He quickly outlined Mitch’s options for dealing with the press. Sally figured their son had the most at risk, so rather than joining in, she watched the other three strategize.
“Why so quiet, babe? You’ve got a stake in this, too.”
Jack’s question gave her pause. “What do you mean? What you all think best for Carlos works for me.”
He leaned forward, crowding her space. “Don’t turn your back on this situation. You’ll be as much an object of curiosity as our son.”
****
Sally’s expression tightened as Jack’s words hit home. His hope for a future with her dropped into a dark place at the pit of his stomach. He could kick himself for stupidity, but the truth couldn’t be hidden. She’d have seen the obvious for herself. He should have kept his mouth shut.
Carlos and Abby jumped into the silence, debating which of their choices would be least invasive. After a surprisingly short discussion, the group found consensus. They would issue a statement through Mitch’s office.
“Cool.” Carlos winked at him. “I can sell my story to the tabloids and add on to the coffee house. I’ll be set for life.”
“You’re already set for life. You have me,” Abby said.
“You’re right about that,” he answered.
Jack caught Sally’s gaze. “You raised a smart ass.”
“Not really. He inherited sarcasm from you. I simply tutored him, honing his natural talent to what you see before you today.”
“I’m so proud.” He’d tried for a joking tone, but his ears told him he’d failed.
Carlos bowed from the waist, grinning. “It’s all in the genes. I but useth my birthright to maketh my family proud.”
Jack felt his pulse jump. Carlos joked, but this seemed like a real family moment. Coming together and facing difficulty, followed by laughter. Guess he should thank whoever leaked the story. Nah. They were still assholes.
“Anyone hungry? Want me to order a room service meal? Beer and wine are on ice. I asked Mitch to lay in your favorites. Should be veggies and fruit in the fridge.”
Carlos took drink orders. Abby looked for the food, plates, and napkins. Sally watched them bustle, a melancholy look on her face.
He lifted his eyebrows and nodded at the empty space beside him on the couch. She slid next to him. Once he put his arm around her, pulling her closer, he knew he’d been given a precious gift. He hoped she hadn’t changed her mind about sleeping with him. If she had, he’d make damn sure she reconsidered.
“They look good together, don’t they?” he asked. “The way they work in sync, you’d think they’d been married for years.”
Sally placed her hand on his chest, rubbing lightly. She snuggled closer. “I didn’t think I’d ever say this to you, but you’ve been good for Carlos.” She lowered her voice. “Good for me, too.”
His pulse quickened. He whispered in her ear. “I’d make everything even better for you if you’d let me.”
Her hand stilled. She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “Why don’t we take life minute by minute, okay? We’re here together. Let’s enjoy our time.”
He placed his hand over hers, pressing it against his chest. “My heart is yours.”
“Thank you,” she said, “for the precious gift.”
He released her hand to take the beer Carlos offered. Sally’s tremulous answer told him more than her words had. She cared for him. If he’d had an extra hand, he’d have made it into a fist and punched the sky.
They chatted about the concert. Sally related funny stories from the band’s early days, when they’d played small gigs and weren’t always appreciated. He’d forgotten many of the first jobs, and took her remembrances as another favorable sign that they could work out a future. Together.
The last time he’d been this contented had been when he and Sally were married. Barely keeping themselves in food and rent money but always finding laughter. And the night Carlos was born. Yep, that had left him feeling like he had the world by the ass.
He thought about the concerts playing to 50,000 or more fans. The first music awards they won. Going platinum. Those experiences kicked ass, but didn’t compare to what was happening right here.
His son pulled Abby to her feet. “Looks like Dad is zoning out. What say, are you still wired or are you ready for bed?”
She yawned. “Bed. If I unwind anymore, there won’t be much more than a single strand of me left to pick up.”
Jack and Sally watched the young couple walk into their bedroom, their heads close together and arms entwined.
“They remind me so much of us,” he said as he helped her stand. “I hope they have a better time of it than we did.”
“That’s the number one parental hope.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I glanced over once tonight, and you looked exactly the way you did when we met. Except for the dress and heels.” He kissed the soft spot behind her ear. “I hope you never get rid of this outfit.”
“What if I gain weight and the dress doesn’t fit? What then?”
“I doubt that’ll happen, but just pull it out of the closet. Don’t even take the dress off the hanger. I’ll get hard remembering how you looked tonight.”
“Oh, Jack.”
He laid down a string of kisses that ended at the corner of her mouth. About to capture the prize, she placed her finger over his lips.
“Wait, you only glanced over once? I must be losing my appeal.” She batted her eyelashes. “I could have sworn you checked me out more often.”
“You bet I did. And speaking of appeal, I’d love to peel our clothes off. Are you still—”
“Race you to the bedroom. Winner gets the top.” She took two steps and stopped. “Aren’t you going to race me?”
“Why spend energy running when I can use it to make us both happy.”
She stood with her arms crossed, hip jutted to the side. “Right. You’re afraid I’ll win the race.”
“I can’t lose either way. But as long as you threw down a dare—” He drew her back to his chest. “I’ll make sure we both win.”
Chapter Sixteen
Sally didn’t care that every stitch of clothing except her scarf had vanished quickly. Sure, she carried a few extra pounds, but the lights were dim, and her need to feel Jack’s skin against hers took precedence.
She’d done a number on Jack’s shirt—the buttons might land in the next state by morning. She remembered fumbling with Jack’s zipper before he firmly pushed her hand aside and did it himself. The hot, open-mouthed kisses took her breath.
He pulled the scarf away from her throat in increments, his fingers and lips following the silken path. Then he matched their hands palm to palm and loosely wrapped the scarf around them. “This is a symbol to you. I won’t leave you again, not in any lifetime.”
“Do you know that you’ve basically hand fasted us?”
“No clue what that means and don’t care what you call this.” He motioned to their joined hands. “It’s my promise.”
He laid her on the bed and followed her down. Her glance moved to the side and stopped at the night table. Her muscles froze. There, nestled next to the table lamp, stood a familiar small plastic frame.
“I’d wondered what happened to that photo. Where did you? How?”
He followed her gaze. “I took it with me when I left on that first tour. I’ve carried that photograph with me on every tour. Every tour.”
A hot, prickling sensation rested behind her eyes. She ran a finger over the frame and remembered when the picture was taken. The day she’d come home from the hospital with Carlos. Her younger self, holding their baby, looked into the camera eye, at Jack, with love.
Her finger outlined his lower lip. She struggled for words then abandoned the effort when he took her nipples one at a time into his mouth. Then he licked across them with one sweep, grinning at her after he finished. His grin slipped, and his free hand rested on her shoulder.
“I want hone
sty between us—no holding back this time. So you know…I’ve been tested. I’m clean.”
She grew still, her one-handed grip on him tightening. “I haven’t dated for a while. No tests, but no unprotected sex, either. Do you have a condom?”
“A condom? What makes you think I’m a one-trick pony?” He leaned away and caught her gaze. “Look, I’ve dated a bunch over the years—”
“Got remarried—”
“Yeah, took me awhile until I figured out I couldn’t replace you. My heart wouldn’t accept anyone else.” He raised their bound wrists. “All that counts is right now.”
Her heartbeat filled her ears, “now” echoing in her ears. She cleared her throat. “So are we going to talk or establish a personal best benchmark?”
The skin at the corner of Jack’s eyes crinkled, his pupils expanded. “Hmm. Hard decision.”
“If you’re talking hard, I’d say, go for your personal best. You’re halfway there.”
He ducked his head. “You should know not to challenge me.” He licked and nipped his way from her neck to right under her breasts. “You never learn.” His path moved toward her navel. “Looks like I’ll have to prove my point.”
A low moan ripped form Sally’s throat. “Nuh uh.”
“What? I didn’t quite catch what you said.”
“Together.”
“Sorry. I need to set up the transition first before we sing the chorus.”
She heard his low laugh right before feeling his fingers separate her curls then enter her wet inner self. Her body arched into the heel of his hand as her heels dug into the mattress.
“Sweet, so damn sweet.” His hand continued to work on her while he returned his mouth to hers, their tongues lapping and tangling together.
Sally knew she was hotter than a fast food kitchen at noon. This is what desperation felt like, panting breaths included. “Can we get to the main attraction tonight or do I have to look for a younger man?” She writhed against him, tension building.
“I thought we could take the edge off with a quick—”
“No! You’ll be too late.”
“I love that arrogant professor speak.” His fingers pulled out of her, his hand smoothed her curls. “Although, I haven’t seen this side of you before. I should rethink—”
“You do and you’ll find yourself in a coffin. I need you, now.”
He moved over her, and she wrapped her legs around his hips. She arched again, their bound hands at her shoulder.
She moaned. “Keep screwing around, and you’ll miss my first orgasm.”
“I can’t miss out,” he whispered, “but I need you around me again.”
His slow, steady entry had her biting her lower lip to keep back another moan. He seated himself then pulled out, filling her repeatedly with long, lingering strokes.
She nipped at his earlobe then followed it up with a sucking kiss and their rhythm changed to a faster, harder one, pressure building with every stroke. She held onto Jack as if this physical union could erase their years apart.
“Babe, I’ve missed you.”
She clutched him closer, unable to answer with words. Using her free hand she ran her fingers lightly over his buttocks and between them. She massaged the base of his spine then ran her hand back up to his shoulders.
Jack’s panting changed to words. “Come with me.”
“Always you. Only you.”
Sweet tension increased until he tripped her trigger. With an upsurge, they erupted into a climax filled with color, light and music. Along with the orgasm she felt another sense; that of having reached home after an arduous journey.
****
Jack woke with Sally’s arm splayed over his chest. One of her legs tangled with his. He inhaled the scent of warm woman, happy they’d found their way back to each other. Images of other mornings filled his thoughts as he watched her leave her dream world behind. She blinked awake.
“So, how do you feel after setting our benchmark?” Jack rubbed her ass, his half erection a pleasant, but not unexpected, reaction after the night they’d shared.
He followed the movement of her breasts as she stretched and yawned. Jumping out of bed for a quick shower was an over-rated idea when he had a soft handful nearby.
“Energized.” She held her hand over her mouth. “In need of a toothbrush. Crap. I left my bag in the other bedroom.”
“Use my brush.” He raised his eyebrow at her wrinkled nose. “You’re worried about sharing tooth germs? After the places our tongues were last night?”
She blushed. “Yeah, there is that.” She slid her legs over the side of the bed, pulling the top sheet with her as she stood.
He grabbed the sheet, keeping her from covering herself. “Nope. That shy bullshit doesn’t work for me. I want to see you, all of you, in the morning light.”
She opened and closed her mouth without speaking.
He pushed the comforter aside and pointed to himself. “This body has seen some miles, Sally. I’m no prize, with a bad back and assorted pains.” He smacked his lips. “And morning breath.”
Ignoring a back twinge, he pulled her into his arms. “But you. God, you’re just as I remember. My Morning Goddess.”
Her shining eyes told him she’d remembered his endearment, voiced every morning they were together.
“I want to wake up every morning next to my goddess. What do you say?”
Her body stiffened under his hands.
“I, um, I love you Jack.”
She didn’t continue, so he voiced the word he knew hovered between them. “But?”
“I’ve enjoyed knowing you again, our dinners, daily talks, and shared history.”
“And the sex.” He pulled back. “Don’t tell me you faked multiple orgasms. You aren’t an actress. Or a star fucker.”
She grinned. “Sex with you is plenty hot without the added celebrity status.”
“I repeat. But?”
She inhaled through her nose. “But. We don’t have the same beliefs. Helping people in my store, meditation, discovering new philosophies, all of that, is who I am.”
“I get that. I’m not asking you to change. We’re not so different.”
“Sure we are. Besides being rich and famous, you think metaphysics is crap.” She shook her finger at him. “That’s a direct quote.”
He grasped her finger and brought it to his mouth. As he sucked, her pupils darkened. Pulling her finger free with a pop, he nuzzled her temple.
“I believe in tantric sex with the woman I love. I believe that music has magical power, could even be the basis of the universe.” He placed his palms on her jaw and lowered his lips to hers. “I believe most in the music we make together. How can that not work for you?”
Their kiss deepened, interrupted by a back spasm that left Jack hunched in pain.
“Shit. Damned back. Shit.”
Sally helped him to the bed. She rubbed her palms together with quick motions. “Jack, do I have your permission to use energy work on you?”
He gasped a breath. “Crap. Do whatever it is you do. I can’t hurt any more.”
“No, but you can hurt less.”
“Sorry. Bad spasm.”
He closed his eyes against the sight of Sally waving her hands over his body. As he replayed the scene, he recognized that she used specific movements that seemed to push and pull the air above his body. Spasms racked him again, but less strong this time.
A quiet, one of bone deep peace he hadn’t experienced in the years without Sally, slowly filled his mind. Rippling spasms moved down his back and disappeared. He gave himself over to the peaceful feeling flooding him.
Jack woke to Sally’s hand pressing on his shoulder.
“How are you feeling?”
He took stock. “No spasms. Good. I feel good.” He covered her hand and squeezed. “Thank you. I don’t know what you did, but it worked.” He rubbed his finger over his lips. “What you did…didn’t hurt you, did it?”
“You’re welcome and no, I don’t take on the negative energy.” She sank down beside his hip. “Do you see now? I can help people and make a difference. I can’t give that up.” She handed him a glass of water. “You need to hydrate.”
He sat up and drank. “You’re being stubborn. We can find a way to mesh our lives. All we need is love.”
She shook her head. “Don’t go quoting lyrics at me. This whole thing with Carlos and the media scares me.”
He wasn’t so cocksure about their chances at privacy, but he knew she needed reassurance. “One hit wonder, babe. We’ll send out a statement, the press will kick the story around for a day or two, then it’ll all end.”
“I have a bad feeling about this.”
He rubbed his chest. “Shit. I hope you’re wrong.”
“You mean you believe me?”
“I should have listened to you about coming to Charlotte. I thought I could control the scene. Instead, I screwed up.”
“Words of love, Jack. You’re singing a seductive tune.”
“I do my best. Let me play you the refrain.” He palmed the back of her head and captured her mouth. He pulled away, his lips hovering above hers. “Together, we’re invincible, babe.”
A sharp knock sounded.
“It’s me,” Carlos said through the door. “Don’t want to interrupt, but I think you should turn on Channel Four. Or Channel Seven. Or any channel. Dad’s face is everywhere.”
Chapter Seventeen
Sally scrambled for the remote, but Jack beat her to it and flipped on the set. A young blonde woman’s face filled the screen. The sound cut on in mid-sentence.
“Although Glynnis McKinney did not leave with Jack Reed, sources tell us they were seen in a hot embrace before the show. Are the birth parents of Rough Cuts drummer Tony Shaw’s adopted daughter Cristal reuniting? And how does the previously unknown son fit into the picture? Diamond Jack left by another door in an effort to avoid reporters on the scene.” The picture cut to a shot of their limousine driving off, followed by the SUV.
“Jack Reed is uncommunicative. Calls to the Rough Cuts manager, Stuart Mitchell, were also not returned. We’ll keep you posted on this fast-breaking story.”
Déjà Vu All Over Again Page 15
