“People need to sort out their own shit,” King grumbled before taking a long swig of his Tecate.
“So why are you still planning to keep your job at the coffeehouse” Lace asked deftly changing the subject.
“Just to be safe. No money has changed hands yet.” Bridget took the slice of pizza Bryan offered her, but she didn’t eat it.
Lace studied her for a long moment and then squeezed her hands. She turned to me. “How you liking that Triumph, biker boy?”
“Huh?” I was watching Bridget worry her bottom lip.
“Your new motorcycle.” Lace was trying to communicate something with a pointed glare and an eyebrow wiggle, but I had no idea what.
“You have a Triumph?” Bryan asked with keen interest, more interest than he’d ever shown in anything I’d ever said previously.
“Yeah, a Rocket III. You want to see it? It’s down in the garage.”
“Sweet,” Sager interjected, dark brows up over his dark eyes.
“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Lace encouraged with exaggerated loudness. So that was it. She was trying to get rid of everybody. She wanted to talk to Bridget alone.
I glanced at Bridget. “You ok for a little bit?”
“She’ll be fine, lover boy. Man, you got it bad, JJ. I’m sure she’ll survive for a few minutes without you.”
***
Bridget
The apartment was eerily quiet after the door clicked closed behind them all.
“Spill,” Lace demanded. “And don’t bullshit me. You look like you’re about two seconds away from coming apart at the seams.”
I closed my eyes, my tense shoulder drooping under the weight of my concerns crashing down on them all at once. A shaky breath leaked from my lips right before the waterworks started.
“Oh, baby.” Lace held out her arms. I dropped my heavy head onto her shoulder. Her arms went around me. She didn’t say anything while I let it all out. I cried because I was tired and stressed. I cried because my life had just taken an unexpected turn and I was feeling completely overwhelmed. But most of all I cried because I was afraid of losing Justin.
When the crying jag had settled to intermittent hiccups and periodic tears, I started to share. My explanation was all over the place, out of order and disjointed, but somehow Lace pieced it together and understood the way only a really good friend could.
She grabbed a tissue, handed it to me, and shifted to look at me. “So that’s your genius plan then. Squeeze all the happiness you can from him before he leaves or you do?”
I nodded. Though I realized it sounded kind of stupid when spoken aloud.
“That’s one of the dumbest things I ever heard.” She snorted.
I stiffened defensively.
“I’m no expert on love or anything. I’m still working out the consequences of a lot of bad choices on my own part. Choices that hurt a lot of people. But I do know one thing. Love is worth the chance. He says he loves you. I believe him. Hell, anyone who sees him with you can see that. So he’s not perfect. None of us are. But I really don’t think he’s the issue. You are.” She studied me, eyes much softer than her words had been. “Bridget, no one’s gonna argue. You’ve been though some really shitty stuff. So has he. Most of us have. The trick is to leave the past in the past. If you don’t you’ll never be free to move forward. If you keep trying to drag that heavy stuff around, you’re gonna find out that your hands are too full of bad to carry anything else. Something good like what I see between you and Justin needs to be scooped up and held onto with both hands. I agree with JJ. Don’t let anything come between you. Commit to it. Commit to a future for all three of you. Otherwise, I think your fear’s gonna cost you a really good thing.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
* * *
Justin
On the way back upstairs, Bryan jogged up to me. King, Sager, Dizzy, and Carter were a good distance behind.
“Sweet ride,” Bryan said.
I nodded my agreement. “Would’ve been smarter to save more of the signing bonus from Black Cat.” I shrugged. “But life’s too short, and I’ve always wanted a motorcycle.”
“I just got my mom and sisters into a house otherwise I would’ve bought myself one by now. After the European tour, there’s a Nighthawk with my name on it.”
“Cool. Maybe we can find somewhere to race.”
His head bobbed. “Absofuckinglutely.”
“Hey, in the meantime, you ever wanna take a spin on the Triumph, it’s no big deal. All you need to do is ask. I know you’ll take good care of it.”
“Thanks. I just might do that. Lace would love it.”
Before we reentered the apartment, he held me up. “Listen, I’m sorry I’ve been such a hard ass with you. Warren and I were friends a real long time. It’s been a hard adjustment for me. I’ve probably been taking it out on you.”
“It’s ok.” I started to wave it off, though I appreciated the apology, and took it as a favorable sign that things might have turned a corner between us.
“No seriously. You’re doing a great job, and if I can do anything to make things better, just let me know.”
“Thanks.” I clapped him on the back. “I appreciate it.”
My eyes went straight to Bridget as soon as we turned the corner into the living room. She was still on the couch with Lace, her eyes red rimmed. Shit. I knew she’d been holding out on me.
“Hey.” She gave me a tentative smile, but there was something more than that in her gaze. Something that hadn’t been there before. Something that told me she’d let go of the worry that’d been dragging her down since Florida.
Bryan took a seat on the armrest next to Lace. Arriving with the others, King lifted Carter off his shoulders and set him down. The crew wandered into the kitchen. I heard the refrigerator door open and the hiss of bottle caps coming off.
Carter shuffled over to the couch and squeezed between Bridget and Lace. “I’m tired, Mommy.”
“Me, too.” She kissed his head. “Why don’t you go ahead and get a bath and get in your jammies. Lace wants to tuck you in tonight. Would that be ok?”
“Yeah.” His eyes sparkled and he had a bit more spring in his step as he started to move away. “But where will you be?”
“I need to spend a little time with Justin.” Her eyes met mine. “I’m going over to his place, if that’s ok with him?”
Hell, yeah. I nodded.
She rose and I reached out to grab her hand, interlacing my fingers with hers. “You sure you don’t mind taking care of Carter?” she asked Lace.
“Not at all.”
I hugged Carter goodnight and Bridget released my hand to kneel down and whisper in Carter’s ear. “I love you. Be good. I’ll see you in the morning.” Her eyes remained on him as he walked to the back.
Lace and I exchanged a glance. “Go on, guys. Go.” Her voice lowered. “Sleep in for once, Bridget. I’ve got breakfast already planned. Bryan bought a big industrial sized bag of powdered doughnuts from the IGA. If he doesn’t share it with someone, he’ll be hyper all day.”
We said our goodbyes to the guys, but my head wasn’t in it. The idea of having Bridget completely to myself for an entire night had me euphoric. I placed my hand on the center of her back to lead her out into the hall. She paused before we got there to pull a nightgown and a toiletry bag from the duffles we’d dropped in the foyer.
“You’re not gonna need those PJ’s,” I whispered. “If I’m getting you all night, I want free and clear access. Your skin against mine.”
She blushed and I grinned like it was Christmas.
As soon as we cleared my door, I closed it and pushed her back against it.
“Lift your arms, babe,” I ordered.
She immediately complied, her hands reaching toward the ceiling, and my smile widened as I drew off her cotton tee.
“Nice” I breathed when I saw the white see through lace demi that she wore underneath it. “When did you get this?
” My heart was slamming against my ribs, just looking at the dusky rose of her nipples made my mouth go dry.
Her mouth curved seductively. “When we were shopping.”
My eyes narrowed with intent. I brushed the back of my knuckles against her breasts staring at the already hardened tips. My heated gaze lifted, meeting one vastly more provocative. Her lips parted. “Beautiful. You’re so beautiful.” I took her mouth then, feasting on it, loving the low whispers of delight that trickled up from her throat.
***
Bridget
Bracketed between Justin’s arms, his hands on either side of my head, I couldn’t move, but I didn’t want to. I was held captive by my own desire. Desire that was reflected right back at me in a pair of emerald eyes. I reached for him, undoing his belt buckle and unfastening the top button of his jeans before he stopped me.
“Don’t.” Warm masculine hands closed around mine, his voice as rough as his fingertips. “I won’t last ten seconds once you touch me.”
His hands came up and cradled my face. His thumbs caressing my cheeks and the way he stared at me made me feel as if I was a priceless work of art. “I’m sorry I’ve been so distracted and stressed. I want you to know that I do believe in you. In us.” He closed his eyes and one hand moved down and stopped in the center of my chest. My breath rose and fell beneath it. The moment stretched out. I heard the words without them needing to be spoken.
Mine, that hand on my chest meant.
And I was. And I wanted always to be.
When his eyes reopened, they remained on my breasts which swelled under his continued perusal. My breath started to quicken. I ached for more of his touch. And he didn’t delay. His head lowered, his warm mouth closing over one tightened tip, soaking the lace and wetting my skin underneath. I moaned as I felt the delicious drag of his tongue across the dampened fabric.
My fingers tangled in his silky hair and I arched into him wanting more of that. Unselfishly, he gave it to me. Mouth latching onto each nipple in turn, he teased me first with his warm breath before soothing the highly sensitized flesh with the suction of his lips. Then he took me higher, making me almost frenzied with the subtle scoring of his teeth and follow-up laps with the flat of his tongue.
“Justin,” I cried, knees getting weak, hands clinging to his shoulders. I felt as if there was a sizzling cord connecting breastbone to navel and that the connection kept drawing tighter and hotter each time he increased the pressure of his mouth.
He lifted his head. I barely had time to catch a quick breath before his lips were back on mine, hot and wet and relentless in their conquest. He caught my lower lip between his teeth before a sweep of his tongue conveyed his fevered apology for the momentary pain.
His hands in my hair, he held me in place, slanting his head one way and then the other as if he couldn’t choose which position he liked best. His tongue plunged deep into my mouth, a thorough and potent seducer, insistent and demanding. Suddenly he ripped his mouth from mine, and short shallow bursts of his breath became interspersed with kisses along my jaw line and down the column of my neck while his hands traced down my spine. Reaching the barrier of my bra, he pulled the two sides together and deftly unclasped it, sliding the straps down my arms. I pressed my bared breasts to his chest, rubbing shamelessly against him and moaning.
“Shh.” He quieted me with another deep kiss, but I began to shift restlessly, my skin and my body felt like they were on fire and I knew he was the one who could stoke the blaze hotter.
He ended the kiss, twin molten pools of green mesmerizing me, luring me further under his control. One corner of his mouth curved up as his gaze roamed possessively over me. I’d never felt this way before, even with him, like I’d die if I didn’t have him.
My hands slid up under his shirt, my fingers greedy to touch his smooth warm skin again. I pulled the hem up as I went. He shivered when my hands brushed across his nipples. He eased back and didn’t stop me when I pulled his shirt off. I dropped it on the floor. He captured my hands, turned them over, and placed soft kisses in each palm. “I love you,” he whispered, closing them.
My heart melted just like the rest of me. He was so gorgeous, so sweet. I reached up and traced his features with my hands, outlining his lips with the tips of my fingers. I felt his hands fumble with the button of my jeans and felt them part under his persistence. He knelt down and tugged the skin tight jeans and panties down together. “It was much easier when my clothes were looser,” I teased, my lips spreading into a grin as I stared down at the handsome man at my feet.
His return smile wasn’t teasing. It was feral and hungry and made the blood rush hot and heavy through my veins. “Step out.” His voice was low and demanding, and my jeans and panties were quickly swept aside the moment I complied. His hands moved to my ass.
“Justin,” I squeaked my shock when I found myself hauled forward.
“This ok?” His mouth hovered above the juncture between my legs, his breath fanning the flame that was already hot into an inferno. Heavy lidded eyes peered up at me.
“Yes.” I sucked in a breath, every muscle in my body tightening in anticipation of what I knew he was going to do next.
His fingers flexed on my ass and as I was thinking just how good that felt, I felt something even better. His tongue. On me. Down there. Long purposeful strokes and then a teasing circle around the center of my desire.
“Justin!” I screamed as a shudder wracked me and a rush of heat pooled between my thighs. My knees suddenly went out from under me.
“I’ve got you.” He surged to his feet with me his arms. “Knew I could make you scream,” he declared with shining eyes and a self-satisfied smile. Moving so fast the apartment walls blurred around me, he took me to the bedroom, and dropped me on the bed.
I scooted to the top, kicking down the comforter with my heels, while watching him shimmy out of his jeans and boxers. Heart at an all-out sprint, I savored the view as his engorged length sprang free. He stepped forward, eyes glittering with intent as he rolled on the condom, and then put a knee to the mattress. Without delay, he put his hands on my thighs, spread them apart, and moved between them. My eyes closed as he slid straight in, all the way.
So good.
So right.
“Open your eyes, babe.”
I blinked at the gently spoken command, focusing on his face.
“Move with me.” He pulled almost all the way out and as then slowly inched all the way back in. I lifted my hips and moved with him. He groaned setting a slow pace at first, but the burn was so hot and the passion so undeniable between us, that our rhythm increased rapidly. Our pants pierced the air as our bodies crashed together.
He slid his hands under my bottom and pulled me deeper into his thrusts. I dug my fingers into his. We were both in sync, wanting the same thing, and rushed headlong toward it with equal fervor.
We found it at the same time.
Divine.
Sublime.
Beautiful.
We were beautiful.
Together.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
* * *
Justin
I pulled on Bridget’s belt loops, tugging her back into me. I didn’t want to break the connection to her. She continued to talk with Lace as if this were just another morning at the breakfast table. But it wasn’t. Not after a night like we had shared. Nothing in my life was ever going to be the same.
There was no going back for me.
Ever.
We’d napped on and off, making love more than sleeping. Each time had been even sweeter than the time before. I kept her in bed this morning longer than I’d thought she’d have let me. Past nine. But I couldn’t seem to make myself stop touching her. I didn’t want to share her with anyone. I just wanted to stay inside the sensual web we’d woven around each other forever. Who needed the outside world, anyway?
“What are your plans for the day?” Bridget was asking her.
“I dunno.”
Lace shifted on Bryan’s lap, turning around to face him. “Shopping?” she asked eagerly.
He groaned. “Only if I have no other choice.”
“You don’t.” Lace’s gaze swung to me. Then she mock glared at Bridget. “You stole my most enthusiastic shopping partner, Gigi.”
“Sorry,” Bridget replied in a teasing tone that said she was anything but as she leaned her head back against my shoulder.
The scent of her shampoo shifted my thoughts to things besides shopping. My fingers tightened on her waist. “I want you again,” I whispered my frustration low in her ear.
“Me, too.” She squeezed my hands with her own.
Holy hell. I wanted to throw her over my shoulder, take her back to my apartment, and make love to her for an entire week straight. But I knew that wouldn’t be enough. A lifetime wouldn’t be enough.
I nuzzled her neck and caught Carter watching us from the table with careful eyes. Though Lace had insisted he’d been fine without Bridget, this morning I could read the uncertainty in his gaze.
I kissed Bridget behind the ear, enjoying the soft sigh that followed. I ignored my body’s reaction, gave her hip a squeeze, straightened, and went over to him. He offered me a doughnut, but I shook my head to decline.
“You and Double L should go shopping,” I told Bridget while keeping my eyes on his somber little face, “I wanna hang out with Carter today. We missed another Friday guitar lesson, didn’t we, Champ?”
He nodded, powdered sugar drifting off his face and falling onto the table top like a mini snow flurry.
“That’s a great idea,” Bryan agreed, a little too enthusiastically.
Lace elbowed him in his ribs. “Don’t think this gets you completely off the hook, Bry. You still owe me a kitchen clean up.”
“Give me a couple of minutes to get ready,” Bridget told Lace holding up a finger. “I just need to put on some different clothes.
Rock Star Romance Ultimate: Volume 1 Page 130