London Calling (7 page)

Jenna watched as he set his hands on the table to catch
his breath. He was so handsome—she was ready to go again. The way his
soft lips remained parted was beyond seductive, the late-day stubble shadowing
his jaw left her breathless.

He reached out and swept her hair from her forehead,
kissing her with a tender swoop of his tongue. His eyes flickered and then he
began to laugh.

“What?” She reached out to skim her fingers across his
shoulder.

“Guessing the bloke who’s borrowed my flat isn’t
having this much fun with my kitchen table.”

“Poor sap. He’s probably just eating on it. He could
be getting much better use out of it.” Jenna chuckled. She sat forward and
smoothed her hand across his bare chest. “I have to pee.” She padded to the
bathroom but stopped in the doorway. “I hate to say this, but we should
probably get back to our laundry.”

“I believe we have a cannoli to finish on the way.”

“Always plying me with sugar, aren’t you?”

“Whatever it takes.”

Back at the Laundromat, they loaded clothes into the
giant rolling laundry bins. Jenna had to stop Tim from simply heaving the load
of darks in to the dryer. “Hold on a sec. Some of those have to line dry.”

He stared down at the heap of clothes. “What?”

She plucked a few lacy, black undergarments from the
pile. “These will get fried in the dryer.”

He looked longingly at the panties and bras. “Wait. Have
I seen those yet?”

Jenna stepped next to him, keeping an eye on the old
guy in the corner who was conspicuously spying on them. She felt Tim’s hot
breath against her skin. “You’ve seen one of the bras,” she whispered. “If you
play your cards right, you might get to see the other stuff, eventually.”

He planted a soft kiss on her eager mouth. “Have I mentioned
I’m really good at cards?”

* * * * *

Doing laundry together led to grocery shopping, going for
runs, planning free time around each other’s schedules. Tim couldn’t get over
how effortlessly they had slipped into the routine of being a couple. Apart
from the few days a week when he worked late at One If By Land and she needed
to be up early to open the café, they spent most nights together, talking,
laughing and making love as often as humanly possible.

A particularly heavy recording schedule caused them to spend
three days apart and Tim was going mad. Although they’d been together only a
few weeks, he felt as though he’d known Jenna his entire life. When they
weren’t together, the separation was torture. He’d never missed anyone the way
he missed her. The feelings shocked him, but he couldn’t escape them.

By the third night they were desperate to be together. He
invited her over and, even though she’d been up since four a.m. and he needed
to be up early to head back to the studio, she’d eagerly said yes. They’d eaten
a late dinner together, watching a movie on the couch before falling into bed
in a tangle of passion.

Tim awoke curled behind Jenna, her body warm and soft, his
erection nestled against the lush curves of her bottom. He wrapped his arm tighter
around her, nuzzling her neck, inhaling her sugary scent, kissing his way from
her neck to her ear. She moaned and wriggled her bum against him, but quickly
settled back into sleep. He glanced at the clock. He had just over an hour
before he needed to be at work.

He knew Jenna was exhausted and as much as he wanted to wake
her he decided to let her rest. They both had the following night off and he
was certain they could make up for it then.

He shuffled across the kitchen, the icy-cold floor waking him
more with each step. He turned the shower on high and brushed his teeth while
he waited for the water to get warm. The thought of Jenna still cozy in bed did
nothing to quiet the demands of his aching cock. He stepped beneath the spray
and immediately went to work, eyes closed, stroking with a firm, steady grip.

The feel of Jenna’s hand on his back nearly made him lose
his balance. “Jesus!” His hand released his cock as he felt the deep flush
creep from his cheeks down his neck.
Christ.
Humiliation washed over
him. Jenna climbed into the tub, standing behind him, her breasts pressed
firmly against his back as her lips skimmed across his shoulder blades.

She ran her hand down the length of his arm, over the top of
his hand, twining her fingers with his. To his surprise, she led both of their
hands straight back to his erection. With her hand still atop his, she wrapped
their fingers around his length and resumed stroking.

He rolled his head back against hers, his free arm reaching
behind him to draw her closer. His cock throbbed in response to the attention
of two eager sets of fingers. Jenna ran her other hand up his chest, her hips
rocking against his ass, her breath hot against his back.

Tim’s breathing was ragged. The sensations tearing through
his body were too much. He needed to kiss her. He craned his neck, searching
for her lips, and she released her grip on him. Her mouth answered his hungrily
as their tongues chased each other.

Jenna backed up and seated herself on the curved edge of the
clawfoot tub. She rested her head against the thick towels hanging above. She
broke the kiss, raking her hands down Tim’s chest until she cupped them around
his balls. His cock was nearly purple, pulsing with desire. She wasted no time
slipping him between her full, luscious lips.

Tim’s breath was knocked from his lungs. He gripped the
towel rack before him, feeling the plush cloth give beneath his fingers.
Jenna’s hands massaged between his legs as her tongue worked its magic up and
down his length. She licked and teased him, alternately stroking as clouds of
steam rose around them. Her cheeks drew in as she increased her suction,
coaxing every ounce of his energy up through his swollen shaft. She gave one
final suck and he felt himself giving way, bursting inside her hot, wet mouth.

The moan that tore out of him echoed across the tile of the
room. It seemed like an eternity before the shuddering pulsations subsided. He
slipped out from between her lips and lowered himself to his knees, the hot
spray beating against his back. Jenna was coated in beads of water, her skin
shimmering. He kissed her, hard, his fingers weaving through the thick, wet
plaits of her hair. His briny taste on her tongue made him crave her sweetness.

He spread her legs wide, kissing his way past her breasts,
pausing just long enough to flick his tongue over each taut nipple. He licked
his way lower, his fingers already making teasing passes up and down the length
of her slippery opening. The sight of her bared before him, waiting for his
kiss, was more than he could stand.

The look on Tim’s face was blissful, causing Jenna’s mind to
swirl with intoxicating thoughts of what he might have in store for her. He
began to move beyond her breasts with his mouth, lower, as the hot water
sprayed past his shoulders. She raised one of her legs to rest it on the lip of
the tub, her heart thumping wildly with anticipation. The air of the bathroom
was thick and billowy, the temperature rising steadily, or maybe it was his
effect on her.

“Your skin is so beautiful,” he said as he skimmed his lips
over the innermost part of her thigh. She’d been thinking the same thing about
him as she watched the water bead on the strong contours of his arms. He spread
the folds between her legs, flicking his tongue at her clit before he closed in
and began to suck. Her head knocked back as she was plunged into a deep
euphoria.

Jenna tilted her pelvis and steadied herself with one hand
woven into his dripping hair. Her leg muscles intermittently went weak while he
licked and sucked, every motion heavenly and unforgettable. He slipped a finger
inside her, and then a second. He twisted them with long strokes, artfully
circling with his tongue before he skimmed his mouth lower.

Her breath hitched in her chest as he replaced his fingers with
his tongue. He slid in and out of her, sucking her swollen skin. The pressure
rose in her at an astonishing rate. She dropped her head to the side, in awe as
she watched the moves he made against her body. The visual was smoking hot, but
came in flashes as her eyelids fluttered involuntarily. She thought she might
faint. Every stroke took her higher when she was already about to tumble over
the edge.

He returned with his mouth to where he’d started, working
with delicate flickers of his tongue. Despite the hot spray of the shower, the
moisture of his mouth, the dense humidity of the room, she knew she was
dripping wet—she could feel it as his fingers began to glide inside her
again.

“Oh God,” she murmured as he drove more forcefully, gently
curling his fingertips to reach the most sensitive spot deep inside her. She
sank back against the damp towels hanging from the bar above her. His craving
mouth pushed her to surrender in crests so strong that her thighs quaked against
the sides of his head. Her cry of release was impossible to quiet.

He kissed her stomach and she wrapped her hands around his
jaw, wanting his warm lips against hers.

“I take it you liked that,” he said.

“No one has ever made me feel like that. Ever.” She kissed
him deeply.

His eyes twinkled a vivid green as he grinned an electric
smile. “Brilliant. Can’t wait to tell my mum I’m finally good at something.” He
reached for the shampoo and Jenna swatted his butt, allowing her hand to
linger. Tim began to work the lather into his scalp with both hands, looking at
her while the water rolled over the ridges of his collarbone. “Excuse me while
I finish bathing. Someone very rudely interrupted my shower.” He leaned back
into the spray and turned his head to rinse his hair.

“I was merely trying to help. You clearly had your hands
full before I arrived.”

He chuckled and leaned down to kiss her. “I hate the fact
that I have to go to work right now, but I’m going to be late.”

“It’s okay.” She reached past him and shut off the water. “Five
more minutes and the paint is going to start peeling off the walls.”

* * * * *

Jenna was thankful for the especially hectic lunch rush that
day. It helped keep her mind off missing Tim. Every moment away from him felt
wasted. She worked the espresso machine and manned the register with her hands
flying while Natalie cooked in the back and Charlie shuttled orders to waiting
customers. When things slowed down, she realized just how exhausted she was.

“We killed it today,” Natalie said, emerging from the
kitchen with an apron that was a complete mess of spills and splatters. Her
spiky blonde hair was unusually frizzy. She grasped the stack of lunch tickets
next to the register. “We haven’t done this kind of business at lunch in
months.”

Jenna looked over her shoulder. “No wonder I’m so tired.”

“I thought Tim was the reason for that.” Natalie elbowed
Jenna in the ribs and turned. Her eyes narrowed. “Are you feeling okay? You
look like hell.”

Jenna grinned sheepishly and pulled a rag from the pocket of
her apron. “I’m fine. Maybe I’m not getting enough sleep.” She wiped the
counter in lazy circles as her mind floated back to the dreamy early-morning
shower with Tim.
Not that I want more sleep if it means giving up more of
that.
She could still feel his hands and mouth all over her, not to mention
the orgasm that blew her mind.

Natalie pressed the back of her hand to Jenna’s forehead. “You’re
burning up.”

“I am?” She pressed a palm against her clammy cheek before
grasping her throat, which she now realized had a slight tickle. A headache was
rumbling behind her eyes. “Shit. I’m getting sick.”

Chapter Six

The recording session was going incredibly well, each take
getting tighter. They took a quick break before the last round and Tim called
Jenna to see if she wanted to come have a listen. He wanted to show off, plus
he wanted to see her as soon as possible.

Her voice sounded odd when she answered her phone and for a
second he thought he’d called the wrong number. “We’re about to start the last
set, do you want to pop by?”

She coughed. “I wish I could, but I’m sick. I left work
early. I feel awful.”

Tim could hear the fatigue in her voice. “I’m sorry. What
can I do?”

“Nothing. I’ll be fine.” She coughed again.

“I’ll stop by when we wrap up, it shouldn’t be much longer.”

“No, I don’t want you to catch this. Plus I look like
something the cat dragged in.”

“I’ll take my chances.” He hung up before she had a chance
to argue. His mind was already compiling a list of what he could bring to make
her feel better.

As soon as they were done for the day, he hopped a subway
and headed to Jenna’s. He made a stop at Duane Reade, trolling the cold care
aisle, wishing he were familiar with American brands. He grabbed a few items he
recognized from TV commercials and two DVDs, then stopped at The Bagel Nosh to
get bagels, chicken noodle soup and two black-and-white cookies.

He rang Jenna’s buzzer. She answered and he could hear her
roommate’s music blaring in the background. “It’s Tim.”

“What? Rachel, can you turn that down? I can’t even hear
who’s at the door. Hello?”

“It’s Tim.”

“I told you you didn’t have to come over. Rachel, please,
turn it down.”

So stubborn.
Tim buzzed again and after a moment the
door clicked unlocked.

He trotted up the stairs to find Jenna peeking out of her
door. She smoothed her hand over her hair, looking embarrassed. “Don’t look at
me, I’m a mess.”

Her eyes were puffy, nose slightly red, but he thought she
looked adorable. “I brought you some stuff to make you feel better. Can I at
least come in to give it to you?”

Jenna scowled but opened the door. The music, discordant and
screechy, grew even louder. Jenna rubbed her forehead. “Sorry. She’s making me
nuts.”

“I can imagine.” He set the bags down on the nearby desk and
strode into the living room. Rachel and two of her friends were doing their
bizarre movement exercises. “Excuse me,” Tim said, but they couldn’t hear him
over the cacophony of sounds. He reached over and turned the volume down. They
all turned to stare at him.

“Who the hell are you?” Rachel asked, a hand set on her bony
hip.

“I’m Tim,” he said.

“Ah, the mythical boyfriend. I was wondering if you really
existed.” Her tone was snotty, making Tim dislike her even more, though the
fact that she’d referred to him as Jenna’s boyfriend pleased him immensely.

“Listen, I was wondering if maybe you could keep the music
down just a bit. Jenna’s not feeling well.”

“Uh, this is my apartment too, and we have a routine to work
on, so no, we can’t.” She looked him straight in the eyes as she reached past
him and cranked the volume even higher.

He considered arguing then realized it was pointless. Why
bother when he had a very quiet apartment with no annoying roommate? He found
Jenna lying on her bed, her arm slung over her eyes.

“Sorry. I told you she’s impossible,” she said.

“No worries. Here.” He handed her her messenger bag. “Pack
up what you need, you’re coming to my place.”

“Are you nuts? You do not want to catch whatever I have.
I’ll just take a bottle of Nyquil and go to bed.”

“Take whatever you’d like, but do it in peace and quiet at
my apartment. Come.” He pulled her up. “You’re in no condition to argue with
me, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Her brow furrowed, making a crease between her eyes, and he
couldn’t help but laugh. She frowned but started shoving things into her bag.

She didn’t argue at all when he suggested a cab and she
stayed silent for the entire ride. He followed her up the stairs, admiring the
fact that her bum looked good even in baggy sweatpants. She set her bag down on
the kitchen floor but Tim picked it up and carried it into his bedroom, placing
it on the dresser.

“Do you want to lie down? Or watch some TV? I bought movies.
We’ve got romantic comedy or regular comedy—-figured you wouldn’t want a
drama while you’re already miserable. Or I could make you some tea.”

A smile tugged at her lips as she stared at him, but she
remained silent.

“What?”

“You’re too sweet.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist. “You’re just now
figuring that out?”

She wriggled out of his grasp. “Seriously, stay away, you’ll
get sick.”

He tugged her back, chuckling as she bent back away from him,
which only succeeded in making her hips press against his as he refused to let
her go. He tried to ignore the sensations rushing through his lower body. “I’ll
risk the cold, I just want to take care of you.” He bent forward and planted a
kiss in the middle of her forehead. “You’re warm.” He ran his hand against her
cheek. “You’ve got a fever. Come, sit on the couch, put your feet up, I’ll
bring you some Panadol.”

“Tylenol,” she muttered, but she took a seat, curling her
legs beneath her.

He returned with a glass of water, the bottle of pain
reliever and the movies. He wagged two DVDs back and forth. “Which one?”

She chose the romantic comedy and he popped it into the DVD
player.

“Are you hungry? I have soup and bagels. I can run to the
deli if you’d like a sandwich.”

“I’m fine.” She ran her hand down his leg, sending ripples
of desire straight to his balls. “Thanks for doing all this.”

“I’ve barely done anything.” He stroked her hair and she
leaned against his hand. Her heat passed through him, making him shudder. He
patted his leg. “Here, put your feet up.” His fingers went to work, massaging
her insteps and kneading until he felt that she was starting to relax.

“I’m sorry I didn’t make it to the studio today. I was
really looking forward to hearing you play guitar.”

He perked up. “I could play something now, if you’d like.”

“I’d love that.” She paused the movie while he got his
guitar.

He settled in beside her, plucking the strings and turning
the tuning pegs. “Any requests?”

“Surprise me.”

He thought a moment, then chose a ballad, soulful and
heartfelt. His eyes closed as he began to play. The music and lyrics flowed
from him. As he strummed the last notes he opened his eyes to find Jenna
staring, breathless.

“That was beautiful. You’re going to be famous.”

He chuckled and reached for her forehead. “How high is that
fever?”

“I’m serious. You forget, I grew up in the music business.
You’re amazing.”

He set his guitar down and pulled Jenna’s legs back onto his
lap. “And you’re very kind.” He hit play on the remote and went back to work on
Jenna’s feet.

The movie was predictable and silly, but it made her giggle.
When it was nearly over he excused himself and headed into the bathroom. He
turned the water on to run a bath, sprinkling in some of the bath salts he’d
picked up at the drugstore.

“Movie over yet?” he called.

“Yes.” She got up and wandered into the kitchen. “What are
you doing in there?”

“Drawing you a bath. It’s almost ready.” He wasn’t sure how
to read the look on her face, somewhere between shock and tears. “Are you
okay?”

She nodded, moving slowly toward him. Her head tilted to the
side as she craned her neck to look at the tub. “You’re serious.”

“Of course.” He didn’t understand. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s just no one’s ever run a bath for me before.”

“Seriously?”

Her head bobbed again.

“Well, then I’m happy to be your first.” He pulled her
closer, kissing the top of her head, happy that she wasn’t squirming away from
him. His fingers went to work on the buttons of her shirt and he kissed her
shoulders, slipping off her bra straps before undoing the hook. He noticed the
tub was full. “Hang on, before I cause a flood.” He turned off the faucet,
dragging his fingers through the water to test the temperature. “You’d better
do the rest or I’ll never be able to let go of you long enough to allow you to
get in the tub.”

She smiled as she stepped out of her pants. Watching her
ease into the bath was enough to drive him completely mad. He wanted to run his
hands over every inch of her. Instead he settled himself alongside the tub,
resting his head against the wall, unable to keep his eyes off her.

“You’re really incredible, you know,” she said, the half-teary
look on her face again.

“It’s just a bath.” He ran his fingers along the edge of the
tub, dipping them into the water enough to gently skim her thigh.

“No, it’s everything,” she paused, her voice cracking. “I
can’t remember the last time anyone did anything to take care of me.”

His chest tightened as he heard the emotion in her words.
“What about when you were a kid?”

She shook her head wistfully. “Not really. I mean my brother
and I had a nanny, but she was more to keep us out of trouble than anything
else. My dad was always busy with work. Sleeping around took up a bit of his
time as well.”

“And your mum?”

“She spent most of her time at spas either ‘de-stressing’ or
recovering from having de-stressed with too much booze. Not a lot of
nurturing.”

“That’s awful.” It pained him to think about her growing up
that way. Such a stark difference from the warm memories he had of his own
childhood.

She shrugged. “Could have been worse. It just made me really
independent. I’m not used to having people doing things for me.”

“Well, try to adapt, because I rather like taking care of
you. Though I have to admit the bath was largely a ploy to see you naked.”

She laughed, but a tear rolled down her cheek.

He reached over and swept it away, the tugging in his chest
so strong it nearly took his breath away. Apart from his sisters, he’d never
felt this protective of anyone. It scared the hell out of him to realize how
much he cared about her. She closed her eyes, her cheek pressed against his
palm. He curled his fingers into her hair, feeling like he could easily stay
just as he was forever.

* * * * *

Jenna kneaded her pillow. She didn’t want to wake Tim in the
middle of the night, but she selfishly wished he would get up and talk to her. She
should have been comatose after all of the cold medicine she’d taken, but she
found herself breathing out of her mouth from congestion while staring into the
darkness of his bedroom.

She rolled onto her side and listened to his even breaths. He’d
been so sweet to her. Even his guitar playing was magical. The song he’d sung
was perfect, taking her out of her miserable physical state as his velvety
voice soothed her. The music was part of him, all the more reason to find him
irresistible.

Everything about Tim made her ache for more, as if she
hadn’t eaten in years and he’d served her a feast. It had all been effortless
and perfect, second nature to him. She wanted to find a way to show him a
fraction of his generosity, as soon as she was feeling better. She ran over
ideas in her mind, her eyelids becoming heavy, until sleep finally crept over
her.

Jenna woke the next morning to a slightly less sore throat
and a note on the pillow next to hers.

J,

I’ve gone to the studio. I phoned Natalie and let her
know you wouldn’t be in today. She said to call later. Can you do the same for
me so I know you’re OK? Think about what you want me to pick up on my way home
tonight. Movies? Candy? Me wrapped in a bow? Just kidding about that last one. I
look terrible in a bow. Hope you’re feeling better.

T

She glanced at the clock—10:15.
She snuggled up
with the comforter, wishing she weren’t so congested so she could smell him on
the sheets. She dragged her phone across the bedside table and pressed the
speed dial for Natalie.

“I told you. You’re sick,” she said when she picked up.

“Tim said he called you.” Jenna covered the receiver and
tried to quiet a cough.

“He did. He’s so sweet. What guy calls in sick for his girlfriend?”
There was a rustle on Natalie’s end of the line and the ring of the cash
register. “You sound awful, by the way.”

Girlfriend? Am I his girlfriend now?
The thought made
her insides squirm with delight. “Gee, thanks. I feel a tiny bit better, if you
can believe it.”

“Can I bring you something? Please tell me that bitch
roommate of yours is behaving.”

Jenna tried to sit up, but felt lightheaded and slumped down
further in the bed. “I’m staying at Tim’s. He rescued me from Rachel and her obnoxious
friends.”

“Some people might start to think a certain young Brit is
smitten with you.”

She grinned wide, even thought it hurt her chapped lips. “He
brought me soup and DVDs too.”

“Wow. Have you ever had a guy be this nice to you? Ever?”

Jenna smiled to herself and curled into a ball on her side. “Not
even close.”

She called Tim after hanging up with Natalie, but got his
voicemail and decided to send him a text since it was hard to speak for more
than five seconds without coughing.

I’m alive. Feeling a little better. Thanks for calling
Nat for me. So sweet of u. Movie sounds good. Candy sounds better. Bow sounds
the best. ;)

She got up to go to the bathroom and fill her water glass
and noticed Tim’s passport on the kitchen table. She felt bad about snooping,
but she was curious about his picture. Jenna flipped to the inside—his
hair was spikier and looked to have blond tips but he was just as handsome,
with a smile that made her feel as if she needed to fan herself. She glanced at
his vital info. Name, Timothy Wentworth, Date of Birth, October 20, 1983.
His
birthday is in less than a week. I bet he wasn’t even going to tell me.