by Joanna Blake
No, thank you. I had too much pride for that. He was spectacular in bed, making me feel like he loved and adored me. But it was fleeting with a man like him. We both knew it.
It was over and that was that.
I had to go home. Not to the apartment I shared with Shirl. Home home. I had failed spectacularly. Fallen right on my face. My friends back home had warned me. Nashville had eaten me up and spit me out. It turned out I was just a simple country girl, after all. Stupid and naive. I’d proven that by falling into bed with the first rich handsome man I met.
What a stereotype. What an embarrassment. What a fool.
I hadn’t just fallen into bed, either. I’d fallen in love with him. I knew that no matter how far I travelled, I would never forget Jake Delancey.
It was just him, I reminded myself. I just didn't fit in here. I felt a little hitch in my throat as I started putting my clothes on mechanically.
In a moment of weakness I would never admit to anyone, I couldn't resist pulling Jake’s shirt on over my skimpy top. It would be something to remember him by. For a moment I had an image of Jake finding his bed empty. Worrying about me. Missing me.
I snorted in disbelief.
Don't fool yourself, girl. Any more than you already have. He had dozens of women on speed dial. He wouldn’t be alone for long. Not for a hot minute!
Jake might be a tad upset in the morning but he'd be fine in two shakes. He was the sort who always landed on his feet. He wasn't going to let a low rent waitress change his bad boy ways.
And even if he was genuinely upset that I’d left without saying goodbye, that wouldn’t last long either. He could have any woman he wanted to comfort him. Now that he'd finally had me I was sure he would have cast me off without a backward glance. That's how men like him operated. Especially the rich ones.
I ignored the little voice that was in my head, telling me I was wrong, that Jake really cared for me. I pushed it down until I couldn’t hear it anymore. I was starting over, from scratch. Starting over sounded better than giving up.
Or rather, running home with my tail between my legs.
Leaving Nashville for good.
Now that the band was on the outs with Tom… there really wasn’t anything left for me here. It felt like it was all my fault somehow. Every last stupid thing that had gone wrong was on me.
I wiped away my tears and snuck down to the front hall to call a cab.
It was time to go home.
Chapter Nineteen
Jake
I paced back and forth as I raked my brothers over the coals.
"You're sure she didn't say anything else?"
Daniel shook his head sadly.
"No Jake. I swear. She did look mortified though."
"You shouldn't be sleeping with the help, anyway."
"She wasn't the Goddamn help, Jackson!"
"Jacks, shut up. Seriously. Can't you see he's in love with her? Elle is not an ordinary girl.
Jackson grunted and ran his hand through his hair.
“Fine. You’re right. I’m sorry. I like Elle,” he added with a somewhat guilty look. For Jackson, anyway.
I didn't want to accept my brother’s apology. I didn’t even want to think about what Elle must have been thinking when she ran off. But what Daniel had said was true.
I was in love with her.
I was 100% grade A certified in love with one cute little Irish gal named Eleanor Gavin.
And God only knew where the hell she was after all the excitement of the night before.
She’d run. I couldn’t help but be a little pissed off at that. Not that I blamed her. Not entirely.
It had been quite the wakeup call. My brothers catching us like that had been rough to say the least. But after the kind of sex we’d had… she should have stayed. But I knew she had her pride. I couldn’t have imagined how embarrassed she had been.
Dad had pulled through the night, but barely. In fact, his recovery had been nothing short of miraculous. I had a sneaking suspicion it had something to do with my agreement to stay and help my brothers run the estate and horse breeding farm.
That was all because of Elle. She’d changed me in the short time I’d known her. I could see a life for myself here now. A life with her.
First she’d led me on a merry chase. Then she’d challenged me, made me question my motives and desires. And finally she’d let me in. She had been more than worth the wait.
I snorted.
Let me in? Hell, she’d demanded I take her to bed.
She'd given me the most incredible night of my life. We’d made love three times in rapid succession. Each time had been more intense than the last. And just like that, poof, she was gone.
Well I wasn't going to stand for it. No way. Not at all.
Especially not after I’d given in to my father after all these years. I’d been beside myself as the old man gasped for breath. I’d begged my father to reconsider the terms of his will.
Leave the place to them! I don't want it. but I don't want to deprive them of it either!
What do you want son?
I want peace. And I want her.
The girl they found you in bed with?
Yes.
If she's the right girl for you, she'd want you to stay put. Don’t you want to provide for her?
I had hung my head, knowing my father was right. Elle was fiery, beautiful, and incredibly talented. She was also practical and loyal to a fault. She'd tell me to stay if I asked her opinion. Besides, if I stayed put I had a better chance of hooking her for good.
Keeping her.
Alright father. You win. I'll stay.
My father had breathed easier after that. I had finally left him to rest and gone back to find an empty bed. I was scared out of my mind. I was more frantic than I’d ever been in my life. Elle wasn't answering her phone and didn't seem to be at home.
I sighed. I had no choice now and I knew it. It was time for the last resort. I left my brothers and went to the one place I thought I’d never set foot in again.
The God Damn Country Club.
It wasn’t long before I tracked down the waitress that Elle roomed with. The one whose brother was in the band with her. I just hoped that she'd tell me where Elle was without having to beg. But I was mentally preparing to get on my knees, just in case.
"Hey Shirl."
The girl gave me one look and sighed. I didn’t have to beg, it turned out. I just had to listen. And the news was not good.
"She's gone."
"Where?"
"You aren't going to like it, Jake."
"Doesn't matter. I have nothing left to lose."
Chapter Twenty
Elle
I scooted toward the window, trying to get comfortable. The plane was being held and had been for the past two hours. Why, nobody knew. The passengers were starting to get mighty cranky about it too.
The plane from Nashville to New York City was packed and stuffy. And this was just the first leg of my epic journey. Never mind the discomfort and expense. Never mind the shame of running home with my tail tucked neatly between my legs.
But none of that mattered. Not a whit.
All I could think about was the ache in my heart.
I’d run out on Jake. There was no nice way to put it. I’d shafted him. Even if he was the sort to toss women aside after a tumble, I should have given him a chance. He did seem awfully taken with me after all. And I knew now without a doubt that I’d lost my heart to him.
And on the night he lost his father too… the shame of it was making my stomach twist and turn. I should have stayed. But instead, I’d run off like a coward.
The band would go on without me. Maybe they would even be glad to see me go now that I’d botched things with the biggest club owner in Nashville. Not that I blamed myself for his disgusting behavior. But it didn’t matter who was to blame. That chapter was closed. It was too bad, but the heartbreak of it was nothing compared to what I was fe
eling over Mr. Blue Eyes.
I looked up to see a stewardess standing over my seat.
"Miss Gavin? Your seat has been changed."
"What? Why?"
"Please come with me now,” she said firmly. I glanced around and then shrugged. What difference did it make where I sat? I was fighting off tears anyway.
I stood up, grumbling to myself. I was already starting to doubt my decision to run off. Now the shameful trip homeward was turning into a nightmare. And it had barely just begun.
Serves you right, Eleanor, I heard my mother’s voice inside me. You took the cowards way. I didn’t raise my girl to cut and run!
Maybe my credit card had been declined and they were kicking me off the plane. That wouldn't be a shocker after everything else that had happened now would it? But maybe it would be a blessing in disguise. I could go back… I could try to explain...
The stewardess led me to the front of the plane. They were already preparing to taxi to the runway so they couldn't be kicking me off now, could they? The door was sealed. Unless they planned to eject me mid flight.
Now that would be a proper ending to my failed trip to America.
I almost laughed at the thought of skydiving but I was too depressed. I followed the stewardess to a seat at the front of the plane… They were putting me in first-class. Me, the girl with holes in her shoes. What the hell was I doing in first-class? I looked at her suspiciously. That was when I noticed him.
There was someone in the seat next to mine. A man wearing ripped jeans and a leather jacket. A man who was staring at me with a wry grin.
Jake Bloody Delancey.
"Please take your seat now, Miss Gavin."
I stared in shock at the gorgeous man staring back at me. My heart thumping in my chest. He was here. I had never been so happy to see anyone in my life. Happy, and mortified at the same time.
"Sit down, Elle,” Jake said calmly, in an authoritative voice I had never heard before.
I sat.
"Enjoy your flight, Mr. Delancey,” the stewardess said with a hint of wistfulness. I would have glared at her if I hadn’t been so discombobulated.
I looked straight ahead. Jake was probably mad at me. I realized I was afraid to look at him.
Coward.
"Put on your seatbelt, Elle."
Slowly I reached out and slid the buckle into place.
"How is your father?"
Silence.
I held my breath, feeling like the worst kind of heel for leaving him with a family crisis at hand.
Then Jake shifted in his seat. He was staring at me. I still couldn’t bring myself to look at him.
"He's alright actually. He seemed to turn over a new leaf when I promised him I'd stay in Brentwood."
I closed my eyes. I knew what big concession that was to him. He’d never wanted to be a part of the machine that was Delancey Stables.
"Do you know why I promised him that, Elle?"
I shook my head. The plane was picking up speed as it taxied down the runway. The tip of the plane began to lift.
"Look at me, Elle."
I turned my head sideways and stared into his beautiful blue eyes.
"I did it because of you."
Chapter Twenty-One
Jake
This was it. At long last, I had the upper hand. And I planned to savor every moment of it.
I leaned over Elle's beautiful, helpless, naked body. She was tied spread eagle to the hotel bed. The very, very large hotel bed.
"So, Elle. Tell me. How are you enjoying your trip to New York City?”
She moaned as I traced my fingertip down her body.
"Please Jake…”
“That’s Mr. Delancey to you.”
“Please… Mr. Delancey.”
I smiled at her and continued the teasing strokes. I’d been at this for over an hour. It was probably time to let her climax. That would be the kind thing to do.
But not quite yet.
I leaned down, my breath fanning her skin with warm air. She was cool to the touch, thanks to the hotel's air conditioning. Slowly I stuck out my tongue, making a point. I dragged it across her skin, skimming her nipple.
"Ohhhh…"
I kept going, sliding down her body, licking and teasing as I went. Then I started at her ankles again and worked my way up. She was shivering by the time I’d kissed my way back up her body to her flushed face.
"Had enough?"
She nodded breathlessly as I started unbuttoning my shirt.
"Hmmm… should I untie you?"
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, please. Mr. Delancey” she added breathlessly.
“Are you sure?”
"Whatever you want– just–"
"Just what? Just fuck you?”
She moaned as I rolled her nipple lightly between my thumb and forefinger.
"If I give you what you want, you have to promise me not to run away again."
I stood and took my pants off. Her eyes were glued to my body. She looked hungry. Famished really. I grinned. Jesus, she was gorgeous. And very, very responsive in the sack. My little kitten was a wildcat when it came to alone time. I was a lucky man.
I’d never had more fun in my life.
She whimpered in pleasure as I lowered my naked body on top of hers. I felt my cock jerk, eager to get on with it. But I needed to hear her say it first.
Down boy, not just yet.
"Elle. I need your word."
"Yes. I promise… I–"
“You promise what?” I said, dragging the tip of my cock up and down her soaking wet pussy lips, both of us moaning in anticipation.
“I promise not to leave.”
“You promise not to leave who?”
“I promise not to leave you again, Mr…. ahhhh… please Mr. Delancey.”
“Close enough,” I allowed, giving her a kiss kiss before giving her what she wanted. What we both wanted.
I thrust into her, holding perfectly still while we both adjusted to the sudden onslaught of sensations. I grinned down at the dazed looking beauty beneath me. I kissed her lips, pulling her juicy bottom lip into my mouth for a nip.
"That's all I wanted to hear."
I ground my cock into her slowly, kissing her as she rocked helplessly against me. In minutes she was shaking, quivering all over my shaft as she came. I grinned and reached up to untie her hands.
I didn't stop my slow thrusting as I untied her. Eventually I reached down and untied one foot at a time. The moment she was loose, she tore into me, grabbing and holding and scratching.
Jesus, she was a hellcat.
My hellcat.
After all, she'd put me through hell. I’d earned this. I’d earned this time with her. I might have to work to earn forever, but I was ready and willing to do that. I’d do anything.
But first I needed revenge. I’d been scared out of my wits. I was going to make her pay for it, too. Maybe I’d tie her up again. Get some ice cream ordered up from room service. Eat it off her delicious body while she squirmed.
Yes, that sounded like a very good idea. But not now. Now I was busy.
Later.
I rolled onto my back, bringing her with me. My eyes were wide as I watched her ride me. She wasn't being shy now. Not as she rocked her hips faster and faster. She seemed determined to make both of us climax. Hard.
I felt my body fill with exquisite pleasure as I started to peak. I grabbed her hips and bucked upwards, thrusting into her sweetness. It wasn’t enough though. I wanted more.
I rolled her onto her back and drove into her again and again.
“Elle,” I hissed out, nearly telling her I loved her. I bit back the words. I needed to hear her say them first. I was still shaken by her desertion. I wasn’t ready to trust her yet.
She was still writhing beneath me as I slowed down enough to let us both catch our breath. But I didn't withdraw. Her eyes widened when she felt me growing hard again.
I stared down at her and smirked. I grabbed her hands and held them above her head, reaching again for the robe sashes. I pulled them tight, tying her hands to the headboard.
It was going to be a long, long night for one naughty little runaway.
I’d make damn sure she never wanted to run again.
After tonight, she wouldn’t dare.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Elle
I rolled over, finding the bed beside me cool and empty.
I looked around, wondering if he was gone. If he had then his revenge and had his fill. But then I shoved the thought aside. Jake wasn’t the Romeo I had imagined him to be. He had told me he was keeping me. I could tell he meant it, even if it was a bit insulting. Like I was a pet poodle or something. I snorted. It was insulting, in a possessive alpha male kind of way. But I hadn’t argued at the time.
I’d been too busy climaxing harder than I ever had in my entire life.
I jumped, realizing I was not alone after all. There was a shadowy form by the window. Jake was sitting in an easy chair in the dark. Watching me.
Stark relief flowed through my body.
He was still here. I hadn't dreamt what had happened on the plane. Or afterwards, at the hotel.
He'd fought for me after all. Hell, he'd practically kidnapped me. And what he'd done afterwards… I blushed. He'd worked over my body to such a degree… he knew every sensitive spot I had now. I knew he wouldn't be afraid to use them to his advantage.
Next time. And there would be a next time… and a next, and a next. Now that I’d given in to the inevitable, I was fully invested. No more running. No more resisting. Not that I could resist Jake. I’d learned that the hard way, and then some.
Thankfully, we finally had the same goal in mind: sex. Not just run of the mill sex. Pleasuring each other until we were weak as kittens. I smiled at him, running my hand through my hair. I knew I probably looked a mess. But I wouldn’t mind it if he joined me in bed again.