“He’s a fucking prick! I don’t know how you can stand to spend more than ten minutes around him.”
Shay bit her lip and gave me a not-so-innocent look.
I groaned. “Ugh, gross. I don’t want to know.”
Shay laughed. “To be fair, that’s how this whole argument started. He made that comment about sex drive and genetics or whatever. And I said something about you, and then it spiraled into this mess. Honestly, I kinda feel a little bit responsible.”
“You’re not responsible for my brother being a misogynistic asshole.” I sat back against the leather seat with a grunt. “You are, however, completely responsible for marrying and sleeping with said misogynistic asshole.”
“I know, but he’s so pretty.” Shay batted her eyelashes dramatically.
I laughed even though I was still smarting over his insults.
“And I know he’ll apologize once he gets over himself. I bet the guys are tearing him a new one right now. Noah told me how amazing you’ve been on the road. And I heard Xander talking about getting you to manage his pages because you’ve done such an awesome job with the band’s. I’ve been following the band’s social media pages. I loved that video you posted in Vegas with the guys stripping backstage. I think like twenty people sent it to me. You went viral.”
It’d felt especially satisfying when the media had picked up that post and sent it into the stratosphere. “It wasn’t me; it’s the guys.”
“You’re the one who videoed the moment. You’re the one who decided that the post fit the guys’ online presence. You’re the one who edited it because I know how much work goes into all that magic you do. You’re the one liking and interacting with the fans’ replies and shares. You’re doing the work, El. Don’t let Chase undermine your accomplishments. They’ve never gone viral like that, and definitely not for something so charming and positive.”
I gave Shay a look. “Last I knew, you were a country fan. Since when are you so up to date in all things Tin Gods?”
“It’s really hard being apart from my husband, okay? I might’ve done some ill-advised googling one night.”
“Oh honey. On behalf of my brother, I apologize for whatever you saw. And in his defense, you guys weren’t married back then.”
Shay smiled. “See? You’re so the better person. And if Chase doesn’t say that by the time he gets to the hotel, I’ll kick him in the patootie myself.”
I grinned back at my friend. How she could sound like such a badass while using words like patootie, I’d never understand. But I loved her all the same. “Okay, now I’m feeling like a bad friend. We haven’t even talked about the whole ‘Where’s Shay Robinson’ b.s. How are you holding up? Did it affect your job at the restaurant? Are you okay?”
Shay talked the rest of the way back about the crazy media and her time in a professional kitchen with a Ramsay Pearce wannabe. I tried to stay present and listen to my friend, but I was still smarting over my brother’s bullshit words.
When we reached the hotel, Shay rode with me up their elevator to our floor and paused outside her room. “Are you sure you don’t want to hang out? I haven’t even told you about the pomme frites debacle.”
“Mañana? Honestly, I just wanna shower and crash. Tell my brother he can apologize in the morning. Preferably with chocolate.”
“Okay, I will. And he for sure will too.”
“Thanks, Shay. I’m glad you’ll be around for the next few stops.”
“Probably more if Chase gets his way.” She rolled her eyes.
“Maybe it’ll finally kill this whole media frenzy about the two of you breaking up.”
Shay shrugged. “They’ll probably just make up something worse. They don’t seem to care much for the truth. See you tomorrow, Ella.”
“’Night.” I stepped inside my room and let the door sweep shut behind me.
I moved around my room, grabbing my pjs and some toiletries out of my bag before heading for the ginormous bathroom. Usually I liked to shower in the morning, but I was so sweaty and gross from the press of the crowd—and maybe from that confrontation with my brother too—that I wanted to wash this whole day away.
The whole time I showered, my mind kept turning over that scene with my brother. Scenarios of what I should’ve said. Ways I should’ve wiped that smug, arrogant look off his face. Why couldn’t I think of any of that in the moment? Argh.
Honestly, it hurt that he couldn’t see the value in what I was doing. Maybe this whole job had been fake like I’d been afraid of. Don’t get me wrong, I know my brother loved me. I was just seriously doubting whether or not he believed I had any talent or worth, really.
Unwrapping the towel from my hair, I heard a distant ping from my cell phone. I groaned. If Chase thought he’d get away with a text apology, he seriously underestimated my anger and disappointment in him. Still, I was curious, so I picked up my phone.
Jesse: Don’t shut me out. Please.
That was the most recent text from him. Judging by the icon, I had a lot more from him that I couldn’t see in the preview. My heart thudded unevenly. Biting my lip, I opened the app.
Jesse: Are you okay? Call me
Jesse: Chase is a moron. He will be apologizing later.
Jesse: All the guys stood up for you. Seriously thought Noah was gonna throw down
Jesse: Even Xan demanded an apology
Jesse: I wanted to tear him a new asshole.
Jesse: Pretty sure Shay will still love him if he has two assholes
I had to pause and laugh at that.
Jesse: What’s going on? You better not be crying. I’m seriously gonna fuck him up if he made you cry
Jesse: Don’t shut me out. Please.
I just melted. Not that I had wondered where his loyalties lay, but the fact that he—and the rest of the guys—had come to my defense…that was everything.
Me: Just got out of the shower. You can come over if the coast is clear
Not even a minute later, there was a knock at my door.
I raced over with my heart in my throat and giddiness coursing through me. I didn’t even bother with the peephole. Ripping open the door, I grabbed Jesse and pulled him into the room.
He had all of one second to open his mouth, but I didn’t wait to hear what he wanted to say. I went up on my tiptoes and kissed him with everything I had.
I loved that he was so concerned about me. Loved that he’d fought for me. Loved that he was so fricking hot.
I swayed into his chest and wrapped my arms around him. And I didn’t stop kissing him. Tangling my fingers in his hair, I tugged his head so I could get a better angle. Need coursed through me. My tongue rubbed against his as we kissed. I needed him to know just how much I wanted him—how happy that I had him in my corner. And now in my bedroom.
After the longest kiss ever, Jesse pulled back and took a gulp of air. “Guess I don’t have to ask how you’re feeling.”
Shaking my head, I curled a finger in his empty belt loop and tugged him toward the huge bed behind me. “You were amazing up there tonight. And backstage too. I appreciate you and the guys standing up for me with my brother.”
“Is that what this is? Appreciation?”
My lips curled at the hungry gleam in Jesse’s eyes. “You can consider this my application for Jesse Mala’s fan club president.”
“Oh really? Kinda makes me wish I’d actually kicked Chase’s ass tonight. I can run down the hall and take care of business though. Be there and back in ten minutes, tops. Then you can kiss all my boo-boos.”
“Pretty sure Shay has that covered for me, but thanks. And I already have plans to kiss you all over anyways. I was hoping we could just forget that part of the night and get back to the place we were at before this whole day started.”
Jesse frowned. “When I was hungover and owed you an apology?”
“No.” I laughed. “I meant before our working day started. When we were here in my room. On the chaise over there. Kissing. Having fun…”
“Oh hell yeah. Let’s get started.”
“Cute. We started the second you walked in here. Or I did anyhow.” I pushed him down on the bed and climbed on top of him. “All you gotta do is look at me, and it does things to me. Just thinking about you ripping your shirt off onstage tonight…” I groaned as I raked my fingers over his sadly still clothed chest.
“Fuck, you know I did that just for you, sweet girl? Even through the blinding lights onstage and that screaming crowd, I knew exactly where you were tonight.” He reached up for my face, but the distance was too far, so his hands skimmed down my sides until they rested on my hips. His eyes burned into mine as he curled his hands down to cup my ass. “Have I told you how much I love your ass? Watching you walk down the hall is fucking torture. Especially when you wear these little skirts that bounce.”
“Mmmm.” I really loved the thought that I was the one torturing him. Leaning down, I kissed him. My lips moved over his as his fingers moved up my back and plucked at my clasp under my top. In two seconds, my bra snap was undone and my bra sagged under my shirt. I would’ve pulled back to yank my bra free, but at that exact moment, Jesse did this thing where he suckled my tongue, and it was so freaking amazing.
I had to have more.
Need had me pressing my barely covered pussy against the hard ridge under me. My hips moved under their own volition, arching, flexing, moving my sex over his in a delicious rub of friction. All the while, Jesse did that amazing thing with my tongue and skimmed his fingers over my mostly free breasts until he could pluck at my aching nipples.
I had to break away to breathe. Sitting up, I tugged my top up and over my body, tossing it and my bra somewhere on the carpet.
The spark in Jesse’s eyes made my thighs clench.
“Christ, sweetheart. You are so fucking perfect.” His hand palmed my left breast.
I wanted to bury my face in his neck. I’d always been self-conscious about my small breasts—even contemplated a boob job at one point—that to sit here and let Jesse look his fill took every ounce of my poise. No way would I ever measure up to the women I’d long watched hanging off him. Despite what we’d done together earlier, my insecurities ran deep, and it made it so hard to believe they were enough.
That I was enough.
“They’re small,” I whispered as I watched his hands move over my breasts, cupping them, thumbing my hard, distended nipples.
“They’re perfect,” Jesse disagreed. “Just enough to fit in my palm and let me play with your pointy nipples. I fucking love them. I can’t wait to taste them again. I love every fucking inch of your body, but I think I love these babies most of all.”
I had to laugh at that even as he was deliciously torturing me as he played with my nipples. “I thought you said that about my ass.”
“Oh yeah. I love your ass. So fucking hot. But these. I haven’t had nearly enough time to inspect them. Play with them. Get to know them. Maybe name them.”
My breath hitched as he pinched one of my nipples harder than before. My legs clenched around his hips and I ground my sex into his. “We’re not naming my breasts.”
“Hmmm, agree to disagree. I think I’m calling this one mine.” He lurched up into an inclined sit-up and ducked his head down to lick my left nipple while his fingers plucked at my other. “And I’ll call this one Jesse’s.” He ducked to the other side and flicked his tongue over my right.
I groaned and dropped my head back. “Pretty sure that’s the same thing. Not really all that creative. I’d expect more from someone who literally writes songs for a living.”
Jesse hummed against my breast, and it vibrated straight into my soul. “Sorry, sweet girl. I don’t write much. Just basslines and the occasional refrain when the other guys get stuck.”
I grumbled my disagreement. Jesse was selling himself short. Like always. But now wasn’t the time for talking.
Besides, I couldn’t get my brain to work.
“Maybe we should name your pussy too.” His fingers trailed down my torso to rub at the center of me through my panties. “A pretty pussy like yours definitely deserves a name.”
His fingers were torturing me. All smooth gliding but not really touching me since my underwear still separated us. As much as I enjoyed him ripping them off my body earlier today, I couldn’t afford to lose many more.
Rising up on my knees, I pulled my panties down my legs then awkwardly crouched over him to pull them completely off.
Jesse laughed at my impromptu peepshow. My face flushed with the combination of exertion and embarrassment. Of course I couldn’t be smooth in front of him.
“That just gave me so many ideas. Totally have to have you sit on my face later. Fuck, I love looking at that pussy.”
And now my face was flushing for a whole other reason.
“I just don’t think I can wait that long this time. I want to be inside you so fucking bad.” His hand came up and brushed against my sex, parting my lips and nudging at my aching clit. “So fucking wet. And mine. All mine.”
I whimpered above him. I couldn’t help but grind down on his hand. Foreplay was awesome, but I didn’t want to wait any longer to feel him deep inside me. Mine. Finally.
My hands tugged at his jeans, unzipping them then diving inside and pulling him free of his boxer briefs. It was no small feat, but I didn’t want to wait for him to strip down. I wanted him now.
“Damn, you’re ravenous. I fucking love it.” Jesse helped me, and then it was his turn to shuffle awkwardly as he rocked his hips and fumbled in his pocket. But it all became clear when he triumphantly held a strip of condoms aloft.
I blinked. “How many is that?”
“Just three. I didn’t have time to grab more.”
“Wow, you have high hopes for us tonight.”
“It’s a sad fucking state of affairs if you think three equals high hopes. If we had more time, I could probably go through ten or twelve.”
“Holy chaffing, Batman.”
Jesse tipped his head as his eyes gleamed wickedly. “Not if you do it right.”
“Fuck the chatter. Let’s get this puppy on.” I pulled the condoms from his hand and ripped one open. With all the fumbling of getting him free of his jeans, I hadn’t really fully grasped him. And now, staring down at his dick, I was intimidated. I’d forgotten how well-endowed Jesse was. Not so much in length; there he was average-ish. But the girth more than made up for any disappointment there.
Not that I had any.
And he didn’t need any fluffing to get him ready. He’d been rock hard the entire time I’d been on top of him. Probably since I pulled him inside the room and laid one on him.
Holding him in my hand, I felt some anxiety lacing through my arousal. Jesse wasn’t small. In fact, I’d never been with anyone nearly as…girthy. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do this.
So I sat there—frozen—with a Magnum condom in one hand and his dick in the other.
“Ah, Ella? Sweetheart? You okay?”
“I don’t know if I can do this,” I whispered.
Jesse knifed up into a sitting position and wrapped his arms around me. “Hey, hey. We don’t have to. In fact, we’re not going to until you’re ready and freaking begging me to be inside you. We go at your pace, sweetheart. ‘Cuz I’m totally fine with anything that keeps you in my arms.”
I melted. How was big, bad Jesse Mala so amazing? And single? I was suddenly thankful for all the bitches who’d let him slip through their fingers.
“It’s not that I don’t want to. I’m just not sure how it’d…”
“Wait, are you trying to tell me that you’re a…” He paused, and when I didn’t fill in the blank, he whispered, “virgin?”
I cracked up. Sitting on top of him, holding his dick in one hand and a condom in the other, I laughed until tears streamed down my face. “Oh my god. If you could see your face!”
“What? It’s a legit question. You’re the one being all awkward and unsure. What was I supposed to think?”
“You’re supposed to know that you have a freaking cyclops in your pants. Any woman would be awkward and unsure looking at this monster.”
For the first time I could remember, Jesse’s face flushed bright red. “I’ve never had any complaints before.”
My nose wrinkled. “Okay, rule three or wherever we are of this thing—” I gestured between us with the condom. “Don’t mention any other women when we’re about to screw. And definitely not when I’m literally holding your dick.”
“Shit, you’re right. Sorry.” He bent toward me and pressed a quick peck on my lips. “Not to be an ass or anything, but are we doing this or…”
“I don’t know!” I wailed. “I want to; I just have my doubts about that fitting. It’s huge.”
“Come here, sweet girl.” Jesse fell back against the pillows on his back and pulled my hips toward the headboard. “Let’s make sure you’re fucking dripping before I attack you with my cyclops.”
I’d never been giggling while I sat on someone’s face, but here we were.
My giggles quickly fell away to moans as Jesse’s deft tongue darted between my lips. He skimmed up the center of me then nuzzled deeper into my pussy until he could attack my clit. I almost screamed as he did the same suckling he’d used on my tongue.
Only now he was doing it to my clit.
Holy shit.
I swayed unsteadily, and had to grab the headboard before I fell over. I didn’t want to fall off of Jesse’s face. This was legitimately the best ride of my life.
Then his fingers joined the party, and I swayed again. First one then two thrust inside me in a counterpoint to that thing he was doing to my clit. I felt full. His fingers pressed deep inside me, filling me, then as he slowly pulled them out, he scissored them. My sex clenched around him. Christ, it felt good. Everything he did felt amazing. So fucking good that I wanted more.
“Can you feel how you’re dripping now, sweetheart? All your cum is coating my fingers. So fucking hot. Like nothing I’ve felt before. So tight. So wet. I bet it won’t take much to send you over the edge.”
I arched into his hand. And his face. I could feel his words against my very wet pussy when he spoke, his breath fanning over my sensitive skin. I shivered.
“Mmm, yeah. So close. I can feel you clenching on my fingers. Do you think you can take another one? Just one more finger…” He pressed a third finger inside me, and I groaned. “Aww, is that too much for you? What about if I do this?”
Then he suckled my clit into his mouth again, and I lost it.
I came harder—faster—than I’d ever orgasmed before in my entire life. I saw stars, and I was pretty sure I screamed.
Jesse didn’t let up. He continued to lick and suckle my pussy until I finally had to roll off of him in self-preservation. I landed on my side as aftershock after aftershock rolled through my body. I heard some distant rustling behind me. But all I was concerned with was surviving the next two minutes.
Finally, I rolled onto my back in the center of the bed and sprawled bonelessly.
I sighed. “That was amazing.”
Jesse chuckled somewhere on the other side of the bed. My eyes were closed, so I was just guessing.
“No seriously. Screw being a rock star. You should give classes on that. You’d be a freaking millionaire in no time.”
“I’m already a millionaire, sweetheart.”
“Oh. Right.” Tension slowly leaked into my body as reality returned. Of course Jesse already was a millionaire. And he had a legion of fangirls who had no idea he could do that with his mouth and tongue. And fingers.
And oh my god, he was coming at me with that thing again.
“Christ, you should see your face.” Jesse laughed and his Magnum clad cyclops bobbed along in rhythm. “He won’t bite I swear.”
“Wait, does that mean you’ve named your dick too?”
“Pretty sure you did that earlier. What did you call him? A monster?”
“Cyclops,” I whispered as I watched him climb onto the bed and crawl up to me, finally resting on his side next to me.
“Cyclops. Gotta admit, I kinda like it. Not that I’m ever telling anyone.” He laughed lightly then cupped my jaw in his hand. “How you feeling, sweet girl? Ready for round two?”
I held my breath as I blinked up at him. Finally, I whispered, “Yes.”
His eyes sparkled with his restrained mirth. “You don’t sound so enthusiastic. Let’s see if we can get you all riled up again.”
Then he bent toward me and kissed me. His lips moved over mine as his tongue darted inside, and I could taste myself on his lips. It was heady, all earthy and primal.
And so fucking hot.
Soon I lost myself in his kiss. And what he made me feel. Without even knowing it, I’d rolled onto my back, and my hands clutched at his shoulders, urging him to come with me.
“Ah naw. We’re not doing it that way, Ella.” Jesse braced himself over me, holding his weight on his arms and legs. Then he rolled, grabbed me on the way over, and flipped our positions.
Now I was on top of him. Again.
Jesse tipped his head. “This way you’re the one in control. You choose how much and how fast we go. This is your show. I’m just your adoring audience.”
I rolled my eyes even as my lips curled.
Then I got down to business. Notching him between my legs, I closed my eyes and tried to press down.
His huge dick immediately had me thinking twice. His girth had my tender flesh straining to contain him, and I whimpered.
“Hey, hey. Look at me, sweet girl.”
I blinked my eyes open and looked down at Jesse. He grinned up at me with a light in his eyes that made my thighs grip him tighter.
“I love that look in your eyes, Ella. All soft and needy and fucking mine. I still can’t believe I’m here. I don’t know what I fucking did to convince you that I’m a good bet, but I’m gonna do everything I can to keep that light right there in your eyes.”
“Jesse.” My heart melted, and I leaned down to kiss him. Dang it. How could he punch me straight in the heart in a moment like this? I kissed him as tears burned at my eyes. I kissed him as his hands wandered, and he went from plucking my aching nipple to stroking my needy clit. I clenched my thighs around his hips, and then I realized.
Somewhere in all that kissing, Jesse had worked his cyclops inside me. Or I’d worked my way down him. Either way, he was nestled deep inside me, and I didn’t think I’d ever walk the same way again.
“Holy Christ,” I gasped, breaking our kiss.
“Shit, sweet girl. I think you’re trying to strangle my cyclops.” Jesse groaned as I gripped him convulsively. “Fuck me. You’re so fucking tight.”
I couldn’t answer him. I needed that sliding friction. I had to ride him. I had to come.
Bracing myself on his shoulders, I rose and fell on top of him, grinding my clit into his pelvis every time I came down. Jesse babbled something incoherently, but I couldn’t listen. My blood was thrumming so loud in my ears.
I was almost there. I rode him until I was panting. I rode him as he clutched my hips and shouted. His big, calloused fingers griped my hips as he made me grind my pussy against him.
Then his fingers danced over my clit, and I saw stars.
I screamed a strangled cry as wave after wave of pleasure slammed through my body. It was too much and everything all at the same time.
I fell weakly onto his body, and I might’ve passed out.
Because the next thing I knew Jesse was wiggling back into the bed and pulling my body into his arms.
“Sshhh. You’re good, Ella. I got you.”
I nestled into his chest and passed out again.
Later that night, he woke me with his rough hands stroking my body. I was dripping when he finally turned me over, encouraging me to get on all fours so he could take me from behind. His hands gripped my ass while he thrust into me. Branding me as his.
Then, after we’d both had our fill of each other, he’d gently cleaned me with a warm cloth he’d prepared. As he gathered me into his arms and we fell asleep again, I knew he’d also branded my heart.