CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jacine
“Dad,” I said as I strolled out of my room. He sat on the sofa reading a book. His knee jiggled not from nervousness but inactivity. My father did not like his enforced recoveryafter surgery. The past couple weeks have been challenging for him and me because he tested his limits and my patience every day.
“Are you going to be okay?”
He tossed the book aside and sighed, but then glanced at me and smiled.
“Don’t you look beautiful.”
Tonight, finally, my torture will be over because the big concert happens in just a few hours. And with the help of my stylist, I pulled off a look that was LA casual appropriate for a rock concert that I wouldn’t sweat to death in. She found these incredible black satin skinny jeans in a vintage shop and added ebony thigh-high, spike-heeled boots, and a black leather biker’s jacket. Under the leather, I sported a “Work Release” promo tee with which she took liberties. She ripped out the collar and cut a line straight down that resulted in the flaps forming a “v” that parted and strategically displayed the top of my black lace bra.
And thus armored, I was ready to face Cole Kane, Jersey Dys, and Rory Holmes.
The butterflies in my stomach betrayed my nervous anticipation. Despite all hopes to the contrary, my desire for each of the men had not waned during our forced separation. A running film show of illicit encounters with each of them visited my dreams each night like Marley’s fucking ghost with sexual intent. I woke each time sweating and panting. Often I had to finish the subject of my nightly visions on my own, but that’s always a B list response to what should be an A-list party.
So if my outfit this night was a teensy bit suggestive, it had nothing on wickedly inappropriate commentary on the sex appeal of each rocker running through my brain right now. I picked up my father’s unfinished whiskey and soda and bolted it down in the quest to wet my suddenly dry throat.
“What?” he protested, “that’s mine.”
“With your medications, you aren’t supposed to drink.”
“You are not my mother.”
“No,” I said. I leaned over the couch to give him a peck on the cheek. “Just an overly concerned daughter who doesn’t want to see her father croak by not following the doctor’s orders.”
“One drink isn’t going to kill me. It helps to loosen the arteries.”
“You’ve been reading the internet again. What did I tell you about that?”
“I should have never sent you to Harvard.”
“Too late. You are stuck with the result. Now, no drinking.”
“Don’t worry. I fully intend to dance at your wedding.”
“Then you better follow all the doctor’s orders, because that is a long time coming.”
“Hmmm,” he mumbled in a displeased tone.
The doorbell rang, and I scrunched my face in thought trying to place who it could be at this hour.
“Who can that be?”
“I believe it’s Tobias,” said my father with an evil grin.
“He better not lead you to drink,” I said as I went to and yanked open the door. But instead of the usual business suited Tobias, he stood framed in the doorway wearing a tuxedo.
I stared and swallowed hard, because what man doesn’t look good in a tuxedo. But Tobias didn’t just look good, he looked smoking, and I can envision a new tuxedoed version of Tobias haunting my dreams tonight. Forget me remaining cool, calm and collected in my concert garb. Heat traveled from my thighs and up my spine.
I was in humongous trouble.
“What are you doing here?”
“Taking you to the concert.”
“Oh no. We agreed—”
