Bring Me Closer

Closer: Part 9

Mike leads me up some stairs and into a hallway. Without warning he slams me into the wall, pinning my arms up. I feel my heart rate increase as he thrusts his pelvis against me. We don't exchange a word as we invade each others mouths. He tugs on my hair while he runs his mouth and tongue over my neck. The feeling of his warm breath against my skin sends chills up my spine. I'm ready for wherever he's about to take me. It's like I'm in a dream.

As we finish, my legs tremble. He slides me down to my feet and I can't take my eyes off of his. How does he do this? His dark eyes pierce me, like the first time we met. "Are you okay?" Is the first thing he says to me. I can't stop smiling. I roll my eyes, brushing passed him to head back to the dinner.

The next morning is a busy one. Mike and I head straight to the studio to work on this album. Duke ordered us not to leave until its finished. And, I mean we've been in here since 6:30 and it's already 2. We've finished about 6 songs and were tired as hell.
"Ugh, I'm tired of this. What's the deal with this song that I can't finish it?" I toss the headphones on a stool and walk out of the booth. I take a seat on the couch, leaning back. I feel defeated. Here we are with 3 songs to go after this one, and I can't get past it. Is it me?
"Why don't we skip this one and come back, babe?" Mike suggests.
"No! What if we finish all the songs except this one and I never get past it? I can't skip it." I fold my arms. Mike looks stressed out. I pull out my cell phone to call Duke.
"Finished?" Is the first thing he says when he answers the phone.
I sigh. "No, and I need fresh air." I know I'm sounding like a brat, but that's what being cooped up in a small room for 6 hours will do to a person.
He takes a deep breath before responding. "Okay go, but don't go far."
"Thanks!" I barely give him a chance to finish before I'm packing my things and heading out. "I'm taking 5, heading to the coffee shop, you want something?" I ask him.
He fiddles with the song on his computer screen and listens with his eyes closed, "Coffee," He says in a low voice.

I head out, with my headphones in my ears listening to the instrumental over and over again. I pass by Rashad and J as I walk down. They both nod "what's up" to me as I continue to the elevator.
"It hard to believe, in you and me. But baby you're all, all I need." I sing. "I remember the days. The days you were with me. You loved me as I was, for all I could be." I continue singing the chorus as I head outside.
I begin to realize I probably should've put on a jacket considering it's barely spring and I'm wearing a jean shirt with jean shorts. Only thing that's giving me the slightest bit of warmth are these thigh high knit socks. I hold my arms tightly and try to sing the words.

As I rush into Jack's Coffee shop, I nearly knock over a man coming out. "I'm so sorry!" I apologize, taking my headphones out of my ears. I look up and notice a familiar smile. "Vance! Hey, how's it going?" He reaches in for a hug.
"It's going." He says, walking with me to the counter. "Congratulations again on everything. You're really something." He flashes me a friendly smile.
"Yeah, not yet. Fingers crossed though." I laugh. "Were actually stuck on this one song for the album. I just took my first break, we've been up there since 6 this morning."
"Really?" He sounds surprised. "And Mike The Man is up there with you? I don't know, I might have to stop by and work my magic." He smirks.
I don't know, were pretty hopeless. "For sure, you should stop by,"
The women at the register calls me. "Hi, I'd like 2 large coffee's with extra cream and 5 sugars. A glazed donut and- how about a chocolate chip cookie," I smile turning to Vance.
"So where are Iva and Lily this fine afternoon?" I ask handing the woman my credit card.
"Oh I honestly don't know. They might still be at the loft, that was the last time I checked." He glances down at his phone. He's texting someone, so I look away. It's so weird. Their relationship. It's clear Lily wants to be with Vance but he's clearly not into monogamy, so she just conforms to his lifestyle, just to be with him. I don't think I could ever do that. And if I even thought it, I'd hope someone would slap some sense into me. "You know what I'm excited for though," He says.
"Nope, what's that?"
"That album. I'll be the first to buy it. You've got a great voice, from what I heard briefly at the Valentines day gig." I smile pleasantly at him, grabbing the drinks and the food.
"Yeah? That means a lot coming from you. Mike speaks highly of you."