All Stars Fall

by Rachel Van Dyken

  Her lips parted. “I came here for a fresh start, you know.”

  I pulled my shirt over my head. “Oh yeah? So far so good, then?”

  She smirked. “Stop trying to distract me.”

  I dipped my fingers into the tub, flicking bubbles in her direction. “I bet this isn’t what you had in mind when you moved here, hmm?”

  She laughed. “More like…new scenery.”

  I dropped my jeans just as she took a sip of champagne and choked.

  “You all right?” I grinned.

  “Yeah,” she croaked. “Perfect. Great scenery.”

  I barked out a laugh. “Yeah, that’s what I was going for.”

  Her eyes raked over me like she was giddy to get to know every inch of my body better.

  I was done waiting.

  I still tasted her.

  I still felt her even though she was all wet and about to get wetter.

  I pulled my boxer briefs down and then very slowly crawled into the huge tub.

  She gaped like she’d never seen an aroused man before and then blushed like she was afraid I was going to pounce on her.

  Not far from the truth.

  Our legs slid against one another’s.

  I let out a little moan when she reached for my foot and started massaging. “So you like baths?”

  “If they all start like this and end with you in my bed, yeah, I fucking love baths.”

  She dropped my foot. “Now I feel like you were faking your sickness.”

  “Now I feel like I need to thank you for taking care of the kids, for being there for me, for being…unapologetically you.” I moved toward her, the water sloshing over the sides. I set her flute down on the side and covered her body with mine, my legs straddling her hips as I leaned in and stole a kiss, followed by another, and another, until she wrapped her arms around my neck and held on while our bodies slid against one another, bubbles moving away from the small waves, and then I was moving my right hand down her chest.

  “Made for my hands, aren’t they?” I said gruffly against her mouth as I weighed her breasts in my hands then moved back so I could get a better look, so I could memorize the way her nipples seemed to strain toward me. Mouth swollen, she waited with a hooded expression.

  “You all right?” I smiled as she gave her head a shake like she was under my spell.

  “No,” she said, shocking me, and then she licked her lips as she grabbed my hands and pressed them back against her breasts. “I think I need more attention, here, here…” She moved my hands down her body. “And definitely down there…”

  “So much for trying to go slow and be a gentleman.” I gripped her by the hips and slid my fingertips down her thigh.

  “You don’t have to be, not right now, not with me. I just want you to be you.”

  I smiled against her lips. “Just remember you asked for this.”

  “For wha—”

  I swallowed her shriek of pleasure as my fingers found her core, stretching her, flicking her sensitive flesh, demanding she come apart against me.

  “This.” I went deeper, softer, faster, slower. I pulled out all the stops and changed with every inflection of her moan, with every tense movement of her body. When her head fell back and she collapsed back into the water, muscles relaxed, I knew I would never forget the look on her face, wet pieces of hair sticking to her neck, lips slightly parted, eyes closed.

  Mine.

  “I’m not letting you go.” I kissed her with every ounce of passion I had, with relentless conviction that this was where my path had taken me, straight into this woman’s arms. And I was suddenly thankful I’d gone through hell, because I’d finally discovered that heaven was real.

  And it belonged to me.

  “Come on.” I held out my hand. “I’m not done with you yet, and the last thing we need is a flood in the bathroom.”

  “Flood?” She yawned.

  “Are you seriously yawning right now?” I laughed, wrapping a towel around her as she stood.

  “Sorry!” Her face flamed red. “It’s not you, I just, I can’t believe I just yawned. It was instinctual, you know like after you get the best orgasm of your life by a guy’s hand and suddenly go wow I’m so relaxed I could just dream of a few fingers for the rest of my life and die happy.”

  Shit, my grin got more and more permanent the more she talked. “You’re good for my ego, you know that?”

  “You almost made up for the ketchup on your shirt that first day,” she teased with a wink. “What’s this flood busin—Oh.” She stared down at the water then back up at me with wide eyes. “Was that from us?”

  “You,” I corrected. “Apparently you have trouble sitting still when someone’s trying to bring you past the brink of sanity over and over again.”

  She covered her face with one hand and held her towel up with another.

  I dried myself off, then ran her towel down her body and pried it from both of her hands.

  She seemed uncertain.

  “Are you on birth control?” I asked.

  “Y-yes.” She swayed toward me.

  “I’m clean. Sadly I had to double check since some dick was dipping itself into my ex-wife, but know, I would never…put you at risk for anything. And the only reason I ask is because I’m a single dad who had no intentions of finding anyone like you. Ever. Not just in Seaside, but ever. I also haven’t been with anyone, including the ex in years.” Tears filled her eyes. “So I don’t have condoms here. Besides, there’s something very wrong about storing condoms next to the Legos.”

  She burst out laughing.

  “What I’m saying…” I pulled her naked body into my arms. “…is this isn’t a one-time thing, this isn’t something I do. This means more, all right?”

  A smile broke across Penny’s face that made her glow, and she wrapped her arms around me. “And here every time I stared at your poster I imagined you as the guy who had a new girl every night.”

  “I knew you looked at my poster. It would make my day to know you circled my face with a heart and imagined what holding my hand would feel like.” I lifted her into the air and set her down.

  Penny laughed. “Sorry to say I didn’t heart your face, but I did wonder….”

  I waited.

  And waited.

  “Wonder?”

  “Mmmm…” She crooked her finger. “Not when I was a teen, but last year, when you guys had your tour and were at the Grammys…”

  Oh God, I knew where this was going.

  I couldn’t hide my smile if I tried.

  “And you wore those leather pants.” She slowly moved to her knees in front of my bed. “If all the rumors were true, that you have to literally tuck in order to perform in tight pants, plus those pictures went viral really fast.”

  “Some might say the hashtag bulge never had so much play.” I laughed, already painfully aroused.

  “Yup.” She popped the P and lowered her eyes.

  “Disappointed?”

  “More like, how are you going to make sure you don’t puncture a lung?” She gripped my length with her hand and moved.

  My hips jerked toward her. “Yeah, you shouldn’t do that to me if you don’t want me to toss you against the bed. Swear it will be the best five seconds of your life.”

  She released me and burst out laughing. “This isn’t how I thought it was going to be.”

  “So you thought about it?” I walked her backwards toward the bed.

  “Yeah, just don’t put that in your recommendation letter. ‘Nanny thought about Dad naked, often.’”

  “Often, hmm?”

  “Here.” She handed me a pillow. “Just get it over with.”

  “I’m not smothering you with a pillow.” I tossed it aside and lifted her onto the bed, my hands stilled on her hips. “Besides, I’m just as guilty. I knew I was fucked the minute I invited you into my house.”

  “It was the pot roast.” She nodded her head seriously.

  “It was
your heart,” I whispered, devouring her next words before she could utter them. “And your crazy beautiful smile.” I pulled away and then kissed down her neck. “It was the way you treated my kids.” I slammed my mouth against hers and positioned myself near her entrance. “It was you being you.”

  “Fresh start.” Our eyes met, time stopped. It was just us alone in the universe making love.

  Two people on separate paths, somehow drawn together by sheer luck I would never deserve or understand.

  “Fresh start,” she echoed, just as I slid into her body.

  I knew the first time would be fast between us. I was already halfway there when I wasn’t even touching her.

  “Next time…” I let out a groan. “Because you feel so damn good I don’t want to stop.”

  She dug her hands into my hair and pulled me down for a kiss as our bodies moved in sync, not once fighting but joining like it was the only thing they knew how to do really well.

  I had seconds left.

  I wanted to stretch them, I wanted to live in those seconds and concentrate on every single nerve ending was exploding with pleasure.

  I angled myself deeper, she nearly leaped off the bed beneath me, and I found the spot I wanted.

  “Oh, God.” A muffled cry escaped her as she thrashed in pleasure under me. I felt her release shudder through her body and followed, unable to keep myself away from it any longer, away from her. She felt too good, it felt too right.

  Panting, I flipped over onto my back and took her with me, still inside her, still feeling the aftershocks of our lovemaking.

  It was on the tip of my tongue, but I wasn’t the guy to confess love.

  I was that guy with Jo, and look how that turned out.

  Now I was cautious. And yet the words lingered on the tip of my tongue, to tell her that time didn’t matter. I’d known my ex for a long time before we got married and look how that had turned out.

  I knew Penny barely two weeks and already it felt different.

  Because it was.

  “Trevor?” She lay against my chest.

  “Hmm?”

  “I really like you.”

  “I really like you too.” I played with her hair and then kissed her bare shoulder. “A lot.”

  “Daaaaaaddy!” Malcom wailed.

  I’ve never had a woman jump off of me so fast.

  She gave me a look of horror.

  I grinned and just shook my head.

  Red faced, she tiptoed into the bathroom while I quickly wrapped a towel around my waist. “Coming.” I shrugged. “Duty calls.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Penelope

  “How are you not sleeping?” I cuddled next to Trevor while he scribbled down a few more lyrics. He looked dead sexy in black-rimmed glasses, completely naked, with the sheets falling dangerously low on his hips as he continued writing.

  “I’d be an idiot to sleep while you’re in my bed, plus I slept most of the day because of how crappy I was feeling, and now inspiration.” He grinned down at me. “You sleep, and I’ll wake you up when I’m done.”

  “What are you writing?” I leaned up on my elbow and covered up my yawn with my hand.

  “You,” was all he said.

  Stunned, I stared at him, waiting for him to elaborate, and when he didn’t, I cleared my throat.

  He grinned down at the notepad. “You inspired me.”

  “As in my boobs inspired you or something else?”

  He burst out laughing. “While I do find your boobs especially inspirational…” He leaned down and kissed the side of my mouth. “I’m afraid I’m a bit more obsessed with this.” He pressed his palm to the center of my chest. “And when I get obsessed, I write.”

  Tears filled my eyes. “You’re—you’re writing about me?”

  “You. Your heart. Your beautiful soul. Yes.”

  “Are you done?” I moved slowly.

  He scribbled something else down and studied the paper. “Why?”

  “Because I’m about ready to seduce you for saying those words, for writing a song—you do realize how sexy that is, right?”

  He shifted his gaze to me. “Yeah, I’m actually just writing my name over and over again. Took you long enough.”

  I tossed a pillow at him.

  He caught it and then caught me by the wrists and pinned me against the mattress. “I’m kidding, I really am writing about you. People like songs that have passion, and I’m feeling very passionate—about you.”

  “Keep saying things like that and you won’t get rid of me.” I used a teasing tone, but part of me didn’t want to tease.

  He drew out a long kiss against my lips and whispered into the night, “Good.”

  I fell asleep against him, the heat of his body almost as addicting as his kiss.

  I woke up with him wrapped around me.

  With a smile on my face.

  And contentment in my heart.

  Being with him had been different, a good different. It felt like we fit and for the first time in years it was like the universe was putting me back on the right path, with him. Maybe I left Cunningham Falls for him, for this.

  I knew I had to get up early to work, but I really, really wanted to stay in bed with him with the fireplace on.

  Grumbling, I got out of his massive bed and started putting my clothes back on from the night before. At least the walk of shame was only a few doors down.

  I smiled to myself and quickly ran to my room to get ready.

  An hour later, the house was still dark. I tiptoed back to the master and found him sitting up writing again.

  “Same song?”

  “Yeah.” He looked up and smiled. “You headed to work?”

  “Somebody has to make coffee in the shit hole.” I crossed my arms and gave him a little taunting look.

  He groaned. “I’m sorry, it just came out. I think I was exhausted and—sorry, there’s no excuse. It’s a really small coffee shop—that happens to have the best coffee in Seaside. Forgive me?”

  “You may need to earn more forgiveness.” I raised my eyebrows then shot him a suggestive smile. “Hard labor. I’m owed more nakedness, don’t you think?”

  “As much as you want.” He set his papers aside, stood, and slowly sauntered toward me. I knew he didn’t do it on purpose. He oozed sexuality, and now that we’d been together, it was impacting me so severely that my thighs were trembling and my body was already buzzing with awareness of what it felt like to have him inside me, to hold him tight and cling to him like he was my universe. “You know…” He tilted my chin toward him. “I’m this close to asking how much they pay you so I can double it and keep you in bed.”

  “Ah, but the world needs me.” I laughed. “Oh, and that’s prostitution, Trevor, so maybe let’s not get arrested today, okay?”

  He laughed. “Fine. I’ll see you at one?”

  “Want me to grab Subway for the kids or something?”

  “Sure, they’d love that.” He reached for his wallet on the nightstand.

  “Got my own money. I mean not millions like you but I can handle Subway.” I chuckled and pointed at his notebook on the bed. “Your payment is getting that song done so I can hear it.”

  “Deal.” He pressed a kiss to my mouth and then deepened it. God, his tongue was like velvet, how was that even possible?

  I moaned into his mouth.

  We broke apart, both of us out of breath.

  “Going,” I rasped. “Before I put my mouth—”

  He kissed me again, interlocking his fingers with mine, pressing me against the bedpost. “How much time do we have?”

  “Trev—” Oh, holy wow, okay, he had his hands in my leggings, already rolling them down my hips. “Maybe eight minutes.”

  “Mmm…” He flipped me around so I faced the bed post and thrust into me with one smooth movement that had me gasping for air. “The only way to start the morning.”

  “Except Folgers,” I joked, and then nearly collapsed
against him as I felt my release, quick and forceful.

  “We should start every morning like this,” he whispered against the crook of my neck.

  “Deal.” I drew a few deep breaths until I felt steadier.

  And was still catching my breath by the time I made it to the coffee shop. Dani stopped by to grab coffees for the guys since they were headed into the studio later.

  Just when I was about to leave my shift, a really pretty woman walked in.

  She had jet black hair, perfectly pouted lips, and a tan that I knew had to be real, it was so golden.

  “Wow.” She scrunched up her nose and looked around the place. The woman looked like a Brazilian supermodel with nothing but good genes running through her body. “How cute.”

  “Um…thanks?” I smiled even though something felt off about her. “Is there something I can get for you?”

  “Oh, sorry.” She looked anything but. “I’m looking for a Penelope or Penny?”

  I frowned. “That’s me.”

  She stared, and stared harder. “You’re kidding.”

  “Afraid not, what can I do for you?”

  Her smile grew to epic proportions. “Oh, honey.”

  “Oh, honey? What?”

  “You know—” She clasped her hands in front of her then turned on her heel. “Never mind, problem solved. Have a good day, Penelope. I know I will!”

  “’Kay.” I shook my head. Stupid actresses and models swarming the area to get a look at A list actors. I rolled my eyes and made myself a coffee, then ran to Subway to grab some sandwiches. I was about ten minutes late by the time I got to Trevor’s.

  A car I didn’t recognize was parked in front. Maybe one of the guys whose expensive car I hadn’t seen yet.

  This one was a nice red Maserati SUV.

  I’d stopped knocking on the door by day three, but when I went to open it, it was locked.

  Forced to knock, I set my things on the ground in front of me and did just that.

  The door swung open.

  Rude woman from the coffee shop stood there in her leather dress and black painted fingernails that matched her hair, bright red lipstick, perfect tan, and little booties hugging her what I imagined would be perfect feet. “Ah, the nanny’s here.”

  “That’s me,” I said through clenched teeth. “I’m sorry, but what are you doing here? Oh no! The kids!” I shoved past her, worry about the strange woman gone as I saw each of the kids sitting at the table eating pizza.