All Smoke No Fire Read online

  “That’s one thing I’ve never been able to do: write songs. I can tweak the songs I buy, make them mine, but to sit and start writing a whole fresh song…” She shook her head. “That’s your key talent. The rest of it—the stage presence, the audience chatter—that’ll follow.”

  “Yeah, but what if the song I played last night was my only good song?” He had a half-grin, but his brow furrowed, revealing his worry.

  “Smokey, there’s no way I would have asked you along on this trip if I hadn’t heard a dozen of your other songs.”

  He paused for a few seconds, then his brows lifted. “The CD your agent requested?” He tipped his head. “You listened to that?”

  “Of course I did.” She’d wanted to be sure it’d be worth her time meeting him to hear his songs. If she hadn’t heard the level of professionalism he exhibited on his CD, she would never have invited him on stage with her, tested him in front of a packed theater the way she had.

  She dumped the trash in a compactor and took a notebook and pencil out of a drawer. “And they’re all good, so let’s get started.”

  They settled in the seating area and he played all his best songs for her. They picked out four and worked on them together, Marilou picking up the lyrics easily, writing them down so she could practice. They settled on two songs that he’d play on his own at the Bourbon Street bar on Mardi Gras, and two that she’d sing with him, one before and one after his solo set.

  “You can’t believe how nervous this makes me.” He set his guitar in its case.

  “Oh, yes I can.” She brought them each a bottle of soda and stood looking out the window at the world going by. “When I decided to leave the talent agency and start my own career, I had an agent, a manager, a songwriting team, and a band, all thanks to working hard for those eight years for the agency.

  “But the one thing I didn’t have was a mentor, someone to help me with the little things, the split-second decisions that needed to be made. I’d made careers for some big-name singers, but when I asked them for help with my own career, they were too busy.” It’d hurt. A lot. She’d come to know these people as friends as well as business associates, and for them to turn away from her because she would be their competition seemed more than unkind.

  He opened his soda and drank. “Is that why you’re taking on an amateur like me?”

  She couldn’t tell if he was insulted or flattered, but she’d tell him the truth. “I promised myself I’d help someone someday.” She’d tried twice already, first Owen, then Bradley, but both times ended badly, the last time, with Bradley, changing her in ways she’d never imagined could happen to her.

  “I want to be there for a person who has raw talent and drive.” She smiled. “Otherwise known as fire.”

  He stood. “I appreciate the confidence you have in me, but what if I’m just not equipped for this kind of work?”

  “That’s what we’ll find out over the next week. The bar gig will be your test, and we’ll make decisions based on what happens there.” Marilou knew he’d do well. He had everything it took to make it in the business, including a mentor who would stay with him as long as he needed her.

  Which made what she was about to do a damn big risk, but she was a woman first and a mentor second. The woman in her needed what this dark, quiet, sexy man had to offer her. She reached out her hand. “Wanna see something really cool?”

  His grin grew into a huge smile. “Damn right I do.” He took her hand and she led him into the bedroom, shutting them in together. She’d opened the curtain a few inches and weak light filtered into the room.

  “It’s in my bed.” She let a tempting smile curve her lips.

  “Aw, kitten, show me.” He pulled her flat against his chest, laced his fingers through her hair at the back of her head, and tipped her to the right angle. His lips came down hard, pressing hers, coaxing, his tongue lapping at the corner of her mouth.

  His scent, faint sandalwood, snuck up her nostrils, turning her insides to jelly. Her breasts ached with pleasure as her nipples tightened against his body. Down low, another ache started, hot and tingling with the need to feel his touch there.

  “Hang on.” He stepped back, ran to the other side of the curtain, and reappeared with a box of condoms. “I’m ready for anything.”

  “Men with fire in them always are.” She giggled as she opened the box and pulled one out, setting it on the bed next to her pillow.

  He came up behind her, pulling her against him, pressing her bottom against his hard erection. Sliding his hands under her shirt, he caressed her ribs, his callouses scraping with just the right amount of pressure on her skin.

  He kissed her neck, sucking and licking, nibbling on her earlobe as his hands eased higher, cupping her breasts through her thin bra. When he pinched her nipples softly, blasts of pleasure flew to her core, wetting her between her legs.

  “Dax? I…” She lifted her hand, grasping his soft hair, running her fingers through the silky strands.

  “Yes, Marilou?” He whispered the words hot in her ear, sending a chill down her spine.

  “I don’t want this to get in the way of our business together…” She couldn’t think of any more intelligent words.

  His hand snuck into the front of her pants and his fingers found her trimmed mound. “Don’t worry. They’re two completely separate entities.” Groaning, he slid his hand down lower. “And this soft, wet, sexy entity of yours needs to have my face pressed deep into it, kitten.”

  Her head began to spin as his words created floods of heat centering in her core. “Yes, please.” Less sexy words had never passed her mouth, but she wanted him there. Now.

  Pulling her shirt up over her head, he kissed her shoulder, her arm, then turned her to face him, his gaze dropping to her breasts.

  Not shy about her firm C-cups, she unhooked her bra and sent it flying. “My turn, though.” She pushed his hand away as he reached for her and tugged his shirt up, running her hands over the furring on his hard abs and his strong chest. She pulled the shirt up and off him, letting it drop as she admired his big shoulders and defined biceps.

  “You are definitely fire here. No smoke, for sure.” Her hands ran over his hard-muscled body.

  “My turn again.” He tugged her pants and underwear down and knelt, keeping his gaze on the dark V between her legs as he lifted one of her legs out of the clothes, then the other. “Aw, beautiful.” He eased her back onto the bed and looked into her eyes, his gaze dark and his breath slow. “I’m going to take you and love you with my mouth. You’ll scream my name when you come.”

  Her belly tightened with excitement. If Marilou had entertained any doubt about Dax being too deferential to his new mentor, those worries just got thrown out the window. He was all man, all sex, and all hers. She mouthed his name, unable to get her voice box to work.

  Pushing her thighs open with his strong hands, he looked at her, his breath speeding. “Beautiful, pink, and juicy.” He laid a kiss on her thigh, looking like he was going to take his time, but in the next second, he was there at her pussy, his mouth sucking at her, his tongue licking and jutting inside her opening.

  Propping herself on her elbows, she let her head drop back, let herself just feel. It had been far too long since the last time, and far too forgettable. Today, this was something she’d never forget.

  He latched his lips onto her clit and sucked, a pattern destined to drive her mad. Sparkles swirled in her brain, like pyrotechnics on the Fourth of July. When he pulled back, she tried to get her hand to move, to reach for his hair to bring him back to task, but he ran his finger along her pussy lips and made every muscle in her body quiver.

  “So wet and hot.” He used one hand to spread her as his finger explored her canal, pressing in, up, circling, then pushing inside, deep inside. “Tight, kitten. So tight.”

  The motion, his touch, knowing he watched her, loved what he saw, sent flashes and explosions through her brain. “Oh God, I…”

  “
You’re right there, aren’t you, Marilou.” His voice rumbled low as he quickened the motion of his finger inside her, pressed his lips to her clit, and flicked his tongue wildly, sending a barrage of pleasure points to every nerve ending in her body.

  Her arms gave out, she flattened on her back, and let the intensity rip her thoughts away and send her shooting toward the stars. “Dax, oh God, Dax!” It was all she could do to breathe as she whirled and exploded, then melted and crested, slowly floating back into her body.

  With one last swirl, he removed his finger from her quivering canal and kissed a path up her body, suckling her nipples as he braced himself over her. “Don’t fall asleep.” He kissed her other breast. “I’ve got more for you.”

  She smiled and focused on his head at her nipples. Running her fingers through all that thick, beautiful hair, she wondered what a baby would look like with the combined genes of both their black hair. With a silent laugh, she threw the thought away. She wasn’t the mommy type, and probably not even the wife type. She was happy on her own, for now. Maybe someday.

  He kissed her chin and looked deep into her eyes. “You are exquisite. Sensual and responsive.”

  Her fingers trailed down his stomach to the button of his jeans, popping it open. “Let’s see how responsive and sensual you are, smokey.”

  Chapter Five

  Dax could lie next to this woman for days, weeks, learning all her secret hot spots, her triggers, the things that made her scream his name. As Marilou’s fingers unzipped his jeans, he swayed with the turn the bus took.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” She grasped the waistband of his jeans and pulled him back to her on the bed. “Come back here.”

  “Ain’t goin’ nowhere.” He helped her take off his jeans and briefs, then her fingers wrapped around his hard cock. His head dropped to her shoulder as a blast of heat rolled through his groin, warning him that this would be fast and furious. But how could he have imagined it wouldn’t? This was Marilou Roselle, a woman he’d been fascinated with for years, a woman he’d never even imagined meeting in person, but just a woman, with needs and desires like everyone else on this planet.

  He wouldn’t put her on a pedestal, wouldn’t treat her like the goddess she was. He would show her how much he desired her, how much he wanted to be the man whose name she’d never want to stop screaming.

  The thought gave him pause for a second. Who the hell was he kidding, thinking long-term? Neither of them was interested in that. Were they?

  When she slipped down and took his cock in her mouth, the flames licked up his spine, turning all thoughts to molten lava. She lapped at him, teased and sucked his head into her little mouth, making him want to start pumping his hips, but he had to be inside her. “Condom. Grab it, kitten.”

  One of her brows lifted, as if she planned to take control here, but he just lifted his brow in return and she gave in and reached for the condom. He took the opportunity to stretch out on her bed, his hands beneath his head.

  When she turned, she smiled, taking in his whole body in a long, slow glance. “You’re kind of bossy, huh?”

  He chuckled. “You’ll be the boss on stage. But I’m the boss in the bedroom.” He waited for her to argue, but she shrugged one shoulder.

  “Sounds more than fair.” She opened the condom and sheathed him, but with a few missteps, as if she hadn’t done this often. “Sorry, I’m out of practice.” Biting her lip, she glanced at his face, then away. “So, what does the boss want—”

  He grasped her shoulders, twisted her, lifting her to lay under him on the bed, spreading her legs with his knees.

  “Oh.” Her eyes popped wide, but a smile curved her lips.

  She liked being dominated? Hell, he liked that she admitted being in a dry spell, sexually. He’d definitely make sure that during their time together in New Orleans, he’d make up for that abstinence, exponentially.

  Dax braced his hands on each side of her head. Looking down into her beautiful eyes, her hair fanned out above her, her lips parted with her fast breaths, he knew he couldn’t wait another second to take her. “You’re gonna feel me, Marilou, all the way to your belly, and we’re gonna come together, fast and crazy, kitten.”

  She swallowed and wiggled her whole body, her feet rubbing his calves, her hands exploring his sides, his back. “Make me come, Dax. Take me hard and wild.”

  He growled, then slid a hand under her ass, pulling her lower body up off the bed. “Wrap your legs around my hips, lock your feet at my back.”

  She immediately did as he requested, putting her body right where he wanted it. His cock throbbed at the juncture of her thighs and he grasped himself, rubbing the head of his shaft on her slick folds, lubricating himself in her juices.

  With each pass, her body jittered. “Want you. Inside.” Her whispers came on breathless sighs. “Dax.”

  His name on her perfect lips, her darkened gaze locked with his, her hands wrapped around his flexed biceps—it was more than he could resist. With one thrust of his hips, he seated himself deep inside her, his eyes rolling back as the heat, the tight suction, the slick softness of her surrounded his cock.

  “Yes, more.” She moved her hips, he gripped her ass, then pulled out of her canal, her body tightening around him as if to keep him inside. He drove back in, a wild thrust that had them both crying out.

  Then he moved, his hips taking up a quick rhythm, punctuated by slow, easy thrusts, switching back to fast and hard. She kept up, moving her hips to the beat, and Dax released his grip on her ass and set his hand next to her head, needing two arms to keep his body from collapsing onto her. She weakened him, took all he had, and begged for more.

  He’d never known this intense of a coupling. Couldn’t remember ever wanting sex to last forever. Until Marilou.

  Her cries turned manic as he rammed himself home, over and over, until her channel tightened around him so fiercely, his body overrode his mind and his climax roared from his balls. Flashing red behind his eyelids, everything went hot and silent, as if the entire world had stopped.

  Marilou’s soft whimpers brought him back from his incredible orgasm, and he felt her pussy quivering along the length of his shaft. With one hand, he unlocked her legs from around him and lowered her to the bed, still deep inside her. Propping on his elbows, he continued to move slowly, his cock in her pussy, not wanting to leave.

  When her gaze met his, he kissed her, watching a smile spread on her face. “I didn’t think I could come again so quickly.” She ran her hand over his cheek. “You’ve got…fire.”

  He kissed her again, pulled out from her, and rolled onto his back, taking her with him to lie on his chest. “I had fire, kitten. I think you burned me out just now.”

  She giggled. “We’ll see what we can do to rekindle it.”

  He closed his eyes, liking how casual this was, how easy and still extremely powerful.

  Marilou lifted her head from his chest. “I was going to show you…”

  “Oh, you did. And I plan on letting you show me a few hundred more times.” He swatted her butt.

  She smirked at him. “Dax, you’re a charmer.” Reaching to the wall of the bus, she slid open a one-by-one foot window. “I had this installed aftermarket.”

  “Whoa, a window?” The flat farmlands stretched to the horizon, the road below them whizzing by at the speed of light. “Is this legal?”

  “I don’t know.” She laid her head back on his chest and traced his ribs with her fingertips. “But I love to watch the world go by when I’m lying here.”

  “Yeah, this is great.” They lay for a while, just looking out the small porthole.

  “Dax?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Why do you call me kitten?”

  “You’ve got those gorgeous eyes, mysterious like a cat’s.” He ran his hand through her hair. “All this silky hair. Then, of course, there’s that sweet little pussy of yours.”

  “There is that.” She sighed and he almost expected her
to start purring. Instead, she lifted her head. “I’m gonna take a shower. Not sure if there’s room for two, but we could try.”

  “Trying will be the most interesting part.”

  ****

  After the shower, they dried each other and jumped back into her bed for a hot reverse-cowgirl ride. The bus stopped at a gas station with a sandwich shop and they picked up supplies and ate in the bedroom, reclining and watching television. They grabbed the can of whipped cream and made creative use of it. As the sun set, Marilou started yawning. The man pure wore her out. She wanted to drag Dax back into her bed just to sleep with him, but she didn’t want to put him on the spot, force him to snuggle if he wasn’t that type of guy.

  “You tired, kitten?” He stood and hauled their trash into the other room, then came back and held his hand out to her. “Ready for bed?”

  She nodded. “We can get in a few hours before we hit New Orleans.” They shared the sink to brush their teeth, then shut off all but the nightlight in the bathroom. Waiting for him to choose the sleeping arrangements, she tugged at the hem of her shirt.

  “Pajamas?” He pulled off his T-shirt.

  “What?”

  “You gonna change into your pajamas, or are we sleeping naked?” He dropped his shirt on the floor, then proceeded to take off his jeans.

  She smiled. He wasn’t going anywhere but into her bed.

  They woke when the bus pulled to a stop, and Marilou slid open her little window. Lights lit the familiar intersection. “We’re in the city. We’d best hurry.”

  He wrapped his arm around her, kissing her neck. “I’m looking forward to the next few days alone with you.” Dax jumped out of bed and dressed, packing his things in his duffle bag as Marilou stuffed her clothes in her own suitcase.

  “I’ve never been here before.” He hauled his guitar and bag to the front of the bus and stood looking out the window. “Aw, man, is that the Superdome?”

  She would truly enjoy showing him around, introducing him to local specialties and sights. Wandering out of the bedroom, she sat next to where he stood. Beth drove, expertly maneuvering the tight turns.