Chapter Two
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A month later, Celine and Rene had finally made their decision.

Celine decided to start with the party that Rene had mentioned.  As she drove into the Wright Compound, she noticed how beautiful and quiet it was.  It was no doubt a haven for the five young men who spent time there.  She saw some of the guys tossing a football in the yard and headed in that direction after stepping out of her Jaguar.  She was dressed in blue jeans, a white button down men's shirt and sneakers.  Her hair was loose, golden brown, and worn long down her back.  She was stunning.  The sun was shining hotly as she looked around for the one she'd chosen and found him standing not too far away.

Celine gazed hard at the tallest of the guys as she walked toward him.  He was the main attraction of the day, dressed in blue jeans and a red muscle shirt, his blond wispy curls fluttering in the warm wind.  He turned to her finally and leveled his gaze on her.

"Celine?" he said loudly with an adorable tinge of wonderment.  He threw the ball up in the air and caught it again as he was sauntering over to where she was standing.  He carried himself with just the right amount of seductive movement that had caught her eye when she first met him a year ago.  That being said, he was even more handsome than ever.  And all of 19 years old.

"What brings you here, Celine?" he was saying.  All she could do was smile at him.

He gave her a small hug and blinding her with his famous grin, said, "It's been a long time!"

She told him about her party and asked if he and his band mates, who'd finally joined them, wanted to come.  They all seemed thrilled to join her so she grabbed Justin's hand and said, "Great.  See you then and be sure to bring friends and/or dates, ok?"  They all nodded at her, including Justin, squinting against the sun that was highlighting his hair and tanning his body.  They all chatted for awhile, just catching up on each other's lives since their last meeting.  Celine knew Rene would like Justin.  She knew she did.

* * * * * *

The party went off without a hitch.  All the guys came, JC and Chris bringing dates.  Joey, Justin and Lance had come solo, which didn't seem to affect their ability to attract women, single or not, to them like honey.  Rene met Justin and immediately took a liking to the young man.  Not only was he handsome, he was a gentleman, but not above flirting with all the women at the party.  He seemed to have a genuine, strong personality.  Rene watched him interact with Celine.  He was attentive to her and wasn't afraid to look directly and boldly into her eyes, but at times, he'd give her shy, furtive glances when she wasn't looking.  Rene knew when men found his wife attractive.  Justin was giving all the signs but didn't overstep any boundaries.

After the party was over, Celine asked him what he thought of Justin.  Rene replied, "He's got a crush on you.  You know that?"

He smiled at her as she looked shocked.  "He does not!  He's just charming," she said.  "Do you like him?" she asked Rene, looking hopefully into his eyes.  She needed to make sure of Rene's feelings before proceeding.

"Yes, I do.  I can see why you like him so much, darling.  He's got that 'naughty boy' pout down pat, don't you think?" Rene said, grinning.

Celine blushed and said, "I thought you might like him.  He's a rarity in this day and age, that's for sure.  I haven't met many real gentlemen, especially in his age group."

Rene nodded, "He has a girlfriend, though.  Might that be a problem?"

Celine knew that Justin was going out with Britney Spears, but that, at the moment, things weren't progressing due to their busy careers.  They saw each other now and then, but they didn't even live in the same city.  "I don't think that will be a problem, sweetie," she said as she hugged Rene.  "Should I proceed?  Feel him out about things?" she asked.  Rene gave her the go ahead and she began to make plans.  This was going to be tricky.

* * * * * *

It was a week later when, as Rene was about to go out of town on business, Celine decided it would be a good time to talk to Justin.  She called *NSYNC's manager, Johnny Wright, hoping she could get Justin's phone number without raising any red flags.  The party had been a success so a phone call from Celine wouldn't be that out of the ordinary.  Johnny was very gracious, saying he was a fan of hers, and he didn't mind giving her Justin's number.

At around 9:30 am the next morning, she called the number.  She was almost ready to hang up when she heard Justin's voice say, "Hello."  He had a voice like honey with a soft Tennessee accent.

"Hi Justin, this is Celine.  How are you?" she said, quickly recovering from a daydream, brought on by the sound of his voice.

"Hi Celine!  Great party the other night, by the way," he replied.

"Thank you, Justin.  It was a huge success and the weather was perfect, wasn't it?" she said, making small talk.

She paused as he said, "Uh huh, it was a lot of fun."

She continued, "I'm calling because I need to see you about a collaboration I'd like to do.  Could you stop by my house tonight?"  She knew he must be wondering why she wanted to meet with him alone.

"Sure, what time?" he replied.

"How about dinner at 6 PM?" she said.

"Ok, want me to bring anything?  Like, maybe, some of the other guys?" he asked, finding it strange that she wanted to talk to him alone.

"No, just you.  That's fine.  We'll discuss it first, ok?  See you then," and she hung up quickly before he could question her anymore.

* * * * * *

At a little before 6:00 that night, Celine heard a car pull into the driveway.  She glanced out the window and gasped low in her throat at what she was seeing.  She eyed him head to toe as he climbed out of his Mercedes and walked up the sidewalk in black leather pants, a white long sleeve t-shirt and black boots.  His curly hair was a mess, his sunglasses were tinted blue and his shirt sleeves were pushed up to reveal his strong tanned forearms.  The t-shirt was just tight enough to accentuate his form, which she was now openly admiring. He had a couple days stubble growth on his chin and his shirt said ROCK STAR in black jagged letters.  He looked delicious; a much more grown up version of the teenager she'd met a year ago.  She liked what she saw and wondered how receptive he'd be to her plan.  Before he could knock, she pulled the door open and surprised him.  She hadn't remembered those lips of his and she watched mesmerized as they curled into a smile.  "Hey Justin.  Wow, you didn't have to dress up for me!" she said, smiling.

He looked her over and said, "Well, I've got a date thing after this.  You look gorgeous, Celine."

She had on a pair of black jeans and a lavender sleeveless t-shirt.  "A date thing?  What is that?"  she said and motioned him inside.  "Thank you, by the way."

He waved dismissively as he walked in and said, "It's a charity auction thing we did.  The guys and I were each 'auctioned off' and the winner gets a date, or whatever."  He handed her a bottle of wine and smiled, "I didn't want to show up empty handed."

She motioned for him to go into her living room, and then followed him in.  She couldn't help but notice how the leather pants clung to him in all the right places.  She was eyeing his broad shoulders and the curls on his neck, when he turned around to look at her.  He took off his sunglasses; his eyes were smoky blue, like pools of deep water and his lips were full and erotic.  'DAMN!' she thought. She had no idea how she could have forgotten how dangerous he was.  He caught her checking him out and said softly, "Do you like it?" with a twinkle in his eyes.  Celine blushed.  She couldn't believe he'd caught her sizing him up.

"Uh, yeah....um, so who won you and what was the price?" she asked trying to change the subject.

He sat down on the sofa.  "Some girl with a rich daddy, I think.  I wasn't there for the actual auction but the news crews from some of the Orlando TV and radio stations were there covering it.  Johnny went as our representative.  He said the winning bid was like $20,000 or something exorbitant like that.  I have to spend at least 2 hours with her.  That makes my fee $10,000 an hour.  Thank you very much!" Justin said, giving a cheesy smile and the peace sign.  Celine laughed at him and then excused herself to go get some wine glasses and a corkscrew.

"Justin, could you open the wine?" she asked and handed him the utensil.  He worked at it for a few moments and finally popped the cork without spilling a drop.  She was impressed.

She held the glasses out so Justin could pour the wine.  "You know, you're contributing to the delinquency of a minor, don't you?" he said with a smirk, his eyes roaming over her face.  She handed him his glass and he clinked her glass with his.  He drank some of his wine and licked his lips.  She just watched, as if he was in slow motion.  'God,' she thought.

"What's this about, Celine?  You look kind of anxious about something," he said, focusing on her.

Celine decided, after a moment of silence, to just be honest and say it.  "Well, Justin, I'm sure this is going to embarrass both of us, but I've found that the things worth having, are the ones you fight for."

She took a deep breath and stood up.  He was following her with that intense gaze of his.  "Justin, I...well...my husband and I have been trying to have a baby for a long time with no success.  We recently were told that he will never be able to father children again.  I desperately want to have a baby.  That's where you come in."

Justin was still looking at her with a blank look on his face.  He shook his head.  "I don't know what you mean," he said.

"Justin, because I'm well known, and I want this to be as private as possible, I want to get pregnant on my own with only a few other people involved; my husband, myself, a couple lawyers and the biological father."

She waited to see if the picture crystallized for him at all.  He was still looking at her, frowning, "I'm not following," he said.

Celine scanned his face, where innocence and raw sex appeal co-existed side by side.  "Justin, I'm asking you to be my baby's biological father," she said as she sank down on to the couch beside him, watching carefully for a reaction, and taking a big gulp of wine.

What happened next was a surprise to her.  He burst out laughing.  It wasn't a fake or nervous laugh but a full out belly laugh.  He buried his face in his hands and continued to giggle.

"I'm not joking, Justin," she said quietly. 'Maybe he isn't as mature as I thought.'

He stood up and looked at her while running his hand over his face and blushing.  "I'm sorry.  It hit me as really funny.  I'm 19 and I feel like I'm being put out to stud!"  he said.  He started laughing again and walking around the room.  Celine couldn't help but laugh too.  His laughter was infectious.  Once he got control, he sat down again, looking at her while grinning.  "Uh, why me?" he said, snickering again, before shaking his head.  She noticed how pink his cheeks had become.

"Why not?" she challenged him.  "Blushing!  You are so funny!"

She put her hand on his cheek, trying to calm him.  He immediately grabbed her hand, holding it between both of his and looked at her seriously.  "I don't know where to begin to know what to say here.  What?  Artificial insemination?" he asked, grimacing a little at the thought.  He just looked at her with his mouth hanging open.

"No, I want to do this privately," she reiterated.  She could tell he still wasn't getting it.  She just looked at him, not wanting to have to spell it out for him.

In that instant, light dawned in Justin's mind and his eyes got as big as fifty cent pieces, "You don't mean...!!!?" he said, as he gawked at her.

She nodded her head.  He was so adorable sitting there looking at her with his mouth hanging open and his eyes wide.  The silence was deafening.

"This has got to be the strangest day of my life!" he said as he buried his face in his hands again.  He sat like that for a few moments and then looked at her again out of the corner of his eye.  He swallowed hard.  "You mean RIGHT NOW?" he said with the last two words an octave higher.

With that, she couldn't help it and burst out laughing herself.  This was not going as she had planned at all!  "Oh, God, no.  I wouldn't do that!  I want you to think hard about this.  I know it's a huge thing to ask.  I've given this a lot of thought too.  You have to know, though, that there would be a contract, Justin, that would have you give up parental rights, if I do get pregnant.  This child would me mine and Rene's."

He was nodding his head and biting his bottom lip like a little boy, but his eyes were totally serious now as he contemplated the gravity of this decision.  He cleared his throat and cocked his head a little.  "What does Rene have to say about this?" he said, looking at her strangely.

Celine grinned mischievously, threw her arm around Justin's shoulders and squeezed him, saying, "It was his idea."

Justin looked at her hard, shocked again, and whispered, "You mean your husband picked me for you to have sex with?"

She let go of him and said, "No, honey, I picked you."

As she ran her fingers through the curls around his ear, she watched him as he instinctively closed his eyes.  She had never spent much time alone with Justin as they had always been surrounded by the rest of the *NSYNC guys.  She could see now how that had probably been for the best.  Justin seemed to be affecting Celine in much the same way that he affected most women of any age.  It wasn't just his looks, though that in itself was almost overwhelming.  He just had a way about him that was totally disarming.  His voice was soft and his mannerisms, unpretentious.  In spite of this, he still managed to exude confidence.  Had she not had the go-ahead from her husband, she would not have even thought about indulging in this kind of contact.  But at the same time, she was surprised that the simple feel of touching him made her want more.  As she came out of her thoughts, she found Justin's blue eyes gazing at her face in awe.

"I'm totally flattered but why, out of all the men in the world, did you pick me?  It's not like we've even looked at each other that way before, Celine.  I sang a few songs with you.  That's it!  You barely know me," he said giving her a little smile that made her slightly uncomfortable.  She could feel herself slipping into a dangerous place.  He was just sitting there, but her hormones had kicked in and she wanted more.

Celine said, "I know.  Do you really want to know my clinical process of elimination?  Ok, I looked at a few different things in making this decision.  I wanted someone young.  I wanted someone who understood the privacy issues involved.  I wanted someone that wouldn't flake out when I asked him.  Since we were committed to doing it this way, Rene wanted someone I was comfortable with and attracted to.  He doesn't want it to be too difficult because he knows I love him with all my heart.  You're smart, talented, and stable, though I wondered about that one when you were giggling hysterically a few minutes ago!  And to top it all, you are gentle and kind.  What more could a girl want?" she said and before she could stop herself, she kissed him on the cheek, and surprised herself again by whispering, "Not to mention you look really good in those leather pants!"  She didn't know where her newfound boldness was coming from.

That pulled Justin out of his thoughts and he laughed.  He turned to look at her, which he did with eyes that looked deep into her soul.  He leaned forward, so close, that their lips were almost touching.  She could feel his breath and she found herself looking forward to feeling his lips on hers.  'What are you doing?' she thought.

After what seemed like an eternity, he tore his eyes from her lips, smiled and said, "What's for dinner?  I'm starving."  He knew how to tease, that was for sure.

She stuttered, "Uh...well, I never thought you'd ask.  Come on," and grabbed his hand to lead him to the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, she surprised herself yet again when a deliciously evil thought popped into her head.  She wanted to test the waters.  She took the initiative and used her body to back him up against the kitchen counter with one of her arms resting on each side of him.  He was looking at her as she pressed her body up against his and stared into his questioning eyes.  He frowned a little bit, but gave her a little smile.  She murmured, her mouth just centimeters from his, "Do you think you want to give it a try, Justin?"  She lightly licked her lips with her tongue before leaving a soft kiss on his lips.

It was so soft and feathery that Justin moaned as Celine sucked on his bottom lip and slowly pulled away.  He had closed his eyes but when he opened them, the blue of his eyes had changed to a darker hue and he gazed over her face.  He exhaled slowly.  He didn't move except for his eyes as he looked at her.  She could tell he was fighting a battle behind those eyes.  He was looking at her lips again and then he seemed to be holding his breath.  Finally, he groaned and closed his eyes again.  "Celine, that was unfair.  God!  How can I make an important decision when you're kissing me like that!?" he said in a low voice.

She smiled, "I'm sorry, Justin. It was just a little test to see if we have what it takes."  She stepped back and laughed softly.  "And from your reaction, I think we definitely do."  She grabbed his right hand in hers and said, with an evil smile on her face, "I'm really not trying to make this decision harder.  I just went with the feeling.  Those leather pants you are wearing should be illegal, Justin."

They spent the next hour eating the meal Celine had prepared and talking about themselves.  She was intrigued at the paradox that was Justin.  Man and boy, both competing to inhabit the same gorgeous body.  At one moment, he'd speak in a voice, low and soft, that pulled Celine to him as a man.  A few moments later, he'd be giggling or enthusiastically telling a story with his eyes twinkling.  She asked him what it was like being so scrutinized and idolized.  He told her what it was like to have every moment of his day seen as public domain.  Celine watched his beautiful face, wondering how he dealt with all this, being so young.  She had only seen glimpses of a sexy, wild side and she could also see an innocence that was just under the surface.  It was a heady mixture that she found totally appealing.

Around 7:30, he glanced at his watch and smiled at Celine, saying, "Wow!  Where did the time go?"  He got up from the sofa, and took their wine glasses to the table.

"I'm glad you agreed to meet with me.  Let me give you my phone number so you can reach me if you need to."  She handed him her number written on a piece of paper.

He looked at her like he was going to say something.  "What Justin?" Celine said as she walked up and put her hand on his forearm.  He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the cheek.  She could feel his whiskers as he lingered and she could smell the light musky aroma of his cologne.

"I'll be in touch," he said softly as he pulled away.  She watched him walk to the Mercedes and get in.  He waved and drove away, as Celine found herself looking forward to his answer.

* * * * * *

As he drove to meet his bodyguard for the evening, Justin's head was spinning with possibilities.  Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think he'd be asked to do something like this.  He knew this was something he'd need to decide on his own.  Talking to the guys about this wouldn't work.  They'd be totally against it.  He definitely couldn't tell Britney.  'God, she'd flip,' he thought.  He had always found Celine attractive.  While he was filming her TV special the year before, things had been so crazy that he didn't really have time to think about how cool he thought she was, but seeing her again at her party, he felt the chemistry between them.  It wasn't openly sexual but had strong undercurrents.  He felt guilty for a brief moment, but that passed when he thought about his girlfriend being 3000 miles away.  Britney's virginity was guarded like a prized treasure, and he was horny as hell.  Britney was always in California, Louisiana or traveling around the world.  Trying to not get emotionally involved, and keeping Britney from catching on, would be the challenges, especially if Celine didn't get pregnant right away.  He knew he was way too young for children of his own.  He was totally flattered that Celine even asked.  More than that, he was shocked she'd asked him.  He wasn't blind to his effect on women, but to have a chance like this, given by a beautiful, elegant woman like Celine, was too good to pass up.  Sex with no strings attached!  He secretly hoped it took a few practice sessions before she got pregnant.

'MAN!'  He was laughing at his good fortune.  'What 19 year old guy would pass up this kind of opportunity?'

His thoughts turned to the plans for the next two hours.  He didn't mind giving up a few hours for charity plus he really loved to meet the fans.  The night turned out enjoyable though his mind kept drifting back to the conversation he'd had with Celine, but once he arrived home, he was asleep before his head hit the pillow.