Mr. Reagan had Tesse sit out the rest of the rehearsal and had her understudy take over. He added insult to injury when he complimented the girl. “If you keep that up, Jennifer, you’ll be the star opening night.”
Tesse left the theater feeling defeated. Jerrod joined her once she made it outside. “That man is brutal.”
“Yeah, but he’s right. I am not performing up to par.”
“What do you think the problem is?”
Tesse looked at him, suddenly inspired. “What if we go to your apartment and I study my lines? This time I want you to play the part of Raoul.”
“Why?”
“He gets the girl. It only seems natural.”
Jerrod chuckled under his breath. “I like how you think, Lambchop.”
When they reached his apartment, Jerrod insisted on pouring two glasses of wine. “It did wonders for you yesterday, so I bought more of the same.”
“You’re sweet,” Tesse said, pleased that he’d thought of her.
“So what scene are we working on?” he asked. She pulled out her script and pointed to the beginning of All I Ask of You.
“You start me off.”
Jerrod spoke the words to her rather than sang them. However, he put all of his emotions into the character of Raoul. He read the lines that talked of being Christine’s freedom from the darkness. He promised to guard and guide her.
Tesse responded, singing softly but with desire as Christine. She asked Raoul to promise that he would always love her, yearning to hear that he needed her by his side.
Jerrod took her into his arms and whispered huskily that he would be her shelter and light. Tesse moaned when he added a sensual kiss on her neck. Tesse forgot her lines when he ran one hand down the length of her body slowly while the other held the script. Jerrod continued on as Raoul promising to love her for a lifetime, staying by her side forever.
Tesse pressed her back against his body as Jerrod’s hand traveled from her waist to her stomach, inching downward. She tilted her head back on his shoulder, turning slowly towards his lips. As Christine, she promised that if he would love her she would follow. She dissolved into his arms when Raoul claimed her mouth.
The rehearsal ended the moment Jerrod picked her up and carried to his bedroom. He laid her gently on the bed. Tesse stared at him, a bundle of nervous excitement. He lay down beside her and then slowly began unbuttoning her shirt. Tesse didn’t stop him, completely caught up in the passion of the moment. He pushed away the material, exposing her breasts to the cool night air.
Jerrod caressed her small breasts through her satin bra, making her nipples taut and erect. “Truly beautiful.”
She quickly pulled off his shirt and ran her hands over his hairy chest. He was muscular and sweaty, the heat of his lust radiating from him. Her own body responded to his need, aching for fulfillment. Tesse held her breath when Jerrod pulled down the cup of her bra. His mouth landed on her nipple and she gasped. She’d forgotten how good it felt to have them sucked. She had no control over the rising desire building, her body desperate to be loved again.
Jerrod continued to explore her, moving his hands from her breasts to her stomach and down over her thighs. He pulled at the button of her pants. When it unfastened, he quickly unzipped her denims and snuck his hand between her legs. Only her panties separated her from his intimate touch. Tesse tensed. “I’m not ready to make love.”
He said in a husky whisper, “We don’t have to. We can please each other with our hands tonight.” Tesse was unsure of herself and pulled away from him in embarrassment.
“What’s wrong?” he asked hoarsely, pulling her to him again.
“Jerrod, I might as well be a virgin when it comes to foreplay.”
He smiled charmingly. “I don’t mind. In fact, I find it exciting.” He nibbled her ear. “Tesse, my untried beauty.” Jerrod moved her hand down to his crotch and pressed it against his erect cock.
She rubbed her hand against him and Jerrod groaned in her ear. Tesse’s loins ached with need when his hand moved back down between her legs. He fingered the outside of her moist panties. “You’re so wet. It’s a real turn-on…” He then slipped his finger under the thin triangle of cloth and touched her swollen clit. Tesse gasped, rubbing against his erection with more conviction.
His fingers swirled around her sensitive spot, creating a heat she hadn’t experienced before. She pushed her face into the pillow, trying to silence her cries.
Jerrod seemed aroused by her vocal pleasure and murmured, “Why don’t you undo my pants?”
Tesse undid them, tentatively slipping her hand under his waistband. She felt the dripping head of his rigid cock. Wrapping her hand around his shaft, she stroked it awkwardly with the limited access she had in his pants. Jerrod pushed against her hand, his groans making her wet. He continued to finger her moist outer lips and aching clit.
Her breath came in short gasps as the heat he created turned into flaming surges. In response, she stroked his penis faster, covering his entire cock in his own wet excitement.
“This could get messy,” he warned.
“Good.” Tesse wanted to please him and leaned over to kiss his chest while she stroked his slippery shaft.
“You’re going to make me come, Baby,” Jerrod growled huskily. It was the first time he’d called her that term of endearment. That simple word made her feel cherished.
Tesse cried out when he teased her inner lips and then penetrated her with his finger. Her cry triggered his climax. Jerrod grunted and then she felt bursts of warm liquid cover her hand. Her heart was racing, her own body begging for release from the passion built up by their sexual play. “I need… more,” she whimpered.
“I know you do, Baby.” Jerrod moved his fingers back to her clit and began rubbing it vigorously.
She moaned, giving into the fire Jerrod was creating, but soon it became too much and she begged, “Stop, stop!”
“No, you’re close. I won’t stop until you come, Tesse.”
The sense of control she’d been clinging to shattered under his enthusiastic attention. She whimpered and then screamed as the heat instantly became ice and her body shuddered in an orgasm.
“Yes… that’s what I want to feel,” Jerrod murmured as he slowed down his movements and felt the last of her climax against his hand. He nuzzled her neck afterwards.
Tesse smiled in satisfaction, playing leisurely with his chest hair. “Wow, I’ve never done anything like that before, Jerrod.”
He kissed her forehead. “I’m glad I could be your first, in this way at least.”
She was gripped by a sudden feeling of panic. She had to fight off the urge to run as she slowly disengaged from him and began pulling her pants up and buttoning her shirt.
Jerrod held out his hand to her. “Tesse, you don’t have to go yet.”
She tried to remain calm, but the sense of panic was growing stronger. “No. I do. I’m sorry, I have to go.”
“Is something wrong?”
Tesse couldn’t think straight. “I just need to leave… I’ll see you tomorrow.” She ran out of his apartment, forgetting her jacket in her rush. She braved the cold instead of returning to retrieve it.
Once she made it to her dorm, she dove into her bed and wrapped the covers around her. What had she just done? The feeling of betrayal suffocated her, but she didn’t understand it. Luke had left her; she’d done nothing wrong.
Tesse spent the night shivering in the darkness. Her soul cried out for Luke and mourned for his loss. She’d have to tell Jerrod she wasn’t ready yet. Maybe she never would be.
3 Days & Counting…
Tesse’s rehearsal was the one worst yet. Mr. Reagan insisted she leave, announcing to the cast that Jennifer was replacing her. She ran from the theater sobbing in humiliation. She stayed alone in her room until she heard a knock at the door.
“Tesse.” Hearing Jerrod’s voice was a double-edged sword. Part of her longed for the comfort he provided, but an
other part wanted to stay far away from him. “Come on, Tess. I heard what happened. Open up.”
She got off her bed and unlocked the door even though she was reluctant to. Jerrod walked in and enfolded her in his arms, crooning quietly, “It’s going to be okay, Babe.”
Tesse cried a flood of tears that refused to stop. Jerrod stood there, solid and comforting, the entire twenty minutes it took for her to regain control. By the time she pulled away, his shirt was a sopping wet mess.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.
“I don’t care.” He grabbed some Kleenex for her and smiled tenderly while she quickly wiped away the snot and tears from her face.
“I’m sorry I ran last night,” she finally uttered.
He shook his head. “I don’t understand, but I accept it.”
“I can’t explain why I ran. I enjoyed what we did, but then I felt so bad afterwards.”
“Luke’s gone, Tesse.”
“I know…”
“He left because he loves you. He knows what’s best for the both of you.”
Even though Jerrod’s words were meant as comfort, they stabbed her heart. “I’m never going to be okay,” she told him sadly.
Jerrod broke out in a charming grin. “I can wait this out. We’re good together. You just need a little more time, that’s all.”
She curled up on her bed. “I don’t mean to be so difficult.”
“I understand.” Jerrod joined her on the twin bed. He draped his arm over her and kissed the back of her neck. “You are the most open person I know. It’s one of the reasons I love you.”
They lay there in silence. It felt so peaceful and soothing that Tesse closed her eyes to rest. She ended up sleeping in Jerrod’s arms for over two hours. When she woke up she mumbled, “…what were you saying?”
Jerrod laughed. “Nothing. I’ve just been lying here with my girl.”
She turned towards him and kissed his firm lips. “Thanks for the chance to sleep. I haven’t felt this peaceful in days.”
“Anytime, Tess.”
She kissed him again. It started out innocent, but the longer they kissed the more passionate it became. Jerrod paused in indecision and then his tongue darted into her mouth, grazing against her teeth. Her body hummed in sexual excitement even though she wanted to resist it.
“I know you don’t care to hear this, Tesse, but I want to make love to you.” He nestled his head in her neck. “I want to touch you—to please you with my hands, my mouth, and my cock. To help you forget everything, if only for a while.”
Tesse moaned softly, her body hungering for his attention. “I want to, but I can’t.”
“Why not? What is stopping you from loving me, Tess?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then let me love you,” he growled into her ear.
She lay there in indecision, staring at the ceiling. Finally, she unbuttoned the top of her blouse and looked at him. Jerrod returned her gaze with unwavering love. She undid the second button and then leaned forward to kiss him again.
The kiss he gave was fiery and demanding. He fumbled at her buttons and she knew then there was no turning back. She gave into the desire he weaved, moaning Jerrod’s name.
He repeated several times, “I love you, Tess. I love you so much,” as he pulled away her blouse and quickly undid her bra. Before she knew it, her pants were undone and he was pulling them off as well. She lay on the bed looking up at him in only her panties.
“Do you know how beautiful you are? How many men would kill to have you?” Jerrod slid his body up against hers, kissing her neck and then moving down to her breasts. He licked and teased her nipples, eagerly moving from one to the other.
She shook her head on the pillow, wanting to say no but yearning for him to claim her. She cried out in desperation, “I need you.” Tesse buried her head in the pillow after the declaration.
Jerrod jumped off the bed and quickly undressed. He called her name, waiting for her to look at him. Tess peeked up from the pillow and inhaled. Jerrod’s body was as handsome as his face. It was muscular and well defined. His cock was long and thick, the head of it darker than the rest of his shaft.
“Tesse, I want you to touch me.”
Tess held out her hand and grasped his shaft. He threw his head back and groaned in pleasure. The power she had over him was heady. She stroked his manhood and felt it grow harder in her hand. Tears shone in his eyes when he lay down beside her.
“I have waited so long for you to love me, Tess.”
She kissed him on the lips before moving down to his groin. Tesse stared at his shaft for several seconds, remembering another time with someone else… She wondered what it would be like to love another man. The thought both excited and scared her. She licked the end of his cock and felt it swell. “Tesse,” he hissed passionately, “I need you to suck me.”
She wrapped her lips around the large head of his shaft. The taste of his precome was slightly bitter. Tesse closed her eyes, trying to forget everything and just focus on the man himself. She began stroking him with the added the suction of her mouth. His passionate groans made her quake inside.
Jerrod ran his hands over her skin in worship of her. She could feel his love in every caress. It moved her and she responded by loving him back with her mouth. She moved up and down his cock, wanting to bring him even more pleasure. He stopped her with his hands. “Baby, please stop.” He physically pulled her up so that she was lying on top of him, his hardness pressed against her stomach.
“I’m ready to make love to you, Tesse,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
A cold chill traveled down her spine.
He could sense the change in her. “What’s wrong?”
She swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”
Jerrod rolled on top of her. “Let me in, Baby,” he said, rubbing his cock against her thigh. He bent down to kiss Tesse, but she couldn’t return it. Something had changed and she started to withdraw from him. “I need this, Tesse,” he whispered gruffly. “We need this.” Jerrod kissed her again, trying to bring back the passion they had just shared.
Tesse’s body still desired him, but her heart had already disengaged. “I can’t.” He pushed away from her, the feeling of rejection filling the tiny room. “I’m sorry, Jerrod.” Tesse reached out to comfort him, but Jerrod turned away.
“Is this all I am ever going to get from you? A promise of love only to pull it back whenever I start to hope?”
Tesse closed her eyes. He wasn’t far from the truth. Every time she wanted to fall in love with him, something pulled her back. “I don’t mean to be cruel.”
He turned to face her and looked Tesse in the eye. “I believe you. The question is can my heart take it anymore?” Jerrod dressed in silence. He didn’t even look back when he opened the door to leave.
“Goodbye, Tesse.”
2 Days & Counting…
Tesse woke up to the early morning light wondering if she still had a boyfriend or a starring role in the musical. Jerrod’s goodbye had sounded so final when he left and Mr. Reagan hadn’t contacted her to tell her to return to practice. How could her life completely fall apart in a matter of days?
This is Luke’s fault.
His return had thrown her whole life into turmoil. Instead of feeling resentment, she longed for him. “I need you, Luke,” she whimpered into her pillow.
Susan tumbled out of bed when her alarm when off. She grunted at Tesse in disgust. “You tossed and turned all night. I couldn’t get any sleep because of it.”
Tesse struggled to sit up. “I’m sorry, but my life is a shambles. What do you expect?” She put her head in her hands. “I feel like crap.”
“What happened with Jerrod? I heard you guys were alone in our room for quite a while.”
“Yeah, things got pretty heated, but I screwed it up.”
Susan came over and put her arm around Tess. “What happened, girl?”
Tesse kept the tears at bay while she e
xplained, “I wanted Jerrod yesterday, but then… I just couldn’t. I still love Luke too much.”
Susan squeezed her tight. “You’re going to have to let the man go, Tess. Luke left because there’s no future between you. Think of it as a gift. He left so you could follow your dreams.”
Tess groaned in misery. A conversation with her mother suddenly sprang to mind. When she was eighteen, Tesse had told Julie that she would never give Luke up for a job. She had resented that her mother cared more about her own career than her marriage. But wasn’t Tesse doing the same thing?
Susan continued, “You love Jerrod, everyone sees it. And the man is crazy about you.”
“I know,” Tess agreed softly.
“You’re building it up into this huge thing it doesn’t have to be. Just march over to Jerrod’s apartment, rip off his pants and take the poor man. Once you do it, everything will be fine. Face it, Luke’s gone. He’s never coming back, Tess. I don’t see what’s so difficult here.”
Tesse realized that Luke hadn’t left a way for her to reach him. The cold reality that Luke didn’t want her chasing after him finally set in. It was over. The short-lived love affair in high school was all it was ever going to be.
Both girls jumped when someone started pounding on the door. “Tesse! Tesse Hayes, are you in there?”
Tess grabbed her robe, tying it around her waist before opening the door. Larry, one of the stagehands, was standing in the hallway dripping sweat while he tried to regain his breath. “Mr. Reagan”—pant, gasp—“needs you”—cough, gasp—“now!”
Tesse frowned. “I thought Jenny took my place.”
The boy took in a deep breath and spewed out, “Jennifer has strep. She’s no good for tomorrow’s performance.” A spurt of his heavy coughing followed.
Maybe Tesse was going to get her second chance after all! She knew she could pull it off, even if Mr. Reagan didn’t believe in her. “I’ll be right there. Let me shower and get dressed.”
“No time!” Larry insisted. “Mr. Reagan said it’s now or never.”
Tesse rolled her eyes in irritation. “Okay, fine. Let me get dressed at least.” She shut the door and grabbed her sweats. She was out the door in five minutes with Larry struggling to keep up with her.