Beautiful Strangers (The Masquerade Series) Read online

  “Why, because of your superstar boyfriend? He can’t give you what you need Gracie. You’re a fool if you think you are anything other than another notch on his post. Let me love you. I have changed for you. I stopped using four months ago.”

  “That’s great for you really, but I don’t want or need anything from you. I think we are past that. Besides you should want to be a better man for yourself. Being here with you is a mistake.” This time he lets me go.

  I get into my car dripping wet but I don’t care, he always manages to get under my skin. It’s as if he knows pissing me off only makes me want him more.

  I decided some retail therapy would do me a world of good. I found myself some new sexy push up bras and coordinating panties for work and to wear for Jaxson. I finally bought a really cute pair of leopard Jimmy Choos I have been eyeing for a while. Jocelyn meets me for an early dinner at the Rain Forest Café; it felt really good to be spending some much needed girl time with my bestie. I couldn’t hold everything in any longer and confessed that I had spent the morning with Evan.

  Jocelyn did seem a little too interested in how much time I have been spending seeing Evan. Funny she rarely asks about him most days, but I brush it off. I know she worries about me. We gush over Jaxson, and talk about the video.

  “Gracie I am so happy things are going well for you. Are sure you have decided to let Evan alone for good? You have been through a lot together.” She states twirling her red hair around her fingers.

  Something is off with Jojo today, but I just can’t place what it is. We say our goodbyes; she says that Robert has a surprise planned for her.

  When I get home I take a series of mischievous pictures in my new heels and lingerie and send them to Jaxson. Instant phone call, my inner kitten is beaming.

  “Damn, Gracie you tease. You have me so hard! I just finished the final touches on the video and then you send me these pics. Are you trying to blue ball me to death?”

  “What would be the fun in that, Jax? I’d much rather torture you in the flesh.”

  “Of course you would lover. I may give you the chance later tonight if you’re lucky.”

  “Now who’s the tease?”

  With time to kill, I turn on the TV. You would think I‘d learn not to watch The Nashville Gawker but it’s like seeing a car crash and you can’t turn away:

  Jaxson Hayes has denied any reports of an engagement but sources say the country star was spotted leaving a jewelry store earlier today. Sadie Blake has refused to comment.

  I don’t know how to feel it, could just be another of Sadie’s ploys to make them appear to be the golden couple. There wasn’t any footage of said jewelry store visit but if this is why Sadie wants to have dinner with me, I will rip that bitch’s head off.

  Try to be calm Gracie. Jaxson surely would have mentioned something so important, but it’s hard not to wonder how far he will go to keep princess happy.

  Guess I will find out soon enough when I meet up with him after my shift tonight. Silence from Evan, maybe he really is ready to give me some much needed space. If I am lucky maybe he will leave me and Nashville alone all together since I’m the main reason for his moving here.

  That would simplify things on some level and I wouldn’t be so tempted to let my demon call him. I caught myself almost dialing his number out of curiosity. No I tell myself just because you’re pissy over rumors it doesn’t give you an excuse to be an idiot. Don’t give that sorry asshole any hope.

  What Once Was?

  But that doesn’t stop the memories Evan and I was so good together. When we were good, we were perfect and when we were bad, it was hell on Earth. I remember our first date like it was yesterday…..

  Glancing at the clock I find myself feeling nervous, almost time to meet the cute guy. I don’t know why I am anxious he is just a guy changing your flat tire. Grace, pull it together. I put on my favorite denim shorts and my favorite yellow cami. I pull my long dark brown hair into a loose bun, and slip on my favorite yellow Jimmy’s. I have an obsession with Jimmy Choos that my father thankfully funded or I would never have been able to afford them.

  I walk down the street to where I left my car. Shit! Did I forget to hang my parking permit on my rearview mirror? There is a tow truck pulled along side of my car. My anxiety subsides when I see Evan stepping out of the driver’s side. I can tell he is staring at my legs. I have taken dance classes as long as I can remember, so I know they look good.

  “You’re late I have been sitting in my truck for fifteen minutes. Did you have trouble walking here in those heels?” he teased.

  “No, I like to keep men waiting.” I tease back.

  “I already changed your tire, hop in my truck and we can go get that pizza you owe me.”

  I stand there chewing the inside of my bottom lip; I am not so sure about just climbing into some strangers tow truck. I go against my gut feeling and decide to take a chance. It is just pizza after all.

  “Let me give you a boost, with those heels you might hurt something trying to get in.” I think he really just wants a closer view of my ass, but I am not complaining.

  “So this is your truck? I mean you said you work in a repair shop, so I take it you’re not a student?”

  “No I was helping a friend move in, you were just lucky I was at the right place at the right time.” He answered giving me a shit eating grin, like he knew something that I didn’t. He flashes his too damn sexy dimples at me. I think I just fell to pieces. He is so fucking charming when he smiles.

  “Sure you were. I bet you scout the campus looking for girls in need of your services on the daily.” I tell him mockingly.

  “You’ve caught me. It is a great way to get business and dates.”

  “Oh right, what do I owe you for the tire?”

  “I told you, just pizza and a little of your time.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t mind paying you.”

  He nods his head and we continue to talk about what I am pursuing in school.

  I notice we are getting on the freeway heading towards the Nashville International Airport and I get a huge lump in my throat.

  “So where’s this pizza place?” I ask nervously.

  “It’s not far. I promise I am not taking you out to the woods to torture you. There’s an Italian place right off Stewarts Ferry-Pike called Sal’s. They make great pies.”

  “Oh.” Was all I could say, I felt kind of embarrassed. He leads me inside and we take a table in the back corner. We spend the evening learning more about each other over some delicious pizza and yes, it was my treat.

  The way he feels about motorcycles is a lot like the way I feel about writing. There is something inspiring about the way he describes his bike. He talks about it as if it were a beautiful woman waiting to be caressed. I can not help but stare at his lips as he speaks and wonder what it would be like to lean over and taste them just once.

  I was beginning to think he was reading my thoughts when he suddenly leaned in and brushed my bottom lip with his thumb.

  “You had a little bit of crust on your mouth.” His thumb lingers for an extra second and I know he is feeling the connection between us. I rarely find an instant spark with anyone, which would explain why Jojo cat is my one and only friend.

  “I was going to meet a friend of mine for a game of pool, would you like to go?” He asks casually.

  “Sure but I have to warn you I am a klutz and am very dangerous with a stick.”

  High Demand….

  When I get to work Ritchie calls me into his office.

  Well hell! What have I done now? I wonder.

  “Gracie I just wanted to pull you to the side and let you know that you have been doing a great job lately. Reggie met with me earlier and showed me what you two decided for the girls’ costumes and I love the ideas you have.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We also discussed your suggestion to let the girls be without masks for Halloween. As long as it’s only for make u
p and hair purposes, I am okay with it this one time.”

  Wow, that went over better than I expected.

  “Oh and congratulations on the video, I hear it turned out great. We have been asked to host a release party Monday night before business hours and you are expected to be here. I can’t wait to see it.”

  “Thanks, me either.”

  My shift was crazy! There were so many people asking for the girl from the billboard, I was overwhelmed. Ritchie ended up having to send me home; some guys got a little out of hand when they weren’t able to get a dance from me. Who would have thought so much attention would come from a few billboards? Not me.

  I called Jax to let him know I was sent home, and when I told him why I could swear he was jealous, making my kitten purr with excitement.

  “You’re in high demand love but I have first and only dibs.” He stated as a matter of fact.

  I drove to his place and was very surprised by what was waiting for me. Jaxson was in his bedroom and the whole room was lit with candles and he was sitting in a chair near his French doors shirtless in a pair of dark jeans holding his guitar.

  Hurry! Hurry!

  “You inspired me to write a new song, I would like to play it for you.”

  I had to pinch myself he was so sweet and sexy, if this is a dream I never want to wake up. I took the chair opposite of him, I was afraid my legs would give any second. Jaxson was looking me directly in the eyes as he began to serenade me in a sultry, bluesy tone.

  “I call this Hurry Lover.”

  Hurry Lover

  Hurry lover come quick

  Times not ours to waste

  Hurry lover run to me

  Feed my soul

  I give you my love freely

  What are you waiting for?

  Give your heart to me

  So come on love run, run, run

  You belong to me and I you

  I’m ready to stop fucking around

  Go ahead and jump

  Hurry lover come quick

  Time he waits for no one

  Not even you

  Almost Heaven….

  Jax put his guitar to the side our eyes never leaving one another’s, and a single tear escaped my eye. He captured it on his thumb and then he tasted it.

  “Jax that was beautiful, thank you.”

  To say my entire soul just melted would be the understatement of a lifetime. And how he could have done anything else to make me want to love him more was beyond me. But then he pulled out a jewelry box and sat it in my lap.

  “I bought this for you today Gracie, you inspire me.”

  I opened the box and inside was a beautiful silver chain with a guitar pendant.

  “I know this is fast, but I’ve never felt such a strong connection to another soul; you have set my heart on fire.”

  And with those words declared, our bodies collided, becoming one. I couldn’t get him out his jeans fast enough. We fell straight down to the floor. His lips brushing against mine with urgency I have never felt before. Jax made love to me for the first time that night. A memory that will be engraved into my heart and into my mind forever, this can not be real. And if I thought Jaxson fucking me had been mind blowing, his making love to me was like nothing else I had ever experienced.

  This beautiful man has turned my bones to pure putty. I think I could die right now, if I weren’t convinced I had just found Heaven on Earth in his arms.

  Chapter Eleven

  Run Away With Me…

  I wanted nothing more than to just take him away to a far off land where we didn’t have to be ourselves. Somewhere I wouldn’t have to tell him everything I have been holding back. How could I possibly tell him now? He would be disgusted if he knew the things I’ve done.

  My heart can’t risk being broke again, but does that make me as horrible as Evan, starting a relationship in a lie?

  I don’t know.

  And why oh why do my thoughts always seem to lead me back to Evan?

  Because there is a huge part of my heart that still can’t let him go.

  I selfishly admit to myself.

  Sadie canceled dinner and I was relieved. Now my evening was free and I could spend it showing Jax how much I was beginning to fall for him.

  “Let’s go for a drive. I’ve not been able to drive The King all week.”

  “You named your truck The King as in Elvis?” I asked clamping my hand over my mouth trying so hard not to let my laughter erupt.

  “Don’t laugh at The King or I’ll be forced to do bad things with you,” he warned.

  I wished he would!

  “Aren’t you afraid of being seen with me?”

  “I’m tired of caring Grace, your mine. What will be, will be, but where I’m taking you is very private.”

  We drove for a few hours and I wasn’t even sure where we were, but we were definitely away from the city. There were miles of open farmland stretched out before us and even more miles between me and all of my doubt. Jaxson turned down a dirt road, and after a mile we came to a stop in front of a beautiful old barn.

  “Where are we?” I wondered out loud.

  “This is where I grew up. I come here when I need to think. The main house got taken out by a tornado a few years back. I’ve been debating on rebuilding and moving back here for some time.”

  He spoke with a sad expression on his face. I would do anything to make him forget what was causing the lost expression he held on his face when I had a brilliant idea.

  “Will you show me the barn babe?” I asked chewing the inside of my lip, hoping to find what I wanted inside.

  Just as I expected there were two bungee cords hanging on a hook and when Jax wasn’t looking I stuffed them down the back of my pants hoping he wouldn’t notice.

  We walked around the barn a little longer with him telling me stories of how he played hide n seek here as a child. He was raised by his grandparents; they had passed away a few years ago.

  I can now understand why he still keeps Sadie close. She is all he has besides Ray. He never knew his father and his mother died when he was five in a car accident.

  It is growing dark out, time to put my plan into action.

  “Do you have any blankets? I’d love to lie in the back of The King and just stare at the stars for a while.” I smirked.

  I’m hoping he doesn’t notice my constant scratching from the cords making me itch. There are a couple of old sheets draped over some old farming equipment. Dirty but perfect.

  Jax spreads the sheets out and lies down with his arms crossed under his head with his eyes closed. He appeared to be lost in his own thoughts, maybe memories of his childhood. I took the opportunity and before he realized what I was doing I tied his wrist together with the bungee cords.

  Whole…...

  “Gracie what the fuck are you doing?”

  He wasn’t angry, just shocked. He tried to pull free without luck.

  “Where did you learn to tie these knots, my lover?”

  “Girl scouts,” I smiled holding up two fingers. “It’s your turn to beg,” I all but promised him.

  The only light we had was from the moonlight, it was a clear night and the temperature was pleasantly comfortable. I began to slowly peel my clothes off for him, giving him time to appreciate all he was seeing. Once I was down to my bra and panties, I straddled his lap backwards and leaned forward to remove his boots and his socks pressing my ass within inches of his face.

  He tried to lean his face forward threatening to bite my ass.

  If only he could reach it.

  Satisfied with having his boots off I instructed him to lay his head down flat. He obeyed and I repositioned my self to where I was almost straddling his face. His moist warm tongue grazed the side of my thigh.

  “Tell me what you want Jaxson.” He licks my other thigh. “That won’t do,” I say pulling further back from his mouth. “Tell me what you want!” I demand this time.

  “I want to taste you lover.�
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  “You didn’t say please.” I say hovering back closer to his mouth and I pull my panties aside allowing him to see how swollen I am for him already as I lightly touch myself.

  “Please let me taste you,” he growls.

  I lower myself onto his mouth as he begins trying to poke his tongue through my panties. I give in a little and move my panties aside for him.

  “Fuck lover! Will you please undo my hands so I can fuck you properly?” He pleaded.

  Instead of doing what he asks I move off of his mouth and lightly trace my tongue just inside his jeans, his cock is about to burst through the zipper. I unbutton and unzip them, he begins to wiggle and I pull them down just enough to let his cock escape.

  I slowly remove my bra and brush my nipples across his face with him catching one of them in his teeth and biting, not enough to hurt but enough to cause pressure.

  I don’t know how long I can keep teasing but having all the control is a real turn on and my kitten is purring. I began licking up and down his shaft like he is a Popsicle on a summer’s day. He knows I am waiting for him to beg, but he is stubborn and is waiting for me to give in first.

  Not this time babe.

  “Damn it, my darlin' please, fuck me!” he growls. And with that I jerk his pants down to his ankles, free his wrist, and I do just what he demands. We fall asleep in the back of his truck curled into one another underneath the moon and for the first time in my life I feel whole. We awaken at dawn freezing our bare asses off, and return to Brentwood.

  Stumbling my way up the stairs with exhaustion, my night of bliss is ruined by the sight of princess sitting on the edge of Jax’s bed.

  “Sadie it’s too fucking early,” Jaxson sighs.

  “I can not believe you forgot, Wake Up with Nashville will be here any moment and you,” she huffs poking a finger at me, “are becoming too much of a distraction,” giving me a do not fuck with me glare.

  “Get your ass in the shower and downstairs in twenty,” she barks at Jax. “Grace I will see you out, you can not be seen here when the crew arrives,” practically pushing me out the door. Jaxson mouths I’m sorry. What happened to not caring? I storm down the stairs and out the front door just as the crew is approaching to knock.