by Heather Lyn
“Auntie Stella, come dance!”
And with that, I push my boyfriend from my mind. Well, at least until I’m with him tonight.
I miss him.
§
Standing in front of my floor-length mirror, I take in my reflection, making sure I look good for tonight. I chose a pale shimmery pink dress, cut off midthigh in a floaty material, the top halter style. My long brown hair is wavy, and I went heavier on my makeup than I normally would, with a dark red lipstick and smoky eyes.
Stepping into my nude sky-high heels, I move to my vanity and spritz myself with Jace’s favorite perfume. Picking up the small clutch on my bed, I’m putting my essentials and the tube of lipstick I’m wearing into it when my doorbell chimes. Butterflies ripple through my stomach, and I rush to the front door. I haven’t seen Jace yet today, claiming I had a last-minute work thing so I could surprise him this afternoon with the party.
Pulling the front door open, I find Jace standing on my doorstep in a short-sleeved navy button-down, tight black dress slacks, and dress shoes to match. His hair is brushed back off his face, and he’s got the perfect amount of stubble like always.
“Holy fuck,” he breathes, stepping inside the living room.
“Happy birthday, Jace,” I whisper and press a soft kiss to his lips, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.
“You look fucking perfect. I’m the luckiest man in the world, Stella Cole.” His woodsy cologne surrounds us, and if it wasn’t for what’s waiting for him at the bar, I’d have his pants down in a heartbeat, but I force myself to keep control.
“Come on, birthday boy. We have somewhere to be.”
“Is it your bed?” he jokes, and I smirk.
“Tonight. And your bed.”
“Oh yeah?” He raises an eyebrow at me.
I laugh. “Yeah. And for the record, I’m not bringing anything with me to your house, so I hope you have something I can wear.”
Jace groans and holds the front door open for me, locking it behind us as we go. He helps me get into his car, and I settle my dress around me, nervous to see his reaction to the party. I have no idea if he’s gonna like what we’ve done.
Jace gets in and I direct him to Walker’s. For a moment he looks disappointed, shocked that’s all we’re doing, and I internally cheer. We got him, and my nerves are gone. He has no idea what we’re gonna be walking into.
When we pull into the parking lot, he strolls around the hood before coming to get me. Grabbing my left hand, he presses his lips to the back of it and gives me that smile I love so much. “Thank you, Stell. I’ve never really celebrated my birthday once I hit thirty, so dinner with my best girl and then her in my bed sounds like the best gift ever.”
He pulls the heavy wooden door open and ushers us inside. As soon as we step into the bar, we see that it’s pitch black, and I sense him whip his head around to me. “What the hell?”
“Shit, are they not open?” I ask him, the code for Brody, and suddenly the bar is lit up.
“Surprise! Happy birthday!” is shouted from all around.
Jace jumps back and I laugh, the look on his face one of complete shock and happiness. Turning his head to me he throws his head back and laughs, scooping me up in his arms.
“Thank you,” he whispers, and I kiss him hard.
“You’re welcome.”
Setting me down, he keeps a tight hold of my hand as he begins to greet and thank everyone. I see Garret on the other side of the room, and he raises his beer bottle at me. I nod at him with a smile, and his wife, Sadie, beams at me from beside him. I met them both last week when we doubled for dinner, and they’re such good people. Jace is just surrounded by goodness, and I’m so grateful to be part of it now.
I see Jules across the room grinning in excitement, so I tap Jace on the shoulder to give him a heads-up. Releasing my hand, he drops to a knee and holds his arms out. She races across the room to give him a huge hug, and he tosses her up in the air.
“Happy birthday, Jace! Auntie Stella invited me and my daddy. Are you surprised?”
“Yeah, sweetheart, I was pretty surprised. And I love the party dress. Very grown-up looking.”
She blushes, and Mason comes over to us, holding a hand out to Jace. He wishes him a happy birthday and kisses me on the cheek.
“You look beautiful, Stell. So much like Mom it’s not even funny.” He clears his throat and then heads over toward the bar. My eyes mist but I blink them away, pasting on my best smile. Mason and emotions are not two things that usually go hand in hand, and lately he’s been showing them an awful lot more often.
I know he’s happy for Jace and me, but deep down I think he’s scared he’s losing me. That it’s no longer just the three of us. I want so badly for Mason to find someone to settle down with, but he’s always focused on making Jules a priority.
“So, was this all your own doing?” Jace asks, breaking me out of my head.
“Nah, man. It was me too,” Drew says and gives Jace a hard hug. “Happy birthday, bro. Thirty-five looks good on you.”
“I know. You don’t have to remind me.”
Jace shoves Drew and they mess around. I just shake my head and walk over to the bar to get my own drink.
“Hey, Stella, what can we get you?” Brody asks, his arm around a gorgeous blonde with huge brown eyes.
“You got any Riesling back there?” I question, and he nods.
The blonde smiles at me. “Hi, I’m Lindsey, this idiot’s wife. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Lindsey, hi. Heard so many great things about you from Jace.”
Brody slides a wineglass toward me, and I take it with a smile. Looking around the room, I watch Jace interact with all his friends and family. As I take a sip of wine, I feel an arm come around my shoulders. Looking up, I find Clint standing there with a wide grin.
“My boy picked good. And great party, Stella. You and Drew got him real good.”
He doesn’t say any more, just turns around to get his own drink. I turn back to the party, music beginning to pump through the sound system. Drew and I spent a couple hours together on FaceTime the other night getting the music coordinated, making sure we added just the right amount of country to not annoy Jace but also satisfy our love for it.
Once Ed Sheeran starts singing about a castle, everyone starts dancing and having fun. I find Jace toward the back of the room. He holds an arm out to me, and I set my half-full glass down and walk over to him. Immediately he pulls me into his arms, and we start dancing, his face buried in my neck. I run my hand up and down his back as we sway to the music.
It’s only hours later, when the bar is filled with regular customers and his party begins to disperse, that I realize the smile never left his face all night. Drew and I pulled off our surprise, and it was worth every second.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
JACE
My girlfriend is the best. Honest to God.
Never in my life have I met someone so selfless and kind. So giving and loving.
Finding her on the other side of Walker’s, I can’t take my eyes off her as I watch her talk animatedly with Garret and Brody. Garret says something to her, and even over the noise in this place I can hear her laugh, that beautiful smile of hers lighting up the room. Taking a sip of my draft beer, I set the glass on the counter and turn to see Eli walking toward me.
“Hey, man,” he greets, holding a hand out to shake. “Sorry I’m late. Got stuck helping cover a shift today.”
“Ah, no worries. Happy you’re here.” Turning to the bar, I order Eli a beer, and when it’s ready, I hand it to him.
“So, do I finally get to meet this lady of yours tonight or what?”
“Yeah, she’s over there talking to Walker.” When I catch her eye, I wave. She turns to Garret and excuses herself before coming toward us.
“Hey,” she says to me, reaching up for a kiss.
“Stell, I want you to meet Eli Holt, the guy whose ass I have to escort everywher
e. Holt, this is my girl, Stella Cole.”
Stella holds her hand out, but Eli reaches down to hug her softly, and I smack his shoulder. “Watch it, man.”
“Oh, calm your tits. I’ve heard about this girl every single day for the last what, two and a half months?”
Stella blushes and I laugh, pulling her against my side. “It’s really nice to meet you, Eli,” she says. “Jace has told me wonderful things about you.”
“All lies,” he tells her, and she starts laughing.
“I don’t believe that. Thank you for coming tonight. It’s been great.”
“Stella!”
Hearing someone yell her name, we all turn to look behind us and I see Ashley, Stella’s best friend, come rushing over. I’ve only met her a handful of times, but she’s a really sweet girl. The two hug, and then Stella turns her toward us.
“Happy birthday, Jace.” She hugs me, and I thank her before she turns to Eli. “Hi. I’m Ashley Goodwin, this girl’s coworker and best friend.”
“Eli Holt. Nice to meet you, darlin’.”
The two begin a conversation, and I quickly realize that Stella and I are no longer part of it, the thought making me laugh. Looking at her, I motion toward the hall that holds the bathrooms, and she nods. Stepping into the dimly light area, I back her up toward the wall and gently cup her face.
“Did I ever thank you for tonight?” I ask, lips just barely grazing hers.
“I think you did, but feel free to again.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, and with that, I capture her mouth with mine, both of us grabbing on to the other, fighting for control. I wrap her arms around my neck so I can lift her, then push her back flush against the wall. She tightens her legs around my waist and gasps when I yank away, my lips finding her neck.
“Jace….”
“What, baby?”
“Take me home.”
No further words are needed, and I set her down on her feet, pressing one last kiss to her swollen mouth. Grabbing her hand, I walk us out of the bar, yelling goodbye to people as we rush out to my car. I stop her as she begins to round the hood and pull her to me, groaning when she runs her tongue along my bottom lip.
“Fuck,” I mumble, wishing like hell that the parking lot was empty so I could just take her on the hood of my car. Forcing myself to calm down, I help her get settled in my car and then get in, heading for home as quickly as I can. While we drive, Stella reaches out to rest her hand on my thigh, and I smile over at her.
After I pull into my driveway, we’re in the house in a matter of moments, both of us completely worked up. Dragging her into my bedroom, I kick the door shut, needing her in my bed now. Stella reaches out to unbutton my shirt, and when she gets to the last one, I push it off my shoulders, groaning when she drops to her knees in front of me, hands fumbling with my belt.
“Stell….” I start, but I don’t get another word out, my pants and boxer briefs pulled down my legs, her warm hand softly stroking my cock. She looks up at me with a smirk, and I swear my eyes roll to the back of my head when she takes me into her mouth. Watching the woman I’m falling in love with on her knees with my cock sliding between her lips is almost more than I can take.
“Fucking hell,” I groan, reaching down to softly grab the back of her head, guiding her up and down on my cock, her right hand reaching up to grab my stomach, my abs tightening under her nails. Her other hand jerks me in time with her mouth, and I know it’ll only be a matter of minutes before this will be over. “Babe, you gotta stop. I’m not blowing in your mouth.”
Pulling off with a pop, she uses her thumb to wipe the corner of her mouth, and I rush forward, picking her up and tossing her onto the bed. She laughs, and while I kick out of my pants, she shimmies out of her dress, leaving her lying in bed wearing just a pair of white lace panties.
“Jesus, you had on no bra all night?” I force out, crawling after her on the bed. Her laughter dies off when I hook my thumbs in her panties and yank them down her legs, immediately spreading her. She moans out my name when I use a thumb to tease her clit, carefully sliding my other inside her, stifling a growl when I feel how wet she is.
Bending over, I continue to slowly fuck her with my finger, using my tongue to trace fast lashes over her swollen clit, needing her to come so I can slide home. Her legs shake when I begin to suck, her hands clawing at the back of my head.
“Jace!”
Looking up her body, I watch her back arch as she tightens around my finger, moving my mouth in slow pulses so I can drag out her release as long as possible. It’s only when she pushes me away, her legs trembling, that I lean up and drag my hand over the back of my mouth.
“Fucking beautiful, baby.”
Reaching for my nightstand to get a condom, I tear it open and roll it down my cock before leaning down to take her lips with mine, biting down on her bottom one.
“What are you waiting for, birthday boy?”
“I’m waiting for you to ride my cock,” I tell her, leaning over to nip at her pert nipples. Her chest moves up and down on a shaky breath, and I flip us over, sitting up against the headboard.
Stella straddles my hips and I hold the back of her head, devouring her mouth as she begins to lower herself on me. We both moan into each other’s mouths, and I fight like hell not to come right away. Her pussy feels like fucking heaven, and I wrap my free arm around her waist, holding her close to me as she begins to move.
As she pants into my mouth, her hair falls around her face. I brush it back, using it as an anchor to hold onto as she slams up and down on me, her walls rippling around my cock.
“Holy fuck,” I grunt, sweat beading on my forehead. Pumping my hips from below, I reach down to gently rub her clit, and Stella cries out, hips jerking forward.
“Oh my God. I’m so close.”
Flipping us over, I wrap her legs around my waist and begin canting my hips, unable to get close enough into her, my bed creaking with each of my hard thrusts. Bending down, I don’t slow my movements, my face buried in the crook of her neck. Stella curls an arm around my neck, and I groan loudly.
“Touch me,” she pants, and I lean up to brush my thumb over her sweet spot, watching her body light up as soon as I do. I grip the top of the headboard with my other hand, white-knuckling it as I slam my hips into her, the only sounds in the room our hips slapping together and our loud moans.
“Fuck, Stell. I need you to come, baby. I’m right there.”
“Harder.”
Pushing down on her clit with my thumb, I change the angle of my thrusts and her back arches, her hand slamming up against the headboard. Her hips meet mine, and she tightens on me so much that she takes me with her, my orgasm hitting me like a freight train. Dropping my head to her chest, I groan out her name and bury myself to the hilt, hips jerking as I spill myself inside the condom. Our bodies tremble as I roll us to the side, my face buried in her sweaty neck.
“Jesus, Stell. That was….”
I kiss her roughly, and she smiles against my mouth.
“Happy birthday, Miller.”
I flip her back over, and we spend the rest of the night tangled up in each other, only stopping to sleep before waking to do it again.
Yeah. Best birthday ever.
§
Sitting in the patrol car, I drum my fingers on the wheel waiting for Holt to hurry up. He ran into our usual coffee shop to grab us some coffee, and I’m in desperate need of a caffeine boost. It’s been a couple weeks since my birthday, and I swear every work shift has been longer than the next. The only bright spot has been Stella.
Since my birthday, we’ve been practically inseparable. Tonight we’re going to dinner at Mason’s house, and I’m really looking forward to it. Jules will be there too, and I know we’re in for a good time. That girl is something else, and I find myself growing fonder of her every time I see her.
The sound of the passenger door opening has my hands stilling as Holt hands a cup of coffee to me.
He slides in next to me and tosses a white bag on the dash. Settling his coffee into the holder on his door, he reaches for the bag and offers me a donut. I shake my head at him and take a sip of coffee, the greatest thing hitting my taste buds. I look over at him and he laughs.
“Dude, I think you’re the only grown-ass man I know who gets excited when it’s pumpkin spice season.”
“No shame. It’s heaven.”
“I’ll just take your word for it.”
Turning out into traffic, we make our way toward our usual parking spot. I’m pulling into it when my cell phone starts ringing. Grabbing it off my belt, I check it to find an unknown number calling me. Raising an eyebrow, I swipe my thumb over the screen and answer.
“Jace Miller.”
“Jace, hey, man. It’s Matt Waterhouse, from Dark Roads.”
“Oh shit, hey, dude. How the hell you been?” Sipping my coffee, I can hear shouting in the background, but I try to focus on what he’s saying.
“Listen, I have your card from that incident at Walker’s last year, and I was hoping you were free for a bit? I need a favor.”
“Shoot, man.”
“So, I’m in Nashville. I needed some alone time, not that it matters. Anyway, our former manager, Lee, is here. Long story short, when his contract expired years ago, we never renewed it with him, and now he’s shown up unannounced, drunk as a motherfucking skunk and breaking shit in my house. I called you ’cause I knew you’d keep it quiet. I can’t handle the fucking scandal this would cause.”
“Yeah, give me the address, and me and my partner will head over.”
“Garret?”
“No, Eli Holt. Garret is a fancy-pants detective now.”
“No shit. Good for him.” Matt rattles off his address, and I know right where it is. I tell him we’re five minutes out, then hang up and hit the lights and sirens, racing into traffic.
“What’s that all about?” Eli asks, and I give him the short story of what happened at Brody’s.
He laughs out loud. “Who would have thought you and Garret would be caught up with a bunch of celebrities?”
