Read Online All Smoke No Fire by Randi Alexander - Free Book Online

sure.
    His heart did a double-kick. “And I’m just as attracted to you.”
    She smiled, then it turned into a frown. “Need to get to the bathroom quick.”
    ****
    Marilou woke and turned her head to look at the digital numbers on the clock radio next to her bed. Pain shot through her brain and throbbed behind her eyeballs. Nine in the morning. “Damn.” Slowly turning her head the other way, she saw Dax lying next to her, his back turned toward her. Then the events of the night flooded back on her. What had she done?
    Easing the covers off, she looked down at her naked body, slung her legs over the side of the bed, then stood. The floor beneath her tilted and she reached down to steady herself. Tiptoeing to the bathroom, she closed the door, turned on the light, then stepped in the shower and let it hit her cold.
    It didn’t help the headache one bit. She turned the water to warm and let it cascade down her hair, down her body. Had she really thrown up on Bourbon Street? Murky images of the previous night played like a bad roadtrip movie. “Please don’t let anyone have recognized me.” She could just imagine pictures and video of her hurling ending up online.
    Before they went out the night before, when they sat eating at the table, Dax had asked questions about her manager, and it brought back every fear, every paranoia she’d harbored over the last three years since Bradley walked away from her. Mardi Gras night, he’d said goodbye and just left her at a bar. Bastard.
    Dax was a different person than Bradley. Both of them were great musicians, great songwriters, and would someday make a big name for themselves in country music. But Dax was a good guy, grounded and honest and humble.
    She stepped out of the shower and toweled off. So, why had she gone all crazy drunk bitch last night? Issues. She definitely had issues and she needed to make changes. She hadn’t seen her family in so long, they’d stopped contacting her, and that just wasn’t right.
    A quick knock sounded on the door. “You okay?” Dax’s voice sounded full of concern.
    “I’m good.” She wrapped the towel around her torso and opened the door, grabbing another one to wrap around her hair. “We’ve got to be downtown in less than an hour, so let’s get moving.” Turning to brush past him, she kept her gaze down, embarrassed about her behavior the night before.
    “Hey.” He took her shoulders and turned her to face him. “Are you okay?” His gaze landed on hers, soft and caring.
    Her heart thumped a couple times. Had she really told him she was attracted to him? What a dopey thing to say. “I’m hungover a bunch, and even more embarrassed.”
    One side of his mouth curved up. “Don’t be. Happens to everyone.”
    She wanted to kiss him, but she hadn’t brushed her teeth yet. “Thanks. I’ll be looking forward to you taking the next turn being the drunken barfer.”
    He chuckled. “We’ll put that on our to-do list.” Turning her toward the hallway, he patted her butt. “Let me shower and I’ll cook something to settle your stomach and make your head stop pounding.”
    “Sounds like a miracle breakfast.”

Chapter Seven
    Fifty minutes later, Marilou and Dax walked into the reception area of Delroy North’s offices in downtown New Orleans. His receptionist, a very young, very cute blonde, smiled bright as the noonday sun at Dax, ignoring Marilou completely. When he grinned back, Marilou had the urge to reach over the counter and smack her.
    Dax’s breakfast had been delicious, but her head still throbbed. Marilou cleared her throat. “Marilou Roselle to see Delroy North.”
    The girl’s gaze flew to Marilou’s. “Of course, Ms. Roselle. He’s waiting for you. Go right in.”
    Marilou pulled Dax aside. “Wait here for a few minutes. I want to talk about a couple issues before I bring you in to meet him.”
    “Sure.” He winked. “I’m not goin’ nowhere.”
    She loved that he thought to reassure her,