Shoot Down The Stars (The Stars Duet 1)

David: Hey, Dani is spending the night tonight, we had dinner, see you soon!

I throw my drink back.

“I better get going. Have to walk home in this crappy rain,” I say.

“Walk? No way. Let me bring you home. It can’t be that far if you can walk to and from work in the first place.” He chuckles at himself.

“No, no, I couldn't possibly—”

He finishes his drink and interrupts me. “Couldn't possibly say no, right?” He smiles with his eyes and stands to put on his jacket.

I roll my eyes playfully and put on my sweater before following him to the parking lot. He opens the passenger door for me, and I stumble over a “thank you.” I’m unaccustomed to chivalrous behavior. He gets in the driver's seat and starts the engine, placing his right hand on the stick shift.

“You drive stick? Who even does that anymore?”

“Everyone should know how to drive manuals. It's a dying skill I refuse to let go of.”

He looks at me and smiles. I catch his gaze for a moment before looking away, my cheeks flushed. As we pull out of the parking lot, I see dog tags lying on top of the console between us. I pick them up and the chain rattles.

“You’re a veteran?” I ask.

“I served a couple of tours overseas,” he says without looking at me.

“What was that like?”

“I’m sorry, Emily, but I don’t want to talk about it. It’s all in the past now anyway.”

I place the tags back down between us and give him directions to my apartment. The drive is short and we soon turn into the complex. He parks close to my building’s door so I won't have to walk far in the rain.

“Can I have your number? I pretty much have everyone's numbers from work. You know, for work stuff.”

“I… guess so.”

I’m also not used to being asked for my number. My cheeks grow hot. He pulls out his phone and puts me in his contacts as Emily From Work.

“Well, thanks for the ride. I’ll see you around work, I'm sure,” I say and close the car door behind me.

I stop outside the apartment door and prepare myself for the jealousy that is about to weigh down my heart. I go inside and see David and Dani on the couch. Their faces are illuminated against the darkness by the TV. David's attention snaps toward me, and he smiles.

“Hi, Em! How was work?”

Dani sits up tall. I can sense her sizing me up even though I haven't looked her in the eyes yet. Black yoga pants cling to her slim waist. Her teal shirt falls from one shoulder, exposing beautiful pale skin and cleavage. Her auburn hair is thrown up in a messy bun. She really is stunning. I can’t compare to that.

“It was a long shift, but fine. We were really busy tonight because of the game. I got a ride home from one of the guys who works in the kitchen.”

David looks surprised.

“Who brought you home?” he asks. “You didn't tell me you were getting a ride with someone.”

“His name's Kevin. He's just a cook from work. Relax.”

“Well, tell me next time you're getting a ride with someone after work so I don't worry. You know I could have picked you up if you needed a ride.”

Dani fidgets in her seat. She puts her hand on his leg in an obvious act of possession. He clears his throat and finally introduces us to one another. We lock eyes for a moment before she looks away, stands, and excuses herself to the bathroom. David points her in the right direction.

“I really am glad you didn't have to walk in this rain.” He nervously glances towards the hallway. “Listen, I’m sorry I dropped the D bomb on you out of the blue. She wanted to sleep over and wouldn't take no for an answer. She knows you and I are just friends, but she’s still acting possessive as fuck.” He keeps his voice to a whisper.

I nod at him. There it is. Just friends. My stomach knots up. Dani's soft footsteps patter on the carpet behind me. I watch as her small frame cozies up perfectly under David's arm. She makes it a point to ignore me.

“Goodnight, you two,” I say. “Nice to finally meet you, Dani.”

I walk into my bedroom without a second glance and close the door. My back is against the wall as the tears are finally able to race down my cheeks.

* * *

David

Dani's handslips back down the front of my boxers. Her soft skin caresses me.

“You could hardly wait to get your hand back down there, huh?”

She looks up at me and bites her lip. I lean down and kiss her hard. I reach back and pull the hair-tie out of her hair, letting her locks fall in a mess around her face. I grab a fistful of it in a strong grasp, twist her neck back, and devour her skin. She moans softly as I bite her flesh. She climbs onto my lap and kisses me as my hands race along her hips and back. I push her off of me and stand up, dropping my boxers to my ankles and kicking them away. She looks at me with doe eyes and a pout on her pretty face.

I push her down by her shoulders. She winces as her knees scrape the old exposed hardwoods. She looks up at me, her breath hot on the skin of my thighs. I brush my hand through her hair, grab a handful at the back of her head, and shove my cock in her mouth. At this moment, she isn't my beautiful girlfriend. She is my slut. She takes all of me dutifully as her eyes well with tears.

I pull her up, and she winces against my harsh grasp. Her head cranes backward as I use my free hand to pull her pants down to her thighs. I push her against the side of the couch, her pelvis pressed against the dark leather fabric. I fuck her hard and carelessly. She is my good little whore. I cover her mouth with my hand to quiet her before I pull out and finish. I toss her my t-shirt.

“I'm going to shower. Clean yourself up.”

* * *