Falling Down(20)

He kisses along my jawline to my neck, up to my ear. Oh God. Behind my ear. My secret spot and he zeroes right in on it. I shiver and I feel his lips curve into a smile against my skin. He sucks gently on my skin then kisses his way back until his mouth meets mine once again.
I'm floating and it feels amazing. I give way to my body, my lust, my desire. I drag my fingernails down his back and he groans into my mouth. And that's when it happens.
A flash. Then another and another and another.
"Shit," I whisper against his lips.
He runs a hand through his hair. "God damn it."
Frank comes walking up, telling the patrons to put their cameras away but the damage is already done. I can already see the headlines. Straight-Laced Actress And Bad-Boy Rocker Get It On, On The Dance Floor. Shit. Shit, shit, shit.
"I have to go, Jesse."
"I know. Hand me your phone, Luce." His fingers fly over the screen then he hands it back to me and digs his own out of his pocket.
"You've got my number and I've got yours. Use it."
I tilt my head to the side unsure what he wants of me. I step up on tip toe and he leans down to meet me for a quick, soft kiss.
"I'm sorry," I whisper.
Before I fully pull away he whispers in my ear, "Next time we're doing this in private where no one can interrupt us and I can get you naked."
His words send a shiver through my body and he winks as I pull back, letting Frank lead me and Sera out of the now insanely rowdy crowd. Frank must have called in backup because there are two more men flanking us and the car's already pulled up to the curb.
We all get into the car and I flop back with a sigh.
"God damn it!" I shout. No one bats an eyelash at my outburst. They know how much I hate the invasion of my privacy, the gossip, the bullshit. I blame my mother for this. Sure I'd have to deal with some of the same if I'd gone the musical route but nothing like I have to deal with now, as an actress.
"That f*cking sucked, Luce."
"Ya think?"
Sera raises a brow.
Frank hands me a bottle of water and I take a long drink.
"Sorry. I'm just… fed the f*ck up with this life."
"It could have been worse. At least there weren't many paps outside."
"Doesn't matter at this point and you know it. Those pics will be sold and online within the hour with some sleazy headline to go along with them."
"It's not that bad."
I give Frank a bland look. "Frank. You saw us. It was far from innocent. I lost myself."
He nods. "You never let loose like that."
"I know. I just--"
"Oh for f*ck's sake," Sera said. "It's Jesse Kingston! Who wouldn't lose themselves in that hot, delicious hunk of man, especially if they've been crushing on him forever."
"True, but the world doesn't need to know about it. Or see it."
"But they will. And that means Reggie's going to be calling."
I nod to Sera. "And with her being, what, nine hours difference this'll hit the internet just in time for her Google alert to go off during her breakfast."
"You're an adult."
"I am. And, as I keep saying, I'm tired of this life." I turn to Sera. "I'm giving up the acting. I can't do this life anymore. Maybe if it's some amazing part and we aren't touring or making music or recording, but other than that I'm done and Regina's going to have to learn to deal with it."
Sera lets out a whoop.
I reach out to take Frank's hand. "Will you stay with us, Frank? If I switch things up a bit?"
His hand squeezes mine. "I'm not going anywhere and neither will Max, Gio, or Mike. We're family." They nod their agreement.