Elizabeth stood in the crowded dining room, waiting in line for breakfast, watching Jane and Charles. They sat together, as they always seemed to lately. Although Elizabeth knew she could join them, she didn’t see the point. Jane’s attention was completely captured by the man she sat next to. Elizabeth felt a jab of envy at how Jane had become utterly enraptured with Charles, and he with her. Elizabeth couldn’t help but wish that she too could fall so deeply in love. Elizabeth knew, however, that it wasn’t going to happen. Oh, she believed in love, and at times she wished she had a relationship, but past experience had taught her that love and career didn’t mix.
Elizabeth saw that she was not the only one observing Jane and Charles. Caroline stood in the next aisle, watching the couple with a similar expression.
She waited until Caroline’s eyes met hers, and she shared a small half grin of commiseration. Caroline, for her part, looked surprised and then gave a nod of thoughtful gratitude, and the two women each found their own seats.
Elizabeth was purposefully avoiding Darcy that morning. She found she couldn’t look at him. She wasn’t angry with him anymore; rather she was ashamed of herself. Each time she saw Darcy now, all she could think of was how she had felt at that moment the night before, when they had found Charlotte and Richard in the dressing room. She was appalled by her own urges; she had wanted desperately to be fucked, and fucked by Darcy, right then and there. She wanted to be the one having a post-show quickie in that dressing room. Elizabeth was mortified at the idea that he might have guessed her thoughts. She resolved that the only way to get through the day was to speak to him as little as possible.
Later that day during sound check, a beautiful woman entered the room and walked onstage as Elizabeth sat offstage, warming up on her guitar. She was Elizabeth’s height but willow thin, with shining black hair tumbling down her back and tiny, delicate features, enhanced by her pale ivory skin. She wore an expensive-looking red suit that complemented her figure and coloring and made Elizabeth feel grungy in her shorts and T-shirt.
Elizabeth watched, fascinated, as the woman walked straight to Darcy, who took her into his arms in a tight embrace. “Amy!” he said, his voice surprisingly happy. “Good to see you. Come on.” Smiling, he led the woman offstage and toward his dressing room.
“Well, we won’t see him for a while,” Richard commented idly.
“Who was that?” Charlotte asked.
“Oh, that’s Amy. She and Will go back a long, long way.” He shrugged and turned. “Ronnie,” he called out, “can you take Will’s place for the sound check?”
Elizabeth looked down at her instrument until her features were under control. She was bewildered by the power of the emotions assaulting her. She felt hurt, betrayed, and disappointed. At the same time, she was disgusted at her own stupidity. Did she really think that Darcy was some kind of monk? Elizabeth had noticed that Darcy never bothered with groupies, and it had been a source of comfort to her, but did she really think the man had no sex life?
Elizabeth swallowed her disappointment and locked her hurt away. There was nothing more to be done. Any secret hopes or fantasies she might have harbored in her breast were banished. She had the dubious comfort of being certain where she stood in his regard. She was right where he had told her she was: a pretty girl with a nice voice, who was very talented.
She was surprised at the bitter hurt that she felt. When had she even thought about Darcy romantically? Elizabeth told herself that it was best this way. She was focused on her career, and getting involved with Darcy would only complicate achieving her goals. She walked to the green room and lost herself in playing her guitar.
The next evening, Jane appeared at dinner, hand in hand with Charles. Elizabeth noticed that for the first time she was wearing her concert outfit and instead of the white bandage Elizabeth had grown used to, there was a smaller flesh-toned one on her forehead.
“Jane! You look great!” Elizabeth said sincerely. Jane smiled shyly and let Elizabeth hug her.
“Jane said she wanted to do the meet-and-greet tonight,” Charles explained softly.
“Really?” Charlotte exclaimed, hugging Jane.
“That’s wonderful,” Elizabeth grinned. “Are you sure you are up for it?”
Jane smiled. “Yeah, I’m ready.” Elizabeth noted the way she squeezed Charles’s hand but said nothing. “You’ve been telling me about how everyone has been asking for me and, besides, I’m getting really bored with hiding out in the dressing rooms.”
“You look great, Jane,” Richard added warmly, and Jane smiled with real pleasure.
“Thanks, you have all been so good to me.”
The meet-and-greet was set up differently that night. Instead of the two tables set on opposite sides of the room, the Slurry and LBS tables were put at a right angle to each other and Charles and Jane were careful to be positioned next to each other at the apex.
LBS had long ago adopted Slurry’s practice of standing in front of the tables to greet their fans, rather than hiding behind them. It was a small thing, but it made it much easier for the fans to feel as though they connected with the stars when they could touch them.
When the fans entered, Slurry had the unusual experience of being practically ignored, as everyone wanted first to meet Jane. Elizabeth watched Jane carefully with a sense of worry. Jane had grown very quiet as they got ready, but once people started talking to her, shaking her hand, and telling her how they admired her bravery, the smiling, gracious Jane was back and Elizabeth relaxed.
Her eyes traveled to where Darcy was standing and she watched him observing Jane as well. She watched as he seemed to reach a similar conclusion about Jane and then his eyes met hers. They were both satisfied that Jane was okay. Elizabeth had time to raise one eyebrow in acknowledgment, which he returned with a slow nod, before they were both distracted by admirers seeking their attention.
A few days later, Elizabeth was in the green room practicing alone when she heard Mr. Collins’s high-pitched nasal voice call her: “Lizzy!”
Elizabeth sighed. It had been five days since Collins had joined the tour, and he had made a point of speaking to her every single day. Elizabeth was sick of it.
At first he had criticized her. He was disappointed that Elizabeth wouldn’t play “Everything You Are,” even though it was Jane’s song, and he was embarrassed by the way Elizabeth had spoken to Darcy. Then, after Elizabeth had proven herself onstage, he fawned over her, offering “helpful little suggestions,” which made her want to heave.
“Lizzy,” he said again, “I’d like to have a word with you.”
Carefully arranging her face into a polite smile, she said, “Yes?”
Collins smiled, showing a row of disturbingly perfect teeth. “I wanted to take a moment to tell you how proud I am of your work this week,” he told her, his voice oozing with flattery. He placed a hand on her upper arm and Elizabeth tried not to flinch. “You’ve really saved the day, and you should know that Ms. de Bourgh has noticed as well.” He winked. “If you play your cards right, Lizzy, this could lead to a solo career.”
Elizabeth struggled to keep her smile as she discreetly moved her arm away from his grip. “Thank you, Mr. Collins, but I’m really not interested in a solo career,” Elizabeth told him for the eighth time that week. Collins couldn’t get it into his head that someone might actually want to be in a band.
“Please, call me Bill.” He smiled again. “Now I have to be honest with you, I’ve been watching you, Lizzy, for a long time. I’m sure you’ve noticed, haven’t you? A smart girl like you.”
Elizabeth’s smile faded and she lifted an eyebrow in puzzlement. “Oh?”
“You know I have always admired your musical talent, Lizzy, but I can’t deny that lately I have been feeling something more for you.”
Elizabeth’s eyebrow dropped. “Oh.”
“You don’t need to act surprised, Lizzy. I won’t hold it against you. I know you are a good girl, and you would never pursue me for the benefits I could bring to your career. You’re an artist, and I respect that,” he said conceitedly.
“Mr. Collins,” Elizabeth began.
“Bill! Bill, Lizzy, please, call me Bill,” he said with forced sincerity.
“Bill,” Elizabeth said the word awkwardly, “I’m afraid you misunderstand, or I misunderstand—”
“All right, Lizzy,” he said with a patronizing smile, “I’ll spell it out for you.” He took her hand and leaned closer. “I’ve been watching you for a long time, and I’ve become completely smitten with you. You are a very beautiful girl, Lizzy; you’ve stolen my heart.” He smiled at her sickeningly.
Elizabeth eyes grew huge as she forced herself to accept his meaning. “What? Mr. Collins! I-I’m shocked!”
“Really, Lizzy? Did you really not know?” he asked mischievously.
“Not at all!” She was horrified. “I’m sorry, but I really, I mean, this is so unexpected and, and, what about our professional relationship?”
“Lizzy, you sweet thing, I see I have overwhelmed you with the power of my passion,” he tut-tutted her. “Don’t worry, my dear, I’ll make sure this doesn’t get out. Actually, this can only help your career,” he added thoughtfully. “After all, I have so many connections, and I am on very close terms with Lady Catherine herself,” he added confidentially. “I know that you want to make the most of your career. I’ll make sure that you get only the best: song rotations, video shoots, TV appearances.”
He looked at her with a smug confidence that disgusted and appalled her. She was dumbfounded. “Why me?” she asked both the man in front of her and God.
“Well, isn’t it obvious, Lizzy? The road is a very lonely place and I’ve become entranced by your talent. Not to mention the fact that Jane is already with someone else—”
“Excuse me!” Elizabeth exclaimed quickly, ignoring his protests. “Mr. Collins, I have to stop you. I’m sorry, but I do not want a relationship with you, I never have.”
“Lizzy, it’s all right. I can see what the problem is. I know you don’t want to damage your reputation, but don’t worry. I assure you, no one will think less of you for our love.”
“Mr. Collins, you are not listening. I do not want a relationship with you. Not now, not ever!” Forcing her mouth shut to keep from saying any more, she stormed away from him and locked herself in her dressing room.
She sat down in a chair and didn’t move for a full five minutes, outraged. She was shocked that he could have said such things. As she recalled their conversation, her astonishment grew. To think that she would fall for such an obvious line! And the fact that he didn’t even have the decency to pretend that she wasn’t his second choice after Jane!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. How dare he think he could bribe her with offers of song rotations and video shoots! Did she honestly come across as that easy? What did she have to do to be taken seriously as a musician?
Her anger grew, not only at Collins but also at Darcy and any other man who thought that she would pawn herself out for her career. She had not been lying that first night of the tour. She would do what she had to do to succeed; she would play whatever skanky club or travel as long as she must, but she’d be damned before she tried to sleep her way to the top. She was going to make it on her music or not at all.
When the time to perform came, she squared her shoulders and walked out of her dressing room. Claiming her guitar, she took the stage, where she proved to herself and everyone there that she was talented in her own right and that she would never be anyone’s whore.
Darcy watched the monitors, transfixed by what he saw. Elizabeth had impressed him all week as she had performed her solo show, but tonight was significantly different. Tonight she was on fire. There was a passionate energy about her that was so bright, it was almost painful to watch. He had no idea what inspired her, where her fire came from, but he wanted it, he wanted her. He wanted to capture her energy and pull it deep inside. She had never been beautiful or more desirable than right now.
When she came off the stage, he was in the instrument area, preparing. She came in with the energy of the show still around her, flashing in the darkness like light glinting off the blade of a knife.
“Elizabeth?” He had not used “Lizzy” since their fight.
“Darcy,” she answered coolly.
“You were outstanding tonight,” he told her, feeling suddenly embarrassed in her cold gaze. “I just wanted to tell you.”
Elizabeth watched him, her calm exterior revealing nothing of the turmoil she felt inside. Her heart leapt at the words of praise that were so uncommon from him, yet her head told her he was just like the others, seeing her as someone who would sell out at the first decent offer. “Thanks,” she said quietly as she turned her attention to her instrument. Her guitars, as least, had never disrespected her. “By the way, Darcy…” she said in a very remote voice.
“Yes?” he responded, trying to disguise the surge of hope he felt.
“Next time you are speaking to your good friend Lady Catherine de Bourgh, you might want to mention to her that Bill Collins is trying to trade professional favors for sex,” she said, somehow managing to make it sound as if she were insulting him.
He stood there in shock, wanting to reach out to her, to say something, anything, but she clearly wasn’t interested. “I… I’ll do that, Elizabeth,” he said, his low voice even softer than usual.
It was as if she did not even hear him. She closed the case and stood, walking away without even a glance at him.
Darcy watched her silently, his emotions churning. He swore to himself that something would be done. He’d be damned if he let Collins do something like that on his tour, especially to her.
He frowned as he thought of Elizabeth. It was as though she hadn’t heard him speak when she left him. Darcy felt as if they were no longer on the same planet. All the warming between them he had tried to build up during the tour was destroyed. He felt that Elizabeth was farther from him than she had ever been.
It didn’t matter, he told himself, she’d never really cared for him. She had made that clear from the start of the tour, and he was a fool to think he could ever change her mind. In a dark mood, he took the stage to play that night, and later both the audience and Elizabeth were impressed with the expressiveness of his performance.
Jane looked up and laughed. Charles stood before her, wearing jeans and a T-shirt with JANE emblazoned across the front in large letters.
Charles smiled back brilliantly. “You approve?”
“I do,” Jane said. “But I think you are missing an apostrophe S at the end.”
Charles made a show of looking at the shirt. “Oh, so I am. Silly me.” He looked back at her, taking her into his arms. “I’ll have to change that tomorrow.”
Jane nodded. They both knew that tomorrow she would see the doctor and most probably would be allowed to return to work. She had no feelings about it though. The whole topic left her completely numb.
“What are you thinking about, sunshine?” Charles asked, his voice warm in her ear.
“Tomorrow,” Jane said simply.
“You know you don’t have to go back if you aren’t ready.”
“I know,” Jane nodded, her eyes finally meeting his. “But I’m not sure how I feel, really.” She frowned thoughtfully. “I know I’m sick of doing nothing, and I hate missing out on all the excitement when my song is doing so well.” Charles nuzzled her hair as she spoke, absently. “Did you know ‘Everything You Are’ was on Top 20 today?”
“No,” he grinned, his voice pleased.
Jane nodded. “It didn’t rank, but they named it as being close and showed a clip.”
“That means you’ll rank next week,” Charles told her authoritatively. “Maybe we can fly up to New York on our day off and you can do a spot on the show.”
“Really?”
Charles nodded. “It’d be a good time for that. Give the song a boost. I’m sure Alex and Collins are working on it.”
“What happened to Mr. Collins, anyway?” she asked, puzzled. “Why did he leave so suddenly?”
Charles shrugged. “Will said he had some business in the New York office.” He smiled and rubbed his face against hers. “Where you will be going soon, and I would be honored to fly with you, my lady.”
Jane smiled back luminously and kissed him slowly, her mouth delighting in the taste of him. They kissed until Jane could feel him becoming erect against her, then she stopped and pulled back, resting her head on his shoulder. “Sorry,” she muttered.
Charles shook his head. “No worries, angel. You can’t help the fact that you are the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Jane smiled and blushed. “You know, Charles, I am feeling better.”
He drew in a deep breath and blew it out. “I can see that,” he told her, his hand slipping down to lightly pinch her bottom, prompting a giggle. “But you are still not all better until the doctor says so and—” he raised his voice a level, cutting off her protest. “We are kind of lacking in suitable locations, my dear.”
Jane’s expression fell and she nodded, conceding his point.
Charles placed a hand on her cheek and lifted her face to his. “Tomorrow,” he kissed her forehead, “you see the doctor,” he kissed her left eyelid, “and,” right eyelid, “we,” right cheek, “will be,” chin, “staying,” left cheek, “in a hotel.” He paused and kissed her lips lightly. “Then, my love, we will be able to see exactly how much better you are feeling.”
Jane grinned and squeezed him tightly. “I’m looking forward to that, Charles.”
“Me too, sunshine.” He let her go and picked up his bass. “But now, I’ve gotta go be you. Will you watch me?”
Jane nodded and walked with him to the monitors, where Alex was giving Elizabeth and Charlotte their ritual pre-concert kiss. Alex shrugged and gave Charles a loud smacking kiss on the lips as well, prompting laughter from everyone on the floor.
Jane waved as the people she loved the most left for the stage, and she knew that she was ready to join them.
The next evening the tension backstage was so thick even the techs were noticing it. Jane clutched her bass to her body, her face nearly as white as the instrument, as she walked back and forth. Charles hovered around her protectively until she finally became flustered with him, and Elizabeth had to send him off on errands to give Jane some space. The visit to the doctor had gone well. Jane’s sutures were removed and she had received the all-clear to go back on stage.
It was decided it would be best for Jane to start by just playing for Elizabeth the first few nights, before LBS went back to their old set.
The rehearsal went flawlessly. Jane had played with her usual precision and, truth be told, Elizabeth felt better than she had all week having her sister back with her. Charles was a good replacement, but he wasn’t Jane.
Now Elizabeth watched Jane pacing nervously in the green room, and she frowned. Her eyes wandered to Darcy’s and she saw her concern mirrored in his eyes.
His eyes focused on hers, silently questioning her about Jane. Elizabeth thought for a moment, then put her plate of food down and rose, taking Jane by the arm and leading her away to their dressing room.
“What’s wrong?” Elizabeth asked her, immediately cutting to the heart of the matter.
Jane could see that Elizabeth wasn’t going to tolerate any attempts at denial, so she came right out with it. “I can’t wear makeup.”
“What?”
“The doctor said I’m not to wear my stage makeup, because of the incision.”
Elizabeth’s initial response was to dismiss the problem as frivolous, but she knew that would be unfair to Jane. She grinned slightly, “I thought you were worried about your playing or something.”
Jane grinned back. “I know, it sounds kinda lame, but I have this routine I do before performing, you know that, Lizzy. And my makeup is part of it.” Jane frowned and touched her bandage.
Elizabeth frowned in sympathy, although a piece of her wished her problems were as simple as a cut on her face. “Let’s go talk to Sarah.”
Sarah was Slurry’s hairdresser. He was a six-foot-tall man with a goatee, heavily lined eyes, and lacquered fingernails that Elizabeth would kill for. Once Elizabeth had asked Richard about his name and she only received an indifferent shrug in reply.
Although he technically belonged to Slurry, Sarah had volunteered to help Charlotte maintain her turquoise blue hair color, then Jane’s platinum blonde, and soon he was working on both bands.
Elizabeth had asked him once why he was working for a rock band when he could have his own salon, and he looked at her, cocking his head to the side. “Are you kidding me? Come on, sister. I get to run my hands all over the hair of three gorgeous men every night and get paid for it!”
Elizabeth liked Sarah and he had quickly become one of the “girls” with LBS, giggling with them over gossip. He was also responsible for the neatly trimmed goatee Darcy was growing, which Elizabeth thought improved his appearance even more, if possible.
When Elizabeth brought Jane to Sarah he clucked and cooed over her like a mother hen. Fifteen minutes later Jane stood up from the chair, and Elizabeth could see her confidence had returned. Elizabeth couldn’t see a huge difference in Jane’s looks—after all, gorgeous is gorgeous—but it was clear Jane could.
When they entered the meet-and-greet, Charles’s eyes lit up when he saw his Jane looking at him with the self-assurance he had missed in her all week. He took the time to give her a long hungry look up and down her whole body, letting her know he appreciated the change. Jane looked back, her eyes returning his desire, measure for measure.
As the guests of the meet-and-greet moved away, Charlotte noticed a busty redhead of medium height remaining behind in the backstage area.
Playing a hunch, she wandered over to Richard and quietly asked, “Who’s that?”
Richard looked up at the redhead, “That’s,” Charlotte smirked as she saw him pause for a moment, struggling to remember, “Amber,” he answered finally.
Charlotte nodded her head knowingly as she carefully examined the subject of their discussion. “She’s sure something. Are those real?” she asked, indicating Amber’s ample bosom.
“I don’t know,” Richard leered appreciatively, “but I’m going to find out.”
Charlotte bit down on the stab she felt inside. “You let me know, ’kay?” she said lightly.
Richard stopped and turned to her, his eyes concerned. “She’s just a flavor,” he said dismissively. “Why don’t you find someone for tonight?”
Charlotte laughed. “I’m afraid that the guys who come back here want either Lizzy or Jane.”
“So?” Richard asked. “Don’t you think that most of the flavors that come back here are gunning for Darcy?” He shrugged. “But in the end, they see he is not buying, and they’re happy just to bed a rock star.”
Charlotte looked at him thoughtfully for a long time. “Eh, we’ll see,” she tilted her head and lifted an eyebrow. “I really haven’t seen anything to catch my eye,” she told him finally. “But you have a good time,” she told him as his expression became even more worried.
He looked at her inquiringly, wondering if she was sincere. Charlotte nodded reassuringly and moved off to get wired for sound, careful to keep her face from him.
It wouldn’t do to have him see the pain in her eyes caused by the lump in her throat.
Elizabeth had grown used to the roar of the crowd when she began her set. For the past week, it came when the audience recognized Charles playing on bass. But tonight, it was for Jane. Elizabeth smiled at her sister but she couldn’t repress the tiny piece of her that was glad they were playing her own set tonight.
Elizabeth had always stood in the shadow of Jane’s beauty. Beauty was Jane’s domain, her identity. But Elizabeth had never allowed jealousy to stunt her. Jane was simply too loving and kind for Elizabeth to feel resentment toward her. And Elizabeth was intelligent enough to see that beauty came with its own price. Instead, she focused on her own gifts: her wit and her music. She trusted that she would be recognized for her own abilities and talents.
Jane understood this, both when they were growing up and tonight, as she sang and played supportively for Elizabeth, never once attempting to steal the spotlight from her.
When the set was over, Elizabeth hugged Jane tightly. The crowd was cheering for them, and then a chant began in the front left and quickly spread across the hall floor “Ev-ery-thing! Ev-ery-thing!”
Elizabeth laughed and looked at Jane, who blushed for a moment, then nodded. “Long intro, Lizzy,” she whispered.
Elizabeth took her acoustic and began the introduction to the song and the crowd went nuts, screaming. It was this song they had been waiting for. “Everything You Are” was a hit nationwide and now they were going to get to hear it live.
Standing in front of the monitor, Charles Bingley jumped three feet into the air when Elizabeth began her introduction.
Jane smiled and stepped up to the microphone, “Are you listening, Charles?” she asked coyly, knowing he was watching her where she could not see him.
When he heard Jane’s question Charles beamed brightly at Darcy and Caroline, and ran to the side of the stage to watch her.
Jane stood at center stage, singing to the man who loved her. She smiled glowingly as the crowd sang along with her, knowing every word. Elizabeth motioned with her head, and Jane looked to see Charles standing just offstage, his face radiant. She finished her song, looking from him to the crowd and back.
The crowd cheered in appreciation, and Elizabeth smiled with simple joy. She was so proud of Jane and so proud of LBS as a group. She looked back to see Charlotte coming from around her kit and the three women hugged and bowed, waving good-bye to the crowd as they left the stage.
When they reached backstage, a smaller but more devoted audience was waiting for them. “You did it!” shouted Alex as he picked up Jane and swung her in a circle.
“You girls were great!” Richard told them.
“Well done, Jane,” Darcy said quietly.
“You were fantastic,” Caroline said quickly, interrupting the scene. “Now, guys, you have to be onstage in ten minutes. Go! Go! Go!”
Darcy and Richard disappeared, while Charles stopped and took Jane tightly into his arms. “You are the most incredible woman I have ever known,” he told her with unadorned honesty. “I love you.” He kissed her again and left, leaving a glowing Jane behind.
When the elevator stopped, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Jane, and Charles got off to find Richard, Amber, Alex, Darcy, and Caroline exiting a second one directly behind them. Elizabeth was surprised to see Richard wrapped around Amber, and she looked at Charlotte with a question in her eyes. Charlotte gave no sign but walked indifferently to her suite.
Elizabeth moved to follow when Darcy’s voice stopped her. “Elizabeth?” he asked tentatively.
Elizabeth turned back to him, her expression pleasantly neutral.
“I was wondering if you would like to swim tonight?” he asked casually.
The focus of Elizabeth’s eye slipped from Darcy to Caroline, who was standing just behind him. She saw a look of pain pass quickly over her face, which was replaced by a polite smile so quickly, Elizabeth questioned if she had actually seen it.
“Yeah, actually, I was planning on a swim, thanks,” Elizabeth replied.
“I’ll see you later then.” Darcy walked to his door, leaving a confused and annoyed Elizabeth. Entering her room, she knew what was going on. He was just trying to be friendly, maintain a good working relationship. Probably trying to make up for what had happened with Collins. She grinned to herself as she remembered how she had torn him a new one that night. But why had he made a point of asking her to swim in front of everyone?
The sight of Charlotte sitting on the couch halted her thoughts. She was staring at the TV, but Elizabeth could see her eyes weren’t on it. She immediately remembered Richard’s guest.
“Who was that girl, Char?” Elizabeth asked.
Charlotte shrugged. “Her name’s Amber; she’s tonight’s flavor.” Her words sounded as defensive to her ears as they had when Richard had said them.
“Char,” Elizabeth said slowly, dismayed, “I’m so sorry.”
“Why?” Charlotte snapped, “I told you it was just a friendly fuck. There is nothing more between us, Lizzy. I don’t have any claim on Richard and he certainly doesn’t owe me anything.”
Elizabeth grew very quiet in the face of Charlotte’s outburst. “I guess I misunderstood the situation,” she said after a beat. “I’m going to go swim.”
Charlotte shrugged. “Suit yourself,” she said as she turned back to the TV.
Jane smiled brightly as she took Charles’s hand and walked with him to his suite. He led her into the living area after closing the door and looked into her eyes for a long time.
Jane stared back at him with a beautiful expression, one of trust and love. Not needing anything more between them, she rose up and kissed him, long and lush, her mouth caressing his as he wrapped his arms around her slim waist and pulled her closer.
When at last they stopped, he was breathless. “Take me to bed, Charles,” she murmured, her lips brushing against his throat.
“Are you sure, Jane?” he asked tenderly.
“Yes,” she nodded at Charles’s questioning expression. Without a word, he took her into his bedroom and shut the door. Jane eagerly flowed into his embrace. Long kisses followed as they undressed each other, becoming more impatient as they removed each garment.
Finally they were both completely bare. Jane stepped back with a wicked smile and posed provocatively as she eyed Charles.
“What are you doing?” he asked, amused.
“Taking a good look,” she answered, her grin anything but innocent. “I thought you might like one, too.”
“Thank you,” he replied, his eyes darkening, “but I prefer to examine things close up.” He moved close to her and captured Jane in the circle of his arms, his body burning wherever he made contact with hers. “See?” he asked as he kissed the line of her shoulder.
Jane nodded slowly, as her eyes closed slowly and her head tilted away giving him better access to her.
“You must be getting cold,” he said softly, “better come to bed.”
“I don’t feel cold,” Jane sighed as she crawled into the bed with him. It was a strange sensation. She had slept with him before. Being in bed with him was familiar, yet it was at the same time excitingly different and new.
Charles wasted no time. He was fully aware that Jane was finally in his bed and he had the green light to go. All the desires he had been holding back broke free with a rush. He plundered her mouth with his own and she trembled at his determination. Out of habit, her hands reached for his cock. Charles felt her grasp him and only allowed himself to enjoy it for a moment before he gently moved her hands away. At her questioning look, he told her, “Oh, no, not yet. You’re too distracting.”
Jane nodded and her hands slid up his body, taking the time to explore his chest and back.
Charles was working on his own exploration. His hand had started with caressing her stomach in slow smooth circles as he kissed her. Gradually, he worked his hand up to the lower edge of her breast, caressing more of it with each rotation. Jane moaned softly, which Charles took as a positive sign, and he slipped his hand farther up until he encircled the whole breast. “Perfect,” he sighed against her throat as her body pressed into his.
Her nipple was already hard when his fingers reached it. With agonizing slowness, he dragged his lips to it, prompting even more moans from Jane. He kissed it once, lightly, as he looked at her with hungry eyes, then he went back, drawing it into his mouth and sucking on it gently, while his hand began circling the other breast.
“Charles,” she cried.
“So beautiful,” he breathed as he changed his attention to her other nipple. Jane’s fingers buried themselves in his hair and held on tightly. His attention left her hardened nipples and traveled south, letting his lips and nose brush along her satin skin as he slowly surveyed her soft body until he reached the tiny golden triangle of fur over her sex. He kissed her there once, reverently, then pulled back to look at her, his eyes dark. “Are you ready, Jane?” he asked, his voice rough and sexy.
Jane opened her eyes, looking at him, not understanding his words, but willing to follow wherever he led. She nodded, her eyes never leaving his.
He moved back up to her, his face rubbing against her, his voice buzzing in her ear. “I want to make you feel very good, Jane, like you’ve never felt before.” He lay on top of her then, but before Jane could open her legs to him, he rolled them both over, so she was on top.
“Oh!” she cried, and Charles smiled back to her then.
“Slide on, love,” he gently directed her. And she did, impaling herself on his delicious cock, her eyes closing as she pushed herself all the way onto him. She reveled in the experience of him filling her, when she felt his hands on her shoulders. Startled, her eyes opened. “Trust me,” he told her, his voice thick, “I’m going to teach you how to come.”
Jane was confused but in no position to argue. Charles gently pushed her shoulders back until she was upright on top of him, his impressive length still buried deep inside of her. She looked down and smiled at the image of their blonde hairs mingled as one. “Now, rest your hands on my legs.”
Jane did as she was bid, leaning even farther back, placing her hands behind her and balancing herself there. He placed his hands on her hips and encouraged her to move back and forth slightly. She didn’t understand the purpose, and then her eyes popped open in astonishment before they locked tight again. Her movements against Charles had stimulated her and Jane could feel the stirrings of an orgasm already beginning.
He saw her reaction and smiled in a feline way. “I told you I was going to teach you how to come.”
“How? What?” she mumbled incoherently.
“Shhhh, keep going. I want to watch you.” He moved his hands to her breasts as he spoke and began caressing them in light circles again. Jane arched against him and soon found the sensations building to a miraculous wave.
“Oh my God!” she cried out as the pleasure overpowered her and she was racked with a powerful orgasm that left her shuddering. Charles locked his hands on her shoulders to keep her upright. She grasped his wrists with her hands as she looked at him in shocked surprise.
“That was beautiful, Jane,” he told her as his eyes feasted on her. Gently he brought her forward and let her rest her head on his shoulder. Soon her panting faded and Charles tested her with an upward thrust.
Jane’s breath caught. “Are you ready for more, love?” he asked, his hands stroking her bare back.
“Oh, yes,” she moaned, lifting her head to look at him, her dazed look fading as she spoke. He stroked her lips with his thumb and she kissed him, her mouth hungrily working against his.
“Take me,” he told her in a tight whisper.
Jane understood. She pushed herself up on her arms and began moving back and forth on his long length, producing feelings that were so different from the others, yet equally pleasurable. She watched him this time, watched his eyes close when the sensations became too strong, watched him offer himself to her.
Her body started to buck against his as the pleasure grew. Charles, his jaw clenched tightly, moved against her thrusts as their rhythm grew faster and more desperate. “Jaaaaaane,” he moaned in a rising tone as he grew harder inside of her, and Jane knew he was hers. She tightened her muscles around him, prompting a gasp and strangled cry as he came. Unexpectedly, the action produced a similar effect on her, and she followed him immediately into bliss. Their bodies rocked as one until they collapsed into an exhausted heap and lay motionless for a long time.
Jane smiled dopily as she realized she was drooling onto Charles’s shoulder and she didn’t care. Awareness slowly returned and stiffly she rolled off him. Charles quickly turned onto his side and bundled her close to him. She started giggling as a full, unashamed burst of pure joy flowed out of her body. Charles smiled and kissed her forehead as he held her tightly.
“Did you enjoy that?” he asked, his eyes shining.
“Charles!” she exclaimed. “Oh my God! I’ve never… You… Wow!”
He laughed with her, delighted. Jane took a deep breath and looked at him, trying again to express her feelings. “Charles I never, ever—”
“I know,” he hushed her with a kiss. “And to tell the truth, love, neither have I.”
She looked at him puzzled and he sighed. “Jane, I’ve been with many women before. But never like that.” He kissed her lovingly. “You’re so special to me.” He looked at her, feeling suddenly shy, realizing he had revealed so much.
Jane reached out to him, taking his face between her hands and kissed him slowly. When she pulled back to look into his eyes, she let hers fill with all the passion and love she felt for him. He smiled then, relieved and content. Jane, taking her cue, snuggled up tightly to him and rested her head on his shoulder. “Tell me,” she said, tracing designs on the skin of his chest over his heart, “how did you know how to do that?”
Charles shrugged. “The women I dated before I met you. They, well, they were nothing like you.” He grinned uneasily. “Anyway, while I can’t say too many good things about them, I can credit them giving me an excellent education on how to please a woman.”
He took in her guarded look and kissed her tenderly. “I never loved them, any of them. I thought I did, but I didn’t. I loved the sex, but not them, not like I love you.”
Jane smiled then, relieved. Charles looked at her, seeing the fatigue around her eyes, and he sighed, reflecting on what a long day it had been for both of them. “Come and sleep with me now, Jane,” he said as he gently pulled her to a spooning position in front of him. “I’m really looking forward to waking up next to you.”
The light clicked off, and Jane took his hand and squeezed it in the darkness. “I love you, Charles,” she said softly.
“I know,” he whispered back as he kissed her head good night.