by A. P. Jensen
Demi sucked in a breath as Johnny rose, brushed his lips over hers and pushed her down on the couch. He stripped off his jeans and brushed her nightgown up as he stretched out on top of her and slid a hand between her legs. She tossed one leg over the couch so he had better access and he growled in approval. He kissed her deeply, with such naked emotion that tears leaked out of the corner of her eyes. Neither of them spoke as he shifted his hips and slid inside of her.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he whispered against her lips. “Didn’t think I had a chance.”
More tears leaked out of her eyes and he began to thrust harder. Demi broke the kiss and found him watching her, dark eyes filled with possessiveness. She clutched at him and screamed when she climaxed. Johnny followed a minute later and collapsed on top of her, face buried in her hair while they got their breath back.
“Am I too heavy?” Johnny muttered.
She still had her arms wrapped around him and couldn’t let go. “No.”
“How’s your head?”
“Great.”
“Good.”
Silence fell and she wondered if he fell asleep. She didn’t care if he had. She was going to lay here until he was ready to move and not a moment before. He bared his soul to her and it was beautiful and frightening. God, he had no fear. He lay everything out there for her to accept or reject. Well, if she tried to reject him, she didn’t think she’d get far. She understood him and even while a lot of it hurt, that was okay. They both made mistakes. Johnny’s journey made him the man he was today—driven, broken and wide open to her. Nothing he did could have healed the wounds in their past like what he just said. He meant every word.
“In case you didn’t get it, I’m all in,” Johnny said.
Demi laughed and Johnny shifted them so they faced one another. She scratched his beard and smiled at him.
“I got that loud and clear, baby,” she said.
“Good. I took you twice without a condom.”
She stiffened and he tugged on her hair to get her attention.
“I’m all in,” he reiterated. “If you want to get married tomorrow, I’m down. You want to have kids, I’ll start buying things for the nursery. You want to spend all my money, go for it. You understand, Demi?”
“You have no fear,” she said, shaking her head.
“Nothing to lose,” he corrected. “Whatever you need, I provide.”
She didn’t bring up the fact that they’d been together less than a week. They both knew it didn’t matter. The link between them hadn’t weakened even though they’d been apart for thirteen years and it grew stronger every hour they spent together. Life was precious. She lost her whole family in a tragic accident and now she had her first love back, a man who would do anything for her. She thought of her siblings, of the love her parents had for her. She’d always wanted a child and one with Johnny? She never thought it was possible and now… It was within her grasp.
“If I get pregnant,” she shrugged, “it was meant to be.”
Johnny’s eyes flared and she had a split second of warning before he rolled them on the carpet. They missed the coffee table by inches and before she could catch her breath, he was inside of her, thrusting hard and going deep without the cushion of the couch beneath her.
“Johnny,” she gasped.
“I’m gonna try my damnedest to take you up on that.” His eyes burned as they stared into hers. “You don’t know how many dreams I’ve had of you surrounded by our kids. Fuck.”
She smiled and that sent him over the edge. She held him as he shuddered and lay over her, hands moving restlessly over her body.
“Does this mean we’re getting married tomorrow?” Johnny asked when he could speak.
“I need some time.” When he stiffened, she kissed him. “Johnny, I’m not going anywhere. But I think five days is a bit fast, don’t you think?”
“No, I spent thirteen years without you.”
“I just,” she fumbled when he raised his head to look at her. “Let’s at least wait another week.”
He grunted.
They lay there for several minutes while her hands moved soothingly over him. “What are you gonna do, Johnny?”
“About what?”
“You just got off of a tour, but are you going to write another album?”
“Not planning anything right now,” he mumbled into her neck.
“But—”
“I’m not planning on going anywhere or doing anything that takes me away from you. That clear, baby?”
“Yeah, Johnny. Clear.”
Chapter Nine
The next morning, Johnny drove her to work. He kept their hands laced together and rubbed his thumb over her bare ring finger.
“You okay?” Johnny asked for the third time.
“I’m great,” she said.
He glanced at her and relaxed a little. “I’ll be back for lunch.”
“Yup.”
He stopped in front of Ever After and she reached for the door handle, but he grasped her arm.
“Kiss,” he demanded.
Demi laughed and leaned over the console. Johnny wrapped his hand around her throat. It was an overly possessive hold, but she didn’t mind. The kiss lasted long enough for Johnny to start unbuttoning her blouse. She wrenched away and slammed out of the SUV. He rolled down the window, pouting petulantly.
“I need you, Demi,” he called.
Even while she giggled like a schoolgirl, she looked around but the sidewalk was empty at this early hour.
“I’ll see you after work.”
“No, lunch,” he barked.
“Right. Lunch,” she agreed.
“Call me if you need me. I’ll be in the studio.”
Demi blew him a kiss and walked into Ever After feeling weightless. The boutique was empty so she walked into the back room and saw Bethany working on the wedding gown. Demi peeked in the office and saw Regan wasn’t in yet. She walked over to Bethany who knelt on the floor with needle and thread.
“It looks perfect. What are you doing to it?”
“It’s the little details,” Bethany muttered as she sewed a crystal onto the skirt. “When she’s walking, the crystals will catch the light.”
Demi cocked her head to the side as she examined the gown. “What kind of bride is this for?”
“Rock princess,” Bethany said immediately.
Demi considered the dress in silence before she focused on Bethany. “How long have you been here? The shop shouldn’t even be open yet.”
Bethany shrugged. “I’m an early riser.”
“How’s your grandmother doing?”
Bethany kept her head bowed as she sewed. “Grandma Pat’s difficult. My mom has her hands full.”
“She must be proud of you for coming back to help with Ever After.”
Bethany got to her feet and stretched. “Mom’s grateful. Grandma Pat told me they don’t need my help.”
“What’s wrong with her?” Demi asked irritably, not as sympathetic towards Bethany’s grandmother as she had been a few days ago. Bethany didn’t have to come home and take care of a rundown store. Bethany even went so far as to hire Regan to see how the business was doing on her grandma’s behalf. Bethany was a hard worker. The wedding gown in front of her attested to her creativity, dedication and attention to detail.
“Grandma Pat’s always been a hard person,” Bethany said with a shrug.
“Any other family?” Demi asked, bewildered by Bethany’s background when she had such a serene disposition. Not only did Bethany put her job in New York in jeopardy, she was probably dealing with hospital bills and working crazy hours to take care of the store.
“No, it’s just my grandma and mom.”
Bethany’s face was composed. Not an ounce of emotion colored her voice. Demi liked Bethany. She deserved better than the hand she’d been dealt. Demi was about to say something when Regan came in with a large coffee cup. Brooks came in behind her with a computer box
and brand new iPad.
“Look, modern technology!” Regan said gesturing grandly at Brooks’ load.
Demi clapped her hands together, relieved. Brooks set the boxes in the office and gave Regan a thorough kiss before he left.
“Help me, will you?” Regan asked Demi.
“What’s this?” Bethany asked.
“A computer for inputting records, checking email, etc and an iPad for credit card transactions,” Regan said proudly. “Don’t worry, I already know the password for WiFi.”
Bethany’s cheeks flushed. “I can’t afford that stuff.”
Regan waved a dismissive hand. “I got it for now. You can pay me back later.”
“I never asked you to buy a computer,” Bethany snapped.
Demi’s brows went up and Regan put her hands on hips.
“You only deal with cash,” Regan said impatiently. “Who’s gonna pay five thousand in cash?”
“None of my dresses are worth that much,” Bethany said through clenched teeth.
“What about your dress?” Regan jabbed a hand at the gown Bethany spent all her time on.
“It’s not for sale!”
“What are you going to do with it once you’re finished tinkering with it?” Regan demanded.
“Start over.”
“You’re going to throw it away?” Demi asked, aghast.
“Of course not. I just put it away in storage.”
Regan held up a hand. “You’re telling me that you have more dresses like this?”
“They’re not all the same—”
“Have them delivered,” Regan clipped.
“Why?”
“We’re going to take pictures and put them online once I get your website completed.”
“You’re not listening to me!” Bethany said, advancing and getting in Regan’s face. The serene creature Demi watched with such admiration was gone. “I hired you to look into the store, not make a fool of me by putting my dresses online!”
“Embarrass you?” Regan exploded and prodded Bethany in the chest. “I’m trying to help you!”
Demi pushed between them, unsure who looked more enraged. “Calm down, both of you!”
“I can’t afford all of this!” Bethany said and Demi saw worry etched written all over her face.
“Why did you hire me?” Regan challenged.
“Because you helped people with their businesses! But—”
“If I leave here without making you a profit, you won’t have to pay for my services at all,” Regan said.
Bethany stared at her for a long minute and then stomped out of the office. A minute later, the sewing machine revved up.
Demi stared at Regan. “Wow.”
Regan was clearly still pissed and didn’t say anything as she began to set up the iPad. Demi was left to set up the computer, which she did without much trouble. She winced from time to time at the vehemence that Bethany sewed with on the machine. Under Regan’s direction, Demi began to copy the store records into a computer program. It didn’t take her long to notice a disturbing pattern.
“There’s something wrong,” Demi said.
Regan paused. “What?”
“I don’t understand where all the money is going. I mean, you can clearly see the store’s profit and then it disappears into thin air. I don’t get it.”
Regan leaned back to check on Bethany in the work room before she said, “Someone who has access to the store account is making huge withdrawals. Thousands at a crack. Thousands the store can’t afford. Whoever’s taking out the money, the grandmother or mother never reported.”
“It can’t be Bethany.”
“No.” Regan’s eyes narrowed. “Bethany’s father is an alcoholic. He went to prison and got out a couple of years ago.”
No wonder Bethany didn’t mention having anymore family members. Demi had a bad feeling about this. Did Bethany sense that something shady was going on? Is that why she hired Regan in the first place? “You think Bethany’s dad has access to the accounts?”
“Somebody does and it’s bad. The store is barely clearing the rent. I can tell you now, the store’s in serious debt.”
“When are you gonna tell her?”
“I’m not saying anything until I know all the facts. These withdrawals go back nearly ten years so far. For all we know, it could be from the very start. We have to dig deeper.”
“She’s taking on a lot,” Demi said quietly.
“I know. Bethany always kept to herself. Her family isn’t very popular in this town and she made something out of herself in spite of that. I respect her for it.”
“Johnny’s here!” Bethany called.
Demi leapt to her feet before she could stop herself.
Regan blinked and then gave Demi a lascivious grin. “Did the dirty, did you? Ma told me she spruced up his place. I nearly went into a coma listening to the placement of the candles and vases. Was it the pasta that did it?”
“We are so not doing this right now,” Demi said loftily and walked out of the office.
Johnny stood by the front counter and smiled when he saw her. She felt giddy, young and happy. He was hot and hers. She leapt into Johnny’s arms and kissed him. Hard. His growl of approval rocked her world and if Regan wasn’t coming with them to lunch, she would have told him to take her home for a quickie.
“Uh huh,” Regan said.
Johnny turned with Demi in his arms. Demi didn’t feel an ounce of shame as Regan gave them an arch look.
“If you two keep on like that I’m gonna have to make a call to Brooks and it’s going to make him very happy,” Regan drawled.
Demi laughed and pushed on Johnny’s chest. She liked that he hesitated before he put her down. He tossed an arm over her shoulders and pulled her in close against him and Demi heard excited chatter. She noticed a group of women in the sitting area and stiffened when she saw that two of them had their phones out.
“Ignore it, baby,” Johnny said and called out, “What do you want to eat, Bethany?”
“Oh, no, I’m good,” Bethany said.
“What do you want to eat?” Johnny repeated so pointedly that Bethany answered, “BLT?”
“Good choice. We’ll be back,” Johnny said and led Demi and Regan down the street. “How’s my girls?”
“Good,” Demi said.
Regan rolled her eyes. “Johnny, you’re goofy.”
“Better than being in a funk.”
Regan sobered and gave him a side hug. “That’s true.”
They walked across the street to the diner and this time Demi didn’t mind when Johnny crowded her. Regan exchanged a strange smile with Johnny before she motioned to a server. They ordered and Regan launched into a detailed account of her horrific morning which included vomit, dog shit and a dead cat. By the time their food arrived, Demi wasn’t so hungry anymore.
“Regan, move over, will ya?”
Gwen and Trey scooted into the booth and hollered their order to the server who nodded.
“What are you guys, the lunch stalkers?” Regan grouched.
Gwen ignored her and said, “We’re gonna be out of town for a few months so my family is going to Misty Lake this weekend. We have three cabins across from The Martin Resort. Want in? Our family is only taking two of the cabins.”
Regan brightened. “That sounds fun.”
Gwen tipped her nose in the air. “I thought we were the lunch stalkers.”
“You are, but as long as you’re offering something, I don’t mind letting you sit with us.”
“I don’t think—” Johnny began at the same time that Demi said, “That sounds great!”
Johnny squeezed her thigh and gave her a long look. It was clear that his plans for the weekend had nothing to do with hanging with a bunch of people at the lake.
She pat him on the cheek and whispered, “You’ll survive,” before she turned to Gwen, “We call a room.”
Gwen looked between them and her eyes widened. “You guys.”
<
br /> Trey looked from his wife to Demi and Johnny. “What?”
“Never mind,” Gwen said and snatched one of Regan’s fries.
“Hey!” Regan squawked.
Gwen pointed the half eaten fry in her face. “You want to come to Misty Lake? I get two more fries.”
“But you ordered fries, they’re just not here yet!” Regan said hotly.
“Doesn’t matter. I’m happy, I’m hungry, I’m taking your fries.”
Demi snickered into her cup as Gwen and Regan faced off. The people in this town could be the nicest people she’d ever met, but they had attitudes as big as any New Yorkers.
***
“We aren’t going,” Johnny growled.
“We are,” Demi gasped as she rode him.
“We’re fucking all weekend. We’re not leaving this house.”
She leaned down and kissed him as she speeded up her thrusts. His hands tightened on her thighs.
“We’re going.”
“No.”
She stopped moving and opened her mouth to make a point. Before she could, he tipped to the side, lifted her thigh high and thrust. She dug her nails into his shoulders and screamed. Mid-orgasm, Johnny turned her on her back and pumped into her for all he was worth. Johnny came with a loud groan and rested his head against her heaving chest.
Johnny chuckled. “You tried to blackmail me with sex.”
She thumped his shoulder. “It was worth a try.”
“Nothing can persuade me to spend a weekend with a bunch of people instead of here in bed where we belong.”
“But I like Gwen and I bet it’s gonna be loads of fun.”
“There’ll be other times,” he said, brushing his beard against her nipples.
She grasped his face and forced him to look at her. “I want to go.”
He groaned. “Shit. See what happens when they butt into my business?”
“I’ll make it up to you next weekend,” she said fervently and brushed kisses over his face.
He closed his eyes, enjoying the moment. He sank his hand in her hair and gripped. “I need this.”
“You have it,” she murmured.
“But you need time?”
She realized they weren’t talking about the trip to Misty Lake. “Yes.”