4. Lennox

CHAPTER 4

LENNOX

I 'm used to being the center of attention, commanding a crowd with my melodies and lyrics, sending fans into a frenzy with my every move on stage. But right now, my audience consists of one sexy redhead, and I'm not so sure I'm the master of my own destiny anymore.

The blizzard rages outside, forming an impenetrable white fortress around us. But I find myself caught in a different kind of storm—one of emotion and desire that swirls wildly within the confines of this cabin. The roaring flames in the fireplace have nothing on the ones Hallie ignites in my heart and… elsewhere . Every moment with her is like a sudden blast of heat in this frozen prison.

I wanted to kiss her after I had finished playing, but I didn’t want her to think my feelings toward her were coming from her positive reaction to my music.

Don’t get me wrong: it’s nice. Really nice to know she gets my music. But for her to think that was the sole reason for wanting her? No. That makes me look like a shallow asshole.

And while I can be an asshole, what I’m feeling for her is anything but shallow.

She watches me tinker around on the guitar, her curious crystal-clear green eyes following my fingers.

“Come here,” I say, my voice coming out rougher than I expected. “Have a seat.”

I get up and have her sit on the table. I position the guitar in front of her while I get behind, so I can reach around and guide her hands.

She smells like Heaven, sweet and fresh, and being this close to her delectable neck and ear might be a mistake.

My calloused fingers entwine with hers and show her how to hold the instrument properly. Her soft skin against mine sends tendrils of awareness through my body, so unlike the numbness I've felt for years.

“Let it speak through you,” I murmur, placing her hands to make the basic chords.

As I demonstrate, my fingers linger on the frets, and my voice rumbles deep in my chest as I hum a simple melody. She leans her head back to eye me from the side, her scrutiny both unnerving and arousing.

“Like this?” she asks, her voice breathless as she mimics my actions. But instead of the chord I taught her, her finger slips and a random bum note comes out that makes me wince despite myself.

“Uhh…almost,” I say, and she giggles.

I guide her fingers back to the correct positions, hyper aware of every point of contact, the way her breath quickens, and the heat that sears my skin. My cock stirs to life.

“There,” I whisper, my breath right in her ear. “Try again with less force.”

This time the chord is flawless, and as she strums it, I lean in, playing a second melody around her. My lips ghost over her earlobe, whispering words that suddenly begin to come to me along with the tune. I feel her tremble, and my self-control begins to slip.

“I’ve never been very good at playing an instrument,” she whispers. “But I'm beginning to learn that it's not just about the technical stuff, is it? It's about passion, right?”

“Yes. Passion and soul,” I reply, my voice gravelly. “Those are the ingredients for a hit song.”

She nods, then tilts her head so that her hair is tickling my face. “What was your inspiration, Lennox? What got you writing music in the first place?”

The question catches me off-guard. I stiffen, my fingers pausing on the guitar strings. “I—it was a mix of things,” I hedge.

“You don’t have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable,” she says, clearly feeling me tense up.

What am I trying to hide? I take a deep breath. “Music is about expressing something, about tapping into what you feel and translating that into words and melodies,” I confess. “For me, in the end it was about channeling my demons, my pain, and my anger. But in the beginning, I was inspired by the good times, love, and hope. It was a release.”

“What about now?” she probes gently. “What's stopping you?”

I sigh, the weight of my struggles pressing down on me. “I dunno. It's like something is missing. I can't seem to tap into that place anymore…” I trail off, afraid to admit the truth.

Hallie squeezes my hand. Her gentle warmth seeps into me, offering comfort I hadn't realized I needed. “You're human, Lennox. Humans struggle. But you've got something special in you. It just needs a nudge…maybe more time.”

“Time is the one thing I don’t have,” I say. “Deadline, remember?”

“I have faith in you,” she whispers.

Doubts continue to cloud my mind, casting a pall over the glimmers of hope Hallie has ignited. What if this connection I’m feeling with her is the catalyst and inspiration I need to reclaim my former glory? Or is it all a cruel trick of the heart, a fleeting sensation born of our forced proximity?

Why can’t I just have faith in myself?

I rest my cheek against her hair, inhaling her scent. Then I’m rubbing against the silky strands with my brow. My nose. My cheek.

Suddenly my lips press against the back of her neck, just under her ear.

Her entire body shudders, and her breath catches as she leans into my touch, her body sending a clear signal that I can't ignore. Don’t want to ignore. I set the guitar down on the table and pull her hair away from her neck, trailing desperate kisses behind her ear.

“Are you okay with this?” I whisper, nuzzling her ear. “Because I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff, about to leap into the unknown.”

“How about we jump together,” she breathes back.

With that I groan, softly biting at her.

She moans loudly in response and her hands find my thighs behind her, clawing frantically at them in my sweats.

“ Fuck, baby ,” I mutter against her skin. I don’t want to break away from her, but I have to so I can stand and turn her around. Then I pull her back into my arms.

I capture her lips in a fierce kiss, pouring all my niggling doubts, lingering fears, and surging hope into that single moment of connection. Her lips are warm and soft beneath mine, responding with a fiery need that matches my own.

She melts into the kiss, her hands spearing through my hair, her body pressed tight against mine. Our tongues explore and dance, as the heat between us threatens to consume us both. When we finally break apart, both of us are breathless.

“I need you now, Hallie,” I say, between pants.

She nods and I dip down to lift her up and over my shoulder.

Then I carry her up the stairs to my bedroom.