Part Seven
The four of them made their way to the moonlit beach as the sound of the waves crashed in the distance. The breeze was pretty strong, but it felt good and the sand was nice and cool. "Just sweep the light back and forth, Mar," JC instructed.
"Oh, there's one!" Justin said as he one crawl across the light. "Just a little one." Justin trotted over to it and quickly picked it up with his hand. "Got it!"
"Justin, it'll pinch you!" Ashley said.
"Just a baby one, I can hardly feel it." He dumped it into the bucket she was holding and Marron shined the light in the bucket so that they could see it.
"Aww, just a baby," Marron said. "We're going to let them go, right?"
"No, we're having crab filet," JC teased with a laugh.
"Shut up," she sneered as she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Letting them go is the fun part," Justin said. "Once we get like ten or so, we let them go at the same time and they all scatter."
"Hey, there's another one!" Marron said as he caught it in her light. "A little bigger."
"I'm all over this one," JC said as he ran after the crab. Since it was bigger he couldn't hold it in his hand for very long, so he quickly plopped it in the bucket.
"Did it get you?" Marron asked.
"Nah, not at all."
They spent the next ten minutes catching the crabs. JC and Justin basically did the hunting, while Mar and Ash just stood back and held the bucket and the light. "They are officially dorks," Ashley said as they stood and watched the two chase after a big sand crab.
"Yeah," Marron said with a laugh. "But they're still cute."
"Hey, let's let them go now," Justin said as he looked into the bucket.
"How many we got?" JC asked.
"Umm, looks like we got seven."
"Let's let em loose then."
"All right, Ash do the honors," Justin said as they spread out into the circle.
She laughed. "Okay," she said as she tilted the bucket down. "You're free!" She then shrieked when they started to scatter, and she dodged them left and right.
The guys were laughing as the girls yelped and at one point Marron jumped up on JC's back. JC grunted out a laugh as he held on to her. "It's okay, they don't bite."
"NO, they PINCH," she reminded him as he searched the sand for any more crabs. "They all gone?"
"I think it�s safe," JC laughed.
"Okay," she said as she slowly slid off his back.
"Well, now that I've experienced the thrill of crab hunting, I think I'm going to call it a night," Ashley said with a yawn.
"Okay, I'll walk you up," Justin said with a smile.
"Okay. You guys coming up?"
Marron shrugged. "I think I'll stay here for awhile, it's kind of nice out tonight." She looked at JC. "You're more than welcome to keep me company."
"Of course, it's not safe for you to be out here at night," he said as he put an arm around her.
"Okay, well see you guys later," Ashley said and then the two walked off.
JC watched the pair leave and smiled when Justin reached over to grab her hand. "Something's happening there."
"Yeah, he's good for her," Marron said with a smile and then sat down on the sand.
JC sat down next to her and let out a sigh as he looked up at the stars. "Man, that's beautiful."
Mar looked up as well. "You don't see that in the city, do you?"
"Sure don't," he said as he leaned back on his hands and stretched out his legs. "I'm going to be sad when I have to leave this place."
"Do you ever get sick of it?" Marron asked as she pulled up her knees and hugged them.
"At times, yes," he said as he looked at her. "But I wouldn't change anything about the life I lead. It's great to get away every once in a while, like this, but at times I miss singing and performing or being in the studio."
"I can tell you love your work."
JC smiled at her. "And I can tell you love yours."
"I do," she said as she smiled back at him. "Sometime next week you should come out with me."
"I'd love that," he said. God, he couldn't stop looking at her, she was breathtaking. He so badly wanted to kiss her. He has never felt this way about anyone in such a long time, but there was nothing he could do about it. She was taken. "Marron?"
Marron tore her eyes away from the ocean and looked over at him. "Yeah?" she whispered.
He reached up and touched a strand of hair that was dancing in the breeze. "Does Cevin know how lucky he is?"
Marron felt her heart begin to beat against her chest from the way he was looking at her. She knew that he was attracted to her and it was no secret that she was attracted to him. But she couldn't hurt Cevin that way. "I would like to think so," she finally answered.
JC simply nodded as he sat up, which allowed him to be closer to her. He wiped the sand away from his hands on his shorts, and lifted his knees and hugged them as well. He turned his head to look at her. "Because he is lucky, Mar," he finally said with a whisper. "Very lucky."
Marron sighed. "JC, I...."
"Do you love him?" he said before she could say anything.
Marron looked away from him to try to get her composure, she couldn't think when he looked at her that way. "Yes," she said finally. "Of course."
JC noticed the hesitation in her voice, but ignored it. "I'm glad you have someone, Mar. You're too good of a person to be alone."
Marron looked at him softly. "You're a good person too, JC." She reached up and gave him a comforting rub on his back. "You deserve someone that can make you happy."
"There is someone," he blurted out without thinking.
Marron felt a slight tinge of disappointment in his words, but at the same time he was happy for him. "Yes...Bobbie right?"
JC turned his head towards her. "No, Mar. Bobbie and I are just friends."
She looked at him in confusion. "But I thought...."
"You thought wrong," he said sharply and then looked down at his feet. "It's someone else."
Marron nodded. "Why aren't you with her?"
JC sighed as he made himself look at her. "She's already taken," he said softly and then watched her eyes register on what he meant. When she figured it out, she tore her eyes away from him and slowly removed the hand from his back and was now looking out at the sea. JC ran his fingers through his hair and then stood up and loomed over her. "Come on," he said as he held out his hand. "I'll walk you back."
Marron shook her head. "I'm not ready to go in."
JC dropped his hand to his side. "Okay then," he said as he stuffed his hands in his pocket. "I'll watch you from my balcony to make sure you get back safely." Marron's reply was just a simple nod as she kept her eyes trained on the sea. "Night Mar," he said finally and then walked back to the condo.
Ashley left her room fully dressed and ready for the Mexican Fiesta. She was excited about tonight, because she had a feeling that one of them was going to fold and it could very well be her. She didn't think she could take this crap anymore, she wanted Justin more than she ever now.
Ashley knocked on her sisters door. "Mar? You almost ready?"
"Um...almost," she said uneasily.
"That means no," she mumbled as she opened the door and sighed when she saw her sister still in her robe. Her hair and make up were done, but she was standing in front of the closet thinking on what to wear. "Mar, the guys will be here any minute."
"I know," she said with a sigh. "I'm just...confused on what to wear."
"Let me look," Ashley said as she strutted over on her high heel sandals she sported with her crimson red sundress. "No...No...No...No..." She sighed when she looked through all her clothes. "Okay, this is sad, you have nothing sexy in here."
"Who said I wanted sexy," Marron said.
"I did," she said and then grabbed her arm. "Come on your borrowing something from me."
"Oh, no...I don't think..."
"Shut it," she said as she dragged her sister to her room. "I want you to make Cyberboy squirm tonight."
Marron rolled her eyes. "Ash, what are you...."
"Here, wear this," she said as she held up one of her sexiest sundresses.
Marron eyed the sky colored dress and gave her a look. "They forgot to make the back of the dress."
Ashley rolled his eyes. "It's suppose to show off your back... try it on."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine, but I'm not wearing it."
"Yes you are. Put it on."
Marron quickly dropped her robe and then slipped on the dress and then zipped it up on the side of the dress. She stood back and looked at the mirror and frowned. "I don't know, Ash."
"It's perfect...you're wearing it... end of story."
Marron sighed. "Well, I guess it looks okay."
"Okay? You look hot, in fact I don't even recognize you." Ashley watched Marron bite her lip as she studied herself in the mirror. "Okay, what's wrong?"
Marron looked at her. "What? Nothing's wrong?"
"Yes, something's wrong, you've been a zombie all day, what gives?"
Marron looked down at the floor. Ever since last night happened, she couldn't get JC's words out of her mind. He wanted her. Plain and simple, he confessed everything he felt for her. Not so much in words, but more in the way he looked at her. She was so confused on how she felt, she didn't know what to do. "Ash... I don't know what to do about JC."
Ashley grinned. "So your finally realizing that your attracted to him."
"Oh, I know that....there's no denying that, but I'm confused on whether to act out on my attraction." She sighed and looked at her sister. "He pretty much told me last night how he felt."
Ash nodded. "And what did you do?"
"Nothing," Marron mumbled.
"I'm sorry what?" she asked in shock as she watched her sister sit on the bed. "JC Chasez confessed that he had feelings for you and you did NOTHING?? Um... can I ask why? Did you like hit your head or something that day and not thinking straight?"
"Ash, I'm serious."
"I AM TOO!"
"But Cevin..."
"Screw Cevin... Mar, you have never felt this way about that asshole, you know it... I know it and I think even JC knows it." Ashley sat down next to her sister and put a comforting hand on her back. "Just forget about everything else tonight and concentrate on your feelings for JC. It will work out."
Marron let out a shaky sigh. "Yeah... Yeah, your right... maybe I should just... go for it."
"Of COURSE I'm right and yes you should go for it," she said and then stood up. "Now come on they'll be here any minute." Right then the doorbell rang and Ashley gasped. "See, they're here." She pulled her sister on her feet. "Let's go have some fun."
"I'm nervous," JC said as he started to gnaw on his knuckle while they waited on the other side of the door.
"Don't worry," Justin said, knowing exactly why he was nervous. JC had told him what happened on the beach. "Stop chewing on your hand, you don't want to spoil your dinner."
JC sighed as he pulled his hand away. "I shouldn't have said anything, now it's going to be awkward between us."
"Don't let it be," Justin said as he wondered what was taking them so long. "Just act like it didn't happen. Try to think of her as a sister or something, I dunno."
"Hmm, I guess that could work... doubt it, but we'll..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the door flew open and he froze. "Or not," Justin mumbled to him before smiling at the girls. "Hey girls, ya'll look absolutely stunning....don't they JC?" When Justin didn't hear him say anything, he turned to see him in a trance as he stared at Marron. He quickly nudged him out of the trance and he stumbled sideways a bit.
"What?? Oh... yeah..." He looked at Marron again and swallowed hard. "Stunning."
Justin cleared his throat. "Um... so are ya'll ready to go?"
"Sure are," Ashley beamed as she stepped out of the room with Marron slowly following.
Justin leaned in closer to Ashley as they walked ahead of JC and Marron. "You really do look beautiful."
Ashley blushed slightly and shivered at the feel of his warm breath against her ear. "Thanks," she managed to say and didn't object when Justin grabbed her hand lightly.
JC and Marron were quiet as they trailed behind and the tension between them was awkward. JC cast a glance towards her and when she felt his eyes on him she looked over at him. He gave her a nervous smile and Marron did the same, before she looked away. " Um...you look really nice, Mar," he finally said.
Ashley smiled as she looked down. "Thanks," she managed to say. "Ashley made me wear this dress."
JC stopped a second to study her and smiled. "Remind me to thank her."
"You're welcome, stud," Ashley said from behind his shoulder.
JC and Marron just laughed softly as they made their way outside. The fiesta was already underway, with a live band busting out their Mexican tunes and a buffet that was already swarmed by a group of people. The pool was open to for people who wanted to swim as well, so a few kids were in the pool splashing and playing. A stage was built for the band and also room for dancing.
"See a table?" JC asked Justin over the music.
"I see a circular table kind over there," Ashley said as she pointed towards the empty table located on the other side of the pool.
"Well, then lets go," Justin said as he pulled at Ashley and made their way through the crowd. When they got there, both men pulled out chairs for the sisters and then sat next to them, which caused a boy, girl affect. A waiter came up quickly and they ordered their drinks and told them to feel free to go to the buffet whenever they pleased.
They were quiet as they waited on their drinks, Justin was leaning back in his chair with his arm draped around Ashley and was casually rubbing her bare shoulder. JC and Marron sat closely together, because they didn't have much of a choice, considering the table was just big enough to fit for. At times, one of them would actually bump feet under the table and they would do a quick apology as they tried not to blush.
'Damn, this is awkward,' JC thought as he started to tap his fingers on the table. 'Why didn't I keep my big mouth shut.' God, she looked beautiful and he meant what he said....he was going to give Ashley a big fat kiss for making her wear that dress. She didn't look like the cute, innocent Mar he knew and cared for, but instead she looked like a sexy and desirable woman. Not that she never was sexy or desirable, but there was just something different about her. As if a whole other side of her decided to come out and play.
"Hey, why don't Ash and I go ahead and get our food, and you guys stay and watch our seats."
"Okay, J... sounds good," JC said with a nod.
"Okay, be back in a bit...the lines long." He then grabbed Ashley's hand and left JC and Marron alone at the table.
Before they could even have an awkward moment, the waiter came with their drinks, but once he left the awkward silence began. JC stole a glance at Marron to see her leaning up in her chair while she casually swirled her straw in her margarita. 'Say something, idiot,' he told himself. He cleared his throat. "So, uh.... how was work this morning?"
She looked at him and smiled brightly. "It was good," she said and then took a sip. "Actually, I've had better days. I had to do a lot of hard labor, involving cleaning and stuff, which sucked." She shrugged. "But that's what they do with a rookie."
He laughed softly. "Well, at least you got it over with."
"Yeah, I pulled through."
JC smiled and then took a sip and let a few moments passed before he finally spoke up. "Mar look, about last night..."
"Don't JC, " Marron said as he shook her head. "I want to have fun tonight and..."
"I do, too," He said as he leaned closer to her. "That's why I want to talk about it, because things are awkward between us and they never are. We usually talk a mile a minute between us, but tonight we've barely spoken three words to each other."
Marron sighed. "I know, JC. I'm sorry, it's just that... you put me in a awkward place and..."
"I know, I KNOW," he said gently as he grabbed her hand that was resting on the table and squeezed it. "I'm sorry for that, Marron, I really am. I never meant for things to be awkward between us."
"I was just confused on what you had told me and I..."
"I know, and just forget I ever said them," he blurted out.
"What?" she asked slightly hurt.
"You obviously don't feel the same way and care for Cevin and so just forget what I said." He started to rub his thumb against her hand. "I want to go back to the way things were."
She looked down at her lap. "So you didn't mean the things you said."
"No, of course I did," he said in his defense as he leaned in his chair. "But... I mean I want you to forget it because you don't feel the..."
"Did I ever say that?"
JC paused and looked at her in confusion. "Well... no but I just assumed that...�
"Well, you assumed wrong," she said softly as she looked up at him.
JC looked into her eyes as if he was trying to read her thoughts. Her eyes were baring into his, telling him that she felt the same way. His eyes turned softly as he leaned closer to her. "Mar," he said huskily. "I..."
"We're back!" Justin informed as they placed their plates on the table. JC and Marron sprung apart and looked up at them. "You can go get yours now."
"Um... yeah okay," JC said as he got up and the let out his hand for Marron. "Shall we?"
Marron smiled as she slipped her hand in his. "We shall."
It took about ten minutes for JC and Marron to go through the line and get everything they want. By the time they made it back to the table, Ashley and Justin were halfway through their meal. The spent the hour talking about one another, trying to get to know where the Kennedy sisters came from.
"That must have been hard on you guys," JC said softly after they told them about the car accident they were killed in.
"It was," Ashley said. "Especially on me, I was a wreck." Ashley sighed as she dabbed her mouth with the napkin. "I was a pain in the ass to everyone around me." She grinned at Marron. "Especially my older sister."
Marron laughed softly. "I never held it against you though, Ash. I knew you were hurting."
She nodded. "I know. Thanks for dragging me on this trip, it's helped a lot." She glanced at Justin. "For many reasons."
Justin grinned at her and wiggled his eyebrows. "Come on, Princess... let's dance."
Ashley laughed as she got up as well. "Okay."
JC and Marron watched the couple trot to the stage and started to playfully do the tango to the upbeat tempo. "They're nuts," JC laughed.
"They're adorable," Marron said with a laugh.
JC turned to her and winked. "Wanna have at it?" he asked as he nodded his head to the dance floor.
She grinned. "Sure, if you can keep up."
"Ohh, cocky aren't we?" he laughed as he helped her out of the chair and led her to the dance floor.
As soon as they got to the dance floor the song ended and a slow song came on. JC and Marron looked around when couples were in each others arm swaying to the music. "Umm, so much for keeping up with me, huh?" he asked nervously.
She stepped closer to him. "Yeah."
JC swallowed hard. "We don't have to do..."
"I want to," she said as she held out her hands for him.
JC looked down at them and then smiled softly at her as he pulled her in his arms. He rested one hand against the small of her back and gently firmed his grip on her hand with his other. Marron let out a sigh as she let him pull her against his body and rested her free hand on her shoulder. He felt so good in being here next to her. She had never felt this comfortable or this at ease with a man before. She rested her lips on his shoulder as they began to sway to the music and when she breathed in his musky scent watched over him.
JC started to gently move his hand that was on her back and moved his hand higher until he met her soft warm skin. He felt her shiver at his touch and knew right then that they were meant to be together. Maybe not tomorrow or maybe not ever... but right now... this is where he belonged. In her arms. He leaned his head inwards so that the corner of his mouth rested with her top of her head and breathed in her scent. She smelled of the ocean, he thought as he moved his head down until his mouth was inches from her ear. "Mar," he groaned softly and felt her shudder again. "You smell so good," he whispered and then kissed the tiny spot below her ear.
Marron shut her eyes tight at the feel of his warm breath in his ear and she about died when his lips touched her skin. She knew that she was it, that there was no going back. She was going to betray Cevin and be with JC. At least for this trip, afterwards she didn't know. But she couldn't think of the future, she could only think of JC. Of him being there. Of him being in her arms.
She finally opened her eyes, planning on telling him what she was feeling. "JC?"
"Yes, baby?" he asked softly and kissed her neck.
"I..." She froze when she saw the figure walking through the crowd. She squeezed JC's hand and shoulder tight, causing JC to be alarmed and leaned back. "Oh my god," she whispered.
"Mar? Sweetheart, what's wrong?" he asked as she was in a daze staring at something behind his shoulder. He turned around to see what it was and his eyes fell on a man dressed in crisp light pink polo shirt, with starch white pants making his way through the crowd, while roaming his eyes for someone. Oh shit, he thought. "Mar? Is that..."
"Cevin," she said softly. "Cevin's here."
JC felt his heart drop when he watched the man walk through the crowd. "What's he doing here?" he asked.
Marron sighed. "I don't know." She looked up at him. "Go back to the table, I'll bring him there in a second."
JC continued to look at her sadly and then finally turned and left. Marron huffed out a breath as she lifted her head and shoulders and made her way to Cevin. His back was to her when she got to him, so she tapped him on the shoulder. "Cevin?"
The blonde haired man turned around and smiled down at her. "SWEETUMS!" he said cheerfully as he hugged her tightly.
Marron forced a smile as she hugged him. "Cevin, what are you doing here?"
He frowned. "I come down here to surprise you and that's all you have to say?"
"Well, I... I mean, I'm just shocked. It's good to see you, Cev. Um, how long will you be staying here?"
He leaned down and kissed her quickly. "Just for the night," he said with a wink. "I need to leave around noon tomorrow. So where's that sister of yours that I love so much."
Marron rolled her eyes. "She's dancing with Justin."
"Justin? Who's he?"
"Justin Timb... never mind, just a guy," she said and then dragged her through the crowd. "Come on, a friend of mine is waiting at our table."
"Okay, who is she?" he asked as they got there.
"He....he's a he," she explained and then smiled at JC when he stood up. "JC, this is Cevin. Cevin, JC."
Cevin eyed the tall man warily and managed to stick out his hand. "Pleasure."
"Nice to meet you," JC mumbled and squeezed his hand.
"Um... would you like a drink, Cevin?" Marron asked as she sat in her chair.
Cevin walked around so he could sit on the other side of her. "Yeah," he said to the waiter happened to walk by. "Double scotch."
Marron swallowed hard as she sense both men sitting between her. This was awkward. Very awkward.
"Um, I guess I'll let you guys talk or whatever," JC said as he got up.
"No, no, by all means. Stay," Cevin insisted. He wanted to see who this "friend" really was.
JC looked at him and then at Marron. When she smiled and nodded gently he slowly sat back down. "Okay."
"What do you do... JC, is it?" Cevin asked as he leaned back and put a protective arm around Marron.
JC noticed that she tensed up a bit when he touched her. "Um... I'm a singer."
Cevin eyed him. "I must say you do look familiar," he said and then his eyes widened. "Hey, you're in that group!" He turned to Marron. "The one that you like so much, sweetums."
�Sweetums?� JC thought with disgust. 'May I throw up now, please?'
"Um, yeah NSYNC," she said with a smile.
"Hey, that's pretty cool," Cevin said with his best fake smile. "So, you've been hanging out with my Mar?"
"Cevin," Marron sighed as she turned red.
"What? Just asked a question," he said and then pulled her to him. "Not a crime."
JC clinched his fist on his drink to keep himself from knocking the shit out of him. "Yes," he mumbled. "I have. She's a great person."
"Yes... she is," he said in a low monotone voice.
"Here's your drink," the waiter said.
"Thanks," he said and then took a sip. "Now, what have you been..."
"What the hell are you doing here?"
The three of them look up to see Ashley with Justin trailing behind him. She had daggers in her eyes and she slammed the table with her hands. "Ash," Marron sighed. "He just came to surprise me and..."
"I don't care," she sneered. "Do yourself a favor and leave, Cev."
"Ash," Justin said as he tried to calm her down.
"I'm not going anywhere," Cevin said he jumped up to his feet.
"Look you little pansy," Ashley said softly yet forcefully. "Get a clue. You�re not good enough for my sister."
"What do you know you little bitch?"
"Hey!" Justin said. "That's enough."
"Guys stop!" Marron said as she got up quickly, causing her to knock into Cevin's arm.
"Ahh!" he yelped when his drink spilt all over his polo shirt.
"Oh... gosh, Cevin, I'm so sorry," Marron started as she grabbed her napkin and started to wipe it.
"Damnit, Mar. Look what you did!�
"I'm sorry," Marron said as she felt herself start to cry.
"This shirt cost more than your life," he said angrily.
"Hey," JC said as he stood up. "She didn't mean to."
"Well, sorry, JC, but some people don't have the money like you do!" he shouted.
Marron was about to break down in tears. She didn't know who this person was, Cevin never acted like this. Or did he? Maybe he had always been like this, but she was too blind to see and now that she has gotten to know JC, that Cevin's true colors shone compared to him. She was so confused... she had to get away. "Excuse me," she cried as she pushed past JC.
"Mar," he said softly as he tried to stop her.
"No," she said forcefully and shook him off and then ran away into the crowd.
JC's heart went out to her when he watched her run off. He didn't even hear the commotion going on between Ashley and Cevin, all he cared about was Marron. JC looked at Justin to see him staring at him and then looked at Ashley and Cevin who were too busy yelling at each other to notice. He looked back at Justin, who nodded his head backwards, silently telling him to go after her. JC quickly nodded and then slid past him and ran through the crowd.
He knew where he would find her. She would be somewhere on the beach, the problem was, where? He kicked off his shoes and ran out onto the cold sand as the breeze blew slightly against his long hair. He stopped and decided to scan the surf, she couldn't have gone that far. His eyes roamed back and forth and he froze when he saw her. She was standing at the edge of the surf, her arms were crossed over her stomach and her long brown hair danced with the breeze. She looked beautiful, he thought as he walked a little closer to her.
He stopped in his tracks when she turned her head and spotted him. His eyes softened when he saw the tears streaming down her face. He so badly wanted to make her feel better. He hated to see her like this. He was so frustrated with his feelings he knew he was going to have a hard time controlling them now. She was hurt and confused and the last thing he should do is kiss her. But he didn't listen to himself.
She sniffed and wiped them away as he walked towards her. He was looking right into her eyes and they were filled with desire. She shook her head sadly. "JC, I..."
He reached up and cupped her face. "I know, baby," he said huskily and then captured her lips with his own. He pressed hard against her lips as he let out all his feelings he had kept bottled up inside him for days. He heard her a shocking moan escape the back of her throat and that only made him press further. His fingers dove into her hair as he opened his mouth slightly, telling her what he wanted.
Marron ran her hands up his crisp shirt and clutched his shoulders for balance as she leaned into the kiss. God, he felt wonderful, she thought as she slowly tilted her head to the side letting him know she was okay with it. A feeling that she never felt before ran through her at the first touch of his tongue invading her mouth. She felt his hands run down her bare back and she reached up on her tiptoes so she could deepen the kiss more.
"Mar," he breathed against her lips and then nipped at them again. "God..."
"JC," she cried as she sunk her fingers in his long hair and desperately tried to get closer to him.
He left her lips and ran fervent kisses down her neck. "Mar he's so wrong for you. You deserve so much better."
She closed her eyes and clutched his hair with her fists as she concentrated on the feel of his mouth and tongue on her skin. "I know," she finally said and the moaned when he captured her earlobe with his mouth. "JC, I..." He cut her off with his mouth claiming hers one more time. "I have... to go back..." she said between kisses.
"No," he whispered as he softened the kiss, giving her gentle kisses that matched the gentleness in his voice. "Don't go back to him.....stay with me."
"I want to, but... I need to talk to him."
"Tomorrow," he mumbled as he kissed her again and lingered. "Stay with me tonight. Make him sleep on his actions tonight... alone."
Marron knew she should talk with Cevin and end it right away. The sooner she got it over with the better, but she knew she couldn't deny JC's sweet kisses and soft words. "Okay," she finally whispered and then kissed her softly. "But where? I don't want to go back to the condo."
He smiled softly at her and then touched the tip of her nose with his finger. "I have just the place. I found it while I was on a walk the other day."
"Okay," she said with a smile, all of the sudden feeling completely happy. She slipped her hand in his and followed him down the surf and then made their way up to a swarm of palm trees. "Where are we going?"
"Shh, you'll see," he said as they made their way through the small path and then stopped short when they got there.
Marron smiled when she saw what was before her. There was a small opening and between two palm trees was a hammock that was big enough for two. There was no one else around, just them, the trees, and the distant sound of the waves. "This is perfect."
He kissed her hand and then led her to the woven hammock and carefully got in it. "Come on," he said as he helped her in the hammock and then pulled her against him when she was snuggled next to him. He then reached out with his foot and pushed against a tree so they could swing. "Comfortable?"
"Mmm," she mumbled as she snuggled up to his warmth, laying her head against his chest and lifting one of her legs over his. "Quite."
JC leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Night, baby."
�That little son of a bitch!" Ashley yelled as they stormed into Justin's condo.
Justin sighed as he calmly closed the door and studied her as she angrily paced the room. He let Ashley and Cevin bicker at first just to buy JC sometime, but when he finally tried to pull her away it wasn't as easy as he thought. The woman was as stubborn as damn mule. "Ash," he said calmly as he walked towards her. "Calm down."
"I can't believe him," she said as she spun toward him. "The nerve of him coming here and barging in on her like that."
"He was just trying to surprise her."
"Don't you dare take his side," she said as he poked him in the chest.
"Ow... Ash, I'm not taking his side," he said calmly as he placed his hands on his shoulders. "He called you a bitch and I had no respect for him after that." He rubbed his hands up and down her arms to soothe him. "But don't worry about anything, I think Mar got a good look of what he's really like tonight."
Ashley huffed out a breath. "I hope so." She then let out a frustrating groan and stomped her feet. "He just makes me so mad sometimes!"
Justin rolled his eyes when she started to pace the room again. So much for soothing, he thought as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and decided to listen to her vent.
"He's just so... so... ugh, ya know?"
Justin just nodded his head. "Yes, I know."
"And he's so superficial it makes me sick to my stomach. Why on earth did Marron ever waste her time with him?"
"Beats me," he said.
"She's an idiot, that's why," she said and then stopped and stared at him. "What are you doing?"
"I'm just letting you vent... that's what you want, isn't it?"
She looked at him and her eyes softened and then walked up and put her arms around him. "I'm sorry that he ruined our night."
"Hey," he said softly a little shocked at her action. He smoothed her hair with his gentle touch as she rested her cheek against her chest. "What's this? It's okay, the night isn't over yet, right?"
"Yeah," she said as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the way he felt in her arms. "Far from over."
He placed his lips against her hair and breathed in, taking in her scent. He didn't know how much longer he could handle this stupid game. He was an idiot for even starting it. "What do you suggest we do?" he murmured into her hair.
"I don't know. But I'm liking this."
He smiled. "Me too."
"Justin?" she asked after a moment of silence.
"Hmm?"
Ashley slowly leaned back and looked up at him. "I want this game to be over."
His heart skipped a beat. He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "So do I."
Ashley continued to look at him as she nervously licked her lips. Justin was staring down at her and occasionally his eyes would shift to her mouth. "At the count of three," he said softly.
"One..."
Justin tilted his head an inch closer.
"Two..."
Ashley pushed up against him so she could be an inch closer to her destination.
"Three," Justin whispered against her lips before finally claiming them in a soft capture.
Ashley's eyes closed as she felt his soft lips rubbing against her aching mouth. He was good at this, she realized and for now he was all hers to the taking. She circled his waists with her arms as she leaned into the kiss, telling him she wanted... needed more of his kiss.
Taking the hint, Justin cupped her face gently as he leaned back just long enough to tilt his head and deepen the kiss. Her mouth was intoxicating, he had never kissed someone with such passion and experienced such need for one another. He felt himself backing her up, with their lips still locked until he found the couch and they tumbled on it together. He felt her moan vibrate into his mouth when he let all his weight down on her. He hadn't forgotten how good she felt against him and after this he knew it was only going to get better.
Their lips caressed, their teeth nipped and their tongues collided all in a fury as their hands were everywhere. Her hands were roaming up and down his back as he started to kiss his way down her neck. "Justin?" she sighed as he nuzzled her softly.
"Hmm?" he said as he gently pushed his hips against hers as he started to play with her small earring with his mouth.
"Who won?"
Justin slowly tilted back so that he was peering down on her. He lifted a hand and playfully tapped the end of her nose. "We both won," he told her and then leaned and placed a winning kiss on her lips.