A Trip to Chicago
Colleen had said there was a man on the line for her, so Brianne went to her cubbyhole office to take it. “This is Brianne Collins. May I help you?”
“Hello, baby.”
“Josh?”
“The same.”
“Where are you?”
“Too far away from you, that’s for damned sure.”
“That doesn’t give me a lot of information.”
Josh laughed. “I guess not. I’m in Chicago. Care to join me for the weekend?” He knew she lived just three hours away by car.
“Chicago.”
“Yeah, I can get you a ticket and you can be in my arms within two hours.” He lowered his voice to a soft plea. “I really need you, Bree.”
“I guess I’ll see if I can get Dad to take Big.”
“I hope he will, angel.”
“Can I call you back?”
“Yeah. Hurry, baby.”
Josh paced his hotel room. In Chicago, he preferred to stay with his parents. But if he could be with Brianne, he wanted to be able to give her some privacy. Even though it was only fifteen minutes, it was an eternity before his cell phone chimed. “How soon?” was his opening salvo.
Brianne laughed. “Whoa, boy!”
“Baby, just tell me you can get here.”
“Dad said he’d go get Big. I’ll have to go home and pack—“
“No. There’s a flight leaving in half an hour -- and it’s three-forty-five now. Just get on it.”
“And what’ll I wear?”
“Me.” Was his first answer. “Bree, I’ll get you what you need. Just get here, baby.”
“But, Josh—“
“Please, baby, just come to me.”
With an exasperated sigh, Brianne relented. “I’ll get there.”
“A ticket will be waiting for you at the gate.”
“And when I get to Chicago?”
“I’ll be waiting at the gate.”
“Is that wise?”
“I need you.”
“See you in a bit.”
Midway Airport was not nearly the zoo as O’Hare, so Brianne counted her blessings. With no luggage, her trip had been a breeze. Of course, a ticket purchased by J.S. Chasez had given the young woman at the ticket counter pause.
Though people flowed around the young man in dark glasses and a baseball cap, Brianne would have recognized him anywhere. The moment her spotted her, he smiled and held out his arms. Once in his arms, he crushed her to him.
“I’ve missed you so much, Bree,” he whispered against her hair.
“I’ve been missing you, too, Josh.”
Keeping her close, he led her out of the airport and found a waiting taxi at the curb.
“Whatever she wants,” Josh told the salespeople at the hotel boutique.
“Josh, the prices are ridiculous,” Brianne informed him when she read the price tag on a pair of jeans. “It robbery.”
“I don’t care.”
“I do.”
“It doesn’t matter, Bree. You’re here. That’s all I care about.”
She sighed her acceptance of the subject. She supposed he could hardly take her to a discount store, not with all the security he had around him. “Will I be going anywhere besides the bedroom?”
Josh grinned at her assumption the only place he would take her was to bed. “Then you wouldn’t be needing any clothes, would you?” He kissed her forehead. “I’m not chaining you to the bed, angel. We’ve got the two concerts and a visit to my folks—“
“What!”
“My parents live here.”
“Josh—“
“Don’t you dare say we aren’t far enough a long in our relationship for you to meet my parents. We’re engaged for God’s sakes.”
“You’ve never met my family,” she pointed out.
“When I can, I will. I promise.”
That seemed to pacify her. “What do I wear to your parents house?”
“Whatever you want.”
In the end, Brianne purchased jeans and tee shirts to wear to the concerts. A simple skirt and blouse seemed appropriate for a visit to the Chasez home. She was picking out under things when he came up to her.
“Get this, too.” ‘This’ was the cream-colored silk peignoir set he held up on a hanger.
“Josh, might I remind you I don’t keep clothes on long enough to warrant the price tag on that.”
“I want you to have it.”
“I never realized how pig-headed you were,” she muttered.
“I’m not pig-headed. My beautiful girl deserves beautiful things.”
“Your ‘beautiful girl’ has a practical streak a mile wide, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“This the right size?” He held it up to her eyeing the fit.
“I’d say so.”
He tossed it on the counter with the rest of her choices.
“Joshua!”
“You’ll need shoes, right?”
“What I need is to have my head examined for agreeing to this weekend.”
“Baby—“
“One of these days I’m gonna get a hold of one of your credit cards and buy myself a new car,” she grumbled.
Josh frowned. “Do you need a new car, Bree?”
“No!” Certainly not bought by him!
“You sure? I could—“
“No way! Forget it!”
Brianne chose a pair of plain sneakers. Her loafers would do for the skirt. “All done.”
“Me, too.”
She turned to see Josh haul a stack of clothes, some toiletries, and a suitcase to the counter. “Joshua!”
He grinned at Brianne as he spoke to the clerk. “You know where to have these delivered?”
“Yes, Mr. Chasez.”
“Josh—“
Grabbing her arm, he escorted her to the elevators, using his security pass-card to summon the secured floors.
“Joshua Scott—“
As the door closed between them and the rest of the world, his mouth slammed down on hers as he lifted her to her toes. Coaxing her lips apart, he slid his tongue sensuously against hers. “I missed you so bad, baby,” he whispered, his lips moving down her neck until she was melting against him. “Thank you for coming, Bree.”
“Josh, this doesn’t solve a thing,” she reminded him breathlessly.
The elevator doors opened and Josh swept her up to carry her to his room. Before she knew it, Brianne was in the middle of a huge bed, losing her clothes very quickly.
“Whoa, boy!” she giggled and pushed him away.
“What?”
Brianne sat up and grabbed at the hem of his shirt. “Why should I be the only one losing clothes?”
Josh was relieved that she wasn’t complaining about his eagerness. He whipped off his shirt as she unfastened his pants. “Mmm…Angel…” he moaned when she reached in to stroke him. He pulled her up to her knees, his mouth capturing hers in a tender, lingering kiss. “I love you so much, baby.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. With their upper bodies naked, it was a sensual rub of flesh. “I’ve missed you, too, lover,” she murmured against his throat.
“I’m sorry for rushing you, Bree.”
“It’s okay.” She smiled and brushed back his hair. “I understand.”
“No reason to treat you like a—“
“Shh…Josh.” Brianne kissed his upper lip, his lower lip, then both. “My sweet baby, I love you, too.”
Josh lowered her to the mattress, moving beside her to caress her. “I’m glad you slowed me down, angel. I want to savor every moment I have with you.”
“How do I look?” Brianne asked Josh as she smoothed her sweaty palms down the sides of her skirt.
“Beautiful, like always,” he assured her. “Relax, baby,” he chuckled. “You’ve met Ty. Mom and Dad aren’t grand inquisitors.” He rapped on the front door of the Chasez residence, then let himself in with a key. “Hey, it’s Josh and Brianne!” he called.
Mrs. Chasez was the first to appear. She hugged her son. “Hello, Josh.”
“Hi, Mom.” He hugged her back ands then brought Brianne to his side. “Mom, this is my fiancée Brianne. Bree, Mom.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Chasez.” Brianne offered her hand.
Karen Chasez hugged Brianne as well, obviously stunning the younger woman. “When my son announces he’s bringing his fiancée to lunch, I expect a hug. And it’s Karen – until I can be ‘Mom’ to you, too.”
“Where’s Dad?” Josh asked.
“He and Tyler will be back any minute. Come on in to the living room.”
Brianne perched on the sofa. When Josh nearly sat on top of her, forcing her to lean back, she tried to scoot away. He grinned and pulled her closer.
“Brianne is scared,” Josh informed his mother, earning a glare from his fiancée.
“Of what, dear?” Karen asked Brianne.
“It isn’t everyday I meet his parents.”
“Heavens, we are regular people – like your parents, I’m sure.”
Brianne gave her a sad smile. “It’s just Dad, my brother and me.”
“Her mom was killed in a car crash when she was a kid,” Josh elaborated.
“It must have been very difficult for all of you,” Karen commiserated.
Brianne shrugged. “We went on. What else could we have done?”
Gratefully, the conversation halted when Tyler, Josh’s youngest sibling came into the room and snatched her into a bear hug. “Heya, Bree.”
“Hey, Ty!”
Brianne turned to greet Mr. Chasez and received another welcoming hug.
“So, when’s the wedding?” Roy Chasez asked.
They guys put on a fantastic show! Of course, Brianne had seen the last season’s tour on video but never had experienced it live. The show was high-energy and non-stop. Josh had arranged for Brianne to be in front of the stage with security – and had suggested earplugs. That way she could see the performance – and save her hearing. The crowd and the music were deafening. Their elaborate routines left her breathless with admiration and awe.
At one point, Josh had moved to the stage in front of her during a romantic ballad and winked. It was sweet how he wanted to include her even while performing.
She had been forced to miss the last two songs as she was hustled backstage to ready her for their swift departure once the show was over.
Josh came off the stage, whipping his over shirt off and leaving his wife beater on. Someone tossed him a towel to wipe the sweat from his face, then he shucked his pants to pull on jeans for the ride to the hotel. He grinned when he spotted Brianne. She had put her back to them, so she didn’t have to see them in their underwear.
Hot, sweaty arms came around her from behind – and an equally hot face pressed against her neck. Brianne sank back into Josh’s arms.
“It feels so good to have you here,” he told her, biting lightly at her neck.
“Is that a one-eyed crotch monster I feel?” she teased softly.
He chuckled. “Yeah.” Releasing her, he brought her to his side as they headed for the limousine that would take them to the hotel. “I need you and a hot shower – and any order works for me.”
“How can you possibly have any energy left after a performance like that?”
“It’s an adrenaline rush, baby. I’m jazzed.”
Josh handed her into the car and crowed in beside her. He rubbed his face in her sweet-smelling hair. He was so pumped full of a natural buzz; he’d have a tough time settling down. Making love to her would help with some of that. He could rock her all night.
The others joined them directly.
“So, Bree, what do you think?” Justin asked. “Like the show?”
“I do. It’s definitely in the ‘O-M-G’ category.” And now she understood why Josh was such a hard-body. With the rehearsals and performing, when did he have time to be anything but lean muscle?
Josh gave her a sly grin. He’d read the admiration in her eyes. “And it’s all yours to play with,” he whispered as he nipped at her ear. “Every inch.”
Brianne felt her face go hot.
“Don’t talk dirty to her now, JC,” Chris admonished. “Wait till you get to your room.”
“I don’t talk dirty to Brianne, do I, baby?”
Well, actually if he did, it was during lovemaking and in the sweetest way possible. “Not usually,” she answered breathlessly as Josh continued to nuzzle her.
“Then he does talk dirty to you?” Justin jumped on the subject.
“Lay off her, guys,” Josh demanded. He put both arms around her, urging her head to his shoulder. “Ignore ‘em, baby. They got no class. Especially junior, here,” he taunted Justin.
“Hey!” Justin protested.
Once at the hotel, Josh led Brianne to their suite. He began stripping out of his clothes almost before the door had shut completely. She merely watched as he left a trail, heading for the bathroom. This was a different Josh than she knew.
Turning on the shower taps, Josh became aware of her leaning against the bathroom doorjamb, studying him. “What?”
“Two things come to mind.”
“Only two?”
Stepping under the hot spray of water, he suggested, “Take off your clothes and we can discuss them in here.”
When she disappeared, he called, “Baby?” Then she reappeared, wearing her new robe. “Lose it, Bree,” he commanded, his voice rough with need. “Come here to me.”
Hanging the robe on the hook behind the bathroom door, she stepped into the shower and into his arms.
“I need you,” he whispered against her neck. “I got hard on stage just looking at you and knowing you’d be here for me tonight. Dammit, Bree, you mess with my head,” he growled.
“I’m sorry.” Her eyes were wide with wonder. Who was this man? It was not her sweet lover. “I won’t come anymore—“
“Don’t say that!” His mouth crashed down over hers. Brianne opened readily for him. His tongue thrust against hers, then traced the contours of her mouth as his hands moved over her body, caressing and fondling, readying her for what soon was to come. Dragging his lips from hers, he slid them to her throat, forcing her head to tip back. “I’d have you with me every day, baby. It’s what I want so badly.”
“But if I distract you—“
“You freakin’ turn me inside-out, angel,” he mused as he skimmed his mouth over her shoulder. “You’re my madness, didn’t you know that? My sweet insanity.”
Brianne didn’t know if she liked being compared to a mental disorder, but his talented hands were everywhere, making her lose all coherent thought anyway! “You make me sound like a bad thing.”
“No, baby, girl. You are the best thing in my world.” Josh lifted his head to gazed down into her aroused, though troubled eyes. He was scaring her a little, he realized. He gave her a warm, loving smile. “Ignore my rambling, okay?”
“Which part? My being a mental illness or my being a good thing?”
“You are a good thing.” He laughed. “Ignore any part where you aren’t the only girl I love with all my crazy heart.” Despite the fact her had brought her in here to for the purpose of making love, he stepped back. His body was tired and achy and his hyped-up mind was going off in a million places. That meant he needed to reign himself in. He only had so much time with Brianne and he didn’t need to be upsetting and scaring the hell out of her!
“Josh?”
“I’m sorry, Bree.” He reached for the shampoo in order to have something else to occupy his hands. “I’m a tired, sweaty mass of testosterone and adrenaline,” he mumbled. “I’ve got no right to inflicted on anyone – especially you.”
“Did you think I’d never see this part of you? Isn’t that sort of unrealistic? When we get married, don’t you plan on me coming with you.”
He nodded. “But by then maybe I wouldn’t be so desperate for you all the time, because you’ll be with me.”
She gave him a gentle smile and removed the shampoo from his hand. “I’ll be your shampoo girl. Turn around.” Josh did as he was told and let Brianne lather his hair, massaging his scalp. It felt wonderful. “Okay. Rinse.”
Josh enjoyed the feel of the hot water pounding against his tired body. He should have taken his shower, then made love to Brianne. She certainly deserved better than she was getting from him tonight.
“Josh?” She hugged his back. “Don’t beat up on yourself, okay?”
“You can got get ready for bed, baby. I’ll be there in a few.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Baby girl, you don’t know—“ He bit off on a groan of pleasure as one small, soft hand reached around to caress his washboard stomach then ventured lower. “Damn, but that feels good, baby.”
“Still want me to go to bed alone?” Brianne urged him to face her. With his eyes on hers, she backed up against the wall. The very fact she held his gaze was invitation. “I got the cure for what ails you, Mister Chasez,” she told him seductively.
“I just bet you do, Miss Collins.”
“C’mere, lover.” Her arms were open to him. “Let’s be good to each other.”
Josh bent his head to meet her kiss as he lifted her against the wall. He pulled her legs around him as her arms encircled his neck. Moving his mouth to her sweet spot, he sucked hungrily.
“Don’t you dare give me a hickey, Chasez!” Brianne giggled, pulling back from his marauding mouth “How would I ever explain it?”
He then licked the place tenderly, soothing the flesh as he aroused her. Feeling her melt against him, he aligned their bodies until he could ease into her.
“Mmm, that’s nice,” she purred.
“Nice?” he questioned teasingly.
“Don’t fish for compliments, Josh,” she scolded with a grin. “You know what I mean.” She deliberately tightened around him.
“Damn!” he groaned with pleasure.
Brianne smoothed his wet hair back from his face, looking into his eyes. She saw the fatigue, the love, the desire – everything he was, at that moment, was there for her to see.
“You’re reading my soul,” he murmured, awed by the compassion and love he read in her eyes.
“I wish, I could take away all the bad stuff, baby.”
“You soothe me, Bree. Your loving me makes it all easier to take.”
“I’m glad.” She arched her back to drive him deeper, making him moan. “Let my body soothe yours now.”
“That does more than soothe.”
“Let’s love each other,” she whispered against his ear.
Josh began moving his hips. “Oh, yeah, baby.”
Josh had a warm, caring family. That hadn’t surprised Brianne. What had amazed her was how readily she was accepted as a fact of Josh’s life. She was still marveling over that fact, now she had time to think about it after their whirlwind of a day. They were finally climbing into bed that night. Poor Josh was physically exhausted from the show, but the adrenaline had left him wired and edgy.
“Would a massage help?” she asked as he slid into bed beside her.
“Baby, that would be fantastic.” Since he was naked, there were no clothes to hinder her as he rolled to his stomach. When she made to leave the bed, he grabbed her hand. “Where’re you going?”
“While you were busy buying me things that I never asked for, I bought a bottle of massage oil for this very occasion.” She retrieved the small bottle from the bathroom and returned to bed. Hiking up her gown, she straddled his waist.
“I like this already,” he teased.
“Behave.”
Pouring a small amount of the oil in her palm, she allowed her own body heat to warm it before trickling some along his spine. Smoothing the oil over his skin, she began kneading his tight muscles.
"I’ve said it before. Baby, you got great hands,” Josh purred sleepily.
Brianne said nothing, afraid any words from her would prevent him relaxing fully. As the muscles in his back, shoulders and arms loosened up, she felt his entire being let go. At last, Josh found slumber. As she reached over to switch off the bedside lamp, she carefully removed herself from his back and then lie beside him. She stroked his hair and he smiled in his sleep. “’Night, baby,” she whispered.
Josh woke hours later, Brianne’s back snuggled against him. He didn’t remember falling asleep, only the feel of her soft hands and the scent of fragrant oil. His baby was a wonder. Brianne had unexpectedly reached deep inside him, to his darkest place, and pulled him into the light. Shifting his body, he adjusted her to their usual spoon-fashion position.
“Mmm…Josh?” she murmured, more asleep than awake.
“Go back to sleep, angel.”
“Okay,” she sighed.’’
”’Night, baby.”
“G’night.”
Her soft, even breathing assured him she indeed had gone back to sleep.
“I love you, Bree,” he whispered into her hair. “When are you going to give it up and marry me?” Knowing there was no answer to be had that night, he followed her into slumber.