Starting Forever Read online

  STARTING FOREVER

  BY OLIVIA BRYNN

  Copyright 2012, Olivia Brynn.

  ISBN 978-0-9857082-9-0

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

  Manufactured in the United States of America.

  Editor

  Sharis Mayer

  Cover Artist

  Booknibbles.com

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

  NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  STARTING FOREVER IS A VERY SHORT STORY

  WRITTEN AS AN EPILOGUE TO FALLING STAR, EARTH SCENTS BOOK ONE,

  AS WELL AS A PROLOGUE TO BOOK TWO IN THE SERIES,

  RISING HEAT, A MALE/MALE ROMANCE COMING SOON.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Buddy, the way you’re smiling back there makes me wonder what you’ve got up your sleeve.”

  Adam glanced up at the rear-view mirror where the limo driver’s grinning eyes reflected back at him. Though he hadn’t realized he’d been smiling, now he couldn’t wipe it off his face. “Nothing nefarious, I promise.”

  The driver chuckled. “That’s what they all say. I’ve been driving folks from the airport for about thirty years now. I know that look. So—” he draped his hand over the steering wheel, “—what’s her name?”

  “Her name’s Jade. And she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  Another chuckle. “So you brought your guitar to woo her, huh?”

  Adam patted the hard case containing his guitar. He rarely traveled without it. “Think it’s a good idea?”

  “Ah, women love that stuff. But being a hot-shot musician, I’m sure you already know that. I listened to some of your songs on the way to the airport. I like country music, except all that depressing stuff they play. Yours is good.”

  “Thanks. My latest album is a lot lighter than my others. I’ve got a great band.” And a great muse. He couldn’t help but bounce his knee in anticipation of seeing Jade.

  The older man took in Adam’s appearance through the mirror. “Don’t you make enough money to dress a little nicer to meet your girl? If you’re trying to impress her, for God’s sake at least lose the hat. Only teeny-boppers like boys in ball caps. Besides, the hat’ll only get in the way if you wanna kiss her.”

  The hat was the only thing Adam used—beside his dark sunglasses—to shield his identity in public places. One good thing about regional airports, fewer fans and fewer celebrity sighting expectations. He’d actually made this entire trip without his bodyguard Tyrell, and he did it without being recognized. In fact, the past few hours traveling simply had him remembering his roots. He and his band had played a different small-town bar every night just to pay for gas in the broken-down van to get to the next gig. He could have had Jade pick him up at the airport in her rental car, but he couldn’t resist surprising her.

  “Hope your mind don’t wander this much when you got your lady in your arms.”

  It was Adam’s turn to chuckle. “No, sir. Just focused on getting my lady in my arms, that’s all.”

  “Oh boy. You got it bad.” The driver shook his head. “You’re going to the hospital though. Hope it’s not the maternity ward. If you missed a big event, you’re gonna need more than a guitar and a song.”

  The big brick building loomed in front of them as the limo slowed to take a turn into the entrance.

  “Oh no, nothing like that. They flew her brother here after an accident.” Adam winced at the mental picture. Jade’s brother Lance—a small-town cop—had been investigating a report of a drug lab on a boat near town when he was knocked overboard by a swell. The propeller took his leg off just below the knee. Jade had dropped everything to meet Lance’s medical helicopter in Amarillo. Adam would never forget the joy in her voice when she called twelve hours later to report that her brother was going to make it. “She’s been keeping him company, and I’m surprising her.”

  “Ah, that explains the shit-eating grin then. Well, go on then.” He put the sleek black car in park and turned to fully face Adam. “Go see your lady. I’m bettin’ you’ll get your kiss. Maybe even a few tears.”

  Adam pulled cash from his wallet. “I’ll be crying if you don’t take good care of my guitar here.”

  “No worries.” His eyes widened at the tip. “Thank you! I’ll make sure it’s safe and sound at the hotel along with the rest of your luggage. Thank you, Mr. Nash!”

  Despite the driver’s advice, Adam didn’t lose the hat. He did straighten it though, and he smoothed the wrinkles from his T-shirt before walking through the sliding doors into the hospital. Clearing his throat against the universal hospital smell, he made his way to the fifth floor, hoping like hell Jade was in Lance’s room. Either way, he’d have to brace himself to see her brother for the first time since he’d lost his leg.

  A few steps away from room five-fifteen he heard her voice, and his heart skipped a beat.

  He stopped in his tracks and took a deep breath. God, he loved her. Although there were days in the year or so after he’d come clean about his superstardom when it was hard to maintain their privacy and sanity, Jade had somehow become his rock, anchoring him in reality when the bullshit of celebrity threatened to drive him back to drink.

  He hadn’t touched her in two weeks. Not since Jade got the phone call early one morning explaining her brother’s injury. Nightly webcam chats just weren’t the same. After another deep breath he knocked on the door, which swung partially open.

  “Come in,” came a deep voice.

  Adam peered around the opening, his gaze sweeping the room, past Jade’s parents lounging on the boxy sofa until he found Jade in the chair beside Lance’s bed.

  “Adam!” She dropped her hand of cards and all but ran across the room and into his arms. “Oh my God. I didn’t know you were coming. I tried texting you earlier but you didn’t answer, so I thought you were busy, and now you’re here and—oh my God. I’ve missed you so much.”

  Adam buried his face in her hair, and nuzzled her neck through the strawberry-blond strands. “I missed you too.”

  After a kiss that wasn’t nearly long enough, he pulled back to just look into her green eyes. He stroked her cheek and cradled her jaw in his palm. The last hours of travel hell were suddenly worth it. He’d do it all again just to see her smile.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see you.” He tore his gaze away from Jade to face the man sitting on the hospital bed. “And Lance. How ya doin’?”

  Lance shrugged and shuffled the cards back into the deck. “I’ve had better days.”

  “He’s doing wonderfully.” Marcie, Jade’s mother accepted Adam’s kiss on the cheek and then moved aside for her husband to shake Adam’s hand. “He’s like a little kid. He gets cranky before dinner.”

  Lance rolled his eyes, but shook Adam’s hand with the same gusto he’d had before his injury. “I’m not cranky. I’m sick of being in this place.”

  Jade ignored him. “He’s stopped using the walker, and he’s getting really good with his crutches, he walked almost half a mile today! He got his residual limb protector today.” She pointed at a white plastic contraption with Velcro straps around the top. “And he gets to go home tomorrow!” Jade bounced with excitement.

  “That’s great! Sounds like I came just in time to help you guys get home.” Adam pulled Jade to his side, and they both faced Lance. “Excited to get back up
and around?”

  “Whatever it takes to get the hell out of here.”

  “Lance!” Marcie glared at her son. “They’ve been taking such good care of you here.”

  Lance shrugged, again scowling at where his right leg used to be. He wore sweatpants, and the way the bottom half of the pant leg lay flat on the blanket beside his healthy left leg looked damned depressing, even to Adam. Jade had told Adam her brother wasn’t in the best place mentally, which explained why the Graham family had a constant presence in his room.

  “You’ll feel a lot more like yourself once you get back on your feet.”

  “Back on my foot.” Lance scowled. “I don’t have feet anymore.”

  “But you’re alive.”

  The voice came from behind them. Adam and Jade spun around. A guy a couple inches taller than Adam with dark hair and a serious face stood in the open doorway. Jade didn’t greet the man, she just looked from the stranger to Lance.

  Lance did the same thing, though he somehow looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He smoothed his T-shirt. “Luc.” He reached for the blanket, but didn’t pull it over his legs like he looked tempted to do.

  “Hi. I’m Jade, Lance’s sister.” Jade offered her hand.

  Lance cleared his throat. “Jade, Luc is my…friend. Landlord I guess.”

  The muscles on Luc’s jaw tightened.

  “Oh! Okay. You answered the phone once when I called. Glad to meet you.”

  “That was me. Luc Huffton.” The man nodded a greeting to Scott and Marcie. “Mr. and Mrs. Graham. How are you?”

  Lance introduced Adam as simply “Jade’s Boyfriend, Adam” which suited Adam just fine. In fact he rather liked the way Jade’s family either conveniently or purposefully forgot the fact that he had worldwide notoriety. After exchanging pleasantries, and a firm handshake, the room lapsed into an uncomfortable silence.

  “So Lance…you look…well.” Luc slid his hands into his front pockets.

  Adam could practically feel the current running between the two men. Whatever they had to discuss must not be meant for other ears. He glanced at Jade’s father, who caught the unspoken question and nodded brusquely.

  “Maybe while Luc is here, we’ll go grab a bite to eat.” Scott slipped his hand around his wife’s waist. “We’ll be back in an hour or two.”

  Marcie opened her mouth, but shut it at the quelling look on Scott’s face.

  “Is that okay?” Jade asked Lance. “We could—”

  “It’s fine,” he barked, and then he glanced at his family sheepishly. “It’s fine. I’ll be fine.”

  Luc’s smile was as stiff as the set of his shoulders. “I’ll keep him company. We’ve got plenty to talk about.”

  The Grahams shared glances, though Lance avoided them all by staring at his visitor.

  After Marcie fluffed Lance’s pillow and refilled his water mug, the four of them filed out the door. At the click of the latch, Jade tilted her head, obviously straining to hear through the door.

  “Come on, nosy.” Adam cupped her shoulders and steered her away.

  “But they looked so serious. Think something’s wrong?”

  “If it’s any of our business, I’m sure Lance will tell us.” Jade’s father pressed the button for the elevator. “Luc’s a nice guy. I’m sure everything is just fine. Probably just something about his apartment.”

  “Hm.” Jade glanced over her shoulder. Adam pulled her into a hug to block her view.

  ****

  They should have known not to attempt a family restaurant on a Friday evening. Though they were seated right away, each table was full, and several diners eyed Adam curiously. They’d almost made it through the meal when a camera phone came out to snap Adam’s picture. It wasn’t much longer until the first autograph request came to their table. After that it was a steady stream of admirers. Jade even moved to sit by her parents so Adam didn’t have to reach over her.

  “Is it like this all the time?” Jade’s mother murmured when it all died down.

  “No.” Jade winked Adam’s way. “It usually starts before we’re served dinner.”

  “I’m sorry. I know it’s disruptive.” Adam pulled out his wallet. “Our first date was one of the few we’ve had uninterrupted.” He tossed some cash down for the tip, and then they all pushed away from the table.

  Jade giggled and hugged his arm to her breast. “I still can’t believe you bought out the whole restaurant.”

  “And hired people to sit at the tables.” Marcie shook her head with a smile. “Jade told me about that. You’re outrageous.”

  “I didn’t want to scare her away.”

  “Well it worked.”

  Jade held him close, and even cuddled against him in the back seat of her parents’ car. The warmth of her body stirred the lust smoldering just under Adam’s skin. It wouldn’t do to sport a hard-on under the watchful eye of Jade’s parents.

  “Why don’t you two go get settled in at the hotel? We’ll go check on Lance before bed and meet you for breakfast in the morning.”

  Jade. Alone. Adam couldn’t hide his smile. “Thanks, Scott, that sounds good. Jade?”

  “Fine with me.” The way she looked deep into his eyes told him she was on the same page. He needed two hours alone, naked, and horizontal with this woman. Despite his earlier thoughts, his cock pushed hard against his zipper.

  Maybe twenty minutes.

  God, her eyes were a beautiful shade of green. And he loved when her skin flushed like that—so soft and warm, and—

  Scott cleared his throat. “We’re here.”

  He licked his lips and reached for the door handle. “Thank you, sir.”

  Jade leaned between the two front seats to kiss each of her parents on the cheek. “Tell Lance I’ll see him in the morning. And try to find out what his landlord wanted.”

  Adam chuckled, and dragged her into the hotel. Amarillo had its share of luxury accommodations, and though Jade swore they didn’t need anything fancy, Adam had insisted on booking a room for her and another for her parents at the closest five-star hotel to the hospital. The lobby was spacious and filled with plants. Jade had sent him several pictures when she first arrived. She’d probably spent an hour cataloguing the various species, sending both Adam and Dean—her business partner back home—pictures of her favorites. Of course Adam wasn’t a botanist like Jade or Dean, but her excitement at her treasured finds was enough to make him smile.

  As they waited for the elevator, Adam pulled her against him. “I finally get you all to myself.” He pushed the bill of his cap up out of the way and kissed her. Her nimble tongue stroked his, and he moaned at her familiar vanilla taste.

  The elevator doors opened, and several women in suits emerged. Adam lowered the brim of his cap as Jade wiped the corner of his mouth and then dragged him into the elevator car and snuggled against his chest.

  “How long can you stay? You’re not missing anything important at home? Don’t you have any luggage?”

  Adam chuckled. “I’ll stay until I can take you home with me. I’m not missing anything other than my producer’s weekly meeting, and my bag should be in your room upstairs.” He kissed the top of her head. “Where’s the rest of the Graham brood? I expected to see the whole family smothering poor Lance.”

  “My brothers stayed as long as they could, but they had to fly home to go back to work. They call at least once a day to check in.”

  The elevator doors opened, and he let Jade lead the way toward the room.

  “And you can’t see why Lance might feel smothered right now?”

  Jade pursed her lips. “Actually, no. We’ve always been all up in his business. I see no reason to stop just because he’s been hurt.”

  “Hm. Good point. I’m just glad I could steal you away for a few hours.”

  The smile she gave him lit up the hallway.

  He squeezed her hand. “Ah, it seems like forever since I saw that smile. You’re a beautiful woman, Ja
de.”

  They barely closed the hotel room door behind them before he had her pressed against it. She dropped her purse and the keycard before slipping her hands beneath the hem of his shirt.

  “Feels so good.”

  “Hell yes it does.” He pulled away just enough to peel his T-shirt off and then work on hers. “I’ve been thinking about getting inside you since I buckled in on the plane this morning. God, Jade. How long has it been?”

  “Too long.” She made quick work of his fly, and before he could prepare himself, her cool fingers found his half-hard dick and stroked it to fully engorged.

  “Fuck. I love your hands. Do you have any idea how hard it was—”

  “Mmm…”

  “—to keep my hands to myself during dinner?” With his jeans around his hips, he shuffled backward into the room, hoping to eventually hit the bed.

  “Don’t hold back now.” She licked a circle around his nipple, their bodies bumping together as she steered him around first the sofa and then a potted plant. “I need you.”

  “Ah, babe. I love you.”

  “Love you too. Now take off your pants.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  He didn’t waste any more time. In under a minute they were both naked, legs tangled, and facing each other on the cool sheets. Jade snuggled up against her man, wallowing in his scent.

  “I missed you so much.” Adam nibbled a path down her neck.

  “Show me.” She hooked her leg over his hip and brought their lower bodies together. With a small adjustment, he slid inside her. They’d been together almost six months before they exchanged doctors’ notes and the vow to be faithful. The memory of their first time without a condom still made her toes curl.

  “Ahh…God that feels good. As much as I love everything else about you, I really love the way your pussy feels on my cock.”

  His words sent a spasm through her, and he sucked in a breath of air as she clamped around him. The man could sing beautiful love songs and raucous dance songs, but he really did have a way with his erotic words in bed. She tilted her hips and pressed closer, sending him deeper.