Come With Me
Damn! He was making her hot! Shauna watched JC on the stage below. His music was sexy enough; but add his high-energy dance moves and intimate gestures, the man was steamed heat! And somehow, she felt all the thrusting and crotch grabbing was for her benefit, like a bizarre, public mating ritual. The first show had been tame in comparison, but then Karen had been sitting beside her in the opera box. This JC was a nasty boy – in a good way! He had her wanting to fan herself.
How many times had she tried to describe his athletic stage persona? She could readily see now it had been tame and much too mild. All she could think of was how much stamina he must have…how muscular his arms and thighs probably were…how flexible and limber he had to be. All very good things in a lover.
JC snagged Shauna’s gaze. He could read some sort of new realization in their brightness…and something else hot and wild. “I’ll make love to you…in one hundred ways,” he sang and gave a sinuous roll of his hips.
He finished the song and thanked his appreciative audience profusely. They had been great, really getting into his music. Wild and enthusiastic, they had let him feed off their energy. It was one of the best, most awesome shows he had done solo.
Going backstage, he wiped his face with a towel. “Go get Shauna for me,” he told Carlos.
Shauna slowly gathered her purse and sweater. She wasn’t terribly anxious to get into the milling exodus of the large crowd. Wondering if there was another exit she could use, she saw Carlos come into the private opera box.
“JC would like to see you.” Carlos chose his words very carefully, not wanting to sound like she had been summoned. He knew exactly how tenuous his friend’s relationship was with this woman.
Instead of asking the thousand questions flooding her brain, Shauna let the pleasure of JC’s wanting to see her sink in. “I’m ready.”
JC had tossed off his sweat drenched stage clothes. Wiping his legs dry, he jerked on a pair of jeans. He didn’t bother with shorts; he’d be showering at the hotel. He was reaching for his t-shirt when Shauna stepped into the dressing room.
“I – uh – Carlos said to just come on in,” she murmured.
To his eyes, she was so beautiful and so uncertain. “C’mere, honey.” He merely opened his arms and she was there.
“Josh,” she whispered, not knowing what to say.
“I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
He tipped her chin up with the knuckles of one hand. “Then kiss me like you have,” he commanded.
Sliding her fingers into his sweat-soaked hair, she pressed against him. His body heat was like a furnace and perspiration penetrated her clothes, but she didn’t care. His hard arms were around her like he’d never let her go. Their lips met hungrily. She tipped her head to the side to give him better access as his tongue invaded her mouth. Hers answered and chased his back into his mouth so she could taste him. His hands dropped to her hips, forcing her lower body into his.
“Shauna,” he groaned helplessly as she ground herself into his erection like she wanted to be skin to skin. “Baby, please, come with me tonight.”
“Anywhere,” she answered breathlessly. “I’ll go anywhere with you.”
It was crazy. They only had this one night. He needed hundreds.
“Car’s waiting, C,” Lonnie announced, poking his head into the room.
“Okay…yeah.” JC yanked his t-shirt on and grabbed Shauna’s hand. “She’s coming, too.”
They were hustled into the car and it took off.
“Where are you staying?” Shauna asked after a while.
“Westin.”
“But that was – “
“Back there,” JC finished for her. “We’ll drive around a bit to make sure we haven’t been followed, then we’ll head back, taking another route.”
It was too bad he had to worry about such things. Her eyes were soft and sympathetic. “That must be hard for you.”
“It’s okay,” JC assured her. How could her tell her he’d actually gotten accustomed to such things? He picked up her hand, kissing her fingertips before placing a soft kiss on her palm. “You’re here beside me. You’re really here…”
“I’m sorry, Josh. I just didn’t want to be a conquest.”
“Not a chance.”
Twenty minutes later, JC closed the door on his hotel suite, leaving the rest of the world outside. He could tell by her stiff stance, Shauna was not entirely comfortable. “Honey, we don’t have to do anything more than talk and hold each other,” he offered.
Her surprised eyes darted to his. “You – you don’t want me?”
“Not want you?” He practically snorted the words. “I want you so much, I hurt, but this is something we both have to want.”
“I do want you. It’s just…”
“Just what?” He moved behind her, rubbing his lips on that spot on the side of her neck she hadn’t known was a hot spot until he discovered it.
Shauna shivered as desire skittered along her nerve endings. What had she been about to say? Oh, yeah… “This place is…I guess, too rich for my blood.”
“Get used to it.”
“This? Why?”
“You’re a fantastic writer. Once you have a book out there, you’ll explode.”
“I doubt luxury suites and groupies come with the territory.”
He smiled against her neck. “I’d better get that shower before we start burning up the sheets.”
Turning within his arms, she nuzzled his throat. “Why? You’re just gonna get sweaty again anyway.”
JC chuckled. “If you don’t mind…”
“You smell very male. That is very sexy.”
Taking her hand, he led her to the bedroom. What he really wanted was to rip off their clothes and have hot monkey sex, but this was their first time together; it would set the tone of their physical relationship. It had to be special. Taking his wallet from his pocket, he removed two small square packets and tossed them on the bedside stand.
“Hopeful, were you?” Shauna asked.
“No, if I had been hopeful I would have a whole damn box. This is just a taste.”
Running her hands under his shirt, she caressed his flat stomach, lean ribs and muscled chest. “I agree – it’s just a taste. It’ll leave me hungry for more.” She lightly sucked at the pulse point at the base of his throat.
He moaned softly. “You’re making me crazy.”
“Good crazy?”
“The best.” Why had he thought he’d have to seduce her? She seemed as eager as he was.
Breaking away, Shauna pulled the comforter and top sheet back on the large bed. She removed her slacks and blouse, laying them carefully on a chair.
JC swallowed hard. Her long legs went on forever, sexy and shapely. Her small breasts were cupped by pale peach lace, matching the bikinis she wore. She was sleek, willowy perfection. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered reverently.
Going back to him, she replied impishly, “Show me what you’ve got.”
JC pulled off his shirt. Her hands were at the front of his jeans, unfastening them. His eager, engorged manhood sprang out the moment the zipper went down.
“Oooh…Now I know why the front of your pants always look like you stuff them with socks. You’re a big, happy boy.”
“I’ll be gentle with you, I promise,” he told her earnestly.
Her confident smile reassured him she wasn’t going to run from the room. “I know you will, Josh. I’m not afraid.”
Reaching around her, he unclasped her bra and slid it from her shoulders. He tugged at her panties until they dropped to her feet.
“You’re more substantial than I thought you’d be,” she murmured as he kicked his jeans away.
“You’re even more beautiful than I could have imagined.”
JC took her into his arms and lowered them to the bed. They kissed and caressed. Sucked and fondled. Licked and stroked. Nipped and tugged. They drove each other into a frenzy of hot need. Their bodies strained together.
“Please, Josh! Oh, please,” Shauna begged.
Taking time to sheath himself, he moved between her legs. Very slowly, he pushed into her welcoming, wet heat. Once buried to the hilt, he commanded, “Look at me.”
She smiled into his anxious face. Stretched as far as she’d ever believed herself capable of, she had never felt so full, so very complete.
“You okay?”
“Mmm…I’m more than okay. You feel wonderful.”
Shauna was not like the other women who either complained about his size or said he was too rough. “You’re wonderful.” He wanted to say what was in his heart. He loved her with a fierceness belying their rocky start, but often, words spoken in passion were not taken seriously. “I want you so much.”
With him throbbing so deliciously within her, she was filled with need. “You have me, darling.”
Leaning in, he kissed her softly and smiled. He began to move slowly, prolonging each stroke, thus the pleasure. Her sweet little sounds of delight encouraged a faster pace. She wrapped her long legs around his, forcing him deeper. “Shauna…oh, sweetheart,” he moaned at the perfection of their union. “Just love me, baby.”
Shauna heard a plea that went beyond ‘sex talk’. He was asking for acceptance and something real. She slid her hands up his sweat-slick shoulders, caressing the vulnerable nape of his neck. “I do, baby. I do.”
Then neither of them could form words as he thrust deeper, harder, faster. His grunts were answered with her gasps, his groans with her whimpers. Clinging to each other, they were flung into the vortex of white-hot rapture. She cried out his name as he plunged into her one more time before releasing himself into the storm.
In the aftermath, they lie in a panting, sweaty tangle of arms and legs. JC nuzzled her, murmuring soft words of comfort and praise. No other woman had made him feel so complete, so satisfied, so accepted. And Shauna, far from being experienced, knew what they had shared was something special and rare – that JC was rare and special.
“’Wow’ doesn’t even begin to cover it,” she stated quietly.
“No, it doesn’t,” he affirmed. “I don’t think there are words.” For a brief moment, he rolled away to dispose of the protection, and then was back to hold her. He stroked her back soothingly, pressing tiny kisses on her damp shoulders.
Shauna had never felt so cherished. Why had she fought him so long? Because she hadn’t wanted to be another notch on his bedpost. Because she hadn’t wanted to get between mother and son. Because she hadn’t trusted herself to know the difference between the mythical ‘JC Chasez’ and the very real Josh.
“I have a feeling you’re thinking too much,” JC muttered.
Tipping her face up, she gave him a slumberous smile. “I was thinking that you know how to treat a girl. You just didn’t roll away and go to sleep.”
“I should hope not! It’s a special moment between a man and a woman, something to share.”
She combed her fingers through his hair in a tender gesture. She gave voice to a concern they both had. “I’ll miss you so much more now.”
It wasn’t fair. They had spent way too much time sniping and denying their feelings. Now time together would be at a premium. “Come with me.”
“Josh…”
“I’ve got some regional shows this weekend. Spend the weekend with me.” The idea had merit. They could spend the bus ride and down time together. “Please, honey? I’ll fly you back Sunday.”
“Clothes? Toothbrush? You know things people pack for a trip?”
“I’ll take care of everything. We’ll get what you need when we get to the venue. Please, Shauna? I know it isn’t the ideal situation, but come with me.”
She wanted to – she even surprised herself by even considering it! Then her mouth spoke without her brain’s approval. “On one condition…”
“Which is?”
Shauna grinned. “We get more condoms.” She reached down to find him aroused. The man was amazing! Two high-energy shows, one round of lovemaking – and he was ready to go again! “Hmm…wanna use that last condom soon?”
JC smoothed her hair and kissed her tenderly. “Only if you wanna.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down for a hot kiss. “Oh, I wanna. I really wanna.”
When JC drifted off to sleep, Shauna understood. He’d been very athletic that night, both on stage and in bed. She didn’t know how he had that level of energy.
What had she done? She’d crossed the line between adversaries to lovers in one huge step. Damn the man! She had often joked about him being sex on a stick, but not once had she imagined she would tumble into bed with him at the first opportunity! All the superlatives she used to describe his lovemaking in her fan fiction had been warranted – and a few more could be added. He was powerful and gentle at the same time, tender and vulnerable. His tentative sweetness told her he hadn’t been particularly lucky in love or with lovers.
Right now, with his dark hair pillowed on her breast, his long eyelashes laying like fans against his sculptured cheekbones, he looked like a little boy in need of protection. That was simply ridiculous, wasn’t it? JC Chasez was a grown man. A wealthy, famous man…
“What time is it, Shauna?” JC asked groggily. He didn’t want to wake up. He liked where he was.
Glancing at the bedside clock, she said, “A few minutes before five.”
He groaned and burrowed closer.
“What?”
“I have to get my shower. We have to move out at five-thirty.”
“You need more sleep.” The show hadn’t ended until close to one – and he hadn’t gone to sleep until closer to three-thirty.
“I’ll sleep on the bus.” Raising his head, he leaned up for a lingering kiss. “Mmm…more.”
Shauna opened to him as he rose to deepen the contact. His hands ran from her shoulders to her hips, lifting her against his hardening body. “I want you so much, baby,” he purred as he nibbled at her throat.
“Josh, you said something about a shower and we’re out of condoms,” she reminded him.
Swearing, JC rolled away and onto his back. “We’ll get a big box, okay? I have a feeling we’ll need it.”
“I believe we will,” she replied impishly.
He grinned at her. “Honey, you’re one of a kind! Let’s go get that shower.”
Though she had often written about JC’s life on the road, she hadn’t been able to capture how wearing it could be. Late nights. Early mornings tripping onto the bus to catch some sleep. Arriving at the venue, there were promotional obligations, meet ‘n’ greets, and the actual performances. Then it started all over again. It was insane.
Sunday evening, just before his performance, Shauna had to fly home. In his eyes, she could see he didn’t want her to leave, but she needed to get back to her world, her own well-ordered life.
JC simply held her close, his face buried in her fragrant silky hair. While she was with him, he hadn’t felt alone. He had someone to share his private moments, someone to love, to sleep beside. He had no right to ask her to stay. He’d only asked for a weekend.
“Joshua, I have to be going.” She finally dislodged his head for its nestling place.
He gazed at her, memorizing everything about her face. “Thank you, honey. I needed you so bad this weekend.”
“It was where I wanted to be, with you.”
“We’re okay, right? You’re mine, I’m yours and we’ll be together when we can.” He sounded like an anxious little boy.
“We are definitely okay, Josh.”
He flopped his arms helplessly at his sides. How could he let her go? “Shauna…”
“We’ll have our cell phones and e-mail…”
“I’ll want to talk to you every night,” he declared.
“All right.”
Lonnie leaned in to announce the arrival of her taxi.
“Yeah. All right. Just a sec,” JC muttered.
Instead of a hot passionate kiss, JC pressed a sweet gentle caress on her lips. “Call my cell when you get home. I want to know you’re home and safe.”
“I will.”
“Damn, baby. This is hard!” They’d only become lovers. He wanted to wallow in the glory of it for awhile.
“I know. There will be other times.”
“When I get some chill time, I’ll want you with me…”
“JC,” Lonnie interrupted.
“Bye, darling.” Deciding she was going to have to be the stronger of the two, Shauna picked up her bag and headed for the door.
JC missed her before the door closed between them.
JC learned Shauna’s schedule. He knew when she left for work, when she got home and when she went to bed. He knew the day she went grocery shopping. Shauna learned she had to apprise him of any deviations or face twenty frantic messages on her voicemail.
JC’s schedule was more manic. Shauna didn’t even try to guess when he’d be available. He had said the cell phone she called was only for her and he checked for messages religiously.
Long distance love wasn’t going to be easy.