The Kylie Ryans Series: Girl with Guitar, Girl on Tour, Girl in Love (extended edition)

by Caisey Quinn

  After Trace had practically shoved Gretchen into her room, he returned to Kylie. She was a smidge embarrassed about her behavior, but at the same time, she was who she was. He knew that. He could take it or leave it. But she hoped he wouldn’t leave it. So she hopped up on the counter in the kitchenette and leaned back to watch him approach.

  Once he was situated between her legs, in the same position he’d been in once before in that very same spot, he quirked a brow. “Was that fun for you?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “No. I didn’t know she was going to be so hateful to me. But I give what I get. You know that. Why? Was it fun for you?”

  He pressed himself tighter in between her legs. She shivered as his breath tickled her jawline. “Mm, maybe. A little. I like seeing you all worked up. But I like it better when you work all that aggression out on me.”

  “Me too.” She grinned up at him from under her lashes.

  He made a low growling sound in her ear. “Let’s go back to my room.”

  Yes, please. “Wait.” She put a hand on his chest and looked into his hooded hazel eyes. “Tell me something.”

  “Anything, as long as you promise we can go back to bed.” He brushed his face against hers. Damn, she loved how his stubbled jaw felt on her smooth skin.

  “Why’d you stop? That night, here, when we were—” She interrupted herself to wave a hand between them.

  Trace exhaled loudly. He leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. “Jesus, Kylie. We barely knew each other and I was…and you were…” He shook his head.

  “Well, that clears that up.”

  He grunted. “You know what I mean. I told you that night. You deserved better.” He leaned closer, letting her pull him in with her legs, which she’d wrapped around his waist when he started to step back. “You still do.”

  She rolled her eyes. There was no one better for her as far as she was concerned. She lifted her hips to get him against her like she needed. “And yet, you’re not stopping this time.”

  Trace smiled, his one-of-a-kind panty-dropping smile as he pressed against her. “I’m trying to be better.”

  She couldn’t help but smile back. “How’s that working for you?”

  “You tell me, Kylie Lou,” he said just before he placed his lips gently against hers. She whimpered when he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth.

  “I think you’re pretty damn good just the way you are.”

  She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, losing herself in his kiss completely as he carried her back to his room.

  THE SEXY breathy little moans his girlfriend let out threatened to end him every time. Those noises haunted his dreams when they were apart. He sank into her slick tightness, groaning as he did. She was made for him. That was the only explanation he could come up with.

  “Trace,” she pleaded in a deep husky tone that killed him a little bit. “I want it harder this time.”

  Christ. He rammed into her, roughly jolting her body in a way that made him want to growl like a crazed animal, letting everyone in the tri-state area know she was his and his alone, dammit. He bit down on her mouth as they kissed. She whimpered again, so he raked his teeth against her bottom lip hard enough to hurt. She was channeling her frustration from that night months ago when he’d left her hanging on the countertop. He’d bet his farm on it.

  But he wasn’t ready for it to be over, not by a long shot. Not when he had one more day before they went back to living separate lives. Lives where he couldn’t see her smiling face, kiss her smart, sassy mouth, and bury himself inside of her. So he pulled as far out of her as he could, staring straight down into her eyes as he went. When he sank back into her, she closed her eyes and arched her back. His gaze trailed down the smooth column of her throat. His mouth licked, kissed, and sucked every inch of skin within his reach.

  “Tell me something,” he rasped into her ear.

  “Anything.” The whisper of her voice combined with the inferno raging around his dick was almost too much. He pressed as deeply into her as he could go.

  “Before…when we were—oh fuck.” He bit off another swear word as her walls clenched around him.

  “You were saying?” she asked sweetly. She kissed his neck this time, and he was surprised how much he enjoyed it. No one had ever kissed him there before. At least, not when he was sober enough to remember it.

  “When was the first time, the first time you realized you would be with me if I wanted?” It was a cocky prick of a question to ask but he’d been going insane reminiscing about their all too brief time together. Wondering why she would’ve fallen for him when he was such a mess.

  She clenched around him again. And again. He pressed harder, the tip of his dick hitting farther than it ever had in an attempt to hold her still. But her walls were full on pulsating around him now. “Jesus. Is that you doing that? I mean, on purpose?”

  She grinned, an impish little smirk that said yes she damn sure was doing that on purpose.

  “You keep that up and I’m going to come before you do.” He used every ounce of strength he had to pull himself out of her clenching depths. “Answer the question, please.”

  She let out a throaty noise of disapproval. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking exactly.” She was panting slightly and her hot breath on him was almost more than he could take.

  “When would you have fucked me, Kylie Lou? At what point would you have let me pick you up, press you against the wall, and make you scream my name?” He forced his dick back into her throbbing walls, sinking heavily into her welcoming heat.

  She pulsed faster and he couldn’t hold out any longer. He resumed moving inside of her, matching the intense rhythm her body set for them. Sweet noises escaped her throat, pleasure and pain and need mingling together in the space between them.

  “Tell me.” He thrust hard into her, once, twice. Her back bowed, forcing her bare breasts into his chest. He reached a hand up to cup one. Leaning down he pulled each of her sweet, tight nipples into his mouth. “Tell me when,” he demanded against her breast.

  She didn’t answer, but judging from her moans, she was close. Despite his own intense need, he withdrew until she cried out. “Please, Trace. Please don’t stop.”

  “I won’t. I promise. Just tell me when, pretty girl.”

  Her panting became frantic. He looked down into her eyes. They were wide, like a frightened animal’s. Desperate. “That first night,” she whispered.

  “On the bus?” Well that was a surprise. He’d been a complete asshole because she’d intimidated the hell out of him on stage. He rammed hard into her, filling her completely and then pulling out once more.

  She shook her head as she writhed beneath him. “No. In the Rum Room. After we sang.” Her words blurred together as she rushed them out of her mouth. She closed her eyes but he needed them open. This was one hell of a shock to his system.

  “Look at me. The first night we met, when you didn’t know me from Adam?”

  She opened her eyes and nodded before closing them again. Pain stabbed him down low in his stomach. Was this all about who she thought he was? What he was instead of who he really was? He’d thought it was so much more than that. He didn’t think he was wrong. “Why?”

  He watched as she swallowed hard and opened her beautiful blues. He slid in and rocked gently inside of her, drowning in her gaze as she licked her lips. “I was broken. Dead inside,” she whispered. “You made me feel alive.”

  That was it. The last nudge he needed to jump off the cliff into the abyss that was loving Kylie Ryans. She pulsed once more around him and he released himself inside of her with everything he had.

  “EVERYTHING WILL be different now,” she said softly into the darkness.

  “Hmm?” Trace was drifting into that murky area between sleep and consciousness.

  “Everyone knows. That we’re together. Or they will soon.”

  “That okay?” The concern in Kylie’s voice dragged him back to th
e surface. He pulled her closer and met her sleepy stare.

  She nodded, wiggling closer to him. “Just…I don’t want to do anything that’s going to mess things up for you. I tend to feel first and think second. I don’t know if you’ve noticed…” She smiled and he couldn’t resist kissing her luscious mouth. God, she always tasted so damn good. Sweet and savory, like vanilla and honey.

  “Babe, I’m the one who’d mess things up for you. I wanted to keep us quiet so people wouldn’t make any judgments about you based on my sorry ass. You’re new to this business and you deserve to make a name for yourself without mine tainting that.”

  She snorted. “I’ve never been one to care what people think, Trace.”

  “I know. Believe me, I love that about you. But this business is…”

  “Is what?” she asked, tilting her chin up at him.

  “Is all about what people think. Whether they like you, your sound, your latest single, your album, your look, your—”

  She cut him off with a deep kiss. When she was done, she brushed her nose against his. “I’m with you, Trace. My music is my music. I give it everything I have. If people don’t like me, either because of you or because of my music, well…they can change the damn channel. Or station. Or whatever.”

  He smiled. She was so much smarter and so much stronger than him. He’d let it all get to him. Made it personal. All of it. The media, the label, the shitstorm that came whenever he didn’t follow protocol. He’d floundered around like a fish out of water as he tried to make a name for himself while figuring out who he was. The woman in his arms knew who she was already. He was pretty sure she knew who he was too. And yet…she was still here.

  “I shouldn’t have ambushed you like that tonight,” he mumbled against her lips.

  “I didn’t mind.” Kylie nuzzled down into the area between his shoulder and his neck, kissing his chest lightly as she did. Her head fit perfectly. Again, he was struck by the overwhelming knowledge that she was made for him. He closed his eyes when the room threatened to spin. He wanted a drink. And he wanted to kick his own ass for wanting it.

  “Why’d you sing that song, Kylie Lou? The one about your dad? I mean, don’t get me wrong, it was…it was amazing. Different for you, but amazing. But it looked…painful.”

  She sighed and he gave her a little squeeze. “Mia pretty much hates me and Lily was dealing with a situation with her dad. We usually close the shows together. But Lily’s dad didn’t show, again, and she was hysterical. I’d already used all my material.” He felt her shrug against him. “It was that or the Cup Song. And I didn’t have a cup.”

  He grinned. “Well it’s a good song. A great song. I just couldn’t watch you up there, hurting like you were, and not do something about it.” He kissed her on top of the head but she was stiff in his arms.

  When she spoke her voice was barely more than a whisper. “Funny, that’s exactly how I felt about you when we were on tour together.”

  AFTER HER show in Atlanta, Kylie was jittery with anticipation. Trace had his own show across town so he couldn’t make hers. But he was meeting her later at a restaurant downtown called The Tavern. Technically, it would be their first date.

  Trace’s sister Rae and her friends had come to see her show and had hung out backstage while she got ready. Rae insisted she wear a dress. Kylie twirled in the full-length mirror, smiling to herself as the red fabric swung loosely just below her thighs.

  “You should wear heels,” Rae informed her. Both of her friends nodded in agreement.

  “As much as I want to break an ankle and end up in the ER at the end of the night, I’m gonna pass on that suggestion.”

  Rae frowned. “But they elongate your legs.”

  Kylie rolled her eyes as she slipped into her favorite pair of boots. “You’ve been reading too many fashion magazines, Rae.”

  She was just about to tell the girls they could stay as long as they liked and hang out with Lily when a loud knock sounded on the dressing room door. “Come in,” she called out.

  Her mouth nearly popped open when the door did. Lily was tucked under the arm of a familiar man in a suit. Kylie’s eyes widened. She was holding a bouquet of lilies.

  “Ms. Ryans, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Donovan Taite cleared his throat and reached out a hand. “You look lovely when you’re not instilling fear into the hearts of hardened businessmen, by the way.”

  She couldn’t help but grin as she shook his hand. “Mr. Taite, how nice of you to grace us with your presence. I take it you caught the show?”

  The broad man nodded and glanced at Lily with what Kylie believed was pride. “Well I certainly couldn’t miss it after you so thoughtfully hand delivered my ticket, now could I? Pretty impressive. All three of you actually. I think you might have something with that bit there at the end.”

  She was starting to think so herself. The song they’d written together seemed to be a hit in the making. Mia still hated her guts, but so far she hadn’t stabbed her to death in her sleep. That was something at least.

  “Well, I have a…um, prior engagement, but I’m glad you came.” It was the truth. Lily was lit up like a thousand-watt light bulb.

  Kylie hugged Rae and told her she’d see her later before saying goodbye to Lily. Just as she pulled the door open to leave, Donovan Taite cleared his throat. “Ms. Ryans?”

  She turned and cocked her head in his direction.

  “I’m not a perfect man. I make mistakes. When I’m wrong, I say so.” She raised an eyebrow, trying to picture the look on Trace’s face when she told him she’d gotten a sort of apology out of The Donovan Taite. “Thank you for coming to see me. For…saying some things I needed to hear.”

  She took a deep breath. “You’re welcome. It was my pleasure.” She winked at him and shot a quick grin at Lily. See? Being a hothead wasn’t the worst thing in the world. She’d have to be sure and tell Trace that. In a half hour when she saw him. Excitement danced inside of her, electrifying every nerve ending in her body. Last night had been nice, but it had included Gretchen. Tonight would just be about them. She also hoped this meant she hadn’t blown Mia’s shot of getting signed with BackRoom Records after all.

  “I hope it’s all right to say so, but I think if your daddy had been here to see you tonight, he’d have been proud.”

  Unexpected tears welled up in her eyes. “Um, thank you, sir. That’s nice to hear.”

  Kylie left the Chameleon Café, where they’d just brought down the house, feeling as if she were walking on air. For the first time since she’d started chasing this dream, it was starting to feel like she might have actually caught it. And low and behold, miracle of all miracles, she had someone to share it with.

  SHE TOOK a cab to The Tavern after promising Lily and Mia she’d be back on the bus on time tomorrow afternoon. Lily had told her to have a good time. Mia had given her the usual death glare. Trace had invited all three girls to stay at his house but they’d gotten a hotel. Kylie smirked to herself as she thought about why. She was actually pretty excited about being alone with him. Well, aside from his sister Claire Ann and possibly Rae if she was staying at the farm this weekend. But their rooms were at the opposite end of the house. God bless whatever builder designed the floor plan.

  The Tavern was a cute little place tucked into a quaint street lined by trees and streetlamps. An expensive-looking boutique and an ice cream shop bordered it. White twinkle lights lit the trees. It was like walking into a dream. But this was real. Trace Corbin was taking her on a date. She was grinning like a maniac as she stepped inside and told the maître d’ she was waiting for someone.

  “Ah yes, Ms. Ryans? We’ve been expecting you.”

  She took the man’s arm because he offered it. He escorted her past the main dining area and towards the kitchen. Tucked into a corner she never would have noticed was a small table. Candlelight reflected on Trace’s clean-shaven face. He’d been stubbly yesterday. Her stomach tensed. He’d shaved for he
r. Tonight they weren’t Kylie Ryans, up and comer, or Trace Corbin, troubled superstar. They were just two people enjoying an evening together. Just as her escort released her, Trace stood. Hot damn, he cleaned up good. Her mouth went dry. She licked her lips as she approached the table.

  He wore dark jeans—nice ones like he wore for his shows, not the tattered ones he usually wore when they were just hanging out. His black dress shirt was rolled up at the sleeves. Her breath caught when their eyes met. He smiled his warm I adore you smile, and her legs began moving of their own accord. It felt like… like she was walking towards more than just her boyfriend. In that moment, Kylie felt like she was walking towards the one thing she needed more than air. Home.

  “Hey, pretty girl,” he said, giving her an appreciative once-over. “You trying to kill me with that dress?”

  “You look pretty handsome yourself.” Jesus. She suddenly felt shy. Which was nuts. This wasn’t some guy she barely knew. They’d seen each other naked. Less than twenty-four hours ago. And yet…she was so nervous her whole body was shaking. Trace leaned in and kissed her cheek. He smelled like warmth and expensive cologne. And…something else. If he’s drinking again, he’d tell me. Wouldn’t he?

  He pulled out her chair and she sat, watching his every move as he made his way to his own seat. “I hope this is okay. This is the most private table they have.”

  “It’s perfect.” She tried to breathe normally and ignore the strange feeling in her stomach.

  Trace grinned, revealing the boyish dimples that framed his perfect mouth. “They have the best steak here. Seriously. You better order one for yourself because you’re not getting any of mine.”

  At that, she laughed and her nerves eased up a bit. “Oh, I bet you’d give me a bite if I asked nicely.”

  He eyed her from over the top of his menu. “Do you ask for things nicely? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you do that before.”

  With her stomach clenching from the heat in his stare, Kylie put her menu aside. “Maybe you’ve never had anything I wanted badly enough to ask nicely for.”