Lightning Strikes Once – by Claire Marti #6
He didn’t respond but his stiff shoulders and ramrod straight spine spoke volumes.
The blaring music and revelry faded once we reached the study. I closed the door and followed André over to two over-stuffed burgundy armchairs facing an enormous stone fireplace.
He threw himself into a chair, folding his chiseled arms across his chest, and crossing one ankle over his knee. Body Language 101. His toes were probably crossed in his size-fourteen Adidas.
I sank into the soft cushions across from him, leaned forward, and dropped my elbows to my thighs. My heart galloped against my ribcage. “Well, this is quite the coincidence.”
His chocolate eyes narrowed. “I’ve been with the band for almost three years. Ben’s your brother and you’ve never seen a photo?”
Irritation flared up my spine. “You do realize the downloaded album cover is tiny, right? Why would I pretend I didn’t know you? And do you not recall that I lived in a small village in Africa for the last few years?”
“Fair point. It’s just this morning I thought I’d never see you again and now you’re my band mate’s sister?” He dropped his head back and closed his eyes.
“I feel the same way––it’s a lot to unpack. But here we are. Can I share some things with you?” We really needed to clear the air.
He gazed at me, his expression guarded. “Sure.”
I swallowed the dryness tickling my throat. “Okay, when I learned you were in your 20s I was floored. Then Ben texted me and it hit me you’re the same age. I panicked. I’m sorry if you felt used.”
“And now?” He gestured with one hand for me to continue, the muscles in his forearms rippling.
Heat bloomed low in my belly and nerves skittered down my spine.
“Well, I’ve regretted my words all day. And when I replayed our time together, I really wanted to tell you that.
I’m not in the habit of hooking up the first night I meet someone but I felt really drawn to you.
If I wasn’t so much older than you, I would have reacted differently. I’m sorry.”
He nodded, a glint of emotion lighting his dark eyes. “Apology accepted. Like I said this morning, I was bummed because I feel the same way about my attraction to you. Do you really believe it’s that big of a deal? I don’t think age matters––it’s just a state of mind.”
My breath hitched. “I love that perspective but last night we were in a bubble and like I said this morning, I’m not sure how that translates to the day to day?”
“I don’t think anybody cares or would even notice. But the bigger issue is Ben. If we decided to give this a go and things went south? It could impact the band.” He scraped his hands through his hair.
“Bands are all about the drama, right? Didn’t Zoe and Liam hate each other and get “fake married” for publicity? Seems pretty dramatic to me.”
André’s face lit up and he flashed a grin. “They couldn’t stand each other but then they fell in love for real. They’re crazy about each other.”
“Did that impact the band’s morale? The performance?” Ben had emailed me about and seemed to find it entertaining.
He shrugged. “Not really. And we’ve got a six month break before working on the next album, so it’s kind of a moot point.”
My lips curved into a smile. “Well, that’s convenient.
I mean, Ben’s my little brother and I’m a grown woman.
I know he adores you and loves me so unless we’re planning on ripping each other’s heart’s out…
” The urge to kiss him again, to see him again, to feel his calloused hands on me again, was overwhelming.
“I’m not really the love ‘em and leave ‘em type––that was Liam pre-Zoe. You?” He quirked one dark brow.
I rolled my eyes. “Not even close. Honestly, a few times I chose my career over my relationships but no skeletons in the closet.”
He studied me for a moment, like he was trying to see beneath the surface, to ascertain if I was genuine. “Same. Music always came first for me and with all the touring over the last few years, I kept things casual. It felt too selfish otherwise.”
I dropped my gaze to my lap, studied my short unmanicured nails. “We have that in common too. I should really focus on getting my life in order before exploring a relationship. And I’m really not cut out for hook-ups.”
He grinned. “You’re the one who keeps bringing up hook-ups. I asked you to go out with me. To take it day by day. Have dinner with me tomorrow night.”
“Just like that?”
He shifted forward in his chair and reached for my hands, his rich voice playful now. “Well, on one condition.”
Heat curled down my spine as he intertwined his long fingers with mine. “What’s that?”
“We need to confirm that our chemistry was real or if we dreamed it.” His full lips smirked.
“I think that’s an excellent idea. Hold on one moment.” I rose and crossed to the door, turning the old-fashioned brass key in the lock. I turned, pressed my back against the thick, solid wood, and crooked one finger. “Why don’t you come over here and kiss me?”
His shot to his feet and in half a second, he was on me, his powerful arms braced on the doorframe, his eyes black, his pulse drumming in his throat. The air thickened and he lowered his head and brushed his lips against mine in a feather-light caress.
A breathy moan escaped me and I melted against his hard hot body. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.
A long, long while later, we agreed the dream was real.
Claire Marti is an award winning and USA Today Bestselling authorofswoonworthy Contemporary Romance novels set in Southern California.
After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English and French, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.
Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance and teaching yoga.