The Rhythm of My Heart (14 page)

That was weird.

Conversation at the table is a little strained and mainly work related. Cole is being very cool with me, but really, what can I expect? Tiffany initiates other subjects with Grace and, being the type of person she is, Grace is friendly and welcoming to her.

People have started performing and I’m still surprised that there’s no sign of Ashley.
Damn it, Sam, stop worrying about her.

I’m just about to go back to the bar when one of the owners announces a crowd favorite. As I’m walking away from the table, heavy drums and electric guitars start to play and within seconds, I hear her voice.

I stop in my tracks and my gaze finds black leather, a leather midriff halter top with cleavage spilling out, the shortest fucking leather skirt in existence that is so tight it’s like a second skin, and knee-high leather heeled boots which are covered in buckles.

Her blonde hair is loose and flows down her back. The makeup around her eyes is dark giving her a smoky look and her bright red lips glisten, begging to be devoured.
Holy shit!

She’s singing about how she loves rock and roll, and she wants to take a guy home so they can be alone. My heart is slamming against my chest and my dick is straining hard against my jeans. I turn back to the table and sit down trying to conceal the action that is going on downstairs.

Ashley is gyrating her hips and stroking the microphone; the image of her stroking my dick like that is now firmly planted in my mind. I briefly glance at the others; Cole and Grace have smirks on their faces, while Tiffany’s mouth is hanging open in shock, no doubt. Cole catches my eye and a huge smile replaces the smirk.

The audience is on their feet clapping in time with the beat. I vaguely register the fact that there is music because only my eyes are working properly. Her body is sinful. She’s all toned arms, killer legs, bountiful cleavage, and a tight stomach with a belly button piercing. Ashley’s body is what wet dreams are made of and I’m sure my balls are close to exploding.

Finally, the song ends. The cheering and applause are almost deafening. As she makes her way to our table, just about every set of male and some female eyes in the club are trained on her body. The overwhelming feeling of punching the shit out of every single one of them engulfs me.
She’s not mine; she’s Grace’s friend, nothing more.

“See, I told you girls can be rock legends. Joan Jett kicks ass, baby,” she declares, looking straight at me; then picks up Grace’s Cosmo and tosses it back.

“You call that kicking ass? I kind of thought you were just trying to get the attention of every guy in the place, because you certainly achieved that,” I spit.

“Sam!” Cole snaps.

Ashley’s smile falters and she looks like she’s just been slapped.
Fuck! I need to keep my mouth shut. I can’t think with her around.

“Yeah, that was exactly what I was trying to achieve, Vagina Man. Yay, me!” she retorts, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She notices Tiffany and puts on a fake smile. “Hi, I’m Ashley.”

“Hi,” Tiffany nervously replies. “Do you always dress like that?”

Ashley bites her lip and blows air out through her nose; then, with an extra bright smirk, she replies, “Only when I’m trying to look like a complete whore. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a drink.” She turns and walks away.

“Wow. She certainly got the whore part right.” Tiffany chuckles.
What the hell!

Grace abruptly gets up and knocks the table, spilling Cole’s beer everywhere. She stares straight in Tiffany’s face and scathingly says, “That’s my best friend, you stupid bitch. Don’t ever speak about her like that again!” She then turns her furious eyes on me. “And I thought you were a nice guy, Sam. Too bad you just proved what an asshole you can be.”

As Grace stalks toward Ashley at the bar, Cole stands as well. He doesn’t say anything, but just stares at me with a penetrating gaze as though he’s trying to read my mind; then, he too turns and heads for the girls.

“Obviously, I’m the only one who agrees with you about that girl. She’s just asking for trouble, acting like that and wearing those clothes,” Tiffany remarks.

My head snaps up and I pierce her with menacing eyes. “You have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about, Tiffany, so just close your mouth.”

She sits there shocked and I watch as her eyes glaze over. “I said exactly what you said, Sam; now you have a go at me. Well, screw that and screw you. Don’t bother speaking to me again, got it?” she snaps, and then grabs her bag and leaves.

I’m sitting at the table alone and feeling like a complete asshole with a tornado of feelings and emotions wreaking havoc in me. Why does Ashley get to me so much? She’s just another chick.

When I turn to try to find Cole and the girls at the bar, they aren’t there.
Great... I ruined everyone’s night… Just fucking perfect.
I grab my beer and down it in one gulp.

Alone… Story of my fucking life.

Chapter 17

Grace….

After two months with Cole, things couldn’t be better. Apart from the incident at the hospital with the blonde bitch and my resulting anger and frustration at Cole, which I got over quickly, everything has been great. We spend as much time as we can together and Cole is always caring and attentive.

Tonight, however, I’m a nervous mess as I get dressed to go have dinner and meet Cole’s family for the first time. As I’m putting on my earrings and doing one last check in the mirror, Cole comes into his bedroom and stands behind me. “You look beautiful, Gracie,” he tells me, and places a kiss on top of my head.

“I’m so nervous,” I confess.

He caresses my bare shoulders with his thumbs. “They’re going to love you. Trust me, my parents are great and completely normal, don’t be nervous.”

“Easy for you to say, you met my dad before we started seeing each other. You got it easy.”

He starts nibbling on my neck and kissing a path across my shoulder. “Do you need me to help you relax? Because… I can certainly think of a few things that might calm your nerves.”

Leaning my head to the side, I relish the feelings he’s evoking. “Mmmm, I’d loved to but we don’t have time. I don’t want to make a bad first impression by being late,” I somehow manage to say.

“I could be quick,” he chuckles.

“Babe, you’re never quick. It’ll have to wait till later.”

With one last kiss on my shoulder, he moves away and I feel the loss immediately. He reaches for my hand and starts pulling me to the door. “The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave.”

As we head for his Jeep and my first official meet the parents dinner, I can’t help the huge smile that overtakes my face at his statement.

The Tierneys’ home is breathtaking. The huge, white, two-story house has a balcony and porch, complete with porch swing, that span the entire width of the façade. The circular driveway is lined with beautifully manicured gardens; they’re still in full bloom even though the summer heat has descended on them. I’m taking in the grandeur and beauty of it all and don’t realize that Cole has parked the car and is now waiting at my open door. “You ready?” he asks. I nod my head and take his hand as I exit the car. Cole hands me the bouquet of flowers I had Ashley make for his mom, while he carries the wine and leads me to the front door.

Just as we reach the top step, the door flies open and a beautiful woman with Cole’s bright blue eyes and dark hair steps out with a huge smile. “Bunny Boy.” She laughs and pulls Cole in for a hug.

“Dammit, April, stop calling me that. You know I hate it,” Cole chastises but returns the hug. The affection between them is obvious and reminds me of Charlie and myself.

April pulls back. “You will never live that nickname down; once Grace hears all about snuggle bunny, she’ll be running for the hills.” She continues laughing.

“You’ll keep that story to yourself,
little
sister.”

“Not likely.” She turns her laughing eyes to me. “It’s so great to finally meet you, Grace. Cole hasn’t shut up about you, so we’ve been so excited about tonight,” she says, pulling me in for a hug.

“Well, I hope I live up to your expectations and I definitely want to hear all about snuggle bunny,” I snicker.

April laughs again and Cole grimaces. “Not gonna happen, Gracie.”

“We’ll see. Now come on, Mom’s dying to meet you.” April grabs my arm and practically drags me into the house. I glance over my shoulder at Cole who is shaking his head with a huge smile on his face.

The inside of the house is just as beautiful as the outside but in no way pretentious. It’s warm and inviting, and I instantly feel relaxed. There is an abundance of photographs on the walls and the furniture exudes elegance as well as comfort. When we enter the kitchen, my sight is drawn to the older woman in an apron with perfectly styled, dark hair, going about making dinner. “Mom, they’re here,” April announces.

When Mrs. Tierney turns around, I can see exactly where Cole and April get their good looks. She’s a beautiful woman. Wiping her hands on a dishtowel, she places it on the counter and comes toward me with her arms open.

“I’m so happy you’re here, Grace. I’ve been pestering my son for weeks about getting to meet the woman he’s always talking about. Welcome to our home,” she says, and wraps me in her embrace.

“Thank you for having me, Mrs. Tierney. It’s a pleasure to meet you, too.”

“None of that Mrs. Tierney business, you can call me Olivia, okay?” she says, and lets go of me.

Still holding the flowers that have been slightly squished with all the hugging, I hand them to Olivia. “These are for you.”

“Oh, my goodness. They’re gorgeous. That’s so sweet of you; thank you, Grace,” she gushes.

“You do realize I’m here too, right?” Cole asks beside us.

His mother smiles and turns to her son. “Well, of course I do, my handsome boy. Give your mom a hug.” Cole wraps his mom in his arms chuckling as he does.

There’s a lot of love in this family; the pride and joy in Olivia’s eyes, when looking at her children, sends a sudden pang of longing straight to my heart.
I wish I had that.

“Right, April can you put these in a vase? Cole, can you please organize some drinks? And I’ll finish up here. Your father is running late and Sam should be here any minute.” Olivia instructs.

“Can I do something to help?”

“Not at all, Grace. You’re our guest. You take a seat at the island and tell me how my son has been the perfect gentleman that I raised him to be.” She winks at me. I see Cole roll his eyes, as he goes about grabbing wine glasses and pouring drinks.

We haven’t been chatting long when Sam walks into the kitchen. “Hi, everyone,” he greets, and heads for Olivia, kissing her on the cheek. He repeats the action with April, and then shakes Cole’s hand and nods at me. Things were a little strained between Cole and Sam after the night at Pitch and Tone, but they’ve gotten over it. I, however, still can’t believe the way he treated Ashley.

Olivia asks how they all are going at work and they start discussing an award dinner for Cole’s dad. “What award is your dad receiving?” I ask Cole.

“It’s for his dedication to cancer research and treatment. Dad has been at the hospital for twenty-five years; fifteen of those as head of the department. The dinner is also a fundraising event for the research division.”

I’m impressed and in awe of Cole’s father and his commitment to the hospital and the cancer unit. I briefly wonder if he treated my mom, though the chances of that are slim. “That’s wonderful. You all must be so proud of him.”

“We certainly are, Grace.” Olivia responds with love and pride in her tone.

“It’s in August and I haven’t had a chance to ask you yet, but I was hoping you would come with me.”

“Absolutely, I’d love to come,” I beam.

With that, we hear the front door open and a deep male voice that I presume is Mr. Tierney’s echo through the house. “I’m home. Sorry I’m late and I bought an extra guest with me.”

I chance a glance at Cole and he gives a slight shrug and small smile. Then his eyes narrow as his gaze goes over my shoulder.