by Joachim Jean
She nodded. “But not afraid the way you think. Afraid you’ll…stop…” She took a deep shuddering breath, “Stop loving me.”
“Oh, baby,” he reached for her. “Anger wouldn’t make me do that. Sure I was mad you, said nasty things. But what got me was you didn’t trust me enough to tell me before. Then I had to be humiliated in the press. Told in front of the world…something you should have told me in private.”
“That was wrong. I’m sorry.”
“Did you see our pictures in Celebs ’R Us? And the newspapers?”
“They were awful. I’m so sorry, Jake. I had no idea…I’ll never do that again.”
“Even if what you’re going to tell me might make me mad?”
Her voice shook. “I’ll try. That’s hard for me. I’m not good with anger.”
Jake reached out and took her hand.
“You’d never lie about…seeing another man. Would you?”
“I’d never see anyone else while I’m committed to you. Never. No matter what.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. That idea had been nagging at the back of his mind all week, and he didn’t know how to ask. The words simply tumbled out as they often did with Jake. This time he didn’t make a mess of it, but managed to speak from his heart. “And I’m sorry, too.”
“For what?”
“For treating you so badly…for making you so mad at me, that you…you…did that.”
He offered her his handkerchief. She wiped her face then took a bite of her dumpling. “I overreacted.”
“I had it coming.” He hung his head. Grace cupped his cheek then kissed it. He took the opportunity to brush her lips with his.
“Maybe we should start again. We rushed into living together.”
“That was your idea.” She finished her dumpling.
“I know. Still. Could we date?” Come on, Gracie. Don’t leave me.
Grace hesitated. She took a deep breath and looked him squarely in the eye before she spoke. “I don’t want to be without you. There, I’ve said it. I’ll go back to dating, if it means we can be together.”
Jake scooped her into his arms and kissed her passionately. “I love you, Gracie,” he whispered. “I want us to be together.”
Color suffused her pale face, and a smile stretched her lips. “Could you put some of that shrimp and rice on my plate. Guess I’m hungry after all.” They ate in silence, eyeing each other hungrily while they shoveled in the delicious food. Gracie smiled. “Did you see the whole review of your new movie?”
“Yours? You mean the Movie Maven’s?”
“Uh huh.”
“I did. It was awesome. Thank you.”
“I loved the movie. First nice review Tiffany agreed to print. I’m done with the Movie Maven, by the way.”
“Good.” He finished the container of hot and sour soup.
“Did you see the piece Tiffany put in her gossip column about Gunther?”
He shook his head.
“Here. I’ve got it right here.” She handed Jake the piece cut from the magazine
To a certain producer. We know what you’re up to. No more mistreatment of young women. Or we will out you. Right here. Trust me, we mean it. You know who you are.
“Do you think it’ll stop him?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. No more time for dumb Movie Maven stuff anyway.” She took a mouthful of the shrimp and rice. He raised his eyebrows in a questioning glance. She smiled mysteriously at him. “Max Webster bought my screenplay.”
Jake jumped up from the table. “He did? Wow! Fantastic!”
“He’s sending the contract over tomorrow. I’ve got to go to L. A. for script meetings. He says we have to change a bunch of stuff, and I’ve got to be there.”
“You’re going to LA? When?”
“Don’t know yet. In a few weeks. Not until the contract is signed, of course.”
A pain shot through his chest. “I thought we’d have time.”
“We have some. Don’t know how much.” Gracie finished the food on her plate.
Jake had made up his mind. “Move in.”
“What about the trust thing…taking it slow and all?”
“Thought I had all the time in the world. Now that you’re leaving…we covered it all. I want to spend every second I can with you before you go.” He swallowed the last bite of shrimp.
“Let me think about it.”
“Please, Gracie.” He brushed his lips against the back of her hand. “Do you love me?”
“I do. I do love you, but I don’t want to get my heart broken again.”
“I promise not to break your heart. Say you will.” He kissed up her arm to her bare shoulder, where he nibbled gently. “Please. We were so good,” he whispered.
“Okay, okay. You convinced me,” she mumbled, her eyes closing.
Jake pulled her out of her chair and waltzed her around the small apartment. Then he hugged her tight and stroked her hair. “Your script will make an awesome movie.”
“Thank you for sending it to Max.”
“Susanna did that.”
“Take the credit, Jake. You deserve it. Thank you also for saving me from Gunther.”
He held her at arm’s length. “What?”
“Cara told me.”
“She was supposed to keep it a secret.” He frowned.
“No secrets between sisters. Besides…didn’t we just say no secrets?”
He laughed. “Suppose we did. Couldn’t have Gunther wrecking your life any more than he already did.”
“You’re the best.” She pulled him to her for a deep kiss as she pressed her hips against his.
God I want her. His libido was going crazy as he folded her into his embrace and probed her mouth passionately.
“Wearing anything under that sweater?” He breathed into her ear.
“Nope.”
His lips grazed her bare shoulder while his fingers closed over her breast.
“Gracie,” he murmured, losing himself in her delicious lilac scent and warm softness. She stepped closer to him and sighed.
Chapter Eleven
Grace’s head was spinning. Moving in with Jake, screenplay sold, moving back to L.A.
Happiness filled her heart as excitement sent tingles up her spine. She’d be taking her own place in the movie world as a screenwriter, and she’d have Jake by her side. But what happens when I leave? She pushed that negative thought out of her mind. I’ve been so depressed, just want to be happy now. She turned her attention to the handsome man nibbling on her shoulder and the sensations he was creating.
She dipped her fingers underneath his T-shirt and slid them up his smooth skin, pressing her fingertips into his muscles. He made a small sound deep in his throat, which made her smile. He always loved my touch. Resting her palm on his back, she sensed the power there and it excited her. To have him on top of me, loving me again. Heaven.
“Gracie…do you want to…”
“Yes,” she responded firmly and quickly. Jake backed away from her and returned to the sofa, which was his pull-out bed. In less than two minutes he had it converted to a place for making love. He led her to it. Before lying down, he stripped her sweater off and tossed it on a chair.
With his gaze glued to her chest, Jake ripped his T-shirt over his head. He unbuttoned her jeans first then his own. With one hand on each side of her, he slid the garment down, revealing her black satin bikini panties underneath.
“Wow. Forgot about those. You look…amazing.” His hungry eyes feasted on her body. Suddenly bashful, Grace folded her arms across her chest.
His eyebrows rose in surprise. “Shy? Now?”
“Drop those drawers, Mister,” she directed, pointing to his jeans. Jake shed them and his boxers quickly.
“Better,” she said, just before her mouth went dry. She loved looking at his perfect form and simply the sight of him naked caused her pulse to kick up. He ran his fingers up and over her breasts, then down again before pulling her into his embra
ce. His lips sought hers as he angled his head to deepen the kiss. His mouth possessed hers with an urgency and a passion she had not seen before. His thrilling desire melted her in his arms.
Pulling her in tight, he slipped his leg between hers, making her gasp.
“You okay?”
“Oh, God, yes, better than okay,” she muttered, closing her eyes as he pushed against her with ever-increasing pressure. His hands came around behind her, gliding down her back until they reached her bottom. Jake took hold and squeezed, drawing her flush with his rapidly growing erection. She shivered as her breasts flattened against his hard pecs.
He cradled her in his arms, lowering her to the bed. He lay next to her and explored her body, starting at her shoulders and working his way down. His mouth followed, stopping at her breasts to feed, sucking and nipping. His voracious appetite for her took her breath away. If she needed convincing that he loved her, his actions told her volumes.
“The most beautiful sight in the world,” he muttered, staring at her. He parted her legs and crouched between them, lowering himself to his knees. Gracie combed his hair off his forehead with her fingers before cupping his face. She bent at the waist, rising to plant her lips on his in a hungry kiss.
She wanted to consume him, to join them completely as one. He curled his fingers around her thighs, while his thumbs teased her core. A shudder rocketed through her. Gooseflesh broke out on her skin as he kissed his way down her chest and over her abdomen.
Before she could say or do anything, his head was between her legs. At the first touch of his tongue, her back arched and she groaned. He raised his head, and their gazes locked for a moment. Then, smiling, he returned to giving her pleasure so intense she thought she’d pass out.
Her senses took over, driving all rational thought from her mind. All she could do was feel the excitement he was creating spiraling up and up…winding up her muscles like a top, spinning dangerously close to out-of-control.
All attempts at speech failed as Grace shut her eyes and gave in to the burning heat coursing through her veins. Riding the tide of desire like a magic carpet, she exploded in a powerful orgasm, fireworks going off inside her. Tiny sparks of satisfaction were blown all the way to her fingers and toes as she finally relaxed.
“Holy Hell,” she murmured, her eyes still closed as Jake moved away from her.
“Good?”
“Beyond good, beyond great, beyond amazing.” She cracked her eyelids open to spy a big, shit-eating grin on his face. “Proud of yourself?” she asked.
He nodded as he reached into the nightstand drawer and withdrew a condom. Gracie curled her fingers around his erection, which appeared bigger than ever and as hard as granite. Her eyes widened as he made quick work of the wrapper, sat back on his haunches, and covered himself.
“Roll over.” She arched her eyebrows in question. “Something a little different…to start.”
She rolled onto her stomach and allowed him to position her, raising her butt in the air. Turning her head to the side, she was barely able to see him rise up on his knees before he gripped her hips. Her wetness allowed him to slip inside her quickly and easily. He pulled her up flat against him. Each groaned as they were joined.
Grace braced herself, keeping her position steady while Jake pounded into her. “Oh, God, Gracie,” he moaned as he plunged in faster and faster. Once again her body took flight, surprising her with the force of her response.
After a few more hard thrusts, she climaxed a second time, groaning into the pillow. Then, abruptly, he stopped. “Turn over,” he commanded, and she obeyed. He raised her knees before entering her. She hooked one leg around his waist and lifted the other one high to rest on his shoulder.
“Oh my God,” Jake muttered, as he penetrated deeper into her and moved in and out faster and harder. She brushed her fingers through his chest hair before resting her hands on his shoulders. Gracie studied his face. A sexual flush started in his chest and rose halfway up his neck. His eyes were slits but rays of desire shot from them like sparks. His lips were parted slightly. God when he’s inside me, it feels so great. He fills me completely.
She didn’t have long to watch him as his release gripped him, making sweat break out on his forehead and a long, passionate groan leave his lips as his hips thrust one more time before stopping. The look of ecstasy on his face made her smile.
“Oh, Gracie,” he murmured, collapsing on her, their sweaty chests slipping and sliding against each other. She ran her nails over the fine layer of moisture on his back and sucked on his skin, enjoying the taste of saltiness mingling with the flavor of Jake.
“What sweetheart?” she asked.
“You took me someplace I’ve never been before.”
Jake slid off her and sprinted to the bathroom. He returned quickly to nestle by her side, holding her close. She rested her head on his shoulder.
“You’re the most amazing lover. That was…a roller coaster to heaven.”
He laughed. “Such a writer!” He ran his hand gently and lovingly over her chest, down to her hip, where it rested while the forefinger of his other hand lazily drew circles around her breasts.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever made love to.”
“Really? And the number of women is…high?”
Jake blushed. “Oops. Shut up, Jake,” he said.
“No, really. You’ve opened up this topic again. How many?”
“I lost track…” He blushed deeper, “I mean, I didn’t keep count.”
“How many, approximately?”
“Plenty. Enough to let you know how extraordinary you are.”
“Since you’re so shy, how did you get all these women?”
“Women love shy guys. Don’t see us coming then…wham! They’re naked.” He chuckled. “Seriously? Women are attracted to shy guys. Being in road companies for regional theater…easy to meet new women. Kinda like a kid in a candy store.”
“Oh?” She cocked an eyebrow at him.
“You’re the best ever. I got to be pretty good…all that practice.”
“Good? You think you’re good?” His face fell. “You’re not good, you’re spectacular!” She kissed his lips then cuddled into him. “But no more sleeping around, okay?”
“Oh, I stopped, long ago.”
“You grew up?” She ran her finger down his chest.
“Might say that. Too many girls with gorilla big brothers.” He kissed her shoulder.
“Find it hard to see you as a seducer.”
“Even after the way I came on to you?”
“Well, maybe.”
“I wasn’t a seducer. Just cashed in on being an actor. But it got boring.”
“You expect me to believe that?” She rested her palm on his chest.
“Now the only woman I want in my bed is you.” He leaned over and planted a sweet kiss on her lips. Music to my ears. “I’ll try to make you happy, happy enough so you don’t need anyone else,” he said.
Gotta love this guy. “That’s beautiful.”
“You make me happier than I thought possible, honey. Stay with me always.” He kissed her hair.
She stroked his cheek. “I’ll stay as long as I can.”
They lingered until nine o’clock, when Jake accompanied her to Cara’s place to gather her things. He chatted with Cara and Grant while Grace packed up. As she was packing, Grace realized this was no ordinary moving out. This would be permanent.
First, she’d be living with Jake, then she’d return to Los Angeles and take up residence in the house she had shared with Cara. Cara would be staying in New York to continue her Broadway run and marry Grant. Who knew when she’d return to the West Coast? By then, Grace would probably have her own place.
Even if she stayed at Cara’s, life for them would not be the same. Grace realized it was time to cut her ties from her sibling, or at least loosen them. Feeling stronger than ever, Gracie knew she was ready, but she wasn’t sure about her sister. “Cara,
can I talk to you in the kitchen?”
The actress pushed to her feet. Her face grim, she shot a look at Grant, before joining Gracie.
“You know Max Webster was interested in my screenplay.”
“Did he make you an offer?”
She nodded. “He’s sending over a contract.”
“I’ll have Gordon Lesser look it over.”
“Thanks, I’d appreciate it.”
“Or maybe someone in Grant’s firm. Gee, now that we’re together, I might have to go there for a good entertainment lawyer.” She chewed her lip.
“I’m moving out, Cara.”
“I know, Pookie. To live with Jake.”
“Longer than that. Max said in a couple of weeks, script conferences will start, and I’ll have to be in Los Angeles.”
“Okay. You do that for a few weeks then come back to New York, right?”
Grace shook her head. “I don’t plan to come back. Not for a long time.”
“So you’re saying…?”
“It’s time for us to separate, Carol Anne.” The intimate conversation made using her sister’s real name, not her stage name, more appropriate. Cara looked down at her fingernails. Grace could see her eyelashes working fast and knew she was upset. “This had to come sooner or later.”
“Doesn’t make it any easier.”
Grace stepped closer, running her hand up and down Cara’s arm. “You have your own family now. This is what you’ve always wanted…to be with Grant and Sarah.”
“But no one replaces you.”
“No one will replace you, either. It’s time for me to stand on my own. I’ve made a ton of mistakes this year. I need to get myself together. This may be my one chance. I have to take it.”
“I’d never stand in your way, Pookie. You’ve been such an important part of my life for so long…I…”
“And you, mine. I know you wouldn’t. Time for me to sink or swim. You can’t always bail me out…like with Gunther Quill…”
“That lowlife, creep. I’ve withdrawn from his picture.”
“Cara! Don’t do that on account of me!”
“How can I look him in the eye every day when I know what he’s done to you?”
