Page 38 of Knot The Only Onee

“Of course, darling. Go flutter away!” Lucas started humming, his hips moving right to left to the music.

After washing my hands, I left the kitchen, determined to speak with the headstrong cowboy who was holding something back from his family and suffering on his own. I didn’t want that. Not after these men opened up their home to me, and their hearts, even though they didn’t really know me.

Nibbling on my thumbnail, I was heading to the office when a captivating sound flowed through the hallways. My feet stopped as I tilted my head as the musical notes of a piano filtered around me.

The song was sad, sounding so lonely that I didn’t realize I was crying until the tears fell into my hands that I’d moved to my chest in surprise.

I stood there, momentarily transfixed by the music and the emotions filtering through the notes. Following the sound, I ended up off the living room and down a small hall.

I’d never noticed the door. When the guys gave me the tour, we didn’t come this way, so I never paid it any attention.

Tentatively, I moved closer and saw a light emerging from a crack in the door. It wasn’t closed all the way.

Without making a sound, I opened it just a little more to see inside.

What I saw took my breath away. Fresh tears burned in the back of my eyes as I watched James sitting on the bench of a beautiful black piano. His eyes were closed, his bottom lip caught between his teeth as his fingers furiously tickled over the ivory keys. He swayed to the music, such furious and frenzied movements as he poured his heart and soul into the song.

The music crescendoed, rolling over me in waves and taking me under. My heart rate increased along with the music, throbbing along with every frantic note.

As the song reached a peak, it stopped. Only for a fraction of a second, but the silence was gut-wrenching as a moment later, a slow and soft melody began again. The melody repeated, each time softer and softer, until it was almost silent.

When he finished, he lifted his hands and opened his eyes to stare at the keys. He was transfixed, caught in his bubble as if he was processing what he’d just played.

James slammed the lid down over the keys, and startled me.

I gasped and lost my footing before quickly righting myself by slamming a palm on the wall. The sound reverberated through the quiet hall and into the music room. The door slowly opened, jarred out of place by my hand.

Dark eyes flashed to me as he zeroed in on my position just outside the now fully open door. He sucked in a sharp breath, his nostrils flaring as his eyes narrowed. “Bridget.”

Damn. I was busted.

CHAPTER18

James

My breathing was still heavy when I turned to see Bridget standing in the doorway. My heart beat at a frantic gallop, as it always did when I finished playinghersong. The song that I only played once a year.

On her birthday.

I played other songs when the random mood struck me, but never that piece. It was Ashlei’s, and Ashlei’s alone.

“What are you doing here?” I didn’t mean the words to be harsh, but when Bridget winced, I knew I failed.

Fuck, I needed to calm down. I didn’t want to frighten her.

Taking a deep breath and counting to five, I dragged a hand through my hair and softened my facial expression. “I didn’t mean it like that. Sorry.” I clenched my jaw, then relaxed it. “I just meant we didn’t show you this room. How did you find it?”

Bridget nibbled on her bottom lip, worrying it between her teeth. If she kept doing that, she was going to make herself bleed. That would just snap my control right now.

I rose to my feet and crossed the room with sure steps to stand before her. “Please forgive me for snapping at you.” Using slow, but sure movements I reached up to cup her cheek. “And please don’t bite your lip like that. You’re going to make yourself bleed. I’d never want to be the cause of your pain.”

She winced, looking up at me sheepishly. “It’s a bad habit.”

I rubbed my thumb across her lower lip, enjoying the softness. Thoughts of kissing those lips flashed through my head, making my cock harden as I imagined the soft woman in front of me writhing underneath me.

I had to clear my throat as my hand fell from touching her as I took a step back. “What were you doing before you came and heard me playing?”

Bridget’s cheeks were a lovely shade of pink as she shook her head, her curls of blonde hair bouncing enticingly, becoming more distracting.