“Good morning, Miss Abbie,” Lance said as he tossed his bag in the trunk then climbed in beside her.

“Good morning, Mr. Bass.” Abbie smiled. “How are you?”

“Ready to get back to work.”

Abbie eyed his laptop. “Do you ever leave it behind?”

JC answered for him, “Scoop? Never. He’s everywhere.”

“You go shopping, C? I noticed another bag…”

“It’s Abbie’s.”

“Abbie’s?”

Abbie impulsively grabbed Lance’s hand. “I’m coming, too,” she announced happily.

“What?” Lance sought JC’s eyes, but he wouldn’t look at him.

“I wanted to come along. Josh got permission from the others – and since you and I are friends, it’ll be wonderful.”

Lance’s smile was tight and strained. “Wonderful.”

Abbie gazed at JC. It was then Lance noticed she wore a mock turtleneck, sleeveless shirt. He’d only seen her in pretty dresses…A hint of purple peaked out.

“Dammit, JC!” Lance hissed as he took Abbie’s chin in one hand and tugged at the high collar with the other. “Baby, I’m sorry…” He even saw the slight impression of teeth. “Did you use the fucking vacuum hose? That musta hurt.”

“I…uh…not too bad.” Abbie blushed.

“I got a little carried away,” JC muttered. “Abbie forgave me.” He smiled at the woman in Lance’s grip. “Didn’t you, sweetness?”

“I wouldn’t’ve,” Lance grumbled.

“Stop. Please. You’re embarrassing me. It happened. It’s done. It can’t be undone. It’s finished.” Abbie pulled her chin from Lance and adjusted her collar.

The rest of the ride to the airport was silent.

Once at the airport, Lance got JC aside.

“Dammit, C!” Lance growled. “I like Abbie, but tour is our time. You and me.”

“I have to.”

“Why do you have to?” Lance demanded.

“I promised.”

“You promised me, too, JC. She is your LA poke. On tour you’re mine. Leave her in LA. I grant you, she’s too nice for the likes of you. You treat her like crap; you take advantage of her sweetness. She needs some nice guy –“

“I am a nice guy!” JC protested.

“Are you? Have you told her she’s not your only lover? That she shares you with me? She is way too innocent for the likes of us.” Lance continued. “You yell at her at the airport, making her cry. You ignore her and go into your precious studio while she entertains your guest. You get drunk and grope her in public and – “

”I gave her a hickey,” JC offered another of his crimes.

“Christ, JC! You need to leave this girl alone!”

“No,” JC stated firmly. “Abbie is in my life. Deal with it.”

“Maybe I’ll just tell her –“

Fire blazed in JC’s eyes. “You tell her anything – and I’ll promise to make you the sorriest man alive,” he threatened.

Stalemate. Neither was going to give.

Before Abbie was presented to the rest of *NSYNC and the entourage, she slipped into a bathroom and applied make up over JC’s love mark. She worked with enough make up artists she was fairly adept. She was only sorry she hadn’t done it before they met Lance, but everything happened so fast. Once JC had determined she could go, she had to pack and make arrangements to be gone for several days.

“Abbie?” JC rapped on the door. “You okay, sweetness?”

Bravely, she opened the door and plastered on a bright smile to cover her anxiety. “I’m wonderful.”

JC answered her smile. “That you are.”

“We’re getting ready to move out. I guess you’ll have to meet people as they come along.”

“Fine.”

Taking her hand, he led her to a silver blue bus. “I know you know the guys by name and sight…”

“An introduction is helpful to break the ice.”

“Guys.” JC approached Lance and three other men. “This is Abbie. Abbie, Chris, Justin, Joey. Lance you’ve met.”

“Nice to meet you all. I hope I won’t be too much of a pest,” Abbie said.

“If they can’t handle you, you can ride with us,” Joey told her.

“Us?” she questioned.

“Lance, Joey, and Joey’s brother Steve share a bus. C, Justin and I share a bus,” Chris told her.

“Oh.”

Lance met her uncertain gaze. “That means if you wanna ride with me, you aren’t with JC.”

“Jeeze, who’s girl is she?” Justin taunted.

JC touched her cheek tenderly. “She’s mine.”

“But Lance is my friend,” Abbie added.

“Time to load up!” Tony yelled.

JC took Abbie’s hand and let her to the bus he rode.

“Bye Lance!” she called softly. He gave her a smiling wave.

“Better watch Scoop, C,” Justin muttered. “He’s liable to steal your girl.”

Steal her? No, JC thought, but he could cause her to leave him. That was the bigger worry. “The like each other and they have things in common.”

“Such as?”

JC knew how to derail the conversation. “Sweet tea.”

“Sweet tea? I’m in love with her already!” Justin chuckled.

“Sorry, Justin,” Abbie squeezed JC’s hand. “I’ll make you sweet tea, but I already have my guy.”

While the men caught up with the news and plans, Abbie poked around the bus. She found the bathroom. The kitchen was plentifully stocked, but she decided it had to accommodate varied tastes since a strange mix of food was available. She could tell which sleeping area was JC’s. It was tidy. There was a keyboard, a laptop, and plenty of games. There was an assortment of DVDs, a player and a television.

“Wanna watch a movie?” JC whispered in her ear as his hands slid around her waist.

Abbie allowed herself to lean into him. “Not particularly.”

“What do you want to do then?” His mouth caressed her neck. “We got video games, we got walkmans, we got everything.”

”Probably not everything,” she mused.

“Tell me what you want that’s not here. We’ll get it at the next venue.”

“I don’t need to be entertained, Josh. I brought a book and some magazines…”

“Then we’ll stretch out together.”

“Josh?”

“What, Abs?”

“Don’t you need to…I don’t know…confer with Chris and Justin?”

“No.” He lay down on the bunk and held out his arms to her. “C’mere.”

Moving onto the bed, she went to him, laying her hand over his heart. “Mmm…this is nice.”

“Yeah…” One hand dropped to her back where he massaged the tense muscles in a soothing, circular motion.

“Where are you during my time of the month?” she mused. “That feels heavenly.”

“I like making you feel good.” He nuzzled her fragrant hair. “Abbie?”

“Mmm?…”

“You really aren’t mad, are you?”

“Mad? Whatever would I be mad about?”

He stroked a finger down her throat.

“What purpose would that serve? No, I am not mad. I would prefer it didn’t happen again, but at the time we were both pretty much carried away.”

“Thank you, baby.”

Abbie shifted so she was holding JC. “You need to rest up.” She stroked his hair as he nestled his face against her neck.

“I love you, Abbie,” he sighed happily.

His even breathing announced he had fallen asleep quickly. Abbie was now pinned beneath him with nothing to do but look at the ceiling. Her tote bag was at the end of the bed.

Justin stopped by the open door and grinned. “Never have to worry about hanky-panky with C,” he chuckled. “He prefers sleep.”

Abbie merely smiled.

“Whoa!”

“What?”

“You were makin’ out with a vacuum hose or did JC do that to your neck?”

Abbie’s hand went to her throat.

The young blonde’s eyes gleamed with devilry. “Man…”

“Please, don’t say anything Justin. He feels bad enough.”

“Ah, Abbie…” Justin whined.

“Please?”

“Yeah…yeah okay.”

“Thank you. I’ll make tea later.”

“He doesn’t deserve a sweet bit like you.”

“Why do people keep saying that?”

“I’ve known C a long time, longer than anybody.” Justin shook his head. “He’s got his demons.”

“Don’t we all?”

“But JC…” he broke off with a sigh. She wouldn’t listen. “I’ll talk to you later – when JC let’s you up.”

“I’d like that.”

With that Justin moved away from the door.

“Mmm…” JC started to climb up from slumber. Abbie’s soft, warm body against his was a wonderful way to greet consciousness.

“Good afternoon, sleep-head,” Abbie teased.

“Hey, baby.” He opened his eyes and gave her a drowsy smile.

She smoothed his hair. “Good nap?”

“Fantastic. I had the best pillow.” He caressed her breasts, feeling her nipples peak at his touch. “Abbie?” He wanted to make love, burying himself in her slick, wet heat.

“You’ll have to close the door and be very quiet.”

Rolling to his feet, JC closed the compartment’s door and stripped off his shirt before lying back down. Bringing Abbie against him, he relished the feel of her hands exploring his chest and abdomen. “You got the sweetest touch.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

Wrapping a hand around the back of her neck, he urged her head closer for a hungry, lingering kiss. He waited patiently until she readily opened for him before his tongue swept inside to search and taste her thoroughly.

Abbie moaned as he took total control of her. His big hands found the zipper of her skirt – the zipper surrendered easily. He slipped his hands beneath the waistband of the skirt and her panties, curving his fingers around the soft globes he found there.

“You have the sweetest ass, too,” he murmured into her ear, licking and nibbling at it as he teased the crease of her bottom with his fingers. What would it be like to love her there? Would she ever consider it? Well, it wouldn’t be today. That would definitely be a noisy mating!

“Why is it that you find everything about me sweet?” Abbie asked.

“Because you must be made with honey,” he teased. Then in all seriousness, he looked into her dark eyes. “Sweet, soft, warm – those are the words that come to mind when I think of you. Your skin, your touch, your taste – even the way you are. You are my sweet, soft, warm Abbie and I thank God for the day you came into my life.”

“Darling…” she whispered before she took his kiss, exploring his mouth as he had hers.

JC took control of the kiss as he came above her. With her cooperation, he removed her skirt and panties. He briefly lifted his mouth from hers to rid her of her shirt and bra. “My pants,” he commanded before his mouth claimed hers again.

She unfastened his pants to stroke his rock hard bulge. She caught his groan, letting it vibrate down her own throat. Maneuvering the tight pants down his hips, she freed his hungry manhood and led it to his reward.

With one swift thrust, he was buried deep within her giving body. He rocked into her feeling her whimpers of delight on his tongue and her soft hands move all over his body.

“JC woke up,” Justin announced to Chris as he came into the lounge area.

“How do you know?”

“His door’s closed, the bunk is creakin’ like mad, and I hear little sounds. Abbie musta gagged him.”

Chris smiled and shook his head. “Don’t say anything to Abbie. She looks like the kind of girl who’d die from embarrassment.”

Justin had caught a look at another Abbie – strong and protective. He’d be willing to bet she’d do just about anything for JC and their love. “Naugh, I won’t say anything.”

“Lance!”

Lance found himself catching Abbie up and swinging her around. “Somebody miss me?” He gave a low laugh as he set the girl to her feet once more.

“Yes.” She pouted. “How come you didn’t tell me you were on a different bus? I thought we’d all be together.”

He flicked a finger at her nose. “This was sprung on me. I didn’t have time to tell you anything.”

“Are you mad at me?”

Never with her. Lance knew Abbie would always be blameless when it came to hurting him. She wasn’t built that way. “No, baby, I’m not.”

“Good!” Abbie smiled brightly at her friend.

“Am I gonna have to put a leash on you?” JC’s taunt came from behind. I stopped to talk to Tim and poof you vanish.” He was grinning down at her.

Lance put an arm around her shoulders. “If she isn’t with you, she’ll be with me,” he assured JC.

“But she’s supposed to be with me.” The blue-eyed lover took Abbie’s hand and pulled her to him. “But Lance is right, if you aren’t with me, stay with him.”

“Okay,” Abbie agreed. She was out of her element on tour so she wasn’t particularly adventurous. “What now?”

“We’ll go to our rooms for awhile. We’ll have a meeting, go to sound check then get ready for tonight.”

“What’ll I do?”

“Go to our room and rest up. You’ll go to sound check with us. We’ll come back here after the performance then sleep a couple hours before we hit the road again.”

“Sounds exhausting for you – for both of you.”

As JC turned Abbie towards their room, Lance fell in beside her, his arm around her waist. Secretly, he slipped a hand beneath JC’s shirt. JC met jade eyes over Abbie’s head and nodded.

Once Abbie had settled in JC announced he’d be back in awhile. He settled her in the big bed and kissed her softly.

“Try to get some rest; it’ll be a long, tiring day for you before it’s done.”

“I’ll try.”

He stroked her cheek lovingly. “Rest, pretty baby.”

Closing her eyes, Abbie snuggled into the pillow.

JC went into the hall and went down the hall two doors and knocked quietly. The door opened and a moment later, he was in Lance’s arms, their mouths hungry on each other’s.

“I like Abbie, but don’t you ever pull this stunt again,” Lance growled as JC backed him towards the bed.

“Chill, pretty boy. You’ll get yours,” JC purred as he pulled his lover’s shirt off.

“C-“

“Shut up, Lance. I’m trying to get into your pants.”

“It was wonderful!” Abbie cheered when the guys came off stage that night.

“Glad you liked it.” Justin grinned as he wiped his face off with a towel.

She didn’t protest when a hot, sweaty JC pulled her to him, his sweat soaking into her clothes. He said nothing just wanting to hold her.

“You’re sweating on her, C,” Joey stated.

“You don’t mind, do you baby?” JC asked.

“No.”

He rubbed his face in her hair, burying his senses in her fragrance.

“Let’s load up,” Lance called.

Abbie touched his hand, “You can really shake your money maker, Mr. Bass – and I could listen to your voice all night.”

“I think C would have a problem with that,” Lance replied.

“How did such an innocent face end up with a voice made for sin?” she teased.

Lance laughed and pulled her from JC. “Ride with me back to the hotel.”

“Hey!” JC protested as Abbie was pulled along in Lance’s wake. “You forgot she’s my girl?”

Abbie took JC’s hand. “Even if he does, I won’t,” she reminded him softly. “It’s all right. We’ll race to the shower when we get there.”

Soothed, JC let her go.

“Like I asked, whose girl is she?” Joey muttered as Lance pulled Abbie to the seat next to him.

“Mine. Right, Abbie?” He teased gently.

“You like to tweak JC is more like it,” Joey stated.

“Me?” Lance asked innocently, grinning.

Had the other bus taken the scenic route? JC paced in front of his room for what seemed like forever. In actuality, it had been five minutes. He loved Lance. He was thrilled the other man liked Abbie, but JC was afraid of what would come out when he couldn’t be there to do damage control…

The elevator doors down the hall opened. Lance and Abbie stepped out, chatting away. Joey and security followed them.

“Abbie,” JC murmured.

The soft call must have been enough for her to hear him, because she looked up and smiled that sunshine smile of hers. She reached up, gave Lance a kiss, then came running at JC. Giggling, she launched herself at him.

JC staggered back, bumping the wall as he caught her up in his arms. “Hey, baby!” he laughed.

She lowered her mouth to his in a sultry kiss. He drank from her, letting her fill him with her love and desire. They were lost to the rest of the world.

“I’d say rent a room, but you already have one,” Lance muttered as he came to his door. “I suggest you use it.”

Without a word, JC secured Abbie against him then let them in their door. Letting it close behind them, he lowered Abbie to their bed, never releasing her. “I want more…” he whispered before he took her lips in a slow, hungry mating.

Abbie gasped for air when he finally raised his head. “Shower…We were gonna run to the shower…”

His grin was wicked. “That has another set of possibilities.”

“I wish you could stay.” JC told Abbie as she waited for her taxi. She had given him four precious, wonderful days of love and attention, now she had to head home.

“I have a job, Josh…” The very real sadness in his eyes made her ache for him. “I love you, darling.”

“Sweetness…oh hell!” JC wrapped his arms around her tightly and pressed her close to imprint her on his body.

“Taxi’s here,” Lance announced.

Abbie nodded helplessly, tears glittering in her eyes.

“C, you gotta let her go now,” Lance told him. Even he could feel the pain in JC. “C’mon, buddy,” he urged gently.

JC slackened his grip. Abbie’s soft, sweet kiss was nearly his undoing.

“Take care of him, Lance.” Abbie brushed a kiss across her friend’s lips.

“I will,” he assured her as he put an arm around his blue-eyed lover to comfort him.

“Bye,” she murmured softly and headed for the elevator. Before the doors closed between them, she gave them a little finger wiggle wave.

Lance turned JC towards his room “We got time. Let me hold you awhile,” he said to his dejected lover. He was just beginning to realize how much Abbie was meaning to JC – and himself.