The Wild Ones (Book 2 in the Smalltown Superstars Series)

8

The next morning, they rented a boat and Dawson taughtBrook to water ski. She was a fast learner and only fell a few times. ThenBrook managed to convince him to rent a crab trap and try his hand at fishing.It was not his favourite idea, but whenDawson saw the excitement in Brook’s eyes, he gotexcited himself.

Brookbaited the trap with rotting fish heads she had purchased on the dock from thebait shop. It was disgusting and smelly; Dawson refused to touch the vilethings. “You are such a sissy.” Brook teased securing the bait to the trap.

“Yeahwell, your hands are going to smell likedead fish for a week now,” Dawsoncomplained only for Brook to taunt him by waving her hand in front of his faceand laughing. “Aren’t we funny?” He laughed. “Don’t make me shove you in the water,” Dawson warned.

“Youwhine like an infant.” Brook teased taking the trap and handing it to him. “Goon throw it out as far as you can.”

Dawsontook the handle of the trap, and with all his might he threw the trap offthe boat. It flew a good twenty feet before hitting the water and sinking. Theyhad tied the rope to the stern of the boat so asnot to lose the trap.

“Thatwas a good toss,” Brook said impressedwith the distance he had gotten.

“Howlong do we have to wait?” Dawson asked sitting down on one of the seats mountedto the deck. He was looking good in his swim trunks and nothing else. The lightsea breeze is blowing his hair into his face, andthe sun is bronzing his skin.

Brookhad worn her bikini beneath her jean cut off shorts and a yellow tank top shehad taken off earlier and was now resting on her seat. Her hair was tied up ina high ponytail. She sat down and reachedfor the suntan lotion on the deck beside her. With her fair skin, Brook had to apply the lotion repeatedlythroughout the day to prevent from burning.

Since they had to wait, she had a few moments.Brook poured a little into her hands and began to rub the lotion into her arms,neck, chest, and belly. It was a sight that always caused Dawson to stare. Hewas not very discreet as he watched her, the naughty thoughts in his mindreadable from the look in his eyes and the smirk on his face.

“Becareful you may start drooling.” Brook teased her gaze meeting his.

“Whydon’t you let me help you apply that to your back?

“Youare just looking for a reason to touch me.”

“Ofcourse, I am.” Dawson agreed.

“Yousir are a horn-dog.”

Dawsonflashed her a mischievous smile. “I shall try to refrain from humping your leg.”He promised.

Knowing she could not reach her back without his help,Brook handed Dawson the bottle of lotion and turned around. His handswere warm, but the lotion was cold. Brookclosed her eyes in pleasure as Dawson massaged the lotion into her skin. His hands are relaxing every muscle. He had a skilled touch.

Slowlyhis hands moved lower and lowered downher back. Brook felt Dawson’s body move closer to her, and she could not shakethe feeling that he was going to make a pass at her. Brook shot to her feet andmoved away from him. He was far too seductive to allow him the opportunity towork his wiles.

“Let’sbring it up.” She suggested.

Dawsonfrowned at her escape. “Very well.” He grudgingly agreed, and Dawson reached for the rope. The trap was heavy to pull back up. The motionof the water working against him. Dawson did his best and slowly brought thetrap to the surface. “Oh my god, I thinkthere is something in it.” He said with excitement pulling the trap onto theboat.

“Wecaught something,” Brook said withexcitement.

Thetrap contained three large crabs and surprisingly a five-pound starfish. Theycould not help but laugh at their strange success. Brook reached inside andpulled out the huge starfish. She then tossed it back into the water. Next, sheremoved a feisty crab that tried twice to reach back and pinch her with itsclaws. She tossed in the first two and held up the last one for Dawson.

“Goon city boy. You caught it; you throw itback.”

Excited that he had finally caught somethingDawson took the crustacean from Brook with a proud smile. “I can’t believe Icaught this. It’s so - Ouch!” He yelped when the crab’s claw snapped shutaround his finger. Cussing Dawson shook his hand and flung the nasty crab offthe boat to nurse his sore finger. Brook could not stop laughing.

***

Later that afternoon they drove down to Hollywood andtoured the sights, the Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame. They comparedtheir handprints to those of the stars.Brook bought a camera, and they ranaround town posing for crazy pictures at all the tourist spots. She evendragged him through a costume shop where they spent an hour horsing aroundtrying on hats and wigs, masks and scarf arepretending to be everyone from Marilyn Monroe to a French Duchess. She was sodarn cute Dawson could barely stand it.

Brookeven placed hats on Dawson’s head and held masks to his eyes coaxing him to joinher fun making him her mob boss or a Viking warrior. He felt silly at first, but after a while of chasing Brook around thestore laughing and acting like complete fools,Dawson realized he too was having fun he did not care what others thought ofthem.

Brookhad a way of bringing something out in Dawson. She had a way of making the mostridiculous or tedious things fun. Dawson could not remember enjoying himself morethan he did with Brook. He had never smiled or laughed this much in his life.Brook had that certain something that made her an infectious personality.

Whenthe shopkeeper finally threw them out, Dawson paid for a black fedora and yellowsunglasses. Brook bought a white feather boa and big dark starlet sunglasses.They both wore their acquisitions cruising around town with the top down, and the music cranked way up loud. Brook sat upon the back of the seats with her arms up in the air dancing to the radioletting the wind whip through her hair as they tore down the road. She waswild, crazy, and so sexy Dawson could not stand it. Everything about this woman excited him.

Dawsonwanted Brook more than he had ever wanted anything in his entire life, only thewoman of his dreams was proving frustratingly resistant to his usual charms.That night Dawson took Brook dancing. They found a local country bar whereBrook taught Dawson to line dance and two-step. He picked up on it quickly andthe evening was a hit. The live band was very talented, and the drinks were cheap, but his favourite part of the eveningwas when Dawson got to slow dance with Brook.

Itwas an excuse to hold her tight against him, tofeel her outstanding body rock against his with each step. Just holdingBrook so innocently filled Dawson with joy. He had taken many trips. Been onmany vacations alone and with others but never had he enjoyed himself more thanhe did right at that moment on that dance floor with Brook in his arms. Withthe subtlest of glances, she could make him weak in the knees.

***

Three days he had been running around LA with Brook.Four nights he had been sleeping five feet away from her in that room. Despitehow close they were getting and how much fun they were having Dawson was notgaining any ground with Brook. He still had not managed to get another kiss outof her or talk his way off the couch. He had never been in such a stalematewith a woman before. He could match wits with her and trade sultry looks fromthose green eyes and those delectable lipsbut never once managing to get more than a look.

God,he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her so badly, but the reminder ofhow hard she could hit kept him in check,and hard as a rock. Each day that passed, each moment he spent with Brook, madehim want her more. Dawson found himself stiff and aching for Brook so often ithad become painful. If he did not have Brook soon,he would surely lose his mind.

Eachmorning when he woke Dawson would hear Brook in the shower singing to herselfas she washed her hair and scrubbed her body. She sounded like an angle, Dawsonclosed his eyes, he could almost picture her under the shower head. Her perfectbody covered in suds, the hot waterpouring down over her. He became painfully erect as he lay on the couch. Hewould have paid a king’s ransom for the chance to join her in that shower justone of these mornings.

Dawsonstood up from the couch knowing he had to do something about the obviouserection that was pitching a tent in his pants before Brook came out of thewashroom and caught him. He looked around the room for a quick fix and saw theice bucket. There was still ice inside. He grabbed a handful of ice and droppedit down the front of his pants. The sudden bitter cold did the trick. Dawsonalmost yelped as he jumped up and down in one spot shaking the chill off.

Thedoor opened, and Dawson heard Brook comeout. “What are you jumping around for?” She asked.

“Just spilled something down the front of my pants isall.”

“You should be more careful.” She teased. Dawson turned to see her standing there is not but a towel. He was going to need moreice. “I forgot to take in a change of clothes,” Brook said taking something from the bag she had lefton the bed. She then headed back into the washroom. “What do you want to do today?” He heard her calling from the other room.

“Anything you like.” He called back. “I saw some flyers on the street post the other dayabout some festivals down by the piers if you want to check that out?” He suggested opening his bag to find something towear.

“That sounds like fun,” Brook said coming out in tight blue jeans and a whitetank top. She sat down on the bed and pulled on her boots then reached for hercowboy hat. “I say we go do that for a few hours.Should be good for some giggles.” She said smiling at him over her shoulder. He woulddo anything she wanted when she looked at him like that.

Dawsonshowered and dressed then they stopped for breakfast when they reached thepier. They wandered around afterward taking in the street performers, and the food stands. They even participated asvolunteers in a few juggling acts and a magic act. Brooks particularly likedthe two jugglers on unicycles. There were all sorts of small shops, boutiques,and bistros lining the pier. They didsome window shopping and got some ice cream, walking along the boardwalk theycame to one bar Brook stopped and pointed to a poster in the window.

“Look, amateur’s night songwriters contest.” She said eagerly. “Let’s go in and listen to the show.” She suggested taking Dawson’s hand and dragging himinto the bar.

“Amateurs,” Dawson groaned, “come on that is like sitting through karaoke it’s cruel and unusual punishment.” He groaned.

“Oh please,” Brook begged to dragDawson to a table and forcing him to sit. “Let’s just watch a little.”

“I would rather dig my eyes out with a rusty hook,” Dawson said trying to stand up once more.

Brooktook his hand and forced him to sit once more. “Not all amateurs are bad. Just look at those Idolshows they got on TV.”

“Yes, and out of what twelve mediocre singers they hadto listen to six thousand voices that could make your ears bleed. No thank you.” He said standing up again. “Let’s find something else to do.”

Brookgrabbed Dawson’s hand once more and looked up at him. “If we stay for the show I’ll give you another kiss.” She offered.

Dawsonpaused, the offer was tempting. This showwas something she wanted. After four days he was finally in a position to bargainwith Brook. She wanted to stay for this show, andhe wanted far more than a kiss. “I want to share the bed for the rest of the trip.” He demanded.

“No.” She refused right off.

“Ok then let’s go find something else to do.” He said coaxing her to stand.

Brooklooked at the stage as the show was about to start. “Ok fine, we can share, but that is it.” She stressed sitting down again.

Thatis what she thought. Dawson sat back down happy with the progress he had justmade. It was much easier to seduce a woman when shearing the same bed. Hesettled in for the show and flagged down a waitress for a few drinks. If he hadto watch this, he would need a few drinksin him. The waitress came over to take their order.

“How many competitors are in the show?” Dawson askedwondering how long his torment was going to take.

“Ten so far. There are still two spots left if you wantto sign up. I’m sure they can squeeze you in before theyget started.” The waitress offered to point out the man behind the DJ booth. “Just go talk to Bill.”

“No, I don’t sing.” He said as she walked away; but Brook did, he heardher every morning, and she was wonderfulat the church function. “You should sign up.” He suggested. “You might win some money.”

“No,” she laughed, “I don’t have a guitar.”

“Oh please. You’re a hottie, I bet if you bat your eyes at one ofthose other singers you’ll get one of them to lend you his for asong or two.”

Brook looked thoughtful. “You think so?”

“Why not? Give it a try. The worst that happens if you don’t win, and we goabout our day.” He said as the waitress brought back hisdrink.

“I think I will compete.” Brook stood up and headed for the DJ booth. Dawsonwatched as she talked to the man and after a few minutes, he saw another guy raise his hand, probably offering herthe use of his instrument in the hopes of getting her phone number. Brook cameback to sit with Dawson until she was called up to the stage.

Theshow began, and the MC explained therules of the contest simply to the audience. There were slips of paper on eachtable along with pencils for the audience to vote. Each competitor was assigneda number and two chances to play the musicof their own making to entertain. In the end,the audience wrote down the number of their favourite entertainer. The barowner counted the votes, and the winner won three hundred dollars.

Dawsonsat through each musician listening to all kinds of music. Some were alrightand others half decent. He would not say they were great, butthey were not as bad as he was expecting. His favourite by far was Brook formany reasons and not just because he had a thing for her. She had some realtalent, and he was not the only one tothink so. She received an overwhelming applaud after her first song and astanding ovation after her second. She was something. It was easy to see whyshe won the competition.

Brookcollected the money, and as she was counting her winning, she returned to the table waving thecash at Dawson. “You sir deserve a fancy dinner for talkingme into doing that. It was an absoluteblast and look how much money I won. So, what do you say? Anywhere you want onme.” She offered.

Dawsonfinished his drink and stood up. “Dinner on you. Alright, I say we find the mostoutrageously expensive place to eat.” He said ushering Brook out of the bar. “I mean a place where we can’t even pronounce the food on the menu.”

Brooklaughed. “Sounds great.”

“Miss, wait!” A male voice called after them. Brook and Dawsonpaused turning to see some tall man in his early forties with blond hair and areceding hairline coming after them from the bar. Dawson groaned they were having such a nice time too, and now some yahoo was going to wreck it bytrying to make a pass at her. “Miss wait,” he said catching up to them, “Miss Giles was it?” He asked remembering how the DJ had introduced her.

“Yes,” Brook replied.

“You were sensational in there. You have real talent.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the show.” She said turning away.

“No, wait.” He said reaching for her with one hand and reachinginto his coat pocket with another to remove a business card. “My name is Donald Rutter. I’m a music scout. You have got what it takes to make itbig. I would love to help produce you.” He said handing her his card.

Brooktook the card and laughed. “Well, that is a new one.” She said. “I suppose I have to sleep with you to get this too.”

“What? No.” The man said surprised by her reaction.

“Whatever, I might be a small-town girl, but I’m not dumb enough to fall for this. Sorry, I didn’t come to LA to get famous, and I’m going back to Alberta.” She said handing him back his card. “You just take this fake card of yours and go try thisploy on some other girl,” Brook said as she started to walk away.

“Iassure you, Miss, this card is real.”

“Sure,it is. I could go down to Charlie’s Fast Signs on fifty-first and get two hundred of those printed off for fiftybucks.” She yelled back not bothering to turn around.

Dawsonfollowed Brook a little surprised that she had not even considered his offer fora moment. “You don’t think even for a second that guy might have been onthe level?” He asked.

“Nope.” She said sure of herself. “Let’s go find a place toeat. Should we get French or Italian?”