Chapter 6
Chapter Six
CALLUM/CASH
Then
Temptation Etched In The Notes Between Us
She isn’t a girl to me. She’s the ruin I’ll crave even if it kills me.
They say you know when it happens and I know the instant it does. My current existence is cremated the moment my deep blue eyes meet with her sky-blue ones. Her vortex sucks me into her world and into her soul.
For eternity I’ll be swimming in her oceans, breathing her air, drinking from her rivers, and eating from her bountiful earth.
From now until forever, Livianna Hemings is mine, no matter how destructive it turns out to be.
“This is my sister, Livianna.” Bren points at the most captivating girl I’ve ever seen as he hops sideways over the last two stairs that lead into their newly finished made-for-a-band basement.
I’m checking out the grand piano near the corner and the guitars hanging on the wall when Livianna’s eyes grab mine and pull them into her clutches. My heart beats in triple time and the entire room disappears around us.
Reality fades to black. She stands frozen in a spotlight a foot before me like she’s on a stage, wearing cut-off jean shorts and a tight black tank that shows off her luscious tits. My goddess is all I see and I realize right now, I’m a goner.
Bren flips her long, brown ponytail as he passes her by. “Livianna, this is Callum Mayze. We like to call him Callum the cash king Mayze. Cash for short.”
Her breath hitches as her thick, long eyelashes flutter. She visibly shivers even though it’s about ninety degrees out today.
“Hi,” she breathes. She tears her eyes away from mine as her head slowly turns to Bren.
As I try to stop my racing heart, I square my shoulders and straighten myself out to appear taller. I step close to her, way past the appropriate distance I should be, and into the danger zone.
If I’m gonna own the stage and perform for millions, I best be able to handle this beautiful little pipsqueak no matter how much she’s causing my pulse to race.
“I’m gonna call you Lily,” I declare as her sweet cotton-candy-like scent drifts around me.
Fuck, I’m in trouble because I want her to melt like sugar on my tongue right now.
Her ponytail flips as she spins back to me. My chest flicks with heat and zooms between my legs. My teenage hormones are taking over, so I try in vain not to get hard.
“It’s Livianna, not Lilianna.” Her voice is way too seductive for such a young girl, which has me about to burst at the seams.
If I don’t get a hold of myself, I’ll be on the floor kissing her feet. I shift my weight from side to side and adjust my pants.
My gaze pulls her back into a magnetic stare. “I know, but I’m still gonna call you Lily.”
“Do what you will.” She waves it off and sways toward her ma, Lorna. “So why do they call you Cash?”
Lorna is lounging on a contemporary square gray sectional sofa. It’s enormous but still doesn’t make a dent in the room.
I’m trying to figure out what ripped through me and stole my soul, so I’m at a loss for words. Which is ridiculous considering lyrics are my thing.
Bren saves my ass and answers for me. “Because Cash is gonna work us through the money maze and find us the cash, making us rock kings. Simple as that.”
Groans and moans bounce off the walls from Bren’s parents and my uncle, John.
John’s my pops’ brother and our band’s manager. He’s smart and doesn’t take much shit.
“You think that’s bad? Wait until you hear what they call Brendan.” Uncle John emerges from behind the bar on the far side of the wall, swirling some liquid amber in a short glass.
“Brendan, what’s your nickname?” Lorna stands and slinks to her husband, Greg, who just followed us down the stairs.
“Guns.” Bren leans over and plucks his guitar off a clip hanging on the wall.
“Why Guns?” Lorna kisses Greg.
Bren swings the guitar over his back, hanging it there by a black leather strap.
“Have you seen my arms?” He flexes his biceps and everyone except Livianna busts a gut.
As I stare at her, my groin tightens, electricity shreds up my chest, and ropes strangle my heart. I move to the piano, yearning for her as I do.
“Nah, Mr. and Mrs. Hemings. We call him Guns because when he told me his middle name was Brooks, I instantly thought Brendan Brooks is like a BB gun. Because BB doesn’t sound strong enough, I changed it to Guns.” I slide across the black lacquer bench and lift the piano key cover.
“BB guns aren’t powerful.” My little Lily makes her way over and nudges me to give her some space beside me.
“But guns are.” I waggle my brows as she glides to my side and lightning strikes between us. “Any requests from you, my pretty little Lily?”
She turns my way. Her ponytail falls over her shoulder as she tilts her head and studies every inch of my face in wonder.
“What do you know, my handsome Callum?” Her eyes twinkle in adoration.
“Okay, I’ve seen enough.” Mrs. Hemings is at our side in two strides. “Cash, save the flirting for your audience. Livianna’s only fourteen. She may look your age and like to believe she is, but she’s still my baby.”
Fourteen? My jaw drops all the way open. If it could extend any farther, it would slam into the piano keys.
The weight of this reveal has my heavy hands, which just a second ago wanted to explore Lily’s body from head to toe, plunge against the ivory. The vibration of the mismatched notes reverberates around the room as I shake my head in stunned silence.
Fucking hell, I thought she was older than me.
“Mom, he’s the same age as Bren. That means we’re only two years apart.” Livianna bats her ma’s hands away, who’s trying to move her. “Callum, tell her you’re good with me sitting next to you.”
I’m in a fucking predicament. How do I break the heart of the girl I’m gonna be with someday within the first ten minutes of being linked with her for life?
I’ll tell you how. I glance over my shoulder at where her terrifying pops and my uncle stand.
They both have their arms folded across their puffed-out chests and their dark eyebrows raised to the ceiling. They glare my way with evil eyes and wait to see how far I’ll take it.
My balls shoot straight into my throat.
Fuck me!
“Sorry, my pretty little Lily. I’m gonna need some space to play. But don’t you worry because I’ve got the perfect song that will fill your void.”
She relents to her ma and flashes me a seductive smile.
Seriously? She’s fourteen? I shake off the thought and lead with my stage game.
“This song will keep me warm until the day your parents say you’re allowed to claim your place at my side, right where you belong on this here throne.” My fingers find the right keys, and I paw into a tender rendition of James Blunt’s ‘You’re Beautiful.’
Brendan picks at the guitar strings and strums into the perfect rhythm. My Lily moves to the side of the grand piano and gazes into my eyes. I stroke the eighty-eight black and white with my fingers as I will one day over my beautiful Lily’s body.
Greg cuts into the song before I start singing. “Damn, John, your nephew is a natural stage performer. I guess that means I’ll be playing referee between Lorna and Livianna as I try to keep her away from this heartthrob. And with his Irish accent, it won’t be easy.”
He guides his wife into his arms. She leans her head back against his chest and wraps her arms around his. She sways with Greg and hums along with the tune.
“It’ll all pay off in the end. Just wait until you hear Cash’s voice.” John tips his glass to his mouth and sips. “Pretty near perfect, even if he’s only going to be seventeen in December. I can’t imagine what he’ll sound like when he’s twenty.”
“Yeah? As long as he keeps his head on straight. A boy that young could get into a lot of trouble in this industry.” Greg gives me a nod.
It’s my cue to start. I sing into my newly intertwined soul’s sky-blue eyes. The room turns into a mini concert consisting of this one song.
Little does anyone know the sinful things I have planned for the future. If they did, I’d be murdered by the time I’m done.
As my finger hits the last key, the note echoes throughout the room. I turn and bow my head.
“Thanks for joining us today. I’m more than grateful you graced us with your presence.” My steamy gaze catches Livianna’s and I transmit all my unholy intentions her way.
Even if it kills me, she will be mine forever. I should care that she’s only fourteen, but I don’t, which is a dangerous combination. As fast as time flies while we’re out on a grueling tour, it’ll seem like a second before she’s old enough to date.
It’ll be hell, but I vow to wait for the day the world can know we’re one. Until then, I’ll remain a tortured kid who’s waiting to claim his only true love.
Greg cuts into my thoughts. “Not only do you sing like you’re an old soul, but you know how to reach your audience and make them feel special.”
I give a gracious nod. He turns to my uncle.
“John, you got yourself something here. Cash is your map to the money. I’m calling it now. As long as he doesn’t screw up, by the time he’s twenty-one, it’ll be just as Brendan said. We’ll all be living as kings.” Greg shifts to kiss his wife’s cheek.
She lovingly offers the side of her face to his lips. “We already live as kings, but those boys will take over the empire. Let’s just hope it doesn’t crumble to the ground in an attack by those awful villagers who like tearing down the castle.”
“Don’t worry, Lorna. I’ve got it all taken care of. With my connections, these boys will reign as the longest-running kings alive when it’s all said and done.” John turns and struts back to the bar.
Lorna peeks up at Greg. “You know it’s going to be hard trying to keep Liv away from him. With that sultry voice and his godlike features, she’ll be scratching and clawing at me just to get a look at him. And he’s only sixteen, for Christ’s sake.”
“Mom!” Livianna pops her hands to her hips and glares at Lorna. “We’re right here, so what the actual…are you thinking?”