him fly me to New York and meet with him before signing his generous contract.
As the airplane taxied to the gate and stopped, I stood and inched my way down the aisle, sending up a silent prayer to Athena—goddess of wisdom—for the proper insight to heal the gorgeous drummer’s soul.
When I stepped into the terminal, I gaped at the ocean of people pulsing and pushing their way through the labyrinth of bodies. My heart drummed wildly as my fear of being swallowed up by humanity became a reality. Fighting the urge to rush back to my seat on the plane and return to the safety of my Kentucky mountain, I sucked in a deep breath before merging with the masses and followed the signs to the baggage claim.
Quinn had promised a limo would pick me up from LaGuardia and deliver me to a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. But I had no idea how I was supposed to find said limo. As anxiety began to skyrocket, I glanced to a line of men wearing dark suits and holding placards in the air. Skimming my gaze over the various names scrawled on their signs, I felt my angst bleed away when I spied my name emblazoned on one.
I made my way to the older man holding the sign and smiled. “I’m Harmony Sharp.”
“Good evening, ma’am. My name is Gerry. I’m your driver this evening.”
Though he was a total stranger, his warm smile ignited my sixth sense—which was screaming that he possessed a kind and gentle soul—and melted my anxiety.
Suddenly, a loud buzzer sounded behind me. I jumped and turned as the baggage carousel began moving. After I pointed out my suitcases gliding along the revolving belt, Gerry plucked them up, then led me outside and into a long black limo.
I gazed up at the sweeping arch of tiny gold star lights embedded in the ceiling and smiled at the shimmering glass-and-chrome curved bar—fully stocked—across from my seat. A glass of champagne sat in a cupholder to my left while the open bottle lay chilling in an ice-filled reservoir on a long table in front of me, beneath a flat-screened television.
“I thought taking my first plane ride was going to be exciting,” I murmured as the limo eased from the curb. Skimming a hand over the soft gray leather seats, I stamped the ostentatious interior to memory. “But this…this is insane.”
Plucking up the glass, I took a sip and swallowed. The bubbles tickled my nose and tongue and I almost choked on a giggle.
“So, this is how the rich and famous live. Not bad,” I said to myself before taking another sip.
So enthralled with my surroundings, I nearly forgot there was a big, busy city beyond the heavily tinted windows. Careful not to spill my champagne, I moved to the seat beside the door and peered out the window.
“Mercy,” I whispered, taking in the bright lights, the crowded sidewalks, and the tall skyscrapers reaching for the stars.
I definitely wasn’t in Kentucky anymore. No, I wasn’t. And if I failed to mend Ross Walker’s damaged soul, there’d be no home for me to return to. The people of Gaia Garden were counting on me to save our land, our oasis of peace. I couldn’t let them down… I wouldn’t let them down.
I took a gulp of champagne to wash away my worries as my cell phone rang. After a glance at the ID, I swallowed the bubbly for fortification.
“Hello, Quinn.”
“Hey, Harmony. I just received a notice from the limo company that you’re en route to the hotel.”
“Yes. I am.”
“Did you have a good flight?”
“I did. It was exciting, and this limo…wow. It’s…just wow.”
Quinn chuckled. “Glad you like it. Listen, I just got back from dinner with the guys. They’re hanging out at the bar now, so I’ll meet you in the lobby and help you get settled in your room.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting you, but you don’t need to help me—”
“I do. There’s some things we need to discuss before I introduce you to the guys, well, more specifically, Ross.”
Already sensing Quinn hadn’t divulged everything about the big drummer’s past, my mind started whirling with dozens of disturbing scenarios. Tamping them down, I reminded myself that I was in New York via a verbal agreement. I still hadn’t signed my name on the dotted line