Relentless Rhythm (Tempest #4) (37 page)

She ducked her head. I couldn’t see her face but I heard her mutter the protest in her tone, “Because I did it your way earlier.”

Yeah, I guess she had. She’d been underneath me on the bed, hands on my hips, me pounding into her to the rhythm of ‘My Way or the Highway’ my SG strapped to my back. My guitar, me, and my woman. It’d been a new experience for both of us. In the middle she’d asked me for a Brutal Strength song instead.

“Babe,” I’d told her, “Not doing it to some other guy’s tune!” I’d chastised her between breaths. “That’s just wrong.”

“Fine, but you owe me,” she’d bargained.

Not that I wouldn’t do just about anything for her. So here we were in the bathroom stall at the Mine.

She threw her ponytail over her shoulder and peered at me through her lashes. “As if it’s really such a hardship for you,” she teased. I loved that she could tease during sex. Hell, I loved everything about her.

“It’s hard all right, and I know you can feel it,” I teased back while sliding my hand inside the cups of her bra, palming her breasts and tugging on her nipples.

She moaned her approval.

“Apparently you’re ready, too,” I breathed stirring the fine hairs near her ear.

“Yes,” she panted the teasing lilt gone from her voice. “Now, please.”

I spanked her ass. She yelped, and then moaned as I erased the sting with a circular caress. “Now please, what?” I prompted.

“Now, please, Sir,” she panted and I obliged her. It only took a couple of purposeful thrusts before she spasmed around my dick. She turned her head, and I covered her beautiful lips growling into her mouth as I found my release.

Sex in the stall had been all her idea. She had wanted me to forget ever taking a woman back there but her. What she didn’t realize was that I already couldn’t remember any of them. Only her. But I figured it was my duty and my privilege to go along with whatever she wanted. That was the plan because all I wanted anymore, my heart’s desire, was to make sure that happiness remained a permanent fixture of her life. Along with me, that is.

“You think it’s ok that we’re making such a big fuss?” April asked me, her gaze glittering with uncertainty after we’d finished up, and she’d returned to her station, she gazed continuously at her mom who was at the other end of the bar talking to Tan.

“Don’t stress.” I covered her hand, stopping her drumming. Sometimes when she really got going she could tap those fingers faster than King could hit the snare with his sticks. “She looks happy. She’s glad to be out of the hospital, and she and Tan seem to be getting on well.” I raised a brow.

“You think?” Her forehead creased and she studied her mom and Tan more intensely.

“Leave her be.” I caught her chin gently and turned her to face me. “What will be will be. You need to give her some breathing room. She’s gonna be ok. We all are. Now come out from behind that bar. Let Ryan take care of it. Have some fun. I’ve met your family. Tonight’s about you really getting to know mine.”

She made a face, but nodded, both of us ignoring the pixie sized problem in the room.

Bluebelle.

Mel had shown up for the party. She’d been out on the ski cross circuit, but was back in town today. April was still not talking to her former best friend. I’d hoped in time they’d sort things out. It seemed obvious to me that they were both suffering and missing each other, but then again what did I know? I was just a guy. What would I know about girl girl emotional crap?

“When are you guys gonna play some of your new stuff?” April asked.

“As soon as Justin gets here.” I frowned. Our lead singer was late, and it wasn’t the first time. He’d been late to rehearsals on more than one occasion and he’d started leaving early, too.

I felt for the guy. He had a lot going on. His father’s illness. His engagement to a hotel heiress. His sister’s looming wedding. Being the key witness in Campanella’s trial since his ex had backed out of testifying. That was a lot of stress for anyone. Enough to fill a book.

It was obvious to everyone that Bridget and Carter were his priority. Not the band. The guys were starting to complain. Especially with War being around again. Like he was right now. Up on stage, messing around on the piano with Shaina on the bench beside him. There was a lot of second guessing going on, but I didn’t think it would amount to much. War was good and stuck in his contract with Charles Morris at Zenith.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the three of them arrive. John and Michael quickly pulled Carter aside to play, and that was probably a good thing because Bridget’s eyes were blazing blue fire.

“Hey, Lace.” I grabbed my sister’s arm as she walked by. “What’s up with them?”

“Who?” she asked, squeezing my woman’s hand in greeting before grabbing a handful of nuts from the bar.

“Your buddy JJ and his fiancée.”

She followed the direction of my gaze. “Yeah they’ve been that way all day. Neither will talk about it.”

They were obviously out of sorts with each other. Frowning, Justin held Bridget’s arms. Her platinum hair swung around her shoulders as she shook her head. Even though it wasn’t me she was directing that anger toward, the situation still made me tense.

“No Justin. I won’t let you throw away your career. This is your big chance.” Her voice rose. They both seemed to have forgotten where they were, and that they had a captive audience. “It’s not a big deal. The doctor said it’s common to get a little hypoglycemic in the first trimester.”

Whoa
. I pulled my piercing between my lips, my eyes widening.
Bridget is pregnant?
Lace and I exchanged looks. She seemed just as surprised as I was.

Never mind enough drama to fill a book.

We were talking major motion picture material here.

Maybe April could write the screenplay.

And since all that drama goin’ down was someone else’s shit, I suddenly got hungry for popcorn.

“I understand the situation you’re in, but you’ve got other options.

You don’t deserve to be treated like that. No one does.”
– Dizzy Lowell

Sexual violence is a real and serious problem. The CDC website has definitions, prevention resources, and a hotline available. The CDC is your online source for credible health information and is the official Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC is committed to achieving true improvements in people's health. CDC applies research and findings to improve people's daily lives and responds to health emergencies

Here’s the main landing page link, along with a couple of sub-links.

http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/index.html

Begin the dialogue.

http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/svprevention-a.pdf

Preventing Child Maltreatment.

http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pub/PreventingCM.html

Preventing intimate partner and sexual violence.

http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/ipv-sv_program_activities_guide-a.pdf

Strange Magic – the first book in a new Black Cat Records paranormal trilogy.

Planned release. February 2015.

Unforgettable – a Brutal Strength, Tempest crossover novel.

Release date. Soon.

I couldn’t and wouldn’t want to write without these people by my side. They are the wind beneath my wings, my positive mojo, the reason I have a smile on my face.

My lyrical muse and sexy dimpled husband.

My two boys who rock and roll their eyes at their romance writing mom.

My mom and my sister who always pick me up when I’m down and turn the fans of encouragement on high to help me soar even higher.

My best friend, Lisa Anthony, the best one in the whole wide world, but don’t tell her, people are always trying to steal her from me.

Michelle Warren. Author. Graphic Designer. A forever friend…she puts up with my ‘Michelle speak’ and never tries to hide from me, no matter how much of a pain in the arse I am.

My formatter, Julie Titus who makes my words almost as beautiful as she is.

My copy editor, Dr. Diane Klein, what can I say. I love her. I respect her greatly, and so appreciate her patiently teaching and ‘re-learning me’ <

Test readers, Kelly Moorehouse, Anda Upchurch, Wendy Neuman Wilken, Shaina Abbs, the beta girls on RR, and one sexy anonymous guy, who were invaluable to me, willingly slugging through my manuscript when it was rough enough to give them splinters and yet still seeing the beauty.

Brandee of Brandee’s Book Endings, a genuine, warm, and loving friend. And husband Craig for Dizzy’s accessories on istock under Cveltri.

My Black Cat Divas, the coolest of the cool, the love dream team. There are none more loyal, kind, generous, or positive than them. Mandy Anderson, Rita Jinkins Post, April Merriman, MJ Fryer, Lisa Kano, Alyssa Williams, and Peggy Warren.

Carol Allen, a graphic goddess at Star Angels’ Reviews & We-R-Promo Stars.

Technical consult, bartending extraordinaire, Lori Morgan, and J Garza/King for Spanish slang advice.

And my two friends across the pond who might possibly love reading and sharing a good book as much as I do. Rachel Maybury and Sian Lewis, who also were one of the first to know the subgenre of the
secret book
soon to come…oohh…ahhh…

Michelle Mankin is the author of the Black Cat Records series of novels.

Romance with subtext.

Reimagining classic stories with sexy rock stars and thought provoking issues.

For many years she worked in the insurance industry as an underwriter. Somehow, the boredom didn't kill her but the hours and hours of looking at facts and figures provided ample time for her mind to wander.

Black Cat Records in Vancouver provides the central backdrop for all of Michelle’s current novels. Love Evolution, Love Revolution, and Love Resolution are a Brutal Strength centered trilogy, combining the plot underpinnings of Shakespeare with the drama, excitement, and indisputable sexiness of the rock 'n roll industry.