What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 9)

by Kristine Cayne

  She shrugged. “Stubborn pride. Depression. Fear. Rejection. Should I go on? My marriage with Frederic was never normal. I should have known from the start. He didn’t care to know about my family or my home life, and he never really spoke of his own. We were just two people working together who married on a whim.”

  They both stopped talking at the sound of the front door opening. “Blaine? Baby, it smells like bleach in here. Please tell me you didn’t go hurt yourself-” Randy stopped in the doorway, startled as his gaze went from Blaine to his sister. “Marsha! What are you doing here?”

  “You said you were worried about Blaine. I came to check on her.” Marsha jumped up defensively.

  “You aren’t avoiding Jackson? I have numerous texts from him, wondering if I’m letting you hide out again.”

  Ahh, so that was it. Blaine should have guessed. Marsha just needed a place to hide out.

  “Okay, that’s part of it. We had a fight earlier. A real one.” Marsha sighed, tears choking up her voice.

  Randy grunted. “Go home, Marsha. I’m not up to being the middle man tonight. It’s been a long day and I just can’t take any more drama.”

  “But…” Marsha trailed her voice off, her shoulders slumped.

  “I’m sorry. I’m always there to take your load off, but tonight just isn’t going to be one of those nights.”

  Randy’s sister actually had the nerve to turn to Blaine with a pleading stare. For once, the phone ringing was perfect timing and she shot out of bed to answer it, leaving the room for Randy to deal with his sister. Speaking of siblings, it was Jameson calling.

  “Hey! How did things go? How’s Melody?” she chirped into the phone, acting as if nothing was wrong. If she were lucky, Jameson hadn’t seen the latest. She could only hope.

  “Well, it was rough. Melody had a real hard time and she was on the verge of a panic attack. We might be here another day or two, but the worst might be over. Hey, I saw the news. Are you and Randy okay?”

  Damn. “So it’s national? Don’t they have better shit to report than a woman spending some time with a guy? I hope like hell the media isn’t this crappy to Baby Stetson.” Blaine’s hopes slipped.

  “You just be careful. How did this get out if Frederic is still in the hospital and not responsive?”

  “That’s the question I’ve been asking myself all day. I wonder if the woman who hit him is involved.”

  “I hate to think of you and Mom alone at the house.” Jameson’s tone was apologetic.

  “Mom’s at Chet’s and I’m at Randy’s. We’re both okay.”

  “Still. Be safe okay? We’ll be home as soon as possible.”

  “Jameson, take care of Melody. I’ll be fine here. You don’t have to worry so much.”

  “I’m your brother. I’m going to worry. I’ll let you go. See you soon.”

  “Okay. Give Melody a hug for me.” Just as Blaine hung up the phone, Marsha bolted from the room and out the door without another word, slamming the door. Randy stomped out of the room after, staring at the door with an angry scowl. Then the anger faded as he approached her. “I’m sorry if your day was crap because of all this-”

  Randy touched his fingers to her lips. “My day sucked because I couldn’t stay here to hold you. People talked, people looked, but I don’t care. You and I didn’t do anything wrong. Of course, the police questioned me. I’m surprised they didn’t talk to you.”

  “Oh, they did. It was after that I went on my cleaning OCD spree.” She sent him a sheepish grin. “They thought maybe we caught Frederic recording us and that we went after him.”

  “And then they realized the angle the recording came from was the opposite side of where they found us with him.” Randy nodded. “Much as I hate that bastard, I want him to wake the hell up so he can clear this up. I know I didn’t hurt him, but it would be nice to know who did so the cops can stay off our asses.”

  “Did they get you at work?” Anger churned in her gut at the image of the police showing up where Randy’s family was all ears.

  “Found me at lunch and I talked to them then. But my parents aren’t happy about the video.”

  With a sigh, Blaine squeezed her eyes shut and pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to think clearly.

  “Come here,” Randy pleaded. Still keeping her eyes shut, she felt his fingers gently wrap around her wrist. He pulled her close. Blaine rested her head against his chest, allowing Randy to hold her. His steady heartbeat thrummed in her ear. “When was the last time you ate? And why didn’t you answer your phone when I called earlier?”

  “I ate long before I took a nap. I’m sorry for going a little clean crazy in your house.”

  “Not that I don’t mind a good cleaning, but I wish you didn’t go doing things like that in such a manic phase. Did you overdo it?” His concern was touching.

  “I did overdo it a little,” Blaine admitted, still holding him close. Then her stomach growled. Very loud. “And I’m starving.”

  “Good thing I stopped and bought dinner.” Randy kissed the top of her head. “I even took a chance and brought you dessert, not even knowing if you still enjoy them any more.”

  Curious, Blaine raised her head to look at him. “What did you get?”

  “Nope. Not ruining the surprise. You and I have a dinner date first.” Oh, that sexy grin. It was contagious. Blaine couldn’t help but smile back.

  “Why are you so good to me?” she blurted. The heat rushed to her cheeks at the words. Did she really have to question it?

  “Because you deserve every bit of it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Close your eyes,” Randy requested. They’d finished dinner, and he picked up the plastic plates to toss in the trash. Standing in front of the fridge, he waited to see if Blaine would comply or come back with a smartass comment. “Do you trust me?”

  Blaine stared back at him for a second before she nodded.

  “Then close your eyes.”

  To his surprise, she closed her eyes. With a satisfied smirk, he opened the fridge and pulled out their dessert. When they were younger, Blaine used to love the homemade special sundaes at Trixie’s Treats, a candy shop/ice cream parlor nearby. He’d bet she hadn’t had one since she came back. In fact, he hardly ever saw her eat anything sweet any more. He wondered if that had to do with watching what she ate to keep a slim figure for dancing.

  “I’m going to kneel in front of you with something,” Randy warned. “Ready for your dessert?”

  She laid her hands flat on her knees, still keeping her eyes closed. “I’m ready,” she said, a smile spreading across her beautiful face.

  Randy placed the plastic container and spoon down on the table and sank to his knees. Before he picked up the sundae, he took Blaine’s hands in his, then brought her left hand to his mouth. He kissed each finger softly. “I bet no one told you how beautiful you are yet today.” He brushed his lips against her skin. If she’d been awake this morning when he’d left for work, he would have. He hated leaving without saying good morning, but she looked so content sleeping all curled up under his covers, he hated to wake her.

  She shivered, then shook her head. “You’d be right.”

  “That’s a shame. Know why?” He leaned closer, pressed his lips right up by her ear. “I’ll tell you why. You’re beautiful, Blaine Grant. I know we have a lot of craziness around us, but I’m lucky you’re here with me like this. I never thought it would happen.” Before she could say anything, he pressed his lips to hers. She reciprocated his kiss, taking it deeper.

  He pulled away when the kiss ended. “Keep those beautiful eyes closed and open your mouth.”

  “Mm…” Without any fuss, she complied.

  Randy wanted to kiss her again. Instead, he dipped the spoon into her sundae and slowly aimed it toward her. “Ready?” He didn’t give her time to answer. He slid the spoon between her slightly open lips, watching as they closed around the spoon.

  “Oh. My. God.” She
moaned. “I haven’t had one of these in years! They still have them! You remembered!”

  “You’re hard to forget,” he said quietly.

  “I want more!” She reached out her hands.

  “Let me.” He loved watching her lips work the spoon each time he fed her a bite. He gave her a few more. Each moan she let out turned him on, making his cock strain against his pants. He started to get uncomfortable in this position.

  “It’s been so long since I’ve had anything of the sweet nature,” Blaine said after another bite.

  “Can’t have them to keep a slim figure?” he asked.

  Her shoulders raised and fell. “Partly. Frederic pretty much snatched anything away from me that wasn’t to his liking.”

  Bastard. Controlling, rotten bastard!

  “I had to sneak things in when he wasn’t around.” Blaine cringed. “This sounds worse as I keep talking about him. You probably think-”

  To shut her up, Randy gave her another spoonful. “What I think is you lived through hell. You made a mistake. Sometimes, it happens. I think you’re an amazing woman.” He leaned forward and kissed her cold, slightly sticky lips. “Hmm. I also think you taste good.”

  She giggled. “The only way you get to taste more of that sundae is by kissing me. I’d better get every last drop in that container. Don’t you short me.”

  “Would I do a thing like that?”

  “Yes!” Her laughter continued.

  Randy scooped another spoonful out. “Mmm. This is soooooo goooooood.” He drew out the words.

  Blaine gasped and reached forward, trying to find the spoon.

  “You’re going to make a mess!” Randy held the spoon over her head. Blaine grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer, still keeping her eyes closed. He looked up as the chocolate dripped off the spoon and a few drops landed on her cheek. “Just like that.”

  “It’s your fault!” she protested.

  Before Blaine could clean it up, Randy leaned over and licked the chocolate off. He made sure to lick slowly, attempting to tease her a little. It worked. When he cleaned up every last drop, he smacked his lips together. “Yum! By the way, you lied.”

  “How did I lie?”

  He laughed. “You said the only way I was going to get to taste more of your sundae was by kissing you. I didn’t kiss you, and I still got some.”

  Her eyelids fluttered open as she narrowed her eyes. “That’s. Not. Fair,” she grumbled.

  “You’re just saying that because I was right.” He kissed her. “And you were wrong.” Picking up the container, he handed it over. “Take the rest. I have my own. I just wanted to surprise you.”

  “You definitely did. I could eat a ton of these and still want more. But I’ll have self control.”

  Still hard as a rock, Randy shifted and hurried to sit in the chair across from Blaine. He wanted her so damn bad. Watching her mouth wrap around the spoon each time she took a bite only added fuel to the fire. Her gaze darted his way, finally noticing he was watching her. She raised her eyebrows. The next bite she took was even slower, sexier and-.

  “Blaine, if you don’t quit teasing me, I’m going to tear that thing from your hands and drag you to my room,” he growled. “I’m trying to be a gentleman.”

  Eyes wide, she set down the container. “I’d like to see you try,” she taunted.

  He was up and out of that chair in no time. True to his word, the container was shoved out of the way and he took Blaine’s hands in his, pulling her to her feet. His arms slid around her, dragging her body up against his as he stared at her. “You did that on purpose,” he accused.

  “Maybe.” She wiggled in his arms, pressing her pelvis up against his cock.

  “That’s it!” With little warning, he swept her up in his arms and carried her out of the kitchen.

  “Hey!” Blaine protested, slipping her arms around his neck. “My sundae is going to melt!”

  “Should have thought about that before you taunted me.” He laughed as he rushed into his room and set Blaine down on his bed. “I’ll buy you as many as you want later.”

  “Works for me,” she said quietly. “I was getting distracted, anyway.”

  “Really? What distracted you?” He slipped out of his shoes, flicked on a light, then sat on the bed beside her.

  “More like who,” she corrected, leaning over to kiss his cheek. “He’s a really hot, sweet, amazing guy that I can’t believe had feelings for me all these years and never said a thing.”

  “Wanna know another secret?” Randy ran his index finger along her neck. “I kissed you before. You just never knew it was me.”

  “Umm…” Blaine’s eyebrows raised. “How the hell could that be possible?”

  “Summer before your senior year. I don’t remember whose party it was. There was that game about going into a closet and making out with someone. I wasn’t supposed to know it was you, but I accidentally saw you go in before the blindfold was put on. I wanted to tell you then it was me and how I felt. After we kissed, you called me by someone else’s name, a guy I knew had experience. Shy me chickened out. I left the closet as soon as I could.”

  Blaine’s lips formed an O. “Oh my- I freaking remember that! That was you?”

  He nodded. “That was me. The moment I’d been waiting for, and you called me by another name. Even though you had no idea it was me and never would … it kinda stung. I realized I didn’t stand a chance.” As a teenager, that day stood out in his mind a lot. He hadn’t been the same around Blaine since.

  “Oh Randy.” She shook her head. “Just so you know, the kiss that night … I felt your passion. I wish I’d known it was you. When we kissed, it felt like you took the time to give me back as much as you took. I guess I must have thought it was someone else because I knew Mark liked me at the time and I thought it was him trying to impress me. I guess that explains the distance the last year and a half I was home, huh?”

  “It was hard for be to be around you after that. I know. Pretty dumb. I was an idiotic teenager.”

  “No you weren’t. I didn’t see you that way back then, but I was two years older … I don’t know. But it’s not because I thought you were dorky. I always thought you were a good guy. Mysterious a bit, but I think that was due to your shyness.” Blaine sat up, cupping his face in her soft hands. “You’ve definitely come out of that shyness. Did the band and music help?”

  “I think it did. Took a long time though.”

  “I wish I’d been around to see the transformation. I love this side of you.” Blaine’s lips were inches from his. She closed the gap between them, giving him another sensual kiss. She moved her hands from his cheeks and slid them around his neck instead, pulling his head closer with a gentle ease as their tongues meshed in a deepening kiss that spun his whole world. He gently eased away from her, reaching for the hem of her shirt to raise it over her head.

  “I love every side of you.” He tossed her shirt on the floor, taking in the sight of her bare skin and the curve of her breasts still hidden beneath her sexy black bra. He longed to explore her with his fingers, touching every sensitive spot he could find on her body.

  “Every side?” she asked, sounding a little bewildered. She fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.

  “That’s right. Every side.” He kissed along her neck, up to her ear. “Right now, this side is driving me crazy with desire.”

  “I think we can do something about that.” Blaine’s well manicured nails drew invisible hearts on his bare chest. She stood, pulling him up with her. In silence, she unbuttoned his jeans. When they dropped to the floor around his ankles, Randy stepped out of them. Blaine was already out of her pants, now down to her panties and bra, and already in the process of removing those, too. His cock sprained free. He was eager to put his hands back on Blaine. He wanted her. He needed her.

  She seemed to struggle with her clasp, probably because the act of moving hands behind her hurt since she’d overworked herself earlier. He could
tell she was trying hard to hide it. Randy pulled her hands away and held them, guiding her to face him.

  “Are you in pain?” he asked, hoping she’d be honest.

  “A little, but I don’t want that to stop us. Please don’t make a big deal of it,” she pleaded.

  “Honey, I’m going to make a big deal out of any pain you have because I care.”

  “I want this, Randy.”

  No denying he did too, but Blaine’s comfort came first. “Tell me something. Have you gone to a doctor to make sure there’s no permanent damage? I don’t know … I keep thinking you should be okay by now. I worry that Frederic pushed you to work so much after the accident.”

  Blaine’s eyes got all misty.

  “Don’t look surprised that someone cares about you, Blaine. You know how I feel.”

  She threw herself in his arms, wrapping hers around him. He slid his around her. “I haven’t, but I promise I will.”

  “I’m holding you to it, okay?”

  She sniffed. “I will. No more talk about this tonight, though. I just want it to be you and I. Together, tangled up in each other’s arms.”

  “You drive a hard bargain.” Randy held her close.

  Blaine didn’t give him a chance to say anything else. She sank to her knees in front of him. “Last time we were together like this, you made it all about me. It’s my turn to make it about you.” Her hands found their way to his boxers and she pulled them down.

  He had an idea what she was about to do, and he wondered if it was possible to be even more turned on. She showed him it was very possible when the first flick of her tongue touched the tip of his cock. He hissed in response, loving the way it felt. He gripped her shoulders, not realizing at first just how hard until she flinched slightly, moving her head back. “Sorry.”

  “It’s all right,” she whispered before continuing. She stroked in gentle moves at first, teasing with her tongue at the same time. Randy’s entire body shuddered at every touch, every lick, every stroke. Blaine was killing him. Was it possible to die of extreme pleasure?