CHAPTER 13

 

 

Fawn’s eyes roamed the familiar equipment of the recording studio. She understood how most of it worked, what she didn’t understand was what she was doing there. Monday, when Seth had dropped her off at the hotel without even a chaste kiss, she had been sure that he had seen something on the beach that made him not want her. Doubt had been ripe in her mind that he had lost interest, that she had been too honest.

All week she had written heart wrenching songs about love and life, hoping Seth would prove her wrong. But she hadn’t heard a word from him.

Now here she was in a recording studio in Sag Harbor, Seth waiting wide-eyed for her reaction.

Fawn could pretend to be uninterested and unaffected but when Seth was near, both were impossible.

“I’m not going to ask what this is because I know.” Fawn said softly as she ran her fingers over the equipment. “Let me rather ask why am I here?”

Seth’s grin spread a mile wide. “To record whatever you want for the next week. To sing your own songs, to find your own sound.”

Her brow furrowed in confusion. “Does John know about this?”

“No. John doesn’t know anything about this and Dom is sworn to secrecy. For the next week you can sing and record just what you want. If you’ll allow it, I’d like to help you.”

The reality of the gift slowly sank in. No one to tell her what to sing or how it should sound. Excitement slowly bubbled to the surface as Fawn thought of the possibilities of what could be recorded during the course of the next week.

She felt her mouth spread into a smile as she walked towards Seth. “This is the best gift anyone has ever given me. I hope you know how much it means to me.”

Seth gave her a cocky grin. “As long as you realize what you mean to me.”

Fawn wanted to show him how much it meant, how much he meant. Although she still had reservations about falling in love with a rich playboy she was starting to see a different side of Seth, a side that made her believe that more was possible. She rose onto her toes and laced her fingers into his hair before pulling his mouth down to meet hers.

What Fawn wanted to be a soft kiss, something to show him her appreciation and gratitude changed as soon as their tongues met.

Desire unleashed days before on the beach bubbled to the surface with a fervency that had Fawn moaning at his touch.

Seth’s strong hands pulled her closer before roaming down to her derriere. He squeezed hard and Fawn couldn’t help but press her hips against his already firm manhood.

A sonorous groan escaped his throat. Fawn swallowed it before nipping his lip. She wanted more. She wanted him inside her, but she needed to be sure. This wasn’t Rufus. Although the similarities scared her. He was attractive, ruthless and attracted women like honey called bears; his kinder side was well hidden but the few times Fawn had seen it warmed her heart. He was rich but he wasn’t entitled, or was he?

He wanted her, that she was sure of.

Just as Fawn pushed him towards the chair against the wall, he pulled back.

His hands rested on her shoulders as his eyes heavy with desire found hers. “Fawn, not here. Not like this.” He was short of breath and clearly didn’t want to stop. “Besides, you’ve got some music to make.”

Fawn watched him confused. One moment he drove her insane and the next he stepped away? Didn’t he know how much she wanted him right now? Warm heat throbbed between her legs. Her breasts were heavy, needing to be caressed. “Seth…” Fawn shook her head, organizing her thoughts. “On Monday you wanted me as much as I wanted you, but you took me back to the hotel?”

Seth watched her unmoving, his face not giving any hint of his thoughts.

Fawn sighed. “Just now I was there, just as much as you were, and again you push me away? Don’t you want me Seth?”

Seth laughed dryly before his expression turned serious. “Fawn I want to fuck you so much right now, so much it aches.” His voice was barely a whisper but the desire clear. He took a step towards her, lifting her chin with his forefinger. “But we had a deal. If you’re sure about making love with me Fawn you’re going to need to beg me.”

Fawn heard the words and vaguely understood the meaning. “Why do you want me to beg? Do want me to be falling at your knees weak and needy like all the other women you’ve had?”

A wolfish grin spread across his face as he ran the pad of his thumb over her lower lip. “No Fawn, I don’t want you weak and needy. I want you certain. Because next time I make love to you it won’t be a one night stand. I can promise you, you won’t want to walk away as easy as you did the first time.”

He turned to leave the studio but turned back as he reached the door. “Next time you won’t regret it. So make sure it’s what you want before you ask me.”

Fawn nodded like a child after a scolding. If only the throbbing low in her belly would stop, if only the butterflies would stop flittering then maybe she could try and make sense of his words. Her heart told her to follow him, assure him she understood and that she was ready, it was her head that stopped her. Where would this lead? A fling while she was in the Hamptons that could lead to a major press circus when it leaked? Was she ready for her love life to be all over the press again?

Fawn was still considering Seth’s words when he stepped back into the studio with two other men. One was young and inked all over with dark hair hanging over his eyes. The other middle aged and business-like.

“Fawn, I’d like you to meet Noah and Jason. This is their studio. They’ll be manning the control room for you, but will have zero say on how the album sounds. That’s your decision.”

Fawn’s eyes widened. If either of these two let a word drop of what was going on she could lose her contract with a famous record label and John’s support.

Seth held up a hand before Fawn could object. “They’ve both signed iron-clad confidentiality agreements. For the next week no one is allowed in these studios with exception of the night janitor, who’s deaf.” He smiled crookedly before he continued. “Let’s just say it’s in their best interest to keep quiet, they won’t have much left if they let a word slip.”

Noah and Jason laughed dryly before nodding at Fawn. “We won’t say a word, promise. We’re just here to do what you tell us to. Seth paid us enough to keep quiet for a life time.” Fawn caught the warning look Seth cast them before narrowing her eyes, doubt clear on her face. “So I tell them what to keep, what to ditch and how I want it produced?”

All three men nodded. Seth turned to Noah and Jason. “Right boys you can head on to the control room, I’ll help Miss Di Maggio get started.”

As the men left, Fawn turned to Seth. “I don’t even know where to start.”

Seth smiled and walked towards the guitar leaning against the wall. He picked it up and brought it back to Fawn. “Just sing that song you sang to me on the beach, it will all flow from there.” His eyes encouraged her as she strummed the first notes.

The ‘recording’ light flashed on and Fawn felt excitement build as she started moving her head to sound of the guitar.

When she sang the first notes, Fawn knew this was the music she wanted to sing.

 

 

Seven days flew by between rushing from the hotel to the studio in the morning and leaving with a heavy heart each evening. Her days were filled with music she wrote, Seth watching from the control room encouragingly. Her evenings filled with writing and rehearsing by herself. Fawn had learned more about herself and her music in seven days than she had learned during all the years she had been a pop star. The freedom to sing the songs she wanted had created a sound that Fawn loved. A sound she wanted to carry onto her future albums.

Seth hadn’t touched her again, although the air between them was heavy with need. Heat scorched her every time her eyes met Seth’s and yet she hadn’t made a decision about his warning yet. She only knew she wanted him. Slowly she was starting to realize she needed him.

She had started in the studio seven days ago with two ideas for songs and had recorded two more. The first two songs were soulful, words that she needed to say to herself and to her fans. The following two were lighter, following the same sound although the beat was happier, free.

Jason and Noah had proved invaluable; their input was minimum, their support extreme. They encouraged her to be bold and to try everything she wanted, even if it wasted an hour or two. Seth had proved to be instrumental in the studio.

He had amazed her with his ear for the right sound, his help when lyrics didn’t correspond with the music and his belief in her had been firm the whole week. Fawn was having a hard time accepting that he wouldn’t be present at her next recording.

The result of the final four songs was something Fawn was proud of. She couldn’t wait to send the EP to John. She couldn’t wait to hear his response.

It was already six pm a week later, and Fawn knew she needed to finish up. Tomorrow the studio would be opened again.

Fawn picked up the notebook on which her lyrics were written and looked to Noah and Jason in the control room. “I’m done guys. Thank you so much. If you don’t mind I’d like to run through the last song again, but Seth can handle it if you want to leave.”

She watched Noah and Jason turn to Seth for his approval. Seth said something before slapping both men on the back and standing up to shake their hands.

After Noah and Jason had left, Seth’s voice came through the intercom. “Would you like me to record it again?”

Fawn smiled at him secretively. “Yes, but on a separate disc.”

“You want to record straight to disc?”

Running her hands suggestively through her hair, her eyes on Seth she licked her lips. “Yes, I’m sure.”

This morning Fawn had made her decision. She wanted Seth even if it meant her heart could be broken. She needed another night with Seth, tomorrow she would know if she wanted more than just a night.

She had stayed up late the night before writing the lyrics she was going to sing now. Lyrics that weren’t part of the EP. Lyrics that were written for Seth alone.

Seth shrugged in the control room before preparing everything.

Fawn watched him as she shrugged off the light sweater she had put on earlier that day and felt desirable as her hair fell over her shoulders. She picked up the guitar and took a seat in front of the control room window, her eyes completely on Seth.

The recording light flashed on and Fawn started strumming, her eyes never leaving his.

 

There was a time I despised you

A time I knew nothing about you

I’ve come to realize my mistake

Knowing you is never too late

You make my blood burn hot

My heart race in time to the beat of yours

I ache for your touch

Am I asking too much?

Take me as I am

Say yes and be my man

Be my man

Be my man

 

Fawn closed her eyes as she repeated the last line again, liquid fire scorched through her veins from desire.

She slowly opened her eyes and found Seth’s mouth slightly open, watching her.

No words were spoken but need and understanding were clear as the glass between them.

Seth rummaged on the control panel, pulling out a disc before getting up and grabbing his jacket.

Fawn grabbed her sweater and her notebook, giving the studio a final look of thanks before rushing to the control room just as Seth stepped out.

His eyes burned with want as he took her hand and led her outside to his car.

Dom had gone back to the hotel earlier, just as Fawn had planned and Seth had no choice but to give her a ride back to the hotel.

As they settled next to each other in the car, Fawn looked at Seth through the corner of his eye. He was clenching his teeth, the only hint that he was as desperate as she felt.

Seth's car raced through the streets of Sag Harbor back to the hotel. Silence hung between them, words unsaid, although Fawn knew he understood her words. The hotel came into view but Seth didn’t even slow down, he raced by and Fawn felt her heart beat quickening. He was taking her to his house.

As they stopped in front of his house, Seth gave her a warning look before getting out of the car. He walked around and opened the door for her.

Fawn stepped out and said softly. “Thank you.”

Seth groaned as he took her hand. “Careful what you’re thanking me for.”

Fawn felt herself pulled towards the house. Under any circumstances she would’ve objected but she wanted this as much as he did.

No lights were switched on as Seth led her to the bedroom. He let go of her hand just long enough to switch on a bedside light.

As the light cast a soft glow over the room, Seth walked towards the French doors opening onto the back terrace, letting the scent and sound of the sea drift into the room.

When he turned around, Fawn felt her breath catch in her throat. His eyes were dark with danger and lust as he closed the distance between them.

Anticipation fizzed through Fawn as his eyes settled on hers.

“Say it Fawn.” His voice was rough with desire.

Her heartbeat raced as her breath came in pants. “Make love to me Seth.” Her voice was barely a whisper on the sea breeze.

Seth moved towards her stopping an inch from her mouth. “Say it again.” He demanded unevenly.

Her breasts ached to be touched; her core throbbed with need as Fawn lifted her chin defiantly and looked into his dark grey eyes. “Make love to me.”

Seth didn’t need anything more. Fawn felt herself being crushed against him. She moaned from the rough touch, the pressure of his chest against her sensitive breasts.

Her moan was swallowed with a deep kiss as Seth swept into her mouth. No soft kisses or careful caresses this time.

Fawn wanted to ask him to slow down, but she needed this. She was as eager as he was. She wanted to have Seth when he was ruthless and dangerous from desire from her. When there was no holding back.

She arched her neck giving him access to the ivory column of her throat. His lips sought and found her, nipping as hot wet kisses soothed afterwards.

Fawn tangled her fingers in his hair, tugging his head toward her breasts. She wanted him to kiss her there.

His mouth closed over a taut peak and as his teeth closed around the material covered nub, Fawn felt the first explosion start to build.

She reached behind his back slipping her hands under his shirt, dragging it over his head. With his back exposed her hands played along the ridges of muscle along his spine as she inched her hands lower. As she reached the waist of jeans Seth’s mouth closed over her other nipple giving it the same attention.

She slid her hands inside his pants and ran them over his taut ass. The sensations of his hair tickling her skin, his mouth on her nipple, his taut flesh in her hands were too much.

“Now Seth, fuck me now.” Fawn begged as Seth pressed his hand against the apex of her thighs.