Donna Hill - Surrender To Me

“Absolutely not,” Kerry answered for them both. She stuck a twenty under the bowl of nuts to cover both their drinks, then slid down off her bar stool.

Avery wanted to elbow Kerry but restrained herself. “Thanks. They didn’t say how long the wait for a table would be.”

“My pleasure.” He placed his hand on her lower back as she got off the stool.

“Right this way.”

Avery used all of her concentration to put one foot in front of the other to avoid succumbing to the heat of his large hand right above the rise of her rear.

“It’s the one in the center, up front,” he said close to her ear and she knew it was that thing he did to get close to her and it worked—again.

They stopped at the table and Rafe helped them both into their seats. “Can I get you ladies anything?”

“We’re good for now,” Avery said, and held up her half-finished drink.

Rafe nodded. “Totally understand. But when you get hungry they have a great menu and it’s on the house.”

“Oh, you don’t have to−”

Kerry cut her off. “Thank you. That’s very generous.”

Rafe took a step back. “Enjoy your evening, ladies. See you later?” he stated to Avery in a mouthed whisper.

Avery didn’t respond as she watched him stroll away.

“Oh. My. God,” Kerry whispered and fanned herself with the menu. She leaned forward and stared Avery in the eyes. “Listen here, girl, if you don’t know what you want to do with all that—I’ll handle it for you.”

“He...is...something,” she admitted.

“That’s putting it mildly and he is so charming.”

They laughed and for a moment Avery allowed herself to imagine “what if.”

Kerry raised her glass and shifted Avery’s focus.

“What are we toasting?” Avery asked.

“To possibility.” She grinned.

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.