by Turner, Skye
“Well then. That was fucking amazing.” He stretches and I feel him leave a trail of moisture on my thigh.
“Um… Yeah it was. Holy shit, Jessie.” I start to giggle.
His brow rises. “Laughter after telling you that you just knocked my socks off with sex is not really all that great for my ego, you know?”
This makes me laugh even harder. I roll over and now I’m lying across his chest. “I doubt your ego needs stroking, Jessie Adams.”
“Hey, now. I resent that.” He says playfully.
I’m tracing the colorful tattoos all across his chest and abs and really looking at them. “Yeah, right. What do these tattoos represent, Jessie?”
He sighs and puts his hands behind his head, bringing even more attention to his chest, abs, and the artwork adorning them. “My tattoos? Well, they represent who I am.”
“They’re beautiful.” I can’t stop studying them. “But there are so many. Did they hurt?”
“Some did, yeah.” He fidgets as if he’s uncomfortable.
Tracing one over his abs, I take in the details of the brown pelican. It’s so lifelike. I sit up so I can get a better look. I start to notice that each piece is different, but they all sort of run together to make one piece of art. The light from the floor to ceiling windows lets me really see everything. On his chest is the state of Louisiana with the words “Born in the Boot” written inside of it. There’s what appears to be a shrimp and a crawfish interwoven with a fleur de lis. He has a Tiger, the Saints symbol, a magnolia, and a scene with an old cabin surrounded by trees with moss and a full moon on a body of water. There’s an accordion and some colorful masks and beads that trail down his arms. There are crepe myrtle trees and azaleas, but they’re not girly. I also see guitars and alcohol bottles. His tattoos really do seem to show his pride about where he’s from. On his right shoulder is a God, but I can’t tell which one and on his left is a Goddess.
“Jessie, who are the God and Goddess?” My fingers can’t stop tracing them. They are gorgeous.
“The God is Apollo. The Greek God of music and the Goddess is Muses. The Goddess of music.”
“Roll over.” Pulling on his shoulders, I try to turn him over. “I want to see your back.”
He smirks at me. “Demanding, aren’t you, woman?” But, he rolls over.
His perfect, muscled ass distracts me for a second. I slap it. I can’t help it. It’s perfect. He’s perfect. His back is covered with tattoos as well, from his shoulders to the dimples above his ass. A bridge stretches across his back and shoulders. “The Mississippi River Bridge?”
“Um hm.” He grunts as I trace the tattoo. The Bayou Stix logo is also on his back under the bridge and next to a pair of blue eyes. What is that about?
“Jessie?”
“Yeah?” I can hear in his voice that he’s dreading the next question.
“What are the eyes for?” I hold my breath as a I ask.
I feel him stiffen underneath me and then his body relaxes. “Why do you want to know?”
Now I really want to know. Is it an old flame? A lover? Who are these eyes for and what do they mean to him?
“Because I want to get to know you. Wasn’t that the point of me coming here?” I stiffen above him and try to calm the feeling of jealousy that’s taken over me. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
But I want to know…
He rolls under me, throwing me off of his back and catches the look on my face. He sits up and helps me up. He pulls me towards him and grabs a blanket off of the back of the couch, wrapping it around both of us. “My mother. They’re my mother’s eyes.” He points to his own eyes. “My eyes.” He looks away. “She was a single parent and busted her ass to give me everything she could. She supported me like no one else.” I can hear the pain in his voice and it’s wavering a little. I want to comfort him and tell him to forget it, but I also really want to know this part of him.
Turning his face back to mine, I leave my palm on his cheek and ask, “What happened, Jessie?”
He swallows and holds my gaze as he starts to answer. “Not long after we signed with the label, she was killed. A hit and run on her way to work. I wasn’t here. I was in L.A. They hit her as she crossed the street and left her there.”
“I’m so sorry, Jessie.” My hands fly to my mouth. I can’t imagine his pain. I just want to take it away.
“Drunk, stupid kids. Their parents turned them in the next day after they saw on the news that she died. Had they stopped… had they stopped, she might be alive.” His eyes are glassy. “Stupid ass kids… I got them so she’d always be with me. We used to go for walks by the river when I was a kid. She’d have an afternoon off and we’d go to the river and have a picnic.” He smiles at the memory.
Cupping his face with both palms, I lean in to kiss him gently. Leaning my forehead against his, I murmur against his lips, “Thank you for sharing that with me.”
He smiles. “She’d have liked you. You remind me of her some. You have backbone and you’re strong. So was she.” He’s tracing my face with his finger and looking at me but I don’t know if he’s seeing me.
My heart lifts and my eyes fill with tears. That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. “Thank you.” I lean down and place a kiss on his chest, just over his heart. He sighs and his fingers tighten on my cheeks, as he tilts my face back to his.
My stomach growls and shatters the moment. Jessie chuckles and shakes his head to clear it. “I guess I need to feed you.” He winks and kisses my forehead. “We just burned a lot of calories. Let’s shower and go grab a bite and a movie. I need to take you on a date.”
I smile back at him, understanding that he wants to lighten the mood. “Ok. Sounds like a plan.”
Taking my hand, he helps me up and we head to the bathroom to get ready… for our date.
Chapter Nineteen
Jessie
We’re sitting at the California Pizza Kitchen and have just ordered a pear and gorgonzola pizza with some wine. Conversation just flows with us and I can’t believe we’ve taken this “relationship” this far, this fast. I realize we are, in fact, in a relationship, and the idea, though scary, pleases me. I like Blue. She’s gorgeous, smart, funny, sarcastic, and can handle my shit. No woman has ever stood up to me the way she does and I love that about her. I’m not sure where this is going, but I want to enjoy the ride.
She laughs as she looks over my shoulder, gesturing with her chin. “Looks like you’ve been recognized.”
Turning my head, I see what she means. Two teenage girls and an older woman are whispering and pointing at me. They see me looking and quickly look at their plates. I chuckle. Waiting for them to look back up, I wave and wink when one of the girls, with glasses and freckles, does. She gasps and hits the other one.
Blue laughs again and says, “You should go over there and talk to them. Give them an autograph and take a picture. They’ll be the most popular girls in school.”
“Come with me.” I hold my hand out to her.
She looks at me with a question on her face, but takes my hand. We walk over to the table.
“Hello, ladies.” The girls mouths drop open. Blue smiles. “I’m Jessie. Would you do me the honor of taking a picture with me? Two pretty girls like you would make me look really good in a picture.” The older lady smiles and mouths, “Thank you.” I wink.
“Su-sure… you want to take a pic with us?!” She’s stuttering and she drops her fork onto the table.
“I certainly do. I love taking pictures with pretty girls.” Looking at them, I ask, “Would either of you happen to have a camera phone?” Both grab smart phones off of the table and hand them to me. I hand them to Blue. “Would you mind?”
She smiles. “Not at all.” Then looking at their chaperone asks, “Would you like to get into the picture too?”
She smiles and comes around the table as well. I put my arms around both girls and say, “Smile for the picture. I n
eed you to look really happy.” They both beam and Blue takes a couple of pictures with each phone before handing them back. I talk to them for a few minutes, sign some menus, and then kiss their hands and we head back to our table, just as our wine arrives.
“You’re a softie, Jessie Adams.” She has a really content look on her face.
“Shhhh. Don’t tell anyone. You’ll ruin my badass image.” I laugh and she laughs with me. Reaching over, I grab her hand and entwine our fingers. “I like kids.”
She smirks. She’s so beautiful. “Your secret is safe with me.”
Our food arrives and we eat, talk, and laugh. Halfway through our meal, the girls walk by and smile and wave. As the older lady approaches the table, she stops. “I don’t want to bother you, but I wanted to thank you. That was very sweet what you did. You just made both of them deliriously happy.” She then turns to Blue and says, “You have a good man there, not many stars would take the time to talk to two young fans when out with a beautiful woman. Thank you for helping make two young girls’ day. They will never forget that.”
Smiling at her, I reply, “It was no problem. Thank you for allowing me to take a picture with them.”
Shaking her head and waving, she walks away.
Blue smiles at me. “What?” I ask.
“Oh, nothing… just that this Jessie Adams is not the same Jessie Adams who gave me shit for eight years. I like this Jessie Adams, very much.” She props her chin on her hands and gazes at me.
I snort. “You liked me as an asshole too. Even if you didn’t want to. But, I’m sorry I was a dick to you.”
She laughs. “No, I didn’t like you. I just wanted to punch you in the face and jump your bones at the same time.”
I choke on my wine and stare at her. Did she just say that?
She winks and takes a sip of her wine.
“Well, baby, you can jump me anytime you want from now on.” I bump her knee with mine under the table.
She laughs again and throws a napkin at me.
I grin back at her lasciviously and lean across the table to kiss her.
Blue
We see a movie, make out like teenagers a little in the dark theater, and then head back across the street to Jessie’s apartment. It’s still early, but I’m beat from the flight, the sex, and the day.
I settle on the couch and Jessie heads to the entertainment center to grab the remote and my cell pings with a new text.
“Bradi
Monkey sex out of your system?
10AM tomorrow, Lex and I will be by to grab you.
Dress shopping, florist, and then manicures.
K?”
I bust out laughing and Jessie walks over with his brow raised. I hold the phone out so he can read it and he chuckles. “How does she know we fuck like monkeys? How do monkeys fuck?”
Snorting at him, I type a reply.
“Blue
None of your damn business.
Ok, I’ll be ready.”
He settles next to me on the couch and pulls me into his body. I’m a little shocked, but within seconds, I’ve curved into him and I’m laying against his chest. His arm snakes around me. I like this sweet Jessie. Turning my head up, I kiss the side of his neck.
His arm tightens around me and he glances down at me. “What was that for?”
Smiling, I reply, “Because I wanted to.”
His brow raises, but he only says, “What do you want to watch?” I laugh and swipe the remote from his hand. “Woman, don’t you know better than to touch a man’s remote control?”
Settling into his side, I find the channel I want and look at him defiantly. “Don’t you know better than to talk like that to a woman you ever want to have sex with again?!” I blow him a kiss.
He looks at the TV as my phone pings on the table. He swipes it.
“Bradi
M… E…O…W”
He busts out laughing. “Is Bradi in my apartment?” and hands me the phone. I laugh too. He gestures to the TV. “Seriously… more vampires? Do I need to bite you or something?”
Pointing to my neck where he likes to nibble, I say, “You already do bite. I like it.”
“You do, huh?” He shakes his head and clicks his tongue. “Constantly surprised. I swear, I’m constantly surprised.”
“Why?” I look at him in confusion. I really want to know what he’s thinking.
“Because, I am.” He shrugs and pulls me closer to his side, resting his hand on my hip. “You’re not like I always perceived you to be. I guess that’s my fault.”
Smiling at him, I run my hand over his face where his bruises are turning colors. “I made assumptions too, Jessie. I mean shit… you messed up this face over me. And I love this face. We’re both at fault.”
He grabs my hand and licks my palm before kissing it and then setting it on his chest, where he holds it, and we watch some TV.
It’s been a crazy few days and we fall asleep on the couch.
Chapter Twenty
Jessie
I wake to bright light in my eyes and a warm body lying across me. Blue and I fell asleep on the couch last night and somehow, in sleep, I’ve pulled her into me and I’m cradling her in my arms. Damn, she fits against me perfectly. Her lush curves fit to my hard muscle like we’re pieces of a puzzle. I don’t spend the night with women. But, I’ve done this more than once with her and I like it. It feels… right.
It also feels right to have her ass pressed against my crotch, where something is demanding attention. Damn morning wood.
Looking over at the clock against the wall, I catch the time. “Blue. Blue, wake up.” She doesn’t budge. Instead, she snuggles deeper into me and rubs that delectable ass against my already rock solid dick. Gritting my teeth, I try again, “Blue! Woman, wake up. It’s 8:30, if you want to be ready on time for Bradi and Lexi to grab you, you need to get up.” She rubs harder against me. Wait, is she awake? Taking my hands and running them over her stomach, I slip them under her shirt and palm her full breasts. She moans and her nipples tighten. Ah hell, she’s going to be late.
Thirty minutes later, she’s hopping out of the shower, fully sated and rosy cheeked. Now that’s a great way to wake up.
“What are you going to do today while I’m gone with the girls?” She’s putting on that coconut lotion she wears and I’m mesmerized as she rubs it into her legs. The bathroom smells like the beach.
I’m sitting on the counter in a towel while she gets ready. I have never watched a woman get ready before. I’ve never wanted to. “Heading to Dade’s place. We’re supposed to try to nail down the new music today.”
“When do you start on the new album?” She’s now moved onto her stomach and it’s glistening. I can’t take my eyes off of her hands.
“Huh?” Stopping, she props her hand on her hip and turns around to look at me. Her brow arches and she grins. “What? Sorry, you’re distracting. I can see your ass cheeks under the bottom of the towel, Blue.”
“You just had your hands and mouth all over my ass in the shower, Jessie.” She laughs.
Waggling my eyebrows at her, I wink. “I know.” She laughs and turns back to the mirror. I watch her fluff her hair. “We’re supposed to start laying tracks at the end of January.”
“Ah, ok.” She drops the towel and steps into her panties. These are light purple and her plump ass cheeks hang out. Who the hell knew panties other than thongs were so fucking hot?!
She puts on a matching bra and then shimmies into a purple sweater dress. Jesus, she’s gorgeous. I think I swallow my tongue and she’s fully clothed now. That has never happened before.
What the hell are all these feelings? I want her. I want her again. But more than that, I want to keep her. Oh God… I need to get out of here.
At ten to ten, the doorbell rings and Blue gives me a quick kiss before leaving with Bradi and Lexi, who are pulling her out the door.
I need to breathe. I don’t know what all of these feelings are racing throug
h my body and I don’t understand this need I have for Blue. I decide to take a drive and organize my thoughts. I feel like I should be freaking out… I think I need to freak out… why am I not freaking out more?!
Two hours later, after aimlessly driving the River Road and through some old neighborhoods to organize my thoughts, I stroll into Dade’s house near LSU. It’s an older house, but he got it for a steal. It was a fixer upper, but he’s invested the money and now it’s a prize. It’s a lot of house though. I call out from the foyer to see where they are, Dade answers from the back of the house, the sunroom, turned music room, “We’re back here.”
As I walk in, I see Jude and Dade hard at work on the sofa. Cruz is across the room, near the windows scribbling furiously on a piece of paper, no doubt writing down some genius chords. Liam is smirking at me from near the bar. There are take-out coffees from Java and Sweeties spread across it. I find the one with my name. Taking a huge sip, I stare back at him. “What?”
“Nothing. How’s your face, dude?” He laughs again.
Smug fucker. Flipping him off, I shoot back, “How’s yours, Pretty Boy?” Then I look at his face. His eye is still messed up, though it’s more of an ugly brown/yellow than black, his nose has a cut under it, his lip is still split, and his bruises are starting to fade to the same mottled yellow and brown as his eye. I got him good. I laugh.
He laughs too and points to my face. “About as good as yours. The ladies want to console me for what big bad Jessie Adams did to me. Worked out in my favor.” Then he takes in my appearance. I look away. “And apparently in yours. You and Blue good?”
My head whips back. “Yup. All good.”
He smiles. “Good. Don’t make me fuck up your face again.”
“Don’t plan on it. She’s… she’s different.” I sigh and his feet hit the floor. All of a sudden, I realize I’m the center of attention and four pairs of eyes are on me. Dade whistles. Jude laughs, and Liam says, “Son of a bitch. She’s got you. I don’t believe it. She’s really got you.”