“Look at me, Belle. Let me see you,” I implored when she closed her eyes, needing to see the unbridled desire burning in her gaze.
Her lids flew open and the trust and vulnerability in her expression stole the air from my lungs. She blew any fantasy I ever had about this moment out of the water. My mouth covered hers in a feverish, possessive kiss as the rhythm of my hips steadily increased.
“You feel so fucking amazing,” I murmured against her lips.
With each thrust, the pressure inside me built higher and higher and I fell deeper and deeper under her spell. My need to make her come overwhelmed me. I craved the feel of her unraveling beneath me… around me. I wanted her everything.
“Oh, please,” she moaned, her hips lifting to meet mine. “Please don’t stop, Everett.”
Her heels locked behind my back as she dug her fingernails into my shoulders, spurring me on as we surged closer and closer to our climax. I slammed into her once, twice, and on the third time, she threw her head back into the pillows and lifted her body off the mattress while her tight muscles clamped down on my cock, prompting me to drive into her one final time.
“Fuuuuuuuck!” I roared as my cock surged wildly and exploded, pumping my release into her molten core. A wave of dizziness washed over me, leaving my vision blurry and my toes numb. The faint pulses of Belle’s orgasm lingered, draining my cock of every last drop, until I collapsed onto the bed next to her, completely spent and breathless.
Weighed down with post-orgasmic bliss, I struggled to keep my eyes open, but when I rolled on my side and saw the sated expression on Belle’s sleepy face and the lazy smirk curling up the corners of her mouth, my chest tightened with hope and pride.
“Good?” I whispered, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
She leaned over and tenderly pressed her lips to mine. “Way better than good, rockstar.”
“YOU’RE GOING WHERE WITH MASON TEMPLETON?!” Lindsey shouted from across the table, garnering the attention of damn near everyone else in the restaurant, where we were finally having the brunch we’d planned a couple weeks before. It was the first Sunday morning since I’d moved into my own place that I wasn’t with Everett, but my plans with her had worked out perfectly, as he had to help his dad move some recording equipment in their studio.
“Shh!” I hushed her, looking around and giving the other customers an everything-is-okay-please-don’t-pay-attention-to-my-crazy-friend smile. “Maybe we need to revisit how secrets work,” I hissed.
It wasn’t like I could really blame her though. My own reaction when Everett asked me the night before to go to Buenos Aires with his family over spring break had been quite similar. Disbelief and skepticism followed by wondered amazement, which morphed into extreme excitement, all ending in fantastic, mind-blowing sex. I’m not sure I ever actually said yes though…
It had been a couple of weeks since our San Antonio getaway, and things couldn’t have been better between Everett and me, except our growing frustrations with not being able to go out in public together. I hated that I could never go up to Empty’s to watch him perform, even though he often treated me to my own private concert in my apartment, and it irritated him that he couldn’t take me out on regular dates, but we both knew that wasn’t an option for us. At least not for another few months. This trip, however, would give us an entire week to be a “normal” couple, not having to hide out away from the rest of the world.
She winced and pretended like she was zipping her mouth closed. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking,” she whisper-shouted, which wasn’t much better, “but holy shit, Belle! Not only are you sleeping with his kid, but you’re going to Argentina with their family! We used to love Jobu’s Rum when we were in junior high. I still remember us dancing around your bedroom to their albums. This is insane. Have you already met him?”
“Who? His dad?” I asked, as I pushed my empty plate off to the side and took a drink of my mimosa.
“Yes,” she hissed, her head bobbing back and forth. “He’s like rock star royalty. I just heard on the radio the other day that they’re going back on tour this summer for the first time in twelve years. I was actually gonna ask you if you wanted to go see them when they play here, but now I’ll be bothering you for backstage passes.”
I shrugged, not knowing anything about an upcoming tour. Everett didn’t mention his parents a whole lot when we were together, other than telling stories about when he was a kid, and it wasn’t like I sat around and grilled him about his dad’s band. I was much more interested in him and his music.
“I’m not sure about the tour, but I know they’re playing at some big Formula One gala in Buenos Aires, and Everett and his sister are singing the national anthem before the race,” I repeated to her the details I’d been given about the trip. “And no, I haven’t met his dad yet, but I guess I’ll be getting to know him pretty well in a couple of weeks.”
Lindsey rested back in her chair as a shit-eating grin crept across her face. “Look at you getting all serious with a baby rockstar. Just watch, he’s gonna make it big and you’re gonna be able to rub that shit in Jonah’s face. Asshole thought he was too good for you once he got a taste of fame, and now he’s gonna be kicking himself for ever letting you go.”
“This has nothing to do with Jonah,” I sighed, wishing she would stop bringing him up. I’d wasted too much of my life on that sorry excuse for a human being anyway. I wanted to focus on what was ahead of me, not trudge through my past. “Ideally, I won’t ever have to see his face, hear his name, or think about him ever again. It’s been three years since I left L.A., and I’d just as well leave all the bad memories there too.” I paused for another drink then leaned forward with a genuine smile. “Plus, even at eighteen, Everett’s more of a man than Jonah can ever hope to be.”
An impish grin teased the edges of my mouth as I thought about how we’d celebrated his birthday the weekend before. I ended up having to wash my sheets twice to get all of the frosting and sprinkles off of them. Who knew being a human birthday cake could be so much fun?
“I still can’t believe you’re dating an eighteen-year-old,” she snickered, as she downed the last of her Bloody Mary. “If I hadn’t seen him for myself that night, I’d think you’ve completely lost your mind with this shit, and now that I know whose kid he is, it all makes more sense. I’m sure he was forced to grow up fast living with a famous parent.”
“You have to swear you won’t tell anyone, Linds. Not even Michael,” I warned, not that I really needed to. I wasn’t worried about her saying anything to anyone, especially since at first she didn’t even want to know about the relationship. But after we’d returned from the San Antonio getaway a few weeks ago, she couldn’t stand not knowing and had called me up, demanding all the details.
“My lips are sealed, babe. You know that,” she promised. “All I care about is you being happy, and just sitting here across from you, watching your face when you talk about him, it’s clear that you are.”
I nodded, feeling blessed I had a friend like Lindsey in my life — someone who I could talk to without being judged, someone who could be understanding without agreeing with my decisions. “I am happy, but I’m also scared,” I admitted, running my finger around the circular edge of my champagne flute. “I feel like everything’s finally falling into place. I was told there’s a good chance they’re going to offer me a permanent teaching position, as Ms. Wallace probably isn’t coming back. I love my little apartment, now that I’ve been there a while and have had a chance to put my own touches on it. And of course everything with Everett has all been so unexpected, yet at the same time equally amazing. It’s all so effortless. Like I’m finally where I’m supposed to be.”
“Then stay there,” she said matter-of-factly.
“I want to, but I just can’t help but feel like it’s all too good. That any morning, I’m going to wake up and it’s all going to come crumbling down around me,” I worried aloud.
Tilting fo
rward in her chair, she rested her elbows on the table and lowered her voice. “Look, Belle, you know I won’t sugarcoat shit for you. I don’t have to tell you what a huge risk you’re taking with this. You already know what can happen if y’all get caught. As your friend, I hope to God that doesn’t happen, but I’m not going to sit around and fret over it either. You’re a big girl, making your own decisions, and if you feel like this is where you’re meant to be, who you’re supposed to be with, then I’m gonna be happy for your happiness. And if it all goes to Hell in a handbasket tomorrow, I’ll still be right here to support you then too. Cause that’s what friends do.”
I smiled and reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “You know what else friends do? They get pedicures together. And I think we could both use a little feet pampering right now.”
NEVER IN MY life had I been so nervous to meet two people, as I was the Monday we left for Buenos Aires. Dressed and ready to go almost a full hour before Everett and his family were to pick me up for the airport, I’d checked and double-checked the contents of my two suitcases, making sure I had everything I needed for six days in a foreign country where I had absolutely no idea of what to expect as far as what we’d be doing. So like almost every other woman in my situation would’ve done, I brought a little bit of everything — casual sundresses, to jeans and t-shirts, to a designer floor-length, sequined gown that I found on the clearance rack at Saks — which also meant that I packed every pair of shoes I owned. You know, just in case.
At exactly eight-thirty that morning, a blacked-out Suburban pulled up in front of my apartment, and seconds later, Everett hopped out of the backseat and rushed up the stairs to my place, having to knock only once before I flung the door open.
“Mornin’,” he drawled, treating me to one of my favorite smiles before he stepped inside and kissed me softly on the lips. “You ready to fly for real today, Tink?”
Nodding, I hoped I didn’t look as anxious as I felt. “As ready as I’m ever gonna be. Can you carry the big suitcase to the car? I’ll get the small one and my purse.”
“No, I’ll grab both of the bags. You just make sure all the lights are off and lock up,” he corrected, stealing another quick kiss. “My dad would have my head if I let you lug one of those things down the stairs.”
Doing as he said, I did a quick run-through of the apartment to make sure I hadn’t left anything on like the coffee pot or closet light then followed him outside, locking the door before I bounded down the stairs and over to the Secret-Service-looking SUV. The driver got out to load my suitcases into the back as Everett ushered me inside the backseat, where three sets of eyes were locked on my every movement.
“Back here, Belle,” Ashlynn exclaimed, patting the empty leather seat next to her in the third row.
I grinned at her use of my first name, knowing that Everett had instructed her not to mention the whole I’m-a-teacher-at-their-school thing around their parents. Though he hadn’t outright lied to them, telling them that I had a degree in art history and was currently working as a substitute until I could find something permanent, he hadn’t been very forthcoming either. It made me uncomfortable, because I didn’t want his parents to think I was a dishonest person, but I understood his hesitation. Neither of us wanted them to put a stop to our relationship.
“Hold on a second, Ashlynn. Let the poor girl get inside first, for Pete’s sake,” their mom scolded her, then turned to face me, offering a warm, bright smile and her hand. “Hi, Belle, please excuse my daughter, who has no manners. I’m Scarlett, Everett’s mom. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. We’ve heard so many wonderful things.”
My lips curled up with amusement as I heard Ashlynn say under her breath, “I don’t know who the hell Pete is or why I should give a damn about his sake.”
“Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Templeton,” I replied, shaking her hand. “Thank you so much for allowing me to tag along with you guys on this trip. I’m so excited.”
“Oh, so are we! And please, call me Scarlett,” she insisted, then turned to the man whose face I knew all too well. “This is my husband, Mason, the twins’ dad, but I’m guessing you probably already knew that.”
I shifted my attention to the exceptionally handsome middle-aged man next to her and extended my arm in his direction. He stared at me for a brief moment, almost as if he could evaluate my character just by looking in my eyes, before taking my hand and giving it a firm squeeze.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Templeton,”
“You’re a lot smaller than I expected,” he said, his face expressionless as he released his grip.
“You have a lot more gray hair than I expected,” I retorted without thinking, then immediately slapped my hands over my mouth as my cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
Everyone but me busted out laughing, including Mason, as I closed my eyes and silently wished to be swallowed up by a hole in the ground. Why in the world did I just do that? Who says that when they meet their boyfriend’s parents for the first time?
“Well, at my age, sweetheart, I’m just glad to have any at all.” He chuckled, then glanced over my shoulder at where Everett was still waiting to get in. “I like her, son. She’ll fit right in with the rest of you smartasses. Now get in and buckle up. We’ve got a plane to catch. Argentina will never be the same once we get there.”
Somehow, I knew that I never would be either.
BEST. TRIP. EVER. And we hadn’t even gotten to the good part yet.
In the first three full days in Buenos Aires, we had gone on a private tour of the presidential palace, Casa Rosada, hunted spirits and ghosts in the world-renowned Recoleta Cemetery, taken an outdoor tango lesson in Plaza Dorrego, walked the cobblestone streets of the colorful, culturally-rich La Boca neighborhood, and enjoyed a coffee at Café Tortoni, the oldest and most famous café in all of Argentina. And by “we,” I meant all five of us, like a big, happy family, together from breakfast until we turned in to our rooms at night to sleep. Well, Belle and I did a little bit of sleeping and a lot of other bedtime activities.
Just like I knew they would, my parents fell in love with Belle from the moment they met her, welcoming her into our brand of crazy and treating her like one of us. After the gray hair comment in the SUV, she and my dad traded playful jabs throughout the trip, and never once did she seem star-struck or act any different than normal when she was around him, or even when she met the rest of the band and their families. And Mom, well, she approved to the point that I think she was already secretly planning our wedding and naming her grandbabies. Which strangely didn’t freak me out… but I already knew why. And I planned to tell her today.
“Wake up, lazy butt,” I murmured softly into Belle’s ear, before peppering kisses all over her neck and shoulder. “We’ve got a busy day planned and it’s already almost ten.”
Moaning, she rolled over and snuggled up against me, a sleepy smile playing at her lips as she kept her eyes closed. “I thought today was our rest day. I’m not sure my feet can take another ten miles today,” she mumbled into my chest.
“No walking today,” I assured her, then added, “well, not much. I’ve got plans just for you and me during the daytime, and then we’ll come back here this afternoon to get ready for the party tonight.”
Gradually, she opened her groggy eyes and focused in on me. “What about your parents and Ashlynn? They’re not coming with?”
“Dad has radio interviews all day and a sound-check before the show, and Mom and Ashlynn are going shopping and out to lunch with some of the other wives and kids.” Feathering my lips over her forehead, I grinned down at the sight of her naked body curled into mine. “I get you all to myself today, beautiful.”
Her hand cupped my semi-hard cock under the covers and squeezed gently. “Then let’s spend it in bed. I even brought my wings with me so you could fuck your naughty little Tinker Bell in Argentina,” she purred seductively, while lazily stroking my thickening shaft.
A
pulse of hot pleasure shot through me as images of her on top of me, bouncing up and down on my dick while wearing only those damn wings, flashed into my head. The little minx knew my weaknesses and wasn’t afraid to use them against me.
I groaned then seriously considered taking her up on her offer before reminding myself of what all I had planned for the day. As much as I would’ve loved to stay in the room and roll around in the sheets all day, this was important.
“We can play hide Pan’s peter anytime,” I told her, as I unwound her fingers from my now fully-charged erection and kissed away the pout on her full lips, “but we’ve only got a couple days left here, and I put together something special for us today. I promise you’ll love it, but we need to get up now and get ready. Our reservations are at eleven-thirty.”
Her eyes grew wide at the last part of what I said. “Our reservations? You really planned something for us?”
Nodding, I looped my arm around her waist, and then in one sweeping motion, rolled off the bed, bringing her with me. “Yes, dear,” I teased, “I really planned something for us. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for the last ten minutes, and if you don’t get this cute ass,” I swatted her bare butt, “in the shower now, we’re gonna be late and mess it all up.”
A bright smile lit up her face as she lifted up on her toes to plant a kiss on my mouth. “You’re too much for me sometimes, Everett Templeton,” she confessed, rubbing her thumb over the weeks’ worth of facial hair covering my jaw. “But please don’t ever stop.”
“Never,” I promised.
My heart expanded inside my chest as I watched her sashay toward the bathroom, swaying her curvy hips for my viewing enjoyment. Glancing down at the rock-hard shaft jutting out from between my legs, I cursed under my breath then took off after her. Showering together would not only save time, but also help alleviate this problem that she’d caused.