Page 1 of Claim Me

CHAPTER 1

Marissa

The music vibrated deep within my core, the staccato beat of the passage in the Rachmaninoff Prelude extending to my fingertips. With every deep rumble swirling in my chest, I was left breathless in awe and wonderment. Every powerful boom reverberating in my chest excited my mind, the increasing tempo fueling my heartbeat.

There was nothing so freeing as being lost in the moment, finding peace in the driving bass. My fingers flew across the keyboard as my body moved in time like a metronome. I felt every audience member leaning further forward in their seats. Remaining in awe, their emotions were turbulent, anger and sadness mixing with utter joy.

As the lights shimmered across the stage, the other musicians became ferocious in their interpretations of the powerful piece. Every keystroke satisfied the darkest passion, rough and sadistic while remaining hypnotic.

I darted a single look toward the audience, hopeful he was there watching me. Patiently waiting.

Hungering.

A mysterious fan with imploring eyes and wanton desires.

I’d envisioned a man gorgeous and muscular, a knight in shining armor brought by destiny.

Whoever he was, he was my fantasy and I longed for him to finally step away from the shadows, taking what he’d laid claim to the first night he’d tempted me with gifts.

Tingles coursed through me, heat exploding in every tendon and nerve ending. The music. The man.

The longing.

Beads of perspiration dared to defy the flow, a single one sliding down the bridge of my nose. I used the entire keyboard, rolling my fingers from white to black keys, my head bobbing ferociously as the final passage drew near.

A single tear formed in my eye, the love of what I was doing on full display. I was proud yet anxious, struggling with the deep sadness roaring through me. As soon as I brought my hands down in the last chords, the last run of my fingers from one side of the piano to the other, I felt utter vindication.

When finished, I threw my head down, the dramatic ending exactly what I was hoping to achieve.

The applause was thunderous, rumbling beneath my feet as I took a few seconds to relish the moment. I watched as if frozen as both the bead of sweat and the tear fell, lightly splashing across the keys in their own dance of joy and salvation.

The moment I finally lifted my head, staring into the audience, I was more emotional than I’d been in my entire career. The lights blinded me from distinguishing faces, but I could feel the outpouring of love. This was my moment, something I’d worked my entire life to achieve, never believing it possible. As I took my bows along with everyone else in the symphony, I reminded myself that dreams really could come true.

I could feel him, the heated vibrations pulsing deep within my pussy.

Once the curtain was down, I pressed my hands over my mouth to keep from screaming. I’d worked for years to achieve a single goal. To be a soloist. I spun in a circle, stomping my feet to continue the vibrations. They allowed me to know this was real and I was very much alive.

“So beautiful!” someone called.

“Very proud of you,” the conductor said. “Absolutely stunning. We need to discuss your upcoming piece for the world tour.”

Oh, my gosh. We’d heard rumors we’d be heading overseas. I sucked in my breath as I watched his hands in fluid movements. He was a true maestro. Excitement tore through me. I hadn’t been certain I’d be allowed another solo. To think of doing so in Milan or Paris was incredible. “Oh, thank you. Yes. Yes. We will.”

“Call me in a couple days.”

At least we had some time off to reenergize and enjoy the moment, but I was even more excited about the next concert. The program was entirely different, the selections free and full of passion. Music was my life.

“Thank you, sir. So much.” I fanned my face, rising onto my tiptoes to try to locate my best friend, finally watching as she pushed and shoved her way closer.

“You did so great!” Teresa squealed as she bounded in my direction. A violin virtuoso, she’d been first chair for the evening, the selection astounding her as much as I’d been when I’d received the solo. We’d both worked so hard to achieve this very moment, never fully believing it would happen.

We jumped up and down together before she wrapped her arm around my waist as we did our victory dance toward the dressing rooms.

“So did you.”

“Did you notice the reporters?”

I shook my head. “If I had then panic would have set in.”