Between a Rock and a Hard Place

by Jenna Galicki

  She skimmed through the next couple of pages. A few photos were from live concerts, and some showcased the entire band out sightseeing, but most were of Tommy and Angel together. She loved those the most, because they were intimate moments that captured the chemistry between the two.

  A series of three photos caught her eye. In the first frame, Tommy was running several feet ahead of Angel and he was looking back at Tommy. In the next frame, Angel had his arms wrapped around Tommy’s chest from behind and they both had their mouths open in laughter. She chuckled as she imagined them chasing each other and being goofy. The last frame showed the two of them walking with their arms around each other, oblivious to the camera or anything else around them. She glanced down at the caption. While The Mrs. Is Away, The Boys Will Play. She frowned. That wasn’t very nice.

  She flipped through a few more pages and stopped to admire a photo of Tommy and Angel sharing an intimate dinner at a restaurant in Shanghai. They had their eyes focused on one another. It was one of those intimate gazes that nothing could shake; not even a bomb would break their trance. She wondered what Tommy and Angel were eating. Although Angel’s specialty was Cuban cuisine, his knowledge of ethnic food was broad. She imagined she was at the table with them sharing a scrumptious meal at Angel’s recommendation.

  She read the caption. Immortal Angel Front Man, Lead Guitarist Bond in Shanghai, While Wife Stays Behind. Her back stiffened and she straightened up. Damn paparazzi. They weren’t usually antagonistic.

  Another caption caught her eye. No Wife, Happy Life. She snorted at the insult. It was rude. She didn’t like it and wondered why she didn’t remember reading it before. Depicted next to the caption were a series of three photos which all showed Tommy and Angel engrossed in each other’s eyes. One photo captured Angel feeding Tommy something from a skewer with his fingers. Tommy’s teeth were just touching the meat and his lips were drawn back into an open smile. In the next photo Tommy held a T-shirt up to Angel’s chest to check the size. It was a rock band with Chinese writing. In the last photo they were walking with their arms around each other on the beach underneath a magenta sky. It was taken from the back and Tommy had his head on Angel’s shoulder. It was the epitome of romance. All three photos portrayed the closeness between the two, and she missed them more than ever.

  She flipped back to the other photos and re-read the captions again. She never paid much attention to them before, but now the cruel connotations were a harsh slap in the face. She looked closely at the photos and at the love that transpired between Tommy and Angel through the camera.

  The empty bed was a lonesome reminder of their separation and her heartache was augmented by the exaggerated newspaper headlines that insinuated they didn’t miss her. She forgot how insensitive and cruel the paparazzi could be. They took the truth and spun it into lies. They wove a tale of inaccuracy to sell a story, no matter who got hurt along the way. She hated it.

  She glanced back down at the scrap book but her vision was blurred by the tears that welled in her eyes. She slammed the scrapbook closed with a loud clap and threw it on the floor. She clutched Tommy’s pillow in her arms and fell into her own spot on the bed. The pillow still contained the scent of Tommy’s hair, but it didn’t console her. She longed to touch his silky hair again and run her fingers through it. She reached across the bed and grabbed Angel’s pillow and huddled it into her arms next to Tommy’s. She was alone with no one to comfort her. She buried her face in the two pillows, inhaled the lingering scent of Tommy and Angel, and cried until she fell asleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Graduation day wouldn’t mean much without Tommy and Angel. It did bring about a sense of self-worth now that Jessi had her degree, but there were many days when she wanted to throw it all away and join Immortal Angel on tour. Without Tommy and Angel, two-thirds of Jessi’s heart was missing. She was part of a trio, and then she was alone. There were no hands to hold or arms around her shoulder, there was no physical body to lie next to at night and her profuse sex life was suddenly reduced to self-satisfaction.

  They would be reunited in a few hours, just in time for her graduation ceremony, and the torture of their time apart would be over. She carried her phone with her so she didn’t miss Tommy’s call. He promised to let her know the moment his plane landed. A giddy laugh rose from her throat at the thought of seeing Tommy and Angel again.

  The phone rang while she was retrieving her dress from the walk-in closet in the bedroom. She pulled it from the pocket of her bathrobe so fast that it almost flew into the air. She laughed into the phone. “Are you in New York?”

  “Yes.”

  She sighed with a deep sense of relief. Knowing that they would be together in less than an hour awakened every cell in her body and brought the most amazing rush of euphoria. “I can’t wait until you get here. How was your flight? I hope you’re not too tired.”

  “I’m rejuvenated at the sound of your voice. I want to take you in my arms, look deep into your eyes and tell you how much I love you, and how much I missed you.”

  Her heart sank deeper into her gut with each word that came through the phone. She held her chest with her hand and fell back into the chaise lounge. “Let’s stay on the phone until you walk through the front door.”

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Did you get your hair dyed yesterday?”

  “Yeah.” She ran her hand over the crown of her head. “Why?”

  “Because I love that deep shade of fuchsia. Are you wearing that little black dress to the graduation ceremony?”

  She flipped her slippers off and folded her legs underneath her. “Which little black dress? I have two dozen.”

  “You should pick up your slippers, hon. You know Angel always trips over them when you throw them around the room.”

  “I’ll put them away before . . .” She jumped up and looked around. “How did you . . .? Are you . . .?”

  Tommy’s boisterous laughter filled the room. It was the most beautiful sound she ever heard and it made her heart gallop. She spun around and froze as soon as she saw him standing in the doorway. Angel was leaning against the doorjamb just behind him.

  Happy sobs choked her, then broke free mixed with laughter. “I can’t believe you’re here! I missed you both so much!”

  A hint of razor stubble, the blue of his eyes and a smile that his face could hardly contain, was all Jessi saw before tears blurred her vision.

  She forgot the strength that his arms possessed as he lifted her off the floor in a powerful hug. She felt his love infuse her body as he held her. She rested her hands on the mounds of his shoulders and got lost in his hair as she buried her face into the crook of his neck.

  Her legs wobbled underneath her and her arms shook around Tommy’s neck. Her body dissolved into his and a small whimper left her throat. All she could do was sigh his name.

  Angel’s lips left their imprint against the back of her neck. She wanted to wrap her arms around him or at least turn to look into his dark eyes, with their thick feathery lashes, but she couldn’t let go of Tommy. She couldn’t even lift her head from his shoulder.

  Angel circled his arms around her from behind and pressed his head against hers.

  She found his hand and laced her trembling fingers through it. She relished the familiar embrace – the protective circle – of the confines of Angel’s reach. She loved them both so much. She didn’t know how she was able to get through being away from them for the last four weeks.

  Tommy was the first to release his embrace. He looked up at her, and the flash of his blue eyes instantly reminded her of the first time she ever laid eyes on him, across a football field, when they were in collage.

  He touched her cheeks softly as his fingertips got reacquainted with the features of her face. His crystal blue eyes were two pools of water as he smiled at her and leaned in for a kiss. His full mouth was soft and gentle. His kiss was electrified and every nerve ending in her body stood at attention.

&n
bsp; Angel rubbed the back of her neck and kissed her shoulder. “I missed you, sweetheart.”

  She looked into Angel’s eyes for the first time and it sent a fresh tremor through her body. Her hands still shook as she slid them around his waist and her lower lip quivered as she rested her head on his pronounced chest. He was thinner and she worried that he wasn’t taking care of himself. She clung to him. Another whimper escaped her as he tightened his arms around her. She melted at his touch and whispered, “Welcome home.”

  Angel lifted her chin so he could look at her. His eyes were smoldering and intense as they smiled back at her. The air left her lungs in a small sigh as he leaned down for a kiss. His gentle lips settled on hers. It was unexpected. Angel’s kisses were impatient and filled with passion, not soft and slow.

  He withdrew his lips and looked at her for a moment. A tear magnified the dark ebony of his eyes. “I had no idea I was going to miss you so much.” He put his hand on the back of her neck, the usual spot it took when his kiss was about to engulf her. His mouth came down hard and his tongue bathed the back of her throat in an overpowering kiss that made her fall into his body.

  His tongue hit the piercing in her mouth and he jerked his head back. “What’s in your mouth?”

  Her fingers flew to her lips. Nothing got past Angel’s probing tongue.

  Tommy took a step closer and looked at her with curiosity. “What was it?”

  “I think it was a tongue stud.”

  “A piercing?” Tommy pried her hand off her mouth. “Let me see.”

  She withdrew from his reach, worried about his disapproval. “Are you mad?”

  “I don’t know. Let me see it first.”

  She cautiously opened her mouth and presented her jeweled tongue.

  Tommy grimaced. “Does it hurt?”

  “No. It’s healed.”

  “What the hell made you do that?”

  Angel chuckled. “She was alone with Alyssa for four weeks. I bet she got more than her tongue pierced.”

  Jessi laughed. “No. Just my tongue.” She let her fingers crawl down Tommy’s jeans and cupped his crotch in her hand. “Let me show you what I can do with it.”

  Tommy raised his brow. The enhanced oral pleasure finally struck him. “Really?”

  Angel draped his arm around Tommy’s shoulder. “You’re going to love it, you lucky boy.”

  “I take it you’ve experienced oral stimulation from a metal-mouthed twink?”

  “Why yes I have, Mr. Blade. I’m afraid now you know all my dirty little secrets.”

  “So how was it?”

  “Divine. But not nearly as good as when a certain flaxen-haired guitar god sucks me off.”

  “Well, I may just have to get one of those things in my tongue so I can drive my hot Latin lover insane.”

  The sparks between Tommy and Angel were fresh. It was hot and added to the fire that grew inside her. She pushed her way between them to open Tommy’s belt and Angel stammered backwards. Did she really just push him out of the way? She unzipped Tommy’s jeans and pulled them down to his knees. He was already hard, and big.

  Tommy planted his boots as wide as his legs would allow and pushed his hips forward.

  His legs trembled when she placed her hand around his circumference. She put her lips to the head of his cock and sucked just the tip, making sure the metal ball on her tongue didn’t touch his flesh yet. She wanted to tease him, but he tried to push himself into her mouth. It was hard to hold back. She wanted to take him deep into her throat and suck him as hard as she could. She wanted to push him to the floor and ride him like a racehorse.

  Tommy moaned before he placed his hand on the back of her head and pushed himself inside her mouth. He held her head in place and let out another moan. This time it was longer and deeper, and his knees buckled slightly as the stud made contact with the soft sensitive skin.

  “Oh my God,” he groaned. “That feels so good.”

  Angel came closer and kissed Tommy. She peeked up at them, but Angel’s crotch was in her direct field of vision, and she couldn’t look anywhere else. Tommy’s hand came down and rubbed the outside of Angel’s bulging jeans. This time it was Jessi who moaned.

  “Wait.” Tommy pulled himself out of her mouth. “Let’s finish this in our bed.” He grabbed her chin in his hand, bent down and kissed her. His tongue explored her mouth, searching for the little silver ball that threatened to bring him to orgasm in a matter of seconds. “Why didn’t you get that thing years ago?”

  She didn’t try to hide her self-righteous, cocky smile as he led her to the bed. She finally had one up on Angel. It was hard competing with another man in bed. Angel knew exactly where to touch Tommy. He knew all the little spots that sent a man into instant orgasm. He was happy to share his secrets, though. Their common goals were to please Tommy, but Angel had the one thing she could never give Tommy – a thick, throbbing cock. Even though Tommy told her that the two couldn’t be compared, she always wondered which he preferred more, a man or a woman in bed.

  She watched Tommy and Angel strip off their clothes. The surge of desire that ran through her chest made her woozy. Tommy’s silken hair cascaded over his broad shoulders and onto his robust chest. The way his slim waist and sculpted legs perfectly offset his strong upper body took her breath away.

  Angel helped Tommy out of his clothes and escorted him onto their massive bed. The two were much more tender with one another than before they left on their journey. It was a slow erotic performance. She watched Angel lay his warm, golden body onto the crisp white sheet. Every muscle was visible and defined. His skin had a sheen, a supple glow that invited the touch. He spread his arms and legs, reveling in the comfort of the bed.

  Their bed. It was the single most personal item they owned. It held every intimate detail of their lives, from their love making to their private conversations and declaration of love for one another. For the last four weeks it was the loneliest place on earth, yet it brought her solace. She shed her robe, climbed onto the bed and stood with her feet on either side of Tommy’s hips. “I’m going to show you how much I missed you.” She straddled him and ran her hands over the curve of his chest. His skin was silky smooth and her fingers glided over his body. She planned on wearing sexy lingerie and incorporating some of her new toys into their sexual reunion, but as soon as his erection pressed against her, she needed him inside her. There was no time to waste with clothing or gadgets. She lifted her hips and started to guide him inside her, but he grabbed her hand.

  “Not yet.”

  “I can’t wait anymore.” She whispered. “I need you.”

  “In due time, hon. First, I want your gorgeous mouth with its new jewelry to finish me off, then I’m going to nurse those beautiful breasts and suck that wet juicy pussy and shove my cock inside it. I’m going to make you come for each week I let my beautiful wife suffer without me, and while I make love to you, Angel is going to make love to me. So get your face down between my legs, so we can start. We have six hours until you walk up to that podium and get your diploma, and when you do, I want you to look like you just spent a week riding a wild bucking bronco.”

  She took Tommy into her mouth and pressed her tongue and the metal stud against his tender flesh. He moaned and his legs trembled. He put his fingers through her hair and steadied her mouth, so she hit the most sensitive spot. It only took a few seconds before his shoulders jerked and hot liquid spurted inside her mouth and down her throat. It was the most delicious thing she ever tasted.

  A hand caressed her back and shoulders. She didn’t need to look at who was touching her to know it was Angel. She knew the difference between their touch. Tommy’s hands were smaller than Angel’s, and the tips of the fingers on his left hand were rough from the guitar. It was the only rough spot on his body, but his touch was gentle.

  Angel’s hands were soft, but his stroke was heavier. He caressed her back again, sending a warm sensation through her body. As she swallowed the last o
f Tommy’s thick batter, Angel’s hand slowly traveled lower and stroked the curve of her ass in a slow, circular motion. Angel never touched her with such interest before and it made her yearn for more intimate contact with him. She pressed herself against the palm of his hand and expected him to retreat, but his arousing caresses continued. More surprised than anything else, she sat back on her knees and looked at him with a raised brow.

  He shrugged one shoulder and gave her an innocent smile. “I missed you.”

  She fell into his arms and kissed him.

  His tongue invaded her mouth and played with the piercing. “I’m not used to that thing in your mouth.”

  His cock was hard and she wondered, with hope, if she was responsible. She kissed him again, and his tongue continued to explore her mouth.

  Tommy crawled closer and kissed Angel’s neck. “Let her do it, A. You’ll like it.”

  “Do what?”

  “You know what she wants to do. You know what I’m talking about. I want Jessi to make you come, just like she made me come.”

  “No. I . . .” A light-hearted laugh finished his sentence.

  Tommy gently pushed Angel down on the bed. “Just relax.” He kissed Angel and motioned Jessi to go down on him.

  She wasn’t surprised by the ambiguous reaction the idea stirred inside her. She didn’t want to travel that road again where she tried to seduce Angel. She watched Tommy and Angel as they kissed and the wetness soaked her crotch. Now wasn’t the time to have a debate between her heart and her head. It was the time to seize an opportunity that might not present itself again.