by Logan Chance
We move together to a new position, and Jonah hovers over me now. My skin breaks out in goosebumps, and Jonah runs his hands along my arms. He smiles.
My body’s reaction is not warranted. My nipples harden, and I try my hardest to not appear too turned on.
But, I’m sure Jonah knows I’m soaked for him. I’m sure he can feel it. His dick hardens underneath the covers, and I smile up at him.
“Shh, I don’t think we’re both supposed to be getting turned on,” he whispers against my ear.
“You two are doing great,” Glenda calls out.
I forgot she was even here, and I really wish she wasn’t. Her brown eyes watch Jonah and I become as intimate as we can with a bunch of random eyes on us.
Randall snaps again.
Jonah rocks his body just a touch and a moan escapes my mouth. My eyes widen as I try to pretend it was anything but a cry for ecstasy.
No one notices, or else they pretend they didn’t. I’m mortified. Remain professional.
Why is Jonah so much better at this?
Like, I want to ravage his body. I want to make him pound into me, and have me screaming out my orgasm in no time. But, his stoic manner, and piercing eyes remain neutral.
“I want you so bad. I’m having a really hard time keeping it together,” he says for only me to hear.
My insides burst into a million tiny stars all blazing and on fire. “Me too.” I smile.
Randall snaps another shot, and the sound brings me back to the present.
Ok, this is torture. Pure agony.
“Ok, what we want to try to do is move you two to the shower,” Randall says. “Right Jonah?”
Jonah slides off me, a smile on his face. “Yeah, that’s what the client and I discussed.”
Shower? Will we be clothed?
“So, how it will work,” Glenda pulls me aside after I leave the bed, “is you’ll have to wear a very thin see through nude outfit.”
“Oh,” I say. I really don’t know what else to say.
Jonah pulls me aside. “I promise, it’ll be classy.”
I trust him. I mean, of course I trust him.
We step into the restroom while Randall and Jonah set a few things up. I slide over to a little changing area, and put on the thin scrap of material. Glenda hands me a towel, and I wrap it around me.
And then they turn the water on. Jonah steps in first, and I’m spellbound for a moment as the water cascades down his skin. He’s completely lickable, and that’s all I want to do. Lick his abs.
He’s still wearing the boxer briefs, and I drop the towel.
I’ve never felt more awkward in my life.
But, Jonah’s there and he holds out his hand to me.
I enter the shower, and the water feels good. Hot and it runs through my hair. A fogger is turned on, and it steams up the glass door.
Jonah pushes me against it, with him behind me, and fists his hands through my wet hair.
It’s steamy and really something him and I need to try alone.
I don’t even have to act for the camera, because I’m so turned on it’s not even funny.
And after a few heated moments, the snap of the camera drowns out against the rushing water. Then, it’s just me and Jonah. He’s touching me in ways I’ve never felt before.
It’s sensual and completely erotic. It makes it so much more because I know we can’t act on the instinct we both have to totally consume each other.
Instead, we show our want, our need, our pure passion for the camera. We are totally in tune with one another that Randall has stopped calling out cues and suggestions.
We glide around the steam-filled shower pushing and clinging onto the other.
His hands in my hair. My hands all over his chest and stomach. Him covering my neck with kisses.
It’s the most intense thing I’ve ever done.
And right before we both almost lose it, Randall calls for us to stop.
It takes a full three seconds before Jonah even does. And once the camera stops shooting, everyone leaves so Jonah and I can regain ourselves.
“You did amazing, babe,” he says as he hands me a towel.
“I was kind of nervous at first.”
“Well, it didn’t show. Now when we do the live thing you’ll do great.”
I smile and kiss his cheek and then rush off to change into my clothes. Once I buckle up my jean shorts, and slip on my sandals, I emerge into the room where everyone waits.
“You both did amazing,” Glenda says with a huge smile. I’ve never seen her smile so big before.
“Thanks,” I answer.
And after a while, Jonah and I leave together.
I follow him home, and when I step out of my car he grabs me and plants a huge kiss on my lips.
We stand together in the driveway making out, when Declan pulls up.
“What the fuck?” he says, stepping out of his truck.
Fuck, I guess it’s time for big brother to find out.
Jonah starts in first. “Declan, why don’t you come inside and let us explain.”
But, Declan doesn’t budge. He isn’t so much mad as he is confused, or so it appears. Maybe it’s more hoping.
He finally follows us inside and takes a seat on the stool in the kitchen. Jonah grabs a few beers and passes one to each of us.
How cute. Living with me, being my boyfriend…and he still doesn’t remember that I hate beer. I smile at him and put the beer back in the fridge and grab a bottle of water.
“Ok, explain,” Declan says, crossing his big arms over his chest.
Jonah expels a deep breath. “It all started when Chelsea came to work at the magazine.”
“Wait, you work there?” Declan stares pointedly at me.
“Yes, and before you go getting all big brother on me, let me just say, it’s a great job.”
“What about the copyediting?” he asks.
I put a hand on my hip. “Did you really believe I would do anything like that? No, I can’t stand to sit behind a desk all day. And besides this job is a great way to gain exposure for my acting career.” Or lack thereof.
“Ok, so how did you and he…this is so gross.” Declan points a finger at Jonah and I.
“I planned on telling you, man,” Jonah says. “It all happened so quick. We were in Vegas, and one thing led to another.”
“Stop. I don’t need fucking details,” Declan says, shaking his head.
I let out a little giggle. And then something catches my attention. A white envelope on the table.
Jonah
Chapter where the shit hits the fan
I see what’s in Chelsea’s hands before I even have time to react. Fuck. Wait.
She opens it as Declan rambles on about us dating and how horrible it is. Oh, man, he’s about to learn a whole lot worse.
“What’s this?” Chelsea asks.
“Nothing.” And like an idiot I snatch her from her fingers.
“Jonah, no seriously what was that. It said something about a marriage.” She tries to reach for the paper I’m already folding and trying to keep away from her.
“It’s nothing. I was going to tell you.”
The fact Declan is even sitting here with us is forgotten for a few seconds.
“Who’s married?” he asks, reminding us both of his presence.
I scrub a hand against my jaw. “We are.”
“Who?” Declan asks. “You and her?” He points to Chelsea.
I blow out a breath. “Yeah.” I sneak a glance at Chelsea and her eyes are huge. Like bigger than I’ve ever seen any eyes get in my whole goddamn life. “I can explain.”
“Give me the paper,” Chelsea says with her arm out for the paper.
I hand it over, because honestly what the fuck else am I supposed to do? I can’t believe this is all happening like this. And with Declan here too.
“Look, we got drunk in Vegas and got married, and I figured I could get the annulment without you ever even notic
ing,” I say and it’s the last thing I remember before I’m knocked out.
When I finally come to, Chelsea stands over me with a pack of ice. “How’s your head, husband?”
I try to sit up, and the pain splicing through my head is excruciating. “Where’s Declan?”
“I kicked him out.” She offers me a soft smile and I finally sit up.
The room spins for a minute, and I gaze into the questioning eyes of Chelsea.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
She holds up a hand for me to quiet and listen, so I do. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I touch my swollen jaw, and it hurts like a motherfucker. “I thought things were going so well, I didn’t want to chance it. I’m sorry.”
She pouts her bottom lip. “What else are you keeping from me? No secret baby we may have adopted?”
“Oh my God, no. There’s nothing else. I swear.”
She packs the ice on my face, and not in a nice way either. “Well, I don’t know if I can trust you.”
Fuck, I’m an idiot. Why didn’t I just tell her. I had wanted to. I meant to.
I grab her hands, holding them close to my chest. “Baby, you can trust me.”
God, I sound like a man at a bar using a cheesy pickup line.
Her blue eyes well with tears. Please don’t cry.
She doesn’t. “I just need some time. Where’s the annulment papers? I’ll sign them.”
Fuck. My chest hurts. “I’ll get them.”
I leave her in the kitchen as I head off to retrieve the papers. I almost don’t want to give them to her. It feels like a real divorce.
I hand them over, and she reads over them.
“I’m going to stay with my brother for a while.”
“Chelsea, come on. I know you don’t like living there. You can stay here, I won’t bother you.” I pray silently that she stays.
Because the truth is, it’ll be easier to convince her she can trust me with her here.
Truth is, I don’t want her to leave. Ever.
I think I’ve gone and fallen for this girl.
She signs the papers, sliding them across the counter to me.
“Chelsea, wait…” my voice trails off.
“No, Jonah. I just can’t right now.”
I should respect her decision. Respect the decision that she needs some time away. So I stuff my hands in my pockets, rocking on the heels of my feet and say ok.
She packs up a few of her essentials as I stand quietly by. I want to shout, scream, anything. I want to get on my knees and beg forgiveness.
But, I am also trying to give her the space she needs.
When she leaves, she offers a soft goodbye, and I swear I might have a few tears in my eyes.
And then she shuts the door.
And I’m left alone with a swollen jaw and broken heart.
A few days later, my life has been a series of routine. I wake up, go to work, avoid Chelsea, and then come home.
I don’t want to avoid her. I try to see her actually…but the truth is…she’s avoiding me.
The one time I saw her in the halls of the Falcon building, she shot me a half-smile and kept walking.
It broke my heart even more.
To say I’m miserable is an understatement.
I can’t eat or sleep.
And as much as I want to beat down her door, and claim her and take her back to my place…I’m trying to be the ma she wants and respect her wishes.
When she’s ready to talk, she’ll seek me out, right? That’s the ounce of everything I have to hold on to.
The fact that she won’t avoid me forever.
And yes, I know we have a photoshoot coming up.
But, I push those thoughts out of my head, and when I leave work—there’s only one person I need to see.
“Hey,” I say, standing at the edge of the basketball court where Declan and I play once a week.
“I don’t really want to see you right now.” He continues to dribble the ball up the court.
“Yeah, I know.” I rush in, trying to get the ball away from him.
“Dude, seriously?”
But, we continue to play in silence.
Both of us punishing each other with each pass and block. I sink a shot and he curses.
The ball bounces off the court, and Declan stalks toward me.
“How could you, man? She’s my little sister.”
I stand and face him head on. “I know. I tried to fight it. Honestly, I did. But, I love her, dude.”
“Wait, you love her?” Declan appears shocked as he holds up both hands and backs up.
“Yeah, I love her. I never meant to hurt her, or you.”
“Fuck,” Declan moves to grab a seat on the bench overlooking the park, “I didn’t realize it was like that.”
The afternoon is bright and sunny, and a few birds fly overhead as I take a seat next to him.
“Well, it is.”
“Does she love you?”
I shake my head. “Fuck, I don’t know. I hope so.”
Declan’s tone is softer now, less confrontational. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. But, I’ll do anything.” And I will. I want to believe giving her the space she needs is a good thing, but I can’t wait any longer.
And the worst part…I can’t bring myself to file the damn papers.
I don’t want to.
Declan smiles. “Well, if I know my sister…”
And then he lets me in on a plan to win back her heart.
Chelsea
Chapter are we still counting?
Marriage. Married. I’m married. To Jonah. It’s something I have always wanted as a teenager. I remember writing Mrs. Jonah (last name) on all my notebooks in school.
A girl’s wedding is something they always dream about. Something they plan and plan, slaving over every detail.
And sure it was fifty percent my fault we’re married in the first place. Knowing me, it was probably my idea in Vegas.
It’s the not remembering that’s the scariest. To be so drunk that you don’t even remember a major life event. I’m thankful I had Jonah by my side protecting me. I really am.
But, why would he not tell me? Did he think I would be mad?
Gidget enters the coffee shop right off Melrose, and smiles. “I got here as fast as I could.”
“Thanks.”
“Have you seen him?”
“The other day. I didn’t talk to him, though.” I can’t bring myself to say anything to him.
She shoots me a sideways glance. “You need to talk to him.”
“What do I say? That I want to stay married? That I can’t believe he didn’t tell me?”
“Wait, do you want to stay married?”
I’m as shocked as she is those words flew out of my mouth. That’s the thing that’s been plaguing me. I do in fact want to stay married. Crazy right? I know.
But, I love him. I really do. Even though the trust has been severed, I still love him. He’s as sexy as they come, but it’s so much more.
His thoughtfulness. His humor. The fact he wants so much more out of life than just taking pictures of half-naked models. His vulnerability.
It’s all rolled into this perfect specimen of a man. Jonah.
And a part of me is scared. Scared he would never want to marry me. Weird right? I know.
Like if I hear him out, he’ll say ‘ok, but we’re still getting the annulment…but hey, let’s keep dating.’ It’s like the end goal has been crushed now.
I don’t know, it’s all making more sense to me in my own head.
“I don’t know what I want,” I tell Gidget.
She reaches a hand across the table and squeezes mine. “I know, sweetie.” She sighs. “Do you love him?”
The answer comes easily. “Yeah, I do.”
She tosses me an understanding smile. “Then you need to give him a chance. At least to explain.”
“Yeah.” Tears
threaten to spill from my eyes, and I stir my coffee and breathe deep. “I know.”
“It’ll all work out. And if it doesn’t you’ll always have me.”
“Yeah, right. You’ll be married soon too.” I smile.
“Nah, Paul is ‘non-committal’.” She holds up her fingers to and air-quotes the last word.
“Take him to Vegas and get him drunk.”
We both laugh and I spend the rest of the afternoon sulking the day away on my brother’s couch.
“Hey, just saw your man,” Declan says, coming into the house like a bulldozer.
“Why are you so angry?”
He stops dead in his tracks. “I’m not angry. I’m hungry. That husband of yours beat my ass on the court today.”
“Oh ha ha.” I stand up and follow him in the kitchen. “Wait, beat your ass figuratively, or literally.”
He crosses his big arms over his broad chest, puffing his stance. “What do you think?”
“So you two made up?” I twirl a strand of my hair between my fingers.
“Yeah, we did. But, don’t worry he’s over you.” He turns his back on me, opening the fridge.
“Over me?” Well, damn that was fast.
He glances over his shoulder at me. “Yeah, come on, you had to know he never gets serious about anyone.”
I see red. All different shades of it. Like my life story could be titled fifty shades of red right now. I clench my teeth. “Oh, really.”
“Come on, Chelsea, you didn’t think that marriage was anything real, did you?”
I drop the strand of hair and push it aside. “No, of course not.”
Declan stills for a moment, searching my face for any signs of me lying. “Oh, good.” He goes back to whatever is in the fridge that has him so interested. “Cause, if you’re heartbroken, I’ll kick his ass.”
“No, I’m great.” And oh, am I.
I leave the kitchen and am furious. I leave the house. The sidewalk looks fun, and I take off down the street.
No, I don’t know where I’m going, I just need a minute.
Jonah is over me. Well, good for him. Glad he’s not hurting or anything.
Happy to hear it. So ecstatic.
Fucking asshole.
My anger is bubbling right through me. It’s hard to contain. I want to punch something. Or someone, like Jonah. And his stupid camera.
He’s over me. As if. I’ll show him who’s over who.
I won’t even look at him. I won’t even pretend I remember who he is.
