by Ashlee Price
Jess laughs. "Hmm. There's an idea."
I frown. "Don't you dare try it."
"Just kidding," she says. "I wouldn't waste a chocolate cake on you."
She lies back down.
"Speaking of chocolate cake, I haven't had one in a while. I wanted our wedding cake to be chocolate, but of course Mom had her way. She said she didn't want it to be messy. Anyway, do you want me to bring one home from the cafe when we get back to LA?"
"Sure," I answer. "If Tom will take you back after all this time."
"He will." Jess sighs. "I guess we have to go back to being grown-ups and facing reality, huh?"
"Yup." I sit up. "But hey, think of the bright side. At least you'll get to play with your band again. They must miss you."
Chapter 21
Jess
"We've missed you," Kay says as she puts an arm around me after our show, my first show since I've returned to LA. "You really are the heart of the band."
"I thought I was," Riley complains.
"No. You're the beat of the band," Kay tells him. "But you do have my heart."
She gives him a quick kiss.
"It's good to have you back," Alice tells me.
"Yeah, we should drink to it," Riley says.
He sits on his stool at the bar.
"One round of drinks for everyone, please, Benny."
I sit down and smile. "It looks like nothing has changed around here at all."
"You will play with us from now on, won't you?" Josh asks me as he occupies the stool on my other side. "After all, you told me to keep playing with you guys until the end. It's unfair if you don't do the same."
I look at him.
Strange. In the past, it would have made me so happy just to hear that he wanted to keep playing with me, but not anymore. He doesn't make my heart skip beats anymore.
Does this mean I'm over Josh now?
"I will," I promise him just the same. "If not for what happened to my dad, I wouldn't have missed any of the shows."
"Are you sure it's not because of that jerk?" Josh asks.
My eyes narrow. "Excuse me?"
"You know, that jerk at your apartment," he explains.
"Oh, right," Riley says. "Josh said that Steff is staying at your apartment. Is that right?"
"Yeah," I say. For some reason, I don't feel so flustered about that anymore. "But only because he has nowhere else to stay."
"Wow," Kay says. "You're lucky."
"Yeah," I agree. "He's a good guy, after all, once you get to know him. He's only a jerk to guys who act like one."
Josh's eyebrows arch.
I reach for my bottle of beer and take a sip.
"By the way, how's that song going?" Kay asks me. "You're still working on it, I hope."
I nod. "That's the problem. I'm still working on it. But hey, who knows? Maybe inspiration will strike soon."
From the corner of my eye, I see Josh frown.
"Hmm." Kay leans on her elbow. "I smell a budding romance."
I almost choke on my beer.
I put the bottle down. "What are you talking about?"
Kay walks over to me and places a hand on my shoulder.
"You know, a single man and a single woman staying together can't stay away from each other for too long, especially not if the man is as hot as that and the woman is... well, let's just say she's not too aware of things."
I narrow my eyes at her.
"What things?"
Kay shrugs. "What she can do."
I take another sip. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Exactly."
I turn to her. "You're making fun of me, aren't you?"
Kay sighs. "Never mind. How about you just tell me all the details, hmm? What is Steff like when it's just the two of you? Does he like his coffee with sugar? Does he sleep naked? Does he look even hotter when he's asleep?"
~
Hotter when he's asleep, huh?
I stare at Steff's face, which is illuminated by the TV screen as he snores softly on the couch.
It seems he left the TV on and fell asleep right here in the living room.
I sigh and slap my forehead. How can he be so careless? Does he think I can carry him to his room?
Then my eyebrows arch as my hand falls.
Wait. Was he waiting up for me?
I glance at the empty glass of water on the coffee table beside the saucer of crumbs.
Steff has his arms crossed over his chest. His hands are tucked under his armpits.
Usually, people who are sleeping like that didn't intend to fall asleep. And if his arms haven't fallen to his sides, it means he fell asleep only a short while ago.
Steff was waiting up for me?
The thought makes my heart race, but I shake it off as I shake my head.
No way. Why would he?
Then Kay's words come back to me.
A budding romance? Is that what this is?
Well, I've never really stopped having a crush on Steff. And he no longer teases me as much as he used to. And we've both had fun times together, and shared some bad times.
My gaze goes back to Steff's face.
What are we, exactly?
I decide not to think about it right now. I'm too tired. Instead, I turn off the TV.
For a moment, I consider waking Steff up so I can send him to his room. In the end, though, I leave him alone. I simply put a blanket over him so he doesn't feel cold.
As I do, I find myself staring even more closely at his face.
His eyelids twitch ever so slightly beneath his hair and so do his thick lashes. His lower lip extends out just a little.
I guess he is hot even when he's asleep. I don't know if he's hotter when he's awake, though.
I step away from him and pick up the dirty dishes to put them in the sink. I yawn and stretch my arms as I go to my bedroom.
I should get some sleep, too.
~
I wake up to the sound of a rap on the door.
With a yawn, I drag myself out of bed. I get to the front door at the same time that Steff does. I open it and find the FedEx guy standing just outside.
I greet him with a smile. "Good morning! What a surprise!"
Inwardly, I wonder what he's doing here so early.
Then I glance down and see the parcels at his feet. Some of them are wrapped in ivory and silver wrapping paper with white ribbons. One of them even has a huge tag that has 'Best Wishes' and my name and Steff's on it.
My jaw drops.
No.
I told Laura that Steff and I didn't want any presents, so we left them back at home. What are they doing here?
"These were sent Priority Overnight," the guy explains with a stroke of his mustache. "Wedding presents, it looks like. Congratulations, you guys!"
He walks off. Steff and I look at each other bemusedly and then start carrying everything inside.
When we're done, Steff pats my shoulder. "I'm going to take a shower. I feel dusty and sweaty after carrying so much stuff."
I nod. "I'll take a shower after you."
Steff walks off. I go to the kitchen to get a glass of water. I take it to the living room and sit down on the couch. I reach for the remote, about to turn the TV on, when I spot the pile of wedding presents.
I might as well open them.
I go over to the pile and grab the largest box. I tear open the wrapping paper like a child on Christmas morning. Inside, I find a mixer.
Not bad.
I open the smallest one next. This one's so soft that I guess it must be a tablecloth. As soon as I've torn the paper, though, I realize that it isn't.
It is made of lace, dainty golden lace, but it's too small to be tablecloth.
I lift it up. It looks like a one-piece swimsuit with a scalloped neckline that plunges all the way down to... the waist? There's a ribbon around the waist as well, and delicate frills around the hips to conceal the high leg cuts. There are snap fasteners
at the lowest part, too. Well, that will be convenient for trips to the restroom.
On a whim, I decide to try it on in my room. I step into the leg cuts and pull it up. It fits snugly around my waist. I lift the front up and clasp the elastic strap behind my neck. I turn my back to the mirror and realize that there's practically nothing there.
I frown. It's too revealing for my tastes.
Then I turn around and find out just how revealing it is.
My eyes grow wide.
Wait. This isn't a swimsuit. It's a piece of lingerie.
Which means it's for...
Just then, the door opens.
"Jess, it's your turn to..."
Steff stops. The comb in his hand clatters to the floor.
"What are you wearing?"
Chapter 22
Steff
The flimsy lace, like a thin layer of gold leaves all sewn together, hangs from Jess's neck over her breasts, leaving her shoulders and arms bare. Her curves peek out from the plunging neckline. Her dark nipples poke through the sheer fabric, which also hugs the soft curve of her belly. I can even make out the curls between her legs.
"Is that... a piece of lingerie?"
Jess covers her chest with her arms. "What does it look like to you?"
"What does it look like?"
Well, it looks beautiful and very... sexy.
My cock throbs in my briefs in approval.
"Never mind," Jess says as she turns her back to me. "If you know what it is, stop staring already."
But I can't.
I can see her spine and the smooth skin of her back through the gaps in her hair. I can see that line between her butt cheeks. Those firm mounds of flesh are threatening to spill out of the bodysuit just like they did with her bikini bottom.
My cock stiffens.
Jess glances over her shoulder. "Just so you know, I didn't buy it. It was in one of those boxes sent from home."
Oh? I walk towards her.
"Also, I didn't know it was lingerie when I tried it on," she says with a pout.
I chuckle. "What did you think it was?"
"A swimsuit."
"A swimsuit?"
"And just because I'm wearing it doesn't mean that I..."
I stop in front of her just to see the furious blush on her cheeks.
"It doesn't mean anything," she continues as she looks away. "It's just an undergarment, right? Like a bra and panties."
"Trust me, Jess," I tell her as I admire what she's wearing up close. "This wasn't meant to be under anything."
I've seen women in their undergarments back at home. None of them were ever this... arousing.
"Unless maybe a man's body," I say.
I reach out to touch the lace, but Jess turns and walks off.
I grab her arm. "Where are you going?"
"To take it off and take a shower," she answers.
"Or would you like me to take it off in the shower?" I offer.
Jess stops. Her lips part, tremble and then close.
"It is our wedding gift, after all," I tell her. "That means we're both meant to enjoy it."
"How can a man enjoy...?"
The rest of her sentence vanishes as her gaze drops to the tent in my robe. She swallows.
I narrow my eyes at her and whisper her name.
"Jess."
I know we're not really married. I know we're just two people living together.
But damn, I want her. And if the stiff peaks beneath the lace are any indication, Jess wants me too.
But if she really wants me, she has to reach out like she did the first time.
She scratches her cheek. "Well, I guess I do still owe you..."
I frown. That excuse again.
After all this time, she still won't admit her feelings. Even after all the times we've had sex, she still acts like a virgin.
Well, it's not like I dislike that.
If Jess needs an excuse, then fine. I'll give it to her. And I'll take what's mine.
I pull her close to me and lift her in my arms.
Jess screams. "What are you doing?"
"Carrying you to the bathroom," I tell her.
I carry Jess out of the room. Once we're in the bathroom, I set her down on her feet inside the tub. Then I shrug off my robe and step in with her.
I cup Jess's face in my hands and kiss her on the mouth. She grips my waist and parts her lips. I push my tongue in and allow it to mingle with hers. She lets out a moan.
My hands slide down to her back. I pull her closer. My fingers trace her spine beneath her hair.
Jess's hands move behind me as well. They clench around my backside. I grunt.
I move my hands to the front and follow the curves of her breasts from the sides. I squeeze those mounds of flesh and then run my thumb over the peaks through the lace.
Another moan sounds low in Jess's throat. It goes straight to my cock and a stain forms in my briefs.
And this was a fresh pair of underwear, too.
Jess's palm presses against the damp cotton. My cock quivers and pushes against her hand.
She starts stroking me.
I twist her nipples lightly.
She pushes my briefs down and grabs my aching cock.
I slip my hands beneath the lace and cup her firm breasts.
She plays with my cock and I grunt.
I play with her nipples and she moans.
Suddenly, Jess pulls her mouth away, gasping for air.
"I thought we were taking a shower," she says.
She reaches behind me to turn the knob. Cold water rains down on my skin. I turn around to adjust it to the right temperature. By the time I turn back, Jess is on her knees.
"Jess?"
She wraps her fingers around the base of my cock and her lips around the tip.
I place a hand against the wall.
As the water trickles down my skin, she takes me in her mouth inch by inch. Her tongue presses against me. Heat spreads through my body.
My cock hits the back of her throat and she gags.
I look down at her and place my hand on the top of her head. "Jess, it's fine. You don't have to..."
Then she tries again. This time, my cock slides down her throat.
My hands curl into fists. The one against the wall scrapes the tiles. The other pulls at black strands.
Fuck.
When she swallows, I throw my head back. The drops of water land on my face and I close my eyes.
When did she learn to do this? Isn't this just her second attempt?
Suddenly, she lets go, coughing violently.
I kneel on the floor and place my hand on her cheek. As I look at her face, I see tears in her eyes.
I wipe them away.
"You've done enough," I tell her. "Now it's my turn."
I sit at the end of the tub across from the shower. Then I pull her against me.
I grasp her chin and turn her head so I can capture her lips. I taste myself on her tongue and my heart races.
I play with her nipples through the lace. Now that it's wet, it clings to her like a second skin.
She moans into my mouth. I slip my hand between her legs.
I feel the buttons and I undo them. They come off with a snap.
"Well, that's convenient," I remark.
"I thought so at first," Jess says. "But now..."
Her words turn into a cry as my fingers find her nub. I tease it as I slip a finger inside her.
Jess lets out a loud gasp. Her head falls back against my shoulder. Her body trembles.
I nip her ear as I let my fingers do their work. I remember my promise and make a deliberate effort to be gentle. That, however, seems to make her shudder and gasp all the more.
I abandon her swollen nub in favor of an engorged nipple. I slip another finger inside and stroke her.
Her hips begin to rock. Her head falls forward.
Through the gap between her hair, I see her tattoo.
I
kiss it.
"You know, I've always wondered what your tattoo meant. It's a black butterfly, right?"
"Moth," Jess answers softly. "Butterflies... have their wings up, not spread out."
Now that I think of it, that's true, and this one does have its wings spread out.
My eyebrows crease. "Why a moth?"
Jess glares at me impatiently. "Do you want to chat, or do you want to keep going?"
I chuckle. "You know the answer."
I suck on her shoulder as I continue stroking her. Her moans fill the tub even as water splatters on the porcelain.
Then Jess turns around.
"That's enough," she says as she moves to the other end. "If you're going to do it, just do it."
My eyebrows furrow.
What ever happened to asking nicely?
"Not yet," I tell her as I crawl towards her.
The water splashes off my back.
"I want to make sure you're ready."
I crouch between her legs and start licking. My chin touches the bottom of the tub.
Jess grabs my hair. At first, she seems to be pushing away. Then she pulls as gasps escape her.
More of her sweet nectar spills out on my tongue. The scent of it saturates my nostrils.
I dig in.
I keep at it until she seems to be on the verge of going over the edge. Then I lift my head and stand up. I take off my briefs and toss them out of the tub. I offer Jess my hand.
I pull Jess to her feet and keep lifting. The tip of my cock catches on the folds of her skin and I slip it inside.
She wraps her arms and legs around me as she gasps. I wrap my arm around her and take a breast inside my mouth. Then I press her against the wall and begin to move.
Jess's hands wrap around my neck. I hear her skin rub against the tiles.
I lift her off the wall so as not to hurt her, supporting her weight with my own body. I grunt as I move my hips. The lace rubs against my chest.
I move as fast as I can. The muscles of my abdomen tense. The ones behind my legs begin to burn.
Jess grips me tighter and trembles.
"Steff!"
She cries out my name and it bounces off the walls as she squeezes me.
Damn.
I manage one more thrust into the impossibly tight passage before I feel my cock spurt inside her.
I slowly let her down and sit at the bottom of the tub. Jess sits beside me and leans against my shoulder.