Reckless (Nashville Nights)

  Reckless

  Book Four in the Nashville Nights Series

  Cheryl Douglas

  Copyright © Cheryl Douglas

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, including photocopying, graphic, electronic, mechanical, taping, recording, sharing, or by any information retrieval system without the express written permission of the author and / or publisher. Exceptions include brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Persons, places and other entities represented in this book are deemed to be fictitious. They are not intended to represent actual places or entities currently or previously in existence or any person living or dead. This work is the product of the author’s imagination.

  Any and all inquiries to the author of this book should be directed to:

  info@cheryldouglasbooks.com.

  Reckless © 2012 Cheryl Douglas

  Read What the Reviewers Are Saying About Nashville Nights…

  “Shameless has wonderfully flawed characters that have to fight to get back what they lost, but when they get it right, it is absolutely fantastic.”

  Cocktails and Books

  “Shameless is a sensual story packed full of passion, temptation, and forbidden love.”

  For the Love of Reading

  “Shameless drew me in heart and soul from the very first page to the satisfying conclusion after the final page was turned. Those wanting an emotional roller coaster ride, climb on board and add this one to your bookshelf.”

  Wow from the Scarf Princess Blog

  “There were times throughout Shameless where I was actually overcome with emotion. It made me cry and smile, and sometimes gasp or laugh out loud; a piece of art that couldn’t have come at a better time. Simply a must read. I give this book a solid five stars!”

  Read2Review

  “The flow of this story (Fearless) was perfect. I cannot wait for the 3rd installment.”

  Insightful Minds Reviews

  “I really adore all of the characters in this series.”

  Autumn Review

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  About the Author

  Coming Soon

  Prologue

  Two Years Earlier

  Avery Collins sipped a glass of expensive champagne while cursing the inner voice that told her the clock was ticking. She told herself that a self-assured woman wouldn’t care about the archaic ritual of a midnight kiss to usher in the new year, but the prospect of standing alone in the midst of happy couples was too appalling to ignore.

  Someone bumped into her from behind, causing her champagne to spill over the edge of the flute and coat her hand with the sticky substance. She turned around, prepared to admonish the careless drunk, but the face staring back at her robbed her of the power of speech.

  She worked with good-looking men every day, but most of the guys she met were model perfect, with manicured nails and expensive haircuts. This man was too rugged looking to be a model. His black hair was too long, curling over his collar. His dark skin had deep-set laugh lines that bespoke of too much time outdoors. He was big and burly, not at all like the shredded types she usually favored. But there was something about those gray-blue eyes that drew her in and wouldn’t let go.

  “I’m sorry.” He grinned, revealing a flash of straight, white teeth. “Let me help you with that.”

  He took the cocktail napkin out of her hand and began dabbing at the spilled liquid.

  She felt the rush of sexual awareness straight to her core. “I, uh, that’s okay. You don’t have to do that.”

  His eyes lingered on her lips a moment too long, letting her know the attraction was mutual. “It’s the least I can do.” He inclined his head toward a group of men standing behind him. “I’m afraid my buddies can’t hold their liquor.”

  For the first time, she noticed the men standing behind him taking her in with blatant interest.

  “Truth is, they knew I was interested in you, but I told ‘em you were way outta my league.” He winked. “I guess they thought they’d take matters into their own hands and see that we met.”

  She smiled, charmed by his honesty. She was accustomed to dealing with men who were aggressive and used to getting what they wanted. Someone who was humble and unassuming was a refreshing change.

  He held out his hand. “Ty McCall.”

  As she accepted his outstretched hand, she noticed the slight abrasion of calluses. He was definitely blue collar, not blue blood, and even that was intriguing to her after her last disastrous relationship with a man rich and powerful enough to have his choice of women. Unfortunately, he chose someone else.

  “Avery Collins. It’s nice to meet you, Ty.”

  “Don’t suppose you’d want to step outside, would you? I don’t know about you, but I sure could use a breath of fresh air.”

  She enjoyed listening to him talk. That deep baritone coupled with the southern drawl made her toes curl inside her uncomfortable designer shoes. “Sure, why not.”

  “Can I get your coat?” His hot gaze passed over her from head to toe, taking in her backless black cocktail dress before lingering on her black and silver stilettos. “I sure wouldn’t want ya to catch a chill.”

  She reached into her evening bag and retrieved the ticket for the makeshift coat check Jimmy had set up for the evening. Most nights, Jimmy’s Bar was host to Nashville’s up and coming country music artists, but every New Year’s Eve they hosted a party that drew the who’s who from the local music scene.

  He reached for the ticket. “Be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

  She sighed as she shamelessly watched his very fine derrière walking away.

  Josh Cooper, a friend of not one, but two of her ex-boyfriends, looped an arm around her neck. “Is that the man of the hour?”

  She looked up at him and smiled. “With a little luck.”

  Josh laughed. “I thought you’d sworn off musicians?”

  She knew Ty was too good to be true. “That figures. A musician, huh?”

  Josh nodded. “You didn’t know?”

  “No way. I wouldn’t have wasted my time had I known.”

  “He’s a singer, good too. Me and some of my old friends from the station usually stop by Friday nights for a beer. Ty and his band are usually performing.”

  “Huh, that’s too bad. That he’s a musician, I mean.”

  “He’s a good guy.”

  Avery watched the coat check girl flirt with Ty as he retrieved her cashmere wrap. “How do you know?”

  “His older brother Derek is a good friend of mine.”

  “How old is Ty?”

  Josh shrugged. “I don’t know. Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, I guess.”

  “Great. Five years younger than me.”

  Josh kissed her cheek. “Please, you’re gorgeous and you know it. Age is just a number, darlin’.”

  “Whatever. Listen, I’m gonna get my wrap and hit the road, Josh. I’ve gotta fly to L.A. early in the morning.”

  “On New Year’s Day?”

  She smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “My family’s on my case ‘cause I couldn’t make it home for Christmas, so I thought I’d p
ay them a visit before things ramp up again. Happy New Year, sweetie.”

  He inclined his head toward Ty, who was still talking to the girl at the coat check. “I think you should give him a chance, Avery. Ty’s one of the good guys.”

  Avery rolled her eyes. “You probably would’ve said the same thing about Trey and Luc and look how well that turned out.”

  Josh chuckled. “They are good guys, hon.”

  “Yeah, too bad for me they were both in love with other women, right?”

  Josh gave her a brotherly hug. “You’ll find the right one. You just gotta be patient.”

  She patted his back. “I’ll take your word for it. See you later.”

  “Have a safe flight.”

  “Will do. See you when I get back.”

  Avery stopped to talk to a few acquaintances as she made her way to the coat check. “Sorry to interrupt, but I have to head out now. I’ve got an early flight in the morning.” She offered Ty her hand. “It was nice meeting you.”

  He looked genuinely disappointed. “Do ya have to leave so soon? I was hopin’ we could have a drink, get to know each other better.”

  Avery glanced at the girl behind the desk, feeling like a third wheel. “Uh sorry. I really do have to go.” In fact, she’d intended to stay at least until midnight, but Ty presented an unwelcome temptation she didn’t feel strong enough to resist while under the influence of champagne. It had been a long time, too long, since she’d enjoyed the company of a handsome man.

  “Maybe I’ll see you around sometime?” She took her wrap from him and turned toward the door before he could employ his considerable charm to convince her to stay.

  “Avery, wait.” He seized her wrist. “At least let me walk you to your car.”

  The girl behind the counter raised her eyebrows as she waited for Avery’s response.

  “No, you stay here, have fun. Happy New Year, Ty.” She tried to free her wrist, but his hand felt like a barnacle.

  “I said I’d like to walk you out.” He slipped his hand into hers. “Please.” He fell into step beside her.

  She looked over her shoulder at the blonde behind the counter, but she was busy serving incoming customers. “I think your friend would’ve preferred if you’d stayed here with her.”

  Ty laughed. “You mean Robin? She’s dating one of the bouncers. Hell, I’ve known her since high school.”

  “So you grew up around here?” she asked, slipping her wrap around her shoulders as he held the door open for her.

  “Yeah, why do you sound so surprised?”

  “I thought maybe you moved to Nashville to pursue your music career.”

  Once they stepped onto the sidewalk, he re-claimed her hand. “How’d you know I was a musician?”

  “A friend told me. He says you’re pretty good.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. Isn’t everyone?”

  She laughed. “Yeah, I guess so.” She pointed to her red sports car. “That would be me.” She reached into her handbag to find her keys.

  He reached for her keychain, pressing the button to unlock the doors. “Mind if we sit and talk for a bit, Avery? I meant what I said; I’d really like to get to know you better.”

  Her common sense was no match for their mutual attraction. She stopped in front of the driver’s door and turned toward him. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

  He raised his hand to cup her cheek. “I gotta tell you I haven’t felt like this about a woman in... hell, maybe ever.”

  She smiled, trying to deny the appeal of his sweet words. He probably said the same thing to every attractive girl he met and it probably had the desired effect every time. “That’s sweet of you to say, but...”

  “I know you probably don’t believe me, but it’s true, darlin’.” After shifting until he had her trapped between the car and his body, he fixated on her lips. “As soon as I saw you, I knew I had to meet you.”

  He settled a hand on either side of her head, effectively caging her in.

  Pressing her hands against the solid wall of his chest, she said, “Ty, I really should go.”

  “Damn it; just give me a few minutes, hon. There’s somethin’ between us. Are you telling me you don’t feel it?”

  She swallowed convulsively as he watched her tongue dart out to lick her lips.

  “One kiss. If you’re not feelin’ it, you can go. Is it a deal?”

  She wanted to argue, but not as much as she wanted to accept his provocative challenge. “Deal,” she whispered.

  He held her face between his hands, gently, reverently, as he dipped his head to kiss her. It was slow and tender at first, almost as though he was asking permission to cross some unseen barrier.

  When she opened her mouth to let him in, he flattened her body between his and the car as he threaded his hands through her hair and plunged into her mouth.

  He tasted like sweet, potent liquor and she knew she was in danger of getting drunk on him. She slid her hands under his leather jacket and kneaded his back muscles as he continued the thorough exploration of her mouth.

  His hands slid down the curve of her back to knead pliant flesh. When he reached the swell of her bottom, he groaned and tore his mouth away, panting. “We’re gonna get arrested for indecent exposure if we keep this up.”

  She couldn’t open her eyes, couldn’t think straight. She just wanted to lose herself in him.

  He nuzzled her neck as he drew her earlobe into his mouth. “Follow me to my place, okay?”

  She nodded as he nibbled a moist path down her neck to the hollow of her collarbone. She moaned and ground her hips into him when he sucked the sensitive skin into his mouth.

  “God,” he said, panting. “If we don’t get the hell outta here now, I’m afraid I might take you right up against this car.”

  She rubbed her face against his stubble-roughened jaw line, loving the delicious friction it created. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  A primitive growl erupted from his throat. “No way. I’m not interested in a quickie, baby. It may take all night for me to get my fill of this gorgeous body.” His big hands circled her rib cage. “I meant what I said, Avery. You turn me inside out,” he whispered. “No woman’s ever done that before.”

  “Get a room, McCall,” a male voice shouted from across the parking lot.

  Ty raised his hand and chuckled. “He’s right. We definitely need a bedroom for what I have in mind.”

  She threaded her hands through his hair and pulled his face down to meet hers. “Just one more for the road,” she whispered.

  He braced his hands on either side of her rather than making contact. Keeping his body at a respectable distance, he caressed her only with his tongue.

  It was the most erotic feeling in the world and Avery was dying to find out what else this master of seduction could do with his delicious tongue.

  He finally pulled away, leaning his forehead against hers as he smiled. “You okay to drive? ‘Cause if you’re not...”

  “I am feeling a little light headed, but unfortunately I can’t blame the champagne. I only had that one glass, half of which I wound up wearing, thanks to you.”

  He leaned forward, drawing her bottom lip into her mouth. “I wanna pour champagne all over you and lick it off.”

  She was unable to hide the shudder brought on by his words.

  He chuckled. “My motto is show, don’t tell. Let’s go.”

  She sucked a deep breath of air into her oxygen-deprived lungs, trying to clear her head before she got behind the wheel of her car.

  He opened the driver’s door but blocked it with his body when she tried to claim the seat. “Hey, you sure you’re okay to drive? If not, you can ride with me and we’ll come back to pick up your car tomorrow.”

  She was touched by his show of concern. It had been a long time since a man made her safety a priority. She reached out to stroke his cheek and said, “You’re sweet to worry, but I’m fine. Besides, I have an
early flight in the morning.”

  He closed his eyes and sank against the car. “Please don’t tell me you’re from outta town.”

  “No, I’m just going to visit my family for a few days.”

  “Thank God.” He grabbed her wrap to pull her towards him. “Now, how ‘bout we hit the road, pretty lady?”

  “I’m right behind you.”

  “Wait. You got a pen?”

  “Yeah, I think so.” She reached into the car and grabbed the pen clipped to her visor. She handed it to him.

  “Lemme give you my cell number. We’re headed just outside of town and those country roads can get pretty dark at this time of night. Keep your high beams on and watch out for wildlife, got it?”

  Suddenly, she felt uneasy. She was going to an unknown place with a man she just met and no one knew where they were headed.

  He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her toward him. “I know that look. You’re havin’ second thoughts, aren’t you?”

  She bit her lip, torn between common sense and wanting to indulge her fantasies. “It’s just that I’ve never done anything like this before. I mean going home with a guy I just met...”

  He grinned. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that, darlin’.”

  She remembered Josh’s character reference and it gave her courage. Josh was a career cop and if he gave Ty a glowing recommendation, he had to be safe. “Let’s go before I change my mind,” she said quickly.

  He curled his fingers around her neck and kissed her. “Hey, we don’t have to do this tonight, baby. If you wanna take our time gettin’ to know each other, I’m good with that. I meant what I said. I’ve never met anyone like you and the last thing I wanna do is screw this up by rushing you into something you’re not ready for.”

  She started to panic, not because she feared for her safety, but because she feared for her heart. Ty was sweet, sexy and a musician. She had to remember her rule. Tonight was just about having fun. Tomorrow, she would be on a plane and Ty would be nothing more than a satisfying memory of a snapshot in time. “No, I’m ready. I mean I want to be with you tonight.”