I can’t help but laugh. I love this. The big blast of want and excitement and live-out-loudness that is Rae Jensen.
“What? What is it?”
I help her out of the shirt, put my arms around her, and pull her in tight. I’m hugging her. That’s all this is. Two bodies pressed tight. Even after what she said, it shouldn’t feel like so much more. Fuck, am I scared? Is that what this is?
“Why’d you laugh?”
“Because you’re so delightful, throwing off your clothes like that.”
“Don’t embarrass me.”
“No, no, no, Rae. Don’t be embarrassed. Please. God, you are so…”
“I’m a lot. I know.”
“No!” I’m dead serious when I pull away and stare. “You are just the right amount. Of… everything.”
“You think?”
“I mean it. You’re lovely. You’re kind. You’re… maybe a little too helpful, we’ve established.” I bend and press a kiss to her collarbone, her bra strap, her shoulder. “And you are perfect.”
“I have to be helpful.”
“Why?” I let my nose wander down to the valley between her breasts. Kiss her there.
“I’m not…”
I pause in my descent. “Not what?”
“Never mind. Keep doing that.”
“I’ll keep going if you keep talking.”
“Oh, come on,” she groans. “Are you serious?”
I breathe against the side of one breast. “Yep.” Nudge my nose into her throat and then stroke my cheek against her arm. “Talk. Or no more of this.”
With an annoyed huff, Rae goes on. “Fine. So. My point is that I’m not anything special.And… before you rush to contradict me. This isn’t bad. We can’t all be wildly exciting people. My family, I mean… My mom was a star, you know? She sang and danced and charmed the hell out of everyone. And Dad, he’s like that too. Sort of the softer version. Hannah’s just a powerhouse. I wish…”
As I bend and kiss her soft belly, her voice fades away. “Go on,” I say against the skin there.
“Otty is incredibly talented. She’ll be the next Taylor Swift. If she ever gets her act together. And she will. I’ll make sure of it.”
I smile against her warm, fragrant waist, flush with affection for this woman. “You, however, are nothing special.”
“Right. And, honestly, I’ve gotten where I am because… I give people what they need. And if they… Oh, oh, that’s nice.”
The woman enjoys a tongue in her belly button. Good to know. “Keep talking.”
Another irritated sound, and she’s off, sounding almost unaware of what’s coming out of her mouth while I taste, lick, and bite every part of her I can. “Listen, just, here’s the thing. If I don’t help and do extra and give people what they need, then who am I?”
“You’re Rae. Rae Jensen. You are a star.” When she snorts this time, I stand and look down at her. “What?”
“Look, I know I’m not particularly, I don’t know, notable. But that’s the point, right? You’ve got the stars of the show, like my mom and dad and my sisters. And you’ve got the folks backstage. I’m a stage manager. That’s my strength. My worth is in what I can do. Supporting others.”
“Bullshit.” I pick her up and chuck her onto the bed.
“Hey! Don’t do that.”
