Desire, p.1
Desire, page 1
Desire
Savage Wilde
Darlene Tallman
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
Desire - Savage Wilde Series - Book Two
Copyright 2020© Darlene Tallman
Published by: Darlene Tallman
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from. Darlene Tallman, the author / publisher.
Cover by: Tracie Douglas of Dark Water Covers
Model: Lori Renee
Photographer: Reggie Deanching with @RplusMphotos
Editors: Mary Kern, Shannon McFadden, Nicole McVey, Jeni Clancy, Beth DiLoreto, Melanie Gray, Tammy Carney
Formatter: Liberty Parker
Contents
Acknowledgments
Author’s Note
Blurb
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Epilogue
Books by Darlene
Darlene’s co-authored books
Acknowledgments
These are always hard because I worry that I’ll forget someone. In this case, however, I won’t simply because I want to thank one of the best people I know, Liberty Parker, for allowing me to write in her world! When I worried that I wouldn’t do the characters she created justice, she would say, “You’ve got this!” and surprisingly, that eased the stress inside and I was able to bring y’all Justine and Sebastian’s story.
Dedication
This is dedicated to anyone who has music embedded so deeply in their soul that when they hear a song, it immediately evokes special memories of past events. Music has always been important to me; there are songs that I can hear from years ago that still cause tears or goosebumps. To me, that’s the mark of a true musician; one who can sing a song that attaches itself to the listener’s soul.
Author’s Note
“Desire” is book two in the Savage Wilde series. Book one was written by Liberty Parker and is called “Uninhibited.” To enhance your reading pleasure, you may want to start with book one, although each book will be written as a standalone. You can find “Uninhibited” here:
http://mybook.to/UninhibitedSavageWilde
Blurb
Justine Wilde has had her eyes on Sebastian Tallo since the very first time she saw him. But she was on the cusp of womanhood, so he didn’t pursue her. She enjoys being the keyboardist for the band, but the constant traveling has begun to wear on her. She longs to settle down, maybe step back a bit, but the last thing she wants to do is disappoint her family.
Sebastian Tallo has watched Justine Wilde grow up from a gangly twenty-year old to a gorgeous woman who is not only talented, but beautiful, kind and generous. Finally deciding enough is enough, he pushes the thought that he’s too old for her aside and asks her out. Then? He faces her brother and tells him what his intentions are for Justine.
When an old injury forces Justine to make a decision that could potentially end her career, Sebastian vows to be by her side regardless. The question, however, is can their fledgling relationship handle the stress?
Join Justine and Sebastian on their adventure as they navigate their pasts toward a bright, loving future.
This is book two of the Savage Wilde series and while it is a standalone, you will see recurring characters from book one.
Prologue
Justine
Age 20
“Who’s that?” I ask my sister, Billie, pointing to the older man talking to our brother, Rayne.
“Not sure, why?” she inquires.
“He’s awfully good looking, don’t you think?” I muse. Ever since we started playing small clubs, our band, Savage Wilde, has been attracting attention. Part of me hopes that we make it big; the glam and glitter of living a rockstar life is appealing. Plus, the money wouldn’t hurt since I’m a girl who loves her accessories.
“I guess,” she replies, shrugging.
I continue packing up my equipment, making sure that my precious keyboard is stored properly and ready to be hauled out to the van we use to get back and forth to gigs. Even though I continue to work, I keep my eye on the handsome stranger. There’s something about him that makes my heart rate speed up and I hope that he’s going to make our dreams become reality.
Rayne finally shakes the man’s hand and turns to the three of us. Yes, he's the leader of our band and my older brother. Walking toward us I see the smile on his face and instinctively know that what he’s going to share will be a game changer for us all.
Chapter One
Justine
Present Day
He’s been a part of our lives, my life, for so long now, that I can’t imagine life without him. Being older than me may be a deterrent in his eyes, but I know he’s interested so I need to push the issue. As my hands glide over my keyboards, I lose myself in the music. Since Rayne and Jacey have reunited, the songs he’s been writing have caused my own creative juices to flow.
“That sounds good, is it new?” His voice washes over me like that first sip of an ice-cold Coke, and I have to hold back my full-body shiver.
“Just goofing off,” I reply, looking up at him. He’s been rocking the salt and pepper look for years but the fact that he now has a beard that frames his full lips has my libido ramping up.
“Well, I like it,” he states, coming to stand next to me. I watch as his hand reaches out to tuck a loose curl behind my ear. “You okay, Justine? You’ve been a bit quiet lately. Need to check on my number one girl and make sure she’s alright.”
“You say that to all of us, Sebastian,” I reply. “We’re all your number one girl, remember?”
He chuckles and the sound once again has my body on edge. “You’ve got me there, but seriously, are you okay? Anything I can help you with?”
I take a deep breath. Then another one. In all the years since he discovered us, I’ve never seen him with a steady woman, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one who he keeps away from the madness that is our world. Finally deciding that honesty is the best way to go, I capture his gaze with mine and say, “I’m feeling lonely, especially since Rayne and Jacey are together again. This life doesn’t really lend itself to relationships unless the other person is in the industry as well, but no one we know even remotely interests me.” Well, except for you, I silently add.
His eyes widen at my admission and I see an expression cross his face I wasn’t expecting.
Desire.
“I know what you mean. Anyone I’ve dated couldn’t handle all the women at the concerts and regardless of the fact that I’d never cheat on someone, their accusations of that very thing makes it difficult for me as well,” he states.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with anyone on a steady basis,” I confess. “I mean, not that it’s any of my business,” I rush out, my face heating in embarrassment. I have, of course, met a few women he’s brought around, but it was more than obvious they were temporary. Well, at least to me.
“I’ve dated from time to time, but no one measures up to the one I can never have,” he admits.
“Why can’t you?” I ask, my curiosity roused. While he isn’t our manager, he did discover us and so he’s part of our entourage. Hell, I was still a gangly young woman when he swooped in after hearing us play at a local event. Braces were my nemesis, and I went nearly two years without smiling, something that he took personally because he would tell me stupid jokes just to get me to laugh.
“Because her brother would kill me,” he replies.
Sebastian
When I first met Justine Wilde, she was almost twenty and far too young for me, since I was fast approaching thirty at the time. And no, I never looked at her like that until she came into her own when she hit twenty-one. I remember a shy, pretty teen who never smiled because she was worried about what people would say about her braces. Watching her mature into a stunning, independent woman has been hard because ever since she hit adulthood, I’ve been attracted to her.
The faceless, nameless women I’ve wined, dined and bedded can’t hold a candle to her. Only… Rayne would kill me. He’d draw and quarter me, then leave my body out in some desert to be eaten by predators. After he covered me in honey and fire ants, that is. He’s fiercely protective of his sisters, as he should be, but I’d never hurt her.
“I’m sure if you talked to him, he’d understand, Sebastian.” Her melodious voice washes through me and I feel my body reacting.
“Kind of like my nose the way it is, Jussie,” I tease, calling her by the nickname I gave her years ago.
“You haven’t called me that in years!” she exclaims, her eyes lighting up.
“You’ll always be my Jussie,” I vow. Even if it’s never the way I want her to be, she’s always going to have a piece of my heart. Deciding enough is enough, I take the bull by the horns and ask, “Do you want to have dinner with me? Just the two of us?” If Rayne decides to rearrange my face, I can afford plastic surgery, right?
Chapter Two
Justine
“Do you want to have dinner with me? Just the two of us?”
My normally steady hands are shaky, and I run them down my jeans. All the years I’ve prayed he would notice me seem to be coming to a head. I know part of his hesitation has been my brother, but I’m a grown ass woman and can date whoever I want. If Rayne decides to butt his overprotective head into my life, I’ll definitely give him a piece of my mind. I’ve wanted Sebastian to notice me as more than a gangly teenager for years so I’m not missing this chance.
“I’d like that,” I reply. “I didn’t think you noticed me, Sebastian. At least, not in that way.”
He steps closer before replying. “Jussie, I noticed you the very first day I met all of you. But you were too young, then. Probably still too young but I’m beyond the point of caring, you know?”
I nod at his admission. “Not that I want to delve into either of our pasts, but it’s only ever been you, regardless of my flavor for the night.” I see him wince at my choice of words, but he doesn’t say anything disparaging. What can I say? Rayne wasn’t the only one who had people throw themselves at him. Us girls did just as well when we were in the mood and while I wasn’t especially promiscuous, I did occasionally avail myself if I had an itch to scratch. However, the lure of that eventually got old because I finally realized I was trying to replace him with a nameless, faceless fuck, so I stopped.
“I understand, Jussie. I will promise you this much, however. While we explore this thing between us, there will be no one else.”
“I agree,” I reply.
“I also don’t expect you to fall into my bed, Jussie. That’s not what this is about for me,” he warns. “Whether it happens in a week, a month or a year, I’m a patient man and I’ll wait.”
“Somehow, I don’t think it’ll be a year,” I tease. “You’ve been on my radar for a very long time.”
He chuckles as he pulls me in for a hug before kissing my forehead. “Looking forward to it. Now, about dinner. When are you free?” he asks.
I run through my schedule in my head and realize that I’m watching Hadley, Rayne and Jacey’s little girl, tonight. “Any time after tonight since I’ve got the princess.” He grins, knowing immediately who I’m talking about.
“Tomorrow night then?” he asks.
“I’d like that.” Why I’m suddenly feeling shy around him is beyond me. I feel as though I’m an awkward schoolgirl again, standing with my first crush. Well, he’s not my first crush, but he’s the one who has stood the test of time for me. “Where are we going?” I question, because depending on what he says, I may need to go shopping.
“What about the steakhouse just outside of town?” he asks.
“That’s fine with me.” The atmosphere in there is ‘come as you are’ but with this being my first official date with the man I’ve been dreaming of for years, I’m going to glam myself up a bit. “Jeans okay with you?” I may dress it up, but we’re still out in the sticks so I’ll dress up my denim.
“That works for me,” he replies. “I’ll let you get back to work, Jussie.” He kisses me on the forehead again while his finger strokes my cheek before he steps away.
“Bye, Sebastian.”
“Bye, sweetheart.”
Once I’m sure he’s gone, I let out a squeal as I do a little dance. “Somebody’s happy,” Billie observes, walking toward me.
It’s no secret, at least to my sisters, that I’ve been crushing on Sebastian for more years than I want to remember. “I’ve got a date with Sebastian,” I exclaim, still dancing around.
“Finally! Maybe if you two do the horizontal mambo a few times, you’ll get each other out of your systems and be able to move on,” she replies. I hate to tell her, but Sebastian is so embedded in my being that I doubt I could remove him with a chainsaw. However, she tends to be snarky, so I’ll keep that observation to myself.
“Did you need something?” I ask as I shut down my keyboards. They’re my back up ones since we have a studio in town for our full band practices. We set up the spare room that used to be Rayne’s. We’re still in the same hotel suite that he rented for us when we first came to town. It’s almost like a small apartment with a living room and small kitchen. Even though he is now living with Jacey, us three girls stayed since we were settled in. It’s okay for now, but there’s little privacy and sometimes, I crave my solitude.
“Just seeing what you were up to is all,” she replies. “Do you think we’ll be practicing this week?”
“I guess it depends on Rayne. You know he’s enjoying that family life now and I can’t say as I blame him one bit. I like this slower pace, Billie. I didn’t realize just how damn tired I was until we arrived in this podunk town, you know?”
“I miss the crowds and the noise,” she admits. “But this is okay for now.”
That’s the thing; I’m not sure I want to go back to living on a bus, seeing different towns through the rolling asphalt. I’m getting to the point I want to settle down, put in some roots, maybe even have a family. I don’t know if that longing comes from seeing how happy my brother and Jacey are now or not; I just know I need a change. I briefly wonder if I can talk my brother into doing less shows so we can create more albums. It’s always been about the music more than the touring. Then I feel bad because our fans are what made us a huge success. Something to think about, I guess.
“I don’t really miss that,” I admit. “Aren’t you tired of a different town every day? Never getting to take the time to sightsee? Nameless, faceless men only wanting to be with us because of who we are? Because I am, Billie. I’m so damned tired of it all.”
“Then this break is needed,” she says. “You know we’re going to go back on tour again at some point, right?”
I sigh before nodding. “Maybe we can lighten the tour load a bit somehow. It’s not like we need the money.” I see a glimmer of something come into her eyes before she nods back at me.
“Something to think about, I guess. Wonder how Sibley feels about it?”
“Who knows? I know that majority rules so if we go with our normal schedule, I’ll just suck it up,” I reply.
“And be miserable. Yeah, that’ll be fun on the bus,” she chides.
“Whatever. So, he’s taking me to the steakhouse outside of town. I know the jeans and boots I’m gonna wear, what about the shirt? You wanna help me?”
“Hell yes, I’ve been waiting for this day forever. Wait, does Rayne know?”
“Not yet. I’m heading over shortly to spend some time with Hadley while they go out, so I figure I’ll tell him as they’re leaving to give him time to process it all. I’m sure Jacey will help in that aspect.”
She giggles before looping her arm in mine. “C’mon, I’m sure you have to be there at a certain time, and we all know how the princess hates to be kept waiting!”
Sebastian
I can’t keep the smile from my face. Deciding to take the bull by the horns, I utilize the Bluetooth in my car to call Rayne. “Hey, man, what’s going on?” he asks when he answers the phone.
