by Anne Mercier
"No, sweet girl. These are mine. Where's your dolly?" I ask.
Lucy hands it to Kierah who sits on her butt, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Play with your new dolly," Sera tries, but Kierah is having none of it.
"Sa sa sa sa," she coos, looking at me hopeful.
Kaid joins Kierah in the cooing while Killian plays with his dinosaur and Konnor stacks some blocks.
"So, you're 'Sa'?" Sera asks.
"Yep. That's as close as they can get to Xan," I inform her.
"It's cute, but you know they're not going to give up until you give them your sticks, right?" Sera teases.
I sigh. "I know, but I said I wouldn't."
"Sa sa sa sa!"
I look at Jesse and Lucy who both give me a look that says, "Yeah, go ahead, but we don't like it." I can't stop the smile that spreads across my face.
"Be right back," I say, then run for my room. I grab the four packages, just in case Konnor and Killian change their minds, and head back to the sitting area.
"Ki-Ki, these are yours," I tell her, lifting the lid on the box and handing her two miniature drumsticks.
"Sa sa sa sa!" she giggles.
"Kaid, my man, these are yours," I tell him, handing him his sticks.
Both Kierah and Kaid stand up along the table. They've been doing that a lot lately. Then they start banging their sticks.
"I am digging it," I announce, proud of these two tiny people.
Jesse groans and Lucy rolls her eyes.
Konnor and Killian don't even pay attention. They're too busy with their other toys.
"Looks like two of the four will be musicians," Ben says.
"Could very well be," Cage agrees, rubbing his chin.
"I know that look, Cage Nichols. My babies aren't forming a child band," Lucy chides and Cage grins.
"Was I that transparent?" he asks and Sera laughs, nodding her head.
Kennedy begins to strum Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, then Jingle Bell Rock, and when he starts on Blue Christmas Lucy and I get up to dance. Elvis is our thing and they can all fuck off with their teasing.
"Are we going Elvis hunting again when we go to Vegas next week?" I ask her.
"Oh, hell yes, we are!" she announces and Jesse groans again. His girls are giving him issues.
"What's wrong with that?" I ask. "We don't bother anyone but the Elvis's out there. We know he's there. He can try to hide all he wants, but we're going to find him—no matter how old and wrinkly he might be now."
Lucy nods. "Darn right we are!"
"Look how rated G this household has become," mama teases.
"You can think that all you want," Ethan tells her. "Have you seen the swear jars? They're overflowing in every room of the house."
"No naughty words!" Kadi demands, then giggles, and does a perfect pirouette.
"She is incredible," I tell Jace.
He and Summer look on, pride shining in their eyes. "She really is."
"Are you going to put her in a dance company when she's old enough?" I ask.
Jace leans forward, his elbows on his knees as he watches his daughter dance to Do You Hear What I Hear? "We are. We're just not sure at what age. We don't want to force her or have her feel pressured to perform. We want her to enjoy her gift like we all do with music."
I nod. "Smart, man. I knew you'd be a rockin' dad."
He flushes a bit. "Thanks, Xan." He swallows. "Thanks."
I nod.
"Our family keeps growing," Joey chimes in.
"Before long you're going to need a bigger house," Anthony says.
"Bigger than this?" Meggie asks, incredulously.
Trace snorts. "I don't think they make them bigger than this."
Anthony chuckles. "I like the improvements you've made."
"Yeah, we didn't want them crawling around on the hard floors so we had them put in carpeting with extra padding," Jesse tells his father-in-law.
"They'll need it when they start walking. There'll be lots of falling before they perfect it because all toddlers try to run before they walk," mama announces with a smile.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas is what Kennedy strums next and we all join in, enjoying the family element we've got going. The candles flicker, the tree lights glow, and all too soon the little ones' eyes close.
I haven't heard from Tera yet. Granted it's Christmas Eve and not Christmas Day, but usually we exchange a few words at least. I'm considering flying out to New York again. I've mentioned it to everyone and they're cool with it. I just wish she'd come to me. Finally come to me.
Kennedy starts Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) and I grab vocals for this one. I can't sing like Jesse, Lucy, or Sera, but I'm not all bad I don't think. Each word resonates deep inside and Lucy gives me a sympathetic look. I just wink at her to let her know I'm okay. And I am. Okay, that is. Just not as okay as I was last year or the year before. We've spent quite a bit of time together this year when I was able to make it to NYC and she even met me in Boston and St. Louis when we were there on tour. But that was months ago. Months. Fuck, time goes so fast.
The funny thing? I haven't wanted to be with anyone else since the last time I was with Tera. Which means I haven't fucked in months. Sure, I rub one out on the daily, but I don't want just any chick anymore.
I want Tera.
I pull out my phone and send her a text.
Xander: Tera. Last year you said yes. I'm holding you to it.
Within a minute I get a reply.
Tera: Almost there.
I frown. What the hell does that mean? She's almost ready? Maybe she'll be here for the New Year's gig we've got in Vegas. She'd love Elvis hunting.
I sit back and close my eyes as they all sing around me. I see Tera with her long black hair, her blue eyes, her full, plump lips. Her infectious laugh. Her body that fits against mine perfectly. Her humor that matches mine.
I love how she always has a few flecks of paint somewhere on her body no matter how hard she tries to get it all off. Her art is as much a part of her as music is a part of me. If—when she gets here, I've got the perfect room for her studio. It's all windows and light, the view of the ocean and beach. She'll be able to occasionally see the sea lions and dolphins as well as the occasional shark.
I've got a suite already set up. I moved out of the bachelor hall and into my own wing, taking all the nursery items along. I got all new furniture for the bedrooms and living areas. I left my old bed in my other room. If I ever get the itch before Tera gets here, I can go there to scratch it.
"I can't believe the babies are over a year old all ready," Sera says softly as she relaxes against Cage.
"Time is going way too fast," Joey announces as he sprawls out on the floor next to the sleeping babies.
Kadi's passed out on Summer's lap. She's the perfect woman for Jace and the best mama for Kadi.
"When are you getting married?" I blurt out without thinking.
Summer grins and Jace shakes his head. "As soon as this woman here can figure out a date."
"Another wedding!" mama exclaims. "I can help you if you'd like."
"Of course I would. I have no idea where to begin," Summer replies.
"With a date," Jace prods.
She laughs. "I'm working on it."
"So you keep saying."
"Patience, grasshopper," Summer tells him, then kisses him softly on the lips.
I grin feeling pride at yet another of the women in this family using one of sayings.
"She's spending too much time with you, dude," Jace tells me and I chuckle.
"No such thing."
Mama yawns and we know it's time to pack it in.
"I think it's time to put the babies to bed. We're having the Christmas meal at lunch time in case something comes up," Lucy announces, her gaze sliding to me and I wink at her again.
"Sounds good. See you tomorrow," Sera says. Then we all hug our goodbyes.
Chapter 5
&nb
sp; Every clears out but Jesse and Lucy ask me to hang back.
"What's up?" I ask, frowning when I see Lucy nervously worrying her hands.
Jesse runs a hand through his hair. "We've been talking."
"Okay."
"You know I trust you with Lucy in a way I don't with anyone else."
"Yeah," I nod, curious where this is going.
Lucy steps up. "Would you, uh, maybe, uh, wanttohaveathreesome?"
I shake my head, closing my eyes. There's no way I heard her right.
"Pardon?"
Jesse smirks. "You want to join in with us sometime?"
"You didn't just say what I think you said. There's no way you said that," I laugh.
"Oh, I said it, all right," Jesse chuckles.
"This is a joke."
"No joke."
"Then I'm dreaming the oddest fucking dream ever."
"No dream," Lucy tells me.
I pinch myself. "Ow, fuck." I look down, then up at them. "What the fuck?"
"You can't say you never thought about it," Jesse tells me.
"No. I can't say that. But, dude. She's your wife and I'm your best friend. That's gonna fuck us all up," I reply, beginning to pace. "I can't see how this will end well."
"I was just…" Lucy begins. "I just wanted to try it to help get over that stuff with… you know."
I pause, closing my eyes, hanging my head. Fuck.
"You're serious?" I ask.
"As a heart attack," Jesse replies.
"I want to… God, how I want to, but dude," I say to Jesse, giving him the look.
"I know, but it's Lucy."
"Fuck. How is that going to be okay afterward? You got twitchy when we were dancing. Imagine what it'll be like seeing her touch me and me touch her."
Jesse growls and Lucy pats his chest.
This would be one of my dreams come to life. I'm not gonna lie about it. I'm more than a little in love with Lucy and to be able to touch, kiss, and fuck her? God damn. I'm getting hard at the thought. I really, really want to.
But, sometimes just because we can, doesn't mean we should, and I have a feeling this is one of those times. Lately I can't imagine touching any other woman but Tera, but put Lucy in the picture of potentials and I'm ready to go. Fuck.
Do I? Don't I?
I look at Lucy and then Jesse.
"I'm probably going to regret this for the rest of my life, but I'm going to have to decline at this time. As much as I want to, because trust me when I say I want to, I won't fuck up what we've got going on here. Luce, you know I'd do anything for you, to help you get past what that fucker did to you, but this would damage so much inside Jesse. I can't do that to him. He'll never get over it," I say softly.
She nods. "I thought you'd say that which is why…"
She starts taking off her clothes. Her perfect tits, thin waist, perfect ass. Oh hell, her pussy's bare.
"Here," she says, grabbing my hand, then sliding a finger between her pussy lips.
I groan. "This isn't real."
"Taste," Lucy says, putting the finger coated her in juices into my mouth. I suck and holy fuck does she taste good. I knew she would.
Jesse palms his cock through his pants. I'm in an alternate universe. I have to be, because right now Lucy's unzipping my jeans and dropping to her knees.
"You taste, I taste. My turn," she says. Her lips surround my hard cock and I let out a shaky breath. Jesse sits in the chair stroking his cock. What the fuck?
"Jesus, Lucy, you can suck cock," I groan as she takes me to the back of her throat. "It's been a while since I've fucked so I'm gonna come real soon."
"Mmm," she hums around my cock. Her tiny hand reaches down and rolls my balls gently as she swallows my cock deep into her throat.
"Oh fuck. If you don't want me to come in your mouth, you better not do that again," I warn.
She swallows me deep again and I groan out loud as the orgasm takes hold—
I wake up with a start as my phone beeps. Shit. It's gonna have to wait. I need to come.
I grab my cock and stroke fast and hard, getting back to my orgasm and coming all over my stomach and hand.
"I knew that had to be a dream," I say aloud, chuckling at myself as I clean up my mess. There's no way Lucy would ever put Jesse in that position or vice versa.
I flop back onto my pillow and let out a shuddering breath. Christ. I scrub my hands over my face. I haven't had a dream like that in a while. Probably the whole family vibe set it off.
I lift my phone. Tera.
Tera: Tomorrow.
Tomorrow what? As I lay here in the dark, I can't help but wonder: Will this be the year she says "yes" in person?
Chapter 6
"Dude, you up?" Ethan bellows and pounds on the door.
"Fuck, man. If I wasn't, I'd be pissed," I tell him opening the door. I'm showered, shaved, and ready for lunch. Then I'm gonna head to New York and bring my woman back to LA. No more "soon". It's time for "now".
Ethan's got a weird look on his face, so does Kennedy when he walks up.
"There's a chick here to see you," Ethan announces.
"Fuck that. It's family time and the fucking holiday. Send whoever it is away."
Kennedy smirks. "You sure you wanna do that? She's super fucking hot, man."
I roll my eyes. "Hot chicks are a dime a dozen. I'm not in the mood for a random, okay? I've got my day planned out and it doesn't include dealing with a stranger."
Ethan stares at me. "You know her."
I shrug.
He blinks. "You know her well."
"Not interested."
"Dude, you might want to—" Ethan begins.
"No. The answer is no. I don't want to talk to some chick. No," I say emphatically.
The scent of vanilla fills my nostrils and I blink in disbelief.
"Not even if that chick is your wife?" Tera asks, leaning against the doorjamb.
My breath backs up in my lungs as I struggle to remember how to breathe. She's here.
"Tera."
Look for Xander, Rockstar Book 9, coming February 19, 2017.
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Also by Anne Mercier
THE ROCKSTAR SERIES
Falling Down (Rockstar Book 1)
Blush (Rockstar Book 2)
A Very Xander Christmas (Rockstar Book 2.5)
Amplify (Rockstar Book 3)
Interlude (Rockstar Book 4)
Ballad (Rockstar Book 5)
Lullabye (Rockstar Book 6)
A Very Xander Christmas 2 (Rockstar Book 6.5)
Kadence (Rockstar Book 7)
A Very Xander Christmas 3 (Rockstar Book 8)
Rockstar Box Set 1 (Books 1 - 3)
Rockstar Box Set (4 - 6.5)
THE WAY SERIES
The Way Back To Me (The Way Book 1)
The Way With You (The Way Book 2)
About the Author
Anne Mercier is the author of the bestselling Rockstar, Truths, and The Way series. She was born and raised in Wisconsin and still lives there today.
She's an avid reader who gets inspired by reading the stories from her favorite authors as well as listening to various types of music. She is a huge fan of music, chocolate, fruit, desserts, autumn, M. Shadows, Avenged Sevenfold, and Milo Ventimiglia. Through my books, she is proudly creating new Aven
ged Sevenfold and Milo Ventimiglia fans one reader at a time.
Anne truly believes - “The best part of being an author, to me, is being able to take the reader to that one place they long to go when they need to escape reality. Knowing I can do that, for even one reader, makes what I do worthwhile.” ~ Anne Mercier