Listen to Me

  “No, ma’am,” he replies with a cocky grin.

  That smile makes a whole zoo take up residence in my stomach. The first time he smiled at me the other day, my immediate thought was Oh shit.

  Because he could bring me to my knees with that smile.

  No way.

  “I’m taller than you, you know. And I have tats. I know that wasn’t a deal breaker, but it’s a bonus.”

  I shake my head.

  “I have brown hair, but I could lighten it. And I think you settled on blue eyes, but I heard green mentioned, and . . . bingo.” He bats his eyes at me and before I know what’s happening, he lifts the hem of his shirt.

  Oh, sweet Jesus.

  “And I’m not one to brag, but, abs.”

  “The mic and stool are here as you requested.” I turn away, doing my best to calm down my breathing and ignore him. “You are welcome to drink whatever you like as you play. Just let the server know what you want and she’ll make sure you have it all night.”

  He nods and toes off his shoes, making me frown.

  “I always sing barefoot,” he says. “It’s been a habit since the early days.”

  “Why?”

  “I have no idea.” He laughs and shakes his head. “I guess it’s just comfortable.”

  And your feet are sexy.

  Figures.

  “I can’t believe you’re really doing this!” A brunette launches herself into Jake’s arms and holds on tight. She’s gorgeous, tall, and clearly very attached to Jake. He grins widely and wraps his arms around her tenderly.

  “I told you I would.”

  “I know. It’s just so great. I’m so proud of you.”

  Someone should tell this poor girl that her boyfriend was just hitting on someone else. Typical.

  Motherfucking typical.

  What in the hell is wrong with men?

  Jake sets the woman aside and offers his hand to shake to a man I didn’t see come up behind us. “Hey, man,” Jake says. “Thanks for coming.”

  “Like we’d miss it,” the tall, handsome man replies and pulls Jake to him for the man-hug thing that I’ll never quite understand.

  Just like the cheating thing and the mooching thing and the leaving-the-toilet-seat-up thing.

  It’s all a bloody mystery to me.

  “We are so rude!” The woman smiles politely at me. “I’m Christina, and this is my husband, Kevin.”

  “Christina has been my best friend since high school,” Jake adds with a grin. “I’m stuck with her.”

  “He is,” she nods happily.

  “I’m Addison, part owner here. Welcome.” I smile warmly and move to walk away, but Christina snatches my hand.

  “Will you sit with us for a few minutes? I would love to chat with you.”

  “Of course,” I reply immediately, and silently curse myself. I’m too conditioned to giving the customer anything they want. But Christina smiles widely and then hugs Jake once more.

  “Break a leg, J.”

  Kevin leads us to a table in the center of the room. When my waitress arrives, I tell her to bring anything these two want, on the house, for the whole evening.

  “You don’t have to do that,” Kevin says after the server leaves.

  “My pleasure.” I smooth the tablecloth with my hand and glance over at Jake as he pulls his guitar out of its case and strums it, making sure it’s in tune. He talks to his waitress, then settles on the stool, adjusts the mic, and strums the guitar again.

  “Good evening,” he begins and smiles at the crowd. But this smile is different than the one he aimed at me earlier. It’s detached. Professional.

  He has his game face on.

  Fascinating.

  “This is my first night here at Seduction. I’m Jake Keller.” He aims a look at Christina, who offers him a thumbs-up and an encouraging smile. “Be gentle.”

  The audience laughs, and suddenly there is whispering and commotion. “Aren’t you Jake Knox?” someone calls out from the crowd.

  Jake’s smile never falters. “I used to be. But tonight, I’m just some guy with a guitar.”

  And with that he breaks into a fast-tempo cover song. His voice is smooth as caramel, with just a little rasp at the right spot.

  It’s sex.

  “What’s up?” I ask Christina.

  “I just wanted to say thank you for giving Jake this job. It may seem like a little thing, but it’s important to him.” She watches him with love-filled eyes. “It’s important to me.”

  Kevin takes his wife’s hand and kisses it tenderly.

  “I was shocked when he walked in here the other day,” I admit.

  “I bet,” she says with a laugh. “You’d never know he’s nervous, would you?”

  I turn my gaze to Jake and watch him play with confidence, his fingers moving effortlessly over the guitar, as though it’s simply part of him. The notes coming from his mouth are perfect and smooth.

  “No,” I reply.

  “He’s terrified,” she replies seriously. “He hasn’t performed in front of people in five years.”

  “I saw him the other night.” I frown at Christina. “He sang at an open-mic night. I was looking for talent to fill the position.”

  “He sang one song,” Christina says with a nod. “And that was the first time, which made him crave it again, I think. Although he won’t admit it.”

  “Didn’t I hear that he still writes and produces?”

  “Yes, but singing for a room of four of his friends is very different from this,” she says. “So, thanks.”

  “My pleasure.” My eyes scan the room, happy to see the customers enjoying their food, singing along with Jake, smiling at him. “He’s made my customers very happy.”

  “And he’ll continue to do so,” Kevin says, earning a kiss on the cheek from Christina.

  “How did you two meet?”

  “I had an accident a few years ago and needed physical therapy,” Christina replies.

  “And I was her therapist,” Kevin finishes for her.

  I grin. “That’s pretty awesome. And romantic.”

  “We think so too.”

  Just then Jake switches to a slower song. My favorite song. It’s currently sitting on the charts, and every time I hear it, my heart simply weeps.

  Because it’s all about everything that I’m convinced I’ll never have.

  Jake holds my gaze as he sings the song, never looking away, and I can’t tear my eyes away from his either. Christina is talking next to me, but I don’t hear her.

  It’s only him.

  When he gets to the chorus, asking me to love him like I do, I blink and look down, then make myself stand, excuse myself and hurry to the bathroom, lock the door, and lean my hands on the countertop, staring at myself in the mirror.

  What the fuck is wrong with me?

  At least my makeup is holding up. Smoky eyes stare back at me. I watch my glossy lips as I begin my pep talk.

  “You are not attracted to musicians. You are going to find a CPA, or a real estate agent or a lawyer, with no tattoos. He will be devoted to you. He does not have women throwing themselves at him. He’s a good guy. Sure, he has a great smile because I have a thing about teeth, but he’s not a cheater. And he doesn’t lie. And he will be proud of you and you will be his priority.

  “Granted, he might be a little boring, but boring is good. He’s not a manipulator, and he would kill himself before he would ever hurt you.”

  I stand straight and smooth my hands down my leather vest and over my skinny jeans at my hips, then jab my finger at my reflection.

  “Jake is not hot. You’re not interested. Get over it.”

  I give myself the stink eye before marching out of the bathroom, with my new armor intact.

  SEDUCTION IS PRETTY much empty now. Jake’s set went amazingly well, and if he’s willing, we’ll keep him on as the weekend performer for as long as he wants it.

  I can hear some movement in the kitchen, most
likely the chef prepping for tomorrow. The last of the servers just left, with wide smiles on their faces thanks to tonight’s heavy tippers. Cami, Riley, and Mia left right after Jake finished, and Kat just walked out the door.

  “Buy you a drink?”

  I spin, surprised to see that Jake is still here.

  “I told you no before. Are you senile?”

  “It’s just a drink, Addie. I suspect you’ve had a long day.”

  I shrug. “I won’t deny that. Okay, I’ll join you.” What the fuck, Addison? This is so not professional! I mentally shake my head, resigned to being an idiot who can’t seem to say no.

  I lead him into the bar and walk behind it to pour us each a drink. “What have you been drinking tonight? Jack and Coke?”

  “Just the Coke,” he replies. “I don’t need the Jack.”

  I pour his drink, surprised to hear that he didn’t drink any alcohol while he played, but I don’t ask him about it. I pour myself a glass of wine, and reach over the bar to clink glasses with him.

  “To your first night.”

  “Cheers.” His eyes smile at me over the rim of his glass as he takes a sip of his drink. “Come sit with me. Get off those killer heels.”

  “I’m used to the heels,” I reply as I circle around the bar and settle into a stool next to him. “But I’ve been on them all day.”

  “You worked all day, and stayed tonight too?”

  “Of course. It was your first night.”

  “My audition,” he says with a nod. “I don’t think I’ve ever auditioned for anything.”

  “Well, you passed. You’re welcome to play here for as long as you like.”

  His amazing green eyes warm as he smiles at me. “Thank you. I like it. It’s an intimate crowd, and the room has great acoustics. I’d like to bring Max with me sometimes so we can play some of the old songs, sing some harmonies, if that’s okay.”

  If that’s okay?

  Duh.

  “Sounds fine to me.” I taste my wine.

  It’s quiet in here now, and the silence is too loud. He’s staring down at his drink, his eyes a deep green in the low light of the bar. A crease forms between his eyebrows in a frown, and then he shakes his head, just a tiny bit. Jake sips his drink, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking.

  And I’m a woman, so I ask.

  Because who ever heeded the whole don’t ask the question if you don’t want the answer warning?

  “What are you thinking?” I ask softly.

  He chuckles and shakes his head.

  “You don’t want to know.”

  “I asked.”

  He swivels in the stool, facing me, and rests his hand on the arm of my own stool, leaning into me, and it takes everything in me not to back away. His eyes lower to my lips.

  I lick them, and watch his eyes dilate.

  This is a very bad idea.

  I swallow hard as he continues to watch my mouth.

  “It’s quiet in here,” he says evenly.

  “I was thinking the same.”

  “Are you comfortable in the quiet, Addie?”

  I frown and feel my nipples pucker when he reaches up and tucks my hair behind my ear. His fingers are warm.

  And when he’s this close, I can’t help but breathe him in and enjoy the scent of him.

  “Why shouldn’t I be?”

  “Some aren’t. Some need chaos, noise. The quiet makes them nervous.”

  You make me nervous.

  I lick my lips again.

  “I don’t mind quiet. You?”

  “I love the quiet.”

  I smirk. “You’re a musician.”

  “And I love music too. But the quiet is where the truth lives.”

  I blink once, twice.

  “Where the truth lives?” I’m whispering now.

  He simply nods. “There’s no distraction. No way to deny what is. It’s honest.”

  “And you claim to be honest?”

  “To a fault,” he confirms. “I’d also love to hear more about this sexcation you’re scheming.”

  I feel my cheeks flush and turn away, taking another sip of my wine.

  “I was simply being silly with my friends, Jake. Drop it.”

  He doesn’t answer. Damn the fucking quiet.

  I risk a peek at him, only to find him still watching me, lust heavy in his eyes. “Why are you staring at me?”

  “I’m not staring. But you’re fucking gorgeous when you blush and I can’t help but wonder how far down that blush goes.”

  My jaw drops, then I quickly close it again.

  “I guess you are honest.”

  He smiles, that damn cocky smile, and I’m just . . . mad.

  “Guilty.”

  “And too charming for your own good.”

  “Charming isn’t a bad thing.”

  I laugh, but not in an oh, you’re so funny way, and his face sobers.

  “Do you really think you’re getting in my pants with this? Buy me a drink, say sexy things, use the impossible-to-say-no-to body language?”

  “It’s just a drink and conversation, Addie.”

  “Right. I don’t buy it. I’ve been down this road before with men like you, Jake, on a motorcycle with no helmet going way too fast, and all that it leads to is a fiery crash.”

  “Look—”

  “No, you look.” I slide off the stool and pace away, too much energy flowing through my body. Too much frustration. My heels echo in the silent room. “I’ve dated a dozen of you, and you’re all the same.”

  “No. We’re not.” I turn to find his jaw clenched and eyes narrowed.

  “Oh, really? Are you telling me that you haven’t been with countless women?” I cross my arms, cock my hip to the side, and watch him clench his hands into fists.

  But he doesn’t deny it.

  “Are you going to deny ever having some poor girl think she means something to you, but all the while you were with someone else in the same night?”

  He swallows hard and stands, but still doesn’t say anything.

  “Don’t try to tell me that you’re not a man-whore, Jake, because I know differently. I’ve dated the bad boy my whole life. And I’ve read the tabloids. I know your past.” His face transforms for just a split second into pure pain, then it’s gone and all that’s left is . . . nothing.

  After what feels like ten minutes of silence, he simply nods and says, “Well, I guess you just have it all figured out, don’t you?” He looks me up and down, then turns and walks out of the bar.

  Not two seconds later, Mia comes out of the kitchen, surprising me.

  “What are you still doing here?”

  “He didn’t deserve that, Addie.”

  I blink rapidly and march behind the bar to pour myself another glass of wine.

  “They’re all the same, Mia, and it was insulting to both of us for him to deny it. I’m sick of being lied to. I’m sick of being hit on by men who only want to get up my skirt, but don’t give a flying fuck about my feelings.”

  “He was being nice to you.”

  “Of course he was.”

  “Addie, Jake isn’t the one you walked in on last night fucking two other women.”

  My gaze whips over to hers and I frown. “I wasn’t taking that out on Jake.”

  “Bullshit.”

  Tears gather in my eyes and I turn away, embarrassed, and not a little ashamed because Mia’s right; he didn’t deserve it.

  “I’m a bitch.”

  “You’re not a bitch, you’re hurt, and you don’t want to be attracted to him.”

  “I’m not attracted to him.”

  Mia smirks and shakes her head. “Okay.”

  “Fine, I’m attracted to him, but I’m trying really hard not to be.”

  “Not every person is the same, Addie.”

  “I just deserve so much more, Mia. I don’t understand what it is about me that screams, Fuck me over. Hurt me. I like it.”

  The tears want to
flow, but I swallow and hold them back.

  “Your luck with men has just been shitty,” she says. “I guess you could say that about all of us.”

  “Boy, you’re not kidding.”

  Suddenly we hear the front door open and close.

  “We’re alone,” Mia says soothingly. “It’s okay to cry, you know.”

  “No it’s not. It doesn’t accomplish anything.”

  “Oh, Addie. You don’t have to be strong all the time. It’s just you and me. You can be vulnerable for five minutes and let it out. I won’t tell.”

  She puts her arm around my shoulders, and I cave. I lean my head on her shoulder and cry, thankful that I have someone, four someones really, that I can be weak with. Because God knows I learned long ago that showing anyone else weakness will only get your heart torn out and shredded.

  And I’m never going down that road again, on a motorcycle or otherwise.

  Chapter Four

  Jake

  It’s been a month since I started playing at Seduction on the weekends. These gigs have been more fun for me than any other I’ve performed, and I’ve played at all the major awards shows, celebrity weddings, and the biggest arenas in the world.

  Yet, sitting on this stool with my guitar, playing new and old songs for a room full of maybe a hundred people fulfills me more than any of those other performances did. Because this is on my terms. It’s just me and the music, in its most raw form, and I crave it more strongly than I ever thought I did.

  It’s addicting.

  “Ashley, you can go after you finish wrapping that silverware,” Addie says to her lead server, who’s currently counting out her tips.

  Speaking of craving.

  Addison is one hell of a woman. Yes, she’s gorgeous on the outside. Tall and blond with curves in all the right places, she makes everything male in me stand up and take notice. But she’s so fucking smart too. She has this place running like a well-oiled machine. Her staff respects and likes her, and the customers are always her priority. It’s not a hardship in the least to watch her mingle from table to table as I sing, catching her gaze once in a while.

  Watching her lips twitch into a reluctant smile before she turns and walks away, always makes my heart beat just a little faster.