Music of the Heart (Runaway Train, #1)(61)

He waggled his eyebrows at me. “I just don’t want to wait that long to come!”

“Goodnight, Jake,” I huffed.

“Goodnight, Angel. Sweet dreams about me.”

I glanced back at him over my shoulder and grinned. “And sweet, G-rated dreams about me for you.”

He groaned. “You’re killing me.”

With a laugh, I let the door close behind me.

***





Regardless of how much I wanted to sleep in the following morning, I was dressed and downstairs at eight am sharp for the car to take Abby and me to the recording studio. As she hopped in the backseat, I didn’t miss the yawn that stretched across Abby’s face. “Sleepy?” I asked as I shut the door behind us.

“A little,” she replied with a grin. She then scooted across the leather seats to snuggle against me. “Last night was so amazing, Jake.”

I chuckled. “I’m glad you think so.”

Her brows shot up in surprise. “Don’t you agree?”

Bringing my lips to hers, I devoured her mouth in a hungry kiss. I thrust my tongue against hers, seeking her taste and her warmth. I snaked an arm around her waist and tugged her onto my lap. After several long, delicious minutes passed, she moaned into my mouth before pulling away. “I seem to remember there’s someone driving this car,” she whispered.

I grinned. “Are you embarrassed or are you afraid he’s gonna get off on me making out with my girl?”

She lowered her eyes and then bobbed her head. “A little of both.”

“Angel, you’re going to have to get used to me wanting my hands and lips on you. It’s hard for me to hold back, and frankly, I don’t give a shit who sees or what they think.”

A shy smile formed on her lips that were swollen from my earlier assault. “Can we at least take baby steps to the whole mauling me in public?”

I threw my head back and laughed. “Sure we can.” I rubbed my thumb along her cheekbone. “I never, ever want to do something that makes you uncomfortable. So, I’ll try toning it down.”

“Mmm, my hero,” she murmured before kissing me again. We were just about to get hot and heavy again when the car pulled to a stop in front of the studio.

“Ready to go make some music together?” I asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”

I laughed. “You’ll be fine.”

After I helped Abby out of the car, we headed inside. Pinpoint Productions was a smaller studio than what the guys and I usually recorded in, but it was the intimacy about the place and the production team that I loved. Gio, the head producer, came out of his office and shook my hand. “Good to see you, Jake.”

“Good to see you too. This is Abby Renard. She’s the one singing the duet with me.”

“Nice meeting you,” Gio said.

Abby smiled. “Nice to meet you too.”

“We’re thrilled and honored that you wanted to cut you first duet with us. That was some amazing music you and the guys laid down yesterday for the track.”

“Thanks, man.”

Gio glanced between us. “So who wants to go first?”

I chuckled. “I would say for Abby to go ahead and get it out of the way since she’s so nervous, but I guess I better.”

Abby furiously nodded her head. “Yes, you first.”

I took her hand and gave a reassuring squeeze as Gio led the way back into the recording and sound booth. “You can sit right here.” I motioned to a chair at the soundboard.

“Thanks,” she murmured as she eased down. I could tell from her wide eyes she was taking in every aspect and detail around her. I went inside the recording booth and shut the door. After I put on my headset, I waved at Abby. She grinned and waved back. Although the lyric sheet was laid out before me, I didn’t need it. The lyrics were emblazoned on my mind.

Gio’s voice came through my headset. “Okay Jake, let’s try Take One.”

“Sounds good.”

The opening guitar melody played out in my ears, and I began singing. I closed my eyes and focused on the emotions of the lyrics. When I finished, I opened my eyes to see Abby wiping the tears from her eyes. “Good, huh?” I joked.

She nodded while Gio gave a thumbs up. His voice rang in my ear again. “That was kickass, Jake. You’re good, but you’re never one-take good. Let’s try it again.”

I laughed. “No problem, man.”

We did about ten more takes to me sure that we had it just like we wanted. When I was finished, I exited the booth and went to Abby’s waiting arms. “That was fantastic!” she exclaimed.

“Thanks, Angel. I’m sure yours will be too.”

“Ugh, I doubt that,” she moaned.

“Come on. Go in there and kick some ass, okay?” At her skeptical expression, I added, “I’ll be right out here, okay?”

She gave a brief nod of her head before she stepped into the booth and shut the door behind her. I watched as she reached for the headset next to the microphone. With shaky hands, she put it on. Through the glass, I gave her a reassuring smile and a thumbs up. She bobbed her head before lowering her gaze to the lyric sheet. “Okay, Abby, let’s go for Take One,” Gio instructed.