That he’d never offered to produce before.
But I wasn’t going to do that.Forhim.
Instead, there were some very unappreciated people I thought needed space on the track. And I had to bet on my own voice. I hadn’t bet on it before and regretted it.
So when I rolled up, it was to do whatever I wanted with this damn album and dare him to make it a success.
Forrest was waiting for me. Collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up, collar up, buttons undone, taunting me to resist the silvery hairs on his powerful chest.
“You look so beautiful, Birdie,” he said, helping me out of the limo. “I am so sorry I didn’t produce an album for you before. It was because of my own jealousy, I absolutely assure you. You have such a sexy as hell bedroom voice that I wanted it all to myself. Nothing to do with your own talents, which are considerable.”
“So you promise this album will be a success?” I asked.
“Baby girl, I assure you,” Forrest said. “With your voice and my connections? There is absolutely no question. I can get you on the Billboard Top 50.”
“Good,” I said. “Because I have some friends accompanying me on this track.”
I opened the door wider and out stepped Percy with his accordion, Lulabel with her harmonica, and of course, Mortimer.
“What the hell,” said Forrest, “are they doing here?”
“You said I could do whatever I wanted on this track,” I reminded him. “And you guaranteed success. Well, I expect success, because there’s a lot of polka music Percy has been bottling up.”
“Father, it’s a musical style I feel you’ve never reallyappreciated,”Percy said seriously as Mortimer snarled at Forrest.
“Now is his chance to,” I chirped, linking arms with Percy.
“And I’ve got a little number with Mortimer,” Lulabel said. “I’ve trained him to accompany me vocally on some old show tunes.”
For a moment I thought Forrest would snarl back at everyone, but I saw him visibly swallow his anger.
“I’ve seen more ofyouthis month than I ever did when we were married,” he snapped in a harassed way to Lulabel, but I brushed past him. “Let’s go.”
I swore I could hear his teeth grinding, but the door shut behind us and then I felt his disturbingly gravelly voice all along my spine.
“Whatever you want, baby. You aren’t going to outlast me.”
“I always have,” I retorted. “Which of us was always ready to go a second round faster? Besides, with you, there’s always another woman.”
Suddenly he grabbed me around the waist and pressed me against his body, where he felt hot, hard, and urgent behind me.
“That’s a damn lie, Birdie. I don’t want any other women. I’m gonna be waiting for you when they lower me into the goddamn ground. Do you understand me?”
“Have fun down there,” I retorted, kicking his shins.
His hands tightened on me.
“Please, baby girl. I rebuke my behavior. I fucking loathe Phee.”
“Right. You loathe her so much you cast her as the lead in your upcoming show.”
“That was Paige,” he gritted out. “I gave her free choice for the casting. But she is no longer involved with the production.”
“Move along!” Lulabel caroled in her sweetest voice, but I heard Forrest grunt as Mortimer told a hold of his elbow and began to tear his shirt back and forth.
“Oh, I’m sure she’ll worm her way back in,” I said cheerfully. “Seems like she really has you wrapped around her little finger.”
“Absolutely not. I’ve neverbeggedfor her. I’ve spent the last week groveling on my belly foryou.”
