by Dawn Ryder
“Makes sense.”
He crooked his finger at her.
She worried her lower lip, more focused on him opening his pants than the mild discomfort left from the night before. His cock was hard, jutting up the moment he freed it. The dragon tattoo was almost healed now, the reptile breathing onto that hard length.
He climbed into the tub, settling back but watching her. She ended up grinning. He lifted an eyebrow. “It was an invitation, Jewel, not a challenge.”
“You toss the gauntlet down just by being yourself.”
His lips parted, flashing his teeth. Unrepentant. Rebellious. The trait she liked best about him. Because it made her bold enough to unbuckle her own leash and run free.
“You’re an enabler, you know that?”
He snorted at her accusation. “According to my parents, I’m leading all my fans to Satan with my music.”
He’d meant it as a joke, but the ease with which the words crossed his lips told her it was true.
And that was sad.
Bitterly so.
“That’s—” she started.
“The way it is,” he finished for her. “I’ve gotten to the point where I just accept it’s the way things are. To be mad about it would be to say they don’t have the right to disagree with me. I can’t go on demanding the world let me be myself if I’m going to deprive others of the same privilege.”
“You have a good heart.”
“No, I don’t,” he insisted with a shrug. “I sold it at a pawn shop back when we were trying to get Toxsin launched.”
She bit her lip, quelling the urge to argue with him. Now wasn’t the time. There was a guarded look in his eyes that told her he was thinking he’d said too much.
“So what are you going to do now?” he asked her.
“I thought I might…” She fingered the bottom of her swim top. “Take my top off.”
His eyes narrowed. “So do it.”
There was a touch of arrogance in his tone now, but she realized it was also need. Ramsey style. The man didn’t do anything normally.
“Maybe I’m still thinking about it. Enabler.”
He nodded. “Tough call. Considering how much I love your tits. Take that top off and I’m going to cup them”—he lifted his hands out of the bubbling water to mimic the action—“and then I’m going to tease those little nipples of yours until they are hard points…before I lean over and lick them…”
Her nipples were puckering already, pushing out the soft fabric of her swim top. His gaze settled on them, satisfaction glittering in his eyes.
“And then, I’m going to suck them…one at a time.”
Her breath was coming harder, her heart accelerating. His words were intoxicating, and she wanted more. She pulled off her top, enjoying the feel of the night air on her bare skin. His expression turned hungry.
“Now if you take off those shorts…” He moved to the edge of the tub and rested his hands on the edge like he was making ready to vault over it. “I’m going to have to dig deep for restraint, because I can’t start off fucking you. No.” His voice became a soft, menacing promise. “I’m going to have to keep my cock out of you for a good long session of foreplay. Tease that little clit of yours, play with it until you scream like you did last night. Your G-spot is so sensitive, you loved having my fingers inside you…”
She was already wet, her pussy aching and empty. It shouldn’t have turned her on so much, except there was a glitter of sincerity in his eyes that was more like determination. He was holding the edge of the hot tub, gripping it. Her heart was racing, her clit throbbing.
“I think that water might be a little too hot for me…right now.” She pushed her swim shorts down and stepped out of them. “But I should warn you, if you come out, I’m going to wrap my fingers around that cock of yours and—”
There was a splash as he vaulted over the side of the tub and landed on his feet. Water slithered down his skin as he slowly stalked her.
They collided like thunder, the sound shaking her and rattling her teeth. Her core felt like it was melting, and she was sort of sure steam was rising off her as he claimed her mouth in a kiss, his fingers cupping her nape as he captured her.
There had never been a more willing victim.
* * *
There was an explosion of laughter from off in the distance where the pool was, and the party was still going strong. Jewel forced her eyes open and found herself staring at the ceiling above the bed that had a spotless mirror attached to it. She got a great view of the man-animal stretched out beside her.
“They might have heard you.” Ramsey rolled over onto his side and lay there grinning with victory. “You screamed really loud…and a…lot.”
He was laughing. Jewel was on her back, her arms flung above her head. She closed her hand around the corner of a pillow and swung it at him.
He raised an arm to block her attack, laughing harder. She flipped over but stopped, because if she hadn’t been sore before, she sure was now. Her body wanted vengeance for what she’d been putting it through. Going after Ramsey seemed a poor choice compared to finding some painkillers.
Ramsey changed moods instantly. “Come on.”
The bed rocked as he stood and reached over to scoop her up.
“I can walk, ya know.”
He carried her out of the suite to the hot tub. “I like claiming you.” The water was still warm, even though the jets had turned off.
“You have control issues.” She settled back against him as the warm water soothed her aching muscles.
“You love the way I come after you,” he countered as he cupped water and rubbed it over her shoulders. “That I don’t behave. It excites you.”
“Maybe.” She sighed. “But I don’t like all of your caveman tactics. I want to talk about Steven.”
“Only if you want to talk me into getting him a partner so he can have set hours off, because you’re worried he isn’t getting his beauty rest.”
She started to push away from him. Ramsey closed his arms around her and held her still, her back to him as she sat between his thighs and reclined on him.
“You don’t know my world, Jewel. It’s vicious at times. You were run off the road within hours of being linked with me.”
She snorted, frustrated by his undisputable logic. He rubbed her arms. “Steven stays.”
“You still should have discussed it with me.”
She felt him nodding against her head. “I was having self-discipline challenges. Couldn’t seem to focus on anything but getting between your thighs.”
“You poor thing.”
He was chuckling again. “It’s been a strain.”
She snorted at him.
He became serious. “I shouldn’t have gone over to Vicky like that. Rage called it right.”
He was still stroking her, cupping the water and keeping her shoulders from getting cold. “I didn’t ask you to change,” she said.
“You didn’t,” he whispered against her hair. “That just makes me a double asshole for not realizing you’re worth straightening up for.”
He held her for a moment longer before there was another outbreak of amusement from the pool area.
“Time to go show my face,” he said. “Sammy didn’t fly us all out here to have us hiding in his guest wing. He wants to discuss details.”
He eased out from behind her and climbed out of the tub. She bit her lower lip as she tried to decide what to do next. He used his thumb to pull her chin down and free her lip.
“He did drop a fair amount of money on this party,” she said.
Ramsey tossed her a towel once she’d climbed out of the tub.
“He’s sharp.” Ramsey used another towel to mop the water off his skin before he moved into the suite and found his pants. “He wants us in the recording studio as soon as the concert tour ends. There’s no contract as of yet, but investing in bringing us here is a drop in the bucket. Especially since Morcant is sniffing arou
nd.”
“That would explain the Jurassic Park feeling I got when we showed up.” It also gave her a very unsavory sensation about Quinn Morcant’s offer.
Ramsey flashed a huge smile. “Yeah, there are flesh eaters out there, for sure. But only the ones Sammy’s sure are on his side.”
“So…why didn’t you tell Sammy about Tia? It seems to me he would be a little pissed if he found out about the cherry blossoms.”
Ramsey finished securing his pants and shrugged into his vest. Jewel pulled her swimsuit back on so she could go and find her dress. He brushed her hair back from her face.
“I told you, Jewel. I own my fuckups.”
“Yeah. You do.” It was a compliment, one she truly meant. An acceptance of his apology.
He knew it. For a moment, they stood there, both of them uncertain but chained together by the current of emotion that seemed to bind them.
Another outburst from the pool broke the spell.
“Time to work,” he said. “But first, some more clothes for you.”
“So says the man who walks around in an open vest.”
He clasped her hand and started pulling her down the hallway. “I said I own my fuckups, not that I was going to start playing fair.”
He was unrepentant and arrogant, but ever so adorable. He offered her a shrug and a sincere grin.
“Wouldn’t recognize you if you did,” she said.
Chapter 6
The trucks had caught up with them in Denver. What had first seemed like a frantic level of activity now struck her as a well-oiled process. Like a pit crew jumping into action the second the race car drove in. Every man knew his job, and together, they were really awesome.
It was close to six in the evening by the time Jewel crawled out of Ramsey’s bed.
Honestly, she could have been passed out in the back of one of the busses for all she’d been aware of her surroundings. Plain and simple, she’d been beat. Worn out. Both physically and mentally. The change in activity level woke her, and shame made her get up. There was a piece of hotel stationery on top of her cell phone.
Sound check rehearsal. R.
Her mouth went dry as she looked at it. She had no idea how to deal with details that confirmed she was in a relationship.
Crap! That had come out of left field.
Relationship?
With a rock star?
Okay, now you’re being judgmental.
It was a valid charge. Rock stars needed love too. She groaned. The l-word was really going too far. At least before coffee it was. She put down the note and went searching for the kitchen. Nothing like coffee to toast to the setting sun. The coffeemaker filled the suite with a nice aroma as she found her suitcase and dressed.
Her phone buzzed, and she went back into the bedroom to pick it up.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Ryan, Bryan Thompson here.”
“Hi.” She was repeating herself. She went back into the kitchen and took a quick sip of the coffee.
“Mr. Morcant was hoping you might take a meeting with him tomorrow, if your schedule is open,” Bryan continued.
“Well, I’m in Denver. Colorado.” She added the state at the last second. “And under contract at the moment, so travel is out of the question.”
“Mr. Morcant is in the States. Your next stop is Milwaukee. Could we put you down for next Tuesday?” Bryan pressed. “It would save you a trip to Scotland to discuss the offer.”
Scotland?
She took another sip from her coffee before answering. “Sure.” Her response lacked a lot, like professionalism. “I mean, I’ll do my best to make it. Could you text me an address?”
“We’ll have a car call for you,” Bryan assured her smoothly.
The line went dead. She stared at her phone for a long moment before ordering herself to stop worrying about it. Her future was something she needed to get focused on. And quickly. Maybe it was judgmental, but thinking there was anything secure about her relationship with Ramsey was foolish.
And that hurt.
She forced herself to get over it and enjoy the ride. Savor the moment. If she wanted to indulge in pity parties, there would likely be plenty of time later on. Once Ramsey went on with his life and she got on with hers.
So yeah, she was taking a meeting with Quinn Morcant.
* * *
Hotel suites were starting to look the same.
She was also feeling a little unsure about making herself at home in Ramsey’s suite; there was a lot unsettled between them. But going back to her room seemed like a slap in the face, so Jewel wandered down to the lobby, intending to find a restaurant. The Toxsin crew was moving around as she made her way to the hospitality desk and started nosing through brochures for the local highlights.
“You’re okay.”
Jewel looked up and found Taz considering her. He played bass and did backup vocals for the band. He was also the only member of Toxsin with short hair. It went with his Asian features. There was a slight accent to his English, and she knew he spoke Korean, because he often engaged Kate’s bodyguard Yoon in that language.
“You need to come have sushi with me tonight,” Taz said.
There seemed something significant about the invitation. Jewel had no clue what it was, but Taz’s tone was edged with seriousness, his expression somewhat formal.
“Would love to,” she answered with a smile as she put down the brochures.
Taz nodded before he turned around and joined Syon and Brenton, who had arrived sometime while she’d been looking at the brochures.
Her senses tightened, her body feeling like she was poised on a cliff top.
Ramsey.
She turned slowly, looking for him.
“Took you long enough.” He was half-hidden behind a potted silk plant, watching her with his midnight dark eyes. There was a pleased look on his face that told her how much he enjoyed sneaking up on her.
“Stalking me?” she asked.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the pouncing part,” he declared, but he suddenly frowned, abandoning his lazy stance and coming out of the foliage.
“Where’s Steven?”
“Ah…” She’d completely forgotten about the bodyguard.
Ramsey clearly hadn’t. “Do you have your cell phone?”
“Sure.” She pulled it out of her bag. Ramsey plucked it from her grasp and swiped the screen. “Are you saying Steven can track that?”
“Yes.” Ramsey was punching at the screen and glowering.
“Do you think you might have mentioned that to me…or, gee…asked?”
He looked up at her, all traces of playfulness gone. Instead, she was facing a side of him that was ruthless and all business.
“When it comes to security, I won’t ask.” His tone was like a gavel pounding, but her temper still stirred. “You’re too inexperienced to identify the threats.”
“So explain it to me,” she said. “Keep me in the loop, and I’m not asking either.”
One side of his mouth twitched. “I noticed.”
“I mean it,” she insisted. His eyes narrowed, but he seemed to think better of continuing the argument and held up her phone.
“This is a piece of crap. The location chip is fried. You need a new one. Now.”
He punched in something and dropped the phone in his inside vest pocket. Now that the sun was setting, he was back to being bare-chested except for the leather vest.
“Come on.” He clasped her hand and pulled her toward the door. He let out a whistle, and Taz turned to look at him.
“We’ll meet you there. Text me.”
Taz barely had time to nod before Ramsey was tugging her along behind him. They went through a huge revolving door and into the warm summer night. The flash of cameras was almost normal now. Along with the rude questions, in fact, she was beginning to be entertained by them.
“Jewel…who’s a better lover?”
Ramsey turned his head toward the repor
ter who had hurled out the question. The guy actually shook with excitement. “The fans want to know,” he insisted.
“Dude, you need to get out more,” Ramsey informed him to the delight of the other reporters.
There were four Harleys parked in front of the hotel. Ramsey swung his leg over one and offered her his hand. The cameras flashed as she climbed on behind him. He handed her a helmet before putting one on himself.
“Great ass!” someone yelled before Ramsey revved up the engine and pulled away from the curb. Jewel wrapped her arms around him and felt like it must have been a month since she’d touched him.
She was an addict for sure.
It was a weeknight, but the cell phone store was busy. She felt a twinge of temper as Ramsey pulled up in front of her carrier. But a memory surfaced of him telling her about serving in Bomb Disposal.
“I guess you can take the uniform off but you can’t take the squid out of the ex-sailor.”
He nodded as he joined her on the sidewalk. “We hooked up with Taz and Drake there.”
“Sounds like your family had a problem with you going back to being a band boy.” She realized once the words were out of her mouth how insensitive they were. “Sorry. That was somewhat…crass.”
He shrugged and walked right up to the newest models on display. Which were also the most expensive.
“Ah…you know one of those will be a good upgrade.” She pointed to the other side of the store.
“I told you, Jewel. When it comes to security, it’s my way.” He looked at a salesperson and handed them her old phone.
“And I told you, we’re going to have these things called…discussions.”
He pulled her close as the salesperson happily went to the back room to get the new phone. “We can’t ditch Taz, it’d be a major social gaff, but after that we could go back up to Sammy’s and try the swing. I would love to hear which position—”
Jewel twisted her knuckle into his chest, her face on fire. Ramsey chuckled, low and deep, sending excitement through her. He captured her nape and buried his head in her hair as he bit her earlobe.
“Don’t you want to have a discussion with me?” he asked.
She groaned in the face of his sarcasm. He chuckled and placed a kiss against her neck.