Relentless (Nashville Nights)

by Cheryl Douglas

  He reached up to free her hands. She was right; everything she said made perfect sense, which meant he couldn’t go through with this. He couldn’t make love to her and then let her leave as though it had never happened.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, resting her hands on the pillow above her head. “I thought you wanted…”

  “You’re right, Nik. You need to focus on your career right now. I’d just get in the way of that.”

  She frowned, stroking his cheek. “It doesn’t have to be that way. Listen, we could have a great time together tonight. Maybe we could keep it casual when we get home. Whenever we’re both in town, we could hook up…”

  He pressed his fingers against her lips, silencing her. “Darlin’, I don’t wanna be your hometown hook-up. I wanna be your man.”

  She shook her head. “J.T., what you’re asking of me is more than I’m able to give. I’m sorry.”

  He got up, reaching for her clothes. “So am I, baby.” He tossed the garments on the bed beside her. “Trust me, better now than later.”

  Chapter Four

  J.T. gave up trying to focus on late night TV. Too restless to sleep, he dressed and headed down to the hotel bar. A couple of shots of whiskey might help put him to sleep. Better yet, the company of a beautiful woman might help take his mind off the one responsible for his bout with insomnia.

  He walked into the dimly lit bar/restaurant, taking in the patrons still crowding the small tables, some couples and a few groups watching sports highlights on one of several screens.

  This has gotta be a cosmic joke, he thought when he heard the sound of her husky laughter filtering through the background noise. He turned around and saw her in a rear booth with a man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, along with a cowboy hat and boots.

  Not the usual garb for Vegas, which led him to believe he was there for the awards ceremony.

  She looked up and their eyes locked for an instant before she turned her attention back to her date.

  It irritated him to think she may be there to make good on her threat to pick up where they’d left off. After tearing his eyes away from the cozy couple, he made his way to the bar. Throwing his leg over a tall stool, he sat down and reached for the sweet and salty mixture in the glass bowl. Anything to prevent him from making a fool of himself by going over there to issue a warning that would have the poor kid running for cover.

  “Hi there, what can I get you?” the bartender asked, wiping the counter surface with a damp rag.

  A curvy brunette wearing a tight little black and white uniform might be just the thing to take his mind off his troubles.

  He offered a grin that routinely had the desired effect on the opposite sex. “How ‘bout Jim Beam and keep ‘em comin’.” Unlike many of his cohorts, he wasn’t a big drinker. He had seen too many talented riders descend into oblivion at the bottom of a bottle. He was at the top of his game right now, the man to beat. He wasn’t going to let anything or anyone get the best of him.

  “You got it, hon.” She set the glass on the bar in front of him and set him up. “You here to go a round with the devil?”

  He smirked, raising the glass to his lips. His temptation wasn’t the cry of the blackjack table; it was the lure of the sexy little siren with a body built for sin. “I’m not a big gambler.”

  She set a hand on her hip, sizing him up. “What’re you doin’ in Sin City if you’re not a risk taker?”

  He drained the glass, savoring the burn. “Didn’t say I wasn’t a risk taker, darlin’.”

  She smiled, leaning over to reveal an impressive amount of cleavage. “Then tell me what you do for fun, handsome.”

  He’d been having a hell of a lot of fun earlier, but he was here to put that out of his mind. “I risk my life trying to stay on the back of a mean-ass bull for eight seconds. That’s my idea of a rush.”

  She laughed, shaking her head. “Now why doesn’t that surprise me?”

  He tapped the edge of the glass, watching her refill it. “Am I that transparent?”

  She set the bottle down, scrutinizing him. “I’m pretty good at reading people. It kind of comes with the job description.”

  He threw the second shot back, waiting for the pleasant buzz that he hoped would prevent him from thinking about the woman behind him. “What does your gut tell you about me, pretty lady?”

  “You’re here because you had a fight with your girlfriend, and by the way your eyes zeroed in on Nikki when you came in, I’m gonna guess she’s the lucky lady parking her boots under your bed.”

  He raised an eyebrow, surprised by her insight. “You know Nikki?”

  “Not personally, but I’m a fan of her music. She’s got a great voice.”

  He stole a glance over his shoulder. The wannabe cowboy was holding her hand across the table. He gripped his glass, wishing he had the right to stake his claim publicly. “That she does.”

  “Looks like those two are getting pretty cozy, hon. If I were you, I’d do something about it before he steals your girl.”

  “What do you suggest I do?”

  Before she could respond, another bartender slid behind the counter to relieve her. “You’ve done your time. You can hit the sack now, Sheila.”

  “Thanks, Tom, have a good night.” She walked around the bar, stopping in front of J.T. “You asked for my advice. You sure you want it?”

  “Sure, why not?” The object of his fantasies was biding her time with another guy; it couldn’t get much worse.

  Sheila wrapped her arms around his neck, plastering her body against his. “Kiss me, like you mean it.”

  “What the hell are you talkin’ about?”

  She smiled. “Trust me; nothing gets a woman riled up faster than seeing another woman move in on her territory.”

  Deciding he had nothing left to lose, J.T. moved in for a kiss. Fisting his hand in her hair, he delved into her mouth like a parolee who’d been in prison for the last decade.

  “You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Nikki said.

  It took a minute for her voice to permeate his alcohol-induced haze. As soon as it did, he pulled back, setting the sexy bartender at arm’s length. “You got a problem, darlin’?”

  Sheila shook her head, looking dazed. “Wow.”

  Nikki, though several inches shorter, fisted her hands on her hips and glared at her rival. “You’re supposed to be serving up drinks, not making out with the customers.”

  Tongue in cheek, Sheila replied, “I’m off duty. What I do with my time is my business.”

  J.T. glanced over at the empty table she’d been occupying. “What happened to your date?”

  She glared at him. “He’s not my date; he’s my happily married drummer, asshole.”

  Sheila took a step back, out of Nikki’s line of view. She winked at J.T., who smiled in return. “It looks like you two have some unfinished business. I think I’ll head out. Let you sort it out.”

  “Good idea,” Nikki muttered.

  J.T. raised his hand. “Thanks, Sheila, it was nice meeting you.” He’d have to remember to add a sizeable tip to his bill for that award-winning performance.

  “It was my pleasure. I’ll be back here tomorrow night. Come see me if you’re still in town.”

  He knew he wouldn’t be, but the rush of baiting Nikki prompted him to play along. “Will do, darlin’.”

  Nikki narrowed her eyes, sizing him up. “Were you really into her, or were you just trying to get a reaction out of me?”

  He turned his back on her, raising a hand to the bartender. “Gimme a refill of J.B., buddy.”

  Tom, the new bartender on duty, pointed at Nikki, a grin splitting his face. “Hey, you’re Nikki Spencer, aren’t you?”

  With some effort, she hoisted herself up on the stool next to J.T. “Guilty as charged.”

  “I loved that song ‘She’s a Siren.’” He laughed. “I was singing it all day long, ‘til the customers started to complain.
You see, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket.”

  She laughed, reaching into the snack bowl he set in front of her. “I’ll bet you’re exaggerating.”

  “No, I’m not.” He held his hand up to attract the attention of the piano player taking a seat behind a baby grand in the corner. “Jim will fill you in.”

  “What’s up, man?” Jim asked, approaching the bar.

  “We’ve got a celebrity in the house tonight, my friend.”

  The piano player, who could have passed for a male model, zeroed in on Nikki. “So we do, and a beautiful one at that. It’s a pleasure, Nikki. I’m a big fan.”

  She smirked, reaching across J.T. to offer her hand to the newest member of her fan club. “The pleasure is mine, Jim. Whatcha gonna play for us tonight?”

  Judging by the way he ogled her, subtlety was not his strong suit. Not that J.T. could blame him. He hadn’t shown any restraint where Nikki was concerned either. Still, it pissed him off to watch another man make a play for her.

  Nikki was obviously reveling in the attention as she turned around to face her admirer, propping her elbows on the bar.

  “Anything you want, sweetheart.”

  J.T. threw back another shot of liquor, trying to ignore what was happening right under his nose.

  “Would you mind if I join you?” she asked, sliding off her stool.

  He chuckled. “Mind? Hell, I’d be honored.”

  She looped her arm through his and smiled up at him. She started to steer him toward his instrument before turning on her heel to face J.T. “You got any special requests, cowboy?”

  He glared at her partner before turning his attention back to her. “How ‘bout ‘Gotta Whoop A Man’s Ass Sometimes’?”

  J.T. McCall was, without question, the sexiest and most infuriating man she had ever met. He wanted her, but only on his terms. He obviously had no interest in sharing her with Jake or anyone else, which meant they had nothing left to talk about. A damn shame she’d never know whether he measured up to her X-rated fantasies.

  “Hey, is that big dude your boyfriend, Nikki?” Jim asked, sliding in beside her on the bench.

  She flipped through his sheet music, smiling when she found the Billy Joel song “Piano Man.” It was one of her favorites. She may have been a country girl at heart, but she appreciated all genres of music. “No, why do you ask?”

  “The way he’s glaring at me, like he wants to tear me apart with his bare hands.”

  She stole a glance at him, shuddering when she witnessed the intensity in his gaze. Poor Jim had every reason to be concerned, though she knew all of J.T.’s anger and frustration was directed at her for not bending to his will. It’s not that she wasn’t tempted to agree to his terms. But she knew if any man could distract her from her career, it would be him. She couldn’t afford the luxury of a relationship right now, not when her career was finally on the fast track. “Just ignore him.”

  “That’s kind of hard to do,” he muttered, shifting on the bench. “I’ve grown fond of my face just the way it is.”

  She laughed, slinging an arm over his shoulder. She enjoyed Jim’s self-depreciating sense of humor. Most of the people she knew took themselves too seriously.

  “God, don’t do that,” he said, shaking her arm off. “He looks like he’s ready to spit nails.”

  It was too bad if J.T. didn’t like it. After his little performance with the bartender, turnabout was fair play. Not that she was using Jim to get to him, she just wanted to cut loose and have a little fun tonight. If J.T. wasn’t up to the challenge, she’d just have to take her fun where she could find it. “He can go to hell.”

  “Look, you’re a sweetheart, and sexier than hell, but I don’t wanna borrow trouble.”

  Jim seemed like more of a lover than a fighter, while J.T. seemed to have all bases covered. The arrogant jerk. “He’s not gonna give you any trouble. Don’t worry.” If he went after Jim, he’d have to go through her first.

  “Okay, whatever you say.” He flipped through his songbook, pointing out the songs he had intended to play before she honed in on his set. “Does that work for you?”

  “Sure, but do you mind if I squeeze in a couple of my favorites in, too?”

  He laughed. “Are you kidding? Once people find out you’re singing here, the place will be packed. My boss will have no choice but to give me a raise.”

  She reached over to kiss him on the cheek. She had a long way to go before her name and face were recognized outside of country music circles, but it gave her hope to think that people had faith in her talent. “You’re sweet to say so, thanks.”

  “So where’d you and Hercules meet?”

  Nikki laughed, as J.T. glared at them over the rim of his shot glass. “His brother is Ty McCall.”

  “No-freakin’-way,” Jim said, his jaw dropping. “He’s awesome. I love his music.”

  “Yeah, he’s great.” She shifted on the bench until she was facing him. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for a country music fan.”

  He shrugged. “I love all music, but my old man was a country music fan long before country was cool, so I kinda grew up listening to it.”

  She smiled. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I was born in Nashville. Needless to say, country music’s always been cool there, but not so much in Florida, where I grew up.”

  He shifted, setting his forearm on the top of the piano. “When did you move back to Nashville?”

  “I moved in with my dad when I finished high school.” She rolled her eyes. “I just wanted to make music, but he wanted me to get a degree first. Guess who won that battle?”

  He pointed at her, grinning. “Your old man’s Luc Spencer, Titan Records, right?” He laughed when she nodded. “I’m gonna guess he won.”

  She shook her head, chuckling. “My daddy doesn’t know the meaning of the word compromise.”

  He smiled. “Sounds like you two are close though?”

  “We are now. It wasn’t always that way, but we’ve learned to give each other a wide berth. It seems to be working for us.”

  “My pops and I were close, too,” Jim said. “He passed away last year.” His mouth turned up at the corner. “Whoever said time heals was a liar.”

  She stroked his back, trying to comfort him. “I’m sorry; I can imagine how difficult that must have been for you.”

  He scrubbed his hands over his face. “Ah, you get through it. What other choice do you have, right?”

  She leaned her head on his shoulder. Her friends described her as touchy-feely. Physical contact was the most natural way for her to help ease someone’s pain. Gripping his knee, she said, “I wish I could offer you some words of wisdom, but I can’t.”

  “Shit,” he muttered, removing her hand from his leg. “Your boyfriend is on his way over here and he looks pissed.”

  Nikki squared her shoulders, ready to do battle. “I told you, he’s not my boyfriend.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m gonna let you work that out with him. Excuse me.” He got up and quickly walked in the opposite direction.

  J.T. leaned over the piano, glaring at her. “Okay, you made your point. Can we go upstairs and discuss our situation like reasonable people now?”

  She shrugged, feigning interest in the sheet music in front of her. “We have nothing left to discuss. I told you my terms, take it or leave it.”

  “Fine,” he said, clenching his teeth. “I’ll take it.”

  Nikki shot him a sidelong glance. He didn’t seem like the type of man who’d wave the white flag, even if he was battered and bloody. Why was he conceding now? “Are you sure about that?”

  He shrugged. “I want you; you want me. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Like you said, we’ll keep it simple. Sex, sex, and more sex.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “If you think you can handle it?”

  She crossed her legs as his words pierced her target. “What are we waiting for, cowboy?”

  Chapter Five

  J.T. lived his life by one rule: neve
r surrender. Whether he was with a woman or fighting for his life on the back of a bull, he was the one in control, always. Nikki may have felt the balance of power shift, but he was going to prove to her once the pendulum swung back his way, he played for keeps.

  He let the tension build as they walked from the elevator to his hotel room in silence. He was always just a step behind her, close enough for her to feel his hot breath fanning her neck, but the subtle scent of her spicy fragrance was wreaking havoc with his plan to initiate her slowly.

  Once inside the room, he turned the lock, the ominous sound letting her know he wasn’t going to allow her to escape this time.

  Her eyes glided over his body before finally settling on his face. “How do you see this playing out?”

  Excitement, followed by trepidation flared in her eyes, and he knew she was questioning whether she was really brave enough to take him on. “How do you want it to play out, sweetness?”

  She licked her lips, her eyes shifting between his eyes and mouth. “I thought you liked to call the shots?”

  He was calling the shots; she just didn’t realize it yet. “Why don’t you tell me what you had in mind?”

  “I didn’t think you were the kind of man who needed instructions.”

  He leaned against the door, folding his arms over his chest. His slow perusal of her body, from the red, fitted shirt, to the tight faded jeans tucked into black leather boots, let her know it was taking everything in him not to grab her and show her who was boss.

  No matter how brave she pretended to be, he knew his aggressiveness intimidated her. “I like to know what my woman wants.”

  She crooked an eyebrow. “Your woman?”

  “For tonight, at least.” He knew once he had her in his bed, at his mercy, there would be no turning back for either of them. He’d already berated himself ten ways to Sunday, but it didn’t change a damn thing. She was the wrong choice, for a dozen different reasons, her age, career, her father, his brother… yet, none of that mattered. He still wanted her in the worst possible way.