“I thought it was love at first sight?”
Will smiled. “It was for me. Your mom is more…practical.” Will stood and rinsed his cup. “Just remember, Jack, actions speak louder than words. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
After his dad left, Jack took a quick shower before returning to the kitchen and cleaning up the dishes. By the time his mom came downstairs, Jack had Earl Grey steeping, an English muffin ready to toast, and eggs over easy in the pan.
“Jack, why are you up?”
“I had breakfast with Dad, worked out, and now, your favorite breakfast. Ta-da.” Jack grabbed her and twirled her around the kitchen.
“You’re just like your father.” She looked at the table. “You were always so thoughtful. This is nice.” She sat, removed the tea bag, and poured a splash of milk. “Mmm. Perfect.”
Jack placed the eggs and muffin on a plate and, with a flourish, presented it to her. “Breakfast is served.”
She smiled up at him. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to. I had a great time this weekend. Every time I come home, you always make my favorite dishes.”
“Well, I’m your mother. I love you, and I don’t get to take care of you enough.” Tears welled in her eyes, but she shook her head. “I’m so glad you came home this weekend.”
“Me too. Thank you for including Em. She had a great time.”
Maggie looked at him, brow raised.
Jack laughed. “Honest. She told me so. She’s a really good person, Mom.”
Maggie took his hand. “I just want you to be happy.”
“I am, Mom. I love her.”
Maggie nodded. “This looks delicious.”
After she left, Jack cleaned up the dishes and crawled back into bed with Em. She turned in her sleep and nestled herself into his body. She wouldn’t have done that two months ago.
He dozed off and woke up an hour later alone. Damn. He found her in the kitchen chatting with Jimmy. “Hey.”
Jimmy stood.
“Don’t go,” Jack said. “I’m making breakfast.”
“Didn’t you eat with your dad?” Emily said through a yawn.
“That was hours ago. Pancakes?”
“Hell yeah.” Jimmy sat and leaned the chair back to balance on the back legs. “So anyway, that’s my plan. I don’t know if it’ll work out.”
“Well, I think that’s great.”
Jimmy was still in sweats. “I thought you started your internship today?” He’d planned to spend the morning in bed with Emily. Maybe show her around town more. Later. Much later.
“I don’t have to be there until noon. They’re having a luncheon for the interns, then orientation in the afternoon.”
“Oh.”
After breakfast, Jimmy went upstairs while Emily washed the dishes. She shooed Jack out of the kitchen, saying he’d done enough for one day.
Just as he was about to knock on Jimmy’s door, it opened, and Jimmy plowed into him. He pushed Jimmy back into his room and closed the door behind him.
“What the fuck?”
“Keep it down, will you? Listen, man, I need to be alone with Emily. I’ll give you a thousand bucks to get out sooner than later.”
“Keep your money.”
“Come on, Jimmy.”
“No, I mean, keep your money. Give me twenty minutes, bro. I’ll be out of your hair.”
Jack smiled. “Thanks, man, appreciate it.”
Jimmy opened the door but stopped. “You’re a good brother, Jack.”
Luckily a breeze didn’t blow or Jack would’ve fallen over. They’d had a great time this weekend hanging out, drinking, and playing pool. Jack always regretted that his leaving to pursue his dreams had hurt their relationship. He just hadn’t known how to fix it.
True to his word, twenty minutes later, Jimmy drove off to pursue his dreams. And he and Em were alone for the first time in three days.
J
Early the next morning, Jack got up to make breakfast for his dad, but he was already at the table eating a bowl of cereal. Jack sipped coffee as they debated this seasons Yankees’ roster.
After Will left, he mixed up the egg batter for French toast.
His mom walked into the kitchen. “You’re spoiling me.”
“Sit, drink your tea.”
“I’m rather ashamed of my behavior toward Emily.”
He stacked two pieces of French toast on a plate. “Here.”
Maggie sighed. “I worry about you all the time.”
“Mom—”
“No, let me finish. It doesn’t matter that you’ve been taking care of yourself for the past ten years. I feel…robbed.” Maggie used her napkin to dab the corners of her eyes. “In April when you called and asked if you could bring this girl to dinner, I was worried you were rushing into another relationship.” When Jack went to speak, she held up her hand. “I really liked Christie when we met her. She was sweet, and it was obvious how she felt about you, and how you felt about her. But, she changed.”
“Yeah.” Changed was an understatement.
“You’ve always fallen headfirst in love.” Maggie smiled. “You’re just like your father. At first, I thought Emily was cold, too reserved for you. Kind of how Christie ended up, but Emily’s nothing like her. I know she’s been hurt, but you’re my son, and I was concerned for you.”
“You seemed rather determined not to like her. Em said that first day you didn’t like her. I told her she was crazy, but she was right.” Jack laughed.
“Why is that funny?” Maggie asked.
“Because she was right that you were looking out for me.”
“Always. No matter how old you get. I want all my children to be happy and find wonderful spouses.”
“Love you, Mom.”
“I think that Trish and Brad are getting engaged soon.” Maggie smiled. “I worry about you the most. You were always such a thoughtful, sensitive child, I was afraid the world would chew you up and spit you out. But you are your father’s son, so much like him, so much stronger than I gave you credit for.”
“Mom…”
She took his hand. “Maybe I’d hoped you’d come running home, finish school, become a teacher, and settle here. I’m so proud of the man you’ve become. I guess I’d just hoped to be a little more responsible for it.”
Jack hugged her. “You are. You guys always supported and encouraged me, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
J
Emily heard the bedroom door open and close. The sound of Jack undressing had her heart beating faster. He climbed into bed and snuggled up behind her.
“That feels good,” she moaned.
“What does?” Jack asked, nestling his erection against her butt.
“You being back in bed.”
Jack thrust his hips.
“That too.”
Kissing the back of her neck, he whispered, “Turn around then.”
He protected them and lay over her, kissing his way up to her torso. When he kissed her lips, he thrust inside her.
“Feels so good,” she moaned.
He thrust again, kissing the top of her breast before taking her nipple into his mouth. His lips caressed every inch within reach.
Her heart thudded in her chest as heat rushed between her thighs. Warmth spread throughout her body, and she found it hard to breathe. If ever she was in danger of combusting, it was now.
Returning to kiss her lips, Jack wiped a tear off her cheek. “Hey, am I hurting you?”
“No…it’s just…” Emily looked away.
“Tell me.”
“Last Wednesday, it seemed like we had so much time together before you had to leave again. I had such a good time with you this week, but it’s going so fast.”
“I know.” He kissed her gently, propping up on one elbow. His eyes filled with sadness.
“I don’t want you to feel
bad about this.”
“What do you want me to do?” Jack asked.
Emily smiled weakly. “Nothing, it just took me by surprise. A lot of things about being with you have.”
Jack brushed the pad of his thumb over her lips before kissing them. “You can talk to me about anything.”
Emily swallowed back the emotions that rose in her chest. He was leaving for over a month. “That first week we spent together was crazy. I mean, how it all came about was crazy for me. I know that’s probably standard operating procedure in rock star.”
Jack smiled. “It was crazy for me, too, nothing standard about it.”
Emily closed her eyes but forced herself to continue. “It didn’t help that Nicki left with you. I miss her. But she’s happy living on the road with Curt. And we have to get used to this. You’re gonna be on tour for eighteen months.”
Jack’s smile dipped.
“I don’t want you to feel bad about that. You wanted me to tell you how I’m feeling.”
“It’s important that we’re totally honest with each other.”
She nodded. “You love it, and you’re amazing at it, and the fans love being able to see you. I just have to suck it up. This week has been full of normal stuff, and it’s been even more amazing than I thought it’d be. But the other times…it’s been two days here and there. And just when I feel like we’re reconnecting, you have to leave.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’m sorry.”
“I need you to talk to me about this stuff.”
“Well, right now, I’m feeling like a pretty crappy girlfriend for making you feel bad for doing what you love, what you were meant to do.” She touched his cheek, grazing her fingers over his stubble.
He handed her a tissue, and she wiped her eyes. “You’re the best girlfriend ever.”
Emily doubted that.
“I love you. You’re perfect the way you are.”
Emily scoffed. “I know you love me, and I know it’s stupid, but some days, I imagine that you’ll call me and say you met someone new.”
Jack’s chuckle turned into deep laughter.
Emily swatted his arm. “Hey, stop laughing at me. This isn’t funny.”
“That’s not what I’m laughing at, baby. I worry about the same thing. I’m so afraid that when I’m on the road some guy is going to come in and sweep you off your feet. And you’ll realize that you could have everything you want and none of the baggage that I come with.”
“I wouldn’t call being a musician baggage.”
“No, but being famous is, isn’t it? It’s a hard life. It’s a life on the road. There are weeks and months at home, writing a new album, and if we’re lucky, recording close to home. But once touring starts, it’s a grind. I love it, but it isn’t easy.”
Emily kissed him. “Do you really think I’m waiting for someone better to come along?”
He grinned. “I didn’t say be better, just available.”
She chuckled. “I’m definitely not available. I thought I’d have all this time to write since you weren’t around to distract me.”
His hand trailed down her belly and between her thighs. “Like this?”
Her hips lifted off the bed as his fingers toyed with her. “Yeah, like that.” She swallowed a moan. “Half the time I end up staring at the screen, the blinking cursor mocking me. I’m wondering what you’re doing. How did your interview go? How was your workout with Buzz? I hope Buzz is doing okay. How did your epic miniature golf battle for supremacy turn out?”
He laughed as he continued to finger her, sending jolts of pleasure throughout her body. “Know what I’m doing? I’m wondering what you’re doing and wondering if you’re thinking about me. I’m afraid that you’re going to conclude that the time together isn’t enough to offset the time apart.”
Jack leaned down and kissed her as the first wave of her orgasm washed over her.
When she settled back on the bed, Jack said, “I know you like me, and I know I’m chapters ahead.”
A short laugh escaped her lips. “Chapters? You’re on book three, and I’m on the second act of book one. But my life is better for having you in it.”
Jack pulled her on top of his chest and kissed her. “I’m glad we had this talk.”
Emily laughed. “I did all the talking.”
“Exactly. I’m always telling you how I feel, trying to be open and honest with you, and I feel you holding back, and I understand why, but I don’t like it. I love you, and that’s not going to change. You’re it for me.”
“I—”
Whatever she’d been about to say got swallowed up by Jack’s kiss. He nibbled his way to her neck, alternating between nips and licks. Her body tingled, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. His hands cupped her butt, kneading her flesh gently with his strong hands. She managed to get her hands between them, wrapping her fingers around his cock. “We never did finish what we started.”
He released his hold on her, and Emily sat up and lowered herself, taking him all the way into her body. She flattened her palms on his chest. He cupped her breasts. She leaned down and kissed him, their tongues tangling. His eyes glittered with love as she slowly tortured him.
“Baby, you’re killing me.”
“You’d do things differently?”
“Nope.” Jack’s hands wandered down her sides and around her hips.
Too late, she realized what he was doing. “Stop.”
“No.”
“No?” Emily stopped moving. “Can’t you ever just let anything go?”
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but your ex tried that, and it didn’t work out for him.” He sat up, his cock pushing deeper inside her. “I want to touch every inch of you, especially while we’re making love. Nothing should be off-limits.” He kissed her lips gently then nuzzled her ear. “Please?”
Emily shut her eyes and nodded. She knew he was right, and she didn’t want to make the same mistakes. He pulled the pillows out from behind him and sat back, resting his back up against the headboard. Sun spilled through the open curtains. She wished the room was dark.
His hands slid down her thighs and over her knees. He lingered there, tracing the thick, raised skin of the scar over her right knee. She scrunched her eyes closed.
“Does this hurt?”
“No,” she said, barely a whisper.
“How does it feel?”
Emily didn’t want to tell him.
“Talk to me.”
“I feel nauseated.”
His hands moved to her back, and he pulled her to him. “I’m sorry, baby.”
Her eyes were so tightly closed she had no idea how the tears managed to escape. They burned down her cheeks, but Jack wiped them away with his thumbs as he kissed her. “Do you want to stop?”
Jack was trying to help her, make her less self-conscious. Emily didn’t think that would ever happen, but she didn’t want them to stop now. “Make love to me.”
He helped her off and came up on his knees. Jack kissed her as he urged her onto her back. He kissed his way down her body, avoiding her right leg. His tongue dipped between her thighs, and her back arched off the bed.
He kissed her belly, breasts, neck, and finally her lips. He slid inside her, rocking her gently, whispering words of love.
Someday soon, she’d say them back.
chapter
THIRTY-FOUR
At noon, they drove into Manhattan to meet Barbara Callow. Emily had been quiet since they’d made love. Jack hoped he hadn’t pushed her too far.
One of the apartments had sold, and the two they’d looked at were too small. He’d gotten used to the space of a house, and he had an idea he needed to run past Em and his parents.
As they sat in traffic on the way back to her place, he decided now was as good a time as any. “I was thinking of getting a three-bedroom apartment.”
“Why not tell Barbara that before we looked at t
wo bedrooms?”
“I know it’s too soon for you to move in, but I wanted to know what you thought.”
“About what?”
“I was thinking maybe Jimmy could move in. I won’t be living there until the tour ends, that way he could stay in the city while he does his internship at Cone and O’Neill, and next year, he’ll start his master’s at Parsons. It’d be a lot less traveling.”
Emily didn’t answer; instead, she looked out the passenger window. Why was he so nervous?
When she finally turned to look at him, she was smiling. “I think that’s a great idea.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, you guys seem to be getting along better. This’ll give you a chance to move forward.”
“That’s a great point I’ll be sure to make to my folks when I talk to them about it.”
“We were there for four days. Why didn’t you?”
Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “I only just thought of it, and I wanted to talk to you first. If we don’t kill each other, he’ll probably still be living there when you’re ready to move in.” He’d felt more confident about that in his head.
“I see.” She resumed viewing the outside world through the side window.
He was ready now. Several minutes passed, and he changed the channels on the radio five or six times. Or fifty or sixty. Now that they’d cleared the Lincoln Tunnel, traffic vanished, so he floored it.
He couldn’t stand the silence. “Em, I know you’re not ready, and it’s too soon to even bring it up, but we talked about this. If you didn’t want to come today, you should’ve said so.” What the hell had he just said? He was losing his mind.
“You wanted my help and approval. You have both. And I’d be fine with Jimmy living with us.”
Jack quickly maneuvered the SUV to the shoulder and threw it in park. He undid her seat belt, pulled her onto his lap, and kissed her. Forced to break the kiss because he needed air, he leaned his head back against the seat. He took gulps of air, but it wasn’t enough.
“What was that for?”
Her eyes were glazed over and her lips swollen. “You said ‘living with us.’”
No More Yesterdays: A Rock Star Romance (Rocked in Love Book 2) Page 36