My UnTrue Love (A Kinda Fairytale #7)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

From that day forth, night after night,

He howled up at the sky,

Music ‘til the dawn of light,

Then he’d break down to cr y .

Lyrics from the folk song “Crossroads Coyote”

Clem entered the TV station and a whole lot of eyes widened. Bill figured she’d better get used to eliciting stares. Not many women walked around with a prowling coyote on either side of her.

Luke was stuck to Clem like glue, glaring at people as if he expected one of them to grab his new sister-in-law away at any minute. Nobody was that dumb. The kid seemed more menacing by the hour. The savage part of Luke had skipped all the initial growing pains, secure in Clem’s love. That just seemed to make the coyote mature into its animal-cunning faster than normal, though.

It was a mean son of a bitch.

Anyone could see it peering out of those spooky brown eyes. Waiting. …Unless you were Clementine. She saw nothing but sweetness in the boy. And Luke’s monstrous coyote was gentle as a lamb with its momma. Everyone else was just a threat or a meal. Folks tripped all over themselves to get out of the boy’s way.

Bill liked to think his own behavior was a mite subtler. After all, there was nothing wrong with a man holding his wife’s hand as they walked together. And if he happened to have his other arm slung around her shoulder, it was a harmless gesture. So long as nobody threatened Clementine, they had no reason to worry about his eyes scanning them.

Ranger O’Rourke looked alarmed when he spotted the three of them approaching. Mamie had played up Bill’s support of women in the music industry, so maybe Ranger thought he’d be softer. More smiley and blond. A Sir Galahad type. He was unpleasantly surprised by Bill’s hard edges and flat stare.

The longtime TV star was a short man who favored pure white suits and plenty of rhinestones. His gray eyebrows soared when he saw Bill prowl across the studio in jeans and the only shirt he owned that hadn’t been incinerated. Clem had bought it for him thirty minutes before. It was blue.

Red River Valley had opened its doors to the residents of the Westward Arms. Johnny had been right: Dynamite was a big story, especially when it was wielded by a disgraced musician. None of the residents had died, but a lot of them were now forced from their homes. Fundraising was already breaking records.

Bill didn’t mind using his particular talents for Good. Real quiet and indirect, he made sure Vulture Valente and the local news stations got lots of info on the families most in need, so they’d get help. No sense in letting Johnny’s selfish insanity ruin lives. Clem had a fondness for their neighbors, and he liked to make her happy. They were still on for bowling with the witches.

“Well.” Ranger cleared his throat, his eyes darting from Bill to Luke and then settling on Clem. “I suppose I owe you some thanks, for helping my little girl. When I think of what that demented arsonist could have done to Mamie…”

“No.” Clementine rushed to say. “You don’t owe us any thanks.” She squeezed the man’s arm in solidarity. Luke and Bill both winced at the unnecessary touching. “We were glad to help Mamie. She’s a wonderful person and Johnny was…” Clem trailed off and a smidgen of sadness crossed her face. “Well, he fooled us all, didn’t he?”

Bill gave her a sideways hug.

She’d told him that she would never forgive Johnny Jacobs, but a part of her mourned John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt. “Johnny killed him.” She’d whispered. “And that boy was my friend once.”

Bill supposed it helped Clem to separate the teenage Johnny from the man who’d tried to rape and kill her. He could understand that well enough. Whatever she needed to do to put it all behind her was fine by him.

Ranger seemed relieved to have a sweet little blonde to talk to, rather than two taciturn coyotes. “I’m just glad it all worked out and you folks are here.” He waved a proud hand towards the stage. “What do you think?”

“It’s wonderful!” Clem enthused. “Just how it looks on TV.”

Home on the Range remained popular because it was simple. Just a wooden stage and a microphone. It was up to the musicians to keep the audience’s attention. Some could. Some couldn’t. The ones who could were elevated to bigger and better things. The ones who couldn’t made absolute fools of themselves on an international scale.

An uneasy feeling twisted Bill’s gut.

He’d never experienced stage-fright until now. But his music career had never seemed real until now. It left him feeling antsy and exposed. There were a bunch of cameras all pointed at the stage, ready to capture his smallest mistake and amplify it to the world.

“Shit.” Luke muttered from beside him. “Better you than me.”

Bill slanted him a glower.

The kid’s mouth quirked upward.

“Now, as I’m sure Mamie told you, this is a last-minute slot I had open up.” Ranger went on. “The other guests have had all week to practice. We let people perform whatever they want, so long as it’s family-friendly. But the other folks have lighting and costumes and backup musicians to help them with their acts. Bill won’t have any of that.”

“Bill can play anything.” Clementine said confidently. “All he needs is a chance and good acoustics.”

That wasn’t all he needed. Bill glanced down at his wife. Not at all.

She grinned back up at him, brimming with confidence.

When Clem was with him, nothing else mattered. Not even the potential of humiliating himself on live TV. And one surefire way to humiliate himself was to be a guitar player playing with no guitar. His got smashed on Johnny’s dumb ass, so something would have to be done.

Fast.

Bill leaned closer to Luke, as Ranger pontificated at Clem about the lauded history of his television show. “How’d you like to acquire me a new instrument?”

“You mean steal you one?”

“I mean steal me one.”

“Sure.” Luke lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug. “Gimme a half hour.”

Bill decided he could get accustomed to having a little brother. They came in real handy. He reached over to ruffle Luke’s hair in appreciation. “That’s my boy! Steal yourself a nice raise in your allowance, while you’re at it.”

Luke swatted him away, but he was trying not to smile. His killer coyote must be taking to Bill, too.

Bill’s own mouth curved. Yeah, he could get used to the kid.

While Luke went off to shop for a new guitar, Bill and Clem were ushered into the “green room,” which wasn’t at all green. It was beige and boxy, with a sofa and no windows.

“The show will start in about forty minutes.” The production assistant told them. “You go on in the second half. Just hang out here, until we take you to makeup. Try and relax.” She shut the door behind her, already rushing off to do something more important.

Huh.

Bill eyed the door. It had a lock on it. While forty minutes wasn’t near enough time to do all the relaxing things that suddenly came to mind, it was the perfect amount of time to do at least one of them.

He settled onto the couch, his gaze on his wife.

Clem looked his way.

Bill watched her with heavy eyes.

Clem blinked.

Bill smiled.

“Absolutely not!” She said breathlessly.

Bill’s smile deepened, seeing the flush on her cheeks and the brightness of her eyes. Yes siree, this was a real fine idea, if he did say so himself.

“No!” She insisted, but she was grinning. “We can’t have sex in here. What if someone comes looking for us?”

“Well, I can’t go on TV in this condition, darlin’.” He helplessly gestured to the growing bulge in his jeans. “You heard Ranger. Home on the Range is a family show.” He unzipped his pants. “You’re my manager. Come make this better for me.”

She glanced to his erection, then to the door, then back to him. She chewed her lower lip, and he could scent her arousal. “It’s a very mischievous idea, Bill. Even for you.”

“You like my darker side.”

“I do. I like all your sides. But…”

“Come here, Clementine.” It was an order. “Don’t make me come over there and get you.”

Her eyes widened with interest. She liked to do as she was told. …At least when it was just what she wanted to do, anyway. “Oh fine .” She engaged the lock and moved to straddle his lap, her knees on the sofa cushions. “Just a little bit, though.”

“A little bit?”

“We’re not technically having sex. No way are we going all the way.”

He chuckled. “Alright.” His fingers slid under her skirt. “How about you do something else for me?”

“Name it.”

“You let me come in your mouth.” He wanted that glorious smile all wrapped around him. “I’ve been dreaming about that for months.”

“You have?” Her lips parted in surprised pleasure, and it was the sweetest thing he ever saw. “I’ve never technically done that before.”

Bill rocked her against him, unable to stop himself. “Technically?” He repeated with a frown. “Darlin’, you know I love to talk to you about everything. But we should probably not discuss those technicalities, unless you want some fella dead.”

“I have not technically performed oral sex.” She assured him with great precision. “Muses are supposed to be naturally gifted at it, though. All the smut books say so.”

“Show me.” He grabbed a pillow and tossed it onto the floor to protect her knees.

“Just a little bit.” She warned and slid off his lap. “So you can relax before your show.” She knelt between his legs, green eyes aglow with curiosity.

“Now, you don’t need to take all of it.” Bill warned, petting her hair. “Just do what feels comfortable. I don’t want you to be… Holy shit! ”

Clem’s lips encircled him and every verbal thought was erased from his mind. It was just heat and want and mine . Primal, wild instincts from the most base parts of him. A howl of satisfaction threatened to break free of his throat and his hips left the sofa, wanting to be deeper in her suckling mouth.

Smut books had not oversold the promise of sexual bliss. Muses were the most talented species to ever walk the planet. They deserved to be carried around in parades and draped in rose petals. There should be lyrical odes written about them. Monuments should be erected in their honor.

Or maybe Bill just adored his muse so much that every touch felt extraordinary to him.

However the hell you wanted to explain it, he was wrecked from the first stroke of her tongue. “My God . Just like that.” His hands tangled in her spiraling curls. “Just like that, Clem. You’re the most perfect girl in the whole world.”

His angelic bride liked praise. She made a contented sound, enjoying his enjoyment.

His head fell back in ecstasy, colors and magic swirling in his mind like a song. “My wife.” He rasped. “You just keep doing what you’re doing. You know exactly what your husband likes.”

A knock sounded at the door. “We’re ready for you in makeup, Mr. Pecos.” Someone shouted.

Clem hesitated, like she was considering pulling away.

“Don’t stop.” Bill held her still, ready to beg. “Just a little bit more. Please. I need it.” He froze when he heard what he’d said.

Big green eyes lifted to his.

“I need it.” He repeated over the pounding of his very-real heart. “I need you , Clem. So much.”

Her expression softened, knowing what that admission cost him. Clementine sucked him deeper, swallowing against his girth, and that was all it took.

Bill exploded. He was pretty sure he blacked out from the force of it. His lungs nearly gave out from the struggle to hold back his roar of pleasure. It was the longest, most rapturous orgasm of his life.

Before he could fully recover, Clem’s arms were around him and she was climbing into his lap. “Bill, you don’t need to worry.” She hugged him tight. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He buried his face in her hair, breathing in her scent. “I just…” He struggled to find oxygen. “It’s hard for me to need anyone. It makes me feel…”

“Vulnerable.” She finished, when he trailed off.

He gave another jerky nod and knew he was now wide open to disaster. There wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. He was already laid bare, so he kept going. “I need you so much , Clem. I couldn’t survive on my own. I wouldn’t want to. I need you with me forever.”

She pulled back to meet his eyes. “ That’s why you married me?”

“I married you because…” He shrugged. “I’m helplessly, hopelessly in love with you.”

She gasped, as if that was somehow shocking news.

“Have you not seen all the insane shit I do so that you’ll notice me?” His pulse pounded in his ears. “Please try to love me back. Please, Clem.”

“I already love you! Haven’t you noticed all the insane shit I do so you’ll notice me? ”

He blinked.

Her smile was wide and glowing. “Oh, I feel much better about pushing you into marriage now. I knew we were supposed to be together. I was right the whole time!”

Happiness suffused him, driving out the fear. His coyote was all but twining around her legs in pleasure. “You didn’t push me into that wedding.” He got out, cupping her cheek. “It was my brilliant idea.”

“You seriously think that? How adorable.”

“It’s true.”

“Our relationship is all my doing. That’s what’s true. I gave you lots of scaffolding to grow into the idea of us as a couple, while I slowly enticed you.” She counted off her victories on her fingers. “I enticed you into marriage, I enticed you into bed, and then I enticed you into giving me your heart. It’s so obvious.”

“ I was the one doing the enticing.”

“Why in the world would you believe that?” She rolled her eyes. “Good Lord, Bill. It’s lucky I’m here to keep you safe. You’re too naive to be left on your own.”

“I stole you, fair and square.” He was damn sure of that. “I’m a coyote.”

“And I’m a muse. When I chase a cowboy, I catch him.”

Maybe they were both right.

“I was caught by you from the instant you smiled at me.” Bill let out an unsteady breath, shocked at how easy this was. “You love me?” He repeated again, still trying to wrap his head around it. “Even though I’m not your True Love.”

“You’re the one hung up on the idea of fated mates being important. Choice is what’s important to me. And I will choose you, a million times over.”

“But what if some other fella shows up and he’s perfect for you?”

“ You’re perfect for me.”

Bill sighed at her very patient tone. “I know you’re thinking I’m some kinda sensitive, emotional artist, because I’m worried about your True Love. But that’s not it a’tall.”

She made an amused sound. “It’s not?”

“I just…” He rested his forehead against hers. “I just wish I was the one destined for you.”

She kissed him lightly. “You are the one I was destined for, silly.”

Burying his face in the curve of her throat, he hugged her tight. “You are the very best part of me, Clementine. Don’t ever leave me.”

“I won’t.” She ran a hand over the back of his neck. “…I do also care about your career, though. So, go on and let the nice makeup people fix you up, before your show. I got you all mussed.” She fiddled with his hair.

Bill wasn’t sure whether to be exasperated or joyful. He kissed her, his arousal already returning. His va-va-voom vixen had that effect on him. “First, tell me one more time.” He whispered against her lips.

“I love you.” She laid a palm against his chest. “You never have to worry about needing me, because I need you back just as much.”

“I won’t ever leave you, either.” He promised thickly. “I am enticed for good. There’s no place else I ever wanna be.” Clem’s body was pressed tight against his. Rubbing. Restless. His hand slipped under her skirt, quickly dispensing with her underwear. He gave an appreciative groan when he felt how wet she was. “Oh, you do need me, don’t you, baby?”

She nodded, biting her lip.

Bill was a hard worker. You could ask any of his numerous bosses, before they fired him. He wasn’t one to let a job go unfinished. “I’ll have to take care of that, right now.”

“But the makeup people! Do you have time?”

“I always have time for my wife.” His thumb started rubbing in a spot he knew she enjoyed. “Whenever you need something, you just come to me and I’ll take care of it.”

Clem’s breath came out in tiny pants. “I just need a little bit.” She decided. “I’m not technically going to have sex with you, right now.”

“‘Course not. Why, you’re a Good girl.” Bill adjusted his legs, parting her hot channel with the tip of himself. It felt like the heaven he was too Bad to ever see. “Just a little bit?” He barely nudged into her, lavishing her neck with an open mouth kiss. “How’s that?”

“Good…” But she was already squirming on his lap. She didn’t want Good. She wanted Bad. They both knew it.

“Clementine, if you keep on doing that, I’m gonna actually be inside of you.”

Her dazed eyes met his.

He arched a brow. “Technically, I’m just barely in there. We can stay right like this for a real long time.”

She made a dismayed sound.

He chuckled, enjoying the game. “Only one more inch.” He warned sternly. “Otherwise this is gonna start counting as sex. And I know you don’t want that.”

“Right. I don’t… oh .” Her eyes fluttered closed, as he surged just a bit deeper into her tight heat. Yes!”

His hands ran over her, hating to see the bruises that Johnny had left. Wishing he could erase them all. He settled for replacing her pain with pleasure.

“ Bill .”

When she said his name, it was like a shot of adrenaline. Lightning in his blood. She tried to sink down even lower on him, but he wouldn’t let her. Instead, he gave her glorious ass a playful swat. “Ornery girl.”

She stopped with a moan of delight, her head falling against his shoulder. She liked that. He thought she might.

Bill caught a gentle handful of her curls, lifting her head so he could kiss her. Her mouth parted for his, frantic and delicious. His hand slid under her blouse to palm one of her magnificent breasts.

Clem’s hips instinctively began moving. “ More .”

“We’d technically be having sex, if I gave you anymore.”

“I know.”

“In a semi-public place.”

“I know .”

“It’d be real Bad of us, darlin’.”

“I need it. I need everything. Please, please, please.”

He gave up even trying to play. He was too far gone. He yanked her down, so she was fully embedded on him. This time, he fit in a lot easier. Clementine gave a muffled shriek, her body already accepting the invasion. He snarled in desperate lust. And then it was just a quick, hard frenzy. Laughter and whispers and choked sounds of pleasure. Clem riding him with her head thrown back. It was the closest he’d ever felt to anyone in his whole life.

Completion.

Home.

Clem.

Something happened inside of him that he couldn’t fully explain. He just knew a door between himself and his muse had been blown right off the hinges. Whatever her magic did, it fit seamlessly with Bill’s talent. There was no telling where one started and the other stopped. A beautiful, continuous wave of music washed over him, filling his mind and soul.

He fucking loved it.

Clem felt it happen, too. She gasped, looking awed. “My God… You just let me all the way inside of you.”

“I’m inside of you, too.” He ground out. “In every way I can get.”

“I know. It’s incredible. You are incredible.” Emotions and ideas were flowing back and forth between them, so he could feel her happiness. Her pride in him. Her endless love.

Her scalding, throbbing, passionate need.

Oh shit …

He roared out his release, dragging Clem right over the edge with him. He relished the long, wet pulls of her body as she stiffened in his arms and then finally collapsed onto his chest.

Bill cuddled her close. “I love you. I want you. I need you.” He punctuated each declaration with a kiss on her face. “My wife.”

Clem melted into his hold. “I think we found the eleven percent that was missing from our sex.” She murmured.

“I’ve moved up from the eighty-nine percentile?”

“One hundred percent perfect.” She met his rapturous gaze. “Because you gave me all of you, with no fear or holding back. I told you: When you give all of yourself, you achieve art.”

Bill frowned, thinking that over.

“Makeup, Mr. Pecos!” Some woman yelled from outside the door, sounding a little desperate.

“Those PA people will have coronaries, if you don’t hurry.” She ran a thumb over his mouth.

He pretended to bite it and she giggled. “I’m going.” He smoothed a hand over her hair, reluctant to leave. He wanted to touch her forever. “You’ll stand in the wings, right?”

“I have a seat in the audience.”

“I want you closer. I want to know you’re there.” When she wasn’t watching him, he didn’t even exist.

“I will be in the wings, then. Supporting you. But you’re the one on the stage. It’s your music that will reach people.” She stared into his eyes. “Just this once, let yourself be vulnerable when you perform. Play like it’s all or nothing.”

He started at the phrase.

“You give me your all, every day.” Clem went on gravely. “I see it. Now, I’m asking you to give you your all. Give your music your all. Have faith in yourself and you won’t regret it, no matter what happens. Because you’ll have played with your whole heart.”

He drank in her scent, feeling inspiration like a live wire inside of his chest. He wanted to play. To release all the music in his head, with no thought about whether or not it was good enough. No care about feeling too exposed. Just let it all free.

But only with his wife.

The idea of opening himself up to anyone but Clementine still made him uncomfortable. He automatically shied away from it.

“You are my heart.” He whispered.

“Play a song for me, then. Forget everyone else is there. Play the song for you and me, the very best you can.”

Bill slowly nodded. He’d never played with any part of his heart before. Until Clem, he didn’t even have one. But he could play for her. He could only play for her. That suddenly made the idea possible. If Clementine was his audience, he would put on the performance of his life.

“Alright.” He agreed quietly. “I’ll go out there and give it my all.”

“Thank you.” She beamed her spectacular smile. Like his promise was just as wonderful as any triumph on stage. To Clem, he was already the biggest star in the world. Nothing would ever change it. She believed in him and always would, because she loved him.

That worked for Bill just fine.