Gasoline

by Bella Jeanisse

  “I’m good here for a few.” He lay down and closed his eyes.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  By the time Noelle was done, Dominic was asleep. She watched him for a minute, a smile on her face. I’m really dating a huge rock star. It was something that made her very nervous when they first met. He was out of her league. However, he always made her feel like the field was leveled. They were the same. She knew it wasn’t true. He must have money coming out of his ears. You’d never know it from looking at him. She slowly untied his boots and slipped them off, trying not to wake him.

  “You’re out?” he mumbled.

  She took off her towel and lay next to him. “Yes, but I was going to let you sleep.”

  “I’m up,” he groggily replied and turned to her. Their gazes locked. “I need to tell you something.”

  She stiffened and her breathing sped up. “OK?” Did something happen after I left? He cheated on me? She took a deep breath and quickly squashed the doubt.

  “I don’t trust Mitchell,” he admitted. “Every time he looks at you… I get this feeling he’s trying to get between us. I guess I’m… I’m jealous. Sorry.”

  She exhaled loudly, feeling such relief. “It’s OK. I understand.”

  He saw something in her eyes. She looked away for a few seconds, hiding something. “I have nothing to be jealous about, right?”

  “No. No. You don’t,” she stammered nervously. Her eyes flitted around the room, unconsciously. There will always be things we keep inside.

  Dominic knew he had to persist. “Nothing ever happened between you guys, right?”

  Suddenly Noelle was up. “I have to pee.” She closed herself in the bathroom and leaned on the door. Oh my God. He knows. He’s going to leave me. I was drunk. We weren’t even together, then… Get ahold of yourself!

  Her reaction sealed it. Something did happen, and she doesn’t want me to know. “Noelle?” He got off the bed and knocked on the bathroom door. “Noelle, come out here and talk to me about this.”

  “I’m almost done.” She flushed the toilet and turned on the sink, trying not to freak out. “Coming.” She put her hands through her wet hair. Maybe he’s guessing, and I can skirt around it.

  He knocked again. “I’m not stupid, Noelle.” He was getting angry. She was avoiding him for a reason. He went to knock again and she opened the door, guilt written all over her face. “Did it happen today?”

  She shook her head with pursed lips. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. She kept repeating that to herself. He stepped out of her way and she sat on the bed.

  “When?” He folded his arms over his chest.

  She looked up, bottom lip trembling. “When what?”

  “When did you fuck him?”

  Her mouth opened, but she wasn’t sure what to say, or how to explain it. She started with, “Last week.”

  Dominic backed into the doorway. “After we… you…” He closed his eyes. The pain hit him hard. “He’s really the other guy?”

  “No. Well. Yeah. But… You don’t understand.” She stood and took a step towards him, but he retreated into the bathroom a bit. Sitting back down, she cried into her hands.

  His entire body was shaking. I gave her everything, and she couldn’t tell me she was sleeping with her bassist? What the fuck? “I… I can’t believe this is happening.” His hands balled into fists. “You thought I’d cheat on you!”

  “I was drunk!” she shouted.

  He huffed. “So that makes it OK? ‘I’m drunk, Mitchell. Come fuck me.’ ”

  “It wasn’t like that.”

  “So how was it like?”

  She looked up, tears flowing fast. “It was before Boston.” She sniffled. “I was crying over you, damn it! He was being a friend.”

  “Yeah, some friend. ‘Babe, sorry you’re upset. Come here and get on my dick. It’ll make it all better.’ ” He was so pissed off, he wasn’t even thinking. “Did he at least buy you a drink first?” He was fuming mad and burned with jealousy by then. “No wonder he keeps looking at your ass. I bet today he was thinking, ‘I fucked your woman better than you.’ ”

  She stood up again. “That’s not fair!”

  “You’re right.” He took a deep breath and tried like hell to listen. “I’ll shut up. Tell me what happened.”

  She wiped at her tears. “We were drinking, and I was telling him how much you suck because you never called.” She looked up and held up a finger. “Let me finish. He always said you weren’t an asshole, so it didn’t make sense. But I was so hurt. I thought he was just trying to make me get over you.”

  She closed her eyes. The night, well most of it, played in her mind. “I think I told him I needed to get laid. I wanted to forget about you. He took me to a hotel. I… I…” She pulled in her bottom lip, embarrassed. “He told me I gave him a blowjob. I don’t really remember. What I do remember, is waking up the next morning naked. He was on top of me, fucking me. When I screamed, he jumped off.”

  Dominic slid to the floor. That was not what he expected to hear. He thought his mind was just exaggerating. They really had sex. “You lied to me. In Boston. You said you didn’t fuck him.”

  “I was asleep. Does that really count?” She watched his face. He was devastated. “I was humiliated about it. Dominic, please. I have nightmares about it.”

  His expression turned to concern. “Nightmares?” He quickly got to his feet. “Why? Did he hurt you?” Adrenaline rushed into his system.

  “I don’t think so. Well, it hurt when he pushed into me. I didn’t have any bruises. I told him I wanted him, Dominic. He didn’t feel right fucking me after I passed out. He’s not a bad guy. He would never force himself on me. Technically, he waited until I was awake, then…”

  Dominic paced, unsure how to process the whole thing. This changed a lot. Mitchell may not be able to let go. They needed to have a serious talk. “Have you told him it’s over?”

  “Many times. He hasn’t really touched me since.”

  His head whipped around. “What do you mean by ‘really?’ ”

  “Well…” Her cheeks heated up. “When I can’t sleep, sometimes he holds me. I always think he’s you when I wake up.”

  “That ends now,” Dominic demanded. “No fucking way in hell are you letting him press his body against yours all fucking night.”

  She nodded, feeling the same. “I won’t let him anymore.” She looked at her hands. “Can I ask you something now?”

  “Yeah.” He took a deep breath and sat next to her. “I’m sorry I got so pissed. He just irks me. Now I see why.”

  She took his hand in hers. “I promise. There’s nothing between us anymore. Today was strictly platonic.”

  He nodded. “What did you wanna ask?”

  “Um, it’s about Gina. Is that OK?”

  “Yeah.” He put his other hand over hers and cradled it. “Ask away.”

  She breathed deeply. “How did you break up with her? You never told me.”

  Holding her hand to his heart, he suppressed a shudder. “Her daughter opened Annabeth’s door after I told her not to. I went ballistic and threw them out and said I never wanted to see them again.”

  “That was harsh,” she whispered.

  He nodded. “Yeah, it was.”

  “So that’s why you needed me?”

  He closed his eyes, living through it again. “No.” He squeezed her hand. “That night… Between the break up, losing you, my parents and Bethany bring back memories… I fell apart. I cried in the baby’s room. Her whole life flashing before my eyes.” His eyes welled up with tears. “She was so young. Never had a chance.” His voice hitched, so he paused. “I was gonna tell you that night. I needed to tell you. I needed to finally share the burden. I was overwhelmed.”

  “I’m sorry.” She still felt guilty for not being there when she needed him.

  He squeezed her hand. “I know. It’s done now.” He sighed and kissed her temple. “I dealt with it.”

  “Gi
na didn’t know?” She had assumed she did.

  With a shake of his head, he replied, “No. She still doesn’t.”

  “Did she ask when she saw all the baby stuff?”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t answer.” He sighed. “She called, and I made clear it was over.”

  She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Did you apologize?”

  “For what?”

  Her free hand rubbed his thigh. “For blowing up. It wasn’t her fault. You hid it from her. It was bound to come out eventually.”

  “But…” He thought about it. It was a cruel way to break up with her. “Maybe you’re right. Should I call her?”

  She sighed. “No. Do it face to face on neutral ground. She’s probably still crying about it.”

  “You think?” He hoped not.

  “Did she love you?”

  “I don’t know.” He hadn’t really paid attention, though. “She wanted to get a place together. That’s what spooked me.”

  Her eyebrows went up. “Huh?”

  “I don’t do commitment.” He looked at her. “Well, at least I didn’t until you. She was just… comfortable. Then she wasn’t. I had been trying to find a nice way to let her go, but obviously I didn’t.” He looked down at their hands. “It was a real dick move, huh?”

  “Kinda, but you were shocked and overwhelmed. Kinda like you were outed. I get it. Maybe she will too.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t wanna tell her about Annabeth.”

  “You don’t have to. Just tell her you’re sorry. You are, right?”

  Nodding again, he leaned his head on hers. “I am, but wanted you all along.”

  “I know, and I trust you to meet with her and talk it out.” She yawned. “Can we get to bed? We both had a long day.”

  He agreed wholeheartedly. “Yeah, talking is exhausting.” He smiled, but his eyes were tired. “Can we make love in the morning? I don’t think I’ll do a good job right now.”

  “As long as you hold me all night, we can do it whenever you want.”

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Dominic opened his eyes. Noelle still lay on her side in his arms. He kissed her hair and trailed his fingertips down her skin. Her breathing was quiet and even. With a smile, he just watched her sleep. At that point, he couldn’t imagine his life without her in it. She had changed everything for him.

  After quite a while, she started to stir and her eyelids fluttered. As things came into focus, she became aware of Dominic’s naked body spooned up against her back. She sighed, content. He was exactly what she needed.

  “Mornin’, sweetheart,” Dominic whispered in her ear. He pulled her closer. “Love waking up to you.” He kissed her temple, then her cheek. “I love you.”

  “Love you too.” She snuggled closer, pressing her ass against his morning wood in the process. His soft groan made her pussy clench. “We never got it on last night.” She reached back and ran her fingers through his soft hair.

  “What time’re you leaving?”

  Noelle sighed several times as he toyed with her left nipple. “Uh… I think…” She moaned, forgetting the question. “Huh?”

  “Do we have time…” Dominic took a hold of his cock and slid it down until it slipped between her legs. “… for…” He shifted his hips a bit. “…this?” He rubbed the head of his dick against her clit. Breathing in her ear, he gasped, “Before you go.”

  She moaned again as his shaft slid through her folds, stimulating every inch of her genitals. He moved his hips, slowly, torturing her with pleasure. “Dominic…”

  “Yes?” he softly asked. It wasn’t easy to hold back. She already had him ready to blow. “Need something, honey?”

  She gasped, the feeling within her building. “Please…” She reached down, forced his cock to her entrance and guided it in.

  “Need this?” He thrust in until he met a bit of resistance. “Fuck… so good.”

  He wrapped his arms around her, holding her breasts. Then he pulled his hips back, until his erection almost slipped out before driving back in. He groaned when he made it all the way in. His lips brushed her neck and ear as he found a comfortable rhythm, hips hitting into her ass repeatedly.

  “God, Dominic.” No matter what he did, Noelle’s body trembled. The brush of his fingers, his lips, his deep thrusts. “Ay… uh… uh…” Her back arched. Her head pressing into his shoulder. “Ah!” Her pussy tensed around him as she shook all over.

  “Damn,” Dominic moaned. “I fucking love you.”

  Her eyes rolled back and she shuddered. The aftershocks were just as strong. She fisted his hair, crying out. His strokes came faster, then harder. The breath over her ear was heavier. She could feel him getting closer.

  Dominic grunted as he thrust faster. He couldn’t hold back. She felt too good, gave him so much pleasure. “Noelle… Noelle…” Just as she cried out again, squeezing him tight, he came, flooding her body.

  Panting, Noelle teased, “Quick… dirty… and amazing.”

  “Yeah,” Dominic agreed. “Good enough for me.” He took a few deep breaths, not wanting to let her go, although he knew he’d have to soon. “How long do we have?”

  She sighed, enjoying feeling his entire body against hers. “Till 10. We’re going to Austin.”

  “Why so far?” Dominic was hoping he could drive to see her again that week.

  She closed her eyes and relaxed into his body. “I didn’t make the schedule. Hell Hounds is running the show.” If it were up to me, we wouldn’t leave the tri-state area, so I could focus on my new boyfriend. Then she squealed in delight. “You’re my boyfriend.”

  “Yeah, guess I am.” He grinned. “How’s it feel to be my girlfriend?”

  Noelle shrugged. “It’s OK.” She bit her lip to keep from laughing.

  “Just OK?” Dominic rolled them until she was under him. “Just OK? That’s not nice.” He grabbed her around the ribs and lightly rubbed her one ticklish spot. “Still just OK?”

  She squirmed as she laughed, trying to get away. It was no use. His body weight held her in place. “Please… please,” she begged, laughing harder.

  “Tell the truth,” he demanded.

  She sputtered, “It’s… it’s… amaz-ing.”

  “Much better.” He rolled them back onto their sides. “Make sure to tell Mitchell you got the good dick this morning.” He rolled his lips over his teeth. “Sorry, just kidding.”

  She knew he meant it, but didn’t want to sound so jealous. “He’ll know. He always knows when I’ve fucked you.”

  “He does?”

  “Yeah, he sees it in my eyes,” Noelle whispered. “He knows you make me happy. He’ll be fine with us.”

  He pulled away and lightly smacked her ass. “I’m gonna take a shower.” He sighed. “I gotta make an apology today.”

  “Gina?”

  “Yep.” He kissed her lips and closed himself in the bathroom.

  She turned onto her back and exhaled loudly. Goodbye was not going to be easy. The water went on in the shower. That was her cue to start packing. Not much was unpacked, so it wouldn’t take long.

  After placing her bag by the door, she looked around the room for her discarded towel from the night before. She found it partially under the bed. Just before putting it on, there was a knock at the door. She wrapped the towel around her tightly and looked out the peephole. Of course, Mitchell.

  “Hey,” she said when she opened the door.

  He didn’t wait for an invitation, just walked right in and closed the door behind him. “You almost ready?” He looked her over. Towel, but dry hair? “Um, did you already take a shower?” Then he heard the water running. “Oh, guess I interrupted you. Sorry.”

  She smiled. “That’s OK. We don’t mind.”

  He didn’t catch the “we.” He glanced at the bathroom door. “If you need help in there, I’m available for back washing.”

  Dominic had just opened the door to ask her to join him. His mouth dropped when he hea
rd Mitchell talking about washing her back. “I think that’s my job.” He stood in the doorway still completely naked.

  One look at Dominic and Mitchell paled. What’s he doing here? He took a defensive stance, nervous Dominic was pissed off enough to swing at him. Unsure where to look, his eyes kept drifting to the rather large, but limp, appendage in his field of vision. “Um, can you cover that up?” Mitchell waved at the offensive and intimidating piece of anatomy. He knew Dominic was bigger. Damn!

  “You’re the visitor,” Dominic reminded Mitchell. “Why should I cover my dick?” He was too annoyed to care he was naked anyway. “Noelle, can you give us a few?”

  She shook her head. “No way am I leaving you two alone.” She looked from one to the other, and then settled her gaze on Mitchell. “He knows.”

  “Knows… as in the hotel thing?” Mitchell swallowed. He hoped he wasn’t a dead man. Although he outweighed Dominic, he knew she would side with him. “Shit,” he mumbled.

  Dominic folded his arms over his chest. “That was kinda fucked up. She was trashed, and you had her suck your dick? What the fuck kinda friend is that?”

  “Hey,” Mitchell scowled. “I didn’t ask her to do it. She just started blowing me. You’d turn that down?” He stared until Dominic seemed to back down. “Didn’t think so.” He glanced at a red-cheeked Noelle. “It was a one-time thing. Won’t happen again. I want her to be happy.”

  “It better not,” Dominic growled. “She’s my girlfriend, and no one else’s.”

  Noelle moved to his side. “We promise. It’s over. Nothing will ever happen between us again. Ever.” She looked to Mitchell.

  “Yeah, ever.” He put up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

  Dominic grinned. “Good.” His arm went around Noelle’s shoulders. “I need you to keep an eye out for her, though. OK?”

  “Always.” Mitchell’s heart ached, but she was happier than he had ever seen her. “I’ll keep her safe like always.” He closed his eyes for a few seconds. “We need to leave soon.”

  Noelle nodded. “Fine. You need to get out, so I can shower and get dressed.” She shooed Mitchell out, then headed back to Dominic. “Thanks for not punching him.”