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

streets until she reached her destination. Rocking to a stop in the driveway, she turned the engine off, then ran up the porch steps and banged on the front door.

“Open up,” she yelled when nothing happened at once, and pounded away again.

“What’s the matter?” Andrew pulled open his door and stared at her. “Emma. Have you lost your mind?”

“I’m wondering if you lost yours. You followed me?”

“Try to understand,” he said, attempting to placate her.

“Understand what? Damn, Andrew. Are you turning into a stalker? I’d never have believed it of you.”

“Listen.” He looked over her head at the street. “Why don’t you come inside and we can discuss this rationally?”

“Two reasons. I’m never coming inside again and I’m not rational.” She fisted her hands and dug her nails into her palms, reaching for some measure of inner restraint and wanting to smack Andrew for being so dense. “We’re finished, Andrew. Try to get that through your head. I don’t love you. Maybe I only thought I did. But I saved us from making a big mistake.”

“Your friend Annie put you up to this.” He delivered the words in a hard, flat tone.

“Annie?” She heard her voice rising and swallowed hard. “Annie has nothing to do with this. Don’t you think I have a mind of my own?”

“If you did, we wouldn’t be standing here now having this argument.”

“What? Are you saying I’m stupid? Or dumb? Easily influenced? ”

Was that how he saw her? What her parents expected of her? Another Stepford wife to take her place in their social circle?

How did I never see this side of him before? He’s not bland, he’s controlling. He was only bland as long as I didn’t object to anything.

Ohmigod!

“Listen to what I’m going to say, Andrew.” She made herself speak slowly and patiently because she didn’t intend to go through this again. “I will say this one last time. Don’t ever presume to follow me again or go behind my back to my parents. It’s pointless because I make my own decisions. And marrying you isn’t one of them.”

She spun on her heel and hurried back to her car. The tires squealed as she backed out into the street and pulled away.

Well, that went well.

But she had to admit, while she’d insisted to everyone what a grownup she was, she didn’t act like one where Marc was concerned. Not telling him her name. Afraid to let him into her world. Hiding behind secrecy like a kid sneaking out of the house.

Yet she still held back. Maybe because she didn’t understand enough of his world. Didn’t trust that what the two of them had was real and important. Or was she still afraid of what would happen if she gave him a glimpse into hers?

The one thing she couldn’t ignore was the relationship growing between them. More than just sex. More than thrills. She needed to quit riding the fence.

But it’s all so new to me. I’m not ready yet. And I’m not sure I ever will be.

Chapter Ten

Marc was trying to pull himself together as he drove to the site where the band was shooting the video. His Music Lady hadn’t come back for the last two nights. Why not? Had he pushed too hard? Had his little game of Twenty Questions scared her off? Or all the information he’d given her about the business he was in?

Maybe he was just imagining she was into him. Wishful thinking. She was obviously stepping into a world she knew nothing about. What was she really looking for? Did she think he wasn’t exciting enough for her? Or too exciting? Was the sex suddenly too over the top?

Shit. I’ll drive myself crazy doing this.

Any sleep he managed had been fitful, his dreams invaded by erotic images of her naked in his bed. Under him. Over him. The feel of her when he was inside her. The scent she wore clung to his sheets, tantalizing him. And at night, at Aftershock, his eyes kept straying to the spot where she usually stood, her sweet little body swaying to the music.

He’d been encouraged by the information he’d pried out of her in such a slick manner. Maybe she didn’t think she was giving him clues to herself, but all those little things were indicators of the real person she was. A person who was becoming even more special to him.

What would she say if he told her just how “everyday” his background really was? Parents with real world jobs. Two brothers at the university. A family who bonded over cooking. All the things making up the real fabric of his life. Would they make him more or less interesting to her?

Better get yourself together, buddy boy, or the band will eat your ass for lunch. Can’t screw up this video.

Everyone was already at the studio when he got there. Rick’s cousin, Jado, had built a stellar reputation shooting videos for bands and was doing this on a Saturday as a favor to Lightnin’.

“Family always comes through,” Rick had told them.

They would pay Jado, of course, but a pittance compared to what he usually charged. And he had a top-notch facility and the equipment to go with it.

The song they’d chosen was called On the Edge of the Woods, about the lure of the darkness of the trees and the sunlight that washes it away. Jado’s studio was in a rural area with a thick forest-like expanse bordering it, so they’d decided to shoot the video outside. Something to enrich the flavor of the song.

The band members had agreed all four of them didn’t need to hang over the shoulders of the two professionals. Since this was Rick’s project, they were leaving it in his hands. Even Garrett had agreed that was the best. Then he’d go home for sack time before his meeting with Butch Meredith.

“Hey, guy.” Rick walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. “All set?”

Marc nodded. “Did you think I wouldn’t be?”

“Nope. I