Hearts on Fire

by Alison Packard

  Damn it. The pacing wasn’t helping. She stopped in the middle of the room, lifted her arms as she inhaled, and lowered them as she exhaled. Then she did it again. And again.

  Wally would be dropping by soon to read her the riot act. She’d seen his face before she left the stage; he hadn’t been pleased. Yeah, so she’d tanked the rehearsal. So what? They still had one more day to rehearse. It wasn’t like it was the end of the world.

  Like always, she’d be able to calm him down in less than five minutes. All she had to do was tell him she was sorry and promise to be on her best behavior tomorrow. Underneath that good-old-boy bluster, he was a soft-hearted teddy bear. She’d figured that out ten years ago when he noticed her clothes hanging off of her, and left his spot on the sidewalk to go buy her a sandwich. He’d placed the sandwich in her open guitar case, along with a twenty-dollar bill. The next week he returned to the farmer’s market and handed her another sandwich and his business card.

  Although her instincts told her he was on the up and up, she’d still high tailed it to the public library to look him up on one of their computers. He turned out to be everything he said he was, and the next week, when he showed up again, she listened to him tell her how he was going to make her a star. And true to his word, he’d done just that.

  Just as she exhaled another long breath, a sharp knock on the door broke her concentration. She let out a frustrated groan and marched to the door. Since John was stationed in the hallway to ensure she wasn’t disturbed by overzealous fans, it could only be Wally.

  After taking a fortifying breath, she opened the door and came face to face with Drew. He didn’t wait for her to invite him in, instead, he pushed past her and entered the suite.

  Her heart skipped a few beats, then started to thud heavily against her ribs. “I don’t recall inviting you in.”

  “Shut the door.” He put his hands on his hips and skewered her with his icy blue eyes. “We need to talk.”

  “I don’t take orders from you,” she said, throwing his words back at him.

  “Shut the door, or I’m going back to Nashville on the next plane, and you can find yourself another guitar player.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Try me.”

  Although she wanted to slam the door with every ounce of power she could muster, she forced herself to close it gently. “Blackmail?” She folded her arms over her chest and faced him. “That’s low, Drew. That’s real low.”

  “You disappointed me today.” He held up his hand, silencing her as she opened her mouth to reel off a string of profanities. “I know we have…issues, but to deliberately sabotage an important rehearsal. That’s not like you.”

  Jessie fought the urge to squirm under his pointed stare. It was one thing to admit to herself she’d sabotaged the rehearsal, but to hear it from Drew stung. She’d always been proud of her professionalism. Today she’d been the farthest thing from professional. “It wasn’t that bad,” she said, her tone defensive. “We sounded fine.”

  “But we could be so much better than fine.” He searched her face. “Like we were that night at the MC.”

  “That was spontaneous. We didn’t even rehearse that night.”

  “We knew the song well enough to sing it without embarrassing ourselves. Look, I know it wasn’t anywhere near perfect, but when we sat next to each other on that stage, we connected. And it was pretty damn amazing.” He let out a frustrated growl and combed his fingers through his hair. “Today you wouldn’t even look at me. Is that how it’s going to be on Friday night? Because if it is, then I think we should scrap the duet altogether.”

  “We can’t.”

  “Why? You didn’t want to do it in the first place. Why’d you change your mind?”

  “Because it’s important to Wally,” she admitted. “He said he had a gut feeling about it, and I’ve gotten this far by listening to him and his gut feelings. I’m not about to stop now.”

  “Fine. Then give me your word that you won’t pull the same shit you did today when we rehearse tomorrow, and I’ll stay.”

  Anger darkened her expression. “And here we go with the blackmail again.”

  “It’s not blackmail, it’s a stipulation.” He took a measured breath. “Jesus, Jessie, we’re singing a love song. You have to look at me, and when you do, you have to at least look at me like you like me.”

  “I’m not sure I can manage that.”

  “You did last night. In the elevator.”

  She lifted her chin. “I don’t want to talk about that.”

  “Why? Because you want to forget it? Or because you can’t?”

  “I forgot about that kiss the second I stepped out of the elevator.”

  “Really?” A wry smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Is that why you couldn’t sleep last night?”

  “I slept just fine.” The lie left a bitter taste on her lips.

  “You seem to forget how well I know you.” He crossed the short distance between them. “You only drink coffee when you haven’t slept the night before. This morning you walked into rehearsal holding the biggest cup Starbucks sells.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself. I couldn’t sleep because I have an important concert in two days.”

  “Like you’d ever lose sleep over a gig. Even a televised one.” He shook his head. “No. Like me, you couldn’t get that kiss out of your head.”

  Despite the thrill that raced through her, another thing she couldn’t get out of her head was the sight of a certain strawberry-blonde, clad in only a towel in his apartment. “I don’t think Hannah would be too happy to hear you say that.”

  “Hannah isn’t in the picture.”

  “Well, she was when she was half-naked in your apartment four months ago.”

  A scowl crept across his face. “I was drunk. And so was she. It wasn’t very memorable. For either of us. And in case you’re wondering, she hasn’t been there since that night and I haven’t been at her place either.”

  Stunned, Jessie stared at him for a few seconds as she digested this new development. “You’re not back together with her?”

  “No. Like I said, it was the result of way too much alcohol.”

  “I’ve never seen you drink enough to get that wasted. And you were fine when we sang at the MC earlier that night. What happened?”

  He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “It was a rough night,” he said, and she detected a hint of strain in his tone. “And it wasn’t just one thing. There was more going on.”

  “You could have talked to me.”

  “You were one of the reasons I got shitfaced…talking to you was out of the question.”

  She raised her brows. “What did I do?”

  “Nothing.” He let out a humorless laugh. “Nothing except look so fucking hot that all I wanted to do was to drag you into the MC’s store room and take you right then and there up against the wall.” He paused as she gasped. “It was you I wanted that night, not Hannah. I got drunk because I wanted you and I couldn’t have you. But when you showed up at my door later that night, I saw something in your eyes. Something that told me that maybe you wanted me too.” His eyes drilled into hers. “Was I wrong?”

  God, no. She had wanted him. She still wanted him. Desperately. He didn’t need to know she’d fallen in love with him. Love wasn’t on his agenda but, at the moment, she didn’t care. The need to finish what they’d started in the elevator was far too strong.

  “No,” she whispered. “You weren’t wrong.”

  “Do you want me to leave?” he asked, as he lifted his hand to her cheek. He slid his thumb over her jaw; the light caress sent waves of heat to every part of her body, but mostly between her legs.

  “I want…” she began, then let out a helpless whimper as he rubbed his thumb against her bottom lip.

  His gaze lowered to her mouth and he asked in a low husky voice. “What? What do you want?”

  “I want you to stay.” She took a deep breath as he slid his hand al
ong her neck, then underneath her hair to cup her nape. His fingers were warm against her skin; the shiver that followed wasn’t because she was cold. Just the opposite. Suddenly she was burning up inside. And she felt dizzy.

  “Then I’ll stay.” He lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. His feather light kiss left her aching for more. She couldn’t breathe, and she couldn’t think worth a damn.

  The second his tongue touched her lips, she parted her mouth and allowed him inside. The soft, warm glide of his tongue was almost more than she could bear. A low moan bubbled up from somewhere deep inside of her as he deepened the kiss and consumed her mouth with forceful demand. He tasted of coffee and chocolate, two of her favorite things. Desire pooled between her legs as she gave herself over to his slow, deep, wet kiss.

  Drew slipped his hand to her back, urging her closer until every hard inch of his body pressed into the softness of hers. She slid her arms around his waist, and reached up under the hem of his T-shirt to touch the warm supple skin of his back. He pulled back, looking at her through heavy-lidded eyes. His breathing was labored, as if he’d been running. Hers was too.

  “I want you.” The husky cadence of his voice awakened a need she’d long suppressed—the need to connect with someone on the most intimate level. She’d only been with three guys in her whole life, and none of them had evoked within her what Drew had with just two kisses.

  Holding his smoldering gaze, she motioned with her head toward the bedroom. “Show me how much,” she said softly, and then sanity prevailed. “Wait. Do you have —?”

  “In my wallet.” A wicked smile curved his lips as he stepped back, took her hand and led her to the bedroom.

  Seconds later, as they stood next to the big bed, a sudden feeling of shyness enveloped her. Drew put his hand on her chin and forced her head up. “Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?”

  “No.”

  “I remember seeing you at the Opry when you were seventeen. It was the first time you performed there.”

  “You were there?”

  “My father took me. It was a surprise for my eighteenth birthday.” He lifted his hand and brushed a stray tendril of hair from her face. “You were the prettiest girl I’d ever seen. I was floored by how confident you were. You didn’t seem nervous at all.”

  “My knees were shaking.” She offered him a slight smile. “Kind of like they are right now.”

  “Would it help if I told you I’ve had a hard-on for you since the first night we met at the MC?”

  Surprise caused her knees to stop shaking. “Not my finest moment. I was a little…um...over served.”

  “You think?” Drew chuckled, then hooked a finger in the waistband of her jeans and pulled her closer. His clean scent enveloped her and caused her skin to tingle. “I wanted you that night. More than I’ve ever wanted anyone.” His gaze lowered to her mouth. “Are you sure you want me to stay?”

  “I’m sure.” She tugged at the hem of his T-shirt, suddenly feeling way more confident. “Take off your clothes.”

  The corner of his mouth kicked up ever so slightly, as he gathered two-fistfuls of fabric, pulled the shirt over his head, and tossed it onto the floor.

  Jessie’s breath lodged in her throat. Who knew he’d been hiding six-pack abs under his shirt? Not her. She took in his lightly tanned skin, his well-defined pecs, and the trail of light brown hair that started at his naval and trailed down toward the waistband of his jeans, and swallowed. Hard.

  “Your turn.” He grinned and lifted his hands to the top button of her cotton shirt. “How ‘bout I help you out.”

  Her heart raced as he made quick work of the buttons, and then, with her help, he slid her shirt off and let it drop to the floor.

  “Nice bra,” he said, admiring the lacy white cups that covered her breasts. He slid his finger under the front clasp, and with a quick flick, unhooked it.

  She shivered as he smoothed his palms up her arms to the straps of her bra and slowly pulled them down. The cups fell away; her nipples hardened as cool air washed over her breasts.

  The second her bra hit the floor, Drew lifted his hands to her breasts and cupped them. A soft moan escaped her lips as he brushed his thumbs over her taut nipples. “Do you like me touching you?” he asked, in a low, husky voice.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “I’ve wanted to touch you like this for so long.” He lowered his hands to the waistband of her jeans, freed the top button and tugged down the zipper. “Turn around.”

  Mutely, she obeyed him. His arms came around her from behind, pulling her against him. The hard, thick ridge of his erection pressed insistently into her buttocks, and his warm chest came into contact with the bare skin of her back, sending another rush of heat between her legs. She stared unseeingly at the bed, as he slid a hand down her stomach to the top of her underwear. She sucked in a breath, waiting for him to touch her where she wanted it most. Finally, after what seemed like hours, he slipped his fingers beneath the elastic band. “Are you wet for me?” His sultry breath caressed her ear.

  “Find out for yourself,” she said, then inhaled sharply as he slid a finger into her soft, wet folds. She gasped as her knees buckled.

  He held her tight against him and played her as skillfully as he played his Fender Strat. As the tension built, Jessie trembled and rubbed against his hand, shamelessly seeking the release that only he could give her. The sweet ache became almost unbearable. She closed her eyes and let out a long shuddering moan as he gently rubbed her clit, and the most intense pleasure she’d ever felt exploded from within her, and radiated throughout every inch of her body.

  Before the delicious sensations had a chance to fade away, he slipped his hand from between her legs, turned her around, and crushed his mouth to hers. His kiss was fierce, demanding, thrilling. Then, just as suddenly, he pulled back and eased her down onto the edge of the bed.

  Her heart pounded in double-time as she braced her palms on the smooth bedspread. She lifted her hips and extended her legs so he could pull her jeans and underwear off. When the last of her clothing hit the floor, she tilted her head back and watched as he reached into his back pocket, pulled out his wallet, and quickly withdrew a condom before flinging the wallet to the floor. He handed her the condom before proceeding to unbutton and unzip his jeans.

  The jeans didn’t make it far before he let out a frustrated groan. “Damn boots,” he muttered, then sank down on the bed next to her so that he could pull them off. Once the boots were history, he stood and rid himself of his jeans and briefs. The multi-colored light streaming in from the partially open curtains highlighted the lines and planes of his lean, muscular body. Unabashedly, she admired every inch until, unable to resist, she reached out and touched his hard shaft.

  He drew in a deep breath as she slid her thumb over the clear droplet that had formed on the head of his cock. “Give me the condom,” he said, his voice rough.

  She dropped the foil wrapped packet into his outstretched palm, then scooted to the center of the bed. Her heart thumped erratically as she watched him unroll the condom over his erection.

  “Spread your legs,” he commanded as he joined her on the bed and moved to settle between her parted thighs. With his palms flat on the bed on either side of her, he braced himself over her, then lowered his head and pressed his mouth to hers. She lifted her hands to his ribcage, then smoothed her palms over his warm, supple skin. He kissed her deeply, and with so much tenderness that moisture gathered in her eyes. She’d never been kissed like this; with such passionate reverence.

  A heartbeat later, Drew lifted his head. Jessie’s eyes fluttered open and her gaze locked with his as he rocked his hips and slid into her wet, throbbing center. He sank deeper, filling her completely. He flexed his elbows, and lowered himself until his chest pressed against hers. Then, wasting no time, he thrust forward into her.

  Her whole world shrank, and in that moment it was just her and Drew. Her nails raked over his bac
k as she eagerly met his every thrust.

  “Jesus, Jessie. You feel so fucking good,” he said hoarsely, as he hooked his hand under her knee to lift her leg. She wrapped it around his hip and gasped as he went deeper. She’d never felt anything more amazing.

  “Ohhh,” she cried out, as he pushed her relentlessly towards another release. “Don’t stop.”

  “Not a chance.” He growled into her ear and moved faster.

  Desperate to ease the coiled tension inside of her, she writhed against him. His name burst forth from her lips and echoed throughout the room as the first wave of her orgasm hit and licked through her body. Moments later, he gave a final thrust, let out a low groan of pleasure and then collapsed on top of her.

  As the sound of their ragged breaths filled the room, Drew pressed his lips against the hollow of her throat, and although she wouldn’t be able to take his weight for much longer, at this moment, there was no other place on earth she wanted to be.

  Chapter Five

  An hour later, Jessie sat across from Drew at the round table in her suite’s main room, wearing nothing but his T-shirt. Her hair, dark as polished wood, spilled over her shoulders; she looked so gorgeous, he was having a difficult time keeping his hands off of her.

  During the time he played with her band he’d taken the time to get to know her, and imagined—quite frequently—what it would be like to touch her the way he had this afternoon. And now that he had, he had no idea what was going to happen next.

  Now there was no question he wanted more than friendship. Not seeing her or talking to her for the past four months had been like a slow form of torture. The only thing that had helped to distract him during those months was his music. When he wasn’t working at the MC, or sitting in with Garrett and the few local bands that sometimes asked him to play with them, he’d been holed up in his apartment writing songs. And thanks to Jessie, he now had enough songs to record a full album, and then some. Maybe someday he’d record that album, and when he did, he’d dedicate it to her—his muse.

  “I’m starving,” she said, reaching across the table.