Justin finally lowered her to the ground just outside his room. “You staying in here?”
She shrugged coyly. “You inviting me?”
He wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her closer, his lips brushing her temple. “I’ve told you before, you don’t need an invitation.”
“Do you want to use the bathroom first?” He fished around in one of his drawers for something to wear.
“No, you go ahead.”
“’Kay. Just grab something out of my closet to put on.”
As Justin stepped into the bathroom she walked across the room to his walk-in closet. Her hand trailed along the clothes as she walked up and down the filled rails. The clothes seemed to be divided into two sections: the everyday clothes consisting of T-shirts, jeans, shorts, and cargo pants; and his work clothes. There were some hideous numbers in there—probably from awards shows or outfits he’d been given from photo shoots.
She backtracked to the everyday-wear and pulled one of his well-worn football jerseys off a hanger. It reminded her more of the real Justin than any snazzy shirt or skin-tight leather pants could. She still found it hard to get her head around the celebrity Justin. Perhaps because she hadn’t spent time with him in that environment.
She lifted the top to her nose and recognised the familiar smell of his detergent.
As she stepped back into the room Justin came out of the bathroom in a T-shirt and his boxers.
“All yours.”
She went into the bathroom and quickly changed into the jersey, folding her clothes up and setting them on top of the hamper. She washed away her make-up and grabbed a towel to pat her face dry. Spotting a brush on the window ledge she ran it through her hair, detangling it until it settled around her shoulders.
When she walked back into the bedroom Justin had turned down the bedcovers and was searching through his collection of CDs. He turned around with a smile on his face but it froze when he saw her.
The football jersey skimmed the top of her thighs, a misjudgement on her part when picking. She tugged on the bottom a little, but it was no use, it wasn’t suddenly going to grow.
Justin cleared his throat and ran his tongue across his lips nervously.
Realising she couldn’t stand in the doorway all night, Natalia moved further into the room. Humour usually broke tension and so she walked straight up to him and put her finger to his chin. “You can pick your jaw up now,” she laughed, although it came out a little shaky. “It was a little shorter than I expected.”
Justin’s eyes wandered lower. “So I see.” He pulled his gaze back up to hers. “Not that I’m complaining.”
She bit her lip to try and hide her smile. Somehow she didn’t think he would. He was still male after all.
“This is probably not the best time with you dressed…uh, yeah…but you know I’ve now got to kiss you, right?”
“You have?”
Justin stepped even closer and placed a hand either side of her face, framing it with his palms. “There isn’t an option.”
His lips were skilled on hers as he worked them both into a frenzy. When she broke the contact when she could breath no longer he continued in a path across her jaw and down her neck. She had to hang onto him to prevent herself falling.
“Justin--”
“Mmm?” he mumbled as he nipped the skin below her ear.
She found she’d forgotten what she was going to say and only managed to sigh contentedly in response.
Her hands moved under the back of his shirt, dragging her nails gently up and down his spine.
Justin lifted his head. “What are you doing to me?” he whispered hoarsely between pecks to her lips, his own hands travelling lower.
His hands brushed the back of her thighs, moved around to the side and rose up and under her shirt. His fingers brushed the band of her underwear before he flattened his palm against her stomach. They were both lost to each other’s touch.
Things were getting out of hand. And fast.
When Natalia’s hands moved around to rest on his stomach he trembled beneath her touch, his muscles contracting.
Gathering every bit of restraint he had his hands captured hers and squeezed. “I can’t—if we’re gonna stop we have to do it now.”
With their hands tangled together she pressed her forehead to his chest. They were both breathing deeply and she was amazed at how out of hands things had gotten…but also how right it felt.
She bit her lip and with her face still pressed up against his chest she spoke.
Justin froze at her words. “What?” He slid a finger underneath her chin and raised it to ensure their eyes met. He would see the truth in those eyes.
“I don’t want to stop.”
Justin’s lips formed an ‘o’ and he exhaled slowly. “You’re sure?”
She nodded.
“Okay.”
“Justin?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you shut up now?”
If he hadn’t been so worked up he would have laughed at that.
Somehow they made it to the bed, her kisses dispelling any of his lingering doubts.
After a few minutes she dared to slide his wifebeater up and he assisted her in lifting it over his head, their lips only breaking contact momentarily as they did so.
The feeling as her fingernails trailed his stomach, his muscles tightening under her touch, made him all but groan out loud. She was killing him and she was totally unaware of the power she had—that was one of the things he loved best about her. She was innocent and in every sense of the word.
Natalia had always thought she’d know when the time was right, but never could have predicted the complete and utter certainty she felt now. If she was honest with herself it had been building up over the previous weeks. With Justin away…well, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” had never been truer. And when she’d walked out of the bathroom, seeing him there…she’d wanted him in every and any way possible.
As he lifted the football jersey over her head they each took a moment to compose themselves. The flutter of nervousness in her stomach only lasted a moment before a reassuring smile and gentle kiss to her forehead calmed her. Grateful for his understanding she wrapped her arms around him and pressed a kiss to his shoulder.
She nuzzled her face into his shoulder as he reached behind her and unhooked her bra, and noticed his skin was cool, but his touch was nothing but warm. He slid the material between their bodies and discarded it, not withdrawing from her, instead pulling her even closer as they touched for the first time, his fingers entangling in her hair.
Natalia held her breath as he planted a trail of small kisses along her collarbone, his lips lingering in the hollow of her throat before their gazes met, “I love you,” he whispered huskily as his fingertips painted her features.
Looking into his eyes she took a big step as she repeated his words.
Justin paused and licked his lips. “Say it again.”
She giggled. “You should have listened better the first time.”
“Please?”
She smiled and pulled his face down until their foreheads were pressed together. “I love you, Justin.”
Suddenly Justin rolled over, stilling holding on to her. Her eyes flew wide and she gripped his shoulders as he continued to roll to the end of the bed. “JUSTIN! My God what are you doing?”
One arm came unhooked from around her waist as he stretched to reach something. She looked up in time to see his hand reach into a drawer. He produced a small package and it dawned on her.
“Oh…good thinking.”
“As much as I’d enjoy making babies with you,” he smiled as she blushed, “And as cute as our kids would be, I don’t think we’re ready for any just yet.”
“Definitely not,” she agreed.
He rested his elbows either side of her head and looked down at her. “You have caused me many a sleepless night, Natalia Thomas.” He touched a finger to her nose. “And somehow you’ve flipped my world upside down.” His finger travelled to her lip and he smiled to himself as her lips puckered to kiss it.
She smiled back up at him. “I didn’t mean to.”
“Believe me, honey, you’re not gonna hear one word of complaint out of me.”
“Good, ‘cause I kinda like this thing we have going on here.”
He chuckled. “Oh you do, do you.” She bobbed her head and raised from the pillow to peck his lips. “Good.” He sighed contentedly. He was almost giddy with happiness. “I really do love you, you know.”
She grazed his soft lips with her own. “Then show me, Justin.”
“Goodnight,” the man nodded as they passed through the door and stepped out into the dark street. The doors were promptly closed behind them and deadbolted.
“I didn’t realise we were the only ones left. I guess we were keeping people from getting home to bed.”
JC pulled his coat further around him, the night air biting after the heat of the smoky bar. “They’re really good there about not rushing you out.”
Stephanie walked alongside him as they moved further away from the night-spot. “I never would have known about this place, it really is out of the way.”
“One of the guys in our band used to have a regular spot there. I tagged along a couple of years ago. It’s a place I can go where nobody cares who I am. No thumping music, no flashing lights, no pressure to hook up with someone. You can sit back, relax, and listen to some good music.”
Stephanie gazed at his profile through curious eyes. The brooding man she had met a few hours ago had transformed before her eyes into a deep thinking, but talkative, passionate human being. When he’d first stalked out of his house she had been sure he was just another stroppy celebrity, stuck on his high horse. When she’d felt a tap on her shoulder while dancing with Joey and found him standing before her, his hands in his pockets, she’d been surprised to say the least. One thing that couldn’t be denied was the instant attraction between them.
But JC was also a complex individual and she could see a deep hurt in his eyes.
Despite their suggestive dancing she had known he wasn’t completely comfortable in the club that night. She had a feeling a lot of persuasion had taken place for him to be there. As soon as they’d stepped into the jazz club he’d noticeably relaxed, and between sets they’d talked about anything and everything.
“I guess we should find a taxi. Do you live far from here?” She named an address and he nodded. “Chris used to have an apartment near there.”
“Is it too far out of your way? Because I don’t mind getting my own.”
He shook his head. “It’s late, I’d prefer to see you home safely.”
She grinned and hooked an arm through his. “Ah, the gentlemen in you surfacing.”
He chuckled and looked each way before they crossed the street. “Make sure you tell my mother, she’d be so proud.”
They passed a shop window and she spotted the time through the glass. “Damn, look at the time. I’ve got to be up at six for rehearsals.”
JC’s brow furrowed. “Rehearsals? For what?”
Stephanie laughed. “We’ve been talking for hours but haven’t mentioned our jobs once.”
“I kind of assumed you already knew what I did, most people do,” he sighed. “How about you?”
“I’m a dancer. A real life ballerina,” she chuckled.
He grinned. “Tutu and all?”
She rolled her eyes. “Occasionally.”
“Now that I’ve got to see.”
“I didn’t think the ballet would be your thing.”
“I can’t say I’ve ever actually been,” he admitted.
“Just say the word and I’ll hook you up with tickets.”
“That’s usually my line,” he smirked.
Ten minutes later they were in the back of the taxi cab travelling across town to her apartment complex.
“So about those tickets…”
She turned surprised eyes on him. “You seriously want to come?”
He shrugged. “I’m always up for new experiences.”
“Nat has my number, so just ask Justin I guess.”
“I’m not sure when, though. I’m leaving town again the day after tomorrow. We’re back on tour for a couple of months.”
“Same here. We don’t leave until next week, though,”
“Maybe our paths will cross.”
“Maybe. Stranger things have happened."
She was brought into the land of the living by an unwelcome ringing. Her eyes refused to open so she sleepily and blindly reached for the offending object. “Hello.”
There was a moments pause before the caller spoke. “Natalia?”
Her eyes flew open and she was suddenly aware of the arm thrown over her waist, the hand underneath her shirt resting flat on her stomach, and the warm body nestled into her back. Last night flooded back to her—the touches, the caresses, the softly whispered words...
But the voice in her ear was like a cold shower.
“It’s Justin’s mom. Is he there, sweetie?”
Oh God. “Just a moment.”
Natalia covered the mouthpiece and held the phone to her chest, closing her eyes tightly. She turned around in Justin’s arms and nudged his chest.
“Hmm?” he mumbled sleepily.
“Justin,” she hissed.
“Yeah?” He tugged her closer and buried his head in her shoulder.
“Justin,” She shook his shoulder, “It’s you mom!”
He opened his eyes and noticed the phone wedged between them. Wordlessly he took the phone from her hand and lifted it to his ear. “Hi, Mom.”
He sounded so calm. She looked at him like he was crazy as he pulled her even closer so that her head rested on his chest.
With her ear pressed to his chest she listened intently, his chest rumbling as he spoke. “Uh-huh. Yeah. What time? Yeah…I’ll ask her. Okay. Yeah, see you later. Bye, Mom.”
He hung up the phone and tossed it to the end of the bed, sighed softly and closed his eyes again.
Natalia waited a while but he said no more. She looked up and realised he was slowly drifting back to sleep as he rubbed her hair between his fingertips.
“Justin?”
He tugged her up higher onto his body. “Go back to sleep, Nat.”
Easier said than done. “What did you mom want?”
“She wants us to go over for dinner later…wants to meet you properly.”
She froze. “As opposed to meeting me half dressed in her son’s kitchen, you mean?” She groaned. “And I had to make it worse by answering your phone this morning. Oh God. Your mother is going to hate me.”
“Don’t be stupid, she’ll love you,” he said matter of factly.
“I haven’t made the best impression on her so far.”
“She knows you make me happy, that’s all that matters. Besides, I’m an adult. My mom will be the first to tell you I’m no angel.”
She traced a pattern on his chest, at the same time worrying her lip. When she spoke it was softly with a hint of doubt “I just want her to like me.”
His arms tightened around her. “And she will.” He opened his eyes, tipped her chin and looked at her seriously. “Are you okay this morning?” He cleared his throat. “Ya know…”
A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth and she squeezed his hands. “I’m fine.”
“No regrets?”
She shook her head with complete surety. “No regrets.”
Chapter 30
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