Five | ~ Serenity ~
Five
~ Serenity ~
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W ait. What? I knew he cared a lot about me, but this was epic.
“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” He closed his eyes on a deep sigh.
Huh? Excuse me? It was like my chest slammed into a cement wall; my heart stopped and it was difficult to catch my breath. Way to electrify me then a split second later burst my bubble and crush me all in one blow. I didn’t like this emotional roller coaster I was whirling around on. I narrowed my gaze at him. “Why not? Because you didn’t mean it.” I didn’t expect him to, but to have him say it and then take it back threatened to destroy me.
His eyes popped open in alarm. “No, no I did mean it. I’m falling hard and fast.” He snaked his hand around to my nape and rubbed his fingers through my hair. “But I shouldn’t have tossed that at you like that. I know you’re dealing with so much right now. I invited you to my bed with no expectations and then I throw that at you. And I know we’ve only known each other for a day and it’s crazy.”
“If it’s right; I don’t think it’s crazy at all. And I liked hearing those words. You would think with everything, they would smother me with the overwhelming need to run screaming from this room, but they don’t. Ever since I sat down at the café with you and actually gave you a chance, it’s become easier and easier to believe this is real between us. Like I had told you, I’m still working on putting my past where it belongs. But every moment with you pushes me closer to achieving that goal; something I didn’t believe was attainable.” And while a tiny part of me worried I was setting myself up for heartache again, the vastly larger part was too content in the moment and had so many recent thoughts of how protective he had been with me to allow it to invade our perfect paradise. I ran my hand along his jaw and then back into the hair hanging at the side of his face to play with the strands there. “I’m falling in love with you too.”
With the hand at the back of my neck, he tugged me into him and his mouth captured mine in a harsh kiss. When his tongue dove in to tangle with mine, it was a complete devouring. He curled his around mine and then sucked it into his mouth before plunging back in and tasting everywhere. Then he trailed his tongue along my jawline and back to my ear where he gently nipped the lobe. “I want to put my hands and mouth all over you. Can I do that tonight? I promise nothing else. My shorts stay on. But I need to taste you everywhere.”
His words sent shivers racing down my spine. I trusted he would give me everything I was wishing for and a hell of a lot more. But he wouldn’t take anything I didn’t freely give to him. While we had been sharing, lying in his bed, he wormed into my heart effortlessly, because I had granted him access. Now I craved so much more. “What if I want more than that?”
The strangled groan that tore from his lips I was sure was ripped from his toes. “Fuck, I want that so bad especially if you’re sure. But I don’t have any condoms. I haven’t needed them. And when I left this morning to meet you for coffee, I was just hoping to get the chance to hang out with you and get to know you. I wasn’t expecting this. And I wasn’t going to push. Getting this was the furthest thing from my mind.” He leaned back and locked his gaze on mine, his blue eyes burning with lust and if I had to guess a small dose of love as well.
My heart warmed and my lady parts clenched. “Oh my God. I just fell even more in love with you just now. Please, I want everything with you, right now. I’m on the pill and I’m clean. I have always had the guy use a condom and after the shit went down with that asshole,” I couldn’t bring myself to say his name and have it tarnish our night, “I got tested because I didn’t trust that he had been faithful to me. If you’re clean, I’m completely fine with going without one.” My pussy grew wet with the thought and I had to clench my thighs together as I closed my eyes briefly. “Oh, wow, can you imagine how incredible that will feel?” It had been way too long for me and even before that I didn’t have these intense emotions swirling around inside that were sure to ramp the experience up to mind-blowing.
He released a rough growl. “I’m clean too. And I can envision it perfectly. Being with you today, connecting with you in a way I have never done before – with our walls down – has been so fucking incredible. Combining that with me getting the chance to be intimate with you with nothing separating us; it’s going to send me into nirvana. I know you’ve been able to feel my hardness pressed up against you since I crawled into bed. I tried to hide it from you so I didn’t make you uncomfortable, but I know I wasn’t completely successful.” Pushing me to my back, he crawled over my body and pressed the evidence of his failed attempt into my thigh.
I giggled. “No, but points for trying. You’re a guy; so it goes without saying, but I knew I was safe with you. That you wouldn’t try anything. Unless I wanted it. And I really want it. Right now.”
Grinning like that little boy at Christmas, he ducked his head down and captured my lips in another hungry kiss, leaving me breathless when he finally pulled away. But his lips didn’t leave my skin; instead he trailed them along my jaw and behind my ear where he teased the sensitive skin there. Tingles zipped along my nerves and arrowed down to my center, which was dying for his mouth and fingers and cock. I had never before had thoughts like that racing through my mind when I had been with a guy and I loved the way he was able to bring out the dirtier side of me. I was comfortable in my own skin with him and that helped me to just let go. And the fact I was always safe with him alleviated my fears. His lips continued their journey down my throat to the tops of my breasts, pulling breathy sighs from my own.
Gathering the material of my tank in his hands, he drew the top up and off of my body, tossing it over his head. Then he stared down at what he’d revealed. “You are so fucking beautiful. Thank you so much for trusting me with all of you.”
I loved the way he looked at me. In his eyes, I could see that he didn’t perceive me as merely another beautiful – although I wasn’t sure I saw myself quite that way – body, but as so much more. When his lips locked onto one of my nipples and he teased the little bud, all conscious thought flew from my brain. Then his teasings grew into tugs and I arced my back, giving him more of me to taste. “Oh Teak, that feels so good.”
With my breast still fully wrapped up in the warmth of his mouth, he murmured. “I have been dying to get my mouth on you since last night. Even better than I imagined and I have a really great imagination, considering what I do for a living.”
A tiny giggle slipped from my lips but then transformed into a moan as he suckled on my bud. One of his hands slid up my stomach to palm my other breast, massaging the flesh before tugging on the nipple. When he pinched and lightly bit down on my other one, ripples of pleasure zinged from my nipples down to my clit and I screamed his name as the bolts of electricity that had been thrumming along my skin converged in my center and detonated in an explosion of pure bliss.
When I blinked my eyes open, Teak was smirking at me. “Not only beautiful, but fucking stunning when you come. And I love hearing my name fall from your lips. Or in the case of just a moment ago, being ripped out on a shriek.”
“I’m not even going to pretend to be embarrassed. That was too incredible for me to care that you wrecked me. I’ve never come like that before.”
Shooting me a wink, he gave me a quick kiss on the lips before running his tongue down the column of my throat, between my breasts, and down to my stomach. Then he hooked his fingers into my shorts and tugged the piece of clothing down my legs along with my panties and cast them aside. My pulse hammered as my pussy grew wetter from the hungry way his eyes ate up what he had exposed. “While I love your tits, this is what I’ve been dying to get my mouth on. I can’t wait to taste you.” Sliding down my body, he placed his hands on my inner thighs and spread me wide so he had room to hunker down between them. Shoulders between my legs and his face at my pussy, he gave my slit a long slow lick up to my nub.
My body bowed off of the bed on a throaty groan. “Oh God. Teak, your mouth.”
He lightly nipped my clit – causing me to jerk like I had been electrocuted, but in the most delicious way – before gliding his tongue down to my folds and licking all around my opening. He hummed his approval. “You are so soft and taste so delicious.”
I writhed on the bed beneath him as another orgasm was building, gaining speed and intensity with each stroke of his tongue. When he speared his tongue inside of me, every blissful tingle merged in my core and ignited a blast that had my toes curling; my hands fisting in his dark hair; and me shrieking his name again.
He continued to lazily stroke my wet folds as I tugged on his hair to pull him up to me so that I could feel his dick inside of me.
“I’m not done tasting you yet.”
I shot him a confused look. “But it’s your turn now. I want you inside of me.”
“My tongue was inside of you. And there is no such thing as taking turns.” He shook his head. “What kind of – ” He briefly clamped his lips together. “Nope, not going there. I’m not going to ruin our time with thoughts like that.” He pressed a kiss to my mound. “Now, you offered up all of you and I intend to collect. And don’t for a minute think I’m not enjoying the hell out of this. This is more than I ever imagined I would have with you tonight. I want to savor every single moment. I want to savor you.”
A little bit of my juice trickled out onto my inner thigh.
His eyes traced the journey. “Now that is fucking hot.” Running his tongue along the wet trail, he groaned. Then he lapped all around my outer lips and up to my clit where he circled before sliding back down to my opening. When he pushed one of his fingers inside, my hands clasped the sheets to help ground me. While his tongue licked, he added another finger and twisted slightly to hit the sensitive spot guaranteed to blow me apart. Shards of pleasure shot through me and I came again.
As he prowled up my body, his eyes flashed with his lust and honed in on my flushed face and he smirked. “Gorgeous. You deserve everything. Are you still sure about us tonight?”
I gave him a drunken smile. “Yes. You said I deserve everything, so give it to me.”
“Bossy. I like it.” He wiggled out of his shorts and boxers and palmed his dick before nudging it at my entrance. Then he slowly pushed inside. “Oh fuck.” He leaned his forehead to mine, bracing his forearms on the bed. “Give me a minute to pull myself together. You feel so perfect I’m in danger of exploding right now. Your pussy is so warm and silky along my dick.” His muscles quivered as he fought for control.
Teak seated fully inside of me with nothing between us had shivers vaulting all up in my belly and I couldn’t stop my pussy from rippling along his length. “Oh, Teak, the feel of you inside of me is beyond amazing.”
“Pure bliss.” After he took a deep breath, his eyes locked on mine, he pumped into me slowly at first and then gradually sped up. Waves of pleasure washed over me and just as I was about to burst apart, he slowed his thrusts.
“Teak!” I panted. “I was almost there.”
He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I promise I’ll make it worth it. When you finally go over again, with me, it is going to be mind-blowing.”
For several moments, he alternated between shallow and deep thrusts while continuing to increase and decrease his speed causing the riots of sensation zapping my pussy to expand. And when he finally rocked into me in a delicious rhythm, hitting that special spot, those tingles intensified and another climax ripped through me and I blacked out for a moment.
Teak’s entire body stiffened as he groaned, his own release shooting inside of me, the warmth setting off another small orgasm for me. Dropping to his side, he snuggled me up to him, kissing my brow, my temple, my cheeks. “That was so fucking incredible.” His hands slid up and down my spine. “I can’t stop touching you. I don’t want to stop touching you. But give me one minute to take care of you.” Untangling himself from me, he leapt from the bed and rushed into the bathroom. The sound of the faucet running reached my ears and then he was at my side, wiping between my legs. When he was finished, he returned the washcloth to the bathroom before crawling back into bed and curling me to his side. His hands resumed their lazy journey of my back and he kissed the crown of my head. “It has been a while for me, but I don’t remember it ever being that extraordinary.”
My lips pulled into a brief frown. I didn’t like that he had been with other girls, but then I mentally reprimanded myself for my reaction. I had been with others too before him. Besides, he had said he was falling in love with me so the girls in his past were planted in his past. “You were like a dream . . . no better. You made sure I was completely sated. And now I feel like a limp doll.”
“I had said you deserved everything and all of your responses to me and the way you came there at the end, boosted and heightened mine as well. We’re perfect together.”
I snuggled even closer. “Even if wasn’t an issue for me to go home, I’d still want to stay here with you, maybe not every night, but most. But don’t let me wear out my welcome.”
His face split into such an enormous grin, it had to have ached. “There is no way you could wear out your welcome when I love your being here. Besides, since we’re a couple we should be having sleep overs, frequently. For right now, they will all have to take place at my home.” He dropped a quick kiss onto my lips. “I had planned to take you out to dinner tomorrow night, but with these new developments I thought maybe you’d want to double date with Ivy and Ascher. I know you had said you weren’t ready for her bombarding you with texts or talking your ear off on the phone, but maybe it would be nice to hang out with them and you can have some girl time. And we can talk about things in a relaxed setting in a normal conversation rather than an inquisition.” He tunneled his fingers into my hair and massaged the back of my head.
“That would be so much better than having to relive the entire incident again. I’d rather her just see that I’m doing okay. Why are you so perfect?”
“I don’t know that I’m perfect; I think it’s more because you’re it for me. And I want to make sure I take care of you, in all ways.”
Being with him was really easy. Even when the slightest niggle of uncertainty crept in occasionally, it wasn’t anything overwhelming. And I still had to bat down my insecurities sometimes, but at least they hadn’t been constant. Like right now when I worried what would happen between us when he had to go on tour again. Would he tell me good bye for the months? I believed him when he had said that he hadn’t been with anyone in a while. And at the concert, he wasn’t hanging out with the rest of the guys. He had been in a separate room. And if there had been a groupie in there – but for some reason I didn’t believe he lied to me – as soon as she had heard another girl’s voice, she would have been marking her territory or at least looking to show off her conquest. It wasn’t like we had stood there for only a few minutes. There had been plenty of time for her to make her presence known – those types didn’t hide. Besides, he had just told me he was falling in love with me and that I was perfect and it for him; what more did I expect? I expected to pull up my big girl panties – although at the moment I wasn’t wearing any sort of panties– and move past these insecurities. Other than his little trickery this morning – that I had already admitted I liked because I thought it was romantic – he had been perfect. Only I could ruin an amazing time by getting trapped inside my head. It was time to shove those thoughts aside for another day. We had time to discuss his tour plans when the dates were finalized.
So, instead I decided to take care of my bladder and splash some cold water on my face. “I have to agree. You’re it for me too.” Slipping from his arms, I rolled to climb out of bed.
But his arm captured my waist. “Where are you going? You’re stuck in my room now.”
“I have to pee.”
He chuckled. “Oh, I didn’t think of that. It probably wouldn’t hurt for me to make a trip too.”
Sliding from the bed, I headed to his connecting bath to take care of business and then splash cold water on my face in the hopes of shocking my head back into the now. We’d find a way to work things out. Until he gave me a reason to believe otherwise, I trusted that he would never hurt me. It was my self-doubt not his actions that had planted those thoughts. Finished with my cool down, I dried my face off with a towel and stepped back into the bedroom.
On his way to the bathroom, Teak glided his fingers up my arm. “I can’t resist touching you. Maybe it’s so I can convince myself you’re not just my dream. Although like I said before; I’m damn sure you were who I was thinking of when I wrote that song.” He shot me a wink and disappeared into the bathroom.
Yeah, he was freakin perfect. Padding around his room, I searched for my discarded pajamas.
When he walked back out a couple minutes later, his mouth dropped open. “Don’t you dare cover up that beautiful body of yours.” Stopping in front of me, he took my hand and led me to his bed. “Sleep naked. I know I can’t keep my hands to myself, but I promise I’ll keep my dick to myself.”
Hmm, I wasn’t on board with that idea. So before crawling back in, I gave him a saucy grin. “I don’t think I’ll mind one bit if you don’t keep that promise.”
His lips curled into a predatory smile as he tackled me onto the bed. “That was all I needed to hear from you.” And he did break that promise, magnificently, before we finally succumbed to sleep.
The next morning, waking up in his arms, in his bed, surprisingly didn’t have me feeling the slightest bit awkward. Everything with him just flowed naturally. Not that I wouldn’t work on a relationship with him because all relationship required work. But with him I really couldn’t constitute what I had to expend as work. It was just innate. And it was wonderful.
His arms tightened around me as he nuzzled my hair. “Good morning. What has your wheels spinning first thing? You’re not in your head, are you? You’re not regretting anything about last night?” His gruff voice tickled my ear.
“Good morning to you too. And I was just thinking how relaxed this relationship is. I don’t feel the need to pretend or force things just to make sure it works. I can just be me and that’s enough. And it’s a great feeling.” I rolled over to face him and gave him a peck on the cheek. “And how could I regret anything? That was hands down the best sex I’ve ever had. And you made it really easy to want to be here.”
“Good, because I’ll do anything to make you want to stay here.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Let’s go make some breakfast before I change my mind and have you instead.” He shot me a wolfish grin before sliding out of bed and into the bathroom.
When he was finished, I took my turn and then slipped on my pajamas before joining him out in the kitchen.
“How about some French Toast and bacon?” He had tugged on his running shorts from last night, but I still got an amazing view of his chest and abs. Reminding me about how I traced and licked my way down them during our second round of sex.
My cheeks heated. I had never been the aggressor before, but he brought out that side of me.
“I doubt you’re embarrassed about my breakfast choice; so why don’t you get your mind out of the gutter and help me make some food. Otherwise, my mind is going to join you and the only thing on this counter getting any action will be your luscious body.” He waggled his eyebrows at me.
“Your comments are not helping my trashy thoughts any. What do you want me to do? I mean, how do you want me to help you with breakfast?”
After he handed me ingredients, we set to work in a comfortable routine. Breakfast was filled with easy chatter. When we were finished, we headed to his room to change our clothes.
“You don’t have to hang out in my living room or on my deck if you’d rather head down to the beach or if you have something else you needed to do today before Ivy and Ascher come over. I’m only keeping you prisoner at night in my bed.” He gave me a crooked grin as he fished a pair of gray shorts and a navy t-shirt out of his drawer. After slipping out of his running shorts, he tugged on the fresh clothes and headed to the connecting bath.
I grabbed a pair of light blue shorts and a white floral tank top and changed. Then I tossed my pajamas onto his bed.
He stepped out a few moments later. “It’s all yours.” Walking over to me, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me into him before pressing his lips to mine. His tongue slipped inside my mouth and dueled with mine. He tasted like mint and sexy Teak.
“I don’t mind hanging out here. Any other Sunday, I’d be cleaning the house and doing laundry and then lazing around reading a book or something. The house will have to wait for cleaning. But depending how long it is before I go home, I’ll need to wash clothes.”
“Which you can do here. I mean, I hope I don’t sound demanding. I won’t stop you from going home, but I’d rather you stay here until things are cleared up. And even after, but we’ll talk about that later. We have some time to figure things out. No pressure. We’ll take things one day at a time.”
His words made butterflies swirl in my stomach, in a good way. “You know I want to be with you, but I agree let’s slow some things down, even though we’ve already jumped the gun on certain parts, but that’s okay, and take care of this craziness first. Then we can concentrate on us and what happens in the future.” Also hearing him say that helped cement my belief that when his tour came around, we’d figure something out that suited the both of us. “I’m sure I can find something to entertain myself and I brought books.” Untangling myself from his arms, I headed to the bathroom while Teak stepped out into the hall. At the sink, I brushed my teeth, added a little eyeliner and mascara, and tugged my wide comb through my curls.
When I was ready, I padded out the door to head to the living room. However, I paused when the door to Teak’s office was open and he was leaning his forearm against the jamb.
“I was waiting for you. Come in here for a few minutes. I want to play something for you.” His animated smile lit up his entire expression. Reaching out, he took my hand and tugged me inside. After gesturing for me to take a seat in his favorite chair, he snatched his guitar from the corner and plopped down in the steel and vinyl chair at his desk. “It’s not finished; I’m still tweaking it. But it’s not going to change much. I might have to rearrange some of the lyrics and probably have to smooth out the chorus, but I nailed it. Other than some fine tuning, it’s perfect.”
His fingers strummed the beginning chords and I was immediately drawn into the music. The melody was sensual and full of passionate emotion. His voice merging flawlessly with the tune:
You bring a peace to my hollow soul.
With you in my life, I’m now whole.
An emptiness I feared would forever incinerate me.
But you came from my dream yet I know you are real, to rescue me .
His heated gaze never left mine as he continued crooning the enchanting song he had written about me. The evocative lyrics leaving me breathless and captivated.
When the last words left his lips and with his eyes still locked on mine, his gaze bore into me. Like he was searching deep in my soul for the true reaction I had to his emotionally charged song that I had been the inspiration for.
Well, no worries there. “Oh my God. That was beyond beautiful.” And totally soaked my panties. But I didn’t let on to that little tidbit because he needed to work; not be distracted by me. I’d cash in on that tonight after dinner with our friends. “If I had any doubts about how you feel about me – which I didn’t – they would have been blown away just now. Your words captivated me right from the start and kept me entranced until the very ending. All of your songs pull at me in some capacity, but knowing a song is about you has a way of really seizing you. Wrapping you up and consuming you.”
“Maybe you should write some of my lyrics. And I guess I don’t need to tell you the name of the song is “Serenity.” He gave me a boyish grin.
“My name repeated in the chorus kinda gave that away.” I giggled. “But I was just telling you how it made me feel. It delivered an expanse of emotions, from despair and disquiet all the way to contentment and unadulterated love.” I stood from his body loving chair and padded over to him. Leaning down, I pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I loved it. Thank you for writing a song about me and sharing it with me. But I’m heading out now so you can get back to crafting more of those masterpieces. The fans are going to go even crazier during your next tour.”
“Thank you for giving me the perfect words to create these beauties.” He swatted my ass as I turned to leave and I squealed. His chuckle followed me out the door.
Heading into the kitchen, I grabbed a water before retreating into the living room. I chilled on his couch watching television and then when I got bored immersed myself in the book I had been reading. After a late lunch – when Teak finally paused for a break from his writing – of grilled cheese and dill pickle chips, I moved out onto his deck to soak up the sun.
Around five o’clock, Teak stepped through his sliding glass doors and sat down on the lounger beside me.
“Did you come up with any more chart topping hits?” I smiled at him before taking a sip of my water.
“I made a little bit of progress on another one. Some days the words just flow easily, other days I have to fight with them, and others they go on hiatus. Today was a mix of all three. But I don’t let it rattle me because I know not to expect to make great strides every day. The words will flow when they are ready.” Tilting his bottle of water to his lips, he took a long swallow. “But I’m really excited about your song.”
“Me too. Although it’s going to make a lot of fans jealous if they realize you’re talking about me.” My lips pulled into a brief frown.
Leaning forward in his chair, he placed his hand on my knee and squeezed. “We’re not going to worry about that. We’re going to let the police take care of it and be more vigilant. I’m also going to do everything in my power to protect you. No more uneasiness over that.”
The car didn’t bother me as much as the house. I didn’t like that she possibly knew where I lived. But I wasn’t going to dwell on it. I had to trust that things would get figured out. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to let fear about it run my life. I wouldn’t be stupid, but I wasn’t going to allow it to stop me from living. Whoever this person was; I wasn’t going to give them that power. “Okay. I mean I can’t promise I won’t think about it because it’s my reality, but I won’t let it consume me. I’m not going to cower away in panic.”
“That’s my girl. You’ve got me. And you’ve got that crazy best friend of yours. I would think she rouses a bit of terror in people when she wants to.” He moved his hand to clasp mine and entwined our fingers before bringing it to his lips and pressing a kiss to my wrist. “I wasn’t sure if you intended to shower and change before going to dinner. Just for the record, you look gorgeous just as you are. But I know I’m going to shower and change. They’ll be here around six so we can ride together. I made reservations for seven thirty.”
“I had packed some dresses so I think I want to dress up. We’re not going somewhere really fancy, are we?”
“No. It’s a nice seafood place that has delicious entrees and the service is fantastic, but it’s not black tie or anything. You would be fine going in what you’re wearing now.”
“Well that’s good because I don’t know that Ivy would be able to act all prim and proper.” I released a giggle. “I’m just kidding. She’s great. No, she doesn’t have a filter, but she can be respectable. Otherwise they wouldn’t trust her to dispense medications.”
“I think she’s great. She’s got an interesting and fun personality. And I like that she’s an amazing friend to you. But I like you just the way you are too.” Standing from his chair, he tugged me up with him. Then the two of us headed inside. I used the bathroom first while he made some calls and answered some emails. Showered, dressed in a peach sundress, hair fixed, and some light makeup on, I stepped back out into the bedroom.
Teak’s gaze traveled up my body like a lover’s caress, from my toes to my head, and I could feel the sizzle on my skin. The trail left scorch marks in its wake. When his eyes finally landed on mine, his were blazing with hunger. “You are always breath taking, but you in a dress accentuates all of your gorgeous curves and it’s giving me wicked ideas.” His smile grew wolfish.
“Am I going to have to deal with a naughty rock star tonight?” The thought had my intimate parts heating. But I really didn’t want thrown out of a restaurant or arrested for indecent behavior.
“That is a good possibility.” He winked at me. “You need to get out of here before we don’t make it for our reservation.”
The heated glint in his eyes sent me scampering out the door.
While his roguish laugh chased me down the hall.
In the living room, I pulled my cell from my purse, stood gazing out the side window in the direction of the beach and called my parents to chat. We talked for almost twenty minutes, but I conveniently left out about the three unpleasant incidents. However, I did tell them I was dating Teak and skirted around admitting I was living with him at the moment. They usually didn’t make unexpected trips to visit so I hoped I would get advance notice and that it would be after this shit was solved.
I had just settled onto the couch when the doorbell rang. Hopping from my seat, I walked over to the door and swung it open.
Ivy, dressed in a denim skirt and flowy light blue blouse, had a huge playful grin on her face. “Hey, Ho-bag. I see you’re already shacking up with the guy after only one day. I love it.” Stepping through the doorway, she pulled me into her arms and squeezed the life out of me.
Ascher strode in behind her and shot me a wink. His face lit up like a guy smitten.
“How do you put up with her?” I unwrapped myself from her anaconda hold.
“The heart wants what the heart wants.”
“Oh, enough of the sappy love song bit. Save that sappy shit for her lover boy, the song writer. You’re the one who keeps the crowd thumping to the beat. And I know what you keep pulsating for me. Tell it like it is; his dick wants what his dick wants.” She blew him a kiss.
“Oh my God. Seriously, Ivy.” Closing my eyes briefly, I shook my head. Although I really wasn’t surprised by her words. I actually expected something much raunchier to come out of her mouth.
“At least I tried to keep it PG.” Ascher shrugged.
“Where is that hot rock star anyway?” Ivy’s eyes scanned the living room and kitchen. “He better be treating you right. Or I’m ripping off his balls.”
“He’s in the shower. And there’s no need to go maiming his balls.”
“And on that note; I’m going to find something on the tv.” Ascher stopped in front of Ivy and gave her a tender kiss on the cheek, before continuing to the living room.
I smirked at the dopey look on her face. Yeah, she had a mouth like a sailor and could hold her own in a battle of the tongues, but she was just as lovesick as him.
“Let’s go sit out on the deck. He’s got a beautiful view.” Grabbing her hand in mine, I tugged her down the hallway and out the sliding doors.
Once outside, we headed over to the railing and rested our hands against the wood, peering out at the ocean.
“Wow, he does have a nice view. Not too close so he still has some privacy, but he can still enjoy the beach scene. I’m sure he can hear the waves at night too.” A strand of her black hair blew into her face and she shoved it away. “Is he treating you right?” She twisted to look at me, leaning her back against the rail.
I mirrored her stance. “He’s treating me better than alright.” My cheeks heated at the memory of his hands and mouth on me and then making love to me last night.
“Ooh, you are such a slut. By the way, red is such a pretty color on you. And I’m so damn proud of you.” Her expression grew serious. “And really surprised. It’s only been one day. I’m not judging. Not at all. But I think you know that. I’m just really astonished. So how did he manage that? Because I know he wouldn’t have done anything deceitful. His little trick yesterday morning was sweet. And so you know, I’m only a little ashamed of my part in that. I was ninety nine point nine percent sure I was not setting you up to get hurt. I know I don’t really know him, but I don’t have any suspicions where he’s concerned. He seems so genuine.” She placed her hand on my arm. “That’s how he did it, huh? Because I mean, you’d be stupid not to hit that but this is you we’re talking about. You’re not stupid, but you are gun shy.”
“Let’s just say once he managed to break down some of my walls just by being himself and I got out of my head; it wasn’t that difficult to get me out of my shorts.” The two of us erupted into a fit of giggles.
Once we sobered, Ivy snatched my hand and led me over to the loungers and we each sat down on one of them. I could almost feel the shadow of gloom descending.
She dragged her chair closer to mine. “Maybe I should have started with this so then I wouldn’t be dampening our day after all of those laughs. And instead we could have gotten it out of the way and then had our giggles, but you know I have to ask. I can’t ignore that I worry about my best friend. That’s why I helped hook you up with that sweet sexy amazing guy in there.” She gave me a small smile. “But how are you holding up with everything else? I don’t need a play by play about the new shit because I already got the details. I want to know how you are doing. I promise I won’t harp on it. I know that Teak will take care of you.”
I released a deep sigh. “In all honesty; I don’t know how I’m doing. The first two things were annoying and a little rattling. However, when it involves knowing where I live; that has me a bit freaked out. I don’t know if that psycho followed us home Friday night or what. And Teak isn’t ruling out Mick. Considering I know for a fact he knows where I live.”
“Why would he be jealous? He’s the one who gave up a great thing. Although you are too good for him.” Then her eyes narrowed. “But he is an asshole so could just be trying to shake you up. And that’s only if all of the incidents aren’t connected. I would think he’d be too busy to have time to play these stupid games. Unless everyone else is finally realizing he’s a waste of a human too and he’s out of work.”
“Yeah, we had mentioned Mick’s name now too, but we don’t have any hard proof. It’s all just hearsay. But at least the police have both of their names in case something turns up.”
“You are going to stay here until all of this shit is cleared up, right?”
“I am. I just hope it isn’t making us move too quickly. Although I’m not looking at it as moving in together as much as a temporary living arrangement. If we treat it like that, we can reassess where things are with us when this is solved.”
“I think that is a really good way to look at things. And you’ve got a beautiful view of the beach here and a hot and considerate guy to snuggle up to every night. Among other things, little hussy.” She waggled her eyebrows at me, prompting a giggle from both of us.
And who writes lovely heart felt songs about me. But I kept that part to myself. Not that I didn’t want to share that with my bestie, but I was sure there was a process to releasing new songs and I didn’t want to intrude on that.
The door sliding open drew our attention to the guys stepping out onto the deck.
“Mind if we join you or are you still catching up on girl talk?” Teak walked over to me and leaned over to put his hands on my hips, sliding me forward so he could sit down behind me. Then he wrapped his arms around my waist and cuddled me to his chest.
When Ascher stopped at Ivy’s chair, he picked her up, sat down, and placed her in his lap.
“I guess girl talk is officially over.” She laughed before twisting her head so she could give him a kiss.
The four of us relaxed out on the loungers until it was time to leave so we weren’t late for our reservation. It was adorable seeing Teak interact with his fans. He was bombarded when we first arrived at the restaurant. But true to his word, after he spent some time signing pictures and CD’s and smiling for selfies, they left him alone. Then we were able to enjoy a delicious dinner. And it was so therapeutic being on a double date with friends, doing something normal and pushing aside my worries, for a least a few hours. Although these happenings caused me to have to adjust my living arrangement – which I didn’t mind one bit and as I had told Ivy I would make sure we took a step back when this was over if needed so I didn’t harm our relationship. But I refused to allow them to disrupt my life to the point I curled into a ball and stopped enjoying things. And as for one of the major benefits of my new temporary living arrangement; I asked Teak to sing his new song to me again before we ended the night making love. I couldn’t find any negatives about that part.
The next morning, I had a staff meeting so after we ate breakfast, I kissed Teak and headed out to my car, letting him know I wouldn’t be home – that was a little crazy to think but I let the slip go – until around two. Our meetings normally weren’t more than an hour or so, but to make it worth my while for the trip in to work; I helped out with some other things and then took off right before they broke for lunch. Although once a month, I would stick around to have lunch with the girls. Since Teak would be busy – and I didn’t want to give him a reason to take a break if it wasn’t necessary – I planned to tag along with the girls today too even though I had last week as well. So hopefully that would mean he wouldn’t pause his writing until he was ready to eat lunch.
After I slipped into my car, I headed down the driveway, punched in the code at the gate, and turned onto the main road. A mile down the street, I came to a stop sign. Since I was the first one to pull to a stop, I checked the other directions again to make sure everyone saw me, and then put my foot on the gas. However, once I was in the middle of the intersection, out of nowhere, a car came barreling toward me and hit me broadside. I didn’t have a chance to swerve or discern what the hell had happened because as soon as the car connected with my driver’s side, my head thumped off of my window and darkness engulfed me.