| "How the HELL do the guys put up with J?" Kelci growled to Rachel as Justin's voice boomed cockily through the mic he'd taken control of. "I have NO idea...and how about havin' Brit's career shoved down their throats?" "Does Josh do that with my career?" "No. So far your career hasn't affected them," Rachel stated as she swirled her ice water. "It did a little tonight and J looked livid." "Here you go, beautiful," JC said as he handed her her drink. "Sorry it took so long. Gotta schmooze, you know?' "It's fine, baby. What is this?" "Slow comfortable screw." "What?!" she scoffed and he laughed. "Southern comfort, vodka, and OJ. Try it. It's quite tasty." It was good, but she sipped it slowly as they chatted and he introduced her to most of the people who stopped to chat, most of them already knew who she was though. Finally someone wrestled the mic away from Justin and the music returned. As if by power of magic, Wade appeared at Kelci's side just as JC excused himself to speak to some record executive. "Let's dance, hot pants." "Wade...I can't. I'll embarrass Josh," Kelci shied away, but Wade wasn't having it. "Come out there with me and I'll show you a few things so that you'll relax then JC'll come out and dance with you. He's waiting for you to tell him you're comfortable." "You sure?" "Totally. Come on." Wade took her hand and led her down the stairs to the dance floor. She caught JC's eye and he winked at her with a sly, sexy grin. Brit's ‘I'm A Slave 4 You' blared around them and bodies ground into each other. "I can't do THAT," Kelci stated, but Wade couldn't hear her. He held her close, but not invasive of her territory. She was a quick learner and soon she found her own style. She made some comment about not looking like a ‘chicken with it's head cut off' and he roared with laughter as the song ended. "My turn?" JC asked as he came up behind her. "Yes, please." Alicia Keys' ‘A Woman's Worth' started and Kelci smiled up at JC. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her as close as possible, dipping his fingers inside the back of her vest. "You having fun, baby?" "Yes, handsome," she nodded and reached up to kiss him, but stopped. "Um...is it OK to smooch you here?" "Lil' ones...so I can control myself." They did share a sweet, quick kiss then Josh snuggled closer. She didn't realize she was doing it, but she spoke the lyrics as if Alicia had read her heart. With the heels of her boots, her face nuzzled his neck easily and he heard her. "I know what you're worth, baby, and I promise never to hurt you." "Will you draw my bubble bath?" she teased and he laughed, pulling her closer if that were possible. "Anytime." "Will you join me sometime?" "Absolutely. I love you." "I....I love you, too." "Good," he grinned and kissed her forehead. "Will you come to London?" "Yes. I plan to sleep the first two days after the tour in our bed in our house in LA, then I'm boarding the concord to come smother you." "Will you kiss my bruises?" she whispered into his neck and he nodded. "Could we run away to Paris, too?" "Of course. Anything you want, beautiful." Her sharing small things like her want to see Paris was something new between them and he loved it. She was less pessimistic about the length of their relationship and he loved her for it. "The next three weeks are gonna be Hell for you, baby. How can I help you?" Kelci asked as she stared into his eyes. "Come see me, bring those talented hands for my sore muscles and your loving arms so I can be held, and these kissable lips." "I think I can manage that, but I do have a Make A Wish appearance in Oakland and a photo shoot for Maxim." "Yummy! That issue will sizzle with you on it," he purred. "Whatever." "C," Rachel's voice spoke just before sobs consumed her. Kelci caught her just in time. "Lance is an ass." "What happened?" JC asked as he rubbed Rachel's back and she cried on Kelci's shoulder. It was too loud in the club and Rachel was so upset. Quickly JC signaled Randy and Lonnie and they summoned one of the cars. He led the women to the door, thankful the party was dying down. Rachel sobbed the entire ride and Kelci kept whispering that it would be all right. "I can't stay in his room," Rachel declared as they exited the elevator on their floor. "We have two beds. You can bunk with us," JC said as he swiped the key card. "It'll be OK, Rach," Kelci reassured. "No it won't." "Honey, what happened?" "I...I messed up," Rachel sobbed and crawled up one of the beds to lay on her side. "How did you mess up?" "I....I got...." her last word was lost in the pillow as Kelci slipped Rachel's shoes off then laid beside her. "You got what?" "Pregnant...I...we were so careful, C. It...it just happened...now he HATES me." "I'm sure he doesn't hate you." "C, he told me it wasn't his. That it couldn't be because we were so careful." "Honey, I know you were careful, but it just happens sometimes. Give him a little time to pull his head out of his ass," Kelci comforted as she hugged her best friend. "I told him that....and he called me a slut...and said I was trying to trap him...I don't want to trap him....I don't even want to see him." "Oh, Rach...you don't mean that. You're just upset." "Yes, I DO mean it. He's an ass!" "Yes, he is right now. Come on. Let's get you a shower and into bed. Tomorrow will be better." "I don't have my stuff," Rachel sniffled. "We'll get it," JC finally spoke. His voice was soft but steam was practically coming out his ears. "I'm sorry to intrude." "It's not an intrusion." JC echoed Kelci's reassurance, "You could NEVER be an intrusion...well...unless you barge in on our honeymoon." That got a giggle out of Rachel who said, "I'd smack your scrawny white ass." "That'd be an interesting memory. How about I go start you a nice, hot bubble bath?" "He's such an angel." "Ha! Devilish, challenging angel maybe," Kelci cracked, but winked at JC as he offered Rachel his hand. "Up you go, Momma. Forget Lance for now and let us spoil you a bit." "OK," Rachel said, anxious to forget the ache in her chest. ************ "She OK?" JC asked from his position on the left double bed in his lounge pants and wife beater. "Yeah. She'll be out in a few minutes." "I can't believe Lance." "He's just scared, I think," Kelci sighed and moved to sit beside him. "Wouldn't you be?" "Not if it was the woman I love and I know he loves her. She's the ONLY thing he talks about. He doesn't ever give other women the extra attention. I mean, sure he looks, but we all do." "Do you?" "I'm human, baby, but that nasty, animal lust isn't there...at least, not for anyone besides you," JC purred as he pulled her to his hard body. "You lust after me?" "So much." "How much? What would you do to me when in this lustful state you speak of?" she questioned innocently as he looked down into her face. "I would love you so fiercely that it would nearly tear you in two, but the pleasure that would coarse through your body would blow your mind." She swallowed hard and looked almost fearful before he continued. "It'll be OK and it's not scary. You've already had a taste of the pleasure." "I...I know...but it's this HUGE thing that I only know a lil' about. I almost feel....inadequate." "Baby, don't. I love that you're still an innocent. I will never rush you...ever. I want you to trust me...with everything you have...from the tip of your painted toes to the top of your head." "Josh..." "I want to be the one to see you blossom...feel you clench with deep passion and love...just before you fly apart with unbelievable amounts of pleasure...I wanna watch your face as you come down from the high...I want my face to be what your gorgeous green pools focus on while you catch your breath...I want to be the man you hold at night...my babies will grow here," he whispered as he caressed her stomach. "Josh..." "I love you, C, and I want to make you delirious with happiness until the day you leave me for Heaven." Both were silent for a long moment as they searched each other's eyes, then Kelci found her voice, "I had once heard that a person could make love with words...you, baby, are beyond the lyrical God I knew you were and I'm flattered you generously spread it so eagerly. I love you, Joshy." They shared a tender kiss, but cut it short when they heard Rachel open the bathroom door. She looked emotionally exhausted and Kelci hopped up quickly to hug her then tucked Rachel into bed. "Do you want me to lay with you?" "No," Rachel sniffed. "Are you OK about the baby?" "God, yes! I can't wait to meet him or her." "Thanks, C. You mean the world to me." "You are family," Kelci smiled and rubbed Rachel's still flat stomach. "Both of you." "Love you." "Love you, too." "JC...thank you for not kicking me out." "Never," he stated and came over to kiss her forehead then rubbed her tummy. "Night baby. Uncle JC loves you and your Momma." Rachel sniffed and JC wanted to snap Lance in half as Kelci spoke softly, "He'll come around...I know he will." "I hope so." "Don't worry about him tonight. You just rest," JC said with a fatherly tone. Rachel nodded, although she knew that was nearly impossible and snuggled under the covers. Kelci sighed softly then turned off the light as JC slipped under the covers. She tucked herself in beside him, but couldn't take her eyes off of Rachel. "It'll work out...I know it will," JC reassured as he spooned Kelci. "We'll get through it." "Yeah...Please don't let this come between you and him....at least not to the point that it jeopardizes the group. He'll come around." "Lance and I'll be fine." "I just wish I could fix it." "I know, me too. Try to get some rest, baby," JC whispered as he nuzzled his face into her curls. "I love you, Josh." "I love you, too." |