| Kelci rolled over and answered her ringing cell phone. "Hello?" "So, what's this I hear that I need to kick your ass," Rachel laughed. "Girl, its....5 a.m. Are you crazy?" "It's after 7 here and besides you need to get up soon enough. Tell me what's been going on." "Well, dinner with JC was nice and he's fun to hang out with. Last night I took him to the carnival and we acted like kids." "I still can't believe you agreed to see him after he acted like such an ass, but, OK, so what's the problem?" "He kissed me," Kelci said softly. "How was it?" "Amazing. Made my pulse race and I couldn't get enough of him." "Doesn't sound like a problem to me. What else happened?" "He told me I am a beautiful person inside and out, which is total B.S. because later he said I have an incredible body." "Still no problem from what I hear," Rachel stated between sips of her coffee. "Most men DO find you attractive." "So then he thanked me for the evening, I said my pleasure, and he proceeded to say that if I went inside his house, there'd be even more pleasure for me." "He did NOT!" "Yes, he did." "What did you do? Say?" her best friend had her attention now. "I freaked out and dove into the car." "KELCI!" "What?! Like I've ever let any guy in like this. What should I have done? Gone inside then looked like an idiot because I'm inadequate?" "C, you are NOT inadequate." "But...how do I know if..." "Just explain it to him." "Right?! So he can laugh at me. I think NOT!" "So then what are you gonna do?" Rachel pushed. "Get through Wednesday then never see him again." "C, you can't. That's not fair to him OR you. OK, so don't tell him everything, but do tell him you wanna go slow. What's wrong with that?" "I....I don't know," Kelci sighed. "I'll chew on it a little longer and decide before tomorrow night, if I haven't scared him away already. Are you still comin' to NYC?" "As long as I don't have to fly by myself. Think JC will mind?" "I haven't invited him to Friday's premiere." "Well, then you'd better FIND time to call him today and ask him. He's a mega star and could have plans he needs to cancel. OOH! You'd better make sure to book a double room so you and JC can snuggle," Rachel teased. "Ha. Funny. Besides we already have the double suite with two bedrooms and Rock's room connects so you and I can share." "No, no. You and JC will share." "Rach." "C....Look, I have to head to class, but I'll see you at the airport on Thursday. You take it easy today and have fun tomorrow night. I'll be watchin' ET and Access Hollywood to see my best friend slash movie star." "OK. Love and hugs to you, girl." "You, too. Bye." "Bye." Kelci shook her head at her friend as she climbed out of bed and trudged her way to the bathroom. **************** The elevator bell dinged, indicating her floor, and Kelci pushed herself away from the wall with a loud groan. Her body ached from the long day and she couldn't wait for a long bath. She yawned then slowly opened her eyes as she dug her key card out. Her tired eyes focused on a figure sitting by her door with a baseball cap covering most of his face. For a brief second, she wished she'd taken Rock's offer to escort her upstairs and started to turn around to go get security. "C?" "Josh? God, you scared me. I didn't recognize you. What are you doing here?" she asked, her heart beating a mile a minute. "I'm sorry. I just didn't like how we left things last night and I missed seeing you today. I hope I'm not being too forward. I just want to talk," he blurted out as he stood, desperately hoping she wouldn't send him away. "Come inside." She unlocked the door and flipped on the light before dropping her key and bag on the bed. He followed her and wanted to take her in his arms, but didn't. She pulled her heels off and sat in one of the chairs at the small table. He filled the other chair as he took in her small frame dressed uncomfortably in dress clothes. He watched as she removed the hidden bobby pins and allowed her hair to cascade down past her shoulders in beautiful layers. She sighed almost inaudibly before her emerald eyes locked deep into his cobalt blue ones and spoke, "I have very little relationship experience and I freaked a little.' "Oh....Really?" "Yes. I...well, I build walls, or so I'm told, and they are hard to penetrate. I...I don't have anyone in my life with the exception of Rock and Rachel that I let my guard down with." "What about your family?" he asked and leaned forward on his elbows, curiosity overflowing him. "Well...to make a long story short...my parents were high school sweethearts that fell for someone their parents hated. So at 16, they ran away because my mom was pregnant with me. We were poor, but happy until they were killed in a car accident when I was 17. I've never known my grandparents and Rachel's folks took me in for our Senior year." "Wow!" "Then I went to college for a couple of years on their insurance money, like they stated in their will, but really loved acting. You know, getting to live someone else's life." "So you didn't date much?" "Not really. I mean, sure I went out, but I just...set limits. My parents didn't want my life to be as hard as their's had been and I respect that, you know?" "Yeah," he nodded and there was a long pause before he spoke again, "I won't pressure you, I swear. I...I just enjoy being with you." "And I enjoy being with you, too," she smiled then couldn't hold in her yawn. "Sorry." "Don't be." "That stretch class is killing me right now and I'm hungry, too. Too much socializing to eat, you know?" "Yeah," he laughed. "Why don't you get in the shower and I'll order a pizza then I'll give you a massage so you can relax, OK?" "Mmm...sounds perfect...as long as I can get a smooch first." He grinned as he stood to meet her and ran his hands up the back of her neck into her hair. Her hands held his hips and he nudged her nose with his, their anticipation growing a little more. She puckered her lips then pouted the lower one playfully. He leaned down and sucked it between his full lips. They kissed slowly and she stepped closer as her hands moved to caress his strong back. She reconnected her lips before his tongue could as for admittance and she smiled. "I won't be long." "OK," he smiled softly as she entered the bathroom. Twenty minutes later, she emerged from the little room and steam filtered out too. She was dressed in thin lounge pants and a thin strapped tank top. She had debated on putting her bra back on, but opted to leave her ample chest unleashed since her shoulders ached. "Good timing. Pizza just arrived." "Very cool." They ate as they watched TV, both comfortable on the large King-sized hotel bed. She was full after three pieces and sipped her Orange Crush as ‘Save the Last Dance' played. He ate until he was full then looked over at her sleepy face. "You want that massage?" he whispered. "Honestly....I want a snuggle buddy and a rain-check on that massage. Will you stay?" "Certainly. Just lemme use the rest room. Be right back." She pulled a pair of men's sweat pants that she's purchased for sleeping in out of a shopping bag near the closet and offered them to JC when he returned. "Um...I usually just sleep in my boxers...unless that's uncomfortable for you." "No, not at all. However you are comfortable. Please shut off the light on your way to bed." He smiled at her grogginess and turned of the light before stripping down then slipped under the covers. He collected her in his arms and she rested her head on his chest, her arm slung over his stomach. She wiggled until she was comfortable with one leg between his and searched for his hand until she laced her fingers with his. "Night, snuggle buddy," she giggled and he stroked her damp hair. "Night. Sweet dreams." |