Love Revolution (Black Cat Records Shakespeare Inspired trilogy) (5 page)

Sam shambled wearily into work, feeling as lifeless as a zombie. Things around her were amping up with the day for the official launch of the
Love Evolution
tour rapidly approaching. She’d barely gotten four hours of sleep last night. Beth had kept her at work late and then called her several times at home with additional things that just couldn’t wait until morning.

This early in the morning the executive floor was blissfully quiet. Running through a mental ‘to do’ list, Sam opened the lid to her coffee and breathed in the delicious aroma. She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder.

“Hey.” JR smiled tightly. “How’s it going?”

Sam sighed inwardly before she turned. He’d been nothing if not persistent in his pursuit. He’d sent flowers, then chocolates to her office. He’d even put a six pack of yogurt in the break room fridge with a note attached.

Today, his blond bangs were gel free, and the silky strands slid forward, brushing against his high cheek bones. He wore a dark evergreen polo with graphic lettering over a grey thermal layer and had on dark jeans. She hoped it wasn’t blatantly obvious how fabulously attractive she found him.

She had to quash an urge to peek at his backside. It was becoming harder and harder to tell him no.
It’s for your own good
, she repeated to herself for the umpteenth time. “Good JR. I’m good. Is there something in particular I can help you with?”

He hesitated, drumming his fingers on his jean pockets. “No, not really. I just wanted to see if you’d changed your mind about going out.”

“No. I haven’t changed my mind.”

 He gave a resigned shrug.

Why did she let his wounded expression get to her? It shouldn’t matter at all. She was just his featured flavor of the week. She’d be a fool to think he had any real feelings for her. Yet, she found herself trying to soften the blow. “Sorry to be so short. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“No worries,” he said grimly.

She noticed his jaw clench before he turned away.

“See you around, Sam.”

“How are things going between you and Ryan?” Sam asked her sister over lunch at Rain City Grill, a popular upscale café on the water’s edge of English Bay just outside Stanley Park.

“They’re not. We were over and done with weeks ago.” She shrugged.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she replied, brushing the breadcrumbs off the white table cloth with beautifully manicured hands. “It was amusing while it lasted, that’s all, nothing more.” She hadn’t even offered Ryan a reason for the breakup, but had ended the month long relationship when the nightmares returned. Her father being up for parole again had exacted a mental toll on her. She kept it to herself, though. Sam didn’t know about any of it. Unless his parole was approved, she didn’t plan to mention it.

Studying Sara over the crystal rim of her glass, Sam took note of the pinched look around her eyes. Someone who didn’t know her as well might have missed it. Since the debacle with Matthew, short shallow relationships had become more of the norm for her sister. “Sara,” she said lowering her voice, “When are you going to give a guy more than a passing chance with you?”

“I’m not.” Sara snorted. “Binge and purge. That’s my motto.”

“Come on.” Sam pursed her lips. “I’m serious.”

“You know me,” Sara said with a forced smile. “I’m not interested in the enduring relationship status.” She shrugged again. “I always let them know where I stand up front. I never lead anyone on.” Eyebrows knitting together, she whispered, “I’m not like Momma.”

“No, of course you’re not,” Sam said, squeezing Sara’s hand.

Sara leaned back and took another sip from her water. She waved off the uniformed waiter hovering to refill her glass. “I’m good thanks,” she told him. Turning back to her sister, she said, “Enough of the heavy, ok?

“Fine.” Sam nodded.

“You look tired. How early did you leave for work this morning?”

“Five.”

“Damn, Sam. I didn’t realize Beth was such a slave driver. I thought she was the nice one.”

“She is nice, and she’s not a slave driver.” Sam’s voice rose as she rushed headlong to defend her boss. “She’s just a perfectionist and wants to make sure every detail has been checked and rechecked before Brutal Strength goes on tour. Attention to detail like that is why she has such a stellar reputation.”

“Hey, no disrespect intended. I just don’t like to see you looking so worn out.” Reaching across the table, she tucked one of her sister’s curls behind her ear before asking, “Is JR still sniffing around?”

Sam nodded, focusing on straightening the black napkin in her lap.

“Why do you look so guilty? He’s the one who won’t give it a rest.” She shook her head. “I’ve known lots of guys like him. It’s a game, thrill of the chase kinda crap.”

“I know that’s what you think, but… the sad expression on his face.” Sam gave a resigned sigh.

Before Sara could respond the waiter arrived, placing delectable salmon salads in front of them. When he left the table she tapped a finger to her lips. “JR has been way more persistent than I would have thought, but BS is going on the road soon, aren’t they?”

Sam nodded, taking a bite of the lightly seasoned fish. She was starving and glad to get something more substantial than her usual yogurt. At that thought, an image of JR flooded her mind. Her appetite evaporated. She continued chewing, but the salmon might as well have been cardboard now.

“That’s a relief, I bet.” Sara lifted her glass. “Here’s to JR being out of your hair soon.”

Gazing disinterestedly at the salad, Sam bit her lip, wondering why that idea left her with a hollow, empty feeling inside.

Sam stretched her arms over her head, trying to work the kinks out of her back, and yawned. She slipped her shoes off. She had been in her office working at this for hours. Outside her window it was dark and the usually busy city sidewalk was nearly deserted. Glancing back at the computer screen, she scowled and raised her fist at the Rickshaw seating chart.
Stupid, uncooperative thing
. Where had she made her mistake? “Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!” She dropped her head down onto the frosted tempered glass surface of her modern L-shaped desk and pounded it several times.

A light knock brought her bout of self–flagellation to an end. She looked up to see JR casually leaning against the doorframe. As their eyes met, he straightened and held up a couple of white takeout bags in one hand and a cardboard drink carrier in the other. The mouth- watering aroma drifted across the room.

“Someone told me you were pulling another late nighter. I thought you might be hungry.”

Her stomach growled right on cue. She smiled sheepishly. “Apparently. What have you got in there? It smells delicious.”

He handed her one of the bags and settled his long frame in one of the leather office chairs facing her desk. Tonight he had on a black long sleeve shirt with the buttons open just enough at the collar to reveal a hint of a white undershirt underneath. Both layers were tucked smoothly into a pair of fashionably distressed jeans held up around his narrow hips by a black canvas belt. The man was definitely metro. Pulling her gaze away from the distracting view, she went about the business of opening up the fast food sack. Her stomach grumbled again as she pulled out a hamburger and fries from the Red Onion.

“Thank you, JR.” Lips lifting slightly, she peered shyly at him from underneath her long eyelashes. She was trying real hard not to let on how very touched she was by his thoughtfulness. It certainly didn’t gel with the image her sister had of him. “About earlier today, I…”

“No worries.” He pulled out his own burger, peeled back the crinkly paper, and took a huge bite.

She hesitated, shrugged, and then started in on her own food.

“It doesn’t count as a date if we just sit here and eat together at work, does it?” He gave her a sly smile.

She stopped chewing and stared at him. His playful attitude surprised her, after what she had put him through the last few days, and she couldn’t help but be amused by his creative work around. She shook her head.

He responded by winking at her.

Unable to hold it in, her face broke into a huge smile and laughter spilled freely from her lips. She couldn’t figure this guy out and was done trying. The tug of war between her hormones and her head was officially over. She was giving in.

A last tiny bubble of concern floated to the surface of her thoughts warning her that she might get hurt, but she decisively stuck a pin in it. She found herself extremely attracted to JR and wanted very much to see where this thing between the two of them might lead. She was all in. Feeling lighthearted for the first time all week, she relaxed back in her chair and took a sip of her soda. The carbonated beverage tickled her nose.

Green eyes fixed on her, JR watched her for a moment, noticing the precise moment when the tension drained from her shoulders. A smile flickered across his face before he leaned back and took a sip of his drink as well. They gobbled up the rest of their greasy fast food feast in companionable silence.

“Why are you working so late?” he asked as they finished.

“I was making out the seating chart for your concert at the Rickshaw. There’s limited seating and Beth says it’s very important who sits by whom.”

“You’ve been at it since you came back from lunch.” She cocked her head at him.
Uh oh.
Now she knew how closely he’d been keeping tabs on her. He swallowed nervously, his brain screaming for him to redirect. “How’s that going?”

“Good, except I somehow missed giving Carter Besille a seat. And I can’t remember where I was supposed to put him.”

JR stood and came around to her side of the desk. After a brief glance at her legs, he smiled and knelt down beside her to look at the club layout displayed on the computer screen.

Sam’s heart beat furiously in her chest. She couldn’t help but study him with a sidelong glance. She was a sucker for boyishly handsome and JR had that going for him for real.

Unexpectedly, he turned his head to face her.

Sam stared at his lips, merely inches apart from hers. Involuntarily, she leaned forward before noticing something that made her stop. Her lips curved up. Turning, she rifled through the takeout bag on the desk. Retrieving a napkin, she swiveled back to face him. “You have some mustard on your beard. “Here.” She reached out and dabbed at his face, the napkin making a scraping sound against the bristle.

JR held his breath, eyes intent on hers as she touched him.
Holy crap, the girl was hot!
He’d have covered his entire face in condiments if he would’ve known it would get her this close.

Her task completed, Sam’s gaze rose to meet his.

For a couple of heartbeats neither said a word. The air in the room crackled with energy. Mesmerized by those grey eyes that sparkled like moonlight on the surface of the ocean, a wave of desire built up and then crashed over him.

Sam really wanted JR to kiss her. In fact she couldn’t ever remember wanting anything more. Closing her eyes, she leaned closer feeling the warmth of his breath fan across her lips. She tilted her face back in anticipation. When nothing happened she opened her eyes. JR was staring at her, eyes dark and intense.