Page 21 of Laying it Bare Backstage

When I was ready, I padded out the door to head to the living room. However, I paused when the door to Teak’s office was open and he was leaning his forearm against the jamb.

“I was waiting for you. Come in here for a few minutes. I want to play something for you.” His animated smile lit up his entire expression. Reaching out, he took my hand and tugged me inside. After gesturing for me to take a seat in his favorite chair, he snatched his guitar from the corner and plopped down in the steel and vinyl chair at his desk. “It’s not finished; I’m still tweaking it. But it’s not going to change much. I might have to rearrange some of the lyrics and probably have to smooth out the chorus, but I nailed it. Other than some fine tuning, it’s perfect.”

His fingers strummed the beginning chords and I was immediately drawn into the music. The melody was sensual and full of passionate emotion. His voice merging flawlessly with the tune:

You bring a peace to my hollow soul.

With you in my life, I’m now whole.

An emptiness I feared would forever incinerate me.

But you came from my dream yet I know you are real, to rescue me.

His heated gaze never left mine as he continued crooning the enchanting song he had written about me. The evocative lyrics leaving me breathless and captivated.

When the last words left his lips and with his eyes still locked on mine, his gaze bore into me. Like he was searching deep in my soul for the true reaction I had to his emotionally charged song that I had been the inspiration for.

Well, no worries there. “Oh my God. That was beyond beautiful.” And totally soaked my panties. But I didn’t let on to that little tidbit because he needed to work; not be distracted by me. I’d cash in on that tonight after dinner with our friends. “If I had any doubts about how you feel about me – which I didn’t – they would have been blown away just now. Your words captivated me right from the start and kept me entranced until the very ending. All of your songs pull at me in some capacity, but knowing a song is about you has a way of really seizing you. Wrapping you up and consuming you.”

“Maybe you should write some of my lyrics. And I guess I don’t need to tell you the name of the song is “Serenity.” He gave me a boyish grin.

“My name repeated in the chorus kinda gave that away.” I giggled. “But I was just telling you how it made me feel. It delivered an expanse of emotions, from despair and disquiet all the way to contentment and unadulterated love.” I stood from his body loving chair and padded over to him. Leaning down, I pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I loved it. Thank you for writing a song about me and sharing it with me. But I’m heading out now so you can get back to crafting more of those masterpieces. The fans are going to go even crazier during your next tour.”

“Thank you for giving me the perfect words to create these beauties.” He swatted my ass as I turned to leave and I squealed. His chuckle followed me out the door.

Heading into the kitchen, I grabbed a water before retreating into the living room. I chilled on his couch watching television and then when I got bored immersed myself in the book I had been reading. After a late lunch – when Teak finally paused for a break from his writing – of grilled cheese and dill pickle chips, I moved out onto his deck to soak up the sun.

Around five o’clock, Teak stepped through his sliding glass doors and sat down on the lounger beside me.

“Did you come up with any more chart topping hits?” I smiled at him before taking a sip of my water.

“I made a little bit of progress on another one. Some days the words just flow easily, other days I have to fight with them, and others they go on hiatus. Today was a mix of all three. But I don’t let it rattle me because I know not to expect to make great strides every day. The words will flow when they are ready.” Tilting his bottle of water to his lips, he took a long swallow. “But I’m really excited about your song.”

“Me too. Although it’s going to make a lot of fans jealous if they realize you’re talking about me.” My lips pulled into a brief frown.

Leaning forward in his chair, he placed his hand on my knee and squeezed. “We’re not going to worry about that. We’re going to let the police take care of it and be more vigilant. I’m also going to do everything in my power to protect you. No more uneasiness over that.”

The car didn’t bother me as much as the house. I didn’t like that she possibly knew where I lived. But I wasn’t going to dwell on it. I had to trust that things would get figured out. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to let fear about it run my life. I wouldn’t be stupid, but I wasn’t going to allow it to stop me from living. Whoever this person was; I wasn’t going to give them that power. “Okay. I mean I can’t promise I won’t think about it because it’s my reality, but I won’t let it consume me. I’m not going to cower away in panic.”

“That’s my girl. You’ve got me. And you’ve got that crazy best friend of yours. I would think she rouses a bit of terror in people when she wants to.” He moved his hand to clasp mine and entwined our fingers before bringing it to his lips and pressing a kiss to my wrist. “I wasn’t sure if you intended to shower and change before going to dinner. Just for the record, you look gorgeous just as you are. But I know I’m going to shower and change. They’ll be here around six so we can ride together. I made reservations for seven thirty.”

“I had packed some dresses so I think I want to dress up. We’re not going somewhere really fancy, are we?”

“No. It’s a nice seafood place that has delicious entrees and the service is fantastic, but it’s not black tie or anything. You would be fine going in what you’re wearing now.”

“Well that’s good because I don’t know that Ivy would be able to act all prim and proper.” I released a giggle. “I’m just kidding. She’s great. No, she doesn’t have a filter, but she can be respectable. Otherwise they wouldn’t trust her to dispense medications.”

“I think she’s great. She’s got an interesting and fun personality. And I like that she’s an amazing friend to you. But I like you just the way you are too.” Standing from his chair, he tugged me up with him. Then the two of us headed inside. I used the bathroom first while he made some calls and answered some emails. Showered, dressed in a peach sundress, hair fixed, and some light makeup on, I stepped back out into the bedroom.

Teak’s gaze traveled up my body like a lover’s caress, from my toes to my head, and I could feel the sizzle on my skin. The trail left scorch marks in its wake. When his eyes finally landed on mine, his were blazing with hunger. “You are always breath taking, but you in a dress accentuates all of your gorgeous curves and it’s giving me wicked ideas.” His smile grew wolfish.

“Am I going to have to deal with a naughty rock star tonight?” The thought had my intimate parts heating. But I really didn’t want thrown out of a restaurant or arrested for indecent behavior.

“That is a good possibility.” He winked at me. “You need to get out of here before we don’t make it for our reservation.”

The heated glint in his eyes sent me scampering out the door.

While his roguish laugh chased me down the hall.

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