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Dylan was in the middle of a solo and Hollis couldn’t take her eyes off him. Those long fingers flew over the keys and she couldn’t help but remember how those same fingers had touched her. Brought her so much pleasure.
A moment later, she recognized the drummer. Chase lifted a drumstick and saluted her with it. Hollis gave him a little wave back and stepped closer, drawn to the swinging music and Dylan’s expert playing.
With a final flourish, Dylan wrapped it up and the rest of the band came in with a rhythm that had everyone’s toes tapping. The moment the song ended, the room erupted in applause.
Hollis clapped, unable to resist the crowd’s infectious enthusiasm. As she neared the edge of the stage, Dylan looked up.
Their gazes locked.
Then, he slipped off the piano bench as someone else took over and a new song started.
Dylan stepped off the stage and sidled up to Hollis, gaze searching hers.
“A one-way ticket?” Hollis asked, brow raised. “That was presumptuous.”
For a moment, he said nothing. Only smiled that crooked, charming smile of his. Then, he reached down and fished out the necklace that hung around her neck. He wrapped his fingers around his gold coin from the Whyda pirate ship.
“Was it?” he asked. Hollis only smiled. “I thought a shark ate this.”
“He tried,” Hollis said. “I thought you might want it back.”
“Thanks. I kinda like it on you, though.” He set the necklace back against her chest, his fingers lingering. “I missed you, Hollis.”
“I heard.”
Dylan placed his hand alongside her face then leaned down and kissed her. Thoroughly. God, she tasted good. He had missed her so much that he’d almost gone back to Florida a hundred different times in the last couple of months. Because being away from Hollis had left a hole in his heart.
When they finally moved apart, Hollis gestured to the room. “Congratulations, you did it,” she said.
“Thanks. Kinda felt like something was missing, though. Until now.”
For a moment, they just stood there in the corner, arms wrapped around each other. Then, Hollis leaned her forehead against his chest. “They took back salvage rights,” she said.
“Aw, shit, I’m sorry.” Dylan tightened his arms around her.
She lifted her head and looked up into his dark eyes. “It’s okay. We found the 13th ship. That’s pretty amazing. And, I made sure everything is going to be displayed in a museum.”
“Good girl,” he said and kissed her forehead. “Lucky for us, we found those coins.”
“I honestly forgot until you left half on my kitchen table.”
“Good thing I checked to see how much they were worth before just handing them over to Florida.” He eyed her closely. “You’re not mad, are you?”
“I paid the investors back.”
“I had no doubts.” Dylan lifted her hand and kissed its back. “C’mon.” He guided her over to a set of stairs. She followed him up to his private quarters where there was a studio apartment with a small kitchen.
“It’s not much, but we like it,” he said. When Fisher saw Hollis, he popped up off his bed and came over to greet her.
“Hi, Fish,” she said and petted him.
Even though Dylan shut the door, the jazz music from below still echoed up and through the space. He liked it that way, always being able to feel the music whether he was down on the floor or up in his room.
“It’s nice,” Hollis said and turned toward him, brown eyes shining. If he didn’t take her in his arms and kiss her in the next three seconds, she felt like she would die.
As if he could read her thoughts, Dylan closed the space between them in two long strides and slanted his head down to capture her mouth in a fierce kiss. God, he’d missed her. The feel and taste of her. The way she filled his senses and made him a little crazy with want.
Hollis stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him back hard. They had been apart for too long and now desire took hold and they wasted no time getting reacquainted with each other’s bodies. Their tongues twined and nothing about the kiss was sweet or gentle. It had a desperate edge to it and they devoured each other.
