Page 55 of Out of the Blue

He licks his lips, and his eyebrows form a deep V.

His reaction isn’t encouraging. He’s not ready for this step yet, so I murmur, “Actually, change of plans. Take two more deep breaths.”

Still with his eyes squeezed shut, Trent does as I asked.

“Great. You’re doing so good. Do you think on this next inhale, you could add in a hum? You’ve heard me hum before, and I don’t think you want me to add my vocal talents to yours.” I raise my lips in a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

He nods his assent.Score!

“Awesome. On the count of three, alright?”

His hands form fists. When I say “three,” he inhales followed by a low hum. Perfectly on pitch.

“That’s so much better than I could ever do. Can you do it again for me, maybe slightly louder this time?”

His palms open on his powerful thighs, and he rubs. Not waiting for any additional signals, I say, “Three.”

Like before, he takes in a deep breath and hums out a note with increased power. Whew. He’s coming back. “And again.”

After three more breaths, his humming is at the level it should be. “You’re doing so good. Do you think you could repeat your hum, this time with your eyes open?” I tense. This will be the most difficult step for him to take. “Look at the floor.”

After a minute, his eyes pop open but they remain glued to the white tiles below him. His hum and breathing remain as they were during the last time, steady.

Relief courses through my body. He’s definitely going to make it. I glance at my cell to check the time. We only have five more minutes. He can do this, but I need to speed up the process.

I inject wry humor into my voice. “Wow. You might even be the lead singer for the best up-and-coming band out there. Who knew?”

He doesn’t chuckle but emits a huff. My attempts are working. Next phase. “Think we can leave this bathroom and go out into the other room? Not that I’m against bathrooms or anything, as you already know.” I squeeze his arm but refrain from kissing him. Instead, I turn and open the door and pop my head out. The band is still on the other side of the room.

The articles I’ve read about stage fright all stress the need to make the person suffering feel safe. “No one’s waiting to come in. It’s okay.” I step outside and hold the door open. My breath stills.

Trent responds by joining me at the threshold.

“Look at me.”

His gorgeous amber eyes reach mine. They’re still a little cloudy, but he’s nowhere near how he was when I entered the bathroom. Progress. “You aretheTrent Washington. The man I willingly went into a bathroom with after knowing him for only thirty minutes. You rocked my world then, and you’re about to do the same to fans in the arena.” Might as well ease him into what he’s up against.

“You intrigued me.”

His first words to me bring a true smile to my face. “Even though the bathroom was pretty, ah, less than sparkly clean.”

He blinks and the clouds disappear. “Your light made up for it being dingy.”

I lay my palm on his chest. “You certainly did your part back then. Now, it’s time for you to demonstrate to everyone what you showed me that night. Although, you better keep your pants on this time.” I tap his groin.

“I’ll see what I can do.” He clears his throat. “Thank you, Cordy. I want to bottle you up and keep you for myself forever.”

I allow my heart to soar at his sentiment. A vision of being together with him, forever, plays across my soul. “I like the sound of that. But for now, it’s time for you to rejoin your band. And go out there and show everyone who TLR is—the next big band on the music scene.”

“Damn straight.” Grabbing my hand, he brings it to his lips, then intertwines our fingers. “Let’s go.”

“Glad you could join us, man,” Dwight ribs. “You’ll have to make it up to Cordelia for such a quickie, though.”

Happiness at my success and his loving words still coursing through my body, I quip, “I love it with Trent no matter how he gives it.”

And my body tenses.Love? Rewind, Cordelia. I love having sex with him. Although we didn’t just have sex.

Unaware of my inner turmoil, Trent powers on. “You should be so lucky, Dwight.”

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