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Authors: M. J. Grace

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BOOK: Inked Chaos
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I know
I’m staring at him, as my thoughts tumble around my mind, trying to find the
words to tell him of my reservations.

“There’re
things in my past you don’t know about.” I state. “Things that make me
apprehensive about relationships.  I don’t know if I can take the risk of……..”

“If
you’re talking about your divorce, I know about that.” He interrupts. “I don’t
care that you were married before.  That’s all in the past, as is my history.  We
start today.  I understand your being wary, so we take one day at a time.  What
do you say?”

I gaze
into his eyes.  Those beautiful blue eyes that are staring at me so intently,
willing me to agree, and I want to.  I want to see where this leads, and not
because it’s ‘AJ Lewis the famous rock star’, but because he’s shown me how
thoughtful he can be.  Yes, he can be intense and straight talking, but after
James that’s almost like a breath of fresh air.  He makes me laugh, and despite
everything, I had a good time tonight.

“Yes.” I whisper.

“Yeah?” he repeats beaming widely.

“Yes.” I
reply nodding my head. “But we start today.  A clean slate.  Agreed?” I ask.

“Totally.”
He agrees, sounding relieved. “Now that’s all out-of-the-way.  Tell me now the
books finished, what’s next?” he enquires changing the subject, and I’m glad at
his attempt to lighten the mood.

“Well, I
have a few more days left for sightseeing, then I’m heading home.” I answer,
realising for the first time that I don’t want to go home.  I love it here.  The
way of life, the constant sunshine, and Jen is here.  I had really missed her
before I came over, and although we haven’t spent every minute together while
I’ve been here, it’s been comforting knowing she wasn’t too far away.  We have
spoken almost daily, and I’m going to miss her and LA, and yes I admit it, AJ
too.

“So how
about tomorrow I take you out? Give you an insider’s view of LA and California
so to speak.” He offers smiling.

“I’d like that very much.” I reply happily.

Is this really happening? How my life has changed
over the last few weeks.  I feel so lucky.  I’m in LA.  Living in a gorgeous
house, which just happens to be occupied by a handsome rock star, who just
happens to be taking me out tomorrow.  Pinch me someone please, I must be
dreaming.

Talking of which, I feel now is a good time to
call it a night.  Glancing at my watch I see that it’s already after midnight.

“If you
don’t mind, I’m going to call it a night? What time are we heading out in the
morning?” I ask rising to my feet.

“How about we head out at nine?” He asks standing
with me.

“Sure.  I
enjoyed tonight, AJ.  Thank you for dinner.” I say with a smile.

I
appreciate that I really did enjoy my evening in his company.  Despite all the
drama, he put me at ease and made me laugh.  Paparazzi and fans aside, I had a
wonderful time.

“Goodnight.”
I say and start to walk towards the door, only for AJ to grasp my hand,
bringing me to a halt.

“Goodnight
Birdie.” he whispers and places his lips on mine in a gentle but firm swift
kiss.

I can
hear my heart pounding in my ears.  AJ just kissed me.  A quick kiss, but a
kiss all the same.  He gazes into my eyes, squeezes then releases my hand.  Shyly,
I smile at him and head towards my room.  Once there, I flop down on my bed too
dumbstruck to even think about preparing for bed.  AJ Lewis kissed me! Me!
Jorgi Morgan, and boy what a kiss.  Yes, it had been quick, yes it had been
firm, but it still made my heart pound, and my body tingle.

With a
smile on my face I prepare for bed.  Pausing to look at myself in the bathroom
mirror, trying to see what he sees.  I still don’t get it.  I see nothing that
would warrant the attention of AJ Lewis.  Nonetheless, I’m going to run with
this, and see where it goes.  I don’t want to be a few years down the line
wondering “what if?”

I crawl
into bed and fall asleep with a stupid grin stuck on my face.

CHAPTER 10

 

 

 

It’s been a hectic but
wonderful few days.  AJ kept good on his word to show me LA and the surrounding
area.

The first day we headed out on his Harley, travelling
down to San Diego.  We hit Belmont Park and acted like a couple of kids,
jumping on all the rides.  Surprisingly, no one seemed to comprehend it was him;
or if they did, they didn’t believe their eyes, so we weren’t bothered by
anyone.  However, even if we had been, Tiny and another guy called Wade were
with us, always a discreet distance away for our privacy, but close enough to
deal with any trouble should it arise.

We had wandered around the park, with AJ
holding my hand or with his arm around me, having the time of our lives.

Afterwards, we travelled to Seaport village,
where we hit a restaurant and ate Avocado and Shrimp salad, before heading to
Coronado beach; where we sat on the sand enjoying our time just chatting.  I
even indulged in my childhood hobby, and collected a few pretty shells I found. 

We rode home as the sun was setting, ending
a magical day that I knew was one of the best I had ever experienced.

At all times AJ had been attentive, and
when we arrived back at his home to find the table set for a romantic dinner,
he continued to be so.  He has a way of making me feel like I’m the only girl
in the world.  With his brilliant conversation putting me at ease, and his humour
making me laugh; I’ve seen more sides to AJs personality than I thought
possible.  He can be intense, and straight talking, but he can also be a goof
and a goon, acting like a big kid.  

He is also highly intelligent, as I found
out on our second day out; when we went to the observatory in Griffith Park,
and some of the museums in LA.  His knowledge revealing to me again, the multifaceted
person that is AJ Lewis.  Then there is romantic AJ, the guy who holds my hand
constantly, or has his arm around my shoulders, not afraid to show his
affections.

Often I’ve found myself reciprocating these
gestures without even realising I was doing so, showing how at ease in each
other’s company we have become.

The first evening after dinner, we had sat
on his couch close to each other, going over our day, when he had slowly leaned
towards me and placed his lips to mine.  Apprehensive at first, I had held back
a little; but when his tongue touched my lips I had opened my mouth, and he had
taken full advantage.  His tongue touching and twisting with my own.  Tasting
each other slowly at first, exploring each other for the first time.  It had
soon become heated, with his one hand fisted in my hair, the other at the small
of my back, holding me close as he devoured my mouth.

I didn’t stand a chance against his
passion.  My mind and my body totally surrendered to the onslaught on my
senses, and before I knew it, we were lying on the couch.  His hands had made
their way under my shirt, gently caressing the flesh of my back.  My own
starting to make their way under his T-shirt, feeling his flesh under the
waistband of his jeans, when he’d suddenly raised his head.

“Gotta slow down babe.” He’d whispered close
to my lips.

I’d opened my eyes and gazed at him.  My
lips felt swollen, my breathing laboured, and my mind befuddled.  It took a
while until I could focus on what he was saying.

“Okay?” I’d whispered,
not really understanding why he’d

stopped.

“I want to take this slow with you babe.  It’s
about more than just sex with you, do you understand that?”

On seeing what must have been my confused
expression, he’d said with a sigh.

“Don’t get me wrong, I want you.  Damn! Do
I want you, but we take our time, go to the next step when it’s right.  I don’t
want you to have regrets about this further down the line?”

“But…?”

“Trust me in this Birdie.  Please.  It’s
not easy for me, believe me.  I want you so bad, but I’m right in this
decision.  Give me a kiss goodnight and go to bed, while I still have the
strength to let you go.”

I’d lay there gazing into his beautiful
blue eyes.  There aren’t many men who would be thoughtful and stop.  It’s
another side of AJ I’d experienced; his strong self-control.  I would have gone
the whole way and with the knowledge of this, I’d felt the heat of
embarrassment rise in my face.  The first date and he’d had me on my back.  Humiliation
burnt me to the core, and I’d tried to rise off the couch to make a hasty
getaway.

“Hey! What the ...?” he’d said as I’d pushed
at his chest to move him away from me, failing miserably as he’d grabbed my
arms. “Birdie, tell me what’s wrong.”

“This.” I’d burst out.

“What?” he’d exclaimed.
“Birdie I don’t understand.”

Looking at him, I had seen his anger, and it
was myself who had caused it.

“This...us…we…” I’d stammered, unable to
meet his gaze. “It’s our first date!”

“Birdie look at me.” Tentatively, I’d lifted
my gaze to his. “I know you’re not easy, if that’s what you’re implying.  If
that was the case we wouldn’t be here now.  What we have is different.  I
thought you understood that.  That’s why I want to go slow, and not rush things
while we explore this.  Do you understand?”

I’d nodded my head.  For a moment there my
barriers had shown their ugly face, taunting me with my own self-doubt, afraid
of what he would think of me.  However, as usual, AJ had been open with me
about his feelings, stopping those barriers from slamming home before they had chance
to.

“Birdie?” AJ called.  I’d peeked at him
from under my lashes, to find him staring down at me, with an anxious frown on
his face. “Are we clear on this?” he’d asked.

“Yes.  I’m sorry, I
overreacted again.  Forgive me?”

“Nothing to forgive.” He’d said, squeezing
his arms in a swift hug. “Now give me a kiss goodnight, and shift your luscious
ass off to bed.” He’d replied.

Laughing, I had put my lips to his, and he
had quickly deepened the kiss into a hot and heavy goodnight smacker, before
releasing me.  

“Night baby.” I’d whispered, as I stood to
move towards the door, noticing his eyes widen and his lips smile.  It’s then
that I realised, that it was the first endearment I had used with him; having
previously only called him by his name.  So first the loving gestures, and now
the endearments had become easier for me to use.

I had gone to bed and fallen asleep with a
smile on my face, and awoken the same way.

Last night had been much the same, with AJ
calling a halt to our lovemaking, before either of us could become too out of
control.  Which I have to say, made me feel both a mixture of relief and
disappointment.

His kisses are the best I have ever known;
like a drug that I find intoxicating and addictive.  Once he starts to kiss me,
I don’t want him to stop.  So it’s good that he is the strong one.

Now here I am, sitting at the breakfast
bar, with the knowledge that I must fly home tomorrow; with AJ flying out to
New York in preparation for his rearranged TV appearance.  So today is our last
day together, although not even a full day as AJ has a television appearance
later this evening.

Just a few days together, and it feels like
it’s been forever.  How can he become such a huge part of my life, in such a
short space of time? There is no denying the fact I am going to miss him, his
smile, his laughter and even his forthright manner.

I smile and turn my head as I hear him
entering the kitchen, only to feel my smile slip a little, when I notice the
expression on his face.  He walks over to me, kisses me lightly on the lips with
a “Morning babe” before walking around the breakfast bar, and proceeding to
pour himself a cup of coffee.

“Is something wrong?” I ask as he walks
back towards me, and I watch as he places a tabloid newspaper on the counter in
front of me.

“Check out page six.” He says as he sips
his coffee, keeping his eyes on me over the rim of his mug.

I look questioningly at him, but begin
flipping the pages until I reach the said page, then quickly with shock, look
at AJ.  For what my eyes see, is a blow by blow photographic account, of the
last two days of our lives.  Belmont Park, the beach, eating in the restaurant,
Griffiths Park everything.  Even climbing on and off his Harley.  Not once did
I see a cameraman.  Not once.  

“I never saw anyone with a camera, did
you?” I ask him, to see him studying me intently.

“Nope.  That’s where long lenses come in
handy.  I thought we had gotten away with it.  I was obviously wrong.  I’m
sorry Birdie.  It means you’re well and truly out there in the spotlight now.”

Lowering my head, I begin to read that even
as yet with my name unknown, that I was AJ’s new girlfriend, and that we had
spent several days in each other’s company.  How AJ had been attentive, and
affectionate, seeing as in nearly every shot AJ was either holding my hand, or
his arm was around my shoulders.  They knew what we had eaten, but worst of all,
it stated that I had moved in with AJ, and they congratulated him on his “quick
moves.”

“Oh my God.” I whispered
stunned.

“The good part of this, is that you’re
leaving for the UK and I’m off to New York tomorrow.  Being apart and out of
the spotlight, will hopefully put them off the scent for a while.  By the time
you’re back in LA, they will, with any luck, have forgotten all about us.”

I look back at the photos of us both.  I
have to admit we look good together.  We also look really happy.  In every shot
we are smiling at each other, or obviously laughing out loud.

I’m suddenly conscious that I don’t want to
lose this, we have had so much fun in the last few days.  I don’t want anything
to spoil what we have shared, and what seems to be a promise of us.  A promise
that I thought I would never have the chance of.

Somehow, over the last few days he has found
his way through my defences.  There isn’t just a crack in my wall, but an enormous
gaping hole, and the thought of us being separated is not a pleasant one.  However,
I’m aware that the timing is going to be advantageous.  If it gives the
situation time to cool down, then in the long run, surely it can only help the
situation.  Can’t it? I glance at AJ to find he’s watching me with guarded
eyes.  

“We look happy.” I blurt
out spontaneously.

“Cos we are babe.” He replies, a smile
lighting up his face.  Placing his coffee mug down, he moves to stand behind me,
enfolds me in his arms and rests his chin on my shoulder, gazing down at the
pictures.

“There it is in full colour.  Evidence that
what we have, even though it’s new, is all good and it will continue to be so,
I swear.”

“I’m going to miss you, you know?” I
murmur, deciding to be truthful.

“Same here Birdie you know that, but we’ll
talk every day.  It’ll only be a few weeks, and we’ll be reunited in London.  Then
you’ll be back here in LA, and we can spend some quality time together.”

“Okay.”

“But you’re still here now, so what do you
fancy doing today?” he inquires with a squeeze of his arms.

Feeling his arms around me, I realise that
all I want to do, is spend the day with him here at the house.  Just the two of
us with no interruptions.

“Can we stay here? Just
enjoy each other’s company?” I ask.

AJ pulls me to my feet and turns me to face
him.  Placing both his hands on my cheeks, he places his lips to mine in a
swift kiss.

“That, would be just perfect.” He answers.  Then
lowers his lips to mine to deepen the kiss.  Of their own volition, my hands
move.  One rising to his head sliding into his hair, the other moving around
his back, drifting under his T-shirt feeling the warmth of his skin.

With a groan, he tears his lips from my
own, and leans his forehead against mine.  

“How about you go change into your bikini,
and we go have a swim?” He suggests on a sigh.

“Swim?” I question.

“Yeah, it’ll help me cool down, and babe I
need to cool down.” He retorts smiling.

“Oh, you mean ‘cool down’.  I say smiling,
raising an eyebrow suggestively.

With a burst of laughter, he places his
hands on my shoulders, turns me around and gives me a gentle push towards the
door.

“Go get changed, you minx.  I’ll have
breakfast waiting when you get back.”

Chuckling to myself, with a quick smile
over my shoulder, I head towards my room to change.

 

*****

 

Dressed in my chocolate brown bikini I take
a moment to view myself in the mirror.  Now that I have a golden tan, I have to
admit I don’t look too bad.

As I’m tying my hair up in a messy bun, so
it won’t get wet in the pool, my phone rings on the bedside cabinet.  Looking
at the caller ID I see its Jen calling.  Guilt overcomes me, as I haven’t
spoken to, or seen her in the last couple of days, having spent all my time
with AJ.

“Hi honey.” I say
apprehensively taking the call.

“Ah, she lives.” Jen
laughs down the phone.

“I know, I know I’m sorry, but developments
have happened and time has just flown by.  Please I feel guilty enough.” I
plead.

“It’s okay sweetie.  I’ve heard all about
the ‘developments’ and now I’ve seen evidence with my own eyes.”

“I take it you’ve seen the press then?” I
groan rubbing my frowning forehead with my fingers.  I feel awful that she has
found out about AJ and I via the press, and not from me personally.

“Yep.” She says, popping the p. “I’ve also
had a running commentary from Razor.” She reveals.

“Razor? How does Razor
know about it?”

“AJ.  They have been texting, but when I
say a running commentary, all I know is that you’ve been on dates, and that it
all seems good, but then of course I saw the press releases today.  Have to say
honey, you look stunning and very happy in those shots.”

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