Reckless
Reckless
Book Four in the Nashville Nights Series
Cheryl Douglas
Copyright © Cheryl Douglas
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, including photocopying, graphic, electronic, mechanical, taping, recording, sharing, or by any information retrieval system without the express written permission of the author and / or publisher. Exceptions include brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Persons, places and other entities represented in this book are deemed to be fictitious. They are not intended to represent actual places or entities currently or previously in existence or any person living or dead. This work is the product of the author’s imagination.
Any and all inquiries to the author of this book should be directed to:
Reckless © 2012 Cheryl Douglas
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“
Shameless
has wonderfully flawed characters that have to fight to get back what they lost, but when they get it right, it is absolutely fantastic.”
Cocktails and Books
“
Shameless
is a sensual story packed full of passion, temptation, and forbidden love.”
For the Love of Reading
“
Shameless
drew me in heart and soul from the very first page to the satisfying conclusion after the final page was turned. Those wanting an emotional roller coaster ride, climb on board and add this one to your bookshelf.”
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“There were times throughout
Shameless
where I was actually overcome with emotion. It made me cry and smile, and sometimes gasp or laugh out loud; a piece of art that couldn’t have come at a better time. Simply a must read. I give this book a solid five stars!”
Read2Review
“The flow of this story
(Fearless)
was perfect. I cannot wait for the 3
rd
installment.”
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“I really adore all of the characters in this series.”
Autumn Review
Two Years Earlier
Avery Collins sipped a glass of expensive champagne while cursing the inner voice that told her the clock was ticking. She told herself that a self-assured woman wouldn’t care about the archaic ritual of a midnight kiss to usher in the new year, but the prospect of standing alone in the midst of happy couples was too appalling to ignore.
Someone bumped into her from behind, causing her champagne to spill over the edge of the flute and coat her hand with the sticky substance. She turned around, prepared to admonish the careless drunk, but the face staring back at her robbed her of the power of speech.
She worked with good-looking men every day, but most of the guys she met were model perfect, with manicured nails and expensive haircuts. This man was too rugged looking to be a model. His black hair was too long, curling over his collar. His dark skin had deep-set laugh lines that bespoke of too much time outdoors. He was big and burly, not at all like the shredded types she usually favored. But there was something about those gray-blue eyes that drew her in and wouldn’t let go.
“I’m sorry.” He grinned, revealing a flash of straight, white teeth. “Let me help you with that.”
He took the cocktail napkin out of her hand and began dabbing at the spilled liquid.
She felt the rush of sexual awareness straight to her core. “I, uh, that’s okay. You don’t have to do that.”
His eyes lingered on her lips a moment too long, letting her know the attraction was mutual. “It’s the least I can do.” He inclined his head toward a group of men standing behind him. “I’m afraid my buddies can’t hold their liquor.”
For the first time, she noticed the men standing behind him taking her in with blatant interest.
“Truth is, they knew I was interested in you, but I told ‘em you were way outta my league.” He winked. “I guess they thought they’d take matters into their own hands and see that we met.”
She smiled, charmed by his honesty. She was accustomed to dealing with men who were aggressive and used to getting what they wanted. Someone who was humble and unassuming was a refreshing change.
He held out his hand. “Ty McCall.”
As she accepted his outstretched hand, she noticed the slight abrasion of calluses. He was definitely blue collar, not blue blood, and even that was intriguing to her after her last disastrous relationship with a man rich and powerful enough to have his choice of women. Unfortunately, he chose someone else.
“Avery Collins. It’s nice to meet you, Ty.”
“Don’t suppose you’d want to step outside, would you? I don’t know about you, but I sure could use a breath of fresh air.”
She enjoyed listening to him talk. That deep baritone coupled with the southern drawl made her toes curl inside her uncomfortable designer shoes. “Sure, why not.”
“Can I get your coat?” His hot gaze passed over her from head to toe, taking in her backless black cocktail dress before lingering on her black and silver stilettos. “I sure wouldn’t want ya to catch a chill.”
She reached into her evening bag and retrieved the ticket for the makeshift coat check Jimmy had set up for the evening. Most nights, Jimmy’s Bar was host to Nashville’s up and coming country music artists, but every New Year’s Eve they hosted a party that drew the who’s who from the local music scene.
He reached for the ticket. “Be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
She sighed as she shamelessly watched his very fine derrière walking away.
Josh Cooper, a friend of not one, but two of her ex-boyfriends, looped an arm around her neck. “Is that the man of the hour?”
She looked up at him and smiled. “With a little luck.”
Josh laughed. “I thought you’d sworn off musicians?”
She knew Ty was too good to be true. “That figures. A musician, huh?”
Josh nodded. “You didn’t know?”
“No way. I wouldn’t have wasted my time had I known.”
“He’s a singer, good too. Me and some of my old friends from the station usually stop by Friday nights for a beer. Ty and his band are usually performing.”
“Huh, that’s too bad. That he’s a musician, I mean.”
“He’s a good guy.”
Avery watched the coat check girl flirt with Ty as he retrieved her cashmere wrap. “How do you know?”
“His older brother Derek is a good friend of mine.”
“How old is Ty?”
Josh shrugged. “I don’t know. Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, I guess.”
“Great. Five years younger than me.”
Josh kissed her cheek. “Please, you’re gorgeous and you know it. Age is just a number, darlin’.”
“Whatever. Listen, I’m gonna get my wrap and hit the road, Josh. I’ve gotta fly to L.A. early in the morning.”
“On New Year’s Day?”
She smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “My family’s on my case ‘cause I couldn’t make it home for Christmas, so I thought I’d pay them a visit before things ramp up again. Happy New Year, sweetie.”
He inclined his head toward Ty, who was still talking to the girl at the coat check. “I think you should give him a chance, Avery. Ty’s one of the good guys.”
Avery rolled her eyes. “You probably would’ve said the same thing about Trey and Luc and look how well that turned out.”
Josh chuckled. “They are good guys, hon.”
“Yeah, too bad for me they were both in love with other women, right?”
Josh gave her a brotherly hug. “You’ll find the right one. You just gotta be patient.”
She patted his back. “I’ll take your word for it. See you later.”
“Have a safe flight.”
“Will do. See you when I get back.”
Avery stopped to talk to a few acquaintances as she made her way to the coat check. “Sorry to interrupt, but I have to head out now. I’ve got an early flight in the morning.” She offered Ty her hand. “It was nice meeting you.”