Chapter Seven: Family Time
Money got things done. Nikki supposed she should have protested the way JC took over her travel plans, but how could she? He made everything so much easier for her – and they had been able to work out more time together. He had changed their flight. He had changed their tourist class seats to first class. Their hotel accommodations – instead of Motel Six, they had a fancy suite for four at a high priced hotel. Instead of a compact car, she could now drive around in an SUV – safer, he insisted. She wasn’t used to being spoiled – and she hadn’t suspected he could be so commanding.
“Yeah, Mom, we just got to the hotel,” JC was talking to his mother on his cell when their luggage was wheeled in. “Nikki and her kids…” He smiled at Nikki as she came in. He quickly tipped the bellman before she had a chance. “Yeah, her parents live in Falls Church…Lucky for me…”
“Dylan came over seeking help with the zipper of his jacket. It was stuck and wouldn’t go up or down. As if it were the most natural thing to do, JC tucked the phone between his chin and shoulder as he stooped to help the boy. “They’re great kids.” He smiled at Dylan.
“JC, there’s no kissletoe!” Kimmy announced loudly.
“Yeah, Kimmy,” he answered. “Wait till she finds out that no mistletoe doesn’t mean I stop kissing Nikki,” he murmured. Dylan’s zipper finally moved down its track, releasing Dylan. “There you go, little dude,” JC said as he straightened. “There are a lot worse things than being a family man.”
At those words, Nikki looked at him questioningly. He merely winked at her.
“We came a couple days early to avoid the big rush and a little R&R. We’ve both been going full tilt.” Nikki was frowning so he walked over and pressed her close. “Later, Mom,” he said in ringing off.
“Family man?” Nikki asked.
“Feels like it.”
“You just fell into the role so naturally…”
“It’s a good fit.”
Nikki wrapped her arms around his lean waist and snuggled close.
“Tired, honey?”
“Mmm…I don’t particularly like flying. I didn’t fall asleep like you three.”
“Well, tonight, it is just us. We’ll do room service and just kick back.”
“You are a prince, Chasez.”
“But right now, I want you to lay down for a while. I can entertain Dylan and Kimmy.”
“I knew there was a reason I’ve been keeping you around.” She smiled sleepily. “Which room is mine?”
“Master bedroom is—“
“No.”
“No what?”
“I am not sleeping in the master bedroom. You’re the one used to his private space.”
“Nikki—“
“No – and that is final.”
He sighed. Stubborn woman. “Take the master room for your nap. It’ll be quieter. Just kick off your shoes and stretch out.”
“Bully,” Nikki muttered when she gave her a gentle push towards a bedroom door.
Nikki woke several hours later. A blanket had been placed over her. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out who had done that. Mr. Chasez seemed to be very adept at taking care of people in his life, especially her. She rolled over to contemplate the ceiling.
She was in love. There was no other word for it. She loved nearly everything about him – she even found his penchant for speaking his mind when he was out of it endearing. Her lips curved into a motherly smile when she thought of how he was with her children. He was a natural daddy – patient, teasing, gentle, careful of their tender young feelings. Of course, then there was the man himself with the physical attributes of a Greek god! Beautiful face, broad shoulders, lean flat hips, tight butt…Mmm…and the way he kissed and touched her. Nikki was certain she wouldn’t never find him lacking as a lover. JC Chasez was the total package!
A frown tugged the corners of her mouth down. The only down side was the fact he was JC Chasez. His life style was not exactly conducive to hearth and home.
“Where did that beautiful smile go?” JC asked from the doorway. He had watched her wake and exactly when her thoughts made her unhappy.
Nikki smiled at him. “You look good in red,” she said of his turtleneck. “But then you look good – period.”
From behind his back, he produced the mistletoe head bobber Kimmy had gifted him with and put it on his head. Moving towards the bed, he said, “This way I won’t get busted for kissing you.”
He made a comical picture, the mistletoe bobbing and swaying as he came to the bed.
Nikki giggled. “Somehow, you don’t seem like the guy who sings ADIDAS,” she taunted.
“Maybe if I’d had this headgear I would have gotten more action,” he said as he climbed on the bed.
“Yeah, from the loony bin!” She knelt in front of him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You’re silly. I find that extremely sexy.”
JC wiggled his eyebrows. “Then this thing works! It’s a chick magnet.”
“No, I think it’s your eyes.” She placed a tender kiss on each eyelid. “Or maybe those cheekbones.” She traced her cheeks with her lips. “Or just maybe these lips…”
He didn’t hesitate to fall into her kiss.
“Mmm…yeah, it’s the lips,” she purred when the kiss ended.
“Nikki…honey…” JC kissed her again, pressing her down on the mattress.
“As wonderful as this is, I think we need to get out of this room and find our chaperones,” she whispered breathlessly.
“Our chaperones crashed and burned about half an hour ago.” JC rose from the bed and pulled her to her feet. “But you’re right. We have presents to wrap while they are asleep.”
There were perks to mistletoe headgear, JC decided. Kimmy puckered up every time when she walked by. Even Dylan was freer with an occasional hug. But the real advantage was Nikki’s kisses – and they didn’t all land on his lips. Whenever she spotted bare skin as a target. If they had been alone, would be tempted to strip and wear only mistletoe!
“Why do you have that dopey grin on your face?” Dylan asked him as JC showed him how to work his hand-held game.
“I’m just happy, that’s all.” He couldn’t tell the boy that if he were naked he would enjoy Nikki’s kisses somewhere other than the nape of his neck. Deliberately he had left all protection at home, so that if he or Nikki got too carried away, stopping to find condoms would give them ‘cooling off’ time.
“I love your hair,” she murmured. “So soft and wavy.”
“Glad you approve.” He was glad for the package he held in his lap. Feeling the teasing touch of her tongue on his skin had predictable results. He didn’t want to tell her to stop. It felt too good and he realized that she wasn’t consciously trying to make him crazy. She was just exploring – her feelings and his.
“You said we were going out tomorrow?” Nikki moved the gift in his lap and sat down. Her eyes went wide when she felt his arousal. She gave him a little “oh” to which he merely smiled. “You talked to your mother again?”
“While you were asleep.”
“I came here to be with my family…”
“Which is why she asked if we could meet them for lunch tomorrow. I don’t want to pull in different directions on Christmas Eve and Day.”
“I didn’t get them anything—“
“Baby, this isn’t a gift giving thing.”
“If they show up with presents, I’ll murdelize you,” she threatened jokingly.
“I told them both no gifts. This was strictly a get-to-know-you lunch.”
“Does that mean I get more grandparents?” Dylan questioned.
“Dylan, don’t be getting your hopes up,” Nikki told him.
“Why not? You and JC smooch all the time. You hum all the time, Mom, like you do when you’re happy. And JC gets those dopey cow eyes—“
“It’s too soon, Dylan. It isn’t as easy as you want it to be.”
The boy shrugged. “It isn’t as hard as you make it.” He rose with his game. “I’m gonna go to my room. Thanks for helping, JC.”
“No problem, little dude,” JC assured him.
Watching Dylan go, Nikki wondered if he could be right. Did all she really need was a leap of faith? Was she that brave?
“Want me to cancel the lunch?” JC asked her quietly.
She looked to where Kimmy concentrated on her puzzle, then into JC’s eyes. “No.”
“The last thing I want to do is make problems for you.”
“Can I make a confession – and you not go running for the hills?”
“I guess that depends. If you say you are an ax murderer or really a guy—“
“I am serious, JC.”
“Okay. Seriously. I can’t think of one damn thing that would make me run from you.”
“I am in love with you. Totally, completely, thoroughly in love.”
JC’s smile was warm. “I’m in love with you too – and I include the kids in that.”
“My only reservation is…”
“What?”
She bit her lower lip. “I know there’s nothing you could do to change it – and I wouldn’t even think about asking you. It is part of you as much as breathing is…”
JC was crestfallen. He knew her problem. “My music. My career. Nikki—“
She put a hand over his mouth before he could protest or launch a defense. Then she said something unexpected. “It’s something we can work on together, right?”
For a heartbeat, JC was too stunned to answer. “Well, hell yeah!” he crowed. He crushed her close. “I love you!”
Dylan leaned out of room and rolled his eyes. “What’s for dinner?”
“Whatever you want,” JC answered.
“Chinese!” Kimmy called.
“Yeah!” Dylan cheered.
“Match made in heaven,” JC muttered with a grin. “Okay. Chinese, it is. Let’s get a menu up here and see what all we want.”
“Uh, JC, you gonna take that dumb thing off?” Dylan inquired pointing to JC’s headgear.
“Why? You wanna borrow it?” JC teased.
“Yuk! No! I don’t want dumb old girls kissing me.”
“Hey!” Nikki protested. “I’m a dumb old girl.”
“You’re Mom,” he corrected.
Kimmy snuck up behind her big brother and planted a big, wet kiss on him before he could protest.
“Blech!” Dylan screamed.
“Wait a few years, Dylan. You’ll like girls,” JC told him sagely.
“Never!
“Is a mighty long time, sonny,” Nikki murmured.
BR>
Dinner was an adventure. Dylan and Kimmy tried using chopsticks. JC was a patient tutor, but in the end, it didn’t work. Rice was all over the table. Kimmy surrendered and grabbed a spoon.
“Maybe my hands are too small,” Dylan suggested, looking to JC. He was clearly asking permission to give up.
“I didn’t even think to ask about children-sized chopsticks, little dude. I’m sorry. Why don’t you use a spoon and fork this time.”
The little boy brightened as JC handed him the flatware.
Nikki leaned over to kiss JC’s cheek, touched by his sensitivity. “I love you,” she whispered.