The Falling of Grace (The Falling Series Book 2)

by Marisa Oldham

  ~ ~ ~

  Grace stretches and moves slowly in bed as the sounds of her piano sing into her ears. She opens her eyes and the music flows into her soul. Ian is playing the piano. She pinches herself because it must all be a dream. A very hot, sexy dream. His playing has improved drastically. She closes her eyes and allows the music to relax her. No longer able to prevent her desire to see him, Grace crawls out of bed with not a stitch of clothing on and reaches for her lace and chiffon robe. Excitement builds in her stomach as she loops the tie of her robe into a bow. She steps on the cold hardwood floors, being careful not to create too much noise. She wants to take in the vision of Ian playing without disturbing him.

  As she peers around the partition, Ian’s voice quietly fills the room. She closes her eyes as his beautiful melody washes over her. She opens her eyes because the moment she closes them she misses seeing him. Light from the windows silhouette him hunched over the piano, naked.

  Here I am again on this bathroom floor

  Promise I won’t hurt her anymore

  The tears fall from her eyes once more

  She has heard these same lies before

  When I close my eyes the demons start to roar

  I begin to crave it a little more

  Next to her I breathe her in

  Then I lose myself again

  I don’t know why she holds on to this wasted man

  Looking in her eyes I don’t understand

  Disappointment fills the room

  As she walks in way too soon– ohh

  I scream her name why can’t she hear

  Cold sweat and shaking uncontrolled again

  Nothing’s going to hide this kind of shape I’m in

  She holds my hand I hear her breathe

  Does she still know she’s everything to me

  Silence fills our darkened room

  I feel so far away right here next to her

  I kiss her lips I’m alive again

  Her perfect light shining from within

  I don’t know why she holds onto this wasted man

  Looking in her eyes I don’t understand

  Disappointment fills the room

  As I walk in way to soon – ohh

  I scream her name why can’t she hear

  I’m fallin

  I’m fallin

  I’m falling from Grace again

  The beautiful lyrics grab at Grace’s heart. There is no doubt in her mind that this song is about her. About her and Ian. It is a glimpse into his mind at the time of their demise.

  Grace takes a step closer and the floor creaks. He stops singing, turns to look at her, and a magnificent smile reaches from ear to ear. He continues to play the song on the piano, but does not sing. Ian tilts his head motioning for her to join him. Just like the old days, Grace takes her place next to Ian at the piano. He leans over and runs his nose close to her skin, barely making contact. His full lips fall on the skin just below her ear and it sends chills all over her body.

  “That song…” Grace trails off, unable to get any other words out.

  “It’s one of our most popular. I wrote it shortly after I returned to L.A.,” he says, as he continues to tap his fingers on the keys.

  “You play so well.”

  “I’ve gotten better,” he says, with a smirk.

  Ian cannot seem to stop smiling, his blue eyes gleaming as he plays the opening notes to Chopsticks. Grace laughs and plays with him. He plays a few more songs for her, they laugh, they kiss, and Grace cries.

  Grace rises from the piano bench and kisses Ian on his forehead. “Would you like some cocoa?”

  “You sit,” he says, as he closes the lid over the piano keys and gets up from the bench.

  “Okay,” she says, and then plops onto the couch, feeling giddy.

  She does not take her eyes off Ian while he walks to her kitchen, his butt glowing in the moonlight. Grace cannot help but to whistle. “You are so unbelievably sexy.” He chuckles as he searches through her cupboards for the cocoa mix. Still feeling like she is in a dream come true, Grace closes her eyes and takes deep soothing breaths. Her body relaxes and his affection warms her heart.

  “Here you go, baby,” he says, handing Grace her cup and then he takes the seat on the sofa next to her.

  “Thank you.” She smiles.

  “You’re welcome.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Ian cannot wipe the grin off his face with Grace staring at him. He cannot believe that she is sitting across from him having cocoa. He cannot believe the joyous time they just spent together playing the piano, just as they did when they were teenagers, except back then they were fully clothed. After all these years, he was finally able to tell Grace the truth about what happened to him and how he feels. He is so completely and utterly content with her in this moment.

  The silence between them is the same comfortable silence they always shared.

  Grace breaks the quiet. “I’m astonished at all that has happened in the last few hours. Every ounce of anger that I had toward you has blown away.”

  “I have my way of convincing you not to be mad at me anymore.”

  “Do you always walk around like that,” she says, waving her hand between his legs.

  “Only when I’m trying to impress beautiful women,” he jokes.

  “Well, mister, it worked. You look even hotter naked now than you did back then. You’ve aged very well.”

  Ian leans over to kiss her. “And you, my beautiful love, have filled out very, and I mean very well.”

  “When do you have to go home?” she asks, and it hurts his heart. “I don’t want you to leave. I just got you back.”

  “Next week.”

  “That’s too soon.”

  Ian nods his head agreeing with her.

  “So, if you are not living at Jaden’s anymore where are you living?” she asks, as she sips her cocoa, intently staring at him.

  “I have a condo in Hollywood.”

  “You own it?”

  “Yeah, I just bought it. It’s pretty nice. But not as nice as your place.”

  “I bought the loft a little over a year ago. James had been renting it for us and I just fell in love with it so I finally convinced the owner to sell.”

  “You seem to be doing well, babe,” he says, setting his cup down on her coffee table, then puts his arm around her back.

  “I have a comfortable life.”

  “Me, too. It’s nice not to have to worry about money. Before No Quarter was signed, it was always a struggle. Working in garages, living paycheck to paycheck. I’m not rich now, but I’m well enough off that I never have to worry about where my next meal is going to come from. If I want to take off to Europe for two weeks, it’s no big deal.” He winks.

  “Are you insinuating that you will come back to see me?” The sparkle in her eyes tells him that she is anxious for him to say yes.

  “Yeah, I might.”

  He laughs, then takes her cup from her hands and places it on the table. He wraps his arm around her and pulls her to him. She lays her head in the space between his armpit and chest.

  “You always did fit so well right here,” he says, as he looks down at her and kisses her on her head. “This spot was made for you, Gracie.” They remain quiet for a moment before he speaks again. “What do you do besides art?”

  “How did you know I do art?”

  Ian waves his hand around. “It’s a little obvious.”

  Grace laughs. “Yeah, I guess all my supplies are a dead giveaway. But can you guess what else I do?”

  “Can-can dancer?”

  “Funny. Keep guessing.”

  “Teacher?”

  “Nope.”

  “Umm, chef?”

  Her smile lights her eyes. “Nah. Although I am so excited to cook for you. I’ve learned to make so many new meals.”

  “Oh, just the mention of your cooking and my stomach growls.” Ian thinks as Grace waits for him to guess. “I give up.”

>   “I’m a model. You know what I mean? And I do my little turn on the catwalk.” Grace breaks into song.

  Ian laughs and nods. “Perfect. Fuckin’ perfect.”

  “Most of my income comes from modeling. Although I did sell enough art yesterday to set me up for months,” she says, snuggling into him. “I’m so glad you are able to live your dream,” she says with sincerity. “Ian Taylor, rock god.” She giggles.

  “It’s amazing to be able to do what I love and have a cozy life because of it, but I’m not sure I would go as far as to call me a rock God. We have a really good following in Europe, but we haven’t quite caught on in the states yet. We have a ton of fans in Norway. Ha!” He laughs. “We even have a No Quarter fan club.”

  “We’re both living our dreams. The only thing missing was each other.”

  “That’s absolutely true. Baby, are you cold?” he asks, as he runs his hand over her chilled arm.

  “Yeah. Actually I am.”

  Ian kisses her on the head and rises to his feet. He reaches out his hand for her and she willingly takes it. He grabs her by her face and stares into her electric, green eyes, and then places delicate kisses on her neck. Swooping her up into his arms, he carries her to her bed and lays her down.

  “I could get used to not ever having to walk again.” Grace jokes.

  Laughing, Ian climbs into bed with her and wraps them in her comforter. Folding his arms around her, he kisses her on the shoulder then intertwines his legs with hers.

  “Better?” he asks, breathing into her ear.

  “Mmm,” she hums. “So much better.”

  Chapter 4

  The smell of bacon dances into Grace’s nose. She opens her eyes and her heart drops with thoughts of the glorious evening she spent with Ian. Stretching in her bed, the aroma of spices and fresh baked bread tickle her senses. She climbs out of bed and throws on a sheer, pink robe. Her breasts are almost fully visible through the delicate fabric. Padding her way to the kitchen, she finds Ian standing at the stove, wearing boxers, with his bare back to her. Taking in the pleasing sight of him, her heart plummets again. Am I dreaming? She pinches her arm and lets out a little yelp. Okay, not dreaming.

  “Good morning beautiful,” Ian says, not turning around.

  “Good morning. You’re cooking,” she says, with a hint of disbelief.

  “It’s almost done, babe. Have a seat,” he says, as he taps the spatula on the pan and turns to smile.

  “Okay,” she says, walking over to the sofa and takes a seat. “Sheesh, I’m being pampered.”

  Ian walks over to her and stops before he reaches her. “You look amazing.” His eyes fall to her breasts and his tongue glides over his lower lip.

  “Really?” She laughs. “I have a serious case of sex hair, I cried off all my makeup, and I probably have dragon breath.”

  “You look more beautiful than I’ve ever seen you, Gracie.” He places her plate full of cheesy eggs, potatoes, bacon, and freshly toasted bread on the table.

  “I’m starving,” she says, her stomach rumbles. “Where did you find the bacon?”

  “This butcher down the block had some.”

  “When did you get all this?” she says, a piece of bacon dangling from her lips.

  “I woke up early. I couldn’t sleep. So, I went shopping. Oh…” He leaps from the couch and walks to the kitchen. “I almost forgot these.”

  Grace picks up another piece of bacon and chews on it while she watches Ian’s butt. Damn, he’s so freakin’ sexy. She turns her attention away from his tight ass and looks out the windows at the blue sky.

  “I forgot to give you these,” Ian says, as he lays two dozen roses in her lap.

  “Ian!”

  He lowers his head and peers up at her under thick eyelashes and stunning, blue eyes. “Well, dig in before it gets cold.”

  The food is so good that neither of them says anything beyond an occasional, “This is so good,” or, “Mmm.”

  Grace finishes every bite on her plate. “I haven’t eaten that much in days. I’m so stuffed. When did you learn to cook?”

  “I got tired of mac n’ cheese so I took a cooking class about a year ago. Plus, I didn’t forget all of our cooking lessons that you gave me when we were in high school.” He smiles.

  “Jeez, Ian. That was fantastic.” She lies back on the couch, rubbing her tiny stomach.

  He turns his head and smiles. “I’m so glad you liked it.” Happiness radiates from him, more so than she has seen in the days since he reappeared in her life.

  Her eyes turn to the beautiful flowers he bought for her lying on the coffee table. “That was very sweet of you to get me flowers. They’re so beautiful. I better put them in water.”

  “I’ve got it,” he says, rising from the couch.

  “The vases are under the sink.”

  He takes them to the kitchen, where he works for a bit before placing the vase full of flowers in the center of the table.

  The night is more like a fantasy. “Thank you so much, Ian.”

  “You deserve them, sweetheart. Beautiful flowers for a breathtaking woman.”

  Grace shakes her head. He is too good to be true.

  “So,” he says, sitting back down on the couch beside her, “tell me about modeling.”

  “It’s so much fun. I absolutely love it.”

  “Are you in magazines and stuff like that?”

  Grace smiles, suddenly feeling shy. “Yeah, stuff like that.”

  “Can I see your pictures?”

  Her smile grows wider and her heart beats a little faster. “I would love to show you my portfolio.” Grace gets up from the couch and walks over to the bookshelf in the corner of the loft. She pulls a black folio from the shelf and walks back to the couch. She hands it over to Ian, who seems very eager to peek at the photos. For reasons she cannot figure out, apprehension swells in her chest.

  Ian flips through a few pages, and Grace scoots closer to him so that she can look over his shoulder. His scent drifts into her nostrils and intoxicate hers.

  His head whips towards her and his eyes are wide. “You’re nude!”

  Grace looks down at her fingernails, picking at them.

  “Damn, you’re…you’re so fucking beautiful, Grace. These pictures are killer. It’s not just your beauty though. It’s something in your eyes. They’re captivating.” As if he notices her embarrassment, he runs his hand over her cheek. “Don’t be shy. The nudes are incredible.”

  “I’m usually never shy when it comes to showing my work. I’ve gotten used to my body over the years. I just want you to like them.”

  “I love them. In fact, I’d like to have a copy of the entire book.” He smiles. “You’re really good. Didn’t this hurt?” He asks, pointing to a photograph of Grace arched over a jagged rock, the sun bouncing off her bronzed skin, her long blonde hair flowing over the rock.

  “Hell yeah! But we got amazing shots, so that’s all that matters.”

  “Figures you’d be one of those models that does anything for a good pic. You never went into anything unless you went in one hundred percent.”

  Grace smiles and most of her shyness settles in the back of her mind.

  “You know, I tried to find you online, but I couldn’t. I don’t get it. You’ve got some big names you’re modeling for.”

  “Oh! I don’t use my last name. There are too many freaks out there. I go by Grace De Leon. I’ve heard way too many horror stories about obsessed fans.”

  “That’s why I couldn’t find you!”

  Grace lowers her head, shame crawling over. “I never tried. I was too afraid to find out what may have happened to you.”

  Ian smiles. “That’s understandable, babe. We have a lot of time to make up for, don’t we?”

  “We sure do.”

  Ian finishes looking through her book and sets it on the table. He shakes his head. “I’m so proud of you. I recognize a lot of those brand names. You must be making bank.”


  “It pays well, but in a few years I probably won’t book as many jobs as I do now. I’ve already been told I’m too old for some campaigns.”

  “What? That’s ridiculous. You don’t look old at all. You…you look…different, but so much better. I mean, you were adorable and now…now you’re sultry and…sexy.” He stumbles over his words. “You’re just really hot, babe.”

  Grace laughs. “You look pretty amazing yourself, Ian. What’s with this?” she says, rubbing her hand across the stubble on his face.

  Ian places his hand on top of hers and holds it in place on his cheek. “I hide behind this sucker.”

  “It’s very becoming. You’re more handsome than you ever were. And have you been working out?” she asks, as she takes her hand away and rubs it over the hard, defined lines on his chest and abdomen.

  “I get my workouts on stage.”

  “Do you play a lot?” she asks, running her hand over his abs and down to his thigh.

  “We just finished up a European tour last month. We had a gig almost every night. It was sick!”

  “You look healthy. You’re clean, right?”

  “I’ve been sober for five years.”

  “I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thank you. It’s not easy. Honestly, every day is a struggle, but I’m determined to stay well.”

  Grace takes a deep breath and lays her head on Ian’s shoulder. “Wait,” she says, suddenly lifting her head up. “What’s the name of your band again?”

  “No Quarter. I don’t want to talk about me right now,” he says. “I just want to focus on you. Tell me about your art. What are you into?”

  “I’m really enjoying working with oils. I’m going to need to work hard next week to get Sophie some new pieces.”