Read an Excerpt
The Leader of the Band
Genie Gabriel
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Book Heat Level: 3
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www.roguephoenixpress.com
Staring at the woman in the mirror, Lauren slowly pushed the gray
wig off her head. Her naturally blonde hair lay matted forlornly against one
side of her head. As she turned her head, a white bandage became obvious,
framed by a semi-circle of close-cropped stubble around her ear where waves of
golden hair used to flow.
I could
have lost my life instead of my hair,
she reassured herself. Still, a spiral of panic threaded through Lauren’s
belly.
Sometimes Lauren disparaged her beauty, especially when lechers
with insulting hands expected free access to her body. However, she also knew
her physical appearance garnered many opportunities a plain woman never
enjoyed.
Now, hidden out in a retirement center and disguised as an old
woman, no one had spared a second glance at her. Hadn't she wanted to be
respected for something that didn't depend on good looks?
A commotion at the door startled Lauren away from her own musings.
Zach slipped inside and slammed the door shut behind him. Then he leaned
against it, gulping deep breaths of air. His silver-streaked wig hung
precariously over one ear; his satin smoking jacket was missing the belt that knotted
it jauntily around his middle when she left him less than fifteen minutes ago.
He slid the lock into place and limped toward Lauren. “Whoever
said women lose their libido in old age never visited this place.”
He flung the wig on the bed for the cat to play with and sat
beside Lauren on the vanity bench. “How are you doing?”
Lauren shrugged. “Have the police found any sign of Matt [my
son]?”
Zach’s fingers tiptoed across the bare skin at the back of
Lauren’s neck. “Nothing yet. Johnny is spending most of his off-duty time
shaking up the homeless hangouts. But they’re a tight-lipped bunch. Don’t talk
to cops much.”
Zach’s lips touched the cool skin of Lauren’s nape. “He'll be
alright.”
Her shiver this time wasn’t from fear for Matt but the trail of
Zach's kisses across the base of her neck. Funny how being in a place with
older people had eased Zach’s mind about aging. These men and women hadn’t
given up on life when their youth faded. They still indulged their passions and
their dreams. They spoke their minds and pursued what they wanted without
regard to what others thought.
They were free in so many ways from the restraints and criticisms
of the world. Free from their own unrealistic expectations, yet at peace with
taking risks and trying new experiences.
Why had Zach feared growing old? "Will you make love with
me?”
Lauren turned and stared at Zach. Disbelief, humor, interest, and
eagerness flickered in her eyes before she placed her hand in Zach’s.
hristmas, I’d ask for my children to be
safe."
Julia and Mitch lapsed into silence for
a moment, absorbing the innocence of the twins as they slept. "What would
you ask for, Mitch?"
Mitch stared at Julia for a moment
longer. His gaze caressed every inch of her face and finally settled on her
mouth. "A kiss from you."
Startled, Julia tried to cover a thrill
of excitement by folding her hands primly in front of her. "That’s
all?"
"Maybe that kiss could be
delivered early." The hunger in Mitch’s eyes generated a tingle between
Julia’s breasts.
"Maybe it could." Julia
didn’t believe the words slipped from her mouth. However, the expectant look in
Mitch’s eyes confirmed Julia had spoken her thoughts aloud. And now she felt
honor-bound to carry through. She could do this without acting like a fool. It was just a kiss, right?
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