Another long inhalation and an even slower exhale before she divulged all, including her tender feelings for Jase and her distrust of him.
There were several moments of silence when she finished. Biting her lip, she peered between them, waiting for their verdict. Just when she thought neither would say anything, Sam launched out of her seat and hugged Fallon.
“Oh, my Gawd!” her Southern accent was thick. “My big brother is finally in love.”
“I’m glad he picked Scarlet and not one of his former bitches,” Omega piped in.
“Good point.” Sam nodded as she returned to her seat.
“First off, Fallon, I might not know Jase well, but I do know he doesn’t bullshit people. I learned that firsthand. The press knows it firsthand. I respect that about him, because you always know where you stand with him. He tells everyone like it is, straight-up, non-stop honesty, even when a lie or omission would be helpful, would be kinder to feelings, he still opts for the truth. He’s a family man, protected Sam even when he should’ve turned her over his knee and blistered her ass.”
“Hey!” Sam protested with a slap to his leg, and he blew her a raspberry.
“A blind man could see he’s into you big time. Pity too because you deserve better.”
“I don’t doubt he means what he says, Omega, but—”
“Honey….” he grasped her hand and squeezed, halting her argument. “Listen to yourself. If you love him and he loves you, there is no but. You’ve got to take a chance or you’ll regret it. You hearing me?”
Why’d it take Omega of all people to make her see things clearly?
It wasn’t Jase she’d been worried about, but allowing herself to take a chance on Jase emotionally. Hurting him had hurt her, wounded her in a way she’d never felt when she’d offended someone else. That was proof Jase was important to her, proof he already claimed a part of her heart.
“I hear you. I’ll apologize to him.”
“Uh uh. Don’t go getting crazy, girl.” Omega wagged his finger back and forth. A glint of devilry shone in his eyes. “You do exactly what I say, and he’ll be eating out of the palm of your hand—or the very least another part of your anatomy.”
Behind them, Rain choked on laughter, and a blush hit her cheeks.
“FYI, Scarlet,” Omega leaned back in his seat and crossed his ankle over his knee. He looked entirely too full of himself. “After I help you get your man, you are going to be my actress.”
“No sex scenes.”
“None.”
Fallon’s stomach gyrated with excitement and nervousness. “Deal.”
Jase lounged on the hotel bed flipping through channels on the TV so fast they were indiscriminate visual blips, with bleeps of random words. Nothing interested him. Not even the liquor he’d been consuming the past couple of days.
Wait! Was that his sister on television?
He reversed the channels back a few steps and sure enough there was Sam, Fallon and Omega on Celebrity Beef caught in the mundane act of shopping. Omega’s arm draped around his girl irritated the fuck outta him. Could she prefer Omega to him?
Jase palmed his face. He couldn’t think like that. She’d been in his bed two days ago after going to Omega’s party. If she wasn’t at least a little into him, she wouldn’t have allowed him to fuck her.
Goddamn his girl looked amazing in her jeans and tight fitting shirt. Like she always looked—fucking hot. Sam had done well introducing her to high quality, good-fitting clothing. Too bad Fallon wasn’t curled up in his arms right now. He would run his fingers through that glorious hair of hers and make love to her if he had half a chance. Those sweet memories with her haunted him as much as her expression when he professed his love.
The press touted Fallon as the new “darling” of rock star girlfriends. They loved her as much as he did. Even though he’d been avoiding her, she still spoke well of him.
Color me shocked.
Doesn’t matter, it’s for the press because she made it clear she doesn’t love me.
As much as it sucked, he could deal with that reality if she hadn’t been so upset by his affection for her. He ran his palm over his face.
What a complicated mess. All the women in the world who wanted him for his fame and money, but not the one he craved. Just his goddamn luck. It was sad that he’d take her even if she only wanted him for his money, but he couldn’t buy this one’s affections. Nah uh. His girl had too much pride for that bullshit.
He’d boozed it up at Keys’ house until his lead guitarist bitched, told him to “get off the fucking pity train”, go home and “fix this bullshit because Fallon is obviously hot for you, even though I don’t know why.” Hot for his body, but not for him. Yeah, she said nice things to reporters about him, but he was the father of her only child. To slander him further would’ve been counterproductive, even if the press would’ve loved the salacious scandal.
He’d vacated Keys’ residence, pretending to agree to go home, but instead he’d walked straight into a penthouse suite and overindulged some more. What Keys didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him, right? Eventually he’d find out, but none had caught on yet.
Tonight he was sober. Bad mistake because sober was overrated. Maybe he was a wee bit tired of waking up hugging the porcelain throne. Not to mention the all-day headaches and nausea that came with it. Overindulgence wasn’t always a good thing. Or maybe it was because the liquor hadn’t made him forget—not even once—that Fallon rejected his love.
His phone binged on the bedside table. He considered ignoring it, but decided a text could be disregarded after he read it.
Fallon: I need you.
His heart went into overdrive. He needed her too.
Could he have been wrong and she did care? Keys would be all ‘I told you so’ and Jase wouldn’t give a shit. He’d crawl through shit naked on his belly if it meant he could win Fallon’s heart.
Or…maybe her text related to Faith. That was the more likely reason.
Hopes dashed, he texted back.
Jase: Something wrong?
Fallon: Please come home.
Jase: Faith ok?
No response. He waited five and when he still received no reply, he texted her again.
Jase: FAITH OK?
Yeah, he shouted the question in his head too.
Immediate response.
Fallon: Come home.
Worried something was wrong with his daughter and she refused to deliver the bad news by text, he climbed out of bed and threw all his shit in his duffle bag. As he entered the elevator, he dialed Fallon’s cell. No response.
Motherfuck! His thumbs connected with the keys in a rough tap.
Jase: If I’m being played…
Fallon: Won’t know until you come home.
He was so being played. He just couldn’t figure out what she wanted. What was her purpose? At least his panic settled a little, because he guessed she wouldn’t be playing him if something were wrong with Faith. Curious why she’d reached out and dialed him, he made record time driving to his residence.
As he drove up the driveway, he realized it didn’t matter if she didn’t love him when the idea of seeing her and being with her excited him. He could be patient for her to mature into her emotions for him—that’d probably take a boatload of prayer, maybe even dabbling in voodoo or hoodoo, or some other wonky occult stuff that’d land his ass in hell, but at this stage he was willing to try anything.
She is worth waiting for.
He maneuvered through the house, but she was oddly missing from all the obvious locations…the kitchen, the nursery, her bedroom, and his. Odd. She’d asked him to come home, so where was she hiding?
Jase: Where are you?
Fallon: Game room.
He backtracked, seeing a slim beam of light coming from beneath the door. Expecting to see Fallon playing pool with Sam and Fang, he was surprised to discover only Fallon present. A pool stick was vertical in her grip, and she leaned on it a little. Hair musse
d, and a shocking amount of makeup for an evening at home, his focus locked on her red lipstick.
They look great wrapped around my cock.
Chastising himself for his lurid thoughts, he looked away and tried to convince his dick not to be interested. He failed. Of course.
The low-cut black blouse showed off her cleavage, and that jacked his desire even higher. What he wouldn’t give to have his mouth on her breasts again. The pair of designer blue jeans hugging her curvy hips in a snug fashion only increased his focus. Barefoot, toes painted a deep crimson, he wondered about the effort she’d put into her appearance.
Too much for a game of pool.
He lifted his hand and swiped hair behind his ear, as he glanced around the room. “Where’s everyone?”
“Helen’s tending to Faith tonight. Fang and Sam were humping pretty loudly earlier.”
“Gross.”
She grinned. “You’ve been avoiding me, Jase Collins.”
Not what he’d expected to hear. For a brief second he thought about lying, but that wasn’t his style. “I needed to clear my head too.”
“Don’t avoid me again.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he drawled slowly, liking the forceful glint in her eyes.
“Want to play a game?”
Pool wasn’t really on his agenda for the evening, but if it meant spending time with Fallon, he’d do pretty much anything to hang with her. “Sure.”
Since she’d already racked the balls, there was no need to set the game. “There are some rules to this particular game.”
Jase selected his favorite pool stick and began to chalk the tip. “Yeah? Like what?”
“When we sink a ball, the other has to answer a question. Any question. Honestly, of course.”
Unsure where this was going, he eyed her a long moment. “What happens when we miss?”
“We remove an item of clothing.”
His cock whacked his zipper, but he played it cool. He hoped. “Can I add a request?”
That was obviously unexpected because a cute little frown knitted grooves between her brows. “Okay. I guess.”
“When you miss, I want to remove your item of clothing. My choice which item goes.”
“All right. I get to do the same to you.”
Even uncertain where she went with this game, Jase liked his odds. Liked it a lot because it meant she wanted to remove his clothes.
Or maybe she’s playing along just to humor me.
Jase was so fucking tired of the devil on his shoulder. Wouldn’t give him a break! “You’re welcome to undress me anytime you want, darlin’, no need to ask.”
“Tease,” she said deadpan. “You breaking or me?”
“Me first.”
“I bet you say that to all women.”
He lined up his shot, and flicked her a glance. “In bed, I want you to go first. I like it when you come for me, darlin’.”
As he struck the cue ball, she said, “I like coming for you too, Jase.”
Thanks to her reply, he scratched. “You distracted me. That’s cheating.”
She grinned.
“I get a do over, Fallon.”
“Now who’s cheating?”
“I’m a winner, not a cheater.” He nabbed the cue ball and placed it into position. He took aim and his stick cracked against it, propelling it into the other balls. Two solids went into pockets. He caged Fallon with his hand on her jaw. The position of his grip mandated she look at him and meet his gaze. “Two balls went in. I get a question…you still my girl, Fallon?”
Her green eyes dilated. “If you’ll have me.”
He swiped his thumb across her lips. No residue of her lipstick was left on his digit, so he gave her a hard kiss.
“Until my dying breath, I’ll want you.” Breath escaped her lungs, and tears glittered in her eyes. “You were worried I’d feel different?”
“You don’t get two questions.” She sounded breathy even though she challenged him.
“Two balls went into the pockets. I’m entitled to two questions.”
“Yeah,” her voice shook. “I was worried. You were avoiding me.”
“I’m in love with you, Fallon. I can be upset with you and still love you. Still want you.”
“I’ve little experience with boyfriends, Jase.”
No idea how to respond to that, because he couldn’t understand why men hadn’t been knocking down her door, he motioned to the pool table and said, “Your shot. Make it count.”
“You got balls in, that means it’s still your turn.”
“I prefer going back and forth, if you don’t mind.”
Fallon shrugged, and tossed him a cocky grin. “Your loss.”
He bit back a grin. Cheeky girl had no idea how good of a player he was. He was no pool-shark like Sam, but he could hold his own. Her miscalculation of his abilities would be his gain.
She circled the table, eyeing the landscape. Despite her sexy getup, she really had no idea how much she appealed to him. How fucking sexy she was.
After a moment she leaned over the table and lined up her stick with the cue ball. He moved to stand behind her and whispered against her ear, “Want my help?”
“You trying to help me or help you?”
She turned her head enough she ran her lips along his jaw. He closed his eyes, loving the feel of her mouth on him.
“We don’t need a game for you to ask me questions.” He cradled a hip in his hand and right at the moment she took her shot, he slid his hand down to fondle her ass.
A breathy gasp as the cue ball went wide of the mark.
“Mmm….” He breathed the sound against the back of her neck and felt her shiver against him. “My choice of clothing.”
“You cheated again.”
There was no heat in her words so he knew she wasn’t really bitching. “You didn’t make it part of the rules, so everything is fair game.”
He set his pool stick aside and kept her trapped between him and the pool table.
“Should I start with these?” He unsnapped the button on her jeans and heard her sharp intake of breath. Pressing his lips against the back of her ear, he exhaled slowly and enjoyed another one of her breathy sighs. “Nah, I’d rather start small and work up to the bigger pleasures.”
Gripping the hem of her shirt, he quickly pulled it up and off, flinging it over his shoulder. The burgundy bra caught his attention and from her backside, it looked to be all lace. If he walked around this table and got a look at her from the front and he could see her nipples through the lace, he’d be done for.
His hand landed on the back of her neck, his fingers glided up along her scalp and he pulled her head back against his shoulder. His other hand palmed her abdomen, his thumb running back and forth along the line of flesh just above the top of her jeans. He held her like that for a few moments until her curiosity got the better of her, and her eyelids flicked upward.
“New rule. If I win the game, I get to make you come on this pool table.” I am so gonna win this game. Her eyes widened, but before she could speak, he released her, slapped her ass, and said, “My shot.”
He took care to keep his gaze off her. He couldn’t observe the bra until he sank the next ball. As planned the ball went into the pocket. Standing he looked at her, spied her tight nipples through the lace just as he’d expected, and slammed his fingers through his hair.
“You never shot this good before.” She considered him.
He chuckled at her sullen tone. “I’m no pool-shark like Sam, but I’m still better than most. Same man taught us both.” She elevated her eyebrows in a silent inquiry. “Our dad.” Jase moved closer, but kept his hands off her. He leaned a hip against the table and held her gaze. “Besides I didn’t take those other games seriously. Knew Sam would win either way. This was worth something. I’m sorry it’s not going the way you obviously wanted it.”
A grin twitched at the corner of her mouth. “Liar.”
He sidled closer and n
abbed her by the throat. “Truth is I want you naked, flat on your back on this table with my mouth on your cunt.” Her nostrils flared. “Truth is this game’s not needed. Got questions ask them! I’m an open book to you, Fallon. I’m yours however you want me. I’ll even walk away from the band to ditch the paparazzi for you and Faith if that’d make you happy.”
“I would never ask you to give up your dream.”
“Then allow me to finance yours.”
Regardless of his grip on her neck, she inched a little closer. He swished his thumb back and forth along her chin, pondering thoughts of ending this game right now with kisses.
“I don’t want to be a doctor. I have too much schooling left, and I’d miss too much of Faith’s life. Residency hours alone would devour my life.”
“We’ll make it work.”
Her green eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I don’t want to make it work. I don’t want that life anymore.”
He nodded. At least they were finally getting somewhere. “Okay. Whatever you want, darlin’, I aim to give it to you.”
“I took Omega’s offer to do his movie.” She watched him like she gauged his response. What’d she expect from him?
“If that’s what you want, what makes you happy, I support that too. But, darlin’, I won’t fucking like sharing you with the world.” His hand shifted, slid around to the back of her neck, and he pulled her to him. “I have no doubt you’ll take the world by storm.” He dipped his head, slid his nose along hers. “They’ll worship you like I do.”
Goddamn, she intoxicated him. He’d give her anything she wanted. Do anything for her. He was so in love with her, he wanted to deliver all her desires at her feet.
“I’m sorry.”
Huh? Confused, he retracted from her atmosphere and met her gaze. “For what?”
“Acting like an ass when you said you love me.”
“It’s history.”
“It’s not. I hurt you.”
He couldn’t deny he’d been hurt, so he pointed out something else. “You didn’t flinch when I said I love you a minute ago. It. Is. History. It’s done. I don’t want to talk it to death.”
Fallon tangled her fingers in his hair at his nape. She gave a little tug and his cock throbbed against his zipper. “You’re going to listen to me.”
Lost in the Beat Page 26
