With You: A Rock Star Romance (Rocked in Love Book 1)

by Jessica Marlowe

  As soon as they stepped outside the café, Emily shivered and looked around. Thick, gray clouds rolled in. When her eyes locked onto his, their green depths told him all he needed to know. Jack hailed a cab. She’d been so amazing this afternoon. He needed to get her back to the hotel so he could show her again how she made him feel.

  J

  Emily couldn’t shake the creepy feeling that she was being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as soon as they’d stepped out of the café. Just like earlier, when Jack had taken that phone call. She’d surreptitiously looked around, catching a quick movement out of the corner of her eye. When she turned, the door to the ice cream shop was closing. She’d followed but only the employees were there. The distinctive bells on the door hadn’t rung a second time.

  She’d considered asking the girl behind the counter if anyone had come in before her, but she’d felt paranoid, so she’d dropped it. Now she wished she’d asked. Her dad always told her to follow her instincts. God, she missed him.

  Once they were safely inside the cab, Emily tried to relax. Her leg ached, and she rubbed her thigh to try and loosen the muscles.

  “Your leg hurts?” Jack asked.

  “A little.”

  Jack’s face was shadowed with concern. “We shouldn’t have walked so far.”

  “It’s my fault. I haven’t been doing yoga lately. I didn’t think we did that much walking.” She needed to start taking better care of herself. But right now, she was more concerned about Jack. She had to leave. Remembering the phone call from his manager earlier, she relaxed. The band had an interview this afternoon. They’d enjoy each other one last time and then leave together and part as friends. She’d told him enough times today she was leaving. He couldn’t still think he would change her mind.

  When they neared The Yorkshire, Jack told the driver to stop a block before the hotel. He paid and helped her out. Jack pulled her down a side street, and they crossed to the underground parking entrance of the hotel.

  They walked hand in hand to the elevators. So normal. Stop that. Nothing normal about having to enter through the garage instead of the front of the building. Nothing normal about photographers stalking you or strangers asking to have their picture taken with you. The only thing normal about today was…Jack. But she wasn’t doing him any favors with this line of thought. It just couldn’t happen.

  The elevator arrived and an older couple exited.

  Jack hit the button for the thirty-seventh floor, but as he reached for her, the ding alerted them to an impending stop on the main level. Two men dressed in business suits stepped on and smiled at her. Emily shifted closer to Jack. The younger guy kept looking at her over his shoulder. Jack tightened his grip on her hand until he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  She kissed him back. If she wasn’t going to be with Jack, she’d no interest in anyone else. Not now. She needed time.

  Message received, the guy stopped looking back at her, but Jack didn’t let up until the doors opened on their floor. Jack shouldered between them and pulled her with him. She couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face. Being with Jack felt good. And Emily needed to stock up on feeling good, because in a few hours…

  Jack fumbled in his pocket for the key card and unlocked the door.

  chapter

  TWENTY-THREE

  Jack placed the bags on the floor, and the second the door closed, he pounced. Lips and tongues and hands and tugging clothing. Jackets came off and landed in a pile on the floor.

  His hands found the hem of Emily’s sweater, and he caressed his way up to her breasts. He was already hard, but his dick jerked when his hand cupped her breasts. Lace. Emily’s lips curled in a wicked smile. Holy shit. His heart hammered in his chest, and the blood ran hot in his veins. “What’s under this sweater?”

  “What does it feel like?”

  Lifting the hem up and over her breasts, Jack’s breath caught at the sight of burgundy lace and mesh. “You’ve been walking around in this all day?” A trickle of sweat rolled from his temple.

  “Uh huh.”

  He blinked a few times and stepped back, needing to regroup. “What about the panties?” So much for regrouping. Jack wiped his brow on his sleeve.

  “What about them?”

  “Do they match?” He choked out the words. It was hard to breathe, or he was breathing too much.

  “Why don’t you unwrap me and find out.”

  Jack didn’t waste another second. He moved in and grabbed her sweater where it rested and tugged it up and off. Stunningly beautiful.

  Their tongues met and clashed. Her arms curled around his neck as he hauled her closer. His fingers undid the button of her jeans, but it took a few tries. Lowering the zipper, his hand slipped in until he hit the waistband of her panties. He pulled back from the kiss and gulped for air.

  Seeing Em’s eyes glittering with lust and her lips swollen caused Jack’s heart to skip a beat. He’d been in love many times, but it had never been like this. He was drowning but didn’t want to be saved.

  The fabric was soft, like satin. He cupped her mound and her breath caught. Their eyes locked, and they were the only two people in the world. His other hand slid around her waist and down the back of her jeans, more lace. He needed to see all of her.

  Emily swayed, even though she leaned against the door. “You okay?” he asked.

  “I left okay three minutes ago. I’m headlong into sheer ecstasy.”

  Kneeling, he slid the jeans over her hips, down, and off. He sat back on his heels and looked her up and down. Gorgeous. Jack leaned in and inhaled, and his hands caressed her cheeks under the lace. Emily made a small sound, her lips moved, but no words came out.

  Emily cleared her throat. “When you look at me like that, I feel like the sexiest woman on earth.”

  “You are.”

  The burgundy against her fair skin was sublime. Her scent beckoned him. His phone vibrated in his pocket. Reluctantly he removed one hand from Emily’s fine ass and grabbed the phone but didn’t take his eyes off her. Her smile reflected the knowledge of the effect she had on him. When he finally looked at the phone, it was a text from Jeff: Ballroom 2:45. Shit, just over an hour. He was about to toss his phone aside but stopped. He looked up at Emily.

  “Don’t even think about it, McBride.”

  “Come on, baby, just one. No one else will ever see it. I promise,” Jack begged as he crossed his heart. He stood and took in the sight of her in just the bra and panties. He needed to get his pants off before he injured himself.

  “Famous last words, until you lose your phone and nearly naked pictures of me end up on the internet.” Emily’s hip jutted out, and her fist rested on it.

  Jack tossed the phone aside.

  Slowly, Em turned to face the door. She looked over her shoulder at him, her tongue slipping between her rosy lips to moisten them. He knew what she wanted—a good hard fuck against the wall. Then she’d ride him on the bed, or he’d bend her over the couch. All the possibilities flooded his mind, until he remembered he had to leave in an hour. Fuck.

  “How long do we have?”

  “Hour.” Lifting her into his arms, he carried her into the bedroom. “Depending how long the interview takes, we may have to leave right after for soundcheck.” Setting her down next to the bed, in a matter of seconds, he undid all of housekeeping’s hard work. He reached for his sweater but Emily stopped him.

  “Let me.”

  Within seconds, he was naked. Her palms spread over his chest, and she licked his nipple, gently scraping it with her teeth. The sensations vibrated down his spine and ended in his nuts. “Em…”

  Her hands trailed down his abs until she grasped his engorged cock. She stroked him a few times before dropping to her knees and taking him into her mouth.

  Jack moaned as she covered his dick with her beautiful lips. Her tongue swirled around the tip while she cupped his balls. H
e filled her sweet mouth. She was still in her bra and panties, and the view almost made him come.

  Jack leaned back, pulling his dick out of her mouth with a popping sound. Em licked her lips. Helping her to stand, he removed the last of her clothing, and at the sight of her, his hand pumped his wet cock. Her saliva provided just enough lubrication. Holy shit.

  She gasped and her eyes widened, so he did it again, and this time she bit her lip. He placed a finger under her chin, and as he raised it, her eyes lowered farther. He stroked again, and a bead of fluid emerged from the tip. Em’s breath caught. “You like that, baby? You like watching me stroke my cock?” His breath caught at the sight of her.

  Emily nodded, meeting his eyes. “Fisting your cock.”

  “Fisting my cock?” Jack repeated.

  “Yeah, that’s how I’d write it.”

  Pulling her in for a kiss, he never wanted it to end. “Em”—Jack drew in a ragged breath—“I have that damned interview, we don’t have long. Less than an hour. Please...”

  Kissing him hard on the lips, her tongue delved into his mouth, taking what she wanted. He loved it. He held back as long as possible before picking her up and laying her on the bed and stretching out next to her. Their lips never parted. Jack let his hands wander over her luscious curves, breasts to hips, then settling on her ass.

  Emily’s hands wandered down his torso and up his arms until they cupped his face. The way she touched and explored him drove him wild, but he tamped down on the urge to take her. They caressed each other as if they had all the time in the world. When Jack couldn’t stand it any longer, he reached into the nightstand drawer and grabbed a condom, quickly rolling it on.

  Emily was sprawled out on his bed, hair in a halo, eyes bright and sparkling, and lips swollen. A warmth spread from his chest throughout his entire body and down to his toes. Love had never felt like this.

  Her eyes trailed up and down his body, and when she reached for him, his heart stuttered. Settling between her thighs, he silently vowed to not rush this. He focused on her, showering soft kisses on her breasts and neck. His hand caressed down the hollow of her belly, over her hip, and between her legs.

  Her hands brushed up his sides and around to his back, dragging her short nails over his skin. The commingled scent of their arousal was more potent than any perfume, alcohol, or drug.

  “Jaaack,” Emily whispered, parting her legs wider. Jack used her warm, fragrant juices to coat himself. It drove him wild when she said his name like that, wanton, singular. No one else existed.

  Inch by inch, he slid in until he settled himself fully inside her warmth.

  She caressed his face, and her eyes drifted closed as she kissed him. For what seemed like an eternity, he just stayed there, buried inside her, as she nibbled along his jaw. When their lips met again, he moved. So good. The gentle pace intensified his feelings until he thought his heart would explode.

  Emily didn’t rush him, and her hands never left his body. She kissed him back with such fervor he knew in his heart she had feelings for him. It was enough, for now. He’d ease up on pushing her to move forward. He’d be happy to stay right where they were. For now.

  They were covered in a fine sheen of perspiration. Her muscles clenched around him, and the tingling sensation of his orgasm exploded. “I love you, Em,” he said as the world crashed around them.

  Emily’s gaze pierced his. “Jack…” Her muscles tightened as she convulsed around him.

  He collapsed on her, his heart hammering in his chest. Emily’s did too, their heartbeats in sync. That had been the most intense orgasm he’d ever experienced.

  Jack mustered the strength to roll them so she lay atop him. Her sigh of contentment told him it had been the same for her.

  Bliss.

  J

  As Emily’s pulse settled, coherent thought returned. Shit. That just made things so much worse. They should’ve just fucked. That had been her plan until Jack got all gooey eyed. He romanticized this whole affair, and he’d blow this out of proportion. He’d ask her to stay. He almost did before she distracted him. Distracted herself too—that was when the whole fuck hard plan vanished. Which was his fault since he was an excellent kisser. But now what?

  Jack stroked her hair. Now that the perspiration was drying, she broke out in goose bumps. If he hadn’t gone all caveman and thrown the comforter, blankets, and top sheet off the bed, she’d cover them.

  Jack lifted his head. “Shit, that’s my cell.”

  “Aren’t you going to answer it?”

  “It’s Elliot.”

  “So, no?” Emily paused. “That’s ‘Welcome Home.’ It’s about him and Siobhan, isn’t it?”

  Jack nodded, groaned, and threw an arm over his head.

  Emily looked at the clock and groaned. “It’s two forty-seven.”

  “I’m never late.”

  His cell stopped ringing, but the room phone rang.

  “Shit,” Jack said as he dropped the receiver on the table.

  A loud curse came through the phone.

  “Sorry,” Jack said.

  “Jack, stop screwing around and get the fuck down here.” Elliot’s voice boomed through the earpiece.

  “I’ll be there in five minutes.”

  Emily rolled off so Jack could sit up.

  “Hurry the fuck up,” Elliot said.

  “Did he slam the phone down?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why is he so angry? I thought you didn’t have to be there until three.”

  “He enjoys a good phone slam, can’t do that with a cell phone.” Jack grinned. “Baby, I’m sorry. I need a quick shower, then I have to leave.”

  “It’s okay.” This might work out yet.

  He went into the living room and returned a moment later with their clothes and his bags. He went to the safe and put the earrings he’d bought for his mom in.

  Jack walked over, kissed her, and then walked to the bathroom. Pausing at the bathroom door, he turned to her, smiling. “Stay.”

  Fuck. Fuck. Fuckity, fuck, fuck, fuck.

  “Please.” He looked so damned happy. “Come to the gig tonight. We need to talk.” A few seconds later, the shower turned on.

  Emily could only guess at her expression, deer caught in headlights, because that was how she felt. This was all her fault. She should’ve left this morning or never come back here at all. A heaviness settled in her stomach. It wasn’t like her to play with someone’s emotions, but that was what she’d done here.

  The shower shut off, and she was out of time. What else could she say? Jack had been so nice, sweet even. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she was going to because she was leaving.

  He walked out of the bathroom, a towel slung around his hips, another drying his hair.

  “How about it, Em?” Jack said with a cocky smile.

  Shit. He was convinced she’d stay. She swallowed the lump in her throat and did something she’d hate herself for, for a long time

  She nodded.

  “Excellent.” Jack pumped his fist in the air. He dropped the towel on the bed and kissed her. Another soul-crushing kiss.

  “Welcome Home” sounded from the living room again.

  “Fuck off, Elliot,” Jack muttered, as he grabbed a pair of boxer briefs, socks, jeans, and a T-shirt. He dressed in under a minute.

  Emily refused to close her eyes. A tightness had settled in her chest to join the nausea. She deserved to feel like shit.

  He combed his fingers through his damp hair and sat on the bed to put on his boots.

  She held the sheet around her like armor, but it wouldn’t protect her from her awful, lying self.

  Jack leaned in for another kiss, so she grabbed the back of his head and kissed him hard. When his cell rang again, Jack pulled away.

  “We’ll be in the ballroom. Soundcheck is at five thirty, gotta leave by five. Grab a shower and rest, tonight will be great.” With a q
uick kiss, he strode into the living room.

  Emily jumped off the bed and grabbed the towel he’d dropped and wrapped it around herself. She shuffled into the living room and leaned against the sofa. When he looked at her, she forced a smile. “Goodbye, Jack.”

  “See ya later, baby.” Jack winked, opened the door, and, with one last look over his shoulder, walked out.

  As the door closed, she sank to the floor. The lump in her throat wouldn’t be swallowed. As much as she’d like to give in to the tears, she forced herself to stand. Emily went into the bedroom and looked around. Where were her clothes? Oh, right, Jack sent them to the laundry. The tears spilled over. She looked around for the outrageously expensive underwear. Through the blur of her tears, she spotted them at the foot of the bed. Grabbing them, she yanked them on and then dressed in the rest of the clothes Jack had purchased.

  In the bathroom, she splashed her face with cold water. She ran a washcloth under the tap and held the cold cloth over her swollen eyelids. Jack’s beautiful face filled her mind, and she thought she’d throw up. She cupped her hands under the faucet and drank. Emily had to calm down because she couldn’t walk out of the hotel like this. Damn, walk out of the hotel and then what? If Nicki was still with Curt…scratch that. Emily had been lucky this afternoon. Nicki hadn’t remembered. And Emily needed to be alone tonight.

  She’d have to call a cab. Just as she picked up the hotel phone, there was a knock at the door. Replacing the receiver, she walked over and peered out the peephole and saw Anthony. She rested her head against the door for a second before opening it.

  “Hello, Miss, I have your clothes from the laundry.”

  Emily smiled and took the package from him. “Thank you. Anthony, I need a cab, one that will take me to New Jersey.”

  “Miss, are you all right?” Anthony asked with genuine concern.

  “Nothing fatal.” For me.

  “I can arrange a cab for you.”

  “Thank you, Anthony.”