Sabrina simply stared at the dangling liquor bottle that hung from Luke’s nimble fingers. It was tempting and after dumping Sonny Corinthos’s sorry ass back where it belonged, she’d done well in drowning her frustrations for the evening. Still, she knew this game well.
”Sorry, Luke. I’m not doing a showtune for you and this crowd tonight.”
Luke’s formerly charmed smile quickly turned to a pout. “Dr. DeLane, are you suggesting I would deliberately get you drunk for nefarious purposes?”
Sabrina let out a throaty laugh as she pulled a bottled water from behind the bar, snapping it open and taking a drink. “I am dressed for the occasion,” she remarked. Her stunning Christian Lacroix piece covered all the necessary bits on her lithe frame although by Sonny’s jealous rant, it still seemed as though it should be illegal to wear. Her feet were, of course, clad in her favourite Jimmy Choos and her honey kissed mane of curls hung loose and free. Luke’s eyes raked over her. “You do look ready to have some fun, darlin’,” he noted appreciatively.
“Yeah, well, it won’t involve me getting drunk off my ass, stumbling to the stage and badly singing some Billie Holiday tear jerker.”
“Hey, you got good tips that night!” Luke replied in a slightly injured tone. Sabrina rolled her eyes and continued to nurse herself back to some semblance of sobriety.
The door to the blues establishment opened and closed with the murmur of two distinct voices. “Luke Spencer! Get you scrawny behind out here!” All the regulars, Sabrina included, turned to the newcomers with interest.
Luke poked his head from behind the bar and let out a hoot at the sight. “Joe Fontana!” He rushed over, giving the salt’n’pepper haired man a bear hug. The younger man hung back but shook Luke’s hand with a brilliant smile.
Sabrina’s eyes locked onto him in a flat second.
Whoa. That smile was something else.
“So, this is your craphole?” Fontana asked as both took a stool just a few spots from Sabrina. Luke popped open a beer for both and grinned proudly. “Yes, this pile of junk is all mine.”
The younger man shifted his jacket and Sabrina caught sight of the badge nestled on his belt.
Damn. He looked good. Good enough to eat already.
He’d look positively scrumptious wearing nothing BUT the badge and the smile. Sabrina smiled at her salacious thinking and took one more swig of the cold water. “You keeping secrets from me Spencer?” She waited for all three heads to swivel to her before she stood gracefully and sauntered towards the men, a cool expression etched into her countenance.
Luke and Fontana simply grinned. “Baby, you know I only love you,” Luke crooned as he pulled a cigar from beneath the bar counter. “Dr. Sabrina De Lane, meet Detectives Joe Fontana and Ed Green from NYC.”
“Pleased to meet you both,” Sabrina said lightly as she shook hands with both men, her hand lingering just a tad with Green. Taking a seat next to him, she titled her head and studied him for a moment. Strong, dark eyes stared straight back at her, unwavering. Warm Cinammon skin that she wanted to run her nimble fingers along. Broad shoulders and a physique that would surely have all sorts of muscles and bulges in the right places.
“Edward or Ed or Eddie?” she asked finally. “I always like to clear up the nicknames when I first meet someone.”
A smile playing about his lips, he took a drink of his beer. “Most of the time it’s Ed.” His dark orbs flashed mischievously at her, tempting her further.
“What about the rest of the time?” Her question came off exactly as intended. A challenge.
“Hasn’t been a ‘rest of the time’ in awhile,” he drawled out suggestively. Sabrina inhaled deeply, practically purring at the way his gaze seemed to undress her, as if memorizing her every inch for later on.
“Shame about that.” Damn, now she wanted a drink.
Ed shook his head and took another swig. “No, what’s a shame is a beauty like you, sitting in this place. You should be out, painting the town red, or something.” He shook his head. “Damn shame.”
“She should be singing,” Luke piped up, smiling from behind a fog of cigar smoke. Sabrina eyed him and scowled. “Shut up Spencer.”
Ed’s eyes lit up with interest. “You sing?”
Sabrina’s gaze turned back to Ed. Taking his drink from him, she downed the rest of it. “Only when it hurts.”
“Some fool has done you wrong,” Ed said gently. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Come on, sugar! Drown those sorrows in the mike. The boys won’t be here much longer,” Luke noted, nodding to the trio of men currently jamming on the stage without a singer. “My other lady cancelled,” he added, knowing full well that was a lie.
“No way,” Sabrina said defiantly. She was not wasting her energy on Sonny Corinthos anymore. “I got no heart for you tonight, Luke. Sorry, baby. I’ll sing when Ed sings,” she joked.
Ed straightened in his seat as Luke let out a groan of defeat. Joe bit back a smile. The fine doctor didn’t know what she had just propositioned.
“You’ll sing if I sing?” Ed asked, repeating Sabrina’s words.
Sabrina eyed him curiously. “That’s right,” she replied, not taking her eyes off him. “I dare ya.”
“Oh, man,” Joe murmured into his beer.
Ed let out a gentle laugh and stood up. “Girl, you got yourself a deal.” Sabrina became somewhat alarmed as Ed gave her a wink before sauntering to the stage. Taking a seat at the piano, he pulled the microphone stand towards him, adjusting it to his height. He said a few words to the band before addressing the crowd.
“Good evening everyone. I’m here on a bit of a challenge from the exquisite lady at the bar. She needs the power of love put back into her heart and I’m hoping this pretty song does it for her.”
Stunned a bit by being put on the spot, Sabrina simply stared as Ed rotated his wrists and flexed his fingers before placing them on the piano keys. “Don’t holler too loud if I sound a bit rusty,” he requested to the audience, getting a gentle laugh in response. Already, the crowd had seemingly tripled, taking up any available seats and pulling in close. Sabrina smiled as well, charmed by his relaxed confidence.
Luke dimmed the lights as the crowd quieted down as Ed’s fingers began to dance a familiar tune on the keys.
Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
The response from the crowd was universal. A murmur of approval went through like a tidal wave and the band came to life. Joe grinned from his seat, knowing full well that his partner’s secret talent had gone undiscovered for far too long.
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things
Define what's within
And I've been there before
But that life's a bore
So full of the superficial
Sabrina sat transfixed by the velvety purr in Ed’s voice that echoed in the small club. It was nothing less than magical.
And it was all for her.
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, Yeah
As the drum beat thumped in time, so did the thumping of Sabrina’s heart against her chest. She watched, amazed by the power this perfect stranger held over the audience.
Heck, who was she kidding. She was putty in his hands too.
Luke, whirled an unsuspecting waitress around the bar gallantly. He was never one to sit still for a soul stirring song.
Neither was Sabrina. Rolling her shoulders back and forth as her head lolled from side to side, she lazily grooved to the music, her eyes never leaving Ed.
Some people search for a fountain
That promises forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that's the only way to prove you love him
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be
With no one to share
With no one who truly cares for me
From the stage, Ed lifted his gaze to where Sabrina sat. He could see the audience before him and knew that they were hanging on his performance, but he paid no mind to that and instead chose to sang directly to Sabrina. This was just for her.
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, you, you
Some people want it all
But I don't want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby
If I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain't got you, yeah
Now the audience was on their feet, moving and swaying to Ed’s hypnotic performance but he was not overcome by their appreciation. Sabrina’s mouth ran dry as the intimacy of the private performance struck her full force, invading her senses and sending her nerve endings tingling.
If I ain't got you with me baby
So nothing in this whole wide world don't mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me baby
As the last frames of the song vibrated off the keys, the crowd exploded into applause and Ed finally smiled, nodding his thank yous to the crowd.
Sabrina sucked in her breath, realizing that during the entire song, she’d not taken in a breath. So mesmerized by this man, she had forgotten to breathe. “Damn,” she exhaled.
“That’s for you, Sun Kissed,” Ed said into the mike before leaving the stage. He made his way to her, politely rebuffing every other woman’s attempt to get his attention. He only had eyes for one woman.
“My friend, anytime you’re in town, drinks on the house,” Luke boomed out, popping open a new beer as Ed took his seat once more, sweat glistening down his face.
“You were great!” Joe exclaimed, clapping his partner and friend on the back.
Ed turned to Sabrina as his demeanor sobered slightly. Once again, his soulful brown orbs settled on her. “And you, my lady, what did you think?”
Sabrina pulled herself from the seat, grabbing her purse and coat. Ed’s expression fell slightly. Had she not liked it?
“I think maybe you should take me out to dinner so this dress doesn’t go to waste.”
Ed barked out a delighted laugh. “That’s a great idea.”
Sabrina placed her hand around his tie and pulled him to her slowly, pressing her mouth next to his ear. “And later Eddie, I’ll sing for you.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
song credit--Alicia Keys-If I Ain't Got You