by WEST, T. J.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and resemblance to persons; living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Releasing Rhythm
All rights reserved.
Published by: Tiffany J West
Copyright © 2017 by: Tiffany J West
Cover art by: Cover to Cover Designs
Photographed by: Kruse Images & Photography: Models & Boudoir
Edited by: Blue Whiskey Editing
Cover model: Stephen Hughes-Landers
eBook and Paperback format: Champagne Formats
This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material or artwork herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the author.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Other series written by T.J.West
Epigraph
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Sneak Peek of RICO
Acknowledgements
From the Author
About the Author
Other series by T.J. West
The Rain Series
November Rain - book 1
Purple Rain - book 2
Rain Street - book 3
Downtown Series
Forbidden Faith - book 1
Judging June - book 1.5
Harmony’s Healing - book 2
My Melody - book 3
Lasting Lyric - book 4
Also by T.J.West, in another pen name: Tiffany Janine
Falling for Words Series
Chasing Paige
“Autism doesn’t have to define a person.
Artists are like anyone else: They define
themselves through hard work and individuality.”
-Adrienne Bailon
The night of Wayne and Melody’s wedding reception…
I DON’T SMOKE AS MUCH as I used to. Trying to quit. I’ll get there someday, just not tonight. Tonight I witnessed one of my best friends getting married. However shocked I was to see my bro get tied down, Wayne had met his match with Melody. I’m happy for the both of them. It was a good night playing for their reception, but after a few songs, I was ready for a breather outside. Yeah, smoking ain’t the best breather, but whatever. My lungs. My fucking life. It’s a good life, don’t get me wrong, I know what I’m up against when it comes to smoking. It’s not a healthy way to live, but if you grew up the way I did, smoking isn’t the worst thing for me.
So here I am outside the reception hall of Montgomery Suites, sucking the last bit of my cig and downing the rest of my beer. It’s a nice, cool night. Not a lot of people hanging out, so I guess that’s a good thing. I didn’t want to pull some bodyguard outside to babysit me, ya know? Besides, I want to be left alone. I like it. I like having quiet here and there. It makes me…me. Growing up in a house full of drug users and the noise from ongoing parties, being alone helps me regroup and think, mostly about music. I live for it.
I’ve been out here for quite a while, I’m sure everyone is wondering where the hell I took off to, so I’ll just sneak my way back inside. Struttin’ toward the entrance of the reception hall, though, Peta, June’s good friend, comes barreling out. In her hands, she’s holding a bottle of Fireball Whiskey, obviously drunk, and crying her eyes out. I hate seeing anyone as beautiful as she is, crying. There has always been something about her that catches my attention. Not only is she a redhead bombshell with legs that go on for days, Julia Roberts’ lips which look good enough to eat and God-given perky tits, which my hands would gladly participate in squeezing and my mouth sucking on; she has an ass made out of steel, pearly white skin, deep forest green wide set eyes that could stiffen’ my dick any hour of any day, and freckles dusted along her slender nose and cheeks…Peta is one classy chick. I’ve never been this drawn to a woman before. In fact, it’s quite unsettling. Most of my life, I’ve taken it upon myself over and over again to not get close to any woman, no matter how classy they are. It’s not in my cards to get attached. Yet, somehow though, Peta is one in a million. I have to be very careful about showing any type of attraction toward her. For one: she’s June’s friend, my band’s label owner. Second: she’s engaged. Yeah, I’m taking the back seat where my feelings fucking belong.
I watch Peta as she falls to her knees, then sits up against the wall, and yanks off one of her heels from her feet. She continues to cry and drinks her way to hell, so I trudge my way over and sit down beside her. “Hey, Fireball, what’s makin’ you so upset?” Peta grunts as she tries yanking off the other heel, and then takes another long gulp from that damn bottle. Before she spills it all over her sexy chest, I take it out of her hands. “Easy on that, sweetheart.” I set the bottle on the other side of me.
She covers her face with her hands. “This wedding…” and continues to sob.
I’m itching to take her hands away from her face. “What about it?”
Wiping the tears from under her eyes, I notice the black streaks covering those cheekbones of hers. I wish I could wipe them away. “I was dumped by my fiancé last month. We were supposed to be married this year.” She buries her face once again.
Though I hate seeing her hurt, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy about her being dumped. Not like I’m going to take advantage of her or anything…I wouldn’t do that. She’s too good for me. But seriously though…she’s available. “Shit. Real sorry, baby.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong me,” she suddenly shouts. “Every guy I have ever dated, or been in love with has dumped my ass. I mean seriously, what is wrong with me?” She eyes me in misery. “Am I not beautiful enough, not smart enough, not good enough for them? I just can’t seem to find the right man who will stick around longer than a few months.”
Okay, this shit has gone too far. It’s one thing being fucked up about being dumped, but it’s another with putting yourself down. Damn that scumbag for making Peta feel so shitty about herself…or any dickweed for that matter.
Getting up onto my knees, I grasp onto Peta’s bare shoulders and force her to look at me. Those tormented, gorgeous, forest green eyes are tearing me apart. “There is nothing, and I mean nothing wrong with you. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. They’re not good enough for you, and they fucking know it. Your gorgeous looks, and smartass brains are too much for them. They’re pussies.” She gasps, but it’s the truth. “Not joking. You don’t need some dickless, shithead making you feel this way, Peta. He ain’t worth your tears.” Without thinking, I rub my thumb across her cheek, wiping away the smudged streak of black. My dick is straining against the front of my dress pants. One touch and one look do me in. But once Peta blinks and then licks her oversized, plump lips, I quickly release her. That was a close call.
She looks down at her hands. “Thanks, but I really thought Travis was the one.”
“His fucking loss…and it’s a big one too.” Fucking douchebag. I don’t know if I should thank him or kick him in the balls. I sink back to the ground, touching my shoulder with hers. Being this close to her makes my head spin.
Her head pops up. “Then how come I’m the one feeling the loss?” she
whispers. Her glistening eyes seem to search mine for answers. “Why do I end up with all the dicks and not with a guy like you instead?”
Oh shit, yeah, no…This can’t happen. “Come on now, Fireball, I’m nobody special. Just a guy who hates to see a beautiful woman cry, and talk shit about herself.”
“There you go again with saying all the right words.” Fuck…me. I really need to stop saying all the right words, but every time she speaks, I can’t help myself.
Just when I’m trying so damn hard to stay clear of her, she bends over me, showcasing her magnificent rack, and reaches for the bottle of whiskey. I am so seriously fucked.
“You sure you want more of that? You’ll be sicker than horseshit in the morning,” I forewarn her. But I won’t tell her what to do. She takes a big gulp anyway.
“Here, have some,” Peta offers. Wiping the corners of her mouth, she places the bottle in my lap. Why not? I’m fucked anyway, so a few deep gulps won’t even matter. For the next few minutes, we become quiet while drinking the cinnamon sugar whiskey. I don’t normally drink this sorta shit, but it’s doin’ the trick. I’m more than buzzed.
“Do you have a room here tonight?” I ask. Peta slowly nods her head. “Let me take you up there so you can get some sleep. I’ll grab some water for you, alright?” She nods again, looking as if she’s in a daze. I get to my feet to go back inside the reception room, but before I get to the doors, I glance back at her. Even fully drunk and dazed, she still looks so fucking beautiful. That short and tight, strapless maroon dress is just killer. Her tits express themselves to a T. I don’t really know how I’m surviving by just looking at her. I fucking want her so fucking bad it’s almost ridiculous. Christ, I can’t. I can’t think like this…it’s the booze talking. So I turn away.
The music blares in my ears the second I open the doors. Everyone still looks like they’re having a good time and unaware I even left. That’s a good thing, because I’m leaving again. I make my way up to the bar and ask for a couple bottles of water.
When I turn back around, June is standing in front of me. “Have you seen Peta? I haven’t seen her for a while,” she speaks loudly above the music.
I have to raise my voice too. “Yeah, she’s outside in the hall. She’s been drinking a little too much, so I’m gonna take up to her room.”
“Oh, okay good. I was worried about her. You’re very sweet to help her.” She places her hand on my shoulder and smiles at me. “Thanks, Jason.”
Is it sweet I wanna fuck her? God damn cock. “No prob.” I shrug off, then proceed my way back outside.
After gathering Peta’s shoes and purse, I lift her up by the waist. “Let’s go, baby, I’ve got you.” Making sure she doesn’t fall, I have her wrap her arm around my waist; she stumbles as we walk to the elevator. From anyone’s perspective, we must appear as the couple who had too much to drink and now taking the party upstairs. The party is definitely happening…inside my pants, but it needs to lay low. Being this close to Peta is already too close for comfort. She smells fucking great and heightens my party. How the hell will I survive this night? We’re both drunk. We could totally fuck each other inside this elevator. No way. I won’t disrespect her. Without ripping that sexy as hell dress off from her, we finally make it inside her hotel room. When I release her from my grip, she slowly begins to sashay her lovely ass across the room toward her bed, which absolutely destroys any logical thoughts. This woman is seriously trying to kill me, and I bet she doesn’t even realize it.
She sits down on the edge of the bed and lazily looks up at me with those sultry eyes of hers. Why do I get the feeling she’s trying to tell me something? Pressing her hands into the mattress of the bed, she bites that bottom lip again and eyes me up and down. Fuck. I’m really trying hard to be a good man here. I want to be one. I have to be one…especially around Peta.
I twist open the water bottle. “Here, drink up.” She takes the water from me, and then begins chugging it down. Good girl, I think to myself. I do the same with mine, finishing the bottle off in no time.
As if I’m being electrocuted, Peta takes hold of my hand and murmurs, “You’re such a good guy, Jason. Such a good guy.”
I look down at my hand. She’s rubbing the inside of my palm like it’s something special, like it’s a treasure for only her to enjoy. It’s not. These hands are only good for one thing: playing the drums. “Not that good, baby,” I murmur back.
“Wrong,” she whispers shaking her head. Putting the water aside, she stands from the bed and presses her firm tits against my chest. I’m about to lose control here, this isn’t good. This isn’t supposed to be happening. She trails a finger across the buttons of my shirt, causing me to breathe a little more heavily. I can feel my pulse beginning to rise. “Whenever we’re around each other, all I see is a decent, kind man.”
I grab hold of her wrist. She needs to fucking stop. “You’re just sayin’ that because you’re drunk. You don’t know a thing about me,” I tell her in a tone that’s a bit harsh, hoping she’ll back off, because I don’t have the strength to push her away.
I tilt my head down to find her eyes blazing into mine. “I know what I’m seeing right now…and I like it.” Holy Mother of fucking God.
I’ve got to get my head on straight, and leave this instant. “Please drink your water. If you have any Motrin, take it. Gonna head out, alright?”
“No!” She gasps as she clenches her other hand onto my shirt. With a desperate plea, Peta then says, “I don’t want you to leave, stay right here. You make me feel good about myself.”
I brush a hand through my hair, exasperated and conflicted. “I shouldn’t be the one telling you those things. I’m not the right guy.”
“Wrong again,” she counters.
Good God, help me. “Whatever you say, Fireball.” Like the stupid asshole I am, I bring her forehead toward my lips and lay a kiss upon it. My lips sizzle from the contact. “Get some rest.” And with all my might, I ease myself away from her. My dick ain’t happy that’s for sure, but it’s the right thing to do. But before I get a chance to lead my sorry ass out of this room, she calls out to me.
“Jason…please stay.” I stop in my tracks. Keep on walkin’ jackass, just keep on walkin’.
However, without warning, Peta is now firmly pressed up against my back. I can feel her every curve, even her heart beating, and each breath she’s taking. “Please,” she begs.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and turn around. Her streaked face is killing me. No matter what, she’s still so fucking gorgeous. I hate what she’s doing to me. “You’re not makin’ this easy on me.” My voice comes out strained. Does she have any idea how much I want her? I don’t think she has the first clue I’ve had a thing for her since the night of JINKS’ signed label party. The first time I laid my eyes on her, I knew she was off limits. It was an instinct I had, and for some reason it still is: engaged or not, June’s friend or not.
“Is that so wrong?” she asks, from what I can hear is curiosity.
I shake my head. “You’re on a rebound, sweetheart.” That’s what I gotta keep telling myself. Rebounds are never a smart thing.
My words seem to cut into her like they should. The fire seeps out. She’s getting pissed. “So what?” She scowls at me. “You sleep with all kinds of women on the road. What’s one more?”
Now I’m getting pissed. I lightly grip my hands around her forearms. She needs to understand she’s not a groupie whore. “You’re not just some woman on the road,” I argue, gritting my teeth. “You’re my label’s good friend. Ain’t right and you know it.”
The tears may have disappeared, but I get this feeling she needs me to fill her up, and she’s doing everything she can to break me. The fire in her eyes is now back to being sultry and sexy. Her hand palms the side of my face…that sizzles too. “One night,” she breathes out. “Just one night.”
I remove her hand, I can’t take the contact. “I respect you too much, Peta. Yo
u’re a classy woman, not a groupie.”
Shaking her head slowly, she gets up onto her toes, and brushes her lips against mine, barely touching. “You may think I’m classy, but I’m still a woman who has needs…a need to be fucked.”
Kill me.Right.Fucking.Right.Now. I gulp. “Fuck, baby…we’re both a bit wasted, don’t make me ruin a good thing,” I hoarsely say with remorse. The last thing I wanna do is ruin this woman. I can’t be what she wants or even needs. One night of fucking isn’t going to change anything, or so I say. She might be the death of me, and I’ll be the one ruined.
Her green, pleading eyes almost make me fall to my knees. My cock is spiraling out of control. It’s aching. Lips still lightly brushed together, Peta argues, “There’s nothing to ruin. Just give me tonight, that’s all I ask. Make me forget my name…please.”
I can’t move a muscle. I’m doomed. “You’ll regret this in the morning. We both will.”
She backs up away from me, leaving me breathless. And if that doesn’t do me in, she then, with a sharp gleam in her eyes, puts her hands behind her back and begins unzipping her dress. Like a curtain dropping, the dress falls to the floor, leaving her with nothing on other than black panties, which most likely are a thong. Her tits, nipples…holy fuck.
I’m standing like a motherfucking sixteen year old, seeing the perfect set of tits for the very first time. Peta holds out her hand and repeats herself, “Please.” And like that motherfucking sixteen year old…I give in.
Six months later…
MY PALMS ARE SWEATY, MY legs are shaking, and my heart is beating out of control. There’s an actress on stage talking and holding an envelope…an envelope that could change JINKS’ lives forever. My life. It shouldn’t be a big deal. It’s just a Grammy; a statue. A fucking piece of gold. But hell, it’s the piece of gold that says we’ve made it in the business. The fans would have spoken.
