Chapter Two: First Kiss
JC wondered if all Kristin’s soul searching in a day spent apart had led to him being stood up. It was five after one – and still no Kristin. He’d waited outside the restaurant for twenty minutes before he had decided to go in and eat lunch alone. He hadn’t believed a forthright woman like Kristin de Carlo would be cowardly. She’d tell him to his face that all the wonderful things that happened when they were together were one sided...
“Josh!”
He looked up to see the subject of his thoughts hurrying towards his table – still in her business suit. Rising, he was surprised when she pressed her mouth to his briefly – God, had he felt the brush of her tongue? The very idea made him weak and hot....
“When I get home, I’m going to strangle the idiot who decided on one more Q and A this morning,” she muttered angrily. “I’m sorry, Josh. I was center stage and I couldn’t answer your calls or make any of my own...I didn’t stop to change. I didn’t want to make you think I wasn’t coming...I didn’t want to be any later...”
“Take a breath, baby!” JC teased.
She frowned. “I hate being kept waiting. I pride myself on punctuality...”
His fingers brushed her cheek tenderly. “You had reasons. I can understand that. As long as you are here now.” Holding her chair, he waited for her to be seated before he resumed his seat.
She noticed his sandwich plate. “I see you started without me. I’m glad. I was afraid you’d waste away,” she teased. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on the man!
JC waved to the waitress. “What’ll you have, Kris?” he asked as the waitress came to the table.
Kristin barely glanced at the menu. “Turkey Club and iced tea.” She told the waitress, then smiled up at her. “Thank you.”
She then turned her eyes back to JC. He had shaved the growth of beard off. She couldn’t recall a more beautiful male face – and, today, no hat detracted from it. “I see you left that hat at home.”
“I didn’t think I’d be recognized here – at least, not mobbed anyway.”
“I like the clean-shaven look.”
JC grinned. He saw more than ‘like’ in her eyes. “Thanks.” He’d done it for her. Today, he planned to kiss her, really kiss her. No more pecks or mere brushes of the lips. He was going to taste every crevice and corner of her sweet mouth – and he’d hope, she’d do the same to him.
“I suppose there is not point in telling you that you are a very handsome man. I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times.”
He reached across the table for her hand. “Not from you, Kris. Hearing you say it...”
“You are the most devastatingly beautiful man I have ever seen.”
Her words humbled him. “Thank you, baby. You’re the most beautiful woman in the world – bar none.”
After finishing their lunch, JC paid the check and they rose to leave. He was surprised when Kristin stepped in front of him. She rubbed her cheek to his like a love-starved cat in need of strokes.
“Mmm...you smell good, too.” she purred.
Too? What else? He turned his head to catch her mouth. In the all-too-brief kiss, he was certain her tongue swept the seam of his lips before she pulled away.
“Let’s go soak up some culture,” she said brightly as she moved away.
Later, he promised himself, later....
Several people raised their eyebrows to see the couple together – not quite believing they were a couple. Kristin wore a power suit and chignon – hardly looking like a match for JC in his tee shirt and jeans. One woman around Kristin’s age stared disapprovingly at JC’s attire, then pointedly at the couple’s joined hands. Irritated, Kristin decided to tweak the snob.
“He may not dress like much, but he’s a wild man in bed,” she announced, devilry plain in her eyes.
The stranger gasped, harrumphed, then scurried away.
JC was forced to bite his lips together to keep from laughing.
Kristin grinned up at him. “Bet she’ll think about that the rest of the day and wonder what you look like naked.”
“Do you wonder?” he asked, heat surged through his body.
“No,” she answered a little too quickly. 'Liar,' she scolded herself silently.
Taking his hand again, she headed for the next display.
Once the thought of “naked” had been put in both of their heads, it was impossible to shake. He hadn’t planned more than some heated kiss...but, now, he wanted it all! Her mouth, her body, her soul — and he was ready to give the same.
He was looking more at her than the paintings, Kristin decided as she feigned interest in the painting before her. All she could really see was his lean, sculpted body on a bed, waiting for her to come to him...
JC had spent everyday with Kris since his arrival. He couldn’t believe here was this woman who not only went along with the things he liked to do – but also seemed to be as enthusiastic as he was doing them. They certainly did not share the same tastes in art, but they made concessions to each other.
He looked at her studying an Impressionist painting, her favorite era. He loved the way she tried to imagine what the artist was feeling when he’d captured the moment. Baseball games. Great America. Jazz Clubs – Kris had accompanied him, not grumbling once.
Kristin felt JC come up behind her – in fact, she had felt his eyes for some time.
“You’re perfect,” he whispered before his lips brushed the back of her neck.
She shivered. Did he know that particular spot was vulnerable – or was it universal to all women?
“I’m far from perfect, Josh.”
“Not to me. You are wonderfully perfect for me.”
“I am a 34 year old mother of a teenager – that is hardly perfect for you.”
“You’re the first woman I’ve come across since I was a young teenager who enjoys the real me.”
“I don’t believe I’ve met the unreal you,” she mused.
JC turned her to face him. “You could care less about my money or my fame. Do you know how awesome that is?”
“No,” she answered softly, “but it makes me very sad for you.”
“Kristin de Carlo, I think I’m in love,” he whispered before he closed his mouth over her.
She had seen this coming all week and pretended she could handle the declaration blithely. She couldn’t, she saw so much of the lonely little boy in JC. She responded to the need for closeness. But it wasn’t pity. His earnestness had touched her in a way no other man had ever done.
Her arms stole around his neck as he pressed her even closer. Their tongues tangled happily, eagerly. She felt the hard press of his manhood against her belly.
“Josh, please. This isn’t the place.”
“Name the place,” he purred against her neck. “Tell me, Kris. Where can I take you so I can kiss the breath out of you?
“My...hotel room?”
His eyes held a speculative gleam. “Let’s go...”
On the drive to her hotel, JC reached for her hand and laid it on his hard thigh.
“Thank you, Kris. You didn’t laugh at me and you didn’t take it lightly.”
“I would never laugh at anyone for what they feel.”
“Like I said, perfect.”
Kristin lifted her hand from his leg to lightly stroke the sensitive cord on the side of his neck. She felt him shiver and noticed the swell of his jeans grow. “Shall I stop?”
“Hell no!”
Slipping from her seatbelt, she scooted over next to him. She put her lips to the spot her hand had been and nibbled.
“Oh, God!” He gasped at the sensual pleasure she gave him. Then he felt her teeth nip him and her tongue bathe the bite. “What you do to me...” he muttered.
“Want me to stop?”
“Oh, God, no!” JC put his hand between her thighs shoving her short skirt up. He smiled when she parted her legs readily. “I’ve been dreaming of this since the day we met.”
“Sticking your hand up my dress?”
He chuckled. “No, us wanting each other.”
“It’s all wrong for you.”
“No, baby,” At a long stop, he bent his head to kiss her softly. “No, you’re what I need, what I want.” Steering the car forward once more, his fingers stroked the center panel of her silky underwear. She was already damp with her desire. What a cool customer she was on the outside – and an inferno on the inside.
“I’m no one’s baby.”
“Sure you are. You’re my baby now.”
It was hard to contain himself as they rode up in the elevator full of people. JC kept her hand firmly in his until they reached her floor. “Excuse us,” he murmured as he pulled her from the crammed car. He knew where he was going and didn’t hesitate in getting there.
He stopped at her door and put his hand out for her key card.
“Someone in a hurry?” she teased as she handed over the key.
Instead of opening the door, JC backed her up against it. His mouth crashed down over hers, exploring the sweetness of her. When he lifted his head, Kristin was nearly panting. “I told you I wanted to kiss you breathless.” He grinned down at her like a boy who had won a prize.
Kristin took the key card and opened the door. She took his hand and led him into her room. “I’ll have my revenge, Josh. Never fear.”
Kristin wasn’t shy, JC was pleased to notice. She kicked off her pumps, took off her jacket, and began taking her hair down. It was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen: pin-by-pin her cloud of black hair tumbled past her shoulders. Then she shook her head to loosen the strands as she carried the pins to the mirrored credenza. She mesmerized him.
Unbuttoning her sleeveless blouse, she looked towards him and arched an eyebrow. “I am not much into ‘slam-bam-thank-you, ma’am’ sex. You are planning on removing your clothes, aren’t you?”
“Oh, yeah, baby.” He went to her and finished unbuttoning her blouse. Caressing her satiny ribs, he said, “I’m not used to a ‘take control’ girl who is all out there. I’m enjoying watching you.”
“How about you join instead of watching,” she asked, pushing his tee shirt up to slide her hands up his stomach to his chest.
JC whipped the shirt off as she let hers slide from her shoulders.
Boldly, she reached around to unclasp her bra and let it slide to the floor.
“Mmm...those look good,” he purred as he reached out to cup her breasts.
Kristin was small but it had never been an issue. “I prefer not to have the inflatable kind that look like water wings,” she quipped.
Stroking the pebbling nipples with his thumbs, he nodded. “Like they say, anything more than a mouthful is a waste.”
“Josh...I have to ask. Do you have protection with you?”
“I have some, yeah. I’ll have to get more.”
“Planning on being busy?”
“Baby, I’ll never get enough of you.”
She kissed him softly. “We’ll see.”
“More. I want it all!” He growled, bearing her to the bed. Laying her upon it, he stripped her skirt and slip away. He slid her thigh high stockings with their lacy garters from her legs. All that was left were her silk panties.
“I want to see you lose more clothes, Chasez,” she demanded.
“Boss lady,” he chuckled. He moved to the edge of the bed to rid himself of flip-flops and jeans. Reaching into one pocket, he withdrew a handful of small square packets before losing his boxer briefs.
“Ooh, somebody was hopeful,” Kristin teased as she snatched one up. She was ready to assist him when he knelt between her spread thighs once again.
“Not much on foreplay?” he asked.
“Don’t get that idea in your pretty little head, Josh. We’ve had nearly a week of foreplay.”
JC agreed with that – every glance, every touch, every word had been leading up to this moment. “Kris...”
“Come here, lover.” Her voice was soft, and gentle and oh-so seductive.
He bent to kiss her – this time leisurely, letting them both taste and explore. In the meantime, he felt her soft hand stroke him firmly. She was good at this, he decided. “I’ll lose it if you keep that up.”
“I want you to lose it. You’re so ready now you’ll be no fun for me.”
He chuckled – it turned into a gasp as her tongue licked at the droplets escaping from the tip of his manhood. “Kris...”
She pumped his shaft as she teased the sensitive underside and crown with firm licks.
“Oh, God, baby!” JC knew he was going to lose his load soon; his entire being tensed. “Kristin!...”
Just before he exploded, she took him into her mouth. She drank him down without hesitation. Sucking a few times, she made sure he was finished, then proceeded to lick and stroke him into hardness once more. Tearing open the condom wrapper, she rolled it on for him, then lay back with her arms open to him.
JC made quick work removing her panties, then came over her. “How long has it been baby? I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Sixteen years,” she whispered, almost afraid he would leave her.
“Not since Peter?”
“No.”
He smoothed her hair tenderly. “Then we shouldn’t be rushing.”
“I’ve never been this hungry for anyone, Josh. Don’t go.”
Kristin vulnerable? That didn’t mesh with the woman he knew. “I won’t leave you, sweetheart. I promise you that. But I am gonna go a little slower.”
“I want to feel you in me, filling me.” Her dark eyes were pleading.
Slowly, he pushed himself into her waiting heat. She was incredibly tight but made no indication she was in pain. In fact, when he was buried to the hilt, she closed her eyes in a blissful smile.
“Feel good?” he asked.
“No. It feels wonderful,” she murmured as her legs wrapped around his.
JC withdrew and when he thrust back in she lifted her hips into him. “Damn!” he growled. “You’re gonna make me lose it again,” he warned.
“We’ll lose it together.” Kristin opened her eyes, smiling. “I’m not fragile and I won’t break.”
He set a slow, steady rhythm as he bent to nibble and lick at her rosy nipples. Her hands tangled in his hair as he courted the body he was loving.
“Josh, I’m nearly...” She broke off when her body tightened with the once forgotten precursor to rapture. “Yes, faster!” she begged. “Harder!”
He did as she asked, slamming their hips together. He had wanted to be careful with her – that wasn’t what she required! Vaguely, he felt her nails in his back, but he hardly felt it as his body hummed from head to toe with a delicious tingle. “Ready, boss lady?” he demanded.
“Oh, yes, darling!...” she was smiling and arching into him. “Josh!” Her gaze dropped and she shook violently. “Ah!...”
“I’m with you, Kris!” He cried out as he released himself on the wave of pleasure that swept her away.
Perfect. It was the first word that came to his mind when he could breathe or think once more. Kristin was perfect.
“Thank you.”
He lifted his head from her shoulder to meet her gaze. “What are you thanking me for? I think that was mutual.”
“Because I don’t feel like an empty shell anymore.”
“Kris...”
She shook her head and turned away.
He lifted off her and discarded the protection. “I’m into snuggling,” he murmured as he pulled her stiff body into his arms. Tilting her chin up with a gentle finger, he saw tears. “What is it, baby? Did I hurt you?”
“No.”
“What then?”
Kristin looked up, her dark eyes swimming with tears. “This is so wrong for you. I feel wonderful, but I’m not going to use you...”
“You didn’t ‘use’ me. It was mutual and you let me worry about ‘right’ okay?”
Her nod was tiny and unconvincing.
Kristin encountered a male body when she rolled over to answer the phone. It was dark outside. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out who was calling.
“Hello?”
“Kristin? This is Karen Chasez. Do you know if JC planned to come home tonight? He usually says...”
Kristin looked down at the man who slept on. He had no business being there – and she had no business encouraging him. “I believe he planned to. Maybe he lost track of time whatever he was doing.”
“I just hope he isn’t out drinking and staying up too late. It takes a toll on that boy. That’s why I was glad he offered to spend time with you. You’re a good influence on him.”
I had sex with your son, Kristin thought grimly -- and I’m a ‘good influence?’ “I’m sure he’ll show up soon, Mrs. Chasez. Don’t you worry.”
“Thank you, Kristin. You have a good night.”
“Good night.” Ringing off, Kristin shoved at JC’s shoulder to wake him up.
“Hey, baby.” He gave her a sleepy smile.
Bristling, she covered her breasts with the sheet and sat against the headboard. “You need to take a shower and go home. Your mother called looking for you.”
“I’ll call her and tell her...”
“She is worried you’re carousing – and I am supposed to be a ‘good influence’ on you – here you are in my bed and...”
“Whoa!” JC laughed. Sitting up, he leaned to kiss her but she turned her face away. “I’m not out carousing because I’m here with you,” he said softly. “I want to be here with you. Holding you...kissing you...loving you.”
“No.”
“Kris...”
“I don’t much like lying to your mother, Josh. She trusts me.”
Reaching for his pants, he got his cell phone and punched up his parents’ number.
“Mom? Josh.”
“Thank Goodness! I called Kristin...”
“I’m sorry if I worried you. I just got to kickin’ back and fell asleep. I’ll stay here tonight and come home tomorrow sometime.”
Kristin simmered – he was being less than truthful...but then hadn’t she?
“I’m fine. No booze. Nothing. Just a nice quiet evening.”
“If you’re okay...”
“I’m fine. You go to bed. Night. Love you, Mom.” He hit end and looked to the sullen woman in bed with him. “Okay?”
“I don’t recall saying you could stay,” she snapped.
“My baby’s a little prickly.”
“I told you I’m no one’s baby.”
He tugged at the sheet. Surprised by the move, she couldn’t snatch it back in time.
His deep blue eyes slowly took every inch of her in, from the top of her head to her little toes. The hot perusal made her squirm and blush. The touch of his gaze was nearly physical. She felt her breasts tighten and their crests pebble. Between her legs moisture gathered.
“Tell me you want me to stay,” he commanded huskily. “Tell me you want me making love to you again and again.”
His voice was hypnotic, still she resisted. Stretching out beside her legs, he propped himself up on one elbow, his eyes in line with the top of her thighs. One hand slipped between her thighs to caress her feminine curls. “You’re already wet for me, Kris.” Inserting one finger into her heat, he drew a whimper from her.
“Josh...”
“Say what I wanna hear, baby,” he crooned as he pumped his finger in and out.
“This is wrong for you,” she tried to explain once more.
“A beautiful, responsive woman who is sincere and caring — how can that be a mistake?”
“I have deadlines. I have a sixteen-year-old daughter. We are in different places in our lives...” Oh, God, what he was doing made her lose her train of thought.
“You want me.”
“Yes, but....”
“I’m yours for the taking.”
“Josh, I–“ she broke off on a gasp when he flicked thumb at her pleasure pearl.
“Peter ever go down on you?”
Peter? Why was he talking about Peter? “N-no…” she answered shakily.
“Do you want me to?”
“I-um-I guess so...”
“Good ‘cuz I like doing it.”
JC moved so he could put his mouth to her breasts and he plunged a second finger into her.
“Ah!”
After thoroughly licking and suckling her breasts, JC opened his mouth to draw her entire breast into his mouth. Creating a vacuum, he let his tongue work on the hard tip while he sucked.
“Oh my God!” she sobbed at this crazy sensation he created. When he performed the same caress on her other breast, she moaned.
JC skated his mouth down her body, moving his shoulders and body between her legs. “Say it, Kris, say it for me.”
“Stay. Make love to me,” she murmured barely coherent.
Removing his fingers, he pushed her thighs further apart so he could lower his head...
“Josh!” she cried when his tongue plunged into her slick heat.
He lifted her hips to adjust her for his sensual attack. His tongue danced and teased around her little jewel until she squirmed, breathlessly raising her hips in entreaty. “Want something, boss lady? Let your lover know what you want.”
“Josh, please...touch it...let me go.”
“This?” His tongue flicked at the swollen nubbin.
“Ah!”
Wrapping his lips around the bud, he sucked.
“Josh!”
Sucking and flicking at her jewel, he sent her to the pinnacle of pleasure and taught her how to fly once more.
JC feasted on her love juices as she floated back to earth. Lifting his head he grinned up at her. “Mmm...I knew you’d taste good.”
Kristin pet his damp curls from his forehead. “I don’t deserve you,” she whispered.
“Yes, you do and I deserve you.” Moving to his knees, he made quick work of protection. He lifted her against the headboard until her feet were flat on the mattress and her knees bent. With one sure thrust he was buried to the hilt.
“Oh...” That pure bliss look again, eyes closed, bottom lip between her teeth.
“Want this, Kris?” he asked nipping at her shoulder tenderly.
“Yesss.... oh, yes, Josh,” she assured him breathlessly.
“It’s yours. I’m all yours,” he told her as he repeatedly plunged into her. “Let’s go together this time.”