Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies #3)

by Toni Aleo

When she comes, she comes hard against my mouth, my name yelping from her lips as she twitches beneath me. Kissing each little lip, I sit up, crawling over her to reach my dresser. Pulling a condom out, I sheath myself before going between her legs and entering her with one thrust. She cries out and her hands come to my shoulders as I push my body into hers. Pressing my forehead to hers, I look into her eyes as I drive into her ever so slowly. Her body is still squeezing mine, and fuck, it feels good.

  Squeezing her thigh and hip, I move in and out of her tight body, her fingers biting into my shoulders as she whimpers my name. Her eyes are locked on mine, her whole body flushed with lust. I swear, I’ve never seen beauty like this. Not even scoring the winning goal in the championship amounts to being between Avery’s thighs.

  Fuck.

  I’m a goner.

  I’m hers.

  And I’m completely okay with that.

  Moving my nose along hers, I whisper, “Could you love me?”

  Her eyes widen at that as she meets my gaze. “What?” she gasps as I move in and out of her.

  “Could you love me?” I ask, still moving into her, my rhythm picking up because I’m almost there. She arches her back and I take her nipple into my mouth, making her scream as I bite down. “Answer me,” I demand and she nods.

  “Yes.”

  I almost ask if she does love me, but soon I can’t take it, and I’m coming just as hard as she did with a harsh groan. Gasping, I tuck my face against her neck as I fight for breath, my body still trembling, as is hers. Holding on to me, she trails kisses up my shoulders and my neck before stopping at my ear.

  “Could you love me?”

  I nod, pulling back to look at her. “Yeah, I could, I—”

  Her phone interrupts me and she looks toward it, confused. Looking back at me, she says, “Who would be calling at seven in the morning?”

  “I don’t know.” I roll off her and she gets her phone, frantic. Looking at the display, she shrugs.

  “I don’t know who it is.”

  “Answer.” I pull off the condom and throw it in the trash. “It could be family.”

  She gives me a deadpan look, but she answers anyway. “Hello?”

  She nods at whatever is being said on the other end. “Oh no, it’s okay. I’m up.” I watch as her face changes from confusion to an almost ecstatic look. “Really? Yes, that is no problem at all.”

  I don’t know why she is so happy, but I smile anyway. She looks beautiful, her face is flushed, red splotches are all over her body, and she looks very much like a woman who was just loved right.

  “No, that’s sounds awesome. I can’t wait to meet you. Yeah, for sure,” she says, bouncing on the bed. “I’m sorry if this is rude, but how did you hear of me? YouTube?”

  When her face twists in confusion, I start to worry, but then her eyes are on me. “He did? Wow. Yeah, he’s the most amazing guy ever. Yeah, thank you. Can’t wait to meet you. Bye.”

  Dropping the phone in her lap, her eyes are still burning into mine and I’m on edge, wanting to know what is going on. “What’s up? Who was that?”

  Her lips curve as she moves into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck. Leaning back to look at me, she says, “That was Stu Waters of Jelly Records, and he wants to meet with me on Wednesday to discuss my career. Not an internship. My singing career.”

  “Holy shit! That’s awesome, baby,” I yell, hugging her tightly before kissing her hard on the lips. “Told you you were awesome.”

  She smiles shyly, tears in her eyes. “You sent him my demo.”

  Grinning, I nod. “I’m behind you one hundred percent, Avery. I believe in you.”

  When a tear rolls down her face, I wipe it away quickly and she whispers, “I’ve never had someone believe in me.”

  “Well, that’s because people are dumb. I’m actually very smart. Ask my mom, she’ll tell you.”

  Her face breaks into a grin before she presses her forehead to my chin. “I think I love you, Jace.”

  Everything stops. My heart, my breathing, time, everything. Just stops.

  “What?”

  Pulling back, she nods slowly, her tears streaming down her face. “I love you.”

  “You do?”

  She smiles. “I knew I did before this moment, but I’ve been so scared to give you all of me because of what happened with Caleb. But I couldn’t fight the feelings. I’ve loved you for a while. But now… Now, I just have to tell you. And if you don’t love me yet, I understand, but I—”

  “I love you,” I say quickly, gathering her face in my hands as my eyes burn into hers. “I think I’ve loved you since the moment I met you.”

  A sob breaks from her as she hugs me tightly, but that isn’t enough. Pulling away, I capture her mouth. For some reason, they’re different, our kisses. They mean more. They hold so much promise, and as our lips dance together, I know I’ll never have a more perfect moment than this.

  Pulling back, she looks deep into my eyes and whispers, “Say it again, Jace.”

  God, she is so perfect. Her eyes are hopeful, her cheeks flushed, but what I see most in the depths of those turquoise eyes is that she loves me. Completely. I think I’ve always seen it, but I wasn’t sure. Now I know. Smiling, I clear my throat free of emotion and whisper back, “I love you, Avery Rose Haverbrooke.”

  Her name still scares me, especially the people behind that name. But that’s a distant thought as she grins, her tears falling faster down her sweet face as she nods. “I think I’ve been waiting to be loved by you. My whole life.”

  And with that, suddenly my eyes start to itch.

  Not because I’m a pussy.

  It’s allergies.

  And maybe because I’m so in love it hurts.

  And also because I know I’ve been waiting my whole life to love someone like her.

  Me: I think I’m gonna puke.

  Jace: You’re not gonna puke, you got this.

  Me: I can’t sit still, I think I’m having a panic attack! Did I take my meds??

  Jace: You did, baby, you’re fine. This is your moment. Live it.

  Me: I’m scared. What if he hates me? What if he thinks I suck! What if I forget the lyrics??

  Jace: That won’t happen and it’s just a meeting, you don’t even have your guitar.

  Me: What if he gives me one? What do I sing?!

  Jace: My song.

  That calms me a bit as I look around the brightly colored office. The lady behind the desk looks at me and gives me a smile, which I return. But then I’m freaking out again and frantically typing him back.

  Me: Okay, what if he hates it?

  Jace: Then he’s a douche.

  Me: Jace! I’m freaking out!

  Jace: lol, don’t, babe! Because when you leave that meeting, I’ll be waiting for you and whatever happens, we’ll do it together.

  Biting into my lip, I know he’s right and I am so thankful he is waiting for me. I wish he had come up with me. I know, I shouldn’t depend on him, but I’m a nervous wreck. He was really against coming up, though, saying it would look bad for him to be there since this wasn’t his meeting, it was mine. Since he has been to so many meetings for different hockey teams, I decided he might be right. I know he’s only right downstairs, parked on the side of the road, but I really wish he had come with me.

  Ugh, am I becoming one of those needy bitches?

  Ack!

  Looking back at my phone when it vibrates, I smile.

  Jace: You got this.

  Me: I love you.

  Jace: I love you more.

  I don’t think I’ll ever get used to those three words coming from his mouth. I’ve wanted to be loved by someone like Jace my whole life, and now I’ve got it. It’s freaking awesome.

  “Ms. Rose? Stu will see you now.”

  Whipping my head to the receptionist who is standing, waiting on me, I suck in a deep breath.

  Oh Jesus, take the wheel. Please.

  Swallowing ha
rd, I get up and follow her through the office and to the empty conference room near the back. I look back at her, confused, and she smiles. “He’ll be right in. Would you like a drink?”

  I shake my head frantically, but then I pause. You got this. I hear Jace saying it to me in my head, and I know he’s right. So, with a smile, I slowly shake my head, taking in a breath before saying, “No, thank you.”

  “Okay, he’ll be right in. Have a seat.”

  I do as she asks, surveying the room that is full of gold and silver records of some of my favorite artists. I did research on him before I came, and of course, Jelly Records is the home of some really big names.

  And he called me.

  Oh, hell.

  Swallowing hard around the lump in my throat, I beg myself to be chill. I’ve got this. This is awesome. So many people beg for this chance, and I got it. I sort of don’t like how it came about since Jace contacted his dad to get Stu to listen. But then, why doesn’t it matter? Whatever way gets me there, I’m okay with. Well, not really. I’m not sucking dick to get to the top. I happily suck Jace’s dick, but that’s irrelevant. In this case, I’m okay with the circumstances. I just want to shine. I want to be something great.

  When the door opens, I realize I hadn’t even noticed it was shut until a very tall man closes it again behind him and looks over at me with a huge smile on his face. On the phone, I thought I was meeting with an older guy. But this guy is young and huge. Over six feet, with broad shoulders and thick arms. His brown hair is long, dusting his shoulders, while his brown-eyed gaze is very intimidating. Despite his age, which can’t be over thirty, he looks distinguished. Like one of those high-up guys, and my heart is pounding so hard against my ribs as he pins me with a look.

  “Avery Rose! Nice to meet ya! I’m Stu Waters,” he says, shaking my hand and I plead with myself to remember how to talk.

  “It’s wonderful to meet you,” I somehow say and he grins as he pulls out a chair, setting his computer down.

  “Really excited to talk with ya, feel ya out, see what you’re thinkin’,” he says quickly, his Southern drawl lacing his voice. “So, tell me your story.”

  “My story?” I croak out and he grins.

  “Yeah, who are you?”

  I shrug. “I’m me.”

  “And that is?” he asks, leaning on his hand, and I smile.

  “Amazing,” I say, taking a page out of Jace’s book, and he grins back at me. “I moved here from Princeton, New Jersey to follow my dreams. My parents didn’t believe that I could or would do it when I started talking about it back in March, but I knew I was leaving. I want to be a singer or a songwriter. Maybe even both. I go to school at Bellevue, pursuing a music degree, and I start my internship at Empress Records in January. I do at least four gigs a week, and I’ve gotten pretty popular on campus—”

  “Yeah, I came to your show downtown at Lyrics last week.”

  I cringe. “You did?”

  “Yeah, it was great. I love how you work that loop pedal.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Very Ed Sheeran of you.”

  “I learned how to do it after watching one of his shows. I thought it was amazing.”

  He nods. “For sure! Awesome, yeah. I mean, you’re great, love your style, love your voice. It’s very smoky, I love it. Kinda a mix between Alanis Morissette and Sara Bareilles.”

  “Wow, thank you,” I say, and I pray he doesn’t see that I’m freaking the hell out. Those women are my idols, and he’s saying my voice is like theirs? Eek!

  “For sure, and you are good lyrically. You could be better, and I think with some work, I can get you there.”

  “You can?”

  “Oh, yeah. I’m not sure if I can sell you, though,” he says, shaking his head as he looks me over. Sell me? Why? Am I doing something wrong? Shit, I wasn’t ready for this. “You’re like every other girl out there with this dream, a female version of Ed. And I don’t know, I don’t think it will sell.”

  “I think I would sell well.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. I mean, sure, I’m like every girl out there, but I feel my voice is unique, rustic, and I’m likable. Plus, I have drive. I fight for what I want.”

  He nods. “Yeah, I agree. I like you, but I don’t know if everyone else will. Okay, hold on. Let’s see what you think about this,” he says, pausing before leaning forward and hitting the button on the phone in the middle of the table. He then leans back in his chair to cross his arms as the receptionist’s voice fills the room.

  “Yes, Stu?”

  “Hey, do we have any internships open?”

  “Yeah, you fired that kid last week, remember?”

  He pauses. “What? I did?”

  “He spilled your coffee down your shirt in front of Diddy.”

  “Oh!” he says, laughing, and my eyes widen. “That’s right. But I fired him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hm, seems a little drastic, don’t you think?”

  “Diddy didn’t think so.”

  “Then I’m awesome! Okay, and I haven’t hired anyone else?”

  “Nope, you have a whole stack of applications on your desk.”

  “Cool, thanks,” he says before clicking the button again and looking at me. “Blow off that unpaid internship at Empress and come work here now. My interns get eight bucks an hour.”

  “Wow, sign me up.”

  “That’s my girl.” He grins. “And then, wait,” he says, pausing and hitting the button again. He’s very erratic. I like it, but at the same time, it makes me twitch. I want to slow him down, make him think, but he’s working at a thousand miles an hour.

  “Yes, Stu.”

  “Hey, when is our next showcase?”

  “March fourth,” she says and he nods.

  “That’s right, thanks,” he says, clicking off and looking at me. “We have a showcase coming up. All the talent I believe in comes and performs. Invite your family, your boyfriend, and rock the socks off not only them and me but my colleagues, too. I really believe in your music, and I think it’s going to be awesome. In the meantime, though, you’ll work here, we’ll work on your songwriting, and you’ll learn the ropes. Meet people, do the damn thing, you know?”

  I can only nod as my cheeks start to hurt from smiling so hard. This is happening. This is really fucking happening. Holy crap.

  “Cool, so what do you say?”

  Grinning, my heart is in my throat and I have to keep myself from screaming out. “When do I start?”

  When I’m done with all the paperwork and I say bye, I practically sprint down the stairs and out of the building to where Jace is waiting for me. When I throw the door open, he jumps and I realize he was sleeping. But unlike normal people who wake up all slow, Jace is wide-eyed, his eyes on me as he turns to face me.

  “So?”

  “So! Ah!” I yelp and he grins.

  “Tell me!”

  “I have a showcase on March fourth, and he wants me to intern here. Now! Like, tomorrow, and he’s paying me. Like, money! I was working for free at Empress. Holy crap! And we will work on my writing and everything. Holy crap, Jace. This is happening!”

  “Hell yeah, it is! Told you,” he says, taking me by my face and kissing me hard on the lips. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thanks. I can’t believe it!”

  “How? Baby, you’re fucking amazing. This was bound to happen.”

  Grinning, I kiss his lips once more. “It happened because of you.”

  He waves me off. “No, it happened because you’re awesome. Yeah, I had my dad contact him, but your talent got you the interview.”

  “You really think so?”

  His lips curve as he shakes my shoulders. “I know so. God, I’m so proud of you.”

  “Eek!”

  “I’ll be tearing up the ice, and you’ll be singing all over the world. Don’t forget about me when you’re big,” he reminds and I grin. “If I hear you’re dumping me for
Shawn Mendes, I swear, I’ll take a hockey stick to his kneecaps.”

  “God, Jace. Never!”

  Leaning toward me, he kisses me. “That’s right. You love me and only me.”

  The desire in his eyes is all-consuming, and all I can do is smile. “That’s right.”

  “Good, I love you.”

  “I love you,” I whisper, and I can’t say it enough to him. I just want to scream it in his face. Tell him how much his love means to me and how I’ll treasure it my whole life. I don’t know how I got this lucky, but I swear, I’ll never ask for anything else.

  Jace is enough.

  Kissing my nose, he pulls away before starting his car. I’m bouncing with excitement. I still can’t believe this. I’ve wanted this for so long. And damn it, I’m going to rock the shit out of it.

  All of a sudden, I want to share it with someone else. My mom. I have to tell my mom. She’ll be so excited! Pulling out my phone, I hit her name and put it to my ear.

  “Who you calling?” he asks, confusion visible on his face as he turns on to Broadway.

  “My mom,” I practically sing as she comes on the line.

  “Hey, honey.”

  “Mom! You’ll never guess what just happened.”

  “What?” she asks, and I wish she sounded as excited as I am. But she will be! I relay what just happened. It’s almost like a dream. I even pinch myself just to make sure, because it isn’t that easy. This is happening. I haven’t paid my dues yet, but I got in. I really don’t want to owe his dad anything, but I guess I do now. That doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t trust him, and I really wish he’d disappear, but why am I thinking about that? That’s not my problem right now.

  No, I’m supposed to enjoy my moment.

  “Honey, that’s amazing.”

  From the sound of her voice, it doesn’t seem like it is, but I ignore that. “Right? So the showcase is March fourth.”

  “Great, make sure to let me know how it goes.”

  I pause, my heart sinking. But then, no, they have to come.

  “You can’t come?”

  “Honey, no. Daddy is so busy with work.”

  “Okay, but can’t you come?”