The next few weeks were a whirlwind of work. Harvest was always a busy time in the orchard. We had a lot of seasonal help that came in just to help with the orchard itself. Hayes had been brewing his moonshine every spare moment to see if he could drum up some interest with the influx of people coming for the small festival.

Well, not so small.

Ian had been working incessantly to help build the small stage outside the distillery. Which meant people were forever coming and going from the barn. Everyone wanted to stop by and chat, so of course I got almost no work done until the wee hours of the morning and then the hammering started at five in the damn morning because that was when the sun freaking came up.

Needless to say, I was a little grouchy.

Ian?

Nope. He was the eternal spinning top of happiness because he was in the thick of it all.

I was also grouchy because I couldn’t get a moment alone with him. We were finally back together and he was forever being pulled away.

“Magic?”

“Zoe isn’t here right now,” I called from the loft.

He came up the ladder, his wild curls tipping over the top first. “Come down and see the band.”

I flopped onto my back. “You go.”

“No, come on.” He crawled onto the mattress, his cross dangling down like a little pendulum as he caged me in with his knees. “We’re setting up for the show at sunset. Beckett even procured fireworks.”

“Oh, that’s good. It’s super dry and he’s going to shoot off fireworks?”

He frowned down at me and pulled me up by my arms. “Why so grouchy?”

I turned my face away from his incoming lips.

“Wow, super grouchy.”

“Just tired. I don’t know why you have so much energy. You’ve been running around like the Energizer Bunny for days.”

He crashed onto the mattress next to me. “Haven’t heard back from Martha, huh?”

I curled onto my side and settled my nose into his chest, my phone wrapped tightly in my hand. He smelled like apples and sunshine. “No.” Of all the days that she could’ve said she’d call, it had to be today. It was down to three artists for two spots at the gallery. I was so afraid I’d miss her call in between the rest of the chaos for the festival.

“I know you got one of the spots, I wish you believed it too.”

I’d seen the paintings from the other two artists as soon as I’d walked in. They were both good—so much more mainstream than I was. It wasn’t like I didn’t have talent. I knew I did, but my stuff was so…much more individual.

“There are other galleries. I’m used to rejection, pal. You should have seen how brutal art school was.”

“How could anyone not love your work?”

I smiled against his chest. “You only say that because you’re madly in love with me.”

“Well, that’s true, but you’re more talented than any of the blokes in the gallery when we were there.”

I lifted my face to his. “I’m sorry I’m being a downer.”

“You’re not. Besides,” he rolled me onto my back. “I know how to improve your mood.” He tunneled his hand under my shirt to cup my very unencumbered breast. “Oh, well, that’s a nice little surprise. I love when you’re too hot for a bra.”

“What, like every day? I don’t have much to support there.”

He peeled my shirt up and covered my nipple. “They’re perfect. And your salty skin is my favorite snack.”

I slid my fingers along the curls that now reached past his shoulders. “Is that a dig?”

“So prickly.” He let my nipple go with a pop and kissed me long and deep. He slid his knee between my legs and the evidence of just how okay he was with my current wet noodle status dug into my belly. With his free hand, he wandered down my side to sneak under the hem of my shorts. I arched up against him as he slid two fingers deep. “Ah, but you’re so ready for me here.”

“Because it’s been days.”

“Do you need a little release, love?” He nibbled along my neck to my ear. “Maybe a little stress relief, perhaps?”

Restless, I lifted my hips to get him deeper. “There’s people everywhere.”

“Then you’ll just have to not shout my name to the rafters for once.”

I pulled his hair. “Funny guy.”

He waggled his eyebrows and inched down.

“Ian, wait—I…” I groaned out a long shuddering breath as his mouth replaced his fingers. He pulled my oversized boxers to the side and tucked both fingers back inside me and sucked at my clit with his clever and very dexterous tongue.

I arched off the mattress and a loud bang from outside made me stiffen.

“Ignore it,” he said against my thigh.

“How am I supposed to—” I reached above my head to the slats of the half wall that kept us from rolling to the damn floor. I turned my head into my arm to muffle the scream as I careened into a mind-bending orgasm. But he didn’t stop there. No, Ian never was a one and done kind of guy.

“Where’s Zoe?” Beckett’s voice floated into the barn from just outside.

“Zoe is currently post orgasm and about to have another, mate,” Ian said against my pussy with the devil gleaming in his eyes.

“Ian, wait.” But my body was way more on board with Ian’s plan than the fact that my nosy brother was looking for me. I brought my knee up to try and curl away from him, but Ian was ready for that. He splayed me open with his freakishly strong fingers and demanded more.

“I missed your taste, love. Missed the salty perfection of you.” His voice was little more than a rumble. “Come for me again. I want your taste on my tongue as I’m singing tonight.”

“Jesus,” I growled and that was enough to send me over again. My toes curled and I lifted myself to his mouth, my fingers buried in his hair. I tried like hell to curb the groans, but a few leaked out as I coasted through the eye of my own personal storm.

My body went boneless and I shuddered as I slowly came back to the loft and the endless banging of the workmen outside the barn.

Ian grinned as he crawled his way up my body and made a pitstop at my way too sensitive breasts. “Feel a little better?”

“Sorry, Zoe can’t answer right now. She’s enjoying her post-coital bliss.”

“Coital, my ass. You just got bliss. I have to play with a hard-on, love.”

I reached down. “I can take care of that.”

“Zoe, we need your artistic eye.” Beck came all the way into the barn this time.

“Bah.” Ian growled into my neck.

“I’ll be right down,” I called down.

“Tell that asshole he needs to come too,” Beck shouted.

“Ian wishes he was coming.”

I laughed at his disgruntled tone. “It’ll be worth it later.”

“Damn fucking right it will be.” He kissed me, my flavor rich on his tongue as he marked me with a hot and heavy kiss to add to the very thorough one between my legs. “Let’s go see what they all need.”

“You go ahead. Let me try and not look like I just—”

“Came your brains out.”

“Wipe the smug smile off your face, rocker boy.”

“Never.” He kissed me again and shifted his jeans before climbing back down. Suddenly, his head popped back up into the loft. “Oh, I forgot what I actually came up here for.”

“It wasn’t to…” I tipped my head.

He grinned. “Well, that’s always a side benefit, but no. Reach into that bag.”

I turned. “What bag?”

“I found it at the house. The backpack. When I got here, Aunt Laverne stole all my belongings and stowed them. I sort of forgot I had something in there for you.”

“You can give it to me later.”

“It’s very relevant today, Magic.”

I tugged my shirt down since I hadn’t even gotten it off before Ian had been into my knickers. God, he was rubbing off on me. I reached in to find a soft T-shirt that I instantly wanted to steal. “What am I…” My hand bumped into something plastic and very familiar. “Oh.”

“I figured you should have her back. Maybe even use it today, yeah?”

“Oh, Ian.” I teared up. It had been a long time since Matilda had been in my hands. “But you don’t have to give her back, she’s ours now.”

He tipped his head and batted his lashes at me. “Aww, our first child.”

I threw my shorts at his head. “Oh my God. Go away.”

His laugh bounced around the rafters. “I love you madly, Magic.”

I shook my head. “I love you too,” I shouted.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. I knew you were up there debauching my only sister.” My brother’s disgust was more than apparent.

“Such dirty thoughts, Beckett. I was just waking up the love of my life.” Ian whistled as he left the barn.

“What do you need, Beck?” I called out as I swapped the boxers I slept and painted in for panties and lightweight khaki shorts. I added a bra for posterity and pulled on a Happy Acres T-shirt since I was technically part of the crew tonight. The all hands on deck decree had been given.

I reached for the camera and took a chance that he’d have film. Considering his obsession with my favorite camera, I was happy to find a few packs at the bottom of his bag. Ian didn’t take pictures with her as much as used her for random props for his Instagram.

I climbed down. “What’s so important?”

He grunted. “I’ve got to figure out the lights. You’re the only one who knows about that stuff.”

“Lights? I’m not a technical sort.”

“God, you’re starting to talk like him.”

I rolled my eyes. “What do you expect me to do, Beck?” I pushed him aside and flipped open the top of one of my trunks. “Bingo.”

“What are you doing?”

I held up my camera. “Pictures for the show.”

“Oh. Hayes will be glad to have stuff for the website. But it’s a Polaroid, how… You know what? Never mind. I don’t know how that stuff works, but I’m sure you’ll make it awesome.”

I peered up at him in between stacking cartridges on the floor. “So, you need me to what?”

“Just make sure the stage looks good. The pain in the ass’s band is here and they seem to be taking over. Add in Nick and Simon’s input and I’m about ready to kill everyone.”

I swallowed a laugh. “I’ll be right out.”

“Good. Thanks.” He grunted and went back out to the workmen.

I stuffed the camera and cartridges into a messenger bag, then my phone. Just in case Martha called. I looped it over my head and headed out into the crazy.

People were swarming the little stage. Perry’s bright purple hair was in pigtails and she was excitedly talking to Jazz from Oblivion.

I blinked as Jazz got behind her kit and helped her rearrange her cymbals…hi-hats, maybe? I wasn’t really up on the lingo for drum sets.

Ian was buzzing between everyone with big smiles. He kept scrubbing his palm against his thigh as he listened to Simon and Deacon argue about some large receiver looking thing that had about five dozen plugs coming out of it.

Yeah, I didn’t want to know what was going on there.

But when Grant, Ian’s lead guitarist, flashed a smile and strummed out the solo part of one of Ian’s new songs I figured they were on the right track.

I ran over to my aunt to make sure she didn’t need anything then headed over to my brother Hayes who was speaking with Gray Duffy, Jazz’s husband and co-lead guitarist of Oblivion. Beck was pacing at the edge of the dais, but his frown cleared as Gray hit some switch and the lights twirled.

Thank God. I sure as crap didn’t know anything about fixing lights. Unless they were studio ones and that was a totally different animal thank you very much.

The next few hours were a whirlwind of chores. Grabbing ice for the various drums they had set up for cold drinks since it was hot as freaking blazes. August was staring with another heat wave. Just what we needed. Luckily my brothers had convinced my dad to invest in aqueducts during one of our better seasons so the trees weren’t in jeopardy. Just the workers and heat stroke.

But today wasn’t for that. Today was about having fun and celebrating the first of the apples being picked. There was a dunking challenge with the Paula Reds at the far edges of the clearing. Kids were running around with others along the hills. A pair of Bouncy Houses were nearly at capacity on either end of the festival area.

I caught sight of Lila and Avery near the cider station. We showed the kids how we pressed the apples and encouraged them to try their hand at it. Of course Charlie—aka Charlotte—was up on the little bench trying her hand at it. Avery was beside her mother shouting out the correct way to do it based on the instructions listed.

They were a handful, but they were the most beautiful little girls I’d ever known.

I crossed to them. “Hey.”

“Oh, hi.” Lila absently stroked down Avery’s ponytail. “You guys did an amazing job.”

“Thanks.” I crouched down to Avery. “Having fun?”

“Yes.” She peered up at Lila. “Charlie is getting juice all over her dress, mama.”

“I’m pretty sure the both of you will be covered in apples of some sort by the end of the day.”

I stood up. “There’s baby wipes at most of the drink stations if you need them.”

Lila patted her large diaper bag. “Always have them on hand.”

I laughed. “Thanks for coming, LeeLee.”

She shrugged. “I’m not going to miss out time with my family just because I’m not sure about the man you’ve decided to hook yourself to.”

I didn’t want to fight. Instead of backing away and letting her have her opinion, I stepped closer to her and hugged her hard. “Give him a chance.” I whispered into her ear and stepped back when I heard Beckett’s voice through the speakers. “Bye, girls. I’ll find you in a little bit. I need to get down there before they start.” I gripped Lila’s hand one last time. She gave me a tight smile.

It would have to do. I couldn’t change her mind over night. Even Ian hadn’t been able to do that for me and I loved him senseless. I jogged back to the small stage.

“I want to thank you all for coming. Don’t forget to try some of my little brother’s moonshine in the far tent. He fancies himself a brew master. Maybe next summer we’ll see some of it in that big distillery over there. Now, it’s time for some music, yeah? We’re going to start it off with one of our own.”

The crowd moved closer as Ian and his band came up the stairs and to the stage.

My chest tightened. I knew my brothers weren’t quite sure what to make of Ian, but he’d wormed his way into their hearts. But to have Beckett’s seal of approval made her eyes sting. Well, his version of approval.

He slapped Ian on the shoulder and he stumbled forward a step at the mic. “Thanks, mate. I’m Ian Kagan and we hope you like what we’ve put together for you. Some old songs, some very old songs.” He pointed at Hayes with a wink. “And a few new ones if you’ll indulge us.”

He started off with a cover song and got the crowd into it with his crazy stage antics.

I pulled out Matilda and moved my way to the front to get a few shots of him. He hammed it up a bit for me when he got to the rousing chorus of “London Calling”.

My heart swelled again watching my man do what he did best. Owned the crowd with charm and a little bit of cheeky, raunchy humor. I was glad to hear him temper it a bit for the children around. But the night was getting late and some of the children were leaving.

He slowed it down with a love song and I recognized the lyrics to his biggest hit so far. The one that was exploding onto every airwave and channel. It was becoming the song of the summer. Lark sang Flynn’s parts and gave it a different spin with her sweet, bell of a voice.

I stood front and center as he sang down to me. All the love and passion I’d ever wanted was right there in his eyes. Especially the love.

“That was for the love of my life. Miss Zoe Manning.”

I wanted to shrink into the ground. I waved him off.

“The future mother of my children, ladies and gentleman. I love her madly.”

My mother whipped around and nailed me with a look. I shrugged and smiled back at him. “You’re crazy,” I shouted.

“Crazy in love with you,” he said back.

The crowd dissolved into laughter and awes. I shook my head and enjoyed a few more songs before I noticed a buzz in my bag. Not that I could really hear it over the music, but it pulsed incessantly enough that I backed out of the crowd and ducked into the tent along the side where it was slightly quieter.

Two missed calls.

I swallowed as I recognized the number.

Songbird Gallery.

With shaking fingers, I rang them back.

“Hello, Songbird Gallery.”

“Hi. Um, this is Zoe Man—”

“Oh, Zoe. I’m so glad you called me back.”

“Sorry. The festival is today at my family orchard.”

“Oh, how wonderful. Well, then this will just be a little more good news. I just wanted to let you know you’ve been selected to show here in the fall if you’re willing.”

“In the fall?”

“Yes.”

“I would.” I swallowed hard. “I would really love that.”

“Wonderful. I think we’er going to do amazing things, Zoe. Your talent is so refreshing. I can’t wait to bring people in to see it.”

“Thank you.” My eyes misted. “Thank you so much.”

“No, I’m going to have to thank you. It sounds a little crazy over there. Why don’t you give me a call early next week?”

“Yes, I will.”

“Perfect. Have a wonderful evening, Zoe.”

“Thanks, you too.” I hung up and dabbed at my eyes before shoving my phone back into my bag. I couldn’t wait to tell Ian. Although he wouldn’t be surprised in the least.

“I haven’t done this song live yet, so I hope you’ll forgive any missteps.” Ian’s voice slid through the night and I followed it back down to the stage.

He was alone on the stage with a guitar. The lights were low as darkness was creeping in on the festival. String lights hung between the trees giving the whole clearing a soft light. Some people had drifted away from the crush of people to sit on blankets and enjoy the music.

I weaved my way through to him. I could tell he was looking for me. Suddenly his face cleared as he spotted me. I smiled at him as his husky voice purred through the opening chords of “Sinner”. The song that held so much happiness and sadness for him. He’d bonded with Simon finally and then everything had gone so very wrong.

Ian made it to the chorus when suddenly a light came on the side of the stage and a voice deep and pure layered itself on Ian’s.

Simon slowly walked onto the stage. His hair was almost as long as Ian’s now, but his raven dark hair was straight to Ian’s curls. The spotlight followed him as they twined their voices together and sang of redemption and loss as well as so much forgiveness.

Ian swung his guitar around the back of him as they sang face to face. I’d never heard his voice be so clear and strong. As if he was feeding on the faith I saw shining in Simon’s eyes. It was barely more than a moment, but I managed to blink away my tears enough to get a picture of them both. Then the two men who’d been born to be lead singers, turned to the crowd and as the song hit the soaring chorus.

Both of them held a note that made the entire crowd go silent before screams.

Simon slung an arm around Ian’s neck and pulled him in for a half-hug.

Ian looped his arm around Simon’s back and spoke into the microphone. His voice husky with emotion. “My brother, ladies and gentleman.”

Simon gave the crowd a cheeky smile. “I say we get this party started.”

Ian’s band came up on stage along with Simon’s as they used borrowed equipment. Even Nick came up to play which shocked the shit out of me.

The brothers sang well into the night and I could nearly guarantee that the internet would be buzzing with photos and video of Oblivion and the Ian Kagan Band playing as if they’d been made to collaborate.

It took hours to get to him. Ian was surrounded by fans and his ecstatic band. Even Lila was enjoying herself as the two bands chatted away as only musicians seemed to be able to do.

My Aunt Laverne came up beside me. “Your young man is really coming into his own.”

“Yeah he is.”

“What are you doing over here on the fringes. Go on and get in there.”

“I’m letting him have his moment.”

“I can guarantee, he wants you there next to him. He keeps looking around for you.”

I kissed my aunt on her petal soft cheek. “Thanks, Aunt Laverne. We probably wouldn’t have found our way back together without you.”

“Ah, you would have. Maybe take a little longer.” She pulled me in for a quick hug. “Now go on.”

I waded into the dozens of people and Ian spotted me. He ran over to me and dragged me in for a hard hug. “Ah, Magic, I thought I lost you.”

“Never. I was just letting you have a moment with your family.”

“You’re my family.”

I looped my arms around his waist and hugged him tight. “And you’re mine.”

“You’re going to make babies with me, right?”

“You and the babies.”

“I want little Zoe monsters running around with paint on their fingers.”

I grinned up at him, tucking my chin into his chest. “That sounds really good to me. And maybe a little boy with your curls.”

His sea-green eyes crinkled at the corners. “I love you, Magic.”

“And I love you, Rocker boy.”

Thanks so much for reading Rock Reclaimed. Alexander Nash makes people into stars. Lindsey York already is one...and she burns far too brightly for him to touch. Not when every relationship Nash has turns to ash.

Preorder , Made in Oblivion book one, available December 12, 2018.

 

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