Joy Ride by Desiree Holt (bill gates best books TXT) 📗

same spot through the entire set, taking occasional sips of her beer, but mostly watching Marc avidly. Hungrily. Caught up in the hypnotic sound of his bass. The attack of nerves that she’d battled on the drive over eased a little but she still saw herself as an outsider in an alien world. Part of it, she realized, was her own insecurities, her fear that she was a fraud. Someone playing a role that wasn’t well rehearsed. She was feeling her way in this new environment.

When she looked at the other women in the crowd, all so much more comfortable with the scene and into it, it struck her that this was one of the main reasons she continued to keep her identity secret from Marc. Despite the spectacular sex and his reassuring words, she couldn’t get past the fear he’d take a look at her and decide she was too dull and boring for him. Even Annie couldn’t reassure her enough to shore up her confidence. She couldn’t seem to get rid of her sense of inadequacy to the other women she saw.

But you’re the one he chose.

She knew that. Still….

And of course there was always the question of how her family and friends would react to him. Talk about a stranger in a strange land.

You’re a coward, Emma Blake.

But at that moment the set ended and Marc placed his guitar in a stand on the stage. He spoke to the lead singer then jumped off the stage to where she waited. Her pulse rate accelerated and her breath caught in her throat. She loved the wild look about him when he finished a set, the disarray of his hair from the movement of his head and the edge of excitement that was almost visible. She wanted to throw herself at him and kiss him, even here in front of all these people, a reaction so unlike her normal self.

But all that quickly dissipated like smoke blown away in a breeze.

“Let’s take a walk outside.” His fingers rested on her elbow with a reassuring touch but he sounded strange.

Her stomach clenched. Was he about to tell her to leave? Was it over this quickly? She felt slightly nauseous as he urged her through the door to the parking lot and guided her toward the back of the building.

It’s okay. I knew this had to be over soon. I’m not his type. He’s figured it out. I can’t keep up. I can’t—

They stopped just past the corner of the building. Marc pulled her around to face him, cupped her face in his hands and pressed his mouth to hers. Emma was so stunned for a moment she just stood there, unresponsive. But then she wrapped her arms around his neck. Boldly, she opened her mouth and welcomed his tongue inside, tangling her own with his. Holy God, he tasted so good. So distinctly…Marc, her Guitar Man. He kissed her until her head swam an onslaught of sensations threatening to drown her.

Magic. She didn’t know what else to call it.

He lifted his head only when they were both in danger of oxygen starvation.

“I watched for you all night.” His voice was husky and rough with desire. His gaze raked over her, heat sizzling in them. “You look sharp, ML.” He let the strands of the purple streak sift through his fingers. “Love the hair. And the clothes. Wow!” His eyes ate her up.

“It’s…sort of the new me.” She wet her lower lip. “I’m glad you like it.” She hadn’t realized how anxious she was about his opinion until she heard his words. Saw the look in his eyes. The knot of tension inside her lessened a fraction.

“I liked the old you,” he insisted. “But now, just…wow,” he repeated. He couldn’t seem to stop touching her hair. “I was afraid maybe two nights in a row would be too much for you.”

Their lips were still so close, she could feel his breath inside her mouth when he spoke.

“I almost didn’t come,” she whispered, tightening her arms around his neck.

“I’m glad you did.”

“When you dragged me out here, I was sure you were going to tell me I was too much of a pain in the rear and not to bother you any more.”

“What?” He licked her bottom lip. “Are you kidding? Never.”

“Whew.” She relaxed, the tautness easing more fully from her body. “Because I’d hate that. But…I’d understand.”

He frowned. “You would? Why?”

She shrugged. “You know. I always run away. Won’t go to breakfast with you. Won’t even tell you my name.” Because I’m afraid that any minute you’ll figure out Music Lady doesn’t sparkle. I’m just plain old boring Emma Blake who hides behind a cloak of anonymity because I don’t have all that much to offer. That I’m really a fraud, despite the hair and clothes….

He tucked her hair behind her ears, his eyes searching hers. “I’ll accept that you have a damn good reason for that. Or at least one you think is good. For the moment. It’s better than not seeing you at all.”

Everything inside her relaxed a little. He wanted her! He still wanted her! “I know you think I’m being stupid.”

And she was. She was just damn lucky he was willing to put up with her quirky hang-up. He didn’t seem to have a problem letting his world see them together—the band, the crowd, the club employees. Why couldn’t she do the same?

Because she was a freakin’ coward just taking chances for the first time in her life.

He brushed his mouth against hers. “I think you’re being ML. And that’s good enough for me right now.”

Emma pressed herself against him, heat surging through her when she felt the hard thickness of his cock through both of their clothes.

“Thank you.”

“I need to get back inside. We have one more set to do. Can you stay?”

She nodded.

“Good.” He smiled. “I’ll be playing especially for you.”

***

Marc cradled ML in his arms and smoothed damp tendrils of hair back