by Anne Mercier
“Miserable.”
One side of his mouth quirks up. “Yep. Honestly, it wasn’t a bad job, just boring as fuck.”
And Jace Warner is anything but boring. I can’t imagine him sitting behind a desk in a suit and tie, day after day, crunching numbers.
“Trying to picture it?” he asks.
I nod.
“You had this fucked up look on your face. I figured that’s what you were doing.”
“You’re entirely too observant,” I tease.
“When I want to be.”
He stares at me with an intensity that should scare me but, instead, it thrills me. Maybe that weekend meant as much to him as it meant to me.
I turn away and resume eating. Whatever we’re doing here, it’s more than I bargained for. I didn’t want to get involved with him, no matter how much I cared for him. A rockstar life isn’t one I want to be a part of—but, then again, his and the bands’ lives sure are different from the one I imagined. They don’t have sex and drug parties. Not anymore, at least. I haven’t seen a single person in that house that didn’t belong there.
It makes me wonder how they get their chicks in, because I know they sure as hell do. There’s no denying that. First and foremost, they’re men, and young, virile men at that. They bang frequently. I guess it doesn’t matter how they get in and out, so long as Kadi’s shielded from that part of things. But with him in a suite with Kadi, how has he been scratching his itch and where.
Ugh. I don’t want to think about him with someone else, but it’s been months since we’ve been together. There’s no way he hasn’t been with someone else. No way in hell.
“That look isn’t good,” Jace says.
I slide my gaze over to his, apprehensive. I don’t want to know. Yes, I do. No, I don’t.
I just shrug.
“I can’t make it better if I don’t know what it is.”
I sigh. “I don’t need you to make it better.” I don’t. Really. I don’t want to know.
“I thought I told you no bullshit.”
He’s looking at me sternly, like he’s annoyed and pissed that I’m dodging.
“It doesn’t—”
“It does.”
I narrow my eyes.
“What?” he probes.
He’s not going to give up until I tell him. “You’re annoying.”
“I know. It’s a gift. Now tell me.”
I huff. “Fine. I was just thinking about the mansion, the girls, the partying…”
He lifts a brow.
“You.”
He nods. “That wasn’t so difficult.”
“No, but you don’t need to know my every thought.”
“When they involve you questioning me and my sex life, I do,” he tells me.
“Still, you don’t.”
“We’ll agree to disagree.”
“Fine,” I mutter.
“I’m not going to go into the setup the guys have. That’s not something I’m comfortable talking about just yet. After we’ve been together awhile, I’ll tell you all you want to know.”
“All right.”
“You want to know if I’ve fucked other women since that weekend,” he states matter-of-factly.
My top teeth pull my bottom lip into my mouth and I nod, feeling shy, apprehensive, and anxious.
He takes a drink of his beer and sets his fork on his plate. “Let me ask you something first.”
“Okay.” It makes me a little nervous, the way he asked, but I have nothing to hide.
He starts to peel the label off the brown bottle. His eyes slide over to look at me without turning his head as he asks, “Have you been with anyone since then?”
I should lie. I really should. But I’m not going to. I guess he’s about to find out what kind of girl I really am.
“No.”
He lets out a breath of relief. If he’d known me better, he would realize I don’t sleep around. There was just something about him that drew me in, and when we got behind closed doors, I felt safe, unashamed, almost free.
I can be myself with him and make no apologies for it. That’s what makes Jace Warner so dangerous.
“I wanted to,” he admits. “I’m a guy. I love sex. But even when the opportunity arose, I didn’t.”
I nod, drinking more water, hiding my small smile behind the bottle.
“I wanted you to call, Summer. I waited. The guys gave me shit for it, but I didn’t give a fuck. When you were in the shower one day, I nearly went in your purse and got your number off your phone,” he confesses.
“Seriously?”
He nods, still peeling the label. “There was something about you I didn’t want to let go of. I wanted to explore whatever it was that was—is—going on between us.”
“And I gave you my reasons why I didn’t. I did want to call. A lot. But…” I shrug.
“And now?”
I turn to look at him. “Now we’ll see what happens.”
This might be a mistake—the biggest of my life, because Jace has the power to shatter me. I know I’m going to fall completely in love with him. If I’m honest, I’m a little bit there already. I felt so much for him when I walked out of that hotel room that I cried for two days. I wanted him but I couldn’t have him.
Now I can.
But is the price going to be more than my heart can afford? Only time will tell, but this man—this Jace Warner I’m seeing now, I don’t think he’s going to hurt me. I think he might just be my happily ever after.
Take a chance, Summer.
I slowly lean forward and press my lips to his.
20
Jace
Thank Christ.
I kiss her back, gently, leaning forward so she can sit up straight and not strain her sore back. Then I deepen the kiss, sliding my tongue past her lips, meeting hers, warring with it until we’re both breathless and somehow she ended up on my lap.
“Are you too sore?” I ask. The entire surface of her back is black and blue with some yellow, green, and purple in there for good measure.
“I don’t think so,” she answers, breathlessly.
I lift her by cupping her ass, one cheek in each hand. Her legs wrap around my waist, her arms around my neck, her mouth on mine. I somehow manage to make it to the bedroom without bumping into anything—don’t ask me how. It was impossible to see straight with her pussy slammed up against my dick.
I ease her legs down and turn on the bedside lamp. I need to see her. All of her. I need to see her face when I touch her, when I taste her, when I’m inside her, but mostly when she comes. She’s so fucking beautiful when she comes.
I pull the tank top over her head and groan when those perfect tits appear. I drop to my knees and slowly pull her boy shorts down her legs.
“Um,” she begins and I look up.
“What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” I ask, immediately standing and cupping her cheek.
“No, it’s just been a couple days since I’ve showered,” she tells me, digging her toes into the carpet, her face flushing a pretty pink.
“Oh. Is that all?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not fresh, you know, down there.”
I bite my lip, trying not to laugh. She’s not going to be fresh when I’m finished with her either. She’s going to be well and truly mussed.
“Shower first, then,” I agree, pulling my shirt over my head.
I grab her hand and pull her into the bathroom. I turn on the shower, letting the water heat up before gesturing for her to go inside. I drop my pants and boxer briefs to the floor and step in behind her.
“Fuck, darlin’. Your back has to hurt like a motherfucker,” I say, stating the obvious.
“Is it that bad?” she asks.
“Let’s see what colors we have going on. Black. Blue. Purple. Red. Green. Yellow. Damn near a rainbow.”
“Yellow and green are the worst. Make me think of jaundice and gangrene.”
I laugh out loud.
<
br /> She smiles and shrugs. “It’s the truth.”
“I can see it now that you pointed it out. Let’s get you washed up.”
I can’t take her against the wall of the shower like I want to, so this is going to be about her even if my cock is hard enough to split wood.
I take her body wash and begin lightly, so very lightly running my hands over her back.
“You’ve got bruising on your ass and the back of your legs,” I tell her, seething at the motherfucker who dared to hurt this woman. My woman. Mine? Is that what I want? The thought doesn’t scare me like I’d expect it to. Instead, it makes me feel content. Happy.
Mine.
I kneel behind her, washing her legs, then sliding my hands up to that beautiful ass. My hands glide over her before I pull her cheeks apart, washing her, then kissing her ass cheek.
I urge her to turn around, and she does, tipping her head back beneath the water, wetting her long hair as she does.
I start at her feet.
“Remember that weekend, Summer? When I sucked on your toes?” My hands smooth over her ankles and calves, up to her thighs. Her breath catches.
“Spread your legs,” I command and she does. Her breathing is rapid and shallow. I love a turned on Summer Stephens. Mmm. I put my hand between her thighs, thoroughly washing her pussy, slipping my fingers between the lips, causing her to moan. I dip one finger inside, just the tip and her breath catches again, a sure sign Summer’s all worked up.
“Remember when I fingered you in that diner? When you came, you had to bite my shoulder to stop from making any noise. Then we fucked in the alley behind the building, right up against that brick wall,” I remind her, my cock getting harder with each memory.
“But that wasn’t enough, was it?” I ask. She moans. “Was it?” I prod, wanting to hear her voice full of arousal.
“No,” she breathes.
“No what?”
“No, it wasn’t enough.”
“Damn right it wasn’t. We made it back to the room and you rode me until you came three fucking times. God damn that was hot, Summer. Watching you lose yourself in it, letting go and just feeling and taking and giving. But that last orgasm, it did me in. You didn’t make any noise. Your mouth opened in a silent scream and you threw your head back, your entire fucking body shuddering over mine, your pussy clamping down hard on my cock so I had no choice but to come with you.”
“Jesus, Jace.”
“Mmm,” I hum, standing up, sliding my hands up her abdomen to those fucking amazing tits. Yeah, I’m a boob man and Summer’s got one of the best racks I’ve ever seen. Her tits are praiseworthy. No shit.
“It’s taking all my control not to fuck you right here, right now, but I’m not going to cause you any more pain. So, I’m going to do this,” I tell her as I slip two fingers into her pussy. She lets out a moan. “You need to stay still and let me do the work, darlin’. We don’t need you tweaking your back. Let’s turn this on.” I reach up and put her shower on a gentle pulse and she groans.
“My fucking back is killing me,” she admits. Right there is a bit of the Summer I remember. The one who swears and lets go and holds nothing back.
“Let the hot water help for now. I’ll get you off and you’ll really be relaxed,” I tell her, moving my fingers in and out of her wet pussy. “Damn, Summer. Your pussy is so hot and wet. It’s not going to take you long to come. I guess I’ll have to fuck you missionary with the heating pad on your back.” I grind the heel of my hand against her clit and she moves.
“Hold still.”
“I’m trying, damn it. I need more, Jace,” she pleads.
“Not yet. You need a few more minutes under the hot water.” I lean in to bite her inner thigh, then glide my tongue up her slit, sucking on her clit. She shudders.
“Yeah, baby, just like that. Just take what I give you. You know I’ll get you there. I want to see if you taste as good as I remember.”
“Jace,” she breathes.
I can’t take much more so I get to work, fingering her pussy, curling my fingers at just the right angle to have her moaning long and loud. I lick her clit with the flat of my tongue, then tease it with the tip.
She forgets for a minute and moves, crying out in pain.
“You okay?” I ask.
She nods fast. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”
I chuckle. I love her like this. “Stay still and I’ll let you come. Can you stay still?”
“Yes, yes.”
“If you move, I won’t let you come. You’ll have to wait,” I tell her, not wanting her to hurt herself again. I don’t want to hurt her either. Hearing her in any type of pain hurts me. I want to go beat the fuck out of that fucker.
I find the rhythm again then suck on her clit and she loses it. She grabs my hand, jamming my fingers in hard, so fucking hard I’m afraid I’m going to hurt her.
“God damn, you’re so fucking sexy. Come for me, Summer. Let go.”
“I just… ah, there…” Then she cries out my name, so I ease back on her clit, licking instead of sucking, letting her get maximum pleasure without pain. She rides the wave, her head back, her tits thrust out. I swear I’m about to come just from looking at her.
I stand up when she leans against the shower wall, easing my fingers from her, then licking them. Oh yeah. She tastes just as fucking amazing as I remember, if not better. Tasting release on my fingers has cum leaking from my cock.
“Son of a bitch,” I mutter, stroking my cock, fucking my fist as I look at my wet dream come to life. “You’re so god damn sexy, I need to come. I can’t hold back.”
She wraps her hand around mine and that’s all she wrote. I come with a growl, as my entire body shakes as my cum shoots against her belly. Seeing my cum on her has me coming harder. It goes on for what feels like forever before I can breathe again.
“That was so incredibly hot,” she tells me and I let out a breathless chuckle. I’m glad she thinks so. At least now I won’t have to worry about coming the minute I’m inside of her. This should take the edge off. Should. But with Summer there are no guarantees.
We both wash our hair, she conditions hers. I rinse and step from the shower, grabbing a towel from the towel bar. I quickly dry off, then wrap the towel around my waist, before grabbing two from the cabinet beneath the sink.
She steps from the shower looking like a fucking goddess.
“You’re so beautiful, Summer.”
She laughs it off. “I look like complete shit.”
“Darlin’, on your worst day you look better than most people on their best,” I tell her honestly.
I dry her body, then towel dry her hair before doing that crazy turban thing chicks do with their hair.
“Let’s go finish our food. Then I’m going to fuck you all night long.”
Her eyes widen, desire shining in them. “I could eat.”
“Before we do…” I trail off as we head to the kitchen.
“What is it?” she asks, sounding worried.
“It’s nothing to worry about. I was just thinking. We’re gonna try this thing, me and you. That means no fucking anyone but each other,” I say, looking at her for affirmation.
She narrows her eyes. “No doing anything with anyone but each other.”
“That’s a given, darlin’.”
She makes a sound of annoyance that has me getting hard. Again. This woman. What is it about her?
“I’ve never fucked without a condom. Yeah, I had it break once, but, uh, I was Sydney’s first and she was mine. What I mean to say is, I’m clean. I’ve never gone without protection but if you’re okay with it and protected on your end, do you think we could skip the condom?” I sound like a nervous schoolboy about to get his first piece of ass. I seriously handled that badly. I turn away and put her plate of food in the microwave.
“I’ve never done that. Ever,” she admits.
“What do you think?”
“I’m on the pill so I’m
safe, and I’m clean.” She bites her lip, contemplating doing something she’s never done. Doing something that’s almost taboo in today’s society. But she wants to. I can see it.
I step in front of her, using my index finger to stop her from biting her lip, then rub that lip. “Do you want to feel me come inside you, Summer?”
Her lips part, her tongue darting out to lick my finger.
“You’re such a naughty thing. I fucking love that about you.” I don’t ask again. This is up to her. Ultimately her decision to make and I won’t pressure her into it.
The microwave dings and I urge her to take her seat. I set her plate in front of her then put mine in to heat up. I reach into the fridge for two bottles of water.
“Jace,” she says softly.
“Yeah, darlin’,” I answer, as I stand up straight and turn to her.
“I want that. To feel you inside me bare.”
I set the water bottles down and grip the counter hard.
“You get me so fucking hard and turned on just being you, that when you say shit like that I could come from your words,” I admit.
“That goes both ways.”
The microwave dings again. I grab my food and sit next to her.
“Let’s eat up. We’re going to need the energy.”
Summer goes to dry her hair while I clean up the dishes and put the food away. When I get to the bedroom she’s lying in the middle of the bed with her knees bent and her legs spread.
That’s one invitation I can’t resist.
“Did you take some pain reliever?” I ask.
“Mhmm, and I’ve got the heating pad on my back. Thank you for that suggestion the other day. It’s the only thing that’s managed to loosen up my muscles and alleviate some of the ache.”
“Happy to help, darlin’,” I say, then drop my towel to the floor. I crawl right up the middle of the bed and rest between her legs. “But, if I hurt you in any way, I expect you to tell me.”
“I doubt you’re going to hurt me.”
“No, not while you’re less than one hundred percent. We’ll revisit the topic when you’re feeling better. I think you like that little bit of pain,” I tell her, grinding my cock against her bare pussy. “Remember how wet you got when I spanked you?”
