Thane's Redemption Read online

  Celine took a long sip from her martini glass. Twenty-six, yep—she’d celebrated her birthday last month. Sexy—with Lauren and Ari’s help, she had to admit she looked damn good. Single—not the best word to describe her more complicated status. No, she wasn’t a grieving widow, but after almost a year, she was still a brokenhearted fiancée.

  Relationships weren’t unthinkable, and she’d tried getting back out there a few times, but her hang-ups weren’t the problem. Once she told her story, most guys never made it past the obligatory, “I’m sorry.” The rest elevated her to untouchable sainthood or smothered her with pity. Or worse, they thought she’d sleep with any man who showed up in exchange for drying her tears. She set her drink down. “Not interested.”

  “Talk to him,” Lauren insisted. “We can squeeze in another chair.”

  “I don’t want to talk to him.” She’d let them drag her out of her apartment. What else did they want?

  “Come on. It’s not a date.” Lauren looked toward the bar and smiled. “Besides, he’s cute and—”

  “Damn it, Lauren. I said no.” Moisture welled in Celine’s eyes. Would the tears ever stop? “I’m a grown-ass woman. I don’t need your help.” She bumped her glass, and a splash of mangotini landed on her lap. “Shit.” She rolled the chair back and grabbed the least soggy napkin on the table. As she dabbed at the dress, Celine avoided her friends’ open-mouthed stares and stood. “I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

  “Wait, I have wet wipes.” Ari searched through her purse. “I’ll go with you.”

  “No!”

  Ari recoiled.

  Working up a smile to soften the blow, Celine took the small packet from her friend. “Thanks. I’m okay. I’ll be right back.”

  Refusing to look at the people around them, she left the table and followed the signs down a corridor to the ladies room. Not interested in chitchat or commiseration, she walked past them to the adjoining hallway and leaned back against the wall. As she rubbed away the stain, indignation cooled to regret. Being a bitch to your friends won’t make it better.

  If they only understood.

  The one-year mark of losing Dominic didn’t earn a gold medal at the finish line on the race to normal. Losing the future she’d looked forward to with him haunted her every day. Swells of hurt and loss filled her chest. At times like this, he’d have been her sounding board. After talking to him, she’d always known what to do.

  He’d always told her, Trust your instincts. You know what you want. She wanted normal, but if it meant having what she loved snatched away again, she wasn’t in a rush to get there.

  Celine tossed the towelette and empty packet into the trash. She wouldn’t think about him, not here, not now. She needed to apologize. Ari and Lauren only wanted to help. Talking to the guy Lauren had pointed out would smooth things over. So much for leaving in two hours. She closed her eyes and slumped against the cool wall. It was going to be a long night. She drew in a deep breath, and warm scents of citrus and amber consumed the odors of fried food, beer, and alcohol. The source of the wonderful scent stood an arm’s length away wearing a pair of silver-tipped black boots.

  Dark jeans encased his long, muscular-looking legs. A black T-shirt hugged his lean waist and stretched across his broad shoulders. His mesmerizing golden-brown eyes projected intensity, calm, and something unexplainably beautiful.

  Mr. Hot-Ass-Scorching-Twelve stepped to the boundary of her personal space, and her heart kicked in an extra beat. His gaze never left hers as his lips tipped slowly into a smile. “You do realize you’re missing the show.”

  Chapter 3

  The band started the second song in their set, but Thane, no longer in a hurry, moved closer to the dark haired woman.

  Her dress enhanced the curves and taut lines of her sex-on-heels body. Her full, red lips stirred up images of all the wonderful ways she could use them…or prompt him to walk away. Most groupies led with a generous offer of alleviating his tension in the dressing room. In his twenties, he would have indulged in the opportunity. Now in his thirties, with Dalir occasionally claiming residence in his headspace, he’d become more discerning about his needs.

  She gave him an up-and-down look. “You should be on stage.”

  Not a groupie looking for a thrill. Interesting, but she wasn’t a diehard fan, either. No way in hell would he have missed her in the audience. Intrigued, he crossed his arms and rested his shoulder next to her against the wall. “The band always starts the show without me. I need time to clear my head, but tonight I’m distracted.”

  “Why?” She settled back as if she had no other place to go.

  “I don’t know your name.”

  “Celine, and you are?”

  She obviously knew his name. Why play games?

  “Yeah, I know who you are”—she shrugged—”but an introduction is the proper way to get to know someone.”

  He held out his hand. “Thane.” Her smooth, delicate palm connected with his. “So, Celine, how else do I get to know you properly?”

  A shadow passed over her face as though a memory, capable of sucking the joy out of a simple conversation, hijacked her thoughts. She eased her hand from his. “You should go.”

  “Am I so bad you have to get rid of me?”

  Some of the guardedness faded from her eyes, and they warmed to the color of his favorite blended whiskey. “I’m not trying to get rid of you.” She glanced at the line in front of the ladies’ room. “But the looks I’m getting are pretty vicious.”

  He moved in front of her and braced his hand on the wall near her head. “Better?”

  A smile tugged at her lips. “A little.”

  “But?”

  “It still doesn’t solve my problem.”

  The band played the opening to a popular song and applause erupted in the lounge. His cue. One more to go until they needed him on stage, but they’d have to wait. Only a heartless bastard could walk away from a woman with sadness in her eyes.

  Her boyfriend needed his ass kicked. You didn’t leave a woman like her alone. You danced every slow song and held her close. You stole opportunities for deep, long kisses. When you went home, you pleased her in all the ways and positions that made her call out your name. If they were together, he’d make sure she knew she was his. Something he’d learned the hard way when he’d lost Leslie. He’d missed his chance to let her know how much she’d meant to him. Now, only just-sex encounters existed in his future. The cost they all paid to stop assholes from taking over the world.

  Fuck. They needed a new mission. It was the only thing capable of lessening the sting of the past or erasing what they dealt with in the future. Like what had happened a month ago with the scientist.

  He and the team accepted the possibility of taking a bullet to save a life. Watching Jerrold Fineway off himself and explaining it to his daughter was some straight-up raw shit he didn’t care to repeat. He’d wished by some miracle Fineway’s daughter would remember what he’d said about her father’s sacrifice. It was one of the few times he’d regretted jumping time forced people to forget.

  “Hey, are you all right?” Celine frowned up at him.

  A just-sex encounter with her would keep his head straight for the night. “Yeah, I’m fine. You know, I’m good at solving problems. Let me help.”

  “It’s not so easy.” A hint of playfulness lit up her eyes. “You have to leave, and I have to get in line and face those women.”

  “Is that the only reason?”

  Her smile dimmed.

  “Guy problems?”

  “No, I told one of my girlfriends off.”

  “Did she deserve it?”

  “Maybe, but I’m still embarrassed.”

  “That’s your big problem?” He chuckled. “Trust me, sweetheart. It’s an easy fix.”

  “Oh, really. How?” She braced her hand on his chest and shifted from one stiletto to the next.

  Warmth from her palm seeped through his shirt, and his heart
thumped harder. Thane’s cock swelled, and he adjusted his stance. They’d fit well together, skin-to-skin, her beautiful legs wrapped around him, holding on for the ride. “First, you let me kiss you.” He lifted her chin and stroked his thumb over her cheek. “And then we’ll walk out there and give everyone something new to wonder about.”

  * * * *

  “I don’t know you well enough for a kiss.”

  Thane’s knowing smile echoed her thought. What a lame excuse. Especially since she battled images of swirling her tongue in his kissable mouth.

  He leaned near her ear, and the enticing scent of his cologne surrounded her. “Haven’t you ever done something for the hell of it?”

  Celine rested both hands on his chest. “Too many times, and I’ve learned the hard way it’s a bad idea.”

  “What can I do to convince you?”

  Those damned eyes of his. Why couldn’t she look away? Warning bells sounded. A mangotini loaded with too much alcohol. Stress because of Lauren. A way to blow off her mad. Temptation less than an inch away, she could blame it on a few things. Or she could simply go with the truth. She wanted the kiss his eyes promised—something dangerous and wonderful. Her fingers curled reflexively into his shirt. “I don’t need convincing.” She closed the distance.

  Appreciation rumbled from Thane as his tongue drifted over the seam of her mouth. Opening to him, she reveled in a kiss flavored with a hint of whiskey, sweet mint, and unmistakable desire.

  Moving closer, he cupped her ass, and his erection nudged her lower belly. She lost herself in pure want. She wanted his caresses. His length deep inside of her. His lips thawing away the icy chill of loneliness. She pressed against him, rewarded and tortured by the hard ridge straining his jeans.

  Thane released a groan and lifted his head. She loosened her grip, dazed by how fast attraction had turned to lust.

  “I have to get out there by the next song. You can freshen up in the dressing room.” He led her to a door near the end of the hallway. His gaze mirrored the raw, heated images invading her mind. “Bathroom is on the left. I’ll wait here.”

  The door shut and her reflection smacked her into reality. She looked more than ready to enjoy a quick, hard fuck on any firm, workable surface that could hold them.

  Celine shook her head at her reflection. She hadn’t been this attracted to anyone since Dominic, but sex and honesty went hand in hand. She wouldn’t lie about the reason for her year of celibacy, and pity from Thane would crush her. Better to end it now before she got hurt. She walked back out and gathered courage with a few cleansing breaths. “Thane, I—”

  As he turned the lock with his key, he kept her between him and the door. His chest brushed against her nipples, and she stifled a needy moan.

  “Where are you sitting?”

  She sorted it out in her mind. “On the right near the stage.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Flutters swirled in her stomach as she hurried down the main corridor with him. No way was she escaping now.

  He drew her close, and a weightless feeling, as if she sped down the hill of a giant roller coaster, rushed through her. Surprised, she stumbled into his chest.

  “You’re all right. I’ve got you.” He kissed her temple.

  She caught her breath as the light golden haze clouding her vision cleared. Moving out of his embrace, she stared at the main floor of the lounge. Either she’d lost her tolerance for the good stuff, or the bartenders were generous with the rum. How had they gotten there so fast? Why didn’t she remember walking past those women in the hallway?

  He squeezed her hand. “The song’s about to end. Come on.”

  Channeling Lauren, she held her head high and kept her eyes trained on his back. As they moved closer to the stage, the keyboardist signaled the band. The tempo picked up. Sound vibrated over her skin, and her heartbeat matched the timing of the music.

  Lauren spotted them and nudged Ari. The dark haired woman did a double take and her mouth fell open.

  After what felt like the longest walk of her life, they reached the table. Celine sat down, and Thane stole a kiss.

  As he moved away, he gave her a wink and panty-dropping smile. “Enjoy the show.”

  Thankfully, somebody had ordered her another mangotini. Celine sipped and acknowledged Lauren and Ari’s questioning looks with a shrug. Good thing the loud music kept them from asking questions. She couldn’t explain what had happened if she tried.

  Thane jumped on stage and grabbed a microphone. He blended into a song driven by the keyboards and a fierce drumbeat. By the end of the song, worries about what their encounter did or didn’t mean slipped into the music. The eye candy on stage and the raw, lyrical power of his voice pulled her into the moment. Letting go of her inhibitions, she cheered and chair danced with her friends to the rock and blues-inspired tracks.

  An hour into the set, he conferred with the band, and the bassist handed him an acoustic guitar. He put a stool center stage behind one of the microphones and sat down. “What I’m going to perform now is a song I wrote a few months ago. No one’s heard it yet, but because you’re such a special audience, I’d like to play it for you.” His gaze found hers. “I hope you like it.”

  He strummed the first chords, and the flamenco, rumba-styled rhythm brought up images of slow breezes and sultry nights. His voice flowed smoothly into the melody, and her heart squeezed.

  Stay with me…lay your troubles down…let me set you free…

  His singing inspired an erotic fantasy of her legs intertwined with his. Of gliding her hands over the hard ripples and valleys of muscle she’d felt holding onto him. Of her kissing him, and Thane devouring those kisses right back. The invisible touch of his words whispered over her skin. Every pulse beat, including the one between her thighs, magnified. She shifted in her seat, trying to quiet the steady throb as liquid heat spread low in her middle.

  Ari playfully shoved her arm.

  With a backdrop of thundering applause, she met Thane’s gaze. His desire matched her own. The band started to play another song, and he looked away. She exhaled a shaky breath and downed the rest of her drink.

  A server stopped by their table and placed an envelope next to her arm. “Lucky girl, these are for you.”

  * * * *

  Celine rushed out of the club into the parking lot.

  “You can’t be serious.” Ari followed at a jog-walk pace. “Do you know how many people would die to get passes to the after-party? And how can you not accept his invitation after he serenaded you?”

  “Because it’s not what you think.” Celine walked faster. Think. That was the joke of the night. After hearing him sing, all she could think about was Thane naked. They reached the car, but Lauren was nowhere in sight. “Where is she?”

  “She’s still inside.”

  Celine opened her clutch and took out her phone.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m sending her a text.” At least she would if she could tap the right buttons. “It’s late. I want to go home.”

  “Come on, CeCe. We haven’t been to an after-party since the concert in Savannah. It was fun.”

  “Oh yeah, we had lots of fun. The drummer you hooked up with lied about having a girlfriend. When she found you two in the kitchen, we got kicked out.”

  “It was fun up until then.” Ari waved away the rest of the argument. “But we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about what’s going on between you and Thane. I don’t know what the two of you did before you came back to the table, but there was some heat involved.”

  “And?”

  “Really? You’re going to deny it?” Ari gave her an exasperated look.” You’d have to be blind not to connect the dots, but fine, if you’re not interested in him, no problem. Just go to the party. Tell him thanks for the passes, and in a couple of hours, we’ll all go home.”

  “I can’t wait a couple of hours.”

  “Why?”

  If she didn’t g
o home, she’d delude herself into believing him. Lay her troubles down, yeah right. She’d gone through this already. Once she unpacked her emotional baggage, he’d sing another tune. She’d end up hating herself for being naive enough to think he could handle it.

  “Oh, come on.” Ari stamped her foot. “Don’t make me beg. Do it for me, and what about her?” She pointed to the side entrance where Lauren stood talking to Reid, the dark haired, clean-cut keyboardist. “She’s in full flirt mode, and you owe her an apology, big-time, for what you threw out earlier.”

  “I owe her an apology? What about me? She wouldn’t shut up.” Because of Lauren, she’d met Thane. Now she was obsessed with getting her hands on every lean, muscled ounce of him.

  Ari chuckled. “Okay, let me refresh your memory. We cut her a break because she’s a big mess of daddy issues, and she doesn’t always filter what she says through her brain. On the other hand, she’d gladly give you the Blahniks straight off her feet, without question.”

  Celine searched the sky for a reprieve, but truth beamed as brightly as the moon. She loved Ari and Lauren despite their pain in the ass tendencies. They’d celebrated every important event in her life since college and held her up when Dominic died. For the past few months, she’d made every excuse not to go out with them. They still looked out for her. How could she not get them into the after-party? How could she not want more with Thane? What if she couldn’t say no to him?

  “Why don’t the two of you go instead?” She reached into her clutch for the passes. “You can drop me off on the way.”

  Ari arched her brow. “Does Reid look like the type who’d leave Thane hanging while he’s having fun with Lauren? You know how the whole loyalty thing works. If you don’t go, Lauren’s night with him is over. You have to come with us.”

  Lauren and Reid’s laughter drifted across the parking lot. Celine shoved the passes back into her clutch. “Okay, I’ll go, but I’m leaving in an hour. If you’re not ready by then, I’m taking a cab home.”