Chapter Two: Good Friends
Christina made certain when she had high profile events to attend, she went with different male companions each time. JC on the other hand either went alone or with Christina. He didn’t want to bother with female expectations if he asked someone else. It was too time consuming. It was so much easier to call Christina, tell her the event and count on her to be appropriately attired. Her companionship spoiled him for anyone else. Since gossips wanted to talk about Christina and she was mixing up her men, the public furor faded.
The best part about their newfound friendship was when they stayed in. At his house, they’d order in Chinese or pizza. They’d watch movies, switching off genres up so they both were entertained. They would cuddle on his big sofa, simply enjoying the presence of the other. At her house, she would cook. JC was amazed at how wonderful it was to have home cooked meals. Since she lived outside of LA, her home was more private. They could actually take lingering strolls in the hills. He appreciated not being cooped up.
With Christina, JC could talk about anything and everything. Frustrations and dreams tumbled out as she listened. At times, she could offer advice, but mostly she was a caring, listening ear. She didn’t judge; she simply accepted him.
Comparing childhoods, his had been charmed next to hers. She had been an army brat, moving whenever her father was reassigned. Her mother hadn’t liked the moves and grew melancholy. Often it had fallen to young Christina to keep the household running when her mother refused to leave her bed. At a very tender age, Christina learned independence. She had escaped into books, eventually picking pen and paper to create worlds where she controlled the outcome of people’s lives.
“I don’t think I could’ve spent my teen years in front of a camera,” Christina told him. “I was a very awkward teen.”
“And I wasn’t?” JC asked with a grin.
“I don’t know. I never watched the Mickey Mouse Club.”
“Believe me, C, I had my moments.”
She had witnessed several incidents of women throwing themselves in his path. He’d looked to her to shoo them off. He didn’t see himself as a sex symbol or even particularly handsome. How many times had his sheer masculine beauty taken her breath away?
“So where are your folks now?”
“Gone.”
“Gone?”
“Dad was injured in a ‘training accident’ when I was 17. ‘Training accident’ usually means he was doing special ops…and something went wrong…” Christina looked away, as if she didn’t want to reveal the pain in her eyes. “I got to see him briefly. He opened his eyes and smiled. He said he was sorry for messing up.” She looked back at JC. “Then he said to save myself, that there was no saving my mother. He died right after that.”
“And your mother?”
“I saved myself, just like dad had said. I went home to pack. My mother had taken all her sleeping pills and what have you. She was dead when I got there.”
“Baby…” JC put his arms around her, trying to absorb some of her pain. “I’m so sorry.”
“I guess in her way she loved my dad…”
JC guessed she had been dealing with it for so long she had convinced herself she no longer felt anything. He could see where it had left her strong and determined. Such adversity could have left her very closed; yet it hadn’t. “You’re remarkable.”
“I’m a survivor.”
“No, Christina. You did more than survived; you thrived.”
“I bet you have war stories of you own, Chasez.”
“Nothing like yours. My struggles were like a cake walk next to yours.”
Christina patted his cheek tenderly. “I doubt that very much, Jace.” She snuggled close. “You are such a genuinely nice guy. Those are hard to find around here.”
“My parents wouldn’t have let me be any other way.”
“Then you have exceptional parents.”
He smiled. “I think so.”
“They evidently knew how to raise a son with moral standards.”
“It was by example mostly.”
“You’re so grounded. It’s hard to believe you’ve been in show business nearly half your life.”
“Again my family has to be given credit…”
“I mean that other guy in the group…Timberlake? He tries to sound like a good ole boy, but I’m not buying it. Not the way he acts…”
“Different up bringing,” JC said ambiguously.
Christina grinned at him. “Uh-huh…”
“What?” He tried not to smile but hers was infectious.
“When is dinner?”
“As soon as I call it in and it arrives.”
She flipped him the phone. “Dial, dude!”
Christina watched out the window as the jet descended through the clouds. She’d only been gone a few days though it had felt longer. She had always enjoyed traveling, but as she gotten older she wanted to be home more. And recently, that feeling had grown. A smile unknowingly crept across her face as she recalled the reason she was glad to be home. Blue Eyes. Shaggy brown hair. Sweet smile and killer hugs.
No one had ever offered to pick her up at the airport before. When JC asked her flight number, he had been insistent he would be there. She was incredulous. Why would he want to do that? He was a busy man. He’d assured her he wanted to be there at her arrival, he had missed her. This was all new territory for her — a friend who had taken the time to miss her.
Gathering her handbag and laptop, she deplaned with the other passengers. Soon she’d be wrapped in one of JC’s warm hugs, inhaling the spicy, citrus scent of him. Her friend was very generous with his wonderful hugs. Not for the first time, she wondered why he was a free agent. What female wouldn’t want his easy affection and devotion? They were friends yet Christina could see what a caring mate JC would be. Were women around him all blind and stupid?
“Christina!” JC called and waved when his friend came into sight. The huge smile on her face was more than worth taking the day off recording. She looked genuinely delighted to see him.
Before he knew it, his breath was knocked out of him with a ‘woof’ as the small woman catapulted herself at him. He managed to steady them as she rained excited kisses all over his face. Shifting his weight, he adjusted her legs around him with a laugh. Who would have guessed Christina Chandler would greet him as a giggly happy bundle? If her Hollywood insider gossip could see he now, he doubted she would be recognizable.
“Hiya, Jace!”
“Hey, babe. Miss me?” JC tilted his head back to see her sparkling eyes.
“As a matter of fact, yes.”
“I missed you, too.”
If the wattage of her smile were any brighter his eyesight would be in danger.
“I’ve never had anyone to miss,” she said wonderingly.
That statement made him feel bad for her. “Well, you got me now.”
“I’m glad.”
Setting her to her feet, he hugged her warmly. Christina inhaled the wonderful fragrance of him, a scent she was equating with words like home, safe and caring. She buried her nose in his tee shirt and felt the urge to cry happy tears. She belonged. For the first time in over ten years she belonged. If something would happen to her, someone without ulterior motives would miss her.
“C?” He rubbed her back comfortingly when he felt her body tremble. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she whispered. “Just give me a sec, okay?”
“Sure.” He tightened his arms, helpless to do more.
After a few moments, she pulled away. Her smile back in place. She gathered her purse and laptop. “Guess I should get my suitcase from baggage check.”
Wrapping a companionable arm around her shoulders, JC turned her towards claim check. “Let’s go.”
Christina didn’t understand why JC had insisted oncoming over late that evening. She knew the moment she saw him he was tired, bone weary. If she had known exactly how exhausted he was, she wouldn’t have extended the invitation for movie night. He would be little company once he fell asleep on the sofa.
“This could have waited.” She told the bleary-eyed man as she closed the front door.
“I’ve been missin’ my girl,” he said as he put his arms around her. “How’ve you been?”
“I’ve been getting a damn sight more sleep than you.”
“Don’t scold, C.” He laid his cheek in her hair, inhaling the sexy scent of her favorite perfume. The scent itself was pure invitation, but he had come to equate it with home cooked meals, caring hugs, and cozy evenings alone with his friend.
She pulled away slowly and took his hand. Heading up the stairs, she towed him along.
“Where’re we going?” he asked.
“To bed.”
“Christina—“
“You’re gonna end up asleep inside of ten minutes, so you might as well save me the trouble of getting you upstairs.
She led him to her bedroom, pulled down the covers on ‘his’ side of the bed, and urged him to sit. Going to her dresser she retrieved the pajama pants and tee shirt he left there for such occasions.
“Christina, I should just go home…” he said when she handed him his pajamas.
“It is an hour drive. I’d worry about you. I’m not sure how you made it here without falling asleep.” She stroked his hair back and smiled he looked like a sleepy little boy who was trying to fight it. “Get some sleep and I’ll make you breakfast when you wake up tomorrow.”
It sounded good. “Waffles?” Christina made great waffles.
She chuckled. “If you’re a good boy and go to sleep.”
With a tired smile, JC acquiesced. “Okay.”
“You change here and I’ll change in the bathroom.”
“My toothbrush and stuff still in the other bathroom?”
“Yep.”
This was nice, JC decided as he slid into bed next to Christina. It was more then nice. He was sure he’d have tough time explaining it to anyone besides her. It made him feel safe and not so alone when he shared a bed with his friend. Just being able to reach out and touch her in the middle of the night or to feel the weight of her against him when she sprawled, as she inevitably did, gave him a sense of... He didn’t have a word for it. Comfort maybe?
It wasn’t sexual. It was more like two kids safe and snug in their bed. He knew it was something Christina had missed out on. Others just wouldn’t understand.
“C?” He called across the bed in the dark.
“Yeah, Jace?”
“Can I come over there?”
“Sure.”
Scooting over next to Christina, JC put his head on her pillow. “Night,” he sighed.
“Night, JC.”
Once asleep, JC’s head found its way to her shoulder. She put an arm around him to settle him more comfortably. Bussing his forehead tenderly, she whispered, “Sweet dreams, sweetie.”
Christina was the first to wake the next morning. She smiled when she saw JC sprawled on his back inches from her. His teeshirt had ridden up, exposing his belly button and treasure trail. Impishly, she leaned over him, putting her open mouth on his belly, and below, making a lovely farting sound.
JC was forced awake by something. “Wha?”… He felt and heard what woke him as Christina repeated it. “Hey!” He protested laughingly, coming fully awake.
She sat back on her heels, grinning.
“Two can play that game, little missy!” Lunging at her, he tossed her on her back. He yanked up her tee shirt and blew against her skin.
“JC!” she squealed.
He did it again longer and louder.
Christina grabbed a pillow and batted at him.
“Oh, it’s like that, is it?” He released her, he snatched up another pillow.
On their knees, they battled each other harmlessly with their fluffy weapons. After a while, she decided she wasn’t doing so well since JC had a longer reach. Abandoning her pillow, she dodged beneath his blows, her curled fingers aimed at his ribs.
“Christina!” JC fell back, giggling.
“You sound like a girl,” she taunted as she continued torturing him.
Finding her ribs with his fingers, he began retaliatory tickling. She shrieked as he gained the upper hand once again.
“So do you,” he shot back.
“I-am-a-girl!” She retorted between gasping breaths. She squirmed as she tried to avoid his wicked fingers. She was laughing so hard tears came to her eyes. Finally to make him stop, she got her fingers into is long hair and yanked.
“Ow!” JC reared back and landed on his butt. More startled than hurt; he gazed at the little mischief-maker who was gaining her breath. He smiled. Christina was so easy to be with; she still knew how to play. “That isn’t fair play, you know,” he told her teasingly.
“I had to get you off of me. You’re too good at this.”
Grabbing her hands, he pulled her into sitting position in front of him. “Being a big brother, I’ve had more practice,” he reminded her.
She wrinkled her little nose at him. “Just not fair.”
He laughed. “Neither is hair pulling.” He tugged at her short bangs. “And I don’t have anything to get a hold of.”
Christina stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed again.
“Spoilsport,” he accused with a grin.
She crawled between his legs and hugged his neck tight. “I love you,” she declared happily. “No one has ever let me play.”
Giving her a quick hug, JC said, “I love you, too, brat.” Rising from the bed, he put his back to her. “Hop on. I’ll give you a ride to the kitchen.”
She scrambled onto his back for a piggyback ride. “Yippee!”
Christina adored JC. He had become her best guy pal – maybe even her best friend. She enjoyed the easy companionship and creative sharing he had brought into he life. But…she also found herself missing what she termed platonic sex. In Los Angeles, no amount of denial or dating other men seemed to douse the notion she and JC were an ‘item’. Once labeled ‘JC’s girl’, she had become off limits.
Ah, but here in the Big Apple, her male companions weren’t aware she was linked with anyone in particular. She was free to indulge her sexuality without questions as long as she was discreet. That afternoon she called Aidan, a gorgeous British actor and asked what he was up to.
“An easy nine inches when you’re around, luv,” he laughingly replied. “Why? Do you have something in mind?”
“Oh…something hot, nasty, sweaty and horizontal,” she hinted.
“Sounds interesting. Does it have to be horizontal?”
Christina giggled. “Not if you’re feeling particularly strong.” She knew his hard muscular body was more than capable of something more athletic than a simple missionary position.
“You don’t weigh more than a mite,” Aidan chuckled. “Let me grab some jonnies for todger and I’ll be on my way.”
Christina gave him the name of the hotel and the suite number before ringing off. Perfect! JC wasn’t due back until after dinner. She felt a little silly. Here she was an unattached, grown woman and she felt she had to shield JC from her sexuality.
Leaning back against the pillows, she thought of all the pent-up energy she could burn off with Aidan’s more than capable assistance. Mmm...He was devilishly handsome with a wickedly wonderful talent for making her lose herself in his mastery. Luckily, when they had met several years earlier, they realized there was nothing more between them than animal attraction and sexual compatibility. They never even got as far as friends. They didn’t truly talk unless it was naughty or teasing. Great sex was all it was – and neither of them thought differently.
It had been a particularly bad day for JC. Little things had started to go wrong, which meant bigger things messed up — and it had all gone south from there. He ran a weary hand over his aching forehead. At least Christina was with him. It had taken a little convincing to get her to accompany him to New York. It had taken even more for him to talk her into sharing a suite. Heck, they had fallen asleep together on their sofas any number of times and even shared their beds! Sharing a suite would be like sharing an apartment – separate bedrooms. Finally she had acquiesced.
He hoped she wasn’t too disappointed that he didn’t want to go out. A quiet dinner and a relaxing night on the sofa was more to his liking. He’d make it up to her and take her anywhere she wanted to go in a day or two. Right now, all he wanted was to go back to the suite and shut his eyes.
The moment she opened the door to Aidan, Christina was swept up in a vortex of mindless sensation. His mouth slammed down on hers, taking control, devouring her. His big hands spanned her waist and jammed her hard against his raging arousal.
“Feels like someone missed me!” she taunted breathlessly.
Grabbing handfuls of fabric, he bunched up her gown so he could lift her, guiding her legs around his hips. “It’s been too bloody damn long, Christina,” he growled against her neck. “Hell, Willy has been standing to attention since you called.”
“Well, since he is saluting so nicely, I think we should reward him.”
He gave her a sly grin. “Several times at the least.”
She luxuriated in the hard hot feel of his big body against hers. Yes, she had definitely missed this. Scrapping her teeth against the side of his neck, she whispered, “The door to the left is my room.”
“Then that’s where we’re headed.”
JC wondered if Christina was back from her appointment with her publisher. Opening the door of their suite, he heard her cry out.
“Christina!” he called as he rushed to her rescue. His startled eyes were greeted with a broad male back and buttocks with slender feminine legs wrapped about the hips.
The man turned his glare on JC. “Bloody hell!” Aidan felt robbed as he sensed the woman beneath him stiffen.
“Oh, Jace!…” Christina sobbed burying her face in Aidan’s shoulder. She would never forget the wounded, hurt look in his deep blue eyes.
JC struggled to find words. Several times he opened his mouth, his lips moving but no words came. Finally, he turned on his heels and left the room.
Decidedly out of the mood, Aidan rose to jerk on his clothes. “At least we got one go round in,” he grunted irritably. “Husband? Boy friend? Lover? Who the hell is he?”
Suddenly feeling vulnerable and exposed, Christina snatched the sheet around herself and rose from the bed.
“That’s rich. I’ve seen you starkers before.”
“He—he isn’t anything like that,” she murmured. She found a heavy terry robe in the closet and wrapped it tightly around her as the sheet pooled in the floor. “We’re friends.”
“Like you and I are ‘friends’?”
“No…nothing like that at all.”
Aidan came to her, now fully dressed. He found the ends of the robe tie and cinched it snuggly about her. “Are you sure, poppet? He had the distinct look of a man betrayed.”
JC had looked hurt…”I’ve never been with JC.”
Taking a quick kiss, Aidan’s parting words, were, “You haven’t been with him yet, luv.”
JC stood in front of the suite’s balcony doors, swallowing his rage and jealousy. Christina with another man. How could he ever close his eyes again without seeing that awful scene? Her cry hadn’t been one of pain but of blissful completion! Beautiful, delicate Christina being ridden by this—this other man! How could she do that to him? Make love with another man? Christina was…
A free agent.
Reining in his hot emotions, he released a weary sigh. He had no right to be this upset. They were friends. Friends, he reminded himself. Where did he get off with righteous indignation? This was more in the ‘oops’ category – as if he had accidentally stumbled on to a trysts on one of his male friends. He could scarcely label Christina with a scarlet letter because he had begun to consider her his.
Scrubbing his hands over his face, JC had to admit he had begun seeing Christina in more than ‘just a friend’ capacity. He had begun to want her. He wanted to know how her mouth tasted, her skin. How did she make love? How did she like it?
Damn! He had to stop this before he ruined the good thing he had with Christina – a cherished friendship.
Deciding she couldn’t very well go to JC smelling like another man’s sweat, Christina took a quick shower, then tossed on jeans and a tee shirt. She found him staring out over the city, looking desolate and alone. What could she say? She could scarcely apologize for being a mature female with needs. If she was sorry she ‘got caught’, wasn’t that an admission of guilt? She had done nothing wrong. She hadn’t taken a vow of celibacy simply because she has become his friend.
Sensing her presence without looking, JC held out his arm to her, inviting her to him. He was glad she didn’t hesitate. She slipped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his shoulder. His arms closed around her in a loose embrace. They remained that way for some time, saying nothing. They were soothed by simply letting their hearts beat against the other, listening to each other breathe. When Christina released a soft sigh of contentment and snuggled closer, JC tightened his hold.
They were still okay.
“Did you want to go out tonight?” JC asked Christina after a quiet dinner from room service.
“I got the distinct impression you wanted to stay in tonight,” she said.
He shrugged as he rose from the table. “We can go if you want to.”
Christina knew the man well enough his words meant he didn’t want to but he would to humor her. “No, I think I would be happy to have a glass of wine and just look at the city for awhile.”
“We can do that.”
Putting the suite’s stereo on soft, slow jazz, JC poured two glasses of red wine and met her at the balcony door. Taking one glass, she stepped out onto the balcony. She leaned one hip against the rail as she gazed out over the city darkened by nightfall but still very much awake.
“I love this city,” she sighed softly. “It energizes me, makes me feel alive.”
He stood just behind her and sipped his wine. “Then why haven’t you moved here? You could.”
She glanced back with a slight smile. “Because it would make me crazy within a month. The reasons that I love it would be the very same things that would drive me insane. The rhythm of life is too hectic. It’s too noisy and too close. California suits me as a home. New York City is a place to visit.”
“It is crazy as it is beautiful,” JC acknowledged. “The clubs, the theaters, the culture is awesome, but I’m too laid back for this.”
Christina had seen how manic and wired JC could be — and she knew that once the energy dissipated, he crashed just as quickly. She would never refer to him as ‘laid-back’. He seemed to have two speeds -- full throttle and stop. She smiled to herself.
“What?” he demanded, catching the curving of her lips.
“Nothing.”
It wasn’t worth arguing over, not after the day he’d had. He moved closer, allowing her to rest against him. “Baby, about this afternoon…”
She shook her head.
“I should have knocked. But I heard you call out and the door was open …”
“Jace, can we just forget it?”
The scene was seared in his brain. How could he forget it? “Sure, C.” He was rewarded with the feel of her relaxing against him. That made his lie worth it.