Page 21 of Hard Rock Muse

6

Iwas a bundle of nerves when I walked into Julian’s studio a few days later. Sure, I’d told off Keith and I was riding on that high, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t still terrified. What if he made good on his threat and did or said something to make them drop me?

Maybe Julian wouldn’t be intimidated or fall for his lies, but what about Cerise, or the other music executives? The right word placed in the right ear and Everly Davis’s career would crash and burn just as spectacularly as Ever Darling’s had.

I steeled myself and walked through the door to find Julian already at his piano, playing. It was a different song than the one we’d worked on, a classical piece I couldn’t put a name to.

I waited patiently until the song wound down and his fingers slowed.

“Always practicing, huh?” I asked him as I entered the room.

“Can’t let myself get rusty,” he said as he came to a stop.

“You’ve never been rusty in your life.”

I couldn’t think of a single day that had gone by where Julian hadn’t played at least some bit of music.

“Have you got something to show me?” he asked as he swiveled around on the piano seat. His dark hair fell over his cheeks, framing his handsome face. I’d always joked that he should shave it all off and let the world see his pretty face.

I had loved seeing his disgruntled expression when I called him pretty.

“I’ve been working hard over the last few days and I think I might have something,” I told him.

To be truthful, I’d been working nonstop, using reams of paper and writing down every single thought that came to mind, brainstorming ideas and jotting down words.

I didn’t know how long this gig would last. I didn’t know how long it might take for Keith to pull the rug out from under me. I figured it was in my best interest to get this job over and done with as soon as possible.

Besides, the quicker I was done, the quicker I could rid myself of Julian’s presence and go back to my normal life. Go back to a time when my heart wasn’t being tugged back and forth with nostalgia, hurt and longing.

I pulled out my notebook and flipped to the page that held the final draft of the lyrics.

“You play while I sing, then you can tell me what you think,” I told him.

Julian turned back around to face the piano and put his fingers back on the keys. I waited a few bars into the song before starting. I always had liked a nice long intro. When Julian hit that one perfect note, I began to sing, letting the music full my soul, letting the sweet sounds wash over me.

His eyes drifted closed, his head bowed over the piano as he listened to my voice mingle with his playing. Our two different styles always had complimented each other's.

When the song came to an end, Julian opened his eyes, staring down at the keys, staying silent.

“So?” I asked nervously. “What did you think?”

“It’s amazing,” he said, his voice full of wonder. When his eyes flicked to mine, I saw something in those dark depths, no longer so unfathomable to me.

I recognized the same longing I’d been trying to suppress.

We stayed still, eyes locked, not speaking, barely breathing. I knew he was thinking the same thing I was.

It was as if nothing had changed. As if we were still two young, struggling musicians, working together to make our dreams come true. The connection between us hadn’t faded after all these years.

“Can I see?” he asked, coming over and reaching for my notebook.

I placed it in his hands. His fingers brushed mine. He kept his hand there, not moving, letting his hand settle over my own, just like it had at the restaurant.

A little thrill beat in my chest.

Working with Julian had always felt like I was exposing myself. I had bared my heart and soul and he had carefully cradled them, tucked away gently into the deepest parts of himself, protective and caring. In those moments I knew I was loved and cherished.

But it wasn’t only an emotional connection. Our bodies had always been drawn together like two magnets, always trying to find a way to each other. Whenever I fell into his arms, whenever his lips touched mine, whenever his skin pressed against me, I’d ignite into flames.