by Jesse Jordan
I sigh and shake my head. “Is my father that angry about things? Harry, I did what I had to do.”
“I know, the rumor mill filled me in on some of the details I missed on what his 'proposal' was. You know, you could have fought it, legally. But I guess I know why you didn't. So, what're you doing now?”
“Now? I'm staying with a friend and trying to get on my feet. I don't suppose that sending my resume out to the LA Times is going to be any help at all, is it?”
“No chance in hell, not from what I've heard. Darren isn't just muddying the water, he's trying to burn your rep to the ground and piss on the ashes from what some of my friends in other places are telling me. Right now, the word on the street is that if any other media group even talks to you, Coates Media goes on a total war footing. I mean, editorials, scandals, investigative journalists, all of it leveled at whoever talks with you.”
“Then why are you talking with me?” I ask. “Harry, I don't want you getting in trouble.”
“'Dre, like I said I'm out of the office. Right now, I'm supposed to be headed to Long Beach to talk with some urban artist. I'm in my car, hands-free, stuck in traffic. Ain't nobody going to listen to me right now.”
“Honestly? Well, what do you think I should do? I mean, my friends are being really generous, but still, I can't just mooch off them forever. I don't want or need a sugar daddy.”
Harry chuckles, and I can hear him smirking. “Sugar daddy, huh? I bet this sugar daddy speaks Spanish and plays one mean-ass rock guitar, but I won't push there any further. Honestly, if you want my opinion 'Dre, what you should do is look non-traditional.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, curious. “Indie media?”
“Try social media, girl. Look, let me lay it out for you. You're pretty. You've got a name, a writing style, and the smarts to get lots of followers quick. So, start yourself a blog, a Facebook page, and an Instagram. You've got plenty of personal connections out there. Artists that your pops ignored, or celebs who want to get their real story out there. So why not work that angle? People want to know the inside scoop on celebs. Get some yoga pants gym selfies with all the people you know, and monetize, monetize, monetize.”
I think about it, nodding. It's a good idea, and I do have some people I can start talking to. Well, maybe not the yoga pants gym selfies, but the rest of it's dead on. “That's a great idea. Thanks, Harry.”
“No problem, 'Dre. Listen, I'm not going to be able to talk all the time, but let me talk to the people I know. There's a lot of people in entertainment who want that sort of underground exposure, who don't have the backing of the media groups. Let me see what I can dig up, and I'll call you or e-mail you leads.”
I swallow, touched. “Harry, thank you. Seriously, you're the best. Better than this town deserves. Watch yourself though, after some of the stuff my dad said. I'm sorry I didn't realize how flat out racist he is.”
“Maybe, but this town and your father pay money, and Utah don't. As for my skin, we can talk about it another time, when times are easier and hard discussions not so hard. Hang loose, work on some blog site design, and I'll be in touch in a few days.”
After we hang up, I think about Harry's idea. It's a good one, I can keep a bigger percentage of what my work generates, even if I have a smaller market. It's worth a look
, and I spend hours researching, so into it I don’t even notice the time pass until the front door opens.
“Hey beautiful, how's the day been?” Joey asks, coming in and giving me a kiss. His lips and body are warm, even warmer than the light sweatshirt he's wearing should make him, and I feel myself respond, pulling him tighter. “Mmmm, a good day then.”
I nod, biting his lip and tugging him towards the garage bedroom. I've never been this forward before, this willing to drop everything in the middle of the day and jump into bed, but Joey's not like any man in the world. “Joey... I want to tell you about my day, but first, I need you.”
The garage is perfect, quiet and huge, much larger than even my old bedroom, and the bed is massive. Joey picks me up easily and almost casually tosses me onto the soft, springy surface, making me squeal in delight as I go tumbling. I pull off my shirt, grinning as Joey gawks at my naked upper body. There are advantages to not wearing a bra, it seems.
“I need you too,” Joey rasps, pulling his sweatshirt off. He's gained a little bit of weight, but it's all muscle, his chest more defined, his tattoos standing out on his arms. “You have no idea what I was doing in this bed last night just to get some sleep, knowing you were just down the hall.”
“Instead of telling me, how about you show me instead?” I purr, sliding my shorts and panties off. “Or maybe you can just do what you wanted to do, instead?”
Joey nods, his smile growing as he pushes his pants off, his cock bobbing into view. “Last time, you started me with your mouth. I think a good lover should return the favor.”
I'm squirming, even the idea of Joey going down on me making me wet as he takes my knees and spreads them, lifting my legs up higher and higher until I'm nearly folded in half, my pussy open and exposed to him, my toes pressed against the headboard as Joey looks me in the eyes. “Do you want this?”
There's no question there, just a light bit of teasing, and a quiet, powerful demand for my obedience, for recognition of his strength and his masculinity. I nod, not smiling, shivering in anticipation. “Yes, sir. I want you, everything you have.”
Joey smiles, his dark eyes burning with emotion as he reaches out with his tongue, tracing it along the outer lips of my pussy and making me moan in warm heat. Oh God, it feels good, and my hands are already tugging on the bedspread, balling it up as he licks me again, his tongue slightly closer to parting my folds. Still, he takes his time, watching my every movement as he teases me, driving me insane with frustration and pleasure as he licks everywhere but inside my pussy or my clit. When his breath tickles my asshole, I clench, then relax, nodding. A deep hunger in me wants it, but I'm not sure I'm ready. But this is Joey. “Joey... if you want, it's yours too.”
“Another time, my beauty. For now, though...” Joey whispers before his long tongue finally slips between my pussy lips, my breath catching before it explodes in a long, deep groan of pleasure. It's amazing, waves of pleasure rolling one after another from my pussy to my chest and brain, and I can't tear my eyes away as I watch Joey lick my pussy. The feelings are doubled as my eyes drink in every caress, every lick, and I watch as his face starts to glisten with my juices, his lips shiny and slick with my desire.
“Joe, oh yes, oh please yes...” I whisper, running my fingers through his hair and grinding my pussy lightly against him. Joey growls and licks higher, circling my clit for a few seconds before he lowers his lips and literally starts sucking my clit. White sparks of pleasure overwhelm my eyes, I can barely see at all as he sucks and nibbles, my sensitive bud lovingly assaulted by his lips and tongue. I buck, my stomach tightening into a ball before my orgasm fills me with light, pure amazing light. I'm calling out his name, wanting to say more, wanting to say how I really feel about him, but I can't because at least for the moment my brain is overloaded.
I feel myself being stretched out, and Joey bringing himself up next to me, caressing my body as he does, his hands gentle on my skin. “Are you okay?”
I laugh lightly, turning to kiss his lips which are still shiny with my juices, tangy and fragrant with my own flavor. “Mmmm, you are amazing at that. And I taste good, although I think you taste better.”
Joey hums happily and our kiss deepens, our tongues caressing each other as I reach down and take him in my hand, stroking his cock slowly, keeping him hard while I rest and recover. He's wonderful, patient and strong, nibbling on my ear and licking at my earlobe until my body is ready for more, my nipples aching from his fingers stroking me teasingly. I pull back, stroking his face with desire. “How do you want me?”
“On the edge of the bed,” Joey says, pulling me to the edge and turning me over. H
e's able to slide off, his feet touching down on the carpet we hastily laid down last night and his hands taking my waist between them. “Hard or slow?”
“Hard, my love,” I whisper, the words out before I even know that I've said them. Joey pauses, and I look back, worried, but he smiles, blinking as the word hangs in the air. He doesn't reply, but instead lines his cock up with my sopping wet pussy, filling me with one long, hard stroke that jolts me all the way up my spine to my brain, which rings with ecstasy. Pulling back, he pauses at my entrance for a second before he thrusts again, and I suddenly realize he's not wearing a condom. I don't care, it feels so good, and I'm on the pill anyway. I trust him in the health area anyway, and it feels good, so good and right to just give myself to him, to be taken by his powerful hips as his cock drives into me again and again, unrelenting but not unforgiving, just right instead. Joey's always been a tender, considerate lover, but I asked him for hard, and he's giving it to me hard and fast, and I love it. “Yes, yes, harder! Oh Joey, fuck me harder!”
“Yeah, you want it hard?” he growls, tugging on my hair as his hips slam into my ass, my back arching as he fucks me deep. It's amazing, he's hammering my pussy without mercy now, but he's not tiring at all. Never has any lover been able to pound me like this, his cock splitting me open each and every time, my pussy on fire from the heat with his thick, heavy shaft demanding I give in to him. I squeeze him, his balls slapping into my clit and causing me to cry out each time, pushing back into him not because I want more, but now because I want to please him as much as he's pleasing me.
The energy builds between us until I swear I can hear it crackling in the air each time he smashes into me, purple white arcs of static electricity building between us. Joey's not tiring, but I can hear him panting too, sexy grunts as he gives me everything I've ever wanted in a man and more. I'm grunting just as much, begging him for another orgasm, wanting to give my body, my heart, everything to this man who's taking me. He takes, but I give myself to him because I know he's giving just as much to me and more. This is what love is, I realize, and the knowledge hits me like a truck, driving me over the edge. I come again, my pussy clamping down on Joey's cock just as he reaches his peak, his cock exploding and filling my pussy with his hot, sticky come. I feel complete, joyous, and I start crying, my body racked with sobs of ecstasy as Joey empties himself into me.
I feel Joey lift my body up, holding me close as his cock slips out, his come still staying inside me as I get to my feet and turn, wrapping my arms around his neck and sobbing harder, purging my fear. “Joey... Joey....”
“Shhh, my beautiful Andrea,” Joey whispers back. “I was so worried before you called.”
“Why?” I whisper, and Joey picks me up again, laying me on the bed and holding me close as he lies down next to me.
“I thought... I thought that maybe you had decided that the best thing to do was for me to leave you alone. I thought the same thing. It hurt, but I thought maybe it was safer, for the best. I thought I could take the pain. But, but Andrea, I can't do that. I've spent my whole life since my father died trying to take care of others, been focused on others. I need you though, Andrea. I need you as much as I need air and water. I... I love you.”
I stroke his beautiful face, kissing him softly. “Joey, you're the first person in my life who has ever cared about me more than they cared about themselves. Every other relationship in my life before you was someone trying to get more out of me than what they had to give. Until you. You've shown me the truth when you have given yourself, over and over again. You've opened your home, your family, your friends to me. You've shown me what a real man is, what real tenderness is. What real love is.”
Joey smiles and wipes at his eyes. “I feel greedy, wanting you this much Andrea. I love you, and I'm greedy because I don't want to let you go. I want you to be in my life and I've never felt this way before. I... this is more than just love. At least in the way that I know the word.”
I kiss him again, smiling. “I know what you mean, Joey. Love doesn't seem to be enough to contain everything I feel for you. And I want you to be greedy, I want to give myself to you and to give you every pleasure I can. I want to be yours, whatever demand or greedy expectation you have. I... just promise me, you'll keep being greedy about me?”
Joey laughs, nodding softly. “I promise. I'm going to be so greedy, you're going to be my treasure. For now, though... I think we need a shower. Before my.... our family gets home. I saw Maria's note, she cares about you too.”
“She's sweet. After our shower, maybe I'll find the ability to focus enough to tell you about my day. Can we share a shower?”
Joey chuckles and takes my hand, helping me up. “Only if you don't mind the shower ending being a bit cold. The water heater here only lasts about thirty minutes. And if we shower together....”
“A cold ending is fine by me. You keep me warm anyway.”
Chapter 12
Joey
“So, what's it like having your girlfriend living with you?” James jokes when I get in the next morning, grinning in between practice sessions. It's the last recording day for my little side project, and I'm feeling amazing. Cora and Ian have made me feel special this session, and to be honest, I like it a lot. I'm not saying I'd like to split off on my own, but maybe there's something to doing my own thing sometimes.
“Amazing,” I reply honestly, and I know a foolish smile is stretching out my face. I had a hard time keeping it off my face all last night after Mama and Maria got back from their babysitting work, although I'm sure Maria kind of guessed what we'd been up to since we forgot to re-make the bed before they got home. Then again, I don't really want to hide either. “Seriously man, I'm sorry you couldn't help out a few days ago.”
“Don't sweat it, it was my day with my son anyway, I would have turned you down,” James says, shrugging.
He sips his coffee, wincing at the harsh flavor. “Jesus, I gotta get Larry to hire interns who know how to make coffee. This shit will stunt your growth. Back to your domestic bliss. What's Andrea going to do now? I mean, knowing you, she could be a sugar baby and you wouldn't say a thing, but I get the impression she's not that type.”
I nod, starting to set up my gear. “She was talking with a friend of hers from the Pulse, he recommended that she look at Internet media. Start a blog, social media, stuff like that. Indie talents or talents who are restrained by the corporate conglomerates from telling their real story. She was thinking, and I agree, that she could really make things work that way too. She showed me some preliminary design ideas she had for her own blog, a lot of it was really good looking.”
“The blog or the girl?” James jokes before he grows serious, stretching his arms up and putting his hands behind his head as he thinks. “Actually.... you remember how I was saying that the label wanted to upgrade the band's website?”
“Yeah, I remember. Why?”
James nods to himself, then looks up. “Let me talk to Larry. I can't promise anything, but what about we kind of kill two birds with one stone? Any human-interest stuff needs a good writer and journalist to do, and maybe if we can use that as a try-out.”
“Try out for what?” I ask, confused. “I'm not into publicity, James.”
“Imagine it this way. I told you the conglomerates don't always play nice. Well, what if Amanda Coates just happens to have a link to all the acts that work for George T or at least for Gashouse? She can do stuff for the Fragments' website, and keep some of it also for her blog. You said social media. So, her Facebook or whatever has her doing selfies with all the acts, stuff like that. George would love it, he hates Darren Coates, getting a jab in on him would make him happy enough to give us all a nice Christmas bonus, but also... well, it could be a win-win. Your girl gets a start at an income stream, and the acts get more exposure. I'm getting ahead of myself though.”
“I like it,” I reply, plugging in and warming up my fingers. “When could we start?”
“I'll ne
ed to give George and Larry a call, but if Andrea isn't busy we could probably get her on it tomorrow. Maybe have her start with Rocky and Cora? No offense to you, Joey, but with their wedding coming up a lot of people are interested. And it'd make a great blog story, a scoop really.”
“That'd take their permission. I'm not saying Rocky would say no, but he likes having his family life being at least a little private.”
James gives me a thumb’s up, letting me warm up while everyone else shows up. I can't hear while James talks to Ian and Cora outside the booth, but I can see their body language, and Cora gives a happy nod of her head, while Ian gives what passes for agreement, at least for Ian. When he comes in, he gives me a little smirk and a nod. “Blogging about us, huh?”
“She'll make you famous,” I joke, and Ian gives me a bark of laughter.
“I'm already as famous as I think I can handle. But... if your girl wants to talk with me for a website, I can do that for her. Come on, let's get a few more tracks laid.”
With there being no vocals, and Ian's drums being mostly there for providing a beat, I run through three of the riffs I've been working on before noon, happy when things finish. Cora gives me a huge grin, hitting the microphone. “Joey, you sure you don't want a solo track or even a solo album with this stuff?”
“No, we're a team one hundred percent,” I reply, before being struck by inspiration. “Cora, do you have an extra ten minutes? Just for a quick recording of a freestyle running through my head right now?”
Cora gives me a thumb’s up and in seconds the red recording light comes on. Ian sits back, curious as I start playing. In my mind, I'm seeing Andrea, the way she looked making love yesterday afternoon, the way her hair shone golden in the overhead lights, the passion and desire in her green eyes as we pushed each other to a level of sexual harmony that I'd never felt before yesterday. My fingers fly on my strings and the frets as I relive the experience in my mind, and when my playing reaches a climax, I'm gasping and aroused too, a dim part of me glad that I'm wearing loose pants today. I ease it down for a few seconds before tapering off, feeling the sweat trickle down my cheek.