Sun-Kissed (Love In All Seasons 1)

“An ugly bridesmaid dress. I think my sister’s determined to make everyone look horrible so she looks perfect.”

“That sounds about right, but that’s not gonna work for me.”

“Oh yeah? And what do you suggest I do about that?”

“I suggest you make sure you’re wearing something lacy and delicious underneath.”

“I can do that for you, Aiden. After all, you are coming all this way.”

“Good. Because that night, after I take that dress off you, and strip you down to panties, I promise I’ll do things for you too.”

I get off the phone, my cock fucking hard, my heart fucking hers.

Two weeks.

Two weeks until I see her again.Chapter NineThe weeks leading up to my sister’s wedding are a whirlwind.

Of course, I do my part to help with the wedding preparations, but people have been hired to do most of the work.

And my focus is on the audition.

The timing isn’t exactly perfect, but it’s not like my sister is going to rearrange her wedding based on a job interview I have.

And I would never expect her to. In a lot of ways, the timing works well for me personally. My mom is so busy focusing on Anna that I have one less person on my back leading up to audition.

My parents have put so much time and money into my playing over the years, that I want this to work. I want this part so bad. I want to make them proud.

Also, I want independence.

If I get the gig, so many doors will open for me. I’ll be able to get my own apartment, be on my own and spread my wings.

And I’d have money to visit Aiden.

The day of the audition I’m a nervous wreck.

Aiden and I have just talked a few times. He’s been away on another fishing trip.

And as much as I wish I could spend all day and night talking to him, realistically it’s not in the cards until we get through the audition and the wedding.

“Keep your head on straight,” Dad says as we wait for the audition. We are sitting in a large foyer in the Benaroya Hall, waiting to be called in.

“I know. Dad, I won’t mess this up.”

“I know you won’t, but you don’t get a lot of shots like this, either. It’s not every day a spot opens up in a world-class symphony. And the fact you’ve had two other chances...”

“Dad, I know. I’m just going in there and will do my best. I can’t have you stressing me out right before I go in to audition. I already feel like crap that we haven’t been practicing for Anna’s wedding.”

My dad is a really talented cellist. But after my sister and I were born, he took a position at his father’s investment group and stopped playing.

He’s the only reason I started playing. I remember when I was little he would tell me he would never let me quit my dreams, no matter how life got in the way.

“We will focus on the wedding later,” he says. “Today is about you. We can play that piece for her ceremony half-asleep and drunk.”

I raise an eyebrow at Dad. He listens to me practice every single day, and he never, ever messes around.

“Was that a joke, Dad?”

He shrugs, adjusting his tie. He left the office to come here with me today, and I see worry lines on his face. If we were going to share a deeper moment, now is not the time because I am called into the theater.

My hands are shaky, I’m unnerved. If I fail again, I don’t know if I’ll have the strength to pick myself back up.

Then I close my eyes for a moment and remember Aiden. His hands on my hands, his mouth on my mouth. His heart in my heart.

I’m no longer scared; I’ve worked my entire life for this. I walk onstage, a smile spreading over my face.

I can do this.

Before I begin, the panel asks me a few questions about myself and I try my best to answer them politely and professionally.

Then I pick up my bow and place it on the strings.

Then I begin to play my heart out.

I think about Aiden caressing me. About his eyes searching my eyes. About his arms reaching around my waist, holding me tight, refusing to let go.

I play like I have never played before.

My father may have pressured me in the past, but this audition isn’t about anything of that.

This is about me.

What I want.

When I finish, tears that I didn’t expect fill my eyes.

Today I did my best.

I won’t hear about the audition for a week, so now all I can do is hope that my best was enough.

And get ready for the family wedding of the year.Aiden said he was going to fly in tonight. But then he texted and let me know his flight was canceled and that he wouldn’t be here until tomorrow.