Music of the Heart

by Katie Ashley

  “I would love nothing more,” I answered honestly.

  “Then let me say this as well. I know Jake is hardheaded and stubborn, and I know he’s going to make some mistakes in the future like he has before. But promise me that you’ll give him a chance and try to forgive him?”

  Even though it was hard, I bobbed my head. “I will.”

  “Good. Because when it comes down to the end like it has for me, you don’t want to live with the regret of not forgiving the man you loved with all your heart and soul.”

  I furrowed my brows. “But I thought you had forgiven Jake’s father?”

  A flush entered Susan’s pale cheeks. “This is a secret just between you and me, but Mark wasn’t the love of my life.”

  “He wasn’t?”

  “Although he gave me the greatest gift of my life, Jacob, I could never feel for Mark what I did for Yuri. He was a dancer in one of the traveling companies I was in. We dated for years, and when I refused to marry him because I thought we were too young, he went out and slept with another dancer to hurt me. Although he apologized for weeks and months, I was stubborn, and I wouldn’t forgive him. He finally gave up and moved on, and I’ve regretted it all this time. A couple of years after Yuri is when Mark came into my life.” She gave me a wry smile. “Jake’s never been able to understand how I could forgive Mark for leaving me, but the truth was I just didn’t love him like I should, so it didn’t hurt as much.”

  Speechless, I could only murmur, “Wow.”

  She smiled. “So in the future when there are times you want to strangle Jacob or he’s tested your love, just remember that forgiveness is so much easier than regret.”

  “I will. You have my word.”

  She pulled me into a tight embrace. Both her words and her emaciated frame caused tears to prick my eyes. She rubbed wide circles over my back. “Sweet Abby, you’re an answer to a prayer. My Jacob is very, very lucky to have you. Don’t doubt for one second that I won’t constantly remind him that for as long as I have left.”

  With tears streaking down my cheeks, I couldn’t reply at first. Finally, I choked off a, “Thank you.”

  As she pulled away, she cupped my chin. “Do you know there’s an old saying that for every tear you shed for someone else’s grief, it takes one off of their suffering?”

  “Really?” I hiccupped.

  She nodded while swiping the tears off my cheeks. “So you’ve just managed to take a few off of Jacob.”

  “I’m glad. I’d do anything for him,” I replied.

  Susan smiled. “But no more tears, honey. Let’s just enjoy the time we have left together. Okay?”

  “Okay,” I agreed.

  “And speaking of time, I’m pretty sure it’s time to go check on how many little ‘presents’ Angel might’ve deposited in the house.”

  I laughed. “Let’s give that job to Jake since it was his idea to give me a puppy.”

  Susan’s eyes widened. “Oh honey, I do like your thinking!”

  ***

  Lounging on an old patchwork quilt, I reclined my head to get a better view of the blackened sky encrusted with twinkling stars. With her back against my chest, Abby signed with contentment. “Gosh, that is so beautiful,” she remarked.

  “You’re so beautiful,” I murmured into her ear.

  She rubbed my arms that were wrapped tightly around her before tilting back to bestow a kiss on my cheek. “Aw thank you baby. You say and do the sweetest things for me.”

  “So you like this surprise?”

  Glancing over her shoulder at me, she grinned. “Yes, this was another good surprise.”

  It was our last night together before Abby had to leave, and I had intended to make it as special as I could. I wanted it to be just the two of us—no friends or crowds. So I had decided on a twilight picnic down by the lake on my grandfather’s property. It was miles and miles off the main road, and you had to get to it either with an ATV or a Jeep. Nestled within a few rolling hills, it boasted breathtaking views of the mountains.

  We had already finished the dinner I’d gotten from Abby’s favorite restaurant, Longhorn’s. We were just making a dent in the dessert—my mama’s homemade Strawberry Shortcake—as the sun began making its decent in the horizon. I’d nestled Abby in my arms so we could experience our first sunset together. Now that it was over we were stargazing as light flickered around us from the votive candles lining the blanket’s edges.

  “Want some more cake?” Abby asked.

  “Sure.” I eased my grip on her so she could reach the plate.

  Taking the fork, she cut off a piece and swiveled in my lap to bring it to my mouth. She in turn took a bite as well. “That’s sooo good,” she murmured. As I chewed, I took my finger and dipped it into the cool whip lining the plate. I then covered Abby’s top and bottom lips. Leaning in, I kissed her deeply, licking and tasting the sweetness off her mouth.

  “Now that’s good,” I murmured against her lips.

  “Mmm, hmm,” she replied dreamily before she turned around to rest her back against my chest.

  Pulling the long shroud of her hair back, I kissed a moist trail down her neck and across her shoulder. When I got to her sundress strap, I tugged it down, causing part of her breast to spill over the cup. I nibbled on her shoulder as my fingertips feathered over the exposed part of her breast.

  Abby’s laughter caused her body to vibrate against mine. Glancing over her shoulder at me, she shook her head. “Jake Slater, I’m beginning to think you’re an insatiable sex fiend.”

  I grinned against her shoulder blade as I thought about our rather raunchy escapade a few hours ago. When I’d come out of the barn to the sight of Abby bent over the picnic basket with her tits practically hanging out of her sundress, my dick had twitched in need. I’d waited until after she had placed everything into the back of the Jeep before I’d had taken her hand in mine and tugged her into the barn. “Jake, what are you—” she began. But then her eyes widened at what had to be the lustful gleam burning in mine.

  Before she could protest, I’d shoved her back against the wall. After wrapping one arm around her waist, I’d used the other to jerk up the hem of her sundress. With one quick tug, I’d left her panties in shreds.

  Abby gasped at the sight of her ruined underwear hitting the barn floor. With a sheepish grin, I replied, “Sorry, Angel. I’ll get you another pair.”

  “Why bother? I mean, you’d probably just tear them up as well, you horndog!” she huffed.

  I threw back my head and laughed at her mock outrage. She smiled as she brought her lips to mine for a fiery kiss. After all the times we’d been together since that first night, I knew she still needed preparation to take me. Using one hand to unbutton and unzip my fly, I used the other to stroke and tease Abby into a frenzy. Closing her eyes, she had bit down on her lip before arching her hips in time to my hand.

  When I had her dripping with need, I momentarily pulled away to push down my pants and dig a condom out of my pocket. Then I had grabbed her by the ass cheeks, hoisted her up, and impaled her on my dick. “Jake!” she’d cried, and I’d almost blown my load right then and there. It was so fucking sexy the way she had said my name coupled with the fact that she was finally starting to be able to come when I was inside her.

  Wrapping her legs around my waist, Abby finally fulfilled one of my longest fantasies about her by digging her delicious cowboy boots into my bare ass. I pounded into her hard and fast while she gripped my shoulders to hold on. Her tiny pants along with my grunts of pleasure had echoed through the barn. “Are you close, Angel?”

  “Yes, oh yes,” she had moaned. It was only a few more moments before her walls clenched around me, causing me to come.

  Even though it had been the hottest sexcapade I had ever had with my girl, I still wanted more from her. I could never get enough of her sweetness, and then there was also the fact she was about to leave me bereft of her delicious curves.

  My hand snaked inside the
bodice of her dress to cup one of her breasts. Abby sucked in a breath as my thumb flicked back and forth over her nipple, causing it to harden. When I pinched it, her head fell back against my shoulder as she moaned. While I kneaded her breast, I kissed her cheek and over to her ear.

  “Rise up,” I commanded.

  Fumbling, Abby rose up on her knees before staring at me expectantly. When I started pulling up the hem of her dress, she swatted my hand away and widened her eyes. “Not out here.”

  I couldn’t help chuckling. “Baby, this is private property, and we’re out in the middle of nowhere. I promise that no one else is going to see your sexy bod but me.”

  Nibbling her bottom lip, she asked, “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.”

  She didn’t reply. Instead, her fingers came to the buttons on my shirt. In almost record time, she was stripping me of it, and then her hand went to my belt. She helped me out of my jeans.

  At the sight of me without underwear, she shook her head. “Commando?”

  “You know it.”

  She rolled her eyes but grinned in spite of herself. Since I knew she was modest, I let her keep her dress on until I was totally naked. Then I lifted it over her head. “So beautiful,” I murmured as my hands went to cup and knead her breasts. Our lips found each other, and we began kissing passionately. I lay back on the blanket and urged Abby to straddle me. I knew she loved riding me because it gave her more pleasure, and it was hot as hell for me to watch her swaying breasts and her body bouncing on and off of me.

  As she rubbed her wet center across my dick, I groaned. “Wait a minute.” I furiously dug a condom out of the back pocket of my discarded jeans and then slid it on. Abby rose up and then started easing down on me inch by inch. Placing her palms on my chest, she then set an agonizingly slow rhythm rising almost off of me and then bringing herself slowly back down. After a few minutes of breathless panting from the two of us, I gripped her hips tighter and started working her harder and faster against me. Our pants were replaced by the sounds of grunts and groans and skin slapping together. “Oh Jake,” Abby murmured as she came. I kept raising her hips and jerking her hard down on me, but with her clenching walls, I didn’t last much longer before crying out her name and spilling myself inside her.

  Collapsing onto my chest, Abby began sniffling. “I already miss you.”

  I chuckled. “Angel, I’m still inside you.”

  “I don’t care.” She rose up to shoot me a death glare. “And don’t joke at a time like this.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s a defense mechanism.” I brushed her long blonde hair out of her face. “Trust me that I feel just as desperate about you leaving. But we’re going to make this work.”

  “How?”

  “With Mama, it’s not going to be an option for me to come to you, so I’ve been thinking that I’ll just fly you out here on the days you have off between tour stops.”

  Abby’s eyes widened. “Do you know how much that would cost!”

  I shrugged. “So.”

  “Jake, it’s awfully sweet, but I can’t let you do that.”

  “It’s not up for discussion, Angel. I want to be with you, I have the money, so you might as well not argue with me since I always get my way.”

  Rolling her eyes, she replied, “You’re such an egomaniac.”

  I ran my fingers over her bare back, causing her to shiver. “But in spite of all my faults, you still love me, right?”

  “With all my heart and soul.”

  “Good. Because I feel the same fucking way.” Flipping us over, I settled myself between her thighs. “Ready to show me once again just how much you’re going to miss me?”

  ***

  “Love ya, Austin and see ya again next year!” I cried into the microphone. As I started off stage, I waved at the boisterous crowd. Unlike the guys, I didn’t stop at the dressing rooms to change. Instead, I headed straight for the bus. My hulking bodyguard followed right at my side and didn’t leave me until the bus doors closed and locked behind me.

  Once I was in the safety of the bedroom, I dug out my phone and called Jake. While our long-distance love arrangement had been running smoothly, I’d been worried about him the last few times we had talked. In the weeks after I’d left, Susan’s health had begun rapidly deteriorating, and it was wreaking havoc on Jake emotionally. I wanted more than anything to bail on the tour to be with him.

  He answered on the third ring. “Hey Angel, how was the show?”

  “Good. It was a pretty big venue, and we sold out.”

  “That’s awesome. I miss you like crazy.”

  His words caused a fluttering in my chest. “I miss you too. How’s Susan?”

  Jake inhaled a sharp breath, and I could almost feel his anguish through the phone. “She’s okay I guess. She’s having more bad days than good.”

  My heart ached for him, and I would have given anything to be able to wrap my arms around him and comfort him. I knew he needed a distraction, and after more girl talks with Lily, I knew she had admitted that she often resorted to comforting Brayden’s emotional heartaches with physical love.

  After gnawing on my bottom lip, I finally decided to go brazen. “I bought something for you today.”

  “You did?” Jake questioned absentmindedly.

  “Actually, it’s for me, but I think you’ll enjoy it.”

  A hissing noise came from Jake. “Whoa, wait a minute. What did you buy?”

  I giggled. “I’m glad I have your full attention now, Mr. Horny.”

  He groaned. “Fuck, did you buy some lingerie?”

  “Mmm, hmm.”

  “Show me.”

  “Nope, not until this weekend.”

  “Yes! Go put it on and take a picture for me!” he commanded in a voice that made me instantly all hot and bothered.

  “Nope. Patience, Mr. Slater. You’ll have a nice surprise this weekend.”

  In an almost helpless, pitiful voice, he asked, “Please?”

  I couldn’t help grinning at his change in tone. “All right, all right. Give me five minutes.”

  “Thank you, baby. You don’t know how happy that makes me. Of course, I’m already hard just thinking about you getting undressed.”

  “Jake!” I cried as heat filled my cheeks.

  He chuckled at my outrage. “Okay, go change.”

  After I hung up, I peeked out of the bedroom. The boys still hadn’t made it back to the bus. I locked the door and then slipped on the black and white checkered bra and thong. With white bows along the edges, it had an extremely naughty school girl look, especially when I slid on the white, lacy garters. Innocent, but sexy. Once I was outfitted, I stood in front of the mirror and snapped a few pictures from different angles. Then I texted them to Jake. I’d barely finished sending the last one when he called me.

  “Are you trying to kill me? You’re even wearing garters!”

  I laughed. “Does that mean you like it?”

  “Oh fuck, Angel, I’ll explode before Friday.” He sucked in a ragged breath. “Are you still wearing it?”

  “Yes,” I replied warily. I had a feeling where this was going, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for it yet.

  “Wanna make love to me over the phone?”

  I snorted. “You mean, ‘Let’s have phone sex’.”

  “Anyone can make it sound dirty,” he teased.

  Fiddling with the lace on my garters, I asked, “Are you in your bedroom?”

  After I heard some muffled noises, Jake replied, “Yes, I’m in bed now—naked and hard as a fucking rock because of your pictures.”

  A thrill went over me at the image that formed in my mind. Closing my eyes, I focused on the familiar sight of his lean muscles, his tight abs and all his tattoos. When heat burned between my thighs, I got a little more courage. “Do you want me naked?”

  “Just your bra first.”

  I reached around and unhooked the snaps. Once it fell free, I fought the urge to cross my arms ov
er my naked chest.

  “Is it off?”

  “Yeah…”

  “Put me on speakerphone.”

  “Jeez, you sure are bossy,” I muttered as I put the phone on the bed and punched the button.

  “Cup your breasts.” Just as I was told, I brought my hands to my chest. “Are your nipples hard yet?”

  “No,” I murmured.

  “Pinch them.”

  Against my better judgment, I did as I was told. “Does it feel good?” Jake asked.

  “Yeah,” I murmured truthfully. Okay, maybe I could get into this a little bit.

  Jake’s long moan echoed throughout the room. “Oh baby, I wish I was there. I would have my mouth and hands all over your breasts.”

  “I wish you were here too.” Biting my lip, I hesitated before I asked, “Are you touching yourself?”

  “Oh yeah. But I’m imagining it’s your hands on me or I’m sliding in and out of your warm mouth.”

  While slightly mortified by his dirty talk, a shudder went through me at his words. The dull ache between my legs began to grow. “Do you want me to take my panties off now?”

  “Mmm, yeah. But keep on the garters.”

  I slid off the thong and then buried myself under the covers. “Okay, I’m naked.”

  “Are you wet?”

  Warmth entered my cheeks as the reality crashed down on me again of what I’m doing. “Jake…”

  “Come on, Angel, tell me.”

  “Yes,” I whispered.

  “Mmm, I love how wet you get for me. Now stroke yourself nice and slow,” Jake ordered. Once again, I did as I was told. Closing my eyes, I pictured him and his delicious fingers touching and probing my center. “Now faster.” When I sped up my tempo, I couldn’t help gasping with pleasure. “Oh baby, that’s right. Let me hear you.”

  Even with the TV on, I still didn’t want to be too loud in case the boys came in. So instead, I bit down on my lip, stifling some of my cries. “You’re holding back,” Jake panted.

  “Yeah, well, I’ll let go if you let me hear you,” I countered breathlessly.