FLOWERS ON THE WALL (16 page)

"Practically a prude."

"How old were you your first time?"

"Fifteen."

"Was she older?"

"Infinitely." Ryder chuckled. "By a whole three months. We fumbled our way through it."

"You don't fumble anymore."

"I'm glad you noticed."

After another song, the band took a break. Ryder escorted Quinn back to the table.

"I hate to leave you alone." Ryder had spotted the lead singer of the band going out a side door. "Maybe you should come with me."

Quinn shook her head. There was protective and then there was unreasonable. Ryder skirted the edges of the latter. "I can take care of myself. Besides, I have Minnow's finest at the next table. If there's any trouble, Rudy will help."

"I'm on it," Rudy called out.

Having gotten the lowdown from Quinn, Ryder nodded, shaking his hand. "I appreciate it, man."

"Do you mind if I make a request?"

"Name it."

"Sing
Leaving the Past Behind
. It's my wife's favorite."

"You got it." Ryder looked around. "Is your wife here?"

Rudy laughed. "My Katie has been serving your drinks all night, son."

Chuckling, Ryder left Quinn with a kiss and a promise.

"I'll sing
Leaving
for Katie. But the rest will be for you."

MUSICIANS WERE UNPREDICTABLE creatures. Ryder knew. He had dealt with them from half-empty dives to packed arenas. Hell, when it came down to it,
he
could be as bad as they came.

Call it ego. Testosterone. The old,
I peed on it first
syndrome. Whatever the reason, musicians were territorial about their gig and their band. That was why Ryder approached the lead singer of
Lightning Strikes
with his ego in his back pocket. Though they were close in age, their situations were worlds apart. Ryder didn't want to come across as a big shot out to slum it for a night.

As it turned out, Marsh Jenner was a fan. A mega-fan. For a second, Ryder was afraid the man was going fall to his knees and cry out,
I'm not worthy
. To save them both the embarrassment, Ryder grabbed Marsh's hand and shook it vigorously.

"You're my hero." Marsh kept pumping away until Ryder gently disengaged. "We play covers of your shit all the time."

"You did a great job on
First and Only
."

"Really?" Marsh threw his half-smoked cigarette on the ground. "Man, I am glad I didn't know you were out there when I was singing. I wouldn't have gotten through it."

Ryder knew how Marsh felt. It could be surreal meeting a musician you admired. The afternoon he had spent with Willie Nelson would go down as one of the greatest experiences of his life. It had nothing to do with rock or country. There were legends and then there was Willie—an artist who crossed all music lines.

"I don't want to tread on your time. Would you mind if I sat in for a set?"

Marsh's mouth opened then closed. The only sound that escaped was a high-pitched squeak.

"Is that a yes?"

March nodded.

"Great." Ryder clapped him on the back. "It means a lot to me."

QUINN SIPPED HER club soda wondering what the reaction would be when Ryder stepped onto that tiny platform. Surprise followed by bedlam?

The drummer came out first, followed by the rest of the band. Ryder, his hat still pulled low, picked up an electric guitar, plugging it in before he strummed the strings. Nobody in the crowd paid attention. They continued talking and drinking, unaware that a superstar was only a few feet away.

"I want to get closer to the stage," Quinn informed Rudy as she took her camera from the bag. "In a few minutes, getting up there will be impossible."

"I called a few of my buddies on the force for back-up. Just in case things get out of hand. They are milling around." Rudy lowered his voice. "Undercover."

Though Rudy's tone was light, she knew he had been smart to take precautions. There was no way to anticipate what a sober crowd would do when Ryder revealed himself. This bunch had been drinking steadily since they arrived. It could turn into a love fest. Or it could go south in a hurry. Either way, Rudy and his friends were ready.

"I'll go with you," Rudy said, following closely behind Quinn.

Rather than argue, Quinn felt a rush of gratitude. The world had some nasty characters in it, but there were more good guys than bad. Rudy Rayburn was proof positive. Turning, she took a quick picture. She knew without looking at the result that it would be a keeper. Quinn made a mental note to get his wife's email address so she could send Katie the photo.

"Look at him." After snapping a few shots of Ryder, Quinn lowered her camera. "He is practically bouncing with excitement."

Rudy shook his head. "It's crazy. The man plays all the time. What's so special about tonight?"

Quinn shrugged. It wasn't something she could explain even if she weren't pledged to keep Ryder's confidence to herself. Only Ryder understood the importance of getting back to his roots. She was glad that she was here to witness the moment.

"We are back." When the lead singer tapped the microphone, the crowd quieted a bit. But not much. "We have a rare treat for you tonight. As you know, every now and then, a guest will sit in with the band. This was unexpected. He was in the crowd and asked if he could join us for a few songs."

The announcement didn't cause a stir. Not even a ripple.
Just wait
, Quinn thought.

Without further introduction, the band began to play. Quinn exchanged grins with Rudy when they recognized
Leaving the Past Behind
. Taking the lead, Ryder stepped up to the microphone.

"A new friend of mine asked if I would sing this for his wife. Katie? Are you out there?"

A small rumble as a few people began to realize who was on stage.

"Here she is."

Through an opening in the crowd, Rudy's wife popped. The pretty brunette looked confused. Frowning, she walked up to her husband.

"What is going on?"

Rudy put an arm around her and kissed her cheek. "Just wait."

Ryder played the opening chords one more time.

Katie gasped. "Is that…? Holy crap."

Ryder removed his hat and tossed it to Katie. If Rudy weren't standing there to hold her up, Quinn thought his wife would have melted onto the floor. Ryder speared Katie with his gaze.

"This one is for you, Katie."

Ryder sang the first few words and Katie screamed. Loudly and repeatedly. Quinn had to give Rudy credit. He only winced one or twice.

Quinn had flipped the button on her camera from portrait to video. She filmed the entire serenade. Just as he played the final note, to everyone's surprise, Ryder jumped off the stage and kissed Katie—full on the lips. Before anyone could make a grab for him, he was back behind the microphone and onto the next song.

There were no words to describe the energy and joy that filled that room for the next hour. The numbers of bodies grew—which wasn't a surprise. Texts and phone calls flew to family and friends. If they were within driving distance, chances were they tried to get to the bar.

However, Rudy and the other police officers present did not have to step in and handle an out of control mob. Quinn didn't know if it were partly the shock of seeing Ryder Hart in their little corner of the world or the magic of the moment. Whatever forces were at work, they kept the crowd well-behaved and, for the most part, courteous. Quinn lost track of the times someone jostled her from behind. But there was no ill intent involved. Everyone was into the music. Bouncing, swaying, and dancing was to be expected.

Ryder looked as though he could have played all night. Sweat dampened his shirt and caused his hair to curl more than usual. He was the epitome of the cool, sexy rocker. Every woman in the room wanted him. Every man wanted to be him. And Quinn had it all captured on her camera. Now and then, she would take her eye away from the viewfinder and enjoy the show. As a fan. And as the woman who—lucky her—would share his bed tonight and for the foreseeable future.

"One more song and then I have to call it a night."

Protests were shouted, but there was no heat to them. They had known from the beginning that tonight would have to end. The time had flown, and it was hard to let go.

"I want to thank the members of
Lightning Strikes
for letting me jam with them." The crowd let out a loud cheer. "Tonight reminded me of why I do what I do. It isn't the money. Though that isn't bad." His comment got the expected burst of laughter. "What made me fall in love with music is the pleasure it gives. To me, and to you. Thank you. It has been my pleasure."

Everyone knew Ryder's final song. A sing-along anthem about giving the world the finger when it tried to hold you down. The last words blasted through the bar. Out of nowhere, Rudy and his team formed a wall in front of the stage, blocking anyone from getting to Ryder.

Rudy pushed Quinn toward him, who grabbed her hand and headed out the back.

"Aren't you going to stick around and bask in the adulation."

"That kind of adulation can land a man in the hospital."

They exited into the rear parking lot. Quinn took a deep breath of the cool, fresh, evening air.

"How did this get here?" she asked when she spied her father's car.

"I had Rudy move it before the set started." Ryder had her in the passenger seat and himself behind the wheel in record time. The engine turned over without hesitation. "Damn, that was fun."

Peeling out, Ryder headed down a side road. He was still burning energy and Quinn could feel the heat radiating from his body. He smelled of clean, sweaty man. It was odd, but all she could think about was licking every inch of his hot, salty skin. Quinn glanced at Ryder. Okay, maybe it wasn't that odd. Damn, he was sexy.

"You know what I need?" Ryder asked, the street light illuminating his wide grin.

"Tell me."

"Sex."

"Thank God," Quinn groaned.

Ryder's head whipped around. "You too?"

"I was afraid you were going to say a hamburger."

"That too. After."

Ryder pulled the car into the first dark alley they passed. It was crazy and reckless. And Quinn loved it. She felt like a teenager. Not the good girl who had never put a step wrong. But the bad girl she suppressed because she had been too afraid to let her out.

"I know you made out in the back of a car. Ever gone all the way?"

"Never."

Taking Quinn's camera bag, Ryder set it on the floor. She expected him to get in the backseat the usual way. Out one door and in the other. But Ryder was full of surprises. He flipped the button on the side of her seat, sending them backward.

"Smooth," Quinn said with a gasping laugh. "Did you learn that in your wild youth or is it new to your repertoire?"

"That was a first." Ryder pulled Quinn's shirt over her head. "You inspire me."

"Does this mean no backseat?"

"We'll get there. Think of this as foreplay."

Quinn sighed when Ryder's mouth closed over hers. Foreplay, her ass. He wasn't teasing. It was the kiss of a man ready for the final act. To show him that she was on the same page, Quinn slid her fingers through Ryder's hair, tugging him closer.

"Nope." Panting, Quinn stayed Ryder's hands when he tried to remove her bra. "Shuck the pants. I want this hard and fast, guitar boy."

"I need bare breasts."

Before Quinn could blink, Ryder flung her bra behind him. His tongue swiped at her nipple as he magically dealt with his jeans.

"God, you are good."

"I want that for my ringtone."

"Now? Really?"

Ryder took his phone from his pocket, hit a few buttons, then held it near Quinn's mouth.

"Say it again."

"Fuck you."

"Let me inspire you." Ryder bent his head, taking her straining nipple into his mouth.

"You are crazy." Quinn arched her back, pushing toward Ryder.

"Say it," Ryder spoke without raising his head. His teeth joined the fun and Quinn caved.

"God, you are good," she moaned, louder than she had intended. But there was no denying it. Ryder had a talented mouth. And tongue. And what he could do with his teeth? Pure bliss.

"There you go."

Ryder removed his jeans, then did the same with Quinn's. He moved between her legs, the tip of his hard penis brushing against her.

"Condom," Quinn cried out before she lost all reason.

"I'm on it."

Fast and efficient, the packet was opened, and the latex applied. Then, with one push, Ryder was inside of her.

"Hard and fast," he asked, the strain in his voice evident.

"Yes." Quinn lifted her legs, wrapping them around Ryder's waist. "Please. Now."

Ryder clasped Quinn's hands with his, raising them over her head. His eyes locked with hers.

"Do you feel that…" he asked. "The connection?"

The connection of their bodies or their minds
? Quinn felt both. It was wild. Beautiful. Quinn felt the urge to cry.

"Yes, Ryder. I feel it. I feel everything."

Ryder moved his hips and Quinn met his every thrust. Again and again. She didn't want it to end, but there was no stopping the burst of pleasure that shot through her body from her center. Out to her toes. Up to the top of her head. Ryder cried out her name, his mouth finding hers. They rode the pleasure together. To the very end.

"I DON'T WANT to go back to that house."

"It sounds good. However, blood is just returning to my brain. Give me a moment to process what you said."

Laughing, Quinn smoothed her hand down Ryder's back. They hadn't moved, nor did she want them to. She would have been happy to stay right there, in his arms. Unfortunately, potential disaster loomed. And the blood flow to her brain was just fine.

"Cora will try something. If only to get a rise out of my father. I feel loose and wonderful. But when I think of returning to all that drama, I start to tense up."

Ryder gave her a series of soothing kisses. First on her forehead, then on each eye, the tip of her nose, and finally her mouth. As stress relievers went, it was damn effective.