“Because I am.” There was no sadness in her eyes. “We’ve been in this band for three years. We’ve played all over Europe with no success, and LA will be no different. If success hasn’t happened by now, it won’t happen ever.”
I was shocked she thought this. They were an amazing and talented band, and I wasn’t just saying that. Though, I admit she had the most talent. Someone was bound to notice them, especially since Prudence was so gorgeous. Through ads and shows alone, she’d bring them substantial revenue. “You really don’t think that, right?”
“I know it.”
“Then why did you come all the way here to pursue it?”
She shrugged. “It’s important to the rest of the band. I’m not going to ruin their hope.”
I was starting to realize how selfless this girl was. It was a rare find, and somehow made me more attracted to her than I already was.
“So, what’s your plan for life? If being a musician isn’t going to work out.”
She sighed, clearly saddened by the question. “I’ll have to put my degree to use.”
My eyes widened. Her degree? “You went to college?”
She smiled. “Why is that surprising?”
It wasn’t. I just didn’t realize how old she was. I was in my late twenties, and I assumed she just turned twenty. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-three.”
“You’re older than you look.”
She rolled her eyes. “I get that all the time.”
I chuckled. “It’ll pay off later.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-seven.”
She nodded. “That’s what I assumed.”
“You like older men?” I gave her a smoldering look.
“I like you.”
Good response.
The driver pulled into my driveway. I didn’t wait for him to open the door and got out myself. I took my gorgeous date by the hand and helped her out. When we approached the front door, she stilled.
“You live here?”
My pride started to glow. “Home sweet home.” My neighbors were at least sixty feet away, so I had more privacy than most. The house was brown with white pillars and a white door. The two story house had plenty of space for me. I didn’t need much more than that. “Wait until you see it on the inside.”
When we entered, she looked around, her eyes wide. “Wow.” She looked at the full kitchen with granite countertops, the wide living room with a large TV mounted on the wall, and the balcony that overlooked the ocean. “This is beautiful.”
I smirked, glad I impressed my musician. I opened the French doors to the patio, and the sound of the ocean immediately reached inside. The window blew through her hair slightly, pulling it from her face. The glow of the sunset touched her cheeks, highlighting them. I was transfixed for a moment.
God, she was beautiful.
She stepped outside and looked at the furniture. A short staircase led to the sand below. She noticed the hammock to the left. It’s where I read the newspaper on Sunday morning. That seemed to catch her eye the most. “This is cool.”
“Take a seat.” I grabbed both sides and held it steady for her.
“I’ll fall on my ass,” she said with a laugh.
I climbed in with grace, used to the unusual rocking of the fabric, then pulled her on top of me. We swayed slightly before we stopped moving. She giggled on top of me then got comfortable. Her head moved to my chest, and her arm hooked around my waist.
The smell of her shampoo moved to my nostrils. It smelled like coconut. My hand immediately glided through her hair, feeling the silky strands. She stared over my balcony at the beach, mesmerized by the beauty. I could stare at her all day. I wanted her to come over so I could fuck her brains out, but now I was content lying with her. Her chest pressed against mine with every breath she took, and she seemed relaxed in my arms. I didn’t want to move.
“What did you get your degree in?” I asked. It was probably music, but I thought I should ask anyway.
“Analytical chemistry.”
My hand stilled, and not because it was caught in her hair. What the hell? Analytical chemistry? “Why did you pick that?”
“I didn’t. My dad made me.”
“So you didn’t like it at all?”
“No, it was a fascinating subject. It’s applicable to the real world and how things work, but I wanted to pursue music instead. My dad talked some sense into me, even though I’ll always resent him for it.”
“He wouldn’t let you choose the major you wanted?” This guy sounded like a dick.
“Not if I wanted him to pay for my education.”
“He didn’t support your music career?”
“He still doesn’t. My passion is a waste of time and potential. I’ll never go anywhere or succeed. His words hurt at the time, but I realize he was right. And having an economically safe education was the smart move.”
“Not if you don’t care about it.” I didn’t know why I was getting so upset. The fact her own father didn’t believe in her or support her pissed me off. Didn’t he see how talented she was? She was better than most professional musicians I saw on a daily basis. What the hell was his problem?
She shrugged. “It’s in the past.”
“Are you close with him?”
“No. We’ll never be close.”
I detected the resentment in her voice. “What happened?” I always steered clear of family drama and emotional problems when I dated, but I needed to know. Her life was fascinating to me.
“It’s a long and boring story.” She tightened her hold on my waist.
“I have nowhere to be.” I kept the desperation out of my voice.
She stared at the ocean and remained silent. I patiently waited for the story, but nothing was revealed. I hid my disappointment. All the women I’d been with wouldn’t shut up about their problems, even when I didn’t ask. And it was annoying as hell. Prudence was the first one to hold her silence. And she was the first one I didn’t want to.
“How’s Gavin feeling?”
“I don’t know,” she said with a change of tone.
“I thought he was under the weather?”
“Oh… He’s fine now.”
“What happened?”