The Gods of Rock 'n' Roll

Duet: Allison

Chapter Ten

Allison played all of her newest songs, switching guitars excitedly in between and loving the feel of the instruments under her hands. Phillip joined her and sat in a chair several feet away, partially draped in shadows. She played and played, not even stopping to wipe the tears when they came.

She was frantic. So much music wanted to come out, so much had built up inside of her that letting it out was completely freeing. She'd pulled her hair back at one point, but after hours of playing it was hanging around her face again in wisps. Sweat poured down her back, but she couldn't help herself. She played until her fingers bled and sang until her voice was raspier than usual.

She stood to exchange guitars once more and her legs gave out. She fell to the floor sobbing, looking at her hands. Phillip rushed to her, kneeling in front of her.

"Your poor fingers," he murmured.

He began to hum softly, taking her hands in his much larger ones. His humming gained volume, and then he began to sing. Allison's hands tingled, and a warmth spread up her arms and neck, then traveled down her torso. She inhaled the strong scent of the ocean that was coming from Phillip, and her heart began to race. His voice was pure like a child might imagine an angel's voice would sound. She pulled her hands out of his hold and reached up to touch his face. He continued to sing to her in a foreign language she didn't understand, but she fully comprehended the meaning and the power it had over her.

Allison rose up onto her knees before him. He reached for her hands again and held them to his chest, creating such beauty with his voice. She gasped as the vibrations tickled her fingers. She leaned in and pressed her ear to his ribs to hear the song coming directly from the source, and then she touched his diaphragm working in time with his breathing, giving him such strength. She'd never heard anything sweeter.

Without thinking, she began unbuttoning his dress shirt, anxious to feel his skin.

Phillip's voice cut off and she shook her head. "Don't stop. Please."

A worried look crossed his face before he began to sing again, hesitantly this time. She continued opening the buttons and then slowly pushed the material to the sides, revealing an intricately tattooed Polynesian design that covered the entire left top of his chest, traveling over the top of his shoulder and down to his biceps. His body was so massive he didn't seem real.

Her fingers were determined to explore and discover for themselves just what he was exactly. His skin was incredibly hot, yet goosebumps rose in the trail of her touch. She leaned forward, moving closer, and pressed a kiss to his chest, loving the way his voice felt, the way his skin felt, the way he smelled.

He sucked in a breath and grabbed her arms. "Allison," he said in a pained voice.

"Why did you stop singing?" she demanded.

He began to sing once more, but his voice was shaky, the words not coming out quite as strong this time. Allison continued her exploration, removing his shirt completely before untying his hair and letting it fall loose around his shoulders. She ran her fingers through it, scoring his scalp with her nails. His singing faltered, but one look from her had him back on track.

She began to sing "Leather and Lace" again with her head against his shoulder. Their voices met in perfect harmony as she held him close. His arms tentatively encircled her waist as though he were afraid to really grab hold.

"Allison," he whispered as their duet ended.

He stroked her long black hair and sighed. She turned her head from his shoulder and looked up into his now golden eyes. She blanched.