by Jennifer Ann
A pained gasp rips from her throat when I sink my cockhead into her wetness. She sucks in a sharp breath through clenched teeth. “Breathe out, baby,” I whisper.
Her eyes only slightly widen as I push in the remaining distance, filling her to the core. She’s tighter than anything I’ve ever felt before—muscles wrapping around my cock feel like a fist getting ready to squeeze. Just as I suspected, it will only be a matter of minutes before I’m ready to tap out. “You feel in-fucking-sane.”
Evelyn whimpers slightly so I pause. I’m ready to call it off until she meets me for a kiss, sucking my tongue into her mouth and scraping it with her teeth.
My girl wants more.
I pull out with attentive ease and push in again, freezing with the sound of a small cry. “Do I need to stop?”
“No, keep going,” she insists, closing her eyes and burying her face in my chest.
“Look at me, Freckles,” I plead. When her eyes return to mine, I intend to tell her that I love her back. But putting my heart out there, letting her know it will always belong to her, scares the living shit out of me. “You’re my world, baby.”
With another thrust, her fingernails dig into my back and she mewls. “Oh God, Charlie! It’s starting to feel good now! Faster!”
My heart swells, unable to believe she’s real or that this is finally happening. Before now I didn’t have any idea that sex could feel this spectacular. No one told me it’s that much better when you’re out of your mind in love with someone.
Her hands guide my ass, encouraging me to speed up. I don’t look away from her big eyes, ready to be done when she shows any sign of pain. But her hips meet mine, thrust for thrust, and her lips part with little noises of pleasure. The loud slaps of skin-on-skin penetrate the air, adding to the intensity of our lovemaking.
“Christ, baby,” I grunt, thrusting in and out with the drive of a man completely possessed. “You’re so fuckin’ tight.”
Clenching around my cock, she climaxes a second time, crying my name. Seeing my beautiful girl let loose like that when I’m inside of her does me in. I yell a string of obscenities as stars burst behind my eyelids and I release into her body. The three words I know she’s waiting to hear stick in my throat with an intense wave of pleasure so grand I think I may pass out. With a satisfied moan I become still, stretching my head back toward the ceiling.
Once I’ve caught my breath, I wrap my arms around her lithe body and bring her over to lay on top of me. The scent of sweat, and cum, and Evelyn are overwhelming. While she’s still catching her breath, I kiss a trail across her face, giving special attention to her freckles. Before long she’s dragging her lips along my neck and shoulder while stroking my chest. I’m all sweaty and should probably push her away. But I’m too spent to move and besides, it feels pretty damn good to hold her.
The freckles along her nose spread with a proud smile. “Did we wait long enough?”
I grunt with a satisfied sigh. I want to tell her yes, because she put every last one of my conquests to shame, but I know better than to cheapen the moment. “Too long.” My finger traces along her curved side and I shiver with her femininity. Though a drive to have her again rouses my cock, I know it’ll have to wait until she’s healed. “These past couple weeks were the most excruciating I’ve ever known.”
“Yeah, but it was well worth the wait,” she whispers, nuzzling my neck.
“Got that right.” Capturing her face in my hands, I wait until I have her full attention. “It was my pleasure to be your first in a long time.” If I have anything to say about it, I’ll be her last too. “This is just the start of what I want to show you.”
A sexy little grin stretches her lips. “I like the sound of that, Walker.”
* * *
Not sure how I tear myself away from the sight of her naked body sprawled across my bed in the morning, but I leave before the sun’s up for a run. Now that we’re connected in every way, I feel anxious not having Evelyn at my side.
Why didn’t anyone tell me it would feel like this when I found the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with? The future of my career still hangs in the air and I don’t have a fucking clue what else I will do with myself if it falls apart. The only thing I can be sure of is that I want Evelyn with me for whatever happens. It’s not like I’m going to ask her to marry me, because that’d be insane this early on. It’s just that I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to her that I’m in this for the long run and don’t plan on giving another chick the time of day ever again.
Get a fucking grip! Danny roars, laughing. You’re acting like a fool over a chick!
I shake him out of my head. I don’t give two shits what he thinks anymore. I’m starting to believe fate had a hand in Evelyn coming to my show that night.
As my tennis shoes pound the sand in a steady beat and my muscles strain with exertion, random notes fill my head that would make for a perfect ballad. Soon I’ve created a refrain, complete with meaningful lyrics that describe my intense feelings for Evelyn.
I almost fall on my face when I realize I’m actually writing music, something I haven’t been able to do for several months. Without having to question myself, I know it’s because of her.
The beach house smells amazing when I return. I almost trip over myself when discovering Evelyn wearing nothing more than panties and one of my T-shirts, knotted at her waist. She’s singing along to Alice in Chains at the top of her lungs, shaking her flawless little ass to the beat while tending to the stove.
As I watch her for a minute I can’t seem to swallow, and it’s not just because she’s funny as hell or tempting as shit in black, lacy panties that don't cover much of her smooth, golden curves.
This is how it could be every single day. Coming home to this beautiful, sweet woman after a long day at the studio or wherever life takes me. Since she’s even less sure what she wants out of life than I am, I’m desperately hoping she could be easily persuaded to ride along whenever I’m touring on the road. Her and any kids we may decide to have.
I’m thinking about children now? Maybe Danny’s right, I need to get a grip. But why should I listen to that dipshit anymore? Every time I look at Evelyn I’m reminded of all the things I’ve done wrong in my life when he was at my side and why it’s time to change. Goodness radiates from her the same way talent flows out of legends like Dave Grohl and Jimmy Page.
Sneaking up behind her, I wrap her in my arms and bury my face in her hair, laughing when she squeals. “You scared the shit out of me!” she cries, setting her hand over her heart and snuggling into my hold.
“Come shower with me, Freckles,” I say, stopping to trail my lips across the soft edge of her jaw. My dick tents my shorts when my fingers come in contact with a hard nipple.
She wiggles out from my hold. “I have to finish breakfast.” Turning, she studies my face and her lips draw up with a million-dollar smile. I can’t help but notice her tits are visible beneath the thin material of my shirt. “There’s time for that later. After we eat.” Her eyes rake over my hard-on. “Besides, I don’t think I could handle the cold shower you need right about now.”
Chuckling, I lift the top blueberry pancake on a stack beside her. “Those look delicious.”
She slaps my hand away before tending to the bacon sizzling on the stove and turning back to me. “Shower first, mister.” When I wiggle my eyebrows, she shakes her head. “By yourself.”
As expected, the shower isn’t as fun all alone. I consider beating one off so I’m not as horned up for the rest of the day, but as I decided, that’s one of many things I’m going to give up while committing to this relationship. Leaning against the stone wall, I let the hot water sooth my aching muscles instead, grinning the entire time with the visual of Evelyn cooking half naked.
By the time I’m out of the shower and dressed, I hear several voices on my way to the kitchen. What the hell?
My blood pressure skyrockets when I find Evelyn cornered by my two
nephews, each of them grinning like fools. Despite having taken the knot out on my shirt, her ass cheeks are still somewhat visible and she holds her arms tight against her tits. Between her wide-eyed look and the way she’s backed against the counter, she reminds me of a trapped animal.
“What the fuck?” I roar, grabbing Connor by the back of his neck. “Didn’t your mother tell you two clowns to stay away for the weekend?”
My oldest nephew, having arms nearly as big as mine, twists my arm until I let go of him. He gives me an overly confident smirk that makes me want to throw him down to the floor. The kicker of the situation is that he’s nearly an exact replica of myself at that age, knowing he can charm his way out of any situation.
“Listen,” he says, eyebrows raised, “we only wanted to stop by to meet your new girlfriend. She’s almost more famous than you, bro.”
Allen snickers loudly. Only a year younger than his brother, I’ve noticed him becoming even more cocky over the past couple of years and wonder how much of it has to do with having a famous uncle. Little shits don’t have a clue how easy they have it.
I point to the sliding glass doors. “Outside. Now.” Until they’re both moving toward the patio, I glare them down with the promise of a beating if they don’t comply.
“It was really nice meeting you, Evelyn,” Connor calls over his shoulder. “Hope to see more of you around.”
“Looking forward to it,” she answers dryly. As soon as the door closes behind the boys, her shoulders drop and she throws me a guilty look. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear them come in. They just showed up.”
“Jesus,” I hiss, running my hands through my damp hair as I watch the two boneheads talking to each other. I turn back to Evelyn. “I’m sorry. I would’ve warned you if I had known they were coming. Katie promised we’d have this place to ourselves.”
She tips her chin, almost appearing shy. “I’m going to shower and get dressed. There’s bacon in the warmer.”
My gut roils with irritation as I watch her hurry to the bedroom. Damn kids ruined our peaceful morning. Neither one of my nephews looks up from their phones when I step out on the patio. I clear my throat. “Ever hear of knocking?”
Connor lets out a deep snort. “It’s our place. Remember?”
“I’ve put up with way too much of your shit over the years,” I say, shaking my head. “You boys need to learn a thing or two about respect. If you walk in on a half-naked woman, you get the fuck out of the room until she has a chance to cover up.”
“It’s not that big of a deal,” Allen says, shaking his head. “You act like we tried to attack her.”
Smirking, Connor folds his arms. “Are you saying that’s what you would’ve done? Come on, Uncle Charlie, we both know you’re full of shit. You of all people know that a hot piece of ass like that doesn’t mind showing off the goods. Congratulations, by the way. Looks like you found yourself one hell of a lay.”
On instinct, I start for him, then stop dead in my tracks. As much as I want to grab the little turd by his throat for talking about Evelyn that way, I remember with a wince that I’m the only father figure these boys have had in ten years and they’ve seen everything. They’ve seen me with groupies grinding on my lap back stage and know the kind of reputation I’ve built. Even if I had tried to hide the truth, they would’ve read about it on the web or seen clips of me with half-dressed women on TV. I probably inadvertently taught Connor to see women as nothing more than “a hot piece of ass.”
Instead of being a role model they could look up to, I’ve become this sleezeball who taught them women are disposable. Just like Danny taught me. And our father taught him by abandoning Danny’s mother. The men in our family have a reputation with the opposite sex that’s far from noble.
Since meeting Evelyn, I’ve come to fully regret every one night stand and every hook-up I’ve ever had. Not just because it made me a bad influence on the boys, but because of Evelyn. If she knew the details of them all, she’d run like hell. I couldn’t even blame her. How did I let myself get to this point? I could blame Danny and the band’s success until I’m blue in the face, but the truth is I made all the choices that led me here.
“Like I said, you need to learn more about respect,” I say between clenched teeth. “I better not hear you talk about her or any woman like that again.”
Connor’s face is as white as a sheet when he nods. I suddenly realize I’m gripping his arm with all my strength. Hard enough to leave a bruise. Stomach churning, I let go and he stumbles back, eyes wide with surprise. Before now I’ve never lost my temper with the boys this way. There’s an uncomfortable strain hanging in the air between the three of us as we each try to process what just happened. What in the hell is wrong with me? Now that I’ve slept with Evelyn, my head’s all over the place.
“Come back early Tuesday morning,” I say, flexing my jaw. “I’ll take you for a ride on the boat before we leave. It’d be good for you to get to know Evelyn a little better. But if you call her a ‘hot piece of ass’ again, we’ll have a serious problem.”
“Sure thing, Uncle Charlie,” Allen replies obediently, grabbing his brother by the back of his shirt. “See ya then.”
Connor follows his brother, stopping to glare at me over his shoulder. He holds my gaze a moment too long before they’re gone, letting me know he’s not going to let what happened go anytime soon.
Hands stuffed in my pockets, I stare out at the ocean, a mountain of regret resting on my shoulders. I probably owe Katie a phone call, explaining why I hurt her son. It makes me sick that I might’ve left a mark on him. My nephews can be a serious pain in the ass but I love the hell out of them. If someone else had grabbed Connor that way, I would’ve laid their ass out on the floor.
With the exception of Evelyn, it’s starting to feel like my life is one big fuck-up. If my mom and grandmother knew the extent of my ugly side, the depths of my darkest secrets, they’d be ashamed. My career may be over all because I treated Gwen like shit the way Danny and I always did every other woman for as long as I can remember.
I don’t deserve to have loyal fans who are willing to pay anything to see me in concert or buy my album. Hell, I don’t deserve Evelyn even though letting her go isn’t an option at this point. Suddenly I can’t shake the bad feeling that she’ll learn the truth before too long and I’ll lose her for good.
Chapter 19
EVELYN
In an obscure corner of the high-end boutique my man waits for me, bulging arms crossed over his chest, baseball hat drawn so far down that his thick eyebrows are completely out of sight. I understand the need to stay incognito after running into the photographer yesterday, but there’s clearly something more going on in his head the way he’s pouting.
He didn’t have much to say after I came out of the shower to discover his nephews had left. I only hope he isn’t pissed that I didn’t run from the room when the two boys appeared out of nowhere. I’m pretty sure they each got a good eyeful before I pulled Charlie’s shirt down. Can’t say I’ve ever met a pair of teens more arrogant than those two the way they flirted even though their uncle was in the next room.
Either way, I’m irritated that his sour mood’s raining on our post-sex parade. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what it was like making love to him. Whenever I recall the tender way he touched me, the way his icy blue eyes drank me in like I was the most beautiful girl in the world, I break out in a full-body flush. He was so gentle, patient. And after all the things that came out of his mouth, the way he looked totally wrecked as he came, I wonder if it was something special to him too despite having slept with so many women. A part of me is convinced he loves me even if he didn’t say it.
Though I’m still a bit sore, I was hoping to talk him into another round later this afternoon. The way it’s going, I’m afraid he’ll insist on taking the couch tonight.
Charlie said he made reservations somewhere swanky for Monday night and wanted me to buy a cocktail dre
ss. I’m excited to see what he has planned, but it also makes me nervous when I think how we’ll be exposed to the public and more paparazzi. I take my time browsing the racks of the boutique until I’m happy with a modestly priced black little number that’s backless and shows off every last one of my curves in the most flattering way. I splurge a little more on killer heels with red souls that may be the sexiest pair of shoes I’ve ever laid eyes on. Imagining Charlie taking me in the shoes and nothing else sends delightful shivers down my spine, making spending the extra cash totally worth it.
My spirits come crashing down the minute I march up to a sour-faced Charlie. Handing him what’s left of the hundred dollar bills he gave me, I offer a thankful smile. “Sorry, this place has a lot of beautiful things to choose from. I tried to make it fast.”
He hardly moves a muscle as he slips the money into his pocket while staring at the front entrance. My stomach flips over itself, wondering if I did something else to make him mad. In the past few days we’ve gotten to know every inch of each other’s bodies, and I’d like to think we know a lot about each other’s personalities by now as well. Yet for some reason, I’m having a hard time reading him.
“This was your idea,” I remind him in a playful tone, nudging him in the side. “And I insist on paying you back eventually. For the dress and everything Katie picked out when she took me shopping. My dad would kill me if he knew I was taking hand-outs.”
Angry blue eyes flicker my way. “You’re not paying me back.” I’m shivering from his dark tone as he takes my purchases from me. “Let’s go,” he demands. With his free hand he leads me out of the store, not slowing once we’ve hit the sidewalk.
We aren’t far when his phone buzzes inside his pocket. “I have to take this,” he grumbles, releasing my hand and stepping away. Not only is his face tense, but his body language is unusually stiff as he listens intently on his phone, my garment bag and shoe box slung over one broad shoulder.