Finding Her Rhythm (Backstage Pass Series) by Dani Wade Page B

easy on you because you’re a girl.” Didn’t matter that any number of “girls” now littered the pool with dripping wet hair.
    But Taylor would never forget the final push that sent her falling into the water, bending Michael back with her. He ’d released her with ease and was quick to pull her up and out of the way of flailing limbs and laughing people. In the midst of the chaos they’d stood for long moments, bodies touching, eyes locked, until the winners were finally determined.
    The signal came naturally then. Holding his gaze, she nestled closer, letting her hands find his hips through the wet swim trunks he wore.
    Even if the piercing look in his eyes hadn’t clued her in, the hard erection pressed against her belly would have. She had a feeling Michael’s days of waiting had just come to an end.
    * * *
     
    Michael stalked back into the house after waving t he last guest off into the inky-black night. Seeing everyone outside of work had been fun, but now he needed one thing, one thing only. He just had to find the woman who would meet his needs head-on.
    He would make sure of it.
    As he tracked back through the kitchen, he felt lik e a lion hunting his prey. Desire roared through his consciousness with single-minded intent. Need pounded in his brain. Now he would have her.
    No Taylor to be seen as he did a final walk through the downstairs, turning off lights and locking doors. The security system was alert and secure. The kids had hung out with the adults long after the last teenager left , and had finally wandered off to their rooms around midnight. He hoped they were exhausted. Tomorrow they left for his former mother-in-law’s house for the annual two week visit before school started back. He’d spend a few days there with them, then return home.
    Where he’d have Taylor all to himself.
    Checking over the family room, he shut down the gas logs in the fireplace and made the rounds to turn off all the lamps. The guitars they’d been playing went back into their cases. He’d move them out to the studio in the morning.
    Where was that woman? Had she scuttled back to her bedroom, her courage waning? Had she thought he would forget? Not a chance. He’d made his intentions pretty clear today, and he would keep every unspoken promise.
    After he’d bound her to him, body and mind, then he’d learn all her secrets. The way he felt right now, there wouldn’t be a single place to hide.
    Just as he reached for the last lamp, he heard a rustle on the balcony above. A slight smile curved his lips. There she was.
    Clicking the light off, he waited for his eyes to adjust to the moonlight streaming in from the windows, then mounted the stairs. She hovered in the far shadows, inching toward the doorway as if she’d suddenly changed her mind. Thigh-length, silky material flirted over her skin, enticing him forward.
    “ Stop.”
    S he froze. He prowled forward, crowding her against the wall, surrounding her with his heat. Her long, slow inhale urged him even closer, back to where they’d left off.
    One more time—only this time, it would end the way he wanted.
    Her hands reache d for his biceps, then curled in retreat. Escape wasn’t an option tonight. Of their own volition, his hands buried themselves into the thick mass of her hair, soft and springy against his fingers. One touch and the pain, the loneliness that sat like a stone in his gut melted away.
    He ste ered her gaze up to his. Gentle but firm. She wouldn’t hide from him tonight.
    “ I want you, Taylor.”
    Those long, thick lashes dropped. Her last chance to shield herself. “We shouldn’t do this,” she whispered.
    His grip tightened, massaging against her scalp in a motion that drained the tension from her body. “No more shoulds,” he said. His palms slid down to cup the smooth skin of her cheeks. “Tell me you want this.”
    For several seconds she remained silent, the only sound in the room the quickening of her breath. Then those