I frowned as I felt sand trickle down from my jeans to hit my feet. “Sand really does get everywhere.” I smacked at the legs. “I like being on the road. I haven’t stayed anywhere more than a week.”
She picked up my shoes and turned them upside down. I couldn’t see the sand dump out of them in the dark, but I was sure there was plenty. “Where all have you been?” she asked.
“I zigzagged pretty good,” I said. “Nashville, Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas, Austin, Phoenix, Vegas.”
“You started in Tennessee, then?” she asked.
I jerked on my socks, trying to ignore the grit. “Yeah, I’m from Chattanooga.”
“People are actually from Chattanooga?”
“A fair number of people call it home,” I said. “Tennessee River runs right through it. There’s a big ol’ park smack in the center.”
“LA must seem like a dirty maze in comparison.”
“Not from what I’ve seen,” I told her as I shoved on my shoes. “But we came in early evening and went straight to those swanky mansions.”
“Not all of LA is like that, of course,” she said, bending down to feel along the ground.
“I know. There’s some poor parts.” I watched her fumble around. “Did you drop an earring or something?”
She stood up. “No, just don’t really want to leave anything behind.”
I realized she meant the condom and smiled in the dark. “I can stick it in my pocket.”
“There’s a trash can out there. Gotta be responsible, you know, since I’m such a law-abiding citizen.” She took my hand, and just like that, the awkwardness was gone again and it was like we’d known each other a long time.
We tramped through the sand to one of the cans. The temperature had dropped again, so I pulled her close. The limo waited in the parking lot.
“You like the beach?” she asked casually, and the question was so simple, almost silly, that I stopped and swept her up again against my chest.
She smacked my shoulder. “You’re always carrying me.”
“You’re easy to lug around.”
Jenny laid her head on my shoulder. “I don’t normally seduce strangers on public beaches,” she said.
I kissed the top of her head. “It was definitely one hell of an introduction to the West Coast.”
“I guess we have to get back to reality,” she said.
I started walking toward the limo. “Yeah, I can’t lose my gear. I carry my life on my back.”
The driver appeared and opened the door to the limo. “Sorry about the sand,” Jenny said.
“Not a problem,” he said to her.
We ducked inside, and he closed the door.
“Uggh, we’re bringing half the beach in with us,” she said.
The black carpet was strewn with sand. Every movement sent another cascade down.
We settled back on the seat. I let my thoughts drift back to the rocks, and Jenny, her responses to me. I’d had a lot of solitary encounters, but they were usually unremarkable. Just bodies and actions. No real connection. Not like this.
I drew her close. I actually felt some regret that we’d met this way, gone this direction. I would have liked to have gotten to know her. But I had a feeling her life was complicated. There was this limo that wasn’t hers. And the party where she didn’t belong. And that man putting his arm around her.
“You going home after this?” I asked her.
“Yeah, it’s about a two-hour drive. I’ll probably sleep,” she said. “You going to play with that band more?”
“You mean tonight?”
“I mean other gigs.”
“Beats me.” And I didn’t know. Even if they asked me to, I’d be reluctant. “I’m not really one for getting tied down.”
She stiffened, and I realized what that sounded like. But I didn’t correct it. It was true either way. I needed to roam.
But LA was the final destination, my conscience reminded me.
Still, I had no plans to stay anywhere, as long as I could keep supporting myself with song. I didn’t know if LA would suit me.
Although, if it meant I could see Jenny again…
Maybe.
Chapter 13: Jenny
So this Chance guy wasn’t into relationships. Check.
He was hot as hell. Check.
He was seriously gifted in bed. (Okay, on the beach.) Check.
And as a bonus, a singer.
Perfect. Bloody. Fit.
I hated that I wanted him. I mean, just thinking it meant I wanted a relationship. Which I never did. The only time I’d ever committed to a man for more than five minutes was with Frankie, and that was under contract. For money. And perks. And no sex.
I couldn’t believe my brain was working this way.
Time to apply the brakes.
“Well, I live in San Diego,” I said. “I’m not even going to be in LA while you’re here.”
His thumb, which had been rubbing my bare arm, went still. “It was a fun night anyway,” he said.
“Since we’re never going to see each other again,” I said, “and I don’t even know your last name, tell me something.” I was feeling sort of bold now, and pulled away to face him.