Relentless (3 page)

“Son of a bitch,” J.T. whispered, watching the scene unfold. It bothered him more than it should to see Nikki in another man’s arms. They were strangers, had barely spoken, yet he felt an inexplicable connection.

Ty set his fingers between his lips and whistled, earning a grin and wave from Nikki. Her eyes settled on J.T. a moment too long before the man at her side pointed toward the stage where the presenter waited, clutching her award.

Nikki rushed toward the stage, accepting the arm of the usher on her way up the stairs. Although it was her first award, she appeared confident, at ease. She blew a kiss to her father, who was on his feet, applauding her accomplishment.

She adjusted the microphone with one hand as she held the gilded statue with the other. Smiling at the capacity crowd, she said, “I can’t tell you how honored I am to be standing up here. Music has been my life for as long as I can remember and being able to share that with y’all is such a blessing. First and foremost, I’d like to thank my fans.” Her eyes settled on J.T. before looking away. “The Academy, my label, manager, publicist, all of the people behind the scenes who help me look and sound good enough to win an award like this.” She raised the award, her eyes scanning the room. “I also want to share this with the other nominees in this category. Y’all inspire me. You make me want to be a better artist because you set the bar so high. So thank you for that. Lastly, I’d like to thank my friends and family, who’ve supported me on this journey. I know I have a long road ahead of me, but it helps to know that you’ll be with me every step of the way.” She glanced at Brad, who winked and smiled. “I love y’all so much. Thank you.” She raised the award one more time and allowed the attendant to lead her off the stage.

J.T. watched her closely. The long, black, strapless dress clung to every delectable curve, and his palms tingled with the urge to caress the smooth bronze skin concealed by the soft fabric. Images flashed through his mind, Nikki sliding out of that sexy dress, reaching for him, begging him to make love to her.

“I know what you’re thinking…” Ty said, eyes shooting daggers at him. “And I’m only gonna say this one more time. Back off.”

One glance at the front of his pants explained his brother’s sudden talent for reading minds.

Shifting in his seat to ease the searing pressure, he said, “I don’t take orders from you or anyone else.” It was a moot point; J.T. had no intention of pursuing Nikki, but he didn’t appreciate his brother’s unsolicited input.

“Just stick to your little buckle bunnies. Like you said, they know the score.”

His brother was right. He hadn’t had a serious relationship in years, and he preferred it that way. He liked being able to live life on his terms, without having to answer to anyone. There were fleeting moments when he longed for the kind of connection his brother had with his wife, Avery. Knowing there would be someone there to celebrate his victories and support him during the hard times was appealing, but that didn’t stop him from practicing the habits that had earned him a reputation on the circuit.

“If I knew you were gonna bitch at me all night, I woulda told you to bring your wife.”

“Believe me, I would have preferred her company, but she’s still down with the flu.”

J.T. watched the next presenter command the stage. She was the whole package, beautiful, vivacious, but she still didn’t measure up to Nikki.

Nikki toured one after party after another, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. It had been five long years since she’d laid eyes on J.T. McCall, but as soon as her eyes fell on him tonight, she felt the same undercurrent of awareness she’d experienced back then. She kept hoping to meet someone else who would stimulate the same response, to no avail. Brad tried to convince her she’d experienced love at first sight that night. She’d tried to brush it off, pretending she was just lusting after a hot cowboy, but seeing him again made her question whether Brad might have been right after all.

She felt hot breath fanning her neck. Her skin prickled with awareness and she knew it was him before he uttered a word.

“Congratulations, sugar.”

She drew a deep breath and turned toward him, her smile slipping when she saw the intensity in his light blue eyes. “Hi there, cowboy.”

He shook his head, his eyes slowly perusing every inch of her body. “Lord have mercy.”

In her mind, they had acted out this scene dozens of times, and she drew on that script to find the words. “Like what you see?”

He grinned. “You have to ask?”

She pushed her shoulders back, chest out until her breasts brushed the front of his suit. In jeans and cowboy boots, he had been hot, but in formal attire, he redefined the word. She felt a barely perceptible shudder move through her as his eyes settled on her ample cleavage.

A half-smile curved his full mouth. “Careful, little girl, you know what they say about playin’ with fire.”

“I’m not a little girl anymore, in case you haven’t noticed.” She licked her lips, watching his eyes follow the action. “What would happen if I told you I want to fuel that fire?”

He fisted his hands at his sides, as though he was trying to resist the urge to reach out and touch her. “You don’t want to know.”

“Yes, I do,” she whispered. “Tell me.”

“I’d take you up to my room and…”

Before he could fill in the blanks, Brad approached, slipping an arm around her waist. He handed her a flute of champagne, brushing his lips across her cheek. “I know you said you didn’t want anything else to drink, but I thought this might help you relax before we turn in.”

J.T. took the glass from her hand, setting it on a nearby table. “If the lady said she doesn’t want it, she doesn’t want it.”

Brad’s sexual preferences excluded him as a potential suitor, but watching J.T.’s protective instincts only made her want him more.

Looking confused and embarrassed, Brad said, “I was just…”

J.T. glared at him, folding his arms across his massive chest. “I think it’s pretty obvious what you were doing, buddy. And if I ever see you doin’ it again, I’m gonna have to kick your ass.”

Brad’s fair cheeks flushed with color. He looked to Nikki to bail him out. “But, I…”

Nikki placed her hand on his forearm. “You’re way out of line, J.T. Brad would never try to take advantage of me.”

Brad chuckled. “Is that what you thought?”

J.T. scowled at the couple. “I’m not finding the humor in this.”

Brad whipped a phone out of his breast pocket and flashed his screen saver at J.T. “That’s my boyfriend, Ron. We’ve been together almost two years.”

A smile tugged at the corners of J.T.’s mouth as he extended his hand. “I’m sorry, I thought…”

Brad laughed, accepting his outstretched hand. “I know what you thought. Hey, no need to apologize. I’m flattered you saw me as the competition.” He turned toward Nikki. “I’m kind of tired. I think I’m going to turn in now. How about you? Are you ready to call it a night?”

She stole a glance at J.T. The hunger in his eyes thrilled and terrified her. “Uh no, you go ahead. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He laughed. “Okay, but don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

J.T. cringed, drawing a giggle from Nikki. “I won’t. I promise.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for coming tonight, Brad. It wouldn’t have been the same without you here to share my big moment.”

He smiled, squeezing her hand. “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.” He turned toward J.T. “Nice meeting you.”

“Yeah, you too. G’night, man.” J.T. watched Brad walk away before turning his attention to Nikki. “Guess I put my foot in it that time, huh?”

She grabbed the lapels of his jacket, pulling him closer. “I thought it was sweet.”

He frowned, wrapping his big hands around her wrists. “I don’t think anyone’s ever called me sweet before.”

She smiled, looking up at him through her long, dark lashes. “Your secret is safe with me.”

His eyes lingered on her lips as his grip tightened. “I need to get to bed.”

“Is that an invitation?” Nikki had never propositioned a man in her life, but he made her want to unleash her inner bad girl.

“Hell no.” He pried her hands off his jacket, taking a step back.

He could deny it all he wanted; Nikki knew there was no mistaking the blatant interest in his eyes when he looked at her. “Why? What’re you afraid of?”

He settled his hands on her waist, leaning in to whisper in her ear. “I’m afraid of corruptin’ you.”

She tipped her head back, drowning in his blue eyes. “I’m not worried.”

“You should be.” He dipped his head, his forehead touching hers. “I sure as hell am.”

“Why?”

“Honey, you need a gentleman.” He nipped her bottom lip with his teeth. “Not an animal.”

She trembled in his arms, imagining the kind of pleasure he could impart. “I want you.”

He closed his eyes. “No, you don’t, trust me.”

She reached up to coil her arms around his neck. “I know what I want, J.T.”

He shook his head. “No, you have no idea what you’d be gettin’ yourself into with me.”

“Tell me,” she whispered, tangling her hands in his hair.

“You’re too damn young, too innocent for a guy like me.”

“This thing between us isn’t going to go away until we give in to it,” she murmured. “Let’s just get it out of our systems.”

His hands skimmed her back before slipping lower. “No, I can’t. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I’m a big girl; I can take care of myself.” She shrugged, trying to pretend his dismissal wasn’t affecting her. “Besides, if it’s not you, it’ll be someone just like you.”

He leaned back, glaring at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She recognized the warning signs. One more little nudge should send him over the edge. “I’m attracted to a certain type of man. I thought you fit the bill, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe you’re not man enough to satisfy my needs.” She turned her back on him, preparing to walk away when he grabbed her wrist.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

She traced her lower lip with her tongue. “I’m going to find someone who’ll rock my world tonight.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

Chapter Two

J.T. stepped out of the shower and secured a towel around his waist when he heard a knock on the door. Assuming it was his brother, he answered it without taking the time to get dressed. “Hey, man, gimme…” The words died in his throat when he realized his visitor was none other than the sexy songbird whose voice reverberated through the speakers of the portable sound system.

She grinned, propping a hand on the doorframe. “Nice to see I have a fan in you, cowboy.”

Dropping his head to hide a smile, he said, “What the hell are you doin’ here, Nik?”

“Aren’t you gonna invite me in?”

She had traded the formal dress for black yoga shorts and a red tank top with thin straps.

It was painfully obvious she had dispensed with undergarments. She looked even sexier with her hair in a messy ponytail and her face scrubbed free of make-up.

“Why should I?”

Her bottom lip jutted out and she batted her eyelashes at him. “Don’t you wanna help me celebrate?”

“How’d you know which room was mine?”

She grinned. “As luck would have it, I’m your next door neighbor. I saw you getting off the elevator earlier.”

The elevator doors opened and she smiled at the uniformed man pushing a beverage cart. “Oh look, perfect timing. Our champagne is here.”

He cursed when the towel slipped lower on his hips. “Give me a minute to get dressed.” He grabbed his wallet off the dresser, thrusting it at her. “Take care of him, will you?”

She winked, her eyes resting on the hand gripping his towel. “Don’t worry. This one’s on me.”