CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Katie was naked, sprawled across Clay’s chest in the aftermath of their marathon sex. Her eyes were closed, and her hair stuck to her sweaty cheek. God, what she did to him! Tonight had been different. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but it was slower; intentional. It felt like they had reached a different level; that it wasn’t just about sex anymore. They were dipping their toes carefully into a pool of the unknown. They were allowing themselves the possibility of something more.
As she rested across his body, he was content to relax with one arm perched behind his head; the other draped across her exposed back where he made tiny circles across her bare skin. He stared up at the illuminated Batman building in all its nighttime splendor. It was hard to believe that his career was taking a sudden and exciting turn at the same time his love life was accelerating. It was a lot to process. But was it too much? Internally, he answered his question immediately. It was not too much. It was perfect. He believed in signs and having Katie back in his life at the same time his career was changing was no coincidence. If Katie hadn’t come back into his life, he would still be thwarting Buddy’s attempts at getting him to sign a record deal.
Knowing she was a successful businesswoman who took pride in her corporate job was something they would have to navigate together if their relationship continued to grow. As much as he would love for her to be free from her fast-paced, stressful job and meet him on the road while on tour, he would never ask her to give up anything for him, including her career. He would take what he could get. Anything from the beautiful Katie Parker was worth the wait.
The song he had sung for her earlier kept running over and over in his head. The idea had formed quickly to him after spending time with her. Writer’s block had never been a problem, especially when moved by something or someone so strongly. She was his muse and fueled his inspiration, getting his creative juices flowing as of late. It wasn’t hard to compose a song when she was on his mind. An idea crept into his thoughts, and he softly hummed the familiar melody, the lyrics for a second verse forming effortlessly.
I miss you darlin’ when you’re gone. Nothin’ bout our love is wrong.
I need you baby. You gotta know by now that you drive me crazy…
He watched her back slowly rise and fall in slumber and started to drift off, finally closing his eyes and melting into the mattress with her body embracing his. Being with her was exactly where he wanted to be. He needed her, and he would do everything in his power to make their relationship work, especially with the changes that were happening in his career. Nodding off, the melody of the song he wrote for her was a lullaby in his ears.
***
“Okay, let’s take it from the top in five, people!” Trent McDonald vocalized loudly into a microphone as he looked through the clear glass into the soundproof recording room.
Katie was thrilled when Clay told her they would be spending time at Blackbird Studios for a few hours on Saturday. Trent had wanted to get a head start before the first full week of recording and lay down some scratch tracks on at least two songs. They were in Studio D, which was the largest and most impressive space. Katie learned that Blackbird Studios was owned by the female country artist Martina McBride’s husband and was often sought after by many famous recording artists including country favorites Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks. It was also a recording home to Taylor Swift and John Mayer, Michael Bublé, Steven Tyler and Keith Urban. The impressive list went on and on.
When they first walked into the cutting-edge studio that oozed with a vintage vibe, it took her by surprise. The surroundings were warm and inviting, featuring dark walnut floors, stone walls, and interchangeable flutter-free sound panels. A sixties-era Ludwig drum-kit was in the center of Studio D, set up on a colorful Oriental rug, the other musicians assembled in a semi-circle on similar mats in front of the impressive instrument. Red hanging lanterns illuminated the main room, and she could see a black grand piano pushed to the side.
She watched Clay from behind the glass as he tuned his acoustic guitar and bantered happily with his bandmates. Her heart swelled with pride, knowing he was in his element—after all these years, he was finally going to be the creative force behind his own songs.
“You need anything to drink, Katie?” Trent asked. “There’s a full kitchen through that door. Anything you could ever want. I’m sure there’s a spread of something back there too if you’re hungry.”
She looked toward the door where he was pointing. “Okay. Thanks.”
Trent grinned before turning back to the ninety-six-channel soundboard anchored in the control room where they were sitting. An engineer named Tom sat next to him making notes on a pad of paper. Clay had told her all about how he had hand-picked award-winning music producer Trent McDonald for his debut album. Knowing how critical it was for her boyfriend to have a great team assembled, she was pleasantly surprised and liked Trent immediately. He wasn’t some acrid, chain-smoking, tie-wearing producer that she had imagined. He was quite calm and professional, his blond hair and tanned skin reminding her of a California surfer. Clay had told her he was originally from Los Angeles, which made total sense.
Sitting on a brown leather couch pushed up against a tufted, diamond patterned red-velvet wall, Katie had the perfect vantage point to watch Clay do his thing. It was the ideal spot for listening and taking it all in. Someone had come in earlier and lit several pillar candles on the coffee table in front of her, adding to the hip-ness of her current situation. She didn’t know what to expect going into a recording studio for the first time, and this was definitely not it. The place was sexy and comfortable; the entire atmosphere, relaxed. She was glad Clay was in a creative place that seemed stress-free. If these walls could talk, she was sure there would be incredible stories to tell.
While they continued to wait on the musicians, Trent pointed out the different channels on the soundboard that coincided with each instrument, explaining some of the knobs and levers that gave the sound its highs, mids, and lows. He was patient and kind, even showing her a photo of his beautiful wife and three kids.
When everyone was in place and ready to go, Trent guided them into the first few chords of a song, making minor sound adjustments. When he was satisfied, he would cue Tom to start a click track to set the tempo. And they were off…
It was hard for Katie to sit still for all the excitement that rushed through her watching those first moments of Clay recording. Crossing her arms across her chest, she paced, observing him, awestruck by the catchy tune that would soon be available for all the world to hear. Clay bobbed his head to the beat, tapping his right foot in time with the metronome while he concentrated on his fingers picking the strings of the guitar. The other musicians were right there with him following charts set up on music stands. Suddenly, Clay threw his head back and laughed out loud causing the rest of the guys to come to a screeching halt.
Trent flipped a switch to speak into the microphone. “You’re doing great Clay. What happened?”
He gripped the back of his neck, his face flushed. “Too excited man. My fingers started moving like I was on speed. Sorry!”
“No problem. You’re just excited. Take a deep breath and relax and we’ll retake it, when you’re ready.”
Clay nodded, shifting in his chair. Katie watched him inhale deeply three times before gesturing he was ready to Trent. They started the song again, the music coming in loud and clear through speakers in the control room. As the song progressed, Katie noticed a genuine smile cross Clay’s face as he moved to the rhythm. Vocals would be the last part of the recording process—something she wouldn’t be there for when they laid down the tracks in the next week. She wondered if he was secretly singing along to himself and wished she could hear his voice now. One thing was for sure, the music was incredible, everyone participating at the top of their game. When the song started to slow and eventually ended, Katie held her breath before Trent gave everyone a thumbs-up. The large room erupted with laughter and genuine accolades as Clay went around and high-fived each musician. Her eyes brimmed with tears, watching him. He was so excited being in his element.
For the next hour and a half, the same song was played over and over until Trent was satisfied they had gotten what they needed for the scratch track. He finally announced they were breaking, and the group stood and dispersed, leaning instruments against stands and stretching. Katie was amazed at how much time and effort had gone into one song—and it wasn’t even the final music version, just the scratch track!
“Hey, Pretty Girl!” Clay immediately picked her up and swung her around in a circle before kissing her on the lips. “What’d you think?” The gold in his eyes sparkled.
“This is so cool, Clay! Thanks for letting me be here to watch.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He set her down and continued to hold her hand. “She’s not causing any trouble is she Trent?” he teased.
“None at all. You’re doin’ great Clay. Keep it up, and we’ll be outta here in another hour or so.”
“Awesome.” He pulled her into the lounge where a few of the guys were milling around fixing cups of coffee and shootin’ the breeze. He quickly introduced her as his girlfriend before pulling her through another door and down a long hallway. She noticed black and white photos of the Beatles displayed on the walls, an homage of sorts to Blackbird Studios.
“Where are we going?” she giggled, clutching his hand tighter. He glanced her way and smirked. They went through one last door into a deserted lobby. He looked around before pulling her into the ladies’ restroom.
“Clay? What are you doing?”
When they were safe inside, he latched the door with a click. She leaned against the vanity, gripping the edge and watching with wide eyes as he sauntered toward her.
“I got so worked up in there. I can’t even believe that just happened.”
“It was amazing,” she whispered. A million bees buzzed under her skin as she watched his every move.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world.” He approached her and ran his hand up the back of her neck into her hair, smashing his lips against hers. She could feel his thickness through his jeans pressing into her thigh. His kisses became carnal, his lips speckling her cheeks and ears, her neck and chest. Quickly, he turned her around and hoisted her maxi dress up to her hips. She could hear him unzip his jeans before he yanked her panties down and dipped his fingers inside her. Her back arched as he fondled her wet nub.
“Are you okay with this?” he panted, his hot breath floating down her neck. All she could do was nod.
“Bend over, baby. I’m gonna go hard and fast. I need you so badly.”
Leaning over the sink, she felt him slide in and whimpered for just a moment before her insides wrapped around his hardness, welcoming him in. She watched his reflection in the mirror as he recklessly pumped her from behind, his exquisite face filled with pleasure. His orgasm came quickly, and he shuddered against her back, spilling inside her. He spent a few more minutes stroking her, taking her to the edge before her eyes fluttered and shut. Her orgasm rushed through her, making her want to scream his name at the top of her lungs.
Her head rolled back against him, and she felt his warm lips kissing her tenderly on the neck, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. She couldn’t move—she wanted to stay in that bathroom with Clay Watkins inside her wet folds forever.