In Tune: A Rock N' Roll Erotic Romance

When you're in tune with someone, does it matter how you began?

There were no words for the elation. Strumming out those last few notes of a song and having the crowd erupt into applause … there was nothing like it. The steady, thrumming beat of the drums, the singer reaching their final crescendo. All of it … pure bliss.

We were a hometown band but had a significant following. Even had our own groupies. Rollin' Eagles. The name had been picked long before I joined the band as their bass guitarist. Not my first choice; bass. I could play lead too; preferred it, but the spot was already taken.

Music was my first love. My only love at the moment. My last boyfriend had taken a job across the country, and I hadn't wanted to pull up roots and go with him. We hadn't been that serious anyway. I couldn't see myself marrying the guy. It had been fun while it lasted.

Tonight, was a double billing. We were sharing the evening with a blues band from Texas. Hokum Pokum. They had played two sets before us. The crowd had loved them. They were a tough act to follow. After we finished our first set, I headed for the bar. I needed a fresh Coke fast. I was parched. Hokum's lead singer was loitering at the bar, lining up a couple of shots.

I took a long look at him. Tall, dark, and handsome didn't do him justice. The man was all over sultry. I hadn't been able to take my eyes off him when he was on stage.

"Nice sets." I opened the conversation.

"Your first one as well." He raised his shot glass then downed the contents. He slammed the glass down on the bar top. "You singer has some chops."

"Yeah, she does." I nodded. "We were lucky to find her."

"You from Portland?"

"We're based here, yeah. We travel a bit, though."

The guy extended his hand. "I'm Danny."

I grasped his hand and shook it. His grip was firm and confident. "Lucas."

"Pleasure to meet you, Lucas." Danny smiled at me then pointed toward his remaining shot. "Can I interest you in partaking?"

I looked toward the rest of my band seated at a table near the stage. One shot wouldn't hurt. I was officially in the middle of dry January, but I had already stumbled a couple of times.

Plus, being in Danny's company made my stomach flutter. I wanted to continue that feeling. I hadn't said no, so Danny called the bartender over and ordered a second shot. He pushed it toward me. "To living life on stage," he said and lifted his glass.

Now, that was a sentiment I could drink to. I held the glass to my lips and slung it back. It was a Jägerbomb. Not my favorite. It burned as it descended into my gut.

"Thanks for the drink." I set the glass on the bar. I hitched a thumb in the direction of my band. "I better get back. We're on in a few minutes."

"Good meeting you."

"Yeah, you too." I watched him for a moment. His eyes, even in the dim light of the bar, seemed to hold a kind of sexy secret. They were warm and welcoming, and a little playful, and crinkled at the corners when he smiled. He winked at me and walked away.

The encounter left me feeling a bit unsteady.

Back on stage, I searched the crowd for him. Bands didn't always stick around after they finished their sets; the appeal of sitting in a bar long since worn off after years of playing in them. But there he was, sitting at the back. One other guy from his band was with him. They were laughing and smiling, conversing, and watching our band. A few times, he caught me staring at him. His face would light up then he would go back to talking to his band member.

I swallowed, then turned my attention to the rest of the crowd. People were dancing and swaying to the music. The next time I looked toward the back of the bar, Danny was gone.

It was late by the time we were packing up. Well past two in the morning. I hungered for my bed. This was twelve nights in a row we had been playing. I was running out of steam.

"Hey, Lucas …"

I turned toward the voice. Danny.

"Hey … what are you doing back here?" I asked.

Danny's eyebrows rose. "I'm flattered you noticed I left."

I grunted and shoved my guitar into the back of my car. A rush of crimson rose in my cheeks. I had a habit of saying stuff before my brain had a chance to catch up. It couldn't be helped, though. Danny was gorgeous and he was making me nervous. When I was nervous, I blurted out shit.

"I did." I turned to him. Danny stood there blinking at me.

"Do you want to grab a coffee?" he asked.

Oh, man. I really should be headed for my bed … but how could I resist? Danny looked like a dangerous predator ready to pounce as he waited for me to answer. This wasn't a casual ask.