Fallen Idol (Love and Music in Texas Book 4)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  "That would be great." Matt stood close to Kyra, wishing he could take her in his arms again.

  Ten minutes later, they were ready to go. Matt climbed up on the seat next to Kyra and wrapped an arm around her. She scanned the remainder of the crowd, probably looking for any sign of the person who'd come after her. She was quiet. Matt directed the driver to the location of his car. He was eager to get them out of here.

  Matt guessed by the way the security team continued to apologize to Kyra that they were worried she'd make a big deal about them in a negative light, because she was accosted at their event. Was that the type of thing they were used to? Something happening to a star and they'd end up in trouble? He'd only known Kyra for a short while, but knew that she was more down to earth than that. She didn't expect people to bow down and cater to her every need. He loved how real she was. Down to earth. Funny. Sweet. Damn sexy and tantalizing.

  And she wanted to be with him. That one he found astonishing. Kyra could have anyone she wanted, and she chose to take a chance on a small town guy with a son.

  The ride to Harmony's Echo Inn was quiet. Tense. Full of thinking, at least for Matt. He had a lot on his mind and imagined Kyra did, too. Once they were shown to the room and were left to themselves, Matt breathed a sigh of relief. Kyra picked up the phone and called her father. She paced around the room as she spoke. He wasn't sure about the conversation on her father's end, but he could tell this was an emotional call. Kyra almost broke down. "I just wanted you to know before everything exploded in ten different ways. I'm safe. I'm okay. I've got a face full of dirt and a few scrapes, but nothing serious. Yeah, Matt's with me. His cousin took Andrew, and the lead singer of the band I went to see got us a room at her family's inn. I don't know if it was random or how someone knew where I'd be. Guess we'll figure that out with the police soon. Thanks, Daddy. I love you." She hung up and set the phone down on the desk next to her purse. "I expect at any moment Mark is going to call, and he'll be fuming."

  "Let him fume." Matt's voice came out much harsher than intended. "He doesn't control everything."

  "He'd like to think so," Kyra laughed bitterly.

  He opened his mouth to say something, but his phone went off. Argh! Too many interruptions, but it was a given. "Hello?" he answered, keeping an eye on Kyra. She sank down on the bed and rubbed her temples.

  "Hey, it's Randy. Daisy's been dropped off, and we're already back at my house with Andrew. How's Kyra?"

  "She's okay. Avery got a room set up at the inn, and we just arrived."

  "No word on the person who went after her?"

  "Nope. They got away. Can't imagine how, but they did."

  "Well, if you feel like you want to stay with her, we'll keep Andrew, no problem. I know I already said that, but..."

  "Is that Dad? Can I talk to him and Kyra?" Andrew asked in the background.

  "Yeah, hold on." Randy must have handed him the phone.

  "Hey Dad. Are you guys okay?"

  "We're fine, bud."

  "Can I talk to Kyra?"

  "Sure thing." Matt held the phone out to her. "Andrew wants to talk to you." He liked that his son was so open and welcome to the idea of talking to Kyra. He was the one who'd wanted them to date in the first place.

  Kyra gave a small smile and took the phone. "Hi Andrew. I'm okay, really I am. Thanks for asking. I hope you had a good night with your date, despite what happened. Okay, that's good to know. Thanks for checking up on me. Here's your dad again."

  Matt talked to Andrew, Randy, then Blaine for a little while before hanging up.

  "You don't have to stay with me, you know," Kyra informed him.

  He feigned hurt. "You want to end our date on this note?"

  She laughed. "Great for a first date, huh? I panic onstage and then get shoved in the dirt."

  "Not a dull moment in Texas," he joked, moving to sit beside her on the bed.

  Her phone vibrated, and she almost moved to check it. "I bet there's the trending and the comments. I'm afraid to look."

  "Then don't," Matt whispered, reaching out for her hand to keep her beside him. "Leave it be. Take a night and just be normal. Pretend everything didn't happen. Give yourself a mental break and deal with everything in the morning."

  "You make it sound so simple." She turned to face him.

  "It is." Sure, to him it might be, but Kyra lived in the spotlight. Still, he could try to help for one night before she had to face her reality again.

  "You'd really stay here with me all night? What about Andrew and work?"

  "I'm right where I want to be. Andrew is in safe hands, and work will be there whenever I get to it. I don't want to leave you right now, Kyra. What I'd love to do is hold you close and pretend like we don't have to face the world and all of its chaos. I want our first date to last."

  "I'm surprised our first date hasn't scared you off. Look at our first meeting. These firsts aren't the best."

  He laughed. "Maybe not, but they're firsts I wouldn't trade. My world has turned a little tipsy this past week, but you know, I kind of like it." More than he thought he would.

  *****

  Kyra's head throbbed, from her back, to her face, all the way down to her neck. Places she didn't even know could hurt did. For the last hour, she lay curled in Matt's arms, and they talked. Her phone continued to go crazy, but she took Matt's advice and ignored it. She was sure Mark was on the verge of a heart attack by now. Too bad. He could deal with it for a night. She needed a mental break. Kyra stretched her leg and groaned. Everything ached! It was as if she'd been hit by a truck!

  Matt leaned over her, on high alert. "You all right?"

  "Sore. Very sore," she muttered, trying not to complain too much.

  "Take a hot bath," he suggested. "Looks like a nice tub in the bathroom."

  The idea was appealing. Very. Wonder what it would take to get him to join her. Kyra wouldn't mind that a bit. "Think I just might." She leaned over to kiss his lips, then climbed out of the bed. Heading toward the bathroom, she moved slowly, debating on the best way to ask him. Just calmly invite him to join, or go subtle?

  Kyra set the water to the temperature she liked and let it run, then found the plug and stuffed it in the drain. A bottle of bubble bath sat on the shelf, along with towels, shampoo, and conditioner. Matt was right, this was a nice sized tub. Definitely big enough for two. Kyra grabbed the bottle of bubble bath and poured. The solution hit the water, immediately creating a flow of bubbles.

  She shed her clothes, dropping them on the floor. Her aching muscles screamed at her as she dipped a toe in to test the water. The bubbles rose as the tub filled up. The hot water was a godsend to her aching body. Kyra sunk lower and let out a moan. The water rushed around her body. "Hey Matt?"

  "Yeah?" he called from the room.

  "Remember the other night when we wanted to go in the hot tub and never did?"

  "I remember."

  "Well, it was never an official IOU, but I'm calling it in. Wanna join me?" Please let him say yes, please let him say yes.

  He appeared in the doorway, sans his shirt. "I thought you'd never ask."

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The view from the tub was great. Matt dropped his pants and boxers, leaving them in a pile on the floor mixed with her clothes. His gaze was set intently on her. He slowly stepped toward the tub, and Kyra sat up. The water was high enough, so she turned off the knob. The stream of water stopped quickly.

  "You know, this wasn't my intent when I suggested a bath," Matt said as he slid in behind her. She shivered as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back to lean against him.

  "I know, but I've enjoyed having you close to me. I didn't want it to end." She tilted her head back to rest on him.

  "You won't get a complaint out of me." His lips trailed along her neck, planting soft kisses and sending waves of tingles down her spine.

  "Didn't think I would," she uttered, succumbing to his touch.

  "Kyra," he wh
ispered, kissing her ear. "I want you. I can't stop wanting you. What's with the hold you have on me?"

  "It's all part of my master plan," she hissed when he nibbled gently on her neck. Kyra dug her nails into Matt's leg. His erection pressed up against her back. Matt slid a hand down from her abdomen. He left a trail of tingles as he made his way to her vagina. Kyra let out another tiny moan and closed her eyes. When he dipped a finger inside, she nearly lost it. She tipped her head back to look up at him, even though it was in an awkward position. Matt's sexy eyes held so much emotion. There was an intense fire in them as he stroked her, at first in a slow, teasing way. He had her in the palm of his hands and knew it. "Keep that up and you're going to have embedded nails in your skin."

  "Could be worse." He kissed her forehead as he slid a second finger inside her. "Lean back. Let me touch."

  "But-" She tried to argue. Matt gently ran his free hand through her hair.

  "We have all night," he promised.

  Well, who could argue with that? Kyra did as he requested. Each movement from both of them made ripples in the water, and she'd filled the tub so high not thinking Matt would be in here, so the liquid sloshed over the edge. Kyra sunk lower as Matt brought her to a climax. Hell, it didn't take long. It had been forever since she'd been with anyone, let alone have someone please her. When the climax finally hit in full swing, Kyra cried out, her voice echoing off the bathroom walls. Her legs were tingly, and she panted. "I have a slight problem," Kyra said hoarsely.

  "What's that?" Matt pulled his fingers out and kissed the back of her neck.

  "I can't move. Everything is numb. I don't think we can manage anything else in this tub. It looked bigger than it is."

  "Wow, glad you're talking about the tub and not something else."

  When Kyra registered what he meant, she snorted. "I feel that something else pressed up against my backside. I know how big it is."

  Matt eased out of the tub and held a hand out to help Kyra stand. She thought he was going to hold her while she stepped out of the bath, but he surprised her when he gathered her in his arms and carried her out of the bathroom. Both dripping wet, Kyra feared he'd slip and fall. He didn't. Matt set her down in the middle of the room.

  "Do you have-?" she started to ask, but Matt wrapped his arms around her, lowered them to her butt, and pulled her close.

  "Yes," he growled, trailing kisses against her neck again. "I do have condoms."

  "How do you know what I was going to ask? I could have asked if you had the time," she teased.

  "I have that, too. It's time you and I, well." He cocked his head to the side, gesturing at the bed. "Or if you prefer." He cocked his head the other way, in the general direction of the desk. "Or if we really want to make some noise." Matt pointed at the wall.

  Kyra let out a giggle. "Oh my, so many choices!"

  "Take your pick. But pick fast, because I don't know how much longer I can hold off." Matt's gaze landed back on her. A shiver traveled up down her spine, and she wanted him more.

  "The bed. It'll be more comfortable for me," Kyra decided. "If I wasn't so sore, I'd be up for some of your other suggestions."

  Matt took her hand in his. He looked over her and stopped just above her knee. "You bruised." He pointed.

  "I believe it." Kyra didn't even look down. She didn't want to talk about bruises, or the events of the evening. She gently pushed Matt toward the bed. They were both still dripping wet, but it didn't matter. The top comforter could be shed away later anyway.

  Matt's pants were on the floor right outside the bathroom. He kissed Kyra and told her he'd be right back. Grabbing his wallet, Matt pulled out the condom packet he'd stuck in there a few days ago. Not that he ever figured this was where he'd be, but the way he and Kyra had been lately, he wasn't going to take any chances. He approached the bed and marveled at the naked beauty waiting for him. He dropped the packet on the nightstand within reach and trailed a finger along Kyra's leg, up to her belly, and moved down toward her thighs again. She shivered beneath his touch. "You're beautiful, Kyra," he said softly.

  Stooping down, he kissed right above her naval, then slid his tongue gently over her skin. Kyra tugged on his hands, frantically trying to pull him down on top of her. He complied and straddled her. She reached for the packet, tore it open, and struggled to roll it on from the position she was in. Matt took her hands, kissed each palm, and laid them gently on the bed beside her. "Don't struggle. I got it." He finished rolling on the condom and proceeded to kiss every part of her body that surrounded her tiny triangle of hair. So she'd shaved recently. Uncovering bits and pieces of Kyra was thrilling and made him want to know every part of this woman. He learned her fears, her quirks, her good moments, and some of her weaknesses and strength. He now knew she was a loud screamer when she came, and he wondered how much louder she could be when he buried himself deep inside her.

  He was about to find out. Matt spread her legs and teased a little more. Kyra growled at him. Hell, she growled! He fucking loved it. "Tigress." He grinned, taunting her again. Okay, so maybe it was torture for him too, but that look on her face was one he wouldn't forget. Kyra was begging for him. This time, Matt delivered as he entered her.

  Sheer pleasure already ran its course. Matt thrust at a fast pace while he lowered his head to kiss Kyra again. Her lips were warm and inviting as she kissed back. He prodded her lips open with his tongue, gently toying with her. Kyra's hands were in his hair, then down to his shoulders, then back to his hair again. She arched her back, silently urging him to take her faster.

  He did.

  "Ohgod, don't stop!" she screamed. "Matt!"

  Matt kissed her again to keep her quiet. He hoped no one like Lucas or Randy planned to drop by to check on them. They'd get an earful. Singing wasn't the only thing Kyra could do with her sexy mouth. Yeah, he could get used to making her scream his name.

  She spasmed and tightened around his cock. Matt couldn't see straight. It was like an explosion of color burst before his eyes. Water and sweat mixed together coated their bodies. The orgasm came sudden and in full force. When Kyra yelled, he couldn't hear it over his own.

  He collapsed on top of her. "You're good at country and rock," Matt mumbled after a while.

  Kyra's body shook as she laughed. "Wow, was that a compliment?"

  "Mmm. Absolutely. I know. Corny, huh. You'll probably look back on this later and wonder what the hell you just did."

  "I know what I just did." She stroked his hair in lazy motions. "I made love to a sexy man who also happens to have a humor streak, especially when he's nervous."

  "Who says I'm nervous?" Yeah, she was right.

  "Come on, Matt. That line? That's a line from a nervous man who wants to say something, but isn't sure what." She pulled his head back down to her when he tried to move. "A man I happen to like. A lot. I might rock every once in a while, but I think I'll stick to singing country."

  "Sounds good to me." He rolled off her and tossed the condom in the trash, then bounced back on the bed to hold Kyra.

  *****

  Matt didn't remember falling asleep last night, so the sunlight shining in his eyes the next morning was a startling realization. Damn! What time was it? Where was Andrew? Why didn't he wake him? He shot up in a sitting position, unsure of his surroundings, and then he remembered. Kyra. He'd fallen asleep in Kyra's arms after making love last night. He peered over at her. She was still out, curled up in a ball with the covers over her completely, even her head. No wonder he was so damn cold last night. This little blanket hog was the culprit.

  He hated to wake her, but if Matt didn't drive her back to town, she'd have no way home. He had to get back, shower, and get to work. As much as he didn't want to leave her, real life awaited. Rhett was probably freaking out right now, wondering where the hell he was. Or maybe not, depending what the rumors were like about last night. Kyra's phone kept buzzing like crazy, so Matt was willing to bet things were bad.

  He was just ab
out to gently pull the covers down and kiss her awake when someone knocked on the door. Who in the world could that be? Matt scrambled away from Kyra, threw on a shirt, adjusted his shorts, and went to answer it. Blaine stood on the other side. Matt stepped out and pulled the door closed behind him, leaving it open a crack, since he didn't have his card to get back in again. "Hey."

  "Morning. I just wanted to check on you guys. Randy took Andrew to school and then went to work. I figured I'd stop by before I head to the studio. You haven't seen the Youtube clips, I hope." Her expression was grim.

  "No. That bad, huh? I feel for Kyra. She's not sure about her music career's fate right now."

  "I know all too well where she's coming from."

  Yeah, Blaine would know. She'd had her own rough patch with media blasting her a few months ago. At least in Blaine's case, she wasn't trying to make a comeback after a hiatus. Still, the whole damn thing sucked on all accounts. "So far she's avoided the calls and checking her phone, but the damn thing buzzed all night." Matt shook his head.

  "How is she?"

  "Sleeping right now, and she's sore. Mentally, well I don't know all of what she's thinking, but I know she's trying to figure what to do if her return doesn't go as anticipated."

  "You going to take her home?"

  "I was going to wake her up when you knocked." Matt wrapped his hand around the handle. "Hey, I have a couple ideas I want to run by you. It's something I've been thinking about, and after last night I think it might help Kyra."

  "Sure. Why don't we sit down later and discuss it? Hey, tell Kyra if she wants to talk, I'm a phone call away. I know she barely knows me, but we've been through similar things, so if she needs anything..."

  "I'll tell her."

  "Thanks. You take it easy, too." Blaine hugged him. "I'm really glad you and Kyra are... whatever you are. You've been different in a short time. I think I like the effect she has on you."

  "Never thought I'd say this about a musician, but so do I. I like her a lot, Blaine. It concerns me, but I can't help it."