The Redhead Revealed

“Jack,” I breathed, opening my legs to him and arching my back in invitation. He gri

There was no sound except the crickets, the occasional car, the music, and our breathing as I sank down onto him, taking him inside me. No matter how many times I felt this, it never failed to stop my breath as I felt him within me, perfectly. We both exhaled as I rose up, my feet flat against the flagstone, controlling this completely. I lifted, then lowered again, increasing the sweet friction between us. His hips drove into me, uniquely positioning him to hit that spot, both inside and out, every time I brought myself down onto him. His mouth found mine, our kisses frantic as I tasted the wine on his tongue. He unclasped my bra, his hands and mouth each finding one breast and addressing them equally. He rained kisses on my skin as my hands clung tightly to his shoulders.

“You feel amazing…how can you feel this good…every…single…time…God…” I struggled to speak, continuing to maneuver myself above him, legs shaking in exertion as I gave him everything I had.

He watched me move above him, teeth biting his lower lip as he groaned and closed his eyes at my words. I breathed in his ear, nibbling on his earlobe and kissing the space just below, the way I knew drove him crazy.

“I love feeling you around me, Grace. So warm…so fucking warm…” He moaned, his hips increasing speed and pressure, and I could feel myself tightening, my stomach clenching, toes curling, hands fisting, then fingers turning into little daggers as I dug into his back.

“So good…please…please…please…” I cried, and I screamed his name as I shook and shivered on top of him. He drove into me, holding me tightly against him, grabbing my legs to push deeper into me. I let him have me. He made me come a second time, the first rolling right into the next as he burst into me, sinking against my chest and calling my name.

“Jesus, Grace.” He sighed, and I cradled his head, ru

“Why are you laughing, Crazy?”

“I was just thinking that if any paparazzi followed you home, this would be all over the world tomorrow.”

“Not fu

“And that right there? With that shot they’d say you’re into rough sex, you deviant, you!” I laughed, dodging his next swat.

I ran into the house and turned to see him pulling up his pants. “Now you look like you had a little solo love out there all alone. Poor lonely Brit,” I sang out, still laughing.

He turned to me, eyes twinkling. “What was it you said about recovery time, love?” he asked, striding toward me.

“Oh man…” I laughed and ran into the house. With Jack right on my heels.

***

The next morning we had to get up and move. Jack had a photo shoot, and I still had quite a bit to get done for our di

Rebecca. Apparently she was still upset with me about what I did to Jack at the premiere. And frankly, I couldn’t blame her. I knew how close they were, and I knew how Holly would feel if someone did that to me, especially on such an important night. But if Jack and I could move past it, she was going to have to as well. I was glad she was coming to the house, and I was happy to have her to di

Jack left early for his shoot, and I spent the day prepping for the party and wrapping all my presents. We’d be exchanging gifts as part of the festivities. I baked pies, peeled veggies, and made as much as I could in advance so I could enjoy the time with my friends and not be stuck in the kitchen all night. Before I knew it, it was almost four p.m., and I still hadn’t had a shower. I made my way to the bathroom, stripped down, and stood under the spray for almost a solid hour, pruning. I had something I wanted to ask the Brit, but I wasn’t sure how to present it…

***

Later that night, starved, we drove to Pink’s. I craved a hot dog for some reason, and nothing would satisfy like a Pink’s. There was no way in hell Jack could get out of the car and stand in line without being recognized, so he pulled into a parking lot half a block away, and I gladly hopped out and stood in line. This was one of the first places I’d frequented when I moved to L.A. the first time, and I’d seen a celebrity on each and every visit. Everyone loved Pink’s.

After waiting for almost an hour and having a tiny fangirl moment when I saw Jim Carrey getting a dog, I took our treats (Mulholland Drive Dog for him and Martha Stewart dog for me) back to the car and we devoured them—top up, as we didn’t want to risk pictures. Paparazzi tended to circle Pink’s at night. You never knew who was going to show up. In between bites of the best hot dogs ever (they snap when you bite them), we laughed and joked and talked. He told me about the day’s photo shoot, and then about the fans at his apartment when he’d gone by that afternoon.

“I realized that even though that’s been my place in L.A. for over a year now, I’m ready to let it go,” he said. “Enough with the constant fangirls.”

I swallowed hard, thinking of what I’d been wanting to ask him.

“I mean, I’m headed back to London, and who knows where I’m going to be in January. Then I’m on location for the next film. I’ll never be here,” he continued, his voice trailing off.

I wiped the pickle juice off my fingers and turned to face him in the car. He sipped his soda, then his eyes found mine. They were serious. We each took a breath, then spoke at the same time.

“So, I was thinking—,” we both said, then laughed.

“You first,” I said.

“No, you go.”

“Huh-uh, you.”

“Ladies first.”

“There ain’t no ladies in this car,” I said, accenting my statement with a loud burp.

He wrinkled his nose and shook his head in mock disgust. “Age before beauty, Grace,” he chided.

“Did you just call yourself beautiful and me old?” I asked.

“Yes, yes, I did.”

“Well, hell, I really can’t argue with that logic. Okay, I’ll have the balls to say it first. Why don’t you just move in with me?” I said quickly, not giving myself a chance to puss out.

He stared at me, then started to speak.

I shook a finger at him and pressed on, “Wait, let me say this. You travel so much, and who the hell knows what I’m going to be doing. When we’re in the same town, when’s the last time we spent a night apart?”

He thought for a second. “I can’t remember. Not since we started…well…”

“Fucking?” I asked, laughing out loud.

“Yes, exactly. Fucking. You’re so crude, love,” he said, smiling.

I knew how much he loved me when I was crude.

“So, it just makes sense, yes? Do you even like your place?” I asked.

“No, not anymore. I mean, it was only ever just a place to sleep, never a home. And now with the paparazzi knowing where I live and all the fans surrounding the place, I suppose it does make sense…You sure about this, Crazy?” he asked, brushing my hair back with his fingertips.