Before We Fall

by Courtney Cole

  I glance at the clock. Nine fucking thirty. I guess it’s a good thing Sin woke me up, or I’d have been late for the gym… and I believe what Joe says. If I’m late one more time, I shouldn’t bother coming back. Jesus.

  I pull some clothes on, spray on cologne, and head out the door, calling Tally from the car.

  “What?” I ask when he answers. “What was so important you needed to call four times?”

  Tally sighs into the phone. “I just want to make sure you’re going to be on the plane tonight. I’ve got it arranged… And I told Amy Ashby that she could share the flight. She’s in Chicago visiting her boyfriend. She’ll ride back with you.”

  “I’m going to have someone with me,” I tell him as I turn out into traffic. “I need you to add her to the passenger list. Jacey Vincent.”

  Tally sighs again. “Oh, that’s gonna make Amy happy.”

  “I don’t fucking care,” I tell him honestly. “It’s my plane. She’s coming back from visiting her boyfriend, anyway. She shouldn’t care, either.”

  But he and I both know that she will. Because Amy Ashby is bitchy like that. She thinks that everything and everyone is hers. Jacey is feisty, though, and I know she can handle it. A quick memory of her roundhouse kick to Jake’s chest flits through my head and I smile. Yeah, she can handle herself in any situation, whether it is with a Hollywood mean girl or a juvenile delinquent.

  “Since when are you hauling around a woman?” Tally demands after he has me spell her name for the flight manifest. I roll my eyes.

  Since a woman has wormed her way into my head and I started having erotic dreams of fucking her. But of course I don’t say that. I growl and hang up instead.

  I spend the rest of the drive to the gym in silence, staring at the road. I stare at my hands, at the sky, at the traffic. But it doesn’t distract me from what Tally said. When did I start hauling a woman around?

  It’s a good fucking question.

  And the only answer I can come up with is: since I became fascinated with one. It’s the first time in a long, long time, and even though it’s not smart, I’m not ready to pull the plug on it yet. I don’t know why.

  That’s puzzling to me, as well. I’m just as curious about my own feelings regarding her as I am about Jacey herself. I do not like getting close to people. I do not like giving them the opportunity to hurt me, use me, or exploit me.

  But she hasn’t given me a reason to believe that she’d do any of those things, I remind myself. That’s the point of this whole thing. I’m giving someone a chance, for the first time in a long time, to prove to me that she’s not like everyone else. But the second she does… it’s over.

  The second that I think she’s not the genuine and open person that she seems to be, we’re done.

  When I get to the gym, Jacey’s friend Brand is dropping her off yet again, and I have to fight back a scowl. I don’t like the familiar way he handles her. I don’t like the way she lets him.

  She’s says that he’s like a brother to her. That there’s no way he thinks of her as anything but a brother. But there’s no way she can’t see the same things I do.

  I stare at the guy as he watches Jacey walk to the door. He’s most definitely not watching her as a brother would. His eyes sweep from her ass to her shoulders, back to her hips. It’s a gaze of appreciation.

  And then, abruptly, he looks at me as I hold the gym door open for her.

  I see a million things in his eyes, a myriad of emotions. Jealousy, resentment, frustration. But most importantly, a threat.

  Stay away from her. It’s unspoken, but the meaning is clear. I return the gaze calmly, not backing away, and he finally breaks the stare and drives away.

  “What the hell?” I snap at Jacey. “Aren’t you ever going to get your car fixed?”

  She looks at me sharply, surprised by my annoyance. I’m surprised by it too, but I can’t help it. There’s no fucking way she can’t see how into her Brand is. And because there’s no way she’s that oblivious, it means that she’s not as decent as I’d so like to believe, because she’s still leading him on.

  Which means she’s let me down. Even though I expected it, I’m surprised by how disappointed I am.

  “Not all of us are made of money,” she snaps, bringing me back to the matter at hand. “I’ll fix my car when I can.”

  I shake my head and follow her inside. Could it be that she really just needs his help and she’s not purposely using him? It’s a notion I’d love to believe, but I’m having a really hard time swallowing.

  “We’re leaving straight from here,” I tell her just as sharply. “Did you bring a bag?”

  She nods. “Yeah. If you’re in a better mood this afternoon, then I’ll actually go with you.”

  With that, she flounces off. I watch her go… her nose in the air, her shoulders back and her ass tight in her short shorts. I have to smile at her attitude. I think it’s one of the things I like best about her. She’s spunky. That’s for sure.

  But I freeze as I realize what I just did.

  I just admitted that I like Jacey.

  Fuck. That can’t be good.

  That means it’s time to end it. Now. That, in combination with this whole Brand thing, is enough to just pull the fucking plug and get it over with.

  I yank my phone out of my pocket with full intention of acting like I just got a call from Tally to tell me that shooting had been canceled when I glance over at Jacey.

  She’s kneeling on the ground, looking up at Jake as she tries like hell to unknot his shoes for him. His laces are muddy and gross, but she doesn’t seem to mind as she tries to help. Her smile is genuine as she laughs at him, and when she looks over at me, she smiles too.

  With a deep sigh, I slide my phone back in my pocket. I can’t do it yet… not because I’m scared of my own feelings for her or because of my suspicions about Brand. Those aren’t good enough reasons.

  The point of this whole thing is to see if I can get past my misgivings about humanity and give her a chance.

  And besides, I’m not done with her yet.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jacey

  I’ve never been in a chartered plane hangar before, but I try not to act like it. I try to restrain myself from gazing around like an idiot… at the shiny jet, the staff who is waiting to meet us, and the carpet that is rolled out for us to walk on.

  Holy crap. Is this seriously how famous people live?

  Nonchalantly, I follow Dominic up the steps and onto the plane, trying my best to seem blasé. But as Dominic turns to ask me which leather sofa I’d like to sit on, I can see his eyes twinkling, and he knows. He knows that I’m way over my head. But I still don’t give him the satisfaction of admitting it.

  “Anywhere,” I shrug. “They all look the same.” As in, they’re all expensive, soft-as-butter Italian leather. Dominic grins.

  “Okay,” he shrugs back. “We’ll take that one. Amy can have the other.”

  “Amy?” I raise my eyebrow. Dominic looks surprised.

  “Did I forget to tell you? Amy Ashby is in Chicago right now. She’s sharing this jet with us.”

  I feel a monster-sized weight form on my chest and I swallow hard.

  “Uh, yeah. I guess you did forget to mention that part.” I’m going to be riding with one of the biggest actresses on the planet, and not only that, but she’s notoriously bitchy. Super.

  Dominic stares at me curiously as he sits, pulling me down next to him. “Is that a problem? I’m sorry that I forgot to tell you. I just found out myself last night.”

  I shake my head. “No, of course it’s not a problem. I’m good.”

  I’m not good. My legs are shaking again, and that pisses me off. No one is better than you, I remind myself. She’s famous, not better. I’m practically muttering to myself as I settle in beside Dominic, automatically resenting that he’s so calm and cool.

  But he’s used to this. He’s used to fancy planes and Hollywood stars and peop
le being at his beck and call. I take a deep breath. I might not be used to it, but I’ve got this. I can do this. I turn to him.

  “So, how much will you have to shoot this weekend? I’ve heard horror stories about how sometimes shooting can go on all day and night.”

  Dominic chuckles. “It all depends. But right now, we’re doing bits and pieces, the smaller scenes. We won’t get into the meat of the movie until I’m back in LA for good. I’m a character actor, so it’s hard for me to bury myself in my role when I have to keep flying back and forth between Chicago and LA.”

  “And your studio is okay with that?” I ask dubiously.

  He starts to answer, but is interrupted by a female voice.

  “They might be, but I’m not,” Amy Ashby snaps as she hauls herself onto the plane with a little yappy dog in her arms. She’s spindly skinny with giant boobs that must be fake. “This is bullshit, Dom. Serious bullshit.”

  Dominic turns to me, rolls his eyes, then turns back to Amy with a sigh. “Hey, Amy. So good to see you.”

  I want to giggle at his resigned tone and the outraged look on her heavily made-up face, but I don’t. Something tells me that wouldn’t be the best first impression.

  She stares at me with narrowed eyes, extremely interested all of a sudden. “Who’s this?”

  “My friend Jacey,” Dominic answers easily, sitting back in the seat with his arm looped loosely behind me. I enjoy the sense of security that brings me, the warmth from his arm. It’s like an anchor in a sea of unfamiliar shit.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” I tell her politely. “I love your work.”

  She sniffs, looking down her nose at me before she deposits her tiny dog on the seat and turns to the flight attendant. “I need some water for Pichachu. He only drinks Acqua Panna. If you don’t have any, you’re going to need to find some before we take off.” She turns away without waiting for the attendant to reply, and I can’t help but chuckle because her dog’s name sounds like a sneeze.

  “Why are you coming?” she asks me bluntly as she settles the dog on her lap, stroking its puffy hair. “The set will be closed.”

  “Since when?” Dominic asked her sharply. “I didn’t request that.”

  “I did,” Amy stares at him. “Well, I’m going to. I don’t need your little girlfriend watching our sex scenes.” She levels a brilliant blue gaze at me, and I’m astounded at her hostility when I haven’t even done anything to her.

  Jesus. What a bitch. She’s an even bigger nightmare than I thought she’d be. Dominic chuckles humorlessly as Amy crosses her skinny legs and stares at him.

  “It’s not like we actually have sex, Amy, on or off set. But whatever. Do what you need to do.” Amy’s cheeks flush and she turns away, lifting her nose in the air.

  Dominic turns to me. “You can either hang out in my trailer or you can stay at my house by the pool. Either way, you’ll have a good time. I promise.”

  He puts his hand on my leg now, possessively, and he stares back at Amy. She can’t help but stare back at him, and I’m not sure exactly what he’s trying to convey, but whatever it is, it’s effective. She’s effectively pissed.

  “Whatever, Dom. You know that’s not true. You and I both know it.”

  Her words are icy and laced with venom. Dominic won’t show you a good time. That’s what she means.

  But Dominic ignores her. He stares at me instead, angling his body so that he’s blocking her completely out.

  “I’ve got some things planned,” he tells me conversationally. “I think you’ll like them.” I hear Amy sniff, but she doesn’t remark.

  “I’m sure I will, too,” I answer. I take note that his hand is still on my thigh, his fingers lightly gripping me. “Can I have a hint?”

  Dominic smiles, leaning down to whisper into my ear. “What did you pack to wear?”

  I stare at him, but before I can answer, he continues, “Because you won’t be needing it.”

  I gulp, then smile. “Maybe.” I shrug. “We’ll see.”

  He smiles knowingly. “Oh, we’ll see.” He chuckles again, and the dangerous glint is back in his eyes. The one that I love. It means I’m going to like whatever comes next.

  “I brought you something,” he tells me quietly. “It’ll help pass the time on the flight.”

  I stare at him. “Something tells me it’s not a crossword puzzle.”

  Dominic laughs, his teeth gleaming white. “Uh, no. It’s a million times better.” He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a little nondescript box. Leaning forward, he whispers into my ear again, his breath warm on my cheek. “I like kinky things. Dirty things. Is that a problem?”

  I suck my breath in. Kinky things? Regardless of my trepidation, I smile.

  “I’ll try anything once,” I murmur.

  He grins the grin of the devil. “Good. Go to the bathroom. Put this in.”

  In?

  I stare at him again, half in shock, half eager to see. I hold out my hand, a thrill shooting through me as he hands it to me.

  “Trust me,” he whispers with a wink.

  Oh yeah, right. Trust him. For some reason, I can practically see Lucifer himself saying the same thing with the same expression on his face. In all honesty, Lucifer might be safer than Dominic.

  Regardless, I make my way to the bathroom in the back of the plane and lock the door behind me so I can open the box in peace.

  As I slide the lid off, I suck in a breath. Lying in the white tissue paper, there’s a silver bullet–looking thing, shining in the dim light of the bathroom. I pick it up and it’s heavy and cool in my fingers. There aren’t any instructions, but I instinctively know where it’s supposed to go.

  Where it’s supposed to go in.

  Good Lord. I feel a moment of panic, but then calm myself. He might be Dominic fucking Kinkaide, but I’m Jacey fucking Vincent and I’m not scared of anything. I’ve got this. I’ve so got this.

  I like new things, damn it.

  With trembling fingers, I pull down my shorts and my panties and insert the silver bullet, nestling it up to where it needs to be. Inside of me. I suck in another breath as the cold metal slides in.

  I stand back up and straighten my clothes.

  It’s not so bad. It’s like a metal tampon. I hardly even know it’s there. I drop the box into the trash and head back out to Dominic.

  “Everything go ok?” he asks innocently, watching as I buckle up next to him.

  “Of course,” I tell him. “Child’s play.”

  He rolls his eyes now. “Nooo,” he drawls. “It won’t even be close to child’s play. I promise.”

  And there is a promise in his voice, a dark and sexy promise. I stare into his eyes and find myself lost there for a minute, inside the glimmering green depths.

  I shake my head, shaking away my trembly feelings, and stare out the window as the plane taxies down the runway and takes off. After we’ve leveled off in the air, I settle into the seat, into Dominic’s arm. Flying always unnerves me a little, but I always relax after takeoff.

  “Comfortable?” he asks softly. I nod.

  “Yeah. I think I might take a nap.”

  “Oh, I think not,” he murmurs. And with his words, the bullet inside of me starts to buzz urgently, enough to snap my head back. As the vibrations spread through my body and threaten to overwhelm me, I notice that Dominic’s holding something in his left hand.

  A tiny remote control.

  My eyes fly to meet his, and that look is there, lurking in his. That dangerous, sexy look.

  Fuck.

  I want to throw my head back into the sofa cushions, to embrace the vibrations that are cresting me toward an orgasm, but I can’t. Amy is across from me. Her nose is buried in a magazine, but any minute she could look up and notice me writhing in my seat.

  So I sit rigidly, my knees clamped together, my jaw clenched.

  And Dominic smiles.

  As he does, the vibrations stop. His finger falls away from
the button and he stares at me with a grin.

  “How do you like the ride so far?” he asks innocently. I take a deep breath and gather myself, willing my tongue to form coherent words.

  “It’s nice,” I tell him finally. “I’ve never been on a private plane before. It’s different than I expected.”

  He chuckles now, a genuine laugh. “Oh, I’m sure,” he grins. He moves his hand and I flinch, preparing for another onslaught of vibration, but he reaches for a glass of water instead. He grins at my reaction.

  “You’re jumpy,” he observes. “You should calm down. The ride should be very smooth. Nothing to worry about.”