Lightning Strikes Once – by Claire Marti #5
Pride filled my chest. My little brother was a rare talent. Staying in closer touch was yet another reason I’d chosen not to accept another field contract in Tanzania. I tapped the brunette’s shoulder beside me and pointed. “That’s my little brother.”
She flashed a wide grin. “Ben’s awesome. I’m Sara. That’s my big brother.” She waved to a tall, broad-shouldered man sauntering onto stage, drumsticks held aloft in one enormous hand.
I gasped and pressed one hand to my throat. “André.”
“Isn’t he great? André’s incredible. I haven’t seen you at a show before?” Groomed dark eyebrows arched over brown eyes, identical to her brother’s. “I mean, we’re representing for the siblings.”
I took a steadying breath. “Yeah, I’ve been out of the country for a few years and this is the first time I’ve been able to attend.” Ohmygod.
I’d had my first one-night stand at the ripe old age of thirty-nine not just with a younger man, but with Ben’s band mate. My pulse hammered in my temples and flashes of André and me on the couch, in the shower, and tangled in my sheets assaulted me. Warmth flooded my cheeks.
“Hello, Hollywood! It’s great to see you. We’re Black Velvet Machine.” Zoe called out before they exploded into thundering drums, pumping bass, and a familiar guitar riff. They kicked off with Lighting Strikes, one of their biggest hits.
The crowd erupted and Sara and I turned our attention to the band. Zoe prowled around the stage, feline and powerful, her heart-stopping vocals perfect for this new version of the band. All around me, people danced and screamed the words, and I got swept up in the excitement.
I couldn’t keep my eyes off André. The passion and determination coloring his expression.
The power of his impossibly ripped arms skillfully commanding the drums. From my vantage point, I could see the sweat dripping on his brow, like it had last night when he was propped on his forearms, buried deep inside me.
A quick flare of heat spread through my belly––yeah, he was as talented out of bed as he was in it.
The next forty-five minutes passed in a blur. I hadn’t expected to feel so immersed, so attuned to the notes and the lyrics. For that blessed almost-hour, everything else faded away and I was simply in the moment.
When the final note sounded, applause rocked the outdoor arena, and the band stood arm in arm and took a bow.
“André!” His sister screamed and waved. “Over here!”
He looked down, a triumphant grin on his handsome face. Then his gaze found mine and his dark eyes narrowed and his smile faded. Without a word, he turned and raced off stage, the rest of the band trailing in his wake.
“That’s weird.” Sara frowned. “What’s his deal? I’m going to kick his ass. Why don’t you come with me backstage? I don’t think Ben saw you either.”
I attempted to act nonchalant. Not as if I’d been naked with Sara’s brother all night and then refused to give him my number. “Maybe he didn’t see you? I’m sure it’s fine.”
My phone buzzed and I jumped. Was it André? He probably thought I was a stalker, showing up front row at his concert after basically telling him I never wanted to see him again. I pulled my phone out of my purse.
Of course it wasn’t André. He didn’t have my number.
Sorry I didn’t stop but fast turn b/w bands. After party at my place. Be there by 7. Driver’s waiting for you. I dropped a pin. B
I waved the phone. “Ben said the party’s at his place. That the stage turnover’s fast, which is why he couldn’t stop.”
Sara frowned. “Still weird. Something’s up and I’ll find out. Want to ride with me to your brother’s?”
“Thanks so much, but I have a driver waiting and I need to make a quick detour. See you later?” I needed time alone to gather my composure.
“Yes. Come find me so you can be my witness when I’m yelling at my brother.” Sara grinned and grabbed me in a quick hug. “See you in a few.”
I gave an awkward wave, turned and retraced my steps back to the entrance, hoping getting to Silver Lake from the Bowl wouldn’t take hours. In Los Angeles, traffic was a beast. Once I found the driver and slid into the buttery leather backseat, I blessed Ben for providing the luxurious ride.
I closed my eyes and without the distraction of the concert, my mind started spinning. The odds of seeing André at Ben’s were 100%. My gut tightened, recalling his obvious displeasure when he’d spotted me. How would I have felt had our roles been reversed? Probably the same.
And now I discover he’s the new drummer for Black Velvet Machine?
Because that wouldn’t be awkward at all with Ben.
Right . But at least André would know I wasn’t a stalker.
People went nuts for rockstars. I’d seen it firsthand with Ben and the band.
No wonder he hadn’t discussed his career and wore that baseball cap.
Fate was certainly having fun toying with us.
Frankly, I was in shock. And my defenses were down after multiple mind-blowing orgasms and minimal sleep.
But at least now we could clear the air.
I could assure him I hadn’t used him. Last night had been special and even if I was right about our age difference being too big of a barrier, I’d handled things poorly.
I groaned and raked my fingers through my hair. All I could do was wait and hope that he’d listen to me––even if it was only to hear my apology.
ANDRé
What in the ever-loving hell had Mallory been doing in the front row with my sister? Was she friends with someone in the band or one of the other bands in the lineup? Had she somehow figured out who I was and shown up to see me?
And how did I feel if she had, after the way she’d kicked me to the curb?
I’d been distracted all day but I’d performed. I always pulled through––I was a team player and I loved playing drums. My gut told me that if I’d seen Mallory before the show, I probably would have choked, simply out of sheer disbelief. I believed I would never see her again.
I hesitated at Ben’s front door. Please let the party be small. I wasn’t in the mood for crowds. Hell, I wasn’t in the mood for a party.
But tonight marked the official end of our almost eighteen month world tour and despite being wiped out after last night, I would celebrate the milestone. At least for a few hours before I retreated to my place––which fortunately was close by––to lick my wounds.
“Awesome job, man. That was a blast.” Ben appeared, handed me a chilled bottle of my favorite amber lager, and quirked a brow. “You doing okay?”
“It was a great show but, yeah, maybe a little tired. Didn’t get much sleep last night.” Understatement of the century. I twisted off the cap and downed a mouthful.
Ben waggled his eyebrows. “Anybody interesting?”
Only the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met and…she only wanted to get laid. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Heat flared on the back of my neck and I elbowed him. “You’ve got a one track mind.”
“Two tracks. I think about music a lot, too.” Ben cracked up. He glanced up and waved. “Mallory, over here.”
I froze, every muscle in my body bracing for impact. Mallory was not a common name. It couldn’t be…
And it was.
Threading through the guests filling Ben’s great room, she strolled in our direction like she was walking a Paris runway. Damn, she was stunning.
A stab of possessiveness filled me. How did she know Ben?
Ben dragged her into a bear hug. “I’ve missed you. You’ve got no idea how much it means to me that you made it back for the show.”
Was she dating Ben? He was my age. What the hell? I ground my molars together.
Mallory stepped back. “Me too. You guys were incredible.” She lifted her gaze to mine, a glint in her green-gold eyes, a flush coloring her high cheekbones.
Ben beamed and turned to me. “André, this is Mallory. Mallory, André our kickass new drummer.”
“We’ve met.” My heart was racing but I kept my voice level.
Her glossy pink lips parted and she clasped her hands in front of her.
Ben swung his gaze between us. “Really? When did you meet my big sister?”
Sister? “I’m sorry, what?” A shot of adrenaline coursed through me.
“Mallory’s my sister. Remember, I told you she’s been out of the country? When did you guys meet?” A crease etched between his brows.
She gave a nervous laugh. “It’s kind of a wild, but I met André last night at the library.”
“Wait, you were with my sister? Last night?” Ben turned to me, his frown deepening.
I held up both hands. “I didn’t know she was your sister, okay?”
Realization dawned and his jaw tightened. “Hold on, you two hooked up? You hooked up with my sister ? That’s why you’re tired? What the hell?”
Ben’s voice carried over the revelers and people paused and stared in our direction.
Mallory placed one hand on Ben’s arm. “Keep your voice down. Look, we didn’t make the connection to the band. I didn’t realize until I saw you guys on stage. It’s just a coincidence. That’s all.”
“Seriously? This is a pretty frickin’ big coincidence. Did you know, man?”
“Just found out when you told me.” How is this even happening right now?
Mallory bit her lower lip. “Ben, this is something André and I need to discuss. In private.” Her gaze found mine. “Okay?”
“You two better figure this out. You can use the study, it’s empty.” Ben stomped away, muttering under his breath.
Tension coiled in the air. “André, will you let me explain about this morning?”
I sighed and pivoted toward a wide, high-ceilinged hallway. “The study’s on the other side of the house.”
MALLORY
“I know where it is.” My brother’s den was a bookworm’s dream––floor-to-ceiling bookshelves bursting with leather- bound volumes and colorful paperbacks, framed by massive windows inviting in rays of California sunshine.
“Of course you do.” He hissed out a breath and marched off like he was heading to a root canal.
“No need to be snarky about it.” It wasn’t my fault we’d found ourselves in this improbable situation. Twenty-four hours ago, we hadn’t even met.