“And, that I expect to see him Friday with his theremin at the festival.”
Fredrick laughed. “You know people would hunt him down if he didn’t show up year after year.”
“And I’d lead the hunt,” Brianna said, laughing.
“Theremin?” Brock asked as they continued through the restaurant.
“Yeah. You know the weird sci-fi woo-woo sound in the opening for Star Trek? That’s played on a theremin. Jeff’s had one for years, and he always brings it with him to the festival and jams with other people on the grounds. Even some of the main acts have played with him between sets. It’s so cool.”
“You could jam with him this year.”
She stopped in her tracks. “Oh my God, I could. I could jam with him this year.” She blinked up at him. “Sorry, I’m not used to thinking like that.”
“Don’t be sorry. Get used to thinking that way. Jake was telling me that a lot of the contestants go on to play together later as professionals.”
Her eyes went round and dreamy. “That would be amazing if it happened.”
“Itwillhappen, Brianna.”
They’d gotten outside and partway through the parking lot in front of the restaurant, serenaded by crickets and the wind through the nearby pines, a million stars shining overhead. “I can’t believe some of the musicians I met tonight. More of my heroes,” she said, her voice filled with awe. “And they treated me like an equal. Like I was somebody.”
Brock’s heart clenched at the disbelief in her voice. “That’s because youaresomebody, Brianna. Someone very special. The world’s about to find out how amazing you are, but for tonight, I’m glad I can hold you in my arms and have you to myself.”
The kiss she gave him electrified him. Her tongue running along his lips made him shudder and pull her closer. Fuck the meeting, fuck his plans—if Alex didn’t get here in the next two minutes he was sweeping Brianna off her feet and carrying her to her apartment and the rest of the world could just fucking well wait until he was done giving her a dozen or so orgasms. He imagined her lush body stretched out on the bed, the moonlight highlighting the curve of her hips, her breasts, her throat, as she threw her head back moaning his name as he buried his head between her thighs. He was so hard right now he was in danger of embarrassing himself.
And of course, that’s when Alex showed up with Brock’s plan trotting along on a leash beside him.
The man cleared his throat, and if a throat-clearing could sound amused, he’d just pulled that off.
Brianna pulled away from Brock. “I, uh.”
“Hey, Alex,” Brock said. “Great timing, brother.” He dropped to his knees in front of the Malinois and scratched her head. “Hey there, pretty lady. You ready to go to work?” The dog wagged her tail in response and licked his hand.
“Is this the surprise?” Brianna asked, looking confused as her eyes darted from Brock, to Alex, to the dog.
“It is.” Brock straightened up. “Brianna, this is my co-worker, Alex Hoff. He’s in charge of the kennels and dog-training program at Watchdog.”
“More like the people-training program,” Alex said, shaking Brianna’s hand. “The dogs are often smarter than their humans.” That got him a smile, though a tentative one, from Brianna.
Brock patted the dog. “And this lady is Valkyrie. She will be accompanying us back to your apartment and staying with you tonight. I have a meeting first and then I’ll be by after.”
“Excuse me, what?” She looked back and forth between Alex and Brock. “You’re giving me a dog for the night?”
“Does your apartment allow dogs in?” Alex asked.
“Of course. This is Colorado; it’s practically illegal not to own a dog or two. I’m surprised I haven’t been arrested yet.”
“Then you’re getting a dog for the night. I hope you like dogs,” Alex said.
“I love them.” She dropped down and just before petting Valkyrie she asked, “Is it okay if I touch her?”
“Absolutely,” Alex said.
Brianna smiled wide. “Hey, girl,” she said softly as she scratched the dog’s ears. “I guess we’re roomies for the night, which is cool because I think you’re amazing, but I don’t know why you’re staying with me.” She looked up through her lashes expectantly at Brock.
“After today, you really have to ask that?”
Brianna gave the dog one last scratch and stood up. She eyed Alex warily.
