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

I must be nuts, fixated on a woman who won’t let me know who she really is.

But he’d already figured out that this was a little more than a fixation. Although he’d changed the sheets on his bed, he’d left the pillowcases, hugging her scent to him at night when he fell asleep. How dumb was that? He was also plagued by erotic dreams of her that woke him with a boner beyond painful.

It wasn’t just the sex, though. Not by a long shot. It was her. Everything about her. He wanted her not just in his bed, but in his life. The problem was how to convince her. Whatever had her wound up so tight internally, the battle was far from over. One thing was clear: trust played a big part in this. He was deliberately going slowly with her because of it. She was as skittish as a creature out of its element.

He just wished he knew what exactly that element was. The little Twenty Questions games he’d coaxed her into playing gave him more information than she realized. A picture blossomed in his mind of a woman with a sharp mind, an inquisitive nature, but one who for some reason had hidden behind barriers most of her life. If he could just find the key to knocking them down, he could tell her what she really meant to him.

And how do you feel, smartass? Are you in love with her? Can you be in love with a woman you know so little about?

The answer, plain and simple, was…yes.

But he wasn’t going to find a solution to his problem wandering around among the tomatoes and apples. Sighing, he purchased potato chips out of a sense of guilt and headed home to get ready for work. If he was lucky, the woman of his dreams would show up.

Chapter Thirteen

Marc checked his watch again, wondering if the night would ever end. Keeping his shit together was becoming more and more difficult, and he didn’t want to blow this chance. Rick had called a quick meeting between sets in the club’s tiny dressing room.

“Okay, guys,” he began. “We’re packed tonight, probably because it’s Friday night and our last week. Everyone seemed a little on edge the first two sets so let’s have it. What’s going on?”

“I don’t know about anyone else,” Garrett said, tapping his sticks against his thigh, “but this week has felt a month long.”

“It’s always like that when something you’re waiting for is just around the corner,” Marc answered. “But I’ve been edgy, too.

For a different reason.

“Okay, guys.” Rick shoved his hands in his pockets. “Heads up here. We’ve rehearsed every day and performed at night so your time should have been well taken up. Next week’s going to be even more intense. What we need to focus on is the fact we have forty minutes to impress everyone—the audience, the record people, promoters, even Deep Blue River. They’re looking for an opening act for their next tour and we want to be it.”

“You said Butch Meredith asked for a better cut of the video.” Danny fiddled nervously with his sticks. “Did he say why?”

“No, but I’d say it’s a positive indicator of his future plans and they include Lightnin’. This would be first class all the way so let’s not do anything to blow it. Like letting a case of nerves distract us. Okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Sure.”

“You’re right, big man.”

Marc started toward the door when Rick touched his shoulder.

“You doing okay?”

“Fine. Peachy.” Marc rotated his head, trying to work out an annoying kink.

“You just seem a little more tense than usual is all.”

“I’m doing my job, right?” he snapped.

“Even better than usual.” Rick chuckled. “Maybe sexual deprivation works for you.”

“Yeah, right.”

He was definitely feeling deprived and it wasn’t all sexual. He’d had plenty of chances this week to heat the sheets with women who’d come on to him, especially that damn Lacey. But instead he watched the door every night, hoping to see ML walk through it.

He was in bad, bad shape.

“I’m good, Rick. You don’t need to worry about me. I think I’ll get some air before we go on again.”

He started toward the side door, edging around the crowd. Aftershock was even more packed than usual, everyone determined to see the band’s final performances. Even people he hadn’t seen since week one crowded into every available inch of space—and some not so available—for a last look at Lightnin’. The deafening screams and applause at the end of each number they’d played created a field of energy crackling in the air.

Like Lightnin’.

“You might want to put it off a little while.” Rick spoke directly into his ear to be heard over the noise.

“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”

“Turn around and you’ll see.”

When he did he nearly stopped breathing. Music Lady was standing right at the edge of the stage, fighting to hold onto her tiny bit of space among the crush of bodies. She’d obviously just arrived because she hadn’t even taken time to fight her way to the bar and get a drink.

For some reason she appeared tentative, as if expecting him to blow her off. Then he saw Lacey standing right next to her, jawing in her ear. Well shit. He took the fastest route to her, up on the stage, across the platform, and then jumping off onto the floor. Right between her and Lacey.

“I was just giving your friend the lowdown on the band,” Lacey smirked.

“I’ll bet.” Marc ground his teeth. Lacey had been the biggest pain in the ass for as long as he could remember. He didn’t much like used goods and she definitely fell in that category. The Queen of the Groupies didn’t take no for an answer. He grabbed ML’s arm before Lacey could cause trouble. “Go have fun someplace else, Lacey. I told you. I’m not interested.” He tugged ML into the little hallway behind the stage, elbowing his way through the packed crowd. “Don’t