Stellar Evolution (a Falling Stars Novella) Read online

  Serena shrugged. "Are you supposed to have a baby shower for a second baby?"

  "Don't look at me," Kat blurted, "I don't know this crap."

  Serena looked at me.

  "Who cares," I shrugged, "we're having a party."

  "A party for what?" Elliott and Ryan entered, the door shutting behind them.

  "For the baby." Serena rubbed her small bump.

  "Can I get him a present?" Ryan walked over, leaning down to kiss her belly.

  "Of course you can, little man." Elliott sat beside Serena, Ryan climbing into his lap.

  "Thanks, dad." Regardless that the adoption paperwork was far from complete or finalized, he called Elliott “dad” every chance he got.

  "We should get together this weekend for dinner and talk about the party plans." Laney rejoined the conversation.

  "We have dinner with Gwen and Nicholas Saturday. Can we do Sunday lunch at my house?" I offered.

  "Sure," Laney gave me a weary smile.

  "I'll make sure Chris is on his best behavior, Lane."

  She forced a smile.

  "Is it just me, or does Nicholas get hotter as he gets older?" Kat leaned back with a wistful sigh.

  "It's not just you." Serena answered.

  "Hey," Elliott interjected. "You're my woman. Don't go fantasizing about Nic."

  "Ell, his ass is too perfect to ignore." Kat defended. "I can only imagine what he would look like—"

  "Okay, that's enough for me." Elliott grabbed onto Ryan, standing with him in his arms.

  Our laughter followed his retreat from the room.

  Chapter Six

  Mia

  "Look how big you've gotten." Gwen cooed, taking Maggie from Chris's arms.

  "Yeah, hi there, nice to see you, too, Gwen." Chris chuckled.

  "Oh hush," she leaned forward kissing his cheek. "You know I'm happy to see you."

  "He's needy." I shrugged.

  Gwen giggled, pulling me into a hug.

  "I'm not getting loved enough." He stuck his bottom lip out, the base of his viper piercing visible.

  "Chris, Mia," Nicholas greeted with an overly large smile. "It's good to see you."

  Looking to Chris, his furrowed brow confirming that he too felt like something was off.

  Chris opened his mouth, but Jackson's car pulled into the driveway attracting all of the attention. Gwen stepped by us to stand on the porch with Maggie.

  Jackson slipped from his car, grinning at his mom and Maggie. Well that was an improvement.

  "Hey, it's my favorite ladies." Taking the porch steps two at a time, he reached Gwen. Pulling her and Maggie into his arms, he hugged tight.

  "I think I'm a bit insulted." Grinning, I teased him.

  "Mia," Jackson walked over with his arms out, "You know how much I love you." Taking me in his arms, he slid his hands down to my ass. "And I so love your —"

  "Hey!" Chris slapped Jackson's hands away. "That is not okay."

  I laughed.

  Jackson winked before turning to Chris. "What? I was going to say that I so love your presence here today."

  "Sure you were." Chris pulled me toward him. "And you," he looked down to me, "did you have to wear tight jeans?"

  Nicholas chuckled. "Come on. Let's get inside. Dinner should be ready."

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Our dinners with Nicholas and Gwen were typically filled with music related conversation. This time, however, Gwen talked about when the boys were young, how much Maggie reminded her of when Jackson was that little; vacations, sport events, music practice, and other travels down memory lane ensued.

  I enjoyed the stories, learning things I didn't know about both Chris and Jackson. But both Jackson and Chris looked suspicious and a little uncomfortable.

  "Alright, what the hell is going on?" Chris looked between Gwen and Nicholas.

  "Yeah," Jackson sat back mimicking Chris. "Did someone die?"

  Nicholas choked on his drink and my eyes shot towards him.

  "Of course not." Gwen didn't miss a beat. "We're just reminded of things with little Maggie here."

  My eyes stayed on Nicholas. He smiled, but it wasn't genuine. He didn't look like his normally calm and collected self.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  With dinner finished, we sat in the den having an easy conversation. Gwen played on the floor with Maggie, building block towers.

  "So, did either of you read the email I sent you about Hidden Talent?" Nicholas swirled the ice in his drink. He had drunk more than a couple of those this evening.

  "I saw it." Chris shrugged. "I have some other things planned."

  "Like?" Nicholas asked.

  "Like, spending time with Mia and Maggie, working on The Forgotten's next album, and there is a kids program I may volunteer for." Chris stared back at Nicholas.

  What kids program? And what was Hidden Talent? The fact that he hadn't told me about these things weighed on me.

  "Oh Chris, that sounds wonderful." Gwen smiled over Maggie's head.

  "You may get into it?" Nicholas pushed.

  "Jesus, Nicholas," Chris's voice rose.

  "Watch your language." Gwen warned.

  "Sorry," Chris put up his hand. Turning back to Nicholas, he continued. "I want to talk to Mia about it before I make any final decisions." He took my hand and squeezed.

  At least he planned on talking to me about it.

  "What about you, Jackson? Nicholas turned his attention.

  "I don't know." He shrugged.

  "It could be a good way to promote The Forgotten's upcoming releases." Nicholas added.

  "You might even find some new talent we could work with." Chris settled back into the couch, clearly feeling better about Jackson getting questioned.

  "The worthy talent will move through the rounds." Jackson responded.

  "Yeah, but you know how the audience, viewers, and judges get shit wrong."

  "I'll think about it." Jackson conceded. "But do we really want to be associated with a reality show?"

  "You have a point." Chris rubbed the back of his head.

  "We may be mentoring on the show." I wasn't supposed to release the information, but I wanted Jackson to be aware of Hush being present on the show.

  "When did you find this out?" Chris snapped.

  "When did you find out about the kids program and the reality show?" I snapped back.

  "Touché." Grinning, he moved forward and kissed me.

  "Get a room." Jackson teased.

  Chris pulled away. "We won't need a room till later."

  My face heated.

  "Maybe we could get you guys on as mentors?" Nicholas suggested.

  "Hell no!" Chris answered.

  "So, it's okay for Jackson to be a judge and for Hush to mentor, but The Forgotten is too good?"

  "It's not our style, babe." He patted my shoulder. Shoving his hand away, I moved to sit on the floor next to Maggie.

  "Oh, that's right. I forgot it's not your style to help others." Before Chris could make any more remarks, I turned to Jackson. "I think it would be cool to be a judge. If they asked, I’d probably do it."

  "Like I said, I'll think about it. When do I have to let them know?"

  "You have two weeks." Nicholas sat his glass down on the coffee table.

  "I'll let you know by next weekend." Jackson slipped from his chair to the floor. "Now, it's time for me to play with my girl."

  "You better be talking about Maggie." Christopher stated, half serious, half tease.

  Jackson crawled to Maggie, pretending to chomp on her shoulder.

  "Jack!" Maggie giggled, pushing his head away. "Top it!"

  Chapter Seven

  Chris

  It’s been a week since dinner with Nicholas and Gwenn and there was still something odd about their behavior. Gwen visited the studio, which wasn't normal. Nicholas's mood swings were uncommon and the increase of invites to dinners and get-togethers became more suspicious. Neither Jackson nor I could figure it o
ut, but we both kept our eyes and ears open.

  Mia's melodic voice floated down from Maggie's room as I was coming up from my basement studio. Quietly, I made my way toward her.

  Mia sat on the floor, Indian style, with her acoustic guitar in her lap. She strummed the cords, softly singing., Mia's tattoo teased me from above the waist of her jeans as she hunched over the guitar.

  Maggie's eyes drooped low as Mia continued the lullaby her mother sang to her as a child.

  Fuck, my angels are beautiful.

  Mia finished the song as I reached Maggie's crib. Leaning down, I brushed the fine hair away from her face and whispered my fingers over her cheek, she stirred, but didn't wake. Kissing my fingers, I pressed them to her head.

  Mia slipped in next to me, kissing her fingers and repeating my action. Once her fingers left Maggie's head, I wrapped my arms around her. I pulled her out of Maggie's room, the guitar left on the floor, intending to get her into our bedroom.

  Mia's hands slipped around my neck as I claimed her mouth. Christ, she tastes so good.

  She moaned, pulling me closer. Gliding my hands down her body, I grabbed behind her thighs, lifting her. Thoughts of the bedroom forgotten, I pressed her against the hallway wall.

  "Chris," she breathed.

  I kissed over her chin and down her neck, pressing my hips forward between her legs.

  "Maggie's door," Mia panted.

  Letting her feet drop back to the floor, I closed Maggie's door and turned back to Mia. She was walking towards our room, leaving a trail of clothing behind her.

  "Where do you think you're going?"

  Catching up just as she slipped her jeans down her legs, I wrapped my arm around her waist and spun her around in my arms. My mouth immediately found hers, as I went to remove the bra.

  "We can't…in the hallway." Her fingers dug into my shoulders.

  My 'okay' was muffled by the left breast I had sucked into my mouth. I walked her backward into our room.

  Once inside, I kicked the door shut and turned her to face me. When her back hit the wall she gasped from the force. I claimed her tongue in my mouth, her breasts with my hands. Her nipples pebbled under my palms, making my mouth water. Tightly squeezing her breasts upward, I dropped my mouth to her soft flesh, the arousal hardened nipple rubbing against my tongue.

  "I need more." Mia growled, grabbing the hem of my T-shirt. She tried to pull it up, but I wasn't finished with her tits, yet.

  Taking the left nipple into my mouth, I nibbled. Her hands slid to the button of my jeans, quickly undoing and then unzipping.

  "Please," she begged, pushing at the waist of my pants.

  Releasing her nipple from my mouth, I watched the light glisten on the moisture I left behind and my cock throbbed.

  "What do you want, Mia?" I asked, reaching behind my neck. I fisted the cotton of my shirt and pulled it over my head.

  Mia's lips descended onto my chest, kissing, licking, and driving me insane. Bracing my hands against the wall on each side of her body, Mia bunched the denim at my hips and tugged. Starting on my left pectoral, where Maggie's footprint had been added to my ink, Mia pressed open mouth kisses on my body. Pulling my jeans to my calves, she knelt down face to cock. With one lick of her lips, she took me into her mouth.

  The ecstasy of her lips wrapped around me jerked my hips forward. Her head bumped the wall.

  "Fuck, baby, I'm…" Shit, she is good at this. "I'm sorry."

  She giggled, causing a vibration over my cock. I pressed my hips forward, easier this time, and she released me from her mouth.

  Groaning, I looked down.

  "Fuck my mouth, Chris." Her eyes stared up into mine as she placed me back between her lips.

  Grabbing the back of her head, I moved back and forth. The wet heat of her mouth, the grazing of her teeth, and the swirl of her tongue drove me to the edge of madness. Pulling away, she fell forward a bit.

  I reached down, standing her before me.

  "I want your pussy, Mia." Sliding my fingers into the silk covering what I desired, I yanked them to just above her knees. Her body jerked.

  I trailed my fingers up her thighs and slipped one into her in one smooth motion.

  "Oh, yes." Mia threw her arms around my neck, pulling my face to her.

  Coaxing my tongue into her mouth, she sucked it like she'd just done on her knees.

  Removing my finger, I grasped the back of her legs and lifted. Her underwear protested but didn't rip, remaining just above her knees. The back of her thighs pressed against my bare chest, her calves touching my biceps, as the underside of my cock slid between her wet pussy lips.

  She flexed her muscles, wanting more.

  I drew my hips back, positioning my tip and thrust forward. Her lower back slammed against the wall and a scream fell from her lips. I froze, worried that I hurt her.

  She fisted my hair, pulling my face to hers. "Don't fucking stop!" She growled.

  Pumping into her, over and over, she pulled at my hair and clawed at my back.

  "Fuck me, Christopher. Fuck me harder, please!"

  When her muscles locked around my cock, I thrust harder, riding her orgasm to my own release. Fingers clutching her legs hard, I roared.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Mia

  Spasms tingled at every nerve in my body. My breathing started to relax as he softened and slipped from within me. Chris dropped my legs to the floor, holding me until he was sure I could stand.

  "You are so fucking amazing." His hands slid up, holding the side of my head as he claimed my mouth.

  "Mmm" was the only coherent response I could provide.

  Kneeling down, Chris slid his hands over my bare body. He clutched my underwear, pulling them all the way off and tossing them to the side.

  On his way back up my body, he stopped and placed a slow lick over the swollen lips between my thighs. A shiver ran up my body.

  "Chris," I warned, "I don't think I can —"

  With a chaste kiss where he had just licked, he stood. "I'm not finished with you, yet."

  Fingers teased the bare skin of my hip as his mouth pressed to mine, preventing any argument.

  "But," he spoke against my lips before pulling back, "I'll let you have a minute."

  With amusement pulling up the left side of his mouth, he proceeded to carry me to the bed. After lying me down, he gave me fifteen minutes before delving between my thighs with his pierced tongue and dexterous fingers.

  Once I was over the edge, in orgasmic oblivion, he thrust between my legs. This time slow and sweet, he loved every inch of my body.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  "Tomorrow's your first visit with the children's program, right?" I asked, the fingers of my right hand running through his hair.

  We lay in a naked tangle on our bed, Chris covering half of my body, his head on my shoulder and right hand over my left breast.

  "Yeah. Jackson is going with me." The warmth of his breath against my skin left goose bumps as it cooled.

  "How is he?"

  "Not much better." He sighed, shifting so his chin rested on my shoulder. "He's not getting plastered every night, but he's still not the same."

  "Hopefully the talent show he agreed to participate in will help." I said as I ran my hand down Christopher's right arm.

  His hand moved lightly over my breast, tracing the circle of my areola. My nipple hardened.

  "We can only hope." He sighed once more, turning his cheek back to my shoulder. "It's hard seeing him this way."

  "Kharma?"

  "Don't I fucking know it. Hell, it's like standing outside a glass house while the person slowly begins to crack."

  Moving my hand from his arm, I caressed the side of his face.

  "He was always there for me. No matter how much I pushed him away. I have to get Jackson back, Mia. This temperamental asshole he's become needs to go." He picked his head up, looking into my eyes. "I've got that area covered." He grinned.

  Lifting my
head, I kissed his forehead. "Yes, you sure do."

  "Marry me." His words a demand, not a request, caught me off guard.

  "What?" I choked on the question.

  "Marry me, Mia. I want you bound to me for good." He inched up, until he could slip his arm behind my head and cup my cheek with his right hand.

  "People get divorced all the time." I whispered.

  With an arrogant gleam in his eye, he grinned, shaking his head. "Once you're mine, there will be no getting rid of me."

  I opened my mouth, but no words would come out. What the hell could I say? I knew I would marry Chris. The quick development of our intimate relationship and being parents made me hesitate, but I wasn't sure I wanted to hold back. If I was ever absolutely sure of anything, it was that Chris would be with me forever.

  "It is only you, Mia, has only ever been you." His crystalline blue eyes pierced mine. "You resurrected me from the darkness, pulled me from the depths of my own personal hell. No one will ever compare, come close, or take your place."

  Tears pooled and slipped from the corners of my eyes. His long finger wiped them away.

  "And for you to bring that little angel into my world," he nodded his head toward the door and I knew he spoke of our daughter, "is more proof to the fact that you're not only my lover, but my savior. Now, I want you to be my wife."

  With a kiss to my stilled lips, he moved away. My body felt cool at the loss of his warmth, my mind reeling at his words. A “yes” lingered on my lips, only silenced by the sound of the bedside table.

  His body returned to mine, settling between my legs. With his elbows holding him up on either side of me, he held out his hand. In his palm lay a ring. Placing it against my bare skin, over my heart, he leaned down, kissing between my breasts. The silver colored ring held a large round solitaire diamond encircled in black with more diamonds decorating the band on each side.

  "You are the diamond, the bright facet breaking thru my darkness." One of his long fingers ran over the black gems. "I'm the onyx, the darkness you penetrate."

  For a moment, I didn't know how to breathe. My words caught in my throat.

  "Marry me, Mia. Be my wife." He kissed my lips and pulled back, waiting.