Third Time's A Charmer

by St. John, Jodi

  We walked with Trent back to where his wife was and some other couples. There was a band playing. Country music. They weren’t bad. It was a beautiful day out. The sun felt great, there was a nice breeze and Livy was by my side. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

  I was starting to check out what was going on around us when I noticed the musician from the other night walking our way. Here we go again. He was heading straight for Olivia. I didn’t like the feeling I got when he looked at her the other night. I could feel my jealousy starting again just by seeing this guy.

  I tried to play it cool. We were standing with the others when he approached. Then this guy leaned in and whispered something in her ear and I just about squeezed her hand right off. She gave me the ‘what the fuck’ look and said something to the guy I couldn’t hear. He shot me a glare and walked off. She didn’t seem fazed by it but I was all rage inside. I kept my cool but shocked myself at how badly it affected me. Even Andres didn’t get me jealous like this. Livy sensed my edginess and pushed herself up against me. She whispered, “You’re hot when your jealous” in my ear and proceeded to grin at me, until I relented and started laughing with her. And then she kissed me and tucked her hands up under my shirt. I had secretly hoped Mr. Musician man was watching.

  She was mine.

  We walked around a bit. Livy talked to a few other people. Her friends were nice. No one yet had recognized me so it seemed we were in the clear for the rest of the evening. I was happy about that. I liked this new sense of freedom I was feeling. I hadn’t ever been able to be out and about as an adult without chaos ensuing. This was refreshing.

  Chapter 39

  Olivia

  We stayed into the night laughing and listening to music with a few other couples. It had been a lovely day. Jill told me I was absolutely beaming, so I guess it was obvious that Harris and I were crazy about each other. They loved him too.

  Jill knew exactly who he was. She knew when I was heading out to work with him. She didn’t care about all that. She only cared about me. She said she had never seen me this happy. Even with Miles. I looked at Harris. He was watching me and smiled when our eyes met.

  It was getting dark now. We snuggled up waiting for the fireworks to start. Trent had handed out a few beers. Harris and Trent bonded over a few earlier as well. I think they really hit it off which made me happy. I was sitting tucked into Harris when the fireworks started. His arms around me, his lips hovering by my ear. Every once in a while, he’d squeeze me a bit and kiss my hair. I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. I was surrounded with people who were like family to me. People who had known me my entire life and I was in the arms of someone I wanted to be part of my life from here on out. With that, the finale of the fireworks started. The entire sky was lit up. Everyone was cheering and clapping and Harris squeezed me again and this time whispered, “I love you, Livy.” in my ear. My eyes automatically shut as my head tipped back to rest on his shoulder. I was smiling and my stomach was doing flip flops. Those words, that voice, I melted. I turned to catch whatever part of his mouth I could reach. I ended up kissing the side of his mouth and while I kissed him I told him that I loved him too. Suddenly, I got whacked on the ass and Trent yelled, “Let go of him, Liv. We’re going to the bar! Come on, Harris!” Trent had a few in him and looks like we were taking this little party to the neighborhood bar.

  It’d been a fun day. Trent was dragging Harris toward our vehicles. They were arm in arm and laughing. I can only imagine what was being discussed. Us girls grabbed our stuff and followed. I decided to drive and we headed to the little bar in the woods. It would be fun. I secretly liked when Trent was a bit tipsy. He was so damn funny! I wouldn’t have a drink but be sore from laughing after a night out with him.

  We rolled into the parking lot and half the damn town must have been there. Harris rounded the front of the Rover and met me with that hungry look. He pushed me up against the driver’s door and grabbed my legs. I wrapped my arms around his neck holding myself up as he held the backs of my thighs in his hands as he was grinding into me. Jesus, I could feel him and it was making my heart fucking race. Our kissing became tangled tongues and smashing teeth. It was hot and I was cursing myself for wearing jeans. This would be much easier if I was wearing a dress. Dammit. As if reading my thoughts he pulled away and put his forehead to mine. “Just a little taste for what’s to come later, Love.”

  Then we heard our names getting yelled from across the parking lot. “Harris, Olivia, let’s go!” We looked at each other and started laughing. We walked into the packed bar. It was hot and humid inside and there was some God-awful music playing. What fresh hell is this? Oh dear God. It’s karaoke night! I looked to Harris who must have read my thoughts, again and he was grinning ear to ear.

  We grabbed a table in the back and the waitress was already on the way with beer. Trent was making the rounds. Harris and I were chatting with Jill and a few others who had stopped by the table. The horrible karaoke continued. Harris got up to go to the restroom and I ordered another round from the waitress who kept coming our way, I swear just to check out Harris.

  I saw Trent heading back to the table. He was all smiles. But it was his shit eating grin smile that made me a bit nervous. Then I heard a certain raspy voice in a British accent calling my name over the karaoke mic. Sweet Jesus…NO! I can’t sing. And certainly not with Harris. Fuck me! I’m going to kill him. Trent was sent to the table to deliver me to him. He literally picked me up and carried me up to the stage where Harris was waiting for me. He was smiling so sweetly and all I wanted to do was punch him in the face. And then he spoke. “Hey Love, get that pretty little ass up here. It’ll be fun…come on.” He reached out his hand for me, knowing I wouldn’t make a scene. Ass!

  I was on stage now next to him when he hit the button and handed me my mic. I put my hand over my mic and whispered to him that I can’t sing. He winked and said, “Yes, you can. I’ve heard you in the shower.”

  What? When was he anywhere near when I was singing in the shower? The naughty dimply grin was back and then he said, “Just sing like you did when we were driving. You got this!” Wink.

  The song from Dirty Dancing started. Oh God, shoot me now!

  Oh Jesus, he was cute singing karaoke. And a bit hot! The crowd was clapping along and by the time we hit the chorus we were killing it, well, he was. The whole bar was singing along. He had me facing him and swaying, then he’d spin me all the while singing his raspy version that had me nearly panting. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one. During the instrumental part he laid the best kiss on me. The whole bar cheered. By the crescendo we were dancing and singing our hearts out together. Just like when we were driving. God, this was fun! I never would have done this. He’s absolutely adorable when he does this kind of thing to me.

  When it finally ended he gave me another fantastic kiss and called out Trent to take his place on stage. He walked me back to the table smiling the whole way. He pulled me onto his lap. He leaned in close and said lowly into my mouth as he was kissing me, “God, Livy, I feel so alive with you.” I kissed him back saying, “You’re lucky I let you live after that.”

  He gave me that pouty look and told me he knew I was having fun up there. He could tell and that he would never make me do anything I truly didn’t want to. We are so getting one of those stupid karaoke machines for the house!

  We hung out for a little while longer when some of the musicians from the festival filtered in and started doing impromptu sets. I was getting tired and wanted to get Harris home where I had him all to myself. The waitress had been over to the table every 60 seconds, but Harris was having a good time. He could relax and be himself and wasn’t guarded. I wanted him to enjoy this new-found freedom. The stage was filling up with the musicians and I heard a familiar song start. Shit. The guy from the restaurant and earlier in the day was onstage now with a bunch of guys. We go way back. He was the one who would always be my ‘what if’. We dated briefly one summer. It
was one of those summer romance things. But the timing was never right and we thought we were destined to just be friends. That had its moments as well. Sometimes it was good but other times it got weird.

  We were in the weird stage now. He shut me out after I tried to help him. He was talented, but he was a mess. There was only so much I could do for him. He had too many demons to deal with and that was something only he could do. He wasn’t willing. So here we are. And now he's staring intensely across the room at me.

  He started playing his guitar. He was an unbelievable guitar player. It was fun to just watch him play. He could hypnotize you with his fingers and I used to love watching him. But now I was just hoping Harris didn’t notice the looks coming my way. I turned to look at Harris and it’s obviously too late. His brows are pulled together in that look of distaste. He looked at the stage and then back to me.

  “OK Livy, who is this guy and what is going on between the two of you?”

  I sighed, “He’s just someone from my past who wanted more from me than I could ever give him. That’s all. There’s nothing going on between us. And there never will be. I swear!” I begged him to let it go and to just ignore it all and enjoy the rest of the night. He relaxed but he didn’t let me out of his sight or off his lap.

  A few more people had joined our table. Harris and Trent had a lot to drink. I knew I'd be driving so I had switched to water awhile ago and let Harris have his fun. He was silly and just as funny as Trent. In fact, the two of them together was quite the show. By the time we were able to get them out of there, Jill was helping Trent and I was helping my staggering Brit to the car. He was singing now and it was the sweetest thing. Drunk Harris is cute and funny and sweet and just so damn delicious. He was singing something and it ended with ‘Olivia’. I couldn’t make out the words but he was singing it over and over and smiling. I got him in the Rover and buckled in. No small feat I might add. He’s also very grabby when he's drunk. I wanted to get him home. I hopped in and headed out. He was still singing. He stopped, turned to me and said seriously, “Olivia, I fell in love with you the first time I saw you.”

  I didn’t get a chance to reply. He started rambling on about something else. I decided to just listen and absorb as much as I could. I’ve always said a drunk person tells you how they really feel. Drunk people and toddlers. And you have to help both of them into their car seats.

  Chapter 40

  Harris

  I woke up in bed alone. I didn’t feel too bad knowing that I must have had a lot to drink because I don’t remember getting home. I pulled some shorts on and a shirt and headed downstairs to find Olivia. No sign of her so I grabbed a cup of coffee. Then I saw her. She was sitting down by the lake. She was on the phone. And she didn’t look happy. I decided to just drink my coffee and watch her.

  I love watching her. I don’t care what she’s doing. I can never get enough of her. It’s been sheer heaven being able to be like a normal couple here in this place so removed from life in LA. I know we had to eventually go back. I’m just not ready. I don’t want things to change with us and it's such a different world there. One where we won’t be able to be like this.

  I watched her hang up and then throw her phone down. I poured myself more coffee and slid out the door. She didn’t hear me coming down the hill. I was able to sneak up behind her and lean down to whisper ‘good morning’ in her ear. She reached up to wrap her arms around me and tip her head back for a kiss. I walked around the table to sit down across from her. I instantly knew something was wrong.

  “We have a problem.” She said. “George just called, our little karaoke scene from last night is all over the place.” she continued. She rubbed her forehead. This was getting her all stressed out and for once it didn’t really matter to me.

  “So what.” I replied.

  And she freaked, “SO WHAT?? Jesus Harris! This is bad on so many levels right now.”

  I really didn’t understand why she was so upset. It’s a video of us singing, dancing and kissing. People will speculate about us dating. So what. We are.

  “Livy, maybe we let it be out in the open. What does it matter?” I grabbed her hand as I spoke. “For once I don’t want to hide my private life. I don’t care if people know I have a girlfriend. Am I not allowed that? Do you not want that?”

  She pulled her sunglasses off and looked out across the water. “I don’t know Harris. I don’t know if I want to live my life under the microscope. Let’s not forget I work for you. This doesn’t look great for me professionally. Not to mention you have your first solo album coming out. I’m pretty sure the record company wanted a single Harris promoting it. We should have really thought this through”.

  I stood up and slammed my hands on the table. I couldn’t listen to her put our feelings for each other behind my career. I didn’t care. I have had my fame. Whatever happened from here I want to be about my music anyway. Nothing else.

  “Dammit Livy don’t tell me what we are doing is wrong in any way, shape or form. I am allowed to love you. Please, let’s not make this a big deal. We have dealt with the press since you came to help me. It will intensify a bit but we can handle it. I will deal with George and the record company. Trust me, they need me more than I need them right now. This is what I want. I want you and I don't care who knows. Please say you’ll try.” I pleaded.

  I got a faint smile from her. She didn’t look convinced. She looked concerned and bothered. I on the other hand, felt rather light. I felt like this is a huge step for me as a person and not an artist. I’ve had to do what people have told me for 6 years now. But it’s my turn to call the shots and it felt good. I looked at her. I touched her cheek. She looked at me and sighed. I want to prove to her we could do this, that I was worth it but I don’t know how.

  Chapter 41

  Olivia

  He was sleeping so peacefully I didn’t want to wake him. His phone was blowing up and I saw that it was George. He’d call me eventually and I can deal with whatever had him all worked up. I went downstairs to make coffee and grab my phone. I slipped on some shorts with Harris' tshirt and threw on a flannel. I went to have my coffee by the lake. One of my favorite things to do.

  I no sooner sat down when my phone started buzzing. It was George. Here we go. I answered to find an angry manager on the other end. Turned out Harris and I are ‘trending’. Someone videoed our karaoke kissing scene last night and now all the buzz is about us being a couple.

  George is more upset that Harris didn’t give him a heads up so he was prepared to deal with the press. He's pissed because we were ‘careless’ and then he threw in some jabs at me about his career path. So I’m going to be the bad guy in this I see. Great. I hung up and threw my phone. All I could think was that fucking waitress. Had to be her. Now my career is over and we’ll never get to see where this was going to go.

  I was on the verge of crying when ‘good morning’ was whispered in my ear. I reached up for him. I was sure this was going to be the end of us when I told him about the phone call. He sat down across from me. I took a breath and filled him in on what George had just screamed at me. He didn’t seem to care. At all. He even grinned and suggested we just be a couple. In public. Wow. I didn’t expect that.

  I don’t know if I can let him hurt his career or popularity over this. I don’t ever want to be anyone’s regret. Then he got really mad and asked me why I didn’t want to be open about our relationship. I’m just so shocked that he does. I don’t know how to react except to think it’s a bad idea because that’s what I do for a living. I understand what it takes to get to the top. I don’t want to stand in his way.

  He had a point though, he has had his fame on their terms and now it’s his turn. Could it really work?

  I guess if he’s so damn confident about it, it could work. He came over to kneel in front of me. He grabbed my hands and put them to his lips. “Olivia please. Be with me. I want this and I’ll do anything to keep you safe and happy. Please say you’ll give
it a try.”

  My heart took over and allowed only one word out of my lips. “Yes.”

  He tackled me in my chair and covered me with kisses saying ‘thank you thank you thank you’ over and over again while I was laughing my head off. I couldn’t walk away from this one. He had a hold on me like I’ve never known. And I guess we can always escape here if we need to.

  Harris grabbed my phone and called George. He laid it all out for him. Gave him the go ahead to acknowledge our relationship and to deal with the record company. Obviously, George also knew that Harris could call the shots with them as well. Harris was cool, calm and confident speaking with George. I was impressed and a bit turned on. He knew it. He knew what he was doing to me. He turned off the phone and stalked back over to me. “Come on gorgeous, we missed out on a few things last night.”

  He carried me up the hill and directly to our bedroom. He put me down at the foot of the bed. The room was bright with the sun shining in and the breeze was blowing the curtains. He pulled the flannel off of me and threw it on the floor. He grabbed the hem of his tshirt I was wearing and slid his hands underneath. He grabbed my waist and pulled me hard to him. His hot lips on my neck kissing so slowly. I couldn’t move. I didn’t want to. I closed my eyes and let myself melt in his hands. The burning in the pit of my stomach started when he was talking while he was kissed me. Telling me he loved me, how I made him feel and how he wanted to make me feel. His hands under my shirt moved up and down my back. Sending chills to my toes. He pulled off my shirt and slid my shorts down my legs. He had me standing there naked in front of him. He backed me up until my legs hit the bed. He laid me down gently and stood. “So beautiful.” he muttered as he pulled his shorts down and crawled up the bed towards me. He laid himself between my legs and rested on his elbow. His one hand traced the edges of my body. Down my side, over my hip, down my leg and back up the inside on my leg. I couldn’t help but moan and squirm with his touch. I wanted him to touch me, to bring me close while his voice reverberated over my skin. He knew exactly what to do. I was letting him be in control and he was relishing in it. He had me bucking up to meet his hand each time he pulled it away. I wanted him and I needed him now but he wasn’t in any hurry and it was borderline torture. I wanted my release but he wasn’t going to let me yet. I started to beg him. To tell him that I needed him. I wanted him inside me. “Please Harris, Oh God Please” croaked out of my throat between my gasps. Now his tongue was driving me out of my mind and I couldn’t hold on any longer. He had my whole body shaking as I screamed his name over and over again. He let me ride out the wave before he entered me. Slowly, and the timing almost had me clenching all over again. He was above me head thrown back gently rocking into me. He was so deep as he lifted my hips to him. It was amazing how he was hitting parts in me I'm not sure had ever been touched. I started to feel him getting close and he was saying my name in such a sexy way that I couldn’t hang on any longer. I let go again and took him with me. He fell forward on me and got even deeper. Oh God. Then he rolled over taking me with him.