Black Widow
JC couldn’t have said when it happened. Maybe it had just crept up on him inch by inch. His pursuit of Shauna was no longer a game of chase. He wanted her to care about him the way he cared about her. The trouble was, she still wasn’t showing any signs of weakness. The fact that he had re-arranged his entire life to be in Chicago more often didn’t seem to impress her in the least. He was running out of ways to show her he cared; everything he’d tried had failed. He’d have to get more inventive if he wanted to gain any positive attention from the impossible woman.
Karen Chasez had told her son since completing Shauna’s manuscript; the young woman was no longer a nightly guest. She confessed she and Roy missed Shauna. Her weekly visits for dinner didn’t seem to be enough. JC tried to assure his mother he was doing everything he could to win Shauna’s heart with no success. Shauna was as stubborn as she was beautiful.
Shauna was relieved when the daily tokens of JC’s affection ceased. For the first several days, she believed he had gotten the message. But then on Friday evening the telephone rang and she picked it up without looking at the caller ID.
“Hello.”
“Shauna!” JC said her name with a whoosh of relief. She’d actually answered the damn phone once! “Honey, I’m glad I caught you. I miss your voice.”
Damn, she thought. JC hadn’t surrendered. “Hello, Chasez.”
“Mom says she and Dad miss you around the house.”
So he was going to play the guilt card, was he? “I’m there for dinner once a week. Karen and I try to have lunch on Wednesdays.”
“I’m glad. I guess they were used to daily doses of you. I know I miss the hell out of you.”
Skepticism dripped from her voice. “Riiight.”
“I don’t know why you find that so hard to believe. You’re a lovely, intelligent, interesting woman.”
“I am a prize in your game.”
“You’re a prize all right, but not in any game.”
“Chasez, did you call for any particular reason?” she demanded tartly. “Or is this merely an annoyance call?”
JC countered her question with one of his own. “Isn’t it about time you forgave me?”
For some vague reason the inquiry surprised her. “You think this is still about that first evening?”
“Isn’t it?”
“I am not that petty. Why can’t you catch a clue, Chasez? I am not interested in what you are selling. I am not flattered by your attention. You are one of the last people on Earth I want to spend time with.”
Chagrinned, he said, “At least I’m not the very last one.”
Something about the way he said it… His vulnerability struck a chord in Shauna. She felt her resolve weaken. No, he couldn’t know she was no longer immune to his charm, that the weeks of unending attention had indeed impressed her. After all, he was a very busy man; yet he’d taken the time to assure her he’d not forgotten her. How many men did that? Giving herself a mental shaking, she was determined to stay strong. She didn’t see a future with JC Chasez.
“Shauna?” JC was surprised when no cutting remark was shot back at him.
“I’m very tired, Chasez,” she finally said with a weary sigh. “Cut me a break.”
“I’m sorry, babe. Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
The tenderness in his voice made her want to surrender. It would be nice to lean on someone for a change, but he wasn’t the “someone” for her. “Goodnight.”
He could scarcely believe his ears. No biting response, just a simple ‘goodnight’. “Goodnight, honey. Sleep well. I’ll talk to you soon.”
JC rang off, leaving a bemused Shauna to stare at the receiver in her hand. He’d let it drop without argument or innuendo. How could he possibly know such behavior would hold him in good favor? The answer made her uncomfortable.
Maybe it was because, despite his actions on that first night, this was the “real” JC Chasez. What if he was truly a nice guy? What if he was sensitive and caring? What if his attention to her was genuine? That he truly wanted her to know he cared? What if…
Shauna ruthlessly clamped down on her runaway thoughts. It was impossible. JC didn’t hold any true affection for her and she was not about to be another one of his conquests.
This show was all about Shauna. As one of her pet charities, JC hoped performing at the benefit would gain him some favor in her beautiful eyes. So far she hadn’t given an inch. Waiving his normal performance fee, he had donated his time in Shauna’s name.
She seemed to be enjoying the show. He was glad he secretly arranged her seat to be front and center. He would wink at her, make eye contact, make provocative dance moves and watch her reactions. She had to know how much he wanted her – oh God, how he wanted her!
JC realized he’d been an idiot – a self-righteous, blind idiot. After accusing her of befriending his mother to get to him, he was the one feeling the sting of rejection. She was frosty to him. She refused his calls. E-mails sent to her went unanswered. She sent back his gifts unopened. Floral deliveries were refused. He was surprised she hadn’t accused him of harassment. His mother said Shauna no longer updated her fan fiction site. For a woman he accused of trying to get his attention, Shauna did a damn good job of ignoring and avoiding him. All he got from his mother was a smug ‘I told you so’.
After his performance, JC took a quick shower and changed clothes. He entered the banquet hall to find Shauna. Evidently many of the women present were fans, so he chatted his way to Shauna’s table, graciously accepting best wishes and praise. Finally, arriving at his destination, JC found Shauna surrounded by her own small group of fans. Instead of saying a word, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
Shauna’s radar had picked up on JC long before she felt his touch. She wanted to smack away his seemingly possessive hand. Granted he had come that night to get into her good graces, but she wasn’t about to fall at his feet! As far as she was concerned, the JC Chasez she had written of didn’t exist – he’d been a figment of her all too fertile imagination. The person in her fiction didn’t resemble the man in reality. Instead of the shy, sincere man-boy, he was an arrogant, self-important ass. How dare he think she wanted anything to do with him!
At a lull in the conversation, JC put in, “Good evening, ladies.”
Several of the women merely gaped at him.
“You didn’t say you knew him,” one of the women said to Shauna.
“I don’t know him. I’ve met him,” Shauna corrected.
JC chuckled uncomfortably. “Him is right here. Care to let him sit down?”
Another woman indicated the chair across from Shauna. It wasn’t as close as he would have liked, but it would have to do. “Thank you.”
Shauna bristled. She didn’t want him in the position of staring at her!
“So how goes the writing, Shauna?” JC asked.
“She gave up fan fic,” the first woman answered. “It was a sad day for us readers, but we’ll read what she gets published.”
Shauna hid a smile. He didn’t think this was a spur of the moment meeting of friendly readers, did he? She had carefully orchestrated the gathering to prevent any personal interaction between them.
“My mother says she is a talented writer,” JC added.
“She is! And no one can peel paint like she can with her brand of steam,” yet another woman declared, winking at JC.
Even in the soft light, JC could have sworn Shauna blushed. “I guess I should be flattered.”
“Well, you should be! She nearly elevated you to god status. You came off as the sexiest, most sensitive lover that has ever walked the earth.”
JC’s eyebrows went up and the pink flush on Shauna’s face deepened. “Maybe I should read it.”
“Maybe you’d learn a thing or two,” another woman chuckled.
“I think we need to change the subject before poor Shauna dies of embarrassment,” JC said with a smile.
Shauna wanted to wipe that smug look off his face. She’d written about him as the world’s greatest lover before she had discovered his true nature. Now there was no taking it back. “We all know fan fic is fantasy, pure fantasy. I am sure even the real JC Chasez couldn’t live up to the fantasies we’ve all had of him.”
JC noticed her use of the past tense, meaning she was no longer letting him star in her private dreams. “Wanna bet?” He mouthed for her eyes only.
Shauna rolled her eyes. The arrogance of the man!
Hearing the small jazz band strike up a slow song, JC rose and extended his hand to Shauna. “I believe they are playing our song.”
She wanted to bite him and draw blood. Dammit, what was he playing at? The women at the table were all thirty years plus and all had stars in their eyes where he was concerned. He knew damn well refusing him would ruin the romantic notion that he could be attracted to an everyday sort of woman.
“C’mon, honey. I’m sure the ladies will excuse us.”
At the murmurs of affirmation, Shauna was neatly trapped. Putting her hand in his, she allowed him to assist her to her feet. “I’m not a terribly good dancer,” she warned.
“I find that hard to believe.” JC led her among the other couples on the make-shift dance floor and drew her close. Her slender body fit well in his arms; she tucked nicely against him. “So you think I’m a stud, eh?”
Shauna snorted. “Oh yeah, a real two by four.”
“Ow!” he muttered when her foot came down heavily on his toes. His athletic shoes were no protection against her high heels.
“I warned you.”
He held his temper in check. Obviously she was deliberately trying to goad him. “Accidents happen,” he said breezily. Accident his good foot! “Ow!” More toe crushing. “Dammit, Shauna,” he growled lowly. “Aren’t you being juvenile?”
“Whatever do you mean, Mr. Chasez?” She fluttered her eyelashes. Her look was all sweetness and innocence.
“You little…” he grumbled.
“But, darling, this is our song,” she pouted prettily.
“I have been trying to make amends for months now. Can’t we call a truce?”
“For what reason? I want nothing from you and you want nothing from me.”
“Are you sure?”
“That I want nothing from you? Infinitely sure.”
He bent his head so his lips brushed her ear. “Maybe I want something from you,” he whispered.
His warm breath sent shivers through her. This time when she trod on his foot, it was an accident. She was in shock. “I have nothing you want, remember?”
“I admit I made a hasty misjudgment.” JC wished he’d kept his anger and surprise in check that day. “Your forgiveness for my bad behavior would be a start.”
“Chasez…”
Him taking her upper lip between his was a total, numbing surprise. He lightly sucked at it then gently bit down before releasing it. Shauna’s head spun. What did he think he was doing? She was way out of her league…or was she? Since he thought his Casanova routine would turn her to putty, she decided to turn the tables on him. She speared her fingers through his hair and pulled his head down. She put her mouth to his, giving him a very thorough kiss. She sensed his surprise, but it didn’t last long. When he became a full participant, she very nearly lost control of the situation. The man could kiss like a dream!
Groaning, JC urged her closer with his hands on her hips. Oh, God, he wanted her! He hadn’t truly realized how much until…
Abruptly Shauna pulled away with an outer poise the belied her inner turmoil. “Goodnight, Mr. Chasez.” Somehow her shaking legs were able to carry her back to her table for her purse. She walked out the door, leaving the man who kissed like every fantasy she’d ever had about him staring after her in sexual frustration.
Still mostly asleep, Shauna groped for the ringing telephone at her bedside. Locating the receiver, she put it to her ear. “’Lo,” she mumbled.
“Did I wake you, honey?”
Chasez. Just great. He didn’t sound as if he had spent a restless night of erotic dreams! What he did to her should be illegal. “What do you want?”
“You. I thought we already determined that.”
She wanted to strangle him. Well, first she wanted to ride him like a stallion until she was sore and completely sated. Then, like the praying mantis and the black widow spider, she’d kill him. Those insects had it right. Why keep pesky males around after they had served their purpose? “It’s Saturday, Chasez. The one day all week I get to sleep in. I don’t appreciate the interruption.”
“I can just come over and crawl in beside you,” he offered genially.
“Do some women actually buy that load of crap?”
“Shauna…”
“Quit toying with me. Right now you’re only interested because you can’t have me.”
“I can’t?”
“No, you can’t.”
“You shouldn’t challenge a guy…”
“I’m not trying to challenge you. I am stating a fact. I am not into shallow affairs and you aren’t looking for anything deeper than a curiosity fuck.”
“Who said all I wanted was a fuck?” Actually, if he were truthful, that was how it had started. The more she pushed him away, the more he seemed to want her.
“You made it abundantly clear how you felt about me that day…”
“Shauna, I thought you understood I was upset and trying to protect my mother.”
“Your mother is an intelligent, grown woman. She is perfectly capable of ‘protecting’ herself from the likes of me.”
“I understand you weren’t using Mom…”
“Goodie. I am happy you comprehend the situation.”
JC was reaching the end of his patience. “Has anyone ever told you you’re a pain in the ass?” he grumbled. Her response was a husky chuckle that went directly south of his brain.
“Let’s not have anything to do with each other, shall we? Then you won’t have to deal with me ever again.”
If there wasn’t something about her that drew him likes bees to honey, he would have gladly done as she suggested. “You happen to be my mother’s latest ‘project’.”
“So? I’ll stay here in Chicago and you can have the rest of the world. If you give your parents fair warning before you visit, I’ll make certain you won’t see me.”
That would work if he didn’t find her so damned intriguing.
“Now…I don’t appreciate being awaken from my sleep, so I will have to cut this lovely conversation short. Oh, and Chasez, we must not do this again sometime.”
“Shauna…”
When the connection was severed abruptly, JC threw his cell phone across the room in a fit of anger. “Damn impossible female.”