Fixt: DirtSlap Series, #4

By Ashlynn Pearce

FIXT

 

DirtSlap series #4

 

Bad ideas and secrets…What could go wrong?

 

Lila Starling is happy, bubbly and seemingly carefree. In reality, her life is full of skeletons and secrets. During a trip to Las Vegas for a wedding, she makes her biggest mistake yet. A night with the biggest horndog in Nashville, the lead guitarist of DirtSlap, Ryan Fennick. He's a bad idea but she can't forget the feel of his hands and the way he looked at her, as if she was important. As if she meant something. When long buried secrets unravel, she gains the family she always wanted. But it comes with a price…the loss of Ryan.

 

Music rules Ryan Fennick's world. Abandoned by his mom at five on his aunt's doorstep, he has little respect for women. That's why he only does one-nighters. Only with strangers. Until that night in Vegas. Lila is a flame he can't stamp out. He has known her forever but as secrets are revealed, he wonders if he really knew her at all. When he's threatened and his guitar hand is slashed…he vows nothing is worth the sacrifice of his music. Not even the woman who left a searing mark on his heart.

 

Can they find a way to tunnel under the layers of false truths to get to the fixt?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ashlynn Pearce
• Release date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201228095

Ashlynn Pearce

Ashlynn Pearce Were it not for Hope…the Heart would break… Ashlynn Pearce writes fiery, passionate, falling-apart just to fall back-together-again romances. Her characters are perfectly imperfect. She's a true believer that damaged people need love too. Born and bred in Oklahoma, she lives with her husband, son and four pups. Despite four strokes, she continues to keep her publishing dream alive. After several visits to Nashville, she created the DirtSlap series. DirtSlap is a band - a lil bit country, a dash of metal & a whole lot of dirt. Included in the series are FUEL, WRECK, KRUSH and FIXT…with more coming.  If you're searching for a bit hotter...leather...erotic...tattoos, look no further than the new series, Rolling Asylum Motorcycle Club——ON EDGE. She loves to hear from her fans, so you can contact her at: https://www.facebook.com/AshlynnPearceAuthor.  https://www.instagram.com/ashlynnpearceauthor/ tiktok: @ashlynnpearceauthor

Book preview

FIXT

#4 DirtSlap series

Bad ideas and secrets…What could go wrong?

Lila Starling is happy, bubbly and seemingly carefree. In reality, her life is full of skeletons and secrets. During a trip to Las Vegas for a wedding, she makes her biggest mistake yet. A night with the biggest horndog in Nashville, the lead guitarist of DirtSlap, Ryan Fennick. He’s a bad idea but she can’t forget the feel of his hands and the way he looked at her, as if she was important. As if she meant something. When long buried secrets unravel, she gains the family she always wanted. But it comes with a price…the loss of Ryan.

Music rules Ryan Fennick’s world. Abandoned by his mom at five on his aunt’s doorstep, he has little respect for women. That’s why he only does one-nighters. Only with strangers. Until that night in Vegas. Lila is a flame he can’t stamp out. He has known her forever but as secrets are revealed, he wonders if he really knew her at all. When he’s threatened and his guitar hand is slashed…he vows nothing is worth the sacrifice of his music. Not even the woman who left a searing mark on his heart.

Can they find a way to tunnel under the layers of false truths to get to the fixt?

Chapter 1

You may now kiss the bride.

Lila Starling smiled through her tears, as she watched the couple promise their forevers to each other. What would it feel like to be the sole focus of one person? To trust somebody enough to give them your heart and soul? Be lost in someone enough to make time stand still. She had never felt anywhere close to it. She couldn’t even imagine it.

They were in Vegas at the Bellagio fountains at dusk, where Ethan, the lead singer of DirtSlap, married Shelby. They were two opposites of the same coin. Perfectly imperfect. They had known each other a little over six months and they made a striking couple.

Lila glanced at Zak, Ethan’s best man. The elusive and silent bass player of DirtSlap who drank nothing but water. No amount of words, subtle touches or blatant flirting had gotten a response out of him. His hair was always in his face hiding those incredible blue-green eyes. He made a striking figure in that tux. Broad shoulders. Narrow waist. She was determined to make him see her.

Even if she had to tackle the man.

* *

Ryan spotted Lila at the bar tossing back shots, her face in a marked frown. She had on tiny blue sparkly dress, with heels to match and her bright red hair was curled and hanging loose to the middle of her back. He’d known her forever, but he had to admit she looked smoking. She was alone, Zak nowhere to be found. He sauntered up to the bar and leaned on it.

Where’s Zak, Imp?

She threw up her hands. No idea. I was talking to him…or trying to. I go to the bathroom and POOF he’s gone. Frustration poured off her in waves and bright blue eyes glared when he chuckled.

Sorry, he said behind a smile.

Oh, to hell with you, Ryan. Like you care.

He tugged on her bright red hair. Sure, I do. He waved at the bartender for a beer and slid onto a stool beside her.

Right. Don’t even. I’ve known you long enough you don’t care. She glanced around him. So, where’s your next bimbo?

He shrugged. Haven’t gone hunting yet.

She choked. Hunting? Seriously? That’s what you call it?

Tell me something. Why do you always chase the guys you can’t have?

Her freckles stood out on her face as she gaped at him. What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Exactly what I said. I never see you go after a guy you could have. They are always the ones who don’t give a shit or don’t have time for you. I’ve seen you do it for years. He lifted his beer and took a long drink. Do you do it on purpose?

She sputtered then glared. You don’t know shit, Ryan.

He grinned at her. All right.

I so want to toss a drink in your face right now, she growled at him.

He arched a brow. Wouldn’t be the first time.

She pointed to her glass. Another one. The bartender didn’t hesitate and filled her shot again. She promptly downed it.

They were still in the Bellagio where Ethan and Shelby had tied the knot. He couldn’t believe it. Ethan. Married. To Shelby? They couldn’t be more opposite. He only came to see proof that they did it. And hell, it was Vegas. Who wouldn’t want to come?

Are you gonna sit here and just get drunk? Cause I’m thinking there’s a lot to Vegas I still want to see.

She eyed him. Wouldn’t I hurt your game?

He smirked. Nope. And it wouldn’t. Didn’t matter if he was with a girl or not. He never lacked for attention.

She rolled her eyes. You are such a horndog. I mean really.

Fine. You can sit here and feel sorry for yourself or you can come with me. I can help you find a hookup.

She snorted and leveled those bright blues on him. "You will not be my hookup."

He laughed. Fine.

Fine. She paid her tab and spun. Let’s go. To hell with Zak.

The Bellagio was huge and soon they ran across a dance club with some hopping music. They finally made it inside, where lights strobed and flashed. Music thumped so hard he could feel it in his chest. Lila held up her drink and made her way to the dance floor.

He sighed. She was drunk. In Vegas. By herself…except for him. Damn.

Looked like he would be babysitting after all—even if he were almost as drunk as she was.

He worked his way through the crowd to her, where two guys, not just one, were grinding up against her. He narrowed his eyes and shook his head. She seemed oblivious. Damn tiny thing, even if she was mean as hell, was going to get a whole lot more than she bargained for.

He moved in, glared at the two skinny guys who backed off his look. He placed his hands on her hips, and she turned and laughed until she saw him.

Ryan, what the hell are you doing?

Saving you from strangers.

Do not need your help.

He was not chivalrous. The only woman he liked was his Aunt Nan, but he couldn’t let Lila get hurt. He’d known her since high school. So, he decided to play a little dirty. It was a game he played with women. Never serious. Never with women he knew personally.

Never.

He’d decided to bend his own rule some. After all, it was Vegas, and she was sexy as hell. What’s the worst that could happen?

He pulled her back against him and swayed in time with her hips, and to the beat and music that thrummed through both of them.

* *

Lila’s eyes widened when she felt Ryan against her. His hot breath on her ear. His hand splayed wide over her stomach as he moved easily, rocking his hips with hers.

What are you doing? She stammered as her pulse kicked up a notch. She’d known him forever, but his body was hard and big behind her. Her head swam, and she couldn’t help but grind against him. He was safe. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her.

And damn, he felt good.

He never answered her, so she assumed he didn’t hear her. She turned, and his honeyed eyes darkened to whiskey. They were glazed, lowered and looking at her like she was a tempting morsel he could sink his teeth into. Her breath stalled, and he slid his hand down to her ass. Cupping it, he pulled her full against his chest. His scent was intoxicating. Her hands trailed up over his broad shoulders. How had she never noticed how wide his shoulders were and how perfectly shaped his lips were?

What are you doing? She repeated.

A slow sensuous smile crept across his face. Not the grin or the smirk she was used to. It hit her and she couldn’t breathe. Holy hell…when had Ryan become so hot?

Saving your ass from strangers. His words were a mere caress across her cheek.

And you’re better?

You tell me? You were going to fuck someone. Would you rather it be a total stranger or me?

She swallowed. You don’t know that. But it was hard to concentrate when his lips were so close to hers. Their bodies still moved, and every nerve tingled. Her body molded itself to him, whether she wanted it to or not.

He chuckled. You couldn’t get Zak. You are mad. Drunk. In Vegas. You want to get laid. It’s written all over your face. In your every move. If you’d rather it be someone else, I’ll walk away.

She lifted her chin and glared at him. What makes you think you will do?

He stopped, cupped her head, and slanted his lips over hers. Sucking the air out of her. Drowning her in a hungry kiss meant to melt her panties right off. And damn if they weren’t wet. Never had she been the center of someone’s focus so fully. He was totally consumed with consuming her.

He broke their kiss, leaving just centimeters between them. What will it be?

His breath was heavy. She couldn’t breathe at all. Drunk she might be and somewhere her brain shouted a resounding NO, but her libido was jumping up and down like a kid in a candy store… Just one more lick!

This is so wrong, she murmured while her hand gripped the back of his neck. His skin was slick with sweat from their dancing and it only turned her on more.

His lips grazed across her cheek to her ear. So, is that a no?

It should be.

His low chuckle vibrated through her harder than the thump from the music, then his teeth bit below her ear followed by a lick.

Her knees gave out and she leaned fully against him. She gripped his hair and pulled his head back so she could fuse her mouth to his. He tasted so good. Too good. Beer and something decadent she shouldn’t be enjoying. Which was why she probably wanted more. She hooked one leg around his lean hips and groaned into his mouth. His arousal pressed precisely where she throbbed.

Ah, hell, Lil, we need to get out of here before I take you right here on the floor. She swayed when he released her but let him drag her out of the club.

What was that sound? Oh…she was laughing. No—giggling. She was in so much trouble. When they finally reached the right elevator, because Vegas was full of wrong elevators, she leaned against the cool metal. He leaned on the wall across from her. His head was low, his arms loose at his sides, legs braced wide, his dark sandy blond hair was mussed as always, but that intense stare never wavered. He wore a black pinstripe button down and slacks. He looked good enough to eat.

She panted. Damn him and his sexiness. She licked her lips and a muscle jumped in his jaw. People stepped in. Stepped out. They never moved as the elevator slowly made its way up. Heat spiraled out of control. Hell, she’d never felt like this. Giggly women stepped between them—he never even batted an eye in their direction.

She shoved at her hair. It had been curled and pretty for the wedding, but their dancing had it hanging in messy waves. She bit the inside of her lip when his gaze skated up and down her body and a blush crept up her neck. How damn long was this elevator ride anyway?

More people stepped off and she took two short steps toward him to stand between his wide stance. His hand cupped the back of her neck while she braced her hands on either side of him. She could drown in those damn whiskey-honey-colored eyes of his. How had she missed how warm and sexy they were? How had she missed how damn good his hands felt on her?

Even if it was only his thumb that rubbed up and down the back of her neck.

Finally, he muttered as the doors swooshed open on their floor. He grabbed her hand and made his way down the halls toward his room. It barely registered that they passed Zak’s room on the way. Not with Ryan’s big hand laced with hers. He flipped open his wallet for his keycard and paused. Are you sure?

Now he wants to a gentleman? When she was hot and bothered and wanted to feel his naked body against hers.

Yes…this was Ryan.

But right now, she didn’t give a shit.

She took the card from his hand, swiped it, clicked open the door, grabbed his shirt and hauled him inside. She pushed him against the door, untucked his shirt and fumbled with buttons.

"Skin. I need skin."

He popped buttons and peeled off his shirt. His hands shoved up into her hair as her hands explored his tanned and firm body. So damn firm.

Crack. You’re like cracker candy, she murmured as she kissed his chest.

His chest rumbled and she curled her arms around his neck and climbed up his body. Lips meeting lips. Chest to chest. His arm under her ass, he held her up and continued to devour her lips.

Consumed.

Such an apt way of describing what he was doing to her. They fell back on the bed and her world totally stopped.

Chapter 2

Lila was warm. Safe. Wrapped up in blankets and a pair of strong arms. She sighed as she slowly came awake. A dreamy smile curled her lips as her lids fluttered open. She rubbed her face against a bare chest and looked up.

She screamed and shoved him so hard he slid off the bed.

She scrambled off, wrapped a sheet around her—oh-my-gawd—naked form.

What the hell, a muffled male voice said before he stuck his head up over the bed.

This can’t be happening. She stared wide-eyed at the one man she never thought she’d ever wake up next to.

A wicked grin graced Ryan’s lips, his dark sandy blond hair adorably mussed.

Mornin’, Imp.

She gaped when he stood, his equally naked body on full view. She slapped a hand over her eyes and spun so her back was to him. Please, gawd, this can’t be happening.

His chuckle did nothing to calm her panic. Arms came around her and his warm breath tickled her ear. You said that already.

She swallowed hard. Her body reacted to his in so many delicious ways it made her choke. Bits and pieces of last night slipped into her mind and she gasped at her own brazenness.

She’d been drunk. He’d been tipsy. She’d been pissed and looking for an outlet. He’d been available. She squeezed her eyes shut.

Do you remember everything? His lips skimmed her neck, and she hissed in a breath.

Oh, cripes did she remember everything.

She jerked out of his arms. Yes. But this…this never happened. You understand.

She fled into the bathroom and slammed the door. With a hand on her forehead, she stared at her reflection in the hotel mirror. This was a thousand different ways of screwed up. She’d had sex with Ryan.

Hell had definitely frozen over.

A quick scan of the bathroom and she knew her clothes were on the other side of the door. With Ryan. A naked one. She groaned, closed the toilet lid and slumped on it. She had planned on waking up in a pair of arms.

Zak’s—not Ryan’s. Definitely not Ryan’s.

She’d been so frustrated and angry while Ryan had laughed his ass off. She forgot about that humiliation only to end up trading it for a new one. How had she ended up banging the biggest horndog in Nashville?

The guitarist for DirtSlap, Ryan Fennick.

She closed her eyes and swallowed. Time to face the ugly truth here. Ryan was a friend. Just a friend. Nothing more. She stood and put her hand on the door.

Are you decent?

Yup.

She opened the door a smidge and peeked out. He sat on the bed, a blanket over his hips. He went from the adorable friend to the hottest thing she’d ever seen. Muscles lined his arms, abs, and broad shoulders. Those perfect lips had felt just that against her skin. His body made hers hum. That signature smirk graced his face, but it was the searing intense look in his eyes from last night that was etched into her brain.

Friend, remember? Right.

He owned the boy-next-door look with his messy hair and always rumpled clothes. She’d always written him off as the joking prankster who paled next to Thrand, his best friend and drummer…and no one compared to tatted up Ethan.

Now? She knew just how many of those muscles would tense under her fingertips. How warm his skin was against hers. How incredibly nimble his fingers were.

Looking for these? Laughter danced in his light brown eyes as he lifted his hand, letting her thong dangle.

Heat hit her face and she almost tripped on the sheet as she snatched them. This is not funny.

Ah, come on. It’s pretty funny. He scratched his head, stretched his arms and yawned.

Do you have any idea how disastrous this is? I’m not one of your groupies, Ryan.

He yanked her down in his lap. I know. You’re Imp. And you didn’t make my junk shrivel with your pixie dusk. Quite the opposite, I believe.

Horrified, she smacked him on the arm as he laughed. He would bring that up. Ethan accused her of escaping Disneyland when she met him because she was so small. It had been a joke ever since. Oh, my gawd, I cannot believe you just said that. Can you be serious for five seconds? We can’t…this can’t—

He sighed and his large hand gripped her chin. Yes. I know. It stays here.

A horrible thought wormed in as she stared at his face. Had she hurt his feelings? No way. He leaned in closer, and she didn’t stop him when his lips kissed the corner of hers. They skimmed across her cheek and he hardened beneath her ass. A shiver slid down her spine. It took an extraordinary amount of restraint not to turn her lips to his.

No, he murmured against her ear. Your pixie dust is quite the enhancement.

Damn you. She scrambled off his lap as his laughter returned. She gathered up her clothes scattered around the room and stomped back into the bathroom to get dressed. She muttered every curse word she could think of as she yanked on her clothes, splashed water on her face and brushed her teeth with her finger. How she would love to blame all of this on him, but she distinctly remembered him giving her an out. Her answer? Hauling his ass inside his room and shoving him against the door.

Hell.

She stepped back into the room and planted her hands on her hips. Just so we are clear. This…didn’t happen. No one is to know.

He wore shorts and stood at the window. The Nevada sun blared in and only highlighted the fact he was working an awesome tan. He crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head. You’ve made that perfectly clear.

Lila shifted on her feet, mimicked him and crossed her arms. This was so damn awkward. Right.

Just one thing. He dropped his arms and advanced on her, but she held her ground and stared up at his smirking face when he stopped only inches from her.

What? she squeaked and damned her voice for betraying her nervousness.

I want one kiss before you walk out that door.

What? Why?

He shrugged. I didn’t plan this any more than you did.

Which explains perfectly why you want a kiss. Come on, we’re friends. Been friends for years. This screws up everything. I can’t—

His large hands framed her face. How come she’d never noticed how big his hands were? They engulfed her. He dropped his head.

One kiss won’t make a difference now, he said just before his lips met hers.

It was one