Falling Down

Chapter Ten
Lucy
"Oh my God, Jesse, this is amazing," I say around a mouthful of beef and broccoli stir fry. The rice was the only thing he had left to make--well, and he had to reheat the stir fry. "Where did you learn how to cook?"
He takes a drink of his beer. "My mom. She was an equal opportunity mom meaning it didn't matter if you were male or female, everyone did the same chores."
I nod. "That's how it was in my house too. There was no difference between me, Sera, or Joey. We had a chart and we followed it. I'd mow the lawn or wash the car and Joey'd do dishes or laundry, same with Sera and every day it changed."
"More wine?" he asks holding up the bottle.
"Sure, thanks."
He nods. "How did Sera come to live with you?"
I frown. It's definitely not a happy story and I hate telling it, but I tell Jesse--not all the details, just the main points. He doesn't need to know that our families are freaking gangsters.
"Damn, that's rough."
I nod. "It was so hard on her. She's not the same as she was before… well, before."
"I can understand that."
"We don't really talk about it so…"
"No worries. I won't bring it up. At first I thought she was your sister but then you mentioned being cousins yet I knew she grew up with you and calls your mom her mom."
"My parents are her parents, my brother is her brother, and she's my sister. That's how her parents would have wanted it and so that's how it is."
"As simple as that?"
"As simple as that."
We hear a car rumble up and car doors close. I adjust my t-shirt to cover as much as me as I can.
"That shirt covers way more than enough. You wore less in the video."
"True, but I'm bra- and panty-less," I whisper as if it's a sin.
He shrugs. "They're not going to make a big deal out of it."
"Hmm."
Ben and Xander come strolling out onto the terrace where we're finishing our meal by candle light. Jesse lit a bunch of candles while I was using the restroom and surprised me when we came out here to eat.
"What's going on?" Ben asks.
"We're eating, what does it look like?"
"Looks like Lucy's half naked," Xander says with a snicker.
I blush what I know has to be a deep scarlet if the heat that's burning my face is any indication.
"Dude. Don't f*ck with her about it."
Ben punches Xander in the arm. "Don't be a dick. You know better."
"Jeez, it was just a joke."
"Well, keep that shit to yourself. Lucy's different," Ben says grabbing three beers from behind the outdoor bar.
"I know she is. What the f*ck?"
"Oh my God, you guys. Just let it go. It's fine," I reassure them.
Jesse scowls. "It's not, but we'll discuss it later."
Ben hands a beer to Xander and another to Jesse.
I fork my last bite of stir fry to my mouth and pretend nothing's out of the ordinary. I have no idea what just happened here or why these guys are acting so retarded to each other so I'm going to ignore it.
"Seriously, Jesse. This was so good."
He smirks, another innuendo on the tip of his tongue.
"Don't even go there."
He chuckles and Ben says, "Dude." And they fist bump. How did he get that out of what was said? Xander reaches over and fist bumps him as well.
I roll my eyes and take a sip of my wine.
"There's pie for dessert if you're interested."
I press a hand to my stomach and groan. "I'll let this settle a bit first."
He nods. Ben and Xander dig in to the stir fry without a word and I wonder what life is like here at Casa Falling Down.
I tuck one leg beneath me and rest my elbows on the table.
"So, tell me. What's a typical day like here at Casa Falling Down?"
Ben chuckles and Jesse and Xander smirk. "Casa Falling Down?"
I shrug at Ben. "Well, I can't call it Casa Jesse or Casa Kingston because that doesn't include everyone. Casa Falling Down seems appropriate."
I take a drink of my wine enjoying the cooling night air, the slight breeze, and the company.
Ben nods at that. "A typical day. Well, it depends really on what we've got going on. Some days there are interviews either TV or radio. Other days there's studio time. There are days we just stay in and go into our studio in the back and write songs and make music."
"You have your own studio?"
They all nod like it's no big deal.
"It's the first thing I had done when I got the house," Jesse says
"Sorry Jesse, but I've got to say it. Lucy you look so f*cking beautiful sitting there right now, all mussed and in the candle light," Xander says.
"Wow," I whisper. "Um, thanks."
"You're just so relaxed. You look now like you look on film. Relaxed, care-free. Happy."
"Huh." What do I say to that?
Jesse crooks a finger at me. I lift a brow but go over to him. He pulls me onto his lap and I wiggle to get comfy. He toys with the back of my hair.
"Do I normally look uptight?"
"Far from it. It's just different seeing you away from work and family and all your responsibilities," Xander tells me.
"Sometimes what's routine can weigh harder on us than we think," Ben adds.
"I don't mind taking care of Sera and Jace. And now that we're going to be making music, I won't have to worry about acting."
Ben nods. "You take care of more than Sera and Jace. I admire it. It's just nice to see you in this light."
I'm not sure what he's getting at. "Well thanks. It's nice to be in this light."
Jesse gives me a squeeze.
I smile. He runs his fingers up and down my thigh innocently. I rub the back of his neck with the hand I have resting there.
"You're staying a couple days then?" Xander asks.
I shrug. "Just playing it by ear."
Jesse frowns. "No."
"No?"
"No. You're staying the weekend."
"What? Jesse it's only Thursday. You want me here that long? Don't commit to something you'll regret later. Let's just take it as it comes."
Jesse ignores everything I just said, as does Ben apparently when he looks up and says, "The weekend?" His surprise evident.
Jesse just looks at him, Xander looks at Jesse. No words exchanged, no expressions altered, just a silent stare. Ben and Xander both nod at the same time as if they're communicating telepathically, which they could be. I mean, they've been around one another for so long, they probably can already read each other's minds.
"I don't know what was just mentally exchanged there, but it's kinda creepy how you do that."
"I'll never tell," Xander says.
"Traitor," I tease.
"Where's Ethan?" Ben asks.
"Last I saw him he was at the beach house with Jace."
Ben nods. "Cool."
"Yeah, it's like they're long lost friends or something."
"Ethan's like that," Jesse says. "He gets along with everyone and no one is a stranger."
I nod. "He seems nice. He didn't talk very much while we were working."
"He's all business when it's work time. When you see him off the clock you'll see the real Ethan."
"Kennedy's the same," Ben says and Jesse agrees.
"Kennedy is so quiet."
"Yeah, he doesn't say too much. His mind works a mile a minute so he's constantly thinking," Xander explains.
"Ah. Okay. I wasn't sure if I should take it personally or not."
"No way. All the guys had a great time working with you and Sera."
The other two murmur their agreement.
"Good. I had such a fun time, even if the boots killed my feet the first day and the leather caused massive amounts of boob sweat the second day."
They all chuckle.
"Whatever," Xander says. "You both looked f*ckin' smokin' hot. That video is going to kick ass."
"I hope so. It's not the first video we've done but it really is one of the most important since it's going to kick off your new album."
"True that," Ben says, sliding his chair back and picking up all the plates.
"I can do that, Ben," I say. "Jesse cooked so I can do the dishes."
Ben raises a brow. "You're a guest, so thank you but I've got it." He winks and heads into the house, Xander grabs the rest of the dishes, waves and follows.
The minute they leave Jesse kisses me. Just a brush of his lips at first, a caress of his hand up and down my back, then his tongue traces the seam of my lips and dips inside. I moan softly and wrap my arms around his neck, turning my body so my torso's flush with his. The hand resting on my thigh slowly works its way up to my breast. He squeezes gently then rubs his thumb across my nipple through my shirt.
"Jesse," I whisper against his lips.
"You're so beautiful," he murmurs as he kisses his way along my neck. "I can't stop looking at you or touching you. I have to have you again." Without warning he lifts me and twists me so I'm straddling his lap. I tug at my shirt.
"Don't worry. They won't be back out here. They're over on the other side of the house."
"Are you sure?" I ask breathlessly as he begins to lift my shirt.
"Positive. Lift," he orders and I lift my arms. He pulls the shirt over my head then does the same of his. Both of his hands cup my breasts and he watches as he squeezes and caresses them.
"You've got the perfect body, you know?"
Nope, I don't know. It's just alright. I'd never think of it as perfect but if he wants to think that, far be it from me to argue. I mean, if Jesse Kingston thinks my body is perfect, my fantasy man come to life, then I'll let him.
His head dips down and he licks a nipple before sucking it gently into his mouth.
"God, Jesse," I sigh. That lip ring against my nipple, digging in… holy hell. It feels so good. His mouth is hot and wet and tugging just right on my nipple so I can feel it between my legs.
"Mmm, your noises. Your moans and sighs are so f*cking sexy they get me instantly hard."
He grabs my hair in one hand and pulls my head back. He kisses his way up my chest to my neck and to that spot that drives me crazy just behind and below my ear. I shiver and I feel the grin against my skin.
"I can't get enough of you." Join the club.
I slide a hand between us, under the waistband of his boxers and wrap my hand around his erection. He groans and I begin to slowly stroke his length. Still suckling on my nipple, he drops a hand between us as well and thrusts two fingers into me.
"F*ck, you're so wet for me. Your p-ssy is so hot and tight. F*cking perfect."
That dirty talk. Hot. As. Hell. I moan as he thrusts his fingers in and out of me as I stroke him with the same rhythm. I slide my thumb over the head of his cock, wiping the precum collecting there and bring it to my mouth.
"Mmm."
"Holy f*ck."
"I want to taste more of you, Jesse," I whisper into his ear.
He grunts. "You drive me f*cking crazy. Later you can, now I need to f*ck you."
He lifts me up and carries me over to the bar, fumbles a round in a drawer, then looks triumphant as he produces a condom. I lift a brow.
"Not my stash but it'll work." He tugs his boxers down and I cling to him like a monkey while he bends over. He sits back down in the chair.
I grab the condom from him and tear it open with my teeth. I've never done this but I've watched it so I'm going to try. I do as he did before, pinch the tip then roll it down slowly. He moans as I take my time.
"This is going to be hard and fast."
I nod. I'm all for hard and fast. He lifts me and positions his erection at my opening.
"All you," he says, letting me take him inside me as fast or slow as I need to. I'm afraid to go too fast. I mean, the man is huge. Not just length, but girth. His dick is really intimidating.
I sink down, taking him inside. I'm so wet he slides in easily. When he's almost fully inside me I push down hard.
"F*ck, Lucy."
"Yes, that's the plan. You f*ck Lucy."
He chuckles and starts to lift and lower me with his hands on my hips. It isn't long before we're f*cking hard and fast, his cock touching my cervix over and over causing moan after moan to escape my lips.
His hips come up as mine slam down and I cry out. He stops. "Did I hurt you?"
"No. Jesus, Jesse. Don't stop."
He laughs, outright laughs, and starts thrusting again.
"You're so god damn tight, Lucy. Your p-ssy drives me crazy."
I moan again. His dirty talk turning me on even more than I already am. We're moving faster now, frantically reaching for our release. My * starts to throb and my walls clench.
He groans. "Yes, God, Lucy. I can feel you. So good. Squeeze my cock, baby. Come all over me."
The only sounds out on the patio that I can hear are our heavy breathing, our moans, and our bodies slapping against one another. He pulls my bottom forward causing my * to slide against his pelvis with each hard and fast thrust.
"Come for me, Lucy. I want you to come with me."
"Almost…" I moan and less than a minute later I my walls squeeze his cock and my orgasm slams into me full force. His hips don't slow and I don't stop meeting his thrusts as he groans out his release. "Jesse," I whisper, as a new wave of pleasure overwhelms me. I keep coming and coming. It's never-ending pleasure and I think if I died right now I'd die extremely happy and beyond satisfied. A long moan tumbles from between my lips.
When the spasms subside, I rest my head on Jesse's shoulder and he rests his on mine.
"Holy shit," I whisper.
"Yeah."
He's going to ruin me for all other men. What do I mean going to? He already has I'm sure. Damn it. I shouldn't have done this, but it's too late now. If I hadn't I'd have regretted it for the rest of my life.
"I'm going to be sore."
"How long's it been?"
I shake my head. It's too embarrassing.
"No hiding, remember?"
I sigh. "Fourteen-plus months."
He pulls back and looks at me incredulously, eyebrows raised.
"What? Is that so hard to believe?"
"Well, kinda. Yeah."
I laugh. "Why?"
"You're gorgeous. You're a f*cking movie star. You can have anyone you want whenever you want, I'm sure of that. There wasn't anyone you worked with that you wanted to just f*ck when you were horny one night?"
I look at Jesse wryly. "My last movie was with Aiden Jensen."
He just looks at me blankly.
"Cocaine addicted Aiden Jensen. A*shole Aiden Jensen. Unprofessional as all f*ck Aiden Jensen."
"Wow. How do you really feel, Luce?" he asks with a laugh.
"That movie took too much time, entirely too much time, and before that… it doesn't matter." I shrug. "I'm picky and I can't really just pick up a guy in a bar. I can just see someone taking pictures of me naked or making a video with their phone. If I thought the video of us grinding on the dance floor was too much, can you imagine what I'd have to put up with, with a sex video?"
"Hmm." He scoops me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. He slowly slips out of me then tosses the condom into the trash. He sits back in the chair, keeping me straddling his lap, reaches for a napkin and dips it into his water glass. He moves to wipe between my legs and I gasp at both the cold and the soreness between my thighs.
"Sore?"
I nod.
"Let's go take a bath."
"That sounds perfect."
He leans down and picks up both of our shirts, slips mine over my head and his over his head. I push my arms through the sleeves just in time for him to stand and I cling to him like a monkey again. He chuckles as he bends down, drawing a squeal out of me as I hold on tighter so I don't fall, and pulls up his boxer briefs.
He carries me up to his bedroom, punches in the code, and carries me to his bathroom where he's got a ginormous Jacuzzi. He sets me on the counter next to the sink and leans down to turn the water on. When we look for a new house, I want a tub just like this.
"That's going to take all day to fill."
"Nah, it doesn't take that long."
"What time is it anyway?"
He raises a brow. "Why? You got somewhere to be?"
"Shut up, no. I'm just curious how long you've put up with me and haven't gotten sick of me yet."
He steps close and kisses the tip of my nose. "Cupcake, I'm not even close to being sick of you."
"Hmm. Give me time. I'll drive you crazy."
"You already do," he says and wiggles his eyebrows.
"Ha. You drive me just as crazy."
He winks and walks into his bedroom.
"It's 1:15 a.m. and I've already given you five orgasms, counting the multiple you just had out on the patio as one."
I laugh. "You're counting?"
He nods. "F*ckin' A. I've got to keep you happy and pleasured."
"You do, huh?"
"Yep. It's my goal."
"Well, you're doing a great job so far. Such a good job, in fact, that I'm going to have issues walking today."
He grins, all proud of himself, and I roll my eyes. Men.
"Let's get you in the hot water. It should help a bit."
"Okay." I reach down to pull my shirt up and Jesse moves my hands aside.
"That's my job, woman."
"Get to it then."
He takes my shirt off, then strips off his shirt and boxers. He scoops me up and steps into the tub. He sits back with me between his legs. I lean back against his chest.
I moan softly.
"Feel good?"
"Mmm. Yes." I close my eyes and relax against him. "Sing for me."
"You want me to sing?"
"Mhmm."
"What would you like me to sing?"
"Anything. I'm not picky. I just love listening to your voice."
He presses a kiss to the top of my head and starts singing one of their older songs called Forever Blue.
Why did you walk away, where did you go
I've been looking for you, but you never show
Your heart is empty, you left me behind
Your soul is broken, do I ever cross your mind

You left me alone, something I never thought you'd do
You walked out the door and left me forever blue
You turned away, why, I haven't a clue
You broke my heart and left me forever blue

His voice is so strong and deep and his growl is incredibly sexy. He continues to sing the song and I wonder which one of the guys wrote this song and got their heart broken.
"Sing with me, Luce. I know you know the words."
I nod and we sing the chorus.

You left me alone, something I never thought you'd do
You walked out the door and left me forever blue
You turned away, why, I haven't a clue
You broke my heart and left me forever blue

If I ever see you again, I hope you're whole
If you ever find love again, I hope he touches your soul
If he loves you like I did, you'll never be sad
Mine will be the purest love you've ever had

You left me alone, something I never thought you'd do
You walked out the door and left me forever blue
You turned away, why, I haven't a clue
You broke my heart and left me forever blue
Forever Blue.

"I can't wait 'til you get up on stage and blow the crowd away," he says as he turns me to straddle his lap.
I wince slightly.
"Sorry."
"Don't be sorry, I'm not," I say with a laugh.
He smiles that sexy half-smile that tells me he's feeling smug. "I'm not going to lie. I think it's sexy as f*ck that you're sore and it's from me."
"Are you going all caveman again?"
He nods. "I think I might be."
"So long as you don't drag me around by my hair, we're good."
"Nah. A little pain with the pleasure is good but that? No."
"Hmm. Spenser would kick your ass if you ripped out my hair."
"He f*cking would too. That guy," he says shaking his head.
"We hired him, you know?"
"You did?" Jesse grins. "You stole him out from under Cage?"
"I did. No one can do hair and makeup better than Spenser and his girls."
"You took the girls too?"
"Damn right. They're incredible and we're going to have a band that's going to need attention."
He laughs out loud. "If it was anyone other than you, Cage would be pissed. He spoils you two."
"He totally does. It's part of why I love doing videos with him."
"Yeah, he's cool. We're only going to do ours through him from now on since we're signed with him now. Me and the guys like how he set everything up, and for as intense and detailed as that video is, it didn't take long to make at all. Three days isn't shit. Our shittiest video took longer than that."
"Which was your shittiest?"
"Our first, of course."
"I love your first one."
"You had a party to celebrate it, you weirdo."
I shrug. "I was crushing on you and the band."
"You crushed on more than just me?"
I nearly laugh at his tone. He almost sounds wounded.
"Don't pout. I could never crush on anyone as much as I crushed on you. You should have seen my bedroom."
He chuckles.
"It was Jesse Kingston fandom and I was the president. And now I'm sitting on your lap, naked, in your bathtub because you f*cked me raw," I shake my head in disbelief. Crazy. Seriously crazy.
"What?" he asks when I remain quiet.
"If someone had told me when I was twelve or when I met you six years ago or even last week that I'd be sitting here with you like this, I'd have told them they were crazy."
"Hmm. Well, you're here." He presses a kiss to my forehead and I rest my head on his shoulder and wrap my arms around his waist.
The tub is nearly full and Jesse leans forward to turn off the water then hits the button to turn on the Jacuzzi jets.
I moan when the jets hit me crosswise across my lower back.
"Right?" he asks as he settles back with me clinging to him.
"Mhmm."
This moment feels so surreal. I close my eyes and kiss Jesse's neck. He runs his fingertips up and down my spine and I sigh. It's a very intimate moment and I'm glad that I've not given in to my emotions. I'm keeping them tamped down and staying strong. If I don't, I'll be in very real trouble because if I let my emotions run free, I risk the very real mistake of feeling more for Jesse Kingston than I know is safe.
He doesn't do relationships and I know it. It's why I'm guarding myself. I know better than to think I'm the exception to his rule no matter how differently he's treating me from his usual groupie whores.
I knew he was a sweet guy even when I was twelve. You can't hide that and he never really tried to. I imagine he does hide that side of himself when he's f*cking the groupie whores. I bite back a snarl. I've got no right to react like that but I can't help it. Even before he knew I existed I reacted like that.
Jesse starts singing again, this time one of his ballads. With the jets on my lower back, Jesse's soft singing, his fingertips caressing my upper back, and my head resting on his shoulder, I try hard to stay awake. I really do. But I'm so comfortable and so relaxed that I drift off to sleep in his arms.