Page 60 of Silver Edge
“What’s that?”
He kissed my head in that sweet way of his. “Would you play something for me? Your gift is so amazing and you look so beautiful when you play.”
My hands trembled. “I don’t play in front of people. I can’t.”
He took my hands in his and squeezed. “I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do, but can I ask why?”
“I feel like I’m being stripped bare, analyzed. Like I’ve opened a vein and all my deepest secrets, everything I’ve ever done wrong are being put up on a gigantic screen for all to see.”
Drake squeezed me. “That must be why it’s so beautiful. You’re baring your soul. My brother could do that. It always amazed me how much love he had to give the world. I wish I were more like him.”
“I think you’re perfect the way you are.” I turned my torso so I could see his face. “If you don’t look at me, maybe I can play something. I’m not sure, but I’m willing to try if you’ll do something for me.”
He slid a finger down my arm. “Anything.”
“Will you lie naked with me tonight?”
His mouth dropped open.
“I’m not asking to have sex. I know how you feel about that, but there’s something I need to know.”
He took a long breath. “What is it?”
I sighed. “The skin-to-skin contact thing. It’s what makes me want to get sex over with. The idea of sweaty, sticky skin pressed together makes me cringe. Yet, the thought of you naked makes me horny. It’s conflicting.”
He chuckled. “Well, that’s the problem. As you put it, lying next to you naked will make me hornier than a sailor on Viagra.” His eyes dipped in that delicious, caressing way he had that made me feel like the most attractive sexual being on the planet.
“You want me to bare my soul for you, you can bare your body for me.”
“If it’s what you need, I’ll do it. There is nothing more I want to do in the world than spend the night next to your naked body.” He released me and stood up, adjusting himself. “I hope this song’s going to cool my groin. Just the thought of you naked is making me so hungry I feel like once I have you, I’ll never get enough.” He winked and walked to the end of the stage. After cutting off the music, he sat facing the door.
Finding my footing, I stood and made my way to the piano behind the partition. “I can’t make any promises that I can play.”
“Well, I can’t make any promises I can control myself all night, so we’ll call it a risky investment. We’ll see if it all pays off.”
With a deep breath, I sat on the bench and faced the glistening keys. After a few moments, I relaxed and let my mind wander. The smooth white surface welcomed my fingers and I tried to block out the thought of anyone listening or watching me play. No one had ever listened like this. The only time anyone had heard me was when they walked in while I was already lost in the music. What did Drake even want to hear?
My arms stiffened, and I hit a few keys, but nothing joined to form a song. I closed my eyes and envisioned a family, a real family like the photo of Drake’s parents and brother in his album upstairs. My fingers took the inspiration and my soul found the song.
A sweeping, lovely, childlike melody began to piece together until it turned into a mischievous march of adolescents then into the darker path of young adulthood. Separation of parents and children, loves won and lost. A staccato of darkness plagued my spirit while I heard car crashes, beatings, and deception. It dulled into a nothingness and lulled there for a measure or two until it dared to find a happy tone, but then it drifted back into heavy keys. Again, my fingers danced along a few higher notes, a hint of sun showing on the horizon, until it crescendoed into a mad dash of whirling feelings and emotions all tied up in a huge knot of chaos. The notes stopped abruptly. A long, silent measure followed, then a tentative play of soft music until it rested in the unknown.
I sat for several moments, breathing through the pain and happiness. Tears streaked down my cheeks, and I shook from the emptying of all the emotion from my body. Tentatively, I stood on shaking legs and rounded the partition. Drake met me halfway and pulled me into his arms. He held me, rocking back and forth. I usually did that alone when I was agitated, but this time it soothed me into a bliss of happiness.
He released me, wiping my tears from my cheeks. “That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. Your talent is beyond anything I’ve ever witnessed. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
I swallowed. “Only you. I never have and will never play for people. It’s not something I can do, okay?”
“Understood.” Drake cupped my cheeks and a stage-fright grin creased his face. “I guess it’s my turn to deliver.” He led me up the stairs without another word.
My heart started pounding against my sternum and I wondered if this was all a huge mistake. “If this is too much…” I mumbled when we reached the door.
“No. As long as you don’t mind me being…excited, I can handle this.” He walked over to his dresser and removed his watch and cell phone while I waited by the bed. Kicking off my shoes, I bent over and removed my socks. He did the same before returning to the end of the bed. “Come here.”
I rounded the bedpost and stood with my eyes raised to his.
He inhaled a long breath. “I’m going to remove your shirt now.”
I nodded. My breath jarred somewhere in my throat. He lifted my shirt over my head, his eyes immediately dropping to my lacy hot-pink bra. “I like that one. It’s the most girly thing I’ve seen on you.” His tongue swiped across his lips, and I longed to feel it on me again, but I pushed the thought from my mind.
