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Avery twisted her lips. “To possibility.”
“Now let’s order our on-the-house dinner, ’cause I’m starved.”
* * *
“Did you research him like I told you?” Kerry asked while she sliced through her medium-well steak.
“No. Didn’t have time.”
Kerry stopped cutting and reached for her purse on the empty chair. She rifled through and pulled out an inch-thick stack of papers clipped together. “That’s what I figured.” Kerry placed the papers next to Avery’s plate. “So I did it for you.”
Avery gave her the side-eye.
“I know. Don’t thank me now.” Kerry proceeded to dig into her steak.
“Kerry,” she said in a hot whisper. “I don’t believe you did this.”
Kerry wagged her fork at Avery. “Let me just say this...” She leaned closer. “That man is a serious catch. Money, looks, connections, well-traveled, educated, talented and other than some minor brushes with the law over a motorcycle accident a couple of years back, he is damn near too good to be true.”
“Then why isn’t he with someone or married if he’s all that?” Avery countered, still unwilling to take the bait. “Must be something wrong.”
“According to the articles he’s been linked to dozens of women, from socialites to supermodels, and none of them have a bad word to say about him.” She shrugged. “Maybe he’s looking for you.” She giggled and winked.
“Sure. Right.” But she couldn’t help wonder why he was single and what if Kerry was right? Now she was being silly. Clearly Rafe Lawson had mastered the art of being a playboy. It was as simple as that.
* * *
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Blues Alley. We have a very special lineup tonight. He may live in New York but he can call DC home anytime—Quinten Parker and the Quartet.”
The room erupted into applause. “That’s not all. Bringing his own brand of Louisiana jazz is Mr. Saxophone himself, Rafe Lawson.”
Kerry’s eyes widened with delight. Avery’s lips parted in disbelief.
“Did you know?” Kerry whispered.
“No. I had no idea. He told me his friend was playing a set.”
“You do know that among all of his other fineness, he is an amazing sax player with music awards for his albums. Girl, get with the program.” Kerry joined the rest of the audience in applauding the band as they took the stage.
Avery mindlessly joined in and made up her mind that she would actually read up on Rafe Lawson.
Incredible was the only word to describe the first set. Avery remained enthralled with every note, every shift in tempo, and there were no words to explain the rush of sensations that flowed through her whenever Rafe stepped into the spotlight, his long, lean form bent and curved with each note, and transported them with his version of Coltrane classics, the quartets’ numbers and his own originals.
He made love to his audience each time his lips touched the reed and Avery couldn’t even imagine what the real thing would be like.
The room erupted and many of the enthused guests rose to their feet as the members of the band took their bows.
Kerry slapped her palms on the table. “Girl...that was some playing!”
“I know that’s right,” Avery agreed. She slowly shook her head from side to side as the remnants of the experience flowed through her.
Kerry leaned closer. “I’m at a loss as to what to say about your Mr. Lawson. That’s pure sex that floats around him like an aura. I swear I thought that woman in the red dress was going to throw herself or her panties onstage if he hit another high note.”
They burst out laughing.
“Made a complete fool of herself,” Avery said over her chuckles even as she felt the same way the woman did.
“Here he comes,” Kerry said from between her teeth.
“Mind if I sit?” Rafe asked and looked from one to the other, but his gaze returned to Avery.
“Of course. Please,” Kerry said, saving Avery from looking like a fool or simply plain rude.
“Thanks.” He pulled out a chair and sat. “How was dinner?”
“Delicious,” Avery managed to say.
Rafe stroked his smooth chin. “How’d you like the set?”
Avery smiled and grew hot inside. “Loved it. You’re really amazing.”
His deep eyes crinkled at the corners, the dark orbs fanned by thick lashes. He placed the barest tip of his finger on her knuckle and a shot of electricity lifted the hairs on the back of her neck. He leaned in. “Gonna hang around for the second set?”
He was so close she could see her reflection in his eyes, the tiny scar just above his right brow and the perfect curve of his mouth. She had no plans to stay and for the life of her she could not explain even under oath why she said yes.
“Did you drive?”
“Um, yes.”
He pushed back from the table and stood. “See you shortly.” He turned and walked away.
Avery finally breathed.
“My eyelashes are singed from all of the sparks flying.”
Avery made a face. She rested her elbows on the table and propped her chin on her palm.
“He asked if I drove,” she said, her voice low.
Kerry’s eyes widened. “Hmm. I think that’s my cue.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying that he is looking for some personal time that does not include a third party.”
“Don’t be silly.”
“I’m being real. He wants to spend some time with you, not us,” she added wagging her finger between the two of them.
Avery’s gaze followed the spotlight as the band came back onstage. When Rafe took his place, she realized that she wanted that time together, too.
By the time the set was finished, Kerry had said her goodbyes and made Avery swear that she wouldn’t leave out any details.
Avery didn’t know what details there would be to tell, but she promised anyway. In the meantime all she could do was keep her imagination from running out of control.
Chapter 5
“Where’d you park?” Rafe asked as he guided Avery out of the front door and into the cool evening.
“Two blocks down,” she said, pointing in the direction of her car.
“I’ll walk you.”
She was going to protest but knew instantly that she wouldn’t mean it.
They fell into step together and Rafe confidently placed his arm lightly around her waist and adjusted his sax case on his opposite shoulder.
“I’m really glad you came tonight. I hope it was worth it.”
Avery took a quick glance at him. “So am I,” she admitted. “And it was.”
He hummed in his throat.
“Thanks for introducing me to Quinten. He is so laid-back.”
Rafe chuckled. “Yes. Mr. Chill himself. Sorry you didn’t get to meet his wife, Rae. Totally amazing sister. Maybe next time.”
“Maybe...”
The tips of his fingers pressed a little against her side. “Looking forward.”
“This is me,” she said and came to a stop in front of her car.
Rafe released her and she dug in her purse for her keys.
“Let me get that for you.” He took the keys from her, opened the door and helped her in before handing them back.
“Thank you.”
“How far are you from here?”
“Dupont Circle.”
“I’ll follow you. Make sure you get home safely.”
“You really don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do. Wait here. I’m going to get my car.”
Before she could protest further he’d turned and headed back to the club. Her thoughts ran all over the place. She certainly hoped that he didn’t think she was going to invite him in. She wanted to but she would never... What if she did let him in? No, that would send the wrong message. But it would be rude not to, wouldn’t it?
While her thoughts were on autopilot, a car horn honked. She glanced out of her window. Rafe pulled up alongside her. His window lowered.
“I’ll follow you.”
“Uh, okay.” She pulled herself together enough to start her car and ease out without hitting anything.
The ten-minute drive was the most nerve-wracking experience of her life. It took all of her wits to stay focused on the road and not her rearview mirror. She was so consumed with tension that she almost missed the turn onto her street.
When she finally pulled into her driveway relief couldn’t describe how she felt. She jumped at the tapping on her window. She lowered the window.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. Fine.” She smiled.
“Going in?” he asked, with what sounded like amusement in his voice.
“Of course.” She took her purse from the passenger seat, extracted the key from the ignition and accepted his hand.
When she was drawn to her feet, mere inches separated them. Her gaze landed on his collarbone and she realized how tall he actually was and how his lean frame belied the power beneath.
Avery swallowed and stepped around him. Her heart banged mercilessly as she walked to her front door with Rafe a half step behind.
She turned. “Thanks so much for inviting me tonight. I had a great time.”
His eyes picked up the light from the moon and seemed to sparkle. He grinned, leaned down and placed a featherlight kiss on her forehead. “Good night. Rest well. I hope you don’t mind if I call on you again.”
“You’re going to fly all the way from Louisiana to DC just to see me?”
“My family has a place in Arlington, Virginia. When I have good reason, I stay there.” He leveled his gaze on her. “Do I have good reason?”
“You might,” she managed to say.
That grin again.
Rafe lifted his chin toward the door. “Want to make sure you get in safely.”
Avery ran her keys through her fingers, turned and somehow managed to get the key in the lock. She opened the door and flipped on the light in the foyer. She faced him. “See? Safe and sound. Thanks...again.”
“My pleasure, cher.” He took a step back, turned and strode to his car.
Avery waited a beat before closing the door. She stood frozen in place while she listened to the rev of his engine. She took a quick peek between the slats of the blinds. Only her car remained.
* * *
Rafe pulled into his driveway, killed the engine and slid out. When he walked into the house he sniffed the air and smiled.
Alice had fixed her should-be-world-famous peach cobbler. The sweet syrupy aroma sprinkled with cinnamon still hung in the air. His mouth watered but it was a little too late to indulge.
