Rock with Me (With Me in Seattle, #4)(75)

“I’ve heard she’s slowed down since she had a kid.” I sing along with the radio. This song is currently one of my favorites. You’ve got to get up and try…

“I think that’s true, but I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“Where is this house we’re going to see?” I ask and examine our surroundings. “We’re in the middle of nowhere.”

“Be patient.” He laughs.

“I’m not patient. Have you not learned this by now?”

“That blue scarf looks beautiful on you.” He grins over at me, changing the subject. “Makes your eyes look even bluer.”

“You’re a charmer.” I wave him off and scowl at all the trees along the road. “And you’re going to be a single charmer if you buy a house I can’t find.”


He laughs and shakes his head at me, and I stop trying to figure out where we’re going and sit back to look at him. He’s in his black leather jacket today with his trademark faded blue jeans. No beanie, which I prefer, so I run my fingers through his hair again and sigh contentedly.

He keeps checking his watch as he continues to drive.

“Are we going to be late?”

He just shakes his head and grips the wheel a little tighter.

Why is he nervous?

“I think this is it,” he murmurs and pulls up to a cliff area that looks out over the Sound. I didn’t even realize we were this close to the water. There is a grassy bluff to my right with trees behind it. The view is spectacular.

But there is no house.

I frown over at Leo, but he’s already climbed out of the car and opens my door for me.

“Uh, Leo, there’s no house here.”

“Give me a minute.”

After he’s pulled me away from the car, he leans into the open passenger door and cranks the volume of the radio up so high that I’m pretty sure my brother over in Alki can hear it.

He checks his watch again, nods and pins me in his gaze.

“What are you doing?” I ask and laugh. “This is not like you.”

“Listen,” he murmurs.

The song on the radio ends and the DJ comes on.

“Hey there, Seattle, that was Life After You by Daughtry here on KLPR, Seattle’s best rock radio station. I have a special treat for our listeners. I got a call from Seattle’s own Leo Nash of the mega band, Nash, yesterday asking me to play their newest single from their upcoming album, Sunshine. The album doesn’t release for another month, but we have a sneak peak of the title track for you today. Leo tells me this song is dedicated to someone special. I hope you enjoy it.”

“Are you kidding me?” I ask, my eyes wide. Leo’s smiling softly and he grips the ends of my scarf in his fists and pulls me against him.

“Dance with me.”

He wraps me in his arms and as the piano begins, he moves us back and forth along the cliff, the wind blowing through our hair and stinging my cheeks. He pulls back briefly, so I can slip my arms under his jacket, and tightens his arms around me again, holding me close, looking down into my eyes.



I don’t wanna be your friend

‘Cause I’ve already let you in

Every time I see your sweet blue eyes

I know I need to make you mine

My walls crumble… and crumble

So all you see is the real me



When you smile

Your sunshine hits me

And the shadows in my soul

They are gone



He softly sings along, his eyes dropping to my lips and then back to mine. He kisses my forehead softly.

“I love this song,” I whisper.

“I love you,” he whispers back, bends me back into a deep dip, and then circles me more vigorously around the car. The song is swirling around us, the rest of the world has stilled, and it even seems like the crashing waves beneath the cliff have quieted.



Oh how many times

Did I stare at your lips

Wishing I could feel

Them on me

When you’re so close

Baby, I forget how to breathe



When you smile

Your sunshine hits me

And the shadows in my soul

They are gone



When I run my hand

Over your perfect skin

I know you see me

And not what I’m covered in

My walls crumble… And crumble

So all you see is the me I need you to see



I can’t look away from his eyes. This is how he sees me. What did I do to deserve him?

He cups my face in his hands and brushes my lips with his, gently nibbling and caressing my mouth, and then sinks into me, kissing me with all he has as our song comes to an end.

He pulls back, his stormy gray eyes happy and shining with lust, kisses my cheek and then releases me to lean in the car and turn the radio off.

When he turns back to me, his face is uncertain.

“When did you record the song?” I ask, a little out of breath.

“Last week.” He shrugs and pulls me back into him, my arms under his jacket again to keep me warm. “DJ and Gary came up from L.A. and we spent some time in the studio.”

“Was that your mysterious errand?” I ask and give him a mock-frown.