Listen to Me (Fusion 1)

“Okay.” She plants her hand on my chest and pushes me away, then opens the door to her back. “Good night.”

“Sleep well.”

She smiles and closes the door and I have to take a deep breath before walking back to my car. The drive home is fast, as there is little traffic at this time of night. My house is quiet as I walk through to the kitchen and drink orange juice out of the jug, then saunter into the living room and sit behind the piano.

Max is usually the one who writes music on the piano. I prefer the guitar. But the melody running through my head is piano.

So I sit and play, thinking of a certain stylish, funny-as-hell blonde. The sound of her laughter. The way her body moved as she sang on the sidewalk.

I play through the melody three times, committing it to memory, before walking up to my bedroom.

I miss her.

Jesus, I’m ridiculous. I just saw her an hour ago. And I was the idiot that chose to leave rather than take the invitation to come inside and bury myself in her for the rest of the night.

I’m a moron.

I don’t know what the fuck is happening to me. What is it about this woman that has me all tied in knots? Maybe I should stay away from her. Slow down. Give her some space.

Fuck that.

Finally, I reach for my phone and call her.

“Hello?”

“Hey.”

“Are you okay?” She doesn’t sound sleepy, so I know I didn’t wake her up.

“I’m fine. I was just thinking about you.”

Silence.

“Why does that confuse you?” I ask.

“It doesn’t,” she lies and I can hear rustling. “Aren’t you supposed to wait three days to call the girl after a date?”

“This isn’t a game, Addie,” I reply, suddenly irritated. “We aren’t in high school. If I want to hear your voice, I’ll call you.”

“All you had to say was I miss you, Addie.”

I snort. “I just saw you.”

“You missed me,” she repeats confidently. God, her mouth turns me on. In a million different ways.

“Okay, I missed you.”

“Now say, You’re always right, Addie.”

“Not a chance,” I reply with a laugh.

“A girl can try.”

“I had a good time tonight,” I murmur.

“Me too. Thanks again.”

“What are you wearing?”

“A smile.” I can hear it in her voice, and then more rustling around. “And a sheet.”

“Damn.”

“What are you wearing?”

“A hard-on,” I reply.

“At least you’re honest.” She giggles. “I kind of like that you’re all turned on over there.”

“You’ve been turning me on since the moment I first laid eyes on you.”

“Please.” I can almost hear her roll her baby blues. “You did not find me attractive when I told you you’d have to audition for the position at Seduction.”

“Actually, I did. But that’s not the first time I saw you. You were at that open-mic night with Kat the weekend before.”

“You remember that?”

“You were all I could see in that audience.”

“Yeah, the lights were bright.”

I turn on my side and laugh. “No, sweetheart, you were so beautiful that you were all I could see.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh.”

“That’s kind of sweet.”

“I have moments,” I reply, soaking in the sound of her voice. “When do I get to see you again?”

“You’re singing on Friday,” she reminds me. “And I’m working a full day tomorrow.”

“Friday it is then,” I reply softly. “Sleep well, baby.”

“Good night, Jake.”

Chapter Seven

Addison

“The back of that top is adorable,” Kat says as she walks past me. I’m sitting at the bar, going over next week’s schedule. “And you’re humming.”

“Hmm,” I agree with a slight smile. It’s a good day. Jake played last night, and we had the best head count we’ve had so far at Seduction.

And Saturdays are always busier, so tonight should set another record.

“Earth to Addie,” Kat whispers, leaning over the bar toward me.

“What do you want?” I ask with a laugh.

“Why are you so chipper? Wait.” She shakes her head and resumes taking stock of the white wines in the cooler. “I don’t want to know.”

“It’s not that,” I reply.

“Still haven’t slept with him, huh?”

“Not yet,” I say with a sigh and pray that changes very quickly. The man has every nerve in my body on high alert and he’s not even here.

It’s so weird.

And, I admit, it’s pretty fun.

“Our numbers were very good last night.” I sip my latte.

“I know,” she says with a grin. “They were good back here too. Your boy sure brings in the crowd.”

“And they’re coming back because they like us,” I say confidently. “When I make my rounds through the dining room, customers rave about the food and the cool atmosphere.”

“Same back here too,” Kat replies and stands to jot down notes. “It’s good.”

“It’s fucking awesome.” We grin happily at each other, then fist bump, just as Marcy, one of my daytime waitresses, walks into the bar.

“I have a question,” Marcy says, a frown on her pretty young face. She’s only twenty-two, but she has the work ethic of someone twice her age, and she’s freaking adorable with her slim figure, big brown eyes, and deep auburn hair, so she makes great tips.