Muse - Fighting Fate #1 (8 page)

Chapter 12

Jace

Lyrics came rushing at me like a freight train. I didn’t think I’d felt so many different emotions in such a short amount of time in my life.

Seeing Mia doing yoga had been such a fucking turn on. I was sure the guys were going to see right through me, because I could barely keep my jaw from dropping open. Or my dick from wanting to be part of the action. The way she could bend that sweet little body of hers was fucking amazing.

But then Aiden had gone and pissed her off and she was like a fucking wildcat, taking him down in such a spectacular way, we were all more than a little impressed.

It was what had happened after that that had confused me. One minute she was all, I am woman, hear me roar, and the next she was so fucking fragile, I thought she was going to break. It hurt something inside me to see her like that. It made me want to fucking smash something until it was a pile of rubble at my feet.

I could tell
Matt and Dean were just as confused by it as I was too. No one knew what to say, or even where to look, when Aiden pulled her up and wrapped his arms around her. We all knew that wasn’t just some stupid sibling tumble. There was something there, something deeper that connected them beyond just being twins. And I needed to know what it was. I needed to be the one to fix her.

Yeah. That surprised the fuck out of me too.

The second I reached the dungeon, as we all fondly liked to call Aiden’s sound room, I picked up a pen and paper and started scribbling. The words were coming at me fast, and I just needed to get them out. I knew the guys were curious about what I was writing - I could feel their eyes on me as I scrawled, but this was still personal, and if I showed them right now, they would immediately know who it was about. It would be as simple as putting one and one together.

When I was done, I shoved the paper into my pocket and went about getting my guitar set up. I looked up to see Aiden staring at me
. I ignored him.

“Are you going to show us?” he asked.

I didn’t meet his eyes. “When it’s done.”

He nodded, but I could see the irritation on his face. “Alright. Let’s go from ‘Where We Were’.”

Matt timed us in with his sticks, and we played.

It was like that for the next two hours. There was no mucking around. It was work. We had twelve originals and we were going through each one until we could do it with our eyes closed.

Dean called a break just after seven, and I was fucking happy for it. Playing that hard continuously was tough.

Aiden disappeared back upstairs to see if his mom could fix us up some food
, and Dean and Matt went out for some fresh air, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I knew they’d done it on purpose. I must’ve been acting like a right fucking prick, but I just couldn’t get Mia out of my thoughts.

Hearing the guy’s voices coming down the stairs, I
decided to send Mia a quick text.

Hey beautiful. Are you ok?

I watched the screen for a while, smiling when I saw the little dots appear that told me she was writing back.

Yeah, I’m fine. Just had a moment. Aiden sucks with his stupid twintuition thing.

I smiled, relieved she was okay.

So it’s true what they say about twins then?

It is with us. Our twintuition is scary.

I wondered how far it went. Was it just a gut feeling that something was wrong, or did they actually feel each other’s pain?

The guys stepped back in the room and started picking up their instruments again. I almost groaned. Back to it then.

Can I come see you later?

I held my breath as I waited for her answer.

I think I need you to. I’ll leave the sliding door unlocked.

“You ready, man?” Dean asked.

I smiled. I sure as fucking shit was. “Yep. Let’s get it on.”

During the next hour, we were unstoppable. Everything seemed to just fall into place. We stopped for a quick bite to eat – thanks to Mrs. C, and rode through the next two hours after that like the fucking legends we were.

It was well after ten by the time we called it quits.
Not hanging around to see what everyone else was doing, I got in my car and left.

I’d perfected my entrance into Mia’s room over the last week, finding the quickest and most discrete way in as possible.

Parking in the street behind their house, I slipped down the side of their back neighbor’s house, thankful they didn’t have a gate, and scaled the fence. I know. Fucking brilliant, right?

I kept to the shadows as I made my way around the back, and then did a quick double check before moving towards Mia’s patio door. It was unlocked, just like she said it would be, so I silently slid it open and slipped inside.

The room was dark and quiet, so I stood there for a few heartbeats until my eyes adjusted. “Mia?” I whispered.

There was n
o answer. I could just make out a slight shape in the bed and I wondered if she was asleep. As quietly as I could, I moved until I was right beside the bed and could see her clearly. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was slow and even. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful, I didn’t want to wake her. My first thought was that I should leave, but her text message sprang to mind and I wasn’t so sure.
I think I need you to…

Decision made, I started stripping. When I was down to my boxers, I slid under the covers with her. “Mia?”

Leaning on one elbow, I reached out and let my hand find the curve of her hip. Holy fuck. She was naked. My dick was instantly on alert. She stirred a little, but her eyes were still closed. Still slightly uncertain, I moved closer, running my hand up over the dip at her waist.

She sighed and wriggled closer to me, reaching out in her sleep. Her hands slid upwards over my chest until they wound around my neck and into my hair
, then she arched her body, trying to pull herself into me. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. Fuck me. She was so fucking adorable.

Her eyes blinked a few times as they focused on me, and when comprehension dawned, she pulled me in. Hard.

The instant our mouths came together, all my resistance evaporated. I just couldn’t seem to touch enough of her fast enough. I pushed one of my legs between hers, needing to feel more of her against me.

“Jace…” she breathed, and my need for her went fucking ballistic.
I loved hearing her breathe my name.

I laced my hand into her hair, tangling my fingers in the long, wavy strands and
pulling her deeper into my kiss. Her fingers dug into my back, her nails scratching as she arched her body into mine.

When she gasped for breath, I couldn’t stop. I kissed along her jaw, licking and tasting
. Sucked on that little sweet spot she had just behind her ear, savoring the slight intoxicating flavor of vanilla on her skin. Lapped at the soft, pink swell of her breasts until her nipples were straining hard against my tongue.

The soft little moans she made as she writhed beneath me drove me wild.
I wanted to be inside her so fucking bad, but I needed to do this for her. I needed to help take away the pain I knew was still somewhere inside of her.

When she started panting
, I pushed her legs open wider, settling my hips between them, and moved up to claim her mouth again.

“Jace…please…” she gasped between kisses, and I knew I couldn’t hold back any longer.

Moving as fast as I could, I ripped open the condom packet and rolled it on.

Mia
came the instant I slid inside her, her muscles clenching around my dick like a vice. She whimpered in my ear, her arms and legs holding onto me for dear life. Her eyes were closed in ecstasy, and her mouth was opened in a perfect little O with her breath rushing in and out.

I’d never seen anything more beautiful than how she looked in that moment.

When her grip loosened, I began to move. I started slow and gentle, letting her get used to the feeling, giving her body time to work its way up again.

“You are so fucking beautiful,” I whispered in her ear. “I swear I’ve never felt anything so fucking good in all my life.”

She responded by clutching me tighter. Her hips began to move with mine, and she was soon panting her sweet little breaths against my cheek. I pushed my hips harder against her, moving rhythmically against her pubic bone.

“Oh god, Jace…”

The desperation in her voice almost drove me to breaking point. I kissed her softly, drinking in all her little gasps as I moved. “God I love being inside you,” I breathed against her neck. “I think it’s my most favorite place on Earth.”

She thrust
harder against me, a sexy as sin whimper escaping her lips, and then she was falling apart in my arms again. Not even bothering to try to hold back, I exploded with her, shockwaves shooting through me at a mind blowing pace.

We collapsed in each other’s arms, breathing hard and fast.
My mind immediately started reeling over the words that had somehow spilled from my mouth, and I was more than a little fucking shocked to realize I’d never said anything more truthful in my life. Being inside her was definitely my most favorite place.

With a slow dawning revelation,
I knew right there and then, I was falling for Mia Campbell. How the fuck had I let that happen?

God damned and motherfucking shit.

Chapter 13

Mia

It was almost lunch time when I
eventually came out of my comatose state. Seeing as it’d almost been two o’clock in the morning by the time Jace had left, I wasn’t surprised.

I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks w
hen I remembered all the things Jace and I had gotten up to the night before. It was as though I was a completely different person when I was with him. The shy, nervous girl I normally was just didn’t exist.

After that first mind numbing time, Jace
showed me again how skillful he was with his tongue, making me come undone when I was sure I didn’t have it in me to do again. Then, deciding to be brave, I attempted to pleasure him the same way. It was a bit of trial and error, but by the way Jace groaned and swore, I came to realize there really was no right or wrong.

Having Jace in my mouth like that had been the biggest rush. It made me feel powerful and in control for the first time in my life. By the time he’d finished, I was practically panting for more. I
hadn’t been exactly sure how these things worked. I’d heard once guys came, they were pretty much done, but I’d climbed up Jace’s body on a mission. I’d acted on impulse, straddling him and taking my time tasting him like he’d tasted me, and the second I started rubbing myself on him, he was more than ready to go again.

Now,
as I lay naked in my bed, I smiled and stretched, the soreness of my muscles only a reminder of how much more Jace meant to me. Climbing out of bed, I threw on my pajamas and went to take a shower.

Aiden was in the kitchen making toasted sandwiches when I finally dragged myself out there. He slid a plate across the bench to me and smiled. “You and I are having a movie day today,” he declared.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Are we just?”

“Yes, we are.”

He looked down at the sandwich press and his smile slipped. My heart instantly sunk. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s
wrong.
Not really.” He sighed. “Rich called this morning.”

Rich was the band’s new agent. “And?”

He turned to face me, his expression dead serious. “He’s got a gig for us. We’re going to be opening for The Dark Hybrid when they tour this summer.”

I squealed. “Oh my god! That’s incredible. The Dark Hybrid are huge!”

Aiden smiled, but it wasn’t a happy smile. I didn’t understand it. He should be jumping up and down. I was. “Is that not what you wanted?”

He frowned. “It is…but it’s a
six month tour, baby girl. And then Rich says we’re likely to go straight in a recording booth.”

Reality hit me like a sledge hammer. Aiden would be
gone for months. And Jace too…

A tinge of panic caused my heart to flitter sickeningly. But I’d kind of known that’s what would happen when they made it, didn’t I?

I sighed and forced a smile to my lips. “Oh well, I’ll just have to come see you whenever I can.”

The smile he returned me was forced too. We both knew it wasn’t just a case of missing each other.
Aiden, Kaeli, and my mom were the only ones who knew the true extent of my anxiety attacks, and could help me if anything happened.

“It makes me feel sick,” he said quietly.

I stood up and walked over to give him a hug. “I know, but I’ve still got Mom and Kaeli. I’ll be fine. I promise. You guys deserve this. It’s such an awesome opportunity.” I smiled up at him, this time, meaning it. “It’s The Dark Hybrid, Aiden. The freaking Dark Hybrid!”

He laughed then. It was only a soft sound, but it was happy.

“The guys must be pretty excited,” I said.

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that’s an understatement. Except for Jace maybe. He didn’t say anything, but
he just didn’t look as excited as I thought he’d be.”

“You saw him this morning?”

“Yeah. We all got called around to Dean’s place about an hour ago.” His eyes narrowed in thought then he shrugged with a slight smirk. “But who knows…Jace did look like he had a rough night, so...”

My heart rate picked up a little. “What do you mean
, he had a rough night?”

He laughed as he switched off the sandwich press and transferred th
e toasties to a plate. “I don’t know. He just looked like he didn’t get much sleep, that’s all. He was probably out fucking all night.”

Holy mother of god.

I didn’t realize my face had betrayed me and was now sporting a horrified look until Aiden started laughing. “I’m sorry, baby girl. Sometimes I forget how innocent you are.” He messed up my hair a little at my indignant look. “Come on. Movie time.”

Settling onto the lounge, we eventually agreed on an Adam Sandler marathon. It had been a while since we’d spent that kind of time together, and now that we were, I realized just how much I
missed it. Missed him.

Knowing I wasn’t going to see him for months
on end really hurt something inside me, but I also knew how important this opportunity was to him, so I couldn’t let him know how it made me feel. I would just take what I could now, and savor it while I had it.

It was just after seven
when we finished up our third movie. Mom had already been home from work and left to go out with some friends. It was good to see her getting out more often.

I saw Aiden fiddling on his phone and knew he was
probably being invited out somewhere. I didn’t know how far he was taking this whole bonding thing he’d planned for me, but I decided I needed to end it. I needed to start showing him I could do it on my own.

I got to my feet and stretched. “Yeah, I don’t think I can sit on my ass anymore. I might go call Kaeli and see if she wants to go out somewhere.”

He watched me for a little while as though trying to figure something out, before nodding. “Okay.”

“What are you guys up to tonight?”

“Jace’s babysitting Ruby, and Dean’s taking Lila out somewhere, probably to tell her about the tour.”

I thought about Jace with his little
half-sister. I’d only seen her a couple of times before when he’d dropped over while he’d been watching her. I wondered how old she was now. Three? Four? She was the reason they didn’t have a sound room at his house. His mom didn’t want her disturbed by the loud music.

Aiden
sighed and shook his head. “She’s going to tag along. I just know it.”

I was momentarily confused before I realized he was talking about Lila.
I felt my hackles rising. “How can he not see how fake she is? I don’t get it. Is she that good in bed it makes him blind?”

He smiled with distaste. “I think it’s how good she is in every place
other
than bed. That girl fucks
anywhere
.”

I made a vomit face. “You know it’s only going to take one of the guys from The Dark Hybrid to crook their finger and she’s gone?”

“That’s what I’m worried about. Not about her screwing around, but what’s going to happen to Dean if she does. If he loses it, that’s our chance. Gone.”

I nodded. It sucked royally that someone like her could have such an influence on their future.
“I know this probably sounds mean, but I think in a way, he kind of needs to have his heart broken. He’s too vulnerable. He needs to toughen up a bit.”

“Yeah, but I’m not sure if the band can afford it. Not at this point in time.”

“I know.” I started straightening up the lounge while Aiden put the DVD’s away. “So, what are you doing tonight?”

“Matt wants me to come to a party up in Roseville. Some chick he met last weekend invited him.”

“Cool.”

His phone started ringing as I spoke. “Speak of the devil…”

“Have fun.” I smiled and left him to it, hearing him tell Matt he’d be ready in ten minutes as I walked away.

I sighed
as I sat down on my bed. I knew I’d only seen Jace last night – well early that morning, but I really wanted to see him again. It probably wasn’t healthy for me to be wanting him like that, but I liked the way he made me feel. I thought about texting him, but before I could decide how much of a stupid idea that would be, a text came through from him.

Soooo wish I could see you tonight…

My heart tripped a little at the thought of him wanting me as much as I wanted him. Without thinking it through, I typed a reply.

I’m heading out to meet Kaeli later. I could pop in to say hi if you want ;)

I hit send, not knowing why I was lying to him. Half of me was joking, but a lot of me was serious.

Yes
, please! Ruby will be asleep by 8.

I stared at the phone, a little shocked. Holy crap. Could I do that? Could I just go over there for sex? My body ached with the thought.

Are you serious?

I held my breath while I waited for his answer.

More than you could know. It shouldn’t be possible after last night, but I think I’m already having withdrawals. I want you.

Oh wow.
Damn that sounded hot. I swallowed. Well, he came to me just for sex, so it wouldn’t really be any different if I went there. Would it?

Okay

A light tapping sounded on the door and Aiden stuck his head in. He’d obviously just showered because his hair was still a little damp and he smelt of soap. “Matt’s here. Are you going to be okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just waiting to hear back from Kaeli. Have fun.”

He smirked. “Oh, I will. Look after yourself alright?”

I shook my head at his cocky grin
, and he winked before retreating and closing the door behind him.

I sat staring at the closed door for a while, wondering what the hell I was doing. Was I really
just going to go over to Jace’s for sex? I thought about how I felt when we were together the night before, and I knew the answer was a resounding yes. Jumping up, I ran to the shower.