I’d missed her. I’d ached for her and here it was, a precious gift I’d nearly denied myself.
I cupped the back of her head as she licked my belly button and worked her way down to my belt. It was an excruciating, intoxicating dance she made me endure. A belt had never been taken off so slowly, I can assure you. I was harder than granite when she finally pulled my pants down, anticipation making me quiver. When she took me into her mouth, I nearly blacked out, my fingers digging into her hair while a slow moan clawed up my throat.
That mouth of hers teased me until I could barely see straight, and I had to push her away from me before I exploded everywhere. She leaned back with a flirtatious laugh and lay down on the bed. I drank her in from the tip of her bare toes to that mass of curls on the top of her head. I skimmed her injuries, not wanting them to ruin the moment. Yet in spite of them, she stole my breath away.
“You are so beautiful,” I whispered, trailing my fingers over her beat-up shin as I crawled between her legs and gently kissed her.
She sighed as I slipped her underwear off and flung it over my shoulder. It was a sweet sound that lit the air and then changed in pitch as I caressed her body, sucking her breasts and making her writhe with my fingers. They remembered where to touch her and how to make her gasp and clutch my shoulders like I was the only thing anchoring her to the bed.
Her limbs began to tremble and quake as an orgasm rocketed through her. She arched her back, clutching the mussed-up bed sheets and crying out like we were the only two people on earth.
A smile played with my lips when I kissed her chin, her husky voice begging, “Don’t make me wait, Josh, please.”
I nestled myself between her legs, her hips rising to take me. She’d always been so small compared to me, and I used to worry about hurting her, but her hungry desire had taught me how far to go, and I thrust into her just the way she liked it.
Her head tipped back, a lusty groan firing into the air. Her delicate center was tight, wrapping me in a heady embrace that consumed my entire body. I drove into her again, closing my eyes and getting lost. Her fingers scraped down my spine as she lifted her legs and wrapped them around me, allowing me to go even deeper. I obliged, much to my pleasure.
She cried out again, brushing her teeth across my shoulder and murmuring that she loved me.
I wanted to say it back, but not when I could barely see straight, let alone form a coherent sentence. Instead, I showed her by increasing the tempo, burying myself inside her until I came with an explosion of light and color that outclassed anything I’d seen before.
My body was fair shaking as I puffed against her skin. I put the pressure on my elbows, not wanting to squash her. She giggled beneath me—a soft, breathy sound.
“Oh my Lord, you are good at that.” She grinned, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear with a loving smile that told me she wasn’t going anywhere.
I kissed her nose, then brushed my lips across the yellow bruising on her cheek. I still wanted to kill her boss, but it wasn’t the time to think about it.
Right then, the only thing I was meant to do was pull her into my arms and let her fall asleep on my shoulder…at home…where she belonged.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Josh
The birds woke me before the sun. I hadn’t really slept anyway. Rachel’s body pressed against mine was enough to keep any man awake. I’d trailed my fingers up and down her naked back until they’d gone numb. She hadn’t stirred once. It was like she hadn’t slept the whole time she’d been away. There was a peacefulness about her that seemed to permeate the entire room.
The pale curtains didn’t do much to hide the light as the sun rose. I ran my fingers through Rachel’s golden curls and kissed her forehead. She stirred in my arms, her hand gliding over my waist as she woke.
“Morning,” she finally croaked, her eyes peeking open.
“Hey, baby,” I whispered with a grin.
Her smile was sweet and relieved, like somehow she thought I might have changed my mind after a good night’s sleep. It wasn’t until I saw that look cresting over her face that I realized what an ass I’d been. Sure, she’d left me, but she’d stayed to protect me and what she thought I’d wanted. She’d assumed the bar was more important to me than she was, and maybe I’d never given her reason to believe otherwise.
Shifting my arm from beneath her neck, I perched up on my elbow and gazed down at her, gently running my finger along her hairline.
A smile brushed my lips when I finally said, “I love you.”
Her gaze shot to mine, her eyes rounding slightly.
“I should have told you before, every damn day, but I’m not that great with words. It wasn’t just your fault, you leaving me. I should never have let you walk away so easy. I should have gone with you and protected you.” I ran the back of my finger across her cheek, cringing at what had no doubt been an ugly, painful bruise.
“It’s done now.” Rachel smiled at me, her eyes glistening. “Let’s just forgive each other and move on.”
“That’s what I want, and I’m sorry for saying I couldn’t forgive you. That was a lie.” I brushed my lips against her. “When you love someone as much as I love you, you have to forgive them. It’s impossible not to.”
Her smile was sweet. “Well, I ain’t gonna be giving any more reasons to. At least I hope I ain’t.”
I chuckled at her cute expression. “Me too. All I want is to be with you, and build a life here. Is that what you want? To build a life with me, here in Payton?”
Her gaze warmed, her eyes fair glowing as she looked at me. “Yes, that’s exactly what I want. I told you, I’m never leaving home again, so that means…” A cheeky smile lit her face as she pushed me onto my back and straddled me. “That means that wherever you go, I’m going, too. You can’t get rid of me now, Joshua Clark.”
“That suits me just fine.” I ran my hands up her waist and gave her perfect breasts a squeeze.
“And why is that?” She leaned into me, her pink tongue poking out the side of her mouth.
“Because I love you.”
Her smile was pure sunlight.
“Say it again, Grizz.” She rocked against me, lighting a quick fire in my belly.
“I love you.”
“And again,” she sing-songed, bursting into giggles as I flipped her onto her back with a growl and nipped her chin.
“I love you, Rachel Myers, and I will keep on loving you until the day I die.”
Epilogue
Rachel
A fall chill was starting to touch the air and I wrapped my arms around myself, crunching over leaves as I walked through the backyard.
“Come on, Dukey. Let’s get inside.” I clicked my fingers and ushered him in the back door. He trotted up behind me, bashing my legs with his tail when he scampered through the door and headed for his water bowl.
I grinned, scratching him behind the ears and kissing his head.
“Love you, you crazy bloodhound.”
I stepped behind him and flounced through the kitchen, checking my watch and figuring I had at least an hour before I had to start setting up the bar.
Josh was out running a few errands, so I skipped over to the stage and picked up my beloved guitar. My fingers nestled onto the strings and I started strumming. I didn’t know what to play, but fell into a chord structure that led me to singing, “I Just Call You Mine.”
A smile brushed my lips as I thought of Josh…my grizzly bear.
Since finally letting go and having the courage to admit that he was all I really wanted, and I didn’t need to follow Mama’s dreams to be happy, I’d found a new level of contentment.
Success, as Leo would say.
I never thought I could be happy in Payton, but I was. I loved it. I mean, sure, there were still the old gossip biddies and the odd glare from stuck-up grandpas. I still had to flick off wandering hands on busy nights, but none of it mattered, because each night I went to bed and I lay my he
ad down on Josh’s shoulder. His big arms wrapped around me, and I fell asleep with a blissful sigh on my lips.
I was a country girl, in love with a country boy, and I didn’t need anything else.
Duke, who had wandered in and flopped at my feet, jumped up, his tail going crazy. He let out a gruff bark and trotted for the kitchen, meeting Josh halfway.
I grinned like I did every time I saw my man. Yes, it was safe to say we were in the honeymoon period, but I was hoping it’d last a good long while. I loved those butterfly tickles and heady rushes. They were so much more potent now that I knew how precious they were. Living without someone you crave is a damn good way to get your priorities straight.
“Hey, honey.” I propped my guitar against the piano and jumped down from my stool.
“You got some mail here.” He dumped his bag on the bar and unzipped it.
“Really? Mail? When does that ever happen?”
“I know it.” He chuckled, catching me against his side and pecking my lips before handing me a white envelope.
A delighted laugh punched out of me as I read the return address.
“It’s from Leo and Jody. You know, the couple in LA who helped me out.”
Josh nodded, his hand tightening on my back the way it did every time LA was mentioned. I’d told him everything, early morning pillow talk bringing out more honesty than I’d expected. Josh was livid when I got down to the nitty-gritty of what Aren had been forcing me to do, but I’d convinced him that Leo and Bobby had done enough. I didn’t need Aren and Parker to pay for their lies. Besides, Bobby seemed pretty set on making sure no other girls could fall into the same trap I did, and last we’d heard, Club Liberation was being closed down due to building-code violations. Yes, that tickled my fancy some. I’d laughed pretty hard over that one.
Ripping open the envelope, I pulled out the letter and a card dropped onto the floor.
Josh bent down to collect it while I read the letter aloud.
Hey Rachel,
I was cleaning out the studio apartment and stumbled across a postcard that was addressed to Josh. I don’t know why I felt compelled to send it to you—maybe it was your four-word message that touched me, I’m not sure—but here it is anyway.
I often think of you and wonder how you’re doing. I’m glad everything worked out and you were able to stay.
Angel still points to the studio every now and again saying, ‘Day-dee ting.’ It makes me laugh every time. You’ll always be a very sweet memory in our lives, and I hope we get to see you again one day.
You won’t believe how small this world is, but I was talking to my best friend, Ella, yesterday and she told me that Nessa Sloan had stopped for a drink at Clark’s Bar. She met Josh. Apparently, he saved her life.”
I looked at my boyfriend. A pained smile crested over his face as he tapped the postcard against his thumb.
He’d always wished he could have done more.
Ness had flown back to LA a few days after her accident. Josh had gone to see her one last time before she left, but he figured he never would again. She’d still not been in a great place, and Josh worried about her all the time.
“Does it say how she’s doing?”
I blinked, glancing back at the letter.
Can you tell Josh that she’s hanging in there? Ella didn’t say much, but Chaos fans are hopeful and Torrence Records announced recently that the album and tour are still going ahead, although they have been delayed. There’s still a very big question mark over whether Ness will be part of it, but we’re all crossing our fingers.
Anyway, I hope this letter finds you well and that you’ve found that dream you were searching for.
Lots of love,
Jody
I folded the letter with a wistful smile and gazed up at Josh. He was looking at the postcard, his expression like melted chocolate.
“With love forever more,” he finally whispered.
“Of course I was going to sign it that way. You told me to.”
Flipping the postcard over, he studied the picture of the California sunset, his expression pensive.
Nudging his leg with my hip, I started singing the song he’d given me…well, just the line about how something always made her stay.
“You’re my reason, Josh. I may not have stayed, but you pulled me back, so thank you.”
Flicking the postcard over his shoulder, Josh tugged me against him, lifting me up like I weighed nothing. I wrapped my legs around his hips with a grin as he hummed the rest of the tune, dancing around the empty bar. I giggled and kissed him, pushing my tongue into his mouth to cut the song short. His hum turned into a moan, and I pulled away with a laugh.
“I think it’s time we find ourselves a new song.”
He tipped his head to the side, his eyes sparkling as his deep voice started singing, “You’re my home, you’re my home, you’re the place where I belong.”
My smile was so damn wide it hurt my face. Hearing my own song sung back to me was the coolest thing ever. Sliding my arms around his neck, I pressed my forehead against his cheek and closed my eyes, letting his deep voice wash over me and remind me of everything I was staying for…and everything I’d never leave again.
THE END
Thank you so much for reading Home. If you’ve enjoyed it and would like to show me some support, please consider leaving a review on the site you purchased this book from.
*****
KEEP READING TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE NEXT SONGBIRD NOVEL…
Due for release November 2015
TRUE LOVE
One night can change everything…
Nessa Sloan has been in love with Jimmy Baker since the ninth grade when they started up a rock band together. Five years later they’re about to hit the big time—Chaos wins a recording contract and nation-wide tour with Torrence Records. After their celebration party, the two best friends have a one-night stand that will tear their relationship apart.
On the run from Jimmy’s rejection, Nessa takes off on her motorbike, but an accident brings her escape to a tragic end. Now trapped in a broken body, Nessa has to face a future stripped of the one thing that’s gotten her through every past challenge—playing the drums.
Jimmy never meant to break his best friend’s heart, and he will forever regret taking her to bed then treating her like one of his groupies. But once he’d crossed that line, he couldn’t go back. Now Jimmy’s on a mission to do something he’s never done before—win a girl over.
Angry and confused by her new disability, Nessa doesn’t want Jimmy’s help. But she has nobody else to rely on…and his pigheaded ass won’t leave her alone. Can these two stubborn hearts get past their own insecurities to figure out what true love really looks like? Or will they drive each other crazy before they finally see the truth?
It’s infuriating, irresistable, and all-consuming…it’s true love.
*****
THE SONGBIRD NOVELS CAN BE PURCHASED ON AMAZON
FEVER
Ella & Cole’s story
BULLETPROOF
Morgan & Sean’s story
EVERYTHING
Jody & Leo’s story
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It’s so cool to get to work with all these amazing people to pull together a project like this.
Thank you so much to:
My advisors: Lisa and Pete. Thank you SO much for your medical and technical advice for this book. I couldn’t have written those accident scenes without you.
My country music girl: Ashley. Thanks for your suggestions and opening me up to a bunch of songs I’d never heard before. I’ve seriously fallen in love with country music, so thank you!
My critique readers: Cassie, Theresa, Ashley and Rae. As always, your thoughts and opin
ions are invaluable. Thank you so much for your time.
My editor: Laurie. I’m in love with your eagle eyes and brilliant brain.
My proofreaders: Kristin, Marcia and Karen. Love what you guys do for me. You’re amazing.
My cover designer and photographer: Regina. What can I say other than you rock, lady!!
My publicity team: Mark My Words Publicity. Thanks for all your time and effort. You guys are the best.
My fellow writers: Inklings and Indie Inked. Thanks for your constant support and encouragement.
My Fan Club and readers: THANK YOU! Those words never seem enough, but I am so grateful for your support.
My family: You guys make life worth living. Thanks for your belief and your love.
My savior: Thanks for helping me find my home, and for never leaving my side no matter where I travel to.
OTHER BOOKS BY MELISSA PEARL
The Songbird Novels
Fever—Bulletproof—Everything—Home
Coming in 2015: True Love
The Fugitive Series
I Know Lucy — Set Me Free
The Masks Series
True Colors — Two-Faced— Snake Eyes — Poker Face
The Time Spirit Trilogy
Golden Blood — Black Blood — Pure Blood
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