Haunting Melody

by Mackenzie Reed

  A door which might be her only escape if this wasn't Joshua.

  Straightening her shoulders and hoping no fear showed on her face, she asked, “Are you Joshua Thomas?”

  The man wasn't inclined to answer it seemed. In fact, he just stood against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, and legs crossed at the ankles, staring right at her.

  Blowing a puff of air that ruffled her bangs, Devra decided to try again. “Look, my name is Devra Preston and I'm a reporter for the News Free Press. My boss sent me here to do an interview with you, er … with Joshua Thomas. Are you he, or not?” She knew her tone was filled with exasperation, but dammit it was only good manners to answer a lady.

  And she was a lady!

  Okay, Devra. You need to calm down and relax.

  Devra smiled. Maybe that would make him relax and talk to her. “So are you Joshua Thomas?”

  “I don't do interviews.” His cool, collected voice reached between them, wrapping around her soul, touching it the same way his music had done. Relief flooded through her at his words. This was Joshua. She'd found him and now she could find the answer to the obsession she'd felt ever since Susan had played that damn tape. “I'm happy to meet you Mr. Thomas, but I want to know what in the hell you did out there on stage.”

  “How did you get back here?” he asked softly.

  Devra waved her hand. “That's not the question. The question is what did you do on that stage, to the women in the audience? It looked like they were all under a spell or something.”

  “I played a song.” He cocked his head to the side, his eyes narrowing, focusing that intense gaze on her.

  “No, you did more than that. A whole lot more.” The hackles on her neck rose, her instincts kicking in full force. This man exuded power that was like electrical energy running along the surface of her body. “What do they do here? Drug the customers, put something in the drinks? Or do you have subliminal messages woven into each note you play, each melody?”

  She watched anger flash in his eyes, his mouth tightening at the corners.

  “Well, what is it? Readers want to know. What is so special about you, Mr. Thomas?” Sarcasm dripped from every word but she was past the point of being nice. His calm, cool attitude was driving her crazy. Devra knew she was baiting the man, and that probably wasn't a good idea since they were alone in the deserted hallway, but she had to know. She had to know why his music had captured her soul, and was even now ingrained in her every muscle, every nerve, and every beat of her heart.

  Why did she feel the need to have this man, to feel his touch, and to touch him in return? Oh yes! Devra needed to touch him like she needed her next breath. Her body was on sensory overload, every nerve ending on fire. One touch and she would explode.

  “No interview. You've wasted your time coming here, Miss Preston.” He straightened from the wall. “Goodbye.”

  Without thinking, she reached toward him. “No, please, I'm sorry. I'm being rude and there's no cause for it. I just need a few minutes of your time.” She knew she was begging, pleading but she didn't care. No way in hell was he getting away from her. Not until she had the answers her soul sought.

  “Look, I'm just curious. It's taken me a while to get to one of your shows. I've tried to find information, pictures, anything about you, but I keep running into a dead end.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “It will only take a minute of your time, I promise.” She was probably losing the only chance she had but if it took begging to get to talk to him, she'd beg. She'd do anything. Right now she was hot, tired, and horny. Not a good combination.

  “Let's get one thing straight,” he growled, low and fierce. “I do not drug people nor do I condone it. I don't hypnotize people. I play my music. That's it, that's all,” he finished with a hiss.

  “No, I think there's more to it than that. What I felt out there was way more than just notes being banged out. You made me feel…” Her words trailed off as his brow arched inquiringly.

  “Made you feel what?” he asked in a silky tone that made Devra's heart pound harder in her chest. It frightened and energized her all at the same time.

  She shook her head. “Never mind. We aren't talking about me.” But she knew it wasn't the truth. It was about her and the feelings he invoked with his music.

  “Why don't you tell me why you're really here, Miss Preston? What do you really want from me?”

  “I told you. I want an interview,” she said, looking away. His gaze was so intense, so hard, she felt as though he could read her mind through her eyes. And if he could, he would know what she wanted. The two of them naked, squirming on satin sheets.

  “No, I think not. I don't think you want an interview right now, do you?” His voice was low and seductive.

  She snapped her gaze back to his. “Excuse me?” she asked, anger tinting her tone. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You heard me. I don't think you want an interview,” he stated. “I think you want to get fucked, right here against the wall.” He walked toward her, his stride full of purpose and determination, finally stopping when he stood directly in front of her, his body touching hers with each breath she took. “I think you want me to tear the clothes from your body and stuff you full of my cock.”

  “No, I…” she whimpered, crying out when her aching nipples brushed against her shirt. Oh my God! He was right. That's exactly what she wanted.

  One big, broad hand came up, palming her breast, his fingers pinching her nipple.

  “Please.”

  His warm breath wafted across her cheek as he spoke. “Please what? Strip you naked and take you against the wall? Would you scream?” His tongue traced a path from her cheek to her ear flicking inside before moving to the outer shell. Devra nearly crumbled at his feet. If his body hadn't been pressing her against the wall she would have.

  “Would you, Miss Preston?” He whispered quietly, his fingers still playing with her nipple. Suddenly his hand moved to the other breast, giving it the same treatment.

  “Answer me. Would you scream?” His tongue swirled along the vein pulsing in her neck, his teeth scraping the sensitized flesh. She turned her head to the side giving him greater access. “Would you moan when I thrust my cock in and out of your moist channel? And it is wet, isn't it? I can smell your arousal. It smells sweet, like the ripest berries, bursting with flavor.”

  Her mind whirled, her heart beating a staccato rhythm as she tried to speak, to answer. But no words came forth. Instead she shook her head, biting her lip as his fingers continued their torture. What the hell is he doing to me?

  Exactly what she wanted. She hated the truth, but there it was.

  His deep, knowing chuckle brought her out of the sexual spell his touch had woven. Bringing her hands up, she pushed against his chest. “Get off me. I didn't come here to get molested,” she hissed, wrapping her arms around her waist.

  “Why sure you did, darlin'. Otherwise you would have fought harder than you did.” He moved three steps back, grinning sarcastically at her. “Isn't that what all women want, to be handled by the man who tickles the ivory keys like a man stroking his lover?” His smile faded. “Stay away from me, Miss Preston, or you will get more than you bargained for. More than just the fucking you so obviously crave.”

  She stiffened, heat rising in her face at his words. “I don't think I asked you to fuck me. I think what I asked for was a minute of your time.”

  “Yes, you did. You asked for that and more. Your slick, swollen passage, your aching nipples, the breathless whimpering, all tell me exactly what you want.” His eyes captured her gaze, refusing to let go. “Oh, and you will beg me for it when it's time. Don't doubt that for a minute. But in the meantime, stay the hell away from me until you're ready to be taken.” He turned on his heel and flung open the door, disappearing into the coolness of the night.

  Devra stood rooted to the spot, watching helplessly as he walked away. The slamming door jarred her from her stupor.


  “Damn!” she muttered, shaking her head in disgust. With trembling hands she brushed the hair away from her face and stepped away from the wall. She accidentally brushed against her still hard nipples and groaned at the surge of electricity that traveled straight to her swollen, wet pulsing core. “Two more minutes and I would have begged you, asshole.”

  And therein laid the crux of the matter.

  He was right about one thing. She wanted to be handled by the man. But not just his fingers. She wanted his mouth, his hands and his cock, playing her body like a fine instrument. Sighing heavily she walked out the door and into the night. Great! Just freakin' great. She took a deep breath and stomped her foot. “Dammit.”

  With long angry steps she headed for her car.

  “Now what? Do I stay for the second show and surely climax right there in front of everybody? Or should I go home, get out the vibrator, take the edge off and come see Joshua next Friday night?” She tapped her finger on her chin. “I think I'll do the latter. I can't handle him again tonight.” She kicked a rock in her path, sighing over her uncontrollable urges. “Next time, I'll just wear ear plugs. If I can't hear him play then I won't be so turned on.” Yeah right! In your dreams, girl.

  Reaching her car, Devra slammed into her seat and drove away in a rush of speed, hoping she could outrun her feelings.

  * * * *

  Standing in the shadow of an enormous oak tree, Joshua had a perfect view of her exit. To his enhanced hearing, her sub-vocalized words sounded like she was shouting. He shook his head and chuckled at her anger. She was ripe for plucking and pissed as hell for wanting him. He leaned against the tree, sucked in deep, calming breaths and waited for his heart to slow down to normal speed. Messing with the reporter in the hallway had backfired on him big time. His intention was to get her hot and bothered, begging him, then laugh and walk away.

  But it hadn't happened that way. Instead, the minute he'd touched her, an arch of sexual tension had struck him hard in the solar plexus. That had never happened to him before. “Damn, what's so different about this woman?” he mumbled to himself, his fists clenched and unclenched, and his cock pulsed with arousal. Not good. Especially since he had another show to do in a couple of hours.

  He remembered the texture of her skin and her light scent, and his hunger rose like a raging beast. Even now her arousal was rushing through his body, giving him more strength and power than the whole room full of people inside the jazz club had. He could still smell the sweet scent of her womanhood. He ran his tongue lightly across the edge of his teeth, a smile forming on his lips. “You are truly a wonder, Miss Devra Preston. Indeed you are. Could it be you are the woman I've been searching for?”

  His smile faded. Did the woman know how close she'd come to danger tonight? If he had invaded her thoughts, she would have fainted at his feet, overcome with his need, his hunger.

  It had taken everything in him not to connect his mind to hers when they were alone backstage. Feeding on collective minds had kept him sustained for so long. Had he now found one who could quite possibly sustain him all by herself?

  Her softly muttered words and her body language told him more than she'd probably wanted him to know. The lady had never been well and thoroughly taken, her desires fulfilled, or her body satiated after a long hard night of loving.

  God, just feeling her nipples rub against his palm had nearly driven him crazy. If their lips had met in a kiss, it would have been over for both of them because he wouldn't have stopped there. He would have ripped the clothes from her body and mounted her, sliding deep into her moist heat. And she would have let him, too. Her arousal had been strong, filling his nostrils with its unique, sweet scent.

  Oh yes, he had wanted to take her, and it had taken all his self-control not to go any further. Because Joshua knew if he had taken her, he couldn't have—wouldn't have—stopped. They were in a semi-public place and he knew that wouldn't have mattered if he'd let himself go. But he didn't want to take the chance on people watching. When he took her, he wanted her all to himself, to love her thoroughly all night long. He had been riding high on sexual energy, pure, hot, and so intense it burned in his blood. Even now just thinking about sinking into Devra's heat, his cock jumped and pulsed like an entity all its own.

  It had been a long time since one woman had nearly succeeded in bringing him to his knees, but this one, with her auburn hair and smart mouth, did just that. A few more seconds in her presence and he would have kissed her, gorging himself on her sweet nectar. Damn! His cock was like a steel pipe, stiff and unyielding. He needed relief, and soon.

  Joshua tried clearing his mind of everything but the next song, the next note. The melody ran rampant in his head filling his thoughts, until his cock no longer throbbed and the hunger no longer gnawed at him. When he was under control, he moved away from the tree and walked along the riverbank, letting the cool fresh air wash over his heated skin.

  His music was different but not the way she thought. It wasn't hypnotic or drug induced. Each note he played, each song he created was interwoven with his hunger, his need, his power. Playing kept him from feasting on unsuspecting humans when the need arose. He hung his head, too weary to hold it up any longer. He was so tired of this fucking so-called existence.

  Joshua thought of the way he treated Devra in the hallway and immediately felt shame. That was not the way to treat one's mate.

  He rubbed a hand over his face.

  Over the years he'd had so many women traipse after him, taking off their clothes, begging for him to play their bodies the way he did the piano. Sometimes he'd taken them up on their offers, though most of the time he was just plain rude. When Joshua had first spotted Devra slipping behind the curtain to follow him, he figured it was just another groupie. Until she stepped closer, until her desire reached out to him, curling around him like a spider weaving its web. God! He really should have been nicer to her.

  He certainly hoped Devra was his mate, because if she wasn't he might as well die. There was no way the woman was going to let him near her now. Not after his jackass performance earlier.

  Chapter Four

  Devra unlocked the door and entered her home just as the phone began ringing. She snarled, tossed her bag on the couch and picked up the receiver.

  “Hello?”

  “So tell me what do you think of Joshua Thomas? Isn't he magnificent?”

  Devra sighed. She should have known Susan would call to check up on her. Devra sat down on the couch, kicked off her shoes and leaned back before answering.

  “Yes, he's magnificent,” she said reluctantly. “And he's a damn fine specimen of man just like you said.”

  Susan chuckled. “Made you cream your panties, did he?”

  Devra closed her eyes and groaned. “Have you no shame? What kind of question is that?”

  “One I expect you to answer.” There was a slight pause before she continued. “But, I believe I have my answer by the way you're snarling.”

  Devra laughed. “You are so bad, girl.”

  “Well?”

  Devra knew Susan wouldn't give up on this. She just knew it. “Okay, fine. I creamed my panties. The man exudes raw sexual power and I wanted to climb his bones and ride him until tomorrow. Happy now?”

  Susan's laughter reached her ears. “Almost. So, are you going to talk to him about a story?”

  Devra frowned. “I did, and he flat-out turned me down.”

  “You talked to him? Is that all?”

  “Yes, that was all.” Of course, she didn't dare tell Susan about his caresses in the darkened hallway or his promise to fuck her the next time he saw her. Nope, she didn't dare tell that.

  “Devra, are you all right?”

  “Yes, I'm fine. I'm just hot and sweaty and in need of a cool shower, a cold drink and my bed. Talk to you tomorrow?”

  “Sure. Give me a call. 'Night.”

  “'Night, Sus.”

  Devra placed the phone in the cradle and leaned her h
ead against the sofa. “Joshua Thomas, you are an enigma—and one that I plan to unravel.”

  She rose from the couch and headed to the bathroom for a nice leisurely soak in the tub. It was going to be a long night.

  * * * *

  It was a long night for Joshua too. After calling and talking to his parents about meeting the woman he thought might be his true mate, Joshua returned to the club and played his second set. But it just didn't seem as thrilling or exciting, and he knew the reason why. Devra! The mouthy red head who made his cock stand at attention and who was now embedded deep inside him. While he played his songs he replayed the scene in the hallway. This time, though, he had a much better ending to the scenario. Devra down on her knees, her lips wrapped around his cock. He groaned and shifted on the stool. Her hands would drift to his ass, grasping him in her hands, pulling him closer to her face until he thought she might smother with no air.

  Stop it! A voice shouted in his head. His voice. The voice of reason rearing its ugly but welcome head. He couldn't think about Devra and her mouth right now. Not if he wanted to finish the set and leave the room without a raging hard-on. He concentrated on the notes, plucking each one by heart until he reached the end. The last note was still echoing in the quiet room when Joshua rose and headed backstage. He needed a cold shower. Now!

  He stepped outside into the night and closed his eyes. In the blink of an eye, Joshua stood in his own foyer. Moving from place to place with merely a thought came in handy sometimes. He could have driven himself or gotten Roarke to bring him home as he sometimes did, but tonight he was too impatient to wait for a ride. Plus, he really didn't want Roarke to see him in his present condition. Joshua took the stairs two at a time, his steps silent on the carpet. He reached the second floor and walked quickly down the hall and entered his bedroom.

  Joshua pulled the t-shirt over his head and slung it to the floor. Next came his boots, socks and finally his jeans. He took a deep breath and held it while he unbuttoned them and released his aching cock.