Between a Rock and a Hard Place (42 page)

“I find that hard to believe.”  Tommy didn’t share Angel’s optimism.  “She may be the boss’ daughter, but she’s young.  She’s new to the business.  Angus is a hot shot manager.”

Jessi coaxed the phone out from under Tommy’s hand, where he held it tightly inside the pocket of his jeans.  “Please call Audra.  If you really want to make me happy, do this for me.”

Tommy stepped closer to her and slid his hands around her waist.  He rested his forehand into the crook of her neck and exhaled.  Jessi could feel the turbulence that coursed through him.  She recognized his indecision by the tiny shake of his head.  Tommy wasn’t a risk-taker and Jessi knew that he wasn’t going to gamble with their marriage, that’s why he left the band and opted for the security of returning home to resume a normal life.  Jessi almost laughed aloud.  Their marriage was anything but normal.

She lifted his chin so she could look into his eyes.  “Call Audra.  Explain what’s going on.  Please.  I’m begging you, Tommy.  Don’t walk away from the band.”

He stared back at her, and she saw his resistance begin to crumble.  He took his phone from his back pocket and punched in some numbers on the keypad.

Audra’s voice came through the phone right away, before Tommy had a chance to say anything.

He held the phone pressed against his ear and looked off into the distance.  “There’s only one way I’m coming back.  We need to finish the album at our own pace.  If it doesn’t get done before the tour is over, we’ll finish it as soon as we’re back home.  We’ll work on it when we can, but we’re not machines.  We can’t keep going at the pace Angus dictates.”

Jessi took Angel’s hand while Audra’s muffled voice fed through the phone.

“You need to clear it with him,” Tommy said.  “I’m not just going to take your word for it, Audra, and I need a little more time here to handle some personal business. And I’m never touring during New York Fashion Week.  My wife’s a clothing designer, and I need to be there with her to show my support when she sends her designs down the runway.  I know it’s a lot to ask, but it’s very important and those are my terms.”

There was more inaudible chatter from Audra on the other end.

“Thank you.  I appreciate everything you do for us.”  Tommy shut his phone off and put it back in his pocket. “She said it’s not a problem, but I can’t believe that someone as tough as Angus is going to take orders from Audra, just because her last name is Abelman.”

Jessi wasn’t fooled by Audra’s naivety.  “Don’t be misled by her sweet personality and the girly crush she has on Angel.  Audra is very smart and she knows how to get what she wants.  Like you said, her last name is Abelman.”

Tommy wrapped his arms around her. “Everything I do is for you.  I love you so much, Jessi.  I was miserable without you this last week.  I can’t take being away from you.  I need you.”

He pressed his lips against hers in an eager, tender kiss. His hand moved to the back of her neck, and the tips of his fingers poked through her hair.  She pulled him closer and pressed her body into his with a deep sigh.

Angel circled his arms around the both of them and whispered in her ear, “I knew you would never let him leave the band.”

Sometimes Angel was so in tune with her, it was eerie.  She turned to smile at him and he snuck a kiss.  “What can we do to help you, sweetheart?”

“Actually, there’s not much that needs to be done.  Isabella has everything under control with production.  The woman can sew as well as I can, only she’s faster. She’s very efficient.  I thought I’d stay another week to make sure there weren’t any more complications, but if you have to get back to Europe, please go.  I can handle things here.  Don’t push it with Angus.”

“We’re not leaving without you.”  Tommy was adamant.  “When you feel confident that you can rejoin the tour, we’ll all go back together.”

His loyalty and support were overwhelming.  The last few weeks were insane.  It all caught up to her and she almost collapsed into his arms.  “Thank you, baby.  You have no idea how much it means to me that you were willing to throw away everything you worked for your entire life, because of me.”  That damn sob was fighting its way up her throat again, but she gulped it down.

His fingertips were as soft as butter on her cheek.  “I’m still ready to give it up.  Are you sure you can trust this Isabella?  What about the store manager?  Are you sure she’s reliable?”

His concern for her boutique was moving.  He was still worried about leaving it in capable hands, and she realized she forgot to tell him about Ella.  “I hired my sister.  It’s only part-time, but they cut back her hours at her job and she’s been spending so much time at the boutique anyway that I figured I could at least  pay her.  I have complete faith in Isabella, and Rachel has shown me nothing but integrity as the store manager.  Ella will be there a few hours every day, just in case.  And now that I don’t have an obligation to Falcon, if I need to run home for a day or two to address a problem, I can.”

Angel put his arm around her shoulder.  “You sound like you have everything all figured out.”  Pride and admiration reflected in his voice and he leaned in and kissed her.  She wasn’t expecting the rush of heat that his lips brought.  She was overwhelmed by his eagerness.  His hands took possession and held her in place by the waist, while his tongue told her how much he missed her.  When he broke the kiss, she was breathless and flushed.

“Tommy’s not the only one who loves you, you know.  I’d do anything for you, too.  I never tried to talk him out of leaving the band.  I want you to know that.  You and Tommy come first, before anything.  Familia primero, remember?  Family first.”

Chapter Forty

Tommy wasn’t used to the quiet of the house after being on tour.  Angel left right after breakfast to surprise his dad at the restaurant, Jessi was upstairs in her sewing room and Tommy was alone in the kitchen loading the dishwasher.  Silence – it was both tranquil and creepy.

He just got off the phone with Audra.  She worked her magic and bought them a week off.  She swore Angus was on board with giving the band the freedom to work at a reasonable pace.  As long as Jessi was ready to return to the tour, Tommy was fine with the week, but he wasn’t going back until the three of them were getting on the plane together.

He poured the last of the coffee into two mugs and brought them upstairs.  He found Jessi in her walk-in closet in front of the mirror, but she didn’t notice him standing in the doorway.  She had her tank top bunched up in her hand exposing her tight, flat stomach as she scrutinized her skirt.  He watched her, obscured by the racks of clothing that surrounded him, and admired her body.  Contrary to the hard muscles of Angel’s chest and chiseled abs, Jessi had soft, slender curves and she was blessed with round perky breasts that demanded attention.

She pivoted halfway around on the ball of her foot so she could see the back of her skirt in the mirror.  His silhouette caught her attention and she focused on the coffee cup in his hand.  “Did you bring that for me?”  She dropped the hem of her top and reached for the cup without waiting for an answer.  After she took a long sip of coffee and set it down on one of the shelves, she turned back to the mirror.  “What do you think of this skirt I just made?”

The black leather mini skirt was covered from front to back with spikes dangerously protruding at every angle.  It was sexy as hell.  The excessive amount of visible skin made his eyes drop to her bare legs.  “How are you going to sit down in that thing?”

She laughed a little, and it reminded him how much he missed the sound of her laughter.  Tension and stress over the last few weeks robbed her high spirits.  They were back, and he would do whatever he needed to do in order to make sure nothing chased them away again.

“I know it’s not practical, but I love it.”  She pulled the shirt up, exposing her midriff once again, to get a clear view of the skirt.  “I would wear it like this, but I’d eliminate the studs from the back of the skirt for retail.”

He wasn’t listening anymore.  It was her body that held his attention and asked to be touched.  He walked up behind her and slid his hands around her slim, naked waist.  He pressed himself against her, but the spikes on her skirt hit him in the groin and he flinched.  Jessi’s fashion was dangerous.

The crooked smile that she returned over her shoulder signaled the naughty thoughts that lurked behind her half-closed eyes.  She turned toward him, slowly unzipped her skirt and let it fall to the floor, along with her panties.  She stepped out of it, pulled her tank top over her head and slowly unhooked her bra.  She stood perfectly still so he could enjoy the sight of her naked body.

Her firm breasts and perky pink nipples stared at him.  He caressed one with the palm of his hand, while he tasted the other with his lips and his tongue.

Her breath was heavy and deep as she leaned her head back and grabbed a chunk of his hair.  They slid to the floor of her closet, onto the thick flokati rug.  She pulled his shirt over his head and tugged at his sweatpants.

His large erection greeted her with assurance and she dove for it with her hands and mouth.  Her tongue stud relentlessly hit the most sensitive part of his cock, sending a ripple down to his toes.  She knew how to please him, but he wanted to please
her
.  He pulled her up and kissed her soft, sensual lips.  “You first,” he whispered.

She shook her head and her mouth was on him, hungry and eager.  She nipped at his neck, then sunk her teeth into his flesh.  He jolted at the pressure and sucked in a gust of breath.  The unexpected flash of pain sent his endorphins reeling.  Before he recovered, her mouth was on his chest, twirling small circles with her tongue.  Without warning, her teeth clenched his tender nipple.  He cried out and almost ejaculated at the same time.  She licked her lips with a mischievous smile and glanced up at him, before kissing the pain away.  Her tongue left a wet line down the center of his chest, over his navel and straight down between his legs.  He exploded as soon as her mouth engulfed him.  His body convulsed while spasms of liquid hit Jessi in the back of the throat.

While he was still trying to catch his breath, she pulled him up to a sitting position.  “Now it’s my turn.”  She flipped on her back and tugged him down on top of her.  She lifted her knees and pushed his head between her legs.  She was freshly waxed, totally bare, and her flesh was smooth as silk.  He loved the way his lips glided over her sleek skin.  He took his time running them over the soft mound.  He teased her until she begged to be touched.  He put his mouth to her pussy and was met with a rush of warm liquid.  He lapped it up.  Thirsty and greedy, he drank her nectar.  It was warm and salted to perfection.  He needed more and probed his tongue inside her, sucking and licking any bit of juice that remained. He loved the taste of her body, and the softness of her flesh.

He ran his hand over the arch of her hip, across her flat stomach and over her breast.  Her body was the exact opposite of Angel’s.  They were yin and yang to him.  They complemented each other and appeased the duality of his sexual desires.  He couldn’t live without either one of them.

She pawed at his shoulders and moaned.  “I need you inside me,” she whispered.

Even though her body was wide with reception, his size made it difficult and she groaned.  She wrapped her legs around his back, pulled him closer and impatiently forced him inside her.  He was fully within her and occupied all the space she had to offer.  She rode him from beneath and bounced between the floor and his body.  His hair fanned over his face in a wild mess.  She pushed it back and behind his ears so they could see each other.