Page 31 of California Love Songs (The Davenports, #4)

Chapter Twenty-Two

C rystal sat back on the couch, sipping her champagne.

How she loved the entire Davenport clan—they were all big personalities and all had something to say, often all at the same time.

But there was so much love there, too. Opal was a little shy with everybody at first, but she soon opened up and was laughing and joking with the best of them.

Now that she had a moment, she savored the comment Damien had made—that he imagined he was singing to her when he felt an attack of nerves.

He could have said it simply to soothe Opal, but Crystal didn’t think so.

He was always honest about his music, and to think that she was the person he thought of when he wanted to calm himself meant almost as much as that kiss. Almost.

Damien came over and said, “You were brilliant today. I can’t thank you enough for what you did for Opal…

and me.” His gaze held hers and there was more than warmth there.

There was heat. Delicious heat that made her whole body tingle.

She wanted to throw herself into his arms and ask him to take her to the bedroom.

Argh, betrayed by her own body. What was she doing?

She wanted him so much. But she knew that he would leave her.

He couldn’t help it. Although she knew the real, down-to-earth Damien, he was a rock star.

There was always another concert, always another gig, always a reason to be somewhere else.

It wouldn’t be fair of her to ask him to stay.

But as he gazed into her eyes in that intimate, sexy way he had, she began to wonder again if she could just enjoy him for as long as it lasted.

Did she have the strength to do that, knowing it would end?

Knowing she’d be left with some wonderful memories and a heart that might never piece itself back together again?

Before she could be tempted even further, she was the first one to leave the party. She planned to slip away without saying goodbye, so there wouldn’t be any awkwardness with Damien. She simply whispered to Erin that she needed to go.

Erin glanced from Damien to her and nodded. “Okay. I’ll walk out with you.”

Once they were standing by Crystal’s car, away from the house, they agreed one more time how much they both hoped the interview would work, and help to scotch the rumors of any romance between Opal and Damien. With any luck, it would also launch the young singer’s career.

Then out of nowhere, Erin said, “So… you haven’t mentioned your birthday.”

Crystal was so relieved that Erin hadn’t brought up Damien that she couldn’t conceal her surprise at the change of topic. “Why would I? I have one every year. So do you.”

“Don’t be coy. You’re turning thirty,” Erin said. “I happen to know that because we were born the same year. I just have an earlier birthday than you do.”

She made a face. “Do you have to remind me? Thirty seems so old, and I’ve barely done anything I thought I’d do by this age.”

“Are you kidding me? You have a successful life—a great business, your own home, a wonderful family.” She tilted her head and added, “And obviously, great friends.”

Crystal laughed, and for some reason started thinking again about the challenge that Damien had set her.

To look into the journey of becoming a doctor.

She hadn’t done anything about it yet. The kiss had thrown her into a complete spin.

But if she was honest, the idea had lit a fire in her that wasn’t about to go out.

She could at least go to night school if she wanted to.

It would be good for her, and she’d enjoy it—not that she would have admitted it, but she’d loved school.

But part of her was afraid of failing. She’d left her nerdy student self behind a long time ago.

What if she wasn’t up to the challenge of applying to med school?

The best thing to do was to apply without telling anyone about it.

Not even Erin. That way, if she didn’t end up following through, it would be fine.

“Is your family planning anything for the big 3-0?” Erin wanted to know.

So she told Erin that her mom had planned a big family gathering on Sunday. “Siblings, cousins, uncles, and aunts. You know what my family’s like. I’d love for you to come,” Crystal said. “My actual birthday is on Wednesday. I’ll go to work as usual, maybe go to a salsa class that night.”

Erin said she’d love to go to the family party and then asked, “On your actual birthday, why don’t you come over to Jay’s place instead, and I’ll cook dinner for you? Get some champagne. I could invite Mila and Tessa, and kick Jay out so it’s just us girls.”

Crystal grinned and realized that Erin’s suggestion was absolutely perfect. After planning so many parties for other people, the last thing she wanted was to organize something for herself. She’d like nothing more than a low-key girls’ night.

When Crystal got home and was alone again, the restlessness of the morning, the all-consuming thoughts of Damien, returned.

It was as though her body and her mind were at war.

The way he’d been looking at her all day—the secret glances and those little touches during dinner had aroused her to the point of distraction.

Just being around him gave her ideas she shouldn’t be having.

She’d had enough pizza that she couldn’t distract herself with snacks. She checked her email and her messages, returned a couple of phone calls, and then the rest of the evening stretched before her, empty.

There was only one remedy for this kind of malaise: dance.

She changed into a sleeveless black crop top and a salsa skirt, put on salsa shoes, and then headed to her small home dance studio.

She cranked up the tunes and closed her eyes, waiting for the rhythm to take over.

As the music pulsed, her body swayed. Then spun.

Her blood seemed to thrum with excitement.

And yet Damien didn’t leave her head. Instead, he returned tenfold as her mind lingered on the sexy details of their dance on Saturday night.

His strong arms, thrusting hips, the sheen of sweat on his neck, the salty way he tasted when his tongue found hers.

She imagined him with her now, partnering her, spinning her, dipping her, seducing her.

She danced for a couple of hours but the restlessness didn’t abate. It was getting late. She was too wired to sleep. What was she going to do with all this energy?

Then suddenly she knew. Maybe it was crazy. Maybe she was out of her mind. But she couldn’t go on like this, aching for Damien.

Some urges had to be sated.

Not allowing herself time to think and talk herself out of it, she jumped into her car in her dance outfit and heels. She let herself through the gates and walked up to his house in the shadowy dark.

When she saw that it was in darkness too, she almost lost her nerve. Of course Damien was already in bed, probably in a deep and dreamless sleep, unfettered by thoughts of her kiss. But then she noticed a light on in his bedroom. She knew the keycode, but she didn’t want to startle him.

Instead, she banged on the front door, feeling half crazy.

She waited a minute and then in case he hadn’t heard, she banged on the door again.

She heard footsteps, the door opened, and there he was, standing before her, a startled look on his face.

He was still wearing jeans, but his feet were bare.

His shirt was untucked as though he had begun to get ready for bed.

But there was nothing sleepy about those eyes. On the drive over, she hadn’t planned what she was going to say, thinking that the moment would take over. Now that she was here, she couldn’t find the right words.

Clearly, neither could he—but the air between them was thick with them, all unspoken.

They stood on the threshold, just staring into each other’s eyes until finally, he reached out and put his hands on her shoulders.

She nearly moaned at the sensation of his skin on hers as he pulled her toward him.

She raised her arms, put them around his neck.

Everything seemed to be in slow motion as she reached up for him and he lowered his mouth to hers.

The kiss was melting, tender, their lips pressing hungrily together, searching, until passion had its way and the kiss became more urgent, more insistent, until she was breathless.

His hand slid down her arm, brushing the bare skin beneath the crop top sending a pulse of electricity through her. They were so close she could feel the heat of his chest pressing against hers, the firm muscles of his torso.

Then she felt his strong hand in the small of her back, guiding her effortlessly, the way he had done countless times when they danced. But tonight, everything was different. His body was telling her to come inside.

Only then did she pull away and her breath caught as Damien’s eyes locked on hers, intense and full of longing. Her heart pounded in her chest. She took a small step toward him again, almost as if pulled by an invisible force.

“I want you to be sure about this.” Damien’s voice was low, a bit hoarse, as though he was struggling to hold back the same tidal wave of longing that she felt.

Crystal nodded, her lips parting slightly as she spoke. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

He didn’t answer her with words—he shut the door behind them and took her hand, leading her upstairs.

Her body was fired up and the two of them almost danced up the stairs, hips sashaying, until they reached his bedroom and he pulled her toward him again, pushing the door open with his foot.

The two of them tumbled into the room, warm with the glow of a small opaline lamp, and Crystal felt herself melting into him, her body responding to his with a fierceness she hadn’t expected.

His hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer, as if he couldn’t get enough of her.