Jordan's Kiss, page 1
Jordan's Kiss
Synopsis
Blossoming recording artist Jordan Phelps watches her life go up in smoke when a candle tips over and lights a BDSM play club on fire. After losing her job, her lover, and her home, Jordan sets out across America to find a safe place. She lands in Boston, where an old college friend asks her to join their small lounge band. There she meets pianist Morgan Sparks, who lights another blaze, this time in Jordan’s heart.
But Morgan has a history that keeps her well away from relationships. Running away from the past is never easy, but when an abusive ex-lover finds her through her new band’s website, Morgan must face scars that never quite healed. The leather community helps Jordan and Morgan get back the respect and esteem they once had, but will love be enough to mend a broken heart?
Content advisory: This book contains references to domestic violence.
Jordan’s Kiss
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By the Author
In Helen’s Hands
Arrested Pleasures
Jordan’s Kiss
Jordan’s Kiss
© 2021 By Nanisi Barrett D’Arnuk. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-981-1
This Electronic Original Is Published By
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Valley Falls, NY 12185
First Edition: September 2021
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Credits
Editor: Barbara Ann Wright
Production Design: Susan Ramundo
Cover Design by Tammy Seidick
eBook Design by Toni Whitaker
Dedication
For Ti, my muse
Chapter One
Pianist Morgan Sparks handed her band’s business card to the young man who had just introduced himself. He was planning a party for his parent’s thirtieth wedding anniversary next month, and he wanted her band to perform at it. His parents had come to this restaurant many times and really liked their music. The trio, or occasionally a quartet, had been playing there for a couple years. Everyone knew, if you wanted to hear good music that wouldn’t bust your eardrums, The Dam Restaurant, just outside Boston, in Newton, Massachusetts was the place to be. It was on the Chestnut River, just below a dam. On their menu and in their advertising, they boasted, “Best restaurant by a dam site.”
“Give me a call this week, we can discuss time and place, and if there are any special songs that mean a lot to your folks, or songs that they really like, let us know, and we’ll try to include them.”
He nodded happily, thanked her and shook her hand. As he walked away, she felt someone at her shoulder and turned to see Robbie Nelson, the band’s drummer, standing there with a big hopeful smile on her face.
“I’ve got a good friend that’s here, and she wants to sing a song with us,” Robbie told Morgan.
“We’re in the middle of a gig, hon. She can audition later tonight after we finish, and the place starts to clear out, or I can hear her tomorrow,” Morgan replied. She really didn’t want a new singer in the group, especially one she hadn’t heard before.
“No, no, not to audition for us. She’s really good, and I’d love to hear her sing just one song. Actually, she didn’t ask. I suggested it,” Robbie admitted. “We went to college together. We both studied music. I’ll vouch for her. She’s real good. She’s been singing with her own band out in California.”
Morgan looked at Robbie with a raised eyebrow.
“Oh, c’mon, Morg. She’s really good. I think she has a recording contract with her band there.” Robbie continued trying to persuade Morgan.
Well, if Robbie’s friend was truly visiting, it was nothing to worry about. Morgan hated to deny her coworkers anything. She’d gone out of her way to take a truly mediocre song that their bass player had written and rework it into a fairly good piece they had added to their repertoire. She’d let Robbie do some of the set-ups and pick new material. Actually, although she had the experience and the training, it wasn’t her band. Robbie and Lori were the ones who organized it…then left it in her hands. But now, another someone she hadn’t heard? Well, to keep her fellow band-members happy. After all, it was only one song.
Morgan focused back on Robbie’s persistent pleas. She interrupted with, “What does she want to sing?”
“I’ll ask.” Then Robbie hurried off to the other side of the room.
A few minutes later, as Morgan had just gotten up to the piano, Robbie came back. “I’m sorry if this is an inconvenience,” Morgan heard over her shoulder.
Morgan turned. A stunning brunette stood beside Robbie. Average height for a woman, but her eyes had a glow in them that was hard to look away from. Morgan’s breath caught in her throat.
“It’s no inconvenience,” she barely got out. “What do you want to sing?”
“Something slow. Any oldie. Something from mid-last century. Your call. ‘Over the Rainbow,’ ‘Unforgettable,’ ‘Who Can I Turn To,’ something like that.” The timbre of her voice sent chills up Morgan’s back. It was low and very sultry. Morgan felt a warm feeling down below her belly.
“‘Rainbow’ sounds good. Original key?”
The new woman nodded and reached to shake Morgan’s hand. “Thank you for this,” she said. “You didn’t have to. Robbie just wanted to hear me sing again.”
Morgan smiled. “What’s your name so I can introduce you?” she asked.
“Jordan Phelps.”
She repeated the name to herself so she wouldn’t forget it, although she wasn’t sure she’d ever forget this stunning woman in front of her. “Second in the next set.”
“Thank you.” Jordan smiled at her, and Morgan’s insides melted.
As wonderful as this one looks, I shouldn’t do this. She’d better be worth it.
She beckoned to Lori, their bass player. “New singer, friend of Robbie’s. We’ll do ‘Over the Rainbow’ second in E-flat.”
The opening two notes of that song were extremely difficult; few could do them well. It would have been a dynamite audition test. Morgan couldn’t wait to hear how that went. She hoped Jordan was up for it, especially with no warm-up.
They got back onstage and prepared for the next set. They played one lively number to get the audience back in the mood. When the first song was over, Morgan pulled her microphone closer. She had to make this sound good so the audience would be enthused.
“Hey, everyone. We’ve got a treat for you tonight. A friend of Roberta’s, our drummer, is visiting from California and she’s gonna sing a Judy Garland hit that was named Number One Song of the Twentieth Century. Ladies and Gentlemen, singing ‘Over the Rainbow,’ Ms. Jordan Phelps!”
Jordan hurried up onto the stage and took the mic from Morgan. Morgan and the band started the song with an enticing introduction.
Jordan’s voice slid into the song so very easily, it was as smooth as velvet. The opening octave jump was like butter, not even a skip or short break into the second note. Morgan could feel her own eyes open in wonder as she watched person after person turn to watch and listen to Jordan, smiles on every face. The soft notes seemed to caress each ear gently, but the long ones soared. Jordan was a very talented performer. She knew how to get the most out of each note, and Morgan found herself almost melting again.
Jordan looked at individual members of her audience and seemed to draw them in. All through the song, they were mesmerized by her voice. As Jordan finished, the crowd erupted into wild applause. There were even a few on their feet. Yes, Jordan was a gifted singer.
She bowed to her audience and acknowledged their applause. She returned the mic to Morgan, waved to the audience again, and hurried back to her table.
Morgan immediately switched to the next tune. She had to get that song out of her head. Had that woman cast some sort of spell on her? Concentrate, Sparks. She couldn’t think of anything else. Concentrate. Concentrate. She had a hard time getting through the rest of the set. There were only a few more pieces, and then the set ended.
“Thank you all for listening tonight,” Morgan said, still playing the closing number, “and for welcoming our friend, Jordan Phelps. Wasn’t she great?” She waited until the applause died. “We’ll be back next week, Wednesday through Saturday, same place, same times. Have a great week, and don’t forget to tip your server. From Lori Richards-Brand on bass, Roberta Nelson on drums and me, Morgan Sparks, this is Stone Cold Perception giving you a giant thank you and signing off for the week.” She finished the ending song, and the music stopped. The room got very noisy as some patrons got ready to leave, servers finished serving their last diners, and others cleared the emptying tables.
“So, what did you think?” It was Robbie as she was closing up her kit. She had just put a tarp over her drum set and strapped it down. She didn’t have to take it down unless they were going to rehearse before Wednesday. The set could stay there. The management would assure that no one disturbed it. Robbie took her sticks, cymbals, and smaller instruments home with her.
“Very beautiful,” Morgan said.
“Yah, but I mean her voice.” Robbie snickered.
“That’s what I was referring to.” Morgan grinned at her.
“Were you?”
“She has a very nice tone and a great style.” Morgan didn’t want to mention that she’d noticed what an outstanding backside Jordan had when she turned to sing to the audience. It wasn’t hard to watch her through the song. Jordan looked great from head to toe…back and front. And yes, she’d noticed the front, too. Great curves, astounding tits. Nothing that looked less than perfect.
“I knew you’d like her. If she’s moving near here, can we use her?”
Morgan gazed at her. “I thought you said she was just visiting?” she asked warily.
“Well, it seems she’s looking for a new place to move to.”
Morgan leaned back. Had that been a scam? Did Robbie want to include Jordan in their band? A fourth member? She had sounded wonderful, and she looked great. It would take a little bit of responsibility off her shoulders, not that she didn’t like being the front person of the group, but it wasn’t a necessity to her ego. Did they need to add another member to the band? They already had a sax player that they could add if they were doing parties or larger, louder gigs. A singer would add a lot, though.
The restaurant owner wouldn’t have to increase the pay, but would he? Or would he say, you hired her, you pay her? “Are you willing to give up a quarter of your pay?”
“Oh, come on, Morg. We don’t make that much. We still have to have day jobs. This gig just gives us extra to put back to buy something special from time to time.”
That was true, but the more Morgan thought about it, the more appealing it became. Include the entire band, smartass. You can’t make an executive decision with this. “We should get Lori’s input.”
She turned to look for their bass player.
“Yo, Lor,” Robbie called across the room.
It looked like Lori was coming back from the ladies’ room. She walked over to them.
“What?” she asked as she picked up her backpack from the stage.
“What did you think of Jordan?”
“She’s way cute.”
The other two laughed.
“Good, Lor. Musically,” Morgan said.
“Oh.” Lori thought for a moment. “She was in tune, and her timing was good.”
“How good? Do you think she’d fit in with us?”
“Fit in with us?”
Robbie looked into Lori’s eyes and grinned.
“Earth to Lori. Did you just sneak a hit out back?”
“Sorry. My mind’s somewhere else. I’m having a fight with Mel. She wants to go to this gathering tomorrow, and I want to stay home.”
“And she can’t go without you?”
“It’s with her family, at her sister’s house. If I don’t go, her mother will spend the afternoon bitching and ripping me to shreds.”
Morgan and Robbie nodded. They both knew the mother-in-law from hell.
“You’d better go. That’s one of the drawbacks of married life, sweetie.”
Lori was always talking about how her mother-in-law had it in for her: that she didn’t have the education Mel had, that she didn’t spend enough time with Mel, that she couldn’t make enough money to keep her daughter happy, even though Mel’s job brought in a whole lot more than hers did.
Robbie and Morgan were single. Morgan didn’t even have a steady girlfriend.
“So what should we do about Jordan?” Robbie asked.
“Is she staying around here? She sounds really good.” Lori asked as she looked from Robbie to Morgan. “I think she’d add a lot to the group. Can you work with her?” she asked Morgan.
“I’ll have to see what else she’s got. If she has some good stuff, maybe I’ll ask her to come back one day next weekend. Are you both willing to give up a quarter of your pay for a night?”
“That’s no problem for me. She’d be good on Friday or Saturday. That’s when the most people are here. That’s when people can be kind of raucous,” Robbie said.
“Makes no never-mind to me,” Lori said. “This job is just extra so Mel’s mother can’t say I’m lazy. I think she might be good on those hard nights.”
Good. “I’ll talk to her.”
“Well, I gotta run home if I’m getting up tomorrow to go to this debacle. It’s a good thing her sister likes me,” Lori said as she leaned down to heft her bass. Her electric bass was locked in its case and stashed behind her amplifier. The stand-up bass would go home with her. “If you feel we need to rehearse anything, give me a call. Otherwise, see you next Wednesday.”
Lori got all her things together and then left. Robbie made sure all her equipment was safe, then looked over to where Jordan was sitting and waved that she was done there.
Morgan turned away from the audience, straightened her music into a neat pile, and put them into her big messenger bag. Well, another week, another few nickels. These gigs didn’t pay much, but it gave them a chance to perform. Maybe some name would hear them sometime. At least, it gave her something to do after work.
“Morgan?” The voice was low. “Thank you so much for letting me sing tonight.” It was Jordan, of course, who’d come up behind her.
“You’re welcome. You have a very fine voice. It should take you far.” She had been surprised when Jordan had started. She’d expected an average amateur performance, maybe pleasant at best, like so many others who’d auditioned for her. But Jordan’s voice was sensual, and her long notes floated and curled around you like honey. “I’m surprised you’re not performing somewhere.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me. Robbie said you had the best ears around.”
“Well…maybe not quite,” Morgan said, a little embarrassed. “I’d like to talk with you, maybe tomorrow? Do you have a card?”
“Not right now. I’m moving so I’m staying at a hotel for now. I could give you my cell number.” She reached into her purse.
“You’re in a hotel? How long are you going to be in town?”
“I’m not sure. Until I find a place to live, I guess.” She took a small notebook out of her bag, jotted on it, and tore a piece out.
“Here in Boston?” Morgan continued to question.
“I haven’t decided. Can I call you? Robbie gave me your card.” She handed Morgan the paper. Morgan skimmed the writing on the jagged piece of paper. Well, now I have her number.
“Sure.” Morgan refocused. “Either way would be great. We’ll have to be in touch.”
“Hey, Jordey,” Robbie said, using the nickname they’d used in college, “why don’t you stay with me for a while? It’s silly paying for a hotel.” Robbie had come up beside the piano. “I haven’t got a big place, but the couch is comfortable.”
“Well…we’ll talk.”
“Did you eat here, or do you want to go get something?” Robbie asked. She looked around as if to make sure there was no management nearby. “There’s an all-night diner not too far from here,” she said softly, “and it’s a lot less expensive. I always get hungry doing these gigs. Come with me?”
Jordan nodded.
“Want to join us, Morg?”
“Not tonight. You two must have a lot to catch up on.”
“Let me go check out the ladies’ room. I’ll be ready in a minute.” Jordan walked over to where the restroom signs were pointing.
Robbie leaned over the piano. “See? I told you she was wonderful.”
“Yes,” agreed Morgan. “She does have a beautiful voice.”
“I’m going to find out why she’s not still in California.” Robbie said.
Morgan added, “And find out how long she’s planning to stay here. Just in case we decide we want to use her long-term in the band.” She quickly accentuated to prevent any suspicion she had any attraction to this new member.
