He was about to turn around, but, surprisingly, I called his name and he stopped, taking a glance over his shoulder. A million thoughts were running through my drunken head. One of them was to tell him thanks… just because. Another was to ask for a kiss. It was odd, but I just wanted to feel him. The last was to tell him to come into the shower with me.

“Yeah?” Gage called, turning around.



He remained quiet for a few seconds. Through the opaque glass, he was perfectly still. Unmoving. Then, slowly and still quiet, he pulled his shirt over his head. He unbuttoned his jeans, kicked off his shoes, slid out of his boxers and jeans, and then walked toward the shower. My heart raced with each step closer. It raced even more as he grabbed the handle of the shower door and slid it open.

He stepped in without looking at me and I stepped beneath the water, as if it were going to hide my naked body. I held the bar of soap against my chest and as soon as Gage slid the shower door shut behind him, his heavy hazel eyes met mine.

For the most part, we were quiet. It wasn’t awkward to stare because he had more than enough to stare at and keep me quiet. Although the features of his face were hard, his eyes were tranquil, admiring the naked aspects of my body. My eyes traveled from his face to his broad chest. There was a tattoo of a woman’s name right below his left collarbone, almost where his heart would be. The name was Chloe and was in a flowing script.

The dragon on his ribs was defined; the blue and black stood out most. A splash of orange came out of its mouth and its head was tilted up, as if it were burning his armpit. My eyes continued traveling southward until they got to the main attraction. He wasn’t soft. He was hard, probably harder than a rock. I had the urge to grab him, stroke him… maybe even get a taste of him, but I held off, suddenly realizing I was the reason he was getting turned on.

Gage finally made the first move. His actions were deliberate, but he was going for it. He cupped my face, taking the soap out of my hand, placing it down, and then pulling my lips to his and kissing me fiercely.

I drowned in his touch, my body sinking against his firm upper half. He swallowed my moans and his tongue ran over and slipped beneath mine. His panting increased, his whole body turned rigid. He then picked me up and I had no problem wrapping my legs around him. My back pressed against the cool shower wall, but our lips never parted.




This is the first of the Fire Nine series. First of all, I warn you, Gage and Eliza's story will not be wrapped up in this book. 

This is a Rock Star meets quiet solitary girl type of story.Eliza is a loner. She is an artist, has had a tragic past, has closed herself off and has trust issues. She is talked into going on tour with her Dad and the band he manages, Fire Nine. So now she has to spend more time with Gage Grendel, band lead singer and her High School crush. And that terrifies her.

There were only a few words that could describe him; hot, mouthwatering, and way out of my league. 

At first I had a little difficulty identifying with the main characters especially Gage. He was cocky, arrogant, man whorish and did not seem affected by much. But as they spend more time together, their chemistry is undeniable. But neither of them think they can or will do a relationship. They fight , they come back together, and blow apart. Somewhere along the way, I really started to like Gage. He began to show his feelings and emotions more. And there were a couple of scenes that made me swoon and one that literally ripped my heart out.

The times when I couldn't stand him , I'd tell myself repeatedly it's who he is. His ways--the sleeping around, flirting, partying, drinking and hurting girls...It was all him because it was the only way he could forget-the only way he wouldn't remember his past...

Eliza was a little hard to warm up to as well. Not only that she was  book wormish, a loner, and quiet. But her trust issues and limited sharing of feelings got annoying. It was up and down, back and forth, and once things seemed to start to settle down then something would happen to start it all again. But they grew on me and  got to the point that I really wanted Gage and her to figure out how to make it work.

They both have secrets that take them time to share so there are some mysteries and tragedies that slowly unravel. There is a lot of sexual tension and confusion of their status. Both have fears of what committing and not committing would mean. It became raw, emotional, and intense.

But a part of him changed somehow. It wasn't a complete change, but it was enough, and the saddest, most heart--wrenching part about it was the changes were made for me. The changes were made so he could love me. 

"I don't want this between us to die. I love it too much. I love you too damn much. I didn't think it was possible for me, but damn...It's un--fucking--believable...I know I can give you the world and more if you want it. I'll work hard to keep you happy. "

And it all came to a conclusion that ripped me to shreds and made me curse the author in pm after my beta read...she expects it from me. lol. But she was adamant that was how things needed to happen. And I have to admit that it really did make sense.

Book two in this series will be the continuation of Gage and Eliza's story and book three will be about the odd mysterious band member Roy. I loved the other band members the flirty Montana and Deeds redeemed himself with me too. And then there was the journalist Cal. So many men and so many potential stories to choose from for upcoming books.

Thanks to S.Q. Williams for allowing me to beta read this book for her and provide an honest review

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