Chapter Twenty-three, Break You
Posted by DiF on Saturday, August 13, 2011
Title: Midnight Shift: Chapter Twenty-three, Break You
Rating: NC-17 [language, sex, alcohol]
Summary: Summer is free now. Or is she?
It was certainly no accident she chose to sit next to Jimmy in the diner. Not another word had she uttered to him since his apology. And he deserved it; he knew that. Yet there she was, rubbing his face in it, like he wasn’t completely aware of every little gesture and exchange between her and Jimmy. It was torture – he deserved it, but it was still torture. Perhaps if she hadn’t instantly began to shovel food into her mouth, Robert might have thought their dining experience merely evil. Instead it once more made him feel inferior, that he had let her down. If he had rescued her like he should have, his Summer would not eat as if it were her first or last meal. Oh how he failed her.
“Dad,” she suddenly spoke, interrupting the complete silence.
“Yes, Summer,” he set down his cup of coffee.
“I want to stay here with Robert and Jimmy,” she stated.
Bob stared across the table at her, “Are you certain?”
Summer nodded, “I appreciate you… being so great. I really do. I don’t think I can really fully explain how much. I never knew… what it was like to have a dad and I certainly never expected that he would actually give a shit about me. I mean… Mom always tried to tell me that Jerry was my father, but now… now I think she said that because she was supposed to say that. But that’s not the point. I’m so glad it’s you and I’m so glad that you’re not a dick. And I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done, but… this is my home, with Robert and Jimmy now. And I don’t think… I don’t think I can… handle going to New York with you and meeting Sara and my other siblings just yet. I mean… It’s not like I don’t want to meet them and get to know you better, Dad, but…”
He considered her words carefully, “I completely understand, Summer. And I will not attempt to convince you otherwise. You have traumatically lost the world you knew. I would be a fool to force you away from the world you have come to know. I know you have not even begun to mourn your loss – our loss. I have known you and these men long enough to trust your welfare in their hands, even if anyone else in the world would find it foolish. They love you and have loved you longer than I – though perhaps I have loved you longer but have not known it. There is no one else I would feel comfortable leaving you with.”
“I… thank you,” she muttered softly, tears glittering in her eyes.
“I do not leave for another day. Should you change your mind even after that, I will see that you are welcomed to my home,” Bob declared. “Always.”
Summer looked down at her empty plate before casting her eyes to Robert, “I think we should go walk the dog alone before we go… wherever it is we’re going.”
He quickly pushed his plate away, “Yes, of course.”
Leaning over to Jimmy, she kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear, bringing a slight smile to his lips. Summer pushed away from the patio table and unhooked Queenie’s leash from her chair. Both Bob and Jimmy watched as she led Robert away from the outdoor seating and began to stroll down the sidewalk. Though Robert’s hand reached for hers, when his fingers brushed hers, she pulled her hand away. He frowned, even if he understood the slight. However she was aware they were being watched and spoke not a word, intending to not necessarily involve her dad and Jimmy in the conversation at all.
Rounding the corner, she spied a park or at least a grassy location with a bench not far down the block. Deciding that was their destination, Summer’s hand reached out for Robert’s, though she only spoke to the puppy. It was not much, but Robert was elated to be touching her once more. That was a step in the right direction. He knew it was.
The couple sat on the bench, letting the puppy wander into the grass nearby. Summer released Robert’s hand but only to bend down and loop the leash around her ankle. Her fingers reached for his again and he eagerly offered his hand to her. Rather than wrap hers about his, she turned his hand over, her fingertips tracing over the lines of his palm. He watched her eyes for a long moment before his gaze dropped down to her actions. While there was great innocence in her tracing, he felt something remarkable was happening; he just couldn’t put it into words.
“Summer,” he muttered.
“Shhh,” she responded, her fingers still running their course on his palm.
He wondered what kind of wisdom she would find in her actions, but it seemed significant. And it did send chills shooting up his spine. Perhaps that was her purpose, to remind him of how her touch connected with his soul – not that he had ever doubted it. His eyes watched as she slowly lifted his hand to her mouth, her lips gently pressing to the very center of his palm.
“I do love you, Robert. And I know you love me, but… but I do not understand why you did not move heaven and earth to come and find me,” she stated softly, her eyes finally rising to meet his. “Can you even begin to imagine what I was going through? I was suddenly informed my mother was dead, swept away by a man in a dark suit, and confined to a windowless room. I knew not when or if I would ever see sunlight again. For many hours I wondered if I would die in that room with only our – my puppy as my companion. I wished and prayed for you to burst through the door of that… cell and embrace me and tell me it was all just a bad, horrible dream. But you didn’t. Jimmy did. If you love me – which I do believe you do – why was it not you?”
Robert sighed, “Baby, I do love you. I do. I know no words will ever convince you of that, only actions. And I realize when I should have been proving just that, I failed you massively. My greatest failure is letting you down and I do not know how I will ever live that down. I should have been with you – I should not have even allowed them to take you without me. Summer, my love, I do not know what I can do to make this up to you, if it is even possible. I apologize from the depths of my heart for failing you.”
“I just don’t… I just don’t understand. Jimmy came to me. You did not. Why, Robert? Why?” her teary eyes went to his.
“May I ask something?”
She nodded.
“Did anything happen between you and Jimmy? I would not blame you if it did,” he stated, though he did not believe the words himself.
Her eyes narrowed, “Do you truly believe I would give my body to Jimmy merely because he came in your place?”
“I… I do not know what to think of you and Jimmy any more. I know he is fond of you and you seem fond of him. To be honest a number of his behaviors have changed since you came into our lives and I cannot help but think that perhaps–”
“I really am just a groupie trying to fuck the whole band?” she spat venomously.
“No!” Robert instantly responded. “Not that at all. I know Jimmy has a way about him that… oh god, nevermind, Summer. I know you didn’t sleep with him. I merely had to shove my foot in my mouth. I’m sorry.”
“I did sleep with him,” she countered. “But we did not have sex. If he had not been there – in your rightful place – I would not have slept a minute in that place. Jimmy made me feel safe and secure and not alone – all the things you should have been doing. I know he cares for me; I have for quite some time. But I love you. As stupid as it seems right now, I love you, Robert. But by god are you making it hard for me to. I needed you. I still do.”
He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed each of her fingers, stopping upon the ring he gifted her, “I am not leaving your side again – unless you ask it of me. You are my heart and soul. I know I have a great hurt to make up for and an even greater hurt to stand beside you through. Please give me a chance, Summer. Please.”
A tear ran down her face, “You know I cannot say no to you. Not now when I have nothing left outside of you, the band, and my dad. I would be stupid to do that and… my god, I need you, Robert. I’m so alone in this world without you.”
Robert quickly pulled his hand free from hers and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. His lips touched her forehead as his hands reached down her leg to make certain the puppy’s leash had not slipped off. Keeping his fingers on the leash, he guided her into his lap and gently kissed her mouth. The kiss did not deepen, but it was not intended to. Instead he pulled away from her lips and showered soft kisses on her face, catching her tears with his lips.
“Sh-she’s g-gone, isn’t sh-she?” she muttered.
“I’m so sorry, baby, but I think she is,” he breathed.
“W-why?”
“Oh, Summer, I wish I could tell you. I really do. You don’t deserve this. No one deserves this. He was an evil, evil man and I hope he gets his wherever he may be,” Robert declared, anger seeping into his voice. “For everything that he did to you, that he did to your mother, that he did to everyone else he trapped there.”
“How could I not know he was evil? How is it that I… didn’t believe in evil?”
He kissed her briefly again, “Well… I don’t know that I can answer that as I wasn’t there. But… baby, didn’t they teach you to think all sorts of things about that place? Things that you now know aren’t exactly… good or right?”
Summer nodded.
“It’s not your fault, baby. It’s not.”
“But, Robert, the last time I ever talked to her, I hung up on her, told her I never wanted to speak to her again. She thought I hated her and I did in that moment.”
“Baby,” he brushed her unkempt hair from her face, “she knew you loved her. And she loved you. In fact I think she did the greatest thing a mother can do for her child: she sacrificed herself for you. I don’t know everything surrounding her or you or the compound, but I would bet anything that she knew what she was doing when she sent you here, that she knew severing ties with you was going to be your salvation. She did it for you.”
“But why didn’t she save my brothers and sisters?”
Robert considered her question for a moment, “I can’t really say. But were they not conceived at the compound? You are the child of her true love. I’m sure she loved your brothers and sisters, but I bet you held a special place in her heart. Didn’t you say that she bought you Bob’s albums?”
She nodded, “Though I had to hide them and my record player.”
“She was introducing you to him the only way she could,” he declared. “She wanted you to escape, Summer. And you did. I do not doubt wherever she is right now, she is smiling in relief because you’re free and safe… and loved.”
Summer remained silent for a few moments, letting her tears speak what words could not. Holding her tightly, he glanced down at the puppy who curled up next to his feet, still attached to her ankle. His lips touched Summer’s temple and he squeezed her a bit tighter. She buried her face on his shoulder, trying to calm herself down.
“Robert?”
“Yes, baby.”
“Will you take me to… see it?”
“To see what?”
She pulled back slightly to meet his eyes, “To see where she died.”
“I… if that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do,” he declared.
“Thank you,” Summer cuddled with him again. “We should probably go back…”
“We can sit here a few minutes longer. They shouldn’t mind.”
“Do you think… do you think I’ll ever feel okay again?”
“I hope so, baby. I hope so.”
Unwilling to leave Summer alone with Robert and Jimmy just yet – especially when she returned with tear-stained cheeks, Bob lingered at the Malibu beachhouse. Remaining awkwardly silent while the three got settled, he spent most of that time outside smoking alone. He really did not know what else he could do for his daughter than be there for her. While Adele’s death certainly saddened him, he had long ago mourned her – after she left him in the middle of the night. Summer however had barely begun that journey. He would remain in California by her side for it – if Sara had not practically begged for him to come home. His loyalties tore him between both coasts. But Summer had not elected to come back with him and he would not force her. Her reasons made sense.
Long blond hair hanging in wet waves, Summer pushed open the door to the deck. Her eyes snapped to her dad as he lit another cigarette and looked over to her. She smiled slightly and sat in the chair next to him, pulling her feet up and tucking them into her long, flowing skirt. Looking out to the waves crashing on the beach, she silently plaited her hair back from her face.
Bob watched her silently. She moved a lot like Adele had, but had a touch more fluid grace to her motions. Though they had only known each other for a very short time, he could see the sadness in her aura. It pained his heart greatly to look at his daughter. He wished nothing more than to wipe away her sadness, to bring happiness to her eyes always. But evil existed in the world and it stole a part of her soul away.
“Dad?” she uttered softly, her eyes leaving the waves to meet his.
“Yes, Summer.”
“Do you believe in heaven?”
He blinked, “I do.”
“Do you think that’s where Mom is?”
Bob inhaled his cigarette deeply, “Your mother was an angel on earth. I do not doubt it.”
“What’s it like? What is heaven anyways? Mom used to tell me … that I was her little slice of heaven. But I don’t.. I don’t really know what heaven is.”
Looking at her for a long moment, Bob tried to figure out how to explain heaven to her. Quoting the Bible seemed disingenuous. And it really would not give her much of an idea if she was really that ignorant of it. It surprised him little that she had not conception of heaven; he doubted it fit with Jerry’s cult preaching. He was not entirely sure he believed the Bible’s definition anyways. Heaven was found in love, a perfect kiss, a baby’s giggle.
“Your mother was right,” he softly stated. “You are a slice of heaven, Summer, especially when you smile. I think heaven is different for everyone. It is the place you go that fills you with euphoria. It is surrounded by love and happiness. No one feels any pain in heaven. It is… love. Love is heaven.”
She turned his declarations over in her mind, “Love and happiness are heaven?”
“Yes.”
“Is that why so many people want both of those?”
“I would suppose so.”
“So do you think because I love Mom and she’s in heaven which love is a part of – that she is then inside of me, with me?”
“Absolutely. Adele will always be with you, be a part of you because you love her but also because she loved you,” Bob stated.
She smiled slightly, “She did love me, huh?”
“Absolutely,” he grinned. “She loved you from the very moment she knew she was pregnant. She wasn’t much older than you are now, but oh how happy she was. We weren’t really ready to be parents, but we believed our love to be enough. And oh, sweetheart, the first time you moved inside of her was magical. I had never felt so happy, so proud before. Your mother just beamed and glowed. She was so very beautiful.”
A single tear trickled down her cheek, “I… I feel so bad that the last thing I told her was to stay away from me. If she loved me like you say – and I never saw her act like that when she was pregnant with the other kids – then I must have hurt her so bad.”
“Summer, your mother knew exactly what she was doing. I do not doubt for a moment that she found relief in that exchange – even if it was sad. Adele wanted… she did not want you trapped where she was,” he stated. “She loved you so much, she had to set you free.”
Summer sighed, “Why didn’t she tell me that?”
“She couldn’t. Not only do I think she was forbidden to talk about such things, but I think she might not have been physically able to. When I saw your mother – briefly – that night, she was heavily under the influence of something. I don’t know what they were using but when I looked into her eyes, I only really saw her when she made me promise to take care of you and tell you that she loved you,” he explained, grinding out his cigarette. “It was all she could do to set you free.”
“I wish… I wish we could have freed her too,” Summer stated, more tears rolling down her cheeks.
While he knew the appropriate cliché in the moment would be to tell her that Adele was totally free now, Bob could not utter such words. He didn’t really think they were true. She might not be held by the ties of her body, but who was he to say if her soul was unbound? And to be honest, he wished they had freed Adele as well. What would have come had that happened, he knew not, but he wished it all the same. If Adele had been freed, he suspected he would have fought the world to be with her.
“I wish that too, Summer,” he stated.
“Do you know why she named me Summer?”
Bob shook his head, “I don’t.”
“She once told me the summer was the season of love. Does summer mean something to you?”
“Oh yes,” he smiled. “We met during the summer. And you were conceived during our second summer together.”
She flushed slightly, “You really love Mom, don’t you?”
Bob held her gaze, “Adele was my first love… and I would not say this to anyone else, but I do believe she was my true love.”
“I’m glad… I’m glad I have you now,” Summer stated. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
He reached over and grasped her hand, “You will always have me, Summer. You can count on it.”
She squeezed his hand, “Thank you, Dad.”
Glancing out the window at Summer and Bob, Robert stepped away, figuring they had as much need to be together as he did with Summer. Queenie lay stretched out on the floor at Jimmy’s feet, her little feet twitching occasionally as she dreamt of some elaborate chase. He nearly wanted to wake her and force her to go out on a walk, merely to give himself to do. But he would not do that to the puppy any more than he would to Summer herself. Perhaps now would be the time to speak with Jimmy on what they were going to do and how he would prefer the guitarist to treat his girlfriend.
Turning from the window, he sat on the couch opposite Jimmy. The guitarist glanced over the top edge of his book at the singer. Seeing a telling glint in Robert’s eye, he closed the book and set it aside. He folded his hands demurely in his lap, waiting for the singer to take charge and start whatever it was he wanted to start.
“I’m taking Summer up north tomorrow,” Robert stated.
“You’re what?”
“She asked me to take her to see it, where the fire was. I couldn’t tell her no. She has every right to go there,” he claimed.
Jimmy paused in thought, “I suppose so, but do you think it’s safe?”
“She won’t be alone. I’ll be with her.”
“Do you really think it’s safe for both of you?”
“Jimmy, I can’t not take her.”
“Okay, fine. But do you really think it will be safe?”
“Should we arrive and I feel it is not safe, we will leave. I will not put her in danger, no matter what,” he claimed. “And we will not remain there long, I hope. A quick flight up and then back. I do not wish to remain overnight.”
“And if she does?”
“Jimmy, really. You don’t have to question everything I’m doing with Summer. Not only have I thought it out, but she is my girlfriend, not yours,” Robert declared. “If it were up to me, we would not even be he–”
“But it isn’t up to you. Summer needs to be around her family now, which like it or not includes not only Bonzo, but me,” Jimmy pointed out.
Robert sighed, “I know. And I am grateful you were with her last night when I was not. But… Jimmy, I know you’re after her. If you care about us, about this band, I suggest you back the fuck off.”
“Excuse me?”
“Stop trying to sedu–”
“Jimmy?” Summer’s sweet voice interrupted Robert.
His dark eyes went to her as she approached the couch, “Yes, princess?”
“Do you… do you know where my guitar is? I want to learn a song from Dad,” she stated.
He got to his feet, “I think I saw it. If not you can use mine. I’ll be right down with one of them.”
His fingertips touched her hand as he passed by to head to the stairs. Stepping over the puppy, Summer quickly sat in Robert’s lap. Before he could mutter an objection or protest, she leaned forward and kissed his mouth softly.
“Heaven,” she breathed.
“What?”
Her eyes looked into his for a long moment, “Dad says that heaven is love and happiness. You are my heaven.”
He reached up and caressed her cheek, smiling, “That could very well be true, because I certainly did not believe in heaven until you.”
She kissed him again, “You don’t have to be jealous, Robert. I am yours.”
“I’m not je–”
“Of course you’re not,” Summer interrupted, her eyes flicked to the stairs as Jimmy descended, guitar in hand. “You didn’t find mine?”
“No,” he stated. “This is the only one anywhere. Which means yours is… on its way to London.”
She remained in Robert’s lap, “Why would it be going to London?”
“Because all of our equipment is on its way there for the couple of shows,” Jimmy answered as he approached the couch. “I’ll ring Steve and have him check for it and set it aside so it doesn’t get lost.”
Nodding, she got out of Robert’s lap and accepted Jimmy’s guitar, “Come outside with us? I’ll play what Joni taught me.”
After saying good night and good bye to her father who muttered he would return in the morning before leaving for New York, Summer headed upstairs to bed. Queenie slowly trailed behind, making Robert chuckle as he too headed up the stairs. He slipped into the bedroom and closed the door. The hour was not late at all, not anywhere near the time they normally went to bed, but he understood Summer’s emotional exhaustion. And there was an added benefit of being so enclosed with her before Bonzo’s arrival.
With the door closed, he waited next to the lightswitch as Summer disrobed. For a brief moment he wondered if she slept in the nude the night before with Jimmy. But the guitarist had assured him that nothing had happened, so it was not likely she had been naked. He had seen the bed. If Summer wore nothing to bed the previous night in that tiny bed with Jimmy, he could not fathom the man remaining hands off. Nothing had happened.
“Robert?” she muttered softly, already tucked under the light sheet.
He smiled and clicked off the light, “You are so beautiful.”
“Hurry to bed. I need to feel you beside me.”
Quickly shedding his own clothes, he slipped into the bed beside her. His left arm instantly snaked over her abdomen, pulling her close to him. She practically purred as she nestled in his arms.
“This is how I should always be,” she muttered softly.
“Absolutely,” he kissed her shoulder. “This is exactly how I want to always be.”
“When my mom was sixteen, she met the love of her life,” Summer stated. “I think I’m even luckier to have me you even sooner.”
His lips curved into a smile against her soft flesh, “If that is true, you most certainly are. I have spent years looking for you.”
Reaching for the hand on her abdomen that had begun tracing light circled about her navel, Summer squeezed his hand, “Now that you’ve found me…”
Shifting closer his lips left her shoulder and kissed her mouth, “I’m going to love you forever, each and every day a little more.”
Burying her fingers in his thick hair, she pulled him into a deep yet brief kiss, “I am so… so lucky to have you.”
“Forever and ever.”
Pulling her fingers free of his, her hand travelled down his abdomen, softly teasing the short curls. His mouth kissed hers again as her hand fleetingly touched his sex. He groaned into the kiss, his own hand wandering on a similar venture. She gasped as his digits gently wiggled between her petals. Her hand had not lingered on him but Robert clearly had not the same intentions with her. Expertly he slowly began to stroke her, feeling her honey coat his fingers.
Pulling away from her mouth, Robert trailed down to her small breasts. Her fingers dug into his hair as his lips circled her nipple. His tongue traced sloppy circles about the thickening bud while his fingers continued to stroke her.
“Oh, Robert,” she moaned.
Feeling her body begin to tense already, he smiled. There was nothing better in life than to satisfy her. He pushed his two fingers deeply into her wet heat. She instantly groaned, her hips rising from the bed to take him deeper. Curving his fingers, he thrust in her fast and hard. Her moans quickly became gasps, the slightest sound impossible. His other hand went to her pubic mound, gently pushing her back to the bed. Though he wanted to both taste her and feel her tremble around his cock, he knew she was close and could not stop.
“Oh… my… goooood…” she moaned as her body went completely rigid.
Though he removed his thumb from her clitoris, Robert continued to slowly pump his fingers into her. Her body continued to undulate with waves of passion. His mouth kissed each breast before returning to her luscious lips. As their mouths united, her fingers reached for his erection. She stroked him aggressively, attempting to pull him to her. He chuckled against her kiss.
“Oh daddy, please,” she breathed.
“You mean this isn’t enough?” his thumb flicked her clit.
“Oh don’t tease!”
Pulling his hand free, Robert licked his fingers, nearly finding it impossible to keep from dipping down to drink her nectar from the source. Her moans and pleas would never allow for such. He shifted over her body, settling easily between her legs. Her hot body rose, causing his engorged member to slid between her petals. Rather than push fully into her, he continued to tease her by sliding his length up and down hers. Growling her legs circled his waist, her heels digging into his ass.
“Oh, baby,” he moaned as he pushed fully into her.
“Daddy,” she purred, her hands digging into his hair and pulling him into a kiss. “Oh daddy.”
As close to the edge as she was – having just jumped off – Robert knew it wouldn’t take long before she quivered again. A slow pace would not suit her desires nor really his own. He pushed up slightly and adjusted his angle of entry. Hearing her groan, Robert moved fully to his knees, his hands on her hips. His eyes focused on hers as her hands pinched her nipples. Thrusting hard and fast, he felt the tension quickly build in the room.
“Oh baby,” he grunted.
“I… love… you…” she breathed.
Perhaps unsurprisingly her words pulled him into euphoria. His body tensed and he pushed deeply into her. Her body responded in kind, a soft scream leaving her lips as her legs locked around his waist. Without withdrawing at all, Robert leaned down and kissed her lovingly.
“I love you, Summer, so very much,” he muttered.
“Oh, daddy, there will never be anyone else for me but you.”
Filled with instant regret, Robert untangled himself from her limbs and slipped to her side. With little thought, Summer rolled over and cuddled with him. His fingers trailed up her back, colliding with the tail end of her braid. Gently he tugged on the ribbon, his fingers slipping into the braid to release her waves.
“Robert?”
“Yes, baby.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?” he asked, fingers intertwined in her hair.
“For loving me. There is nothing better.”
“I will always love you. Always.”
Turning on her side, Summer watched Robert sleep, his features barely discernable in the darkness. Her fingers reached up and gently swept his hair from his face. Gently her fingertips traced over his lips. Oh how much she loved him and love was oh so amazing. How had she become so lucky?
Stretching over she kissed his mouth gently. He stirred slightly but did not wake. Sighing, Summer rolled out of bed. With the light of the pale moon, she dug out one of Robert’s silk robes and pulled it close around her slight curves. Tying the belt loosely, just enough that it kept the robe close, she glanced once more at Robert – certain the man slept still – she quietly left the bedroom. While making love with Robert often left her more energized than not, she couldn’t attribute all of her wakefulness to that. Something else tickled the back of her mind. And she found herself extremely thirsty.
Quietly descending the steps, Summer paused at the bottom. Seated in perfect regality, a book in his lap, Jimmy occupied a chair in the living room, a single lamp lit beside him. For a long moment she stood there, looking at him. The warm light highlighted his features in an almost other worldly way. She was suddenly ever aware that Jimmy was magic personified – and she was not entirely sure how to interpret that.
Turning a page, his eyes glanced up. Though he was surprised to see Summer staring at him, he made no indication of such. Instead he picked up the bookmark on the nightstand, slipped it into the spine of his book, and slowly set it down. His dark eyes remained focused upon hers, waiting for her to make the first move.
“What are you doing up at such an hour?” he asked when she remained motionless.
His words broke the glamour, “I can’t… I can’t sleep. And I’m thirsty.”
He smiled and stood, “I was just considering a drink myself. Care to join me?”
“I would.”
Her hand quickly slipped into his and he guided her down the last few steps. She flashed him a quick smile before he led her into the kitchen. Releasing her hand, with a touch of regret, he opened the fridge and peered in. Their choices were few as no one had shopped yet – save for Bonzo on his drunken return with Benji from car racing. Jimmy did not think orange juice and chocolate milk would suffice. Closing the door, he pulled open the ice box door and smiled slightly. Of course Bonzo bought vodka. Removing the frosted bottle from the freezer, he set it on the counter before rummaging through the rental’s cabinets for glasses. Summer leaned to the side, having decided to sit on the counter, as he opened the cabinet closest her. His right hand gently grasped her thigh, under the pretense of steadying her balance, as he removed two glasses.
With a quick decision straight vodka might be too much for his princess and sorely wishing for champagne instead, Jimmy poured a splash of orange juice in each glass after adding ice to the vodka. Returning the bottles to the fridge, he turned to her with a smile.
“Your drink, my princess,” he stated softly, holding out the glass.
Accepting it, Summer took a sip and coughed, “Wow.”
He frowned, “Too much?”
“Maybe.”
“Try this one,” he offered his glass.
Again she made a face after drinking it, “I think the first was a bit better.”
Jimmy continued to frown and headed to the sink with both drinks, “I shall do better.”
“No no. No need to waste it,” Summer declared. “I merely need to get used to it.”
He glanced at her, “Are you certain?”
“Let me taste them again,” she requested.
Returning to her, he set the glasses on the counter next to her. Summer glanced at them both before arbitrarily choosing one. Lifting it to her lips, she took a deep drink. Managing to keep from making a face, she set it down and picked up the other glass. Drinking just the same, she decided the second one was either less strong or she had already been numbed.
“This one,” she claimed.
Nodding Jimmy slipped it from her fingers, “Shall we go watch the stars dance in the waves?”
“Oh yes, Jimmy,” she nodded.
Without pause, his hands went to her waist and he helped her off the counter. She stumbled forward slightly, her forehead bumping into his chin. Jimmy’s hands instantly tightened to catch her. With a quick smile and slight blush, Summer quickly pecked his cheek and wiggled free of his embrace. However once she picked up her drink, she did not hesitate to hold his hand.
Without pause, Jimmy stole her drink from her and set it on the table outside. She barely glanced at it before going to the railing and staring out at the ocean. For a long moment Jimmy merely watched her, enjoying the way the light ocean breeze teased her bed-messy hair and the edge of her short robe. Without even a thought, he knew whatever magic controlling the world created this perfect vision just for him.
Summer gasped, “I think I see a whale!”
“You do?” he approached the railing as well. “Where?”
She pointed out at the ocean, “There. Just wait for it.”
Jimmy looked out at the waves for few minutes, “I don’t see anything.”
“Maybe you can’t see it from there.”
Quickly accepting her unspoken offer, he slipped behind her. Though he was supposed to be looking for her whale, which he did not think really did exist, he was far more focused on how close he was to her. He had sworn to Robert he would leave her alone, would not pursue her. And by all outward appearances he was not. However… what Robert didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him, nor Jimmy. So his arms slipped innocently around her, his hands resting on the railing.
“I don’t see anything.”
Summer turned in his arms, but didn’t ask him to move away at all, “I think it’s gone. Or maybe it was just a wave. I don’t really know what whales look like anyways.”
His eyes went to hers and he couldn’t help but smile at her naivete, “Well perhaps we will have to go on a whale-scouting tour as well.”
“Really?” her eyes brightened.
“Really,” he nodded once.
Summer’s arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed his cheek briefly, “You are the best, Jimmy, you know that?”
“Now why would you say something like that?”
She rolled her eyes, “Do you remember when I asked you to show me everything you know?”
“I do,” he instantly responded. “And the answer still remains the same: I will try.”
Smiling she kissed his cheek again and then ducked out of his arms. He turned as she picked up one of the glasses, likely not caring which was which, and drank from it. Jimmy slipped around her and sat in one of the deck chairs. Waiting until she set the glass down, he pulled her into his lap, finding some pleasure in her quick squeak. However if she was intending on protesting, her lips did not mutter it. Instead she merely shifted in his lap until she half-faced the ocean. She laid her head back upon his shoulder, turning slightly to look at him.
“Robert harassed you about me, didn’t he?”
Jimmy reached up and touched her cheek gently, wanting to so much to guide her mouth to his, “He did.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong last night.”
“I know that. I was there for you like you needed. I can never think of that being wrong,” he stated.
“I don’t think it’s wrong to be with you either,” she claimed. “You make me feel… special.”
Jimmy smiled and did not hesitate to lean in and kiss her mouth softly, “That is because you are special.”
Her eyes remained closed as he leaned out of the quick kiss, “Robert can’t… can’t know about this.”
“Do we really have anything to hide from him?”
“I think he would have issues with me drinking with you right now, especially if we do this,” she stated softly and kissed him, hiccupping as she pulled back.
Jimmy smiled, “Then perhaps we shouldn’t do that.”
Her eyes looked into his, “Do you not want to kiss me?”
Rather than answer her verbally, he pulled her tightly to him, his mouth going to hers. The kiss remained sweet and chase for only a moment. As soon as her lips parted, his tongue rolled past, tasting the vodka she had sipped not long before. Circling her tongue with his own, he sucked briefly, promising more pleasure if she willingly gave of herself. Smiling she disengaged from the kiss, looking into his eyes.
“How long have you wanted to kiss me like that?”
“Since the moment I spied you innocently clutching a white sheet to yourself in Robert’s bed,” he admitted. “And the more I know of you, the more I want to touch you.”
“Oh?” she hiccupped again.
Jimmy lifted the left side of the robe and exposed her breast. Gently his hand cupped her exposed flesh, chasing her desire around her nipple with his thumb. Once he worked it into a hard bud, his fingers pinched gently and rolled.
“Oh Jimmy,” she breathed, “you shouldn’t do that.”
“Perhaps this would be better,” he muttered, cupped her breast, and leaned down, kissing her rosy peak.
“Oh Jimmy, you can’t… can’t do that,” she uttered and gasped as his teeth nibbled gently.
Nipple still held by his teeth, he pulled back, letting it pull free of his mouth. His eyes flicked to hers and he smiled devishly at the aroused tint of her cheeks. Cupping her breast once more, his lips went to hers, albeit briefly.
“I have no desire to be with you, Summer,” he breathed. “It is a need.”
“Oh but Jimmy,” her eyes fluttered open, “if Robert were to find out…”
“He shall not,” he closed the rob again. “I shall be the utmost discreet.”
“But Jimmy… does that not make me a groupie?”
“Never, my princess,” he declared. “My affection for you is far more than a desire to fuck you. I want to love you, Summer.”
“But, Jimmy, Robert…”
“Who was there for you last night?”
“You. But, Jimy…”
He kissed her once more, “Give me a chance to prove my affection of you.”
“But, Jimmy–”
“Summer?”
Her eyes snapped to the door, “Bonzo!”
Not that he would have held her in his lap, Jimmy did frown when she jumped up and embraced the drummer. His thick arms encircled her small waist as she stumbled forward. A moment later he plopped down in the chair next to Jimmy, Summer held in his lap instead.
“What exactly are you doing up, sweet pea?”
She reached for one of the glasses, “I couldn’t sleep. And I was thirsty.”
He slipped the glass from her hand before she lowered it from her lips and sipped it himself, “Damn, Summer. This certainly isn’t orange juice.”
She giggled, “No. Jimmy made it.”
Bonzo’s eyes flicked to the guitarist. Slowly he clicked the puzzle pieces together. Of course Jimmy would make her a strong drink. How better to break down her resistance? And had she not been in his lap when Bonzo stepped outside to smoke? They were lucky he had interrupted. Summer did not need anything more to weigh on her mind such as regret – which he was certain she would feel once the booze wore off.
“Sweet pea,” he spoke softly, “I think you should go back to bed.”
“But I’m not sleepy,” she pouted.
“Sweetie, it is late. You should rest. I am sure there will be much to do tomorrow,” Bonzo declared.
“Robert is taking me to the farm tomorrow.”
An uncomfortable silence settled over the three as the two men suddenly realized why they were all together in an odd tension. Jimmy instantly regretted taking advantage of her.
“Summer, you should go back to bed. Bob will be here for breakfast and then you’ll be leaving,” Jimmy spoke up. “Go back to bed, princess.”
“But I thought–”
“Go back to bed. We can talk more about whales when you get back.”
“I–”
“I’ll take you,” Bonzo stood up with her firmly in his arms, though his eyes went back to Jimmy. “And I’ll be back to talk to you.”
Summer protested not as the strong drummer carried her valiantly back to Robert’s bed. In fact she muttered a soft thank you before turning over and cuddling with Robert. The singer stirred slightly, waking enough to pull her closely to him. Satisfied with that, Bonzo left the bedroom and bounded back out to the deck. Glancing at the two glasses of mostly vodka, he sat back down.
“What the hell are you doing with Summer?” he demanded.
“Whale watching. Not that you have any right to ask or even care,” Jimmy stated evenly.
“Wrong you ar. Not only do I care a great deal about that little girl, but she’s with me best mate,” he picked up the mostly empty glass that Summer had drunk from and finished it. “Fuck, Pagey, this is practically straight vodka. What the fuck were you doing?”
“Nothing for you to be concerned about,” he stated coolly. “Nothing at all.”
“Bull fucking shit,” he growled. “Robert and Summer were made for each other. Don’t you go fucking that up.”
“Who are you to say that? Who are you to determine that? Summer is an intelligent young woman. She can decide for herself,” Jimmy declared.
“No. Just no. Don’t you remember how miserable she was after you kissed her in Seattle a couple of weeks ago? That alone is reason to back the fuck off. How do you think she’ll feel in the morning after whatever it is you did to her?”
Jimmy’s face remained impassive, “I did not force her to do anything.”
“You fed her alcohol,” he pointed out. “It even taste strong to me. Do not tell me you did nothing. You are not innocent, Page.”
Holding Bonzo’s gaze he leaned forward, “If they were so meant to be, where was your mate last night while I held a trembling Summer in my arms? She felt no guilt this morning. She will not tomorrow.”
“What are you going to do, Page? Drug her into submission? Is she not with Robert now – by choice?”
“I do not need to drug her into submission. She came to me by her own will. She stayed with me by her own will. You took her away.”
“To keep you from seducing her into the biggest mistake of her life,” Bonzo growled.
Jimmy’s eyes narrowed, “You’re drunk – again. Go to bed.”
“I’m not fucking drunk!” he bellowed. “You’re trying to steal Summer from Robert!”
The transformation from Bonzo to Beast had been instantenous. He knew without a doubt there would be no reasoning with him. The only person who could tame the Beast was upstairs, drunkenly sleeping. His options were few.
“You have nothing to fear. I shall leave Summer be,” Jimmy vowed evenly.
“Do you swear it?”
“I do.”
Staring at the guitarist for a long minute, Bonzo nodded and reached for Jimmy’s mostly untouched drink, “You better not break that vow or I’ll fucking break you.”
Rating: NC-17 [language, sex, alcohol]
Summary: Summer is free now. Or is she?
It was certainly no accident she chose to sit next to Jimmy in the diner. Not another word had she uttered to him since his apology. And he deserved it; he knew that. Yet there she was, rubbing his face in it, like he wasn’t completely aware of every little gesture and exchange between her and Jimmy. It was torture – he deserved it, but it was still torture. Perhaps if she hadn’t instantly began to shovel food into her mouth, Robert might have thought their dining experience merely evil. Instead it once more made him feel inferior, that he had let her down. If he had rescued her like he should have, his Summer would not eat as if it were her first or last meal. Oh how he failed her.
“Dad,” she suddenly spoke, interrupting the complete silence.
“Yes, Summer,” he set down his cup of coffee.
“I want to stay here with Robert and Jimmy,” she stated.
Bob stared across the table at her, “Are you certain?”
Summer nodded, “I appreciate you… being so great. I really do. I don’t think I can really fully explain how much. I never knew… what it was like to have a dad and I certainly never expected that he would actually give a shit about me. I mean… Mom always tried to tell me that Jerry was my father, but now… now I think she said that because she was supposed to say that. But that’s not the point. I’m so glad it’s you and I’m so glad that you’re not a dick. And I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done, but… this is my home, with Robert and Jimmy now. And I don’t think… I don’t think I can… handle going to New York with you and meeting Sara and my other siblings just yet. I mean… It’s not like I don’t want to meet them and get to know you better, Dad, but…”
He considered her words carefully, “I completely understand, Summer. And I will not attempt to convince you otherwise. You have traumatically lost the world you knew. I would be a fool to force you away from the world you have come to know. I know you have not even begun to mourn your loss – our loss. I have known you and these men long enough to trust your welfare in their hands, even if anyone else in the world would find it foolish. They love you and have loved you longer than I – though perhaps I have loved you longer but have not known it. There is no one else I would feel comfortable leaving you with.”
“I… thank you,” she muttered softly, tears glittering in her eyes.
“I do not leave for another day. Should you change your mind even after that, I will see that you are welcomed to my home,” Bob declared. “Always.”
Summer looked down at her empty plate before casting her eyes to Robert, “I think we should go walk the dog alone before we go… wherever it is we’re going.”
He quickly pushed his plate away, “Yes, of course.”
Leaning over to Jimmy, she kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear, bringing a slight smile to his lips. Summer pushed away from the patio table and unhooked Queenie’s leash from her chair. Both Bob and Jimmy watched as she led Robert away from the outdoor seating and began to stroll down the sidewalk. Though Robert’s hand reached for hers, when his fingers brushed hers, she pulled her hand away. He frowned, even if he understood the slight. However she was aware they were being watched and spoke not a word, intending to not necessarily involve her dad and Jimmy in the conversation at all.
Rounding the corner, she spied a park or at least a grassy location with a bench not far down the block. Deciding that was their destination, Summer’s hand reached out for Robert’s, though she only spoke to the puppy. It was not much, but Robert was elated to be touching her once more. That was a step in the right direction. He knew it was.
The couple sat on the bench, letting the puppy wander into the grass nearby. Summer released Robert’s hand but only to bend down and loop the leash around her ankle. Her fingers reached for his again and he eagerly offered his hand to her. Rather than wrap hers about his, she turned his hand over, her fingertips tracing over the lines of his palm. He watched her eyes for a long moment before his gaze dropped down to her actions. While there was great innocence in her tracing, he felt something remarkable was happening; he just couldn’t put it into words.
“Summer,” he muttered.
“Shhh,” she responded, her fingers still running their course on his palm.
He wondered what kind of wisdom she would find in her actions, but it seemed significant. And it did send chills shooting up his spine. Perhaps that was her purpose, to remind him of how her touch connected with his soul – not that he had ever doubted it. His eyes watched as she slowly lifted his hand to her mouth, her lips gently pressing to the very center of his palm.
“I do love you, Robert. And I know you love me, but… but I do not understand why you did not move heaven and earth to come and find me,” she stated softly, her eyes finally rising to meet his. “Can you even begin to imagine what I was going through? I was suddenly informed my mother was dead, swept away by a man in a dark suit, and confined to a windowless room. I knew not when or if I would ever see sunlight again. For many hours I wondered if I would die in that room with only our – my puppy as my companion. I wished and prayed for you to burst through the door of that… cell and embrace me and tell me it was all just a bad, horrible dream. But you didn’t. Jimmy did. If you love me – which I do believe you do – why was it not you?”
Robert sighed, “Baby, I do love you. I do. I know no words will ever convince you of that, only actions. And I realize when I should have been proving just that, I failed you massively. My greatest failure is letting you down and I do not know how I will ever live that down. I should have been with you – I should not have even allowed them to take you without me. Summer, my love, I do not know what I can do to make this up to you, if it is even possible. I apologize from the depths of my heart for failing you.”
“I just don’t… I just don’t understand. Jimmy came to me. You did not. Why, Robert? Why?” her teary eyes went to his.
“May I ask something?”
She nodded.
“Did anything happen between you and Jimmy? I would not blame you if it did,” he stated, though he did not believe the words himself.
Her eyes narrowed, “Do you truly believe I would give my body to Jimmy merely because he came in your place?”
“I… I do not know what to think of you and Jimmy any more. I know he is fond of you and you seem fond of him. To be honest a number of his behaviors have changed since you came into our lives and I cannot help but think that perhaps–”
“I really am just a groupie trying to fuck the whole band?” she spat venomously.
“No!” Robert instantly responded. “Not that at all. I know Jimmy has a way about him that… oh god, nevermind, Summer. I know you didn’t sleep with him. I merely had to shove my foot in my mouth. I’m sorry.”
“I did sleep with him,” she countered. “But we did not have sex. If he had not been there – in your rightful place – I would not have slept a minute in that place. Jimmy made me feel safe and secure and not alone – all the things you should have been doing. I know he cares for me; I have for quite some time. But I love you. As stupid as it seems right now, I love you, Robert. But by god are you making it hard for me to. I needed you. I still do.”
He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed each of her fingers, stopping upon the ring he gifted her, “I am not leaving your side again – unless you ask it of me. You are my heart and soul. I know I have a great hurt to make up for and an even greater hurt to stand beside you through. Please give me a chance, Summer. Please.”
A tear ran down her face, “You know I cannot say no to you. Not now when I have nothing left outside of you, the band, and my dad. I would be stupid to do that and… my god, I need you, Robert. I’m so alone in this world without you.”
Robert quickly pulled his hand free from hers and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. His lips touched her forehead as his hands reached down her leg to make certain the puppy’s leash had not slipped off. Keeping his fingers on the leash, he guided her into his lap and gently kissed her mouth. The kiss did not deepen, but it was not intended to. Instead he pulled away from her lips and showered soft kisses on her face, catching her tears with his lips.
“Sh-she’s g-gone, isn’t sh-she?” she muttered.
“I’m so sorry, baby, but I think she is,” he breathed.
“W-why?”
“Oh, Summer, I wish I could tell you. I really do. You don’t deserve this. No one deserves this. He was an evil, evil man and I hope he gets his wherever he may be,” Robert declared, anger seeping into his voice. “For everything that he did to you, that he did to your mother, that he did to everyone else he trapped there.”
“How could I not know he was evil? How is it that I… didn’t believe in evil?”
He kissed her briefly again, “Well… I don’t know that I can answer that as I wasn’t there. But… baby, didn’t they teach you to think all sorts of things about that place? Things that you now know aren’t exactly… good or right?”
Summer nodded.
“It’s not your fault, baby. It’s not.”
“But, Robert, the last time I ever talked to her, I hung up on her, told her I never wanted to speak to her again. She thought I hated her and I did in that moment.”
“Baby,” he brushed her unkempt hair from her face, “she knew you loved her. And she loved you. In fact I think she did the greatest thing a mother can do for her child: she sacrificed herself for you. I don’t know everything surrounding her or you or the compound, but I would bet anything that she knew what she was doing when she sent you here, that she knew severing ties with you was going to be your salvation. She did it for you.”
“But why didn’t she save my brothers and sisters?”
Robert considered her question for a moment, “I can’t really say. But were they not conceived at the compound? You are the child of her true love. I’m sure she loved your brothers and sisters, but I bet you held a special place in her heart. Didn’t you say that she bought you Bob’s albums?”
She nodded, “Though I had to hide them and my record player.”
“She was introducing you to him the only way she could,” he declared. “She wanted you to escape, Summer. And you did. I do not doubt wherever she is right now, she is smiling in relief because you’re free and safe… and loved.”
Summer remained silent for a few moments, letting her tears speak what words could not. Holding her tightly, he glanced down at the puppy who curled up next to his feet, still attached to her ankle. His lips touched Summer’s temple and he squeezed her a bit tighter. She buried her face on his shoulder, trying to calm herself down.
“Robert?”
“Yes, baby.”
“Will you take me to… see it?”
“To see what?”
She pulled back slightly to meet his eyes, “To see where she died.”
“I… if that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do,” he declared.
“Thank you,” Summer cuddled with him again. “We should probably go back…”
“We can sit here a few minutes longer. They shouldn’t mind.”
“Do you think… do you think I’ll ever feel okay again?”
“I hope so, baby. I hope so.”
Unwilling to leave Summer alone with Robert and Jimmy just yet – especially when she returned with tear-stained cheeks, Bob lingered at the Malibu beachhouse. Remaining awkwardly silent while the three got settled, he spent most of that time outside smoking alone. He really did not know what else he could do for his daughter than be there for her. While Adele’s death certainly saddened him, he had long ago mourned her – after she left him in the middle of the night. Summer however had barely begun that journey. He would remain in California by her side for it – if Sara had not practically begged for him to come home. His loyalties tore him between both coasts. But Summer had not elected to come back with him and he would not force her. Her reasons made sense.
Long blond hair hanging in wet waves, Summer pushed open the door to the deck. Her eyes snapped to her dad as he lit another cigarette and looked over to her. She smiled slightly and sat in the chair next to him, pulling her feet up and tucking them into her long, flowing skirt. Looking out to the waves crashing on the beach, she silently plaited her hair back from her face.
Bob watched her silently. She moved a lot like Adele had, but had a touch more fluid grace to her motions. Though they had only known each other for a very short time, he could see the sadness in her aura. It pained his heart greatly to look at his daughter. He wished nothing more than to wipe away her sadness, to bring happiness to her eyes always. But evil existed in the world and it stole a part of her soul away.
“Dad?” she uttered softly, her eyes leaving the waves to meet his.
“Yes, Summer.”
“Do you believe in heaven?”
He blinked, “I do.”
“Do you think that’s where Mom is?”
Bob inhaled his cigarette deeply, “Your mother was an angel on earth. I do not doubt it.”
“What’s it like? What is heaven anyways? Mom used to tell me … that I was her little slice of heaven. But I don’t.. I don’t really know what heaven is.”
Looking at her for a long moment, Bob tried to figure out how to explain heaven to her. Quoting the Bible seemed disingenuous. And it really would not give her much of an idea if she was really that ignorant of it. It surprised him little that she had not conception of heaven; he doubted it fit with Jerry’s cult preaching. He was not entirely sure he believed the Bible’s definition anyways. Heaven was found in love, a perfect kiss, a baby’s giggle.
“Your mother was right,” he softly stated. “You are a slice of heaven, Summer, especially when you smile. I think heaven is different for everyone. It is the place you go that fills you with euphoria. It is surrounded by love and happiness. No one feels any pain in heaven. It is… love. Love is heaven.”
She turned his declarations over in her mind, “Love and happiness are heaven?”
“Yes.”
“Is that why so many people want both of those?”
“I would suppose so.”
“So do you think because I love Mom and she’s in heaven which love is a part of – that she is then inside of me, with me?”
“Absolutely. Adele will always be with you, be a part of you because you love her but also because she loved you,” Bob stated.
She smiled slightly, “She did love me, huh?”
“Absolutely,” he grinned. “She loved you from the very moment she knew she was pregnant. She wasn’t much older than you are now, but oh how happy she was. We weren’t really ready to be parents, but we believed our love to be enough. And oh, sweetheart, the first time you moved inside of her was magical. I had never felt so happy, so proud before. Your mother just beamed and glowed. She was so very beautiful.”
A single tear trickled down her cheek, “I… I feel so bad that the last thing I told her was to stay away from me. If she loved me like you say – and I never saw her act like that when she was pregnant with the other kids – then I must have hurt her so bad.”
“Summer, your mother knew exactly what she was doing. I do not doubt for a moment that she found relief in that exchange – even if it was sad. Adele wanted… she did not want you trapped where she was,” he stated. “She loved you so much, she had to set you free.”
Summer sighed, “Why didn’t she tell me that?”
“She couldn’t. Not only do I think she was forbidden to talk about such things, but I think she might not have been physically able to. When I saw your mother – briefly – that night, she was heavily under the influence of something. I don’t know what they were using but when I looked into her eyes, I only really saw her when she made me promise to take care of you and tell you that she loved you,” he explained, grinding out his cigarette. “It was all she could do to set you free.”
“I wish… I wish we could have freed her too,” Summer stated, more tears rolling down her cheeks.
While he knew the appropriate cliché in the moment would be to tell her that Adele was totally free now, Bob could not utter such words. He didn’t really think they were true. She might not be held by the ties of her body, but who was he to say if her soul was unbound? And to be honest, he wished they had freed Adele as well. What would have come had that happened, he knew not, but he wished it all the same. If Adele had been freed, he suspected he would have fought the world to be with her.
“I wish that too, Summer,” he stated.
“Do you know why she named me Summer?”
Bob shook his head, “I don’t.”
“She once told me the summer was the season of love. Does summer mean something to you?”
“Oh yes,” he smiled. “We met during the summer. And you were conceived during our second summer together.”
She flushed slightly, “You really love Mom, don’t you?”
Bob held her gaze, “Adele was my first love… and I would not say this to anyone else, but I do believe she was my true love.”
“I’m glad… I’m glad I have you now,” Summer stated. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
He reached over and grasped her hand, “You will always have me, Summer. You can count on it.”
She squeezed his hand, “Thank you, Dad.”
Glancing out the window at Summer and Bob, Robert stepped away, figuring they had as much need to be together as he did with Summer. Queenie lay stretched out on the floor at Jimmy’s feet, her little feet twitching occasionally as she dreamt of some elaborate chase. He nearly wanted to wake her and force her to go out on a walk, merely to give himself to do. But he would not do that to the puppy any more than he would to Summer herself. Perhaps now would be the time to speak with Jimmy on what they were going to do and how he would prefer the guitarist to treat his girlfriend.
Turning from the window, he sat on the couch opposite Jimmy. The guitarist glanced over the top edge of his book at the singer. Seeing a telling glint in Robert’s eye, he closed the book and set it aside. He folded his hands demurely in his lap, waiting for the singer to take charge and start whatever it was he wanted to start.
“I’m taking Summer up north tomorrow,” Robert stated.
“You’re what?”
“She asked me to take her to see it, where the fire was. I couldn’t tell her no. She has every right to go there,” he claimed.
Jimmy paused in thought, “I suppose so, but do you think it’s safe?”
“She won’t be alone. I’ll be with her.”
“Do you really think it’s safe for both of you?”
“Jimmy, I can’t not take her.”
“Okay, fine. But do you really think it will be safe?”
“Should we arrive and I feel it is not safe, we will leave. I will not put her in danger, no matter what,” he claimed. “And we will not remain there long, I hope. A quick flight up and then back. I do not wish to remain overnight.”
“And if she does?”
“Jimmy, really. You don’t have to question everything I’m doing with Summer. Not only have I thought it out, but she is my girlfriend, not yours,” Robert declared. “If it were up to me, we would not even be he–”
“But it isn’t up to you. Summer needs to be around her family now, which like it or not includes not only Bonzo, but me,” Jimmy pointed out.
Robert sighed, “I know. And I am grateful you were with her last night when I was not. But… Jimmy, I know you’re after her. If you care about us, about this band, I suggest you back the fuck off.”
“Excuse me?”
“Stop trying to sedu–”
“Jimmy?” Summer’s sweet voice interrupted Robert.
His dark eyes went to her as she approached the couch, “Yes, princess?”
“Do you… do you know where my guitar is? I want to learn a song from Dad,” she stated.
He got to his feet, “I think I saw it. If not you can use mine. I’ll be right down with one of them.”
His fingertips touched her hand as he passed by to head to the stairs. Stepping over the puppy, Summer quickly sat in Robert’s lap. Before he could mutter an objection or protest, she leaned forward and kissed his mouth softly.
“Heaven,” she breathed.
“What?”
Her eyes looked into his for a long moment, “Dad says that heaven is love and happiness. You are my heaven.”
He reached up and caressed her cheek, smiling, “That could very well be true, because I certainly did not believe in heaven until you.”
She kissed him again, “You don’t have to be jealous, Robert. I am yours.”
“I’m not je–”
“Of course you’re not,” Summer interrupted, her eyes flicked to the stairs as Jimmy descended, guitar in hand. “You didn’t find mine?”
“No,” he stated. “This is the only one anywhere. Which means yours is… on its way to London.”
She remained in Robert’s lap, “Why would it be going to London?”
“Because all of our equipment is on its way there for the couple of shows,” Jimmy answered as he approached the couch. “I’ll ring Steve and have him check for it and set it aside so it doesn’t get lost.”
Nodding, she got out of Robert’s lap and accepted Jimmy’s guitar, “Come outside with us? I’ll play what Joni taught me.”
After saying good night and good bye to her father who muttered he would return in the morning before leaving for New York, Summer headed upstairs to bed. Queenie slowly trailed behind, making Robert chuckle as he too headed up the stairs. He slipped into the bedroom and closed the door. The hour was not late at all, not anywhere near the time they normally went to bed, but he understood Summer’s emotional exhaustion. And there was an added benefit of being so enclosed with her before Bonzo’s arrival.
With the door closed, he waited next to the lightswitch as Summer disrobed. For a brief moment he wondered if she slept in the nude the night before with Jimmy. But the guitarist had assured him that nothing had happened, so it was not likely she had been naked. He had seen the bed. If Summer wore nothing to bed the previous night in that tiny bed with Jimmy, he could not fathom the man remaining hands off. Nothing had happened.
“Robert?” she muttered softly, already tucked under the light sheet.
He smiled and clicked off the light, “You are so beautiful.”
“Hurry to bed. I need to feel you beside me.”
Quickly shedding his own clothes, he slipped into the bed beside her. His left arm instantly snaked over her abdomen, pulling her close to him. She practically purred as she nestled in his arms.
“This is how I should always be,” she muttered softly.
“Absolutely,” he kissed her shoulder. “This is exactly how I want to always be.”
“When my mom was sixteen, she met the love of her life,” Summer stated. “I think I’m even luckier to have me you even sooner.”
His lips curved into a smile against her soft flesh, “If that is true, you most certainly are. I have spent years looking for you.”
Reaching for the hand on her abdomen that had begun tracing light circled about her navel, Summer squeezed his hand, “Now that you’ve found me…”
Shifting closer his lips left her shoulder and kissed her mouth, “I’m going to love you forever, each and every day a little more.”
Burying her fingers in his thick hair, she pulled him into a deep yet brief kiss, “I am so… so lucky to have you.”
“Forever and ever.”
Pulling her fingers free of his, her hand travelled down his abdomen, softly teasing the short curls. His mouth kissed hers again as her hand fleetingly touched his sex. He groaned into the kiss, his own hand wandering on a similar venture. She gasped as his digits gently wiggled between her petals. Her hand had not lingered on him but Robert clearly had not the same intentions with her. Expertly he slowly began to stroke her, feeling her honey coat his fingers.
Pulling away from her mouth, Robert trailed down to her small breasts. Her fingers dug into his hair as his lips circled her nipple. His tongue traced sloppy circles about the thickening bud while his fingers continued to stroke her.
“Oh, Robert,” she moaned.
Feeling her body begin to tense already, he smiled. There was nothing better in life than to satisfy her. He pushed his two fingers deeply into her wet heat. She instantly groaned, her hips rising from the bed to take him deeper. Curving his fingers, he thrust in her fast and hard. Her moans quickly became gasps, the slightest sound impossible. His other hand went to her pubic mound, gently pushing her back to the bed. Though he wanted to both taste her and feel her tremble around his cock, he knew she was close and could not stop.
“Oh… my… goooood…” she moaned as her body went completely rigid.
Though he removed his thumb from her clitoris, Robert continued to slowly pump his fingers into her. Her body continued to undulate with waves of passion. His mouth kissed each breast before returning to her luscious lips. As their mouths united, her fingers reached for his erection. She stroked him aggressively, attempting to pull him to her. He chuckled against her kiss.
“Oh daddy, please,” she breathed.
“You mean this isn’t enough?” his thumb flicked her clit.
“Oh don’t tease!”
Pulling his hand free, Robert licked his fingers, nearly finding it impossible to keep from dipping down to drink her nectar from the source. Her moans and pleas would never allow for such. He shifted over her body, settling easily between her legs. Her hot body rose, causing his engorged member to slid between her petals. Rather than push fully into her, he continued to tease her by sliding his length up and down hers. Growling her legs circled his waist, her heels digging into his ass.
“Oh, baby,” he moaned as he pushed fully into her.
“Daddy,” she purred, her hands digging into his hair and pulling him into a kiss. “Oh daddy.”
As close to the edge as she was – having just jumped off – Robert knew it wouldn’t take long before she quivered again. A slow pace would not suit her desires nor really his own. He pushed up slightly and adjusted his angle of entry. Hearing her groan, Robert moved fully to his knees, his hands on her hips. His eyes focused on hers as her hands pinched her nipples. Thrusting hard and fast, he felt the tension quickly build in the room.
“Oh baby,” he grunted.
“I… love… you…” she breathed.
Perhaps unsurprisingly her words pulled him into euphoria. His body tensed and he pushed deeply into her. Her body responded in kind, a soft scream leaving her lips as her legs locked around his waist. Without withdrawing at all, Robert leaned down and kissed her lovingly.
“I love you, Summer, so very much,” he muttered.
“Oh, daddy, there will never be anyone else for me but you.”
Filled with instant regret, Robert untangled himself from her limbs and slipped to her side. With little thought, Summer rolled over and cuddled with him. His fingers trailed up her back, colliding with the tail end of her braid. Gently he tugged on the ribbon, his fingers slipping into the braid to release her waves.
“Robert?”
“Yes, baby.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?” he asked, fingers intertwined in her hair.
“For loving me. There is nothing better.”
“I will always love you. Always.”
Turning on her side, Summer watched Robert sleep, his features barely discernable in the darkness. Her fingers reached up and gently swept his hair from his face. Gently her fingertips traced over his lips. Oh how much she loved him and love was oh so amazing. How had she become so lucky?
Stretching over she kissed his mouth gently. He stirred slightly but did not wake. Sighing, Summer rolled out of bed. With the light of the pale moon, she dug out one of Robert’s silk robes and pulled it close around her slight curves. Tying the belt loosely, just enough that it kept the robe close, she glanced once more at Robert – certain the man slept still – she quietly left the bedroom. While making love with Robert often left her more energized than not, she couldn’t attribute all of her wakefulness to that. Something else tickled the back of her mind. And she found herself extremely thirsty.
Quietly descending the steps, Summer paused at the bottom. Seated in perfect regality, a book in his lap, Jimmy occupied a chair in the living room, a single lamp lit beside him. For a long moment she stood there, looking at him. The warm light highlighted his features in an almost other worldly way. She was suddenly ever aware that Jimmy was magic personified – and she was not entirely sure how to interpret that.
Turning a page, his eyes glanced up. Though he was surprised to see Summer staring at him, he made no indication of such. Instead he picked up the bookmark on the nightstand, slipped it into the spine of his book, and slowly set it down. His dark eyes remained focused upon hers, waiting for her to make the first move.
“What are you doing up at such an hour?” he asked when she remained motionless.
His words broke the glamour, “I can’t… I can’t sleep. And I’m thirsty.”
He smiled and stood, “I was just considering a drink myself. Care to join me?”
“I would.”
Her hand quickly slipped into his and he guided her down the last few steps. She flashed him a quick smile before he led her into the kitchen. Releasing her hand, with a touch of regret, he opened the fridge and peered in. Their choices were few as no one had shopped yet – save for Bonzo on his drunken return with Benji from car racing. Jimmy did not think orange juice and chocolate milk would suffice. Closing the door, he pulled open the ice box door and smiled slightly. Of course Bonzo bought vodka. Removing the frosted bottle from the freezer, he set it on the counter before rummaging through the rental’s cabinets for glasses. Summer leaned to the side, having decided to sit on the counter, as he opened the cabinet closest her. His right hand gently grasped her thigh, under the pretense of steadying her balance, as he removed two glasses.
With a quick decision straight vodka might be too much for his princess and sorely wishing for champagne instead, Jimmy poured a splash of orange juice in each glass after adding ice to the vodka. Returning the bottles to the fridge, he turned to her with a smile.
“Your drink, my princess,” he stated softly, holding out the glass.
Accepting it, Summer took a sip and coughed, “Wow.”
He frowned, “Too much?”
“Maybe.”
“Try this one,” he offered his glass.
Again she made a face after drinking it, “I think the first was a bit better.”
Jimmy continued to frown and headed to the sink with both drinks, “I shall do better.”
“No no. No need to waste it,” Summer declared. “I merely need to get used to it.”
He glanced at her, “Are you certain?”
“Let me taste them again,” she requested.
Returning to her, he set the glasses on the counter next to her. Summer glanced at them both before arbitrarily choosing one. Lifting it to her lips, she took a deep drink. Managing to keep from making a face, she set it down and picked up the other glass. Drinking just the same, she decided the second one was either less strong or she had already been numbed.
“This one,” she claimed.
Nodding Jimmy slipped it from her fingers, “Shall we go watch the stars dance in the waves?”
“Oh yes, Jimmy,” she nodded.
Without pause, his hands went to her waist and he helped her off the counter. She stumbled forward slightly, her forehead bumping into his chin. Jimmy’s hands instantly tightened to catch her. With a quick smile and slight blush, Summer quickly pecked his cheek and wiggled free of his embrace. However once she picked up her drink, she did not hesitate to hold his hand.
Without pause, Jimmy stole her drink from her and set it on the table outside. She barely glanced at it before going to the railing and staring out at the ocean. For a long moment Jimmy merely watched her, enjoying the way the light ocean breeze teased her bed-messy hair and the edge of her short robe. Without even a thought, he knew whatever magic controlling the world created this perfect vision just for him.
Summer gasped, “I think I see a whale!”
“You do?” he approached the railing as well. “Where?”
She pointed out at the ocean, “There. Just wait for it.”
Jimmy looked out at the waves for few minutes, “I don’t see anything.”
“Maybe you can’t see it from there.”
Quickly accepting her unspoken offer, he slipped behind her. Though he was supposed to be looking for her whale, which he did not think really did exist, he was far more focused on how close he was to her. He had sworn to Robert he would leave her alone, would not pursue her. And by all outward appearances he was not. However… what Robert didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him, nor Jimmy. So his arms slipped innocently around her, his hands resting on the railing.
“I don’t see anything.”
Summer turned in his arms, but didn’t ask him to move away at all, “I think it’s gone. Or maybe it was just a wave. I don’t really know what whales look like anyways.”
His eyes went to hers and he couldn’t help but smile at her naivete, “Well perhaps we will have to go on a whale-scouting tour as well.”
“Really?” her eyes brightened.
“Really,” he nodded once.
Summer’s arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed his cheek briefly, “You are the best, Jimmy, you know that?”
“Now why would you say something like that?”
She rolled her eyes, “Do you remember when I asked you to show me everything you know?”
“I do,” he instantly responded. “And the answer still remains the same: I will try.”
Smiling she kissed his cheek again and then ducked out of his arms. He turned as she picked up one of the glasses, likely not caring which was which, and drank from it. Jimmy slipped around her and sat in one of the deck chairs. Waiting until she set the glass down, he pulled her into his lap, finding some pleasure in her quick squeak. However if she was intending on protesting, her lips did not mutter it. Instead she merely shifted in his lap until she half-faced the ocean. She laid her head back upon his shoulder, turning slightly to look at him.
“Robert harassed you about me, didn’t he?”
Jimmy reached up and touched her cheek gently, wanting to so much to guide her mouth to his, “He did.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong last night.”
“I know that. I was there for you like you needed. I can never think of that being wrong,” he stated.
“I don’t think it’s wrong to be with you either,” she claimed. “You make me feel… special.”
Jimmy smiled and did not hesitate to lean in and kiss her mouth softly, “That is because you are special.”
Her eyes remained closed as he leaned out of the quick kiss, “Robert can’t… can’t know about this.”
“Do we really have anything to hide from him?”
“I think he would have issues with me drinking with you right now, especially if we do this,” she stated softly and kissed him, hiccupping as she pulled back.
Jimmy smiled, “Then perhaps we shouldn’t do that.”
Her eyes looked into his, “Do you not want to kiss me?”
Rather than answer her verbally, he pulled her tightly to him, his mouth going to hers. The kiss remained sweet and chase for only a moment. As soon as her lips parted, his tongue rolled past, tasting the vodka she had sipped not long before. Circling her tongue with his own, he sucked briefly, promising more pleasure if she willingly gave of herself. Smiling she disengaged from the kiss, looking into his eyes.
“How long have you wanted to kiss me like that?”
“Since the moment I spied you innocently clutching a white sheet to yourself in Robert’s bed,” he admitted. “And the more I know of you, the more I want to touch you.”
“Oh?” she hiccupped again.
Jimmy lifted the left side of the robe and exposed her breast. Gently his hand cupped her exposed flesh, chasing her desire around her nipple with his thumb. Once he worked it into a hard bud, his fingers pinched gently and rolled.
“Oh Jimmy,” she breathed, “you shouldn’t do that.”
“Perhaps this would be better,” he muttered, cupped her breast, and leaned down, kissing her rosy peak.
“Oh Jimmy, you can’t… can’t do that,” she uttered and gasped as his teeth nibbled gently.
Nipple still held by his teeth, he pulled back, letting it pull free of his mouth. His eyes flicked to hers and he smiled devishly at the aroused tint of her cheeks. Cupping her breast once more, his lips went to hers, albeit briefly.
“I have no desire to be with you, Summer,” he breathed. “It is a need.”
“Oh but Jimmy,” her eyes fluttered open, “if Robert were to find out…”
“He shall not,” he closed the rob again. “I shall be the utmost discreet.”
“But Jimmy… does that not make me a groupie?”
“Never, my princess,” he declared. “My affection for you is far more than a desire to fuck you. I want to love you, Summer.”
“But, Jimmy, Robert…”
“Who was there for you last night?”
“You. But, Jimy…”
He kissed her once more, “Give me a chance to prove my affection of you.”
“But, Jimmy–”
“Summer?”
Her eyes snapped to the door, “Bonzo!”
Not that he would have held her in his lap, Jimmy did frown when she jumped up and embraced the drummer. His thick arms encircled her small waist as she stumbled forward. A moment later he plopped down in the chair next to Jimmy, Summer held in his lap instead.
“What exactly are you doing up, sweet pea?”
She reached for one of the glasses, “I couldn’t sleep. And I was thirsty.”
He slipped the glass from her hand before she lowered it from her lips and sipped it himself, “Damn, Summer. This certainly isn’t orange juice.”
She giggled, “No. Jimmy made it.”
Bonzo’s eyes flicked to the guitarist. Slowly he clicked the puzzle pieces together. Of course Jimmy would make her a strong drink. How better to break down her resistance? And had she not been in his lap when Bonzo stepped outside to smoke? They were lucky he had interrupted. Summer did not need anything more to weigh on her mind such as regret – which he was certain she would feel once the booze wore off.
“Sweet pea,” he spoke softly, “I think you should go back to bed.”
“But I’m not sleepy,” she pouted.
“Sweetie, it is late. You should rest. I am sure there will be much to do tomorrow,” Bonzo declared.
“Robert is taking me to the farm tomorrow.”
An uncomfortable silence settled over the three as the two men suddenly realized why they were all together in an odd tension. Jimmy instantly regretted taking advantage of her.
“Summer, you should go back to bed. Bob will be here for breakfast and then you’ll be leaving,” Jimmy spoke up. “Go back to bed, princess.”
“But I thought–”
“Go back to bed. We can talk more about whales when you get back.”
“I–”
“I’ll take you,” Bonzo stood up with her firmly in his arms, though his eyes went back to Jimmy. “And I’ll be back to talk to you.”
Summer protested not as the strong drummer carried her valiantly back to Robert’s bed. In fact she muttered a soft thank you before turning over and cuddling with Robert. The singer stirred slightly, waking enough to pull her closely to him. Satisfied with that, Bonzo left the bedroom and bounded back out to the deck. Glancing at the two glasses of mostly vodka, he sat back down.
“What the hell are you doing with Summer?” he demanded.
“Whale watching. Not that you have any right to ask or even care,” Jimmy stated evenly.
“Wrong you ar. Not only do I care a great deal about that little girl, but she’s with me best mate,” he picked up the mostly empty glass that Summer had drunk from and finished it. “Fuck, Pagey, this is practically straight vodka. What the fuck were you doing?”
“Nothing for you to be concerned about,” he stated coolly. “Nothing at all.”
“Bull fucking shit,” he growled. “Robert and Summer were made for each other. Don’t you go fucking that up.”
“Who are you to say that? Who are you to determine that? Summer is an intelligent young woman. She can decide for herself,” Jimmy declared.
“No. Just no. Don’t you remember how miserable she was after you kissed her in Seattle a couple of weeks ago? That alone is reason to back the fuck off. How do you think she’ll feel in the morning after whatever it is you did to her?”
Jimmy’s face remained impassive, “I did not force her to do anything.”
“You fed her alcohol,” he pointed out. “It even taste strong to me. Do not tell me you did nothing. You are not innocent, Page.”
Holding Bonzo’s gaze he leaned forward, “If they were so meant to be, where was your mate last night while I held a trembling Summer in my arms? She felt no guilt this morning. She will not tomorrow.”
“What are you going to do, Page? Drug her into submission? Is she not with Robert now – by choice?”
“I do not need to drug her into submission. She came to me by her own will. She stayed with me by her own will. You took her away.”
“To keep you from seducing her into the biggest mistake of her life,” Bonzo growled.
Jimmy’s eyes narrowed, “You’re drunk – again. Go to bed.”
“I’m not fucking drunk!” he bellowed. “You’re trying to steal Summer from Robert!”
The transformation from Bonzo to Beast had been instantenous. He knew without a doubt there would be no reasoning with him. The only person who could tame the Beast was upstairs, drunkenly sleeping. His options were few.
“You have nothing to fear. I shall leave Summer be,” Jimmy vowed evenly.
“Do you swear it?”
“I do.”
Staring at the guitarist for a long minute, Bonzo nodded and reached for Jimmy’s mostly untouched drink, “You better not break that vow or I’ll fucking break you.”
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