Chapter 13
Their warm bodies were still pressed against each other when Joey woke. He looked down at Melissa, the sun shining softly upon her hair as he remembered the previous night. He recalled vividly, the way that she felt, the way she responded to his kisses and caresses. Joey felt a sudden twinge of sadness as he realized his time with her would soon come to an end, but he pushed it away, kissing her forehead lightly. She stirred and moved her body, unconsciously grinding against him. He responded immediately, instinctively pushing his growing erection against her hungrily.
�Mmm,� she moaned with a smile. �Good morning you.�
�Morning, angel. You sleep well?� he asked against her neck as he moved his hips, slowly thrusting against her.
�Mhm,� she moaned as she swayed against him torturously.
�God woman,� he growled against her ear, �Do you see what you do to me?�
She shuddered as his hot breath teased her ear. �I think I have a pretty good idea,� she purred. She began to roll over to face him, but suddenly thought better of her decision. �Um, Joey, not to ruin the moment, but I�ll be right back.�
�Uuuh,� he whined as he attempted unsuccessfully to stop her from escaping. �Where ya goin?�
�Morning breath,� she giggled as he watched her flee. .
He smiled, shaking his head as he rose to follow her, pulling a sheet around his waist to conceal his growing need. When he walked into the bathroom, Melissa was brushing her teeth, shivering visibly. Joey almost laughed at her. �You cold darlin?� She nodded and he walked over to her, pulling her into his warm embrace as he wrapped the sheet around her. �This is even better than watching you,� he whispered as he pressed firmly against her.
Melissa moaned at the chills running through her that had nothing to do with the nippy air. She then looked at him mischievously before bending at the waist to rinse her mouth.
�Mmm, damn girl. You know that�s not playin fair,� he said huskily as he held tightly to her waist.
�Well,� she giggled maliciously as she moved away. �I�m SURE I can think of SOME way to make it up to you,� she whispered as she winked, moving away.
The bathroom door closed and all Joey could do was shake his head, smiling at her. Soon, he emerged from the bathroom, holding the black sheet draped over his shoulders. �Superman,� he sang at the top of his lungs, as he sailed through the air, leaping on the large bed.
�You shit!� Melissa shrieked in surprise, laughing as he closed in on her. �You and Superman again. And no corny jokes about �the Man of Steel� if you get me,� she teased.
Joey laughed briefly before pulling Melissa into his arms. �Who�s joking?� he said with an impish grin, causing Melissa to giggle.
He began slowly to kiss her softly, almost torturously as he touched and caressed her. She returned his soft, sensual affections, drinking in every sensation he created within her.
They again made love, but unhurriedly, exploring each other thoroughly. It was as if they were discovering some new, unfound joy, and they reveled in every moment, every touch. Eventually, they lay in each other�s arms, both wishing the world to stop, wanting only to remain there.
�Mmm,� Melissa sighed as she cuddled in Joey�s embrace. �Do we have to get up?�
�Nah, we can stay right here, babygirl,� he said, kissing her forehead protectively. With this, Joey�s stomach voiced its own opinion of the matter.
�It seems there may be a disagreement,� she teased poking him.
�Hey, I�m a growing boy! I need�replenishing.�
Melissa smiled as she became aware of her own hunger. �Yeah, I guess you�re right. Besides, it�s only a matter of time before the others come knocking on the door, so I suppose we should just face the inevitable.� She smiled as she kissed Joey�s lips lightly.
As Joey watched Melissa rise from the bed, he truly wished they could stay here all day long. She was just amazing, he thought as he watched her dress. She was sexy while remaining innocent, confident but unsure. He almost regretted that they had a show in San Antonio tonight. He hoped she would stay with him, though he hadn�t mentioned it to her. He knew she had school and a life she had to get back to. She couldn�t drop everything to go on the road with them. It just wasn�t logical.
�So,� Melissa said, bringing Joey back to the present. �Should we call the others?�
�Yeah, I guess we should. Of course, like you said, the whole bunch is probably waiting at the door as we speak.�
She nodded with a giggle as she dialed JC & Cassie�s room. �They�re all in JC�s room. Cass said they were just debating as to whether or not they should disturb us. They�ll be here in a few.�
Joey nodded as he smiled. �Hey Lyssa,� he said as she brushed her hair.
�Yeah?�
�Are you gonna go with us? I mean tonight, San Antonio. I know you have school and all, but��
The future, even the next two days was something Melissa hadn�t even allowed herself to think about. She had just assumed that she & Cassie would fly home today and the fairytale would end. She almost didn�t know how to respond. �Well, I don�t have any classes until Tuesday afternoon, so that�s no problem. But Joey, I mean, I don�t want to get in the way or be any trouble, or��
�No,� he interrupted. �I�d like for you to come. I mean if you want to.�
�Sure,� she responded attempting to contain her happiness, �That�d be great.�
�Good,� Joey said as he placed his hands on her face. �Good, I�d like that,� he affirmed before kissing Melissa softly.
She smiled against his lips as she heard a light knock on the door. �Right on time.�
Dre, Tiny, and Lonnie accompanied them to the small diner of the hotel where they all sat chatting as they waited for their food to arrive. A few fans, who were brave enough, asked for autographs or took pictures of them. Melissa was truly amazed at how much respect the fans seemed to have for them and how the men responded in turn. No one screamed or ran at them. Of course, the large protectors who escorted them probably helped the fans to remain calm, she thought with a giggle.
�Well,� JC said, looking at his watch. �We�d better get going. It�s after 9:00.� They all mumbled in agreement before finishing their meals and heading back to their rooms to obtain whatever luggage had not already been gathered.
As they waited for the bus in the large garage, Melissa called Brandi to let her know that she wouldn�t be home for a few days more.
�Oh my God,� Brandi shouted. �Where the hell are you? Were you abducted by aliens, or something? You never leave town. And why are you going to San Antonio? And how did you go to a concert? And who slept in my room? And��
�Brandi,� Melissa interrupted. �Breathe woman. Ok, it�s kinda a long story,� she said as she tried to think of a way to answer all of Brandi�s questions.
�Who ya talking to sexy?� Justin screamed into the phone, receiving a glare from Melissa as she swatted him away.
�Oooh, who was that?� Brandi questioned teasingly.
�Who ya talking to? Huh? Huh?� Justin continued
�Justin, if you don�t shut the hell up, I�m gonna beat your ass. It�s my sister. Now be quiet!�
�Ooohh, your sister. Is she cute?�
�Yes dearest, now hush.�
�Who is that Melissa?� Brandi asked again, a little peeved that she was being ignored.
�Good Lord. You two are just alike. It�s the freak that slept in your room,� she explained as she rolled her eyes at them.
�Ohhh, it�s your sister! The sister who wants me! Hey baby!� he continued, receiving a smack on the arm from Melissa.
�Um, Ok, Lyssa, who IS that?� she said her voice suddenly strange.
�Brandi, you probably wouldn�t believe me if I told you.
�Yeah, um Melissa? Who is it?�
�Bran, um, it�s really, it�s a long story, but um, it�s Justin Timberlake.�
The other end of the line was silent. �Ok,� Brandi finally responded. �You don�t have to tell me. I�ll see ya in a couple of days. Have fun and don�t worry. I�ll take care of the kids.�
Melissa simply shook her head as she laughed. �Ok, love you hun.�
�K, love you too. Talk to ya later,� Brandi said before disconnecting.
�Well,� Justin questioned. �What did she say?�
�She doesn�t believe me,� Melissa answered. �She�s gonna be kickin herself when she figures out I�m telling the truth.�
Justin laughed. �Priceless,� he howled as Melissa rolled her eyes.
�Too bad there aren�t any pictures of us at the club last night,� she laughed. That would REALLY give her something to think about.�
�Hell girl, don�t be surprised if there are. People are sneaky. In fact, I wouldn�t be too shocked if there aren�t already pictures of you all over the internet.�
Melissa laughed, thinking of Brandi running across a picture of she and Justin dancing against one another, or of she and Joey holding hands in the restaurant that morning. She continued giggling as Joey and Lance approached.
�What�s so funny, beautiful?� Joey asked as he pulled her into his arms. When she explained, he too laughed as he nuzzled against her neck.
�Well boys, if you�ll excuse me, I need to use the little girls room before we leave,� Melissa said as she kissed Joey softly before walking through the door, into the lobby.
�Ahhhh, how sweet,� Justin mocked playfully, ducking before Joey was able to swat him. �Nah, but really man, I think it�s great. You two are a cool couple. I mean hell, she MUST be something to make the Italian Stallion even think about settlin down.�
Joey looked back at Justin only momentarily before replying, �Ah man, it ain�t like that Justin. I mean she�s great, but this is�well�it�s, well it�s not like that man. It�s not like we�re getting married, or even dating.�
�Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, man. But I�m not blind. I see how you look at each other. I noticed that even with all of those groupies up in tha club last night, all you were interested in was her. You didn�t even really flirt with em, Joe. You got it bad, man.�
Lance said nothing. He knew Joey well enough to realize he wouldn�t, even couldn�t admit his feelings for Melissa.
Joey looked beyond his younger friend, never meeting his eyes. �Whatever, man. I know what it is, and so does she.�
�Whatever you say, man,� Justin said rolling his eyes as Melissa returned, bringing the smile back to Joey�s face.
�Hey, looks like we�re ready to go. You ready angel?� Melissa nodded grinning warmly. �Well, let�s load up.�
�God,� Justin whined, eyeing Cassie and JC, who were cuddling. �Do I HAVE to ride with them?�
�No Justin,� Melissa responded, embracing Joey. �You can ride with US, hun.�
�Uhm, Ya know, I�m not even sure HOW to take that, but, uhm, I uhm, think I�ll pass. Uhm, I, yeah,� he stammered as he climbed into his bus.
�Ok, but don�t say we didn�t offer,� Melissa said, giggling to his retreating back.
As they left Dallas, Joey sat, a bit quieter than normal, as Lance and Melissa talked, only occasionally interjecting. He mulled over Justin�s words and found more truth than he wanted to admit. God, why did he keep doing this? He knew he felt something for Melissa, but he knew it was impossible. What he felt wasn�t fear, because the thought of a future seemed natural. It was just the present he was nervous about. What he really felt, thought, was hopelessness. He knew he was attracted to her, and more, but her also knew they were undoubtedly in two different worlds.
�You alright Joey?� Melissa inquired, prompting a half-smile. He�d been so quiet since they left Dallas. She wondered what he was thinking.
�Yeah, I�m alright. Just a little tired after last night,� he said with a wink triggering a slight blush from Melissa and a low chuckle from Lance. �I was actually considering a nap. Wanna join me?�
�Well, I am kinda sleepy too. I guess I might as well,� she conceded, following Joey into the back of the bus.
�Gotta have the left side,� Joey said, brown eyes twinkling as he climbed in and then held the curtains open for Melissa.
She cuddled against his warm body and immediately felt the longing again to be closer to him. She knew he felt it too as he pushed against her extracting a slight moan. He began to kiss her neck slowly bringing chills through her whole body.
Though moments before, a million thoughts flooded his mind, he now had no choice but to listen to his body. He was defenseless against his feelings for her. As he pressed against her, she attempted to conceal a moan and he became even more excited. He nibbled lightly at the soft skin of her neck, licking her sensitive skin. He felt her tremble as he slowly ran his hands underneath her sweatshirt and chuckled huskily. �Damn babygirl. I want you so bad,� he whispered into her ear, his warm breath against her making her shiver in delight.
�Mmmm Joey, I want you.�
It was all she had to say. Quickly Joey pulled down her sweats and panties, and after testing her readiness, plunged deeply into her. �Oh my God,� she moaned brusquely as he pumped in and out of her wetness. With one hand, he mercilessly teased her center, making her groan in pleasure. The other traced the skin along the bottom of her bra before raising the material above her breasts and kneading them expertly. She attempted to keep her moans from being so loud as to draw attention from the front of the bus, but she wasn�t sure she could do it. She moved her hips in rhythm with Joey�s, as she grew closer to her release. Soon, she was lost to the sounds around her as she climaxed, screaming Joey�s name into the pillow. The sound of her release was too much for Joey and he followed.
After a few moments he began to softly kiss her neck. �Best bus trip I�ve ever been on,� he whispered in her ear, causing her to giggle. Within only a few short moments, he was asleep. Melissa eventually followed, wrapped in the arms of a man she knew she had no tomorrow with, holding on today for dear life.