Blake's Choice Read online

She shook her head and picked up her phone. “Paul?” She cut into his rambling excuses. “If you’re ever in this situation again, I suggest you call the event organiser earlier so she can try to find a replacement!” She disconnected the call, wishing it was an old fashioned landline she could have slammed down.

  “Mandy, what happened?” She looked up. Karen, Blake and Daniel watched her, concern on their faces. She swallowed hard.

  “The band cancelled.”

  “Goddamnmotherfuckingcuntwhores!” Karen rarely swore, but when she did, it was always in epic proportions.

  “Can they do that?” Daniel scowled, and if the band had been there to see it, they’d probably have pissed their pants.

  Mandy shrugged, trying to keep calm. “I can’t force them to play. They made a commitment, but it was for a charity performance, so it’s not like I can refuse to pay them or anything.” She forced a smile. “I’ll call some of the booking agents. We might be able to get someone else.” She scrambled to her feet. “Back to the salt mines!” As she walked away, she blinked hard to stop the tears. It was eleven-forty-five a.m. on a Saturday, and she needed performers who could be ready to go within the hour. Someone who could placate a crowd waiting for the current hot band.

  She was screwed.

  Blake couldn’t get that last glimpse of Mandy’s face out of his head. She’d been devastated, and it ripped at his heart.

  Karen had been calling curses down on the band for the last fifteen minutes, between making calls to her fellow talent agents in the desperate hope that someone could help out. Finally, she groaned.

  “I feel so helpless.” She leant back against Daniel, who cuddled her.

  “Call Mandy,” he suggested. “Maybe she got lucky and found someone.” Karen straightened and gave her lover a ‘get real’ look, but obediently dialled.

  “Mandy? How’d it go? Oh. Yeah, okay. Well, you can hold off for a while, people are used to waiting for performers. Maybe someone will call you back. Okay. Bye.” She was shaking her head before she’d even pulled the phone away from her ear. “Two of the bookers are still calling their clients, but they’re not hopeful.” She looked around. “This is not going to end well. They got so many teenagers here today because The Shit Kickers were coming, but these kids’ll probably start a riot. The press is here. People paid money to be here, they were promised entertainment…” Karen rubbed a hand over her face. “Mandy’s probably going to lose her job.”

  Daniel wrapped his arms around her. “Blake.”

  Blake met his friend’s gaze. He couldn’t pretend to not understand. He’d been trying not to think about it himself. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he shook his head compulsively.

  “I saw Rick just the other day. I’ll bet he could round up a band and be here pretty quick. If you asked.”

  Karen lifted her head, hope blooming on her face. “I didn’t even think of that. Blake, you could save her ass. God, it would make her career!”

  He shook his head again. “I can’t. I-I can’t.”

  Daniel shrugged. “It’s your call.”

  Blake closed his eyes, trying to banish the image of Mandy’s face after that phone call. He’d do anything to make that look go away. But… Unbidden, the vision of Dale Grange, staggering after he’d shot himself, flashed through his mind. He jerked his eyes open.

  Karen’s gaze was glued to his face. “We’re not suggesting that you take up touring again. You do one surprise charity appearance. There won’t be any press exposure until after the fact—those cameras might be rolling, but there’s no live feed. In a couple of hours, it’ll be over.”

  Blake looked down at his hands, and absently noted that they were shaking.

  * * * *

  The crowd was restless. Mandy stood to the side of the stage area, empty inside. The Shit Kickers had been due to go on at twelve-thirty p.m., and it was now one-fifteen p.m. She couldn’t drag it out any longer.

  She sucked in a deep breath and climbed the steps to the stage. As she crossed to the microphone, she heard the crowd stirring, the calls of “They’re starting!” She tapped the microphone and swallowed against the lump in her throat.

  “Hi, everyone.” The noise generated by several thousand people began to settle. “Thanks for coming today, and I hope you’re having a good time.” There were shouts of agreement and good cheer from the clumps of teenagers scattered in amongst the families. Mandy shot a quick look at the head of security. He’d already been warned that there might be some trouble.

  “I know you’re all eager to see The Shit Kickers. But—”

  “But we’ve managed to get a special surprise for you!”

  Mandy whirled and saw Karen, a microphone in hand, striding across the stage towards her. What the hell is she doing?

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m afraid you’ll have to forgo The Shit Kickers today. Because instead,” she raised her voice above the first grumbles, “it’s our pleasure to welcome Blake Hawley!”

  Dead silence. Nobody in the crowd seemed to know what to say. Mandy’s gut clenched and she stared at Karen. “What…?” she whispered.

  Movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she turned her head to see four big men striding onto the stage. A drum kit was quickly assembled, amps set up and guitars plugged in. The crowd started to murmur, a wave of hushed excitement washing over them. Karen caught hold of Mandy’s wrist and tugged her away from the central microphone.

  “Karen, what—?”

  A drumbeat exploded across the stage, and the first chords of Choices rang out. Then, striding up the steps and across the stage like he owned it, guitar in his arms, sunglasses and hat long gone, was her super-sexy rock god boyfriend.

  The crowd went insane.

  “What the hell—how—I mean…” Mandy mumbled, following Karen down the steps and around behind the stage, where they found Daniel and another man waiting.

  “You must be Mandy,” the stranger shouted over the music, offering a hand. “I’m Rick Clarke.”

  “Rick was Blake’s manager,” Daniel explained. “He found a band for us.”

  Mandy shook the man’s hand, dazed. “What…?” She turned and walked back around the stage. Sure enough, Blake was up there, singing and playing, and he looked more alive than she’d ever seen him around other people. He looked in her direction and winked.

  Tears flooded her eyes.

  “Hey.” Karen’s arms came around her. “It’s okay.” They stood there and watched Blake, listened to the roar of the crowd.

  Choices came to an end, and Blake stood at the front of the stage, master of all he surveyed. “Hey there, boys and girls!”

  The crowd roared in response.

  “It’s great to see you all here supporting this great cause!” He paused to accommodate the shouts and whistles. “Before we get started, I just want to give a shout out to the team that made today possible, including superstar sound tech Colin.” Another pause. Cameras flashed from all directions.

  “But the lion’s share of credit goes to Amanda Coyle, the event organiser. Mandy”—he turned to look at her, his teal gaze laser sharp—“I love you, baby.”

  * * * *

  Mandy unlocked the door to Blake’s condo and practically fell inside. She was exhausted. “Blake?” She hadn’t had a chance to speak to him since his performance. When he’d come off the stage he’d grabbed her in a hot, sweaty embrace, kissed her and had been whisked off by security to a secluded location for a very brief press conference. The crowds of people at the picnic, revved beyond belief by the unexpected treat, had taken all her attention for the remainder of the afternoon.

  “I’m in here.”

  She hurried down the hallway to the living room, where she found him sacked out on the couch in front of a ball game. He looked up when she came in and muted the sound.

  “Hi.”

  She didn’t bother to answer, just bounded across the room to leap on him. “Are you okay?”
/>   He stroked a finger down her cheek and smiled. “I’m fine, baby. I was scared shitless at first, but…” He leant forward and kissed her. “In the end, it felt great. I hadn’t realised how much I missed it.”

  “I’m glad.” She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. Leaning her head against his chest, she swallowed and said, “What you said while you were up there—”

  “I love you.”

  Hearing it again warmed her from the toes up. “I love you,” she murmured against his neck.

  He tugged her upright. “I love you more. And I saved your ass.” His eyes twinkled with friendly competition, and he curved his hand around her butt.

  She grinned, the last knot of tension in her belly loosening. “You did save my ass. Now, what do you wanna do with it?”

  Also available from Total-E-Bound Publishing:

  One Night in a Bar

  Louisa Masters

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  His body was hard against hers, his hands trailing fire as they slid down her back and settled low on her hips. Karen stroked her fingers up the nape of his neck, twining them through the silky strands of his dark hair. She’d never really understood what dirty dancing was. Her stomach flipped somersaults, and, lower, her pussy clenched in anticipation.

  She licked her lips, tipping her face up to his. His heavy-lidded eyes burned hot as he lowered his head. He kissed her, lips soft, goatee brushing the skin around her mouth as tingles ran down her spine. His mouth opened and his tongue traced over her lips and suddenly she was no longer thinking about anything—there was only heat and sensation and sex. His dick was hard and pulsing against her pelvis and she pressed against it, undulating. His grip tightened on her hips and he ground into her, making her knees weak.

  By the time he lifted his head, she was putty. His dark, dark gaze roamed over her face, sending fire through her body, and her pussy wept over his sexy smile.

  “Do you want to go for a walk?” His gravel and whisky voice sent shivers down her spine. “Maybe find somewhere more private?”

  She jerked her head in a nod. She leaned into him as they threaded through the other couples on the dance floor. He paused at the edge, slid an arm around her and glanced around the room.

  “This way.” He guided her towards the short corridor that led to the bathrooms, stopping at a door marked ‘Exit’. He pushed the metal bar and seconds later they were in an alley. His mouth descended on hers as he backed her against the wall. She struggled to get him closer.

  “Daniel,” she gasped, grinding her pelvis against him, “hurry up!”

  He choked out a laugh as he yanked her top down, exposing her breasts. She moaned as the silky hair on his face brushed her sensitive skin, and yelped when he grazed his teeth over her nipple. He laved her with his tongue and settled in with a strong, womb-tugging suckling. She let her head fall back against the wall. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew she’d have a bruise later, but she didn’t care. She fisted her hands in his hair and enjoyed the sensations he stirred in her.

  He switched from one breast to the other, allowing cool night air to touch her damp, newly exposed nipple. “Urngh!” Combined with the hot, wet pull of his mouth at her other breast, the sensation had her inner muscles clamping down desperately. Grabbing his shoulders, she pushed her pelvis into his and wrapped her leg awkwardly around him, needing the pressure of his cock against her pussy. He broke away from her breast and ran his hands down her sides, over her hips, removing her leg from his body despite her noises of protest. When he knelt before her, she shut up. Is he going to…? He lifted her skirt and yanked at her panties. She pumped her hips, cream sliding from her in anticipation. She’d only ever been eaten out once, and she’d loved it.

  Daniel’s hot hands grasped her hips, and he laved her navel, causing her stomach muscles to spasm wildly. He licked his way down her abdomen, and she shivered as his breath fanned across her skin. He paused.

  “Daniel!” The groan tore from her throat. He tipped his head back and his dark eyes met hers, just visible in the gloom of the alley.

  “Patience, Karen.” The rasp of his voice had an amused edge. If she hadn’t been so desperate for his mouth, she could have strangled him.

  Then his hand was on her thigh, opening, lifting her leg onto his shoulder, and his mouth was there, hot, wet, open, dragging over her clit, his tongue stroking tantalisingly. She knotted her hands in his hair, yanking him harder against her as he lapped at her. The combination of his tongue, his teeth and the silky texture of his goatee sent her wild, a keening sound bursting from her lips before she could help herself. Her hips bucked uncontrollably in his grasp. He licked a path up her slit, and this time his fingers followed, teasing their way towards her cunt, then sliding smoothly inside. Her inner muscles, until now, starved for attention, instantly clenched and spasmed around him as he continued to lavish attention on her with his mouth.

  Then he was gone, leaving her bereft and panting, desperate for fulfilment. “Daniel…?”

  “I’m here.” She heard rustling. Forcing her eyes to focus, she made out his form, moving in the dim light.

  “Come back here.” It was unquestionably a demand and his chuckle only inflamed her more.

  “Just a second, babe. Gotta take care of things.” Then he was back, pressing her into the cold concrete. He placed a hand on her ass and forced her hips to tilt upwards and he slid into her. Her thick cream made it easy, even as her muscles clenched around him, gripping him tight.

  They moaned in unison, a long, drawn out sound. For moment they stayed still, hard up against the wall. Then Daniel shifted, moving inside her, and her pussy clamped down. They slammed together, Daniel ramming his body into her. His shirt rubbed against her nipples with amazing friction. She was out of control now, her cunt violently gripping his dick, making every stroke delicious agony. Every muscle in her body was tight. Her hips pistoned and she screamed as she exploded into a million pieces.

  Distantly, she could feel Daniel still pumping inside her, driving her higher, denying her body full release, pushing her harder, until she came again. Her shout of fulfilment was joined by Daniel’s as he sagged against her, pinning them both against the wall.

  * * * *

  She washed her hands, still floating in the aftermath of orgasm and alcohol. Behind her, the bathroom door banged open and Mandy burst in.

  “There you are! I’ve been looking for you. Come on, we have to get moving. It’s after one and I’ve got work tomorrow.” She grabbed Karen’s hand and towed her out into the main bar. Karen barely had time to wave goodbye to everyone before they were outside and Mandy was buckling her into the car.

  She hummed tunelessly to herself as Mandy climbed in and started the engine.

  “You sound much happier,” her friend told her, pulling out on to the highway. “I take it you had a good time?”

  “I had a great time,” Karen told her sincerely. “You were right, I did need to be approached by men. Lots and lots of men. I am a powerful woman! Hear me roar!”

  Mandy laughed. “Good. Next step—find a new job.”

  “I can do that,” she said confidently. “I can do anything!”

  * * * *

  She dragged herself away from the toilet bowl and turned the taps on. Cold water had never felt as good as it did on her face at that moment.

  She splashed again, then groped blindly for a towel. The usually ultra-soft nap of the fabric rasped against her skin like sandpaper. Moaning, she lifted her head and caught sight of herself in the mirror.

  Blech.

  Good thing she had nowhere to go, because there weren't enough cosmetics in the world to cover the evidence of the night before. She grabbed her toothbrush and set about making her mouth bearable again.

  As she scrubbed, she watched herself in the mirror, noting her bloodshot hazel eyes and dull skin, some of last night’s makeup still smeared across her lids. Her normally glossy brown hair was
lank. A shower was definitely called for. She rinsed and spat, and went to start the water.

  Stripping brought home exactly how drunk she’d been when she’d gone to bed. She’d taken off her skirt and panties but was still wearing her top and bra. She unbuttoned and unhooked, dropping everything on the floor as the room filled with steam. As she moved towards the shower, she saw movement from the corner of her eye. It was only her reflection, distorted by clouds of steam.

  She opened the shower door, then turned back to the mirror. She frowned, taking a closer look at the dark patch on her chest. What was it? A bruise? How did she get a bruise on her breast—

  Memory flooded back and she flailed a hand to brace herself on the vanity.

  She’d had sex with a stranger.

  In an alley behind a bar.

  With a stranger.

  In an alley.

  Behind a bar.

  She lifted a shaky hand and pressed it against her forehead. It couldn’t be true. Maybe she’d dreamt it. Alcohol made you dream funny things, right? Maybe she’d got the bruise walking into something. Sex with strangers in alleys was not something she did. Ever.

  Robotically, she turned off the shower and walked naked into the bedroom. She picked up the phone beside the bed and punched in the number from memory. It began to ring, and she winced.

  “Amanda speaking.”

  Karen cleared her throat. “Mandy?” she said pitifully. Her friend laughed.

  “Feeling a bit delicate this morning, huh? Have a hot shower and some coffee, it’ll help.”

  “Yeah…uh, that’s what I had planned. Um, I wanted to ask you something…” How could she ask if she’d acted like a total slut only a few weeks after splitting up with her boyfriend?

  “Ask me what?” Mild curiosity sounded in Mandy’s voice, and Karen sensed she was partly distracted. Mandy liked to multitask.

  “Last night—at the bar—uh—I was pretty drunk.”