Part Five
"What are you doing tonight?" Justin asked as they both vegged out on the couch.
"I'm heading over to Mar's," he said as his eyes never left the TV. "We're ordering in."
Justin's brows raised. "Wow, you two have been spending a lot of time together. And it's only the end of the second day here."
JC shrugged. "She's cool."
"Cool?" he asked and then let out a laugh. "She's more than cool, C. At least to you she is."
"I don't have the right to think of her any other way."
"Yeah, you do just as long as you don't act on them," he said and then shrugged. "But if I were you, I'd act on them."
JC glared at him. "Well, luckily you're not me."
"Come on, man, you know you want to."
"Of course I do, but that's not the point. She has a boyfriend and that's that. I'll be nothing more than her friend for the next two weeks."
"Okay," he said with a sigh. "Your loss."
"I wouldn't be talking, J. You and I both know you want Ashley just as much as I want Marron, but you're not doing crap about it."
He grinned. "And how would you know?"
He eyed him. "Just what happened in that room this morning?"
"Just the start of a friendly little game," he said and then stood up. "I'm going to go take a shower."
"You going out again?"
"Of course. I'm on vacation. Never know who I'll run into."
Ashley smoothed her short black dress one last time as she checked herself out in the mirror. She turned to the side to see if her strappy high heels went well with the dress. She nodded in satisfaction and fluffed her hair, before grabbing her purse and walking out the door. She heard laughter from the den and knew right then that JC was there.
She walked in to see them sitting on the couch, looking over the room service menu. JC spotted her first and he gave her a sly grin and whistled. "Lookin, hot Ash."
She smiled and twirled. "You think?"
"Oh yeah, nice figure, nice legs....you're good to go."
"Good, I needed a man's opinion," she said. "I'm gone, you kids have fun."
"We will and be careful with this guy, Ash," Marron said quietly.
"Don't worry, I will."
"Wait a minute, who? What guy?"
Ashley rolled her eyes. "Some guy I met in the workout room."
"Know anything about him?"
Ashley shrugged. "That he's a cute business man, that's about it."
"He could be a psychopath," JC pointed out.
She shrugged again. "Looked harmless, now I'm gonna go before I get another lecture, I already got one from Mar."
Before they could both say anything she was gone. JC looked at Marron to see her looking at the menu, but he could tell she wasn't paying attention to what she was reading. "You okay?"
She looked up at him. "What? Oh yeah, I'm fine....just a worrier that's all."
"You have a right to worry, she's your sister," he said and then left it at that. "So what looks good?"
"Hmm, how bout pizza?"
"Sounds good...with everything?"
"Of course....except anchovies," she said while she crunched up her nose.
"AND onions," he added and made the same face.
She laughed. "I can live with that."
He handed her the hotel phone. "You call, I'll go get the wine."
"Okay, thanks for bringing that."
"It�s the least I can do since your working your ass off ordering room service," he teased with a wink and smiled when she laughed. He loved hearing her laugh. He walked into the kitchen and pulled out two glasses of wine. He took advantage of Marron being too occupied on the phone to notice him watching her. He couldn't get her out of his mind and he was only making it worse by spending more and more time with her. He's only known her for 48 hours, yet he's come to care for her so quickly. As a friend, if anything else. If she truly loved this Cevin, than he was happy for her. And he hoped that Cevin realized what he had and cherished it. She was a great person.
He took the two wine filled glasses and finally went back to the den. "Here you go," he said after she hung up the phone.
"Thanks," she said as she smiled at him and took the glass. "It should be here in like 20 minutes."
"Sounds good," he said as he plopped down next to her. "Cheers."
She laughed lightly and clinked her glass with hers. "Cheers."
Justin walked into the hotel bar, planning on relaxing by the bar having a few drinks, while trying to forget about the events of early this morning. She was on his mind all day no matter what he did to try to stop thinking about her. He had a very productive day, which involved a good couple of hours of jet skiing. He figured the noise of the motor and the waves would be too loud for him to hear his thoughts about Ashley. It worked for awhile, but it didn't last long.
He had gone the whole day without seeing her though, and that made things a little easier. He figured he had a less of a chance running into her in the middle of the ocean than hanging around in the pool. He ran his hand over his buzz as he made his way to the uncrowded bar. He was about to sit up on the stool, but froze when he saw Ashley sitting at the end of the bar. "Son of a..." he trailed off and sighed as he watched her. She looked beautiful, he thought. Sexy was a better word for her.
He kept staring at her, waiting for her to see him. He only knew it was a matter of time before she could feel his eyes on her. Sure enough, her eyes flicked to his and scowled. He clenched his jaw as he glared right back at her.
"Sir, what would you like to drink?"
Justin turned away from Ashley long enough to order a bourbon and coke and then turned his attention back to Ashley. As soon as he did that, she turned away from him as she slowly began to swirl her drink with her straw. Her neck was exposed to him, when she turned and it only reminded him what it felt like to kiss her soft neck. It had took every single will power in his body to walk away from her, after he experience the feel of her against him and her sweet scent. God, she smelled incredible and he wanted to do more than kiss that slender neck. But she wanted a game and by God she was going to get one. And round two was about to start.
He picked up his drink, before making his way over to Ashley. She was still facing the other way, so she didn't know he was behind her. He slowly bent down until his mouth was next to her ear. "Hello, princess," he whispered.
Ashley jumped slightly as she closed her eyes and felt a shudder rush through her. "Go away," she managed to say.
"Not a chance," he said as he lifted up his hand and began to run his finger over her golden brown shoulder. "Got some sun today I see."
The feel of his finger brushing her skin felt like fire burning through her. But she managed to shrug it off and then turned to him, which only made the situation worse. Their faces were so close they could feel their breaths merging together. "Leave me alone, pretty boy."
"And leave a beautiful girl like you alone all night," he said softly. "No way."
"I'm not alone," she said as she kept her eyes on him. She was tempted to glance down at those lips she knew were only inches away.
Justin paused for a second, as a slight tinge of jealousy pulled at him. "Oh?" And where is the lucky man?"
"He'll be here soon and I'd rather you be far away when he finally does get here."
"I'll keep you company until he gets here," he said as he pulled away from him to sit down at the bar next to her. "Sir, another drink for the lady. Right away," he said and then winked at Ashley.
She rolled her eyes. "Timberlake, you're trying my patience."
He shrugged. "You decided to play a game here and I'm only following your lead."
"Game, huh?"
"Uh huh. A game to see which one folds first."
"Folds?"
He sighed. "Come on, Ash, its not a mystery that we're attracted to each other."
"You think I'm attracted to YOU?" Justin just gave her a dull look and she sighed. "Okay, MAYBE I have a weakness for the blue eyes. What girl wouldn't?"
He grinned. "Well, then there ya go...."
"Nothing is going to happen, pretty boy," she said as she took a sip of her new drink.
"Oh, I don't know about that, I just know that I won't be the one that starts it."
She arched a brow. "I believe you started it this morning..."
"And you melted at my touch," he reminded her as he leaned toward her slowly. "If you had forgotten that."
She tried. She tried all freaking day to forget the feel of his lips on her neck, but couldn't. "Then you left like an ass."
He grinned. "All part of the game."
"Well," she said as she pulled out the cheery from her glass and scooted off the seat and then held up the cherry to him. "Let the games begin."
He grinned up at her and started to open his mouth, but pulled back when she quickly pulled the red cherry away and plopped it in her mouth. She winked at him. "My date's here....catch ya around, Timberlake."
"Damn," he mumbled as he swerved around in his stool and watched her stroll through the bar. He saw a couple of older men standing in a crowd and one of them smiled at her and gave her a hug. His face hardened as he started to fight with the green eyed monster. Those guys didn't look very trusting and the fact that there were five of them and only one of her made him even more nervous. He quickly downed the rest of the drink and slammed it on the bar. "Charge it to my room," he said to the bartender and then quickly followed the guys out of the bar.
Justin had followed them into a large club and that only made him more nervous. More people around, the easier it is to get away with something. The guy she had hugged at the hotel bar had his hands all over her and he wasn't even drunk yet. Or was he? He had no idea where this guy has been or what he had done. He didn't know why he was doing this, a part of him told him to forget her and find a long legged woman to help forget his problems. But he couldn't do that. He wouldn't go far as to admitting he had feelings for her, but she was Marron's sister. And JC cared for her and so that's what mattered.
He chose a seat at the bar where he could keep an eye on her. They had a corner booth that was off to the right of him. They guys were older. Much older and he had a bad feeling about them. He ordered a beer, but took it slow. He didn't want to get drunk enough to not know what he was doing. They ordered a round of drinks and Ash and the main guy took a shot together. He kept nursing his beer as he watched them, wishing he was that guy. Wishing that was his hand that was rubbing on her thigh, not his.
He watched them get up and trot over to the dance floor, and that only made him more unnerving. His hands were all over her, but she seemed like she didn't care, however she wasn't the type of person that let men maul her like that. Her eyes were droopy and she was barely able to stand up. 'That's funny,' he thought as he bit his lip. She only had a few shots and a drink, she shouldn't be this drunk yet.
Just then two of the guys came up on the other side of him. Justin's back was to them, but he kept his ears open. "We're gonna have some fun tonight," one of the guys slurred.
"Good thing she has a low tolerance...Steve said he'd share right?"
"Of course. Steve isn't a stingy man and she doesn't have a low tolerance, he slipped in a drug."
"Oh, I see. She'll be out cold. That dress looks hot. Damn, I can't wait to...."
Justin didn't hear the rest of the sentence, because he flew off the stool and made his way to through the crowd. He pushed his way through the crowd, not caring who he ran into. When he got to Ashley, he lightly grabbed her arm and pulled her away from Steve. Since Ashley was incoherent, she stumbled into his chest.
"Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Steve asked angrily as he tried to grab Ashley.
"Back off," he said angrily and shoved him back.
"Justin??" Ashley asked and then scowled. "What are you doing, let me go?"
"Not a chance, princess." He just held on tighter. "You drugged her!"
Steve's eyes widened. "I...uh...I did not."
"Fuck off, I heard your idiotic friends at the bar."
"You drugged me?" Ashley slurred as her head began to spin.
"Don't listen to him, baby," Steve cooed as he tried again for the second time, but Justin was too quick and pushed him away. "Dammit, she came with me!"
"And she's leaving with me."
He let out a harsh laugh. "You forget, I have four other guys backing me up."
"Oh, I'm really scared. Well maybe the alcohol has fried your brain because I'm Justin Timberlake and I have more money than you can think of and I can sue your ass along with the rest of your crew."
Steve's eyes widened. He knew who Justin Timberlake was, hell, he had a younger sister. He also knew that if he messed with him he had the power to do almost anything he wished. "Fine, take the hoe for all I care."
Ashley was passed out at this point and had her head on his shoulder. Justin wanted to kick Steve's ass and make him apologize to her, but since she was out cold it wouldn't do much good. "It's okay, princess," he said softly as he pushed back her hair. "I'm gonna take you back." He then carefully cradled her like a baby and maneuvered his way through the crowd and headed back to the condo.
JC jumped slightly in his sleep when the sound of drums echoed through his head. He lifted his head from the couch and looked around, forgetting where he was. The TV was still going and Marron was started to move on the other couch. The pounding got louder and JC turned his head to the sound and noticed that someone was banging on the door. �Oh shoot,� he said as he got up on his feet. �Mar, someone�s at the door.�
�What?� she asked tiredly as she sat up.
�The door,� he repeated as he ran his fingers through his unruly hair and shuffled his way to the vibrating door. �Okay, okay, hang on.� He looked through the peep whole and his eyes widened. �Holy shit, it�s Justin�.he�s got Ash.�
�What?!� Marron exclaimed as she ran to the door JC was opening. �Oh my god,� she breathed.
Justin carried her in. �She�s okay,� he assured her.
�What happened?� JC asked as he shut the door.
�The jerk drugged her�which one?� he asked referring to the bedrooms.
�The master,� she mumbled as they followed him in the room. �How�d this happen?�
Justin gently laid her on the bed, pushed her hair back softly and then turned to Marron. �I�ll tell you, but right now change her. She�s gonna feel like crap tomorrow.�
She nodded. �Okay. I�ll do that. You guys go in the den and wait for me. I want to hear what happened.�
�Okay,� Justin said and then walked out of the room.
JC patted his back. �You okay?� he asked as they walked down the hallway.
He nodded. �Never been so scared in my life though.�
�I�m glad you were there.�
JC sat on the couch while Justin continued to pace the room. JC wanted to tell him to sit down, but he knew it would be a waste of time. He was a wreck. A few minutes later, Marron came out and the look on her face ripped through his heart. She walked right up to Justin and threw her arms around his. Justin smiled sadly and then carefully pulled her in for a hug.
�Thank you,� she said softly as she started to cry. �Thank you for being there.�
�You�re welcome.�
Marron sniffed as she pulled away. �Here, sit down,� she said as she lead him to the couch and then sat down next to JC. �Tell me.�
Justin sighed. �Well, I saw her at the bar here and we talked, well, mostly tormented, but that�s not important.� He waved a hand. �Anyway, I saw the guys that were taking her out and I don�t know for some reason I didn�t trust them. The fact that they�re were five of them and one of her scared the crap out of me.�
�How did you know they drugged her?� JC asked.
�I was sitting by the bar at the club and over heard some of the guys talking about it.�
Marron shook her head in disbelief. �I�m so thankful that you were there. Thanks SO much for watching out for her.�
�It�s no problem,� he said. �She won�t remember anything probably, so fill her in. I don�t care what you say, but just make sure she understands that Steve is trouble.�
�Don�t worry I will.�
Justin nodded and then stood. �Well, I�m going to go walk on the beach for a bit, then head off to bed.�
JC stood up, as well as Marron. �Okay, man see you in the morning.�
Justin nodded and then hugged Marron one last time, before quietly walking outside. When he left, JC turned to Marron to see that she was still shaking. �Oh, baby,� he said softly as he pulled her trembling body against hers. �It�s okay. She�s fine.�
�I�I know,� she breathed as she buried her face in his chest. �I�I�m just so grateful�she was so lucky and��
�Yes, she was.� He started to stroke her hair with his fingers. �And hopefully, this will teach her a lesson too. Learn from her mistakes.�
�I hope so too.� She then leaned back and looked up at him. �Thank you, JC.�
His heart turned at the sight of her and his breath started to quicken. The safe thing to do was just back away. It wasn�t what he wanted to do, but he knew he had to. He smiled at her, kissed her on her forehead and stepped back. �Get some sleep, Mar. I�ll see you in the morning.�
Her body still tingled from his touch and she could still feel the warm imprint of how he felt against her. She shouldn�t have these strong of feelings for JC, when she had a boyfriend at home, but it was uncontrollable. Maybe Ashley was right. Maybe she should just forget about everything else and go for it. She didn�t know what she was going to do, but she knew she was seriously going to think about it. She didn�t know how much more of this she could take and tomorrow was just the third day. �You too,� she finally said. �Night, JC.�
�Night, Mar,� he said and slid out her balcony door.