Thanks for the dope night.

You’re my favorite member of *NSYNC.

Xoxo Ximenia

PS- Call me anytime- 310-555-2858

JC ran his finger along the hotel stationary and couldn’t help but grin. He brought the small paper up to his nose and smelled the faintest trace of Patchouli and Vanilla hints from her perfume. She was... Brazilian? Columbian? He hadn’t the faintest idea, he just knew that she was exotic and fine as hell, just what the doctor ordered after a long flight from Orlando to New York City. Was he going to see her again? Maybe. Maybe not. He reached for his wallet on the nightstand next to the king-sized bed and folded the paper in a neat crease, slipping it inside his wallet. 

With a big sigh, he reached up, feeling his shoulders and neck pop and crack. The sigh turned into a contented moan as he looked over at the clock. It was shortly after noon. The blackout curtains of his hotel room contained most of the daylight attempting to creep into the room, but the tiniest peek of sunlight found its way along the floor. He knew it was late and he needed to get something to eat and get on with his day. It was fall and he was in New York City. There was plenty to be done before the band had an engagement later in the day. 

He stood up, shuffling his feet as he made his way to the curtains. A gentle pull spilled sunlight into the room, making him rub his eyes to adjust to the light. The night before was a blur, knocking back some drinks in the hotel bar after saying goodnight to the other members of his band, his brothers. His black haired lady of the night was there with friends. Before he knew it, they were dancing in the back corner of the swanky bar and she came upstairs with him. Before the sun rose, she was gone, just a lipstick-kissed note left behind . Just the way he liked it. 

An hour later, after a long shower and slowly meandering around the room to get ready, JC found himself sitting in a small cafe just down the street from the Waldorf Astoria. The cafe wasn’t crowded, it was something local and eclectic, just his kind of place. It was filled with locals, he assumed, who were minding their own business the way many New Yorkers did. The barista was wearing a black dress with a spider bun in her hair. JC grinned. It was Halloween after all, he thought, as he brought his chai latte up to his lips. He loved Halloween. Women wore next to nothing, liquor flowed, life was good. 

His coffee-induced daydreams were interrupted by a buzz of his phone. He glanced down and smirked, seeing Justin’s name cross the screen. 

Justin: How was Brazil last night?

 

JC laughed, shaking his head. He began to type. 

 

JC: Caliente. I’ll be ready to meet you at 8? You still wearing your SWAT costume?

Justin: That’s Spanish, not Portuguese bro. And yes. ready to assume the position, David Hasselhoff. 

JC let out another short laugh. He had stopped with Justin at a costume shop in Las Vegas a few weeks prior while the band was in the city for a quick radio date. They had both thought it would be brilliant to dress the other for Halloween. JC had selected a SWAT costume for Justin, metal handcuffs and all. Justin had chosen a Baywatch costume for him, complete with little red shorts and a white muscle tank. He knew they’d both look completely ridiculous, but they were going to a fashion show at a warehouse in Soho, complete with models and women who probably just wouldn’t care how they were dressed. 

He finished his Chai and cleaned up his space, leaving his cups and dish from his sandwich near the garbage. He left the barista a casual wave, lifted the hood of his grey hoodie over his head and walked down the street. The cool fall air felt refreshing, and the light breeze blew against his face. Around him, people mulled about, going about their business. A few couples walked hand in hand, one stood stopped in front of a Duane Reade. He could see the woman with folded arms while who he assumed was her boyfriend was yelling. It was definitely tense. He shook his head.  Add that to the list of reasons I’m happy I’m single, he thought.

***

Black lights glowed in the foyer of the converted warehouse in Soho, with the twinkle of orange and white lights along the perimeter of the room. A fog machine left a spooky, smoky atmosphere rising from the floor and the slightest hint of what sounded like an old, almost creepy classical music filled the room. The atmosphere was on point for Halloween, and JC played with the whistle hanging from the black cord as he surveyed the crowd. As he and Justin had suspected, the room was filled with the usual suspects of a New York City fashion show-- the elites, the beautiful people and the fashion snobs. As minimally dressed women brushed past the band, JC grinned at a few of the women who batted their eyelashes at them. 

“Please don't tell me you’re leaving here with someone tonight,” Justin laughed, shaking his head. 

 

“Anything is possible,” JC scoffed, pushing Justin’s shoulder lightly, “There are plenty of choices here.”

 

Joey came to a stop next to Justin and JC, dressed as a vampire; not the Dracula type, but the Twilight, sparkly vampire type, complete with a leather jacket and blue contact lenses, he made sure to let everyone know. 

 

“Choices, yes,”  Joey grinned, putting his arms around both his friends. “You do know that we were called here by the record label tonight because we are scouting out some new talent for our new music video,” he licked his lips as he looked around, “ The record label surveyed our fans on MySpace of who they’d like to see star in the new video. Three of the top candidates are walking in the show tonight. And, might I add, tonight is a lingerie show.” His grin grew larger, and he let out a sigh. “Our job is so hard.” 

 

Justin looked at Joey and at JC. “Oh well that makes tonight more interesting,” he chuckled, “Right. The top 3. Of course you would know this Joe...”

 

JC couldn’t help but laugh. He had been so busy working on new tunes for the album that was in its infancy that he hadn’t been checking out the social media buzz. Naturally, anything involving female models was Joey’s niche. He trusted the casting agencies to hire the best looking models as they always did.

 

“Yup!” Joey declared proudly. “Third place right now is Michaela Moriah. Black hair. Smoking hot body. I think she’s from Hawaii. Second is Brandy Winters, she’s got red hair. Legs for days. Mmm. And right now in first place is the blonde bombshell Samantha Bentley. Who, by the way is the first plus-sized model in a mainstream fashion show as a headliner. And when she wins, she’s mine.” 

 

JC rolled his eyes. “Well the label better ask us before they put Little Miss Debbie Cakes in our music video.”

 

Joey scoffed. “Well for your information, she’s fucking gorgeous. And I will gladly have her in our video.”

 

Justin’s laugh got really low. “I guess we’ll all be the judge of that tonight,” he licked his lips and high fived Joey, then JC. "Inside we go, gentlemen.”

***

A low rumble of the bass filled the room as the music began. The lights went pitch black as the back wall, filled with stacked TV screens field with static and began a slow montage of black and white pictures and videos. Faces of women filled the screens then disappeared. The bass grew louder and it seemed the floor even shook with the sound and as it reached an apex, a female voice growled out, “Don’t call me babygirl.” 

JC smirked, looking at Justin. Several years earlier, Justin’s then-girlfriend Ashley Taylor had broken up with him in a final blowout, leaving him with that line before slamming the door on their 2-year relationship. He knew Justin was a little wigged out. Regardless, they shared a grin as the first models began to walk. A sea of long legs, fine European lace and beautiful women filled his senses. *NSYNC’s front row seat along the catwalk certainly had its perks.

 

The music of “Candyman” from Christina Aguilera filled the speakers as the models filed backstage again. As Christina’s voice hit, with a confident strut, a tall, curvy blonde figure stepped out onto the catwalk wearing a red bustier with clips attached to fishnets. A little triangular hat adorned her curled hair like a GI as she strutted down the catwalk. JC’s breath caught in his throat. His mind was on fire. This wasn’t what he had expected in the slightest. Each step she took, her body made just the right sway and tight wiggle. As she came to a stop at the end of the catwalk, she looked down into the crowd and winked and made a little salute.

 

Joey let out a yell. “YAAAAS BABY!”he called out, hitting JC’s arm. “That’s my GIRL.”

 

JC mumbled to himself and sank back into his chair. “In your dreams, Joe.”

 

“They ‘bout to be a reality,” he grinned in a sing-song voice.

 

The fashion show continued on. Angels in wings flaunted it down the catwalk, lace bras, bridal lingerie, it was all covered. Women of different shapes and sizes walked the same catwalk, each with a finesse that was unparalleled. The women in this show were all equally gorgeous, but each time Samantha took the stage, the crowd went wild. She owned it and brought her own sex appeal to each piece she wore. JC had to admit, he was figuring out why the fans would want her in their video. She was fine as hell and she was out there breaking the mold. 

JC’s thoughts were interrupted by another low rumble of bass. “I came to cause trouble,” the female voice rang out, “I came to break the mold.” He grinned as Sam came out, dressed fully in a white strappy bra and panty set with long, flowy wings. He knew the designer had to have been throwing a big “fuck you” to Victoria’s Secret for their lack of inclusivity. The voice continued as Sam made her way to the end of the catwalk. “I came to redefine the industry. I came... to be me.”

Sam paused at the end of the catwalk and turned around with a great big grin. Appearing on the stage in a counterpart to Samantha’s white costume was the designer. JC blinked and let out a big, shit eating grin. Well, fuck. The designer was none other than Ashley Taylor. The Ashley Taylor that broke Justin’s heart just a few short years ago. He looked over at his best friend who had turned whiter than the lingerie on the gorgeous model just a few feet away from them. JC smacked him on the back a few times and turned his attention to the beautiful women on the catwalk. Ashley strut her way to the end, holding up Samantha’s hand. Ashley’s petite figure with long flowing chestnut brown hair adorned in black lace was a stark contrast to Samantha’s blonde hair, long legs and prominent curves all dressed in white. The women turned to the crowd in each direction, waving and soaking in the adoration of the crowd.

 

Their hands went up in the air as Ashley called out, “Thank you all for coming to my first show! We are here to break the mold and make sure that every fashion show from here on out includes all women! We are all beautiful!”

 

The lights went black again as the women made their way backstage. JC’s eyes fell on his best friend as the house lights slowly came on to normal. 

 

“Justin are you okay?” he said, putting his hand on his shoulder.

 

“Fuck,” Justin said, shaking his head. “I think this is a sign...”

 

Joey grinned, interrupting their conversation. “Chris and I think we need to head to that after party. If Ashley knows Samantha... that’s our in. We need to book her!”

 

JC let his gaze rest on Justin. “As much as I don’t want to leave before this party begins... if you want to go back to the...”

 

Justin couldn’t help but laugh softly. “No. We are going. We wouldn’t have been put in the same place if it wasn’t meant for us to see each other again.”

 

JC grinned. “Good. Because I need to see that model.”

 

“Miss Debbie Cakes?” Justin replied, standing up and adjusting his SWAT vest.

 

JC played with his whistle nervously. “I didn’t mean that!” 

 

The guys walked to the staircase which led to the next level of the warehouse, decorated for a swanky after party. 

 

“I’ll remember that,” Justin smirked, grabbing two flutes of champagne from the waiter’s tray.

 

JC grabbed one and sipped, letting his eyes survey the room. It began to fill up with the same upper echelon crowd that had gathered for the fashion show earlier.

He heard a round of applause as the main doors opened and in walked Ashley and Samantha, arm and arm, still in their black and white angel costumes. A low, sensual beat filled the room as he began to hear the words to the song. 

I am not in love

But I’m open to persuasion

East or west, where’s the best

For romancing 

 

He looked back up at the doorway and paused. Ashley’s eyes locked with Justin’s and he knew shit was about to go down. He stepped back to let the moment happen, smiling for his best friend. When your lifetime love leaves you and comes back... well that sort of shit happened in movies and on TV. Maybe his best friend would have the same luck.

He leaned against the bar, sipping his champagne watching the two magnetic bodies drawn to each other. He let his eyes wander over to the white-winged counterpart to Ashley and noticed her making her way in his direction. He knocked back the rest of the champagne and walked over to her, meeting her in the middle of the room. 

 

“Is this as intense for you as it is for me?” he asked, with a little impish grin.

 

“You noticed too?” she laughed softly, sizing up this lifeguard standing in front of her. His white muscle tank clung to his body, allowing his toned arms to be fully on display, His red shorts were short to reveal his very muscular legs, and were tight and left very little to the imagination. He was a boyband member... of course he was going to show off. 

 

“I guess we’re both players in this movie now,” he began, “by association and all.”

 

“Oh, the friends that try and help the lovebirds but cause some kind of conflict at the top of the first hour? Or the ones that help patch it all up at the end?” she replied. 

 

She was good. Too good, he thought.

 

“I’m confident we’ll be walking down the aisle together someday,” he added with a smirk. “I’m Josh. JC. Whatever.” 

 

She smiled, nodding her head. “Hi Josh, JC, Whatever. I’m Samantha. Everyone calls me Sam.”

 

“Nice to meet you Samantha,” He was unable to wipe the smile off of his face, “You were, wow.”

 

She pushed a loose blonde curl behind her ear and looked down with a little smile. “Thanks I...” Before she could finish her thought, a rush of black feathers and angst came between them.

 

“SAMANTHA!” Ashley called out, grabbing her arm and pulling her away.

“Nice talking to you,” JC said out to no one in particular. “Kayyy... Call me...”

 

Justin stomped over to him. “Women.” 

 

JC looked over. “And?”

 

“It’s still there. It’s not over. There’s no way we were put together again for no reason.” Justin’s voice was soft, barely audible over the ambient sounds of the room-- music, conversation, glasses clinking. 

 

“It’s not over,” JC repeated, his eyes continuing to  follow Samantha across the room. She was engaged in a deep conversation with Ashley. 

 

Justin’s eyes followed JC’s and he grinned. “Can you get close up to blondie for me and get some dirt for me about Ashley? C’mon. We haven’t done this shit in years.”

 

“Dude.” JC looked at Justin. “We’re not 19 anymore bro. You can fight your own battles.” He hit his arm lightly and grabbed the gin and tonic waiting on the bar for him. He took a long sip. 

 

“C’mon C. You get to talk to the hot girl, I get to see the love of my life. Doesn’t this sound like a win-win situation?”

 

“Justin. No.” JC rolled his eyes. “You get the love of your life back by being honest. If I want to talk to the pretty girl, I’ll talk to Samantha on my own.”

 

Justin looked at him with a smirk. “You just called her pretty girl instead of hot. This is a step in the strange direction.”

 

JC hit his arm again. “Shut the fuck up, Timberlake! If I want to talk to Samantha I will.” 

 

Ashley and Samantha made their way back to the talking pair, and Justin smiled again, letting his toothy grin take over his whole face. Ashley and Justin always found a way to be in their own world.

“Samantha,” JC smiled. “Nice to see you again.” 

 

Sam nodded, grabbing another flute of champagne. “You too JC.”

 

JC tried hard to not let his eyes wander over too much of her angel costume. He was intrigued by it all but was trying to be a gentleman. “So I was wondering... are you interested in dancing?”

 

She laughed softly. “I am interested in dancing. I enjoy dancing. Is this like a middle school type ask... you know, check yes or no if you want to dance with me?”

 

JC couldn’t help but laugh. He was amazed at how easy their banter was. “Sure. Yes. On a scale of one to ten, how do you feel about dancing with me?”

 

She grinned. “Maybe a five right now. Let’s see how the night progresses.” She leaned in and placed a kiss on JC’s cheek and walked away, leaving him to bring his hand up to his cheek where her lips had just rested.

 

 He grinned softly. “Damn.”

 

The party went on and people mulled around. JC kept his eyes peeled around the party, always watching Samantha out of the corner of one eye. She had made her way over to the bar, talking to the bartender. He smirked, watching man after man make his way to her. She had a way of engaging them in a conversation for a moment, and politely dismissing them. He wasn’t sure what she said, but it was pretty incredible to watch. He wasn’t used to women operating in this way, but he sure as hell was intrigued. 

 

He made his way over to the bar and offered up a cute grin. “Samantha,” he said, resting a hand up against the shimmery wings. He knew dozens of sets of eyes were on him now and he gave no fucks about it.

 

“JC,” she replied with a smile, taking another sip of her drink. 

 

“How do you feel about shots?” he smirked, leaning against the bar.

“You up for one?” she asked, a sparkle forming in her blue eyes.

 

“Pick your poison, pretty lady,” he held his gaze steady with hers. 

 

“Tequila?” 

 

“Let’s do it.” He turned to the bartender and called him over. “Two top shelf tequila shots please.”

 

The bartender brought over two shot glasses of tequila and limes. 

 

“Ah, here we go,” JC said, handing one glass to Samantha. “You need a chaser?”

 

“Let’s take it straight up,” she laughed softly, leaving her margarita on the bar and taking the glass from him. 

 

“My kinda girl,” he grinned, holding his glass up against hers. “To new friends.” 

 

Their glasses clinked together as they both knocked back the shot. His lips puckered together and he glanced at her to see her making the same face as they both took a suck of the lime. 

 

“Shit, that burns,” she laughed, shaking her head as she slammed the glass down on the bar. “Hey JC?”

 

“Hmmm?” he looked at her with a grin. 

 

“I think you got to that ten.” 

 

“Yeah? You wanna end your night with a dance?” He held his arm out to her as he led her to the center of the floor. A handful of people were dancing, the atmosphere was light and sensual. 

 

“Yeah. Let’s do this.” As the music switched to Lose My Breath by Destiny’s Child, Sam grinned. JC put his arms up in the air and shook his hips. He watched Sam carefully make sure her wings were placed behind her before he watched the music take over her body. Her hips began to sway to the beat, and he couldn’t help but stare. He was captivated. A low grunt took over when her hips made their first pass up against his. The magnetism that took over shocked even him, as his lips found their way to the side of her ear.

 

“Your hips, girl,” he moaned softly into the whisper as their bodies rocked together. 

 

“My hips? Yours,” she whispered, feeling the heat radiating from his body. There was no denying he was an amazing dancer, completely in command of those hips.

His arm snaked around her waist beneath the shimmery wings as he pulled her closer. Their bodies continued to move and he let his head dip down into the crook of her neck. 

 

“Mama,” he whispered, “yessss.” He felt her suck in a breath and that made him let out a low noise. 

 

The house lights came on and he let out a soft groan against her cheek. “Ugh.”

 

She laughed softly, looking up at him. She needed to take a step back from him. She wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol in her veins or JC’s proximity, but she was suddenly feeling hot all over her body. “Ugh.”

 

He chuckled, looking down at her face. “Hey Samantha?”

 

She looked up at him, returning his soft smile. “Yeah?”

 

“How do you feel about breakfast?”

 

She grinned. “I love breakfast. Do you want to go out for breakfast and then I’ll take a cab home or...?”

 

He played with the feathers of her wings. “Well, you’re dressed like this. And I’m looking like a fool. There’s no way I’d let you be alone on a night like tonight... it’s Halloween. ”

 

She laughed softly. “Well then, my loft is always open. Even for 2 AM breakfast.” 

 

“Then let’s get some fucking breakfast,” he stated, matter-of-factly. His voice had taken on a low, guttural quality. 

 

“Let’s get some fucking breakfast,” she repeated with a smile. 

“Welcome to my loft,” Samantha said with a soft smile as she keyed her code in the foyer. She led JC into the neutral-colored living room, carefully moving around the furniture as to not to damage her wings.

“Oh wow,” he murmured, following her inside. Typically, he didn’t follow women back to their apartments under the guise of 2AM breakfast. Usually, the transition to an apartment or hotel room was accompanied by the tugging of clothes, heated kisses...  frantic sexual desire. But tonight, that hadn’t happened. He hadn’t felt the overwhelming desire to devour her. He certainly was intrigued and... compelled, but for some reason, everything just felt very comfortable. He didn’t know how to put his finger on it, but for the first time in his life, he wasn’t sure he NEEDED to. 

“First things first,” she spun around to face him, backing through the narrow hall into the first open archway, “ the kitchen. I was thinking of waffles. And mimosas. It’s 2AM after all.” Her giggle was light and melodic. It brought a smile to his face.

“Waffles. Yes.” JC laughed softly and rested his hand on the granite countertop to balance himself. Her kitchen was cozy and open, as he glanced around quickly he saw little bits and pieces into her life. A framed picture of what looked like some friends on the counter, candles, and other little feminine touches. He wasn’t sure why he was so fascinated by taking all of this in, but he found himself enjoying trying to piece every little bit together that he could. 

“I need to go and change. I’m not really in the mood to be cooking in this outfit,” she smirked. 

“I wouldn’t complain,” he laughed, “But I also wouldn’t make you, as sexy as it would be.” 

“Can you help me take my wings off?” she asked, looking up at him with a smile. “I had a whole glam squad that helped me get dressed.”

“Of course,” he nodded, motioning with his finger for her to turn around. She followed his command and he stepped up to her back, pulling at the hook and eye closures and elastic that kept the shimmery wings attached to her costume. She shimmied her shoulders and moved along with his tugs and movements and before he knew it, he was holding a handful of feathers and glitter and it made him laugh. 

“Thanks JC,” she smiled, wiggling her shoulders when they were free of the weight of the wings. Two bright red elastic marks lined her back, sticking out against her tanned and lightly freckled skin. 

“You’re all red,” he murmured, letting his free hand rub against the red skin. Her skin was soft and warm. There were remnants of glitter and feather pieces stuck. There was something intimate about this gesture, and it made him look down at his feet momentarily.

“It’ll go away,” she said softly, peeking back at him over her shoulder to see his gaze down on the ground momentarily.  She smiled gently. “I’m going to go get changed,” she began, “The waffle mix is in the pantry next to the fridge. There’s also some strawberries to be cut up if you’d like to.” With that, she took the wings from his arms and turned to walk into her bedroom. 

“The fuck have you gotten into Chasez?” he let out a huffy sigh, surprised and even a little frustrated with himself, and before he knew it, he was shuffling through her kitchen and making noise as he grabbed bowls and the waffle mix. He began measuring and pouring, only looking up as the sound of the radio filled the room.

Shortly following the startling sound of the radio, Samantha walked in, wearing a pair of plaid pajama pants and a faded grey Washington Redskins t-shirt, scrubbed of all of her makeup, topped off with a big messy bun on top of her head. He did a double take. There was something strangely sexy and familiar about this look… he shook his head ever so slightly. What was getting into him? He knew he was probably staring longer than he should be, but somehow he didn’t mind and he hoped she didn’t either.

His eyes were steady on her, causing her to blink. She looked down at her shirt to see if it was on backwards or she had missed a giant hole. She was fully dressed right now, but felt more exposed than she had in her angel costume. She tried to shake the uneasy feeling she felt and pulled the strawberries out of the fridge. 

A few silent moments passed before JC looked over at her with a little grin as he mixed the waffle batter. “I added some melted butter,” he said, “I actually read the directions.” 

 

Sam laughed lightly, leaning over to turn up the music on her kitchen Bose system. Her uneasy feeling was slowly lifting as the tense atmosphere that hung above them grew more comfortable.

 “This is Late Night Love,” the smooth female voice announced, “Bringing you into dawn with some slow jams for you and your lover. Up next is Bobby Valentino’s Slow Down. Whoever you’re with tonight, I hope you’re taking it nice and slow.” 

JC let out a soft chuckle. The music speaks again. “Why don’t I cut the strawberries, You take over waffle duty.” 

“Don’t cut your finger,” she replied in a cute but chiding tone, leaving the knife and strawberries on the counter and plugging in her waffle maker. 

“Don’t burn your finger now,” he smirked,taking her place in front of the cutting board and strawberries. He began humming along with the radio before he burst into song. “Slow down, I just wanna get to know ya....”

Her head snapped up and she couldn’t help but grin. That voice. She GOT what made so many people drawn to it. She let herself be completely present in the moment and enjoy the beautiful sound as she rolled her hips in time with the music. 

He looked over at her and grinned. “Don’t turn around... Cause that pretty round thing looks good to me!” He waved his knife around in the air before bringing it up toward his lips, mimicking a microphone, “Now tuuuurn around and bless me with your beauty.”

The waffle mix was poured onto the hot iron and it sizzled as she began to laugh. How ridiculous this all was to her; she was back in her loft with a stranger. Not just any stranger, a boyband stranger. The lead singer of a multi million record selling boy band stranger. 

“So um,” he grinned, as he watched her watching the waffle maker. “Didn’t know you liked football.”

“Huh?” she glanced down at her shirt and laughed. “Oh. Right. Yes. The Skins are my team. Dad and Mom grew up in Virginia. Just outside of DC. Kind of just grew up as a fan.”

“Oh yeah?” he licked his lips, popping a strawberry in his mouth. “How do you keep getting better? Keep talking.”

The first waffle beeped, and she opened the waffle iron to plate it before pouring the next cup of batter inside. “I mean, I try to get to a game when I can. I’ll take the train to DC or catch them when they’re in Jersey.” 

“Same!” he grinned, reaching for the shaker of powdered sugar. “Except I catch them in San Diego or LA when I can.” 

The second waffle finished, andmoments later their two plates were sitting side by side. “You up for just sitting in the kitchen?” Samantha asked, “We can go to the table if you’d rather.”

He nodded, hopping up onto the counter with a smile. “Pour those mimosas, little lady. Let’s do this.”

After the mimosas were poured,  both JC and Samantha sat next to each other on the counter, balancing a plate with one strawberry topped waffle on their laps. They each ate quietly, occasionally stealing a glance at the other with a soft smile between bites and sips. The clock hanging on the wall read 2:45AM, but time seemed to be lazily crawling on in the comfortable sort of way it does when things feel just right. 

 

“How long are you in New York?” she asked, taking a sip of her mimosa. 

 

“Two more days,” he replied, taking a big bite of strawberry and waffle. He leaned over to sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar on the remaining pieces of waffle. A faint trail of powdered sugar fell along his short red shorts.

 

“What’s next on your schedule?” she tilted her head to watch him eat his breakfast. She wouldn’t have pegged a man in tight red Baywatch shorts would be ending his night sitting on her counter eating waffles, but here they were.

 

“Back to Orlando for a few meetings on the new album we’re planning,” he answered, “I’ve been writing some tunes. A&R at the label wants to do over some specs. Planning and stuff. We’ll be back in New York in a few weeks. There’s always things to do in New York, especially around the holidays.“

 

“Ah,” she smiled, nibbling on a strawberry. “Do you get the holidays off?”

 

He nodded, looking over at her. “Yes. That’s one non-negotiable we’ve made for the band since the beginning. Thanksgiving we break and Christmas we break. This year I’m heading to Chicago to see my folks.”

 

“Nice! Sounds like you’ve got it all planned out.” She was impressed at his intelligence and calm demeanor. She wasn’t sure what she expected out of a boy band member but this wasn’t it. 

 

“I’ve always kind of considered myself the kind of guy who has it figured out, yes.” He grinned. “Thank you for the amazing breakfast, Samantha.” 

 

“It was my pleasure Josh. You did a lot of the dirty work. Thank you for being so hands on.” 

 

He hopped off of the counter and took their empty plates and walked it to the sink.

“I’ll throw them in the dishwasher in the morning,” she said, putting her hand up. “I’ve got this.”

 

“You sure?” he asked, walking back over to his mimosa and taking a sip. 

 

“Totally sure, you’ve done enough already. You’re a guest, remember?” she grinned. 

 

“If you insist.” He licked his lips and offered her a grin in return. For some reason, each little glance that he stole, he kept wanting two more. He just couldn’t figure it out. “Hey, Samantha?”

 

“Hey Josh?” she replied, her eyebrow lifting at the soft tone his voice had taken on. 

 

“Thanks.” He wasn’t sure where this was coming from, and he didn’t know how to stop it. 

 

“Thanks for what?” 

 

“Thanks for this. I haven’t had a night where I’ve felt so damn normal in ages. There’s nothing pretentious about this. You’re not pretending to be anyone but yourself… I like that.” his voice continued to stay soft and had taken on an almost vulnerable quality that she suddenly found herself so attracted to. Nothing like the confident man in the tight red shorts she had met at the party only a few short hours ago. 

 

“You’re welcome, Josh. I’m glad you suggested breakfast.” She couldn’t hide the smile in her voice. 

 

He looked down at the white tiled floor of her kitchen. “I should probably, uh,  get going... back to my hotel. We have a pretty early call time for an interview with SiriusXM tomorrow.”

 

“Oh. Yeah, of course.” She wasn’t sure why she suddenly felt… was it a feeling of disappointment? She slid off of the counter. “Let me walk you to the door.” 

 

They made the silent walk to her front door, neither willing to make the first move to say goodbye, or willing to make eye contact for a few long moments. 

 

“I guess I should…” he began.

 

“Thanks for stopping by….” her voice started then trailed off when he began to talk at the same time.

 

They both started laughing and looked up at each other. When she smiled, his heart skipped a beat and he felt the kind of smile take over that made his whole face smile… right down to his eyes that closed slightly with contentment.

 

“Have a great night, Samantha Bentley.” his voice was warm and low. It made a little tingle start from the base of her neck and travel down her spine. How did he do that with his voice? 

 

“You too, Josh or JC or whatever. Will you let me know when you get back to your hotel safely?” 

 

He smirked. “Isn’t that the man’s job to check up on the lady?” He licked his lips and looked down at her sparkling eyes. 

 

“You’re the one traveling at your request, remember?” She let her hand travel to his chest and let it rest gently against the vinyl BAYWATCH across the muscle tee. 

 

He took a deep breath and swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. He was stalling and he didn’t care. His hand crept up slowly and loosely cupped just to the side of her chin.He leaned in slowly, letting his lips head toward their intended target but at the very last moment, settled for letting them brush against her cheek softly, leaving a gentle kiss and a whisper. “I’ll let you know.” 

 

Her eyes closed, feeling her knees buckle ever so slightly. Control it, she thought to herself, standing firmly on the ground so he didn’t know just what a kiss on the cheek would do to her. Her chin lifted up slightly with his guidance and she in turn leaned in and let her lips brush against his cheek. “Goodnight Josh.” 

 

Slowly, he pulled away with a smile on his face. “Goodnight Samantha.” He let his hand drop and a soft sigh escaped from his lips. “Thanks again.” His hand went to the metal door knob and he slipped it open. “I appreciate everything.” 

 

She nodded, not letting her gaze break from his as he began to back out of the door. “Goodnight Josh,” she repeated with a soft smile, her eyes still locked on him.

 

“Goodnight Samantha,” he said yet again, walking backwards in the foyer towards the elevator. With every step backward he took, his body wanted to take 3 forward back into her apartment. Damnit JC, he thought to himself. Why aren’t you staying? 

 

She continued to watch him, leaning in the doorway with that soft smile he had grown to appreciate. When JC collected his brain from the floor, he pushed the down button of the elevator, and he was gone. Samantha sighed and closed and locked the door to her loft. She immediately turned the lights off and shuffled into her bedroom, where she pulled the sheets down and crawled into her bed. Her mind was racing and she knew there was no way she’d be falling asleep easily.  She plugged in her phone next to her nightstand, and she grabbed her laptop, aimlessly scrolling through her usual nightly stops. 

 

Meanwhile, JC sat in a taxi staring at the lights of New York City as the cab driver brought him uptown to the Waldorf Astoria. He pulled his phone out with a little smile and went to open up his text messages. He scrolled to the “To:” portion of the text and began to type S-A-M. He looked down and let out a long groan. In all the conversation that happened, he had never thought to get her phone number. Stupid, he grunted.

 

As the cab dropped him off at his hotel, he hurriedly made his way up to his room and ran to get his laptop. “Hmmm,” he said in a mumble, sitting on the bed in his lifeguard costume. “Joey said Myspace,” he continued, opening up his Internet to find MySpace. “Samantha… Bentley…” he said as he began to type. Her profile popped up and he grinned. Yep, this was the right one,  350,000 followers. He scrolled through her featured photos and grinned. Why hadn’t anyone told him plus sized models existed… let alone THIS one who was so fine? He laughed to himself and shook his head. “Chasez,” he mumbled, “You’re ridiculous.”

 

He clicked over to the “message” button as he began to type. 

 

You asked me to check in, so consider yourself checked in. Back to the hotel. And feeling like a moron because I never got your number. (Sorry!) Thanks again. ~Josh

 

Before he could reread it and second guess himself, he clicked send. He smiled when a few minutes later a message popped up, with a page follow request. He let out a sigh of relief. She had made the first move to follow. 

 

Forgiven. Have a great rest of your night/morning. :) xo Samantha

PS- 212-555-8687 

 

He laughed softly and pulled out his phone from his pocket. He quickly put her number in and shot off a text message. 

JC: Next time the Skins play the Giants, the game’s on me. Goodnight, Samantha.

 

One simple ding followed a minute later.

Samantha: You’re on. Goodnight Josh.

 

He placed his phone down on the nightstand and fell backwards against the pillows. 

“You’re in for it Chasez,” he mumbled, staring up at the ceiling, fighting the smile that was threatening to take over his entire face.

A soft light filled the kitchen as the door from the garage opened. JC was carrying a backpack that he dropped in the foyer. He rolled his shoulders and closed the door behind him, walking into the kitchen. He glanced at the clock.  It was only 8PM but the day had seemed to drone on forever. They had meetings and a long session in the studio. He had so many songs swirling around in his head that he almost didn’t know what to do with himself.

He shuffled to the fridge and pulled out a water bottle. He opened it and took a long sip. With a sigh, he leaned against the counter. For some reason, he was longing today. He was longing for someone to be home waiting for him, a feeling he hadn’t felt in a long time. He was longing for someone to be there to listen to him, to tell him about her day, just to be. 

 

As he drank his water, he pulled out his phone. A bunch of missed calls and voicemails as always, and a whole bunch of unread texts. He was the worst at checking his phone throughout the day, especially when he was in the studio. 

 

Dad, Tyler, Tum… he scrolled down the list. Johnny. Justin. A soft smile played at his lips. Samantha. He clicked on the message and it popped up on his screen.

 

Samantha: Today’s been one of those days. Red Wine and some homemade soup. Hope your day has been less stressful than mine.

 

He smiled and peeked at the time stamp. It was only sent about an hour and a half hour before. Should he call her? He grinned slightly. Why are you so worried about this? He thought, looking at his phone for a few long moments before he clicked the send button. 

 

The phone rang a few times and he sat up on a stool at his counter. He felt a familiar little tumble of butterflies in his stomach with anticipation. 

 

“Hey you,” Samantha’s voice was soft but he could hear a hint of a smile in her voice. 

 

“I hope it’s not too late,” he replied, “hello by the way.”

 

She laughed softly and settled back against her pillows. “No, it’s just a little after 11. I had a really late day today and got home like an hour ago. How are you Josh?”

 

He made a soft little noise, one that was barely audible. “I’m okay. I had a  long day today too. “

 

“Yeah? You want to tell me about it?” Her voice was soft and something about it was comforting. He was digging this feeling. 

 

“We started the morning with a meeting with Jive. Our new record is slated to come out in January. We’ve been in talks about the promo that we are doing and the tracks that will be making the album. I went to the studio after that and got some tracks down with Jimmy. I guess I lost track of time too because the next thing I knew I had worked through lunch and dinner,” he laughed softly, “then I realized that I was starving. And exhausted.”

 

“Oh! Wow. So you must have had some great ideas then. Are you excited about what you’re working on?”

 

He couldn’t help but feel a smile playing at his lips. “Yes. Actually I am.  I have two tunes I’ve been working on. They’re going to be good ones.” 

 

“I’m excited for you. I can’t wait to get the album!” 

 

“If you’re lucky you’ll get an advanced copy to listen to. I’d love to hear how you feel about the tunes.”

 

She paused for a moment and JC felt his heart flutter a little bit. Did he say too much? Was she not sure about wanting to listen to the album? Why was he so worried right now?  

 

“I’ll try and play my cards right,” she giggled softly, “Sorry. I had a text from a photographer. I have an early shoot tomorrow with him.” 

 

He couldn’t hold back the sigh of relief that escaped. “Oh good. I’ll bet those cards will be played right. I don’t want to keep you too long if you need to get up early. Thanks for listening, Samantha.”

 

“Of course,” her voice was thoughtful and he could imagine her snuggled up on her couch, or in her bed talking to him, “I’m a great listener.”

 

“So uh,” he began, playing with the base of his phone, “I’m coming back to New York in two weeks. *NSYNC is performing at a private charity event at the W. Are you going to be home?”

 

“Two weeks? That’s what, just before Thanksgiving? Yeah I should be. I’ll be in Miami for a few days just before that but I’ll be home.” 

 

He felt himself smiling. “Great. If you’re interested in coming to the event let me know. I might know a guy who can let you in.”

 

She laughed softly. “I’d love to come. Let me know when you guys arrive. You’ll have a welcoming committee in New York.”

 

“Great… uh.” He stopped and smiled for a moment, glancing over at the clock on the microwave. “I guess I’ll let you go then. Hey Samantha?”

 

“Hey Josh?” her voice was soft and light. She loved the way he always started off saying something with her name that way. It was something she found so endearing already. 

 

“Hey.” He laughed, softly, knowing he probably sounded like an idiot. He really didn’t care. He felt a lightness inside of him he hadn’t felt in ages. “I uh, I guess I just wanted to say I appreciate you. I find myself missing you.” 

 

“Oh Josh.” she paused and he could sense she was smiling on the other end of the phone. “I miss you too. I enjoy our phone conversations. I’m glad we’re able to talk this way, I definitely look forward to it.”

 

“Me too Samantha, me too. I hope you have a great night. Good luck at your shoot tomorrow morning.” 

 

“Night Josh. Get some rest darlin’. And make sure you eat dinner okay?”

 

“I will. Goodnight, Samantha.”

 

“Night Josh.” she repeated.

 

“Talk soon.” He hit the end call button and stared at his phone for a few long moments. It was insane how they had just met once in person but he had become so familiar with talking to her on the phone nearly every day. How just hearing from her made his day even better, he was definitely digging the feeling of comfort.

 

Her reminder to eat dinner echoed in his head, and he trudged over to the refrigerator. His fridge was pretty bare but leftover sushi from the night before would do the trick. Grabbing the soy sauce from the fridge and the sushi tray, he placed it on the counter. He cracked open a cold Heineken and settled at the island again. He grinned softly to himself as he brought the first piece of sushi to his lips. A thought crossed his mind and he reached over to grab his laptop. Chewing on his sushi, he made his way to the internet.

 

“Mmmm. Let’s see,” he mumbled, “Women like flowers. I’ll send flowers. But. I can’t order her roses. That’ll scare her away. I don’t want her to think I’m coming on too strong.” He took a sip of his beer and reached for another piece of sushi roll. “Ah. Peonies. She had some on her counter when I was over. I bet she’ll like those.”

 

He clicked his way through Google to find out the meaning of sending peonies and smirked slightly when he found an ancient Greek story that the god of love would send peonies to Aphrodite as a sign of his flirtation. “Perfect,” he smirked as he ate his sushi, finding himself a New York City florist online. A few clicks later, he had placed 60 pink peonies in his cart. A gift message. He made a face. Oh great. As he took a long sip of his beer, he stared at the screen. What the hell? Why was he so nervous? It’s not like this is the first time you’ve sent flowers to a woman, JC, he thought to himself. 

 

He chewed on his lip and made a face as he began to type. Samantha ~ Just wanted to let you know how special I think you are… His face contorted into a grimace. No, no, no. He hit backspace. Samantha ~ Just because you’re on my mind. Xo, Josh.  He grinned. Short and sweet. There we go. He took out his credit card and checked out, paying for delivery the following afternoon. Done. He finished off his beer, staring into space. 

***

Samantha pulled the belt of her peacoat a little bit tighter around her waist. It was cold for an early November evening but that was one of the things she loved about late fall in the city. You really never knew what to expect. Keying in the code for her building, she slipped inside and looked up at the doorman and smiled. “Hey John,” she said.

 

“Ms. Bentley! Good to see you. I hope you’re having a great day. Hey. Before you head upstairs, there was a delivery for you this afternoon.” John grinned, walking to the desk. “Someone must really like you.” He pulled out a large glass vase filled with a huge bouquet of pink peonies, easily multiple dozens.

 

“Oh my gosh!” she covered her mouth with her hand and smiled. “They’re beautiful. Wow… okay…” she continued as she walked over to the desk and took the vase, “thanks John. Appreciated.”

 

John offered her a grin as he walked her to the elevator and pushed the button to head up. “You didn’t tell me you had a new boyfriend. He seems like a catch.”

 

She laughed softly. “I don’t John. You’d be the first to know. Promise.” She gave him a cute grin as the elevator door closed. Rising up to her loft, she closed her eyes and breathed in the smell of the peonies. They were fragrant and sweet. She let out a soft sigh as the elevator opened to her foyer and she walked inside, placing the vase down on the kitchen island. Peeking around the vase, she tried to eyeball the number of flowers. There had to have been at least 4, if not 5 dozen flowers. She had never received so many flowers at once before. With a soft giggle, she leaned up to pull the card from the bouquet to examine it. It had to be a designer or her studio. They were the most likely to send her flowers to help win her over.

 

Samantha ~ just because you’re on my mind. Xo, Josh

 

She smiled and brought the card close to her chest, embracing it slightly. Josh. She could imagine him picking the flowers out, and the thought made her giggle again. He was probably sitting at his computer screen, or on the phone rubbing the back of his neck. He always rubbed the back of his neck when they Skyped and he was finishing up a story.

 

With a light sigh, she put the card down on the island and slipped her coat off. As she made her way to her hall closet, she was thinking about calling him to thank him. The lightest little tumble began in her tummy and she rested a hand on top of it after hanging her coat up. 

 

“Oh Samantha,” she laughed, shaking her head. “It’s just a thank you.” 

 

She plopped down on the couch and sucked in a breath. She scrolled through her phone and found the Js. Josh Chasez. His name made her bite her lip, and she stared down at it in her phone. 

 

“Just a thank you,” she repeated on a mumble and clicked the call button. 

 

The phone rang, and rang again. She glanced at the clock. It was only 1PM in LA, he was probably busy. It rang again, and again, and again. She drew her bottom lip in again and bit a little harder. If he didn’t pick up, it would be an easy out for her… but did she really NOT want him to pick up? The phone rang once more and then made the half ring before his voice took over.

 

“You’ve reached 310-555-3946. You know what to do.” 

 

The loud voicemail beep took over and she sucked in a sharp breath. He wasn’t one to not answer her phone calls… though the more she thought about it, he was usually the one to initiate the calls. Of course. Before she could overthink things one more moment, something kicked in and she began.

 

“Hey Josh. It’s me. Me as in Samantha,” she laughed softly and made a face at herself, “it’s like 4:25PM on Friday. So 1:25 for you. I just came home to a beautiful surprise. It was so thoughtful of you to send me the flowers. I appreciate it. A lot. Thank you. Uh, that’s all… I hope your day is going well. Talk to you soon.” 

 

She clicked the end call button and put her phone down. Why was that so difficult? She had talked to him so many times before. She reached on the coffee table and pulled her laptop up onto the couch. Her head went back against the pillows while she waited for the laptop to start up.

 

She pulled the laptop a little bit closer on her lap and looked down, opening up her email. She scrolled through mindlessly, clicking on a notification from MySpace, making her way to her home screen. She accepted several new friend requests and scrolled through messages until one popped up that made her eyebrow raise. 

 

To: Samantha Bentley

From: Karleigh Klouse 

10 November 2005 2:35PM EST

Subject: So sorry

 

Hey Sam - know you left the party with this player in NYC. Just looking out for you. Click the link. Call if you need me. 

 

Sam’s brows furrowed as she clicked the link in the message from Karleigh which opened up an article from a LiveJournal community called Oh No They Didn’t. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes. The same community had called her a hog the month before and critiqued a shoot she had done with a bridal company. What did they know? 

 

NSYNC’s JC Chasez Hot on the Town!

*NSYNC co-frontman JC Chasez was spotted hot on the town at the Nucci Nightclub in Beverly Hills on Friday night! He came in with a posse of both beautiful women and hot men and spent the night with a little bump and grind with this mystery woman before leaving the party hand in hand with her. Sources tell us the couple was hot and heavy that night. Click the link to expand the post to see all the photos!

 

Sam, of course, could not help herself. She quickly clicked on the link to open the rest of the post, and a series of photos of JC in a popped collar pink polo shirt and jeans, hands up in the air while dancing with a super skinny brunette with her hands all over his chest. She sucked in a breath. Why did this hurt?

 

“What in the ever loving fuck, Samantha!” she said out loud, rolling her eyes. “You’re on my mind my ass,” she grumbled, glancing back at the five dozen peonies on the island. She was 26 years old, too old to be played with by some player. 

 

She scrolled to the next message which was from Joey. She laughed softly. He had sent her nearly a message every single day for 6 months. 

 

To: Samantha Bentley 

From: Joey Fatone Official

10 November 2005 3:45PM

Subject: video girl 

 

Don’t forget that we want you for our video! I talked with Wayne Isham for the next treatment and he’s going to reach out to your people. You’re going to be the perfect video girl. We will be back in NYC in 2 weeks. Hope to see you then! 

 

Sam smirked. Joey was persistent. But didn’t he know she was with JC? She made a face. Wait. She wasn’t “with” JC. There was no title for what they were except for friends. Friends who talked on the phone and on Skype. If Joey didn’t even know that, maybe they weren’t even friends. 

 

She closed up her laptop and went into the kitchen to start cooking dinner. She turned some music on and began to sway around the room as she stir fried up some veggies and chicken. By the time her chicken stir fry was finished and she poured a glass of red wine, she was feeling much better.

 

She took a long sip and heard her phone buzz. She walked over to the living room and brought it back to the kitchen island, taking another sip of her wine. 

 

JC: so sorry I missed your call. Do you have a minute to video chat? 

 

She made a face. Why did he keep playing with her heart that way? 

 

Samantha: I guess so if you need to. 

 

JC: meet you on Skype in five? 

Sam began and type and then erased. She sighed softly and walked to get her laptop and sign onto Skype. 

JoshuaScott99 is connecting… her screen read while it made the Skype ringing sound. She took a deep breath and clicked accept. 

“Hey,” she said softly. JC was all smiles on the other end. It looked like he was sitting at a piano in a room she hadn’t really seen before. 

 

JC tilted his head. She had sounded so excited to receive the flowers on the phone and now she looked so guarded. It had only been an hour since the phone call. 

 

“Hey pretty,” he smiled. “I wanted to see the flowers.”

 

She adjusted the laptop screen to reveal the large pink bouquet. JC felt himself smile really big. She was beautiful with the flowers as the backdrop. 

 

“They are beautiful,” she said, peeking back at them with a small smile, “Thank you again. I called to thank you but you were busy.”

 

“Yeah about that,” he laughed all low, “I had some home studio time today. It’s been a basement day since I woke up at 10:30 this morning.” 

 

“Oh you've been busy haven’t you…” Sam replied, then bit her lip. She realized that she had no reason to be sassy with him. They were friends. What he did 3,000 miles away from her was his business. 

 

“Yeah, busy being up buying flowers for a blondie until after midnight. Then up worrying about whether or not she was going to like them. Then that led to a song.” 

 

“You what? A song?”

 

He smiled, almost shyly as he looked down at the keys. “Yeah. A song.” 

 

She tilted her head slightly as she looked at him through the computer screen. She wanted to be mad at him in the worst way but this shy guy thing was getting the best of her. 

 

“Oh,” she said softly after a few moments. 

 

“I wanted to video call you not only to see the flowers but also to play you a little bit of the song. Do you want to hear it?”

 

Her hand immediately went to her glass of wine and brought it up to her lips. “As long as you don’t mind me eating dinner while you play.”

 

He laughed softly. “Not a problem. Sip and eat away. What are you drinking by the way?”

 

She held up her glass to the screen. “1999 Malbec. It’s one of my favorites of all time. Mmm.” 

 

“Just making a mental note,” he said with a grin, “so I know what to order us.”

 

Her head jerked up to look at the screen rather quickly when he said that. He just sat at the piano grinning at her through the screen. He was so cute it was infuriating! 

 

“Anyways, here’s the song Ms. Bentley. It’s not done yet. I’m going to play you the parts that are done though.”

 

She nodded and took a long sip, reaching for the bottle to top her glass off. 

 

JC’s fingers played at the piano as the light melody came out. 

 

So here we go, go again

It’s like I’m caught under your spell

You’re wearing black, black magic

Baby don’t wear nothing else

When I open up this door, Don’t you play

Ain’t no other man gonna make you feel the same

Wanna make, wanna make love 

Girl I can’t lie

I’m just a sucker for a cold hearted lover 

You make me suffer, you make me suffer 

Don’t keep me waiting, you should come over 

Don’t make me suffer, don’t make me suffer 

 

He played another few chords and looked up at the camera expectantly. He hadn’t written a song for someone in a while and played it so early in its creation. He cared so much about what she thought about the song. 

 

She couldn’t help but smile. “Cold hearted lover eh?”

 

He laughed and his eyes crinkled with his smile. “Well, you know..”

 

Her voice got soft but she was smiling. “It’s definitely something Josh. I like it.” 

“It’s not that I think you’re a cold hearted lover… at all. But the parts… you’ve got me caught under your spell? Yeah.” He smiled, looking up at her. “The other parts well,” he blushed slightly, “They happened.” 

She laughed a little bit at the cute little face he made. “Hey Josh?” 

“Hey Samantha?” It made him smile at the way she said his name the way he always nervously asked her a question. 

“Can I ask you something?” 

 

“Anything. Shoot.”

 

“Someone sent me an article from Oh No They Didn’t. You were the headliner with some brunette. She was gorgeous. It was from Friday. “ Her voice seemed to rush out. 

 

He felt his heart sink down into his stomach. “Oh God. Samantha,” he sighed. “I did go with friends out to the club this weekend. There was a woman.” He made a face when he saw Samantha visibly wince. “I hope you don’t hate me.”

 

“Josh,” her voice was very quiet, it seemed guarded but it was still that familiar voice he craved. “I’m not your girlfriend. If that’s what you want, or who you want, please. I’m not there to stop you. You know what… I’ll let you go. I’m sure you’re busy in your studio.”

 

“Wait. Samantha.” He grunted and looked up at the screen again. “Look at me.” 

 

Samantha looked back at him and sighed softly. “I’m looking.”

 

“One thing led to another and I left with her. But…” he sighed, “When I went back to her place and everything went down, I couldn’t get you out of my head. Everything I had always done with women before you and never thought twice about... I just couldn’t do it without you being at the front of my mind. I understand if you hate me right now. I just needed to get it all out.”

 

She blinked a few times as she searched his eyes through the computer screen. They looked earnest, lost and even a little bit vulnerable. “Josh…” 

 

He sighed again, knowing she could read him. How she was able to do it, he had absolutely no idea. “Samantha…”

 

“God you make it so hard to be mad at you!” she laughed at herself and shook her head. “I told you, I’m not your girlfriend. You didn’t do anything to wrong me. I promise.”

 

“I know you’re not my girlfriend. But I know that you and I have been talking and I respect that.” He stopped and smiled at himself slightly. He hadn’t pegged himself to be the guy to be having this conversation on the phone with a woman. "And I really meant it. You made me realize that acting this way isn’t fulfilling. So thanks for the kick in the ass.” He laughed.

 

“How about we go back to the first part of the phone call?” she asked, smiling. “Thanks for the flowers and the phone serenade. I really do appreciate it Josh.”

 

“You’re very welcome.” he smiled with a sigh and let himself appreciatively look at her through the computer screen. “Two weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing you, Samantha.”

 

“It’ll be amazing, darlin. I’ll talk to you tomorrow?” She smiled softly.

 

He breathed a little sigh of relief. “Same time, same place. Have a good night, pretty.”

 

“Goodnight Josh.” 

 

He clicked the hang up button on Skype and closed his computer. His sigh of relief escaped again. That was a close one,he thought to himself. But this was it. He was done messing around. If Samantha Bentley was the woman he thought she was, he wanted her. And he wasn’t going to stop until she was sure he was the man for her... and his head was just as sure.

 

He walked to his liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of Jack Daniels. He brought his glass out onto the patio and stared out at the late afternoon sun, sipping his drink and letting his mind get lost in thoughts of her. It was on in New York City. It was on. 

It was November 24th and late fall had descended on New York City. The smell of winter approaching was in the air, with street vendors switching to warm chestnuts and cocoa in lieu of their hot dogs and water bottles. Fifth Avenue began to decorate for Christmas, with snowflakes and white lights adorning the buildings.

 

JC glanced out the window of the SUV that was bringing them from JFK into Manhattan. He grinned, bouncing in his seat as the sights whipped by the windows. He had never been quite this excited to be landing in New York City.

 

The last two weeks were a whirlwind to him. After his conversation with Samantha about the pictures at the club, he vowed he wasn’t going to disappoint her again. He hunkered down at home, focusing on working out and writing music in his free time. Whenever he had time at night, he made sure to call or Skype with Samantha, telling her about his day and hearing what she had to say about what *NSYNC was up to. He found he welcomed her female perspective and loved to ask her what she thought. It was the calm in his chaos.

 

Justin looked at JC and he grinned. They always shared a row in the *NSYNC SUV. He had never seen JC quite this bouncy. 

“I don’t think that the Founder’s Gala is quite what you’re so excited for,” Justin grinned.

 

JC looked up at Justin, broken from his New York in the Winter induced trance. “Wha?” he grinned back, letting Justin’s light curls and smirky face come into focus. “No, I’m not. I mean yes I am. Our new song is going to be debuted during the gala tonight, so that’s exciting. But. I just...” he let out a long sigh. “It’s been almost a month. I’m anxious to see Samantha again.”

Justin licked his lips. “You know, I’ve been working on the Ashley front on my own. No need to keep on chatting with her.”

JC narrowed his eyes. “For your information we have never once even spoken of you or Ashley. All of our conversations have been about life and what’s been going on.”

Justin grinned. “You like her.”

 

JC grunted. “I do… I think I do. Maybe I like her because she’s not right there, ya know? I like the fact that I can pick up the phone and talk to her but then she’s not there. It’s like the best of both worlds.”

Justin raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t used to having conversations about women in a non-bedroom sense with JC in the recent past. “Well if you were able to have her around more, how do you think you’d feel?”

JC shrugged slightly. “I’m still figuring that out. We have a week in New York. I’m hoping to figure that out by the end of this week. The label is hoping to have her come to LA for the music video shoot in a few weeks too. That might be able to bring her to me in California. See how it feels there.” 

 

Justin smiled. “This is probably the most rational thing I’ve ever heard you say about a relationship in years. I’m impressed with whatever work she did. Did you hook up with her on Halloween?” He chuckled. 

 

JC rolled his eyes. “I’ll have you know that absolutely nothing has happened between us. Thank you.” 

 

Justin grinned. “Until tonight.”

 

JC laughed all low, hitting Justin’s arm. “You said it, not me bro.”

***

The sun had just set and the lights were twinkling all around the Mandarin Oriental. The ballroom, overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park was decked in blacks and whites for the Founders Gala and Masquerade Auction for the Children’s Hospital. The five members of *NSYNC were doing a private performance as a favor to the members of the board, supporters of Challenge for the Children each year. 

JC adjusted the black tie of his tux before looking down at his phone. He had left Samantha an invite to the gala that she had informally accepted over Skype, and earlier in the day she had said she was getting ready for the dinner at her place.

He checked himself out in the mirror and grinned. He felt like he was well dressed and ready to impress this woman who had been on his mind for weeks... and maybe the band had a few little surprises up their sleeves as well.

 

He walked over to his laptop and opened up his camera app. He grabbed at his tie with a cute little smirk and hit the self timer button. Click! The camera took his picture and he grinned, sending it by picture email to Samantha’s phone with the caption, waiting for you, beautiful.

He licked his lips and put on some Gucci cologne as he messed with his hair. He was more than ready for this night to begin. 

Justin knocked on his door and JC headed to the hallway with Justin, where the two friends excitedly talked about their new performance on the elevator ride down to the ballroom level. 

***

The lights were dimmed in the ballroom, allowing for the lights of New York to shine in through the floor to ceiling windows. The elite of New York once again mulled around the ballroom, sipping champagne and networking. It was another who’s who of New York.

 

JC took a sip of his champagne, talking with Justin and a major donor of the Challenge for the Children events.

 

“I think next summer’s event should be in California,” Mr. Kramer said, nodding at Justin’s enthusiasm. 

 

JC nodded absentmindedly, his eyes fixated on the main doors. A black and white balloon arch adorned the doorway, welcoming the guests to the room. The room was filled with beautiful people but not the one he was looking for. 

 

A smile spread across his face as a tall, curvy figure with a long black dress and a faux fur wrap walked into the room confidently. She stopped to greet some people, leaving light kisses on cheeks and big smiles and hugs. Samantha had arrived, and she was bringing the looks tonight. 

 

“Fuck,” he mumbled, looking down at his tie and fixing it slightly. She was looking amazing and he almost didn’t know what to do with himself.

 

“And how do you feel about that plan, JC?” Mr. Kramer asked, looking to JC for his approval.

 

JC nodded. “Sure, sounds good to me. If you’ll excuse me gentleman...” his voice drifted off and he weaved his way through the black and white dressed crowd before finding his intended target.

 

“Josh.” Samantha’s face broke out into a brilliant smile, her red lipstick only accentuating the joy radiating from her face. 

 

“Samantha. Wow. You look… stunning,” JC replied, taking her hand and spinning her around. “Like breathtaking.”

 

She laughed lightly as she twirled around with his guidance. “Thanks sweetheart. I love to get dressed up for events like these. And look at you with that tuxedo. Though I had a little sneak peek earlier. You’re getting to love taking pictures and sending them along to me,” she grinned, her voice with a hint of teasing. 

“Consider it a sneak peek,” he laughed, wrapping his arms around her for a hug. She smelled like a perfume he recognized… Honey by Marc Jacobs if he was correct. It was light and sweet and non-overpowering. 

She wrapped her arms around his as well, returning his tight hug with a smile. “I’ll spare your cheek the red lips. Don’t want to leave a mark on you tonight,” she giggled. 

He pulled away and smiled, looking down into her eyes. He could feel the same wave of… he wasn’t sure exactly what it was, electricity maybe… he felt the night they met. It was back and arguably stronger than ever. 

“No marks yet,” he smiled, taking her hand as he led her across the floor to where Justin was still talking with Mr. Kramer. 

 

“Gentlemen,” he smiled, looking up at Justin. “Sorry for the interruption, I’d like you both to meet Ms. Samantha Bentley. Samantha, you’ve met Justin. And this is Mr. Michael Kramer, one of the members of the Board of Trustees of the hospital. He is a partner with our charity basketball game every summer.” 

 

Mr. Kramer and Justin both nodded, and Mr. Kramer excused himself from the conversation to get another drink from the bar.

 

Justin smirked. “Hi again Samantha. Is your other half coming to the party tonight? The angel of darkness?”

 

Sam laughed and gave Justin a quick hug. “She’s on her way. She was tied up with something else so she said she’d be a little bit later than me.”

 

“Glad to hear it. Well you look stunning tonight. I’ll leave you and JC alone, I’m sure you both have a lot to catch up on.”

 

JC smiled brightly, welcoming the alone time with her. “Can I get you a drink from the bar? They’re walking around with champagne if that’s more your speed tonight.”

 

“A glass of Malbec would be wonderful, or any other red blend if they don’t have it,” she replied, leaving her arm casually draped inside of his. Something felt very normal and right about being on his arm, and she wasn’t making any moves to leave the way they were.

 

He continued to look down at her with his soft smile. “You can walk to the bar with me if you’d like, or I can bring it back to you.”

 

“I’ll come with you. Then we can find our table,” she replied, leaving her arms linked in his. 

 

He led her to the bar, smiling down at her as she held onto him. Normally it irked him at an event when a woman was holding onto his arm in that way, but she just fit right and he felt proud that she was holding onto him. 

“Malbec and a Gin and Tonic please,” he asked the bartender, all while looking down at Samantha. “You’re beautiful.”

 

She smiled softly, biting at her lip slightly. “Oh hush, It’s the makeup and the outfit.”

 

“No, it’s all of you. I think I’ve realized over the last few weeks that you’re kind of special. And I’m not sorry for how lame that sounds.” he grinned.

 

“It’s super sweet,” she said, smiling up at him. “I appreciate that.”

 

He handed her the Malbec and he took his Gin and Tonic and they headed over to the table where JC pulled her chair out for her.

***

The party went on and the *NSYNC table was full of light conversation and great food.

 

Samantha was walking back from the bathroom with Ashley to find the table empty except for the two of them. 

 

“Where did they go?” she looked at Ashley, who shrugged in return.

 

“Ladies and gentleman, please take your seats. Our evening’s entertainment is beginning in a moment.” the DJ announced, as the lights dimmed.

 

“Ohhhh boy,” Ashley grinned, rubbing her hands together as she sat down next to Samantha. “We’re fucked.”

 

Sam laughed. “What!”

 

“Oh Samantha, you have no idea. You’ve never been to an *NSYNC performance before have you… grab that wine girl. You’re gonna need it.” Ashley’s voice was teasing but Sam could sense the anticipation in her voice. 

 

“New York City,” Justin’s voice began, “We are *NSYNC. Welcome to the Founder’s Gala. We’re here to entertain you tonight. We have a couple new songs we want to share with you.”

 

An uptempo R&B beat began as the five members of *NSYNC appeared on the stage wearing headsets. Five stools sat on the stage as well, and they all took their places on a stool. 

 

A perfect five part harmony took over as the guys began, “You and me supposed to be together girl, forever girl, I think it’s clear to see we were meant to be together girl, together forever girl.”

 

Justin took over, “I made a wish upon a star to see the picture in my heart, and there you were. They say you know it’s true love if it comes from up above and like an angel you flew down…” 

 

JC looked at Justin and grinned before he took over, “Truth is, I was never the one to act right, until you came along and changed my life girl…” He looked out into the crowd and saw Samantha, locking eyes with her for a long moment. 

 

Time seemed to stop in her seat. Here he was, in charge, singing his heart out, but looking at only her. She offered him a smile from over her red wine glass, feeling her heart start to pound. 

 

JC continued to wail, “I believe it was destiny that brought you to me, I’m mesmerized by the way that you keep loving me, oh baby… you and me supposed to be together girl, forever girl. I think it’s clear to see we were meant to be together girl, together, forever girl…”

 

Sam took another long sip of her wine, watching him sing his heart out and interact with his bandmates. Oh did she get it… she understood why millions of girls around the world were in love with this band. She looked over at her friend who was giving Justin heart eyes, and she smiled for her then sighed softly. All of this HAD to be Justin winning Ashley back… she just knew it. 

 

The lights came up ever so slightly as the five members of *NSYNC got up off the stage and walked onto the event floor. A low hum of bass took over as another new, unfamiliar song began to play. JC stopped in front of the table looking down at Samantha, hands in his pockets. He offered her a tiny smile as he pulled one hand out. “Samantha, I need to borrow you for a dance to continue. Please?”

Samantha leaned up and took his hand, allowing him to guide her up onto the floor with him. She had absolutely no idea what was happening, but one quick glance behind her revealed Justin taking nearly identical steps with Ashley. She turned her attention back to JC with a soft smile. 

 

JC began walking backwards, guiding her in a slow and sure fashion as he began to sing when the melody took over, “I just wanna take my time… my time… my time with you…” 

 

*NSYNC harmonized a low oooh underneath the vocals of Justin and JC. Sam felt chills up and down her entire spine. 

 

With a slow and steady movement, one of JC’s hands slid around her body slowly, while his other hand locked fingers with her hand. He took a step closer, feeling a shiver in his body as the music picked up in intensity. The proximity of her body to his was all kinds of distracting, but he knew he had a job to do. This song was hers… for her, and he wanted it to be just right. 

 

He began to sing, his eyes locked on hers, “We’re here alone while the thunder is rolling and the windows are blowing cause it’s storming and pouring tonight. I put my hand on your chest, I can feel your heart and it’s beating kinda fast, so is mine. In this moment of silence, you look me in the eyes, nothing’s verbalized but so much is said. I need you so much, the more I'm away from you, the more of you I want…”

 

Sam closed her eyes and swallowed hard, opening her eyes again to meet the intent gaze of JC. The rest of the group began to sing but everything slowed down to a blur as she stared into his eyes.

 

I want to hold you until I can feel again

Until your soul lets me in

Tell me that you wanna make love

Tell me that you wanna really make love

Baby I’m a man that believes in what it is

 

JC’s hand slid up into her hair where he played at her blonde curls, as his lips made their way down to her jawline. He felt her body moving in time with his, hips slowly beginning to make passes at each other. 

 

Sam’s eyes fluttered closed at his lips on her face with a soft sigh as she moved her arms to wrap around his neck, her hips swaying with his in perfect time with the rhythm of the bass. 

 

Justin’s voice took over, allowing JC to only harmonize as he needed to, his thumb stroked across the back of her neck under her hairline, pulling away only so slightly to allow himself to look into her crystal blue eyes that had fluttered open again. He sucked in a light breath, having an overwhelming feeling of need, desire, want for this woman in front of him. His heart began to race and he knew his eyes were giving him away. 

 

We’re going to a whole ‘nother level

When we do it, it’s so true

It’s so much more than sexual tonight

When we’re connected, every touch, every kiss is perfected it’s like

When we finally find what we’ve been looking for

It gets better and better in time 

This is deeper than love

The more of you I have the more of you I want...

 

Samantha sucked in a breath of her own, feeling so caught off guard. The room felt warm suddenly and the way his blue eyes looked down at her felt overwhelming. She didn’t even notice the cameras that had descended in the room, recording this performance. 

 

Woman and man fight so hard

And the two become one 

We work out our problems

And we fix it whenever we get body to body, body to body

 

JC brought his hand up to her face, as he began to speak along with the words, “When you’re so wet and I’m so hard, when the two become one it’s like oh my god, and we’re feeling like our spirit wanna leave our body, leave our body…”

Samantha felt her lips part as she sucked in another light breath, feeling a tingle go down her entire body. Subconsciously as they moved together she felt her legs squeeze together.

 

The music faded out and JC stopped dancing, bringing her hand into his. He slowly brought it up to his chest, over his heart. He had never, ever felt it beating so hard and he hoped she would feel the same. As her fingers rested over his heart, she could feel it about ready to come tearing through his shirt. Gradually, his lips turned up into a smile against her cheek as he breathed slowly, dragging his lips with a slow ease against her face until they reached her lips where they landed in a perfect lock. 

 

Sam tilted her head to greet his kiss, making their lips meet while her other hand slid up along his prominent jawline where it rests. She felt her heart begin to flutter and slowly from the top of her head to the tips of her toes an electricity spread throughout her entire body, an electricity she hadn’t felt in ages. 

 

JC made a low noise that only she could hear against her lips, pulling her in closer to his body and stealing a few long kisses from her lips before opening and closing his lips on hers once more. Moving with a slow deliberate speed he wasn’t even sure he possessed, he pulled away from her lips, breaking the kiss to breathe and let a slow and lazy smile take over. “Ohhh,” he said. 

 

Samantha’s smile matched his before her eyes fluttered closed again and her lips danced against his for one more soft little kiss. The music had stopped completely and the buzz of the party began again. She wasn’t sure what had just happened between the two of them, but all she knew was there was a chemistry that she just couldn’t deny anymore. 

 

JC’s lips brushed against her temple where they rested as he whispered, “I’ve been waiting to do that to you all day.”

 

Samantha laughed softly, letting her eyes stay closed as she reveled in the tingling feeling that was lingering. “That was some hello,” she mumbled. Her hand slid up his tuxedo jacket, straightening the jacket and fixing his tie. 

 

“I planned it that way,” he grinned, “You might have told me no otherwise.” His fingers played at her hair, adjusting the gentle blonde curls back to their perfect form. 

 

Sam giggled softly, almost on a whisper as he played with her hair. “I guess I’ll take that not-so-gentle persuasion.” 

 

JC rested his lips on her forehead, bringing her into his body for one more embrace. “I need to go take care of a few things with the guys around that performance. I promise I won’t leave you alone too long. Wait for me at the table?”

 

Samantha nodded, leaning into his embrace. “Promise. Don’t take too long.”

 

He smiled, brushing his lips against her forehead one last time. He broke away from her and walked away slowly, feeling his body come alive. He cursed the group for the moment, not wanting to leave her alone after what had just happened. Every moment of that performance, although it was a performance, and it was to be part of their music video… it was real. It was raw. It was… well, he wanted more. 

 

Ashley came up behind Samantha, touching at her lips in a daze as well. “Samantha, what the hell just happened?” 

 

Sam laughed softly. “I don’t know who that man was that took me out onto the dance floor but holy shit.” She shook her head. 

 

Ashley grinned. “Now THAT was the Joshua I knew. He honestly was such an amazing guy back when and whatever just happened in that song brought him back to life.”

 

Sam smirked. “Yeah, well whatever happened in that song brought something else back to life,” she laughed softly, “I haven’t felt that in awhile.”

 

Ashley smirked so hard, giggling. “Yeah, tell me about it.”

 

A few minutes later, Sam and Ashley had returned to the table where they were sipping on another glass of wine. 

 

JC approached the table with a little grin. “Ladies. Ashley. Samantha.” 

 

“Hey Josh,” Sam smiled, bringing her glass up to her lips for another sip. 

 

“May I have this dance?” he asked, holding his hand out again. 

 

“Of course,” she replied, taking his hand. He led her out onto the floor where the music had shifted to big band style, and “I’m in the Mood for Love” was playing. He spun her around on the floor, letting their bodies move to the slow jazzy beat. 

 

Sam laughed softly, letting him lead her on the floor while their feat went to town. She loved this style of music and dancing, and something about being with JC felt freeing. She took a moment to stop and admire him, gazing into his blue eyes. 

 

“I could dance to this for days,” he smiled, moving his body in time with hers. He looked down into her eyes and paused, “You’re glowing. Radiant.”

 

She blushed, then grinned, giving him a coy little look that he had grown to love so much. “It’s the bronzer. A new one. Givenchy.”

 

JC was all smiles as his eyes twinkled, taking the time to really look at her well. 

 

She giggled softly, “You’re glowing too. But it could be the Gin and Tonics.”

 

JC grinned. “It’s not the bronzer. It’s all you.” He reached up and let his fingertips barely graze her cheeks. 

 

Sam let her arms loosely wrap around his neck as they began to sway to the song. “Thanks for a lovely evening, Josh.” 

 

He grinned softly. “Anytime. But I should have thought twice before inviting you. How did I not know that dinner with you was going to be a silent auction item?”

 

She giggled. “Sorry you lost the date.”

 

JC smirked. “Two things. First, I didn’t need to bid on a dinner date with you. Secondly, I may have gone over to the table and contemplated continuing but I also didn’t want you to think I was crazy.”

 

“It’s all in fun and for a good cause. I’ll be out with a fashion blogger. Not sure he’s interested in me romantically. You on the other hand…” she giggled.

 

He scoffed cutely. “In the moment I wasn’t thinking about charity. And very funny little lady.” He paused and smirked, “I just wanted to win a dinner date with you. But then I figured I’d just ask you out myself.” He pushed on her back to press up against him a little bit more. 

 

Sam laughed softly as she felt his hands press against her back and slide down. Her hips moved in an easy rhythm against his. It was very sensual the way they fit together. She was taking notice of all of these little things. When their hips made a pass against the others, she resisted the urge to bite her lip, but instead offered him a coy grin. “I’ll just wait for you to do that then.”

 

JC stopped moving as he looked down at her. “Please go on a date with me, Samantha Bentley. I promise I’ll make it fun.”

 

She grinned. “Well in that case, if you’re going to make it fun, I guess you could just twist my arm a little bit more, Josh Chasez.”

 

“I’ve already got a date in mind for you.” He inched his face closer to hers as he laughed real low. 

 

She grinned cute when his face got nice and close to hers, leaving just enough space between them.

 

 “I’m sure it’ll be a wonderful time.” Her hand slid up to touch his face, resting along his jawline. 

 

JC smiled and inched even closer to her lips so his were barely brushing hers as he spoke against them, “It involves football. You and me. Junk food.”

 

Sam smiled against his lips, watching his eyes flutter closed, “I like football… I like food.” 

 

She let her arms slide around him again. The music of the party seemed to fade to a dull and slow background afterthought. 

 

JC’s eyes fluttered even tighter as he whispered, “I kinda like you.” He couldn’t help but stop dancing altogether and put one hand in her hair as he closed his lips around hers. Her head tilted slightly to make her lips fit perfectly against his. A light noise escaped her lips, feeling the deep and intense electricity he sent into her body.

JC felt his heart palpitate, welcoming the invite of her lips against his. He continued to deepen the kiss, pulling her even closer into his body. Sam slid one hand up to the lapel of his tuxedo, gripping it softly with her fist to steady herself from melting into him. Her lips moved against his slowly. Everything about him was so damn satisfying. 

JC pulled away slowly before latching his lips back onto hers softly mixed with an mmmm. At that moment, he realized just how deeply he was into her and couldn’t deny it any longer. 

 

Sam made her own hum of approval before looking up into his eyes. “You’re a pretty damn good kisser, Joshua Chasez.”

 

JC licked his lips as he continued to look down at her. “I can only kiss as well as my partner allows me to. So you, pretty lady, are a perfect kisser. His arms tightened around her. Holding her in them felt right, it felt safe, it felt warm. 

 

She nodded slightly in response, swallowing just a little bit as her arms relaxed but still continued to hold onto him. “Keep dancing with me,” she whispered. 

 

“I’ll dance with you all night long if you want,” he said softly, kissing her temple and they began to sway to the slow instrumental number.

 

She brought her face to rest against his, letting her eyes close as their bodies moved together in silent connection for most of the song. Their synchronicity made her smile softly. Everything about him felt right.

 

“How long are you in the city for?” she whispered.

 

“The rest of the week and weekend,” he mumbled against her face, letting his body guide hers back and forth. 

 

She smiled softly. “Good. Then we’ll get to that football date on Sunday.”

 

He grinned. “Deal. I’ll hold you to that because we leave the following day.”

 

She smiled, leaning in to place a soft kiss on his cheek. “Sounds good to me Josh.”

 

“Does that mean you’re busy Thursday - Saturday?” He dipped her back as the song ended, looking down into her eyes as he held her in his arms. 

 

She let out the softest, lighthearted laugh at being dipped. “Not all day long on those days.” She let her eyes lock with him and that electricity took over again.

 

He put her upright again, saying nothing for a long moment. “Then text me any day before Sunday that you’ll be free. I want to see you as much as I can while I’m in the city.”

 

Sam’s voice was warm and soft. “I definitely will Josh. I definitely will.”

 

He smiled, looking at her with a tilted head. "Would you like to leave a little early? Go get a coffee or something? Or I can just make sure you get home safely.”

 

Sam grinned. “Have you ever been to Ma’s Deli?”

 

JC returned the grin. “Sure haven’t. Never heard of it, but I’m sure that you’re about to change that.” He slid his hand into hers and began to lead them toward the exit. 

 

She laughed softly, stepping out onto the curb outside the Mandarin Oriental as a cab pulled right up for them. “As a matter of fact, I am about to change that.”

 

JC helped her into the cab and settled into the backseat next to her. His arm snaked protectively against her body, pulling her into him. “I get the feeling you’re about to change a lot of things,” he mumbled, closing his eyes. 

A light snow began to fall around the cab as Samantha's head rested on his shoulder. He was warm and inviting. She peered out at the familiar sights as the cab drove toward the Upper East Side. 

 

JC absentmindedly played with her hair while he breathed in her distinctive smell. 

 

"I might get in trouble for leaving early. But it's all so worth it," he mumbled up against her temple.

 

She smirked lightly. "Someone just bid $25,000 to take me on a dinner date. I'll probably be the one in trouble." The cab came to a stop in front of a small storefront with a simple neon sign that read Ma's: Fine New York Delicatessen. "I hope you're hungry, Josh."

 

"Starving." He grinned and paid the cabbie, opening the door first then helping her out of the cab, careful to keep her dress from getting covered in snow. "And I won't let you get blamed for anything. It'll all be my fault." 

 

She gave him a soft smile as she gazed up at him. "I'll let you accept responsibility for me." She reached over to grab his hand.

 

They walked inside the deli, a small hole in the wall. It was a 24-hour-a-day deli, with a light mix of people spread out at tables. A small brown counter greeted guests by the door with chalkboard menus behind the counter, listing tons of choices. The deli smelled faintly of pickles, sandwiches and brisket. JC grinned. This place looked like the kinds of places he loved to find in cities, local and kind of eclectic. 

"Mmmm. Breakfast. Sandwiches, or just dessert?" Sam mumbled with a cute smile, glancing up at the menu. JC stood close behind, pretending to hide behind her as he looked at the menu board as well. 

"Samantha, hello!" the hostess said with a grin. "What brings you in tonight?"

"Oh, a first name basis," JC laughed.

"Hi Darlene!" Sam smiled, offering a wave. "We just came from an event. This handsome man here hasn't ever had your amazing food and he wants a New York experience."

JC smiled, looking down at Sam from behind. "Tell me your favorite things on the menu and I'll choose from those."

Sam made a thoughtful face, looking up at the chalkboard. "Oh." She leaned back a bit at the counter. "For breakfast it's their chocolate brioche french toast with the raspberry syrup. If we're talking about a sandwich, it's the Bernie and Bob with roast ham, pastrami and turkey on rye. And also their brisket. Oh and of course matzo ball soup. And their pumpkin bread pudding is amazing."

"Well damn," JC laughed, shaking his head. "I think I need to try them all." His arms casually wrapped around her waist, pulling her tighter into him. "Maybe I'll get that sandwich you mentioned and side of the soup."

"Hmm. If I order a bowl of soup too, will you split the sandwich with me?" Sam smiled, "Might be worth it since it's already after 11."

‘I'd love to," he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "For here or to go?"

Sam made a cute and thoughtful face. "Well. I could eat this at home in my pajamas. But I do love this place. It's cozy... and yes." She took one small step forward. "Yes Darlene, we're ready. We're going to do two bowls of the Matzo Ball soup, splitting a Bob and Bernie on rye please, extra pickles on the side. And we'll have two waters and a chocolate eggcream. For here please." 

JC quickly slipped his wallet out of his pocket and threw down his credit card to pay before she could make another move. "It's on me, sweetheart," he smiled. He signed for the bill and took the plastic number from Darlene. He followed Samantha into the side of the restaurant and settled in a corner booth, under autographed pictures of Broadway stars that had eaten at the restaurant. 

 

"Mmm. Upside is, we get to eat this sooner." He looked over at her, smiling at the way she was seated next to him in the booth. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"You speak the truth Josh," she grinned softly and snuggled into him in the booth. The diner was warm but there was still a chill in the air from being outside in the snow.

He draped an arm around her as the waters were placed on the table. "Are you cold?" 

"A little bit." She smiled and rubbed her arms. "My fur wrap is warm, but it's no match for a New York City snowstorm. Also hence the order of soup."

"Well that's unacceptable isn't it?" he moved slightly to take his tuxedo jacket off, slipping it over her shoulders. "I'm usually a hot box."

She smiled and draped it over her, immediately getting a strong scent of his Gucci cologne. "Well you're not kidding," she said with a grin, "this is nice and warm."

He slowly uncuffed his sleeves and rolled them up to his elbows. "Good. I'm glad it helps."

She smiled and snuggled into his coat  before she leaned forward to take a sip of water. "It's nice to have some peace and quiet. And normalcy. Don't get me wrong, I feel so fortunate that I get invited to these fancy dinners and galas but it's exhausting sometimes to be so... fancy all the time."

He grinned. "Exactly my thoughts, little lady. And absolutely, I haven't been able to walk into a place like this in years and not be mobbed or recognized. So I apologize in advance if it happens. I'll handle it." He licked his lips.

She shrugged lightly and looked up at him. "Okay. It won't upset me if it does. As long as I don't get you into trouble."

"I won't get into trouble. I promise. And I have an idea after we eat." He grinned as the food came up, two plates with a half sandwich, pickles and a bowl of soup plated neatly. "Oh wow.  Perfect."

"Oh, you've got ideas?" she laughed softly, looking at the food as it was plated. "Mmm. This looks delish. It's so predictably good. My favorite." She took half of her sandwich up to his and toasted them together, like they were two wine glasses. "Cheers Josh. I hope you enjoy it."

He couldn't help but grin so hard as he watched her take the first bite of her sandwich. She was enjoying herself, and so was he. He took a big bite of his sandwich and began to chew. Once he got his first taste, he closed his eyes and mumbled, still with a mouthful of food, "Oh my god."

Sam laughed softly after she swallowed her bite. It made her smile to see him enjoying her little hole in the wall. "The owners make everything from scratch. They bake their challah bread and their rye bread every day to sell. All of their meats and everything are specially bought and sliced for each sandwich. They're amazing."

JC swallowed and took a sip of the chocolate egg cream they were sharing. "Mmm. Holy Shit. They need to come to LA." He took another large bite and made a satisfied grunt. "I may need to get one to go for tomorrow at the hotel." He smirked. 

She grinned and took another bite of her soup. "Well, I guess we'll need to find you a new deli of your own in California, won't we?" She nibbled on her sandwich and watched him for a few long moments. The silence was comfortable. 

He grinned. "Mmmm. Maybe we both will when you come to Los Angeles to finish this video then." He licked his lips slowly, watching her face.

Her eyebrow shot up as she looked at him. "Video? What video?"

He smirked, "The one we started tonight at the Founder's Gala."

"Joshua Chasez!" she exclaimed, staring at him. She could feel her cheeks getting redder and redder. Of course, this was why he seemed to be so into her at the gala. It was all for a video. Why did she even for one moment think he actually liked her? All these boyband guys were the same. "I can't believe you are all that sneaky."

"The world will get a little snippet as a teaser tomorrow, then that way you and Ashley will need to come to LA and finish it." He gladly took a bite of his sandwich, happy eating that last bite, proud like a little kid who just let go of a big secret.

Sam mumbled in return, looking down at her soup. She felt like a complete idiot.

JC was all smiles, feeling clever. "And that's why I made my way over to you to pick you first. I didn't want anyone else to get to you. I told them you were mine."

"Oh, I see." she replied dryly.

JC took a few bites of his soup, watching how her body language stiffened up. He studied her closely for a few long moments. "I feel like I said something."

She shook her head in response and took a long sip of water before reaching for her pickle and taking a hasty bite. 

"Samantha. There's something you need to know about me." He reached over for her hand and took it in his gently. 

She looked down at their hands and then up at him. She had no response for him, just looking at him and waiting for him to continue. She was ready to take his tuxedo jacket off and run out of the deli, back to the comfort of a warm car and her regular life in her apartment. 

"If I feel a connection to you, chemistry, anything like that, then I'm connected to you forever. You can't bullshit me or lie to me with serious intent and expect me not to feel it deeply. I upset you in the last 10 minutes and I really didn't mean to." He lifted their hands up and placed a gentle kiss on hers. "Be honest with me please."

Sam sucked in a deep breath and let out a sigh of exhalation. She tilted her head to really truly examine him. His eyes were that vulnerable blue again, the way she had seen it only once before. "Then you're being completely serious with me in return? No bullshit, only honesty?"

He nodded while his gaze was locked on hers intently. He made no move to even blink. "Completely,"

Her voice was soft. "I'll be honest with you," she smiled softly up at him, "I refuse to date men in the entertainment industry because I've always been cautious of motives. And I don't let people in my world easily. I feel like I let you break down my walls over the last month, then you just told me about this video. It made my question everything that we had. If what we had on that dance floor was real or just for your music video. You're a boy band member. You know how to look romantic on camera."

JC nodded, listening to every word of hers intently. He wanted to be a better man than he had been recently, listening with the intention of understanding, not just to reply. 

"I can see where you are coming from. I know I can look romantic on camera for a video even if I wasn't feeling it. However, you cannot deny the way that  I look at you and the way that I kissed you. I'm not an actor, I'm a musician. My heart is on my sleeve with you and believe me, I wasn't planning on you happening. You just did. I want you to be in the video, but I also want you outside the video. I want you sitting next to me at football games, and I want you showing me your city. I want to show you my life and see if you like it. I want you in any way that I can have you, Samantha Bentley. And fuck, I've never admitted that to anyone in my entire life."

She looked at him and could see in his eyes he was completely serious. "I can't deny it... I definitely can't. I like you a lot Josh," she sighed softly, "And I like that you can admit that to me." She reached up and touched his face softly, letting her fingertips run against the 5 o'clock shadow that was forming along his jaw. "I didn't mean to happen to you just like I didn't mean for you to happen to me either."

He leaned into her touch and smiled. His eyes fluttered closed for a moment. The softest touches from her were becoming the most debilitating. "We didn't get a choice in the matter, pretty," he smiled down at her, "Now let's get you home safe and warm okay?"

She nodded, "Let's go."

He slid out of the booth, reaching down to help her out as well, making sure his tuxedo jacket was still draped over her shoulders. He slipped his arm around her as they walked out into the falling snow. 

There was something magical about the first snowfall of the season. The air had a different vibe to it, the kind of vibe that felt like anything could happen. Sam looked at JC with adoring eyes as they lazily strolled down the street. It was quiet by Manhattan standards.

Their quiet daydreamy walk was interrupted by a scream, followed by an "OH MY GOD!" Sam's dreamy smile faded as two teenage girls ran up to them, clapping their hands and grinning big.

"Whoa, whoa," JC said calmly with a smile, "Hi. No need to scream. If you cause a scene you're less likely to get time for a conversation, hi girls."

The first girl looked at JC with heart eyes. "Oh my GOD," she said, "you're real."

Her friend rolled her eyes. "Of course he's real. Get a life." She looked at JC with a bright smile. "We are huge fans of *NSYNC. Do you mind if we get a picture with you?"

Sam looked at the girls and JC and laughed softly. She stepped back to let them have their time with him. 

JC nodded with a smile. "Of course, Samantha sweetheart, would you take the photo for us?"

"Of course!" Sam replied with a smile. 

The first girl handed Sam the camera with a big smile. "Oh my gosh! Samantha! You two know each other?!"

JC chuckled. "We sure do, Kinda close friends actually." He put his arm around each of the girls with a smile, getting ready for the picture.

Sam laughed as she snapped the picture. "Yes, that we are."

The first girl stopped and looked at Sam breathlessly. "Do you mind if we get a picture with you too? You're like, BOTH of our idols. You're like the most beautiful woman ever!"

Sam giggled softly and wrapped her arms around the girls this time. "Of course, c'mere girls! Josh can you take this one?"

JC grinned really big. "I have a better idea." He grabbed the digital camera from Samantha and leaned in with all of them in a huddle. "I'll take all of us together!" His grin was extra big as he was posing in his first picture with Sam.

Sam laughed so cute after JC took the photo. "Girls, make sure you send it to me on MySpace when you get it uploaded! I'd love to see how it comes out." She hugged each of the girls. "Have a good night, beautiful girls!"

The girls squealed as they took their camera and ran away, ready to go online and upload what they had just found walking along the streets in New York City.

JC pulled Samantha into his body again as they both started walking again. "I'm grateful there were only 2 girls instead of 50." He looked down at her and smiled. It was even colder now and she was draped in his jacket, not to mention he was starting to get cold. "Should we get a cab back to your place?"

"I'm grateful too," Sam laughed, "And yes please. It's cold! You want to try hailing this cab?" She grinned up at him.

"On it sweetheart," JC grinned as he stepped forward onto the corner and whistled with his fingers loudly. A cab came to a stop in front of them. 

"Look at you, so persuasive," she giggled, climbing into the cab. "You're something else, JC..." she leaned forward to the driver, "Thompson Street and Grand Street in SoHo please."

"So are you, Ms. Bentley," he replied, leaning back against the seat to watch her as the cab began driving downtown.

They drove in silence for about 10 minutes before either of them spoke.

"It's about 5 more minutes from here," she said softly, looking up at him. "You can leave the meter running and leave me off if you'd like."

JC pursed his lips as he looked closely at her. "You mean just to drop you off?"

Sam nodded, watching him with a smile. "I mean I can make my way upstairs myself. If you've got other plans or you need to get back... or..." her lips curled up into a grin as she continued to look up at him. 

"I'd rather walk you upstairs. I can get another cab later or pay him to say and wait for me. I wouldn't just drop you off, ever." 

Sam smiled. "That's fine." She peeked out the window as her building came into view. "How warm do you feel your tuxedo jacket is?"

JC looked at her and tilted his head slightly. "I mean, it's warm but it's not going to keep me from getting frost bite if I was left out in the cold." He smirked.

Sam laughed lightly. "Right, so I won't leave you in the cold. Noted." The cab slowed to a stop in front of her building. She could see John standing under the awning, watching the cab. "I'd suggest paying that cab now..." she added, biting her lip.

JC looked at her and nodded. "Okay then." He leaned forward and paid the fare before opening the door and helping her out. The snowflakes were falling a little bit heavier than they were at the Mandarin Oriental, and a light white blanket was coating the sidewalk. 

John smiled. "Ms. Bentley, good evening." He offered a polite nod to JC.

"Hi John," she offered him a cute grin. "Have a great night!" She grabbed onto JC's hand and walked into the building. She put her code into the elevator and they rode up to the top floor. 

She looked at him with a tilted head and a small smile. "Hi."

He returned her smile and stroked her hand with his thumb. "Hello beautiful."

She looked down at their hands interlocked and smiled before looking back up at him. With a slight ding, the elevator opened up to her foyer. She stepped out, leading the way. "I hope you're not ready to leave yet."

"I wouldn't leave until you were ready for me to." He smiled as they walked inside and he looked around. He had been there the night of Halloween but he couldn't remember too many details of her loft. It was bigger than he remembered, but just as sharply decorated and home-like.  "This place is beautiful, Samantha."

She smiled. "It's home. C'mere." She walked with him into her hallway and coat closet. "Here." She slipped off his tuxedo jacket and handed it back to him. Opening the coat closet, she grabbed her black down jacket and a plush purple Ugg blanket. "Take this blanket too. I'm getting my coat as well. Now. C'mere you." She tugged at his arm as they walked to a third door in the hallway, which she opened to several steps up. They ascended up onto the rooftop patio of her loft. On the wall near the door, she flipped a switch and little lights illuminated all around them. The Manhattan Skyline stretched out for miles in front of them as the snow swirled all around them. 

JC couldn't help but do a low giggle of his own as she tugged him around her hallway, up to the rooftop. "My goodness woman!" He pulled his jacket on and buttoned the top two buttons. "No wonder you love it here."

"New York has a special place in my heart. Isn't it amazing?" She stepped next to him and took her big soft blanket and wrapped it all around the two of them from behind, creating a warm cocoon. 

He couldn't help but shiver slightly as the cold hit him, but the sight of New York, the view, the lights, her proximity made him smile so big. "I'm starting to feel that it's taking a special piece of my heart too."

She felt him shiver under the blanket next to her. "You're shivering sweetheart. Let's go inside. You can warm up... I'll make us some tea."

"No, no," he said, "I want to stay out here longer with you." He grabbed hold of her and the blanket and pulled them both closer. 

She smiled softly, looking over at him. "We can keep each other warm." She snuggled into him, letting the blanket envelope the two of them. He was warm and steady and it made her smile.

JC let out a soft sigh and his breath made a cloud in front of them. "Can I take a picture of us right now? Please?"

She laughed softly. "One picture tonight wasn't enough for you?"

He grinned. "Without two little fangirls." He pulled his new phone from his pocket. His camera on his phone wasn't great but he wanted this memory to be captured forever. "Besides, it's not like I can save the picture. It belongs to the girls." He put his arm out, holding the camera phone out toward them, faces smooshed together as he snapped the photo. The snow continued to swirl around them, only amplifying the incredible feelings he was having. 

Her face was pressed against his perfectly as she smiled for the photo. "You'll share it with me too right?"

He grinned. "You're making it to my MySpace post. I'll even tag you in it."

"Ohh, the big time," she laughed, leaning in to kiss his cheek as he snapped one more photo.

"The big time," he mumbled with a smile, turning his face so that his lips were touching on hers again and he began to smile up against hers.

Sam mumbled against his lips, between tiny kisses she was leaving him, "The snow is sticking. It's too slippery..." her hand reached out and touched his face gently. "Stay with me tonight?"

His soft and slow kisses that were breaking into smaller ones were interrupted by his smirk. "Mmm. Only if you promise not to take advantage of me." He grinned so cute against her lips.

She laughed softly, "That's a promise." She was leaving him soft little kisses in between smiles too. She had to have some restraint. This man had her body and mind on fire in ways it hadn't been in ages, and she knew she needed to practice some self restraint before she got carried away.

"Mmmm. We should probably go inside now," he mumbled before taking one little tug on her lip. 

She broke away from his kisses with a smile. "Mmm. You're right. Let's go warm up and have some tea." 

They walked downstairs into the living room, closing the door to the patio behind them. The warmth of her loft was inviting and made him smile. He took his coat off and rested it on the back of a chair, and he took his hands to get some of the flakes out of his hair.

She smiled and leaned up to help him shake the snowflakes out. "Why don't you curl up under some blankets on the couch while I start the tea? Maybe you can start the fireplace so it'll be nice and warm for later."

"My pleasure," he watched her for a moment before he walked toward the fireplace to put some wood inside. "This snow brings in the holiday season."

"Mmm, it is. I need to start decorating. After Thanksgiving." She put the tea kettle on the stove and watched him across the room shuffling around the fireplace. "I'm going to put some pajamas on. Make yourself at home."

He nodded slightly, "I'll be here." As she walked into the bedroom, he kicked his shoes off and untucked his shirt. He took his tie off and tossed it on the chair with his tuxedo jacket. He was looking like a sloppy gentleman as he plopped himself down on the couch. Her loft was warm and inviting. He tried to take notes of all of the little things that made it uniquely hers. It made him smile.

A short time later, after hanging up her gown and changing, Samantha emerged from the bedroom with buffalo check pajama bottoms and a white vneck tshirt. She removed all of her makeup and the bobby pins from her hair. She was cozy and happy. A faint whistle of the tea kettle made her walk to the kitchen. "Josh, how do you like your tea?"

He looked up at her in the kitchen and he grinned so big. "Just a little bit of sugar. And you know, you could have gone to the Founder's Gala dressed like that and I still would have tried to win that date with you."

She looked up at him with a little smirk from the kitchen as she poured a little bit of sugar in his Chamomile Tea, mixing a little bit of honey in hers. "Yeah? You still think I would have been worth 25 grand in PJs?"

He smiled softly. "You're worth way more than that." In front of him, the fire was glowing big and healthy. He looked at her with his head cocked to the side slightly. "Way more."

She smiled and walked out to him with two mugs. A big Washington Redskins mug for him, and a green and white polka dotted mug for herself. "You're sweet," she said as she handed him his mug, then settled onto the couch, "Nice fire you built."

"Oooh, I see you trying to win me over with the Skins mug," he grinned, taking a sip of his tea with a smirk. "And it's cold out. I wanted a big fire. You happen to have the perfect fireplace for it."

She laughed in reply. "Oh I'm trying sooo hard you know." She smirked and took a sip of her tea before putting the mug down on the end table. She pulled her big sherpa blanket over the two of them so the fire and the blanket could do their job. "Oh, it's perfect."

He let out a soft sigh, holding the mug to his lips and watching the fire, almost becoming mesmerized by it. "Your condo is gorgeous. So comfortable."

She smiled and grabbed her mug again to take a sip. "It's just right. I love having something like this to come home to every night. When the world is crazy with different shoots around the world, meetings and such, it's nice to have something this comfy to call my own and relax." She leaned back against the pillows, holding her mug in both hands. "What's your house like?"

He thought for a moment. "Mmm. Lots of windows. In the Hollywood Hills. Four bedrooms, four bathrooms. Stainless steel kitchen. Lots of art. The most amazing views from the windows. You'll have to come and see it."

She smirked. "When I come to LA for the video?"

He laughed all low. "Oh yeah, that'll be a great time to show you. It won't be as cold as New York, that's for sure."

"Well in that case, I'll be sure to pack exclusively swimwear," she giggled.

He laughed. "I mean, I'll leave that one up to you." He smirked as he looked over at her. "I ain't mad at it."

She laughed all softly before leaning over to put her mug down again. "Typical." She poked him in the side teasingly before she let out a little yawn, bringing her head down to his shoulder where she let it rest.

He poked her right back in the side before putting his mug down next to hers. "You suggested it... don't you typical me Ms. Bentley." His poke turned to a light tickle of her sides.

She giggled as she began to wiggle. "I totally did. You set yourself up for that one, Chasez." she licked her lips and smirked, "I ain't mad at it."

"Oh no you didn't!" JC began belly laughing as he tickled her a little bit more intensely.

"EEEEP!" She yelped and started moving away from his tickles. She was powerless against him. "Joshua Chasez! Stop!" Her giggles were uncontrollable. 

He couldn't help but smile at the way she was reacting to him. He followed her to the other side of the couch, getting her almost pinned against the arm. "No way!"

"Ugh!" she said between giggles, "You!" she pushed at his arms to try and move away, but she was no match for his flexed arms. 

JC began laughing so hard he was losing strength. "I have you at my mercy, Samantha Bentley!" 

"Ughhhhh!" she laughed, "I could totally knee you right now. But that wouldn't be nice." She tried to smirk but it was interrupted by more giggles. "And someday... Joshua Chasez, I will be saying the same thing to you."

He stopped tickling and grabbed harshly at her arms. "Is that a promise I hear?"

She smirked and looked up at him. "Mmm. I'd prefer to think of it as a threat." Her giggles began to subside. "A promise will do too." She grinned softly. His arms were flexed and straining against the white of his button down. She had a moment of all things JC... taking in just how attractive he was. 

"How about both?" he mumbled, leaning down to hover over her lips. "I like your threats and promises." He closed his lips over hers. He smiled against her lips as he heard a moan escape from hers, noting how she let him take over with the kisses. He opened and closed his lips over hers, sucking on them lightly. She melted into his body and it made him emit a light groan. His arms were tight around her, keeping her locked in place, but she moved her body to get her legs closer to him. She met his kiss with her own light tugging on his lips, mixed with light kisses.

"Ohh Josh," she whispered, pulling away from his lips.

JC closed his eyes. He made a soft moan at the whole situation, unable to say anything else. He brought his lip between his teeth for a light bite. 

She looked up at him, smiling at his daydreamy reaction. He had to be feeling it, just the way she was. She leaned in for one more soft kiss before whispering, "You want to sleep by the fire tonight?"

"If that's where you'll be, then yes," he said as he opened his eyes with a smile. 

"Mmm. If that's where you'd like me, you did mention staying with the condition of not letting me take advantage of you." She smirked. "So I figure I'd offer this space. My bed is also available if you'd rather be more comfortable."

"Mmm. It'll be hours before the fire is out. Let's get comfortable here." He kisses her forehead and moved himself off of her. "Just bring me the pillows and blankets... I'll make us a bed."

Sam rose from the couch and smiled. "Okay, I've got that down." As she stood up, she fixed her PJ pants that had slid down her hips from all of the wiggling and tickling. She gave him a soft smile as she walked into her bedroom to gather up the blankets and pillows.

As she walked away and JC caught a glimpse of the bare skin between the shirt and the pants, he let out a grunt and fell back into the couch pillows. This was taking all of his self-restraint to not devour her. He was certain he could feast his lips over every inch of that body.

A few minutes later she returned, holding a pile of fluffy warmth: blankets, pillows and her comforter. "Work your magic big man," she grinned, dropping all of the fluff on the floor.

"Ooh, I love a challenge," he grinned, standing up and moving the coffee table before spreading out pillows, blankets and such to create a perfect masterpiece of fluff bed on the floor. He even tucked the sheets in neatly, just like they were at a hotel.

Sam grinned, watching him. She took her camera phone out and snapped a picture of him hard at work, with his tongue sticking out. "A genius at work. Look at that."

"Please tell me you're going to post that," he grinned, "because I can't wait for the comments on THAT."

"Oh please," she laughed, "You just want the world to know you're about to get into bed with me."

"Maybe I think it would be fun to let them judge yes," he said, "but I also want you to send me that picture." He removed his socks and began to unbutton his shirt.

She looked up at him and smiled, then down at her phone to send him a picture message with the photo. "The text is yours," she said softly. She put her phone down on the table and pulled the blankets down.

JC slipped his shirt off, tossing it along with his tie and shoes and shirt on the armchair. He undid his belt and tossed that over as well, leaving his white wifebeater and dress pants on. He stretched out long with a yawn and a moan. "Mmmmmmmmm. Thank you."

She smiled. "You're welcome," she replied, sitting down in the middle of his fluff bed.  "Do you have a side preference Josh?"

"Mmm. I know this will sound weird, but not really. I don't. If I do, it's usually the side closest to the door," he grinned, "And you?"

"Don't really care. I move around to wherever." She smiled up at him and moved herself to the left side of the bed. "I'll take the left since the right is closer to the door." She licked her lips all cute.

He took one more sip of his tea before he laid down next to her. "Do you snore?"

She smirked, "Do you want to call my ex boyfriend for a reference check?"

He laughed, "That was a good one." He rolled on his side to look at her thoughtfully. "I don't snore."

"I don't either. Sometimes I mumble in my sleep. So I'm sorry in advance." She smiled and pulled the covers over them before leaning in to kiss his cheek softly. She grabbed her pillow and snuggled up to it. 

He took his time to observe her, noticing the gentle slope of her nose, the freckles lining her cheeks, her long upturned eyelashes. She was pretty much perfect in his eyes. He didn't realize how long he was staring at her, but a smile played at his face the entire time. 

She let out a soft and cute sigh before pulling the pillow closer to her. "Goodnight Josh,"she whispered.

"Goodnight Samantha," he whispered as he rolled onto his side. He wasn't quite ready to fall asleep yet, he was enjoying watching her and the fire.

She left out a soft little noise, snuggling deep into her pillow. She rolled onto her side, facing the fire. He took those moments after he realized she was asleep to really study her, he leaned over and stroked her blonde hair for a few long moments before sleep fought his body and mind and he drifted off.

 

***

They slept with minimal space between their bodies all night. Somewhere in the middle of the night the fire died, but the living room remained warm with the leftover heat of the fire and their bodies under the warm bed. 

JC let out a moan when he heard his phone buzzing on the table over and over. "Mmmmm."

Sam moaned and hugged her pillow closer to her. "Noooo," she said into her pillow. 

JC sat up all fast to grab the phone from the table. "Justin. Leave me alone. I'm fine. Bye." He hung up all fast.

Sam laughed softly and rolled to the middle of the bed, looking at him with sleepy eyes. 

"Fuck," he hugged his pillow closer to him. "I hope you can fall back asleep beautiful."

"Mmm. I'm going to try. I don't have to go to the gym early or to a photo shoot so I'm not planning on dragging my ass anywhere until at least after lunch," she mumbled and rolled on her side so her back was to him again. "Snuggle with me."

If there was one rule in the JC Chasez playbook of dating that was always at the top of the list, absolutely positively no snuggling after sex was at the top of the list. The women were always gone before the sunrise, never invited to sleep in his bed.  Snuggling was a waste of time and emotional energy. But this time, he smiled softly at the way she invited him to snuggle with her. There was never a more enticing invitation he had received than that one, in this very moment. He knew he was breaking every one of his rules with women, but fuck... rules were meant to be broken, right?

"Mmm. I don't have shit to do today either. So I'd love to." He slid up behind her, bringing her closer to his body as his face fell into her neck.

She adjusted her body so it rested perfectly against his, pulling her hips forward just slightly, knowing she couldn't handle feeling his hips pressed against her bottom, not yet at least. She smiled softly, bringing one hand down against his hand that rested against her stomach, just around her hip. 

He hummed softly against her ear, before placing a kiss on her head. "Sweet dreams again." He knew, too, that he couldn't press his hips into her ass just yet... as tempting as it was, he knew it would be all over for him if he got a feel. 

In the next few hours, he pulled her even closer with a leg over her. He was comfortable and she was a perfect fit for him. She smelled amazing and as his body began to wake up slowly, the feeling of comfort and contentment he felt even scared him a little bit. Sam let out a yawn as she heard an alarm go off on her cell phone. She knew it would eventually shut off on its own, but as she woke, she let out a long stretch. As she stretched, she felt her body really press into his. Feeling his hips against her bottom, it woke her up instantly, tensing her up just a little bit.

"Mmmmm..." JC moaned softly, pulling her back into him, bringing her cuddly close. His arms tightened a bit around her as he too began to wake up more. 

She let out a soft sigh, letting her body relax against him. His little moan made a matching little moan escape, as she enjoyed being cuddled. 

He moaned again softly and out of reflex he kissed her head over and over, along her ear and to her face. "Mmm. Did you sleep okay?"

"Mmm. Morning Josh. Yes. Your bed was perfect," she smiled again, sighing too. "You?"

He smiled on her jaw and mumbled, "Mmmm. I slept perfect. Good morning again, beautiful."

Sam rolled herself over on her side, facing him now. She rested her head on his chest and brought one hand onto his stomach, not saying a word, just touching him lightly.

He looked down at her with sleepy, sated eyes. He began to play with her hair a little bit and got lost in his thoughts. Here she was, laying next to him... it couldn't have felt more right. He let out a soft sigh as he realized just how much he truly liked her, right there, in that very moment. 

Sam peered at him with a sleepy smile. She could see his brain working overtime as she too began to wake up a little bit more. When he sighed, she did as well out of reflex. 

He smiled at her sigh, letting his fingers continue to play at her hair. "I don't know that I've cuddled with someone in a long ass time."

She laughed softly and looked up at him. "Ugh. I love to cuddle. If I could do it every day, all day, I would." She grinned up at him. "You're not too bad for someone who's out of practice."

He laughed all half sleepily. "Maybe I just need to practice with you."

She grinned softly, leaning up to kiss the tip of his nose. "Just say the word." Her fingertips traveled up the hem of his wifebeater, feeling at the outline of his abs. She couldn't help it, there was something that was just calling out for her.

He twirled more of her hair as he looked down at her with a smile. "Spend today and tonight with me then. Date me... cuddle me. I'm yours."

She smiled and sighed softly. "Okay. Just lay here with me... I like this." 

He rested his lips against her temple and pulled her closer into his body. If this is what life was going to be like with her everyday, he could get behind it. One day and night in New York City made him feel like things could change forever. 

 

JC's week in New York City was almost up. He had spent as much time with Samantha as possible, walking through Central Park, visiting some shops in SoHo, cooking in the loft and just taking the time to talk.

*NSYNC's schedule didn't allow him to stay over with her because of Morning Show appearances and late night shows. He accepted that he was in New York for business, and any time he was able to spend with Samantha was icing on the cake.

He had 3 dozen of red and pink roses delivered to her loft that morning while he was out early filming interviews with VH1 and MTV. He was excited to check his phone in between interviews to see a picture of the flowers and a heart text from her. He knew she was up early shooting Ashley's Valentine's Day lingerie line and it made him feel satisfied to know that she was aware he was thinking of her and all the amazing time they spent together over the last week.

Justin and JC were between shots at Rolling Stone, drinking waters.This would be the band's 4th cover and feature and would coincide with the release of their latest album. Everything about this interview and photo shoot were stripped down-- the guys were wearing their "regular" clothes and talking candidly about their lives and what was happening around them. 

JC adjusted his glasses on his nose. He kept peeking down at his phone with a cute little grin and Justin made a teasing face.

"You're walking on a cloud. I'm guessing this week has been everything you hoped for?" he grinned, looking at his best friend.

JC grinned wider, scrolling through pictures Sam had sent him from behind the scenes of the shoot. "Fuck."

Justin peeked over his shoulder to see what he was looking at, and he laughed all low. Samantha had her hair in rollers and a white silk robe on. The tiniest peek of a red bra was sneaking out between the white silk, and her lips were puckered into a kissing face.

"Ohhh. That's what's going down," he grinned and took a long sip of his water. "The first woman you've woken up with and actually let stay around in ages." He looked thoughtfully at his buddy, "the sex must be mindblowing. Ugh, grabbing onto those hips. Please tell me it's amazing."

JC looked over at Justin. "I will have you know that I've only kissed her! I'm not trying to ruin this for anyone. She's special and I could seriously date her, okay?"

Justin stared at his best friend with a little grin of awe.

"You shut your judgemental mouth right now," JC smirked, looking down at his phone buzzed again. "Oh shit." 

Justin laughed, "What now?"

JC held his phone out. "That's what!" Another photo was sent in a red bustier with matching garters, her hair was fully old Hollywood glam and she was smiling at the camera. 

Justin smirked, "And you haven't sexed that sweet thing yet..."

"I will though," JC rubbed his hands together, "Oh I will." He bit his lip and sent a text back to her.

JC: You look absolutely GORGEOUS today. Finishing up soon at Rolling Stone! :)

Justin rolled his eyes but laughed. "C, I haven't seen you like this since..." he let his voice trail off. One of the unspoken rules of their friendship was never to mention their ex girlfriends from the beginning of the band. 

JC peeked back at Justin. "I know. And you know what J? This one is even BETTER than that. I feel things I've never felt in my life when I was crushing on a girl before..."

Justin smiled, watching how animated JC got when he was talking. "Wow. Even better than your first love." 

"She has the potential to be my last love... yeah, I fucking said it." he grinned slightly, clicking back to the photos he had been sent. 

Justin peeked over his shoulder again and grinned for his best friend. "Oh shit. And damn, you're leaving this behind tomorrow morning?" He made a low noise.

"Uh, not that I want to. But we live in Los Angeles and we're working on the album." JC grunted.

Justin laughed softly, "Maybe she can wear that in the video. And then you can play house for a hot minute and see how your lust boils over."

JC tossed the sofa pillow at his friend. "Shut the fuck up!"

Sam walked back to her dressing room and changed back into her sweater and jeans, pulling her curls up into a messy top knot. She grabbed her phone and smiled at the texts JC had sent. She began to write one of her own.

Samantha: Thanks sweetheart. Hey, what are your plans tonight?

JC grinned, looking down at his phone. Now this is what he was waiting for.

JC: Finishing up at Rolling Stone, then I'm seriously craving sushi. I haven't had any in a week and that's not normal. What about you pretty?

Samantha: On my way out of the shoot. Debating grabbing a beer, falling asleep on the couch or possibly both... ha. 

JC: Uhhhh are you for REAL right now? Can I please invite myself to join you? You are speaking my language lady.

JC looked around the room and got up from the couch. "I'm gonna head out guys." 

Justin jumped up and gave JC a bro hug, "Go get that woman Joshua Chasez. Make that last night count." He grinned.

Sam laughed softly, staring down at her phone. He really was endearing.

Samantha: I don't want to keep you from your sushi. If I send you an address, can you get a cab or towncar there? They have the best sushi on the Upper East Side. And beer. :)

JC: I will do whatever you tell me to do as long as you're at that address.

Samantha: 3028 W 48th Street. Intersection of 7th and 48th. You've got a 50/50 chance of me or a pack of fangirls who are going to rip your clothes off. May the odds be ever in your favor, blue eyes. :)

JC grinned so hard, staring at his phone as the elevator opened on the ground floor. "Cab, cab, let's get a cab... c'mon." He walked out of the revolving doors of the Rolling Stone building and stepped to the curb. He raised his hand and within moments a bright yellow taxi pulled up in front of him. JC grinned. He could get used to this living in New York business. 

"SEVENTH AND FORTY-EIGHTH PLEASSSE!" JC called out to the driver as he settled in. He smiled as the cab took off. He looked up at the screen. He was only a few blocks away. He sighed and looked back down at her teasing text. "I'm gonna fucking fall for this woman. Shit." He rested his head back against the black seat.

Meanwhile across town, Samantha was in a cab as well. She pulled her phone out of her purse and started a text.

Samantha: I have about 15 minutes left. What's your ETA?

JC: Five minutes away.

Samantha: Get us a table then! Tell Keiko that you want my table in the back please. She'll hook you up. :)

JC pulled up in front of a small sushi restaurant. "Hatsuhana Sushi," he read on the tan awning as he paid his driver. "This must be it." He made his way inside, and a short, extremely beautiful woman was waiting at the hostess stand.

"Hello sir, how may I help you?" the woman smiled.

"Are you Keiko? I'm Samantha Bentley's friend. She told me to ask for you and for her favorite table." he smiled.

Keiko broke out into a big smile. "Of course! Samantha is a regular here. Right this way sir," she began to walk through the small restaurant with little booths and a sushi bar in the center. There was a small table, tucked in the back in plain view of the sushi bar. JC took a deep breath. He could tell by the smell that this place was going to do him just right.

"Thanks Keiko," he smiled, taking a seat at the table. "Can I have 2 waters, 2 bottles of Tsing Tsao and an order of chili edamame as well?"

Keiko nodded, "Of course, a bottle of Samantha's favorite beer. Impressive you knew that."

He laughed, "It's actually mine, but that's good to know." He winked as Keiko walked to the bar.

Samantha: I'll love you forever if you've got a bottle of Tsing Tsao cold and waiting for me... I'll be there in 3.

JC smirked, reading her text. He didn't reply but got himself comfy in his seat as their beers and edamame came out almost instantly. 

A few minutes later, Sam walked in and smiled really big when she saw him sitting at her favorite table. She made her way through the restaurant and stopped at the table. She unbuckled her plaid pea coat and hung it up on the coat rack next to the table. She adjusted her slightly cropped sweater. "Heyyy you!"

"Heyyyy," he grinned. As he looked her up and down, he was thinking well fuck. The tiniest bit of pale skin was peeking out between the sweater and the jeans, and those thigh high boots she was wearing made him a little bit crazy. He shook his head slightly to break himself of his thoughts and he hopped up to give her a hug. 

Sam wrapped her arms around him nice and tight, enjoying his embrace. She closed her eyes and breathed in his clean smell, with the slightest hint of his Gucci cologne. She smiled softly, enjoying the warmth and the scent of him. She had definitely gotten used to having him around. She lingered just a little bit longer than usual holding onto him.

JC looked down at her, noticing the extra length in their embrace. He smiled, letting out a soft hum before placing his lips on her cheek, leaving a soft kiss before pulling away to sit down, all but pulling her next to him in the booth. "Your beer is nice and frozen cold."

"Ohh my hero!" she laughed softly, settling down next to him and pouring the bottle into the frosty mug. "It's been a day." She looked over to him making the same movements to pour his beer as well. She smiled, holding her mug up to his. "To your last night of an amazing week." 

Their mugs clinked together before she took a sip.

"Mmmm," JC mumbled as he toasted to her, "To one hell of an amazing week little lady," he took a sip of his beer as he looked at her through his black wire rimmed glasses, "Good thing it won't be long before I see you again."

Sam smiled, looking back at him. "When am I flying out to LA for the video?" She reached down to nibble on her edamame. 

"The video shoot is in two weeks. So I was thinking of getting your plane tickets to LA the day before the shoot so you can settle in. So 13 more days?" he smiled. 

Keiko made her way to the table, smiling at Samantha's closeness to her male companion. "Do you two know what you'd like?" she asked.

Sam looked at JC who smiled at her and then nodded toward Keiko. She knew he trusted her expertise in sushi here. "Can I have my usual? But can you make it a double order since he's here?" 

Keiko grinned. "You've got it. It'll be out shortly."

***

Forty-five minutes passed, and the boat of sushi sat nearly empty between them. The conversation flowed easily about Florida, traveling, winters in New York and their favorite kind of sushi. 

JC didn't want this night to end. He rubbed his full belly as he reached for one final piece of sushi with his chopsticks, chewing it with a satisfied hum. "Mmm this was. So. Good."

Sam leaned back next to him and rubbed her tummy as well. "Oh I'm full," she laughed, leaning her head back against the wall. "And we killed that sushi boat."

"You weren't kidding about this place. Wow. You just made my night better," he grinned, "But I'm kind of easy to please when you feed me." He laughed and adjusted his glasses, really taking the time to look over at her. She was casual, leaning back in the booth, but he couldn't get enough of her. It was raw moments like this he had been most afraid of in his past, but it was the moments like this that were the most cherished with her.

She laughed softly. "It's heavenly," she stopped and grinned softly, tilting her head to stare right back at him. "You look deep in thought Josh."

JC's voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "I am." He let his eyes search hers, and in a moment their gaze met intensely. He kept that eye contact with her, not wanting to break it. He could see so many things in her blue eyes that stared back at him. All of the things he said he didn't want, well here they were. The man who had his future all planned out for him, married to his craft, then here she came. He let out a soft sigh.

"Oh," Sam replied, unable to form any other coherent sentences, mesmerized by his intent stare. 

He smiled softly, taking a sip of his beer. "I just wanted to study on you for a moment. Take the time to appreciate you."

"You're always welcome to look at me whenever you feel like that's what you want to do," she too took a sip of her beer, and her eyes sparkled as she studied him in return. 

"Do you like when I look at you?" he reached for her hand, needing to touch her somehow in this moment, to feel even more connected to her. 

She smiled and looked down at their hands, slipping her fingers inside of his. "What woman wouldn't like you looking at her, Josh?"

He smiled and slid his fingers even tighter against hers. "I don't know. I'm sure there are plenty, but I'm not really worried about any other woman right now. Just you."

"Well this woman enjoys every moment of the time you're giving to her. And to have those blue eyes looking at her is wonderful." 

He pulled her hand up, kissing it. He left his lips there, looking at her over the top of their hands. Somewhere, in the corner of the restaurant, someone had snapped a picture of this moment in time.  

"Let me spend the rest of the night looking at you and enjoying your company," he said softly, as he put their hands back down on the table.

"I would love that," she smiled, "I was hoping you wouldn't have to leave too early tonight."

JC slipped Keiko his credit card in the sleeve when she approached with the bill. "Show me something in your city that you love. Something unique to you." 

"Hmmm," Sam made a cute face, "No pressure here." She laughed all softly. 

"No pressure at all. It doesn't have to be fancy." JC smiled, "It could be something silly and I'd love it." He grins, still holding onto her hand with his left one as he signed for the bill.

"Okay," she smiled, "I'll take you to one of my favorite quiet spots." She squeezed their hands together softly. 

JC stood up from the table, still holding her hand. "Lead the way young lady."

Sam smiled and nodded, getting her coat on. Their destination was only a few blocks away, so she snuggled up to him and they began to walk uptown.  

JC's arm draped around her casually as they walked in the cold, brisk air of the city. Every few steps he brought his lips to her temple, or up against her face. Light little kisses and brushes of his lips were just what he wanted. They needed no words, just their bodies being close was enough. Sam let her face nuzzle up against his every so often.

She sighed almost inaudibly. How did it feel like she had known this man for years and years? Moments like this she felt like they had been together for so long.Everything about him felt perfect and she wanted to hold onto this light feeling she had for the rest of her life. They continued to walk several blocks until the busyness of the city faded as Central Park took over. 

"Mmm. Central Park," JC finally said, "We don't usually get the time to stop here."

"We're almost there," she said, meandering along the path with him. "See that bridge there? It's where we are going."

"Oh wow, I never knew this was here," he said as she led him up onto a cast iron bridge over a pond. It was intricate with little urns decorating the top of the bridge. 

"It's the Bow Bridge," she smiled, "When it's quiet, I like to come here to daydream. Sometimes when you're lucky, there's no sounds of horns or sirens or people. In those quiet moments, it feels like anything is possible in New York City. My first apartment in the city wasn't too far from here. I'd come here all the time and dream about the life I wanted to have."

"Oh my goodness," he said softly, looking all around him. The skyscrapers of Manhattan were in the distance and they were surrounded by darkness and dimly lit lamp posts. If you closed your eyes, you could almost imagine you were somewhere other than New York. "I would fall in love with this place. I can see why."

"You can almost forget that there are millions of other people in New York," she whispered.

"I'd forget every other person in this city except for one," he whispered in return. He leaned against the bridge and pulled her close so she faced him.

She smiled and gazed up into his eyes. The way the lamps were lit low cast shadows across their faces and lit JC's cheekbones up. "You're making it kind of hard to forget you, Josh."

"Well Samantha Bentley, that's kinda the whole point," he smiled and wrapped his arms tightly around her, pulling her as close to him as he could have her, "A man is supposed to try and be unforgettable to you."

She smiled and whispered, "Never before in my life has someone been more unforgettable, Joshua Chasez." She brought her head up against his chest, breathing him in. His cologne, his warm body, she needed to take every moment in. She could hear the faint beating of his heart under his coat and her eyes fluttered closed. She wasn't the kind of woman who ever felt like she needed a man... but in this very moment, she needed him. She wanted him, and she wanted him around always. She could hear him suck in a deep breath and let it out before he brought his lips down to kiss the top of her head.

"I've done my job for the time being," he said softly, leaving his lips against her forehead.

"Extremely well," she whispered, tightening her embrace around him. "Even without you being here, it won't matter."

"You trying to say you're still gonna think of me?" he smiled, rubbing tiny circles on her back.

"Absolutely am," she smiled, opening her eyes to look at him. "Something about you Josh. I'm not quite sure what it is. I'm not sure that I need to.

"Don't try to figure it out," he smiled, "Just let it happen ok? Because I feel the same way about you, and I don't want to overthink anything." He kissed her forehead. 

"Consider it just happening," she smiled, reaching up to touch his face. She was loving the fact that his stubble was coming in.

The wind blew around them as the evening was quickly turning into night. JC shivered slightly as the wind picked up and he looked down at her, pressing his face against her hand. "Should we start to head back so we can warm up?"

"Mmm. That would be great," she smiled, sliding her hand off his face and back to interlock with his fingers. "At least the next time we see each other it'll be warmer."

He smiled lazily, looking down at her once more before he could even think about moving. He needed to burn these images into his brain. The soft fullness of her lips, the curve of her nose, the shape of her eyes... not to mention other things he wanted to keep in his memory. He sighed softly before placing one more soft and sweet kiss on her lips. "I'll be counting down the days."

She smiled at his perfect little kiss. He was so freaking romantic sometimes that it astounded her. In the last month, he had grown so much as a person from the man she had met in the little red shorts at the Halloween party. "Mmmm," she leaned in and returned the favor with one soft peck, "As will I. Josh, I'm extending the invitation for you to stay with me again tonight... I do totally understand if you guys have an early flight tomorrow and you're busy. I won't be offended."

"I couldn't decline an offer like that," he grinned, "I'd lose sleep over it." He kissed her once more, "C'mon pretty girl," he said as he pulled at her hand and led her to a cab.

They settled in the back of the car and a comfortable silence fell over the two of them. JC looked down at her, smiling to himself every few moments. Every smile he had was all because of her. Not once in their time together did he have any racing thoughts or anxiety about being around her. She just felt... right. 

As the cab crossed into Soho, Sam looked over and smiled up at JC. "I do have one favor to ask of you before you leave."

"Mmm. What's the favor?" he grinned. 

"Can you play the song for me again? I want to hear it before you leave, but I want it to be with you."

"I had planned for you to hear it again," he said, paying the cab as it pulled up to her building. "I just wasn't going to be around when you did. But, I can change that if you want it to..."

"Oh. If you had something else in mind, I can listen to it on my own." She held onto his arm a little tighter as they walked inside her building, giving a friendly wave to John, who grinned. This was the 5th or 6th evening JC had walked into the building with Samantha, and John approved. 

JC stopped to look at her as he watched her key in the code for the elevator. "My only thought was that I wanted you to hear it the way it was recorded alone... so that when you came to the set, everything would be very natural and kinetic."

She smirked, "I'd like everything to be as organic as possible, so I like your thinking." She giggled softly, "I'm sure I could find a more productive use of my time with you."

"A whole 8 minutes of extra time..." he smirked as the elevator began to go up. He pulled her in close to his body. 

"Mmm. That's a lot of extra time," she grinned, bringing her hands to his chest, resting them against his coat. 

He licked his lips and brought his forehead against hers, "You just want to kiss me for those 8 minutes." 

She grinned up at him. "Guilty. I'm also perfectly content taking those extra 8 minutes to look into your eyes. To listen to you tell me about your day. To touch on you just like this."

The doors opened to her foyer and he kissed her gently before leading her off the elevator. "Whatever you want. It all sounds wonderful. Let's just cuddle and take advantage of the time we have together." 

Sam unlocked her front door and they moseyed inside to the living room. "Couch cuddling or to the bed?"

He smiled and cracked his neck after taking his coat and shoes off. "Why don't we make another fire and hang out in the living room? We slept so well the other night."

"Mmm. Sounds perfect. If you start the fire, I'll grab the pillows and blankets again."

"I've got it under control, pretty," he said, smiling. He rolled up the sleeves of his sweater and began to pile the wood in the fireplace. As he lit the fire, it reminded him of their time together the other night and he smiled with a light sigh. He was never the cuddling by the fire kind of guy but he found he wanted to do it all the time with her.

Sam went to the linen closet and gathered up all of their materials from the night before, humming softly as she brought it all back into the living room. Blankets and pillows were spread out across the floor to create a replica of their cuddle pit of the other day.

JC closed the screen of the fireplace and turned to look at her with a soft smile. "Why don't you go get comfortable? You've been working all day." He pulled off his grey sweater and folded it half-assed before tossing it onto the armchair.

Sam smiled. "Got it." She walked over to him and kissed him softly, before letting her lips linger against his, then whispered, "Don't feel like you have to keep your pants on for my sake this time." She left him one more soft kiss then disappeared in her room to change.

He grinned so hard and called out after her, "I wasn't planning on it this time!" He reached down and undid his belt and jeans, letting them pool at his feet before kicking them over under the chair. He looked down at himself in his white v-neck and grey calvin briefs. "Behave," he mumbled to himself before sitting down on top of the covers.

Sam pulled her hair out of her messy bun and changed from her sweater and jeans into a long black tshirt and grey cotton panties. She fluffed out her hair and took her makeup off. As she rounded the corner to the living room, she smiled at the sight of JC in his briefs looking awkwardly around her living room. 

He grinned, laying down on his side as he surveyed her from head to toe. "Well don't you look comfortable..."

"Ugh yes," she laughed softly, crawling into the fluff bed next to him. "I'm gonna be real with you," she smirked, "I don't particularly love wearing pants."

He laughed all low. "And I have NO problem with that because I don't like wearing pants either, and I only do it when I have to." His hand immediately slid to her hip, feeling her soft skin under his fingertips. Her skin was inviting and he couldn't help it. 

She laughed softly as well, looking up at him before leaving one soft kiss on his lips. "Glad we have an understanding. Though I did gather that last week when you sent me that picture in the mirror in your briefs." Her lips curled up into a smirk.

JC shook his head and laughed. "Hey, a man's gotta do what he needs to do to be unforgettable right?" His hand slid up the back of the shirt, just along her back and nothing more. His touches were light and gentle. He wanted to get to know the feeling of her skin... and if this was all he touched tonight, it would be enough for him. He had never been with a woman he was so attracted to. But so... was he scared to take the next step in intimacy with her? Was he afraid that their chemistry would be so dynamic that he wouldn't be able to break himself away from her once he had that little taste of heaven? Either way, he knew that any time he spent with her he cherished, whether or not intimacy meant sex. He was discovering so many new things about himself as a lover, and what the actual definition of intimacy truly was. 

She grinned up at him before bringing her face along his shoulder with a soft noise. Every touch of his was electric, no matter how small or gentle. 

"Hey Samantha?" he mumbled, feeling along the soft skin just above her panty line. 

She fluttered her eyes open to meet his soft gaze, and it made her smile. "Hey Josh?" she replied. 

"You're unforgettable to me too. I just want you to know that you're beautiful and when the time is right, I'm gonna take my time loving on you. I promise you that."

Sam smiled a sleepy smile and brought her head back down to his shoulder. With a soft murmur of his name, she snuggled in and drifted off to sleep.

JC let his fingers continue to play at her skin before he pulled his hand out to bring the covers over their bodies and wrap his arms around her. As the fire roared behind them, it cast orange and red hues against her blonde hair. When he was sure she was fast asleep, he continued to study her before pulling her closer in his arms. He let his eyes close as he knew his time in New York was coming to an end when the sun rose again. 

"What are you doing to me Samantha Bentley," he mumbled against her skin, barely above a whisper. "You're gonna make me fall in love."

There were less than 36 hours to go until the Tell Me video shoot. The story boards were drawn, the mansion in Malibu secured and all of the arrangements were made. This was going to be one of the most intimate videos *NSYNC had recorded in their music video history as the song carried such a personal meaning for the writers. JC and Justin knew the treatments needed to be just as they imagined about the women they had been writing for.

Full of nervous energy, Justin had invited JC over to his home gym for a pre-video workout. 

JC stood in front of the mirror doing bicep curls with a 30 pound weight. His teeth were clenched as his arms shook with the reps. He was watching his form in the mirror. His grey t-shirt and black adidas shorts were soaked with sweat from the last hour of working out.

Justin finished his chest presses, putting the bar back onto the rack and he let out a grunt, staring up at the ceiling.

JC dropped the weights and shook his arms out. "Yeah, I'm going to need to carb load tonight... these muscles need to swell for tomorrow." He smirked at himself in the mirror. 

Justin looked over at him and smirked. "For your giiiiiiiiiirlfriend."

"I will fucking body check you if you don't shut your mouth, J. At least I didn't drop like 15 grand on a private plane to fly the girls to California. I told you that a regular plane would be fine."

Justin grinned. "Money is nothing when it comes to matters of the heart. She's the real deal."

JC reached for his towel and wiped his face before taking a long sip of water. "I know you're trying to wife her, but I don't want you to go bankrupt trying to win this woman back. Just saying that one time as your best friend."

Justin rolled his eyes. "You don't think I know what I'm doing?"

JC grinned as he sat down at the leg press. "I didn't say that..."

Justin licked his lips. "It's what you implied. I know you well Chasez."

"No, I was implying that I also want us to continue to be a successful group and not see you spiral out of control. I know how much you love her. I just only hope she fucking knows and makes the right decision. She would be stupid not to take you back."

Justin puffed his chest out. "Of course she'd choose me. We have too much history." He made a soft little grunt, "But look at you, talking romance and shit." He grinned.

JC grunted and pushed out all of his reps quickly. "LISTEN. Samantha is a game changer for me the way Ashley was for you."

"True. But Ashley was a game changer way early on. Like the first real love status. So for me, it's different." Justin rolled out his shoulders.

"I know that. You both have a different relationship entirely. I'm just saying that Samantha makes me actually think about settling down for the first time in my life as a possibility. And if you say ANYTHING to anyone, I will kill you off."

Justin tilted his head and turned around to face his friend rather than looking at his reflection in the mirror. "C, I might bust your balls all the time, but if you really think I'm a big enough asshole to jeopardize your relationship with a woman you're actually interested in more than a one night stand with? Jeez." He smirked a bit, "I'll lay off." 

JC smiled. "Thank you. If this weekend goes as planned, and I feel that same chemistry we had in New York, I'm going to make it official." 

Justin laughed real low, "Just in time for Christmas. I like what you're putting down."

***

Meanwhile, Samantha was sitting criss-crossed on a couch, 40,000 feet in the air with Ashley. She was eating a fruit platter that had been left for them along with champagne.  "I can't believe they sent a private plane," she said, laughing.

Ashley grinned. "Justin is trying so hard. He's trying to win me back." 

Sam grinned softly, leaning forward. "Before we go to this video shoot, since we're alone. Care to tell me about your history with *NSYNC? How did I not know this until you were magnetically drawn to Justin Timberlake at a party?"

"Oh man," Ashley took a sip of her champagne, "This could take awhile. I moved to New York City with my best friend and I was dating this model. Completely gorgeous douchebag, in fact I know you've seen his face. Anyways, one of my very first shows was at this art warehouse and it was a big party. In walked Justin, JC and probably the rest of the band."

"Oh, so this is like pre-No Strings era *NSYNC right?" Sam asked.

"Yep, They were still with Lou actually. Anyways, Jake was my boyfriend at the time and would only pay attention to be in front of a camera or on a runway together. Justin happened to catch him cheating on me with one of my models. So after all of that went down, Justin and I kinda got to know each other. He became my best friend Samantha. My very. Best. friend." 

Sam sighed, watching her friend closely. 

"I friendzoned him left and right but he was determined that we would be together. So now it's New Years Eve 1997 into 98.  The guys were slated to perform at the Waldorf Astoria at a party for their record label. We happened to be there as well. They came out and sang End of the Road and I was done. Absolutely in love."

Sam clapped and grinned. 

"So fast forward the next year and *NSYNC took off in the states. I helped design costumes for the group's tours and Justin and I were inseparable. I spent a ton of time with the guys, JC and I grew close as well because of his friendship with Justin."

Sam smiled at the mention of his name. 

"JC is a great guy. He ended up dating my best friend Kat for a while. They were pretty serious together. She ended up cheating on him with a baseball player she met at one of *NSYNC's charity events. It was messy as hell, she ended up taking a bunch of JC's money too without him realizing it. It really wrecked him pretty bad."

Sam made a soft sigh. "Oh my gosh, that's horrible! Poor guy."

"Yeah, it really fucked with his head. He's been very hesitant to trust again, and it made him hate women for a bit and go wild.  The JC that I met at the Halloween party wasn't the sweet guy that I knew back when. He was always very romantic and sentimental." Ashley looked up at Sam and smiled softly. "I hope you get to see that side of him. You're bringing it out again."

Sam smiled shyly, looking down at her champagne flute. "I mean I definitely enjoy his company.  We have been having fun together. I know this video coming up could change things and I could just be what's happening right now..."

Ashley put her hand up to interrupt her. "If he's anything like I know he's always been, he's going to be persistent. If you've built a relationship, which it looks like you have, he's going to do whatever it takes to pursue you. I can promise you that."

Sam took a sip of her champagne. "We'll just wait and see." 

*** 

JC paced back and forth in the dressing room, wiping his hands on the grey dress pants he had just put on. The band had just done their group shots on the beach and Justin and JC were gearing up for their verses. 

Justin smirked in the makeup chair next to him. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."

JC looked up blankly, "I'm sorry, I just missed everything you said."

Justin grinned. "Nevermind. You okay C?"

JC sucked in a deep breath. "Yes. I guess I've just been up since really early this morning thinking about all the ways this could go down today."

Justin smiled and closed his eyes as the makeup artist touched up the powder on his face. "Well from what you've told me, your sexual chemistry is life changing. You just let that take over... it's gonna be right. You'll put it down on her and she'll be looking for more."

JC grinned and puffed out his chest. "It is life changing and I'm going to change her life. Yep. Change. Her. Life." 

Justin grinned real big and licked his lips. "Yep, and she's about to change yours."

JC grinned, giving Justin a quick bro hug as he rose from the makeup chair. "I sure hope so. Good luck in there. I know you've got your own production happening." He made his way out of the dressing room to the master bedroom on the lower level.

The bedroom was decorated in simple greys and blacks. There was a king sized bed with a tufted headboard draped with a plush throw over the edge. A soft rug was laid on the floor in the middle of the room and the main lights were turned down so the soft glow of candle light and stage lighting kept the mood just sensual enough. A bottle of Dom Perignon was on the end table with two flutes with strawberries inside and a dozen of red roses were in a crystal vase on the opposite end table. JC took in the scene and sucked in a deep breath, exhaled and grinned. This was everything he had hoped for in the storyboards. Just to the side of the room were floor to ceiling windows and a sliding glass door that was open to the beach. He could hear the faintest sound of waves before the directors began to make it rain outside his door. A brief roll of thunder took over on a track. Now this was romantic. 

Sam made her way down the long corridor, her black Christian Loubouton heels clicking on the wooden floor. Her hair was down and curly, falling almost to her waist and framing her face. She wore a grey knit sweater dress that hung off her shoulder just slightly. She pursed her lips as she watched the directorial crew gape at her as she entered the room. When she opened the door, JC was standing facing the water with his hands in his pockets.

She let out a soft sigh and an, "Ohhh," as her eyes surveyed the scene. The combination of the lighting, the mood, the light music that had begun, and seeing JC for the first time in two weeks made a tumble begin in her stomach. She slowly walked to him, resting a hand on his arm. From behind, she whispered up against his ear, "Some setup."

The moment the scent of Honey hit his senses, and her hands touched on his arm, he sucked in a breath and cocked his head to the side. "Mmm. I wanted this to be perfect for you. For us."

She smiled up against his neck and whispered, "You knocked it out of the park Josh." She breathed softly along his neck as her hips began to move to the slow instrumental of Tell Me. The beat was slow and sensual, and like an automatic movement, her lips traced along his shoulder. "Let's make your video," she whispered.

JC licked his lips and turned around to get a good look at the woman he had been thinking about, the woman he wrote these lyrics for. There was no one else in the world that could be in this music video but her. He sucked in a breath as his mouth dropped open, almost struggling to breathe. "Oh wow."

Sam bit her lip gently and smiled almost expectantly at him as she turned around in a playful circle for him. "I hope this lives up to your expectations," she whispered.

JC rubbed his hands together as he watched her for a moment. He took a step back and nodded. "You're more than I could have ever imagined..." He took another step back, "Come here."

She smiled softly in return as she walked to him slowly, her hips swaying from side to side as she made her way across the room to him. As she finally reached him, her hands slid up his sides onto his vest, where her palms rested on his chest and she gazed into his eyes. 

JC slid his hands over hers on his chest and he held them there. "Will you do me a favor Samantha?" He towered over her, looking down into her eyes. He swallowed harshly, feeling his entire body igniting already.

She smiled softly, feeling his heart racing beneath his vest. As she nodded, she gazed deeply into his eyes. Their usual blue shade was being taken over by a steely gray, one she had not yet seen. "Anything sweetheart."

"I want you to be comfortable with me." His hands slid down her arms, then her sides, grabbing at them before finding their final resting place on the curve of her hips. "Get used to my hands on you." His voice had a low and gravely quality, and it sent a shiver straight down her body right to her sweet spot. 

She almost purred in return, leaning up to touch his face, along that smooth and chiseled jaw. "Consider me yours," she whispered, her hips swaying in an easy rhythm with the music. It was like a natural reaction she just couldn't hold back.

He licked his lips slightly, "Oh I will." He reached for her hand on his face and pulled it to his lips, where he placed a gentle kiss as his hips too began a slow grind to meet her rhythm. As they did, the director piped in the full music of the song, and the rumble of the bass went straight into his soul. 

For a split second, Samantha had a moment of self-doubt, but when she looked up again and saw the way JC was looking at her like she was the only woman in the world, it made her smile lightly, then she gazed down to look at the perfect rhythm their hips were making. Everything felt so natural, so easy, even with a crew of at least 15 people watching them.

JC smiled as the first crash of thunder happened. He licked his lips and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her almost harshly into his body.

Sam couldn't help but let out a low moan when he brought her close. This was the first time their bodies had gotten this close together, and that surge of electricity was almost too much to handle. Her hands traveled up his arms where they rested on his biceps through his dress shirt. Their hips continued to move together.

JC backed her up against the wall between the doors and windows. A flicker of lightning happened outside the window. His hands slipped up to her face where he held it gently, using his hips to press her against the wall. 

"We're here alone while the thunder is roaring and the windows are blowing, cause it's stormin' and pourin' tonight. I put your head on my chest," JC brought his hand down to her chest, then pressed his nose against hers as he continued, "I can feel your heart and it's beatin' kinda fast, so is mine."

Sam pushed her nose a little harder against his, locking their lips together in one quick kiss that she needed to feel, and she felt him smile against the kiss as he continued to mouth the words, "In this moment of silence, you look me in the eyes, nothing's verbalized but so much is said. I need you so much, the more I'm away from you the more of you I want..."

If there was a way that she could be giving him all the heart eyes right now, she would. She wasn't sure if it was just the way the music was playing and it was her job to be his lover, or maybe that she was really meant to be his lover... right now those lines were blurred for her, but she didn't care as she was so in the moment.

JC breathed in a soft breath and let her arms come down but pulled her off the wall. He pushed her waistline softly toward the french doors, and pushed her right through them into the rain. 

Sam sucked in a harsh breath as the rain began to come down on their bodies. She grinned softly against his lips. There was something deeply sexy and primal about being out there with him in the rain. She leaned in a little bit more and let her lips crash against his as the rain dripped down their bodies. Her fingers played at the buttons of his vest, letting them loose one by one. 

As the light rain fell on them, JC looked down at her with a light smile before he began to sing, "I want to hold you till I can feel again... " His vest was now open and he slowly continued to back her up until her heels began to sink into the sand. Sam looked up at him after slipping his vest off, needing a moment to look into his eyes.

He took her hand in his, with his other hand sliding along her face. He crashed his lips to hers, not in a rushed way but with a slow and grown passion. He backed her against one of the pillars, where he came to a stop.

Sam made a soft noise against his lips, letting her lips crash with his as her head tilted. She gave their interlocked fingers a little squeeze as she pressed her hips against his. She could feel him reacting to her body, and it was making her crave all of him.

His hand squeezed hers as he sucked her lip into his mouth. Before she knew it, he was peeling that soaked sweater off of her body, breaking the kiss momentarily to toss it toward the house. He was breathing heavily as he looked down at her with sated eyes and mumbled with a low voice, "Oh my god." 

Sam peered back up at him with wide eyes, drawing her lip in for a biet. As she sucked in breaths, her breasts were more than rising and falling in her black bra and her curls were damp, sticking to her face. She blinked a few times before taking another step toward him and as if her body was on autopilot, began to unbutton his now soaked white button down. She pulled it off of his arms slowly, tossing it to where her soaked sweater was in a pile. 

JC swallowed hard, staring down at her. He couldn't help but take his fingertips and gently caress the tops of her breasts over her bra with a light moan. He reached down for her hands and brought them up to his now soaked chest, leaning in to capture her lips in another electric kiss, sucking in her lips with a gentle ease. 

Sam let out a soft gasp at how good his lips felt against hers in that way, letting him suck in her lips before she took over to steal a kiss of her own, Her fingers traveled down from his chest to his stomach, feeling at the dips and curves of his abs with the lightest of touches as she kissed him. In that very moment, for this video, she was his lover and she was going to take her time appreciating him. 

From somewhere else in the universe, the rumbles of thunder began to subside and the rain stopped falling. The bright set lights began to turn back on as the director yelled "AND, CUT!"

JC couldn't stop kissing her, making a noise as he sucked her lips in again, literally unable to stop the chemistry between them. His arms wrapped completely around her and he pulled her right up into his chest, perfectly chest to chest and hip to hip. He couldn't help but smile as he leaned in to steal another kiss, unable to form a coherent thought. 

She grinned softly on his lips as she took over and started to suck slowly on his lips untils he broke away so gently. She blinked a few times. She could feel him starting to throb against her and the feeling of his rock solid chest was dizzying. There was a pounding of a heart happening, but she wasn't sure if it was hers or his. All she could muster was a whisper. "Oh Josh." 

JC pulled away slowly, his eyes still closed. His voice was low and gravely, "I'm not sorry. I can't help it." He was breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

Sam whispered with a little smile, bringing her forehead up against his. "Don't you dare apologize, Joshua." She reached up to touch his face softly. 

The director approached them with a smirk. "JC, Samantha, your next shot is being prepared. Your bubble bath awaits."

JC grinned and nodded at the director. "I hope you were wanting to warm up," he said thoughtfully, "The way that I planned this out was just to get you in my arms." He leaned in for one more kiss before taking her hand, pulling her through the bedroom.

Sam smiled, taking in the sights of the Malibu mansion as JC led the way. "Oh wow." 

As they entered the bathroom, an antique clawfoot tub was stationed near the windows. The bubbles were high in the tub and were fragrant, a rose scent. Red rose petals were scattered throughout the room and another bottle of Dom was on the counter. She grinned, "Big champagne budget for this video eh?"

JC chuckled, bringing his lips to her head. "You know it. Now. The way this is happening is," he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her onto the counter so she was seated near the champagne. 

She laughed and kicked her legs a little bit. Being a thick girl, it wasn't often she was hoisted up in the air by a man. It made her grin. "Oh... okay..." she mumbled, watching him with devious eyes.

"You see," he began, unbuttoning his pants to reveal his damp grey Calvins, "I'm gonna be sitting in the tub already..." 

As he pulled his pants down, her eyes traveled to the Calvin Klein briefs. They were tight and hugged him in all the right places, leaving the faintest outline of what the earlier shots of the video had done to him. She licked her lips absentmindedly. It was there, and no one could fault her for paying it a second appreciative glance. It had been over a month since she had been intimate with anyone, and she had needs too. "Ok... sitting in the tub," she repeated.

He watched her with intent eyes before packing toward the clawfoot tub. He stepped into the warm water and let out a contented sigh. "It's perfectly hot. I'm just gonna wait until the director gets here... but when we get going, I'm just going to motion for you to come here and get in with me."

"Mmm, got it," she grinned, swinging her legs as she sat on the counter. She rested her hand on her thigh, watching him with a satisfied smile. As she admired him, the crew assembled in the bathroom. 

JC sank down a little bit in the bubbles, his eyes intent on her. He said nothing, just letting his eyes admire her, and it was evident that he was doing so.

She smiled shyly, looking back at him with equally adoring eyes. She mouthed, "You're so handsome," to him with a smile as the playback filled the room again. 

He smiled and mouthed, "Thank you beautiful," as the director walked in, telling him to feel the music and start when he is ready. The playback got louder and the lights began to dim. Not for one second did he take his eyes off of her.

She smiled softly, keeping her eye contact steady with him. She reached back to play with her hair almost shyly.

He grinned softly, licking his lips, then pursed them really slowly. He hung his hand off the edge of the tub, motioning with his pointer finger for her to come over to him.

She sucked in a cute breath then bit her lip as she slid off the counter. Not knowing what took over her, she reached behind her to unclasp the black bra she was wearing, letting it fall to the floor, stepping out of the matching panties as well. The camera panned behind her as she walked to him slowly, settling into the tub. 

Everything JC was thinking and feeling was evident in his eyes as he let her settle up against him, his face falling forward on her neck. "Jesus Christ, Samantha," he mumbled, kissing in the same spot and making a noise that only she could hear. His arm snaked around her and pulled her in so she was right against him. 

She leaned her head back against his neck and smiled,  whispering onto his neck, "You wanted me in the tub, you get all of me in the tub."

His hand slowly traveled down her body, tracking along her sides and stomach. His hands were exploring because they just needed to. Leaning forward, he began to softly kiss on her earlobe. "I want all of you in general."

"It's yours Josh," she murmured, tilting her head as a soft noise escaped her lips. She let her body be relaxed and very natural as he touched her. He was deliberate and gentle with his hands and she wasn't used to a man being that way.

JC moaned softly, nuzzling his face against the nape of her neck. His voice was low, gritty and stern. "Don't... give me that permission," he took a nibble of her earlobe, "In front of all of these people."

Sam didn't know whether to giggle or moan, but a soft noise escaped from her lips. "Mmmm. Got it." She let her head stay tilted as JC nibbled and kissed on her ear, but adjusted her body so she was flush between his legs.

He smiled against her skin, leaving a soft trail of kisses to the beat of the music as the bridge picked up right along her shoulder, then to the side of her face. Remembering they were filming a music video, he began to mumble the words along her skin. "When you're so wet, and I'm so hard..."

He slid his hand along her face, tilting her head toward him just so. He looked down into her eyes and leaned in as his thumb grazed against her jaw, lips meeting hers in a perfect lock. Anyone watching could see in his eyes that she was everything this song was written about. As the chorus picked up in the playback, he moaned softly and picked her up slightly in the water, turning her to face him. With a tug, he pulled her all harshly up into his body, making her legs straddle him. The water splashed out of the side of the tub and you could see his breathing become more labored.  "And when the two become one it's like oh my god,..."

Sam moaned softly against his lips, and mumbled softly along with him with the lyrics to the song. One of her hands traveled up to his face, feeling along his jaw. She took a moment to look at him intently and swallow hard. Her mind and body were racing with the feeling of him against her, their chests pressed against each other, his rock solid body flush against her curves. Her legs worked to tighten around his waist, pulling their hips closer together.

JC closed his eyes and let out a low noise. He was right there. A mere slip of his hips and he'd be inside of her... oh how he longed to feel her and take her but he knew they were being watched by a crew. Thankfully, he was still in his briefs but with every movement of her hips, it drove him crazy. He shifted himself slightly and let out a moan as she slipped up against his strained briefs. He let out a harsh hiss as his forehead went up against hers.

She made a soft noise, rubbing her nose against his before she whispered, "Ohh Josh honey," She nudged her face with his a little bit, letting their lips dance softly together. She could feel him twitch up against her and it made her softly moan. Every nerve ending of her body was ignited. 

JC grunted and grabbed at her legs and pulled her hard against him as his lips came crashing down on top of her collarbone. He kissed a trail along her skin, sucking on the skin after his initial trail of kisses. He pressed his face up against her chest as he mouthed the words to the song.

Sam felt her head lean back slightly, her eyes fluttered closed and she moaned, allowing her hands to slide down and grip at his arms, feeling the swell of his muscle. This man did it for her.

He couldn't help but smile against the valley of her breasts above the bubbles at the way her body melted with his actions. It had been ages since he had taken the time to love on a woman and appreciate her. He dragged his lips up to her neck, kissing so lightly as his hands slid up her back and held her up against his body, his lips remained pressed up against her throat as he sang, "Tell me that you wanna make love..."

She let her fingertips slide down and feel at the dips of his abs and venture down just slightly more at the V shaped muscles of his hips. It made her smile as her eyes met his, sensing that deep feeling of connection. She sucked in a low breath, feeling almost completely overwhelmed.

JC nodded and mumbled, "You did all of that. And it's yours. I'm yours." He was completely talking over the playback track but he didn't care. His hands slid all around her hips and he leaned down to get a grab of her ass. He closed his eyes and moaned feeling his fingers sink in. 

Sam grinned softly as she brought her forehead against his again, letting her lips brush with his over and over again, smiling between each little brush. Her hips began to sway side to side while his fingers sank in.

JC sucked her lips right into his mouth and let out a moan. "Hold onto me tight," he mumbled, snaking his arms around her tightly. He lifted her straight out of the tub, pressed against his body. The suds from the tub were covering her, both bodies straight dripping steamy water. He stepped out of the tub, gripping her tightly. Sam's arms and legs snaked around his tightly, holding onto his body as she buried her head in his neck. She let out a soft moan at the way he was handling her. "Josh..." she moaned his name into his skin.

He nudged his face against hers as he kissed along her face. He carried her to the wall where he pressed her against it, holding her against it with all his body weight as he reached over to the towel rack and grabbed an oversized towel. With a skill and patience he didn't know he possessed, he held her steady and wrapped her up in the towel to cover and protect her from anyone else seeing what he was claiming as his own.

Sam looked at him with a soft smile as he wrapped her up in the towel, bringing her forehead against his again. Her lips smiled against his as she whispered, "You're something else Josh Chasez."

He smiled in response, nuzzling his face against hers before he shook his head slightly. "I'm just being a little protective right now," he smirked, "I know there are at least a dozen thirsty eyes here for you, but I'm not about to let that happen."

She laughed softly, letting her lips graze against his gently. "It's okay. There's only one pair of thirsty eyes I really care about."

"Mine," he said sternly, grinning at her before he placed a kiss on the tip of her nose.

"Yours. Yes." She leaned up and touched his face before she whispered, "Are we done here, or are you trying to spring some other situation on me?"

He pulled back enough to get a good look at her and laughed, "Spring another situation?" He began to grin from ear to ear.

She laughed softly with that soft, melodic cadence he craved. "The rain outside, the bathtub. Those situations."

"Well, I think that covers the video. And I at least didn't have anything else planned, but it's up to the director to take my ideas and write anything in that needs to be realistic though," he grinned and kissed her lips softly, "Maybe you should ask him."

Sam smirked, "You're in charge here, not me Josh."

The director walked over to them holding a small screen. "You two!" He showed them a clip when they were in the bathtub and he was singing along her throat, "I have never shot something in one take like this and loved it so much."

Sam's head tilted slightly holding onto JC as they both watched the screen. Their onscreen chemistry was unreal. JC melted a little bit right onto her against the counter. "Oh damn," he mumbled.

Sam looked over at him and the way he was watching the playback and she bit her lip. This wasn't about a damn video anymore.

JC reached out to the screen and made the scene rewind to watch it again. "We look amazing together. This chemistry." He looked from the director to Sam.

"Mmm, we do." she smiled, nodding her head, before resting her head against his chest. The room was cold now that they weren't in the tub anymore, and she was craving the warmth of his body again.

"You both did an amazing job," he grinned, "That's a wrap for the JC scenes! Can't wait to get all of this together, congratulations to you two!" The crew clapped and they all filed out of the room one by one until only Samantha and JC remained. 

JC held her head up against his chest, resting his lips against her head and whispered, "You know all of that was real right?"

Sam smiled shyly up at him from his chest, before burrowing her head back into his chest. She was feeling so many different feelings, exposed, vulnerable, open. But now the video was over. 

JC continued softly, "I had them bring us some robes." He stepped away from her, making sure the towel was wrapped tightly around her. As he stepped back, she tilted her head to get a good look at his soaked briefs. He was more than a little turned on for her and it made her lips turn up into a little grin. He reached for the warm robe and walked it over to her.

"Mmm. Thank you," she smiled, trying hard not to stare at his package, but it was right there. She bit her lip, reaching for the robe and slipping it on before letting the towel drop to the floor. She looked back up into his eyes and smiled coyly. "You're right. These music videos are kind of fun."

He smirked. "Practicing for them is even more fun," he pulled on the warm robe and let his wet briefs drop, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that."

She laughed so cute as she tied up her robe. "I'm sure you get plenty of practice."

"You take that back right now!" He made a cute face. "Because no."

"Fine," she grinned, "I'll take it back. But on the condition that if you ever do a music video like this again, you practice with me and only me." She licked her lips all sassy and with that, she turned and walked out of the room to head back to her dressing room to get water.

JC stared at the open doorway for a solid five minutes. He replayed the words out of her mouth over and over again. "Because that's what she just said right? Like she just said she wanted me to practice with her and only her."

Sam made her way back to her dressing room and changed back into her jeans and sweater. A production assistant handed her a hot tea and she settled on the couch having a moment. She had never in her life been so attracted to a man, and then all of that happened... in front of a room full of people to boot. 

JC made his way back to his own dressing room, changing back into jeans and a white v-neck shirt. He grabbed his phone as he made his way to catering to get a snack.

JC: I hope my one and only practice partner hasn't left the property yet.

The buzz of her phone on the counter broke her from her daydream. She leaned over to grab it and smiled, standing up.

Samantha: I was going to check with you before I got a ride back to my hotel.

He grinned to himself as he sipped on some fresh black coffee. 

JC: Well you had better make sure that you ride home with me and only me. :)

Sam walked downstairs to the catering area to see him leaning against the counter sipping his coffee. It made her smile and she slipped her phone in her purse. She made her way behind him and kissed his cheek. "It's only you, Josh."

"Mmm," he said with a smile, turning to his side and sliding his hand along her hip, "I'll remember you said that. I'll be happy to drive you back to your hotel, or you are also welcome to come and see the view from my patio for dinner, then I can take you back to your hotel... but only if you want."

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'd love to see the view from your place."

He smiled softly and put his coffee down so he could wrap his arms around her. "I'd love to show you my favorite sushi in LA since you brought me to yours in New York."

"Mmm. I'd love that," she smiled, "Can we order and eat at your house? I kinda just want quiet tonight."

"Of course we can, I wouldn't want it any other way this evening.  I'm a little over the crowd watching us." He kissed her forehead. "You ready to go?"

"I've got my phone, I've got my purse. And my driver." she smiled, "Do you know their menu by heart? You can tell me and I'll order in the car or I'll let you do the driving and the ordering."

"Sweetheart, I've got their number and menu memorized." He smirked and took her hand, leading her down the corridor  toward the driveway.

"Oh, a man after my own heart," she laughed, interlocking their fingers. She watched him as they walked. She knew she was letting him get the best of her.

JC smiled down at the sight of their hands. "I like your hand in mine."

"It's a pretty nice fit. You have big hands. Nice and strong."

He laughed softly, "The better to hold onto your curves with my dear... and make them mine."

She grinned teasingly. "You wouldn't look good with curvy hips," she said as they walked into the early evening air, "Leave those to me."

"Oh honey," he stopped her in front of his Jeep, grabbing at her hips firmly with both hands, "I think they would look GREAT on me."

Sam looked up at him then down at the way his hands gripped her hips. All she could do was bite her lip.

"Exactly," he smirked, leaning down and biting her lip from between her teeth. He opened up the car door for her and let her hips go so she could get in the car.

Sam climbed in, making a soft noise as she buckled herself in. Her brain was working overtime and all she could do was watch him as he got into the car.

He licked his lips. The tension in the car was real, he didn't even need to look at her as he backed out of the driveway. He had her right where he wanted her.

The sun was setting over the valley. Los Angeles was cast in reds, yellows, pinks and the tiniest sliver of purple. The small buildings below gradually began to turn their lights on and the city below them seemed to illuminate. JC's house had the perfect view below.

Sam was settled at JC's cafe style table on his patio, sitting across from him with a soft smile as she took a sip of the Gin and Tonic he had made her. She reached over with her chopsticks to take another sushi roll from the styrofoam containers that had been delivered from Moon Thai, JC's favorite sushi restaurant.

JC poured a little more Sake in his glass, taking a sip and watching her with an almost breathless smile. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" he asked, leaning back with his drink against his lips. He was comfortable and sure about this whole situation. Having her here in his house with him felt just the way he wanted it to-- natural, like she had been here so many times before.

"Oh my god, Josh," she said with a smile and a sigh, "This is breathtaking. No wonder why you're constantly inspired to create. Your home is absolutely stunning." She licked her lips and looked back at him with a small smile, "I think I'm falling in love with California."

"Guess you need to think about investing a little more time here then," he grinned, "Just like I am with New York."

She looked at him with a smile, "You know you always have an open door in New York whenever you come around, Josh." She placed her drink down on the table.

He leaned over and picked up her glass to take a taste, to make sure he made it just right. "Mmm. Just like you're always welcome here Samantha. No need to ever book a hotel room in LA, unless you want to."

"I'd always call you first," she said softly, glancing back out at the sunset and taking another sip of her drink.

A soft breeze came through and blew some of Samantha's still damp hair in her face, and he reached across the table to pull it away. He whispered thoughtfully, "God, you're beautiful."

She looked over at him and smiled warmly. "I'm just me sweetheart, just Samantha."

"Who is absolutely beautiful," he said, leaning in to brush his lips against her cheek. "Just admiring my dinner date, that's all."

She smiled and closed her eyes for a moment. She felt the butterflies that had been fluttering around her belly for months feel like they were ready to burst right out. "Mmm. I enjoy being your dinner date," she said softly, opening her eyes to look back at him. She leaned over to his glass of Sake and brought it to her lips to try it.

The sun had officially set and the patio lights began to turn on. He watched her with a smile on his face, unaware that he hadn't wiped the smile off his face since they walked into his house an hour ago.

She took one of the tuna tower pieces and nibbled on it, watching him with a smile, eyes still locked with his. "Mmm," she took her last piece and sighed softly, "You know your eyes crinkle a little bit when you smile. Like when you're really, genuinely intently smiling."

He felt his cheeks begin to get flushed and he smiled harder, looking down at his glass. He reached over and brought his hand up onto her leg to give a light squeeze. "I didn't realize I was still smiling," After a few long moments, he returned his gaze to meet hers, bringing his glass back up to take a sip.

"You kinda haven't stopped," she smiled, pushing her hair back from her face when it fell again. When she spoke again, her voice was soft and warm. "Thank you for an amazing dinner."

"I can't help it I suppose, I guess I'll try to be more subtle about it," he grinned, standing up to gather up the leftovers and begin cleaning up, bringing everything inside to the kitchen.

She laughed softly and followed him. "Let me help." She took both plates and put them in the sink to rinse them out. She didn't even bat an eyelash as she began shuffling around the stainless steel kitchen, opening up the dishwasher and putting the leftover Sake in his fridge. 

JC blinked a few times watching her as he lifted an eyebrow. She looked like she belonged and had been there many times. He closed the styrofoam containers and packed away their leftover sushi in the fridge, stealing glances at her whenever he had a chance.  He finally spoke after a few minutes of gathering his thoughts. "Can I ask you something?"

She looked up, alarmed. She took a moment to lean against the counter, watching him. She could see the surprise in his eyes. She drew her lip in, biting it wondering if she had overstepped her boundaries. "Hmm? What's that Josh?"

"I want to know what your absolute deal breakers are." He stepped forward to her and used his thumb to pull her lip from her teeth.

She laughed softly and tilted her head to look at him. "I hope this isn't your polite way of telling me a woman who walks into your kitchen and takes over is an absolute dealbreaker."

"What? No, oh God no. I'm just genuinely curious." He couldn't help but take her hands in his. "I guess it's just something that I've been thinking about."

She smiled almost shyly as her fingers interlocked with his. "Hmm," she made a thoughtful face, " My absolute dealbreakers are dishonesty. I'm too valuable of a person to be lied to. Men who are constant partiers. Someone who spends more time in the mirror than I do. Someone who can't see past a number on a scale or a size on a dress. And I cannot, absolutely cannot be in a relationship with a man who isn't trying the way I am."

He gently squeezed their hands and stepped forward, his forehead going against hers, offering her a lazy smile. "I do spend a lot of time in the mirror at the gym and in dance rehearsals."

Sam laughed softly. "I could forgive you, maybe let that one slide. Though I do spend quite a bit of time there myself."

"Mmm, the mirror or the gym?"  He smirked on her lips before leaving a gentle kiss then wrapping his arms around her for a hug. 

"Both," she laughed, smirking against his lips, "I watch my form pretty closely. This butt doesn't squat itself you know." She paused for one soft kiss, "And what about you Joshua Chasez? Do you have any deal breakers?"

"Mmm, girls that don't squat." He laughed, "Just kidding. Selfish women, in all aspects of the meaning. Egotistical women. Someone who is emotionally shut off. I need to be able to break down the walls in her heart if I'm supposed to be there, you know?"

She nodded and touched along his face gently. "All very important things." Her hands slid down and wrapped around him as well. "You'll find just what you're looking for sweetheart. I know it."

"I know I will." He smiled as he looked into her eyes. "She's out there, and I have a really good idea about what I want."

She smiled in return. There was something she loved deeply about when he looked into her eyes. It did something to her heart. "As you should," she smiled, "it's important." Her voice was nothing but a soft whisper as she leaned in to kiss him tenderly. "A man like you should have everything he wants."

JC nodded into the kiss, pulling her away from the sink as he began to back up toward the living room. He pulled her along so that she was still up close to him as he continued to kiss her with the softest tugs and pulls on her lips.

Sam smiled against his kiss as he guided her to the living room, returning the sweetest little pulls and kisses against his lips. She was slowly becoming powerless to these displays of affection and could almost melt into him each time. 

He pulled away slowly to catch a breath. "I don't want you to leave tonight, Samantha," he whispered along her lips. "I just want to be around you." He slid his hand down over her hair. 

"I'm not going anywhere Josh," she whispered, feeling a shiver go down her spine with the low warmth of his voice. Goosebumps took over her arms and legs. "I'll stay." 

***

An hour passed, or maybe it was 2 or 3... neither JC nor Sam had any care about the time or what was happening around them. All that mattered was they were together, in that very moment. The air was a bit chilly, and JC and Sam were laying on his oversized chaise lounge. Some of his neighbors had Christmas lights lit up on their patios, and the occasional airplane flew by. Los Angeles was lit beneath them with tiny twinkling lights for miles. A big, tartan plaid blanket from the living room was draped over the two of them and an empty bottle of wine and two glasses were on the table next to the chaise. Neither of them had spoken for at least 20 minutes, just the sounds of outdoors and each other's breathing were all they needed. JC would occasionally reach for her hand and play with their fingers, or place gentle kisses along her jawline. He was the height of contentment. 

He leaned over and felt her shiver slightly in his arms. It made him smile softly. "I have a heater I can bring over here. It's one of those glass fire cases."

She shook her head, "No, no, I'm fine," she looked up at him with a smile. "I think you can do the job just fine. You're extremely warm Josh."

He smirked and slid his feet down along hers, almost playing footsie with her. "I can't help it. I told you I radiate heat all the time. Maybe that's why I make the best cuddler."

Sam laughed, "I'll give you props from my experience. You are pretty good." Her hand rested on his stomach over his sweater and she smiled, as her voice got soft. "I could get used to it."

He grinned along her face. "Maybe I want you to get used to it. I like cuddling you, Samantha."

She smirked cutely as she peeked up at him from his chest, "Even though the video filming is over?"

He took a moment, stopped to think about what she said and took another moment to study her eyes. He was steady, sure and serious. "Yes. If I needed you just for video purposes, I wouldn't have invited you back to my home. I wouldn't have left my band in New York City to spend the night with you more than once."

Sam sighed softly. She was sure that he was serious about her based on the vibe he gave the last few times they were together, but that pesky thought lingered in her mind. She needed to send it away. She laughed softly after a moment. "God, it's almost infuriating how much I like you, Joshua Chasez."

He grinned widely. "Infuriating?" He grabbed at her waist and began to tickle her gently. 

She giggled softly and wiggled slightly in his grip. "Yes, infuriating. Because you're so damn charming and so NOT like any other man I've ever been involved with."

He smiled so hard when she began to giggle, and he leaned in and pressed his nose against hers. "I don't want to be like any other man you've been with. I want to be the best man you've been with."

Sam sucked in a quick breath, feeling herself melt into him again for what seemed like the millionth time that day. She made a soft sigh and looked up at him before brushing her lips against his. "Yeah? You wanna be my best man ever? Like my man man?"

JC pulled her on her side so they could both face each other. He kept his arm wrapped around her, looking down at her protectively for a long, paused moment. "As in I'd really not like it if another man was in my place. Holding you. Kissing you. I want you all to myself."

She smiled softly. "I'll be honest. I don't think I'd like to see someone else in my place either." She touched along his cheek over to his lips. "And if you want me to be yours..."

He put his lips to hers and mumbled softly, "Do you want to be mine Samantha?" 

She smiled on his lips and nodded. She tried to kiss him, but she couldn't fight the big smile that was threatening to take over her face. "Mmhmm. I do."

JC's hand gripped her back and he smiled with her before enveloping her lips inside his with a slow and very intimate kiss. Something shifted between them now that they both had admitted how much they needed each other. His kiss lingered until he emitted a soft hum.

Her hand slipped up to his hair where his fingers played at the slight curls that had grown. His hair was in that in between phase where it was not too long, but not too short either. It was still damp from the video shoot. It added to her sensory experience, coupled with the soft give and take that was sexy and gentle between their kisses. 

His hand grazed her skin softly. It was gentle and caring, not sexual or rough or needy in any way. He stole several kisses and in between he whispered, "Samantha Bentley is my girlfriend."

She grinned in response. "Joshua Chasez is my boyfriend. JC Chasez. I like the sound of that."

He cheesed like a little kid and touched her face. "You're not going to deny me in public or anything are you?"

She laughed. " I'm 26 years old and you're 29. Why would we waste each other's time if we weren't going to be with each other the right way? Unless you asked me to, and then I'd play along in that case."

"Hell no. I want the world to know that the sexiest and most amazing woman on this planet is mine." he laughed proudly.

"Oh sweetheart, you can shout it from the rooftops if you wanted to."

JC grinned. "Yeah?" He tossed the blanket off himself, making sure she was covered and leapt up from the chaise. He ran to the wrought iron railing and yelled out into the abyss, "SAMANTHA BENTLEY IS MINNNNNNE!" 

She snuggled under the covers, chilly once he left. She watched him with an awe-inspired smile, listening to the sound of his voice echo out into the canyon below. She watched him closely, this man who was being so open with his feelings was nothing like the man who walked with her out of the fashion show on Halloween night. He was so endearing, and she was so into it.

JC yelled out into the canyon a second time then casually walked over to her, hands in his pockets. "Hi baby," he grinned, crawling back onto the chaise and snuggling up to her.

"Hi handsome. Do you want to head inside? I can make us some tea."

"Mmmm." JC said nothing else but wrapped his arms around her, scooping her up into his arms, blanket and all. He walked inside, kicking the sliding door closed with his leg. "No, I can make us the tea."

She wrapped her arms around him and grinned, "Oh, so strong." She giggled, "I can put you in charge of the tea. That's fine with me."

"You are in charge of just getting comfortable and relaxing." He placed one simple kiss on her cheek, then made his way to her lips.

"Mmm. I can do that," she smiled against his lips as they walked through the living room toward the kitchen.

"Now let's see," he mumbled, carrying her into the kitchen before placing her down on his granite countertop. "I wonder if I remember how you take your tea from New York."

She leaned back against her elbows watching him closely. "Go for it. If you forget, I won't hold it against you." She grinned smartly at him, playing around.

He smirked and puffed his chest out. "And what if I get it right?" He put his tea kettle on the stove and turned the gas burners on.

She smirked, "Maybe I will hold it against you."

"As long as it's you being held against me, that's fine with me." He grinned, pulling two mugs out of his cabinet along with a box of tea. He opened it up for her and walked it over to her. "And what are you drinking tonight mami?"

She giggled. "Oooh. Chamomile Tea." she pulled the bag out of the box. "And of course. I like being against you, I learned that today."

"Yeah. Your body language told me that baby." He grinned at the kettle began to whistle and he poured the hot water into the two mugs. He grabbed the honey and poured it in her cup and grabbed a bit of sugar for his. 

"Yours did too, blue eyes," she grinned, tilting her head to watch him taking charge in the kitchen.

He walked over to her with their mugs and handed her one. "Here we go, let me know if it's right."

She blew on the mug and grinned cute, taking a sip. "Mmm. Great job Josh."

He grinned. "Yessss, I win." He laughed all low. He took a sip and hopped on the counter with her, staring down into his mug.

"You seem to be on fire tonight with the winning, Josh," she smiled, taking another sip before holding her mug, resting her head on his shoulder for a moment. 

They both sat and sipped their tea, enjoying each other's company in the quiet. He sighed softly and took a moment to kiss her temple. "Did I tell you that you're stunning tonight?"

She smirked slightly, "Oh, please feel free to elaborate."

He laughed softly, leaning forward as he examined her. "I'm just saying that you're absolutely beautiful to me. And I like you."

She smiled, "Why thank you," she kissed his cheek. "I happen to like you quite a bit myself. And you're actually very pretty to me as well," she grinned cute, "Now that you've been paraded around in that music video and all."

He laughed real low, "Oh yeah, you liked that?"

She took a sip of her tea and smiled. "I think it's obvious. You're so handsome and your body is crazy. I liked getting to appreciate you today. I hope you could tell."

He blushed slightly, taking his tea and taking a sip as well. "Oh I could tell. And I'm pretty sure it's written all over my face how I felt about you today. God you're gorgeous."

She giggled and leaned in for a gentle kiss. "I liked seeing how you felt about me." 

***

She awoke, fully dressed asleep on the couch wrapped up in JC's arms. She was resting in the crook of his arm with her head on his chest. 

JC was already awake, staring down at her with sleepy eyes. He was gently playing with her hair, thinking about everything that had happened the day before. 

She stirred slightly in his arms, making a low noise before she moaned, pulling her body more into him like he was her teddy bear.

He smiled lightly and half kissed on her head as he let out a soft sigh. He pulled the covers over them.

The covers over her body made her wake up a little bit and she mumbles again, stretching out against him. "Hi."

"Good morning princess," he whispered in a small voice.

She yawned and snuggled in with him. "You're cozy."

"Mmm. So are you," he grinned and played with her hair, "I'm sorry that we fell asleep on the couch."

"Uhh, sorry for falling asleep on you." She laughed softly, "You must have been so uncomfortable. You could have woken me up and told my ass to move over." She looked up at him with content eyes.

"Never. I was just happy to have you next to me," He smiled down at her, "I was out cold with you sweetheart."

"Oh, okay." she smiled, kissing over his shirt on his chest. "Do you have time to sight see with me today?"

"Mmm. About that, I will. But the guys and I have an important meeting today but it'll only be a couple hours okay?"

"Sounds good." She nodded, "I'll go keep myself busy somewhere while you're gone,"

"What?" he grinned, "Honey, please stay here and relax. I have a huge walk in shower and a bathtub." He grabbed her hand and interlocked their fingers.

"I mean that all sounds very tempting. At least let me have some dinner ready for you when you get home since I'm crashing here now?"

"Are you trying to cook for me?" he grinned.

"I mean I could order take out if you'd rather, but I don't mind throwing something together for us."

"Well, I kinda already had dinner plans for us tonight, so if you need to go get your things and come back to the house you can," he grinned. "And I'd like to take you somewhere for dinner tonight."

"Is that an invitation to check out of my hotel?" she grinned, "And stay here?"

"Absolutely it is," he smiled, "But only if you want to." He sat up a little bit more before pulling her up with him.

"I won't lie, it sounds great." she sat up along with him, smiling, "though I won't lie, your house isn't quite as festive as the Beverly Hills Hilton was."

"Well I haven't been here until this week," he pouted, "I'll work on that if it'll make you feel better."

"Oh honey," she laughed softly, "don't worry about it. Your house is just right," she leaned in and kissed his cheek, "Don't do it just for me."

"Well I want to," he smiled, "and besides, your surprise tonight was an early Christmas dinner at Justin's house. Ashley is there and we wanted to celebrate a little with you girls."

"Ohhh dear," she laughed softly, "That should be great."

He licked his lips, "You're in for a few options with them. Either dinner and a show style fighting, or they'll be filled with disgusting love and sexual chemistry. Either way, it's a night to celebrate."

"I'll be ready for whatever happens," she laughed. "Thanks for thinking of us."

"Bring your appetite and be ready for fun," he licked his lips, "Low key and casual."

"I always am," she smiled, snuggling back into him.

He looked down at her after a few moments of silence, mumbling onto her face, "I don't want to leave you today."

She smiled and kissed his cheek softly. "How long do you have to go?"

He looked over at the clock on the wall. "I need to shower soon but I won't leave for at least another 90 minutes." He needed to lean down and kiss her again.

She nodded a little bit as she kissed him softly. "Mmm. Well, I guess the sooner you leave, the sooner you can come home to me." The moment those words escaped from her lips, she bit her lip. There was something extremely committed about that statement and it felt foreign but exciting.

He smiled so hard against her lips. "I can't wait to come home to you tonight." He reached behind her to smooth out the back of her hair.

"I'll be waiting for you," she grinned, nuzzling her nose against his and placing one kiss on his lips. "Now go shower honey."

He growled playfully at her. "I love to hear that. I'll go shower but I won't be long."

"I'll have something quick for you to eat before you go. Do you have something that you want sweetheart?" She needed to distract herself with preparing breakfast for them. If she thought about him getting naked in the shower, she knew her train of thought would spiral downhill quickly. 

"I'll eat anything," he said, kissing her forehead before getting off the couch to walk to the bathroom. "Strong coffee though." 

"You've got it sweetheart," she said as she got up and moseyed her way into his large kitchen. It took a moment for her to rifle through things and before she knew it, she was whipping up breakfast sandwiches for the both of them with egg whites, baby spinach and turkey sausage, topped with fresh tomatoes on a grain roll. The coffee brewed in his French Press and she was humming along as she worked.

Meanwhile, JC took his time in the shower, eyes closed as he replayed everything in his mind. She was downstairs waiting for him. She said she'd be home when he got home from work... all of these things, all  of these commitments. These were things he vowed he'd never do again but she made him want it all. 

He dried himself off and dressed in dark faded jeans with a Gucci belt and a long sleeved sweater. He was messing with his damp curls as he came back into the kitchen. "Damn does it smell good in here."

She grinned and plated his sandwich and coffee at the kitchen island. "Coffee as black as your soul for a busy day."

"Mmmm," he stepped up to her really closely, pulling her to him while taking the coffee up to his lips with a low grunt, all while not losing eye contact with her.

She swallowed hard before she took a sip of her coffee. She breathed in his smell, his wet hair and the dampness took her straight back to the bathtub on the set the day before and how damn close they were to getting it in. She shifted a bit with the thought.

JC laughed all low, watching her shifting near him. He knew, he was feeling it too.

She giggled softly, leaning in to kiss the tip of his nose. "Eat. Please. Babe."

He grinned and sat at the bar with her. "Look at this, my girlfriend is already making my breakfast for me. Shit." He took a big bite.

"You're like a super domesticated boyfriend type, Josh Chasez." she replied. 

"Yeah well, now that you're feeding me, good luck getting rid of me," he said in between bites. 

She laughed softly, "From what I've been learning about you, I'm not looking to get rid of you anytime soon sweetheart," she sipped her coffee and smiled.

He reached over and put his hand on her leg as he finished off his sandwich. "I wouldn't let you anyway," he smiled, "You're the type I'd fight for."

"I'd be willing to let you fight for me," she smiled, nodding. "I'd probably fight like hell to keep you too Josh." She leaned in for another kiss. "I don't want you to be late."

"Ugh, I know," he grunted, "leaning in to touch her face as he kissed again," "I don't want to."

She tilted her head and nibbled on his lip, moaning softly just once against his lips. She momentarily lost her composure, overwhelmed with the want for this man in front of her. It had been brewing for the last several weeks. She whispered, "To be continued when you come home." 

He pulled back just enough to look at her. "Is that a promise?"

She grinned, "Mmm. A promise. If you're good, I'll send you something to remind you of what you've leaving behind at home."

"Oh, please do." He got off his stool then grabbed her face for one more, sloppy and sexy kiss.

"Mmm. Go." she said, grinning against his kiss. "Make some magic, baby."

"Fuck." he could only muster one word against her lips as he turned away from her and began to walk toward his foyer to grab his keys. 

JC sat on the back patio of his cottage, sipping on a cup of coffee. Spread out ahead of him were miles and miles of vineyard, with a large, beautiful hotel and spa in the distance. It was New Year's Eve, and he was in Napa Valley. The last three weeks of his life were a positive whirlwind. The night after the video shoot, he was surprised with Samantha decorating his house with a simple Christmas tree and some lights, and it was topped off with a fun dinner at Justin's house. It was like old times, where he and his best friend gathered and had drinks and food, but it was made even better having Samantha by his side. The following morning, he dropped her off at LAX to return to New York with a goodbye that was hard for both of them. He knew that both of their schedules were only going to grow even more busy over the following months and that was the sacrifice of their relationship.

Christmas kept them apart: Chicago with the Chasez family and Northern Virginia for the Bentley family. *NSYNC's schedule allowed for a few days of unwinding and family time for JC and he grew anxious at the thought bringing Samantha around to meet his family. He hadn't brought home a woman to meet his folks in years and here he was, ready to do so after such a short time. 

*NSYNC had received an invitation to an exclusive New Year's Eve party in Napa, California. An investor in Jive Records had opened a new winery and resort and spa and wanted to kick off the new year with a swanky cocktail party. Because the band was on their agreed upon break straight through New Year's Day, it was an optional event for the members. The rest of the band members had declined, but JC did some research on the property and felt this was a perfect place for a romantic New Year's getaway. Over a Skype call, he sprang the idea on her and purchased her a plane ticket. Happily, she agreed and JC set off making every last arrangement he could. He had arranged for them to stay on the property where the events were taking place, making a reservation for the private cottage that was set apart from the rest of the lodging. It was a little piece of privacy that he wanted for them.

He smiled as he sipped his coffee, reflecting on the last two months of his life. It was quiet. He looked down at his watch. Her town car was due to arrive from the Oakland airport at any moment. She had texted him about an hour earlier that she had gotten her bags and had found her driver. He took his phone out and stared at their text thread for a few long moments. She had certainly been the biggest surprise of 2005 for him. 

The sound of tires against a gravel driveway broke him out of his trance and his ears perked up. That must have been her. He quickly got up and walked through the back gate and around their cottage to see a black Lincoln Town Car with an open trunk. The driver opened the back door and Samantha came out, smiling at the sight of JC waiting for her, barefoot in a pair of jeans and a white v-neck shirt. 

"There she is!" JC called out happily, walking to her. He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her up off the ground in a hug.

"Josh!" she said brightly, laughing at being spun around. She pressed her forehead against his and smiled.

He put her down on the driveway again and leaned in to greet her lips in a hello. It had been three weeks since he left her at the airport and he craved her. He missed every last thing about her. "Mmmm," he finally mumbled as he pulled away from her lips. "Hello."

Sam smiled against his lips, rubbing her nose against his lightly before stealing one more kiss. "Hi sweetheart. Oh I missed you."

The driver cleared his throat, waiting with Samantha's suitcase and garment bag. "Your bags, Ms. Bentley."

"Oh right." she laughed softly, loosening her grip on JC, who shuffled over to the driver to take her things. "Thank you sir. Happy New Year." she said, slightly embarrassed.

The driver tipped his cap to both JC and Samantha and closed the trunk before getting back in the car and driving away.

"Welcome to Napa baby," JC declared, rolling her suitcase and taking her hand. "Welcome to our guest house. It's just the two of us out here. All the other action happens at the top of the hill. I hope you enjoy it." 

***

When someone in Napa throws a party to commemorate a new winery or resort, the party is always grand. Tonight this party was no exception. The grand deck of the resort was decked out in lights, small cocktail tables and mini fire pits with an indoor space filled with food and endless amounts of wine. While grand galas in New York were always a Who's Who of the fashion world and east coast elite, parties in California were always dripping with celebrities. 

The night was cool. JC adjusted the tie of his suit with his free hand, the other draped protectively around his girlfriend. Samantha was never more than a few inches away from JC the entire evening. She was looking far too attractive to be left alone. She was wearing a red dress that fit every curve like a glove, with an open back that left JC constantly running his fingers along her skin. How she managed to look effortlessly glamorous, he had no idea. They had spent the evening dancing under the stars, sipping wine and chatting with some of the other guests. By about 11PM, he had grown tired of the crowd. He wanted some time alone with his woman, but knew he needed to have some patience. He grabbed at her hand and walked toward one of the fire pits near the wall, in a space that was a little less crowded. 

She brought her glass of wine up to her lips, not saying a word but sipping thoughtfully. A few people in the crowd caught her eye and smiled at her, still staring. She offered them a polite smile and leaned over to touch his face softly. "Penny for your thoughts baby?"

He smirked, playing with a few strands of hair that weren't up in her updo. "Honestly my mind was out on the dance floor with you. Those hips of yours, Samantha, I don't know how they do it."

She laughed and poked his side. "That's what you were thinking about? My hips?"

He smirked, "If you only knew the number of times a day those hips are on my mind. You're so damn distracting."

"Well feel free to share what you're thinking about anytime you want baby," she smirked, "I stopped being careful with what I did with them the night we met."

JC grinned so hard. "Well then I'll make damn sure I'm not careful with you tonight then."

She grinned, "I hope that's a promise," she said as she nudged her face against his.

He laughed all low near her ear, pulling her into his body a little bit more. "Oh Samantha," he pulled back slightly to look down at her with sparkling eyes. "I don't know how I got so lucky to have you." He led her over to the ledge near the firepit where there was a flat place to sit down. He sat down, bringing her almost all the way onto his lap.

She grinned cutely. "You're the one who went after me, so thanks. You did a nice job," she grinned, looking at him before taking a sip of her wine. His arms wrapped tightly around her, keeping her pulled into his body.

"Mmm, the moment I laid eyes on you at the show. It was no longer an option. I wasn't going to get anyone else get to you." His lips found their way to her neck where he left a lazy trail of kisses.

She giggled lightly at the feeling of his lips on her skin. "I'm glad you liked me. You were the best kind of persistent." She held her glass to her lips and took another sip. Her lips were starting to be stained by the red wine. "Ugh, your lips baby."

JC was smiling against her skin and mumbling as he kissed, when the clearing of a throat stopped him. Apparently he wasn't the only one with his eyes on her at the party. 

"Samantha Bentley," a low voice sounded out. As Samantha looked up, she smiled softly. She recognized this man immediately. It was Adam Levine, from an up-and-coming band called Maroon 5. 

She was still giggling at JC's kisses which stopped abruptly when Adam stood in front of them. She offered Adam a smile. "Hi Adam..."

JC stiffened behind Samantha, tightening his grip around her. His face was in a straight line, and if looks could kill, Adam Levine would be long gone.

Adam laughed all low, "I thought I was going to have to introduce myself. Anyway, I heard you were on the guest list tonight and I've been looking for you since I saw you walk in. Can I talk to you for maybe all of five minutes?"

JC let out a grunt near her ear.

Sam smiled softly, "It's hard not to know who you are. But," she nodded her head, "It's nice to meet you." She looked back at JC, "Honey, can you give us just a few minutes?"

JC nodded with just a sliver of a light smile at her. He let his arms loosen around her and he stood up. "Take your time. I'll go get us more wine." He cleared his throat and walked to the wine bar, furious.

Adam smiled and rested his hand on her arm once he sat in JC's empty spot. "Okay, so I've seen you around for awhile now, and then I was at the Siriano fashion show just before the holidays. I just knew I had to find a way to ask you to be in a series of videos for me." He offered her a smile, "There's no one else for the part but you."

"Ohh wow! I mean, videos aren't really my thing but," she laughed softly, "they are kinda fun. I mean, I'll think about it for sure." 

"Yeah?" he smiled so big, "I'd love that," he pulled out his phone, "What's your number? I'll text you when we decide to plan this series."

"I mean, obviously I'll need to talk to my booking agent and all, but. You know how these things work," she smiles, "The industry and all." She tilted her head and took another sip of her red blend. "It's 212-555-8687." 

"Of course," Adam said earnestly, "Everything will be handled professionally." He leaned in and kissed her cheek, "Thanks for making my New Year's Eve."

"Enjoy your evening Adam, I'm sure I'll see you around," she said with a soft smile as JC made his presence known, returning to the ledge carrying a bottle of wine. He began to fill up her wine glass again, clearing his throat.

"Have a wonderful evening, Samantha," Adam nodded toward JC and walked away.

Sam looked at JC with a smile. It was obvious the look in her eyes toward JC was different than anyone else at the party. "Thank you for being so understanding, Josh. A man who is confident is extremely sexy."

He grinned, "Just as a woman who is confident is sexy as hell." He licked his lips all slow, "Besides, I know I had nothing to worry about with you and that guy." He grinned devilishly. 

"Oh yeah?" she grinned, "Do other people have to worry about me with this guy here?" She sipped her wine with a little smirk. 

He smirked right back at her and took a sip of his wine. "No one needs to worry about you with me. Because I'm your man, and I'm here to take care of you and show you off a little bit."

"Mmm, sweetheart," she grinned softly, "I'm always willing to let you show me off a little bit. Whenever you want... my man." she echoed his words. Hearing him call himself her man was hot as hell, and she loved whenever he threw that in there. 

"Your man," he repeated with a smile, putting the wine bottle down on the table in front of them, pulling her close as he backed up against the ledge. "I'm all yours, and you're all mine. The world knows it now, and I'm ready to show you off anywhere I go baby. It's about to be a hell of a ride." He lifted his glass to hers. "A toast for us. A new year. May 2006 bring us a year full of success and love."

She smiled and snuggled into him as he pulled her close. "To us." She clinked her glass against his. "And full of adventures, passion, stories and laughter." She took a sip of her wine, leaning back into him again.

"There will never be a lack of passion or laughter with me... I'll make sure of that honey," he sipped his wine then put his glass down. He turned her around so she was looking at him.

Sam put her glass down on the ledge next to her and slid her hands up his tuxedo jacket, where they rested over his chest. Her eyes locked with his and it made her smile, she shook her head slightly. "God, you are gorgeous Josh."

He grinned so cute. "Damnit Samantha, you're going to make me fall in love with you if you don't stop being so perfect." His hands rested over hers on his chest.

She giggled softly and rested her forehead against his. "It's almost midnight baby," she whispered.

JC whispered, "I hope your lips are ready." He stood up straight so he was towering over her again, looking down at her with his commanding presence. 

She grinned softly against his lips, kinda tugging at his jacket a little bit more. She took a light nip at his lips. "I hope your whole body is ready, Mr. Chasez." 

"It's not my body that has to be ready," he licked his lips as his hands gripped her hips through her dress, "I've been training. And when I get a taste of something I want and love, there's no stopping me."

"Mmm was that the bathtub? A taste?" She grinned and left a light nibble on his lip. "I don't want you to stop baby."

She could feel his fingers dig into her hips as his grin within the kiss diminished. It turned into a solid biting on her lower lip. "Not until you're screaming for me tonight," he whispered harshly.

"Mmm make that into the morning, and we have ourselves a deal," she couldn't help but whimper as his forcefulness. 

"Good thing it's about to be morning," he grinned, bringing his hand to touch on her bare back where he pressed her into his body. "As soon as we ring in the New Year, I'm making you mine."

"I want you to have me. Any way you want me," she whispered, as music came over the speakers. The DJ announced one minute until midnight and the crowd gathered on the terrace. Music began to play around them and excited cheers filled the air, but somehow, only JC mattered to her.

The countdown began. As 2006 began, fireworks shot off over the vineyard in an elaborate display while the DJ played Auld Lang Syne. JC slid his hand into her hair, the other hooked around her body as his lips caressed hers in a sensual but passionate kiss. He had never in his life had a New Year's Kiss quite like this one, one that his entire body melted with. He pressed her body up against the rock wall as his lips danced with hers, her hair blew in the breeze, every little bit of this moment fit together.

She slid her arms up to better hold onto him. As her lips danced against his, her whole body came alive with tingles. In her head, she thought that no other man has ever made her feel this way, and no other New Year's had ever been quite like this one. JC let out a thoughtful moan; he was nowhere ready to let her go yet. He tilted her back slightly, moaning at the way her body flowed in his arms. He pulled back on her lips for a split second just to recapture them with a hungry suck back into his mouth. "Mmmm," he mumbled.

She whined softly and gave a tug to his tie, slipping him the slightest bit of tongue in her kiss. Her body was ignited, and she was ready.

He moaned at the slip of her tongue and pulled away to breathe, pulling her up with him. He swallowed hard and looked down at her with steely grey eyes. "I'm taking you home right now."

She nodded, watching him closely. Her eyes were wide and deep blue, filled with lust for him. "Make me yours... please baby... Take me."

He all but pulled her up a small flight of stairs to leave the party and return to the grounds. She was keeping up with him, but if you looked closely at them, you'd know they were leaving the party hastily and he was leading the way. "I can't wait to make you mine..."

He pulled her to a golf cart that was waiting to take them back to their guest house. As the cart took off, he pulled her half on his lap.

She moaned against his ear before a hot little whisper escaped, "Fuck you're sexy Josh..."

He let out a moan, "Girl, don't you dare make me make this first time on the back of a golf cart."

Her whole body continued to tingle. She giggled softly against his ear and whispered, "I'll try to behave until we are where we need to be." Her hand rested on his thigh.

He grinned, leaning over to put his lips against her neck once again and he mumbled, "I don't have to behave." He started to gently suck on her skin, not hard enough to leave a mark, but enough to make her send a shiver straight down her spine.

Her whole body filled with goosebumps as a small whimper escaped. "Ohh, Josh, baby." She let her fingers sink into his leg. "Ohhh."

He nibbled just slightly on her skin with a grin. "We're almost there, I promise. I see it ahead baby."

"Mmm, you'd better promise." She grinned as well, sliding her hand over his lap to survey the damage she had done to him. It was a light little pass with her hand, but it was enough to make him growl. At that moment, the cart came to a stop in front of the guest house. "Let's go. Now." He all but pulled her out of the back of the cart, and up the walkway into the guest house. The door slammed behind them, and he threw her into it, going immediately back to work on her lips and making grabs to pull her dress off. 

She made a noise against his lips, sucking in his bottom lip as they both did an almost greedy give and take of each other's lips. She reached up and tugged at his suit jacket until it was in a pile on the floor, and she pulled his tie off. She started to hastily pull at the buttons of his white button down, not caring if they popped in the process. 

They both pulled away for a moment to catch each other's eyes and take a breath. He thrust off her dress so it landed in a pool at her feet. "FUCK." He stumbled backwards slightly as his shirt came wide open. He leaned forward to lift her up and carry her to the bedroom. 

"Ohhh Josh... mmmm." she whimpered, as her eyebrows furrowed at his dominance. As he carried her, she was reaching down to tug off his shirt as far as it would go, then her hands traveled to his dress pants and she made quick work of his belt and began to shove his pants down as low as they'd go as he walked. He was rock hard for her and it made her crazy.

He tossed her down on the bed as his pants were almost all the way down. He made quick work of them, and before she knew it he was crawling over her. His breaths were shallow and hard to come by as he took a moment to look down at her. His lips part slightly as he took all of her in. Her red bra and thong were the only thing he hadn't removed yet. He bit his lip as he caught his breath. His hand slid into the side of her thong and he ripped it apart with one pull. He let his eyes travel over her entire body and he swallowed hard. "You really want it because your body is craving me..."

She grinned slightly up at him with eyes glazed over with lust. "And you're hard as hell for me, so I see you craving me Joshua Scott." She licked her lips and leaned up to capture his lips with hers and tugged at the black cord of his necklace to pull him down to her.

JC nodded as he was kissing her, a bit sloppy as his mind became preoccupied with the nearly insatiable need for her. He pushed himself down against her, a few slight hip movements and he slipped inside slightly. It made him pull his head back and let out a long grunt. It had been almost two months since he had last been intimate with a woman and for him that was like an eternity. The need he had for this woman grew so big that it almost scared him. He couldn't wait one moment longer. He pulled on her hips as he pushed at his, and with one movement he was in deep, feeling every curve of her inside. 

Her eyes fluttered closed with pleasure and her hips rose up to meet his. A low moan escaped her lips as her hands curled up above her head, reaching for whatever was there. Her hands first found a balled up grip of the sheets. "OHHHHH!" she moaned out.

JC was unable to process much of anything other than the deep and intense feelings that were taking over his entire body. He pulled back and thrusted again, this time a little bit harder. His mouth fell open and he let out a loud grunt. "Ohhh... FUCK!"

Sam's eyes opened and she couldn't help but look up at him, he was in his zone and she could see the lust and sex in his eyes and it made her moan. She reached her legs up to wrap around his waist as her thick thighs wrapped around him. "Joshhhhhh... Fuck!"

JC closed his eyes and let out a low moan. He had never in his life felt thighs like that around him and it almost made him lose his mind on her. His hands reached down to grab at her skin and curves and he got a handful. It made him throw his head forward. "Ohhhh my GOD Samantha!" His hips thrust even harder this time, making him feel his own thrust against her body. 

"UGH!" Her hips started to rock with his, she couldn't help but make her body meet those thrusts. He made her absolutely crazy and she was becoming unraveled. Her body was ignited and with every thrust, making a perfect movement because of the way he was working her. He was unlike any other lover she had been with. 

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!" His breath was beginning to get short. "I'm... gonna...." He grit his teeth and sucked in a breath and his hips started to work faster and harder. The headboard was making a mark on the wall, scraping the paint. "BABY!" 

"Josh! C'mon baby.... Yes... OH!" She sucked in what sounded like a frenzied breath. "Ohhhh... FUCK!" She reached up kind of unsteadily to grab onto the headboard, which made it bang against the wall even harder. "AAAAGHHH!"

With her getting to that point, being loud and saying his name, it made him almost lose it. His fingers dug so hard into her hips, there was sure to be a bruise in each side in the morning in at least a few spots. He used all his body weight to thrust her up into the pillows and headboard. "Baby. Fuckkkkk.... I.... UGH!" His thrusts were hard hits until he went into oblivion, his release catching him off guard, almost violent. 

As he reached his peak, her body went through the rise and fall, her eyes flew open with shock and surprise and then closed with pure pleasure as the literal shockwave hit her system. Her entire body began to shake and she screamed out his name. They both rode the wave at the same time, so pleasurable it was almost overwhelming. 

His entire body was shaking as well as he felt her literally trembling beneath him. His eyes closed as his hips began to slow. "Ohhhhhh, Samantha baby." They both continued to shake and he let go of her hips finally, collapsing on her. He quickly caught himself and tried to push off of her. 

"Mmmm." her voice was weak, shaking slightly, "Mmm Josh no." She pulled at him and let him collapse in a heap on her body. She sucked in soft breaths to try and return her body to a normal breathing rate. Her eyes closed again as she felt his body flush against her curves and her lips found their way to rest on the salty skin of his shoulder. 

His whole body continued to shake in the aftermath as he remained collapsed on her, his eyes shut as his hips slowed. His face buried in her neck, kissing her skin a little here and a little there. His shaky hand reached up to touch her hair. "Oh my god."

Sam's voice was small, but satisfied. "Ohhh Josh, you." She smiled shakily against his skin, welcoming the hot heap of her body. She was so connected to him, she didn't want to move him off of her.

"Samantha," he sighed, speaking into her neck. "Oh." They lay in silence except for satisfied little hums and moans for a solid 20 minutes before JC gathered up enough strength to roll over onto his side, bringing her with him. His hand reached out to touch her hair again. "You are beautiful," he murmured, looking down at her. He continued to stroke her hair until he watched her eyes get heavy. He glanced over at the clock. It was already well after 1:30AM. He let out another soft sigh. If this is what being with her would be like, he could already tell he would be addicted and quickly... just what he was afraid of. 

***

The sunlight shined in from the outside and little beams of sunlight pushed their way to their bed. Sam was fast asleep, tangled up in his body and the sheets, just as she was the night before. Her head rested on his chest and she was comfortable. 

JC was in that state of being awake but not quite awake. His eyes were closed and absentmindedly he was playing with her hair and breathing softly.

Sam could feel him begin to stir and she let out a soft murmur. "Good morning handsome."

"Mmmm," he said nothing other than his hum then leaned in to place a kiss on her head. 

She smiled and looked up at him, sighing softly. She looked down to see them both naked and wrapped in the sheets and the events of the night before came flooding back into her mind, making her smile. "I never got a chance to say Happy New Year," she whispered.

He laughed all low and groggy. "Ohhh but you did, Samantha."

She smirked in response. "Mmm, you definitely said it to me." She touched along his arms, defined from dance rehearsals and working out with Justin.

He smiled and leaned in to kiss her face. "Happy New Year beautiful."

"If the way we rang in the New Year is any indication at all of how the rest will go," she leaned in softly to kiss on his chest, "it will totally be." She let herself snuggle into him, her fingers tracing along where her lips were. "Mmm. I have lots to learn here." 

"I think we have plenty of time to learn," he mumbled. He pulled her up on him and leaned up, pulling her face down for a kiss.

She smiled on his lips and mumbled cutely, "I plan on taking a very long time for that." 

He kissed her softly and sweetly and smiled against her lips. "Me too. Maybe I'll never stop learning."

"There is a lot of me," she smirked,  giggling on his lips, "But there appears to be a pretty good amount of you too, Josh." She grinned on his lips again after sneaking another kiss.

He grinned and pulled her all the way on top of him. "I love that there are actual curves on you baby. You give me something to grab and hold. And yes, I'm enough man to handle you."

She laughed so cute at the way he pulled her on top of him. "I know you are. And I love that you love them as much as I do." She smirked. "Can I be honest with you for a minute?"

"I want you to be honest with me always, sweetheart." He looked up at her, hands resting on her hips.

She bit her lip. "My first reaction when we met was that I didn't think I was going to like you." She brought her nose down against his and kissed him softly. "Ask me why."

He pursed his lips as he watched her. "Hmm. Why?"

She grinned, "You had little red shorts on and your package was wayy out there. And my first impression was that you were going to be a real asshole since you were showing off all your shit."

JC lifted his eyebrows and started to laugh, so much that he squinted his eyes and had to let go of her.

"My experience with men led me to that conclusion," she smirked and sat up. "So there's that."

"Oh my GOD, it was Halloween!" he was still slightly laughing. "I don't usually walk around like that." He slid his hand up her bare back. 

She giggled softly. "You did make a sexy lifeguard." She licked her lips as she stretched, letting out a soft yawn. 

JC's eyes were intent on her and he took the moment to truly survey her from top to bottom. "Oh my god," he mumbled. "You are a fucking goddess."

She looked at him and smiled lightly, almost shyly. She was dressed in lingerie and swimwear for work all the time and it never bothered her, but something about the way he was watching her made her feel shy. "Oh sweetheart," she smiled, "you're too sweet."

"Oh my god, you need to come here." He sat up and pulled her against his chest, needing to feel her body against his. He rested his forehead against hers. 

She rested her forehead against his before taking a kiss from him. "You're a perfect fit, Joshua Chasez. I hope you know that."

He wrapped his arms tightly around her before kissing again and again. "I know that now."

"Mmm." She smiled into his kisses, "As you should." She let out a soft sigh, feeling her heart having fluttery feelings. 

He pulled back to look at her closely, really studying her again. "I kinda like you waking up with me like this Samantha."

"Yeah, you kinda do?" she giggled softly. "You're awful inviting like this."

"Awful huh?" He grinned and leaned forward, lifting her up enough to scoot to the edge of the bed so he could stand up with her in his arms. 

She grinned as her legs wrapped around his waist. "Awful as in extremely inviting," she rubbed her nose against his, "I could get used to waking up with you."

He grabbed her lips with his as he nodded, carrying her into the bathroom. "Then you should do it more." He put her down on the counter. 

"Mmm. Why didn't I think of that before?" she grinned, "I'll be back in California in two weeks for work. I hope you'll still be home." She tilted her head as he stepped back to watch him. His body was perfect. 

"Oh I'll be home. And you'll be staying with me." he licked his lips, "No need for a hotel room."

She smirked. "No need for a hotel room when JC's house is open." She laughed softly as she watched him. "I'm coming to volunteer at the Day of the Child Winter Carnival and doing a show for Marc Jacobs later that week."

"Yeah?" he smiled, "Soon you'll be a big name and too hot for me to get a hold of."

"Spoken by the man who is in a group that sells out football stadiums?" She leaned forward to poke him with a smile. "And who is scheduled to release another album in a few weeks? Hmmmm?"

"Well yes, but that's different. You're a sexy model baby." He smirked and leaned in to nip at her lip. He was standing there in his fully naked glory, confident and teasing with her.

She grinned at his nip and leaned up to get one of her own. "And you're the sexy lead singer of a music group. I'd say we make a hell of a pair. Though I do say I like Josh and Sam when they're not with the rest of the world."

"Mmm. Yes. I just wanna hide away with you somewhere. No phones. No media. Just you and I... body on body." he hummed thoughtfully. 

"Let's do it," she grinned, "I just wanna lay with you and kiss you and touch on that gorgeous body of yours. No one around for miles."

"Tell me when and I'll make it happen baby." he stepped back to survey her sitting there on the counter. As he stepped back, she too took an appreciative glance at his body, she let her eyes go up and down and she grinned as she did so. "Soon please," she bit her lip. 

JC reached down and scratched at his abs. "Mmm. What're your plans for February?"

Sam was in a daze, staring at his body, watching the way his hips were so muscular and everything just fit together. She looked up. "Huh?"

He grinned so hard when he realized what was going on. "Nevermind."

She licked her lips out of habit, then looked up when she realized he was talking to her. "Oh my god." she laughed softly and turned pink. "You said February. I'm going to Tahiti for a week for a project but there's still 3 more weeks."

"You were staring," he grinned. "And what week?" He walked to the shower to turn it on. 

"Why wouldn't I?" she smiled, "Your body is crazy Josh." She watched him walk to the shower and grinned at the cute little ass that he had. "Uhh, second week. I can be free for you any other time. Just say the word and I'll show up for you."

"I'm trying to get bigger," he said, looking down at his body. He smiled softly before stepping into the water. "And just give me your dates and I'll plan it for us."

"How about anything but the 6th-12th?" She smiled and slid off the counter, coming up behind him under the spray. She let her hands slide up over his abs. She needed to feel them for herself while her lips went to his shoulder blade where she kissed it gently as they both got wet. "Mmm. You wanna be bigger baby?" 

He closed his eyes and sucked in a light breath. He knew this was going to happen. Her hands on him were starting to feel like a drug to him. "Just a little bigger," he mumbled.

"Mmm," she smiled on his shoulder blade. "Well I think you are gorgeous. But if you want to be bigger, I ain't gonna be mad at it." She grinned a bit against his skin before coming around so she was in front of him. The water from the rainfall head was pouring down on both of them. She looked up into his eyes with a cute smile as her hands slid up his arms, feeling along his triceps and giving those biceps a little love and even a light little squeeze.

He looked down at her with his head tilted just a little bit, with a small smile as his arms flexed for her. "Just to get a little more cut. Like I was a few years ago on tour. And because I like being bigger for you."

"Mmm," she grinned and leaned up to kiss on his lips, bringing her body right up to rest against his. "I like that. I'll come work out with you when I'm in town." She smiled on his lips before kissing a few more times. "That is, if you'd like that."

He wrapped those arms tightly around her. The feeling of their bodies pressed together with the water was a different sensation and he liked it. "Pretty sure I'd love that. If I could stay focused."

"First time might be difficult," she grinned, "Because I'll probably stare at you too." Her arms slid up around his neck, "But I feel like if it becomes a thing then we'll both be used to it." She felt her hips begin to sway from side to side, enjoying the feeling of him up against her.

He let out a little grunt. "Baby. Are you trying to make me lose focus and have more of you before we even have breakfast?"

"I mean, I could stop and make you wait until after breakfast... or..." she grinned at him.

He grinned so hard as he backed her right into the glass wall. He leaned down, kissing at her lips, sloppy from the water. His hips were pinning her and he made it obvious how badly he wanted her as he was pressed up against her, more than ready.

"Mmmm," she made a low appreciative noise and returned his sloppy kiss, mumbling along his lips, "You seem to be ready for me. Good morning to me."

"That's all your fault for being so damn sexy," he mumbled, kicking open her legs. He grabbed one, pulling it up on his hip. One little move and he'd be inside. "Oh fuck."

Her eyes fluttered closed as she felt him start to throb against hers, but she wasn't sure if it could be her wanting him instead. The warm water rushing all around them just heightened every sensation. "God Josh... you're sexy." 

"No," his voice was stern, "You're the sexy one." He took one step back to throw his hips at hers until she was really pressed against the glass, connected at the hip. She could hear him almost gasp. 

Her head went back in pure pleasure and she gasped into a moan. "Ohhhh... I....." She lifted her leg a little bit higher on him, anchoring it into place. She worked to tighten her grip on him, but it was slippery with the water. 

"Ohhhhh yes," he grunted, nudging at her face then her neck before he thrusted again, this time harder. She was making him crazy. He had never, ever felt this way with a woman before.

She brought her face down into his neck where her moans and sounds were right up against his ear. Her body began to work with his slowly, meeting each thrust. Her body seemed to buck with it, making it easy for him to see just how he moved her. "Ohhh, baby."

Her moaning like that in his ear was everything to him. He grabbed her face with one hand as the other was holding her leg up. His hips pulled back and boom, against the glass she went again, and louder. 

She gasped into a light scream at the way her body hit the glass. "JOSH! OH!" She whimpered and mumbled on his skin.

He grabbed her and pulled her other leg up too, taking total control and working those hips into her. His mouth fell open and his eyes fluttered. "Ohhh my god."

She helped by sliding her hips up a little bit more on him, wrapping her legs around him tighter and gripping those arms even tighter, but his core strength was amazing and he had her with absolutely no problem. The way he took over and took control was so sexy to her, and she mumbled up against his ear, "Ugh Daddy."

"Ohhh fuck me," he moaned out. His whole body tensed up when she called him daddy. He threw his face into her neck and bit into it gently as his hips started to get more frantic. He knew he was close. 

She made a little growl against his skin, moaning softly after it. "Daddy.... Baby I feel you! C'mon!" She shifted her hips a bit and tightened her muscles, feeling him even deeper, making her gasp out. 

The fact that she was talking like that and showing that kind of confidence was a game changer for him. One of his fists went up and pounded against the glass. It's not but one more trust and it was over, he lost control and was in a moment of pure bliss because of her.

The way he lost control and unraveled made her go crazy and gasp into a moan, and her head went back into the glass. "JOSHHHHH!" Her hips pushed up slightly as her body unraveled for him and she hit her peak hard. She trembled in his arms, making her legs tighten around him.

JC grunted and moaned as his face pressed against hers. His thrusts began to slow, and he continued shaking. She could feel it in his arms and the way he was holding her. He tried to kiss along her jaw, but the feeling was just too strong and was getting the best of him. 

As they rode their last waves of pleasure, JC shifted their bodies to sit down on the bench at the back of the shower. He held her close to his body, sucking in deep breaths while his head felt like a train was racing through it. 

She whimpered against his neck. "You've got me good," she whined, closing her eyes. 

As they both held each other and let their bodies return to a normal state, JC knew that nothing would ever be the same, and he'd have a hell of a hard time leaving her now. 

It was early afternoon on New Year's Day, and Sam was laying in an ivory silk robe on her belly, watching JC bring a room service cart into the bedroom. She had the cutest little smirk on her face as she watched him, thinking about the events of the morning.

JC looked down at the cart of food. French toast, eggs benedict, sausage, a fruit platter and mimosas were on the top layer and the plates and a hot pot of coffee were on the second. He grinned and rubbed his hands together. He was starving. He looked down at her on the bed. "Oh, that smirk. If only I could snap a photo of the way you're looking at me right now."

She giggled softly, "How do you know it's not the food?"

"Because the food didn't just make you shake until you were saying his name." He stated simply, pulling the cart to the side of the bed. He sat down.

"Mmm. I mean. I guess I could make some of this french toast my own... but...." she sat up and crawled over to him, giving him a soft kiss. "You're kind of a big deal in my eyes, Josh."

He smiled, tilting his head to sneak another kiss. "You're very important in my eyes, baby. You were already mind blowing, and that was just more icing on the top."

She grinned on his lips, "I feel like I've been preparing for someone like you my whole life, Joshua Scott."

He rested his hand on her face with a soft smile. "I've been waiting for a real woman like you forever Samantha. If I can keep you around, I will be very lucky." 

She sighed softly against his lips before capturing them in a few lazy and slow kisses. "Your amazing lovin' made me feel absolutely starving."

"Me too." he grinned, pulling himself away from her, "Let's eat honey." He poured them some coffee and grabbed a piece of watermelon to pop into his mouth first. "I could stay locked in this cottage with you all day."

"May I ask what is stopping you from that?" she giggled, grabbing a piece of watermelon for herself.

He smirked. "Absolutely nothing." He prepared her a plate of French Toast and sausage with some fruit on the side before making one for himself. "I just knew I wanted to be around you today so I left the day wide open."

"Oh, look at this breakfast. You're a man after my own heart," she grinned and looked up at him. "And I  like the sound of that. We've been very productive in the first 10 hours of this year so far." She giggled softly.

"Exactly, our bodies need the rest," he grinned and cut into his breakfast, "Minimal rest."

"Just a short rest." She dug into her food right next to him, smiling as she was eating. She was a little lost in her own mind, daydreaming about him and his kisses  and the way he loved her down. These feelings felt strange for her and very different from what she was used to.

As he ate, he couldn't help but catch glimpses of her here and there. His mind was racing with thoughts too. No woman had ever, ever made him feel like this, and trying to sort out all of the emotions he felt was difficult.

She offered a smile when she looked up at him and he was already staring back at her. It made her already slightly flushed cheeks get even a bit more pink. Before she could say anything, she shoved a piece of French toast in. 

He laughed all low, taking the last bite of his french toast, followed by a long sip of coffee. "Mmmm. We could totally order another tray of that french toast."

She laughed softly, "Um, yes. It's delicious. Maybe breakfast again tomorrow?" She rubbed at her tummy gently, and sipped on her coffee with her free hand.

"Absolutely yes, and maybe even dinner too," he grinned, then moved his tray to the side and scooted back on the pillows, watching her from that angle. 

"Sounds like a plan to me," she smiled and put her coffee cup and plate back on the cart as well. She crawled into the bed next to him, resting her head once again on his shoulder as her hand rested on his stomach. "You know, I never really had a chance to ask you about how your Christmas was. It never really came up on the phone. We talked so much about our New Year's plans."

He smiled and rested his hand on top of hers. "Christmas was good. Chill. Nice to be in Chicago with the folks and my brother and sister. Honestly, it was nothing special, because you weren't there."

She smiled. "I liked ours with Justin and Ashley more. And kinda like mine. Same old with my parents in Virginia. Asking lots of questions. Annoying me. My sister and brother being a pain. Eating too much. You know."

He turned his head to look at her thoughtfully. "I loved coming home to you decorating my house. That was such a thoughtful surprise. I know that this next Christmas will be better because you'll be coming along. Or who knows what we'll be doing then, but you'll be mine."

She grinned softly. "Close your eyes. What do you picture?"

He closed his eyes real tight and smiled. "You and me together. Picking out a tree, loading it in the back of my Jeep. Getting it home and making an evening of decorating it."

She leaned up and kissed his cheek with a smile. "I love it. I'll make some cocoa and we can sit and watch it lit up all beautiful." She snuggled her body into his.

"Mmm. Hot cocoa. My girl, Christmas. Yeah, I'll take it." He rolled on his side and looked at her with a sly grin. "Snuggled in matching pajamas."

She laughed at his grin. "You do NOT strike me as the type of man who would be proposing the matching pajamas. But that could definitely be a thing. New matching PJs every year. It could become a tradition."

"Uhh I've never been," he laughed, "When Joey and Kelly send me their Christmas cards in matching pajamas with their daughter I would always laugh at him. But I don't know... you're doing something to me. It'll be a deal though. You and me this year." He played with her hair with a smile. "But honestly, I'm even looking forward to things like the 4th of July with you."

"I'll promise to be there," she looked up at him, smiling with adoring eyes. "Are you guys touring this summer? I know you've usually been busy in the summers every year. I'm sure I can work it out and fly to where you are for the 4th."

"Yes ma'am. But we don't know how big the tour will be just yet. We're waiting to see how Tell Me is received." He licked his lips and rested his hand on the curve of her hip.

"Umm that shit will blow up," she laughed softly, "that song is absolute magic honey. Wow." 

"Guess we will see tomorrow," his lips pursed mysteriously.

"Tomorrow?" she asked. She knew that look of his.

"Mmhmm. Tomorrow." He said plain and simply, grinning as he sat up to refill his coffee cup.

"JC Chasez, you are full of surprises," she laughed softly, shaking her head. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

"You're gonna support me and be my girlfriend." he stated as he took a long sip of his freshly poured coffee.

"I guess," she smirked, "if you're cool with taking on the same role. Supporting me and being my boyfriend." She grinned cutely.

"Baby, I'll be cheering you on no matter where I am. I'll encourage and support you always. It's my job." He rested his hand on her leg. 

"I like that," she smiled and rested her hand on top of his. She was quiet for a little while, just resting her head on the crook of his shoulder in his neck, snuggled in thoughtfully.

JC lay there quietly with her for a while, just thinking about everything. His eyes closed which made him drift off to sleep. He was so comfortable with her, feeling so secure and safe.

She looked up at him as he fell back to sleep and it made her smile. She kissed on his adam's apple just once and whispered, "You're something else baby." She snuggled back in and dozed off for a bit as well. 

By the time they woke up again, it was close to 5PM. His arms were wrapped tightly around her and he had her snuggled in so close. His lips were still resting on her skin.

Sam snuggled in harder to him, letting out a soft sigh. She mumbled into his chest, "Mmm, Daddy."

He groaned all low and grinned. It was fucking hot to him when she called him daddy. "That's right."

"Mmm," she giggled softly against his skin. "Mine." She rolled over with sleepy eyes and grabbed her phone off of the nightstand next to her. She turned the camera app on and leaned back into him. They were both covered in the sheets and her head went against his chest before she snapped a quick photo to remember this moment.

He let out the short, JC laugh. "I hope you're keeping that one for yourself and not for the world," he sleepily looked up at her phone as his feet slid between her legs.

"Just for me," she smiled, "I wanted to look back at this moment and remember this feeling. There's a lot of you that I want to keep for myself and not share with the world." She nodded and rolled over to put her phone down again. "As much as I enjoy spending time with JC, I think Josh is amazing. The one that I don't have to share."

He looked down at her and smiled, reaching over to stroke her hair. "I'm always going to be Josh to you, but I can understand now because I don't think I'm always going to like sharing my model girlfriend." 

"We can learn to deal with the jealousy that comes along with both of our jobs. Because I know at the end of the day how you feel, and obviously when it all comes down to it, you're the only man that matters."

He grinned real cute. "Jealousy isn't something that I deal with too well. I'll be completely honest with you now."

She returned his cute grin. "I guess I will just have to be patient with you," she leaned in and placed a few soft kisses on his lips. "My job is going to require me to do some things that might make you jealous. But I will be completely honest with you too. If this relationship is the real deal, then you're going to have all of my heart all the time."

He brought his hand down to smooth out her hair, returning a few kisses. "I know that I'm going to get jealous, but I also know that I can keep most of that to myself. And this relationship is the real deal sweetheart, this isn't anything fake. Do you feel like it is?"

She pulled back a bit to study his face and she smiled softly, nodding a little bit. "I will tell you that the last few months that I've known you have been unlike anything I've ever experienced before. And I very much believe this is as real as it gets."

His hand remained on her hair as he studied her right back. He stayed quiet for a few long moments before sighing a bit. "I have never experienced anything with another woman the way I have been with you. Honest."

She smiled and reached up to touch his face gently. "Oh sweetheart. I can't say that I'm sorry about that. This... something between us is special. I don't think anyone can deny that." 

His eyes continued to stare into hers. "I have to confess that I think about you constantly. And I know that we are on opposite coasts right now, but I think that can change if it gets too hard. I promise to do my part."

She nodded, her smile back to him was shy but sure. "As will I. I know there's going to come a time when I'm not going to be able to be away from you. I think that time is going to come sooner than I originally anticipated."

He got his fingers to play at the ends of her hair and he sat up a little bit more. "Oh yeah?"

She smiled, "Oh yeah. Whenever I fly home or you fly home and I'm alone, I think about how I just want you there with me. Laying with me, having dinner with me, making me laugh. But then I can shake it off and get back into work and just be cool with talking to you on the phone. I feel like that's not going to be enough anymore."

JC looked at her for a few long moments. Only two months ago he was the man who didn't let a woman stay through the night after he had his way, and here he was, vulnerable, his comfort zone, no hell, his entire world turned upside down. "I think we'll be okay for the next few months, I'm sure. At least I know I can make it if I try really hard. But I know that when we both get busier, I'll have to make sure that I get to see you. I'm gonna need to feel you next to me, gonna need to be there for you when you have an event, especially a really big one. I'm your man, and I'm supposed to be by your side."

"And likewise for you Josh. I want to be there with you when your album comes out, when you have the opening night of tour, whenever you have an awards show. I want to be there supporting you. And not even just that. When you're tired and you need someone to listen to you, or things aren't going the way you want. That's what I want to be there for."

He rested his lips against her temple, kissing her softly then leaving them there. "You really want to be there for all that?" He smiled against her skin. 

"Mmm. Isn't that what your girlfriend is supposed to be there for? I know your life isn't perfect all the time. I get the exhaustion, missing home, just wanting normal sometimes." 

He blinked a few times as a smile pressed against her face. "You know, I've never been with a woman who cared about that stuff. Do you know how many women only care about the red carpets and the diamonds and the music videos?"

She smirked and leaned into his body, "And you think a man who wants to date a model ever thinks about the less glamorous parts?"

"Touché Samantha," he laughed, pulling away to look at her with crinkled eyes. "I don't know how to handle you sometimes."

She smiled on his lips once again, before looking up at him with a smile. She had hearts in her eyes. "Just know I'm yours for everything. I can see life changes happening with you." Her voice was soft and thoughtful, with a touch of dreaminess to it. 

JC brushed his lips against hers, dipping his head down to press his forehead against hers. "Don't say those things to me like that."

Her cheeks tinged with pink as her smile was shy. "Sorry. I can stop." She let her eyes flutter closed at the soft brushes of his lips.

"Nonono," he smiled cutely and continued his little half kisses on her lips, "Don't stop. You're just melting me and making me fall for you." 

"Mmm." She giggled at his kisses as she opened her eyes slowly to look at him again. "Make me fall for you a little more. Tell me five things I don't know about you."

He laughed as he put himself into a pushup position over her, looking down with the cutest look. "You're like one of my fans now, questioning me."

She grinned. "Maybe I am."

He bit his lip, looking down at her. "Well, one thing, I'm adopted."

She looked up at him with a surprised smile as he bit his lip. "Oh really, you are?"

"I really am, baby. I have the most amazing family, and I wouldn't be who I am without them." He put his face back down against hers and squished their noses together. "I didn't know when I was going to bring that up, but I thought the timing was perfect."

She laughed softly and rubbed her nose against his with a light kiss. "See, my inquisitive nature comes in handy. And I love that you love your family so much. They seem like amazing people." She watched him with a soft smile. If her heart eyes for him could have deepened, they did in that moment.

"You'll meet them, I promise." He stopped and grinned, "Now let's see. Justin and I were on a show together as kids, I love to snowboard, I alsohave a house just outside of Orlando and um, if you wanted to buy me a beer, I only drink imported ones." He smirked.

"Oh my little mouseketeer," she giggled, "And okay. So I have a place to stay in Orlando, and no domestic beers. Got it."

He grinned right back at her. "Ohhh, so you either really were a fan or you read that shit online." He laughed really low. 

She smirked. "My first celebrity crush was on that show, not even going to lie."

"I knew you were into Justin Timberlake," he smirked.

"What? Ew! No!" She shook her head and laughed, "14 year old me wanted a real man," she sighed softly, "Tall, dark and handsome. I had it so bad for Tony Lucca."

"WHAT!" he started to laugh, "No, no, no" He let out a soft sigh. "Was it my haircut?"

She laughed so cute, "No, Tony was just so sure of himself and I thought he was so sexy," She smirked, still with light giggles, "You were adorable. You started to sneak up on him in the last season." She licked her lips and smirked.

When she began to giggle, he caught laughter too, falling beside her in the bed. He grabbed her side to turn her to look at him, pulling her tight up into his body. "You mean to tell me that you said you had a crush on me and then you thought you hated me?"

"I didn't say I had a crush on you! I said I thought you were cute." She grinned and nudged her face against his with another giggle. "I told you. Season 7. My dad actually took me to MGM studios for a taping. I was so excited." She let out a soft sigh. "Then I got older and kinda outgrew the celebrity crush thing and the show was off.  So that was the end." She smirked, looking up at his amused eyes, "Besides, I only hated you for a split second because your package was on display and it was like huge and out there. And I figured you had to be a douchebag because of that. So there."

"Samantha Bentley, OH MY GOD," he laughed, pinching her side. "I didn't try to put it out there for the world to see."

She giggled at his pinching. "Maybe you just carefully selected those little red shorts," she wiggled away from his tickles, "but you pleasantly surprised me when I got to know you for the real Josh," She reached up and touched his face, "who makes me fall really hard."

He licked his lips, "And I'll have you know that I know that you KNOW you aren't a sweet little innocent thing all the time. You knew just what you were wearing and how you came out to slay that night. And I fell for it. All of it."

She smirked, "Oh sweetheart, I'm an innocent sweet little thing when I want to be. But I also know when she needs to be put away so the other side of me can come out and play." She giggled, "Ashley brought that shit to me. She helped me own who I was."

"Remind me to personally thank her," he grinned devilishly, "Because I love the best of both worlds on you."

She smirked at his grin. When he was naughty, she could eat that shit up. "Anything else you want me to know as your woman?" She grinned herself, leaning in for another couple of kisses.

"Baby," he mumbled between kisses, "If there's anything to tell you, or that comes to mind, I promise... Mmmm," he opened and closed over her lips, "That I will let you know."

She grinned against his kisses. "Just asking..." She took his kiss and deepened it slightly, before she whispered. "Hey baby?"

"Mmmmm," he smiled softly, "yes baby?" His hand was running along her hip and back.

She sucked in a soft breath and whispered, just up against his lips, "I'm adopted too. I don't know my birth father. My mother gave me up when I was born. She couldn't take care of me." She smiled softly. If JC wasn't in her intimate space, there was no way he would have been able to hear her. "My parents are the best though. They have been so amazing and I love every opportunity they gave me."

JC pulled back to take a close look at her, tilting his head. He wasn't sure he heard her right, and he looked down at her with a look that she had never seen him give her before. A look of concern, caring, one that was hurting and feeling for her, a way that he understood. 

Sam's voice stayed in a low whisper. "I get it. My mom and dad are MY mom and dad even if I wasn't born to them. They've turned me into the woman that I am and let me follow my dreams. And I've forgiven my birth mom. I know she couldn't have given me the life I have when she was only 15." She reached down to take his hand, giving it a squeeze.

"Sweetheart," he whispered, wrapping his arms all the way around her, bringing her against him as close as he could be, "I just...." He didn't know how to explain it, but he was even more magnetically drawn to her than he was even 2 minutes before, "I'm never letting you go."

She smiled, whispering. "Please don't." She sighed and kissed him softly, and when she spoke again it was still soft. "I need a man who is going to be okay with possibly adopting someday. I want to give an amazing life to a little one the way my parents did."

He smiled softly, kissing her forehead and leaving his lips there as he nods. "Kids aren't something I've ever really thought about, but something about adoption seems natural, with the right woman."

She smiled and let herself snuggle into him a little bit more. "Of course I couldn't do it myself. And not just anybody is going to be the father of my children," she grinned cute, "He's gotta be pretty damn special."

He grinned so hard on her forehead, "Then I hope that I can show you how special I plan on being to you. I'm serious about that."

"I'm serious about it too," she gave his hand a little squeeze, "God, I've never had this conversation with a man before," she laughed softly, "This is almost weird, but it's not weird. Does that make sense?"

He grinned, pulling back enough for them both to breathe and he settled down, pulling the sheet over them now. "I don't think it's weird. Is that weird?" He looked down at her, feeling so comfortable. Normally this kind of conversation would never, ever happen with a woman. But here he was, talking about kids of all things.

She laughed so cutely, "No, I mean. I don't think it's weird at all. Because I look at you and want to think about that. I want to think about having my own kids and adopting my own and doing all those kinds of things." She bit her lip as all of the thoughts had a moment to sink in.

He was looking down at her quietly with a smile on his face. "Then I'll just go ahead and say that one day I hope we're adopting a child together, Samantha." He fluffed his pillow, resting his head down. They were eye to eye and face to face. His heart was overflowing with all kinds of feelings that he was unsure of, but also sure of at the same time. This woman had gone ahead and broken every single unwritten rule he had ever created for himself, knocked them down, and it didn't bother him one bit. 

***

The next day had come and was almost gone. The sun was just beginning to set over the fields of grapes on the property. JC knew his time was coming to a close in Napa, but the romantic weekend he had planned in his mind was going exactly as planned. He felt closer to Samantha than ever. All day, they wandered the property, looking at the grapes, the lake, even a tiny river that couldn't have been larger than a creek. It was romantic and the pace was meandering. 

Sam stopped for a moment to look out at the path, as their guesthouse was nearing. It made her smile. Today was perfect. JC had his hand linked with hers, stopping when she stopped. He was deep in thought himself, but he paused and admired her for that moment. 

She smiled, leaning up and kissing his cheek. "This was just what we needed."

"What, wine and a walk?" he asked, smiling against her kiss before wrapping his arms all the way around her for what was probably the 15th time in the past few hours.

"Always," she laughed softly, "And just silence. And each other. The world is crazy," she let him envelope her in his arms, "And I've found I just love being in your arms, Josh."

"Mmm, is that right?" he smiled, putting his lips up against her forehead. "Because I think I'm pretty fond of you being in my arms as much as possible now."

She smiled and looked up at him with a little nod. "Oh that's right." Her arms slid around him too and she let out a soft sigh. "You wanna watch the sun set in the hot tub with me?"

"I'd love nothing more than that," he smiled, "Then I'll hold you some more before we fall asleep tonight." He pressed his nose to hers, "I'm going to enjoy the time I have with you while I have it."

"Three weeks. We can do this." She kissed his lips softly, "Right?"

JC let out an adorable sound of defeat. "Three weeks sounds so damn long, but yes. I think we can do it." He pulled back and bit his lip as he took her hand and they began to walk again. 

She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder while they walked. "That was a moment ruiner. Sorry." She giggled softly, "I just got in my head thinking about how much I'd miss you."

JC grinned, "It's okay, you did ruin my moment just a little. But I also know that I'm going to miss you baby, I'll have to come to New York at least once before three weeks. I don't know that I can do that long. Seriously."

She giggled gently, "You'll have plenty more moments, I know this." She interlocked their fingers nice and tight. "I'll look at my calendar too. I'll try to come to LA." She stopped and made a soft noise. "Are you doing album promo baby?"

"We're doing so much, I couldn't even begin to tell you right now, I'll know more when we get back to LA though. Photo shoots, promo, tour talk." He squeezed their fingers.

"Let's worry about that starting tomorrow," she also gave their hands a little squeeze, "For now, you can tell me about how the stars are shining. And I'll tell you about how I think you're incredibly handsome and built." She grinned as they came to a stop in front of their guest house. 

He let out a soft laugh. "I will always make sure I'm built for you," he pulled her a little quicker into their guest house, leading her through the back door. "Would you like to continue with some wine?"

She grinned. "I'm sure you will be. And I will always appreciate it." She nodded a bit as they stopped on the back patio.  "Yes, wine and the stars," she sighed softly, "Why don't you pour the wine and I'll go pull my hair up."

He pulled her in for one single, soft kiss. "Mmm. I'll be out here waiting for you. Wine in hand."

She walked to the bathroom to brush out her hair and pull it into a perfect top knot. She stopped to look at her reflection in the mirror, and it made her smile. She felt like she was glowing, and she hadn't stopped smiling all day. 

Meanwhile, JC opened the bottle of wine they had started the night before, pouring them each a healthy glass before he walked out to the back to set them on the side of the hot tub. He turned the heat and bubbles on, making sure the lights were just right. He turned on the fire pit near the hot tub, surveying the scene. He couldn't stop grinning. 

Sam took off her earrings and necklace, leaving them in the bathroom. She wandered to the back porch where she saw JC standing there grinning with the glowing hot tub, the wine, and the dancing fire. It made her smile. "On a scale of 1-10, how private do you think it is back here?"

He laughed, "Maybe an 8? Only because we are accessible to the other guests, however, I don't think they're coming down to this part of the resort at night." He smirked, peeling off his shirt and pants, leaving them in a pile on the floor, stripping down to his briefs.

She grinned cute. "Well I'll leave all of the viewing up to me this evening." She giggled softly, taking off her brown sweater and jeans, leaving them on the floor with his clothes. She stood there in a simple cream and black trim bra and panty set. 

He watched her for a moment, tilting his head. "Oh this view though... good god." His briefs got a little bit tighter and he bit down hard on his lip.

She smiled and stepped forward to give him a soft kiss. "Always yours to admire sweetheart. Just remember that, even when we're not together." She smiled softly again, stepping away from him to climb into the hot tub. The temperature was just right and she sighed as she sank down. The evening was cooler as the sun was setting, making a bit of the steam from the hot tub go up in the air. 

JC cleared his throat as he watched her get in, following her moments later. He settled into a comfortable spot, sitting close to her but not on her... yet. He smirked. "You'd better always be mine to admire, Ms. Bentley."

She smiled as she watched him, grabbing her glass of wine to take a sip. She let herself study him near her in the hot tub, just the way he was. "Anything you want is yours to have and admire. Any way that you want it, however and whenever. Always."

He grinned, taking his glass and taking a sip as he listened to her say all of that. He licked the wine from his lips and smiled softly. "When you put it in those terms, I'll take you always and forever, then add another 1,000 years on top of that." He grinned. 

She grinned, raising her glass toward him. "Deal..."

He took another long sip and grinned, getting closer so he could pull her into him again. There was no way he was letting her sit by herself a moment longer. "We'll talk deals alright..."

She smiled and snuggled into him, loving the way he wrapped his arms around her. "Mmm is that right baby?"

"Mmm. Yes. That's right." He put his glass down, looking at her closely. She had her bun up, so comfortable with him. At that moment, the thought crossed his mind, This is the one that won't be getting away. Josh, this could be really long term... serious. 

She put her glass down as well, gazing up at him for a few moments. It made her smile. "Your mind is going somewhere. I can see it in your eyes."

He shook his head with a little smile. "Nothing really, I just have feelings for you." He was trying hard not to come on too strong with her, trying to play off the racing thoughts he was having, almost unsure and scared by them. 

"Ohh," she smiled, laughing softly, in a light and melodic way, "Well, I won't mess around with feelings," she leaned in and kissed his cheek, before she brought her head against his chest again. The wind was blowing through the grapes and the temperature was just right. Her heart was feeling so many different things. 

His heart started beating a little bit faster now. He brought his hand up and brushed it against her cheek before his lips came down against her head. "You've already messed with them, so it's kinda late for that."

"I can't say that I'm sorry about that," she smiled against his skin, "Just as I'm sure you feel the same about the feelings you've started with me. Because I know you're not apologizing for walking up to the gala and asking me to dance."

"Oh, I'm never apologizing for that," he smiled softly, "I'm just thinking about the future, the path we're on."

She smiled. "Yeah?" She looked up at him, watching him to feel out his body language, his reactions, his reply. She wasn't pressing him for more information, but she was falling for this moment and melting into him.

"Yes." He put his finger under her chin so she could look up at him, he had a certain look on his face, he was smiling calmly and looking down at her. "This wine has me feeling all kinds of honest tonight, but you're the only woman that has made me think about being in a serious relationship in over 5 years."

She smiled softly, nodding as she looked up at him. "This wine might be having me feeling the same way," she sighed softly, "Because it's been 3 and a half for me. So I get it." She bit her lip, "I mean you got me saying I hoped we would adopt someday."

"Yeah, serious wine," he took another sip and grinned, "And I meant it when I said that I'd love to adopt with you one day. And I mean it now when I say that I don't want to be with any other woman besides you. You're my one and only, my significant other, You're my future."

"I mean it too, I'm not going anywhere sweetheart." Her voice was soft and she leaned up to touch his face.  He leaned down to capture her lips in a good solid kiss as if he were saying I know. His hand went to the back of her head. Sam smiled on his kiss, wrapping her legs around his waist and pulling herself a little bit higher up on him as she works to capture her lips with his. He had her feeling all kinds of ways,  but she wouldn't want it any other way. 

He couldn't help but let out a low moan as she crawled up on him, pulling her in and tightening his arms around her. Their little kiss got more involved, with more tugging and longer spaces between their breaths.

Sam pulled away slowly to whisper, "Joshua Chasez, you are everything." She sucked in a soft little breath before her lips crashed against his again, her lips gave that hungry little tug, but it wasn't a needy movement. It was a deep, sensual movement. JC let out a good moan in her mouth as he caught up to her kiss. 

In that moment, the bubbles stopped in the hot tub, making the night suddenly quiet. The crickets and the sound of the wind took over. He grabbed at her lower back, nibbling on her lip. "Mine."

She took a nibble on his lower lip in response to his. "Mine, always." She felt those flexed arms of his and needed a moment to pull away and close her eyes. She was breathing and catching up on all the feelings that were swirling around her.

"Fuck," he swallowed hard and tried to catch his breath, "Fuck."

She whispered, sucking in an almost harsh breath. "Ugh, you do me right Josh."

He brought his lips against her ear, "Tell me I'm the only one that does you right." He could feel her body tremble in his arms at his words. He licked his lips and grinned.

"Mmmm, Josh, it's just you."

"God, I could just take you again right now." His hands got real grabby at her hips, squeezing the flesh. 

"Nothing is stopping you baby," she grinned, bringing her forehead against his. "Tell me how you want your lover, whatever you want, baby it's yours."

He growled and bucked his hips up against her so she knew what was up, even though he was sure she already knew. "I want you like this. On me and close to me. I want to feel you in the water... I want you to remember."

She grinned and grabbed onto his arms, whispering onto his lips. "Then take me the way you want to."

Sunlight poured into the bedroom of their guest house. Sam was awake with her eyes closed, spooning with JC with the slightest bit of space between their bodies. She was taking in the feeling of his body against hers, the softness of his breath on her skin, the sounds he made while he was asleep. She wanted it burned in her brain to hold her over until the next time they would be together. 

JC gently stirred, pulling her in closer with his arm so her body was pressed up against his again. He mumbled and smiled slightly, digging his head into the pillow, letting out a low hum. He was slowly waking up. 

Sam smiled as he pulled her in, letting out a soft groan as she felt him not fully asleep against her backside. As she stretched a tiny bit in his arms, she felt the soreness in her thighs and hips, with bruises in various places from the digging in of his fingers. She made a soft noise until she finally whispered, "Hi blue eyes."

He opened his eyes slowly to look down at her wrapped up in his arms and he made a little grin. Seeing her with him would never get old. He could barely let out a mumble,"Good morning baby." He went to turn on his side and grimaced, feeling the pull of his muscles. He used muscles outside of the ones he used in rehearsal and the gym. 

Sam had rolled over on her back, watching him with a little grin. "I guess you're moving a little bit slowly like I am."

He smirked and closed his eyes, stretching out long with a drawn out "Mmmmmm" that escaped his lips. 

She smirked softly and leaned up to place a trail of kisses from his chest up to his adams apple. She landed back in place next to him, needing a moment to watch him and think about how she was feeling. 

He couldn't help but grin at the way her lips felt on his chest, and he opened his eyes to look at her once again. He turned on his side all the way and smiled, draping his arm around her. "I like the feeling of being sore because of you."

"I do too honey," she grinned, snuggling into his body a little bit more. "I won't forget it, that's for sure. All my bruises and battle wounds."

"Oh I know you won't forget," he grabbed at her hips where he had the night before and pulled her body against his, putting his forehead to hers. "And if I have to make you remember again, I will."

She smirked. "Mmm, you've left your mark on me Joshua Chasez. That's a definite."

"Good. I wish it were permanent so that every other man would know." He smirked so hard, then leaned in to leave her with a gentle kiss.

She laughed all soft against his, returning gentle tugs against his lips. "I pay them no mind. You're my lover baby, just you."

He smiled after the last kiss, then took a few moments just to nuzzle his nose to hers. "I hope you know that I pay no attention to any other woman but you... you're my one and only girl."

"I know," she smiled. "I'll probably mess this up you know. I haven't been someone's one and only in a hot minute. So feel free to tell me that I'm an awful girlfriend if I am." She grinned up at him.

He blinked a few times, then shook his head with a short laugh. "I can't even begin to fathom reacting to that last statement," he pulled back and studied her as his fingers played at the bare skin on her side. "You're the best thing that's happened to me, so awful isn't allowed in your vocabulary."

She smiled. "I'll leave it behind here in Napa. Never let it come out for you again, sweetheart." She gazed up at him and smiled softly. He was so different from the other men she had been with, especially her last ex boyfriend. She knew she shouldn't worry about him, so she shook the idea out of her head before she let out a soft sigh. "I don't want to get out of bed."

JC pouted. "I don't want you to leave me alone here in this bed... do you have to?"

"I mean, I could tell Calvin Klein that my boyfriend's Calvins are more important to me." She said teasingly. 

"Oh my god, stop it," he laughed, "You could walk in there wearing just them." He sat up a little bit to stretch his arms out over his head. His muscles popped out and his bones cracked a little bit and popped.

"I mean I totally could," she laughed softly as she sat up next to him. She watched him stretching and it made her smile. She had this deep feeling of wanting to wake up next to him every morning now... she was digging the feeling she had. 

He watched her and cracked his neck, looking down at the sheets and sighing softly. "At least I'll get to have breakfast with you. We can have them deliver it to us again. I plan on spending every last moment with you that I can."

She smiled, tilting her head to kiss his forehead. "Sounds perfect sweetheart." She stretched herself before climbing out of bed. As she stood up, her legs buckled with the soreness in her thighs.

JC watched with a big grin and a low laugh. "You're welcome."

Sam laughed, looking over her shoulder at him. "I can't remember the last time I was this sore," she smirked, "So thanks baby." She walked slowly into the bathroom.

JC yawned and stood up, pulling his shorts on. He walked over to the menu on the counter in the kitchen, bringing it back into the bedroom to look over. He walked over to grab his phone from the nightstand, but it wasn't there. He called out to her in the bathroom, "Baby is there anything you are craving in specific?"

"Carbs please!" she called out from the bathroom. She was washing her hands, then splashed a bit of water on her face to finish waking up. She walked back into the room to see him holding the menu.

"Atta girl," he grinned, "My girl." He grabbed at her hand before she could get too far away from him, as if she were going to keep walking past him. He pulled her up against him at his side as he read the menu. "Napa Morning Spread: Pancakes, waffles, bacon, eggs, fruit medley and a side of potatoes with a tray of select sauces to compliment all..."

"Sounds like the fuel our bodies need to function." She leaned in for a soft kiss.

"Mmm," he stood there with the menu, then let his lips take over the kiss, stepping up to her to tower over her and stand his ground.

Her smile faded as his kiss took over again. His lips were lethal to her every single time. She gave his hand a little squeeze and took one more nibble before she pulled away. "Ugh. What are you doing to me Joshua Chasez?"

He made a soft noise, licking his lips as he looked down at her. "What do you mean? You're the one that's ruining me." He had to let her go and walk over to the room phone to call and order breakfast. "Yes, and put a rush on it. Charge to the room." He hung up sternly.

She grinned so cute. He was so sexy when he was assertive talking on the phone like that. "It's a two way street baby." 

He grinned, walking back to her; his hands went right back to her hips where they gripped tight again, "Oh, if I could just ruin you one more time..." He stopped thoughtfully, "But I won't."

She laughed softly. "Baby, I need to be able to walk to my plane." She smirked and nuzzled her face to his, "But there will be next time."

"Next time," he kissed with a grin, "Which, do we even know when that will be?" He let go of her hand finally, reaching for the hotel bathrobe for her to put on to be covered when the food arrived.

"Mmm," she laughed softly at the way he tossed the robe to her, slipping it on and tying it up. "I'm supposed to be coming out to LA in 3 weeks to do some work." She powered on her phone for the first time in two days to look at her calendar, "But I'll see if I have anything before that."

"Please do baby, since we are clearly going to need to pencil our time in together right now." He walked to his suitcase to pull out a pair of jeans to throw on quickly. He grabbed his phone and powered it on as well.

Sam smiled, "You said you wanted to book us a trip in February, so I'll be open for some daddy time," her little sing song voice trailed off as her phone powered on. She had about 55 text messages and emails coming through. "Ohh boy."

JC grinned, "Ohhhh we are goiiiiing away in February." He laughed softly until he too began hearing the dings on his phone. 

"Justin Timberlake." she sighed, sitting down on her bed with her phone. "The video." 

JC walked over to his backpack and pulled out his laptop before settling on the bed with it. "Oh man, he released it last night?"

He opened up his Internet and clicked on the link in an email from the record label.

The screen went black as the music from Tell Me began. JC's jaw dropped. "WHAT THE FUCK JUSTIN!" 

Sam looked from the computer to JC. "Did you know this was happening?" She furrowed her brows. 

All in black and white, the video opened with JC's verse, and there they were at the gala. You could see everything running through their bodies as they slow danced, and how the shift in her eyes and body language was gradual. The video shifted to the Malibu house, where JC walked her out to the beach as the rain poured down on them. 

He couldn't help but smirk as he watched. They were hot as hell. He looked over at Sam. "I had no idea," he put the computer down on the bed so they could both watch while he scrolled through the messages on his phone. "Justin is a fucking idiot. But that video looks good though."

Sam laughed softly, the Internet had blown up overnight with video stills and reposts on social media and message boards. She had been tagged hundreds of times. "Justin made a firestorm. Holy crap." She laughed softly then looked back at the screen. She bit her own lip, watching the native chemistry flow right out of the screen. 

JC was staring at his laptop with his mouth slightly open, it was the first time he had seen the finished product and he couldn't take his eyes away. He was speechless and goosebumps began forming on his arms. Sam rested her head on his shoulder as the talking part of the song began. There she was, walking into the bathtub. The look in JC's eyes, the flash of lust and surprise, it made her bite her lip hard. When the shots got intense, flashes of color superimposed over the black and white, as if to demonstrate the passion reaching its peak. She was speechless as well, letting her feelings and the goosebumps take over. 

JC swallowed hard, leaning down toward the screen. "Oh fuck."

Sam bit her lip again, fanning herself slightly. She had never seen a music video quite like this, especially not from a boy band. 

JC tilted his head. "We need to hire this director again. All of this looks so fucking real." Samantha's curves showed up again on the screen in the tub and it made him emit a low noise.

She smirked. "Y'all should have had real women in your videos all along. It looks much hotter," she crossed her arms cutely. 

The scene switched to Justin and Ashley and JC made a face. "I thought they were cutting some of these parts."

Sam laughed softly, "It fades into him holding her."

"I need to see this again," he said, hitting the replay button.

"The world gets to watch you and I experience all these emotions, wow." she whispered.

"This was the beginning. You weren't even mine yet," he smiled softly, pulling her into his arms. "I'm gonna get all the footage from the director."

She smiled, looking at him. "You made me yours that night," she leaned into him even more, sighing softly. Watching them connected the way they were on the screen made their relationship seem even more real. It was funny to her because all of her reservations about being with him centered around being used only for the video, and how she thought that would be the end of their relationship. But here it was, on the screen for everyone to see.

He leaned in to kiss along her neck, keeping his eyes on the TV. He mumbled, "I was yours before we even shot this video..."

She tilted her head and watched them at the gala again, and out in the rain. She sighed softly. "You're right Josh."

He watched them making eye contact, and how the chemistry was natural but the innocent tension filled the entire video. "I've never looked at a woman the way I look at you."

She smiled and nodded, "I'll be real. That look in my eyes during the video was so real. I had never been so attracted to a man in my life the way I was with you in the rain and in that tub. It was insane."

"Ughh. And you played so damn hard to get Samantha," he laughed, "I was confused and then convinced."

She laughed softly. "I was confused at the gala, honestly I thought this whole thing was a set up for Justin to get Ashley back and that's it."

He grinned, "Nono, see, THIS move is more like he wants to get her back. The gala was very real. We kept being at the same places, it was fate."

She smiled and leaned in to kiss along his jaw again, just as video JC began to sing over her chest. "The gala was very real. That's why I was confused. I liked spending time with you and wanted to make sure you liked me too."

"Ugh baby," he sighed, "If you had any idea how much I felt for you from the jump." He kinda fell back into the bed with her again, just looking at her, studying her eyes. Watching the playback of the video just reassured him that he was pretty much in love with her. 

She looked at him with a smile. "On a scale of 1-10, how likely are you to say yes to dancing with me right now?" She was taken back to the first night they met, licking her lips.

He laughed, getting the cutest grin on his face. "Ehhh, maybe a 7 or 8?"

She giggled, "Check yes or no please." She leaned up and kissed him softly.

"Mmm, yes. Very much yes," he said, leaning in to kiss on her. They were interrupted by a knock and a call out of "Room Service!"

She smiled on his lips, "Mmm. Go get that please," she grinned. "Nourishment."

JC shuffled off to the door, bringing the cart into the living area. In front of the giant fireplace, there was a small table with two chairs. "Gonna make sure you're nice and fed before you leave me."

She laughed softly. "Not gonna be a problem. Feed me baby, and I'll return the favor."

He took a piece of bacon and held it up to her lips. "Like really feed you?" he grinned, "Because I can do that."

She smiled and nodded a little. "Mmm," she took his nibble and grinned, reaching for a forkful of waffle and holding it up to his lips. "Because I can do it too."

He smirked but stopped to take the bite from her, he couldn't stop looking at her as he was chewing and swallowed. He put a strawberry to her lips, not saying a word, just watching and following through.

She smiled as she took the nibble of the strawberry. These exchanges went on for a lazy half hour; forkfuls of food, nibbles of fruit, bits and pieces of bacon. Little hums of satisfaction and lazy smiles of sated eyes were passed between the two of them, a quiet comfort that was in stark contrast to the heated passion that had occurred over the last 48 hours.

Sam held a piece of waffle up to his lips with a caramel sauce, watching his little smile. Her heart was beating in a fluttering rhythm, and a feeling of trust she hadn't felt with a man since it had been ripped away from her so many years ago was settling over her entire body. She knew that her heart was being given up to him, no question about it. 

He took a bite of the waffle and swallowed it slowly. "I think I'm falling in love with you," he said softly, almost afraid to trust his voice.

She smiled softly as she brought her eyes up to really study him. She nodded slightly as she watched him. "You're making it hard not to fall."

He smiled, taking a moment to relish in the words he just said and the way he was feeling, not to mention the admiration in her eyes. "That's all I'm going to say about it for now. I just wanted you to know how I was feeling before you left." He reached for a bite of bacon on his own. 

She offered him a smile in return, not sure that any words needed to be said. She leaned over and pulled her coffee over, taking a long sip. She breathed in the smell of the French press coffee, letting it fill her veins, coupled with all of the feelings she was having.

JC looked over at her and smiled, grabbing his coffee as well. He sat back, sipping his coffee, watching her with a light smile. They must have sat that way for at least five minutes, before he softly said, "This video coming out early could change some things in the schedule."

She looked over at him. "Well, just tell me where I need to be to have you, and I'll be there. No questions asked." She smirked.

He laughed really low, "So if I told you to fly to Los Angeles because I needed you in my bed?"

She smirked, bumping her hip against his as they sat. "If I could fly in, be in your bed, then fly off to wherever, I would in a heartbeat, Josh."

He grinned. "Just wanted to keep that option out there," He took another waffle and broke off a piece to hold against her lips. 

"Keeping that open," she giggled softly, taking a bite. "I'm looking forward to our vacation already you know."

"I booked it already," he licked his lips, "When you fell asleep last night. But I'm not telling you where," he grinned so hard.

"I love being surprised, so I won't press the issue," she smiled, licking her lips.

He took his coffee and brought it to his lips, taking a moment to watch her closely. "Hey Samantha? Can you promise me something?"

She tilted her head, smiling as she looked back up at him from her coffee cup. "Of course, sweetheart."

"Promise me to let me know if you're ever getting upset with me. Or if I said anything that might have hurt your feelings even when we are thousands of miles apart. I know I can get myself into trouble, but I value this relationship so much that I always want to be able to fix and create a solution if something is wrong. And long distance is really, really hard sometimes."

She smiled and nodded, looking carefully into his eyes as he spoke. "Long distance sucks. But I promise that I will always be honest when something is wrong. And I know it's going to be difficult because we both have needs. If yours aren't being met, talk to me about it. We can find a way. That's how there are so many problems with faithfulness in relationships."

He sighed. "Honestly, Samantha, that's been my issue in relationships. I'm working on myself, damnit, and I want to try for us."

She touched his face after putting her coffee down on the table. "I'm willing to try with you, Josh. It's not going to be easy. But I think we're worth it."

He shook his head, then rested his hand over hers on his face. "I know I keep saying this, but I don't know what the hell I did to deserve you." He closed his eyes and sighed, "All of the shit I've put other people through, I don't deserve someone who is patient with me and willing to put up with me."

"Josh, look at me." she took their hands down so she could interlock their fingers. "I think you're amazing. I don't care about the past. I wouldn't exactly rate myself with the best relationship track record either. You've treated me with more respect and love that I've had from a few of my past boyfriends in just the last few months. I know we're not going to be perfect,we're going to fight and all of that shit. It happens."

He smirked slightly, it turned into a little upturned grin. "And you know what's gonna happen when we fiiiiight..."

She laughed, hitting him softly. "You really think we need any more passion? I don't know if I'll be able to walk after that."

He smirked."About that... not sorry." He licked his lips.

Sam's alarm went off on the table near them and she looked at her phone, sighing softly. "My car is on its way Josh. I need to go."

He brought his forehead against hers. "I'm not ready to say goodbye yet." He let a small kiss linger on her lips.

She smiled a bit, sliding off of her chair onto his lap. "Well... it's not goodbye. He's still a few minutes away," she nipped at his lip. "I do need to get dressed in order to fly back to New York though." She rose from his lap, walking from the living area into the bedroom to find her suitcase. JC sat in his chair, his eyes glued on her the entire time.

Sam pulled her hair into two messy pigtail braids, stealing JC's Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap to wear on top of her head. A cozy green sweater and black leggings went on, with her favorite knee high black boots. As she zipped up her suitcase and wheeled it out into the living room, JC continued to stare. He grinned when he saw his hat on her head. "Uh, where did you get that little lady?"

She grinned, "I didn't think you'd mind letting me borrow it."

"Anything you want, mama, it's yours to keep." He smirked. "You look hot in it. C'mere." He stood up, walking to meet her in the middle of the room. He took both of her hands. "Samantha Bentley," he smiled, "Thank you for agreeing to come to Napa with me."

"Are you crazy?" she laughed softly, squeezing his hands. "Thank you for springing this idea on me a few weeks ago. This was way more fun than whatever else I would have done for the New Year."

"It's been years since I've asked a woman to go away with me like this. I was really nervous that everything would go right," he smiled softly.

"This cottage was beautiful and elegant and you, my sweetheart, were the best company I could have asked for." She rubbed her thumb against his cheek.

The sound of tires hitting the gravel were heard outside of the windows. JC closed his eyes tightly. The last time he heard those tires, their long weekend was beginning and he had the feeling of anticipatory butterflies. Now, he was just left with a heart longing for the woman standing in front of him.

"That's my ride," she said softly, giving his hands another tight squeeze. "Walk me outside?"

JC reached behind her for her suitcase and garment bag and took her hand in his as they walked outside. The afternoon sun shined down on the black town car and the driver gave them both a polite smile as he took Samantha's suitcases and put them in the trunk.

"Good afternoon Ms. Bentley," the driver said politely, opening the back door for her.

JC sucked in a deep breath and pulled both of his arms around Samantha. "Goodbye, beautiful," he said softly.

Sam whispered, trying hard to fight back her tears. "Not goodbye. See you later... I'll be counting down the moments until I see you again Joshua Scott." She buried her head in his chest and embraced him tightly.

"Hopefully even sooner," he whispered into her hair. "Will you call me when you get to Oakland? Then call me when you get home? I just need to know you make it safely."

She nodded, hugging him with a little sigh. "I will. Don't be surprised if I get on the Internet on the plane and send you annoying messages." She laughed softly, to avoid the tears that continued to fight her.

He pulled away slightly to look down at her, smiling at her glassy eyes. "Oh Samantha Bentley, you'll never annoy me. I'll be waiting. I'm flying back to LA tonight, missing you the entire time."

She leaned up slightly, capturing her lips with his. He opened and closed his lips over hers, completely overtaking the kiss he began to initiate. His hands went up to her face as he let every ounce of emotions he was feeling out in this kiss. He wanted to leave her with something she wouldn't forget.

She pulled away slowly to breathe, and looked up at him with slightly widened eyes and a smile. "You always know how to do that to me."

He grinned. "I'm learning you well, Ms. Bentley. Be safe on your trip. See you soon. Your man will be waiting for you." He let out a soft sigh and brushed his lips against hers once more before he helped her into the back of the town car. 

As she drove away, he stood with his hands in his pockets, watching until he could no longer see the town car. He shuffled his feet back into the guest house and grabbed his guitar, bringing it over to the couch. 

He sat and began to strum, a melody taking over. He had been so lost in Samantha all weekend, and this melody had been playing at his mind with no time to capture it.

He softly began to sing along with his chords, "I'm electric, finally exposed, you see through me, strip off all my clothes, if this is falling then let me go.... Oh..."

He smiled softly, letting the comforting words and melody of the song ease his aching heart. Oh, was he counting down the hours until he could hold her again. 

Just about 4 weeks had passed since Napa. With the explosion of the video for Tell Me, *NSYNC was more in demand than they had been in months. Every media outlet wanted to talk about the video and the song, and the band was pulled from place to place, promoting and getting their work out there. Unfortunately, the buzz surrounding the upcoming album had caused the guys to be busier than anticipated, which made syncing schedules almost impossible for JC and Samantha. Nightly skype sessions and flirtatious photos were the norm for the newly developing relationship.

*NSYNC's 4th American studio album, Gentlemen After Dark, was due to hit stores in two more weeks, slated for an early February release. The album was originally scheduled to be released in the middle of January, but the guys had a great deal of new material that was still being worked on. JC knew the deadline was coming, but he couldn't help the inspiration that had struck him. 

As part of the deal with Jive Records to prepare for the release of the album, *NSYNC was performing a mini-residency in Las Vegas. It was scheduled to run for three weeks, with 4 shows a week. It all coincided with the opening of a new hotel, the Cosmopolitan. 

In true *NSYNC fashion, they gave the fans 3 weeks notice for the shows, and in three days, the first two weeks of shows were completely sold out. The guys shifted into overdrive with rehearsals, workouts and preparations.

It was finally the day of opening night. Vegas was buzzing with the new residency and the guys were a bundle of excited energy.

Initially, Samantha had told JC she wouldn't be able to come to their opening night as she had a work commitment, With a little bit of shifting of her schedule, she was able to make a short trip to Vegas work, but still kept it a surprise to her man. She was enjoying keeping the secret from him, knowing that he would love getting that surprise later in the day.

Ashley sat next to Samantha in the town car, looking at the glitz and glamour that was Vegas. Sam grinned. She had never been to Las Vegas before, and there was so much to see out the window. The lights sparkled, the signs flashed and the streets were freckled with all kinds of people. Everything was so sparkly. 

"Let me be the first to welcome you to Sin City," Ashley grinned, as the girls got out of the car in front of the Cosmopolitan hotel. 

Sam giggled softly, "I'm sure it will be living up to its name." She licked her lips with a tiny smirk.

"Y'all are nasty," Ashley grinned, "I'm happy just being Miss Single. Mmhmm." She smirked and walked to the concierge with Samantha, as the bell staff took their bags. 

Sam smirked. "I meant you too Miss Thing. I know that Justin is about to be in a lot of trouble. From what you've told me, you two have had your fair share of trouble around this city."

"Ummm, just here as a friend to support the new album, okay?" Ashley crossed her arms.

She looked at her with a smirk. "And I'm leaving here married."

Ashley laughed all low, "Now THAT I believe is actually possible." She laughed and got their room keys, handing Samantha one as they headed for the elevator. 

"I think this is the part where I tell you I'll see you at the show," Samantha smirked. 

Meanwhile, about 25 floors up, JC and Justin were working in an empty gym. Justin was dripping with sweat doing chest presses. Near the door, Lonnie kept a watchful eye to ensure the entire gym was empty for the guys to do their workouts. Not too far from Justin, JC was on the floor doing his third set of push ups, his shirt off and headphones on. They were trading off chest work and arms. 

Justin finished, taking a moment to admire himself in the mirror. He smirked and shook his arms out.

JC took a deep breath as he completed his set, sitting down on the ground to chug a bottle of water. "Fuck yes," he sucked in some breaths. He was keyed up and ready for the show.

Justin looked down at his friend and grinned. "And we have officially separated the boys from the men. It feels so long ago we started these training sessions on tour."

JC stood up and pounded down another water before wiping his face down with a towel. "And now we are more motivated than ever," he licked his lips. "I'm gonna eat so much after this workout."

Justin grinned, "Yeah, we have a big show tonight," he grinned, "The first one with the new material. First one of this residency." 

"I'm stoked. It's gonna be crazy thanks to your damn video leak," he grinned and laid down at the chest press.

"You and your damn girlfriend helped to blow that shit up too thank you." Justin licked his lips, pounding his water before he hit the floor for his set of push ups.

JC grinned as he finished his chest set, grunting slightly. "You're welcome." He sucked in a breath. "30 more minutes. Gonna crush this."

Justin finished off his set of push ups and let out a low grunt as well. "We got this." He popped back up and rolled his shoulders, walking around in little circles to loosen everything up.

JC got off the bench and looked at himself in the mirror, drenched in sweat. He touched at his arm, looking at himself from the side, thinking about how far he had some in his training. There was some new definition in his arms he was all about it. He smirked.

Justin was sucking down another water, watching JC have a moment of self-admiration. "Man enough to handle Ms. Bentley?" he grinned.

JC let out a guttural laugh, "Bro, you don't even know. You wouldn't be able to handle those curves."

Justin laughed and shook his head with a smile. "Bro, you're right. I'll leave that all up to you. She's keeping you sprung and shit."

"Mmm Mmm. Sprung like it was day one," he grinned, shaking out his arms before walking to the squat rack, loading up the weight on it. He loaded up about 200 pounds before positioning himself under the bar, starting to go down in a perfect squat form, then he popped back up. He went down again, and back up. His eyes closed as his muscles burned, and he imagined Samantha and all her curves the way they were in the shower in Napa. 

Justin rolled his eyes as he walked away. "Yeah because it's like day 30." He heard noise and looked over to see Lonnie smiling and talking to a blonde woman in leggings and a tank top. He grinned really hard. JC was in the zone, squatting with his eyes closed. "That's my cue to leave," he laughed, walking to Lonnie and Samantha. "Nice seeing you here." he grinned, as he walked out the door, he stopped and checked out her ass, prominently on display in her black leggings and he grinned so hard for his friend, knowing what was up.

Sam grinned at Justin and walked in, watching JC's back squatting at the machine. She stopped for a moment, taking in the sight of him grunting and making noises. She bit her lip.

JC's teeth were grit as he was starting to shake. He was trying so hard to finish his reps, focused on the weight  in front of him as he was counting mentally and thinking of her. He let out a guttural growl as he got to 20, popping back up and putting the bar on the latch, sucking in breaths. He turned around to grab his towel and saw her standing there. "Fuck... I'm hallucinating."

She grinned softly, walking to the bars next to him and began loading weight on. She was overwhelmed with how absolutely drenched with sweat and muscular he looked at the moment, but she bit her lip slightly and played it cool. "I hope it's at least a good hallucination."

His mouth fell open slightly, and he looked at her for a long pause, then back to Lonnie who chuckled and went to stand outside the gym door, then back to her. He was standing in front of her before she could make another move, and his hands were on her waist. "Oh my fucking God."

She grinned so cute, "I couldn't let your first show go by without coming. Surprise, baby!" She slid her hands up in arms, which were sweaty and swoll.

JC lifted her ass right up into his arms and began kissing her without any hesitation. His hand went to her face, lips in a sloppy, heated mess against hers. He let out a low moan of satisfaction. Sam made a soft noise into his kiss, wrapping her legs around his waist and letting her arms snake around his neck. Her lips started a series of kisses over and over and over. Oh, did she miss her man. 

He kissed her over and over until they could barely breathe and needed to pull away. His hand stayed on her face and his voice was warm and low, "Baby, oh my god, you're really here." He smiled so big, and the hearts in his eyes were evident. 

She smiled, bringing her forehead to his. "I'm really, really here. It was so hard to keep this a surprise from you baby." She made a soft noise, rubbing her nose against his. After a few months, he put her down and captured her lips against hers in a solid lock again, holding her close to his body. He didn't want to let her go.

Sam gave him a tiny nibble on his bottom lip, kissing him slowly, her hands slid all down along his arms as she continued to kiss, then go to his chest. She needed to stop and pull away as she whispered, "fuck."

JC smirked, "You'd better believe that we will."

She grinned, "You are so naughty Joshua Chasez."

"And you're so innocent?" she smirked right back, "My sexy model girlfriend who sends me racy mirror pictures?"

She giggled. "Because my sexy boyband boyfriend sends me racy mirror pictures too. Gotta give the man what he wants. So how does daddy want me?"

His eyes fluttered a bit because of how she just said that to him. "I'm sorry what?"

She smirked and slid her hand up along his jaw, smiling at the scruff that was there. "I believe I said that my sexy boyband boyfriend sends me racy mirror pictures too. So I need to give him what he wants. And my question was, how does daddy want me?"

JC furrowed his brows. "Not in this gym, not where anyone can walk in and find us." He grinned and lifted her right back up and over his shoulder as he walked in a hurry out of the gym. He smiled at Lonnie as they walked past. "See ya later, Lon!"

Lonnie shook his head and laughed. "Have fun!"

Sam squealed and giggled as he carried her. "Josh!"

"Get used to saying that baby," he grinned all nasty as he walked onto the elevator with her still draped over his shoulder. 

She smirked as she peeked down at him. "Baby, you've been squatting up a storm. Your ass looks amazing in these shorts." She licked her lips with a cute smile.

"Just trying to get on your level," he grinned as he waited for the doors to open to the Penthouse floor. He walked up to the door and swiped his room key quickly. As soon as the door closed he flipped her over so she was back on her feet and he could take a good look at her again. 

She grinned as she looked up at him. "You're so getting there."

"I need to see for myself," he grinned, licking his lips and pushing himself up against her, making her walk backwards. "Can you show me?"

Sam watched him as she walked backwards, trusting him with everything in her. "You wanna do a little comparing Joshua?"

"Just a little. But I need to see it." He was all grins, backing her toward the bedroom. 

Her grin matched his as he led the way. "As you wish, daddy."

"UGH!" he grunted, "How long has it been since I've seen you? A month. Daddy wishes a lot."

"Mmm, yep, it's been like 25 days." She smirked lightly, letting her fingers play at the band of her leggings.

JC bit his lip all slow. He didn't even kick the door shut, just backed her right up against the king sized bed. He took everything from his pockets and tossed it on the desk before looking down at her. His body was sticky with sweat with a slight glow.

Watching him, Sam let out a low noise. His body was on point, so manly and just hot as hell. Her hands remained stuck at the band of her leggings, just taking all of him in. It was her turn to have the heart eyes.

JC couldn't help but be thirsty for her, between being full of testosterone and endorphins from working out, and oh did he miss her. "Do you need a little help baby?" he licked his lips and started to tug at her pants himself.

She grinned. "Find out for yourself, daddy."

Before she could make another sound, he had his shorts pooled at his feet and he was smirking. "Gladly." He gently tapped her ass before nudging her down on the bed so he could make work of her tight leggings. 

She was all giggles as she lifted her hips off of the bed to help him guide the leggings down.

He made a noise with just the very sight of her. "Good lord," he grabbed at her, turning her over so he could get a good look at her. Sam was grinning, relishing in his attention. No other man had ever adored her the way JC did. 

"UGHHH!" he grunted as both hands went to grab at her ass, needing to touch. He made another low noise. "I missed you, I missed this." He turned her back over and crawled between her legs, hovering over her to look into her eyes.

"I missed you too baby," she looked up at him as their eyes met. It almost made her blush how strong it was running between the two of them, she mumbled all soft, "You were my motivation this whole month. Every squat I dropped, every mile  I ran. All for you."

"You are my motivation every damn day now. Every single squat, every push up, all the weight, I'm imagining you. Every lyric I've written has something to do with you or how you've made me feel the past couple of months. I feel more alive than I have in years and it's all because of you."

She smiled up at him, leaning up and capturing his lips in a soft kiss. With gentle movements, she tugged on his briefs to pull them down, not yanking or tugging too hard.

His eyes fluttered closed and he moaned into her kiss, opening and closing his lips on hers. He didn't even let the shorts or briefs come down fully before he was down between her legs, pressing himself against her. He craved that contact, needed to feel it. He let out another low moan. 

"Ohhh," her lips sloppily fell off of his into a moan, lifting her hips up to meet his. She was craving him badly.

JC couldn't help it another moment. He thrusted up into the right place, and just  like that he was in, and all the way inside too. It completely took his breath away.

Sam gasped, which fell off when he took her breath away too. She was a throbbing mess for him, and her hands couldn't grip his arms anymore, falling down then making fists in the sheets.

JC dipped his head to the side, letting his lips slide against her skin along her neck. He gently sucked on her neck as he pulled his hips back and dove right back in again, leaving a grunt right by her ear. 

This caused Sam to suck in a sharp breath as she relished the way he filled her up. "Ohhh, Josh!" she called out, her hips rising to meet his as he dove back inside. 

He sucked a little harder on her neck, letting out a moan on her skin. "Ohh." He continued to thrust with that pace for now, enjoying her and the way she made him feel. He was on a whole other level in his feelings. 

Sam could very well have been having an out of body experience, her body felt weightless on the bed, like it didn't belong to her. "Oh... JOSH!" She reached above her to grab the headboard as her hips met his each time. Her body felt a little bit more flexible than the last time they were together, allowing her to move more fluidly with him. JC shifted a little so he was pushing on her harder, and his hands reached down to get a good grab of her hips. His fingers dug into her flesh, allowing him to get more leverage to go harder. "Oh... YOU!"

Sam loved his hands on her, the way he grabbed at her hips was truly doing it for her. "DADDY, OH!" She couldn't hold on any longer, and she let go, gasping for air and trying to call out his name as the feeling rocked her whole body, trembling with it.

JC couldn't handle her body losing control like that because of him. "Oh... SHIT!" His brows furrowed and he felt himself get the goosebumps over his torso. "I...." His hips weren't frenzied, but steady and focused. His hands continued to grip on her hips. He dug a little harder and he felt the slow wave of pleasure roll through his veins. He wasn't sure if anything was coming from his mouth, but his eyes were rolled in the back of his head.

Sam was making noises she wasn't sure she'd ever made before, a cross behind a whine and a moan with gaspy little breaths of his name, a literal mess because of him. She continued to grasp the headboard, riding out the glorious wave of pleasure. 

JC finally snapped into his own reality, taking a huge breath and slowing his hips before he collapsed on top of her. He was still shaking and moaning, everything slowly ringing in his ear. This feeling, he had never experienced before, this was all a new level to him and he knew there was no going back. "Ohhh."

Sam made a low noise. He felt heavier than he did a month ago, and it was hot as hell to her. Her hand shakily went up his back where she rubbed on his muscles so slightly. "Mmmm," was the only thing that could escape from her lips. 

He snaked his arms around her so tight, squeezing their bodies together as he rolled over so she was on top of him now and he knew he wouldn't suffocate her. "My god." He still couldn't open his eyes, but his arms remained tight around her waist. 

She made a soft noise as her lips came down on his adams apple. "Oh, Josh."

"How, just how does it keep getting better Samantha?" He finally opened his eyes to look at her. "I thought you were addicting the last time we were together."

She let out a soft noise. "I don't want to have to wait that long to have you again but damn. That was hot as hell Josh."

"I won't be able to go that long ever again now," he grinned and reached up to touch her face, "I'm afraid I might not ever be able to let you leave me."

"Mmm, I'm not gonna wanna leave," she nuzzled her face against his neck. "You are without a doubt, hands down, the best lover I've ever been with. Wow."

"Mmm," he nuzzled his face against hers and gently caressed her back. "What if I were to admit to you that you were the same to me?"

She grinned all cutely, "Well, if you were to admit that I WASN'T, I'd probably need to work extra hard to change your mind, now wouldn't I?"

He laughed, "I wouldn't ever say that about you." He leaned up to get another kiss, and it was like he just couldn't get enough and he was content to lose track of time, just being with her.

She smiled and took that kiss from him, "Mmm." She let out a soft sigh. "I'm happy I'm here. I missed you. Wow."

He smiled against her lips. "I missed you every damn day. And I'm sure I've made all the guys so sick of me saying something about you."

"Well now they can be sick of the fact that I'll be giving you heart eyes all weekend long," she reached over to touch his face. 

"Mmmm," he sat up with her in his lap and his forehead went to hers. "They might be happy that you're going to be here distracting me."

She grinned, "And why would that make them happy?"

JC laughed all low, "Nothing..."

"Joshua Scott," she grinned, hitting him softly in the arm but her giggle trailed off when she realized how sweaty and rock hard his arm was.

JC laughed so cute, "Nothing baby, really." He leaned in and started kissing on her. "You're my center of attention now."

She grinned as he was kissing on her. "Mmm. I like being the center of your attention, and I like giving you all of mine." She slid her hand along his jaw again and mumbled softly, "Please don't shave tonight. I love you like this."

"Mmm, if that'll make you happy, mama, consider it done," he smiled. 

***

Later that night, the girls were in the elevator on the way down to the theatre, excitedly preparing for Opening Night. Sam was wearing a custom made *NSYNC shirt by Ashley, an old concert t-shirt that Ashley cut to be a cut out neck and a crop top, with the American debut CD cover in colorful bars. Her outfit was complete with white jeans and a top knot. Her jewelry was minimal, just a simple rose gold necklace and rings. As she leaned against the wall of the elevator, her fingers scratched lightly at her neck. A lone bitemark adorned her collarbone and a red spot, evidence that JC didn't go easier on her earlier in the day.  She grinned cute as the elevator door opened. "Ash, I'm jealous. You must have loved going to all these *NSYNC shows."

Ashley smirked, "Ohh I did. Oh my gosh, is this your first one?"

Sam grinned, "Nope. My third. I saw them in New York twice actually. Some friends and I went, sat in the cheap seats and danced. Somehow I don't think that's gonna be the case tonight."

"Yeah, I literally have no idea what to expect." Ashley stopped at the bar and grabbed a drink, taking a long sip. Her nerves were shot. 

Sam sipped her glass of wine as Lonnie escorted them into the theatre. The VIP pit was off to the left of the stage, surrounded by catwalks. Behind the pit were the regular seats, which were filled up with excited fans. "Ohh boy," she laughed.

Ashley grinned, "Lonnie will always take care of us. I don't think I've ever had a real ticket for an *NSYNC show, ever."

"Welp, like I said... highest balcony for this girl. So," she laughed, "This is definitely a different experience." She looked over and saw dozens of eyes on them. Camera phones and digital cameras were out, as the girls weren't even pretending they weren't taking pictures of both Ashley and Samantha. 

Ashley grinned, "You have absolutely no idea what you're about to witness then." She laughed softly at all the cameras on them. "C'mon girl let's get a picture for the occasion." She took out her camera and snapped a picture of the two girls.

Moments later, the lights went down and the low hum of bass began. Five stools were placed onstage with five microphones and slowly, a spotlight illuminated the five members of *NSYNC as they walked out onstage. The screams were deafening and the energy in the room was through the roof. 

"Hello Las Vegas," JC said, grinning. "We're gonna start off tonight with a little a capella. We are paying homage to one of our vocal heroes, Boyz II Men."

The five voices began harmonizing in perfect, *NSYNC form. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

Justin's voice took the first lead, while the others sang beneath him. "Close your eyes, make a wish, and blow out the candlelight, for tonight is just your night, we're gonna celebrate all through the night..."

JC took over from him "Pour the wine, light the fire, girl your wish is my command. I submit to your demands, I will do anything, girl you need only ask..."

The concert continued on, a mix of new songs from Gentlemen After Dark and the previous *NSYNC albums. The boys played to the energy of the crowd, bringing their A game. 

All concert long, JC left little flirtatious glances to Samantha, a few extra thrusts in the choreography in her direction and little winks. She ate it all up, giggling. 

At the show reached the end, JC walked along the catwalk to the edge, where he grinned. "Oh Vegas, thanks for having some fun with us tonight."

Justin stood beside him, grinning as well. "You know, there's a little more where all that came from. This next song is called Tell Me. You may have heard a little about it." He looked at JC with an impish grin.

"Justin. Let's show them how we intended this song to be sung." He looked at him with a grin, then the guys started their "ooohs" in harmony, as the crowd roared. "We're here alone while the thunder is roaring, and the windows are blowing cause it's stormin' and pourin' tonight," He walked all the way down to the end of the catwalk in front of the two girls, squatting in front of his woman. "I put my hand on your chest, I can feel your heart and it's beatin' kinda fast, so is mine..." He leaned down to touch her face.

Her hand rested on top of his and she sucked in a soft breath. She looked at him with a little smile... he had her completely heart-eyed again and suddenly she wasn't in a theatre with several thousand people, she was alone with him again.

JC leaned down until he got to her level, finishing off his verse. As the chorus took over and Justin took the lead, he leaned over a little more, opening and closing his lips on hers. He didn't care if everyone in the room saw, she was his.

Sam grinned slightly on his lips, stealing one more tug on his lips in the kiss. She too knew everyone was watching them but she just needed him. She grinned a bit more, pushing him away by the chest playfully. 

He laughed real low before he took over on his part of the chorus, singing in harmony. "Tell me that you wanna make love... tell me that you wanna really make love..." He reached down and pulled her up onstage with him. The stagehands brought stools out for each girl onstage, and JC guided her to the stool as he brought his forehead to hers when she sat down. He harmonized his oohs under Justin's verse as he smiled near her face. One hand slid up on her leg where it rested gently.

She closed her eyes with a smile, as her body moved with his in her seated position. Every time she heard the song, no matter how many times she had heard it before, it always gave her goosebumps. 

He walked behind her, wrapping his arms around her as he sang, his lips going to her ear, "Woman and man, fight so hard, but when the two become one we work out problems and we fix it whenever we get body to body, body to body..." The instrumental faded as the outro was all a capella. 

She swallowed slightly, letting out a soft sigh. When his lips hit her skin, it could have been all over for her. She wanted him... as she always did. She let out a soft noise that only he could hear.

The lights faded, and Sam felt JC tugging her to get off of the stool and come backstage with him.

As they went into the backstage area, he grinned and grabbed her face. "You're mine after the show. Before we set FOOT in the after party, wait for me in the dressing room. I'm not done with you yet."

JC grinned again, running back onstage with the band for the finale and final bows. Samantha touched her lips, wandering into the dressing room in a daze. If this is what life on the road with *NSYNC would be like... well damn, she could get used to it. 

"Vegas knows how to party!" Justin said, rubbing his hands together. *NSYNC and crew had taken over the rooftop pool at the Cosmo as part of Justin's weekend long birthday celebration. 

JC laughed softly, adjusting his shorts after coming out of the pool. After a night of going at least 4 rounds with Samantha in the foyer, the bathroom, the balcony and the bedroom, they finally passed out well after 4AM. He woke up around 10AM, continuing to watch her sleep. As he watched her, his heart began to pound and he had some of the most real, intense feelings he had in a long ass time. For some reason, though she was so close, he was so afraid he was going to lose her, she would walk away and leave him. Or maybe it was the fear that he'd really find out the kind of man he'd been in the past and tell him to fuck off. Either way, that feeling of heaviness and uncertainty wouldn't stop nagging at the back of his head, even though everything surrounding him felt perfect. 

A few yards away, Samantha sat in a cabana, watching everyone with a little smile. She was sipping on some ice water but holding a rum runner in her other hand. She was still feeling the effects from the night before, both the partying they had done and the sex rounds they had gone. She took a long sip of the ice water, watching JC engaged in conversation with Justin and Lance near the bar. It made her smile. 

Justin looked at JC and grinned, taking a sip of his gin and tonic. "Look at you."

JC made a face. "Look at me what? You can't say shit."

Lance rested his hand on his shoulder and tapped it. "Hottest hookup EVER, nice job C!" He laughed all low, walking to the pool with his beer in hand.

JC scoffed at Lance and threw his hands up. "What the hell? Really?!"

Justin smiled softly. "Hey," he said, sipping his drink, "You're in love. I know what it looks like bro."

"I'm not asking anyone's opinion on this right now, I'm not even doing anything. Why is this all of the sudden all about me?" He made a face and turned around to stand at the bar. He looked back at Samantha.

Sam caught his eye, noticing his stiffened body language. She got up and walked over to the bar immediately, noticing he was about to choke someone. "Josh, what's wrong baby?"

"I just..." he took a long look at her, and his hands automatically went to her waist. "I think I need a strong drink, that's all. A drink and you."

She smiled softly, leaning up to rest her forehead against his. "I'm not going anywhere, love." Her lips brushed against his softly to try to calm him down. "Let's get you a drink."

He let out a low little sigh when her lips brushed against his. "Order anything for me."

She smiled softly. He wasn't acting like his usual, confident sexy ass man and it was actually kind of endearing. "Mmmm," her hand slipped up over his arm, "You look like you could use a Long Island." She looked at the bartender, waving him over to order a Long Island Iced Tea. As she waited for the drink, she looked back at JC.

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and dipped his face down to kiss along her neck. Just having her close to him again was intoxicating his senses and giving him a feeling of comfort.

She couldn't help but let a little giggle escape. She loved the way his lips felt on her skin. She took one step into him so their bodies were flush together. He was still damp from the pool and it felt good against her warm skin. After her giggle, all that could escape was a soft whisper of his name. "Josh."

Her whispering his name like that made him smile and position his face against hers again, before pulling away to look at her. "Baby..."

Sam looked up at him and smiled, keeping her gaze intent on him. "Hmm?" She reached down and let her hand grab his, their fingers locking loosely. 

He grinned. "You said Josh. So I thought you had something to say to me." He pressed his forehead against hers.

She laughed so softly, it too was almost like a whisper. "You know the sound of that Josh."

He smiled and placed one soft kiss on her lips as the bartender put his drink up. He took a moment to squeeze their hands together and pull back to look into her eyes. "I already feel better."

She smiled and nodded. "Your eyes are turning blue again. They got all grey. Steely." She reached up and touched his face gently. "You had me worried, baby."

"Just got a little carried away with something one of the guys said, that's all. Emotions got me pissed off for a moment." He leaned in and kissed her cheek before reaching for his drink and taking a long sip, almost a gulp.

"Oh," she smiled softly, slipping her fingers along his jaw. "Fuck them if they're bothering you Josh."

"Trust me.  It's nothing to worry about. I just might get drunk enough to lay one of them out though." He smirked and grabbed her hand. "Come swim with me sweetheart."

She laughed softly, squeezing his hand. "Don't you think you've been rowdy enough baby?"

He laughed all low. "There's always room for a little more." He playfully reached behind her and tapped her ass with a grin.

"I could argue that point," she giggled as they stepped into the pool together. The water was cool and felt refreshing. 

JC grinned and leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Don't you worry, I don't mean with you." He walked them in up to his waist, then set his drink on the ledge before pulling her body into his even more. "I know I might have gone a little overboard with you."

She smiled, sliding her hand up onto his chest, where she played with the black cord of his Leo necklace. "Baby, I was just as willing. I think we both got caught up in each other and the allure of Vegas. I never said no to you."

He watched her play with his necklace and a light smile played at his lips. "Was I being too rough with you last night?"

"I'm a little bit more sore than I generally like to be,but I enjoyed it." She tilted her head and pulled away to look at him. "Is something wrong with last night?"

He took a moment to truly study her face, a small smile appearing on his lips before he shook his head. "No, no baby. I've just really never gotten that rough with anyone before... or for that many times." He blushed, looking down at the water.

"Oh Josh," she smiled, "You unraveled me each time, and made my body crazy for you. I have no complaints baby." She was watching him closely, taking the time to look in his eyes, "You're an amazing lover, Josh. You know I think so."

His hands couldn't help but run down along her curves. "Oh, Samantha. How I love to love on you. You've turned me into a different lover, Samantha Bentley. You're turning me into a lot of things."

She nodded, "I know." She let her arms wrap around him again, resting her head on his chest above the water. She closed her eyes, listening to his heart beat. She was content. She knew just how her heart was feeling... getting absolutely lost and out of control for him. But somehow, this time, losing control felt good. 

He just smiled and took a moment to lean back against the wall of the pool. He held her in his arms, fingers grazing her skin under water. He let his lips fall down on top of her head and stay there. Anyone looking at them from the outside would think they were very much in love and had been that way for a long time. There was a quiet connectedness and calm over them at that very moment.

She smiled and snuggled into his chest a bit more. "Thank you for being my man, baby," she whispered.

"Are you kidding me?" he laughed softly, kissing at her temple. "Thank you for being my amazing woman. I've never been with anyone like you, and I don't think I ever want to be with anyone other than you."

She peeked up at him with sparkling eyes. "Play your cards right baby, and you won't ever need to worry about that."

He puffed out his chest with a smile and a sparkle in his eye too. "Baby, I am going to play every card right, and make sure you come home to me every single night. Make sure you're taking care of, and make sure it is well known that you're off the market. I'm not afraid to do that."

She smiled, leaning in for a soft kiss, letting it linger just a bit before she pulled away. "I want to be the woman that you come home to, and the one to take care of you too. We're partners love." She reached down and squeezed his hand. "Team Bentley-Chasez."

His lips overcame hers in one single motion before he mumbled, "You meant to say Team Chasez."

"Mmmm," she grinned on his lips, "Team Chasez forever."

One hand came up from being on her body, moving to touch her face as his lips moved in a slow, loving way. He was just saying what he wanted to say without having to say it. 

She smiled against his kiss. Everything about him was so easy and natural, sometimes she couldn't even stand it. She tilted her head a bit more into the kiss, letting a light girly moan escape, one of pure satisfaction. 

JC sucked on her lips slightly, and pulled away for a single breath before planting his lips back on hers again. He made her head tilt slightly and he smiled on her lips. "You make me better, Bentley."

She offered him a soft smile. "You're amazing, Chasez. Everything that I've learned about you." She rested her forehead against his again.

"As are you," he pulled back to study on her again, "You're going to be the first woman to make me fall in love for real."

She smiled, touching his scruff along his face. "I promise to take good care of your heart."

JC took her hand, pulling it up to his lips as he watched her from over the top of her hand, having a moment as he studied her. His heart was pounding, feeling completely vulnerable. "I'm giving it to you."

She smiled and nodded, blushing ever so slightly. With her free hand, she reached back to fix a bit of her hair that had come undone from her braid. "As mine is in your possession, Josh."

He smiled, letting them have a little bit of space between them again. "I didn't mean to make you blush baby." He dipped under the water, coming up again and running his hands through his hair.

She laughed softly. "You make me blush all the damn time.  I can't say I don't like it." She walked back to the edge, needing to sip on her drink. He had her head spinning like crazy.

JC grinned, bringing his Long Island Iced Tea to his lips, taking a few long sips. Their eyes were locked as they both sipped their drinks without any words being said. His mind was racing and his heart was trying to catch up to his thoughts. He was completely in love with her and he knew it.

***

 

Later that night, the rooftop nightclub was turned into a swanky party spot. Jive Records had taken over the club, creating a special birthday party for none other than Justin Timberlake.

Sam's hair was perfectly curled, her makeup on point. She had a sexy smokey eye and red lipstick. There was something about wearing red lipstick, something that made her feel like a vixen.

JC was wearing black pants and a black button down, opened slightly at the collar. The sleeves were rolled up at the elbow, and he wore his glasses. He had one arm around her and the other in his pocket as they talked to their friends and guests who had come out to celebrate Justin's birthday. His hand around her had been grazing her skin gently, on and off. For the first time on their trip to Vegas, the vibe had shifted between the two of them. They weren't constantly pawing at each other and feeling needy.

Sam looked at JC with a smile that turned into a light laugh. She leaned in to kiss his cheek and whisper, "You're the most handsome man in this room, Joshua Scott. Just needed to tell you that."

He looked down at her from the side and just smiled softly. He took a moment to look into her eyes. "Oh, you are something else. My beautiful girl, you're the only one here I've really laid eyes on."

She offered him a playful grin. "I mean, I'm pretty sure the girls from TLC are adorable. Sooo there's that." She couldn't help but giggle softly, leaning in to kiss his cheek again, leaving the faintest outline of red lips behind.

"Mmmm," he grinned, "They're alright. I've seen much, much better... which is what I'm looking at." He pulled her back away from the group they were talking to. "Those red lips on you though..."

She grinned, "They were on you. I left my mark." She slid her arms up around him, beginning a dance with him right there, her eyes were locked on his.

"Only fair, considering I marked you as mine last night." He took her hand in his and very slowly started to dance with her, even off beat a bit because it was more a sway than a real dance.

She laughed softly. "Thank god for concealer," she swayed back and forth with him just a little bit. Their movements didn't even match the music, just in a world of their own.

He smiled,leaning down to kiss her cheek very softly before putting his lips to her ear. "Tonight there won't be any marks. I just want you in my arms and safe with me."

She smiled, snuggling into him a bit. "Nothing I'd love more, baby."

Lance made his way carrying two drinks, all grinning as he watched them. "Drinks for you two! Your hands are empty, guys!"

JC was hesitant, but he took a drink and nodded toward him. "Thank you..."

Sam smiled. "Thanks Lance," she said, taking the drink from him. 

Lance looked from JC to Sam back to JC, then he grinned. "You two look amazing together. Like you compliment each other perfectly."

JC gave Lance a look, his hot hookup words from earlier still under his skin. "Well thank you, because I happen to think she compliments me very well. She makes me better. She's going to be around me for a very long time, so remember that."

Lance smiled really big. "I can tell! I definitely will." He leaned in and kissed Sam's cheek. "Welcome to the *NSYNC family, Samantha."

She was all smiles. "Oh wow, thanks Lance!" She smiled and kissed JC's cheek, hugging his arm with her free hand as Lance walked away to the next guests.

JC sipped his drink as she kissed his cheek, smiling. "That means a lot coming from Lance, who happens to be the most judgemental member of the group." He reached back and set the drink down on a table nearby. "But I think everyone realizes that you're not going anywhere."

As the party continued on, JC stayed connected and close to his woman all night. His arm hadn't left being around her, he was keeping her close but it was a different close. He knew he was in love deep down, and his body language showed a sweet possessiveness rather than a jealous one. He was casually talking to Chris about the plans for their upcoming tour and more about the mini-residency. He was brushing his thumb on her hip.

Sam was smiling softly, leaning into his body. She was cuddled in just right, loving the relaxed vibe they had going on. This feeling was very different for her and she liked it. She laughed softly as Chris made a comment. "I don't plan on traveling with you guys ALL summer. I have a job too, you know."

JC grinned cutely, "But of course when she's not working, she will come visit or I'll go see her. It's how a relationship works, Christopher."

Chris smirked. "Oooh, JC is in a relationship now!" He hit his buddy in the arm lightly.

Sam giggled so softly, leaning up and letting her lips brush against his jaw. "We'll make this work, baby."

"Mmmhmm." He smiled and leaned down to kiss her real slow and soft, not overly passionate, just a good, solid kiss. 

"Gross, I'm gonna vomit," Chris laughed as he walked away to find someone else to talk to.

JC grinned and pulled her away just enough. "I could escape with you right this instant. Leave while no one is looking."

She smiled on his lips again, "Mmm, baby." She rubbed her nose against his. "Dance with me."

JC nodded really cute, "I'd love to baby." He pulled on her waist to a more open area so he could dance with her better.  Both of his arms slipped around her.

Sam smiled, her eyes staying locked with his as her arms found their way around him as well. She couldn't see anything else in that room at the moment except for him as her body began to move to the beat with him just so. JC's forehead went to hers as his body slowly worked with hers, they were in perfect unison and his eyes closed. The feeling he felt in the pit of his stomach was different, but it was welcome. 

She couldn't help but smile at their reaction to each other. Her eyes closed as well and she let herself get lost in the moment as the song played on. The feeling couldn't have been more natural. 

He pressed his lips to her temple and kept them there for a moment, before he smiled and kissed down to her cheek and jaw. 

She smiled and nuzzled into him a bit as he was kissing her jaw. "Who said we couldn't escape..."

JC pursed his lips real cute with a grin, taking a look at her. "Let's go anywhere you want to my love."

She pursed her lips real cute right back at him as she looked up. "Mmm. How do you feel about just us, on the patio, maybe a bottle of wine? Or just the chaise together."

He smirked. "I think all of that sounds wonderful. Except one of the legs is now broken on the chaise because of us, so... we might have to stick to the hot tub." He grabbed her hand and locked fingers with her as he walked her to the exit door, pulling her down a flight of stairs with him. 

Sam giggled softly, holding onto his hand. "Oops, about that."

He grinned. "Not sorry, because I'm just gonna tell them it broke when I sat down. Not that I threw your thick, sexy ass on it before I had my way 3 times."

"Please, by all means tell them my thick ass broke it," she smirked as they walked back in the indoor hallway.

As soon as they got inside, he spun her around and pinned her against his suite door. "I swear to God, I'll tell them if they ask."

She grinned on his lips when he had her all pinned up against the door. "I'll back you up, Josh," she went for a playful nip of his lip. 

He made a low noise. "Girl, you might want to be careful." He looked down at her as he let them inside, making sure she safely entered the room with him.

She smiled earnestly. "I'm being extra careful tonight, baby. I'm not gonna lie. I'm too sore not to be careful." She put her little wristlet down on the table in the foyer.

"If I didn't handle you the way I did last night, I'd probably tear into you right about now," he growled playfully, "But luckily for you, I just wanna love on you tonight."

"Luckily for you," she repeated, "That's about all I can handle baby."

He laughed under his breath. "Then I did my job correctly. I made you mine and marked my territory reallllll good." He followed her into the bedroom.

She didn't say anything in return to that, walking to her bag to open it up and take her bathing suit out and moments later she was unzipping her red dress and changing into her simple navy bikini. She stood in front of the mirror, laughing softly at her reflection. She had bitemarks and bruises with hickeys all along her collarbone. She was definitely branded by JC. 

JC was untucking and unbuttoning, stripping down to his black polo briefs before walking to the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine. He gathered two glasses and a bottle of a local dark red blend.

Sam pinned back her curls from the party, walking out to the balcony. She saw the chaise with the broken leg and laughed softly, shaking her head. She would need to take a picture of that for her memories. She stepped up to the railing and looked out at the city below her. Las Vegas was twinkling. She was having so many feelings at that moment, so many things were changing in her relationship with him as they were evolving and it was a lot to take in. She sucked in a light breath, remembering she promised herself she wasn't overanalyzing anything in this relationship. She had ruined too many others by doing so. 

JC walked out to the balcony, holding the glasses and bottle. He smiled seeing her at the railing. "My view..."

She looked back over her shoulder, smiling at him. "Hey handsome."

He came up behind her, kissing her shoulder. "Hi beautiful. I'll be in the hot tub when you're ready." He bit his lip because she really was like a drug to him. He made himself comfortable before opening the bottle of red and pouring the glasses. 

She smiled when he kissed her shoulder, sighing softly as she made her way to the hot tub, settling in against the jets.

He was watching her quietly. He didn't need to speak, and neither did she. Their eyes met and something happened inside of him. He sighed softly, watching her with love in his eyes. He knew it would come out eventually, when the time was right.

She smiled as their eyes met, making her blush a bit as well. The feeling was strong over them.

He couldn't help but grin watching the color in her face change. "I love that I get to be the reason you do that."

Sam smiled, as her blushing got deeper. "You're the first man, honestly, that has ever made me blush this way. These feelings," she laughed softly.

"C'mere." he grabbed her hand, pulling her in closer. "You know you're the first woman for me, the first to make my heart actually damn near jump out of my chest when I see you for the first time. The first woman to make me want to settle it all down with. Everything is you."

She smiled as she watched him, reaching up and rubbing along his jaw gently. "You're everything Josh."

His voice got soft as he pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her loosely. "Then be my everything... move to LA."

She tilted her head, watching him. "You want me to move to LA with you?" She smiled softly.

"Yes. I want you to live with me now. I want to be your home. I want you to come home from a job and find me waiting on you. Or you on me."

"I'm not ready to give up New York yet... because I still have things left to do there, but, I'm ready to spend more time in LA. And all of that with you, Josh."

"Things to do like work wise?" His hands slid up her back as he studied her closely, "Or do you mean that I'm scaring you a little?"

She shook her head. "Work wise. There are still so many fashion based industries in New York. But," she sucked in a little breath as she watched him intently studying her, "I can fly there when I need to."

He leaned up and kissed her cheek softly. "Let's just see what happens, ok? We can go back and forth together for a bit. I just need you around me more."

"No no," she leaned in and cuddled up to his body, "I don't mean that baby. I'm saying. I can make my home in Los Angeles. With you. I will just need to go to New York when I need to. For work. That's it."

He smiled adorably. "You are the first woman I truly wanted to live with me," he sighed, "Being in a band the way I am you have to question people's motives. Now that I'm older and I've met you I just want to settle down... clear half my closet. Share my bed. My life."

She looked up at him and grinned cute at how animated he was becoming. "I look forward to sharing with you baby. We'll start our own little family together."

"Mmmm," he smiled and put his hand on her face, his lips finding hers again, "Not until you have my last name."

"Fair enough," she grinned, "I take that back." She gave him a few soft kisses over and over. "I just need some time to get my schedule arranged to get to you."

He nodded, slowly kissing on her lips with a slow little grind, one that was just very sensual and loving. "I'll help if you need me. I'll always be here when you need me."

She smiled on his lips, nodding just a bit. "I know. You can help me move in. You'll need some time to get your house ready to have another person there. A woman." She smirked cute before stealing a kiss.

"My woman," he grinned so cute, "My other half. I like the sound of that."

She giggled softly. "Your woman," her hand went up into his damp hair where she played with the slight curls he had, "You're an amazing soul Josh Chasez."

He made a noise when her hand went to his hair, as his head dipped down a little. "You've made me who I am. I'm falling."

She smiled. "I have through the roof feelings for you, Joshua Chasez. Like earth shattering."

He pulled his head back up to look at her with an unwavering glance. "I'm already there you know."

She smiled softly. "I know. I can see it in the way you look at me. The way you've looked at me the last few times you've watched me Josh."

"I can't recall ever looking at a woman this way before," his voice softened, "You're that one in a million people say exists, that I didn't think was real."

She smiled, "You know you make me feel special every time Josh." She leaned up to place the softest kisses on his lips.

He smiled on her kisses, his cheeks becoming quickly tinged with pink. "I'll never stop trying you know."

"Me either." She grinned, nuzzling their faces together. "I think it's time for those glasses of wine. A toast to our future life together."

"I agree." He reached back, handing her one before taking one of his own. "I'll say to a new beginning, a new chapter. Opportunities. Love."

She grinned softly, holding her glass up to his. "To that one in a million." She clinked their glasses together before she took a long sip.

He watched her as he took a sip. The bubbles in the hot tub stopped, and it felt like for the moment, all the noise around them stopped, the breeze was light and carried the sound of the thumping of music from the party one floor up. 

She smiled shyly over her glass of wine, her lips staining with red. "I like this party more."

JC said nothing for a few moments, watching her with a sure gaze, glass up against his lips. He took a sip and offered her a soft grin. "Chasez party of two only." 

As he watched her eyes sparkling with the lights of Las Vegas, he knew that their relationship was going to be an uphill climb with scheduling conflicts, touring, traveling and all that came with his career. Throw in her career that was taking off and he knew that he had his work cut out for him-- no, THEY had their work cut out for them. But in that moment, under the stars, nothing else mattered but the feelings in his heart, and how sure he was about taking the next steps forward with her.

July 2006 - Los Angeles, California

Five months had passed since Las Vegas. The weekend of Justin's birthday, the weekend JC knew his relationship had forever changed with Samantha. After she had flown back to New York, the *NSYNC team convened for a meeting in LA. Gentlemen After Dark was poised to be one of *NSYNC's biggest selling albums, likened to the days of Celebrity back in 2001 when the band was riding the wave of boy band idolation of the new millennium. 

The pressure and expectation of a major selling album came at a cost. Johnny and the label were adamant that *NSYNC ride this wave of publicity and quickly, their calendar filled. Promo weeks in London. A visit to Germany to pay homage to the original fans that launched their career. Talk show after radio show after online chat; *NSYNC was everywhere.

Then the album was released and was met with critical and commercial success. It went platinum in the first two weeks, cementing *NSYNC's status as a reigning boy band success. This set the stage for a summer tour in arenas, filling the demand for the band.

Meanwhile, mainstream media had taken notice of a blonde, plus-sized model that appeared in a certain boy band video. Her calendar quickly filled up with Fashion Weeks in Paris, countless shoots and shows in New York City, TV appearances in LA and many, many meetings with prospective designers. It was getting harder and harder for Samantha and JC to schedule time to be together. JC insisted on the two weeks off at the end of February, putting his foot down to the label.

JC stood on the back patio in a pair of grey shorts, staring out at the sparkling blue Pacific ocean in front of him. He scratched at his abs, smiling softly at the beautiful scene in front of him. In all of *NSYNC's travels, he had never been to a place quite like this one, where every last detail was like perfection. 

Sam came up from behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and kissing his shoulder blade. She was in a blue bikini with roses on it, her sunglasses on top of her head. "Okay, baby, you're deep in thought. What's going on in that handsome mind of yours?"

He laughed softly, leaning back into her body. "Just this little piece of paradise. How lucky are we that we can have this time to experience together?"

"Uhh, extremely," she smiled, leaning up to rest her chin on his shoulder. "Normal people typically don't get to be in an overwater bungalow in Moorea.  Settling for a beach town on either coast is about as adventurous as a lot of people get."

JC closed his eyes, breathing in the salt air. "We're not normal people though. And for as hard as we both work, we fucking deserve this, Samantha."

She grinned. "Oh we fucking deserve this, baby?" She giggled, bringing her lips over to his neck where she left soft kisses. He smelled heavenly and she loved the warm feeling of his skin against her lips. 

"Mmm now that you mention it, I fucking deserve it. It's been like two days since I've had you, you know." He made a soft little grunt. 

"You mean the heated way you took me in your foyer when you brought me home from the airport wasn't enough for you?" she giggled against his skin. "Then the one more you got in before we left for the airport again the next day to get here?"

"Well," he laughed all low, "That was stateside. We're here... in paradise... no one around for miles..."

Two weeks in Moorea was exactly what the doctor had ordered for both JC and Samantha. Cell phones locked away in the safe immediately, vacation time filled with nothing but crystal blue water, kayaking, snorkeling, laying in the sun, eating and drinking the most amazing island style foods, and taking the time to continue to explore the passionate relationship that had built up between the two.

But as quickly as the trip arrived, it became a series of digital photos and memories that JC held close to his heart. His favorite photo of  a sunkissed Samantha sitting on the dock of their bungalow in nothing but a big floppy hat, staring out at the ocean ahead was his desktop, something he looked at to remind him of his calm in the crazy. 

The two week trip had turned into the longest stretch of time they were able to be together. A long weekend here, an overnight trip there, a 5 day getaway in New York, Roughly 3 days together in LA. The whirlwind schedules made Samantha's move to Los Angeles a month-long process, with some of her boxes still stacked in the master closet as she lived out of a suitcase.

The opening night of the tour was in Miami at the end of May. Samantha had flown in for the show and flew out the next morning. The majority of the tour was similar to this, overnight flights, one or two day visits. Each visit began with a passionate encounter, JC and Sam unable to contain the immediate passion that raged at seeing each other again, well worth it every single time. 

The tour had finally come to a close at the end of July. *NSYNC had broken more records, celebrated more milestones as a group and performed for hundreds of thousands of eager fans. It was finally time for a well-deserved break.

 

*** 

JC was at his house for the first time in months. He had just arrived the night before to an empty house, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Samantha from Fiji in a few short days. She had no idea he was home yet, and he was eager to surprise her at home waiting for her. He was wearing glasses and loose fitting lounge pants, his hair messy as he went through the voicemails on his phone out on his patio. He had fallen behind in answering his phone and emails with the busyness of the tour. Most importantly, he was looking for any messages from her. 

Sam was in the back of a towncar from LAX, driving to Hollywood. She was excited to surprise JC at home, to be the woman waiting at home for him when he arrived from tour. She knew he'd be exhausted and she wanted to be there to take care of him. Her flight from Fiji was over 10 hours but she had caught up on sleep and some work she had to do for some designers. She smiled, looking down at her phone. Her phone background was a photo of the two of them in Moorea, one JC had taken with his arm stretched out with his digital camera. They were both laughing and it was candid and real, showing just how much they had fun together. She clicked over to her text messages and sent off a message.

Samantha: Good morning baby! Xoxo

JC smiled, hearing the phone buzz in his hands. He texted her back,

JC: Morrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrnnnnnnnnnnnnnning babe!

She laughed so cutely at how quickly he messaged her back. 

Samantha: Miss you boo. What are you up to?

She grinned a little harder when the car turned onto JC's street... err, her street. She was still getting used to bicoastal living, enjoying spending time in the house in LA when she had the opportunity. 

JC was all smirks as he texted her back.

JC: Ohhh, just listening to some voicemails. Catching up on some things that need attention. What's my favorite blonde girl doing?

Samantha: Same. catching up on things that need attention... :)

JC pursed his lips as he replied.

JC: Mmhmm. Speaking of all that...

Samantha: That's what you're calling it now?

She smirked as the car let her off in the driveway, she grabbed her suitcase from the driver, rolling it to the front steps. 

JC: Calling what? That I miss you and want to see my girlfriend? That attention?

He walked inside the house, grabbing a gatorade from the fridge. He was daydreaming a little bit, looking at some of her kitchen utensils left around the kitchen, with a big bouquet of roses he had picked up the night before to be greeting her when she arrived. Little touches of femininity were sprinkled throughout his bachelor pad and he loved it. 

Samantha: Mmm. Attention. ;) 

She was all soft laughs, unlocking the front door with her key. She smiled as she surveyed the foyer. JC had simple art, a plant, but at some point he had added a black and white photo of them from New Year's Eve, arm in arm. Every time she came home, it made her smile. 

JC: I'll call it whatever you want me to. Attention...needy... quality time... lusty...

JC stood with the fridge wide open, staring in at the food he had delivered the night before. He thought he had heard a noise, but was so temporarily unfamiliar with the sounds of his own home after being on tour, he brushed it aside.

Sam rolled her suitcase through the living room and up the stairs to their bedroom. She was in her own little world daydreaming, thinking about surprising him. 

JC's ears perked up, definitely hearing the wheels on the tile floor. He kicked the door shut to the fridge, as he called out "Baby?" He left everything behind on the counter, making a bolt for the stairs. He didn't see her, so he took 2 steps at a time until he found himself walking into the bedroom, where the light was on. He was grinning so hard as he cleared his throat. 

Sam jumped, letting out a yelp as she turned around to see who was there. She nearly fell on her suitcase. "Jesus, Josh!" she called out, holding her heart when she realized it was him. 

He couldn't help but smile. "Hi honey!" He crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall. He was about ready to crawl out of his skin with excitement at being at their house together, finally, but he played it cool.

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "So much for surprising you, you got me baby!"

He pushed off the wall so fast, not able to walk over to her fast enough to lift him up in his arms. "Because I wanted to get home to surprise you first! I wanted you to come home to me."

Sam giggled softly as he lifted her up into the air with ease. "Mmm. Now if I can come home to my sexy daddy in those pants I could get behind this all the time."

JC grinned slyly as he looked up into her eyes, "If you can come home to sexy daddy? You mean when you come home to sexy daddy. Your stuff is everywhere, my bed now smells like you... which by the way drove me fucking CRAZY last night when I got home, my walls are decorated with your pictures, and half of my kitchen has been reorganized. You get to come home to me always."

She smiled, reaching up to touch his face. She didn't say anything in response, letting her eyes explore his and taking the time to look deep into them, as her body language did the talking. She missed him, and she needed the moments to let him sink into her senses again. 

When her fingers touched his face, his lips broke into a smile and she could feel the crease of his cheek and laugh line fold a bit. His eyes watched her and he took a few steps with her still up in his arms, like it was nothing to him. When there was still silence after what he said, he blurted out, "Only if you like coming home to me... I mean..."

She could see it in his eyes, though he was trying desperately to play it cool as he followed up his phrase, she could see the literal flash of panic go through his eyes. She was beginning to learn him inside and out. "Joshua," she smiled and brought her nose against his, "I don't like coming home to you. I love it. While I missed you being here when you were on the road and I was doing work in LA, I loved being around the things that reminded you of me. And I love that what was yours, you're willing to make ours."

JC smiled again, slowly letting her down. He kept his arms around her and stepped closer to her. "I love that I wanted to make what was mine ours... I've never wanted that with another woman, and in fact, I have never lived with another woman like this before."

"Shhh," she leaned in to kiss him, just once and softly. "I know baby."

JC let out the cutest sigh, it was light against her lips. He let his lips sit there for a moment before he kissed her again softly. "I just missed you... like a lot, Samantha."

She smiled against his lips, letting them brush against his a few times. "As I missed you, blue eyes... will you cuddle with me for the rest of the morning?"

"Ummm duh," he grinned, looking at her. "You get your pretty little ass into our bed."

Sam smiled softly, taking off his blue dodgers hat off her head that was over her messy blonde curls, tossing it at him as she did a little run and dive into their bed. JC hadn't made it that morning, so the sheets were still messy on his side. She pulled her side down before crawling under the covers. She grinned as she looked out toward the windows. The shades were open and the late morning sunlight was coming into the room. The view of LA was always awe-inspiring to her. 

JC grinned so hard, watching her. He walked over to his side, climbing in, refusing to take his eyes off of her. "Did you even get any sleep last night?" He took his glasses off, putting them on the side table before turning and sliding under the covers. His feet went looking for hers so he could hook them and pull her legs closer, letting them pretzel on top of the other.

She wrapped her legs all up with his and rested her head on his chest, looking up at him. "Ehhh. It's like tomorrow already in Fiji so I'm not even sure what time it's supposed to be," she laughed softly, "I can't sleep when I know I'm going to see you the next day. My body craves being held by you."

JC looked at her, leaning down to kiss her forehead. His arm wrapped around her gently, then slowly ran along her back. "I crave to hold you... you fit perfectly in my arms, perfectly against my body. You're pretty much just perfect for me. Mmhmm."

She smiled, nodding a little bit at his touch. "I miiiight just happen to feel the same way about a certain someone who is laying here with his arms around me." She reached up, sliding her fingertips along his chest, feeling the light smattering of chest hair as her fingertips walked over to his arms. It made her smile, feeling the new dips and swells from tour. 

He licked his lips as he watched her hand travel along his arms. Subconsciously, he tightened them for her. With a small smile. "Yeah, you miiiiiight?" He mocked her, laughing.

Sam smirked, watching him. "You were perfect for me in a slightly more compacted version, though I can't hate on this." She licked her lips just like he did, but it led to a fit of overtired giggles. "The man has convinced me."

JC laughed all low. "Slightly compacted? Excuse me?"

Sam smirked and shook her head a little bit, pushing on his chest a little bit before rolling off of him playfully.

JC growled, grabbing her waist with a quickness to pull her back into him. "And now you think you're getting away?"

Sam giggled, looking up at him with sparkling eyes, filled with mischief. "I was only trying to cuddle!"

"Then c'mere woman," he laughed and grabbed at her hips, pulling a leg up over him. "I will not let you get away from me for the next month."

She grinned and brought her head back up onto his chest. "I don't want you to let me go. I just wanna finish moving in and spend my time with you. And do all the things together that we haven't gotten to do."

"I want to help you finish moving in. I want you to feel like this place is yours too. Anything you want, or think needs changing, I'll do it." He played with her messy hair.

She smiled. "It's just clothes in the closet and some other stuff at this point. A lot of it sat in boxes for awhile. I did most of it while you were on tour," she snuggled into him a little bit tighter, "I'm happy with the house right now." She rested her head on his chest again as she gazed up at him. "Maybe someday we'll get another place. Who knows what the future will hold." She bit her lip with a daydreamy look, thinking about the future. 

He wasn't dumb, and could see the twinkle in her eye. "I think the future holds secrets. But I'm pretty sure my future looks bright because you're in it." He pulled her a bit closer so he could lean to kiss her, "If things go right, I'm happy to get a bigger place with you baby. I'm game."

She smirked on his kiss. "You bought yourself a 4 bedroom house overlooking Hollywood by the time you were 23. Your future has been pretty bright right along, handsome," she placed a few more kisses on his lips, before reaching down and interlocking their fingers nice and tight. "You just made a good choice asking me on a date."

When she smirked, he smirked in return, then kissed her again as she locked their fingers. "Mmm, baby. I love how damn confident that last statement was." He stole a few more kisses, "Damn right it was a good choice."

Sam grinned, nibbling on his lip. "Mmm, and I made one by saying yes. You're a damn good catch, Josh."

He gave her a nibble right back, with the hand not locked with hers, he reached for the back of her knee, grabbing it and pulling her leg over his hip. He made a low, manly grunt. "Thanks for fishing..."

She smiled, watching him. "I think I'll keep you." She worked with his body, moving her legs so she moved on top of him, smiling down against his lips. "That is, if you want me to keep you." She gave him another little nibble. 

JC looked up at her after her nibble, and both of his hands went to pull her completely on top of him now, so all of her body weight was against him. His lips pursed as he looked down at their bodies together, then back up at her face. "No more questions about who's keeping who and if one of us wants to really be in this relationship. You are mine, and I am yours."

Sam smiled, "Undoubtedly, completely and always my sweetheart," She sighed softly. It wasn't an unsure or unhappy one, it was obvious it was one of contentment. After her sigh, she leaned down and just placed a series of soft kisses on his lips, lazy and loving.

He wrapped his arms around her loosely as she had to come down to kiss on him, he gently tugs and pulls between soft little brushes against her lips. "Mmm, I almost forgot what that felt like." He dragged his lips to her cheek and kissed softly, smiling just a little against her skin.

She smiled, closing her eyes as she nuzzled her face against his. "Hey Josh?"

He had to grin when she said his name like that. "Yes baby?" His hands softly reached under the t-shirt to feel her bare skin against his fingertips.

Sam smiled when his fingers made their way to her bare skin. She missed his touch and the way he had learned her body over the last 7 months. "Thank you for being you. Her lips found his again, soft and slow with little tugs. 

He followed her kisses for a little bit along with his hands pressed up on her back before he pulled away for a moment to look at her. "Mmm, I don't know that I have heard that before... what did I do to make you say that?"

She bit her lip a little bit as she looked down at him, she was about to say something else but then she stopped herself. "I've never told you that I appreciate you for who you are?"

JC dug his head into the pillow a little bit more as he watched her body language. His hands slid down to her hips, messing with the waist of her leggings, but they were way loose in the back, making him kind of hook his thumbs in them. "I mean... you show appreciation for me, and I know gratitude when I hear it, I just mean... the way you said it." He smiled softly.

Sam returned his soft smile, not saying anything else. She knew exactly what to do to deflect this conversation and bring it back to something she could control. She went back to making light little work on his lips, sliding her hands down to meet his where she took them into hers, bringing both their hands out by their sides. 

JC let her take over for now, letting his hands and his arms go with her lead and what she wanted. He only shifted his body a little underneath her because it began to react to her touches. He said nothing more, letting his lips follow her lead. He liked it... no, he loved it.

Sam smiled on his lips. A good hour passed where they were just making out, being in tune with each other. This was the first time since New Year's Eve they were able to just be in the moment with each other, making out with light little touches, not filled with the need to fuck each other senseless. Which, she always loved because it was hot as hell to know he wanted her so bad every time, but there was something comfortable and sensual about this too. 

JC had been turned on for a while, and he knew she could tell, but it wasn't fully ready turned on either, he was simply enjoying her and their time together. He wanted all of this romance shit with her... he knew already deep down how he was feeling , but all of this still continued to feel a little new and risky to him. He had taken the step of moving her in, but with the touring and work schedules, their time together was so limited that everything still felt so new about this relationship.

They had slowly rolled back and forth on each other, and they had ended up both on their sides, his hand resting in the back of her leggings against her ass cheek, as his face nuzzled against hers still. 

She smiled against his lips, nuzzling into his face a little bit more as she whispered, "This is what I want to come home to everyday." She sighed softly and his name was mixed in with it. Her eyes closed for a moment.

JC's lips kissed their way to her ear, before he kissed that too. "You are coming home to this everyday. I'm not gonna change how I love on you baby."

She smiled, tilting her head a bit to look at him. "Not asking you to. Just telling you that I like it." Her hips were pressed against his and she felt him turned on for her, just enjoying the feeling of knowing he wanted her. "Mmm, you know, that appreciation thing." She grinned.

He hummed and kissed a small trail from her ear down to her neck. "Yeah, I'll appreciate you... for being mine... being sexy..." he grinned, "That's what you mean right?"

"Mmm, something like that," she giggled because she did love his lips on her. She reached down to take his hand out of her leggings, lacing her fingers with his. "I think I'd also like to appreciate some lunch on the balcony. Are you up for that?"

He bit his lip before licking them. "Very much up for that. I'm hungry, but I wasn't going to stop appreciating you. You take priority over food right now." He grinned.

She giggled, leaning in for one more kiss before she knew she needed to be the one to make the first move. She rolled over onto her back and made a soft noise then sat up, getting out of bed. She peeled off her long sleeved top to reveal a little black tank under it. She smiled, peeking behind her shoulder at him. 

He groaned, thinking fuuuuck. He threw his face into the pillow she was just on, being dramatic for cute effect.

Sam laughed so cute and shook her head. "Joshua Scott, I'll meet you in the kitchen." She was still laughing softly as she headed downstairs to see what he had in their fridge. 

He rolled over and popped up quickly. He wasn't far behind her going down the stairs, following her into the kitchen. "We probably have anything you want since I had groceries delivered on my way back last night." He grabbed his still-open Gatorade bottle and took a long sip. "Hopefully I did a good enough job of choosing."

"Mmm. My tummy is thinking some chicken and cheese quesadillas. You game?" She grinned back at him, pulling out the chicken and cheese, grabbing tortillas and everything she needed to make homemade pico de gallo. 

"Ughhhh... I am so game." he smiled, pulling up a stool, watching her making herself comfortable in his, wait no... their kitchen. "I know I always ask you this but do you cook a lot?"

She laughed softly, "A woman's gotta eat Josh." She rummages through the cabinet for her quesadilla press. "These hips didn't get the way they were without some cooking." She took out the pan and began to saute the chicken and onions. "Besides, cooking is a stress reliever for me. It helps me to relax."

JC tilted his head, watching her intently as she moved in the kitchen. "You know, those hips look like they've lost a little without that cooking."

Sam was sprinkling the cheese and the chicken on the tortillas in the press and stopped mid sprinkle to look at him, blinking. She knew her body was a little bit more toned from when they first met, a result of more intensive training and her busy schedule. 

"Shit. That definitely came out incorrectly. I'm sorry honey, I just... I got caught up looking at you." JC blurted out. 

She laughed softly, closing the lid on the press. "Baby, don't be sorry. I guess I just didn't expect you to say something. Yes, I've lost about 15 pounds. I guess I'M sorry that I didn't realize you'd miss my hips that much," she smirked and nibbled on a little strip of chicken that had fallen onto the cutting board. "Somebody got me addicted to going to the gym again, and I got back into some dancing," she blushed softly. "I needed an outlet for the cardio I was missing when we weren't together."

"Wait, wait, wait." He had to laugh all low, reaching for the bag of cheese. "First of all, you didn't think I'd miss my favorite hips and thighs? And second... an outlet... for when you wanted some... and couldn't have daddy?" He put a pinch full of cheese in his mouth. 

"Welllll," she flipped the quesadillas over and looked at him again. "I mean, you always grab at them whenever we throw down. But it's not like they're gone. And yes! I was frustrated, okay? It's not like I could just go get someone else."

He was grinning so hard. "I mean you COULD have... but I'm glad that you didn't. Because all that is mine."

Sam smirked, "Just like those 15 pounds probably went on you from the gym." She plated their quesadillas and spread out some sour cream and pico on their plates. She stepped to him and let her fingers play at his abs, all the way down to the V. "Because I know that's why all this happened... and alllll of this is mine." Her fingers stopped before they snuck any lower, knowing he was still turned on and it was evident from earlier. And she knew... he was trouble.

His eyes watched her hands, his body reacting even more when she touched him. "Ugh. I was on tour. But if you must know... yes, you were the thought behind the 2-a-days and the extra weight." He grabbed at her wrist, pulling her hand off of him nicely before the passion she was talking about earlier happened in the next 30 seconds.

She had to bite her lip. She knew she was no angel in any of this, and she knew that he knew it too. She turned away with a smile. "Can you get me a water from the fridge please baby?" She needed to walk out of the kitchen, so she carried both of their plates onto the back patio where she put them on the little table out there. It made her smile softly, thinking back to sharing sushi from Moon Thai at the very same table. This time, she wasn't a visitor. 

JC came out carrying his Gatorade and a bottle of water, pausing at the sliding glass door to watch her getting their table set up. It made his heart flutter as he watched her, in his home, making it her own. He knew that the time he was going to spend with her was going to be worth every moment of the hard-earned break the band was taking before they needed to complete their next round of promo overseas. 

He sat down at the table with her, uncapping her water bottle for her. He held his Gatorade bottle up to her water bottle and grinned. "To being home," he toasted.

"To being home," she repeated with a smile. 

A week had passed. August was almost arriving and JC was living out his dreams of being a stay at home boyfriend, doing projects around the house, sleeping until 10AM every day, and getting all the sex he wanted all around the house. Everything was going just as he wanted-- everything except one thing. When they went out to run errands, people stared. He was used to people staring at him... that was one thing. But now, people were staring at his girlfriend. MEN were staring at his girlfriend. She was polite and gave a little wave and then grabbed at his hand every single time, but still, something about other people wanting a piece of her, looking at her the way HE was supposed to look at her absolutely drove him crazy.

JC pushed the cart around Whole Foods, gritting his teeth slightly. They had just left Ikea, where the cashier was all hearts and smiles at Samantha, even giggling when she checked out with him. What man giggled at a woman? He grunted, following her through the produce department. 

"Baby, we need some Kale," she reached over and dropped the bunch into the cart. She was already onto the next display, grabbing pomegranates and raspberries as one after the other, the cart became full of fruits and vegetables. She was wearing a flowy tank top and leggings, with her hair in a high ponytail and no makeup on but still managing to look like a knockout.

"Kale, right," he mumbled, grabbing some chicken breasts as they walked through the meat.

"I'm going to make us some Mongolian Beef tonight," she smiled, adding some more ingredients to the cart. "I know it's one of your favorites."

"It is, thanks Samantha," he smiled slightly, looking up again. From the moment they walked into the store, there were three college-aged boys following them around. JC was used to young girls but these boys were driving him crazy. He shot them a dirty look.

"Pardon me, Samantha," the first man smiled. He had a British accent, and he was tall with tanned skin and light brown hair. "I don't mean to bother you at the market but I couldn't help but stop to tell you that you were beautiful. Do you mind if we get a photo?"

"Oh," Sam blushed, smiling softly. "Sure." She looked at JC, giving him a light grin. She knew he was irritated but she gave him a little wink to lighten up the mood.

"Thank you so much," the man grinned, pulling his camera phone out. He handed it to JC. "Do you mind doing the honors?"

"Sure," JC offered a polite smile, opening up the camera. "Smile."

Sam laughed softly at how cut and dry JC was acting. She smiled, putting her arm around the British student.

He was all smiles, holding onto Sam's waist. As the picture finished and he took his camera back, he looked at her with a little grin. "Thank you. Just so you know I'm a student at USC... I'd be happy to romance you all the way back to London..." His voice trailed off as his buddies pulled him away, their frat-boy laughter heard down the international food aisle.

The remainder of their shopping trip was quiet, the only conversation being exchanged surrounded what they were adding into their cart. With every aisle, JC's emotions were stewing and one step away from getting the best of him. 

They got home from their errand run. Samantha carried the groceries in from the Mercedes. She was putting them away in the kitchen, humming to herself. She had some big plans for later in the day and she was in her head, happily daydreaming.

JC's teeth were grinding and he didn't even realize it. His jaw was locked as he remembered that he bought a case of water for their drink fridge. He was mumbling under his breath as he stomped back out to the garage. In his mind, he was replaying the scene of the college kids following her and the cashier googley-eyeing her with his bright smile, like he was even that happy in real life. 

Sam was humming softly, inside the open fridge door putting things away. She was in her own world, not noticing the stomping and grunting going on around her. She took a mini pepper from the vegetable drawer and brought it to the sink, washing it. She nibbled on it as she put everything else away. She stood for a moment at the sink, looking at the living room and the sliding glass doors out to the patio. She smiled, sucking in a soft breath.

JC kicked the door shut with his foot as he made his way to the kitchen. He dropped the case on the floor by the huge island where there was a built in drink fridge. He started to put them away, grunting loudly when one got stuck. He didn't even realize how upset he was, he was so in the zone.

Sam looked over at his manly grunting noises, making her break away from her happy little moment. She walked over to him and rested her hand on his shoulder. "Honey," she said softly as she brought both hands onto his shoulders when he let out another noise. She rubbed his shoulders softly. 

JC slammed the fridge door shut, grunting as he looked up at her. His brows were furrowed and his jaw was flexed hard.

Sam's mind started to race with what she could have said or done that would have upset him. She ran through the events of the day in her head. "Baby, you're tense." Her fingers dug a little deeper into his shoulders.

He nearly growled, "Yeah, I know. Because I'm trying not to get back in the car to Ikea and wipe that fucking smile off that fucking fuckers little face!"

Sam looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Huh? Who? What?" She took her hands off of him and leaned on the counter. "Josh, what are you talking about?" She watched him all grunty and huffy, with clenched fists. "Oh my god, baby, are you talking about the guy at the checkout?!"

"YES!" He yelled, throwing his hands up in the air, "Ohh, and don't even get me started on those guys from USC. I swear to God." He began to pace a little while scratching at the back of his neck. 

Sam tilted her head to watch him. She was letting him stew and be mad for a long minute. She couldn't figure out in her mind why he could possibly be mad at a cashier and some kids. But then she had a realization... he was jealous. "Oh honey, even if the British kid said he'd romance me all the way back to London, look where I am."

JC glared at her. "I can't believe you think this is funny!" His expression was pained.

Sam gave him a look in return, not knowing what to say to him. He was mad, and there was nothing she could do or say to make the situation better. She shrugged, taking one of the bottles of water he had put away and walked into the living room toward the windows.

"Oh good, that means you don't care," he mumbled, grabbing the keys to his Benz off the counter, stomping back to the garage. 

Sam rolled her eyes, shaking her head. She opened up the sliding glass door and walked outside to the patio. She sat down at the table, looking out at the view. She sucked in a deep breath. 

JC got into his Benz and drove off, his tires squealing as he turned onto the street. His blood was boiling as he accelerated. As the car sped up, he made a noise. He realized he was pissed off and upset and wanted to break someone's face... because she was his. She was so special to him, and he wasn't about to let anyone else have anything to do with her. 

A few minutes passed and Sam rose with a sigh. She walked back into the kitchen, getting out the ingredients for the bruschetta she was planning on making for lunch. She reached over to JC's Bose system in the kitchen and turned it onto a classical station, letting the kitchen fill with the music to shift the mood in the room. 

JC barely made it to the freeway when he realized he was acting like a complete jealous lunatic. He popped a u-turn and headed home again. He was wide-eyed as he was driving, thinking about the way he was feeling and reacting, and trying to analyze it. "What the fuck man.... What are you doing?" 

After about 15 minutes had passed, he pulled into the garage and closed the door behind him. He walked into the house a hell of a lot calmer than he was when he left. He didn't say too much, he just put his keys down on the island as he was looking at her. He wasn't sure if she was mad at him because he was acting crazy.

Sam nibbled on some tomatoes as she was finishing up her dish. She had spent the 20 minutes he was gone thinking about her feelings. She had never seen a temper in him before and it was interesting to her. She was thinking all about how she felt about it too. When he walked in, she smiled softly, pouring him a glass of red wine and putting down the bruschetta down on a plate between the two of them. She wasn't saying anything either, quiet and following his lead.

"I'm sorry," he said softly as he took her hand after she set the plate down. He pulled her against him gently. He was looking down at her with uncertainty in his eyes. "I don't know what really came over me, and I shouldn't have allowed you to witness that."

"Hey," she leaned up and put her forehead against his. "You're human. We're humans. We have emotions and sometimes they get the best of us. Do you want to talk about it baby?"

He kissed her cheek very softly. "Maybe once I actually process it a little more, I'll know how to talk about it with you. But I'd like to take a minute to relax and enjoy this glass of wine with you."

She smiled when he kissed her cheek, reaching up to touch his face gently. "When you're ready. Even if it's another day. We're both going to fuck things up in front of each other through all of this, but for right now, let's eat. And enjoy this wine." She reached for her glass and held it up.

He grinned, holding his glass to hers, making a slight clink. "Well, we can fuck up together. And I want to tell you to TELL me when you're mad at me or if I did something wrong, and I'll promise the same. Relationships are better with communication and that's something I've realized since I've met you. You're the easiest to talk to baby."

She smiled up at him. "I think when a relationship is meant to work, communication comes as it needs to. It's not always easy, but it happens." She took a sip of her wine. "I believe in transparency and communication all of the time." She reached for a bite of the bruschetta and took a nibble. 

He smiled at her, watching her as he took a sip of his wine. "That's some wifey type shit." He took a bruschetta and popped the whole thing in his mouth as if to wash down what he had said. He was a marriage-phobe for much of his adult life and well, Joshua Chasez didn't say things like that. 

She laughed so cutely as she looked at him. "Oh honey, I'm wifey type shit." Her lips curled up into the cutest little smirk. 

"Yeah, I'm kinda getting that vibe from you," he smirked right back. "Maybe I'll just have to marry you then."

"I thought you said that you weren't the marrying kind," she grinned almost smugly at him.

JC made a face. "I didn't say that. When did I?!"

"Halloween. We were at the fashion show. I believe you were talking about Justin wanting to marry Ashley. You said you weren't the marrying kind. Always gotta keep those options open."

JC had to rack his brain, thinking back to that day. He knew he said a lot of things, things that were probably embarrassing. "I sound like an idiot," he furrowed his brows again and ate another bite. "You sure you're not just messing with me?"

She laughed softly, watching the way his brows furrowed. "Honey, if that's how you feel, it's not the end of the world. Marriage isn't for everyone."

"That's not how I feel... at all." He finished the rest of his glass of wine rather hastily. 

She tilted her head, watching him with a smile. "It's not?" She knew JC had cared about her deeply, obviously enough to move her into his house in California, but their relationship was so heavily built on lust and passion, sometimes she resigned herself to the fact that she would be his live-in girlfriend that would get him in between breaks in touring. He had told her many months ago he thought he was falling in love, but the conversation had never really come up again. Did she know he loved her? Absolutely, she did. Did he show her? Yes. Was he the kind of guy where this conversation came easily? She guessed not. But she loved him, and he was her Josh. All these idiosyncrasies made him even more endearing. 

"No, Samantha Bentley, it is not. I don't know what kind of things I may have said to you around that time, but I'm sorry that it may have painted a bad picture. I was just salty and bitter toward women for a long time." He reached for the bottle, refilling his glass of wine and topping hers off too.

She smiled and nodded, taking another sip. "I get it. And obviously you didn't scare me away because I'm sitting here today."

"Because I'm finally dealing with a badass real woman," he grinned, before he walked over to the recycling bin to drop the now-empty bottle, "When we met, I had never had anyone stand up to me the way you did from the jump. You pretty much called a spade a spade from the beginning."

She laughed, "Your game that night was transparent at the party. The charm moves, all of it. It was classic textbook. You know how many times it had been tried on me?" She grinned, "I wasn't looking for a man the day we met."

"Mmmmm." He nodded, "I definitely wasn't looking for anything at all when we met. I just knew how to converse with women, with things they usually tended to like. Sometimes I was successful and other times not so much. Women often used me for my name and the status they thought I had. But you, Ms. Bentley, were completely different. You ARE completely different."

She smiled. "I will tell you that the Baywatch lifeguard that I met on Halloween, that man that came back to my apartment for waffles at 2AM... he's completely a different man now." She took another sip of her wine, "He's still learning and growing, but this woman is too. I haven't been in a serious relationship in years. I've almost forgotten what hard work it takes to really make it work. Especially with both people having such crazy and demanding jobs."

"That was a really good night," he smiled, "And I am so far from being that man." He put his wine glass down on the island. "It's been a very long time since I've been in an actual relationship, but I can tell you that I've never once gotten that upset while dating another girlfriend before. I genuinely was angry and jealous."

"I'm sorry that you felt that way, baby," she smiled. "I don't ever want you to be angry or jealous over me. You've got more of me than anyone else ever has, and it  looks like ever will."

JC took her wine glass from her and put it on the island next to his. He wrapped his arms around her body as he sucked in a good, deep breath. "I can't promise you that I won't be jealous, even though it's something I have to work on. I know that you're mine, but you are beautiful, like REALLY beautiful, and people stare at you every single time we leave the house."

"We can work on it together," she smiled as she brought her hands to his chest where they rested, "I get jealous when girls stop us when we're out and tell you how much they love you, and ask for pictures and try to put their hands all over you. And when they're talking about the way they think you are in bed at your concerts. That's a real thing for me too baby, I watched it at all the shows I went to this summer. But I'm in this for the long haul." She stopped and let out a thoughtful sigh. "Even if you weren't going to be, you're husband material, Joshua Chasez."

He put his forehead up against hers and his hands went on top of hers on his chest. "I guess you better start showing me what kind of ring you want then...."

She grinned, bringing her lips to rest against his before she kissed a few times, nose nuzzling up to his. "How about we take plenty of time to look together. Because I don't know yet. I'm not that girl who has planned out her whole wedding and proposal and engagement out."

JC grinned against hers. "You mean you don't know if you want a princess cut, or round solitaire by the age of 26 Samantha?" He kissed her softly, "I should take you to the store right now."

Sam laughed. "No, honestly it makes no difference to me." She gave his hands a squeeze. "We don't have time to go right now anyways." She left one soft kiss on his lips. "I do have a surprise for you."

He pulled back a little bit to look at her and he could see she had a look of mystery on her face. "What?"

"Listen. You get me. Which means you get gestures. And sometimes you're going to get things that I do for you just because I'm your girlfriend. I don't ever expect anything in return when I do something for you because it makes me happy. And I knowww your birthday is in 10 days but I'm kind of excited, okay?"

JC lifted his brows in surprise, grinning. This conversation totally shifted and she was adorable. "So what you're saying is that you are about to give me a birthday gift?"

"You were supposed to get it after we had lunch today, but then things happened." She leaned in for one more gentle kiss. "Now, close your eyes baby. And just trust me okay?"

He sighed all cutely and closed his eyes. "I do trust you honey. I asked you to move in with me, remember?" He laughed.

Sam grinned cute and kissed his cheek. She walked with him down the little flight of stairs to the basement level. SHe was holding him close to her as she guided him. She opened one of the doors off of the basement to reveal the studio that was finally finished. Back in February, JC had told her all about the studio he was dreaming of finishing but never had the chance. While the guys were on the road, Sam took the plans he had made with Justin and Jimmy Harry and had the last console put in and the room painted and decorated just for him. He had been so busy loving on her over the last week, he had never gone inside. She walked into the studio with him, smiling so big. It came out exactly how she had hoped, and she was so proud. "Ohhhhkayyy baby! Open those eyes!"

JC opened his eyes and blinked a few times for the light to adjust. His mouth fell open and a loud GUH escaped. He was literally speechless and almost losing his shit with excitement. 

She smiled, stepping out of his way to sit on the little leather couch against the wall. Her legs crossed and she watched him taking this all in. Her heart was full. "Happy almost 30th birthday to my musical genius..."

"HOW?!" His mouth was still open as he looked from the studio console to her, back to the studio console to examine every little detail. This was straight out of his wishlist, everything was just so. "I can't even BELIEVE you!" He touched the walls, his swivel chair, the panel of controls, he felt like a little kid on Christmas morning. 

"You left your sketches down here when you gave up on the design. I followed through, and your buddy Timberlake helped me out a bit with what wasn't on the blueprints. Jimmy Harry came in while you were on tour and helped the team install the microphone and controllers. I hope it's everything you dreamed of, sweetheart."

He let out an actual squeal and a little giggle. He sat down in his chair and started pushing buttons. He was in heaven and he couldn't believe someone, a woman, would be considerate enough to think of something he wanted and cherished so much, following through on it. She was a keeper.

Sam grinned so big, holding at her heart. She loved him so much, and this completely cemented it for her. She stood up from the couch and walked toward the controls, leaning against the back of his chair. "So I'll expect that the next great *NSYNC single will be written in my basement..."

"Oh my god baby, yes! Of course!" He swiveled his chair around and pulled her down onto his lap. "Thank you, so much. This is the best birthday gift of my life."

She smiled, leaning in to kiss him over and over, softly. "I knew how much this meant to you. I wanted you to have everything you dreamed of, Josh."

He wrapped his arms around her all kinds of tight and kissed and kissed and kissed. "You," he kissed again, "Completed my everything."

"Mmm," she grinned and gave his lip a little nibble between all the kisses. "All I need," she tugged a bit at his lips, "Is a song. Just for me. For no one else to know." She rested her head against his and began leaving soft and lazy kisses on his lips. 

"What if I told you I had already started one for you?" He gently nibbled on her lips before looking up at her, resting the back of his head on the chair.

"I'd believe you," she smiled, sliding her hand inside his t-shirt and resting it on his stomach, gently rubbing at his abs. She loved the feel of them, something about it was calming to her. 

He smiled softly at her touch, it always made him tighten up his core right at first. "I'll let you know when it's finished, and I won't let anyone hear it until you do." His hands that were wrapped around her began to play at the bagginess of her top, just the soft material between his fingers.

She nodded, bringing her forehead against his. "I am sure I will love it. I love everything that you do." She rested in hand there, over his abs, under his shirt. 

JC's fingers were playing and twirling the soft material in one hand, while the other hand was planted firmly around her waist. Looking at her, in that moment, his heart was so, so in its feels and he had never been so sure of a moment like this before. His voice was calm, but his heart was actually racing. "And I love you..."

She smiled so big when the words escaped his lips, it was like everything she needed to hear. "Oh you," she sucked in a cute breath, making a sweet noise. "I love you too Josh. Like, crazy over the moon love you." She placed a soft kiss on his lips.

He took his hand out from her shirt, putting it on the side of her face as he returned the kiss. He was fucking in love with this woman and he wasn't going to try and play it off like it wasn't as serious as it was. He wasn't going to lie to himself anymore. He closed his lips around her lower lip and let go before smiling. "I am so crazy about you, clearly."

She grinned on his lips. "Clearly." She slid her hand out from under his shirt, touching his face once as well. "You know," she licked her lips, "After I got to know you, and you stayed with me the night after the gala by the fireplace, I thought about what you said, how you weren't the kind to want to get married. And I wasn't sure I was either, but when I woke up with you the next morning, I knew that it really was something I had craved. And I was going to change your mind."

He grinned so damn cute. "Waaiiiiiit. You actually thought that on THAT night? Or morning?" He twirled them around in the chair.

She grinned. "That morning. When you told me you'd cuddle me. I was still careful because I didn't know what you wanted from me..."

"I didn't know what I wanted either, but I knew that it wasn't just to hook up with you. I wanted to be close to you, I wanted to cuddle you for real." His hands slid down her body on each side. "I've been drawn to you since day one."

She smiled and nodded, looking down at his hands. "Me too. I just knew I wanted to be around you in whatever way I could."

He smiled, taking her hand up and touching on her fingers. He took a closer look. "So I'm guessing... a size... 7."

She laughed softly, "Spot on as usual, baby," she put her hand out and wiggled her fingers. "Why don't you take your time picking it out. Whatever moves you and makes you think of me. You're the artist in the relationship."

"I would love to do that, honestly," he kissed the palm side of her hand as he looked up at her from under her fingers. "But I'm not the only artist in this relationship."

"Oh, I'm no artist baby. I just stand in front of a camera all day." She smirked. 

"Are you kidding?" He laughed and had to stand up, so he pulled her up too. "I have been on photoshoots that take fucking forever, and YOU are a goddness and a rockstar. I've heard your assistant on the phone before. You can't take a bad picture, okay?"

She smirked, looking up at him with mischief in her eyes. "Maybe I can't take bad ones, but I could do naughty just for you..." She let out that sweet giggle that he loved so much. 

"UGH! Don't even tease me with an offer like that girl," he licked his lips, "If I'm writing you a song, you can work on a sexy daddy's eyes only photoshoot right?"

"All yours baby. Any requests?" She could have laughed at his eager eyes and goofy smile. But, she knew this was serious business for him. 

"Naked. In my bed. In something white." He let out a low grunt.

She giggled. "How can I be naked and in your bed and in something white? I mean if you wanna buy me some pearls we can talk, baby."

He growled. "Okay, maybe like the sheets, or just lace panties even... or pearls, yes, pearls." His mind raced with more ideas, imagining every which way he wanted her posed. 

She smiled. "Why don't you design it, and you can shoot it. That way, it's really literally just a daddy's eyes only."

"Done. Fuck." He needed to bite his fist. 

"We'll make plans baby. We've got plenty of time." She needed to make the move to step away from him first.

When she moved, he followed. "I've got an idea, no wait, I've got a few ideas..." his voice was almost rambling, "But I think I'd better actually eat something before I lose my mind again."

"Good. You can carry me into the kitchen baby," she grinned.

"Gladly." He bent down and picked her ass right up over his shoulder. "I'll put your ass in the oven and bake you to perfection."

Sam squealed so cutely, "You'd love that!"

"Yeah, and then I'd take my time eating you like Thanksgiving dinner." he smirked as he carried her up the stairs, putting her down on the counter. He reached for his half-full glass of wine and took a long sip. 

She looked at him with sparkling eyes. "Baby, I'd LOVE you to take your time on me. Nice and slow until you're alllll done."

"Yeah? You'd better be careful what you wish for." He laughed all low, putting his fists down on each side of the island, trapping her to him. 

She smiled and made little fists balled up at his shirt when he trapped her there on the counter. "Mmm, there's a lot of things I wish for, baby."

He hummed as his nose pressed against hers and his lips just softly pushed up against the corner of her mouth. "Like what? Tell Daddy..."

She couldn't help but let out the softest little moan. It was bound to escape at some point. "Mmm, daddy wants to know?"

"Wouldn't have asked if I didn't." His hands went from the counter to her outer thighs to grab under her knees, pulling her closer so he could step in between her legs better.

"Some involve you in different places," she grinned, "In different ways." She licked her lips, then her cheeks tinged with pink. "And others." She sucked in a cute little breath, and it came out as the sweetest little sigh. "I want it all. The hearts, and stars and roses full-on deal."

JC smiled on her skin, leaving the softest trail of kisses across her cheek where she just blushed. "Ah, so you want romance?"

She smiled and tilted her head slightly. "I do. I love little romantic gestures, but sometimes grand ones are amazing too. Being swept off my feet in a whirlwind." She sighed.

He pulled back from kissing on her face to look in her eyes. He could see they were dreamy right now. "What's your biggest romantic fantasy? Like top of the list, all out last wish granted type shit?"

"Paris," she said thoughtfully, "Shopping, five star dinners. Dressed to the nines. Flowers everywhere. Aged red wine. Lips stained with it. The Eiffel Tower with the love of my life while it sparkles and the city is below. Making love until the sun comes up surrounded by rose petals."

JC smiled. "Have you ever been to Paris before baby?" His hands were moving back and forth along her leggings, inner and outer thighs. 

"Of course," she smiled. "So stereotypical, but what model hasn't? I was just there a few weeks ago for Summer fashion week." She was watching his hands as they traveled along her legs.

"Mmm, we were back there in May, and I do love that city." His hands moved up to her hips and his fingers played at the crease where her hip met her thigh. "Maybe I'll have to take you. I'll just pack your things one day and surprise you," he watched her as he tilted his head. 

"Oh yes, I remember being so jealous. I was filming a campaign somewhere else and couldn't come," she let her fingertips run along his collarbone. "And I would love that baby. I love anything you do for me," she grinned cute, "I love you."

"Hey," he grinned right back playfully, "I love you first." He squeezed her thighs on the inside of her knees, knowing it was going to tickle. 

She began to giggle. "Is this a protest for my thighs being smaller?" She grinned, leaning up to sneak a kiss.

He couldn't help but let out a soft laugh into her kiss as he took his hands and started to squeeze a little more all over. "Mmm, I mean, it's not THAT bad. I still got something to hold onto. Just don't go shrinking down too much. I love your curves, baby."

"Don't plan on it, honey." She smiled on his lips before she added a few extra. "Mmm. Your question baby. About wishes. What do you wish for, Joshua Chasez?"

His hands stopped in place, closing his eyes in thought. He was deep in thought for a good moment before he could say anything, in between kisses. "No one has actually ever asked me what I wanted before," he smiled and kissed again softly, "Can I take a little bit to give you a real answer?"

"Baby, you can tell me anytime you have an answer or feel comfortable with giving me one." She reached up to play with his hair.

His voice was soft and his eyes closed again as her fingers played in his hair. "You. I know that I want you," he smiled, "Like, I want to have all the things that you want, and be the reason you have those things... yeah."

"That means you want to be my partner and provider, baby? You want to be there to make sure I'm taken care of and happy and safe and loved... and know you're the reason for all of it?"

His eyes opened and he had the cutest smile on his face. "Yes, I want to be the guy that makes your dreams come true. I want to be the guy that I portray in my own music. I don't just want to sing about those things, I want to follow through and make your heart come pounding through your chest. I want you to dream about having all the romance, the hearts, the flowers, the surprises, the dinners... and I want you to think about those things with me, because I made them happen for you."

She blinked a few times, processing all of this. She had spent the better of the last few months pining in her heart about JC as the perfect romantic gentleman. All of the lust, urgency and  passion didn't always allow that side to come out. She smiled so big, nodding. "All of that and more, baby. You're amazing."

"Ugh," he laughed all low, but it was a cute one. He leaned into her with his body weight and put his face all up in her neck where he made one more noise. "What're you doing to me..." 

"Welcome to being in love Josh." Her words were simple, a slight head tilt allowed her to closely examine him but also allowed his lips more access to her neck.

JC let out a soft sigh, leaving his lips against her neck. "If this is what being in love is really like, I can safely say I've never truly been in love before you."

Sam smiled and nodded slightly. "I can't say that I'm upset about that, baby. I'm glad no one else was really able to make you fall in love before I came along. Just as I'm glad I've never had the feelings about another man the way I do for you." She grinned slyly. "Told ya that you were husband material."

He smirked as he pulled himself up, biting his lip. "You know what? I'm taking you out tonight. Yep. So you get your pretty little ass in any dress you want to wear. I'll show you husband material."

Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she watched him and let his words sink in. "Any dress I want, baby? I can do that for you..."

He laughed softly, pulling her off the counter next. "Okay. So not a see through, ass hugging dress where I'm going to be watching everyone around you kinda dress. I mean, if you own any of those..."

Sam grinned. "My ass hugging dresses aren't as ass hugging as they used to be. But I can take that shit out just for you alone one night." She stood up once he helped her down on the ground again.

"Oh, my eyes only shit. Mmmk. I'm gonna go make us a reservation, and you can go ahead and get yourself in gear. How hungry are you on a scale of 1-10, meaning 2 hours from now when we are actually sitting in front of food."

"Yes. That'll be for your eyes only shit." She took a minute to touch on his face softly. She had a look of love in her eyes for him. He was the perfect gentleman. "I'm pretty hungry, so like, an 8. But I will love wherever you choose to take us, baby. I'll doll up for you." She kissed his forehead, "You gonna dress up for me too?"

JC grinned, "Of course I'm going to dress up for you." His eye contact with her was flirty and playful. "I'll be down here waiting for you. Be ready in an hour." He placed the softest kiss on her cheek. 

She grinned, leaning in against his lips. "Mmm. See you in a bit my love."

JC let his hand softly caress at her back, needing to make himself pull away. He needed to get in the shower, or he knew he would continue to love on her all damn night. "Fuck."

Sam laughed softly, making her way upstairs to the guest bathroom. She knew there wasn't a way they could be in the same room. As playful as JC had been in the last few weeks, the shower was a favorite spot of his for some late morning loving, followed by the bathroom counter. She knew the solitude was just what she needed to get ready. She started the shower, washing down with body wash, shampooing her hair and getting lost in a daydream about everything that was happening around them.

JC was all smiles and was in and out of his shower within ten minutes. He stood in a towel in their walk in closet on his side, searching the racks for something to wear. He wanted to look sharp, but didn't want to be overdressed. "Ugh this woman," he laughed to himself. He settled for a pair of dark grey dress pants and a crisp white button down. He grabbed his new Gucci belt and his cufflinks. He meandered back into the bathroom, spraying himself with some of his Envy cologne. He ran his fingers through his damp waves, slicking his hair back just slightly. He grinned at his reflection in the mirror; he looked sharp. He made his way downstairs to continue making his plans for the evening. 

Meanwhile, Sam finished her shower, wrapping up in a towel as well. She walked down the hall into the master bedroom, peeking to see if JC was still in the closet. The light was turned off, but the lingering smell of his cologne filled the room and it made her smile. She slipped on her lingerie, a matching navy bra and panty set and slipped her robe on. She walked into the bathroom, blow drying her hair. With her curling iron, she put loose waves in before pinning them back loosely from her face. Her makeup was light, but just right with a little extra gloss and bronzer with a touch of mascara, nothing fancy. She stopped and sprayed her Honey, making her smile. She could see that she was glowing and she couldn't stop smiling. Back into the closet she went, getting into a navy lace dress. She had just picked it up in London a few weeks before she came home. It was designed to fit her curves, a sleeveless lace dress. It wasn't tight but fitted, classy and elegant. Off of her shoe organizer, she pulled a pair of navy Louboutin heels that looked like they were designed for the dress. She stepped into the heels and spun around in front of the mirror with a grin. Now she was ready to slay.

Downstairs, JC had one hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone. He was on the phone, plotting to get a table at one of his favorite hidden swanky places in town. It wasn't too far away and it was a part of a new vineyard that had opened. "Yes, that's correct. A table for two within the hour if possible."

Sam's heels clicked down the stairs to see JC on the phone. When he heard her heels, he grinned. Still on the phone, he turned around. "Chasez. Josh." He took one look at her and almost dropped the phone. "Oh god."

Sam watched him almost drop the phone and it made her laugh softly. She walked over to him and brushed her lips against his cheek while he was on the phone. 

"No, no, not you sorry. Yes. We will be there then. Thank you. That's great." He hung up the phone and made a low noise. ".....My God."

Sam smiled, placing her hand over her heart. "How did I end up with the most handsome man in the world?"

JC took a step back to look at her. "You are gorgeous. My goodness." He brought his hands to her waist, feeling the soft lace of the dress and the way it hugged her curves. Her body was his new favorite thing. "Wow."

She smiled as she caught his eye. "It's brand new. From London, actually. A new designer created it. I had to have it."

"Well, it's made for you. I love it." He took her hand and pulled it up to his lips to gently kiss. "We should go baby."

"Lead the way handsome, I'm all yours tonight," she smiled. 

"Yeah. You are." He smirked, grabbing his keys and walking her out to the garage. He opened the door of his car for her. He always did this when they went somewhere together, but tonight it felt different. 

She smiled as she watched him open the door to the garage and to his Mercedes. It made her sigh softly as she got into the car, buckling herself in. She had a different feeling of butterflies in her belly tonight.

JC looked over at her with a smile. He was feeling some kind of way this evening as he held onto the steering wheel with one hand, the other holding her hand. They drove for most of their way in silence, with some light jazz on in the car. Every so often they exchanged glances at each other, exchanging quiet smiles. He was feeling so content and in love and the feeling was completely foreign to him. After their 20 minute drive, he pulled down a long driveway that was all lit up by solar lights, with nothing but field and vines on either side. 

She looked out the window as his tires made noises on the gravel driveway. She snuggled up to him as they pulled down. She had been getting little glances and smiles at him paired with little kisses for the car ride. She felt a deep connection to him and couldn't help but want to touch him as much as she could. As the car came to a stop, she whispered, "It's so pretty here."

"It is. I happened to come here with the guys for a soft opening and have been wanting to come back. I couldn't think of a better place to bring my lady tonight." He smiled as the valet immediately opened up her door and his almost simultaneously. 

She looked over at him and smiled as she stepped out of the car, fixing her dress and taking a peek around. "Oh wow," she said.

He walked around and took her hand before walking up to the gorgeous setting. It was outdoors and all lit up on top of a hill. You could smell the faint aroma of grapes and the wind was just there, not even enough to be described as breezy. "Do you like it?" He asked, proudly. 

"Josh. This is absolutely breathtaking. I love it." Her eyes were sparkling as he led the way. 

JC pulled her close as they approached the host. He kissed her face as they stepped up to the podium. "Chasez. Table for 2."

Sam grinned, leaning into his body. She mumbled softly near his ear, "Chasez party of two."

JC grinned so hard as he followed the host to the table. It was on the farthest corner of the patio, away from the others. The atmosphere was romantic, the small table clothed in white linens with two wine glasses already out with a bottle of the Santa Clarita Cabernet blend decanted and wanting for them. "You'll be saying Chasez before you even know it."

She laughed softly as he helped her sit down, so attentively. "I already do, it's your name after all," she said playfully. She took a moment to take everything around them. The ambience was calm and grown and romantic. It wasn't a club or a fancy party, it was just right.

He poured her a glass of wine as he watched her taking the scene in. He was letting her get completely comfortable and smiling to himself. "I meant saying it as your name." He poured his own glass and had the cutest little smile.

She looked up at him, pursing her lips so cute to suppress the smile that was fighting her so hard. "Samantha Chasez?"

The smile already plastered on his face got big as hell. "Samantha Chasez." He took a sip of his Cabernet. "Yeah. That sounds pretty good."

"I could get behind it." She grinned and held her glass up to his. "To the Chasezes." Her giggle was soft and cute as their glasses clinked and she took a sip of her Cabernet. It was so full bodied, she made a soft contented noise. Her boyfriend certainly knew good wine. 

He tilted his head and let a couple moments go by in silence. "In case I haven't said it enough, you are beautiful."

She smiled, taking a moment to study him. "Thank you Josh. I appreciate it. But something about you makes me feel even more beautiful. You bring it out in me."

"Maybe it's just how well we work together. I've never wanted to be this much of a romantic before. Not because I thought it was bad or cheesy... I think that no one was worth it. I just feel different around you Samantha," he stated. 

"I'm happy you're my partner. I've never felt specifically like that about a man before. Boyfriends are one thing but I feel like you're meant to be the one I share all those moments with," she replied.

"I agree. Honey, I have NEVER missed someone as much as I missed you this last go of touring. I cannot go that long without you ever, ever, ever again. I knew I was falling in love with you..." his voice trailed off. 

She nodded. The little smile on her face wouldn't go away even if she tried. "So we don't spend that much time apart ever again, we can both make adjustments in our schedules."

"Done deal. Even if you're mad at me and not talking to me, I'm still coming home to you and will force a smile from those lips." He grinned, then pulled the menu up to hide half of his face.

She laughed so soft and sweet. "Likewise, blue eyes. Even if you storm home mad as fuck like you were this morning, I'm gonna get you relaxed again." She grinned too, pulling up the menu. 

"Pffft. That's no challenge." He smirked and put the menu down.

She laughed, "It's never a challenge. What are you thinking about for dinner baby?"

"Mmm. I'm thinking about trying the half duck with the bernaise cream sauce and the broiled double baked potato," he stopped to rub his tummy, "What looks good to you mama?"

"Everything sounds amazing! I'm going to try the duck breast with brandy sauce and truffles. You want to share the ceviche with me as an appetizer?"

He reached across the table and took her hand. "Anything you want, baby, it's yours tonight."

***

Several hours passed and they were on their second bottle of wine. Dinner was superb and they both ate lazily, feeding each other and enjoying easy conversation. The sun had set over the vineyard and the stars began to sparkle over the fields.

Sam leaned forward and took another sip of her wine. She was feeling nice and toasty from their big amazing meal and the wine. The breeze was cool around them but you could barely notice. She gave him a smile as she took her sip of wine. Her eyes hadn't left him for very long tonight. JC hadn't stopped looking at her for more than 2 or 3 moments at a time. He leaned back in his chair, glass of wine just leaving his lips. He had a little smile, one of those little just past a grin smile. He was in awe that she was his, and she was the person that he gets to love. She was pretty perfect, and this evening was helping him to realize just how lucky he was. 

"Mmmm," she put her wine down on the table and stretched a little bit, "This was one of the most amazing meals I have had in a long time. The farm to table idea is amazing." She sighed softly, "You knocked it out of the park with this date, honey."

"I just knew I wanted to take my boo on a really nice date." He put his glass down as well and let out a sigh. "I forgot just how good the food was, but I remembered the view and I wanted to see the stars again with you."

"Looking at the stars with you is better than being apart and thinking about looking at the same sky as you." Her voice was thoughtful.

He reached across the table and took her hand gently. "I know. I never want to have to say those words through a phone again. It was too long."

"What does the rest of your year look like baby?" She gave his hand a little squeeze.

"It looks like I'm going to be spending it with you. That's all I'm gonna say." He smirked.

She laughed softly. "Oh that's all you're going to say about that?"

"Yeah. Because right now I don't know the rest of the year. We have a few interviews and TV shows lined up but most of them are in LA. So we're good through the fall at least with the exception of two weeks. What about your schedule?"

"Couple of interviews and talk shows to do. Either LA or New York. I kind of said I needed to slow down for the rest of the year. I don't know that I was in one place longer than a week from February until now. I'm ready for a break."

He pulled up her hand to kiss it. "I'm so happy that you know you need time to recharge. If you don't tell them, they will just continue to run you down baby. Trust me on this one."

"Last year was exhausting but this year has been even crazier. My body was starting to tell me I was having enough. So yes." She smiled, "I need some time for me." Her head tilted as she studied him with a smile. "Though now my ‘me' is more of an us."

JC smiled again, putting her hand down. "I think we should go for a little walk. I don't want to just sit across from the table from you anymore."

She smiled and nodded, "I would love that baby. I'm ready for you to hold me."

Before her words were even finished, he was out of his seat helping her out of her chair. "C'mere you." He pulled her all up into him and he smelled of red wine, just like she did. 

She smiled, wrapping her arms around him and snuggling in for a hug. "Now this is what I love." She leaned up to place a kiss on his wine stained lips. 

"Mmmm," he made a soft hum before he cracked a smile as his arms enveloped her into a tighter hug, "Me?"

"You are kind of a big deal in my eyes, baby," she said softly. 

He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "You're a big deal in my eyes. Like I hope you know you're the biggest deal I've ever had." He kissed her forehead before taking her hands, linking their fingers.

She smiled and gave their hands a squeeze. "You are the lead singer of arguably the biggest pop vocal band in the world in this decade. Pretty sure you've got bigger deals than me." She started to mosey along the path with him. It was a slow and lazy pace. 

"Uh, you are the biggest and most searched model on the Internet right now. Probably more hits than me," he smirked real cute. "You know what I meant. Regarding my heart, you're the biggest deal ever honey."

She grinned cute right back at him. "Sorry I get more hits than you baby." She couldn't help but giggle lightly. "And you've got my heart as well. Like no one else ever."

They walked along a little path that was right up against the vineyard. He stopped at one of the posts, pulling off a grape. "Do you know that I have never once in my life thought about marrying someone?"

"I gathered that from your feelings about women before we met." She watched him with the grape in between his fingers with a light smile. His fingers were delicate with the small fruit. It made her smile.

"All the women before you were just leading me to you. I think you were supposed to come into my life at this exact time." He continued to push the grape between his fingers.

"I'm glad that we found each other in that case." She tilted her head as she watched him. "If you asked me 10 years ago what I'd be doing by the time I was 27 I would have told you that I wanted to be married and a mother. My life went in a different direction but I can't say that I'm complaining."

He smiled and let the grape fall from his fingers so he could slide his arms around her again. They were alone in the field and there was only a faint glow of lights from the patio lights where they were sitting. "Do you still want both of those things?"

She smiled softly, sliding her arms around him again when he did the same for her. She brought her forehead to rest against his. "I do. I'm in absolutely no rush. It'll happen for me someday when it's meant to happen."

JC nodded and held her to his body. They stood in silence while the summer crickets chirped just enough in the distance. He leaned in and kissed her ever so slightly. It wasn't hard, just a soft brush.

She smiled on his gentle kiss which she met with a brush of her own before whispering, "What about you Josh? What do you see for yourself?"

He sucked in a breath lightly and let it out on a soft sigh. "Honestly, all I see right now is you. My future is all you and I've never had that before."

She placed the softest kiss on his lips in return. "Well, I am honored that is the case." She slid her hand up to touch his jaw. "The future has the potential to be absolutely wonderful."

"I know it will be." He leaned his face into her hand a bit while continuing those soft kisses with small breaks between each few. They were so connected and it love, it couldn't be hidden anymore, no matter if they tried to hide it in the future, it just wasn't happening. 

She whispered on to his lips, "Will you lay here with me for a while? I don't care if we both get dirty." She stole a few more kisses. 

He smiled for a long pause on her lips. "Do you want to be here, or go home and sleep out on the patio with me? I'll make my famous blanket bed for us..."

"Ohh, you had me at blanket bed!" She grinned, "I still have the picture of you setting up that bed the night of the gala by my fireplace. Should have known then you were serious boyfriend material."

"Wait. You have a picture?" he laughed, kissing her cheek as he led her back to the valet.

"Honey, I have every single picture you've ever sent me, and a bunch that I took before we started dating." she smiles, "I'm a picture taker. Memories are my thing." She slipped her fingers in his as they strolled back together.

"I love memories. I just don't remember there being a picture taken of me," he grinned, "I better not have a double chin in it or anything." He handed the ticket over to the valet and less than 3 minutes later, the Mercedes pulled up.

"Baby," she laughed, "I dont think it's possible for you to have a double chin." She hit him playfully. "We can see it when I get home. My phone is in the kitchen."

"Good because mine is too," he opened her door and then got in after her. He drove off, leaving his hand on her leg. "I wanted to give you my full attention."

Her head rested against his arm. "Likewise. And I appreciate your full attention. We haven't always had the opportunity to give it to each other."

"I know, and I kinda like that we both recognize it." He kissed her head as he drove. "We're pretty awesome together you know."

"Oh I'm aware," she grinned and snuggled into him a bit more.  They drove up into the hills and before they knew it, their house was in front of them all lit up.

JC pulled into the garage, closing it after turning the ignition off. "Just making sure you knew." He got out, opening the door for her again, offering out his hand.

She took his hand, letting him help her out of the car. "Welcome home, baby."

JC smiled, "Welcome home sweetheart," He led her inside, flicking the lights on. "I want you to go get comfortable and wash your face and take all the time you need. I'm going to make our bed. Just come back soon ok?"

"I'll be there in a few minutes," she leaned up on her tiptoes and gave him a soft kiss, but this time it lingered longer than it did on the vineyard. 

HIs eyes closed for the moments her lips were on him. He returned just the right amount of kiss before he took a step back. His eyes were still closed as he hummed an "mmm" before he opened them. "I'll be outside," he stated simply as he needed to walk away from her. 

Sam took her time washing her face and moisturizing, and doing her thing. She was moving slowly, daydreaming about JC as she braided her hair in a side braid so it was out of the way. She was upstairs maybe a half hour, lingering and taking her time, full and happy from dinner and the wine. She finally emerged in one of his hoodies and her own little black pajama shorts.

JC had prepared another perfect blanket bed on the patio-- pillows everywhere and even more blankets. He brought out one of the living room lamps too for ambience. He had tossed on some sweats and a deep vneck tee himself. He stood there untwisting a water bottle when she came out onto the patio. He took a sip with a cute smirk.

"Thereeeee's the fluff bed master," she giggled, holding out her phone with the picture she took of him on the night of the gala. He was in his full dress pants, tucking in the blankets of the pillows. It makes her smile to hold it out to him. 

"I'll take that name gladly." He smiled when she walked over, and he leaned down a bit to see the picture. "Oh my god. I look so serious about what I'm doing." He laughed softly. "That was from the gala night and that is legit taking me back to that moment right now..." He looked at her with warmth in his eyes.

She giggled. "Exactly why I took it. You were so intent and I loved that." She watched him closely, letting herself appreciate him and take it all in. It made her smile. "You asked me out that night." She sighed softly, letting herself be taken back as well. 

He put his arm around her, leaning down to kiss her head a little bit. "Do you remember how I asked you out? Because I don't. I just remember thinking you were the most beautiful woman in the entire world that night. That dress you were wearing..."

She smiled, cuddling up to him. "Of course. You bid on me at the gala for a date in the silent auction. And you lost. But you asked me to dance anyways and we went to the deli. You told me you wanted to ask me on a date of your own and didn't need an auction." 

"Ohh... THAT I remember. I don't like losing but I knew that I would have a better chance asking you out for real than to use that as an excuse." He rubbed her back softly then pulled down all the blankets so they could get in and comfortable. "I wouldn't change a thing about that night."

"Me either," she smirked, "That was some song and some kiss." She crawled into the bed he made. "And was the real major event that started all of this."

"You know, even if you didn't go to that gala, I would have been drawn to you. Whether it would have been because of Justin or Ashley, or just because it's written in the stars for us." He leaned back on his elbow.

"Ashley brought us together at that Halloween fashion show," she grinned, "I need to remember to thank her more when I see her." She laid flat on her back for a minute, looking up at the stairs.

"I need to be thanking her more," he grinned, "I definitely wouldn't have thought she would be the reason for introducing me to the woman that I would fall in love with," he lowered himself to lay flat too, sliding his arms up under his head, "because I am completely in love with you."

She smiled as she looked over at him. "Falling in love with you definitely wasn't what I had in mind, but I'm glad it's where my life has taken me."

"Falling in love for real wasn't actually something I thought was going to happen to me. Here you are, the one that changed it all." He peeked over at her. "What does love feel like to you, Samantha?"

"Mmm. What does love feel like to me?" She rolled onto her side and leaned up on her elbow so she was right next to him. "It feels scary and thrilling and comfortable all rolled into one. It's the way that you make my heart race with little things that you do, but the way you make my heart feel the most content it's ever been when you hold me. How sometimes I can't get a smile off of my face when I think about you or I talk to other people about you." She reached up with her other hand to touch his face. "Or how I want to be there with you for everything. To hold you when you're upset and celebrate with you when you're happy. It's just this overwhelming feeling of wanting it all with you."

JC gazed back at her with love in his eyes, a cute soft smile played at his lips the entire time she was speaking. When her hand came up to touch his face, he barely blinked, but nodded a slight bit as if he agreed he was feeling the same way. He let a few moments pass after she finished talking, really wanting to take the time to process everything." "So it's not just me then. I'm not actually losing my mind. The way my heart starts racing sometimes when I get around you, that's never happened to me before. When I'm not around you I feel myself missing you like I haven't missed anyone before. I miss your company, I miss your friendship, I miss your witty comebacks. Mostly, I realize how happy I genuinely am because I am with you. I never realized it, but you were the missing piece of me."

She smiled softly, shaking her head real cute in response. "Nono. You're not losing your mind baby, just your heart." She reached over to take his hand and gave it a light little squeeze. "You're my missing piece too. I was always Miss Independent who said she never needed a man to make her happy. But you do. I need you."

He smiled and snuggled his way down into more covers, getting all closer to her so they could feel each other's body heat. "Hey Samantha?" He was all in her intimate space.

"Mmmm. Hey Josh?" she smiled. She loved being this close to him. He was warm and solid and everything about it was amazing.

"I promise that I'm never going anywhere. I'm yours now, and that's the end of that." He slowly brought his face to hers. "I need you probably more than you need me."

"I'm not going anywhere either baby," she smiled, "I'm yours for the long run okay?" She let her lips brush against his cheek. 

He moved his face just enough to brush his lips against hers, and it wasn't even much of a kiss, more of a presence. His hand rested upon her hip and just enough under the hoodie, but not the shirt yet. He was breathing and enjoying the feeling of what they had going on right now. 

She whispered on his light kisses, "I'd love to invite your family to come and see us. I can't wait to meet them for longer than 15 minutes," She snuggled in a little more, sliding her hand under his shirt. It rested on his stomach, not rubbing or copping a feel, just resting for comfort. 

He nodded in agreement and kissed once more. "Maybe we could invite both parents for a weekend out. Everyone should meet. How do you feel about that baby?" He was making lazy circles with his fingers, getting her t-shirt tangled within them. 

"I'd like that baby. I think it would be good for everyone to meet. See the house. Be with us together. We can make it happy." She brought her head to rest in the crook of his arm. 

"Mmm, I'll think about a good time to ask my parents to come out," he kissed her head again, "By the way, is there anything you actually want for your birthday honey?"

"Welll, I didn't get a studio built for me by my girlfriend," she giggled. "Honestly? I don't want anything. I've never been happier before in my life and it's all thanks to you."

He let out a low laugh. "Pffft. Right. Because I'm totally going to go on with your birthday in a week and do nothing. I just wanted to know if there was anything in particular you had been thinking of."

She laughed softly. "I know you're not just going to let it go by. I know you baby." She looked up at him with a soft smile.

He grinned all cute and proudly. "Just know I'm going to take care of you the whole day..." he kissed on her nose and then her lips. 

"Don't doubt for one moment that you will. Just like two days after that I'll be taking care of you from the moment you wake up." She kinda studied his face and it made her smile. 

"Mmm, we'll cross that bridge when we get there," he grinned, smiling and kissing along her cheek, and along her jaw. 

"Why did I feel like you'd say that," she giggled, smiling at his kisses.

JC closed his eyes, taking a deep breath in. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he'd be laying on his patio with a woman, with the same woman he had kept around for nine months, and enjoying it as much as he did. As he sucked in a good breath, he knew that her birthday needed to be one that she would never forget.

JC was scurrying around the lower level of the house. His phone was glued to his hands and he was all grins. He loved the feeling of being secretive, even a little bit mysterious. It was two days before Samantha's birthday, and he had been busy all week making plans for what he hoped would be her most memorable birthday ever. 

He had been up well before the sun, making some last minute arrangements. Samantha was peacefully sleeping as he snuck out of bed to get in a quick workout then settled in the kitchen making all the phone calls he needed to make.

A few hours had passed, and Sam was putting on lotion under her white silk robe. She was humming softly. All she knew was her man had been distracted-- all week long he was preoccupied and busy with something, but still taking the time to be the amazing boyfriend he had become.

When he heard the shower start, he got on the phone to make his last phone call. Two new matching Louis Vuitton suitcases were packed and in the back of his car. He was in a pair of jeans and long sleeved, loose fitting comfy t-shirt. His glasses were on and his hair was in its slightly messy curly state. He came into the bathroom, leaning on the doorframe to the closet. "How was your shower baby?"

"Good," she looked up at him and smiled. "Would have been better with you. I miss our morning showers together." Her lips curled down into a cute pout. 

He laughed so cutely. "Samantha Bentley, are you pouting?" He walked over to her, putting his finger under her chin so he could kiss that pouty lip. 

She couldn't help but turn that pout into a little grin for him as he kissed her. "Mmm. Kind of am." She looked at him, tilting her head with a little smile as she pulled away from his lips. 

"Well, I'm gonna need you to turn that frown upside down, boo." He grinned and kissed her lips once more. "I'm taking you for a cute little pre-birthday brunch."

"Ohh yeah?" That's why you look so cute and cozy?" She untied her robe, letting it hang open as she walked past him into their closet.

"YEP!" He called out proudly as he watched her walk in the closet. "You go ahead and get cozy too. I'll meet you downstairs baby!" He was gone in a flash, so excited about his plans. 

Sam grumbled about getting cozy. This was the 3rd time in the last 24 hours that she had dropped hints for sex and he was too distracted to notice. She made a cute face, pulling on a grey knit dress and her flip flops. She pinned her back on top so it was half up, half down. She threw on some light makeup and walked downstairs. 

JC was standing at the bottom of the stairs, keys in his hand. He was messing with them a bit, feeling jitters and nervous energy. His smile got bigger when she came down the stairs. "Beautiful..."

She smiled and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Thank you handsome. Now you said brunch?" She grinned, "I like the sound of that."

"That I did," he helped her out to the car, opening the door for her before getting in himself. He was trying hard to just play it cool and also make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. He started the car, driving along the road. It wasn't a usual way he'd bring her downtown, he put his hand on her leg as he drove. "I hope you're hungry."

She rested her head on his shoulder and smiled, putting her sunglasses on. "I am actually. I worked out pretty hard in the gym this morning so I worked up a pretty big appetite." She glanced out the window, noticing the city was disappearing out of the car windows.

"You were working your butt off this morning, I may have watched just a little bit." His voice had the hint of a smile.

They drove for about 20 minutes, he took an unfamiliar exit off of the freeway, then turned them down a road that did not look like there were about to be any new restaurants on.

"And now you're spying?" She grinned cute, poking his side. "You've never had a problem interrupting me... I like interruptions you know..." She let her voice trail off a little bit as she looked out the window to see what was going on outside.

"I'll still interrupt. Just can't interrupt you every time," he grinned as he turned. In front of them was an airfield with a private plane sitting there, stairs already down. There was a steward waiting there with his arms crossed in front of him.

"Josh!" She made a soft noise, "Are we having brunch in some kind of new concept restaurant or something?" Her eyebrow shot up.

"You could most definitely say that. It's a really new thing." He parked and got out of the car, hurrying to help her out. He nodded to the steward, who came over to take their bags.

Sam reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Joshua Scott Chasez..."

"Samantha..." he kissed her cheek really softly and linked fingers with her as he walked her to the steps, helping her to go up. Inside the plane, there were a bunch of roses laying on the table with mimosas on ice and a spread of fruit and pastry to start. There were balloons blown up in an assortment of colors from pink and orange to teal and yellow, with confetti inside of them. There was nothing else, and no one else on the plane.

Sam was nearly speechless as she took the scene in. After a few moments, she gasped and whispered, "Oh my God. Josh... I...." She was looking around. The flowers, the fruit, the balloons. She walked over to the balloons and couldn't help but giggle slightly at the confetti inside. "Baby. Oh. Wow." She sighed so softly before she walked back to him, letting her lips linger on his with a few soft kisses. "You are the most incredible man."

JC slipped his arms around her with a big smile against her soft kisses. "Mmm, it's not even your birthday yet. I just wanted you to be thrown off a little, that's all. You deserve the world, my love, and I want to try and give it to you."

She looked at him and smiled against his lips. "You've already been giving me the world. I'm definitely surprised baby."

He kissed her once more with a smile. "C'mon honey, let's go get something to eat. This whole new brunch experience is about to take off." He helped her to sit down at the small table, then sat next to her rather than across. He pulled for a mimosa to hand her as the door was locked and the engine started.

She smiled, taking the mimosa, toasting him. "Thank you handsome. You're like straight out of my dreams. Wow."

"You ARE my dreams," he took a sip, "I will do anything I have to in order to make my girl happy, and I want to be the man of your dreams... I  want to be everything you've ever wanted."

"You're doing an amazing job, baby. You've BEEN doing an amazing job. I hope I've told you that enough. I'm sorry if I haven't." She took a sip of her mimosa before she brought her body a little closer to his with minimal space between them now. 

He leaned into her slightly and wrapped his arm around her. "Samantha, you are constantly telling me that I am doing right by you. Don't start to apologize for anything of the sort. You're so good to me, like so good. I love you." He leaned down and put his lips against her cheek, pressing his face into hers. "I love you so much."

She smiled and closed her eyes. "I love you too, Joshua Chasez. To the moon and back baby," She nuzzled her face against his cheek as they felt the plane start to take off. "Ohhhh."

He smiled on her skin and whispered, "We might be here awhile."

Sam smiled and nodded as he whispered. "Mmmm, okay." Her lips kissed on his cheek with a soft brush. "Have breakfast with me?"

"It is your special day after all." He grinned as he looked down at her, immediately reaching for a slice of banana, holding it up to her lips. "For my lady."

"Oh, what service," she giggled, taking the banana slice from his fingers and nibbled it. "Mmm."

He pursed his lips, licking them. Without a beat, he held up another one to her lips, watching how she took it from his fingers and it made him grin. 

She grinned back at him, taking another nibble. "Thanks baby. You're good at this." She leaned over to the table, taking a piece of watermelon, bringing it up to his lips. 

He took it from her, nibbling on her finger playfully too. "Oh oops, sorry about that." He pulled back enough to reach and add a little more juice to their mimosa flutes then take a sip of his.

Before they even knew what was happening, the steward came out with a full course breakfast. Eggs Benedict, pancakes, and bacon. They both sat in comfortable silence, eating, exchanging grins and flirtatious nibbles. Sam took a moment to get up from her chair and move to the couch, she leaned back and rubbed at her full tummy. "Oh wow."

JC got up to follow her, plopping down on the leather couch. He grinned, leaning back with a satisfied hum. The moment they stood up, the steward cleared everything out of the way and left them alone in the cabin again. "I think I might explode if I ate anything else. I didn't know what to have them make, so I told them everything." He grabbed a pillow and hugged it to him. "I said it was for someone special and it was kinda a big deal."

"We haven't had this big of a breakfast in ages! Mmm, it was amazing." She snuggled him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you." Her hand rested on his tummy too, where she rubbed softly.

He moaned softly, looking down. "There's a food baby in there honey, be gentle." He looked over at her, being so cute. He bit his lip, trying not to laugh while he reached to play with her hair.

Her laugh was soft. "I guess we'll be having twins then." She rubbed light circles over his shirt on his belly, peeking up at him with a big grin.

"Oh, food baby twins. We should start thinking of their names then. Benedict Chasez?" He furrowed his brows to look more serious.

Sam couldn't help but giggle at his pretend seriousness. "Benedict and Banana Chasez. There we go."

"Can you imagine?" He smirked, "The celebrity couple trend continues with the ridiculous children names. Apple, Banana, Benedict. I'm just going to tell you RIGHT NOW that is not happening and I don't care what you try to convince me with."

"Pfft, fine," she smirked. "I'll just take my need for a child named Pastry and let her be Pastry Bentley and raise her as a single mom." 

"Then Toaster Strudel Chasez will need to be mine alone, I guess. You would have been a good mom to him though..." He shrugged casually.

"Too bad," she grinned, "You'll need to find someone else willing I guess." She laughed so cutely and softly before she leaned away from him to take another sip of her mimosa. "Mmm." She tilted her head to look at him, smiling at his crinkly giggly eyes. "All joking aside, do you actually want kids?" Her voice was soft and thoughtful.

His giggle softened and stopped before he looked at her for a long moment. "I feel like we talked about this a little before. About adoption right?"

She nodded. "Yep. We're both adopted kids... it just seemed like it would be right."

JC studied her and smiled softly. "Being a parent scares me. Like a lot, to be honest. I guess so did falling in love though."

She smiled, kissing his cheek gently. "Absolutely no rush on it, Joshua. I wouldn't want to go into anything without both of us being completely sure it's what we wanted and we'd both be fully present to do it together."

"I agree, and I'm not worried about rushing into it... we have so much time baby." He sat up a little bit to take a sip of his mimosa. "Since we are on the topic though, would you want more than one and would you want to have your own?"

She smiled thoughtfully as she studied his face, her heart truly belonged to him and she knew it. "Mmm." She was thoughtful for another moment as she looked at him. "Yes, I could see 2 or maybe even 3. Pregnancy is such a beautiful thing, if I'm able to, I think it would be wonderful."

He reached to touch on her cheek with his fingertips. "Then I'll do my best to be ready when you are. When that time comes in our relationship, we can talk about it as much as you would like to."

She looked at him and smiled. "Oh sweetheart. I can be ready when you are too. When the time comes and we want to make that decision, however it might be, and whenever it might be."

***

Several hours had passed, gentle conversation and laughter helped to pass the time. Every chance he got, JC snuck glances at Samantha, wondering how he was able to be so lucky to be the one surprising her for her birthday. Eventually, they both got sleepy and retired to the bedroom at the back of the cabin.

Sam had her eyes closed, half asleep but more awake than not. JC was behind her, holding her tight and spooning her. The bed was heavenly and soft, and the rest she had was amazing. She was smiling to herself, feeling connected and safe.

JC had his face right against the back of her neck in the crook of her shoulder. He was completely relaxed and enjoying his spooning time with her. His arm was around her entirely and he was genuinely holding her close, as in there was no room between their bodies. He wasn't asleep any longer, now just resting his eyes and body. He felt the plane begin to descend and it made him smile. "Mmmmmm."

She sighed softly and leaned back into his body even more. "Baby are we landing?" She had absolutely no idea how long they had been up in the air. Between the food and the champagne and the snuggling time, she was enjoying herself.

His voice was low and relaxed, almost like a raspy whisper, "Yes baby, we're landing. Wheels on the ground in 30."

She nodded a bit and whispered, "I'm gonna roll over baby." She made a noise and rolled onto her side so she was facing him, her eyes were sleepy and satisfied. 

He smiled when she rolled over, immediately putting his arm around her again to pull her in. He was enjoying being in the moment with his girl. "Hi."

"Oh hi handsome," she rested her head on his chest, "Do I get to find out where we are going yet?"

He played with her hair just a bit as he put his head down to kiss the top of her head. "Mmm. Don't know if I'm going to let you find out just yet," he grinned to himself, "But you've been pretty good about not asking too much either."

Sam's laughter was soft and it made him smile. "I'm letting you take the lead and surprise me baby. Though this could explain how you've been a little distracted the last week."

His lips were on her head and he mumbled into her hair, "Oh I haven't been distracted honey, I've known what I was doing." He still wasn't getting the hint. "I've been focused on you and this plan for a little while now. Mmhmm."

Sam laughed softly. He didn't get it, and she wasn't about to press it when he was doing all of this for her. "Ohh have you daddy?"

He grinned so hard on her hair and she could feel it too. "I have." He kissed his way down to her face, along her cheek until his lips met hers and he smiled again. "Baby, you have no idea."

Sam smiled and rested her hands on his abs. She was playing with them gently, feeling how cut they were from touring life. "This romantic man who has taken over my boyfriend's body. I love it."

"Heyyyy now," he pulled his head back a bit to look at her. "Your boyfriend always had the romance in him. He just needed it to be activated."

She looked up at him and could see in his eyes that he was actually a little bit hurt by her statement. "Oh sweetheart. Baby. I'm thankful it's been activated. And I'm blessed that it's me that can get it all." She reached up to touch his face, "I love you."

His eyes really did take a moment to search hers, then he smiled again. "I have to admit that I've never quite been this way before with anyone else..." his voice trailed off when the pilot interrupted him.

"Monsieur et madame, bienvenue à Paris, France! Welcome to Paris, Mr. and Mrs." 

Her ears perked up. She had been to France many times and recognized that language. She broke out into a huge grin. "Joshua Scott Chasez!"

He grinned so big. "Samantha Bentley. Yes?"

She leaned in and let her lips go at him. She was giddy and surprised and in love, and she attacked him with her kiss. 

He couldn't help but let out a cute laugh but alsoa  low hum as her lips crashed into his. His arms both wrapped around her and he was kissing and smiling between kisses. "Happy birthday weekend, baby."

"It's almost yours too!" she grinned on his lips, "Or should I say joyeux anniversaire. Happy birthday, sweetheart."

He smiled and rubbed his nose against hers. "Thank you love." The plane came to a stop on the ground and the steward began to unlock the doors and prepared for arrival. "There's going to be a car waiting to take us to the hotel, and your surprises haven't stopped." He kissed her once soft and tenderly, a complete change from their usual frantic, needy kisses they had grown accustomed to. 

Sam smiled on his tender kiss. JC hadn't given her any of his needy, frantic vibes in over a week. Since he had his jealousy meltdown over the IKEA cashier and college boys, his affection toward her was different, not in a bad way, but in a new, grown way. "I can't wait sweetheart. I love your surprises."

JC grinned and sat up, pulling her with him. "C'mon, there's a beautiful hotel room waiting for your arrival and some beauty sleep." He smirked, loving that everything in his plan was working out smoothly and according to schedule. 

"That'll be amazing. Maybe a bath and a good rest. Unless you have other plans baby." She took his hand and let him lead her to the plane steps. All of the sudden, the stewards were moving two brand new Louis Vuitton suitcases and it made her grin. 

JC helped her down to the black escalade. "Both of those can go in the trunk thank you." He nodded to the valet and then he opened the car door for her.

Sam slid into the car after he helped her in, she watched as he climbed in next to her. The driver closed the door afterwards. She buckled in and scootched a little closer to him, resting her head on his arm. "Baby, this is honestly the sweetest thing a man has ever done for me. Maybe anyone ever."

He leaned his head down to be against hers for a moment. "Taking you on a trip is the sweetest thing anyone has done? None of your other boyfriends have ever taken you anywhere baby?"

Sam laughed softly. "It is. If it didn't involve wanting sex or something else, it didn't happen. And I'm not the kind of woman who readily lets surprises and sweeping off my feet happen to me. I'm a planner and an alpha female. So I always had my hands in all the plans."

JC kissed her temple and reached to slip his fingers in with hers. "Well I love that you're an independent woman, in fact I think it's fucking sexy and you know it, but there's only room for one alpha in a real relationship. And I want to be the one doing the spoiling, so thank you for letting me sweep you off of your feet."

"Oh no, thank YOU for being man enough to do that. No one else ever has before." She let her fingers interlock with his and she smiled. She leaned her head on him but rather than looking up at him, she glanced out the window over his shoulder. The Champs-Elysees and fancy shopping began to whip by them. It was early morning in Paris and things were just starting to come to life in the city. JC smiled and looked at her. Their car ride the whole way to the hotel was filled with a comfortable silence. He wanted to enjoy the moment of being in Paris with her and take in all the memories. He knew this trip was only happening like this once in a lifetime. He had made sure to tell the driver to go a back way to the hotel so they wouldn't take in too many of the sights. 

Sam played with their hands on his leg, taking a moment to look at her left hand intertwined with his right one. His hands were so much bigger than hers, and it made her get lost thinking about how they were strong and steady and she had already come to rely on him for so much. She had never felt that way and opened up to a man before... why was it JC all of the sudden? Was she opening up her heart too soon or was he legitimately the real deal?

JC pulled their hands up and put it against his face as he looked down at her with positively adoring eyes. The car pulled up to the hotel, the Four Seasons George V. It was swanky and classically Parisian. He smiled. "I love you."

"Love you to infinity Josh." She smiled and took a moment to look at him as the driver opened the door. "Oh, wow. Honey."

"Welcome to Paris my love," He kissed her fingers and helped her out of the car, nodding to the driver. "Merci." He led her inside to the Concierge Key desk, full on speaking French to inform the staff he had a reservation for Chasez. 

Sam looked at him a few times and blinked. That was unexpectedly such a turn on.

He handed over his black card to be put on file and took the keys given to him, nodding once again when asked about sending their bags up to the room as soon as possible. He took her hand again and led her to the elevators. "We stayed here the last time we were in town. I thought you might like it."

"Oh honey. I will love ANYTHING you do for me." She smiled and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "But this is going to be wonderful. I've only read about the Four Seasons in Paris in magazines. Wow."

"I had too until this promo tour. Now I'm kinda spoiled because it's that amazing." He grinned as the elevator went all the way to the top, the doors opened to reveal a gorgeous marble floor, hallway with flowers and mirrors that led to a huge antique looking door. 

She whispered because it was so beautiful and fancy. "Oh, wow." She was taking it all in, the marble and the gold and the flowers. She looked at their reflection in the mirror as they came to the grand door. 

He held the key to the pad and opened the door for her to walk in. Once again, the same balloons and confetti filled the room just as a sporadic touch, not over the top. There was a bouquet of flowers on the entry table and a card that said her name on it.  She let out an eep at the flowers and balloons and decor. She could see the kitchen and the living area and the doorway to the bedroom, and she pulled his hand over to the table with the flowers. 

He couldn't help but grin, getting the exact reaction he wanted out of her. "Happy Birthday. I'm going to say that like 50 times while we are here, so... hope you get used to that." He squeezed her hand then got behind her, wrapping his arms around  the front of her.

"Eep. Do I open the card before we go in further or do you have other plans for us baby?" She leaned back into his body.

"Baby, there are no must haves or must dos while we're here. I just want things to happen as they are. I have plans for some things but things can also be changed. If you want to open the card, you can, or wait until you're alone, or after dinner. It doesn't matter to me." He let his head dip down to put his chin on her shoulder. 

She smiled as she continued to lean back into his body, reaching for the envelope and pulling it up. His guy handwriting made her grin really big. "Ohh sweetheart!"

Every princess deserves flowers for her birthday, but my princess deserves much more. Welcome to Paris my love, your birthday is just beginning. I hope you like surprises. 

Love you, Josh

She looked down at the car and made a soft noise. "Oh Josh. Baby!" She turned behind her to look at him and sighed so soft. "I love surprises when they're from you. I love you." 

He smiled, pulling her to turn around to face him, he took the card out of her hand gently to place it on the table. He took her hands, pulling them up around his neck and put his forehead to hers. No words needed, just a push of his lips to hers in a soft and loving kiss. 

Her eyes fluttered closed, he always made her heart melt. Her lips brushed against his softly and she let herself kiss over and over. He made a soft little mmm, continuing to hold his hands at the back of her neck. He kept the kisses nice and slow, nothing rushed. There was even a little smile here and there, just them, standing in their entry way, in Paris. She sighed on his kiss, pulling him in a bit more, but not making moves to ramp things up either. They were light and she let her hands slide up the back of his long sleeved shirt where she rubbed softly. 

He smiled again, ending their kiss so he could take a soft breath himself, then he whispered, "I could kiss you all day long." His arms wrapped more around her so they were standing stomach to stomach, but he was looking down at her.

She smiled and nodded against his face. "I could too baby." her voice was barely above a whisper, but it was warm and full of love. "You're kinda that amazing."

He grinned. "Well, while I'm sure we could just lay here all day and tell the other how amazing we think they are and how much love we have for each other, I think we might want to get settled a bit." He touched her face and stroked her cheek with his thumb.

She smiled and closed her eyes again. She turned into goo for him all the time and couldn't help it. "You lead the way baby, I'm all yours."

He took her hand and pulled her along into the room. "Well, I knew we were going to have a long flight so I had an idea for us." The bedroom was classically beautiful and as luxe as she could have dreamed up. When he walked her into the living room, there was a huge box with a ribbon on it. It was sitting on the couch surrounded by a couple of pretty little gift bags with perfect paper and all.

She looked around and gasped. "Oh my gosh, baby!" She turned to look at him. 

He smiled. "It's your birthday, remember. Open the box first..." 

She walked over to the box and took the lid off. Inside was an insanely soft and fluffy knee length robe, a pretty ivory with pink silk letters embroidered on the back with her full name - Samantha. There were matching faux mink slippers too. "Oh, it's so soft!" She turned it around to look at the back and grinned. "Oh now you can keep track of me daddy."

He leaned against the sofa, grinning so cute. "Keep track of you? What do you mean?"

"My name is on the back," she giggled, "You'll always be able to find me." She licked her lips flirtatiously. "Am I slipping this on for you baby? Or is that for later?"

"Oh," he laughed lightly, "Just in case I lose you in a crowd of other robe wearing model girlfriends, I'll know this was the right choice. And why don't you just go ahead and open up the smaller bag and you'll find out what your answer to that is." 

She looked at him and smiled, walking over to the other bag. Inside contained a beautiful envelope with a hand written spa package for half of the day. She was going to get pampered from head to toe, and it wasn't only for her, but for him too. Couples everything. Facial, body scrub and massages with whatever add ons she wanted. "Josh." she looked up at him. "Thank you honey. Now I see why you said we were going to relax."

He smiled. "I know how tiring traveling can be and how the time difference can be rough on us, so I wanted to make sure you were going to be taken care of and still get to be with me. I've never had a facial but I won't mind trying it with you." He scratched the back of his head in that endearing way he did. 

"Baby, I promise you'll be manly even after all of this is done." She walked back to him and gave him a tight hug. "Thank you."

He made a gentle noise and put his nose up against hers. "I know, I'll just be pretty and manly." He kissed her cheek, "First appointment is in about 40 minutes."

She grinned. "You're already pretty. Probably prettier than me. Your eyes, your cheekbones, and that wavy hair." She nibbled on his lip. "Let's get ready to go, baby."

"No one is prettier than you, and that's that." He grabbed at her waistline and pulled away from her with a cute grin, walking to go grab the luggage that was dropped off at the front door. 

"Uhh, and Louis suitcases! You're quite the model yourself now, Mr. Chasez. I didn't know you had them."

"I didn't. Bought them last week," he grinned, taking them into the room and putting them on a luggage stand each. "Like, I bought each of us a set."

"Ugh. You are winning so many points Joshua Scott." She looked at the clock and smirked to herself. She was about to pass a comment but she stopped herself because she knew he wasn't going to take the bait. He was in his happy love bubble.

"I like winning points. I like winning anything," he laughed, "especially points with you." He pulled out a few things from his suitcase. "By the way, I think I did a pretty good job packing for you."

"I guess I can be the judge of that." She grinned and walked to the other suitcase, unzipping it. "Let's see baby."

"Down to your perfume, your normal jewelry and probably half of your side of the bathroom is in there," he smiled, "And if I did forget something, we can grab whatever you need of course." He walked over and kissed her cheek on his way to the bathroom to put his stuff in there for now.

She smiled, looking through everything. "Oh wow." She pulled out her cosmetic bag and peeked in and was in awe at the detail. She unzipped her jewelry bag and smiled. "On point as usual." She followed him into the bathroom to put her things down on the other counter. "I didn't know you observed all these things about me Josh. I'm honestly in awe a little bit."

"Of course I've noticed all of those things baby, I notice a lot even if I don't say everything I see." He looked at her through the mirror. 

She smiled and nodded, watching his reflection watch her. "I am blessed that I deserve you Josh." She sighed softly as their eyes really caught in the reflection of the mirror. She held his gaze for a few good moments before she offered one more soft and almost shy smile, needing to leave the bathroom. She walked back to her suitcases and she was smiling as she unpacked her things into the monster closet. The dresses and outfits he picked out for her were all ones he had commented on previously as his favorites. 

Watching her look at him like that was everything to him. He couldn't stop smiling himself and the scene of them unpacking their things for the time they'd be there. They were passing small glances and smiles when they looked up at the other. When he finished with his suitcase, he zipped it up and put it in a corner so it was out of the way. He passed her one last grin and walked out to the living room to grab her robe.

She slid her bag in the same spot as his but on the opposite side of the closet so they complimented each other. "Are we ready to start our spa time baby?" She watched him carrying the robe. 

"I figured we could go ahead and head down there so we could take a few moments to get something to drink and start winding down?" He smiled as he handed her the robe. "This will be a few hours."

"That would be fantastic, Josh." She leaned over and brushed her lips against his cheek. "Let's go enjoy." She slipped the robe into the crook of her arm before she took his hand.

He grabbed a key and his wallet, and into the elevator they walked. He locked their fingers tighter together as he leaned back against the wall of the elevator. "Anything you want on that spa menu is yours, and I mean it." He smiled as they went all the way down to the ground floor.

She smiled and leaned in, resting her lips against his neck. She left a lazy little trail of kisses along his skin as the elevator went down. She was just loving on him because she WAS in love so hard. "Mmm. Noted baby."

"Mmmm," he closed his eyes and smiled, loving how comfortable she was loving on him and more importantly how comfortable he was with her loving on him. He lifted his head up a bit and to the side to allow her lips better access. "I want to spoil you."

"Mmm." She kissed up to just under his ear and she sucked on that spot lightly with another few light kisses, before she whispered on his ear, "Spoil away Daddy."

JC grunted and his head came down to look at her really quickly with that look. The doors opened and there were a few people waiting to go up in the elevator. He took a breath, pulling her off and started walking a little faster than they were on their way to the elevator.

Sam grinned. That was the first reaction she had gotten from him in a hot minute, and she needed that. She was happily right by his side, holding his hand innocently like nothing happened at all. 

He cleared his throat as he took a turn down another hallway that had dimmed lights and spa music playing. The atmosphere already was perfect and relaxing with a bit of bamboo scent in the air. He held her close when they walked in. There was a sign that read Quiet Please in French and English, so his voice was soft and low. "Joshua Chasez."

She smiled when she saw the recognition flash in the receptionist's eyes of both JC and her. She kissed his cheek again and held him tightly. Something about him saying his name soft and low was sexy as hell to her. At this moment, she was completely confident in the idea that this man was her partner for the long haul.

He handed over his card and said softly, "Just keep it on file and charge everything to my room. I'll worry about the details when I leave later this week." He kissed her head and walked with her over to the sitting area. There were different fruit infused waters and huge comfy chairs to sit on or oversized beanbags. The receptionist stumbled over her words but composed herself quickly to tell them they could both get changed and use a locker for their clothes, and to meet back there ready to be taken to the spa.

She couldn't help but chuckle lightly as JC opened the door for her to the changing room. "Those blue eyes of yours still get the ladies tongue tied, Mr. Chasez." She grinned so cute as she closed the door behind them.

"Hush" he smirked, "Do not make me bring up where most men's eyes wander when you're around." He started to take his shoes off and pulling up his shirt, putting both in a locker, then throwing his pants on top, grabbing a robe for himself to put on. 

"Some guys like a nice pair and some happen to appreciate a good booty," she grinned, poking him in the side teasingly before she reached the fluffy white tie of his robe, leaving it open for a moment. She let her eyes admire him and take their time on him but not too long, just a good appreciation.

He wasn't expecting her to do that, so he looked down at himself and then up at her looking at him and he grinned. "I know, I haven't been keeping up with the tour body I came home with. I'm sorry mama." 

She laughed softly. "Baby you're perfect in my eyes. Tour body or home body. I love that you can just be comfortable with me and not worry. And we can enjoy cooking together and spending time together." She stepped forward, placing a soft kiss on his chest just above his heart. "I love you." She needed to step away from him and she followed suit, slipping off her flip flops and sticking them in the locker, then slipping off her grey knit dress, unclasping her bra as well. She slipped on her new robe making a soft noise when it hit her skin. It was soft and snuggly.

He smiled as he watched her, tying his robe closed, just in his Calvin briefs. "I love being comfortable with you. I'm always comfortable around you... and damn does that fit you perfectly baby."

"You knocked it out of the park Mr. Chasez," she smiled and tied her robe as well. She reached up and pulled her long blonde hair into a messy top knot to be ready for the spa. "Now, spoil me baby. I'm ready."

JC grinned, walking over to her and cupping her chin in his hand. He pulled her face up to kiss those lips real good, with more pressure than the last kiss they had. "Mmm. That's what I wanted to hear." He kissed again, taking her hand and leading her to the dark and peaceful waiting area. There was lemon and mint water waiting on them.

She giggled softly, taking a sip of her water. She was thinking about his kiss... he was hands down the best lover she'd ever ever ever had. Even his kisses could make her head spin. 

He looked over at her when she giggled and it made him smile. Both therapists walked in to greet them, escorting them down a private hallway that was opened by a key card. The entire room they walked into was the size of a studio apartment. There was a wall of running water, candles everywhere, two massage beds, a stone bed, a Vichy shower, hot tub, sauna and more. It was a one stop room for an exceptional spa day. There was even a closed off room if they wanted to be alone to eat or unwind. "Oh. This."

Sam's eyes searched all around the room then fell on him. She could see in his eyes that he was just as in awe as she was.. "Oh wow. Baby, this is gorgeous. Exceptional. My goodness."

His voice was soft and thoughtful. "I wanted to know that we wouldn't be bothered and we could have as much done as your heart desires, baby." He smiled and brought his lips to her temple. "I suggested the massages and body treatment first, is that okay?"

"That would be wonderful baby," she leaned into his body, "Let's relax together." She gave his hands a soft squeeze before she let go and slipped off her robe to get on the table as their therapists stood by. This was quite the five star experience, even more than some fashion insiders had given her. 

JC hung up his robe and got on the table next to her, smiling over at her. "Sorry if I fall asleep on you sweetheart, love you." The therapists brought over multiple things and asked JC something in french to which he nodded in response. Before they knew it, a warm oil was poured over their bodies and hot stones were placed on their spines to sit. 

***

Three hours later, their bodies were beat up and massaged and scrubbed and they were both satisfied. JC led her back up to their room where he promised them lunch.

She smiled, tilting her head a bit as she watched him in their living room. "Josh, thank you for an amazing morning so far. This is beyond anything I could have dreamed. Just when I didn't think you could be more perfect..."

He mumbled against her face, "It's not close to being over baby," he smiled, "I want you to get comfy and look at a menu for me."

She bit her lip with a sparkle in her eye. "Can comfy be naked, baby?" She felt like she needed to ask though she was sure she knew the answer. 

He laughed real  low. "Most definitely can be naked if that's what you feel like doing." He grinned, "Like I'm gonna say no you can't be naked." He laughed real cute, leading her into the bedroom before he began to peel his clothes off, which were kinda damp. 

"Mmmk." she smiled, slipping her dress off along with her damp bra and panties. She left her hair up in the top knot as she crawled into their luxurious California King Bed. She laughed slightly, knowing the size of the bed was ridiculous since JC didn't believe in personal space, and frankly, neither did she. She leaned over to grab the room service menu off of the night stand. "So much food." 

He took their clothes and tossed them into their little laundry room with a smile... he came walking out, absolutely naked, his hands holding two bottles of water. "Gotta drink water after that kind of massage and stuff baby..."

"Mmm yes definitely." She looked up at him. "Can't be dry. Nope." she grinned cute, needing to look back at the menu. JC in all his confident and naked glory was so fucking distracting every single time. "How does a ham and melted cheese on a croissant sound with a side of soup?"

He stood at the side of the bed, watching her as she read the menu. "How does that sound to me, or how does that sound for you? Because that's not gonna be enough for me."

"Well that should be enough for me now. It depends how many more times we are going to eat today, daddy."

"Well baby it's lunchtime. We will rest for a little bit so we don't get too tired and then I'm taking you somewhere tonight for dinner. So I'll let you decide on that."

"Mmm. Then that'll be enough for me. Maybe I'll add in a lemon pastry too." She grinned and held out the menu. "What does daddy want?"

He took the menu and bit the corner of his lip as he kneeled down on the bed with one knee. "I want to see what their French Onion soup is like with maybe a Monte Cristo sandwich. Oh yes, all of the yes."

Sam watched him look at the menu and the way he was grinning and smirking. She was truly taking the time to admire him. She took all of him in. The way his body moved, the littlest bit of hair that led from his stomach down to his hips, And oh his hips... the way his hips were shaped, and that delicious V that she loved so much. She even took a moment to admire the way his package looked. He wasn't turned on but it still made her smirk. She let out a soft sigh. This man was all hers. She felt pretty fucking lucky. 

"That's what I want." He reached for the room phone, still with his leg on the bed, and he began to talk in a low voice in French, he was talking with his hand too as he described what they both wanted. "25 minutes, baby."

Sam blinked a few times, watching him. "You are something else, Joshua Chasez." She shook her head. 

He looked at her, raising his eyebrow. "Huh? I am? Cause I ordered for you?"

She smirked. "I'm going to be perfectly blunt now, Joshua, and I don't do this often." She bit at her lip, "You literally radiate sex. Even when you're not trying."

Both of his brows went up sky high. "Oh shit. You think so?"

She couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, not laughing at him, or at herself for that matter. "Joshua Scott, I've never been more sexually attracted to a man in my life than I am to you. Whether or not you're tearing it up and breaking chases in Vegas or you're being the sweetest gentleman ever in Paris. It's not gonna change the fact that you turn me on when you don't even try."

He licked his lips a little bit, and just her words turned him on a little bit. He crawled onto the bed and cupped her face into his hands, getting inches away from her lips. "Are you turned on right now?"

She smiled up on his lips and went in for a playful nibble with a light growl, all the answer he needed. 

He growled right back with a grin. "Daddy got 20 minutes." He nipped right back at her lip while he made quick work of her body being under him in seconds. She was pinned with nowhere to go and now he was completely turned on. He blinked a few times, looking down at her, having the realization that he hadn't had a moment like this with her in a hot minute.

Sam let out a little sigh and moan when he turned on and pressed against her that way, oh did she miss it. She leaned in a little bit more, crashing her lips to his with a good tug while her hips pushed up at him a bit. 

JC let out a low and long moan with her slight hastiness. One hand grabbed at her leg and threw it to the side so it slipped off the side of the bed. He was against her, and he pushed his hips hard. She was so ready for him that the push of his hips alone allowed him to slip inside. He didn't know it was like that, and it even made him suck in a breath for a second because his body was reminding him that it had been days-- which felt like forever.

Sam sucked in a breath of her own, knowing how bad her body craved him, but she didn't realize it was as bad as it was. Her body trembled beneath him when he pushed those hips and she moaned out his name. Her hands reached down and made fists of the bed on both sides of her while her one leg continued to hang off the side of the bed.

His mouth found hers as she moaned out his name. He sucked on her open lips as he bucked his hips into hers for good measure, before pulling out and bucking again with a low grunt. His hand found her jaw, holding it as he repeated the quick and short, hard thrusts against her. 

She reached up and grabbed onto something, anything above her. One hand grabbed a pillow and the other tried to reach for the headboard to steady here. Her hips rocked with his, as his short, quick thrusts caused her to meet his with her own so their skin smacked a bit. She could feel that she wasn't going to be able to hold on for much longer because her need for him was too intense. She moaned out, but into his mouth where she then took that kiss, stealing it back with a greedy suck of his lips.

He was sucking in short breaths and letting out grunts and noises between them. He forgot how long it had actually been and he knew he wasn't going to last very long himself. His brows furrowed and he grabbed the leg that he threw down and hiked it over his hip, shifting their position just a bit. "Ohhhhh FUUUUUUU...." Their skin smacking was echoing in the closet because the door was open just enough. 

As soon as their position shifted, she went to raise her hips and tighten her core but she was no match for the shockwave he sent her body. She immediately started to tremble and let go, literally yelling out his name in a frenzy. "JOSH! OH! BABY!" She had to let go of the headboard because she just couldn't grip it anymore.

Her body going into an immediate climax like that, which he could feel immensely caused him to throw his face down against hers and kiss her deeply, regardless of whether it was sloppy or not. He wasn't able to make out words, just guttural noises as his body released every bit of sexual tension he didn't realize he had. The bed was antiqued and heavy but even it was moving a little bit. This was one of the hardest and quickest climaxes he had ever had himself. As his eyes closed he wanted it to be burned in his memory 

Her body continued to tremble as her hips rocked with his. He knew her so well... those hips of his worked her until the very last moment of pleasure could hold on. Her lips fell off his kiss but it was mixed in with satisfied moans and low grunts. She kissed and kissed and kissed over and over again until they became less sloppy and more aware. Her body was tingling from her head to her toes. 

His lips had fallen off the side of her cheek and his hips finally began to slow themselves. There were a few more thrusts until his body crashed down against hers. He was feeling twitchy and groaning as he tried to even catch his breath. He was almost in an out-of-body experience. He couldn't even handle how much he didn't know he was neglecting the sex.

She made a little noise beneath him, welcoming his strong body on top of hers. Her eyes were closed and satisfied as hell, oh did she need him so badly. Her lips went to his shoulder where they rested. She was satisfied and happy and in tune with his body. 

He needed a couple minutes to just be. When those moments passed, he was able to breathe normally and he made a low hum, shifting his weight so he wasn't completely on top of her. "Mmm. I don't even know how that happened or how fast baby, but I'm not mad in the least."

Sam's eyes were still closed and she mumbled softly. "Baby, I've been hinting to you for like the last week how badly I needed sex. Ohh, that was so good." She moaned softly again. 

He rolled to the side and looked down at her. "You have? Like I've missed out on your hints for sex?"

"Yes," she laughed softly, "I told you to meet me in the shower this morning. You were busy getting things together for this trip. Same thing with the gym. And I am totally not offended in any way because I know you were so busy thinking about this trip together and having it be seamless. Which it IS thanks to your attention to detail. But I definitely had a moment of like... is he not into me sexually anymore, not gonna lie." She looked up at him. 

"Baby... no no no! You're serious? I'm so sorry."

She looked at him and couldn't help but smile. "Josh you surprised me with a trip out of my literal dreams. I think a week without sex is perfectly excusable. But clearly all it took was for me to be a little bit more forthcoming with what I wanted. So I won't hint anymore." She smirked, "I'll just tell you I need you if that happens again."

He went from being concerned to having a grin for days. "My mind was very much occupied and please, just tell me when you're feeling it baby. I won't have a problem giving you what you need. I think I just had never done anything like this before and I wanted everything to be so perfect that I let time get away." He leaned down and brushed his lips softly against hers. "Love you."

"You've never had a problem giving me what I needed," she smiled on his lips, "I love you more baby. I love when you love me... I love when you surprise me with things and I love to just watch you. I'm happy to admire you."

He went to say something with a smirk when the doorbell rang. "Shit," he mumbled, tossing a blanket over her. He stumbled over to his PJ pants that were nearby and pulled them on to answer the door. He looked over his shoulder and yelled "I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!" 

At last, my love has come along

My lonely days are over and life is like a song

Sam smiled, humming along to the music in the grand bathroom. She leaned up on her tiptoes, finishing off her makeup and hair. JC was scurrying around in the suite. He had been mysterious for the start of the evening, only telling her she should get dolled up and wear the dress he had hung up for her on the hanger in the closet. She loved when he played the mysterious card and she couldn't stop smiling at her reflection. He had picked out a blush simple dress, made of a soft silk material. It was fit to hug her curves ever so slightly with a slit up one leg all the way up to her thigh.

JC was finishing getting dressed in the closet, standing in front of the mirror.  He was wearing a nice light grey button down shirt with a pair of black dress pants and some killer shiny black dress shoes. His cuffs matched his belt and he was looking and feeling straight out of the pages of GQ magazine. His heart felt a little on edge but he was so happy, taking in all of his feelings of being in Paris like this. He leaned closer to the mirror to fix a piece of his perfect hair, slicked back just slightly. 

She put on her makeup setting spray and glossed up her lips nice and pink. She looked at the clock then leaned toward the closet. "Josh honey, I need five minutes. Is that okay?"

"I probably do too, so take your time." He smiled softly, sending off a text and making a quick phone call.

Sam fixed everything up and did her thing, snapping a quick picture of herself for good measure. She walked into the bedroom and slipped on her matching Jimmy Choo heels. They made her smile as she spun around in a little circle. 

JC slipped his phone in his pocket and made sure he had his wallet and all the things he was going to need for the evening. He leaned against the little island in the kitchen as he waited for her, feeling anticipatory butterflies in his belly. 

She left a light little cloud of Chloe behind as she grabbed her clutch with everything she needed, calling out for her man. "Baby, I'm ready!" She was glowing from head to toe-- happy, romanced and loved. All new feelings for her and she was never letting them go. 

He stood up straight when she walked out of the bedroom, and you could hear him make a noise. "Oh my god." His voice was almost under a breath, not a whisper but not completely inaudible either.

Sam smiled so big when she saw him and heard his noise. "Ohhh my Josh. You are the most handsome man I think I'll ever see." She held at her heart.

He put his hand over his own heart and shook his head with a smile. "I can't even express to you how beautiful you are to me. Good God." He talked over to her and put his hand along her side. "Baby, you're literally stunning."

She smiled, gazing into his eyes for a long minute. Her heart was very full and she couldn't help wanting to take the time to be in the moment. "You did a nice job of picking this out, honey."

He smiled softly, leaning down to kiss her lips only once. "I thought you'd be beautiful in it and I was right. It's perfect for a night like this. I promise."

She smiled, letting her lips graze once more. "Mmm. I trust you baby. Lead the way, I'm yours tonight."

"Mmmm," he couldn't take his lips off hers just yet either, needing to kiss her a couple times real soft and real slow. He mumbled, "Damn right you're mine."

She giggled softly. "All yours." She gave his lip a tiny nibble then she needed to break away. She had to stop herself because he was looking straight out of one of her fantasies. She knew she needed to slow her roll.

He licked his lips slowly and shook his head. "Mmm. C'mon baby, we have a car waiting on us." He took her hand and led her to the elevator, then down to the front entrance where a towncar was waiting for them with the door opened.

She let out a cute squeal when he helped her into the car, as it drove off she rested her head on his shoulder. "How is it that everything is perfectly executed with you?"

He looked down at her and smiled. "Nothing is perfect. You're just in this cute little love bubble right now, right along with me."

"Okay fine," she smirked, "Just don't pop my love bubble. I'll be mad. I like thinking you're basically perfect." She leaned in and poked his side, "I did pick you to be my man after all."

"Trust me when I tell you I'm not popping any love bubbles, not tonight anyway." He laughed real low and leaned over to kiss the side of her face. "Tonight is special you know..."

"Yep, it is. Tonight is the night I'm only 2 years younger than you instead of 3 starting at midnight." She giggled softly and tilted her head as he kissed on her face.

"Yes, that's right. And we only have a few hours before you're that much older." The city was all around them, but they were leaving the busy downtown area. The car was taking a few turns here and there and slowing down because the cobblestone streets were bumpy. The sidewalks were lit by dozens of tall lanterns.

She smiled and nuzzled up against his face. "Mmm. Yup. Old like you," she grinned and poked his side before leaning in to kiss him softly. She was so tuned into loving on him that she didn't even notice the city had almost disappeared until the car got a little bit darker from the lack of light around them.

JC didn't say anything, just observing out the window and noticing they were where they were about to be left off. The car came to a stop and he said up. "Oh, this is us. C'mon babydoll." He took her hand and got out of the car, helping her out after him. There was literally no one else around them, no other sounds for miles except the light breeze of a summer evening and a few crickets too. No matter where you looked, left, right, there was nothing but lights, trees and a building here or there. 

She fixed her dress as they began to walk, peeking around her. Everything was so quiet and pristine that she almost couldn't handle it. "Ohhh, Josh." She shifted her gaze to look at him and her eyes sparkled in the lantern light. "Baby."

He smiled just lightly as they started to walk down the path. "What?"

"This is beautiful." She squeezed his hand. 

His voice was soft and stern. "Another side of France you deserve to see baby... I want you to remember tonight, spending our birthdays together for the first time." He walked her down a few more steps and pulled her in another direction which was lined with a tunnel of tall bushes and smaller lanterns, but only for a few steps, then they reached a view of the Paris skyline that was breathtaking. 

She made the softest little eep and snuggled into him, needing to whisper as she held onto him, "Ohhh, wow."

He hummed softly as well, wrapping his arms around her, snuggling his face into the crook of her neck for a minute. He was holding her and enjoying every moment of it. "Wow is right."

She closed her eyes and sighed cute, letting him hold her and make her feel safe from the world. Her hands rested on top of his hands that were resting on her hips. "Paris is magic. I don't care what anybody says, I've always felt that way. But it's not called the city of romance for nothing. You bring out a side of Paris that I haven't been able to experience, Joshua."

His voice was low and in her ear. "That was what I was hoping for baby." He put his lips under her earring and mumbled, "You should look down on the ledge in front of you."

She had goosebumps, every nerve of hers was heightened from him and she couldn't contain her heart. "Oh Josh." She peeked down then bent down to the ledge to lift the box up. She lifted the lid off and grinned. Inside the box was a polaroid camera with a sticky note that read "because you love to capture the little things." "Eeeep!" she giggled softly and snapped a picture of him right there.

"I knew that was going to happen," he laughed, "I just knew it." He nipped at her neck softly and took the camera from her while she held the new photo. "For real now, just you and me in the moment in this beautiful spot." He reached up to take one of them and they were so in tuned, and the background behind them was picture-perfect. 

She laughed cutely and leaned to kiss him softly. "You make every moment worth capturing baby. Even when you can predict I'm going to want one of you watching me."

"You see baby, that's the beauty of getting to date someone and observing things that aren't always noticeable in the beginning. I like that I'm still getting to learn new things about you. I never want to stop." He took her hand and kept the camera in his other as they continued to stroll along.

"Mmm, neither do I, Josh." She smiled and she swung their hands between them as they strolled. She was checking out some of the buildings. The night was warm but not hot, the light breeze was just right. "I feel like we'll both always have things to teach each other."

"Of course. Just like when one of us is angry about something, you're gonna have to tell me point blank sometimes that I was a jerk and made you mad." He smirked to himself, "Because I'm a guy and that automatically makes me an idiot."

Sam grinned, "And likewise, because I'm a woman and I'm always right, but every once in awhile you might have a valid point that I might miss." She licked her lips cutely. 

He couldn't help but start to laugh, nodding a few times. "Noted baby, noted."

"Nice job Josh," she giggled and leaned in to kiss his cheek, "This is why I'm going to keep you."

"Oh good, I was hoping you'd still say that." He smirked and stopped, pulling her into him so he could look down at her while there were still enough lanterns around to light the area around them and he could look into her eyes, he wanted to have as many moments as he could. "I have another little gift for you."

She smiled, peeking up and looking into his eyes. Hers were sparkling because he had her so deeply in her feelings. "Okay baby, spoil away. I won't argue with you today about spoiling me. I promised!"

"You only gonna let me spoil you for this one night?" He smirked as he slipped something into her hand while her eyes were locked on him. It was cool and metal, and was difficult to tell what it was based on touch right away. It was a beautiful, antique looking skeleton key.

She grinned cute and said in a sing song voice "Just one night, baby!" She smiled and felt along in her hand, unable to determine the contents just by touch. She opened up her hand and held the key up. "Oh baby it's beautiful!"

JC smiled, taking her hand again. "You'll need that later." They continued to walk down a path and he looked over at her, as she was still admiring the key. "Hey Samantha..."

She smiled, playing with her key in the palm of her hand. "Mmm. Yes, Handsome?"

"I think you should turn around." They just walked up on a beautiful, hidden Chateau. Typically, chateaus were found more in the French countryside, but this one was tucked away just on the outskirts of Paris. It was lit up slightly, but not overly glowing. 

She turned around and let out a sweet gasp. "Josh! It's magnificent. Oh my gosh." Her voice wasn't even above a whisper. She was awe-struck.

He smiled down at her, letting her have a moment. He wanted to remember her having this moment forever. After a few moments passed he whispers, "I think that key goes to something." He slipped his hand inside hers and squeezed a little. 

"Can you help me figure that out baby?" she leaned in, gazing up into his eyes for a moment. "You're my partner and I think we should do it together." She smiled, leaning in a bit more to kiss him softly. 

He grinned into her kiss as he pulled her along the path They were walking and kissing, needing a slow meandering pace to make it happen. He didn't want to stop kissing her. He had to smile against her lips. "Oh I love you."

She smiled in between kisses. "I love you Josh. Forever and always." They meandered for over 15 minutes around to the back of the chateau, just past it until there was a gate with a lit up entrance. 

"Forever to the moon and back," he mumbled, nodding toward the gate for her to use her key. 

She smiled and slipped the key inside the hole, and it unlocked with a creak. "Ohh!" she giggled, "It worked!"

He gasped so cutely. "Imagine that." He grinned so hard as he allowed her to walk in ahead of him. There were just enough lights to light up the path, which was kind of long. Looking ahead it led into darkness, but the dim light of lanterns here and there. You could see the chateau off to the side and hear crickets chirping hard. The moon was gorgeous and the stars were sprinkled in the sky. It was heaven.

"Eeee!" she immediately went back to his side and snuggled into him as they walked. "I feel like this might be what heaven looks like Josh. It's so beautiful. Wow."

"I can only hope that this is what heaven will be like, as long as I get to be with you by my side." He slipped his arm around her and when they got to their dark turn there started to be little white paper bags that had tea lights inside to light their way. It led them to a maze of sorts, then they walked to the very back of the chateau. It was set up to resemble her patio on the night of the Gala, the way it was set up with the pillows and blankets. There were flowers, wine, food and music playing so faintly you needed to pay attention to hear it.

When the last of the tealights ended and she was on the replica of her patio, she made another low noise. She clapped with a smile. "Josh!" She sighed softly. "Ohhh this." When it really sunk in what all of this was, she sighed again. "That night. Ohhh."

He smiled so big, wrapping his arm around her and putting his lips to her forehead to kiss it softly. "All of this is because you made me want to be this man for you. I want all of this because you made me want to love, to be in love, to have romance, and to know what the feeling was really like baby. All of this is because of you."

She looked up at him and smiled. "I'm glad I caught your eye at the Halloween party, I'm glad we pretended to just be friends for a little bit first, I'm glad you didn't want to stay friends, and you asked me to dance at the gala and kissed  me that night. And that you wanted to cuddle with me." She slid her arms around him, looking up at him. "I'm thankful for every single moment of this journey we have taken together."

He smiled, taking a really long moment to look down in her eyes. His voice was softy, "I'm thankful God put you in my life Samantha. Right now I want to celebrate your life because you changed mine." He led her to the set up of pillows and blankets, kicking off his shoes before walking on them. 

She smiled and slid her heels off, walking next to him on the blankets, sighing softly. "You've changed mine as well sweetheart."

He poured them both a glass of wine to start and pulled out the cheese and fruit plate with other small bites. The music playing in the background was some of the light jazz they listened to sometimes when they took drives or were just lounging at home. "Happy birthday, my princess..."

Sam smiled and clinked her wine glass against his. "Mmm, thank you Prince Charming," she grinned, taking a sip. She made a soft noise at how good it was, then nibbled on some cheese and a strawberry too. She was in disbelief that anyone would ever do something so elaborate for her.

He smiled surely as he watched her. They exchanged a few words and memories here and there, relishing in each other's company. He had almost finished his wine and needed a bit more so he poured some more. "Look at the stars tonight, Samantha. They're even more beautiful than they were at home."

She leaned into his body before taking a sip of her wine. "They're shining especially spectacularly tonight. Maybe it's because we're together."

JC took a sip as he looked up at the stars. "I think you're right. I think there's just something about the stars, Samantha... there always has been. Sometimes, the universe just aligns everything in your path and you just have this feeling, you know? Do you ever have that?"

"Mmm. I do. When things just mesh together and go right. And it feels good and you can't explain why... it's just good," She nibbled a piece of cheese before she fed one to him as well. "You ever felt that way before?"

His eyes were looking right into hers as he took the bite and swallowed, he nodded slightly. "I have, and I do." He took her wine glass from her and set it aside. "Like right now. Right at this moment. I have never felt it more than probably right now."

She smiled, even her eyes were smiling as she gazed up at him. She hadn't broken the gaze either. "You're probably one of the things in my life that I've been most sure about."

"Baby, I've never been more sure about something in my life than I am right now." He took her hand and kissed it. "I have one more thing for you tonight and I think you should open it right now." He nodded toward another box, very similar to the one the polaroid was in. 

She smiled as he kissed her hand then she leaned over to the box, bringing it up to her lap. "I love you," she smiled, "And appreciate you. That's the best birthday gift of all my baby." She made a cute noise, taking the lid off of the box.

"I love you," he whispered, and with that he was already on his knees while she sat there, but he leaned back on his feet so he could be close and in the moment with her. As she opened the box, there was an incredible antique gold lock that he had restored for her, and there was engraving on it that read, You and only you hold the key, Samantha... will you marry me?  Locked on the hinge was an original Harry Winston Cushion cut 5 carat diamond with a halo. His heart was racing as he stared over at her. This moment, a moment he never thought he'd want in his life, never thought he'd find... this moment simply felt so right. 

She gasped and gasped again, looking up at him with surprise in her eyes but absolute and pure love for him. "Joshua Scott Chasez," she whispered, tears flowing down her cheeks. 

"I couldn't wait any longer, I just couldn't." He reached up and wiped her tears. "Please say you'll spend the rest of your life with me? Marry me?"

"Josh," she whispered, "There's nobody else in this world I'd rather spend the rest of my life with." She grinned, "Yes, Yes, Yes, yessssss!" She sniffled slightly because she was so overwhelmed. 

JC took the lock, knowing she wasn't in the frame of mind to unlock it herself, so he took her key and put it in the lock. He whispered, "I had the lock match the gate so the key opened both." He took the ring off and slipped it on her finger. It fit like a glove, and it was shiny and big. 

She smiled so big and looked down at her hand as his was holding hers too. "Eeee! Baby! It's so beautiful." She slid her hand with the ring up onto his face now, leaning in and kissing him. And oh, did she let her lips attack him. He was everything she could have ever dreamed of when it came to a man and how she wanted to be romanced. 

JC was kissing her with the softest and sweetest kisses he could, taking his hand and putting it over hers on his face. He wanted to feel the ring on her finger. Their lips were making the slowest and smoothes strides against the others and there were little dips and breaths taken between every few passes. No words... just... the kiss.

She reached to interlock their fingers so he could feel the ring against his finger, and she brought their hands down onto her laps. Her lips took his in again and then let them go so his lips could capture hers. 

He could only kiss for so long before he needed to pull away to breathe. His heart was going through so many feelings, he was looking at her, then he looked down at her hands and he touched the ring on her finger and sighed.

She smiled, looking down at their hands as well when his gaze shifted down to her ring. "I'm in awe Josh. That you would think of all of this for me, and pick this ring out. It's absolutely stunning." She smiled and admired it for a few minutes on her finger then looked back up at him. "Spending the rest of my life with you is going to be pretty incredible."

"I'm in awe, because honestly I wasn't sure you would say yes. I know that we have spoken about it, and you love me, but marriage and forever is kinda a big deal, and I actually wasn't sure what would happen. I wanted it to be perfect and special and memorable." He looked right down into her eyes, "I want to remember this when we're 80 and sitting outside on our anniversary looking at the stars... this very night, in Paris."

She smiled shyly, looking into his eyes. "If you had asked me, even a month ago, I probably wouldn't have known what to say. But something happened in the last few weeks where you've made me want marriage with you in a pretty bad way. So it works just right." She smiled and leaned in to steal a gentle kiss. "I'll never forget this night in Paris. It'll be something we'll have together forever." She sighed softly. "Will you dance with me baby?"

He smiled. "Of course I'll dance with you sweetheart. I couldn't possibly tell my fiancee no." He grinned and got up first, helping her to her feet. 

"I guess we'll need to practice, on the account that we're getting married and all." She slid her arms around his neck, starting to sway with the romantic jazz that was playing in the background. It was subtle but amazing.

His arms wrapped around her but his one hand went up to link hands with hers. His face pressed against hers a bit as he started to hum along because he liked this tune. He took the lead and he was damn good at it.

She smiled as her fingers slipped into his. Her cheek went against his as she couldn't help but continue that smile. The first time they slow danced together to some jazz at the gala, she knew there was something special about the two of them together. Her body swayed along with his just right, she was totally letting him take the lead. She trusted him and it was evident. As they swayed, she couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, it was a simple one of delight, of love.

He smiled when he heard her laugh and he turned his face to put his lips against her cheek. She could still feel him smiling. He gave her hand a light squeeze as he mumbled, "What's funny?"

She smiled, nuzzling her face into his a bit more, before mumbling softly herself, "How much I love you. You make my heart so happy. I vowed I'd never let a man take over for me, never let a man rule my emotions or my heart. But here you are, with  me willingly giving every last bit of me over to you."

"Mmm, I see." He smiled even more as he spun her around, dipping her just enough before pulling her back up and taking the lead again. "So I kinda broke all the rules, is what you're saying?"

"Every last one of them. And I don't ever want to go back to the way they were. These new rules are the ones that I want. Being with you is important to me." 

He slightly brushed his nose against hers and leaned in a bit more for the softest graze on her lips. "You being my wife is the most important thing in my life right now..."

She smiled on his lips. "Oh how I love you." She sighed and kissed him once again. "Is this our spot for the rest of the night baby?"

"Only if you want it to be, there are options." He stopped dancing, but their bodies continued in a gentle sway. "What would you like?"

Sam smiled almost shyly, swaying with him slowly. "Honestly, just you."

His lips curled up again in a smile and he stopped moving so he could pull her hands up to her face and kiss on her a little bit. "Baby, you have me."

She nodded against his kiss, letting her eyes close, "I know I do... I've got you forever, as a matter of fact." She giggled softly, kissing him again. "But you know what I mean. I just want to be with you. Wherever you take me will make me happy baby."

He brushed his nose to hers again with a few soft kisses then he rubbed their noses together in an eskimo kiss. "I kinda want to take you to one more place, then we can call it an evening and go get some rest."

She smiled, nuzzling into his face a bit right back with the nose kisses. "That sounds wonderful." She placed one more soft kiss on his lips. "Let's make sure that lock and the camera make it back with us. I'm going to treasure them forever."

"Of course," he smiled, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes again. "You're going to like this last stop before we go back to the hotel, baby." He took her hand and reached down to grab the camera and the box that the lock came in. "Why don't you hold the camera and keep it safe?"

She took the camera from him, holding it nice and close to her. "Baby, you are absolutely knocking all of this out of the park. I know I'll love wherever you take me."

JC smiled, watching her... this was all he wanted about this trip, her to love everything. He led her back the way they came in. They walked in silence for a bit, enjoying the scene, the company and the events that just took place. The summer evening breeze was light.

She laughed softly as they got back up to the top of the stairs and the car was waiting for them. "You know. This first birthday business was serious business, major league. Not sure how we are going to top this again. Recording studios and engagement rings. Jeez."

He laughed softly as he opened the car door for her. "I don't know. But, I do know that it won't matter if we ever top this or not, because I'd be happy for the rest of my life with what I have right now."

Sam smiled, leaning in to give him a soft little kiss, thinking to herself how lucky she was to have this forever. She pulled away with a little dreamy smile before climbing into the car.

JC let her climb into the car and he bit his lip for a moment before climbing in after her. "Yeah..."

She grinned and snapped a picture of him with her polaroid camera looking all dreamy and biting his lip. She then leaned in and placed the softest trail of kisses along his jar as the car drove away. 

JC smirked, "Not sure that was the best idea for a gift now that I think about it..." He let her kiss on him before stealing the camera from her, snapping a picture of her face all up on his jaw. 

She giggled softly as she kissed her way to his earlobe. "Mmm. Best gift ever. Because now I can add to my collection of daddy pictures..."

He leaned his head back against the rest when her lips got to his ear and he made a noise. "What are daddy pictures???"

She grinned against his skin before nibbling on his earlobe. "What do daddy pictures sound like they are?"

"Samantha...." He cleared his throat and his hand went to her thigh where he gave it a squeeze.

"Joshua," she grinned at the way he was clearing his throat and getting squirmy.

"Daddy pictures sound like you've been stalking on me taking creepy pictures and saving them for yourself." He turned and grazed her jaw with his teeth like he did her ear. 

Her head dipped down and she let out a soft noise. "Mmmm. Too late to ask for the ring back, Josh."

He grinned and growled. "Is it?" He playfully tried to grab at it on her fingers as his lips continued to travel along her neck. 

She giggled and tried to move away from him. "Mmm, mine now," she whispered as she held her hand with her right one so he couldn't steal it.

He couldn't help but start laughing as he playfully tried to get her hands apart all while his lips were locked on her skin. The car slowed down and stopped, but he continued. 

She let out a soft little mmm at his kisses on her skin. "Mmm," she whispered, "I'll take a rain check on those lips on me daddy..."

He grinned, pulling back and licking his lips. "You know what? Damn right you will." He smirked and snatched the box all cutely from her hands, getting out of the car. 

She laughed softly as she followed him out. "Ohhh!" Her eyes lit up under the glow of the lanterns. Ahead of them was the Seine river and a bridge. She recognized it immediately. It was the bridge known as the "Love Lock" bridge, where lovers brought padlocks and keys to lock to the bridge. The Eiffel Tower glistened in the distance. "Baby! This is so amazing."

He was standing there, holding the lock on his finger with a big smile on his face. "You know I couldn't let the rest of this evening go without us adding our lock. I had another one made just for us to do this. Still got your key honey?"

Sam smiled and reached into her wristlet and pulled it out. "Right here!" As he held it on his finger, she slipped the key inside and click, it opened the lock right there on his finger. "Can we get a picture holding the lock before we hang it on the bridge?"

"Of course we can." He smiled, reaching in and grabbing the polaroid camera. He called over the driver and had him take a few pictures of them. In the last one, he had her hand with the ring on his face as he held out the lock and he's kissing her. 

She smiled and leaned in for one more soft kiss as they made their way to the edge of the bridge. "Mmm. Let's find the perfect place to store this. Someday, we're going to come back here on another anniversary and find this lock," she smiled, "We'll be 75 and still looking for it. Such a story for our family one day." She found a spot with him and held onto half with him holding onto the other side. 

"Soon there won't be any spots left. Maybe we took one of the last ones," He looked down at her hands next to his on the lock and then he looked up at her. "I love you, and I love what this symbolizes for us." He helped her click it on and it made him smile, seeing it there with the engraving on it. 

She smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder as she slipped the skeleton key back into her wristlet. "And closed, locked in love forever. Just like us. Love you too, Joshua Scott."

"Like forever. I don't think you know that when I say forever, I mean eternity." His arms wrapped around her into a solid hug. "No matter how hard life can get."

"Forever and ever," she nodded and let her arms snake around him as well. "Life isn't always going to be easy. We are going to have times where I know I'll probably want to give up and throw in the towel, but I know you're going to be there for me. Just as I'll be holding your hand from now on no matter what happens. We're going to take on the world together, blue eyes. Team Chasez for the win."

"I love the sound of that. Love it, and I'm going to remember it when you're extremely mad at me too." He kissed her face softly with a sly smile. 

She laughed softly. "Just don't get me extremely mad at you, and you'll be just fine Josh." She gave his hand a squeeze and rested her forehead against his. 

"Okay, I'll try my best," he smiled and tilted her chin up to kiss her lips. "I don't think I could make you mad for at least the next 2 years. We're gonna be in such a honeymoon heaven."

She grinned on his lips, "That we are baby." She left one more soft kiss, "Why don't we head back and unwind."

He nodded and took her hand. "That sounds wonderful. My nerves were a little on edge today, and now I can relax with my almost wife." He kissed her hand before crawling back into the car.

She smiled, resting her head on his arm when the car got moving again. "You had a big secret to keep. You would have never known you were hiding all of that baby." 

He took a nice deep breath as he exhaled before playing with her hair. "I knew I had to play it so cool with you all day, and I was trying so hard..." he laughed to himself, "You know it's one of those things I'll never get to do again. I loved planning that and having the responsibility of my future in one single question."

"Well you did exceptionally well baby. I would have NEVER known!" She smiled, "It was the best question that I could have answered for you." She grinned but got thoughtful for a moment, "Someday I'll have the big secret with the responsibility for the future." She looked out the window, needing a moment because some feelings of her past came to mix with her thoughts of the future. How funny was it that even in the happiest moments of her life, some of the pain of her story could creep into her mind. 

He made a thoughtful face as he continued to play in her hair. "Yeah, only yours isn't a question but more of a statement that just starts to change our lives in a moment. Try to make sure I'm not doing anything that would result in an injury though." He smirked as the car pulled up to the Four Seasons. 

She laughed, "Obviously I'll wait to tell you that you're going to be a dad when you're on an 8 foot high ladder hanging things in the backyard. That'll be a great plan." She shook her head with a grin as JC helped her out of the car, holding onto their camera while he held the box. 

He helped her into the elevator as soon as they walked in and he pressed the top floor. "I know you way better than that baby," he grinned, "It'll be around Christmas while I'm lighting the fire," he kissed the top of her head, still wanting to be romantic even though they were being playful. 

She giggled softly, slipping her hand into his button down which was untucked and a bit messy. She played at the muscles of his stomach lightly, it was a soft touch, a tender one. "That's right, maybe you'll fall in too."

JC smirked and let out a light hmmm when the elevator opened to their hallway. He was quiet, having a moment as he walked them inside. He was holding her with a light smile, but he had nothing to say in return. Sam let out a low appreciative hum as he led her in. The penthouse made her smile all over again, but this time she was walking in as his fiancee. He went through all of this trouble to plan a romantic getaway and proposal for her...  it just made her heart so full.

JC leaned in and kissed the top of her head after a few long moments of comfortable silence. "Would you like another glass of wine, sweetheart?

"That would be incredible, honey. Why don't you pop it open and I'll start a bubble bath? Or would you rather start on the balcony?" she looked up at him with eyes full of love. 

JC grinned. "Bubble bath? Did we discuss this and I missed it?"

She smirked and nudged him playfully. "I mean, I could take a bath to unwind. If you'd rather, like, go watch some French TV or something that's cool too."

He smirked so hard. "Oh, okay baby. I'll just bring you a glass. You go get in the bath and I'll be there soon." He kissed her cheek and headed to the kitchen. 

Sam smirked as well, making her way into the bedroom to remove her pretty dress. She left it on the chair next to her bed. She walked into the bathroom in her bra and panties, where she hummed softly as she turned on the grand bathtub near the windows, with floor to ceiling views of the Parisian skyline. She rubbed at her tummy as she filled up the tub with bubbles, watching the view, still in awe. 

JC popped the cork on a fresh bottle of red suggested by the concierge and poured two glasses. He needed a moment alone to just breathe. "It's done. It's a successful day. I'm getting married." He said to himself, just above a whisper.

Sam smiled and sighed softly, looking down at her hand. The dim light in the room reflected on the ring and it made her smile even bigger. She shook her head a bit in almost disbelief that this is happening to her. She had pushed the idea aside, and then she met him. She bit her lip a bit, because she couldn't lie that she was a little bit nervous about wearing the ring in the bathtub as it was big, shiny and brand new. She grinned to herself. "Samantha, get over it. You're gonna be wearing it everyday for the rest of your life." she mumbled. She laughed softly at herself, stopping the tub when it was filled. She stripped down, leaving her lingerie on the hook in the bathroom. She stepped into the tub, sinking down right up to her shoulders. 

JC took a few sips in the kitchen, reflecting a bit on his day. He gave her a few moments of peace before he came walking in, holding a glass for her. He smiled, leaning up against the sink and counter area just looking at her.

She turned around when she heard the familiar shuffling of his feet onto the marble floor. She looked up from the bubbles and smiled, "Hi baby."

"Hi." He smiled, walking to her and sitting on the edge of the tub. He set the glasses down in a corner. The entire time he didn't break that eye contact with her. He never could keep his eyes off of her when she was in a room, any room. 

She smiled and moved herself over to the edge where he was and she smiled, peeking up at him. She bit her lip so cute. "You know I was afraid to wear this beautiful ring in the tub," she blushed slightly. 

He laughed softly. "Why honey?" He reached for her hand to hold it up and look at it again. He loved the ring itself, but even more on her finger. "It's insured, so don't worry about anything but just leaving it on."

She smiled, "It's so precious that I don't want anything to happen to it." She sighed softly when he  looked at her finger and the ring. "Have I ever told you how much I love when you tell me not to worry about anything?" She rested her chin on his leg, not caring that he was still in his dress pants. 

"I don't think you have," he leaned forward to steal a little kiss, "But you never have to worry about anything again. I got you mama, I got us."

She smiled on his little kiss, "And I've got you, daddy. Always gonna have your back too. My hubby," she grinned. As he leaned back again, she kept her head on his lap, having her own cute little moment.

"Yeah, I'm gonna like this way more than I ever thought I would. My wifey is a freaking model, she's gorgeous as hell and is the only woman who can make me question everything and nothing at the same time." 

"This sounds like the perfect setup then," she giggled softly, "Because my man is a fucking rockstar. He's got a body like a god, and the literal only man ever to make me want to give everything up to hand over to him with my heart," she licked her lips teasingly, "But he's kinda wearing too much right now."

He laughed really low. "Oh? Let me guess? He's supposed to be naked and joining you?" He put his wine glass down on the edge with hers and started to unbutton his shirt as he sat there on the edge, and again his eyes were locked with hers.

"It would be a bonus. He did just ask me to marry him."

He stood up to pull it off and tossed it to the ground, licking his lips as he kicked off his shoes, starting to undo his belt and working on his pants. "So that's how it works then? I ask you to marry me, then I get naked with you?" he smirked, "I missed that memo baby but I am not about to complain."

"You are a little shit, Joshua Chasez. Just so you know." She grinned.

"I am not," he smirked, slipping off his briefs and walking right into the water with her. He sat down and pulled her legs so she slid forward on him. 

Her laugh went soft as he got naked and into the water with her, as he pulled on her legs she slipped up into his lap. She took a moment to smile as their bodies got closer. 

He got comfortable and leaned back. "This more like it baby? Just you and your fiance, soakin' in Paris..." his hands were on her legs, at the back of her calves. 

She smiled when he leaned back to get comfortable, she leaned up on him, bringing her head to his chest above the bubbles. "You got yourself a fiancee baby," she grinned, "But yes. This is perfect. Just how I'd love to end my day."

He reached for a washcloth that was folded on the side, pulling it into the water and bringing it up over her back gently. "I have the most amazing fiance and I can't wait to fall asleep and cuddle you into the morning so I get to wish you a happy birthday for real this time." He dipped the wash cloth back into the water.

She smiled. "Honestly you're the best gift. I can only hope to keep giving back to you to repay you."

"Uh baby, you just saying yes to being my wife is plenty good for me." He looked down at her and was smiling just so. "But, just so you know, tomorrow is also a you- have-options- kinda-day. Just because we celebrated like this tonight doesn't mean your birthday doesn't count." He smiled so big, like a little kid. 

"Oh good," she smirked so cute, "I thought maybe you got confused and thought today was gonna be it." She giggled softly as she reached up to touch his face. Her hand was soapy but she didn't care, she let her fingers run along his jawline. 

He smiled and lifted his chin a bit, watching her at the same time, he didn't speak for a few minutes, just a soft sigh escaping his lips. "I'm not done spoiling you..."

She smiled. "I'll gladly let you baby. You know that I usually don't approve but you're literally hitting every moment of this trip out of the park so yes." She grinned playfully as her hand trailed down from his jaw, along his neck then to his chest. Her touches were light and loving. She just loved having him as a lover and touching on his body made her happy. 

"Mmm," his voice was really soft, "I'm not trying to hit anything out of the park. I'm just loving my girl. I'm just giving her a little attention that she deserves. I just want to give you the world." His hand continued to pull the washcloth over her skin, whether it be her back, shoulder, down along her arm. He pulled it lazily.

She smiled, looking up into his eyes, "The world is just being in your arms Josh. That's been all the world I could need." Her hand slid down from his chest to feel the tops of his abdominal muscles. His body wasn't as hard as it was fresh home from touring, but his muscles were still defined and her thumb slid in and out of the dips. 

Of course he tightened his muscles up a bit when her fingers first touched him out of habit, and he needed to sit up a little to adjust how he was in the tub, but he pulled her up with him so she was even closer to him. He sat up even more, pulling her fully into his lap. He reached over to turn the faucet on to add a little bit more hot water as the water in the bath had already begun to cool. His voice was low as he shut the faucet off. "I know that I'm enough for you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying. It's my job to date you for the rest of my life, and never allow you or myself to become just ‘ok' with complacency."

Sam smiled as her legs wrapped around his waist, nodding as his voice got low. She brought her forehead against his now that she was so close to him. "I'll never stop trying either. We can promise each other to take time to date each other all the time, to surprise each other with the little things. To look for ways to be better." She leaned into his lips where she kissed softly, "Even when we're parents. I want us to take time for Josh and Sam always, baby."

His arms wrapped around her a bit tighter, dipping his head down to capture her lips a bit better, with a soft smile. "Hey baby?"

"Mmm." She smiled on his grin and went for a cute and playful nip. "Yes baby?"

He grinned at her nip, nudging her face so he could go at her neck playfully. "I love just being Samantha and JC. I don't think I'm ready to seriously consider a family until after we have been married for awhile. I'm being selfish with you." His words mumbled into her skin. 

Her eyes closed as she smiled, tilting her head just a bit. "Mmm. Josh sweetie. We don't need a family anytime soon. I just want to enjoy being your fiance, and eventually your wife. And more importantly, I want to enjoy you being my husband. And give you all..." her hands went back to where they were on his stomach, "of my..." Her hands crept even lower, "Attention." He fingertips lightly grazed at his V with gentle touches. Even those touches were different than they were before, light and attentive. 

She knew just how to get his attention alright, and his body reacted in a slight twitch movement and she heard him suck in a deep breath against her neck. "I..." He closed his arms on her tighter and pulled her in, "Just wanted to make sure I understood which page of this story you were on."

She grinned on his ear where she whispered, "And what page of this story am I on Joshua Scott?"

He smirked feeling her grin on him. "I was unsure, so I asked." He pulled back enough to look at her smirky little face, "I panicked a little thinking you wanted something else."

"Sweetie," she laughed softly, "I believe in knowing the time is right for something. And when the time is right for something, it happens. It doesn't happen a moment sooner than it's meant to. While someday, I'd love to be a mother, someday isn't anytime soon. We'll both know. NJust like we both knew we had fallen in love when it was right, and we both knew it wouldn't have been right before it did."

He reached behind her to pull her in again, before his hand came up to stroke her face once more, pulling it up to his. He didn't say anything, letting his lips hover at hers for a minute before completely opening and closing his mouth around hers. He was making a statement, getting things back to the way they were before he made a fool of himself. 

She smiled but it disappeared when his lips came over hers again. She made the girly little gasp when his lips met hers too, because he always caught her just right. Accepting his kiss, she let her lips dance with his, letting him take the lead knowing he needed that feeling of control. She let her hands creep back down where they were before, her thumbs running inside the crease of his V muscles, tracing both sides down. She knew the parts of his body she loved to touch on, and that was one. 

JC couldn't help but let out a low moan, almost a start and fade into a breath. She did know the parts of him that made him tick, all too well. His hips shifted because of her touch, trying not to full on react to her. He pulled his lips away for a brief moment to suck her lower lip in between his and an mmm followed.

"Mmm." She slid her hands up to those arms where they rested on his biceps, she kissed him just right before she pulled away for a soft whisper, "Baby, I want to love on you tonight, and I want you to love on me."

He had to lick his lips as he looked at her with some love in his eyes. "I will love on you whenever you want me to baby." His hand lifted her chin so he could kiss again really softly as he mumbled, "You want me to take you to bed?"

She smiled and nodded, rubbing along the dips and swells of his arm. "Yes please baby."

He used his foot to unplug the drain as his eyes watched her. The water was draining quick and he waited a moment before straight lifting her up out of the tub dripping wet.

She moaned softly as she caught a glimpse of him hoisting her up in the mirror. "Oh Josh," she grinned, "You did this in the tub in the Malibu house. I remember being so turned on and I had to hide it on the video set."

He grinned, "You hid it well but you didn't completely hide everything, I could read you better than you thought." He walked her to the counter only to get a towel to wrap her in first. He dried off in a few moments himself, his hair, his arms, his abs, drying himself off slowly as she watched. 

She smiled as she tightened the towel a bit, watching him intently. "Likewise. When my clothes came off, walking to that tub, it was almost like you had never seen a woman naked before." 

"I had never seen a woman as beautiful as you naked before," he dropped the towel and lifted her right back up and walked her to the bedroom, laying her right in bed with her towel still around her, "Honest."

Sam smiled up at him as he laid her down all wrapped up. "I know," she sighed real softly, "You'll never stop making me feel that way."

He cradled over her with his arms on each side of her. "I know, because you're mine and I'm going to keep you always," he leaned down and put his nose to hers then his lips to graze against hers, "And forever. And I---"

His voice trailed off as the sound of a fire alarm began to blare. A strobe light in the bedroom flashed as an announcement came on first in French, followed by English. "This is the fire alarm. Please proceed to the nearest fire stairwell as quickly as possible. Please exit the building."

JC made a face. He was about to make love... truly make love to his fiance for the first time ... and this is what he gets?

Sam looked up at him with concern in her eyes. "Baby we should go..."

He scowled, climbing off of her. "Get dressed. Now. We'll get back to this later."

Sam couldn't help but smile softly as she gathered up her sweats and she watched JC get hastily dressed next to her. Leave it to the universe to make an already memorable night even more memorable...

 

There was something about waking up on your birthday that felt more special than any other day of the year. And that was under normal circumstances. 

Now, there was certainly something to be said about waking up on your birthday in a five star hotel in Paris, tangled up in the sheets with your brand-new fiancé. Sam was awake in bed, her eyes closed taking in all of the feelings that were rushing through her mind and body. Even though the fire alarm had gone off the night before and interrupted what she was sure was about to be some serious loving, they had bundled up under a blanket on the street while the Fire Department investigated a quick kitchen fire. Before they knew it, they were back in their Penthouse apartment, but exhausted. Sleep had quickly taken over for both of them.

JC let out a low mumble as he began to wake up, placing a kiss on her temple. "Mmm. You."

Sam giggled softly, leaning into his kiss. "Me... You... The Chasezes. Good morning baby."

He grinned, "I love hearing that," he put his hand up on her face to wipe the morning sleep out of her eyes along with a little dried mascara from the night before. "My last name as yours is going to be the best damn thing."

She grinned softly as she looked up at him. "If I had known I was gonna meet the man who I was going to steal a last name from that night at the fashion show," she hummed softly with a smile, "Maybe I would have agreed to dance with him the first time he asked me.

"Baby, I wouldn't have our history be any other way... I love that you didn't agree the first time." He needed to shift his position, so he rolled onto his side and took her with him so she was still facing him. 

She smiled coyly. "Mmm. Must have been those red lifeguard shorts." Her giggle was soft.

JC laughed. "I had a lot of compliments on that costume, thank you very much," he grabbed at her side, all harsh but cutely. 

"On the shorts or on your penis?" She licked her lips so cute, as her little grin turned into a smirk.

He lifted up his head to look at her. "Ummmm, the shorts you little smartass." He grinned and tossed her body slightly so he could get up to use the bathroom. 

She laughed and stretched out long as she was tossed to the side, grabbing onto the headboard. She let out a soft, waking up moan as she did.

He stopped dead in his tracks to look at her. He took his time watching her with a light grin. It was morning and he woke up slightly turned on, but now she had to go and be all sexy. He grunted but stayed looking at her for a few moments before he turned and made himself walk to the bathroom.

She caught his lingering stare and smiled at him before sitting up in bed. She hugged her knees to her chest, yawning slightly. He was always looking on point, and it always did it for her. 

JC was gone for longer than usual. A solid 5 minutes had already passed and he didn't make his way back to the bed. He had snuck out and walked into the kitchen, standing near the counter in his boxer briefs, coffee pot on.

Sam made a face, looking for him. She got up and grabbed her new robe, tying it around her waist. She walked to the bathroom and he was gone. "Baby...." She made a sleepy pout before the smell of coffee invaded her sense of smell, so she followed the scent all the way to the kitchen. 

JC shuffled his feet, holding a cup of coffee that he was stirring for her as he heard her coming. He met her in the hallway outside the kitchen with a smile. "Happy Birthday, Samantha. Your coffee..."

She grinned, "Oh! The sexiest man in the world and coffee. Happy birthday to me!" She took a moment to admire him, staring him up and down slowly with a grin. His white briefs hugged him just right.

He leaned down and kissed her face. "You know I couldn't forget your birthday. I just needed to get the marriage proposal out of the way or I wouldn't have lasted." He grinned, handing her the coffee before walking back to the kitchen to warm up breakfast. 

"I knew you wouldn't baby," she followed him in as she sipped her coffee, a strong French press, "I know you don't like keeping things from me." She sat at the breakfast bar at the counter and took another sip.

He prepared his own coffee, black with a pinch of sugar, then leaned over the counter so he was close to her, but still across. He wanted a moment to admire her this morning, and the ring. His lips curled up into a soft grin as he watched the ring on her finger holding the coffee mug.

She smiled, looking up at his gaze and noticing him daydreaming about her ring. She brought her coffee cup up for a slow sip to bring it even closer to him. "I hope you love it as much as I do sweetheart. Wow."

"I do. I love the way it fits you, I love the statement it makes, most of all, I love that it means you're no longer available to anyone else." He turned to toss strips of bacon on the griddle and they sear and pop immediately. He grinned.

She bit her lip, the way he said that so matter of factly, and the way he was taking charge in the kitchen. Damnit. The eyes she was giving his back were lusty.

JC grinned at the stove. He couldn't help but feel her staring at the back of his head. He put on the oven gloves and bent down to take a look at the casserole he had placed inside. "Not yet," he pulled them off and tossed them on the bar before taking another sip of his coffee and walking around to where she was sitting. "I should have set an alarm to have breakfast for you when you woke up."

She smiled and took a sip, knowing her eyes weren't as grey as they were moments ago, "I kinda liked waking up in your arms more. I can wait for breakfast, Josh."

"Maybe 15 more minutes is all," he smiled and lifted her chin so he could lean in and kiss just once, "That robe looks good on you too by the way..."

She smiled against his lips, "You turn 27 and your fiancé spoils you..."

He smiled right back, keeping his lips against hers, "He would have spoiled you at 26, and 25...." He slipped his arm around her, then closed his lips real soft even though she was still smiling.

She giggled softly. "Oh. When I'm 90 and you'll need to spoil me with plastic surgery because I'll be all wrinkly?" She nipped at his lip playfully.

He laughed and needed to pull away to get a good look at her with his smiling eyes. "I'm not buying you plastic surgery at 90." He grabbed a good healthy grab on her thighs, "Maybe at 65 if you're begging me."

She laughed softly. "Maybe I'll beg you, though you'll need a dime on your arm even when you're an old man. But you're JC, you'll probably never age."

"What in the world makes you think that you're going to get old and I'm not?" He heard a beep and needed to check on his breakfast to make sure everything was perfect. He grabbed another good pinch of her thighs before hurrying to the oven to pull his breakfast dish out and turn the bacon off too. "Baby, I'll have you know that I've already started seeing gray hairs, okay?"

She laughed softly at his move to grab her once again. "Maybe those are my fault... hmm." She grinned and walked to him. "Though my fiancé is about to be 30. Mmhmm."

He looked at her with a cute smile, "I had them before you came into the picture." He reached over and pulled her in at his side, looking at her with those eyes, admiring her right there in the middle of the kitchen. "Maybe I'll be all gray by the time I'm 35."

"Ooh, you'd be my sexy daddy like Clooney. A silver fox." She grinned and leaned in to brush her lips against his cheek. "I'd love you no matter what. I'm in this for the long haul, baby."

"You'd better be," he leaned into her kiss with a cute scrunch of his face, "And I'm about to serve you breakfast baby so go sit your cute ass down."

"Yes sir, as you wish," she grinned, fixing the tie on her robe because of all his thigh grabbing, and she walked to the island where she sat at the breakfast bar. 

He fixed her a plate and walked over with the coffee pot in his other hand. He served her and topped her coffee off, smiling at her, unable to stop. "Make sure you eat enough this morning baby."

She laughed softly, looking up at him. "I'm hungry, so that won't be a problem," she smiled, "I do hope you plan on joining me, handsome."

"Um, absolutely. I barely ate like a normal person yesterday." He filled his coffee mug too and brought his plate over with extra bacon. "I planned on taking time and enjoying my breakfast with my fiancée." He sat next to her in his briefs, popping a piece of bacon in his mouth.

She grinned softly. "You don't have to be nervous anymore. You got the girl." She leaned in and placed the softest kiss on his lips, but let it linger. It was light and loving and she let it last for a few minutes before she pulled away with a little coy smile, starting to eat. 

He took a moment to look at her, unable to say much. He reached over with his hand, resting it on her leg. He ate in silence, pausing to take a few sips of his coffee and look at her in admiration. He really did get the girl. He looked down at his coffee and smiled into the cup, his mind off on a daydream. 

She smiled, seeing that dreamy spacy look on him just a handful of times before. It made her smile, her hand went down to interlock with his, and her other is digging into the food he made. She made a little hum of approval as she ate. 

He snapped out of his trance, looking at her before he dug back into his food. After a few more moments of silence, he said, "Sweetheart, I don't know if there's anything you want to see here today in Paris, you do have a few options available to you... of course anything you want."

"Well Josh," she smiled as she nibbled on a piece of bacon, watching him, "As long as those plans involve spending time with you, I'm on board with whatever." Her eyes sparkled. 

"Wonderful," he grinned, "Did you bring comfortable shoes or just heels?" He finished the last of his plate before pushing it across the island.

She laughed softly, "I'll need to look in the closet. You packed my suitcase, Mr. Chasez."

"Oh, right," he laughed, "Yes... we can go look. I was distracted baby, sorry," he sat up a little bit more, "Your birthday clue is in your bag though." He scooted off his chair and took her hands, motioning for her to follow him.

She grinned and followed him. "Would that birthday clue be you Josh?"

"Well, it has something to do with me," he led her to the closet and he leaned in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. "There's a box in there somewhere with your name on it."

She grinned so big. "You really planned all of this out to a T didn't you." She shook her head, smiling. She walked over to the shelf, spotting a decorated box next to a neatly folded pile of lingerie and she pulled the box down gently. It was a large coat box decorated with her name on it. "Oh, Josh!"

His voice was low and soft, "Of course I thought this out, and planned everything accordingly." 

She opened the box. Inside the box was matching confetti from the balloons that were waiting for her in the apartment, and a pair of his and hers Mickey and Minnie ears and a happy birthday pin with her name on it. "Ohhh baby!" She dropped the box and ran to him, jumping into his arms right there in the closet in her robe. 

He couldn't help but laugh at her excitement as he caught her, spinning her around once. "You're going to Disneyland in Paris for your birthday..."

"You are..." she growled so cute, "Joshua Chasez. You are gonna be one lucky guy later."

He growled right back at her, putting his forehead to hers, "Oh yeah? You gonna let this mouse get lucky later? No traps?"

She laughed lightly, nibbling on his lip. "I mean, this mouse could chase the cat if he wanted to..." she grinned on his lips.

"Oh here kitty kitty," he laughed, kissing along her face. "But it's your birthday, and you're the one who should be getting lucky. I promise to love you as much as you can handle when we get home.'

She smiled, tilting her head a bit as he kissed along her face, "Mmm. I like the sound of that. I'll gladly accept that offer," she closed her eyes and made a soft noise. "Now, we have a castle to go and see."

"Mmmmm, right. The sooner we go..." he grinned and put her down, leaning in to gently kiss her lips once or twice. He walked over and pulled on a pair of dark jeans and a fitted black vneck.

Sam walked to the rack of clothes, pulling out black matching lingerie, then slipping on a pair of jeans and a black v-neck of her own, tucking in the black shirt into the jeans so her waist was neatly on display. She stepped to the mirror and took a moment to check out the way the jeans hugged her own ass and giggled softly. She then straightened up, tousling her hair a bit so it was wavy and long. She finished off her outfit, tying on her shell-toe Adidas. 

JC glanced over and grunted. "Ugh. Fucking A."

She looked over to see him staring at her reflection which made her smile. She reached for her makeup bag and put on a bit of foundation and bronzer, a quick mascara application and a little red lipstick and she was done. "Mmm."

JC watched her get ready for a good ten minutes before he needed to excuse himself to at least begin to fix his hair up a bit. He was all in his feelings, thinking about how his woman was fine as fuck and he would have been glad to stay home and sex her all day long.

Sam put on a little bit of her Honey and smiled, going to the beautiful box, taking out her Minnie ears and putting them along with her birthday pin. She grabbed her cute little black Celine handbag and held his ears before leaning in the doorway of the bathroom watching him appreciatively while he messed with his hair. 

His hair was tousled in a nice, but messy style. When she stepped to the bathroom, he was looking at her from the mirror as he washed his hands. Those eyes were looking at all of her through the mirror and he didn't care he was being obvious about it either. "Damn baby."

She smirked, "You did a nice job outfitting me in your dream outfits, baby." She smiled at the way he was looking at her, "Even though it's making it hard to leave."

He dried his hands off and turned around to take a real look at her. "Oh, it's hard to leave right now is right, but I can take all I want later when we get home." He walked over and towered over her, wrapping one arm around her and forcefully pulling her all up into his body.

She squealed so cute when he pulled her into his body. As their hips pushed up against each other she could feel him getting revved up for her. "Oh well hello there Joshua..." she dropped his ears by accident because she was caught off guard. 

He laughed all low, letting out a hum. "I could so do you right now. But I'm gonna be good."

She looked up at him with a grin. "Mmm. You'll just need to think about later." She let her hand slide down to his jeans, giving him one light little pass before she smirked and walked away from him. 

He closed his eyes because oh no she didn't... "Samantha...." he opened his eyes and grabbed his ears all hard before hurrying after her, grabbing his phone and wallet. "Let's get the hell out of here before we don't even fucking leave."

She grinned so cute, "Lead the way, daddy." There was something she loved about seeing him huffy like that. They both had this unexplainable sexual power over each other. The balance had never been as equal as it was with him, and she loved it. 

 

***

The car pulled up in front of the main entrance of Disneyland Paris. Sam clapped as she saw the sign and looked at JC. "Eeee! Get those ears on Josh," she giggled.

He laughed as he opened the door and she practically crawled over him to get out. He pulled his ears on. "Okay, okay, okay, they're on baby. Now I'll let you lead the way."

She climbed out of the car and adjusted those jeans on her waist, fixing her shirt to make sure it was tucked in just right. She adjusted her handbag and straightened out her ears too. "Ohh! Eeek!" She was about to start, taking off toward the entrance but she stopped and held her hand out behind her for her man.

He was so happy, genuinely happy on all accounts because of her. "Baby, it's okay," he laughed and took her hand, "Just touch your band to the gate and we get in. Everything and anything you want today, it's yours."

She smiled and leaned in for a soft kiss. "You're too good to me baby." She started to walk with him to the gate. They touched their bands as a small crowd watched them. They walked along Main Street and Sleeping Beauty's Castle was there in front of them. "Eeep!"

He literally couldn't have been happier. "Oh be still my heart, if I had known I would have brought you sooner."

She grinned. "No. This is perfect. I couldn't ask for anything better on my birthday, baby." They came up to the castle and she gazed up into his eyes right there along the bridge. Her left hand went up to his face.

He smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Happy birthday again baby, I love you."

She smiled up at him, "You've made this the most wonderful time. I love you, sweetheart. To the moon and back." She leaned up and let her lips go against his in a soft and sweet little kiss. And naturally, there was a Photopass photographer, but naturally a few people were snapping it with their cameras too. 

He grinned on her lips before he enveloped her lips with his, kissing so soft and sweet, his hand went over hers and he locked his fingers with hers before he whispered, "Already making a scene and I couldn't love it any more."

A few hours had passed and they had visited several rides, walking around to see the castle and the sights. They stopped at a bench in Tomorrowland, sharing a churro and an ice cream. JC had his spoon up against her lips. "Why does Disney ice cream taste better than regular ice cream? Like it's actually any different?"

"Because the calories don't count. And it's mixed with magic." She grinned and took a little nibble from his spoon before feeding him some of her churro.

"Mmmhmm. That's right. And even more when it's birthday ice cream." He smirked and took the cutest bite from her churro.

"Mmm that's right. And two day before your birthday ice cream too," she leaned in to kiss him, both of their lips cool from the ice cream and it was a cinnamon and chocolate flavored kiss.

He opened and closed his lips on hers with a little sticky aftermath. "When we get home we will have more birthday stuff probably waiting for us including treats. I love that we can celebrate so many things together baby." He tore off a piece of churro and held it up to her lips.

"We'll have to celebrate with our friends," she took a nibble on the churro, "But so many treats. You're gonna have to roll me home," she grinned. 

"Fucking gladly," he licked his lips and leaned in to get a kiss of her only half red lips now. He had a little red on him too and he could care less.

"I knew you wouldn't mind," she giggled softly into his kiss, rubbing their noses together, "You'll be happy."

He smiled genuinely."I am happy no matter what. I have you and that's all that even matters. Whether I roll you home or carry you home, feed you a feast or diet with you. You are mine, and that's what makes me happy." He tilted her chin up and kissed her nose. 

"You make me happy honey," she sighed softly, "So much."

***

The day continued on, filled with rides, snack stops and birthday magic. They were walking toward their next destination as Sam grinned. 

"You know, Hyperspace Mountain here is supposed to be scarier than the one in Orlando," she giggled, "I remember the first time I did that roller coaster. Oh man."

He grinned, "Yeah?" What was your first time like?" He pulled her hand up to his lips while he was looking down at her, walking toward Tomorrowland again. 

She smiled as he kissed on her hand. "I was so nervous. I was 14 actually. It was my first time at Disney. We had just moved to Winter Haven. I held on so tight, but once it actually happened I was able to relax," she smirked, "I definitely did a lot of screaming though."

"Oh good. I hope this makes you scream even more then." He laughed and stopped mid walk to yank her against him so he could wrap his arms around her, kissing her lips just right. 

She grinned, "I'm sure I will." She nipped at his lip before she went in for a nice slow kiss, she even teased the tiniest bit of tongue but took it away just as fast as he got a taste.

He growled against her lips lightly. "You think you're being so cute and clever don't you?"

She giggled softly. "You don't think I'm cute and clever?"

He smirked and pulled back to look down at her being all cute. "Of course I think you are, but you are being a cute and clever and beautiful tease too."

She laughed softly, "I reminded myself where we were. I had to stop myself from getting carried away with you," she placed one more soft kiss on his lips before they started walking again.

"Get carried away with me. See what happens, baby." He walked beside her, his arm draped around her with his hand resting on the back pocket of her jeans. 

"Sounds like a challenge." She kinda smirked and didn't say another word as he picked up their speed a little bit, becoming more hasty. 

He got in line and stood behind her, arms wrapped around her tight as his lips hit her neck. "Please don't challenge me today. Mmm no."

She laughed softly, leaning back into his body as she shook her head with a smile. "That made me think of the first time we slept in the fluff bed by the fire and I was afraid to let my body get too close to yours. Wasn't ready to challenge that..."

He smiled on her skin, kissing just once. "Did I scare you baby?"

"Not so much scare me. I remembered the magnetism I felt toward your hips dancing with you at the after party on Halloween. I knew if I got too close I'd probably want you too bad." She grinned a bit, "And I figured out slowly that you kinda had a thing for hips and a booty."

He buried her head into his shoulder with the cutest little laugh, "Oh my god, I couldn't even handle."

She laughed softly, leaning her body back into him a bit more, "You were very, very different."

"Still am. And I plan on continuing to show you that for the rest of your life, Samantha Bentley." His voice was matter of fact.

"I plan on accepting that for the rest of my life, Joshua Chasez." She smiled as they moved up in line a little bit. They were in the FastPass line, but it was still littered with people. She sighed thoughtfully, "It's funny how things happen. That morning of Ashley's show, I had just done the walk of shame early that morning. And I was so not into anything that had to do with men. And then you came along..."

He smirked. "Wait, baby. Did you just tell me that you did the walk of shame the morning of the day you and I first met?"

She laughed, "I never told you that before. I started that day leaving midtown and ended that day with you in my loft making waffles. Yes."

"Oh my god," he kissed her cheek as they moved up further, almost to the loading queue. "I think I love you even more than I did this morning, right now."

She looked up at him and smiled." I had thought maybe something was going to come of it but of course it was just about the sex. And I was done with that shit. And then you showed up... and that's how you got the blunt Samantha." She laughed so cute, "but then you came back after the party with me and it didn't feel wrong at all. It was just breakfast and conversation and you were on your way again. And then we didn't see each other for a while but you still texted and called. and sent lots of selfies,'' She grinned, " And I honestly looked forward to hearing from you and talking to you. I can safely say... confidently say... that I was interested in everything about you baby."

He made her turn around in line so he could look at her, his arms readjusted to lazily enveloping her. He had a little smile on his lips as he looked at her, not needing to say anything. He was just intent on her, replaying the day they met and the beginning of them talking through his mind. She smiled up at him in return, her eyes connected with his as they were both reminiscing in their minds. She was remembering his cute clever lines and the way he'd make her laugh, and how he always took the time to call and say goodnight. 

He shook his head slightly and he put his lips down on her forehead, leaving them there for a moment, "God do I love you."

She sighed softly, leaning up into him a bit more. "You've been the best choice I've made. Love you too."

He smiled, stealing a good healthy kiss from her as they moved up and were next in line. He mumbled on her lips, "I knew I was making the right decision, knowing I was going to ask you to marry me,"

Her eyes sparkled a bit. "When was there a moment you made that decision or did it just kind of happen?"

Mmmm," he was thoughtful, "I think it all just kind of happened. But honestly when I came home from tour and you were back from Fiji and I just felt that connection of you being at home with me. It felt right. Never has something ever felt more right than that. I never wanted to come home to an empty house again."

She smiled and reached up to touch his face, "You never will. Our house is our home and it'll always be."

"Ugh, I love the sound of that. It makes me want a bigger house with you already. Shit."

"Uhh we have a loft in Soho, your place in Orlando and a huge beautiful home in the Hollywood Hills. We good, daddy." She grinned as they loaded them into the front row of the rocket ship. 

"Okay, okay, I just want to keep giving you everything." He took his ears off and pulled hers off too. "You'll lose these honey."

She looked at him and grinned. "Thanks for always having my back." She rested her hand in with his between their two sets of restraints. The ride took off and she was squealing and giggling and screaming.  JC held her hand tight, bursting into an unexpected fit of laughter which only got worse as they continued on the ride. The turns and drops made him full on gut laugh, in tandem with her screaming, which was giving him life. 

The three minutes of the ride were exhilarating for her, as the ride went back to a stop with a sudden jerk, she looked at him with a giggle. He was giggling in return and his hair was a little messed up. She leaned over and fixed his hair a bit with a light smile. 

He put his ears on with a smirk. "We better get off this ride before we start getting kicked out," He poked her side once the restraints were unlocked and lifted. "And maybe we should think about having an actual lunch instead of ice cream and churros."

She smirked, "When I'm in France I'm literally always in the mood. So please."

He laughed and threw his arm around her shoulder as they walked out of the exit queue. "Well baby, what are you in the mood for right now? Talk to me."

"Mmm. Maybe a good cheese and wine plate to start." She rubbed her tummy, "And maybe something covered in cheese."

"Cheese on cheese. Got it." he smirked, "Good thing I have reservations for us at all of the biggest places for whenever you wanted to go, we even have the fine dining for dinner if you wish it baby."

The way he said it was so sure and she loved it. "Ugh. You." She made a low noise. "And how does one go about making a reservation for you?"

"You call up and say you're Samantha Bentley and you're making a reservation for your fiance JC Chasez," he licked his lips, also mattery of factly, "It's that easy. But also, I'll just give you my assistant's number that will make sure it gets done."

She leaned in closer to whisper in his ear, "And what about a personal reservation?"

"Mmmm... wrong reservation, my mistake." He stopped her mid Main Street with his arms around her and his lips went to her ear, "Just say the words and it's yours. That reservation."

She grinned playfully, a little noise escaped her lips. He had her going. "Mmm, noted baby." Her head tilted a bit and her eyes fluttered back open to look back up at him. 

He could see the sparkle in her eyes and it made him smile. "I'm all yours tonight. Or should I say you're all mine tonight."

"Happy to have that arrangement," she reached for his hand and squeezed it again, "You want to just get some wine and cheese for lunch baby? Or are you ready to head out and stop somewhere else?"

"Uhhhh baby this is YOUR birthday, and I have no say," he grinned, "If you want wine and cheese then we will grab that. You can probably order anything you want at two of the places I have reserved."

"Okay, then let's go to one of those places. Because if I'm gonna love you all night I'm gonna need that stamina."

"Mmm that sounds good and all, but I think you're mistaken." He licked his lips as he took her hand and walked up toward one of the restaurants at the front of the park. "I'm the one loving on you tonight."

"Fair enough. I can wait two more days to be in charge," she smirked as she swung their arms back and forth as they walked.

He laughed, "Exactly, and I know you got me mama." He pursed his lips as they walked up to the moderately fancy place, saying his name at the hostess stand before they were escorted to a secluded corner table.

She smiled and sat down next to him because she knew he never sat across from her, always next to her. She glanced up at the waiter and smiled because this corner was truly secluded, away from the windows and other diners.

JC looked up at the waiter and ordered in perfect French to order the cheese and meat platter.

She grinned, watching him. When the waiter walked away, she too spoke back to him in French, which she never said a word about. "You know, listening to you speak French is a huge turn on baby."

He was about to take a sip of his water but it didn't happen. His head turned to look at her so fast and his brows lifted. "Samantha!"

She smiled almost shyly across the table, taking a sip of her water. "I have a degree in International Business, in case modeling didn't work out." She laughed softly. 

He could have fallen out of his seat. "Are you kidding me? I'm about to marry you and not only did I NOT know that you also spoke French but your degree was in International Business?" He was about to have a moment of his own. 

She bit her lip, looking down at the table. "It never came up I guess," she turned bright red, feeling embarrassed. 

"Baby, shit," he cupped her face and was looking at her almost in awe, "How did I get so lucky? You're the most incredible woman in this world."

She smiled softly, looking up at him. She was still flushed but she knew he wasn't mad so she relaxed. "Baby, I'm the lucky one. I've got you."

"Your cheeks," he touched them softly with his hands, "I've noticed that you turn pink or red when you get either upset, extremely nervous or..."

Sam smiled and shook her head cutely as he held her cheeks, "Or what?"

"I'm not sure, would you be embarrassed easily? My little sassy princess?" He grinned and finally took his sip of water as the waiter brought their tray out.

She grinned, "I don't get embarrassed easily. When I think I've upset you is when it usually happens." She reached for her water and giggled softly, taking a sip. "Oh yum!" She took a piece of baguette and spread some Brie on it. She took a bite and closed her eyes.

He made his own concoction and took a bit, watching her as he was half turned toward her. When she was done having her moment he put a piece of his up to her lips. She took a bite and made a soft food hum, something about French food to her. She made another little cheese snack and held it up to his lips. They went on, hands on with each other as they ate. 

He took her bite and a little extra of her finger with a soft graze, or nip, and a grin. He looked down at her hand that she slid onto his leg, then back up at her. He scooped up some of the soft brie with his finger and put it against her lips. 

She smiled and let that hand go higher up on his leg. When he held the Brie up to her lips, she licked them a bit and went in for the Brie, using her tongue to take it off, then she couldn't' help but make a slight little suck at his finger to get it all off.

He let out a light moan and shifted in his seat. His mouth was parted slightly and he was trying so hard to be good, but he knew that shit was gonna go out the window shortly if this kept up. "Samantha..." he watched her eat her little cheese like nothing happened. 

She bit her lip when the cheese went down. "Joshua, I can't help myself." She grinned, "You're just all sexy and romancing me right now."

"Mmm let's finish this," she smiled on his lips, "And then I think I need to leave for my midafternoon snack. And I'm looking at him right now."

"I like the sound of a little afternoon snack and a little nap. But more so the snack, daddy's always got room for dessert."

She grinned cute, "Maybe we'll get to the nap, maybe we won't." She kinda grinned and took her hand off his thigh so she could finish up her portion of their platter... they both ate in silence just lots of eye contact.

The waiter came over to ask about dessert and JC handed him his black card. "Just the bill please, go ahead and run this, thanks."

Sam bit her lip as she took another sip of her water, watching him. She nibbled on her straw as she did. 

He signed that receipt so fast and put his card away. He looked over at her biting the straw and it made a grin creep upon his lips. "You can bite me instead of the straw now." He got up and held out his hand for her. 

Sam laughed softly and took his hand. "Oh I love you baby," She shook her head but was all smiles. He led her quickly out of that restaurant. Just as they got to the main gate, a small crowd of girls and a few boys started to stop them. 

JC grit his teeth, keeping his composure for the moment. He wanted to be kind and cooperate in taking pictures with the fans that had gathered, but he didn't let anyone get a solo photo of her. His arm was secure around her and not going anywhere. "We can do one more photo, then we have another reservation we gotta make you guys, thank you for being so supportive."

She laughed softly at how sweet, attentive and protective he was. "We appreciate it very much guys." She smiled as the two of them posed for one more photo with a girl. "Thank you." She giggled when someone asked when they were getting married. "It'll be a little bit, trust me." She looked up at JC with adoring eyes, kissing his cheek and snuggling into his side. 

His neck began turning a little bit red, as was his forehead. "Yeah we only got engaged last night. Have a good day guys." He couldn't pull her out of there fast enough, quickly slamming the waiting town car door once they were inside. He didn't say a word for a long ass minute.

Sam was fidgeting in the seat of the car for the first few miles as the car drove away in a thick silence. He looked over to see her shifti around and he pulled his mouse ears off his head, cleaning his throat as he leaned his head back against the seat. He wasn't trying so hard to act like he wasn't THAT desperate. After all, they did just leave Disneyland Paris. 

Sam looked out the window for a long minute, closing her eyes. After a moment, she collected herself then took her ears off, putting them on the floor between them. When she did, their hands brushed together and it was the same electric shock it always was. She sucked in a light breath and whispered, "You said it's my birthday and I can have anything I want, right?"

JC let out a little gasp as he almost felt an actual shock with her touching him. "Shit, yes baby anything you want." He felt himself need to shift in his seat too. 

Sam bit her lip, rather hard because of his reaction to her. Her voice was low, but above a whisper now. "I want to do something I've never done... and I don't want to bea  good girl baby, I want to do something bad." She leaned forward in her seat and she said simply, "Driver, the partition please. Up." 

JC blinked a couple of times. "Baby," he reached down and grabbed at his pants with a grunt. "What're you doing... you wanna be bad?"

"I wanna be bad with you baby," she smirked deviously and leaned up to straddle him on the seat. The backseat of the town car was big with some extra legroom. She reached down and started to unbutton his jeans. "And I can see that you're ready to have me... Ohhh so ready."

"Ohhh shit." His mouth fell open slightly as he was looking down to watch her hands on his pants move at a fast pace. His hips bucked up slightly and his hands slid down her curves, grabbing at her jeans, a fistful of the waistband. He pulled her roughly so her whole body was forced against him closer. 

She moaned softly at just how rough he was being with her. Her lips fell against his. "I've wanted you all damn day," she mumbled. She started a slow grind with her hips against his so their jeans were creating friction just a bit before pulling them down. He had her ignited.

JC couldn't hold it back now and he moaned so hard when he felt her against him that way. One rough move of his hand and her jeans were undone. He pulled away from her kiss to look down and forcefully get her jeans off enough so she could get back to straddling him. One leg was out and that was all he needed. "I've wanted to fuck you all fucking day."

She moaned because his words and actions sent a straight chill down her body... all the way. "Joshua, I can't wait anymore." She pulled him out of his briefs and made a noise. She brought her forehead up to his and needed to capture his lips in a sloppy, heated kiss.

JC nearly growled as his lips harshly came down around hers. He took two fingers and pulled her black lace panties to the side with a roughness and his other hand went under her ass to lift her just right so their bodies made contact. He bucked those hips hard enough to be all the way inside. He couldn't even make a noise because the pleasure was too much.

Her head dipped down against his neck and she moaned, her entire body trembling there in his arms. "Ohhhh..."

He could just nod as he leaned forward, putting his lips to her shoulder as his hands grabbed and pushed on her hips so she was against him and he guided her to rock as he worked just as hard in an upward motion. He let out a deep moan that she hadn't heard before. "Fuuuuuuuuuuu...."

He was meeting her halfway and it was slippery and sexy to her. She dug her nails into his arms as her hips rocked with his. Her hands couldn't even grip onto his arms. She tried to make a noise, a moan, his name, but nothing would come out. All you could hear were his harsh breaths and a little grunt here and there from both of them. Along with the sound of their hips meeting and the little smacking of skin JC's grunts got a little harder and his voice was low and bold. "I'm gonna lose it."

She grunted and grit her teeth a bit before she couldn't hold it and sucked a harsh breath that was let out in a rushed and hurried moan of his whole name. The car turned, which caused the position of her hips to take a slightly different angle and made the pitch of her moan change and send a deep shiver through her body. 

The turn, and her moan, and the way she said his name like that made his eyes roll back. His fingers dug into her hips so hard as he kept his hips up in a thrusted position as they both rode the wave that was blowing his mind right now. Never, ever had he had a woman take him and take control like she did just then. His head was thrown back against the seat and the only thing coming from him was a throaty groan, which turned into a little growl as the car braked a little hard, forcing him down onto his lap. He quickly threw his arms around her to hold her against him too, to protect her.

When he forced her down and the car braked in traffic, it made a sticky mess. She needed to moan against his chest. Her pulse was high and her body was tingling from head to toe. Her eyes fluttered closed and she was so content. She knew she had always been a lover who knew what she wanted and vocal, but it was never quite like this. Something about him brought it out of her. "Mmmm."

When he could finally breathe, he pulled his face up to hers and softly captured her lips in a single kiss. "Mmmm, you..."

"Mmmm." She smiled on his lips and kissed a few times softly, over and over and sweet. "Ugh, that was. Josh you are..." she moaned thoughtfully. 

He smiled and allowed his lips to give and take with hers, humming in agreement as he tried to help her get her jean leg back on. "I'm gonna love on you some more is what I'm gonna do. And I'm gonna need you to help me here so when we pull up at the front in about 2 minutes, we don't look like we just fucked in the back of this car."

She giggled so cute, "Mmm. Right. Back to normal." She left one more kiss on his lips before she stood up a bit in the back to fix her panties and jeans back on straight. She reached back and pulled her hair up into a messy bun to get her tousled hair out of the way. 

He licked his lips all slow and pulled his pants back up in place. He had this smirk on his face. He reached for and grabbed both of their Mickey ears, and he was holding them as the car slowed at the entrance as he suspected. When that door opened, his smirk got a little harder and he took her hand before he got out, then helped her out. His lips went to her face as he put his arm around her and they walked inside the lobby. 

They were both flushed and glowing and smirky. The elevator opened and she leaned into him as they got inside. The elevator started to ascend. Once it dinged, she just started to giggle in his arms.

He laughed a little himself. "Yeah girl, yeah." He walked her to the door and his hand rubbed at her back before he let them inside. "I'm just a little speechless right now."

After the whirlwind two day birthday celebration, topped off with dinner and a nightcap and a late evening stroll at the Eiffel Tower, JC had slept better than he had in weeks, knowing he had accomplished his great goal. When the next morning rolled around, he lay awake in bed, watching her sleep. She was snuggled up to him as he always expected and she was making soft sighs and whispering his name. It made him grin to know that his woman was thinking of him even in her sleep. He stroked her hair until she had woken up and they had smiled at each other sleepily for ten minutes.

Sam let out a soft giggle. "Dream you was almost as good as real you. Wasn't ready to let him go yet." She stifled a yawn.

He laughed all cute at her. "Oh yeah? What was dream JC doing that would compare to real JC?" He leaned down to kiss her cheek. 

Sam blushed, a light shade of flushed pink. "Promise not to judge my dreams?"

"Of course I'm not going to judge your dreams baby." He smiled and sat up a little bit to stretch, and to allow himself to look down at her. He dragged his fingers along her curves. 

She sighed softly and smiled, burying her head into the pillow for a moment as he sat up before she looked at him. It made her smile again when his fingers traced along her curves over the blush pink silk. "You had me floating on the clouds. You wouldn't touch me until you placed kisses all over me... everywhere. And it was just pure trust and love." Her blushing intensified. 

He shifted his body, grabbing her knee to pull himself up over her, between her legs. "I would never... think that... look at me baby."

She looked up at him, letting her hand go up to his face where it rested softly. 

He took her hand from his face and locked his fingers with hers and then kissed her hand and smiled. "What if I want to kiss you all over right now?"

She laughed softly with a cute smile, all in her feelings. "Baby are you competing with dream JC?"

He made a face. "Competing? No. I was just going to...." He made a soft noise. "Never mind, it was probably dumb. Want breakfast?"

She was ready to sigh but she stopped herself. When she looked up at him, he looked defeated and she knew him well. "I'm okay for right now sweetheart." She leaned up and kissed his cheek before she rolled out from under him to go use the bathroom, needing a moment to herself. After she was done, she splashed some water on her face, taking a moment to wash it. She brushed her teeth and pulled her hair into a loose braid.

JC mumbled into the pillow. "Fuck." He stood up and walked to the windows to open all the curtains to let the sun in, even opening the French doors so the tower was in view.

She came out of the bathroom to see him with his arm against the window and it made her smile, she walked over to him and slid her arms around him from the back, resting her lips against his shoulder blade where she kissed softly. 

He let out the softest sigh and his whole body relaxed against her. When he spoke, his voice was soft, "Sweetheart..."

"Mmm, yes Josh?" She smiled against his skin, holding him right there in her arms this time, taking his body back into hers, even rocking him a bit.

He couldn't help but smile. He took a moment to let her hold him before he backed up slightly and turned around in her arms. He made sure to put them back around him because he loved it when she had her arms around him. He was towering over her, looking down into her eyes. "I'm apologizing..."

Her eyes couldn't help but sparkle when she looked up at him, she could get lost in those eyes. "I'm telling you that you don't need to. You didn't do anything wrong." She hugged him, letting him be enveloped in her arms. 

He sighed and snuggled all up into her arms, putting his face into her neck before wrapping his strong arms around her for a light squeeze. "Oh, I love you Samantha."

She kissed his temple and rocked with him a little bit. "I love you too Josh. And I'm also apologizing. If I teased you about what you said, that wasn't my intention. I was only being playful with you."

He made a trail of kisses against her neck to her lips and he nodded. "I know that... I promise I know that." He laughed softly. "I think I'm just a grumpy old man in the morning today. But I'm not really grumpy... erm, I need to shut up."

She laughed softly, "So you're just an old man?" She looked up at him with a little bit of mischief in her eyes. "I think you might just be hangry, Gramps. So why don't we eat breakfast in bed and then I can get my fiancé back." She giggled, "Then he can do whatever he wants with me." She smiled. "We don't have to leave this room at all."

He got the biggest grin on his face. "I would love that for us today, LOVE IT. And," he growled playfully as he lifted her up in his arms into a tight hug. "I'm gonna let you order for us. Anything and everything, I'm going to make us the coffee though."

"Got it honey," she giggled, leaning down to place a soft kiss on his lips when he set her down again. 

"Oh and put some clothes on, cause they're gonna be here within 30 minutes of you ordering too and I don't play that," he tapped her ass on his way to the kitchen. 

An hour later, after enjoying breakfast and looking through photos from the two days before on their cameras in bed, JC was looking down at her with a soft smile, playing loosely with the hair on her braid. Sam was smiling as she looked up at him. "Do you want to take my hair out of the braid baby?"

He closed his eyes and smiled a bit before humming, he shook his head no. "I like the braid. I want to keep it for right now. If I happen to pull it out later, then fine, but it stays. Mmhmm."

She smiled. "As you wish, Josh," her thumbs traced down along his arms, feeling the dips and swells of the muscles. She was still leaning his body. Their sexual chemistry was always so fire that she didn't always have the chance to just really love and admire him, though she knew she had gotten to know his body better than any other lover she had. 

He looked down at her hands making their way against his skin and it made him smile. "What're you doing?" He was curious as to her answer. 

"Mmm. Loving on my fiancé. Committing the feel of your body to my memory. For those times when we have to be apart." Her thumbs switched to all her fingers. She felt along his triceps now, then down along his forearms, and stopped when they moved over his wrists and hands where she took both of his hands in hers and linked their fingers.

He couldn't help but grin. "Do I get to return the favor of burning your body into my memory? Even though I'm sure it's already there..." He squeezed their hands together with a smile.

"Of course sweetheart," she gave their hands a squeeze too, "You know, I absolutely love the fact that you have two freckles just above your hip. Just before the muscles make their V. They're just right there. I don't know why I find it so unbelievably sexy..." She leaned in to smile on his lips before she kissed a few times. 

He just smiled through the kiss and nodded with a low hum. He pulled her a little more on top of him so he could wrap his arms around her loosely while his lips danced against hers. "Been there all of my life," he mumbled. 

"I plan on loving on them for the rest of your life too," she smiled on his lips while she adjusted her body to lay on top of him. Her legs went over his to straddle him and she let herself get comfortable, laying against him. "Among other things I plan on loving on."

He grinned a little hard and let his hands slide down the curves of her body, resting against the back of her thighs just under her ass. He let his fingertips graze her skin back and forth right there, even a bit over the cheeks. "You got other things you want to love on?"

She laughed softly at how coy his little grin was. "You... you've got a lot of things I want to love on. I love those arms of yours. Your fucking SHOULDERS. When you have your back to me in the shower, I love to watch them. Those two little dimples on your back before your ass. Also adorable, by the way... and don't think I don't watch you tighten up your ass for me when you think I'm watching." She giggled, "I also love your neck and your jaw. And the way you never fail to shiver when my lips hit certain spots along the way."

"Mmm. I won't deny any of that," he leaned up on his elbows looking up at her, "Shall I start with how you sway your hips extra hard when I'm walking behind you, especially if you're in a dress and we're out in public? That's not an accident. Or like, when you cross your legs just right when you're sitting next to me so I'll want to slide my hand down into those thighs," He smirked, "I love every single moment you flirt with me like that."

"Also guilty," she giggled softly, "I love flirting with you that way because I love that you always react. Knowing I do it for you is empowering. Just like you love to tighten up those arms for me when you lay flat with your hands behind your head, or they flex just enough when you wrap them around me. That'll always do it for me sweetheart. You honestly were everything that I ever wanted in a man, whether I realized it or not. I was never really into super athletic guys growing up."

His hands gripped onto the underside of her ass and he licked his lips just enough. "Do you know that I was never, ever into curvy women until you? And now all the super skinny girls just don't do it for me anymore. I LOVE YOUR BODY... like fucking. Love. it. You're my woman and I just want to... ugh. The way your body reacts to me."

She smirked and it led to a soft giggle. "Joey tried so hard to get me to hate you in the first few weeks. So so hard. Told me what your type was and all. I told him that I gave no fucks." Her lips fell against his jaw where she kissed a few times. "Changing your mind wasn't difficult."

"Joey can go fuck himself, mmm." He tilted his head to give way to her lips, his fingers slid up to her little shorts and inside them, feeling the softness of her panties. "It didn't take longer than like... a day."

"I was never interested in him, just so you know. Something about you drew me in, I just wanted to get to know you. Be with you." She smiled on his skin. She let her lips move just slightly while his hands were roaming.

His eyes closed and he couldn't help but get a good grab of booty when her hips moved the way they did. "I was drawn to you the moment I saw you. I just didn't know how, why, what, where, or what my damn name was."

She laughed softly and let her head dip down into the crook of his neck, where she breathed gently. Her eyes closed and she took in the moment. She was feeling in tune with his hands feeling on her body. 

JC let out a soft moan when her body moved, his fingers gently playing at the fabric of her panties, just lining her panty line with his fingers, feeling on her softly. 

Her soft moan matched his perfectly as his fingers were moving along. Something about his soft, gentle touches that were even sexier to her than the frantic ones. Her soft moan was meant just for him to hear, right up against his ear, leading to a whisper of his name. Not full of need, just pure satisfaction. 

He couldn't help from being turned on and she could feel it. It wasn't an urgent or overly stimulated kind of turned on either. He whispered, "Baby..." He reached down and pulled her bottoms down. 

"Mmm," her head tilted a little bit to look at him, her lids heavy with satisfaction. "Mmm yes Josh?" She smiled softly, letting her hands trail down along his arms, giving them just a bit of love.

"Let me love on you... please?" His voice had a warmth and love to it she hadn't heard before when they were intimate.

She smiled when he asked the way he did, she nodded and leaned up to place a soft kiss on his lips. "Baby, I'm yours however you want me. Just say the word, or make the moves you want."

"Mmm, music to my ears." He got up and in a swift motion, he switched positions with her and had her down on the bed. He was pulling her bottoms off the rest of the way, admiring her.

She smiled, looking down at her body then up at him. The way he was admiring her, she could say so much but she didn't. She was in the moment, letting him have his too.

He used only his fingertips to pull her top off so she was completely naked. He wasn't saying a single word either, just looking at every single inch of her. You could see his eyes moving along every part of her. His lips parted to take a deep breath. 

Sam smiled softly, almost shyly but not at the same time. She tilted her head just the slightest bit as she watched him. She let her body just be natural, not sucking in. She was certainly thinner and more toned than when they first met, but she was a little softer than she was when he first came home from tour. Those curves were killer and her skin was just kissed with the sun against the cream colored sheets below her. 

"I just... wow." He got himself between her legs and leaned himself down to hover over her, but in a way so that he was still looking down into her eyes, which were full of love.

She smiled, knowing he wanted to just love on her, but she had such genuine love in her eyes for him that she took a moment to gently pull at his necklace to bring him down to her for a gentle kiss. "I love you."

His eyes closed and his lips enveloped hers in a good and straight up loving kiss. His hands cupped the side of her face and he didn't say anything back to her, letting his body do the talking along with his lips. She smiled against him, letting him take the lead while her lips gladly danced against his lips. It was pure trust and love right now as she let her body move just so with him. She wasn't moving with the intention of turning him on, just a natural flowing movement. Her hands trailed down to remove his briefs slowly, the last piece she needed to get off to be skin to skin. 

He let out a little moan but it was a soft one. When she got his briefs off he needed to be skin to skin with her, against her. His lips stopped in that moment because chills were sent down his spine when his body touched her like that for the first time in such a way that it hadn't before. 

She couldn't help but let out a soft whimper on his lips. He could feel a little quiver in her body when they made contact the way they did. He was turned on but it just felt different. The heat from their two bodies was electric but not sweaty or lusty. She took a moment to whisper his name. "Oh Josh..." Her sigh was satisfied and it escaped with the whisper moan of his name.

He moved his body just because he needed to. It was slow and to reposition himself because this was new to him and the way he was feeling was so different. He pulled his head back to look down at her after she said his name. "Forever, Samantha."

She nodded when he said that, her lips parted as she sucked in a light breath. Her body started to feel like it was being lifted up off the bed straight into the stars. She wasn't even quite sure what was happening because she had never felt that way either. She whispered, "Forever."

He leaned down and put his lips on her neck when she closed her eyes like that and he started to kiss so softly, his hands slid down the length of her arms and pulled them up over his head as he kissed his way across her thought to the other side of her neck with a soft hum. She let her body move as he was moving. She reached up to grab onto something above her head but for now it was just the pillow. She knew she'd reach for his hands at some point but right now, it was perfect. Her head tilted a little bit too as he kissed along her neck. The fact that he was taking his time and really truly loving on her for the first time was the sexiest thing ever to her.

He dragged his lips back and forth, breathing on her skin. He made his way down to the top of her chest and collarbone. He kissed along the crevice so slowly. "Oh, your skin," he whispered, as his fingers began to race where his lips would go next.

She sighed softly, this time more throaty. "Mmm Josh. Oh baby... those lips." She opened her eyes again to watch him kiss along her skin, and there was something about the love and determination in his eyes that made her smile.

He looked up at her and smiled again, sliding his tongue along his lips as a reply before putting his lips back down against her other collar bone. The way she sighed and moved her body let him moan out against her skin as he dragged his face down with scruff and all between her breasts. 

Her eyes fluttered closed again as she moaned out, still a soft one. She held onto the pillow above her while his lips and scruff made their way down. It tickled against her skin but at the same time, the sensation of his kisses was more pleasurable than ticklish.

Her reaction made him smile and he looked up to see her face as he placed his lips around his first intended target, just to brush his lips against it. Her second moan was a little louder, she definitely felt that wave straight down her core when his lips were on her in that way. He could feel it change with just his light brushing.

Her moan caused him to and he wanted to make a move on her so badly right now, off of that, but the restraint was real and he needed to pull his lips off her and take a breath. "God..."

Her eyes fluttered open because he stopped, but when she saw him having a moment that was so real, just like the one she was having, made her smile because the sensuality between the two of them was at its peak, unlike it had ever been.

Their eyes met and he nodded in a knowing way as he took another deep breath and kissed his way down to the other side. This time, his lips gave a light suck as he showed it a little more attention. His hands grabbed at her ribs under her breasts because he was hovering his lips against her, feeling it react against them. He was getting to know her body unlike ever before. 

She needed a moment to reach back up and grab a handful of the sheets. Her moan was shorter and a bit deeper because her man really knew how to use that mouth of his as a weapon.

Her moan was all he needed, his lips wrapped around the flesh and he gave it the lightest little pull with a hum and moan in one. He pressed his body against hers. She reacted immediately when he did that, his body pressed against hers and he could feel her twitch, the littlest shake and quiver kind. "Ohhh Josh, baby."

He came back up to her lips and took one of her hands, linking fingers with hers. "Baby, I just..." he took a moment to lean down and capture her lips with his in a good hard kiss, full of everything this time. Love, a little lust, and deep appreciation. 

"Mmm," she met his kiss, sucking in his lips softly before whispering, "You complete me Joshua Chasez." She let her lips push back up against his, their fingers linked above the heads and her body just melted into his underneath him.

He made a face because her melting into him that way made him push his hips against her, feeling both of their bodies craving each other. It was different than before, but it was still a want. A need, even. 

She squeezed their hands slightly and let her free hand come up and touch his face along his scruff. Their eyes met and she couldn't hold back the tiny smile that played at her lips. They were in tune with each other's bodies. She whispered, "Mmm. Make love to me Josh..."

He nodded ever so slightly with a whisper, "I need to make love to you." He used his hip to push her leg even more out of the way. He dipped down and pressed his hips down right up against her, feeling they were both more than ready.

"Mmm, oh Josh..." She let out a low little sigh, her body heightened for him, she was all tingles. She rose her hips ever so slightly to meet his before she gave their hands a light squeeze.

He leaned in and put his lips just above hers as he slowly started to rock his hips against hers ever so slow so she could feel him at her center. It made him suck in a harsh breath before he whispered, "I'm gonna take my time on you..."

She sucked in a breath when he did. She could feel a pulsating, but she wasn't sure which of them it was, but she knew both of their bodies were in want. She nodded, "Mmm," she whispered, "I'm all yours..."

He took a moment to really look down at her as he continued to rock his hips on her, watching her reaction. He gave a squeeze to one hand and used the other to let go and graze the skin down her side as he rolled his hips once more, making the initial push inside her ready body. He was still watching even though his eyes damn near fluttered and rolled back already. This feeling of vulnerability with a lover was new for him too, and it was fucking amazing. 

She let out the softest moan, her body was so ready for him that it was the most natural slip inside. She was doing her best to be mindful, in the moment, focusing on everything her body was feeling, all the sensations happening to her. "Mmmm," Her eyes looked up to meet his before they fluttered closed with satisfaction.

When his hand got to her hips, he lifted that side up just a bit so he could grab onto her with one hand for leverage so he didn't pull from her other hand. He sucked in a soft breath as he smoothly bucked his hips to make sure he was all the way in. His head dipped down. "You..." his voice trailed off. 

Her head tilted a bit to the side and she moaned, letting her hips go still with his. "Ohh, Josh you feel... yes..." her whisper was almost like a gentle hiss. 

"So good," his breathy whisper was all he could get out as he pulled his hips back and slowly worked again to make the smoothest entrance ever, his body rolled each time so he could pace what he was doing. He was paying close attention to how he was feeling, trying to gently love on her. His heart, his body, his everything was on ten at the moment. His face needed to fall against hers somewhere, because he was having such a moment, so much that his hand squeezing hers was causing their fingers to go a little white. 

Her lips were slightly sloppy between the breathy moans she was taking. "Ohhh baby." She pulled at their hands and whispered, "Baby your hand..." She flexed it a bit when he loosened his grip. The rest of her body was floating and flying-- it reacted to each gentle thrust of his, meeting his halfway but it was slow and trusting. She was feeling so connected to him.

JC's brows furrowed as he continued to buck his hips in a slow and gentle rhythm. He felt her hips rise with his and he hissed out her name in a soft moany breath. "Oh Samantha..."

She lifted her hips to his again slightly before leaning up to capture his lips in a slow kiss. The give and take was trusting, safe, deep. Closing her eyes, she knew that making love with this man was worth waiting for. 

What could have been twenty minutes passed before they both reached their satisfied peaks, a slow and tortuous release filled with deep and trusting pleasure, nothing like the frantic, passionate encounters that peppered the earliest parts of their relationship.

An hour had passed, and Sam was laying next to him as he rolled on his side next to her. Her head was on his chest and she was breathing softly, holding him. Every so often she reached up to touch along his chest or arm while he stroked her hair. They were in silence, taking in the other, a sexy and intimate afterglow.

JC let out a soft hum as he tangled his fingers in her hair. He had never been so content with anything, and that love making was something he had never experienced quite like that. Paris was already special for them, but now there was something even more special about it. 

She peeked up at him from his chest, the way his eyes were closed and his small smile made her heart even more full for her man. She sighed softly too, then placed a gentle kiss along his skin. She mumbled softly and thoughtfully, "That may be the first and only time I've ever made love. Like that." Her voice was just above a whisper, almost inaudible. 

He was silent for a few more moments,playing in her hair, then he too mumbled, "I've never made love like that before," he looked down at her, "Only to you now."

She smiled, sated. When their eyes met again, it gave her goosebumps all over again from head to toe. "That was well worth waiting for," she sighed. 

He leaned down, putting his lips to her forehead to kiss a few times softly, he whispered, "You were worth waiting for..."

She smiled, snuggling in a bit more. "You were worth waiting for, Josh. When I was 13 I remember being in my room writing in my diary about the man I wanted to marry," she grinned coyly, "You're probably way more than I gave myself credit for as a kid."

He smiled and rolled over onto his back, putting his arms behind his head for a thoughtful moment. "You're way more than I ever could have dreamed up." A thoughtful noise escaped his lips as he stared at the ceiling for a few long moments. His heart was feeling so many things, things he didn't even know were still alive inside of him before he met her. He knew of their insecurities and shortcomings, and knew more would be surfacing the more they let the other in, but in this moment, none of them mattered. All that mattered was making love to the woman he loved, in Paris. 

The afterglow had never felt so right. JC sucked in a low breath as he continued to play at her hair, watching her with a little smile. A couple of hours had passed and their conversation continued to be lazy and loving. He knew they were still on vacation in the most romantic city in the world, but somehow just being with her and having the time together was the best view of all.

His lips curled up into a little smirk. "Can we go back to talking about that husband wish list for a minute? Did I hear you say something about singing and dancing boys at 16 a while ago?"

She smirked. "Oh they were. Those Mickey Mouse Club boys. So charismatic and adorable with their singing and dancing. Was a shocker that no one looked or danced like that at my high school."

He licked his lips. "You're just saying this on purpose now." He grabbed at her sides with both of his hands.

"HEY," she laughed, "I am not! If I told you I specifically wanted the co lead singer of a boy band who could put it down THEN I'd be just saying that on purpose." She wiggled out of his grip again, laughing so cute.

He wouldn't let her get away, continuing to tickle at her sides. "Are you telling me you knew who I was when you first met me then?"

"Josh," she laughed softly, "You would have had to live under a rock not to know who you are. *NSYNC is literally everywhere, all the time. And for a while, it was 24/7." She looked up at him and smiled softly. 

His smile grew thoughtful and he stopped tickling her. "Baby, I actually thought for a minute in the beginning you had no idea..."

She smiled as she gazed up into his eyes. "Because it didn't matter to me. You became just Josh. My best friend's ex boyfriend's best friend," she giggled, "And quickly my friend. The *NSYNC stuff didn't make a difference."

JC grinned. "Now let's rewind back to this Mickey Mouse Club part."

She laughed softly, sitting up a bit to get a good stretch, looking down at him lying there wrapped in the sheets at his waist in his naked glory. "Okay, let's go back to it."

"You're telling me... that my soon to be wife would watch me, Justin, Ryan and Dale on TV?" He pursed his lips as he looked up at her.

"And you can't forget about my man Tony," she smirked, "Yes, yes, she did."

"Oh this is gold." He needed to sit up, "How have we not discussed this before?"

"Oh we have," she laughed, "early on," she smirked, "probably 5 or 6 beers in one night. I told you I had a crush on someone on MMC and you guessed it was Justin," she shook her head, fighting a grin.

"Wait. I said that?" He laughed and scoffed. "I was the biggest heart throb on that show, thank you very much." He was playfully making facial gestures too.

"You did! Then you pretended to be shocked just like this when I told you it was Tony," she was laughing so cute. 

His smirk was big. "I should tell Tony and have him over for dinner," he reached over to touch her face, "I bet you'd like that."

She laughed, "So you could tell him I outgrew a preteen crush when I started with real men?" She smirked, "Or that your fiance had a crush on your friend when she was a kid but now she's a model and marrying you?"

"Mmm, both of those things sound so perfect. Maybe I will tell him all that." He grinned and leaned over and kissed her cheek, then he threw his leg over her so he could get out of bed.

She laughed so cute, leaning back in the bed so he could get out over her. "Maybe he remembers the day my friends and I came with my dad," she licked her lips, "For a friend's 15th birthday. We drove from Winter Haven to MGM and went to a taping, then did a park day. Mhmm, yes."

JC paused, completely naked in front of the bed, about to head to the bathroom. "Wait. Excuse me? You actually went to MGM?"

She laughed softly, watching him. She wasn't sure if she should admire his sexy body or laugh at his perplexed expression. "Baby, why don't you go and do what you need to do. I'll be here when you're done." She needed to grin up at him because she chose the admiring-- she checked him out from top to bottom.

He pointed his finger at her. "I'll be right back. Hold that thought." He walked quickly into the bathroom, shaking his head hard. 

Sam pulled her hair out of the loose braid it was in, reaching to pull it up in a loose top knot. She was smiling, taking a moment to admire her ring and enjoy the peaceful silence of the late morning.

JC hurried back into the bedroom, plopping back down into the bed with big, love-filled eyes. He grabbed a pillow to hug against him as he moved closer to her. "Soooooo..."

She laughed softly, "Season 7."

"Oh, the last one," he grabbed at her legs and pulled her closer to him since he was sitting across from her. "Was I there when you guys went? I just want to know if I could have potentially met my future wife and had no freaking idea."

"Oh you were," she laughed all soft. "It was Cry For You day. We were just so excited to be there. Wow." She smiled, being taken back into her memories for a moment, "I guess it was never important to bring up because it just happened. After the show went off, it was just a memory."

"Wow," he smiled softly, tilting his head to look at her with a little more adoration, "I'm glad I didn't meet you back then because I was such a dork and would have totally lost my chance with you forever," he grinned.

She laughed so cutely. "Uhh you were 17 and had it all together. I was only 15 and had probably just had my braces taken off," she grinned, "I'm sure you were chasing after your beautiful cast mates, too busy to be worried about little old me."

"I was probably more concerned about what we were having for dinner and if we were going to have some time to play video games and play on my keyboard," he smirked, "I probably wouldn't have had the guts to approach you anyway."

She grinned, "You needed to wait 17 more years to grow into those little red lifeguard shorts?"

"I swear to God woman..." he smirked and took the pillow from his lap, pushing her down into the bed with it, then pushing it into her face as she fell against the pillows, like he were about to smother her in a teasing way.

She tried to push him off, and when she was finally able to move, she pulled him down with her and finally offered a soft smile. "15 year old Samantha wouldn't have had the nerve to talk to you either. Or tease you about little red shorts. So we would have had a pretty even playing field. Though I probably would have stared at you in some little red shorts, I mean at 17 I could have had an eyeful right?"

He laughed all low and tried to smother her face again for a second. "I'm going to burn those fucking shorts..." he growled.

Sam pushed him off again but this time, she got up and walked to the bathroom, her feet shuffling as she walked in. 

He watched her go in with a grin. "You're lucky that nature was calling because I could have just smothered you!" He was smirking to himself, hugging the pillow to his chest again. 

Sam took her time in the bathroom, then washed her hands and face before shuffling back to the French doors for a moment to look at her city. Her heart was racing and she was feeling a panic attack about to start. The tightness in her throat hadn't happened like this in years. She closed her eyes and breathed, trying to ground herself again.

Of course, JC was watching her closely, he could barely take his eyes off of her when she was ever in a room with him. He hummed out a sigh, looking at her with more of an appreciative stare, a slow one, one where she could feel his eyes on her too.

She sucked in another low breath, then turned to look at him. She could see him staring at her. She walked over to the bed and sat on the opposite edge from him. "Hey Josh?" 

"Mmm yeah baby?" He tilted his head real cute to look at her. He was hoping she'd be playful, he was down for another round or two. 

She sighed softly, looking down at her hands. The diamond sparkled, a symbol of something she for a long time thought would never happen to her. "Don't do that again. The shit with the pillows and what you said. I know you were joking around with me. But I've been in bad relationships. And I've been with guys who act all manly and tease like that but then they need to use their hands and physicality to run the relationship. So just. Yes."

He looked at her and was on his feet within a matter of seconds. His hands went up to her face gently. She was his world, his everything. He never, ever wanted to jeopardize that. "Samantha...." his voice was serious and soft, "I didn't... I'm sorry."

She shook her head a little bit as she looked up at him. "Sweetheart, you didn't know. And it never really had to come up because it's the past. But I told you before, transparency and communication are important to me. So I had to say something." She looked up into his eyes for a long moment. "I don't let it define me baby. I'm a different woman than I was then."

JC wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close into his body. He needed to hold and hug on her at that very moment. His lips went to her temple and he couldn't say anything with his words, just letting his protective body language speak with his actions. 

The way he held her was everything. Everything she knew she needed but could never have, never hold on to. Her first went up and banged into his chest, but not hard. She began to cry and be in the throws of it for a moment. The tears were streaming down her cheeks, silent tears, letting the pent up emotion of so many years release. Between the engagement, finally making love that way with JC, feeling those old wounds, she was vulnerable and that moment of opening up the old wound just caught up to her. She takes the moment to be emotional in his arms. She didn't know she needed it, but she did. 

JC reached up and held the back of her head, not letting his lips leave her face. He was there. He wasn't going anywhere, and he would be there for as long as she needed to cry. This was his job, he was her man, her fiance, and he was going to be there for all of these moments for the rest of her life

She let herself be in the throws of it for a good ten minutes. He felt her body start to relax and her little sniffles took over, and she let a soft sigh out against his skin. She felt silly for a moment, they were naked in a sensual hotel room in Paris, and here she was crying in his arms. But it was life, and she needed to get the release out. She looked up at him from his chest with a soft smile. "Thank you for being my everything Joshua Scott."

As he looked down at her, he knew he wanted to be her everything forever. He was boiling on the inside, angry that anyone would ever be stupid enough to hurt his woman. Whatever this man did to her, it caused emotional scars. When he found out who he was, he was going to hurt him. His mind was made up. He offered her a genuine and soft smile, knowing his reaction was going to help calm or escalate her again. "Hey. Nothing else I'd rather be in this world baby," he used his thumb to wipe her tears, then brought his lips down to her eyes to kiss the remaining tears away. 

She smiled softly at him for the first time in awhile, it was a soft genuine smile. "Cuddle with me Josh? I just want to hold you. And I want you to hold me."

He took a look at her for a long moment as he was wiping her cheek with the back of his hand. His movements were gentle. "Would you rather take a hot bubble bath or just cuddle?"

She let out a soft sigh. It was more of the I'm so thankful sigh rather than one of sadness. "Why don't we take a bubble bath."

He took her hand, offering her a warm smile as he led her through the gorgeous part of the bathroom to the tub. He didn't let go of her hand as he started to fill the water, pouring lilac lavender rose bubbles inside, keeping her close to his body.  She smiled and gave a little squeeze to their hands, letting their bodies have a gentle sway together. Something about JC gave her inner strength that she was rediscovering in herself. Pushing her past aside, she wanted to be in the moment, enjoying this time with him while the tub filled up.

"Mmm," he smiled, nuzzling his face all up into her neck, swaying with her, loving her, truly fucking loving her. He felt vulnerable himself in this moment, and he didn't want to change that either. 

She smiled, bringing her body up to his, feeling her curves press against his rock solid body again, letting her head go up to the crook of his neck. The room smelled like the bubbles and his body was warm and inviting, just what she needed after letting her vulnerability come out. He smiled, pressing his face against hers as he leaned down and picked her up, holding onto her as he stepped into the oversized tub. He was standing there in the water and bubbles as the tub continued to fill up, holding her close. Still, there were no words that needed to be said, he just wanted to be there with her and for her. 

She smiled on her skin as her legs wrapped around his waist. She peeked up at him and sighed happily and she whispered, "Hey Josh?"

"Mmm, yes love?" He looked down at her and used his foot to turn the water off. It made a faint drip in the background.

She smiled softly as she gazed up into his eyes. "I love you. I just wanted to say that."

He let out a soft and cute sigh as he brought her down to sit in the hot water with him very much attached to his body the way it was. "I love you so much, and I know that you love me. I feel that you love me every single day."

She smiled as her legs went around his body a little bit higher since they were sitting down. The feel of his naked body with his was so familiar to her now and it felt so right. "Likewise," she nuzzled her nose against his, "You've made me feel so special these last few days. Just like a princess," she smirked, "even if princesses don't sleep with celebrities."

"Mmm, well this princess does now." He grinned and leaned in to just kiss on her lips once really softly, "Besides baby, you're a celebrity now yourself and you're always going to be my princess."

She smiled softly, "And it doesn't count when the celebrity is your fiance, because he's the only one."

He had to laugh slightly, "Oh, you..." he lifted her chin up again so he could really look into her eyes. He loved seeing her smile and he knew it was medicinal for both of them, "Say fiance again baby..."

She giggled a bit, "Mmm, what?" That you're my fiance and I'm going to marry the shit out of you? My birthday boy."

"Mmmmm. Exactly what I needed to hear." He smiled and nuzzled his nose to hers as he took a wash cloth to her back and just let warm water run down."

She smiled, closing her eyes and humming softly as her face rested against his. She finally let her body relax. She whispered, "It's almost sunset now, which means your birthday is on deck."

He made a soft noise and leaned his head forward to put it against hers. "Can't we skip mine and just keep celebrating you?"

She laughed softly against his lips, "I propose that from now on we make these three days about us together. And find a way to celebrate each other. But," she grinned, "I cannot let you turning 30 go unrecognized. While I had to change up our original plans since you surprised me on another continent," she grinned, "Tomorrow morning your surprises begin."

"Wait, you had surprises for me too?" He smiled, almost in a boyish way. He was so wrapped up in making her birthday perfect that he never stopped to consider she might have had surprises up her sleeve as well. 

"Yup," she smiled, "The studio wasn't it. Actually, we were supposed to take a drive up to Big Bear for a few days. But that'll need a rain check when we get home."

He laughed, "I planned a trip and so did you? Wow." He put the washcloth on the side and cupped her face to kiss on her a few times. 

She laughed softly. "I guess we both figured the other worked too much and needed time away." She returned his kisses with a soft smile. "But I was able to call in some favors for you for this surprise. Of which I'm extremely excited about." She grinned. 

He made a low growling noise and mumbled, "Baby, what did you do?" He nudged his face against hers before pulling back slightly to look at her, still his face all close to hers.

She smirked. "Joshua Scott Chasez. You planned a trip to Paris, France with a marriage proposal and didn't say a damn word. You think I'm going to reveal what I'm doing?"

His grin was wide. "Then why did you even TELL me in the first place?" He leaned in to gentle tickle her sides, being sure his touches were gentle this time. 

She squirmed and let out a squeal. "Eee, Josh!" She laughed, "Because, it's fun to watch your mind wander to what it could be."

He grinned and continued to tickle her. "Samantha. Freaking. Bentley." He started to laugh with her as the water began to splash, both of their bodies creating movement in the water. 

She was laughing so cute with him as the water splashed around them and she was wiggling in his arms. "Joshua Freaking Chasez!" She brought her forehead to his, "I promise you that it'll be worth waiting to find out about."

He was still giggling but he stopped tickling on her and eventually just put his arms around her again as his giggle faded into a sigh. "Baby, I have no doubt that this is going to be worth it. I look forward to all of it... it's your turn to be excited about surprising me."

She smiled, kissing his lips softly. "Oh, I am," she slid her finger tips along his arms, feeling them softly and thoughtfully. His quiet strength was her comfort and she knew it wasn't going anywhere any time soon.

He held her tightly in his arms, stroking her hair and humming softly. While he was very much in the moment with his girl, his mind began to race about where they would be going, what had happened this afternoon, and the overwhelming need to protect and shelter her from the world to the best of his ability. Whatever her ex boyfriend had taken away from her, he was determined to give back to her in its entirety. 

"You've gotta be kidding me baby!" JC called out into his headphones.

He couldn't believe his eyes. Earlier in the day, Sam had surprised him with a flight to Nice. Watching the French countryside beneath them was a treat, and her excitement at surprising him made his entire day. Waiting for them at the airport in Nice was a helicopter to take them to their next destination. The French Riviera went whipping by them and the helicopter was landing on the top deck of a yacht.  He wasn't quite sure where they were, but he knew it was beautiful. He was in disbelief, almost speechless as they landed. This was more than some next level wifey shit. 

"Mmm, Happy Birthday Josh," she smiled so cute as she took off her headset and unbuckled herself as they opened the door. "Welcome to Monte Carlo. I thought we could have some alone time, and it was much cooler to say we were staying on a boat instead of in a hotel." Her giggle was soft. 

"I..." He took his headset off and was blinking as he followed her off the helicopter. "I can't... baby!"

The crew whisked their suitcases off the helicopter and went deep in the cabin but she stayed on the deck with him for a moment. "We're going to go off the coast, away from everyone. We're just going to have the boat crew with us but you won't even know they're there." She grinned cute. "I have a few things planned for us but it's mostly just you and I being together, away from the world." She licked her lips playfully, "And maybe it's an excuse to rub you down with some oil." 

"UGHHHHHHHHH," He grabbed her harshly and pulled her into him with one arm around her as he crashed his lips upon hers in a solid and sure kiss, responding fuck yes.

She smiled on his lips, going in for a long and lingering kiss as well, definitely sexy but she didn't want to ramp it up too hot just yet. She then pulled away and giggled softly. "C'mere baby, Let's go check it out." They spent a few minutes wandering, two chaises and a table on the back, inside had a living room set up with a couch and a grand piano and television, a little dining room, a full kitchen. They went down the stairs to the bottom level to a bedroom that rivaled a luxe hotel suite.

His hand was locked with hers and he was completely in awe. "Baby this is amazing, it's beautiful... like no one has ever done anything like this before..."

She smiled. "Joshua Scott, you're worth every moment. I wanted you to feel as special as you make me feel." She licked her lips all cute, "And I called in a favor of a friend. This belongs to Givenchy. They want me doing some work on their next campaign and I may have been persuasive with this." She giggled softly, "Your first choice today, birthday boy, is to pick what bathing suit you want me in as our boat leaves the dock. You've got black trunks on the bed and some new aviators there. There's about 6 different bathing suits for me that you can pick from. It's all up to you."

"Ummmm," his smirk was coy, "Then I'm just going to need you to show me where I need to go to pick out my selection baby..." He licked his lips just thinking about the possibilities. 

She giggled softly, "C'mere." She pulled him into the bedroom where they were laid out. Every color, some two pieces, a few one pieces, some floral, some strappier than others.

"Oh my," his eyes darted from her to the bed then back to her, then to the bed. "The strappy one. No, no, no...I  like the one with the roses, yeah."

She smiled. "Hair up or down for you, daddy?'

"Mmm. Up... put it up so I can really make sure to oil all the parts like your neck... don't want you getting burnt you know." He grinned and started to play with her hair like he was going to put it up for her, and he was a hot mess with it. 

She started to laugh so cutely, "Josh, baby, when you're going to be my husband you're going to need to do a better job than that with my hair. Have you never done a woman's hair before?"

He was playing with her hair, getting it into a ponytail that looked like a four year old pulled it up and he was grinning. "No, I have not... you're my first try."

She laughed as she watched him through the mirror. "No, come here. You're going to get a lesson." She pulled out her hair tie and walked to her bag, pulling her brush out. Sit on the bed." She settled as well, handing him the brush. "Now brush it first. Get it how you want before you try and pull it back."

"Baby," he laughed, looking down at her brush. "I don't know. Are you sure?" He took the brush to her hair, unsure.

"Josh I brushed it this morning. My hair isn't that tangled of a mess," she laughed softly, "You can't hurt me. It's not so bad."

He smiled and just went for it, and he was doing a great job. "Okay, this isn't the part I'm worried about. What's next?" He tried brushing some of the hair up, holding it in his fist.

"You're doing great baby! Brush it up, gather it where you want to pull it up. Hold the pony in your hand, then here," she slipped her tie off her wrist and handed it to him, "Slide the hair tie in. You've watched me wrap it around a few times. Just try."

His brows furrowed as he was slowly doing it, just like a little kid would be. Concentrating, he brushed up each section of hair and got the ponytail wrapped around better than his first time. "Heyyy."

She smiled, watching him through the mirror. It made her heart so full to see him willing to try something as silly as this. "See Josh, I knew you could do it!" She giggled so softly, "You can do my hair anytime, baby."

"Wait wait wait. I gotta do it once more. Just let me do it better." He pulled her hair out and brushed it out again all smooth, then he started to pull it up again. 

"Anytime you need to practice baby, you've got a head of hair to work your magic on." She smiled as he tied it up again, much better this time. She made a soft satisfied noise and mumbled, "I'm gonna have to give you a girl. You're too good at this."

"Well now that I've been properly trained," he smirked, "Bring it on. I'll do her hair."

She looked back at him with a smile and a soft, thoughtful laugh. "I'll keep that in mind..." she turned a bit more and leaned up to kiss him softly,  "If we have a daughter someday, you can do her hair all you want, baby."

"Either one, I'll be able to do their hair," he smirked and touched her face as he kissed on her softly. "Mmm but right now, you're going to get into a bikini, and I'm going to go change."

"Mmm, yes. I'll meet you on the back deck in a few minutes." She let their kiss linger for a moment before she grabbed her things and walked into one of the bathrooms to change. 

"I can't wait," he bit his lip as he just started to undress right there. He put on the swim shorts and pulls his new aviators out of the case, putting them on top of his head. He looked in the mirror and could tell that he had lost a little of his abs from touring, but not too much. He patted them with a little grin.  He looked over at the bathroom door and then made his way to the back deck where she said she would meet him. He put his sunglasses on and looked out at the ocean in awe. "My woman did this for me." He sighed. 

Sam changed into the rose bikini that JC had picked up, fixing up the strapless top so it was just right, then adjusting the bottoms on her hips. She grinned cute, looking at herself in the mirror. She put on her matching sunglasses and walked out to the back deck. She saw him standing there looking out and she grinned. "Wow, what a view," she said out loud, knowing he was in a daydream.

He whipped around so fast to take a look at her. He grinned and felt his knees buckle a bit at the sight. "Fuck. Happy birthday to me."

"You're easy to shop for," she grinned, "Just a boat, a little skin... that's enough to keep you happy."

"Mmm, you have no idea," he walked over to her and his hands immediately went all over her hips. "So we just get a little sun? You and me? Relax?"

"That's the plan. We're going to go parasailing at sunset. Until then our plans are up in the air. Just some sun. A little wine, some beer, each other." She looked down at his hands, which hadn't stopped roaming for a second. 

"Mmm mmm mm. I can handle that," his hands stopped at her hips again. "I should probably oil you up."

"That would be great, I'd appreciate that." She grinned and nibbled at his lip softly. "I will gladly return the favor. Don't want you to burn up today."

He growled softly at her nibble and his hand traveled down to grab a good healthy portion of her ass cheek. "I don't know, could be worth it..."

***

Night had finally settled upon the ocean. A little speed boat just brought them back to the yacht. They went parasailing as the sunset began, floating high above the water in a dual parachute, filled with laughter, screams and lots of grinning. Sam was smirking as they climbed up the ladder back to the yacht. She was high on adrenaline and love. Their whole day was low key, laying in the sun, having lunch, some good sex topped off with parasailing. Waiting on the deck for them was a table set for a swanky dinner. 

JC was grinning so hard, also running on high adrenaline and love and this whole surprise. He was walking beside her and he put his hand down at the small of her back. "All of this and there's still more?"

She leaned back into him and smiled softly, leaning back to kiss his cheek softly. "It'll never be good enough for you. Besides, Neither of us can ever turn down a good dinner." She giggled as they sat down at the table. She had covered the rose bikini with a pretty white lace coverup dress, and he had slipped on a button down shirt left open with his trunks. "Go see what we're having," she said with a grin.

JC lifted the silver dome of the platter. Underneath was a traditional Maryland style crab dinner with dirty crabs, corn on the cob with cold beers waiting at the table. He groaned and put his hand on his stomach.

"You do realize that you are spoiling the shit out of a man right? What if my expectations stay high?" He licked his lips.

She smirked right back at him. "They'd better stay high as fuck then, daddy."

JC leaned in and kissed her ear, nibbling on the lobe gently. "High as fuck then..."

Sam laughed softly, leaning up to touch his cheek. "I'll meet expectations as long as I can baby. Now let's eat, I'm starving."

"Mmm yes, let's eat," he mumbled a few other things as he sat down next to her, then he cracked the top off of his beer and took a long sip. 

Sam took a sip as well, smiling at him. "A toast to the birthday boy. My husband to be, for being the most amazing man of the Chasez family for the rest of our lives. Love you, baby." She grinned cute and took another long sip. 

JC grinned, and when she brought her bottle down he reached and toasted her bottle with his. "Thank you for this amazing gift. I love you baby... and thank you for being the woman of my dreams."

She smirked. "Mmm. That's my pleasure baby. Literally." She giggled softly, leaning over to the pile of crabs. She began to break one up. It was messy but amazing, and she didn't care. 

JC didn't give a care about how messy it was, in fact he thought it was hot how raw and real they could be in their relationship or who they were. "Baby," he took a messy bite, licking Old Bay seasoning off his lips, "This is why I'm going to marry you..."

Sam laughed softly, her face covered already. "Mmm because I'm a hot mess?" She grinned, pulling another crab from the pile and a piece of corn on the cob that had been steamed with the crabs. 

"Yep." He took one of the mallets and slammed it on the table on one of the biggest crabs from the pile. He started giggling when the seasoning flew across the table and landed on Sam's hand. 

"Well it's a good thing you are too," she smirked, licking it off of her hand before smashing her next crab and nibbling on it. 

He pulled the biggest piece of claw meat out and he smiled charmingly. "Because I love you so much, I want you to have this." He held it up to her lips.

She grinned, "Look at you, always sharing the biggest meat with me." She giggled softly and took the piece from him, chewing it slowly. 

JC grinned so hard, leaning in to kiss her on her lips as she was chewing. "Always gonna share my biggest piece with you baby."

She swallowed her bite before kissing him once more. "Guess you figured out what I like." She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. 

"I'm gonna toast that to you during our wedding. Mmhmm. To my bride who always takes my big meat." He smirked and took a bite for himself. 

She laughed, "I'm sure your mom will LOVE that. And Justin will probably toast to the fact that he shares even more meat when he's your best man. This should be great."

"I'm not worried about my mom, but maybe yours." He laughed real low, "We'll just have to get her a little drunk before dinner baby." His face was lit up with amusement.

"My mother is not one you're going to need to worry about. She loves asking questions. It embarrassed the hell out of me when I was younger," she shook her head but was laughing.

"OH REALLLLLLY?" His grin was full of mischief.  

"Oh really." She repeated with a little smirk, "My mom had a pretty varied dating history before she met my dad-- she dated an NBA player who was like 7 feet tall, a Korean businessman she met on a trip abroad. She was never one to shy away from the details."

JC coughed on a piece of crab before swallowing. "I'm sorry what?" He looked at her with a laugh, "When can I sit down with your mom about this?"

She giggled. "Honey, anytime you want to. I'm sure she'd love to ask you questions and dish it out with you. She has always been very open about romantic relationships and sexual ones. You'd probably have to hear her talking about my exes but the other information you'd love the shit out of, I'm sure." 

"I can handle that," he puffed his chest out playfully before wiping his hands and his face off, then getting up and leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Can I get you another beer baby?"

She smiled and her eyes closed when he kissed her cheek. He would never stop eliciting that reaction out of her. "Mmm. Another beer would be fantastic." She wiped her hands and face off as well then rubbed her tummy through her dress. "And that was delicious."

"Seriously. It was amazing baby." He kissed once more before he walked all proudly to the built in cooler in the floor. He smirked at the insane variety of beers that were in the ice. He pulled out two more Heinekeins and popped their tops off as he walked back to her.

"Mmm," she grinned playfully, "Thanks baby." She was watching him, biting her lip and tilting her head too. There was something about him in the moonlight, in that very moment. He was so confident and self assured. Sometimes she couldn't handle it.

JC walked right back up to her, taking a long sip as he handed hers over. His eyes went down on her and when he finished his sip, he licked his lips slowly. Something about her watching him like he was the sexiest man in the world was the most incredible thing to him. He felt a tumble in his belly already, his...wantiness for her was growing by the moment. "What's that look for?" he grinned. 

She smirked, holding the bottle up to her lips and taking a sip. "Admiring the fuck out of you. Like. I need to say... you really want to tell me that you weren't always this confident and sexy man? I'm having a hard time believing it. Because I'm fucking under your spell, like no other."

He lifted an eyebrow, not expecting that response. "Ummm, well," he was thoughtful for a moment, tilting his head the way hers was to examine her, "I wasn't always this confident and sure of myself off stage, that's for sure. I'm not even always that way. I definitely used jokes and nerdy humor to mask my insecurities in school. I worked hard to figure out what made me tick and what made me... me. The guys really helped with that, the whole music thing did too. But I'll tell you right now that the JC that is out onstage, the one who is the lead singer, isn't always the Josh that happens offstage. I'm my own worst critic and I will pick apart every action and motion and word that I say and do when the lights go down."

She smiled softly. "That wasn't what that look was for," she giggled just a bit, "It kind of just came out, like a stream of consciousness. But I do truly mean that, everything about you Josh. It's got me good. Whether it's that confident JC or the overanalyzing Josh." She shook her head but was smiling.

"Oh you mean the same way that you've completely unraveled me and wrapped me back up with all of your things intertwined? You've literally blown the covers off of the way I have dealt with women. No woman was ever supposed to see the real me ever again. It was just easier that way. Easier to just feel the pleasure of the moment, let them believe who they thought I was and send them on their way. Then you come along and just strip me down naked." He shook his head thoughtfully, "I'm just so fucking mesmerized by you and that I'm the lucky one that gets to marry you."

She smiled, leaning over to rest her lips against his temple. "I guess we've both done a lot more for each other than the other really realizes. You've given me back a part of me I lost 3 years ago. So for you I'm grateful." She left a soft kiss. "So we're even." She grinned and pulled away slightly from him, needing a moment to stretch with her beer in hand. 

He let out a soft sigh, watching her closely. A grin played at his lips. "Would you like to come sit on the top deck with me and watch the stars continue to show up? Kinda like we did that night in New York under the blanket?"

She walked the few steps over to him, tugging gently on his open button down before she captured his lips in one quick kiss. "You mean the night I hoped you'd be mine?"

He smiled and nodded at the same time as he was staring down at her, towering over her. He was letting her pull on his shirt like that. He just wanted to stand there and look at her that way too. "Yeah, that night that I knew I didn't want anyone else getting near you."

She smiled and worked to slip the button down off of his body, one arm at a time. "You know, how many moments have we had under the stars?" She couldn't help but be a little doe-eyed at him, thinking about everything. "That night at my apartment, wrapped in the blanket. I know neither of us really knew just where this was going to go. Then laying on the chaise on your patio after the video. You asked me to be your girlfriend. New Years in Napa... the vineyard where you took me to dinner. Paris just a few nights ago. Wow."

"Mmm," he had the sweetest look in his eyes as he was watching her. "Can I tell you a little secret?"

She smiled and rested her hand on his chest, her fingertips brushed up against his necklace. "Of course."

"Before that night, I never cared about the fucking stars. They were just there. And after that night, I  never looked at them the same way. I knew that I was always going to see you when I looked up, no matter where you were."

She smiled and took a moment to really look up into his eyes. She didn't say anything, and she didn't need to. Her eyes said all that she needed to. Everything around them was still and quiet, the boat was rocking slightly in the water and the wave caps were sparkling with the light of the moon.

He reached down and cupped her face with her looking at him that way, he inched closer. "And that's when I knew you would be different, and in the back of my mind I knew we would be together. And that you were the one."

She smiled on his lips, "You know that after you left, that next day I called my mom and told her about you for the first time."

He smiled and leaned down to brush his lips with hers, "Mmmm how much did you tell her about me?"

"I told her that I had met someone a few weeks ago, we had built this flirty friendship but I thought I was starting to long for more," she mumbled against his lips, between kisses. 

"Mmm, I'm just gonna need to ask her about this conversation," he grinned, pulling her closer. He took a moment to suck her lips in just a little more, then smiled, letting them go.

"She did ask how you were in bed," she laughed softly, "She scolded me when I told her I didn't know."

JC laughed all low and leaned back for a slow and sensual kiss, his lips opened and closed a few times, then he pulled back enough to whisper on her lips, "And what about now? Does she know now?"

She grinned a bit against his kiss. "Mmmm," she shoved at his chest playfully, "Wouldn't you like to know?" She backed away with a wicked grin, turning around to look at him over her shoulder before taking off running up the stairs to the top deck.

"Ohhh, you!" He watched her run up the stairs before following her. He had lost his shirt since she had pulled it off, just in the black swim trunks. His hair was a mess from being in the water and sun all day and his face was just a touch of sunkissed. 

When she heard his noisy footsteps on the desk, she giggled, peeling off her white lace coverup dress. One of her hands was on the railing, the other rested on her hip. She watched as he came to the top step and made his way to her slowly, with a little smirk. "And just so you know, Joshua, we had a scale. There was Travis. He was my first boyfriend that I lost my virginity too. It was a disaster. And then I had this boyfriend named Devin, and he was insane. So everything was based on that scale. Travis to Devin." She licked her lips cutely. 

He smirked and began to rub his hands together. "So there's Travis to Devin... and was there someone kinda falling in the middle of them?"

"But of course. Those were the markers through." She couldn't keep her grin from getting bigger.

"So, what I'm hearing you say is, you had awful, and you had mind blowing sexual experiences with your boyfriends," he stepped right up to her with a playful grin, "I know there's a point to where this is going."

She giggled. "You're expecting a point to this story because you're looking to find out where you fall on the scale, aren't you."

He put his hands on either side of the rail, trapping her. "Honestly, for some reason I don't really care where I fall on your scale because I already know how I make your body react to mine. I know that you have never gone without an orgasm when we throw down, and usually my name is involved multiple times, so I don't really think I have anything to worry about." His voice was matter of fact and low. It made goosebumps immediately appear all over her body.

She smirked slightly, leaning up to kiss him softly as her hands went to his chest. "Mmm. The scale no longer exists."

"Yeah? Because I broke it or?" he grinned into her kiss, returning them slowly and using one arm to embrace her and pull her into his body.

She smiled on his lips as they moved a little closer together, "I told momma they couldn't hold a candle to you and I wasn't going to need to shop around anymore."

He smiled cutely on her. "Sounds like what I told Justin after the first time we slept together." Both of his arms wrapped around her tightly as the wind picked up in just a slight gust around them. 

She smiled and rested her head against his as the wind blew around them just a bit. "And here we are..."

"Here we are," he nuzzled his face against hers, putting his lips on her cheek, "Getting married."

She smiled and whispered softly against his face, "Hey Josh?"

"Yes my love?" He was placing the softest kisses on her face and taking in her smell.

Her voice was soft and warm. "Let's get married outside. And have our first dance as husband and wife under the same stars that we fell in love under."

He grinned softly. "I was thinking the same thing. I want you to have anything and everything you want," he kissed his way  to her lips and placed the softest kiss there, "Nothing spared for you."

She smiled, nodding against his face. "I have some ideas. I hope you're okay with something intimate. I don't want to say a small wedding because I don't do small," she giggled softly, "I want it fancy but I want it intimate. Just the ones who matter the most to us."

He pulled his face back a bit so he could look at her, brushing her face with his hand, "Baby that sounds perfect. I don't want something outrageous and large, I just want you and our families with the best of friends."

"I'll want Ashley to make my dress. But here I am, getting so ahead of myself. Tonight is about you, blue eyes." she smiled, blinking as she looked at the way he was smiling at her. 

"Mmm," he squeezed her hands, "Why don't we go inside and get ready for bed. We can take a nice hot bath in that jacuzzi."

"Sounds wonderful. We do have a busy day tomorrow celebrating you again."

"Oh we do?" he smirked, shaking his head as he took her hand, walking back down the steps to go inside the cabin with her. "What else have you done Ms. Bentley?"

She laughed sweetly as they went down into the bedroom cabin. "We're going hiking. And a little bit of rock climbing out here. I've never really seen it all the way through or been successful but when I'm with you I feel like I can do anything." she smiled softly, "And being with you has me in the best shape I've ever been in so it's worth a shot again."

He pulled her right into the bathroom and he started to fill the tub up right away. "Shiiiiit, baby, being with you has me in the best shape of my life too." He grinned, "I love that idea."

She grinned cute, leaning against the counter and watching him. "I do love touring body JC, but I love home body JC too." She looked down and rubbed at her own stomach. "My being in love with you and life is taking some of this away but I don't care." She giggled softly at the littlest bit of belly sticking out from over her bottoms from their week of vacationing. She pulled the bottoms down and tossed them on the floor. "I know you'll push me tomorrow if I need it too."

He sat on the edge of the tub adding the bubbles. He looked up at her with an amused grin. "Are you totally saying that I'm getting fat now?" He laughed so cute. "Oh my god."

She giggled. "Umm, definitely talking about me. Not you. You've got a 95 pack okay?"

He looked down at poked at his less than normal abs, "There's like 4 left."

"Touring gave you 8. It's okay," she grinned, "I had like 2 starting for the first time in forever. Not so much anymore." She giggled, poking at her belly, "I guess it's back to the gym together."

"Welll, we are still on vacation so that's not going to start anytime soon," he stood up and dropped his shorts and with one swift motion he grabbed at her top so it came off just like her bottoms. "If you want, we can get serious and worry about a honeymoon body when we get back home."

"No need for it just yet," she grinned, "I'm happy vacationing with my sexy as fuck fiancé. Who is now 30." 

He grinned. "Even if I lost my abs and got pudgy would you still think that I was sexy?" He messed with her messy hair, pulling it from the ponytail he made earlier in the day. He was being cute and candid and he loved these moments with her. 

She laughed so cutely, "Josh, I don't think I agreed to marry you because of your abs."

"You didn't?" He grinned, smiling and pulling her to the tub as he ran his fingers through her hair. He left a few soft kisses on her lips. 

She smiled and gave another sweet peck. "Maybe your arms. Not your abs. And you do enough lifting of me to keep those bad boys lookin' good." 

"Mmmm, speaking of lifting...." He grabbed her and pulled her up into the tub with him with ease, "My favorite thing to lift."

She giggled softly, "You get off on that don't you?" She settled herself between his legs, not even bothering to go and find her own spot even though the tub was large enough for her to do so. 

"I get off on you being sexy as fuck, that's what I get off on," he mumbled all cute, leaning back against the wall of the tub, pulling her with him. He reached behind him to touch a panel of controls, dimming the lights in the room so the moon and night sky were more visible through the windows.

She giggled softly, snuggling into him against the tub. He was already beginning to press up on her thigh. "I love that I get you going just like that."

"Wellll," he grunted, "You're naked. My favorite ass is against me. I can't control that shit. I'll have sex with you any time and any place."

"I'll remember that and keep it in my back pocket for when I'm needing to," she replied with a smirk. 

"And what about when I get home and just decide that I need you?" He scooped up some bubbles and let them slide down her arm.

She smiled, dipping her head down. "Mmm. Just check and make sure I'm not an emotional wreck and then just tell me."

He scooped up more bubbles, letting them slide down her other arm before he put his lips against her spine. He mumbled softly, "If you're an emotional wreck, I'll just make love to you until you're not anymore."

She shivered when he spoke against her spine, and she knew he could feel it in his arms. "Mmm. I like that. And when you're angry, I'll kiss you all over until you're not," she grinned, "Allll the way up and down."

"Hopefully I'm not angry too often," he grinned, "Though I'll take you kissing me all over." "He pulled her floating body back in close so his lips could be pressed against her skin better, "And I'm going to make love to you so much you're not going to be able to think straight, and all of your girlfriends are going to need to set the bar higher for themselves."

Her soft moan was thoughtful. "I like that too. Mhmm, I do."

"Yeah?" His lips made their way to her neck and his hands that were around her waist pulling her into his body slid down to her hips, then to her thighs, where he slid them apart further and used his legs to keep them hooked and spread in the way that they were so she couldn't close them now if she wanted to. His hands slid their way back up to where her thighs met her hips, and he wasn't moving them another inch. 

Her head dipped forward a bit further and she let out a soft sigh. She knew that he knew just what he was doing to her. "Mmhmm. Yup." She grinned softly to herself, looking down at the bubbles, "Just like you'll be running to Justin and the boys just like girls do."

"I will?" he grinned as his lips barely made it to her ear where he whispered, "What would I tell them?" His hand crept up and let his fingers graze over her with the slowest of motion, that if he wasn't careful enough, the tips of his fingers would slip inside. 

She closed her eyes, letting herself be in the moment with him. He set her body on fire with every motion of his. "Mmm. About how my body is always ready for you. How you don't need words. Just one look at my body is ready for you. How I've figured out the spots on your body that make YOU tick... and I'm not afraid to use them for my own control." 

He had to let out a moan of his own. How she could do that to him astounded him... turn his own little tease game right back against him. "How do you fucking do that to me?" he mumbled. He was completely turned on and she could feel him as he was feeling on her, and he wasn't shy about taking a couple of his fingers and pushing them through to feel on her from the inside.

Her voice got breathy. "I learned from the best apparently." She leaned back into his body a bit more, keeping her head dipped forward. 

He took her earlobe between his teeth only as a graze and added another finger. He said nothing to her reply, he just sat and listened to her breathing as he worked his fingers.

She mumbled softly on a moan, "Josh....." Her breath got heavier and you could hear one little gasp get stuck in her throat. 

His voice was barely above a whisper because he wanted to hear her and feel her react to him. "Yes baby." He circled with his thumb a bit, letting his lips rest against her neck where his breath got heavy too.

Sam shook her head slightly and whispered after her next moan. "Baby, I want you to go with me... this isn't about me..."

"Relax baby, I'm getting more pleasure out of this than you know," he slowed his hand and kissed from one side of her neck to the other and he mumbles, "I wanna feel you against my hand."

Her head went back against his chest and she let out a low noise, forcing her hips up harder at his hand before she mumbled. "Switch hands. Your left."

He sucked in a breath and let out a moan at her sudden direction because she knew just what she wanted and how her body worked and it was so sexy to him. He switched his hands and put his left one down into place. "Mmm. Yes."

She shifted her hips to accommodate the change in feeling and direction and the pressure of him using his non-dominant hand. She could hear him suck in a breath near her ear which made her breath even shorter. "Lips back on my neck..."

"Mmm," his lips went back to her neck as he stayed working on her at the same pace real slow for a good minute before adding more pressure, and his other hand actually came around to slide another finger up. He wanted to learn all her curves and just where her spot was. He could play like this forever until he got it right. His lips took a suck at her skin.

She brought his lips onto her neck so she could learn her head back against him and put her own lips against his ear. She put herself to his ear so he could more intimately hear all the noises she was making. When his fingers curved just so, he found her spot and her body instantly trembled as a slow wave crashed. He could feel it against his hand and his entire body rocked with her body's reaction. Her breath caught and she let the lowest ohhhh out in his ear, while her body did the rest of the talking. 

His mouth fell open and he knew he could almost get off just feeling this happen to her. His fingers didn't stop, but they slowed as he moaned against her, letting her body ride the wave until she stopped shaking and collapsed her body weight onto him. He wrapped his arms around her to hold her while her body continued to go into euphoria. He whispered, "oh my god baby."

She just moaned in response. She couldn't even begin to process words yet. Her eyes were closed. Fuck, he was sexy and all the things he could do to her body. She couldn't even begin to explain it. 

"Mmm, do you even know how sexy you are?" He slipped his hand into her hair and made her turn her head enough to kiss her really slowly and sloppily because of the angle. 

"C'mere baby," she made a noise and moved herself around a bit so she was straddling him. She leaned down to get his lips in a slow and sexy kiss. Her body was a mess of hormones for him and she couldn't help it. She rocked her hips on him a bit, feeling him completely turned on for her. It made her moan. She let her rocking hips lower so he filled her up slowly. Her body was coming down from its amazing rush and was sensitive, but this feeling made her moan. 

JC could no longer concentrate on kissing her, because she completely took over and dominated his ass for some more sex. He broke away from her kisses to lean his head back against the tub. "Ohhh," he grabbed at her hips, loving the way he could feel them rocking and working, but he also knew what a hard workout it was. 

"Mmm, tell me how fast you want it daddy. What does he want?" Her hips were rising and rocking, lifting and lowering on him in a slow rhythm. 

"Baby..." his eyes opened and he looked at her with a lusty, glazed over look, "This." He gripped her hips hard and made her come down on him more, "Harder grind."

She nodded and adjusted herself so her hips were rocking harder on him. She could feel him deep inside of her and their hips were touching with each glide and thrust. "Ohhh. Yes." Her hands went on the edge of the tub to get more leverage. 

JC's face contorted with the shift she made, his eyes squinted shut and he let out a rushed moan. "Baby!" He thrust his hips up as she came down, and with her pushing down harder he was getting in deep. He clenched his jaw. "Don't. Stop."

"C'mon daddy. Ugh. You do me right...." Her lips parted as she worked on a harder grind and the water began to splash.

He grunted as his hips bucked up on her harder. His hands made their way to the edge of the tub too and their bodies were making a noise together. He was grunting and sucking in his breath at how she was being so dominant and how raw they were. "Fuuuuck I'm.... fuck!" It was written all over his face and his sentence couldn't even come out before he threw his head to the side and clenched his teeth. He let it just take over.

"YES!" she called out his name as his body let go, and it was intense which sent her next thrust straight to her core and she was unraveling again, the second in a few short minutes. "Ohhhh!"

His arms came up and wrapped around her, pulling her down onto him so they both fell back into the tub, making a giant splash. He was still riding out his wave and wanted her close to his body. 

Her lips sloppily fell on his as her body went through its last few jolts, settling into a state of bliss. She was tingling as far down as her toes. Her eyes closed and she moaned on to his cheek. The only words that could escape were a rushed whisper, "Happy birthday daddy."

He was still breathing hard and couldn't fully reply to her just yet. His mind was spinning, his body sending little shocks through him still. All he could do was groan and put his lips on hers, pulling her head close so he could kiss her head.

She brought her head a little bit closer to him, closing her eyes and catching her breath. The water was all around them and it just heightened all of the sensations she was having. 

He sucked in a breath and let it out in a long sigh. "Ohhhh my god." He wrapped his arms around her tightly and got back to sitting up and holding her against him. 

She grinned lazily and rested her face up against his for a moment, she whispered hoarsely, "When you asked me what kinda shit you could tell Justin and the boys when you gossip like girls? There you go." She giggled softly against his ear. 

"Trust me. I can't wait to fucking rub that in their faces," he nuzzled his face against hers and pushed his face into her neck. 

"On a scale of Travis to JC..." she grinned and kissed on his temple softly. "God you're an amazing lover Josh."

"Mmm. Only as amazing as my soulmate," he pulled back to look at her and he had such a love lock on his gaze. 

"Likewise, handsome." She sighed softly, contentedly. "I think I'm ready to head to bed. Will you cuddle with me, 30 year old birthday boy?"

He grinned, pulling the drain and helping them both to stand up. He knew the kind of sex they just had, he wasn't going to risk straight lifting her out of the water. "Let's get dried off and get some sleep baby. This 30 year old would love to cuddle with you."

She smiled and nodded a bti. When she went to take her first step out of the tub, she felt a little stretch and soreness and she laughed softly. "Sometimes I forget about how big you are." She smirked. 

His laugh was really low. "I'm not sorry one bit." He helped her out and wrapped a towel around her, "Make you remember who broke your scale."

"Mmm, yes, my sexy fiance who is big but not TOO big. Just right for me." She sighed cute and reached for a towel to dry him off.

JC was laughing at the scene, both of them drying each other off and laughing about it. When he finished, he threw the towel to the side and gently smacked her ass to watch it jiggle while he walked to the bathroom.

She knew his eyes were on her and she was laughing so softly as she walked down the hall to the bedroom. "Not moving my hips on purpose." 

He smirked as he followed her into the bedroom. "I know when you're working on your hips baby, I know." He went to his bag and pulled on a pair of briefs and harshly adjusted himself. 

"You know when I put on the moves just for you." She went to her suitcase and grabbed a tank top and a pair of black shorts. She pulled them on then climbed into bed. 

He stretched and just stood there, keeping his eyes on her. He was in a thoughtful straight of mind. Especially after all of that, his body was on a come down and he was feeling some type of way about his girl. 

She crawled over, laying down on his side with a cute little grin.

He smiled slyly. "You're trying to get me to have a reaction right now..."

"Baby, I just got you to have a reaction about 10 minutes ago. And you me," She licked her lips playfully, "I was just playin' with you." She rolled over in the bed so she was on her own side. 

"Noooo, come back." He crawled into bed and reached to pull her back onto his side. "I'm just teasin you."

She laughed softly, bringing her head to his chest, all up on his side sharing his pillow with him too. "I very vividly remember asking you if you had a side preference after we came in from my patio and you had set up the bed by the fire," she smiled, looking up into his eyes, "Did you have any idea you'd be picking the side for the rest of your life?"

He stroked her hair and closed his eyes, remembering that night. "I had no idea what I was doing, I just knew I wanted to be doing it."

She smiled and let her lips rest on his chest, where she left soft kisses where his heart was. "Me too. I remember this feeling of anticipation almost like, this feels so right, but it's exciting and scary at the same time. The exciting and scary has now been replaced with comfort and trust and just love."

"I wish I could tell you how much you scared me, but not at the same time. I was so scared of how much you made me feel, after I thought I couldn't ever feel." His voice was soft and thoughtful, full of honesty. 

She smiled, looking up at him from his chest. "Do I still scare you?"

"Not in the least," his smile was sure, "I love you so much and I'm not afraid of that."

"That makes me happy to hear. Obviously I know that you love me, and you have for quite some time. I mean," she giggled, "I'm going to be taking your last name soon enough. I just know that in some of our earliest conversations the idea of commitment and marriage scared you. I love that you've grown. We've grown together."

"You scared the hell out of me in the beginning, those first couple months, but it became less and less the more I got to spend time with you baby." He touched along her face. 

She smiled and kissed his fingers. "The unknowns of life seem so much less scary when I know you're by my side."

"Because I'm always by your side now. For the rest of your life, I got your back baby and I know you've got mine." He was looking at her with pure love in his eyes. 

She grinned so cute, her own heart eyes looking up at him. "Baby I'm looking forward to every adventure we have together. I'm excited to marry you, to travel with you, I'm excited to start a family and have those adventures too."

"Would you believe me if I said the more I think about life with you and what it means, the more excited about hitting those milestones I get?"

"Oh I believe you," she reached up to touch his face," I know that just a few days we talked about it and I completely respect waiting a while."

"I definitely want to wait. Yes, 100 percent, but I don't think I'll get all afraid to talk about it with you. It's life and it's something I do eventually want, okay?"

"Of course," she grinned, "And when I can't contain myself anymore with the overwhelming urge to carry your children, you'll be the first to know." She yawned and snuggled him like he was her teddy bear. Her hand rested on his stomach.

"I'd hope I'm the first one that you tell," he grinned and pulled the blankets over them, "Let's get some sleep Samantha. Thank you so much for one of the best birthdays of my life."

She giggled, "You'd better be. I need you to make it happen." She placed a soft kiss on his chest, "And you're welcome Josh. You deserve every minute of today. Happy birthday."

"I'll be there to make a baby with you in about 15 years baby, don't worry." He leaned down and kissed her head with a grin. 

She hit him playfully in the chest. "Oh Josh."

He started belly laughing. "Baby, I'm joking... I'm kidding... I'll be old in 15 years."

She grinned slyly in response. "Goodnight Joshua..." 

"Goodnight, my love." He smiled and reached to turn the lights off. He rested his head on the pillow, watching her fall asleep. He was replaying the events of the day, thinking of what he did to deserve her, and this life that they were planning together. 

"I'm going to ask you if you need my help getting off the boat, but you look like you've got this," JC smirked as the tiny speed boat docked near the hiking trail. He was wearing a pair of track pants and a white v-neck. He had a little backpack strapped to his back filled with waters and snacks and their sunscreen. His hand was resting on the small of her back and he rubbed his fingers against her grey tank top. He snuck a little peek behind her at the black leggings she was wearing and grinned a bit. He knew he'd be behind her for a lot of this hike and he was completely okay with the view he'd have.

She pursed her lips in a little smile and tightened her high ponytail. "I'll save the big guns for when I need them." She climbed up onto the dock and stopped to look at him. "Thank you though." Her smile was soft and playful, "Though I probably should have considered this hike's intensity before I overdid it with the sex with you the last few days."

He grinned." Well. I can't say I'm sorry about that." He leaned in and placed a kiss on her temple. "Lead the way baby."

Sam walked across the parking lot to the trail entrance. The guidebook had said this was a 7 mile hike through the city, then to the woods and up the cliffs to the best view of Monte Carlo. She knew that's what she wanted for her man and that's what they were going to try. "This way baby," she smiled.

JC followed her, grinning to himself. "You are so excited about this and it kinda makes me happy." He put his hat on backwards and threw his new aviators on. Something about watching his woman taking charge, confident. It made him feel like he was falling even more in love with new parts of her. 

"I thought it would be fun." She grinned and put her sunglasses on as well as they began to stroll along the path which began on a side street of the city itself. It was warm but not hot, and the late morning sun shined down on them just right. There was no one else around in plain sight. The quiet of the morning was just what they needed. They reached a clearing with a path that was visibly an uphill climb. She looked over at JC with a little smile. He nodded ahead of him with a little wink, letting her take a few steps ahead of him so he could admire her back in her leggings. He grinned again, following a few short paces behind her. 

As they continued to climb, you could hear birds and the rustling of leaves. He made his way up to walking next to her, stealing glances as they walked. As they were moving, he smiled softly, realizing that doing things like this with her was actually something he craved. Something so normal and everyday, something that made him feel like just Josh rather than JC. The more he reflected on it, the more he realized that this was the freedom she had given him. The freedom to just be himself in a world that wanted to take, take, take from him. 

She kept glancing over at him every few steps with a soft smile. She took her phone out a few times, snapping pictures of some of the scenery. The famous buildings, the casino, the roads were becoming smaller as they climbed. The silence was comfortable. 

After about 5 of the miles, she was a bright pink because she was working hard, but she felt good. The path ahead of them was getting more narrow as they were making their way to the lookout point.

"Are you doing okay honey?" JC asked. He was slowing down along with her, not as fast as they were in the beginning, but he knew the burn felt like a great workout. "Should we take 5 minutes?"

"Mmm," she nodded and sat down on a rock next to him after opening his backpack and taking out 2 waters. She opened them up and handed one to him while she took a long sip of hers. "I'm feeling good. The little break is good though..."

"I'm the one that wanted the break," he laughed and leaned up against a large rock. "Sometimes it's easier to take a break first on your way up than on the come down." He wiped a bit of sweat from his temple.  

"I think we should do this more often. I've seen so many trails near our house that I've wanted to try." She took another couple sips of her water then she leaned over and kissed him softly.

He grinned. "Mmm. I agree. C'mere. I'll take another one of those." He smiled and leaned in for another kiss. It was a little sweaty and something about it felt primal and attractive to him. "I love doing new things with you."

She smiled against his kiss, "I love doing new things with you too. Things that I might not always feel comfortable with. Things that make me feel strong. I like that."

"Baby if I get to help you with that, then by all means let's do it." He smiled and kissed one more time before finishing off his water. "Let's make it to the top ok?"  

"Let's do it baby," she smiled and put their garbage in a little bag, sticking it back in his backpack. She zipped it up with a smile. Something about him carrying the backpack was adorable. 

The last two miles were the hardest of their hike, rockier than the original trail. They had a little bit of climbing up of rocks to do. She started off initially unsure and was struggling, but JC was both literally and figuratively pushing to help her up. 

After some pushes, grunts and some positive cheering on, they finally made it to the top. You could see for miles out to the ocean on the cliff. The mansions and castles and Monte Carlo were below them. The view was breathtaking.

"Oh, wow." He still stood behind her, not about to leave her side or let her go too far away from him. He knew deep down that the cliff was a risky spot to be. "Could you imagine seeing this every single day?"

"It would be amazing," she smiled and leaned back into his body. "I'm so glad we did this. I read that this is the only spot where you can see all of this... just this particular ledge." She sighed contentedly. 

He wrapped his arms tightly around her. "Mmm, if this is the only spot, then baby you did your research and I literally am going to be marrying the best woman on this planet."

"Kinda thought that was a given," she laughed playfully, "You're marrying a woman who is going to have some tight ass shins tomorrow morning, but figured it was worth it for her man and for her to enjoy."

"Let daddy teach you a couple things so you won't be so sore, and I'll make sure you know how to make the most of activating your core when you're climbing instead of putting more pressure on your shins." His voice was matter of fact and made Samantha bite her lip.

"Ohhh, you can teach me a few things alright," she smirked, "I'm willing to learn." She leaned back and kissed his lips softly. The angle was awkward but she made it work. 

He kissed her really softly but didn't like the way she was positioned on the cliff with him. He physically turned her around, then wrapped his arms around her again before he could continue to kiss her in a much more relaxed state of mind. "Mmmm. I'll teach you anything you want."

"I love that you just named yourself my new personal trainer," she grinned, then took a playful nibble of his lip. 

He was grinning as she nibbled on his lip. "Like that's something new to you. I know you got your contracted trainers for work but... I'm daddy."

She was giggling softly. "I love when you call yourself daddy." She rubbed on his arms a bit as the early afternoon breeze blew against the two of them. 

"I will only reference that occasionally and when necessary," he smiled and pulled her in close to his body so they could look at the water together.

She snuggled into him, letting out a soft sigh at how beautiful everything was. Being around him seemed to heighten the beauty in everything and made her much more thoughtful.

They stood there for a good, long while. The breeze came and went, and he was taking the time to enjoy her presence and being in such a gorgeous place with her. After a while, his lips touched against her neck. "Tell me what you're thinking," he whispered.

"Mmm," she closed her eyes and smiled, "Honestly, I'm thinking about how last year at this time I would have ever, ever pinpointed myself standing her in Monaco. My career being the way it is. Most importantly, standing here with the man who is going to be my husband. Sometimes it gets me in awe."

He hummed on her skin, "Sometimes I think about you and that alone gets me in awe. Why me? How was I able to be the man you needed, and how the hell did I get you to say yes to me." He grinned.

She made a soft noise, "Well how did I end up being the woman that you needed? It's a two way street for sure baby."

He grinned, "We can banter back and forth when we get back down the hill. It'll take a little more balance and focus to go down so we should get started honey."

"Let's do this." She smiled, leaning in to get one more soft kiss. Her adrenaline was running high and she felt so alive. 

JC licked his lips slowly with a hum as he took her hand to lead the way. He was not about to let her go down the steepest part solo. "You'd better not have anymore surprises for me?" His voice was teasing but soft. 

"That's about all I've got for you. Two days in Monte Carlo, a baller yacht, parasailing. Some hiking." She grinned, letting him lead the way and keep her steady. She was constantly amazed at how much trust she placed in him every moment. "You know, the things you keep calling next level wifey shit."

He laughed as they slipped slightly down a rocky part but in a moment he was able to steady their balance. "Yeah, some next level wifey shit. Got me sayin' I can't have sex for a few days because I'm sore."

She laughed too, grabbing his hand a little harder but they stopped and steadied themselves before they began to walk again. "I thought the sex we had on New Years and Vegas on that pool deck were good. But damn," she smirked.

JC let out a low, guttural laugh. He went to go look up at her, then misstepped, causing them both to fall down on their asses and go sliding a few feet down. "Fuck." His reflexes were fast and he had them stopped quickly. "Are you okay?"

She smiled softly, nodding as she looked up at him. "Sweetheart, I'm fine, I promise." She reached up to touch his face. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," he laughed softly, "I looked away from my feet to stare at you for a second and fucked it all up." He pulled himself back up to his feet and helped her up. 

"I guess I need to stop being so gorgeous," she giggled and stole a kiss from him before they started to walk again.

"Like for real. Could you stop?" He smirked and started to take bigger steps once the steepness was more level. They were almost to the bottom. 

"I'll do my best," she grinned and started to swing their arms as they reached the bottom. Soon they were at the entrance to the trail near the main road. They moseyed along  together and a few people started to snap some pictures of them. They quickly ducked down the stairs to the marina, where their little wooden boat was waiting to take them back to the yacht. 

When they got on the boat, he took her hand and helped her in. His arm was around her as it took off from the dock. "Hey Samantha baby?"

"Yes sweetheart?" she answered, her head going to his shoulder. 

"Do you think it's ever going to bother you to be in public and constantly have people take pictures of us?" His voice was thoughtful. 

"I mean. Yes. I know that sometimes I just want to do things by myself and not worry about pictures coming out. Especially now that we are together and sometimes I just want to have moments." She sighed softly, "when we have kids I think it'll be worse."

JC's jaw set seriously as he looked back at her. "When we have kids I'm going to take the time to just be a dad and husband to you... and my career comes last," He pulled her chin up to look at him. "I want you to know that you come first to all of this."

She looked up at him and the way he just said all of that-- this was the first time that he had ever really said anything like this and it made her smile. 

JC could see the wonder in her eyes and it made him smile in return. "I know that I haven't said anything like that before. But I haven't been the man that I am right now until recently. " He leaned down and kissed on her just as the boat pulled them up to the yacht. 

Sam smiled, sliding her hand up to touch his face."I love the man that you are right now. Just like I love the man that you were before, and became because of me. And us." She rubbed their noses together, "And just so you know, whenever we start a family, I want to be the mom and wife first and foremost. I want to give you everything you've ever wanted and more. And for whatever kids come our way."

"I already know that you're going to be the best mom, the best wife, the best woman I could have ever been gifted." He leaned into her touch as the boat captain waited there for them with an amused smile on his face.

"I'll do my best to live up to those expectations everyday." She smiled as she played with his day old scruff. 

"I can assure you that you don't have anything to worry about. No expectations needed." He got up and turned around, grinning. "Climb up!" He helped her jump  on his back and he stepped up back onto the yacht.

She laughed so cute, wrapping her arms and legs around him. "That's service right there."

He grinned, holding her legs even after they boarded the boat. He walked along the deck and down the stairs into the bedroom. "I'll show you service."

She giggled, resting her chin against his shoulder. "Oh, is that so Josh?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna service you right now." He pulled her down and pulled her shirt off of her head, then gently pushed her on the bed, pulling her leggings off. He turned her over and grinned. "Okay..."

She laughed and it turned to a light little squeal. "Josh! What are you doing?"

"Hmmm," he smiled and turned her back around to grab at her thighs to look closer. "Well, I just needed to make sure that you were in fact okay and not lying to me about having some kind of cut on you." 

"How highly thoughtful of you," she laughed softly. "My thighs seem to be okay. A bit bruised but not from a fall on the cliffs."

"Oh, I saw my fingerprints. I'm ok with those." He smirked and pulled her up off the bed again.

She grinned, laughing softly. "Now that we're clear on that one."

He grinned, "That real strappy suit that you had on the bed. Put it on for me and meet me up on the deck." He grabbed at her face and kissed her slow, it was a long and meaningful type of kiss. He pulled away, licking his lips. "Kay?"

"Mmm. Oh, Birthday boy still has some wishes left?' she grinned cute as she pulled away from those kisses. 

"Yep. You'll find out when you get up there." He gave her ass a playful pinch before grabbing his shorts and changing in the bathroom up top. He turned the lights on in the pool on the deck, grabbed a bucket of beer they were enjoying and a platter of fruit, cheese and veggies sitting next to the pool. He stopped the crew and told them to take the rest of the evening off-- no serving, no movement, nothing. The boat would stay put for the night and he wanted to enjoy the time with her. He stepped down into the pool as the sun was setting.

Sam paused for a moment in front of the mirror and grinned. She loved when he took charge.She shuffled over to her suitcase and pulled out the strappy grey bikini. She carried it into the bathroom and washed her face, then changed. She took a few long moments to admire herself, feeling strong after that workout with JC on the cliffs. She sucked in a cute breath and walked out of the bathroom and up the stairs. As she reached the top step, she saw him in the pool and it made her smile. "A pool, a gorgeous sunset and my hubby. Love this."

"Oh shit," his lips parted at the first glance of her, "Baby, wow."

She smiled and spined around cutely on the deck, shaking her hips as she made her way closer to the pool. "I had a feeling you might like this one when I saw the designer working on it." She adjusted her bottoms a tiny bit, feeling comfortable in her own skin.

"Baby, damn." He put the bottle he was going to open back in the ice and he stood up, walking to the steps of the pool to take her hand. "You bought this one for me?"

"Yep," she smiled, "Sometimes I buy them for me, sometimes I buy them for you." She interlocked fingers with him and used his steady hand to guide her in the water.

"Oh, I'm so glad this was the one that made you think of me." He had her spin around for him again in the pool. "Can I just like... stare at you and admire you sometimes?"

She smiled, "Anytime you want honey. Because I'll always do the same. Sometimes a picture or a thought makes me stop and stare at you all the same."

He stopped her once she made it around in a circle and he pulled his arms around her as he leaned against the ledge. "Give me an example of thought. The last time you stared at me."

She closed her eyes and smiled. "Mmm." She leaned back into his arms, "Sometimes when you're in workout clothes, my mind will start to race. Like this time you had on a pair of shorts and that's it. I think you just walked to get the mail. And the thought took me to watching you work out in those same shorts in Vegas. And then my mind wandered to the way you were squatting under that bar. All that weight, and the grunts you made." She grinned.

He was perfectly smirky. "So me working out really DOES all that? Make your mind wander like that and puts you in a train of thought so hard that when I come in the door and say hi baby, you're just in la la land and you don't hear me..."

"Mmm, sometimes. When you're on the road or in a relationship that can't always be together, sometimes those are the things you need to hold on to."

"When I'm away from you for a long period of time, I'll just send you some of those mirror pictures of me that you love so much baby," He kissed her cheek and reached for a bar, popping the top and handing one to her. 

"Mmm, thanks baby." she laughed softly, "You specialized in those early on. Guess I grew to love them."

"I still feel like the biggest tool for sending those. Like, I wish I could go back in time and delete all of them like it never happened." He scratched the back of his head. 

She giggled, "What, you didn't like that I could sample a little taste of what you were bringing to the table?"

"Pfft," he scoffed cutely, "That was no taste." He took a sip of his drink before putting it on the ledge. "I wanted you to be attracted to me and I didn't know how to play those cards right."

She laughed softly, taking a sip of her beer. "You were hot Josh. No doubt about that."

"I will have you know I never sent pictures like that to anyone before. So much that when Justin caught me, he made fun of me for a week," he laughed. 

Her giggle was soft, "Oh so I was the first one huh? Oh man," she grinned, "Justin caught you posing in your briefs I hope. Maybe that time you had your hand on your package too?"

"UGH!" He laughed, shaking his head, "Please never remind me of that photo again. I need to redeem that shit. Justin caught me in the mirror of the bathroom at rehearsal."

Her giggles continued, "I won't make you look at the copy I saved on my phone. But I will have you know that I may have taken some time to admire how much you grabbed. So there is that..." She smirked. 

He grinned. "So you zoomed in to see how much you could see, didn't you?" He flicked water at her playfully, "You tried to size me up."

She smirked, taking another sip. "I had you maybe at 7 and a half."

"Woman." His eyes closed, "I am so glad that I love you very much because a SEVEN?" His eyes popped open, "Maybe in high school."

She couldn't help but start laughing at him. "You weren't even turned on in the picture okay?' She shook her head and smirked, "So maybe if you put the moves on me the day I saw you on the MMC that's what I could have expected?" Her grin was playful and innocent. 

"Oh my god," he was laughing a bit, then hooked a finger in one of her straps to pull her back close to him. "I'd never have been crude enough to do it then."

She wrapped her arms around him, taking a minute to gaze up into his eyes with a playful sparkle in hers. "I would have never expected it."

He took his finger from her strap and wrapped her loosely in his arms. "I would have dated you so hard you know. Honestly, if I had met you sooner I would have been your boyfriend."

"Maybe we wouldn't have worked out if we had met sooner. Your career got pretty ridiculous pretty quickly. Then mine began to. I like how we found each other when we both needed sometimes. That to me is the most special part of this all."

"You make such a valid point. I just love you so much, I'm trying to imagine what it would have been like loving you sooner. Experience more with you from the beginning." He rested his back against the ledge. 

She smiled, resting her head on his chest. "Well if you had asked me out way back in 1994, I would have totally said yes. Then I could imagine driving in to Orlando to see you on set all of the time. We could have had an awkward first date," she giggled, "God I was awkward at 15."

"I remember thinking I was SO COOL back then, trying to fit in like the best." He stroked her hair, "Life was crazy with filming and everything they made us do."

"Well let me ask you this question. Are any of the guys with their original girlfriends from the earliest days of *NSYNC?"

"Ehhh, one. Original girlfriends... maybe two."

"That's all you needed to stay. We wouldn't have ever worked out if we tried this any sooner. We both did what we needed to do to be ready to have each other. I needed to fall in love with myself and become confident with who I was, and you needed to do you. Maybe that last two inches helped," she licked her lips teasingly. 

He growled a little, "I love the period of growth and I don't mean by inches. So yes, I'll agree that we weren't supposed to meet, and if we forced it, then we wouldn't be here right now. You're worth waiting for."

"You are as well, baby. I'm glad we are the way we are, and I'm glad that I have pictures of you in the mirror. And in your briefs, and in the gym with no shirt on." She smirked. 

"Mmm, and just you wait until I go on the road with the boys in a few weeks. I'll send you the upgraded version." He adjusted himself on purpose under the water. 

"Oh, I officially unlocked wifey status?" she grinned, watching him. 

"You already unlocked that shit," he grinned up at her, "You send me some pretty sexy wifey type pictures when I'm gone and I'll admit I totally use your pics to get off when I'm away."

She smiled at his eager grin--she loved it. "Seeing as though you did put a ring on it, I suppose I can make that happen for you," she smirked, "Wear some of your favorite lingerie too."

His eyes were bright. "I love that you'll do that for me." He placed his lips on her shoulder. "Thank you again, baby, for the best birthday ever. My 20s were pretty crazy, but I think I'm gonna love my 30s with you by my side." 

"Right back at you," she smiled, "You rocked my birthday too. When we get home we'll have a few more celebrations. You don't think your friends will let 30 go by without making a big deal of it. It'll be great to celebrate with all of them," she added.

He grinned. "I look forward to it," he mumbled against her skin, letting himself get lost in her. He knew in a few short days he'd have to share her with the world again, and he selfishly just wanted to keep her all to himself. He never had a feeling like that before, and it was strangely satisfying.

Los Angeles, CA - 1 week later 

 

"Let's give it up for the birthday boy!" the DJ called out. "Happy 30th birthday, JC!" 

The spotlight went down on JC and he blushed slightly, waving to the group of his friends and acquaintances that the record label and the band had gotten together to celebrate. 

The party was being hosted at the Beverly Hills Hotel with its old Hollywood charm. Lance had concocted the brilliant idea of hosting a "Say Goodbye to his Roaring 20's" party with a Great Gatsby theme. The room was decorated in blacks and golds and silvers, with subtle nods to the 1920s sprinkled throughout. All of the guests were encouraged to dress the part- swanky suits, glittery dresses and glam for days. The boys were so excited to celebrate their friend in a grand fashion. 

Parties with large groups made JC puff his chest out a little extra. He knew that eyes went on his fiancé when they were together and he made sure that everyone knew this one was his. They had been at the party for less than 30 minutes but she hadn't left his side for more than a few moments at a time, at his insistence. Her sparkly black dress was a head turner and he knew he would gladly have his hands full all night.

Sam smiled, watching JC wave to his friends. She leaned in as the music began to play again, kissing his cheek. "You look so handsome tonight," she mumbled with a smile against his skin.

"And you're gorgeous," he gave her hand a squeeze and pulled her into his body a bit more. "Let's go mingle, sweet baby."

They walked through the ballroom toward Justin, Chris and Ashley who were sipping Manhattans.

"It's the old man!" Justin grinned, giving JC a fast hug. "You left us for vacation in your 20s and now you're old..." He laughed softly. "And congratulations are in order!"

JC held their hands up to show off Samantha's shiny diamond. "And an old engaged man," he added with a smile. "Best decision I could have ever made."

Justin shook his head with a big smile. "I can't believe you didn't even tell me. We used to dream about that shit when we were kids," he chuckled, looking over at Ashley with adoring eyes. "And now you're engaged."

JC grinned, bringing Samantha's hand over to his lips to kiss it softly. "Honestly it all came together very fast, and I knew if I told too many people about it I'd probably have blown my cover. Keeping it a secret was the hardest thing ever." 

Ashley let out an adorable squeal, taking Samantha's hand away from JC. "This ROCK! Jesus Joshua," she laughed, looking down at the ring. 

"He did good," Sam giggled, leaning in to snuggle up to her man. 

"We had to make a statement," JC said with a big smile. "She deserves nothing but the best."

Justin gave a playful punch of JC's arm. "You made a statement alright. Enjoy your night, bro. We'll see you around. So happy for you!" He grabbed onto Ashley's arm and they walked off to go get some food.

An hour or so passed and JC happily mingled with the guests at the party, bringing Sam along, sharing the story of Paris and the proposal gladly with everyone who asked about it. He was feeling a good buzz from his Old Fashioned cocktails and was hands on, flirty with his woman and feeling great about life. 

"So obviously you have some good new material," LA Reid said, grinning, looking from JC to Samantha. 

"Nonstop neverending inspiration," JC laughed slightly, rubbing his hand up and down her side. Next to him, Samantha laughed softly. She loved seeing her man relaxed and enjoying the company around him. He had a charisma about him that was quiet and unassuming, one that really shined with a small group of people. 

"I know the last album just came out but I look forward to doing a few tracks on the next one," LA added, giving him a friendly tap on the arm. "Happy birthday again, JC."

JC smiled, leading Samantha over near the bar. "Can I get you anything else?" he asked, placing a kiss on her temple. 

"No, I'm good for a bit," she smiled, closing her eyes. "Just enjoying your company and seeing all your friends." 

He nuzzled his face against hers, whispering, "I can't wait to get you later for the real celebration. I hope you'll be up for it."

Sam opened her mouth to return a playful reply when they were interrupted.

"Hey stranger," a familiar, female voice rang out. 

JC looked up and felt his heart sink to the pit of his stomach. He would know that voice anywhere. 

Standing in front of him was a beautiful, exotic woman. She was petite, no more than 5'4, with a very thin build. She was wearing a red dress that hugged her tan skin and extremely full breasts and tiny waist. She was Portuguese, with waist length jet black hair that shined under the spotlights and big brown eyes. 

Sam arched her eyebrow and looked over at her shell-shocked fiance. She looked back at the woman. She recognized her from television-- she was Katalina Rodrigues, a famous ESPN anchor that was known for her sex appeal- she had a Playboy cover and was known for sending nude photos to athletes and dating many of them. She blinked a few times. Katalina. Kat. Shit.

"Hey JC," Kat said, flashing a wide, flawless grin. Everything about her exuded sex appeal. Sam let herself stare at her for a few long moments. For a split second, she felt the familiar pangs of jealousy for the absolute straight sized beauty this woman possessed. 

JC cleared his throat. "Kat... what are you doing here?" He looked over at Sam then toward the door, where Dre, Lonnie and Mike were standing with their eyes on the guests.

"Do you really think I'd miss your 30th birthday?" She fluttered her eyelashes at him then looked at Sam with a disapproving look. "And this is...?"

"Samantha Bentley. My fiance," JC stated, matter-of-factly. 

"Oh, so you've finally decided to settle down?" Kat nearly purred as she talked to him. "I would have never expected it. I know you grew accustomed to living the single life. I've heard stories about you."

"She's changed my life," JC replied. "She's a model and the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"Mmm well, probably catalog modeling. But I wouldn't know because I don't wear that size." Kat had the laugh of someone that thought they were exceptionally funny. She took a sip of her champagne and looked Samantha up and down disapprovingly. 

JC tightened his grip on Samantha's arm. He could feel her trying to loosen herself. He was not about to have a fight happen right here, as hot as it may have been. 

"Oh, sweetheart," Samantha said, "Why are you here?"

"I told you, I didn't want to miss this special party," she took a step forward and tried to brush her lips against his cheek. 

"Kat. Stop." JC grit his teeth. "You need to leave. Now." 

"C'mon Jaceeee... I know this isn't over." Her words began to slur slightly. "Don't you want to remember what we had? You were in love with me!" 

"Kat, it's been five fucking years. You've wanted nothing to do with me, and frankly I want nothing to do with you. I know what it means to have a woman who wants me for nothing more than me. I'm never looking back." JC's voice was flat. He caught Justin's eye, noticing that he was making his way to Dre. 

"Oh JC! You don't mean that." She made a face. Her hand went to her hip, as if trying to show off what she could bring to the table. "You remember this body."

Sam stepped forward, letting go of JC's arm. "Listen. I don't know what the hell you think you're doing here. But I'm not about to let you come here and ruin my fiancé's night. He has grown into an amazing man who knows how to treat a woman, no thanks to your inability to be a decent human being. And now that he knows better, you can kindly fuck off and stay away from my man." 

"You'll get it--" Kat screeched but was interrupted as Dre and Lonnie stepped up to her side and in a synchronized maneuver, their arms were linking to hers in a protective grasp. 

"We're not sure how you got in," Lonnie said, guiding her away from JC, "But you've been on the off-limits list for years. Absolutely not allowed to be showing up to any events." The two guards escorted her to the door as she was babbling. They certainly looked like they had made that move before.  

Turning back to Samantha, JC let out a sigh. "Baby I'm so sorry..."

Sam stopped to touch his face, "Josh. You couldn't control that. Don't you dare apologize to me. This is your birthday party." 

He let a grin creep across his lips. "But that was hot as hell, you telling her off like that. Can you do that more often?"

"Mmmm," she grinned, letting her hands travel up to grab at his suit jacket. "You are something else Joshua Scott. Wouldn't you just love that..."

"Uhhh yeah I would," he grabbed at her face and let his lips crash against hers. He was feeling the adrenaline of seeing Kat, the shock at watching his woman be a boss... he almost couldn't handle it. 

She grinned into his kiss, grabbing his jacket a little bit tighter as she let him suck in her lips and let them go. She was totally willing to let him take control, and she loved it. 

"Shit," he mumbled against her lips, "How do you always make me want you like this?" 

"Mmm," she grinned, "I ain't mad about it." 

He stepped forward a bit, pulling her tighter into his body. He wanted her to feel what was up--- the fact that they hadn't even started dancing yet and he was already going. "Samantha," he growled. 

"Joshua," she whispered against his lips, "Later. I promise. It'll be worth it."

JC went for a nip at her lip and another little growl. He opened his mouth again to speak but was interrupted by the voice of the DJ.

"JC come on over to the middle of the dance floor! I think it's time to wish this birthday boy all the best, CAKE TIME!" The DJ boomed.

Sam laughed softly. "Of course," she kissed his temple. "Let's go celebrate you, baby."

He grunted again but laughed. "C'mon, sweets," he took her by the arm and adjusted himself before they walked to the center of the floor. 

"Here he is, the man of the hour, our 30 year old! Let's all join in and sing JC a big happy birthday!" The DJ sang out. 

JC pulled at Samantha's arm, bringing her right in the middle of the floor with him. The wait staff brought out a small, three-tiered cake that was gold and black, matching the decor perfectly. The words "Happy 30th JC" were in perfect cursive along the side, and big sparkler candles adorned the top. 

"On the count of three... let's sing it! 1...2...3!" The DJ called out. 

The entire room began to sing happy birthday to him. As they were singing, Samantha was all smiles, squeezing his hand. 

JC smiled and tried to blow out the candles but laughed when he realized they were the sparkler kind that needed to burn out themselves. The DJ handed him the microphone and he laughed softly. "Uh, hi everyone. I just wanted to take a minute to thank all of you for coming out tonight. It means a lot to me to have so many of you here celebrating me. It's hard to believe that 30 is here," he laughed a little bit, "I was just turning 19 when I joined *NSYNC, and spent the entire part of the last decade of my life as part of the band. It feels like so much has changed but nothing has changed at the exact same time." He looked out at the other 4 members of *NSYNC, holding their drinks with a big smile. "To my 4 brothers: Lance, Joe, Chris and J.... I love all of you. Thank you for this party," he grinned. "And to my beautiful Samantha," he looked over at her with a soft smile, "Thank you for also being instrumental in making this party happen. And most especially for loving me even when I'm unloveable. Thank you everyone! I love you all!" 

The crowd clapped as the staff rolled away the cake to cut it for all the guests. The music picked up again as people continued to mingle.

Sam leaned in and whispered against his ear, "Love you, birthday boy. Can't wait to give you your gift later."

He growled playfully leaning in to nip at her ear. He was feeling high on life and needed an outlet. "How about now?" 

She grinned, tilting her head a bit. "Joshua Scott..." She loved when his eyes danced with mischief and she got him going.

He licked his lips, grabbing for her hand. "Samantha Lee Bentley. Follow me." He peeked to the left and to the right and when it looked like no eyes were on them, he pulled her out the back door of the ballroom to the hallway. "Mmm, this way," he grinned. "I've been to events here before." He pulled her down the hallway and opened the second door to the left. It was pitch black in there. He pulled her close to his body, the darkness heightening the feeling of their bodies near the other's. "Nobody's going to come looking in a coat closet in the middle of August," he mumbled on her lips, letting them crash against hers where he took a hungry suck of her lips before letting them go. 

Without looking, he reached behind him and flipped on one of the dim lights of the closet. He lifted her leg up onto his hip and his face turned so they hit her face, up against her jaw. 

Sam's head went back against the wall, letting a low moan escape her lips, feeling him turn on for her coupled with the feeling of his lips against her skin. "Ohhh," she mumbled, her hands slipping up to feel his arms. 

He let his lips slide over against hers again, feeling that tingle go all the way down his spine and he moaned. He pulled her other leg up, pinning her against the wall of the closet. 

Her low moan matched his, tilting her head, opening and closing her lips over his as her legs tightened around his waist. 

His brow furrowed, meeting her open mouthed kiss with another, then let his lips close over hers, sucking her lower lip into his mouth. His hips pressed against hers, now still against the wall. 

She moaned softly, blinking a few times as she pulled away to look up at him. Every single time he took charge this way was a pleasant surprise. Her blue eyes were wide as she grinned softly, giving him a look of pure love, clouded with lust. 

"Samantha... shit. I want you." He crashed his lips against hers again. Seeing her with Kat... having her on his arm all night long... he couldn't take it anymore. He had to make her his, and fast.

"Joshua," she moaned against his lips, feeling the tingles taking over her entire body. She reached down and started to tug at his belt.

He kissed her a little harder, slipping her a bit of tongue. He reached down and stopped her hand from his belt and ran it over his dress pants, giving her a feel. "You. Do this to me every fucking time, Samantha." 

She bit her lip, watching him intently. "Mmmm. That. Is ALL mine." She let her hand stroke over him, a tiny grin playing at her lips. 

"Ughhhh," he moaned against her lips, "I need you... I really... need... want... must have... you..." He began to grind his hips against her hand. 

She reached to unzip his pants and pulled him from his briefs, bringing her forehead to him. "Then take me, Josh."

His mouth dropped slightly and his head fell to her shoulder. "Ohhhh fuck." He felt himself pulsating and he knew he was ready and was pretty sure she was too. 

She bit her lip as her hand stroked him once more, "You know I'm yours. Fuck her."

"Ohhh fuck, When you talk all that good shit." He bucked at her hand again before pulling his head up to look at her. Their eyes met and he grinned a bit, knowing shit was about to go down. "You like the panties you're wearing tonight or nah?"

She giggled softly. "Nothing we can't replace," she took her hand off him and reached under her sparkly dress to help him rip them off. 

His brows furrowed, feeling them rip and hit the ground. He pulled her up higher on the wall, scrunching her dress up. He pulled her down right onto him so she could feel him ready, up against her. He moaned, feeling the anticipation growing. 

"Josh," she moaned softly, "Ohhhh." She needed to blink, and her eyes fluttered as their gaze met. She was letting him take the lead. 

He swallowed hard, positioning himself to slip right where it needed to be, holding her ass up just right. At the moan of his name, he let his grip loosen so she came right down on him as he pushed a thrust up against her too. One slip and he was deep inside.

She felt herself moan, her hands went to grip against his arms and her legs anchored around his waist. "Josh, honey, ohhhhh," she felt her toes curling under her in her heels. 

"Youuu, oh fuck." He got a good grab of her ass before thrusting again, then again, and again. He wasn't going to stop. "Samantha...."

She made a face because it felt so good every damn time. She let her hips work against his, so she was meeting his thrusts which began to grow frantic. She could feel it in her core already.

His eyes were glazed over with lust for her. He started to buck his hips at her, quicker and harder, making her back hit the wall hard enough to leave a mark."BABY... Oh my god." His breath came out in a rush.

"Josh," she sucked out a harsh breath, "Let it go for me baby.... I feel you." She moaned out as her head went back and hit the wall. 

"The fuuuuuuuuuuuck!" He slammed her into the wall, letting it all go as his face buried into her neck where he bit at her skin without realizing it. 

As soon as he let go and it was fast and hot, she couldn't even moan or scream as she too lost control. Only a whimper could escape her lips as he sent her over the edge. 

He moaned and thrusted until he just couldn't anymore, before pulling her close into his arms as he struggled to breathe. His vision was a little bit blurry and he couldn't hear straight.

She let her lips fall into the crook of his neck where she breathed and it was a combination of breaths and moans. Her eyes fluttered closed while her body came down from that hot shock to her system.

He waited a few more moments for his senses to come back, then reached up to touch her face, then he pushed her loose hair back behind her ear. 

When their eyes met again, a shy smile spread across her face, almost coy. She let out the lightest little giggle. This man made her feel deliciously naughty every single time. "Happy birthday baby," she whispered. "I think it's time for another drink."

He grinned, leaned up to place a soft kiss on her lips before he bent down and pulled her panties up on his finger. "You put these on and we can go back and get another drink Ms. Bentley."

She smirked, taking them from him and slipping them into the pocket of his pants. "Consider them your gift, Mr. Chasez." She stole one more kiss. "C'mon." She fixed her dress and licked her lips before walking out of the closet and down the hall back into the party nonchalantly. 

JC grinned, fixing his pants and shirt. He waited a long moment before he followed suit back into the party, hands all in his pockets, shoving her panties down deep in there. Now this was the kind of gift he could get behind all the time. 

***

JC was untucking and unpinning his suit , grinning thoughtfully as he thought about how just a few hours earlier, the pants had come undone hastily. The town car had just dropped them back off at the house and he was grateful for the quiet. He loved his friends, but he was getting a little bit over the crowd. 

"Can you unzip me baby?" Sam turned around in the closet, back facing him. She lifted her hair up a bit to reveal the top of the zipper. 

JC leaned down and pulled the zipper down, grinning softly at her stepping out of the dress. Her black bra made him smile, but her lack of panties made him grin. He reached into his pocket to grab the panties that had been left behind.

"My pleasure," he mumbled appreciatively, reaching to unclasp her bra with a low laugh.

Sam smirked. "Thanks Josh..." she stepped out of the dress and hung it back up, then changed into a black nightshirt. "I'll meet you in the den," she stepped over and kissed his cheek. He smiled softly, then closed his eyes. He loved her soft kisses just as much as the heated ones.

JC changed out of his suit into a pair of black sweatpants. He ran his hands through his hair, taking a minute before he shuffled downstairs into the den, where Sam was waiting for him on the couch with a soft smile. 

"Hi baby," she grinned, peeking up as he entered the room. She looked cozy on the couch up against the pillows.

He jumped onto the couch from the back, bringing her onto his lap. "God do I love you."

"Hey Josh?" she asked softly, snuggling into him. There was still a light aroma of his Gucci cologne, a smell she had grown so comfortable with.

"Hey Samantha?" he repeated back to her, smiling. He let his fingers play at her hair. 

"Can I ask you something? I hope you don't mind this but, whatever happened with you and Kat? I feel like I know this but I don't at the same time."

He made a face. He didn't like talking about this part of his history, but he was marrying this woman and he knew deep down she had the right to know. "Oh, Samantha. That part of my story is long over. But we met as *NSYNC was just taking off in the States. We were playing a radio gig at Radio City in New York. Kat had actually taken an internship at Rolling Stone magazine and she was part of the group that had done one of our first big interviews here. I just remember being infatuated when we first met. We ended up taking off pretty fast. She was Ashley's best friend at the time so it was kind of like a fate thing. She came on the road with us and everything as part of the Rolling Stone gig. I worked up the nerve to ask her out at the end of her week with us. We ended up dating for almost 3 years, right through the big No Strings days into Celebrity. Anyways, shit started getting weird. She was acting distant and different towards me. She got a job working for Baseball Tonight on ESPN. The bigger her name got, the more confident and hotter she acted. Fast Forward to a Challenge for the Children weekend... the VIP pre-party ended up with her leaving to have sex wtih a basketball player from the Phoenix Suns. She was caught by everyone. Turns out she had been sleeping with athletes left and right as she was rising in the ranks at ESPN. I trusted her too. All of the truth came out that day and it was ugly. The night after the game we had a blowout... and I told her I never wanted to see her ever again. Security escorted her out of the hotel and she was permanently placed on a list that security had to keep away from the band. Or at least until tonight."

Sam sighed. "Oh Josh. I'm so sorry. That's shitty."

"Oh it gets better," JC rolled his eyes, "I was naive. I was 22 and so in love. I had signed a big bank account over in both of our names, once we started making money after we ditched Lou, I wanted to support my girl, you know? It turns out she was taking money out of the account in huge sums without telling me... to pay for all sorts of things. She ended up stealing money for plastic surgery that I had no idea about. Now that makes me look like the selfish boyfriend, but you have to realize that two careers at the top of their game made it months before we'd see each other sometimes. But yes. I paid for those breasts." He laughed all short. "I never actually got to enjoy them."

She looked at him and couldn't help but laugh slightly. "I didn't know whether or not to be jealous of her body. She is beautiful. As a girl who has been bigger most of my adult life, women that look like her can give me moments of absolute inadequacy. The world never second guesses her beauty or adds a label before the description."

JC held his hand up to stop her. He was listening, but he needed to state his piece. "No, she thinks she's beautiful. A lot of people think she's sexy, and she definitely presents herself that way. At the end of the day, the beauty is superficial, made in a plastic surgeon's office with fillers, injections and silicone. And someone who is superficially beautiful doesn't always have a beautiful soul to match. In my eyes, she should never, ever make you feel jealous. Because what you have is beautiful, naturally absolutely gorgeous and I never want you going a day in your life without me making you feel that way. Okay?"

She smiled, resting her head on his chest. "Okay. I promise."

He played with her hair, looking down at her with love in his eyes. "Thank you again by the way for your part in tonight's party. I had a wonderful time, minus the surprise guests. It was everything I could have dreamed of and more. Honestly made me really excited for our wedding, when it happens."

She grinned softly, looking up at him. "It'll be amazing. And I'll tell you you're welcome a million times. You deserve everything, blue eyes. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me."

He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. "Yeah? You care to show a little more appreciation tonight?"

She laughed so cute, poking at his side. "You mean the coat closet wasn't enough?"

He grinned, letting his hands grip at her thighs on his lap. "Mmmm, you know what I mean." He let his lips attack hers again, letting himself get lost in her all over again. 

Some old school Mariah was blasting in through the system in the middle of the walk in closet. Sam could hear JC humming along in the bedroom while she stood in a towel, looking for something to wear. JC had told her earlier that morning they'd be going to dinner at Justin's house and having a low key pool party. She wasn't sure why he was grinning the way he was, but she knew he had to have a reason.

She leaned forward, digging through the drawer with her bathing suits. "Hmmm," she said softly.

JC walked into the closet in his white v-neck t-shrit and grey shorts she bought him for Monaco. He came to grab a pair of flip flops, smiling at her rummaging through 14 different pieces. "You look sexy as hell in what you got on."

She laughed softly, "That's for daddy's eyes only," she pulled out a black one piece with a high leg, with a stringed pattern along the top straps.

He grinned to himself, pulling down his flip flops and sliding them on. "Better be for my eyes only. Ain't no magazine getting that deal either."

She laughed so softly, "That deal is all yours, baby. No one else gets it." She slipped on a pretty black lace coverup and black flip flops from her shelf.

He licked his lips and nodded, "That's the right answer. Now that you're slaying that suit, you're ready for a party," he held his hand out to her.

She smiled, nodding as she took his hand. She leaned in and kissed his cheek softly, welcoming the little stretch in her body. 

Johnny had gathered the guys together to inform them of a two week trip to Japan and South Korea for promo of Gentlemen After Dark. Much to JC's chagrin, the trip was going to be under a strict security clearance and would only consist of the 5 guys, their bodyguards, Melinda and Johnny. And when Johnny made up his mind, he wasn't changing it. After getting the announcement a few days after his birthday party, JC didn't want to talk about it but instead took out his anxiety on the unknown going hard in the gym, on both himself and Samantha.

"C'mon baby," he smiled, leaning down into her kiss to acknowledge, then he held her hand as they walked downstairs. "I picked up some goodies to bring for our friends. Can't go wrong with that whiskey. I'm gonna make you a special drink that I learned to make from one of the best."

"Ooh, that sounds delicious," she grinned, "I'm excited."

About 30 minutes later, JC's mercedes pulled into Justin's gated driveway. He took the bag of liquor from his trunk before coming around to grab Sam's hand. "And we have arrived at the Casa del Timberlake."

Sam laughed softly. "Oh Josh. All that alcohol for just the four of us?" She took his hand with a grin, "This sounds like trouble."

"Oh I plan on it being a little trouble." He walked right in the front door and the wave of barbecue was faint, but there. The kitchen was toward the back of his house near the pool and you could hear a faint hint of reggae music in the background.

Sam was looking around with a little grin. Justin's house and JC's house were very different and she wasn't sure why this amused her. "Nice kitchen. It's bigger than yours."

JC grunted, "Yeah well, that's about the only thing bigger," he licked his lips. "Where are those two?"

She giggled, "I love our kitchen, baby. It's great." She could smell the barbecue and it made her sigh cute. "Mmm," she peeked over and saw the door open to the backyard. "Outside maybe?"

"I Love our house too, it's perfect for us. Can't Help that Justin had to go and buy a small village." He took her hand again, leading her out back, "He was telling me how he completely remodeled his backyard into an oasis."

"Timberlake defines extra baby. You, don't." She grinned as he pulled her outside. "Oh shit."

"Oh my God." JC stopped in his tracks, examining the walk in pool, the grotto, the lights. It was almost overwhelming. "Well damn."

Sam laughed, shaking her head. "Annnnd now you're going to go and buy a home with a yard to do this," she giggled, poking his side. "Wow."

"Hell nah," he laughed and let his eyes adjust to all there was to see. "Do you know how much it would cost to keep this shit up and running?" He looked across the way to just past one of the new palm trees to see Justin and Ashley. "Found Waldo."

"Such a responsible husband type already," she grinned and took off walking toward the grotto bar with a great big smile at seeing her friend and her boyfriend. 

"Well, well, well, Mr. Chasez." Justin grinned and pulled Ashley into his side with a gentle kiss of her temple, "And Ms. Bentley."

"Justin," he smirked, "Ash. Good to see you again. Thanks for the dinner invitation." He looked over at the girls who were now hugging and grinned a big grin. "You know, if *NSYNC doesn't work out, you could probably write a half ok book about your love life and sell it for millions."

Justin laughed, "And what about you? You could write a moderately decent guide to sweeping a woman off of her feet."

"I could, and maybe one day I will." He looked back at the girls again. "Best decision of my entire life... entire. Life."

Justin looked at JC and grinned. He loved seeing his best friend so happy. "Let's get the drinks flowing and I'll start the grill. Tonight's gonna be goooood."

"You get the grill, I'll go throw us down the good old summer whiskey you taught us how to make." He patted his friend on the shoulder and headed back inside with him to get everything together.

***

Sam was on her third summer whiskey as they sat in one of the sunken in seating areas of the grand pool area. Her legs were crossed on a chaise and she was sipping on her drink, her plate pushed away a bit. She had a tiny bit of barbecue sauce on her stomach and she could care less, giggling at Justin and JC.

JC was laughing so cute. He loved spending time with Justin, and even though they were older, they were literally the same old boys and getting them tipsy was both an awful and good idea at the same time. "Why do I feel like we are going to be spending a lot of time at your house J?" 

"Nothing like a good night with some good friends and good drinks, anytime, Chasez family." Justin said. "And you have my woman to thank for hooking the two of you up."

Ashley laughed softly, catching up on the conversation. "Oh I'm not taking credit for that," she took a sip of her drink, "But you're welcome. I just call things like I see them. As we all know I don't have a filter or know how to lie."

JC took a sip of his drink as Sam topped them off, "It's a good thing your name is Pyro and not Honey. You're the sassiest woman Justin has ever had and he loves it."

Sam settled back down, biting her lip. She looked from JC to Justin to Ashley and back to JC, watching their history. It made her smile lightly. 

Ashley looked over at Sam and smiled. She could tell she was looking at JC with genuine adoration. "Do you two have a date set for your wedding at all? Or a time frame?"

"I want what she wants," JC smiled, rubbing on Sam's leg, "We only talked about keeping things low key and for friends and family."

She looked up at him and smiled softly, leaning in to  place a kiss on his cheek before she turned back to Ash. "We were talking about how much of our lives is in everybody's face all the time. That a really intimate ceremony with just our closest friends and family would be perfect. We're not really sure of the date yet. Maybe next year, maybe 2 years. I guess it depends on what *NSYNC is up to." She smiled, "I have some dress inspiration that I can't wait to share with you."

JC leaned over and nuzzled his face against hers with a smile. "All I needed was for her to say yes. When the time comes it comes, whenever you are comfortable to plan it baby, I'll be there by your side helping. I won't let you do it alone and I want to remember everything from start to finish."

Ashley beamed. "I am more than happy to make your dress Samantha. You can send me anything you want, I don't care what it is or what is behind the inspiration, I'll make a one of a kind dress for you." 

Justin laughed all low and teasingly, "JC Chasez is getting married. Wow."

"Fuck off Justin!" He laughed and leaned in to grab his drink and put it to his lips. "Mmm, don't act like it wasn't ever in the cards for me. We talked about that shit even if it was only maybe twice."

Sam looked at Ashley and smiled. "I can only imagine what they were like when they were younger. I'm sure y'all had way too much fun."

"Honestly, it was such an amazing time in my life, if I could go back to that time and know what I know now, I sure as hell would do it all over again with them too." She looked at Justin and then at JC. "They have barely changed. You would have loved it."

"I love it now," she grinned, "That's the ride I'm looking forward to. They both seem so genuine. And ridiculous too," she laughed, "But having you around might be the best part."

"Me? Why me?" Ashley asked. 

"Because Justin clearly loves you and you're my best friend which in turn makes all of this work well. We can have fun together," she smiled. 

"Oh," Ashley smiled and looked up at her then down at her drink, "I know that things aren't exactly the same as they were when we were first friends. I do apologize for that because we were closer before you met JC. But I couldn't be happier that you met him and he met you. Maybe that's my purpose in life."

"You don't need to apologize," Sam smiled softly, "I just know what I've heard from my fiance and what I see. You're not the only one who calls things like they see it." 

JC leaned over and grinned up against her skin. "Hi baby. I missed you." 

"Hi sweetheart," Sam laughed softly, leaning back into his arms again. Like clockwork, it had been 5 minutes since he last kissed her and he needed to be back for more. 

He grinned, pulling her in a bit more. When he got tipsy, he knew he got more hands on and flirty. "Ughh. I can't wait to marry you," he grunted thoughtfully, "Mrs. Chasez."

"Mmm, then maybe we don't wait," she grinned, "We could probably throw together a bomb wedding in about 6 months."

"If that's what you want," he grinned, then nudged his face against hers so he could get to her lips, "I'll wait for whatever you want. A year, two, or tomorrow." He grinned, kissing her really slowly and softly. 

She grinned on his lips, "Guess it doesn't matter. You know I'm not going anywhere and neither are you." She sucked on his lips lightly, just flirty enough. 

He made a little noise and pulled back to look at her like don't you start or I'll throw down right now. "Baby don't do all that," he whined playfully. 

"Mmm," she grinned cutely, "I'd ask you if you didn't want me but I know your body does. I'll just need to be a good girl." She rubbed her nose against his.

His hand slid down to hold her ass and get a good grab in. "My body always wants you. And you don't need to be anything you don't want to be." He was all smirky. 

She grinned in return, "You love the game of me being a good girl, because you know how I can put it down on you... but I can pretend to be soooo innocent in front of Justin. Mhmmm."

JC laughed huskily, "Justin knows you're not innocent though..."

"Justin can think what he wants," she grinned, nipping at his lip then giggling as JC went for hers. 

"Get a room Chasez!" Justin called, laughing at his own words. 

"Justin, fuck off!" Sam giggled, looking back at Justin.

"Yeah you tell him baby," he leaned over to splash water over at Justin and Justin laughed, shaking his head. 

Justin grinned. "This is just like back in the day you guys. Wild nights at the hotel pools."

"You know what? Let's fuckin go. Let's play some truth or dare, drunk style, whatever it was we used to do when we had like 10 of us." JC hopped up and walked to the bar to make himself another drink, all fired up now. 

"Now I know why y'all got into such trouble," she smiled, pulling herself up to sit up a bit more.

"Oh so much trouble. We'd get so loud and rambunctious we could have to get kicked out of the pool area at hotels." He brought a fresh drink over for Samantha as well.

"We aren't kids anymore so I'm not sure how surprising something like this will get at this point. But I'm down." Ashley grinned, settling back next to Justin.

"Thanks baby," Sam took the drink from JC and laughed, "If only those fans of yours could hear this now. They'd die."

Ashley grinned. "First one. Goes for everyone. Never have I ever had sex with one of my fans."

"Guilty," Justin smirked. "Germany."

JC scoffed. "That's a given. Yes, I have." He looked down at his drink and took a sip.

Sam smirked. "Ash aren't most of your guy fans gay anyways?" She licked her lips. "And I'm guilty."

Ashley laughed. "You'd be surprised at what I get propositioned with. And yes. I have too."

Justin smirked. "Okay, okay, okay. So we all have." He smirked, "Next question for all. "Never have I ever been a member of the mile high club."

JC smirked. "Maybe."

"Nope," Sam added.

JC wrapped his arms around her, pulling her between his legs and leaned all up against her. He leaned down and mumbled against her ear. "I'll make a mental list of what we need to add." He looked up at his friends. "Never have I ever had sex in public."

Ashley grinned on her glass. 

Sam laughed softly. "Define public please."

JC grinned, looking down at her. "You know, in public areas. Where the general public is allowed and could walk up on that shit at any given moment."

"Ah, sounds interesting," Sam smirked, "And yes," she laughed softly. "The weight room at Gillette Stadium."

JC choked on his sip when she said it, coughing a few times as his brows furrowed.

Ashley grinned. "Niiiiice! And yes absolutely. Elevators, the workroom... you never know who is going to show up."

Sam leaned and rubbed on his back. "Baby lean forward to open your airway."

JC coughed again. "I'm fine," he cleared his throat, "Okay." He took another sip of his drink, making a face. 

"Okay ummm," Sam said, thinking, "Never have I ever been tied up during sex."

Justin made a face. He was still reeling at the thought of Ashley having sex in public with another man. "The fuck. No."

"Uhhhhh no," JC was still mean mugging from the previous comment, but she couldn't see his face. 

Sam pulled him back down between her legs where she rubbed at his arms softly. She knew her man well and knew he needed reassuring. "Something I'm not into at all so definitely not me."

Ashley smirked. "Aww hell, I have. I never knew until I knew."

Justin made a face. Obviously it had not been with him, and he was not having any of this conversation anymore. He should have known better that jealousy would be getting the best of him. 

Sam laughed, "Better you than me girl, I'm not trying that shit. I like to grab the fuck out of my lovers." 

JC looked over at her, "I would never tie you up because I like you grabbing me."

Sam smiled up at him. "I love touching on you when we throw down daddy."

Ashley looked over at Sam and smirked. "I love all the grabbing and touching and just being in the moment with your person. I just never knew that shit existed is all, and I'm just saying... don't knock it till y'all try it." She smirked, "I'll get you all a wedding present."

JC took a sip of his drink, having recovered slightly from the stadium sex remark, he grinned at Sam. 

Sam giggled softly. "I'm down to try almost anything once. And if I don't like it, that shit is never, ever happening again."

Justin rolled his eyes, feeling his fists clenching at his side. "Next question."

Ashley laughed softly. "Uhhh never have I ever been with a professional athlete." 

JC grinned. "Good to know Samantha, and no, I've never been with an athlete."

Justin shook his head, his arms still crossed. "Nope."

Sam made a face, looking from Ashley to JC to Justin. "Yes. A couple. Basketball and football."

"The FUCK?" JC couldn't help his outburst, he just couldn't hold it in. "For real? The same Gillette Stadium thing person?"

Ashley grinned. "Finally a question I can say no to." She looked at Justin and JC who had gone into jealous mode. She had seen it before, but never quite like this.

"I hooked up with a Golden State Warrior last year." Sam shrugged, "And I dated a member of the Patriots when I lived in New York."

JC's lips pursed again. "Like... a for real Patriot and not a backup? Do we know who he is?"

"Like someone who went to the Pro Bowl. Magazine covers and Gatorade and shit, yes. And it's not Tom Brady," she laughed softly. 

JC felt his heart racing, he made a face and couldn't say anything else to her at the moment. He needed to finish off his drink.

"Well I'd say that we all learned something about one another didn't we." She was just drunk enough to not give a fuck.

"I'll say." Justin's voice was cut and dry. He sucked on his drink a little bit more. 

"I could open myself up to a no strings attached comment but I'll avoid that." Sam looked at Ashley with a little smirk. She could see JC visibly upset and becoming agitated.

"I see what you did there," Ashley laughed and walked over to her, toasting her glass and taking a sip. "So c'mon. Who has your best lover been? Is it JC?"

"Oh my gosh. Without a doubt he is." Her eyes lit up. "I don't think I could ever want someone else at this point." 

JC stared at Ashley, then looked at Samantha then back to Ashley with a dumbfounded look. "You'd better say that."

"Reeoooow," Ashley laughed, "Good for you boo! I'm glad you found your number one."

"I don't lie Josh," she looked up at Ash and smiled softly. 

JC needed to dip out from between the girls having this conversation and walk to the bar. He didn't know Samantha had dated a professional athlete and it was under his skin a bit. He would never be a pro athlete, even though he had been cut from touring, he had always been on the leaner side. He would never pass as a football player. A stupid reason, he knew, but it got under his skin nonetheless. 

Justin was already standing at the tiki bar, pouring a shot of whiskey for himself. When JC approached, he poured a second. He offered him a knowing and sympathetic smile. "Are you ok?"

JC grunted in return but nodded. He knew his best friend could read him better than anyone he had met before-- that is, anyone until he met Samantha.

Justin rubbed at his shoulder before handing him the shot. "Jealousy fucking sucks. It is harder now that you know she's the one."

"Like... I already want the dude to just fucking fall over dead and I don't even know who he is."

"Just remember there's a reason that she calls you daddy and not him." Justin smirked. 

"I mean, I do kinda put it down on her." JC grinned.

"And she's got your fucking ring on her finger. Don't forget that." Justin added.

"Yeah, fuck him!" JC said, "Now let's take these fucking shots." 

"To getting the fucking women!" Justin said, tipping back his shot with JC.

JC glanced back at the girls who were all giggles, probably talking about men. He shook his head. "How am I not on that level of happy right now?" They both walked over to the girls. 

"There he is!" Sam smiled, "I need to go give some love to daddy."

JC was smirking as he walked around to meet them. "You don't need to be trying to come over to love on me. I'll come to you." He pulled her up off the chair and pulled her into his body.

"Mmmm," she smiled and leaned up to give his lips some attention. "Love you baby."

JC grinned softly, loving on her lips just a little then left them with a soft suck. "Love you." He looked down at her with her glassy eyes and it made him chuckle.

She giggled, nipping at his lip. "He wasn't shit baby. Ash wants to talk dresses inside. When I'm done with her..." she pointed at him. "You're mine."

JC licked his lips and grinned, "Daddy will be waiting then. But you go have fun."

Ashley grabbed at Sam's arm. "You can jump on the dick later. I wanna build a dress on you."

Sam sighed harshly. "But it's the good kind."

JC grinned with pride, watching them. "That's right baby..."

Ashley dragged Samantha inside, giggling. 

JC watched the girls then looked at Justin. "Why do I feel like she's going to come out covered in toilet paper and a sheet that's cut up?"

Justin grinned. "You'd love that shit. Anything to hug on those curves..."

JC smirked. "Stay in your own lane, son. Those curves for days are mine."

Justin laughed softly. "Sorry. Ashley's gotten kinda tiny. I miss the curves."

JC sipped on his drink. "She is looking a little... little."

"She's still sexy as hell but seeing Samantha with something to grab onto makes me miss her hips." Justin growled softly. 

"Oh man. Her thighs I tell you. And that ass.. I just..." He closed his eyes, biting on his fist, needing a moment.

***

The girls emerged a half hour later, giggling again. Justin and JC were watching a baseball game on the TV attached to the side of the grotto. JC grinned when they walked back out, standing up to bring Sam into his arms. "Let's get something to eat and relax baby. You hungry again?"

"Mmm, maybe some of the Mac and Cheese," she took his hand, "We can eat in the pool by the bar." She looked up at him grinning as Pony began playing on the system. "Ooh!"

JC grinned, "I love the way you think." He locked their fingers, grinning as his hips began to slowly move to the beat of the song while he pulled her to the outdoor kitchen. 

She giggled, "You have the sexiest hips ever Josh. Just... the way they move." She grabbed onto the counter and began to grind her own hips up against the counter. "I love this song."

JC stopped in the middle of the kitchen, staring at her with a hard bite of his lip. He couldn't help but be turned on at the sight. "Uhhh, your hips are doing a great job baby." He started making her a plate of mac and cheese, still moving his own hips. 

She peeked over at him with a little grin, "Riiiide it, my pony...." She turned to face him, swaying those hips from side to side. 

JC grunted, watching her closely for a moment before sucking the fork off, throwing it down on the plate. In a moment, he was pushing himself against her, dancing her up against the counter, grinding his hips into her and looking down at them. 

Justin was walking by to get back into the house, but paused, taking a moment to watch what was going on in his summer kitchen. He cleared his throat. 

She giggled, getting a solid feel of just how turned on JC was. "Ohhh, you're so hot," she murmured, then looking over at Justin with a guilty little tipsy smile. "Hi Justin."

JC reached up and pulled her face back to his instead of paying attention to anyone else. "Mmm, you're the sexy one," he mumbled against her lips, before starting a slow sexy kiss just as his hips continued their slow grind. 

Justin rolled his eyes. "The guest house is open. Just please wash the damn sheets."

Sam giggled on his lips as her head tilted a bit to take his kiss and capture it in, her hips moved with his slowly to the beat. The feeling made her moan against his kiss.

JC broke the kiss to mumble. "Mmm I will Justin." He leaned back into her kiss as the song faded into How Deep Is Your Love by Dru Hill. He didn't stop moving his hips against hers, only in little circles knowing she could feel him. 

"You. Mmm." She moaned and pushed her hips against his a bit more, enjoying the slow grinds to the beat.

"Always baby... for you," he pinned her against the dishwasher harshly. "I don't even need to sex you. I bet I could make you get off right here, like this."

She smirked but it turned into a moan because she knew he was right. "Just like I could get you off too, daddy."

He moaned at her response. "You'll always be able to get me going and get me off, I won't lie baby." His hips continued their slow and lazy grind against her. "Tell me how you want to do this and you can have it."

Her hum was thoughtful. "Baby, I just want you to work me." Her head dipped down into the crook of his neck as she met his grind just so. Their hips were doing just enough rocking and the fabric of their bathing suits were giving just a bit of friction.

He moaned as he lifted her hop, holding her legs around him, pinning her to the counter still, working his hips in a harder grind. "SHIT."

She let her legs wrap right around his waist as she continued to work her hips against him. He was rock hard against her and that alone was enough to make her crazy. He'd always do it for her. She furrowed her brow. "Ugh daddy!"

JC furrowed his brow as well as he sucked in a harsh breath, feeling himself tense up. He watched her body and the way she was reacting to him, then looked up at her face. "Baby," He was making a knocking noise against the cabinets because he began to be more rough with her. "You're gonna make me lose it already." The harsh whisper escaped from his lips. 

She nodded against the skin at his neck and captured his earlobe with her teeth. She moaned and gave the skin a little tug. 

He sucked in a breath and his hips frantically bucked a few times, and it was a sudden onset of losing control. One that made him let out a "GUHHHH" and almost fall into her on the counter. He was grunting and sucking in breaths and moaning, but holding back a scream, knowing they were in Justin's backyard. 

She let out a moan and it was a loud one, not caring where they were. When he let go, he created extra friction with his hips going frantic and he rubbed against her just right. A wave hit her moments after his, her head going back and she let out a scream of his name which echoed off of the walls of Justin's grotto.

"FUUUUCK!" He bucked and rode out the wave until he was done and he was sure she was too. He felt her body relax, and he fell against her, letting her legs go a bit but still keeping a good grip on her. "Ohhhh."

Her eyes were closed as she sucked in a breath. Her moan was sated as she fell back into the counter.

He caught his breath, looking down at her with heavy and satisfied eyes. "What just even happened." He grinned and leaned down to slowly kiss on her lips.

"Mmm," she giggled, "We need a shower." Her eyes were still closed with satisfaction. 

"Good thing I have my own guest room in the guest house when I stay over," He licked his lips, pulling her up off the counter, giving them both a moment to catch their bearings. "We can shower and sleep off the alcohol."

She grinned, "Justin looooves you," she giggled, taking his hand once she was steady on her feet again. 

He laughed, leaning into nibble at her lip. "He does. And you never had your snack."

"Mmm, that's right. Wouldn't want to waste away," she grinned and leaned back to grab the plate off the counter. She took a bite of Mac and Cheese and then fed him a bite as well. 

JC took the bite with a grin then took a piece of pulled pork from the pan, popping that in his mouth as well. "Why don't I just let you shower and I'll come and warm up some of this for you again and bring it to the room baby."

She smirked. "You don't feel like you need to wash up too? Grossss." Her voice was light and teasing. 

He shook his head. "I was going to shower after you, princess. That way your food would be perfect and hot for you." He took her hand and walked with her to the guest house.

"You're too good to me baby," she smiled, letting him lead her in. He led them to a swanky guest room with attached bathroom and sitting area. "Oh wow."

"I could never be too good to you, and yes, I know. Justin has a big family though and his parents come to visit a few times a year along with his cousins. Still, a little extra." He turned on the lamp by the bed. 

"I could care less about the flashy parts of Justin, As long as the house is filled with love and family that's all that matters." She wiggled out of her one piece and laughed. "I'll wash both of these suits in the sink later."

He smirked. "You know what?" He pulled his trunks off and grabbed hers, throwing them in the shower and poured shampoo over them before he started up the hot water for her. "Perfect."

"I love that you're comfortable enough with yourself and with Justin to walk naked through his backyard." She laughed.

He smirked. "No silly." He grabbed and pulled her in the shower with him, letting her get all wet before pulling her chin up to kiss her a few times. "I'm just gonna wash up real fast and let you take your sweet time."

"Mmm, that's better." She leaned up and kissed on his lips a few more times. "Baby, I meant what I said to Ashley. You're hands down the best best best best best lover I've ever had."

He made a low noise, putting his hand at her side while he enjoyed their kisses for a moment. "I know that you meant it."

She smiled against his kisses, taking a few minutes to keep them light and loving. "Mmm." She reached down and washed off his tummy with some body wash and a wash cloth. 

He smiled, watching her. He knew she loved to take care of him this way so he let her continue. "You know that I've never loved anyone the way I love you right?"

"Mmhmm." She smiled and nodded. Her hands slid up along his chest and sides with the wash cloth, letting it run over his body. "Likewise. I've never opened up to a man the way I have to you. Anyone."

"Mmm, I think I know that about you baby." He let her finish washing him before he took over and returned the favor, washing her arms, over her breasts, stomach and back. "I love that you are comfortable with me."

She smiled and tilted her head slightly as he washed her up, she took a moment to peek up at him with a small smile. Her buzz was beginning to wear off and her eyes were full of love for him. Her voice got quieter as she looked at him. "You know, you do know about him already. He's the one I told you about."

He was washing her up, then made her turn around and back again to rinse off. "I know about him??" His head went up quickly. 

"I mean, I didn't tell you who he was. But I told you about my ex. The one that was physical and verbal with me." She bit at her lip.

JC felt his blood begin to boil and the washcloth went down. He turned the water off and stared down at her for a long moment. "Oh. Him."

She blinked and frowned, looking down at her feet. She killed the afterglow vibe they had going and she felt like an idiot. She took a moment to lean up and kiss him softly, then she stepped to grab their  bathing suits to hang up on the hooks to dry. She did that and then grabbed a towel to wrap around herself. 

He grabbed a towel to wrap around him too, then followed her to the bedroom where he pulled out a drawer of extra clothes he kept behind. He pulled out an original *NSYNC Crew tour t-shirt on the bed for her. "Here baby..."

Sam smiled softly. "Oh, *NSYNC crew. I've made it." She laughed softly and pulled it on, smelling the familiar scent of JC's fabric softener and cologne. 

"You have officially." He grinned and pulled on a pair of PJ pants. He held up another pair for her. "Just in case you need to walk into Justin's actual kitchen in the morning. You can't go naked." He grinned softly. 

"Uhh Justin is into skinny girls. You've got absolutely nothing to worry about. And Ashley sees me naked all the time for work."

"Correction, Justin is into curves and couldn't take his eyes off of yours. He said he wanted Ashley to get hers back. But if you're okay with it, then I am too. I know he's not a threat whatsoever." He licked his lips and hung up their towels. 

"I don't mind at all," she laughed, "He loves Ashley with everything in him so he's definitely not a threat." She smiled a bit and sat down on the bed in the t-shirt. "Maybe we just snuggle. I don't know that I'm hungry anymore baby."

"I'm good with snuggles, I'm tired and I want my boo." He crawled under the sheets, pulling her down and in with him until they both got into a comfortable position. 

She smiled, snuggling into his body. She looked up at him from his chest. Her heart was full of love but felt unsettled from everything that was out there from the drunken game. 

He looked down at her and played with her hair, smiling after a few moments. "I know you, and know that look. What's on your mind baby?"

"I feel really bad about tonight." She made a face, "I got you upset and I didn't mean to."

"You are not allowed to feel bad... you didn't upset me. It wasn't YOU, nor your fault." He leaned down to be close to her face. "Look at me."

She nodded, touching his face and studied his gaze.

He took a moment to let her study how he was looking at her, admiring her, loving her with his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was soft. "Whatever insecurities he led you to believe about yourself is all untrue. You are my world and I am lucky to love you."

She smiled lightly, touching on his chest gently. "You have my entire heart. Every last bit of it. If I wasn't a woman enough for him, or too much woman for him... I'm trying my best to keep all that shit in the past. I only see you now, completely as we move forward. He's not even remotely important to be anymore."

"Now that's what I like to hear baby. You keep telling yourself that and I'll be here every step of the way." He was playing with her hair and looking down into her eyes, having a real, deep moment with her.

She mumbled, getting lost in his eyes. "This is why I knew even thinking about starting a family with him was the worst idea. The universe is a funny thing..." she sighed and let herself be in the moment and in love with him.

JC heard every word she said, closing his eyes for a moment to not react. "Well, I'm glad the universe was on the same track with me for that path then, not him."

She looked up at him again, seeing his eyes closed, then they opened again "I was stupid. I know that now."

"Not stupid, you just got smarter." He pulled her chin up and put his nose against hers then his lips to hers. "And you're making the best decision with me now baby."

She smiled on his lips. "I've never once second guessed my decisions when it comes to you, ever. You and Julian are like night and day."

"Julian." He said his name simply, so matter of fact. 

She looked at him and studied him for a moment, their bodies still close. 

He didn't have any further reaction than that, he could see her watching him. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Hey Samantha, I love you so much."

"I love you to the moon and back sweetheart," she smiled and snuggled back into him. Her last words trailed off into a whisper and she was out in seconds. 

Even though he was exhausted, he lay there with her in his arms. He was watching her and thinking about Julian-- now that he had his name, he knew that he was going to need to know more about him. Suddenly, everything Justin had gone through with Ashley's ex boyfriend made perfect sense to him. A man who brought that much harm to the most precious thing in his life was going to pay for his actions, no doubt about it. 

Three weeks had passed.  *NSYNC hadn't had the month of August off in years, and JC took every moment of freedom to spend time with Samantha, enjoying their home, taking day trips, recording music just for the enjoyment of being inspired... and to work out.

 

Late one evening when JC was confident Samantha was fast asleep, he slipped out of bed and went down to the living room. He pulled open Google and searched up a Julian on the Patriots. He was confident he knew who she was talking about based on the clues he had been given, but once the search results revealed Julian Edelman, he knew it for sure. He spent an hour studying photos and videos of him, trying to sort out every emotion he felt. Jealousy at looking at his body in top physical peak performance. Anger at knowing he took away a piece of the woman he loved that she would never get back. Interest and intrigue at knowing the physical routines he completed, wanting results of his own. He let himself fall down the rabbit hole for a few solid hours before shaking himself out of it and returning to bed, but not before making his mind up that he'd be back in the gym with a vengeance. 

 

And for three solid weeks, he was. His normal gym routine doubled, spending extra time not only on cardio but on extra weight training. He brought Samantha into the gym with him for extra motivation, watching her run on the elliptical was the perfect distraction to the extra weight he was pressing. He could already see the results in the mirror and knew that he was feeling and looking his best, leading him to a deep sense of pride. Not to mention, the little extra cardio he looked forward to the most often ended with things getting heated in the guest-room-turned-gym.

 

September brought new challenges. The trip that was initially scheduled for the end of the month was bumped up to the beginning. Johnny had called a group meeting, saying that the market in Asia was hot and Japan needed the album earlier to keep up with the demand. Two weeks would be spent traveling between Japan and South Korea to promote the album and do performances for the fans.While everyone in the group was excited about the prospect of traveling again, especially to a part of the world they hadn't been since the No Strings Attached days, there was a little sense of dread, especially between Justin and JC. Justin had spent delicate time winning the love of Ashley back, finally opening up her heart again. And JC, well JC had enjoyed relishing in the time of just being Josh again and feeling rejuvenated. 

 

The morning the band was to leave for Tokyo JC had a pickup time of 5AM. The SUV was going to be picking up Justin followed by JC. The second car was holding Lance, Joey and Chris.  It was still dark outside, just after 4AM when Samantha was in the kitchen, making a fresh pot of coffee for him. She was wearing his PJ pants tied on her waist and a cropped black t-shirt, yawning as the coffee was brewing. Her eyes were sleepy. The house was already quiet with him just upstairs in the shower and she didn't like it. She shuffled over to the fridge to grab the cream and sighed softly. JC had kept her up for most of the night, wanting to get in as many rounds as he could, enough to tide her over for the two weeks he'd be gone. She laughed softly as she opened the carton for the cream, still feeling the stretch and pull as she moved. There was nothing sexier than knowing how badly JC wanted her, and he had certainly left his mark on her.

 

A few moments later, as he usually did, JC came noisily down the stairs, his hair damp from his shower, wearing jeans and a black tank top with a mixtape on it, and on his back was his backpack. He smiled, seeing her there in the kitchen. "You didn't need to get up baby, but I love that you did."

 

Sam smiled, smelling the familiar scent of his shampoo and body wash. He was clean smelling and something about it always drove her crazy. "You really think I was going to let you leave without being awake?" She poured both of their cups of coffee, putting his in a thermos the way he liked it. "Long gone are the days where you need to get ready for touring all alone."

 

"Ugh wifey feels," he grunted, pulling her into his body. "I fucking love this shit so much." His arms went tight around her and he buried his face in her neck. He needed a moment to breathe her in, let it burn into his memory. 

 

She smiled, leaning into him, taking in her favorite body wash and shampoo a little bit closer. "Always gonna be your wifey, baby," she grinned on his skin.

 

He smiled up against her neck before placing the cutest little kisses along the skin. "Mmm, you already are to me..." He made his way to her lips and brushed his lips against hers. She was so intoxicating to him and he just wanted more. He had absolutely no idea how he was going to survive two full weeks without her. 

 

She smiled, kissing him softly. "I love you Josh."

 

"Mmmm," He nodded all cute and kissed and talked at the same time. "I love you... like really love you..."

 

Her giggle was soft and still sleepy. "Mmmm. I know." She grinned while he kissed and talked on her lips. "You need to leave. Before I can't let you go baby." 

 

He grunted. "I just want five more minutes with you." He reached up to cup her face and smiled against her lips. "I just love you mama..."

 

She sighed, leaning into his hands on her face. "We've done this before. We can do this again. And this one is just two weeks. We've done longer."

 

He made a face. "We've done longer before because we didn't know better. I haven't been apart from you for an entire month! Who is gonna keep me on my toes and love me down when I'm stressed at the end of the day?"

 

She smirked, "Joshua Scott Chasez." 

 

"Whaaat?" He laughed, shaking his head playfully. "I'm just sayin'."

 

"I wish I could come along, my sweet babe. I've got a couple of shoots in Malibu and I need to go back to New York too." her voice was soft.

 

"I know, baby. It would have been fighting hard to get you access to come along anyway. This specific trip is crazy. And I'm happy to get it over with so I can come home and never have to worry about being gone that long again. I swear it."

 

"Mmm, as soon as you get home we're gonna go look for a venue," she grinned cute, "gonna make you a Missssster!"

 

"Mmm, I'm already a Mr." He chuckled, "Gotta make you my Mrs. That's more like it!" He kissed her nose. "You start before me. Make a list of what you want. Narrow it down to your top three and then I'll go with you and we can decide and pick from there?"

 

"Perfect." She couldn't help but but let her hand creep up his shirt, playing with the tops of his abs that were returning in perfect form. "Don't forget that I want pictures when you're gone..."

 

He smirked, pulling her hand from his shirt before kissing her fingers. "You know just what you were doing Ms. Bentley. Makin' me crazy." He sighed softly, smiling on her fingers near his lips. "I can do that. If you don't forget to return the favor for me, baby."

 

"Mmm, always," she grins. "In the gym, in the bathroom, getting ready in the morning... they're all yours. I promise you'll look down and have plenty." She brought her head up to his once more and kissed him gently. 

 

"Mmmmmmmhmm." He kissed all over her face, reaching down for one more healthy squeeze of her ass. "Surprise me. I don't care what time of day."

 

She squealed so cute when he grabbed at her ass. "I can send that too. I've got my squat workouts lined up for two solid weeks when you're gone."

 

"Just be ready when I get home for you... because two weeks is honestly an eternity of not having sex with the way we've been lately."

 

"Ugh. I'm gonna need you really bad." She laughed softly. "I'll be ready. Promise." She rubbed on both of his arms, smiling. "I love you. You need to leave before you're late for Johnny's call time and miss the flight and it'll all be my fault."

 

He closed his eyes, hearing her words and thinking back on the past few days, even weeks. He wrapped his arms around her once more and put his lips against her face. "We won't leave the house for another few days baby, I promise. Mmm. I love you. I love you, I love you." 

 

She grinned cutely, closing her eyes. "I love you most." She leaned into his hug, letting his familiar warmth envelope her.

 

"I'll argue with you another time," he grinned, nudging his face against hers. "Will you walk me down the driveway to wait for the van?"

 

"Anytime," she said softly, brushing her lips against his cheek. "Lead the way, handsome."

 

JC pulled his arms out from around her and let out a soft sigh. He took his coffee mug and slipped it into the sleeve on the side of his backpack.  He shuffled his feet toward the bottom of the stairs where his 2 large suitcases were waiting for him. "If I take one and you take one, I can still hold your hand." He grinned.

 

"Always strategizing," she laughed, following him over to the suitcases. She tilted one before wheeling it next to him to the foyer, then out into the driveway. Traveling wasn't something unfamiliar to her, but something about this trip of his hit differently. When she was single, the prospect of packing a suitcase was exciting, an opportunity to see a new place and make new memories. But now that she had a taste of what it felt like to have a home, a true, rock-steady home, it felt strange to see him go. She knew that he had felt the same-- before they had fallen asleep earlier that morning, they had discussed this very topic and the shift in feelings.

 

"Always," he replied with a smile. He took the suitcase out of her hands and lifted her up by the ass into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her with a playful smile. "My girl." 

 

She giggled, wrapping her legs and arms tightly around his body, bringing her forehead against his. "You've been tossing me around lately, Mr. Chasez." 

 

"Do you blame me? Look at you," he grinned, leaning in to capture her lips in a soft kiss. "You're stunning." 

 

She smiled on his lips, taking a moment to love on them before she replied. "And you're handsome as hell. You know how I feel about you," she giggled, "Those arms though."

 

JC grinned with pride. "All for you, babydoll." 

 

A black Suburban with tinted windows pulled into the driveway and JC let out a harsh sigh. Sam smiled slightly, leaning in for one more kiss. "You're gonna be amazing. The fans in Tokyo are going to love you and I'll be waiting for you in our home. Whenever you need me, call and I'll be there to give you all the love you need." 

 

He placed her down on the ground then hugged her to his body once again. "Same though. If you're lonely or something doesn't feel right. I am so protective of you. I hate that I can't fix it in person."

 

She laughed softly, nuzzling her face against his. "I can handle myself, Josh. I promise. It's two weeks. I'll call you if something is wrong, my assistant and team can come too if it's really an emergency. I want my sexy boyband fiance to enjoy himself ok? This is honestly a special trip."

 

He growled playfully, leaning in for one more kiss. "Okay, okay, okay. I'll stop."

 

She smiled, sleepily returning his kiss. "Safe travels. Call me when you get to Tokyo and have the most amazing time. I love you always, Joshua Scott."

 

He grinned, squeezing her a bit, wanting to take her warmth with him. "I love you most, Samantha Bentley."

 

He pulled away from her, giving their hands a squeeze as Johnny knocked on the window. He chuckled. "I guess that's my cue."

 

She nodded, nodding her head toward the car. "Let me help roll those suitcases in, Josh." She walked alongside him to the trunk and watched as he loaded both suitcases into the back of the SUV.  She placed one more soft kiss on his lips before nearly pushing him into the waiting car. He smiled as he climbed in, pulling her gently onto his lap in the car, leaving her with one long lip-locked kiss. He smiled and hummed as he pulled back and watched her lean back out of the car. 

 

"Be amazing, Josh. Love you..." she sucked in a little breath and closed the door to the SUV. JC put his hand on the window on the inside, and she stuck hers over on the other side of the window. She blew him a kiss with her free hand before she began to back away from the car, letting it back out of the driveway. 

 

Moments later, the lights from the SUV were gone and only the dim lighting outside of the garage illuminated her way. She walked inside quietly and carried her coffee cup up into their bedroom, where she sipped the warm beverage in the what felt much-too-big bed. 

 

***

 

JC sat at the airport, sitting at the gate between Justin and Lance. Their flight for Tokyo was due to leave in another half hour and boarding was going to begin in just a few moments. His foot tapped nervously as he looked all around him. People watching in an airport was one of his favorite things to do, a hobby he had begun in the earliest days of *NSYNC. He loved to make up stories behind the people he saw. It helped to keep him distracted from the busyness of travel. 

 

Justin looked over and he grinned. "What are those two doing?" He knew JC's favorite game to play and often would chime in on his own guesses. 

 

JC smirked. "Hmm. That flight is going to Sydney. Look at the way he's looking at her. He's got those love eyes. He's taking her to Australia on a romantic vacation. On their 3rd night in Sydney he's going to propose at the Opera House." 

 

Justin chuckled. "Look at you with all these romantic scenarios. That other couple next to them is celebrating a big anniversary. But she doesn't know that he's been banging his younger secretary."

 

JC let out a hearty laugh. "Of course you'd say that." 

 

Justin looked over at JC with a smile. "I haven't seen you this genuinely happy in a long time, C. I'm over the moon for you,ya know. And I feel you about this trip coming at a difficult time."

 

JC's smile was genuine and he gave Justin a friendly pat on the shoulder. "I never thought I'd be able to find a woman I'd actually want to settle down with, someone I could hand everything over to and just be totally okay with it. But like... bam. It just happened and I stopped fighting my head and then I never wanted anything more." 

 

Justin's grin was big. He loved seeing his best friend this way. "Yessss. And now you're all husband-y shit and it's amazing. I'm gonna start calling you Mr. Bentley." He laughed all low. 

 

"I'd be fine with it. Because have you seen my wifey? She's gonna have my name. Fuck." He laughed as well. "Justin, I'm telling you this because you understand. I'm gonna die in the next 2 weeks without her sex."

 

Justin chuckled. "Thank god you have your own room. Cause I don't even wanna know..."

 

JC smirked. "I may have gotten it in like 4 times last night. Like I couldn't get enough." 

 

"Atta boy," Justin gave him a fist bump and they both laughed as they stood up when the first class boarding group was called. They boarded the plane and the Asian adventure was officially underway. 

 

***

 

Fifteen hours later, five very tired friends were heading to their hotel rooms at the Shangri-La hotel downtown.

 

Melinda stopped in front of JC's door, smiling as she handed him his room keys along with a black folder. "You gonna be good to go? Tomorrow morning's call time is 9:00AM. We have some TV shows to get to in the morning, then a soundcheck for an in-store performance at the Virgin Megastore here. Everything is in the folder for tomorrow."

 

He offered her a sleepy smile. "I appreciate it. I'll be ready. Get some rest, Chicken. I'll see you in the morning." 

 

He swiped his room key and pulled his suitcases inside the room. It was a sleek and modern room with a dark wooden headboard, small oblong desk and small couch. The floor to ceiling windows revealed the bright city beneath him. Next to the bed was a retractable window leading to a large soaker tub just before the bathroom with a giant glass walk-in shower. He smirked, taking everything in. The sight of a good bathtub always made him smirk now, knowing his track record with Samantha.

 

He sucked in a little sigh and put his suitcases down on the rack. He removed his shoes and sweatshirt and shuffled his feet over to the couch where he plopped down, pulling out his cell phone. He made a face. Tokyo was 17 hours ahead of LA time. It was 7PM, so it was going to only be 2AM in LA. She had said to call him when he arrived... so he was calling her. 

 

He dialed her number, smiling softly as her picture popped up on his screen. It rang a few times and he smiled as he heard her pick up.

 

"Hi baby," her voice was soft and sleepy. Oh he missed her.

 

"Samantha!" He was smiling and it was evident in his voice. "I'm sorry I'm calling you so late. I just wanted you to know that I made it. I'm at my hotel." 

 

"How was your flight?" She tried to hide her yawn but he could hear it.

 

"Long. 12 hours. I slept for a lot of it since we didn't the night before. Then I watched a couple of movies and ate. Overall it was fine. Today is almost over here," he laughed softly, "Like I'm probably going to bed in a little bit to be ready for tomorrow's call time." 

 

"I'm glad it was quiet," she said thoughtfully, "It rained here after you guys took off. I was worried about the weather. But it sounds like everything went well."

 

"What did you do yesterday?" He knew it was late for her but he needed to hear her voice. 

 

"I cleaned the house, went to Whole Foods, stocked up on some things for myself, then Ashley came over and we drank a bottle of cheap ass red wine that you'd kill me for buying," she giggled, "And we started sketching out my dress."

 

"Your dresssssss?" His voice was full of excitement, and for a split second he almost forgot how tired he was. 

 

"My dressssss." She repeated, laughing softly. "It's going to be something else.  I mean right now it's a sketch. But I think it's everything I want. We're going to play with some styles too but I think I have my dream."

"Wait wait wait," he laughed, "Before or after the bottle of cheap ass red wine?"

 

"Before," she laughed softly. "We talked and she sketched and then we had dinner and drank the bottle reminiscing about our time in New York together. We may have also gossiped about our favorite boy band."

 

"Oh juicy! I hope you told her you wanted to jump on my dick again. That made my day at Justin's." He grinned, thinking about it. 

 

"Oh she heard all about our marathon the night before. Don't worry. She knows what's up Josh."

 

"Ohhh yeah," he laughed. "Hey Samantha? I'll let you go. But I just wanted you to know how much I loved you and I already miss you."

 

"I love you to the moon, Joshua Scott. All the way from LA to Tokyo." Her voice was soft and he knew she was struggling to stay awake just for him.

 

"Sweet dreams, babydoll. I'll call you later." 

 

"Mmmk. Bye baby. I love you." Samantha hung up the phone and JC let out a sigh. He looked over at the dim light coming out of the bathroom and he grinned. He had one more stop to make before he could get ready for bed. 

 

He walked over to the bathroom, stripping down out of his jeans and tank top. He tossed them in a pile on the floor, knowing he'd gather them up later to go in his laundry bag. He put his phone on the counter and stared at himself in the mirror for a long moment. He had a moment of self-admiration, checking out the definition in his arms and chest and taking a moment to admire the top two abs that were coming back in. He felt strong as he puffed his chest out. 

 

"Mmm, a little something to surprise you in the morning, future Mrs. Chasez," he grinned, slipping his briefs off. 

 

He backed up slightly, taking a look at himself in the mirror. Of course, looking at himself naked wasn't nearly as fun as the flash of initial surprise and then lusty excitement in the eyes of his woman, but for now this would have to do. He leaned forward and grabbed his phone off the counter. He angled himself so his torso was clear in the mirror and his free hand went down to cover himself from being fully exposed. "There," he mumbled, making a stern and serious face in the mirror as he snapped the perfect mirror photo. He sent it off to Samantha with a low laugh before starting up the shower to quickly get ready for bed.

 

Distance sucked, but he knew what he had to do to make it a little more tolerable. 

 

 

"Hi, we're *NSYNC... and you're watching Good Day Tokyo!" the five members all said in unison. Everytime they recorded an intro like that it solicited a combination of eye-rolling and smirking from JC. It had been over 10 years of being a band and doing nearly identical shoutouts for you name it. 

 

The band was nearing the end of their time in Tokyo before they would move onto Seoul, South Korea for a few days, then head home. It seemed an endless stream of TV show appearances, in store signings, radio concerts and nightly shows were catching up to them. A big party the night before to celebrate the album with a who's who of Tokyo nightlife-- drop dead gorgeous Japanese models and influencers packed their party. Plenty of pictures had been taken for magazines and gossip websites to help promote the careers of the local celebrities. 

 

JC couldn't remember the last time they felt so jam packed with working-- it had to be back in the days of Celebrity. It was exciting to see all of the fans from Japan come out and show love, but it was exhausting. Communication with home was spotty with the 17 hour time difference and cell phones not being strong with International carriers. That alone was making JC grow extra anxious. The stresses and wear of the trip were beginning to show on the five members of *NSYNC. 

 

"It's been amazing being here in Japan," Justin said with a smile. He reached for his glass of water on the table next to him and took a sip. "The fans have been so receptive, and patient for waiting for us for the last six years!"

 

JC nodded, bouncing his leg. "And that everyone still knows the words to all of the songs, including the new album which just came out this week. We are so very thankful to all of you. We can't wait to see the rest of you today!" 

 

The host led the show out for a commercial break and the guys left the stage setup for the interview and walked across the floor to the performance setup for their band. For their first song, just a grand piano was set up with five stools set up all around. JC grabbed his microphone first, followed by Justin, then Chris, then Joey, then Lance. 

 

Justin looked over at JC and smiled. "Are you ready to sing your song?"

 

JC nodded, returning a little grin to his friend. "I am. Thanks for letting me sing this one first."

 

"Are you crazy? It's one of my favorites on the re-release of the album. I love getting to sing it with you."

 

"Let's do this," JC sucked in a breath and let it out. He had written a song for Samantha... okay, written, re-written, recorded and then re-recorded over the span of many months. It wasn't quite ready for the American version of the album, but was placed as a special bonus track for the Japanese release. He had played it for her for the first time shortly after he proposed, just the two of them in his home studio as he intended it to be heard. It was a love letter, the first song he recorded in his birthday gift.  

 

"Welcome back to Good Day Tokyo! We are here with the five members of *NSYNC here to perform for us! Take it away, gentlemen!" the translator said cheerfully, repeating after the host. 

 

JC grabbed his microphone a little bit tighter and smiled up at the camera. "Thank you. This first song is a special song. We released it on the Japanese version of Gentlemen After Dark and will be bringing it back to the States with us. Sometimes songs have special meaning. This one goes out to my fiance, Samantha. I miss you and love you, sweetheart." He swallowed hard, looked over at Justin who nodded and smiled as the piano began to play.

 

JC closed his eyes, feeling the familiar piano melody he had written in the living room on a day he was specially missing Samantha when she was still living in New York. 

 

Is that music in my ear?

It's like I heard nothing for a thousand years

My eyes were closed, locking in my tears

I was so surrounded, but still all alone

A great big house, but so far from home

How'd you breathe life in this heart of soul?

 

The rest of the group joined him in perfect harmony.

 

It's like I can feel

It's like I breathe

It's like I live

It's like I can love

For the first time

 

JC smiled, his eyes closed as his hand went up in the air along with the music. 

 

Justin took over for the second verse, his soulful voice the perfect companion to JC's. 

 

I'm electric, finally exposed

You see through me, strip off all my clothes

If this is falling then let me go 

 

The rest of the group joined for their harmonized chorus again, all five voices playing an equal part to round out the rich sound JC had initially orchestrated.

 

It's like I can feel

It's like I can breathe

It's like I can live

It's like I can love

For the first time

 

JC stood up from his stool, his eyes closed. He was feeling a mix of emotions that surged through his body and he couldn't sit any longer. His voice grew more passionate. 

 

I'm finally awake and I can feel my heart

It's beating like a drum when I'm right here where you are

I can feel it, I can feel it

Oh, can you feel it? 

 

The group finished off the song with an a capella chorus, as JC could feel tears pricking at his still-closed eyes. As the song ended, he sucked in a light breath to fight back the tears and then slowly opened his eyes to look at his bandmates. He hadn't been moved to tears by a song in ages... but he knew this was the one that was special. 

 

***

 

The morning show had ended and the band had a short break before they would be performing one final show in Tokyo before hopping on a plane that evening for Seoul. JC ran back up to his hotel room, walking past his packed suitcases that were waiting by the door. He knew he didn't have long but he had an important call to make. 

 

He sat down on the edge of the bed and dialed Samantha's number. He held the phone up to his ear, smiling waiting to hear her voice. He hadn't been able to talk to her for 2 days and he was eager. He waited for the ring to begin but he was met with silence. 

 

"Must have not pressed the button," he mumbled, taking the phone down and looking at his screen. Dialing Wifey the screen read. He let out a little grunt and hit the end button. He went into his recent calls and tried again, still met with no dial tone. This trip had been unbelievably frustrating. This had been happening over and over again when he had finally had a free moment to text or call. Samantha was strangely silent on the other end as well and it was beginning to stress him out. 

 

He heard a knock on his door and he walked over, peeking out. Justin was standing there with a puzzled expression. He opened the door.

 

"Hey J what's wrong?" he asked, stepping back for Justin to enter. 

 

"My phone isn't working. I've been trying to call Ashley and it's just all mixed up. Like no dial tone. And I'm not even sure my texts are going through." Justin was looking panicked. 

 

"Ugh you too?" JC made a face. "I've been trying to call Samantha and I've had no luck. I expected more texts and pictures too and it's been almost radio silent. I don't know what's going on but it keeps making me more and more nervous." 

 

"I thought technology was supposed to improve," Justin rolled his eyes. "We get new cell phones that are supposed to have amazing International calling capabilities. I just hate this."

 

JC nodded. "It feels isolating and ridiculous, bro. I'm sure the girls are worried at home too."

 

"I don't like this. Like... I don't like Johnny being able to tell us who can and can't come on one of these promo trips with us. Feeling this run down and exhausted was different when we were younger but I'm not liking it right now." Justin's voice was serious, a tone JC hadn't heard from him in many years. 

 

"I know." He rested his hand on Justin's arm, looking at him, feeling his concern. "We can have a group meeting when we get back. We don't run like this anymore. We're our own people."

 

Justin nodded. "I think it needs to be addressed." He crossed his arms, jaw set. "I'm calling a meeting when we get home and all of this settles."

 

***

 

The three days in Seoul flew by in a whirlwind. Record store signings, concerts, TV and radio shows, sightseeing, private dinners with executives. There was barely enough time to breathe, let alone stop and think about what was really happening. 

 

The phone situation was still not ideal, but a phone call had come into the front desk of their hotel that Chris' sister had gotten into a severe car accident and required his attention immediately. As a result, the last two days of their trip were cut short at the insistence of the band and arrangements were made to fly home that afternoon.

 

A flight that takes you around the world is already long, but a flight that is taking you back around the world to someone you are missing that you haven't been in touch with in over 5 days seemed even longer. According to the TV in front of him, they were less than an hour away from Los Angeles. JC was staring at his phone in his hand, examining it carefully to notice if any messages had popped up. "C'mon..." he grunted, looking from his phone, to the window, to Justin who was seated across the aisle from him doing exactly the same. 

 

As the plane touched down and began taxiing to the gate, one ping after the next began to pile up on the phone. He tried to scroll to the text messages tab but his phone overloaded and started itself. The LG logo came on the screen and he rolled his eyes. "C'mon phone..."

 

It turned on again. JC's heart was in his throat just at what he saw before the phone restarted itself. He looked over at the clock. It was 3AM and he knew he couldn't just call her but he was contemplating it. 

 

Justin looked over as his phone chimed. "Oh my god."

 

"I'm going to be sick," JC mumbled, putting his fist to his mouth as the messages continued to pile up. "Oh god." He started to scroll through them. The original messages were flirty, responding to his pictures and texts with some of her own. Then they began to get more worried, sad, even a little bit of angry tension. He grunted as one popped up telling him if he wanted to break up with her, he should have just asked for the ring back instead of running away. JC thought he was going to throw up.

 

Justin let out a sigh. "Okay, we are home. Everything is gonna be fine, we're gonna make it right C."

 

JC was about to jump out of his seat to get off the plane. "Make it right? What if it's all fucking too late? Everything is always too late." He felt he was slowly about to lose his shit. When the door to the plane opened, he was already up and grabbing his bag. 

 

Justin stood up on the other side of the aisle, grabbing his carry on. "Melinda said she'd get our checked baggage and drop it off later for us. Let's just get home."

Meanwhile back at their home, Samantha was struggling to sleep. It had been one week since she had heard from her fiance and she was beyond worried. Pictures of their parties and fan encounters had been posted on message boards and on the Internet where the band looked happy and engaging but nothing had been communicated to her from them directly. Every time she called, his phone sent her straight to voicemail and her texts went unanswered. She couldn't sleep in their bed out of the sadness she was feeling, even going so far as to panic-pack her carry on to make a fast escape back to New York if she hadn't heard from him by the end of the trip. 

 

She was in the den in the basement, curled up under a blanket on the couch. She was staring at the wall where JC had hung several of *NSYNC's awards and accolades. A few of her magazine covers were placed along with his, but her eyes were fixated on the No Strings Attached multi-platinum plaque. "Why did I fall in love with a boyband member?" she mumbled.

 

She heard the sound of squealing tires and some banging and she sat up quickly. "What was that?" she said to no one in particular.

 

JC slammed the door to the car and ran inside, letting himself in. After tossing his carry on in the foyer, he hung his keys up on the rack and ran for the stairs, taking two at a time to the bedroom. As he rounded the corner he saw the bed unmade and clothes on the floor, but it was empty. He stopped, sucked in a harsh breath, needing a moment. It was 3AM and his girl wasn't home. He blinked. 

 

He ran into the guest room, checking the first door. Empty. He was feeling lightheaded, so nervous he wasn't able to breathe right. He ran back down the stairs. "Where could she be? Justin's... with Ash." His voice was barely above a mumble. He ran down stairs to the living room, which was empty as well. His voice got louder with his frustration. "Jesus! Just let me fucking catch a break."

 

Sam wrapped herself up in the blanket and shuffled her feet into the hallway, then up the stairs from the lower level den to the living room. She thought she heard the sound of his voice but thought she could have been imagining things. "Josh?" She said, groggily. Her hair was piled in the messiest top knot and her eyes were red and tired. 

 

His head whipped down so fast and he sucked in a sharp breath, within milliseconds he was in front of her at the top of the stairs, looking down. "Samantha..."

 

"Baby..." her eyes squinted, "You're not supposed to be home for 3 more days. What? Oh god I'm dreaming. This isn't fair." She sighed.

 

His hands went up to her face as he held her gently. "Oh it is me, I promise it's me." His hands fell from her face to let his arms wrap around her so tightly, bringing his head down to cradle in her shoulder. She could feel the harsh pounding of his heart up against her body.

 

She smiled softly, letting her hand go to his chest where it touched his racing heart. "Oh my sweet baby." She sucked in a breath, letting her head go on top of his and she began to cry softly. Her body wasn't racking with sobs, just a silent cry and release of all of the emotions she felt. 

 

JC smiled softly. He knew his girl, and he held her there against him for a few long moments. His lips came down to the side of her face where he mumbled, "I had to come home to you. I was dying." 

 

She looked up at him and whispered, "You're not leaving me?" Her racing mind was getting the best of her. She had made the mistake of reading some message boards and gossip websites while he was away, filling her mind with stories of ghosts of the past.

 

"What? Leave you?" He took the blanket that was barely hanging on her and tossed it to the floor before lifting her up into his arms. "I wouldn't leave you, ever. If you ever left me I'd be chasing you down. These 10 days made me realize that you're ingrained into who I am. I'm an absolute mess without you."

 

She sucked in a soft breath and brought her forehead to his. "Good. Because I couldn't fathom not being engaged to you anymore if you wanted to end this."

 

"Oh baby. I know we couldn't talk. I was upset too. But... I never want to end this. I want to marry you, I want to have a family with you and grow old with you. Fuck, if I have to leave the band I'd do that for you too." He was looking down at her with so much emotion, you'd have to be blind not to see it on his face. 

 

She slid her arms around him and squeezed him a bit herself. "God do I love you Josh, but baby?"

 

He was looking down at her as he headed for the stairs, bringing her back to their bed. "I love you too. Yes?"

 

She smiled softly, "You're not leaving the band. I just wanted to ask you to hold me and let me fall asleep in your arms. I'm so tired."

 

"I'm exhausted, and I am going to hold you so close. Let's sleep all day tomorrow, I don't even care. I just need to be with you." He took her to the bedroom, kicking off his shoes before climbing into bed with her. 

She curled up into his body, even tangling up her legs with his. Her hand slid up into his shirt to rest her hand on his skin, in no way rubbing or feeling him to turn him on, rather just the familiar feeling of his skin held a deep comfort.

 

He let out the longest sigh,one of relief and exhaustion. He was with her and everything was going to be okay, even if it was going to take a couple of days to be okay, it was all going to turn out all right. He needed his face to be close to hers. He knew that they didn't need anything else to be said,they just needed to be together. He stroked her hair and looked down at her until she fell asleep, knowing he needed her to completely fall asleep before he could, but with a few strokes of her hair, her eyes grew heavy and she let out the harsh sigh she always let out before she fell asleep. It was then he was finally able to let go and close his eyes, falling into the deepest sleep he had in over 10 days.

 

The afternoon light came creeping in their bedroom window. Sam hadn't moved a muscle, still snuggled into him in the same position as when her head hit the pillow. JC's arms were around her, feeling relaxed and awake, thinking about everything as he held her. His eyes were closed and he was feeling at peace, knowing she was in his arms. He heard her let out a soft sigh, digging her face into his chest a little bit more. She let out another soft sound as her body slowly began to wake up.

 

He was already smiling to himself as he whispered, "Hi..."

 

"Mmm. Good morning, baby." She stretched a tiny bit, making another soft groan as she looked at him with sleepy eyes.

 

He let his eyes flutter open and he smiled, looking down at her with a deep love in his eyes. He stroked her hair away from her face, continuing to play with it as he made his solid eye contact with her. He couldn't have been happier to be waking up. 

 

She smiled softly, nodding at him, not sure at exactly what, but she did. She leaned up and placed a soft kiss on his lips with a satisfied hum. JC smiled at first in return then touched her face and kissed her right back, not a sexy kiss nor a little one, one where their lips were locked and they stayed locked, having a moment together, a waking up in each other's arms, nothing else matters type of kiss. 

 

She smiled softly, looking up at him with adoring eyes. Her lips placed the softest little kisses on his lips, snuggling into him even more. 

 

He reached and wrapped his arms around her tightly, tangling up his legs with her even more, wanting to snuggle the hell out of her. He put his face next to hers and breathed there for a moment before he mumbled on her lips, "I may never go back to Asia."

 

She smiled softly, stealing another soft kiss. "Isn't Bora Bora considered Asia though?" She was loving having him wrapped up around her, up against her. 

 

He laughed, giving her a squeeze. "You know what I meant. I'm not ever going to Bora Bora so I wouldn't care if I had my phone. Wait. I'm NEVER going that far away without you ever again." He looked down at her. "I'm so serious."If it's possible to love you even more, I think I do."

 

She offered a soft grin, reaching up to play with his hair. "It's possible.  Because my heart is feeling some type of way right now aboutyou, even though I didn't think it could feel more than it already did."

 

He smiled, tilting his head so she could play at his hair some more. His arms were still on lock around her and he made no plans to let go of her anytime soon. "Wait until you become my wife."

 

She laughed softly, letting her fingers play at his scalp, rubbing at it gently. She was being very deliberate and gentle with her touches on him. "Baby, if we're being honest I already kinda feel like your wife. I look at you and feel like you're my husband already."

 

He groaned at how good it felt for him to be rubbing on his head like that. "Baby, I feel like you're my wife already too. I mean I know I'm keeping you for the rest of my life and growing old with you. All I need to add is the wedding band and my last name to the list."

 

She grinned cutely as her fingers worked a bit more into his scalp, knowing he was on that airplane for 18 hours earlier. "You're gonna look so good with a wedding band on." She brought her lips to his jaw and kissed gently. "I can't wait to shop for them with you."

 

He almost purred at her fingers, then he smiled when her lips were on his face. He loosened one of his arms on her so he could rest his hand on the skin of her back. "Baby, I'm gonna love anything you want for me."

 

"Mmm, maybe something platinum." She grinned against his skin, "You know what I do want baby? I want something for breakfast with you. I'm hungry."

 

"Mmmmmmm. Girl, you are speaking my language. I'm so hungry, but I'm so in love with you that I don't want to get out of this bed either," he smirked. 

 

She laughed softly, grinning. "Then we can cook together in the kitchen. Nobody said we needed to be apart for this." He fingers hooked into the elastic of his boxer briefs. 

 

He grinned so cute, sitting up straight with her in his arms. "And what are we making? Lunch? Dinner? Breakfast? Mmm, god I missed you."

 

"How about brunch?' she peeked over at the clock. "It's 1PM. That qualifies as brunch." She grinned so cute, leaning down to take his shirt off of him, tossing it on the floor. She let her fingers play at his leo necklace for a moment.

 

He was grinning from ear to ear that she just did that. He looked down at her messing with the necklace. "I guess I didn't need my shirt to be in the kitchen though."

 

"NOPE," she grinned, "I haven't admired your body in almost 2 weeks. That's a long ass time okay?"

 

"It is a long ass time because I haven't been able to see your body either and we both never got all the pictures we promised." He licked his lips before picking her right up out of bed, carrying her downstairs to the kitchen. 

 

She giggled softly. "Guess I'drather have the real thing." He put her down on the counter and she leaned up to kiss him once before she shimmied out of his grip, off the counter and began to gather materials to make eggs benedict.

 

He started a pot of coffee, but was watching her every chance he got and smiling so cute. "I'll take the real thing over a photo any damn day." He had his eyes on her, checking her from top to bottom.

 

"The real thing is always yours," she grinned softly, watching him watch her, "I still remember you checking me out in my Skins shirt, in the loft after the Halloween fashion show," she giggled, "Must be something about being in a kitchen."

 

"Well, we kinda started this relationship in a kitchen," he smirked as he pulled two coffee cups out of the cabinet, "Strangers who knew they were attracted to each other, cooked together in a kitchen."

 

She grinned as she warmed the canadian bacon, stirring her homemade hollandaise sauce for the eggs benedict. She took a moment to look back at him. "Waffles and fruit," she smiled, "Strangers who knew they were attracted to each other, who probably had no idea shit would get so serious." She giggled lightly. 

 

He grinned, leaving his coffee to brew while he came up to place his lips at her neck near her ear with a smile. "I had no idea shit would get this serious with you, baby, just knew I needed to be around you."

 

She tilted her head a bit to let him continue to love on her neck, it made her smile. "Likewise, you and your cheesy lines that were so endearing..."

 

"I meant them," he smiled as he placed a trail of kisses across the back of her neck to the other side, leaving his lips there. "I've meant everything from day one with you." He began to sway their bodies together.

 

"I know. You've been genuine right away with me. That is one thing I've noticed about you." She backed her body into him, making sure that she was moving lightly against his hips when he swayed their bodies together.

 

His hands gripped her hips a little harder and his face dipped down against her neck a bit when she did it. He didn't say anything right at first wanting to take the time to genuinely appreciate his woman. Sam's eyes fluttered closed as they swayed together. Their hips were moving and her ass was in fact moving against his hips but in a sensual movement where she was in tune with how her body melted into his. 

 

He smiled and pulled her away from the stove for a moment, turning her around to face him. He pulled her into his body and needed to put his forehead against hers, then his nose on hers. He took a moment to rub his nose back and forth with hers, then put his lips to her cheek in an appreciative soft kiss, simply saying how happy he was to be there with her in that very moment.

 

Her eyes closed again and she smiled, letting her nose rub against his a few more times before she whispered, "Waking up with you may be the most incredible experience I've had in this life, Joshua Chasez."

 

He smiled big against her cheek, placing the smallest kisses back to her lips until he enveloped them once. ‘Then I guess you're in for a lifetime of incredible experiences. Over and over and over."

 

She smiled, stealing one soft kiss before she began to soft boil the eggs for the benedict. She couldn't help but have the cutest little grin on her face while she was cooking. He had her so in love.

 

He was grinning too and couldn't stop stealing glances at her. He walked over to make their coffee before putting her cup right next to where she was cooking as he leaned on the counter and watched her. He knew nothing needed to be said.

 

She hummed softly, nothing specific, just a soft little song as she plated the english muffins, egg, canadian bacon and drizzled the hollandaise sauce on top. Some breakfast potatoes went on the side and the kitchen smelled the aromas of the coffee and homemade breakfast.

 

"That looks and smells like it's going to be the best breakfast I've had in weeks, damn baby." He was licking his lips as he made his way to sit down. He was more than ready.

 

She giggled softly, carrying their plates over to the table. "We've been so good this past month. So many green smoothies and overnight oats. We deserve it." She smiled, putting his plate down and hers, then walked back to the counter to get her coffee.

 

"I know, and even that I would have taken over some of our breakfasts in Japan. I'm starving." He watched her and took his first bite, not able to wait. He made a noise and shook his head at her. "If I hadn't already asked you to marry me, this would be the moment I got on one knee for you."

 

She laughed so softly. "You know that I would have said yes, absolutely yes baby."

 

He smiled and rubbed on her leg as he finished his breakfast hurriedly and happily. "I mean, I would have let you say yes but then I probably would have felt bad afterward."

 

"For proposing over eggs benedict?" she smirked. 

 

"Yes," he sipped his coffee, "You deserve way better than a ring over eggs benedict in a kitchen." He grinned. 

 

"Mmm, I would have definitely still loved it. I mean, I love what you did but I can guarantee I would have loved anything you did for me." She leaned in and kissed his cheek softly then took another sip of coffee. "You still look hungry. Can I make you something else honey?"

 

"No I'm good," he grinned slightly, "Cause I'm gonna snack all afternoon."

 

JC stood in the pantry, hands on his hips. Of course, he had been eating clean for the last few weeks and knew Samantha was as well but all he wanted was cookies. He was in a snacking mood, in both the literal sense and on his woman.

He pursed his lips as he looked on the shelves. "I'm going to need to stock us up on the cookies," he laughed softly. "Ah. Biscoff. Yesss." He pulled the box down and grinned. "And shortbread cookies. Ooh, I forgot about this biscotti." All of the boxes came down and he happily walked back into the kitchen where he made a plate, putting everything out. "Let cheat day part one commence!"  He poured the remainder of the pot of coffee into a stainless steel carafes to keep it warm and he shuffled out to the patio in his briefs. 

Sam was looking out at the mid afternoon sun shining down on Los Angeles below. The hot tub was started, jets bubbling next to her as her hands hit the iron railing. 

JC was all smiles, watching his woman thoughtfully staring out at the city he loved so much in a simple black bikini that made him bite his lip in appreciation. "Look what I found baby, they were probably going to expire anyway..." He held up the plate of cookies with a big grin.

She turned around, laughing softly, "Daddy brings the cookies." She smiled softly, tilting her head to take a moment to admire him, not hungrily, just an absolute and pure appreciation for him. She knew he was working hard on himself in the gym and she was happy to take the time to appreciate his stomach and chest.

JC grinned softly, bringing the plate over to the corner side of the hot tub ledge. He poured some more coffee for her in her mug, adding a little bit of cream as well. He puffed out his chest with a smile, happy to be taking care of his boo. He was feeling himself, working hard, even doing 3 workouts a day with Justin when they couldn't sleep in Japan. "If you need more cream, I can go and get some."

She smiled, shaking her head. "Nope it's perfect. I've been drinking black coffee for a hot minute so I don't need a whole lot." She took a sip of her coffee and made a happy coffee hum, then put the mug down before stepping into the hot tub. 

He grinned watching her before following her in, letting himself get settled into a corner. He reached for the plate and grabbed a cookie, taking a bite. He was a little lost in thought staring at her, thinking about how he would be missing all of this right now if he hadn't come home early. Sam smiled as he settled in, grabbing herself a cookie as well. She took a nibble then sipped at her coffee. She was daydreamy about him, over nothing specific, just lost in her thoughts about him. 

The silence continued for a few long moments, the both of them lost in their thoughts. Before he knew it, JC was three cookies deep, grinning as he spoke. "You know baby, I think we have to set ourselves a timeframe, or we won't ever get married."

She laughed softly at his candidness. "We can be that couple that would stay engaged forever and ever."  She leaned back against the jets, softly rubbing at her tummy under the bubbles thoughtfully as she looked at him. "Okay, let's talk about time frames then. Is there a particular season that you've imagined for a wedding Josh?"

He reached over and pulled her legs on his lap, then leaned his head against the rest to look at her. "Mmm, not really, I just want to marry you and make all your dreams come true. But I have thought about things that I would like or that were important to me before." 

She smiled when her legs went up onto his lap, resting her toes against his abs with a giggle. "You can share those. Then I'll give you some of my thoughts and ideas. We can compare notes." She grinned as she wiggled her toes against his skin.

"Compare notes..." he grinned, "You know music is important and entertaining guests is a big deal for me so I want the best of the best. A great dance floor and atmosphere..."

She smiled. "Shit... you are gonna tear up the dance floor."

"Shiiiit with my wife I will be!" He grinned, "Oh and the food. The food's gotta be so on point at our wedding boo."

She laughed, "That's a definite. I want our guests to eat and drink and enjoy the hell out of themselves, then party for the rest of the night," she grinned, "anything else?"

He pursed his lips in thought. "I'm sure there's more, but let me hear all your wants baby."

"Hmm." She grinned, "I want everything to be all in one place. Like I want us to get married in a spot and then have our reception in the same general area. So people don't need to drive all around and waste their time. Get right into the cocktails and the partying." She paused and grinned up at him. "I think I want a spring or a fall wedding. I don't want it to be too hot, and I think I'd like to either get married in California or New York."

Love both of those ideas, baby," he was gently rubbing her leg back and forth, "I like the idea of spring myself because of colors and flowers." he smiled thoughtfully, "Not that all would be bad though."

She smiled, tilting her head as she watched him. "I love the idea of an intimate ceremony. Maybe in the round, so that the people that we love are totally surrounding us and it's just love and good vibes all around us."

He grinned so big, "That sounds like something I've never seen before and I like it. Ugh, now I'm going to be daydreaming about marrying you like all the time!" 

She sighed softly, a smile on her lips as well. "Do you want to write your own vows baby?"

"Is that even a question?" he raised a brow and then laughed.

"I didn't know!" She laughed, "Maybe you just wanted traditional vows. I was hoping you'd want to get creative with me," she grinned cute, "One more big question. Do you want to do a first look with just the two of us, or have it be in front of everyone when the ceremony starts?"

"First thing, of COURSE I want to get creative with you. I create for a living and I want to make sure you have something special." His voice was serious as he looked at her. "And I'm not sure what a first look is. I mean, I know I can't wait to see you come down the aisle in a dress toward me."

She smiled at his genuine reaction. "I mean, I didn't know if you wanted to like, write a song that was going to win a Grammy or something." She grinned playfully. "And a first look would be, you and I would see each other before the wedding ceremony and have a moment together. Then we could do some wedding pictures alone rather than have the first time we see each other that day during the ceremony. I'd be okay with either scenario."

"Ohhhhhhhhhh." He had no idea what any of this was and it made him think, as he thought about it, he studied her closely, "Let me answer that later." 

She laughed softly. "Baby, we have until like the day before to decide." She was loving how into all of the little details he was, it made her so happy. "I'm also okay with Justin and Ashley being it for us. If we only have 50 or 60 people, just a maid of honor and a best man should be enough. Otherwise we'll need like 7 on each side of us between other friends and family members."

He nodded, "I know that I would have to have all of the guys stand up with me, so if we just make it the Maid of Honor and Best Man it's just easier on everyone else. Simple. Love that idea Samantha." 

"Good. Check that off the list," she grinned, "Okay. So we have some of the big decisions made for us. Now we just need a date. Are we talking this upcoming spring or the following one. We are talking about 8 months from now if we get married in May. Or a year and 8 months."

"Mmm," he licekd his lips and reached to sip his coffee then pulled her a little closer, right up onto his lap. "Look at me for a minute baby..."

She smiled softly, wrapping her arms around him as she settled on his lap. She looked right up at him into those eyes, not saying anything, just making solid eye contact with him. 

He smiled softly as his hands traveled up and down her spine. "Do you want to be my wife in 8 months or a year and 8 months?"'

"I would be ready to be your wife in 8 minutes," she laughed softly, "But in all fairness, 8 months sounds like I could wait for that. I think we could get it done. Add another year on and I think I'll get itchy. What about you baby? Do you want to be my husband in 8 months or 20 months?"

He smirked so hard. "Imagine if I said 20 months. But I almost just fucking died not talking to you for 5 days."

She laughed softly. "I'd respect if you said 20 months," she gently touched his face, "But 8 months it is then. We'll pick a Saturday in May to make this happen."

"I think I'd like the last weekend in May. Whatever that Saturday is. You're gonna be mine." His fingers gently dragged up and down her spine and he was looking up at her intently with his head still resting against the edge of the hot tub. 

"Then it's decided." She smiled, looking down at him. "Ashley is going to help me design the dress. You and Justin can decide on your suits. I'd love Ashley in a blush pink. We'll have some roses, hydrangeas and peonies." She smiled softly, "You sent me the most beautiful bouquet of peonies last Thanksgiving."

"Baby, did we just plan a wedding?" He smiled so big, then reached up to pull her face closer to his so he could kiss her.

"I think we did," she smiled on his lips, leaving a few kisses. "We know what we want. So we can find a venue that will make our dreams happen."

"Ughhh. Just marrying you is my dream." He kissed her very softly, and stopped mid kiss to take a moment and be in his feelings.

She reached up and played with his hair gently as her lips danced with his. She too paused just to be there, tuned in, her lips against his, feeling one with him. After a few moments she whispered, "Eight months baby. We're doing this."

He smiled on her lips and made a soft noise. "Mrs. Samantha Chasez. God does that sound good."

She grinned on his lips. "Joshua and Samantha Chasez. Mr. and Mrs. Chasez." 

He grinned and then laughed, pulling his face back to look into her eyes. "We sound like such kids right now and I wouldn't want it any other way."

"One more question for you daddy," she giggled. 

He let out a soft laugh. "I don't know if I can handle one more from you," he kissed her with a smile, "But I'll try."

She giggled on his kiss. "Where are we going on our honeymoon? Where do you want to celebrate together? Preferably somewhere quiet with lots of blue water and tons of places for me to love you down."

He sucked her lips in and then let them go. "Mmm, so loving you down at home isn't enough?" He grinned and his arms tightened around her nice and tight. 

She laughed. "Noooope. You need to love me down somewhere else."

"Mmm, what if we go on an Alaskan cruise? I heard there are gorgeous waters there," he started kissing on her chin a little down under until he got to her neck and he smiled on her skin.

"I'll bundle up from head to toe. Need to sleep in long johns. Sounds like a plan. We can check out some whales and fish. Maybe a seal or two."

He couldn't help but grin, hiding the fact he wanted to laugh so much but you could see it in his face. "Mmmm... baby! We can get matching long johns with Chasez on the butt. Oh my god, it'll be so cute." He pinched her side. 

"Perfect. You can order me a 4x if I know we're going to Alaska. Just bring on the carbs. I'll need the extra layer to keep me warm," she smirked. 

He started to belly laugh at her response. "Oh my god... I can't with you. You would never be a problem at 4x ok? You'll always be perfect to me. Regardless if that's with a little extra fluff while we are enjoying life, and I lost my abs... or my gorgeous ass wife who has the best curves in the universe who is not going on an Alaska honeymoon because no..."

She grinned, "I mean, I wouldn't actually hate it. We could probably do some killer rock climbing and nature walking. And I've heard Alaska is actually downright gorgeous. But maybe we'll save that for one of our birthday trips we have talked about. In August when it's not 25 degrees every day." She slid her hand along his arm, "But I would rather go somewhere that I could admire those sexy muscles of yours. Or the extra fluff...if that's what you're going to be into."

"Mmm, I am definitely not going to be fluffy at our wedding or honeymoon baby," he playfully scoffed, flexing his arm a bit, repositioning the both of them so she can feel it even easier. "I'm going to work hard to be the best I've ever been."

She smiled. "Uhh, you're pretty incredible right now. And you've only been doing this for a month. You have 8 more to go. So pace yourself please," she giggled softly. "And likewise, baby, I'll be pushing myself harder than I ever have before for you."

He licked his lips, letting his hand slide down her curves. "You know what is crazy? Here we are, talking about working out and changing things to be good for each other and you know that none of that matters in the long run. I love you no matter what you look like. I don't care if you gained 50 pounds, my sweet girl. You're still gonna be my next level wifey and I'd think you were sexy as hell."

"Right back at you baby," she grinned, "I know I can be comfortable around you, and I know you'll always love me, just like I'll always find ways to love on you." 

"Because it's so sexy to me when you are completely yourself, and you love everything about you, flaws and all, fuck," He bit his lip and nodded as he looked down at her, "Like you have this one little dimple on your thigh that I would be sad if it went away..."

"Well I'd better check that to see if it's still there," she smirked, "Wouldn't want you to be disappointed, baby."

"Mmm, don't you worry. I check every time you get undressed." He kissed her cheek and then her lips. "I'll tell you if it ever goes away."

She laughed softly, looking down. "Can you point this dimple out to me?" She stood up in the hot tub, trying to stretch to look behind her. 

He started laughing heartily. "Honey, what are you doing? I'm not pointing out my dimple to you. It's mine and I love it."

She made a cute face. "It's technically mine if it's on my thigh."

"Nope, you didn't know it was there so I claimed it." He grabbed at her to pull her closer, before turning her to the side, letting his finger travel to her outer thigh. "This one right here, it's mine." 

She peeked behind her at where he was pointing. "Hmmm."

His hand went all over her thigh, feeling over the dimple, rubbing and messing with that area. "Haven't you ever noticed how my hand always goes there?" 

"I mean, I can't say that I've noticed you grab that spot more than any other. I don't have a matching one on the other side do I?" She laughed lightly. 

He smiled, shaking his head no. "I've looked." He pulled her down to settle sideways on his lap, and his arms locked around her. "I hope that this didn't upset you at all." 

She shrugged a little bit. "I mean if this makes you happy I can't fault you baby."

He was watching her, and he reached up to make her face turn to look at him. "Have I upset you?" His eyes were concerned, taking stock of all her body language. 

"I don't know that I'm so much upset, maybe annoyed. It's not you. I guess it's just me being tired and cranky from the last few days." 

"Okay, so let's find a solution to that." He smiled softly at her. "Let's go curl back up and bed and watch some tv or a movie or something."

She shrugged lightly, "That's fine, whatever you want us to do." She got up off of his lap, stepping out of the hot tub. She walked to the towel rack, pulling one off and wrapping herself all up in it tightly. 

He sat in the hot tub and watched her closely, not saying anything or making any movements. He was trying to get a read on what she was actually saying, feeling, and if she was actually upset or mad, especially with him. He had never found it easy to read women, especially when they were feeling upset. It was always easier just to walk away from them and let them be angry, or never let a conflict happen in the first place. This time, he wanted to know what was going on. He was in this for the long haul and knew he was still learning her body language, the signs and what he needed to look out for. 

Sam took a towel off the rack for him, leaving it on the railing for him. She took the plate of eaten cookies and two coffee mugs and carried them inside. She didn't say much, just taking care of everything quietly. As she washed the dishes, she just let herself feel the fact that her feelings were in fact all over the place over the last week. 

JC took a soft breath, getting himself out of the hot tub. He pulled his soaking wet briefs off then wrapped the towel around himself, knowing the fabric didn't dry like a bathing suit. He walked inside, tossing them into the empty washing machine. He shuffled his feet into the kitchen, where she was standing at the sink washing the cups and plate. He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her from behind into a bear hug, putting his lips on her face. "Whatever you're feeling, I'll understand." He left her with a few kisses, then let her be. He walked up into their room to get into the shower. 

She wiped the dishes down, putting them away in the cabinet and made her way upstairs to their room. She glanced toward the bathroom where she heard the shower. She walked to their hamper and tossed her towel and damp bathing suit inside, knowing she had laundry to catch up on. She stopped at her drawer and pulled out a long sleep shirt to curl up in. Her hair came down out of its bun and she let herself run her fingers through it before climbing into the covers to wait for him. 

In the shower, JC washed himself up, washing away the 12 hour plane ride, his feelings of anxiety, everything in between. He didn't take too long, and ten minutes later he was wrapped in a new towel, leaning in the doorway from the bathroom. He watched her lying in their bed, admiring her in a way he hadn't looked at her before-- imagining her being so upset while they couldn't talk. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the deep realization sink in that his life was no longer just about him-- every decision he made from now on directly involved this woman laying in the bed and her feelings needed to be taken into account. It made him smile softly when his eyes fluttered back open. She looked tiny under the covers all alone in the bed. It was easy to tell he belonged in the other half with her. A few more long, thoughtful moments passed before he ran the towel over himself again then hung it up on the rack. He put on a clean pair of briefs before climbing into bed with her. He slid himself up close too, like where his legs touched her legs, but his elbow was propped and his hand was holding his head. He wanted to be there. He knew he couldn't leave her again any time soon. 

She peeked up at him when he came into the bed, looking at him for a few long moments before she said softly, "Do you know how hard it is to NOT fit the perfect society standard for what a woman should look like?"

He made steady eye contact with her. He was prepared for this conversation at some point, based on small clues and hints she had made in the past. His voice was soft and warm. "No baby, I don't know. But I can try to understand when you tell me. I can imagine, but it's not fair for me to say that I would know what you are feeling."

"I don't expect you to know, and I don't expect you to understand. I'll just tell you that it's really frustrating sometimes, and the things that other people say or do are enough to make you want to doubt yourself, or not be confident in who you are. And I'm in no way saying that I am not confident, because I do love me." Her sigh was soft. "It's just exhausting sometimes when guys make comments about curves and shit like they should be proud of the fact that they love a woman who isn't 100 pounds soaking wet."

He sighed softly, trying to process what she was saying. He moved his arm so he could lay down and be eye level with her. "Do you know how amazing you are? Honestly, do you know? I can get to the body part in a moment, but like..." He poked at her heart, "This..."

She shook her head. "Josh, at the risk of sounding conceited, and I don't want to. I know I'm a good person. I have an amazing heart, I care too much about other people and give all of my heart out almost all of the time."

He paused for a moment, pulling his hand back. "I know that you do..." He worked to search her face, trying to find the trigger or the solution right now. He was wondering if it was about what he had said earlier. 

"I'm not sitting here fishing around for compliments. I know you're different, I know you're in love with me, I know you respect me.  I love you. You're the most wonderful man and I can't wait for our wedding. I'm just stating an opinion, that's all."

"I know that you're not the type to fish for compliments at all, Samantha. I've never once thought that about you." He made himself sit up, looking down at her. One of his hands went to rest over the covers at her waist as he looked at her for a long minute. "I'm supposed to be here to listen to you and be a supportive husband and that's what I'm trying to do. I don't know how I'm supposed to reply to younow. I've never had this conversation with you before. I'm trying really hard to just be whatever it is that you need me to be right now." His voice was earnest and his eyes were steady on her. 

"I'm sorry for opening my mouth. I'm exhausted. Last night was the first night I slept in three nights. I had a hard time eating the last few days you were gone with worry, and I wanted to do next to nothing. It's really hard to shut the world off when you miss someone. Then I was doing a lot of thinking about Katalina and seeing her on television set me off. Then to deal with comments on the internet on top of everything else. Honestly, there are some days where I just can't do this anymore."

"Wait wait wait waiiiit... baby what are you talking about? I mean I understand the no sleep and eating thing, but comments? On what? And Kat? And you can't do what anymore?"His heart was starting to race and he was trying his best not to spaz out but his brain started to race that she meant him. 

"We're both super in the public eye so everyone thinks they can have an opinion on what we do and how we look. Or I guess I should say how I look. It just makes me tired." She sat up with him as well, leaning up to touch his face. She could see his eyes almost go wild with nerves. "I think I need to take some time off from my career for a bit... recenter and find what makes me happy again."

He just started to nod. "I think I love this idea." His hands went over her hands. "Justin and I discussed that we aren't doing anything for the rest of the year for the band. It's done, a hiatus. Family is more important. I'll support whatever you want."

She nodded, "I know I'm going to go back into doing things but I just..." she stopped to sigh, "I'm tired of feeling like I'm put on display for everyone to look, watch and make judgements about. One day I'm too fat for the world, the next day I'm working out and looking too thin. What's wrong with her. I just want to focus on me, on us, what we have."

His brows furrowed. He knew he was going to go off on someone if he saw them saying something about his woman. He was more protective of her than he had ever been over anything in his life. "Let me see a comment like that..." 

"Baby, I get them every single day. Multiple times, in fact. At this point it's just background noise to me because I know that hurt people hurt people. And if the only thing you can think of saying to me is I'm too fat for you? Well good for you," she laughed softly. "You know how it's annoying as fuck when people call you guys gay or say your band sucks? Kinda like that. It comes with the territory."

He repositioned his body so he could be closer and pull her near him, not on him, just close by. "Remember how amazing it was to be in the middle of nowhere with no phones and no noise? What if we deleted social media out of our life for a period of time to refocus." He put his thumb to her cheek. "We can just be a family and do stuff together and with our friends and families..."

She sighed softly, "I would love that. Take time to refocus, to be present for each other and the people we love. Continue to work on our minds and bodies together. I like that. And plan that wedding of ours in the middle of all of this."

"C'mere." He smiled, pulling back the covers and pulling her in with him so she was laying on his chest and he could play with her hair. "It's just gonna be you and me for awhile... well, forever." 

She snuggled into his chest. "That would be perfectly okay, sweetheart. I feel like I can do almost anything when I'm with you. Like when you're home, those comments don't bother me. If I read them to you we can both laugh and scoff at it. But being alone and away from you made it much harder to take on alone." She rested her hands on his abs, playing in and out of the crevices of muscle with loving and soft touches.

He was looking down at her on him, feeling so at peace. She was his world, and it made him sigh. "Oh if only I could have been with you," he got his hand lost in her hair, "I have never felt more out of control in my life you know, never. I don't ever want to leave you again."

She smiled softly at him. "I don't plan on it anytime soon baby." She grinned, "We'll take some time to just be normal. Then we'll have our little Chasez party of two."

"I need you closer," He smiled and reached down to pull her up so he can be all in her face, neck and arms, he just needed her there. "Maybe we need another vacation just you and me..."

She laughed softly, it made her smile that he was all over her skin. "Baby we just came back from one like a month ago."

His smile was sincere. "I know that. But then my joy was sucked out of my soul for a week and I need to replenish that with the one person that gives me my reason to wake up in the mornings."

She grinned, "I mean, we were supposed to go to Big Bear for someone's 30th." She rubbed along his side, loving on his arm. "We could go up and just bake in the sun and enjoy the solitude. We could do Lake Tahoe too."

He smiled so cute into her skin, "I REALLY like the idea of Big Bear with my boo," he turned a little more into her and snaked his arms around her so it was like he was hugging her. 

"Well then that settles it baby," she let him hold her and in turn, she snuggled into him, "I'll call the owner of the cabin that I was renting for us and see what he's got available."

He's grinning and the tone of his voice was teasing. "So like right now you'll call? Today?"

She grinned, reaching up to play at his jaw with scruffies. "Maybe it's gonna take some lake water and fresh air to open up shop for Joshua Scott again..."

He matched her grin, "Ohhh yeah? When did the shop close down? I mean I'll wait for the lake and the fresh air and all..." He nuzzled his nose up against hers, still grinning. 

"Shop closed down when that plane took off," she smirked and nuzzled her nose up against his, being playful.

"Understood." He grinned and pulled his hand up to push her hair away from her face. "I'll get it open up again."

"Mmm, I'm sure if it is loved down the right way it can be opened up again." She grinned, touching along his face. 

The way they were both touching on the other was sweet and loving and light. He was smiling as he leaned in to put his lips against her chin. "I didn't know there was a right and a wrong way to be loved down..."

"Mmm," she smiled and tilted her head a bit, "Let me ask you this. Are there certain moves you make and kisses you give in certain places that you know make me sigh and get me going and really ready for you?"

He couldn't help but hum at the thought with a low mmm. "Yes of course there are certain spots. And moves. Mhmmmm." He was talking along her neck. 

"So I rest my case. There's a right way to be loved down. I've had lovers before who were selfish and only care about getting themselves off. To me, that's the wrong way to love someone down." She smirked slightly, "And I am not afraid to fake it when I have to." She licked her lips, "But thanks for all the good reasons not to."

He smiled so cutely against her skin, and kissed up to her lips slowly.  "I will never allow you to fake it baby, never. Pleasing you, pleases me. Makes me feel more powerful." He placed another kiss on her lips. 

"You are already the most powerful man in my eyes, Josh." She grinned a bit on his skin.

He slid his hand down to play in her hair while they both kissed, smiling and grinning on each other. "Baby, is there anything that we have never tried that you have wanted to?" He was being thoughtful. 

She laughed softly, "I don't think you're talking about Korean soups are you," she was playful and teasing a bit. 

He let out a short laugh and he kissed her cheek, back up to her lips, "I mean, if that's something you could be into, we could try it in bed."

She smiled up at him, "I don't really have any complaints or requests at the moment."

"Just thought I'd ask in case." He pulled back enough to look at her with thoughtful and loving eyes, "What if I said I wanted to surprise you for our honeymoon?"

"Wait, wait." She smiled, stroking his cheek gently. "First of all, I need to ask you the same question. It's only fair. I know you're a man with needs." She grinned so cute, "And surprise me as in the destination? Or the way you're going to sex me?"

His laugh was throaty and it gave her goosebumps. "Destination, definitely destination. And there is nothing for me to complain about whatsoever... Mmm, Nope." He was smiling down at her, "No one ever loved me as good as you do baby."

She laughed softly, "As long as it isn't Alaska, sure." She grinned, looking up at him with love in her eyes. "And agreed. We've had the most sexy intimate love making, frantic car sex, driven each other to the point of craziness in our friend's kitchen without actually having sex," she giggled really low. "And we have been in several other positions and places. I like that."

"It's not going to be Alaska. I can't go to Alaska for a honeymoon in May." He laughed and took a good look at her, a more intent one this time. "Samantha Bentley, I love making love to you, I love having sex with you... I love all the places, but more so the memories I keep of how and what we have tried that's different. Learning you."

She smiled, leaning up to place a soft kiss on his lips. "This is why I know you're the man of my dreams, Josh. Like, I don't know how you made all that sound so damn sexy but you did."

He licked his lips. "Ms. Bentley... or should I say soon to be Mrs. Chasez," he grinned, "You know I'll always put it down on you and love every moment of it. You're the woman any man would say was worth waiting for and I can't wait to remind you of that every day of your life." 

He stroked her hair, pulling her into his body yet again. He wanted to absorb every ounce of hurt she had felt over the last week and a half and hug all of those pieces back together again. He knew that their time together in Big Bear would only help strengthen their relationship and was looking forward to some quality wifey time. 

The mountains were appearing in the distance, becoming larger each mile they drove. Los Angeles and the city seemed a distant memory. JC had packed his Denali and the car was filled with loud R&B music and laughter. They had only about 20 minutes left of their 2 and a half hour drive.

 

JC couldn't wipe the smile off of his face. His hand was gently playing at hers, fingers and all were touchy. He looked over at her before pulling his hand over to his lips where he kept them for a moment. He was glancing at the road but having a moment with her to some Jodeci. 

 

She was all smiles as he kissed her hand. Her head fell to his shoulder and she sighed softly. "I never thought I'd say this,but California is starting to feel like home."

 

He smiled, reaching over to stroke her hair. "Isn't it funny how that can happen? You think to yourself that one day you'd surely move back because there's no way that California is a place you could stay. Then suddenly life changes, and for many reasons." 

 

"It is. Honestly, I was sure I was going to like California because I've spent my whole life on the East Coast. Trips to LA and such were always short and I was ready to leave. But my home is where you are now, and California means you. All these experiences I've had in California and know that we WILL have together make it worthwhile." She smiled. 

 

"I couldn't have said it better. I was just getting ready to tell you that you are home to me. Wherever that may be or end up looking like in the future, it's always you. California will always be special because of our experiences and where I met my future wife." He grinned at the sound. 

 

She laughed softly. "We have had lots of special milestones here. But we did meet in New York, Joshua." She licked her lips playfully.

 

He made a face. "Wait." His brows furrowed and then he pouted slightly. "Oh my god. How did I just fuck that up." 

 

She laughed softly, "In your defense, you did ask me to be your girlfriend in California. And you did ask me to move in with you in California. However, we did meet in a converted warehouse in Soho. That happens to be in New York." She grinned. 

 

"Motherfucker. It was Halloween and I remember exactly what you were wearing!" He was slightly mad at himself and it was the cutest kind of mad, not an actual angry mad. "I remember, I swear I do mama." 

 

She grinned. "Three words for you daddy: Little. Red. Shorts."

 

He looked over at her so fast, trying not to be mad. He saw her face and he started laughing and blushing slightly. "I am never going to live that one down I just know it."

 

"Nooooope," she grinned. "The lifeguard strutting around with his big ass package on display." She got giggly. "That met his future wife that night."

 

He shook his head and slowed down to take an exit off the highway, "All of us guys were like YEAH these costumes are amazing. And I swear we were the dumbest ones there... fuck. When you came walking over in that sexy angel outfit..."

 

"Because Justin and Ashley were in the middle of some kind of big dealing." she laughed softly, "In his SWAT costume. Wow." She shook her head cutely and then peeked out the window. "Oh my gosh, baby, look at the mountains and the lake!"

 

"Do NOT even get me started on them." He held his hand up playfully. "That kid, nope, fucked up." He turned down the main road and his hand went to her leg. "Baby, this is exactly what we needed."

 

She laughed softly. "Would you have approached me at the party if Justin hadn't given us a reason to talk for the first time?" She licked her lips slowly. 

 

He stopped at a red light and grinned over at her. "I would have if Joey didn't make it to you first... like he was being so vocal about during the show. I'd have let him talk to you. But if I had the original chance to approach you first? Yes, I still would have."

 

"I would have liked that, I'm sure." She squeezed his hand a bit as she looked down at her map. "Take a right here. That driveway that's going down the hill is ours!"

 

He turned as she said and his brows went up. "Baby, look at this VIEW!" He squeezed right back and took the driveway all the way down, then up to the house where he parked and they both were looking out at the lake in awe.

 

She made the cutest smile as she clapped her hands before running out of the car. "This is beautiful! Just us. No one else for a few miles... about those California memories..." she smiled. 

 

He was grinning at her statement as he got out of the car. "Why do I get the feeling you're not just talking about taking this little row boat out on the water kinda memory."

 

"What! I didn't say that," she grinned and hit him playfully, then she scurried over to the back of his Denali, opening the trunk. She pulled out their suitcases, yanking them out knowing it was going to irritate him. Her hands went on the two handles as she started rolling them to the door. 

 

"UMMMMM NO MA'AM." He hauled ass to stop her with a grin for days. "What're you doing? The only bag you're taking upstairs is your purse and maybe your makeup bag."

 

She grinned. "That's inside my suitcase." She poked him before she handed over both of the bags with the cutest smirk, walking to the front door. She keyed in the code the owner gave her and opened the door to the beautiful living room. "Eeeeeee! Baby look!" The living room in front of them was a mix of rustic and modern, with giant windows that gave a view of the wrap around porch and Big Bear Lake just beyond it. "Now this might just be heaven."

 

He was puffing out his chest and carrying their bags in behind her. "Would you look at that? We're gonna have some wine before bed tonight right?" He put the bags down next to him. "Outside on the porch, listening to the water and nothing but peace and quiet for miles." He came up and put his arm around her, bringing his lips down to her head. "Decompress from life."

 

"Of course." She smiled, "I had the fridge stocked with all kinds of good stuff and the bar is too. There's some local wineries by the lake that sent over some of their best red blends. The hot tub lights up with ambient lighting, and we'll be good to go." She smiled and snuggled into his body. "There is no one else in this world I'd rather escape from life with than you, Joshua Scott. I love you."

 

"Are you kidding me right now?" He needed to pull her in and wrap his arms around her lightly. "You stocked a fridge, had local wine sent over and made sure that everything was going to be perfect. You're so good to me and so fucking happy to do it. This is why you are my irreplaceable queen, Samantha." He was looking down into her eyes.

 

She smiled up at him, leaning up to graze her lips with his. "You would do nothing short of the same for me baby. Which makes you my irreplaceable king."

 

"Mmmmm. You know I would do anything for you..." He kissed soft and slow, "Which, I want you to tell me what you want to do first. Do you want to eat? Have some wine? Take a walk?"

 

She smiled against his lips. "Why don't we change into something comfy and sit on the patio and have a snack? Then we can lay out for a bit and enjoy the quiet."

 

"Love that idea. Let me make the snack and you go pick a place where we should lay. I'll open a bottle of white wine to try now and we can do some red for dinner." He kissed her forehead, "Does that sound good?"

 

She grinned and nodded. "Perfect baby. I definitely think the wrap around porch is perfect. I know there are some chaises out there. I'll get my bathing suit on and meet you outside, sweetheart."

 

"Hey honey?" JC smiled as he touched her face.

 

"Mmm, yes baby?" She looked up at him. 

 

"I love you." He gently moved his thumb across her cheek. He needed to make a simple statement, not one that needed a reply. 

 

She smiled, touching his face. "Love you to the moon and back Joshua Scott Chasez." She sighed softly and needed a moment, then wheeled her suitcase over to their bedroom where she took out what she needed. She knew she'd unpack later, but for now it was about the unwinding. She changed quickly into her new grey bikini. She slipped on her sunglasses as well, standing in the mirror adjusting the fabrics and the straps, making sure the bottoms rested on her hips just right. She had a definite moment of self-admiration. She knew she had been working hard with JC and it was obvious. Her waist looked more defined than it had ever been which made her hips and ass pop out even further, and the tiniest two abs were beginning to show. She laughed softly at herself as she pulled her hair into a high pony and then walked out to the sliders to the wrap around porch.

 

JC was all smiles in the kitchen, watching her walk away having a moment of his own. He finally was able to open the fridge and checking out the situation. He threw together a quick plate of snacks together for them, then popped open a sweet white wine. He poured two glasses and took a small sip with a smile. "Mmm. Yes." He carried everything out to the porch, smiling at the temperature. Everything was just beautiful. He made a second trip to bring bottles of water and the wine glasses, just getting them settled on the table when he heard her come out the other set of doors. He stopped for a moment. "Well fuck."

 

"Look at my man comin' through with the snacks," She looked up and saw him stopped there and it made her laugh softly. "Hi to you too baby."

 

"Look at me girl comin' through LOOKING like a snack..." He licked his lips. "You know I got you and the snacks all day baby." He stood there, staring at her. "I need to go change before I say forget the snacks and eat you instead."

 

She laughed softly. "This snack is yours all week baby, don't you worry. It's not going anywhere." She tilted her head and smiled at the way he was staring at her. While she possessed confidence before -- it had been the major driving force behind her career taking off -- JC was an absolute game changer for her confidence in the way she carried herself in expecting what a man should do for her.

 

"My snack." He rubbed his hands together and eyed her up and down as he walked up to her. He shook his head like saying no to himself, then made himself head inside. "Boyyyy..." He walked to the bedroom to change into a new pair of swim shorts.  He stopped in front of the same mirror, admiring himself. He knew he had some so far in his workouts but still had some work to go. 

 

Sam  couldn't help but smile as he walked away. She leaned on the railing while she waited for her. She was leaning over a bit to let the breeze blow in her hair. She let herself get lost in thought-- she was going to be Mrs. Chasez and she wanted his babies and the whole nine yards with him.

 

It didn't take JC long before he came out of the bedroom, and he was walking outside again quickly. He stopped to look at her at the rail and it made him grin because he was pretty sure her ass got curvier and rounder. He came right up behind her, putting his arms out on each side of the rail with hers, letting his lips come down on her shoulder. "Mmm, deep in thought?"

 

She leaned back into his body and it made her smile. "I am actually. Just daydreaming about our future, sweetheart."

 

He smiled and slid his hands over hers. "I daydream about that often. What are you thinking about? How far into the future do you see with me?"

 

"Years. Quite some time. I'm just thinking about a family. I know it's a long way away, but something about being here makes me think about being a family of 4, maybe 5, who knows. Coming as a family." Her cheeks tinged a bit pink. 

 

She could feel his lips smile on her skin. His hands slid from over hers to up her arms and around her waist. "I'd be totally okay with that. Tell me more, Samantha."

 

"Umm... I can see us being in a place a lot like this. The sound of feet running around behind us. Maybe a son and a daughter. Bothering you to go swimming with them," she laughed softly. 

 

He made a soft and cute little groan as he put his forehead to the back of her head. "I'm gonna be getting suckered into doing everything because I won't say no. Isn't that how it usually works?"

 

She giggled a bit. "Probably. Those little Chasez babies will have you wrapped around their fingers." She found the crook in his neck to rest her head back a bit, letting herself kiss on his skin softly.

 

He smiled and pulled her from the rail to turn her around and kiss on her the right way. "Just like you kinda got me wrapped around your pretty little finger? Cause I'm a total sucker for you."

 

She smirked a bit on his lips, leaning up into that kiss. "Mmm," she grinned, "You think it's bad with me? Just wait."

 

He laughed and placed a solid tug on her lip. "You're not that bad." He pulled her down toward the chaise and laid down with her, pulling her onto his lap between his legs then he sat up.

 

She laughed softly as he pulled her down, leaning back between his legs. "Thanks for entertaining my daydreams, baby. I guess you being away made me long for a real complete future with you."

He reached over and pulled the wine glasses from the table, handing one to her before he took a sip for himself. "Don't get me started on being away and where my mind went. I thought about everything, I swear. Life probably flashed before my eyes and I probably saw our kids in my dreams or something."

 

She smiled, taking a sip of her wine, looking down at it thoughtfully. "I'm sure they'll be something else." She sighed softly and leaned over to grab a piece of cheese off the plate he set up for them. "Mmm," She made a little noise as she nibbled. "Anything special you want to do out on the water baby? We can do anything you want over the next week."

 

He looked down at her thoughtfully. "Mmm, well of course I'll probably want to swim. We can try to kayak if you wanted to. Have you ever done that?"

 

"Mmm, yes! Swimming is perfect. I've never kayaked before but I'd love to try it with you. I also think I'm gonna attempt water skiing. You can watch me fall on my ass," she giggled, "And maybe we can go tubing together on the back of a boat."

 

"Baby, water skiing?" He lifted his brows, "I don't know that I've even done that." He thought about it. "Maybe I'll watch you first. And maybe I'll rent a boat and take you tubing..." He laughed all low thinking about it. 

 

"Joshua. Your mind. I love it." She peeked over her shoulder at his smirk. 

 

"Wha?" He smiled and reached for a piece of cheese. "And I'm just being totally honest here but I'll probably try to have sex with you in the lake at some point too."

 

"I love your honesty," she grinned, "I'll probably be totally willing. Maybe even on that little rowboat shit you were talking about earlier too," she smirked, "Seeing as though we've already had sex on a yacht."

 

He smirked and tried to laugh but it didn't work. He let out a cheese laugh as he pulled on her to bring her closer to him. "Samantha, do you know how fast we would tip over in that thing?"

 

"It might make it part of the challenge," She poked his side but then she laid back on him a bit more. Her wine glass went down on the table next to them. She took his hands which were loosely around her and rested them on her tummy just above her bottoms. She loved how solid he felt when he was all wrapped up around her.

 

He hummed with approval and his fingers immediately started playing at her skin and the elastic of her bottoms. He settled his face against her comfortably. "I'm up for any challenge with you. I'll make it work. If we flip, we come up for air, and keep going."

 

She grinned a bit. "See. That's the adventurous spirit, daddy." She giggled and peeked down at him playing on her skin. It made her smile. 

JC let his hands travel a bit with the new shape of some muscles forming and he couldn't help but smile. He needed to crane his head for a better look. "Oh hey, damn baby."

 

She couldn't help but laugh softly, "You make a great gym partner."

 

JC growled playfully against her ear. "That body mama... you slay me." 

 

***

 

Later that evening, JC had sent Samantha upstairs to take a bubble bath to soak and relax. They had spent all afternoon doing all kinds of adventurous things. They had tried zip lining into the water and she had tried water skiing along with him on the back of a speed boat. It was an afternoon full of laughter and adventure that they both needed after the stress of their separation. 

 

Sam was sunken down under the bubbles, letting her muscles relax. JC had loaded the radio to play some of their favorite Sunday morning jazz. She had been in the tub for at least a half hour, relaxing and letting herself just be. She was still feeling a little cranky, possibly hormonal, but she was still as attentive and loving to him as she had always been, just a little less lusty than usual. As she slipped out of the tub, she lotioned herself down after toweling off, humming softly. As she lotioned down, she looked out at the lake through the big bathroom windows and it made her smile. Her heart was feeling at peace and happy with everything around her. "Hmmm," she said, walking with the towel into their room to find something to wear. 

 

On the bed, JC had left off a wine colored pretty, flowy dress laying on the bed with a bouquet of cute wildflowers he had picked by the lake and tied together in a little bouquet. There was a note next to both the bouquet and dress with a smiley face that simply said WEAR ME.

 

Sam smiled when she saw the flowers, note and dress and she mumbled softly, "Ohh Josh, You're something else." She slipped on the pretty dress and smelled the bouquet. She decided to leave her hair damp and down, with no makeup, just the sunkissed glow from earlier and started downstairs, holding the bouquet up near her face.

 

JC was downstairs in the kitchen, smiling softly as he cooked. He knew he was being as patient as he could, knowing this whole scenario that happened was a big deal for both of them. Their relationship in turn had become stronger because of the closeness and the bonding they had promised one another. He had one hell of a day with his girl, seeing her laugh and have the best time on the water and be more adventurous only made him love her even more. Of course, after being home for 4 days he was more than ready to love her down and get intimate with her again. He was attentive in all the ways he knew how, and at the mere hint of being shut down he became happy to be affectionate, hold her and kiss on her. However, by this afternoon he was feeling tension building up and he decided to try a new path, which was to romance her to the bedroom. 

 

Out on the back patio, candles were lit everywhere. He pushed the chairs on the back patio to the side and laid out a blanket and pillows with candles and a decanted bottle of wine, and he was in the kitchen cooking. He was wearing a nice crisp white button down, which was open and nice jeans, barefoot but still dressed up. All the windows were open to the outdoors so the breeze was coming through the kitchen. On the stove, he was sauteing fresh spinach and mushrooms to put over the pepper crusted filet that was in the oven broiling as he swayed to the music. 

 

As she walked toward the kitchen, she could smell the mushrooms and the filet and it made her sigh so softly. She was starving. As she approached the kitchen, the little bouquet was held up to her face and she saw him slaving away at the stove and dancing a bit. It made her heart feel so full. He was such a super husband already. 

He looked up and saw her out of the corner of his eye because of the flowiness of the dress and the sheer red wine color. He turned to look at her with the cutest smile as he checked her out from head to toe. "Oh honey, you look beautiful." 

 

She smiled and spun around in a cute way in the dress. "Thank you. This is beautiful." She put her bouquet down on the kitchen counter. "You are too sweet for thinking of all the details. Your dinner smells heavenly, Josh."

 

He peeked at the filet really fast to make sure it wasn't about to burn before he hurried over to her to get a real good, soft and sweet kiss. "Baby, I love the details. I love doing this for you. You are my love." 

 

She smiled against his soft kiss, nuzzling at his face a bit as she returned his kiss. "Mmm, I know you love the details, you're amazing at them. Just like I love when I can do the same for you."

 

"And I love when you do that for me too," he smiled on her lips, "Dinner is almost ready baby, outside is a glass of red wine waiting for you. I won't be long..."

 

She smiled, stealing one more kiss from him, sighing softly, feeling just overwhelmingly in love. When she walked outside, she let out a gasp you could hear in the kitchen at the way everything was set up. The light jazz was playing again as the sun went down and the candles sparkled all around everything. It took her back to the gala, and of course, his proposal in Paris. She reached for the decanted wine and poured herself a glass, then settled down onto the pillows and blankets. 

 

JC was all smiles as he peeked out from the kitchen to see and hear her reaction and he happily walked over to the oven to pull out the filet and plate everything for them. He was happy and proud, feeling in love... and maybe even a little bit more needy than usual. He created two picture-perfect plates and carried them outside, smiling. "My love, dinner is served..." He settled down next to her. "I'm excited to eat."

 

Sam sipped on her wine and stretched out a bit. She was feeling a bit of a pull from water skiing earlier but she was happy-- a few days of no social media, connecting with each other helped recharge her batteries. "Mmm, look at you," she grinned, "I should let you cook for us more often." She laughed softly, leaning in to kiss his cheek. 

 

He smiled and turned his face enough to get a kiss of her lips. "Mmm, maybe I will. Here, you take the first bite too." He cut a piece of his and held it up to her lips.

 

She took the nibble off his fork and made a cute face as she was chewing. "Oh. Mmm." She swallowed it and licked her lips. "Baby, oh my goodness. This is amazing!" She leaned in and cut a piece of hers, then held it up to his lips. "My chef, your turn to get a taste."

 

He took the bite, keeping eye contact with her. His eyes lit up at the taste being as good as it was. "Oh my gosh." His hand went to her leg over her dress. "Are we just starving or is this one of the better steaks we've had?"

 

"Mmm," she smiled and nodded, taking her next bite. "It could be we haven't had a steak in a hot minute. But I think you just cooked it to perfection, baby." 

 

He smiled as he took another bite too. When he wasn't cutting his steal, his hand was on her leg. He took a couple sips of his wine and then tilted his head to look at the lake, then at her and you could tell his gaze was just pure love. 

 

She smiled when their gaze met, and she let her hand slide down and interlock with his between their legs. She let them rest there together, eating next to him quietly. The music played on while the sounds of the lake and nature complimented the music. They didn't need any words.

 

A good 15 minutes went by and they just smiled and glanced and enjoyed the peace and quiet together. He was all finished with his plate, pulling their hands up to his lips where he kissed hers and he was just looking over their hands up at her as their lips stayed at his lips. 

 

She smiled up at him as she watched him kiss at her hand, looking at him with love in her eyes. She whispered, "Thank you again baby, that was incredible."

 

He smiled, kissing once more and pulled their hands down to her leg again where he let his hand free so he could reach and pull some of her still damp hair away from her face. "It was my pleasure baby," His fingers brushed her neck and he ended up playing with her wet hair. 

 

She smiled at him as he played with her hair, her eyes made a cute quint and she took a good look at him, studying him and letting their gaze meet. She reached forward a bit and let her fingertips brush against his chest under his open button down. Her fingers played at his Leo pendant just a bit. 

 

He let out a soft and appreciative hum. He moved her plate to the side as well,and he pulled her closer to his body, being in the moment. The jazz that was playing was a soft and mellow track. "Samantha," his voice was low, "You still amaze me, how stunning you are, it can still stop me dead in my tracks."

 

She smiled almost shyly with his comment and her cheeks turned a tiny bit pink in the candlelight and she shook her head. "I'm fresh out of a bath with no makeup on, but I do appreciate that."

 

"Exactly," his fingers brushed along her jaw and cheek. "You're the most beautiful human being to me right now. You're completely you, under the stars and you're glowing."

 

She smiled and leaned in a bit to kiss on his lips. As she did, the top of her dress shifted. The dress was a little on the larger side on her and the flowy cut and fabric shifted easily. One strap fell, revealing the fact that she wasn't wearing a bra under the dress. She took his lips and went for a gentle little kiss, full of love, in response to his compliment. 

 

He closed his eyes as his hand rested against her cheek and he leaned into his kiss. He actually felt deep butterflies in his tummy with how she made him feel and the way his lips quivered in that brief moment let her know he just had a moment. He was in complete love with her and even if that was all he got tonight, he would still be happy. 

 

She felt his lips quiver and it made her smile softly. The music playing, and the smell of his body and sound of the crickets... everything about the moment was the perfect sensory compliment to what was happening between them at the moment. She pulled away from his lips to take a moment to truly appreciate him and look him in the eyes and catch her breath a bit. 

 

He sucked in a slight breath at the same time as hers, his face was just above hers and he was looking down at her, letting his fingers brush along her face and down the side of her neck. She smiled in response, tilting her head just a bit. She reached with her hand and pulled on the other side of the dress as well so he slipped down her shoulders resting all the way toward her elbow. She wasn't topless yet, but she just needed one more tug down to be in that dress, finally making a soft little noise. 

 

He slowly licked his lips and made one more to learn forward and put his lips at her neck. His hand brushed against her skin on her shoulder, feeling the strawp and then allowing his fingers to brush down her arm. She made a soft noise with his lips at her neck-- she was constantly amazed that he always knew the right amount of pressure to put on it. Those light kisses made her go just as crazy, if not more. 

 

JC sucked in another breath as he dragged his lips across her skin, down to her collar bone where he could smell her body wash and bubble bath mixed on her skin and he let out a groan against her then another press of her soft lips. Her collarbone had become more pronounced in the last few weeks, and when his lips began to move along in that direction, it made her emit a soft noise. Her eyes closed, relishing in the attention he was giving her. Whenever she went to make a move on him, he gently stilled her like he was taking over. In response, he let out a hum and a smile. He brushed his lips back and forth across one and then trailed his kisses to the other where he really put his lips onto it and almost sucked it softly. His fingers dragged back up but stopped at the fabric of her dress because just one more move, her breasts would be out. The smoothest motion and the dress fell on its own. 

 

She was looking down at his lips and mouth on her skin and smiled. Then she swallowed a bit hard when the dress slid down. It made her breasts rise and fall with the movement, then she let her eyes back up on him. It made her smile when she saw it flash in his eyes when the dress fell-- he had always been super expressive when they were together in moments like these.

 

He took a moment to look up, pulling his lips away from her skin. His eyes met hers and his hand continued the slow and gentle touch across her breast, just his fingertips. Their eyes remained locked. 

 

She smiled a bit, eyes continuing to be locked with his and she whispered, "I love you. You're the most incredible lover in the world, baby." She knew his ego needed to hear that, because she had been out of commission for his recent attempts. 

 

You could see it on his face that he needed to hear that from her, his eyebrows lifted and then relaxed. He could barely muster the words, he leaned up to put his lips on hers. "I love you so much baby." His fingers crawled to her other breast where he paid it equal attention. 

 

She smiled on his lips at his reaction, kissing a few times but her lips slipped off his when she let out a soft moan at the way he was touching her. She was usually sensitive to his touch but even more so this time. He could feel how quickly her breast was covered in goosebumps and how fast she reacted to his touch. 

 

He couldn't help but let out a moan with her, he had to look down at her breasts for a moment for himself. They even looked slightly larger and he could tell a difference in the fullness. He whispered, "Baby...." He leaned down and had to put his lips on her. Not sucking, just tasting, with his tongue and all. He was in heaven. 

 

She let out a moan, leaning back on her hands right there on the blankets. Her lids grew heavy with satisfaction as she watched his lips and tongue go to town. He ever so softly hummed against her nipple as his other hand reached to cup the other. He sucked and had to pull away. He let out a whisper, "Baby, lay down for me?"

 

"Mmm," she nodded with a soft whimper at the way his lips sucked on her nipple with the sensation of him playing at the other. She carefully laid down on the fluffy blanket and she went ahead and raised her hips up a bit to shimmy the flowy dress off to reveal no panties. She purposely planned that to get herself in the mood. 

 

"Oh." He swallowed thick, looking at her and admiring for a long moment. His lips pursed for a moment and his jeans got much tighter, and he needed to shift so he could adjust, and he did. "Samantha." His hand grazed her leg, gently pushing it so they could part a little better. 

 

She smiled softly, looking up at him with steely grey eyes. He had her feeling some kind of way and she reached down and unbuttoned his jeans. She unzipped them after he adjusted himself and watched the immediate strain of his briefs as he was let free. 

 

He couldn't help but moan at her hand on him. He got onto his knees and slowly peeled tha shirt down his arms and tossed it to the side. His jeans were now at his hips and his briefs were stretched with his desire for her. The candles and the jazz were still going and the light was flickering against their bodies, making the mood even more sensual. 

 

She looked up at him and a slow smile spread across her face. There was definitely a flash of desire and love that went through as well, looking at him, and she took a minute to survey him now that the shirt was off and the jeans were gone too. She let out an appreciative moan for his body- no touches or anything, just pure admiration. 

 

JC let out a soft moan, letting her eyes admire him and feeling a deep sense of pride mixed with the intense lust his body was feeling toward her, and the love he always felt toward his woman. He was almost in a push up position over her and between her legs, so close to making an entrance. He was watching how she was looking at him and the way she had just moaned like that. He bit his lip and hard. "Shit Samantha. When you do that..."

 

Her lips curled up into the cutest little smirk. "When I do that it's because you're daddy. So daddy." She sighed real cute and reached down to give those grey briefs a tug and they fell down to his knees. 

 

As soon as those briefs went down, his hips were down on hers and his eyes closed because he kissed her. He brought his face down to hers to put his lips against her cheek. "So daddy gonna be daddy." He pushed her legs apart more. 

 

Her body quivered a bit when he pressed his hips to hers. It had been a hot minute since they had been intimate and something about the first closeness always made her body react even more. "Mmm, yes. Daddy. Oh."

 

His brows furrowed as he got the tip in, "Ohhh my god baby...." His head dipped down into her neck. 

 

Meanwhile, footsteps made their way up the side entrance of the cabin, up and around the wrap around porch. Frosted blonde tips adorned the top of the head and shook as he shook his head, hearing whimpering and noises. He rolled his eyes. "Of course." He walked a little further along the side path and let out a yell "JESUS CHRIST!"

 

Sam made a face when JC slipped inside with a moan at how good he felt. She went to look up at JC to lock their gaze but saw Lance's green eyes staring at them with a wide open mouth. She let out a scream. 

 

JC blinked and sat up because she had screamed-- never once had they thrown down and she let out a scream. "Baby..." He looked up to see Lance's guilty face. "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME LANCE BASS?"

 

Lance covered his eyes. "Listen. I don't want to be here interrupting your sex because I could be having my own right now. But this is an emergency."

 

She made a noise and grabbed one of the extra blankets from the side, tossing it over the both of them.

 

 JC reached over to make sure he was covered, but more importantly that she was covered and protected. "EMERGENCY? WHAT KIND?" He yelled. His pulse was too high and the throbbing he was feeling was about to drive him wild. His head felt like a freight train was speeding at a hundred miles an hour through it. Sam sat up with him, resting her hand on his chest as if to calm him down. 

 

"We have an emergency meeting with Johnny. I need you on a plane in 2 hours. Asses on the line, deadass seriously never seen him so angry at us." Lance replied.

 

JC was seeing red. "My ass ain't on NO FUCKIN LINE... Just get out of here Lance, fucking fuck!" He grabbed his briefs, pulling them on under the blanket, jumping to his feet, but making sure she was still covered. 

 

"JC," Lance sighed, "I can't leave here until you're with me. You know I would NEVER interrupt you. I got a call from Johnny on my own personal time too ok?" He gave Samantha a sympathetic smile.  

 

Sam blinked a few times, watching all of this, unsure how to take it in. JC was turned on, pacing in his grey briefs. His chest was sweating with red patches and she could see the vein start to pop out in his neck. She wasn't sure if she should moan or be concerned. 

 

JC stepped up to Lance. "You brought your own car. You're going to leave in it. I have a car and I will call Johnny myself. Just. Leave." His voice was gritted. 

 

Lance crossed his arms. "I am under direct orders that I can't leave until you're with me. I'm not fucking around with that I was told, man." He knew JC had a few solid pounds of muscle on him, but he was more afraid of Johnny. 

 

Sam rubbed her face, watching him. "Baby, if you have to go, go. I understand."

 

JC let out a growl and needed a minute to close his eyes and walk away to grab his phone, speed dialing Johnny. He answered and hormones and rage were spilling out of his mouth. "I have never ONCE not respected you or your privacy! I don't care that you are mad, you are no longer in a position to demand a time and a palace like we are all still young men. So NO."

 

Lance leaned against the railing and smirked. "So um, nice setup."

 

Sam tossed a pillow at him and laughed, shaking her head. "Lance Bass."

 

You could hear the sound of Johnny yelling at JC through the phone and they went back and forth for a moment. JC let out a yell and hung the phone up. 

 

Sam couldn't help but laugh lightly because this was completely a 180 turn from where they had just been. She leaned over and blew out all the candles he had set up, wrapping the sheet around her. She began to collect everything up, trying to be helpful. 

 

JC grabbed his clothes and stormed inside, pulling on his jeans and shirt and was boiling from the inside out. He couldn't even talk. 

 

Lance handed Sam her dress with a sympathetic smile. "You might need this." He felt bad, so he helped her to clean off the patio too. 

 

"Thanks," she laughed and slid the dress on under the sheet then let the sheet fall, gathering the rest of their stuff up. "Josh, I can take care of all of this. You go with Lance. I'll pack up the rest of the suitcases and bring them home in the morning."

 

He stopped dead in his tracks. "Samantha, I am NOT leaving here without you. We are packing and leaving right now and you're coming with me. The FUCK with what he says."

 

She looked up at him and bit her lip with the way he said that. "Okay..."

 

JC tossed on a regular v-neck with his jeans, throwing things in his suitcase left and right, and her stuff too, throwing it all together. Once he was sure he had everything, he grabbed both suitcases and stormed down the stairs to throw them in the back of his SUV. This was the most JC had ever been upset with a work decision in his life and he was stewing.

 

 Sam followed him down the stairs, locking the door behind her with Lance in tow. "Hey baby..." She stopped in front of the SUV with him, taking her hands and placing them on his face for a moment. "I love you. Take a deep breath with me. We'll figure this out, okay?"

 

Lance smiled, watching them. He had never seen JC so fired up over work before, but there was something about watching the way Samantha interacted with him that he just loved. He leaned against his car. 

 

JC swallowed harshly and she could feel the adrenaline running through his body just through having her hands on him. "Baby... I can't. I don't know if I can think clearly enough. I am beyond the most angry at this fucking person and situation than I have ever been in my life."

 

"It's okay to be angry, my love." She leaned up and gave him one soft kiss, just an I'm here for you baby gesture. "We're a team. Give me the keys. I'll drive back. I want you to focus on yourself for the ride okay? I'm here to take on some of this with you."

 

JC nodded, letting her lips on his try to take some of his anger away. "Okay..." He let out a harsh sigh. "You drive. I'll let you take the lead baby." He looked at Lance. "We'll meet you at the usual airfield in Los Angeles?"

 

Lance nodded and got into his car. "See you in 2 hours."

 

JC climbed into the car as Samantha started up his Denali. His blood continued to boil and he reached for Samantha's hand, gripping it tighter than he ever had in his life. He needed her more than he even knew.  

 

The ride to the airfield was silent, save a few words here or there uttered by Samantha to check the pulse of her stewing fiance. JC made a lot of grunts and noises in the passenger seat, eventually settling his head on his shoulder as she drove. He never once let go of her hand, squeezing it tighter than loosening it as he rode the wave of his emotions. 

 

As she pulled into the airfield, he guided her to the small garage for their VIP clients. The Denali went into a spot, next to Lance's Challenger. He was feeling so many emotions and he couldn't fathom speaking another word to anyone else.There he was, having a serious moment with his fiancee and was interrupted It was complete bullshit and he couldn't take it. He broke away from her long enough to take the suitcases out of the back of the SUV, walk them to the air attendants near the waiting private plane before he was back at her side. They were the last two to board the plane and his jaw was set sternly. 

 

Sam offered everyone a soft, sympathetic smile as they walked into the main cabin, still in her flowy dress. She settled into the seat next to him, facing Ashley and Justin in the small sitting area. She buckled herself in, and the second they were seated and buckled, JC's hand was gripping hers, almost too tight. 

 

It was quiet around them. Lance, Chris and Justin were silent and Ashley was as well, snuggled up to Justin who looked ready for the death march as well. It had looked like they were interrupted as well. Joey was already in Orlando with his girlfriend. 

 

The sitting area of the plane was compact but spacious, with a table between two rows of plush swiveling seats. There were two bathrooms, complete with showers and two small, cabin-style bedrooms at either end of the passenger area of the plane. It was a luxurious rental, for sure, one they would probably enjoy more under different circumstances.

 

He locked their fingers tightly, and then took a moment to look down at her. His eyes were softer than they were in the car. He pulled her hand up and kissed it as the attendants closed the doors to the airplane. "I'm sorry you had to see me that upset."

 

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry that you had to be that upset," she smiled softly at him.

 

"I'm still that upset," he let out a harsh sigh and closed his eyes. "I was just with my fiance trying to live life. That's all."

 

The airplane taxied down the runway and had a smooth takeoff. Before they knew it, the beautiful airplane was up in the stars. It was a clear night all around them.

 

She stroked his face softly with her free hand. "You were doing absolutely nothing wrong." She let herself snuggle into him a bit. "We'll be back to our alone time soon enough baby."

 

JC mumbled into her hair as he kissed her head, "Yeah, in like 20 minutes..."

 

She let out a soft giggle. "Oh yeah? I heard that daddy."

 

He grinned and kissed a few more times, in a trail down to her ear where he whispered, "Do you wanna call me daddy in private?"

 

She couldn't help but laugh softly, not at him but at how cute and slick he was. "You were interrupted before," her voice was a little over a whisper, knowing they weren't alone in the cabin, "Can we just keep Lance out this time?"

 

"More like Lance and everyone else." He kissed her face one more time then looked up to see that the seat belt sign had been turned off in the sitting area. He white knuckle grabbed her hand, yanked her out of her seat and pulled her through the seating area, down the small hallway lined with closet space for the in-flight service, and pulled her into the bedroom cabin. He locked the door, checking it 3 times. "No one's getting in."

 

She grinned up at him. "Just us. Me and you... in this room."

 

He had finally let go of her hand for a moment, turning the main light off in the cabin but walking to the side of the bed where he turned on the small, accent lighting along the side of the headboard. He grabbed the flowiest part of her dress as he sat on the edge of the bed, yanking her to him. He made her straddle his legs while his hand slid up the back of the dress. "So I can get back to this..."

 

She grinned and brought her forehead to his. "Oh that's right. I was admiring that sexy body of yours." She reached down and pulled off his v-neck so she could admire him again for a long, appreciative moment. 

 

He growled as he watched the way she looked at him. "Admire all you want. Lord knows I do that to you." He pulled her dress up over her head, pursing his lips that she was now wearing a bra, but he'd let that go for now. "Look and touch whenever you want."

 

She smirked at the face he made when he discovered her bra. "Baby, we were getting on a plane with your bandmates. These breasts are yours only." She reached behind her and unclasped it to let them free, tossing it to the side before she reached up to touch on his newest stomach muscles, letting her fingers play at the dips. 

 

"I know," his voice was soft, "I just didn't see you put it on or notice it because I was too busy being mad." He looked down at her touching his abs and it made him tighten his stomach. He leaned forward and put his lips back on the collarbone that was calling out for his lips. 

 

She whispered all low, "You were packing the car. Besides. It's off now." She made a soft noise at the way he was tightening his muscles. "Baby, don't tighten up. You're sexy as hell just the way you are, relax for me." He fingertips trailed down his stomach then made their way down to the V muscles of his hips, smiling at the way the muscles made a trail down to his jeans. 

 

Her hands on him would always be lethal to him and it would always make him have a moment, too. He tilted his head one way, causing him to suck on her skin a little harder. His hands were both against her back on either side of her spine. His voice came out in a hot whisper, "I need you to take me out... please."

 

"Mmm. Of course." She licked her lips slightly after an appreciative hum at his lips on her collarbone. "I love how hard you get for me, daddy." She stood up a bit, then reached for his jeans and made sure to let her hands graze over the fabric before she unzipped slowly, tugging his jeans down his thighs. "Now..."

 

His lips parted and he let out a soft "Oh my god." He was already throbbing and being interrupted earlier made it even worse for him, but he knew she'd be worth it-- she was always worth it. He pulled her face up from her neck because he needed to look at her and watch. It was sexy to him... he just... he needed her. 

 

She pulled him out of his briefs, holding him with a soft but firm grip in one hand while she yanked his briefs down with the other hand. She hummed softly as she stroked him a few times. She was handling him with care because she just knew. "Mmm. Josh, you seem even bigger than usual."

 

His mouth fell open at how she was touching him and saying that, in THAT voice. A low groan escaped from his throat as he felt himself pulse in her hand. "Babbbby..." His voice grew desperate. 

 

She watched his eyes dance wild with desire and it made her smile softly. She knew in his previous relationships he tended to be the one with all of the control and it pleased her to know that this balance existed. She let go of him, leaning down to straddle him again as her lips fell up against his ear. "Now only are you the biggest, you know how it work it the best too. I want you to take me however you want it daddy, you've waited long enough." She captured his earlobe in her teeth and nibbled lightly before letting it go.

 

He swallowed hard, looking at her, almost shaking his head no. "Baby. Mmmmmmmm... no... I mean... I guess..." His voice was coming out in hot little breaths. Under normal circumstances, her dirty talk in his ear caused him to unravel but tonight this was out of control. He closed his eyes and his hands grabbed her hips, traveling down to feel her panties. He grabbed both sides and pulled as hard as he could, snapping the lace completely off on both ends. 

 

She grinned against his skin. "Mmm, time for some new panties," she hummed. She let her eyes travel to his grey, wild eyes and flushed skin, then all the way down his body to reveal that he was so hard, he looked ready to explode already. She let out another soft hum. "I guess I need to help you then don't I..." She grabbed onto him, rocking her hips back and forth on his until she sank down onto him. She couldn't have been more ready for him so he made a perfect slipping motion. They were now hip to hip and her stomach tested against his. "Ughhhhhhhh."

 

JC nearly blacked out with pleasure. Weeks of anticipating this moment were coming to a head and he let out a hiss. "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck." His head fell forward into her skin and his teeth grazed her arm. His body let out a jolt and his arm wrapped around her, pulling her  up onto him better. "Oh fuck."

 

Her head dipped down into the crook of his neck where she moaned, sucking in little girlie gasps and breaths as she worked to find her rhythm on him. When she finally did, it was a slow fluid moment. She was moaning as he filled her up so deeply but she was also feeling every sensation of how sexy everything felt with each movement of their bodies. "Josh... OH!"

 

He could barely stand how good she felt and how much he missed her. He wrapped both arms around her, one hand went to the back of her head, guiding her to his lips where he let his crash against hers. He thrusted his hips up once and a grunt escaped into her mouth. He needed to do it again and it brought him up off the bed, holding her up in his arms. She was rocking his hips as he thrusted his. It was a fluid and harsh movement, but an intimate one. 

 

When he lifted her up into the air with ease, she moaned into his mouth, causing her lips to slip off of his. Her hips were working to meet his halfway while her legs world to anchor herself around his waist. "Daddy daddy ohhhhh."

 

He made a moan as he mumbled "Mmmmhmmmm," and he nodded, standing up as he hoisted her against the wall of the cabin. He couldn't say anything else, only try to catch his breath as he worked his hips on her just a little bit harder. His face went down into her neck where he needed to suck on her skin. He was deep in a moment and needed to relish every feeling that was flowing through his body. 

 

She couldn't help but let out a frantic moan at the way he was manhandling her. She loved when he was romantic with all the candles and shit, but there was something about the way he got when he was rough with her. Her hips rode on him, meeting each of his harder thrusts. "Daddy, come on... let it go. I want to feel you!" 

 

He started to growl at her saying that to him. "Say. It. Again." His voice was stern and low as he pulled his face up to look at her. His hips pulled back and bucked her into the wall harshly. 

 

Her hands were wrapped up around his neck and she reached up a bit. She gave his hair a tug, his longer, wavy hair always did it for her. "Come for me daddy...." She whimpered a bit as she was being pushed into the wall but it was hot as hell. "I want to come with you..."

 

"UGHHH FUCK!" He sucked in a sharp breath as his head got pulled back. His lips began to hammer into hers, unable to help it-- she pulled his hair and talked to him just the way he liked it. Her body made a thump each time he thrust into her. "I'm gonna.... FUCK BABY!" Their skin was smacking and he was grunting hard as he let go. He held her legs up around him while he felt his body unravel, out of control. His release hit him hard, so hard he might not remember half of the feeling in the morning he was on such a high. He was throbbing and releasing himself inside of her, and he hadn't felt so uncontrolled in ages. 

 

She knew it had been over a week and for him it was like a year, so she pushed her hips up to meet him even more. As soon as his climax hit him, hers began and he could feel it in his body as well, it was intense and it rocked her, she leaned her head back into the wall with a loud yell of his entire name.

 

His brows furrowed as he rode his last way. "Ohhhh fuuuuuuckin A.... Samantha.........." His wasn't stopping his hips, but he lifted her back up into just the air, with no wall to hold him. He body rolled his hips against hers. "Come for daddy.... C'mon...."

 

Her hips worked in perfect sync with his right there in the air as she rode out every last moment of her climax, until she could no longer rock her hips with his anymore and her head fell to the crook of his neck where she sucked in some sharp breaths. Her endurance had surely improved since their earliest days but this was on a different level. 

 

"Ohhh my god, baby." he carried her to the bed and fell down with her, still holding her close but his body was shaking gently and he was letting out the softest moans. She lay there with him in the bed, her face buried in his neck, and at least a half hour passed by before either of them could move or speak. 

 

When he could finally muster up enough energy, his hand stroked her hair and he mumbled, "Welcome to the mile high club, baby." His lips curled up in a light smirk. 

 

***

 

It was well after 3AM in Orlando by the time the plane landed. Justin and JC had dropped the girls off at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando where they promised they would join them as soon as they were able.

 

JC was in shorts and a t-shirt after a quick shower at the familiar *NSYNC compound. Justin was nearby, looking through old things in JC's room. JC was standing in the closet, looking through to see if he had left anything behind. It felt like being in a time warp, back to the earliest days of the band. "Hey J, what time is it? I'm not staying here all night."

 

Justin looked down at his watch. "4:15." He leaned in the doorway, arms crossed. "I need to get out of here. My heart is across town."

 

"Yeah, tell me about it. We don't have to be back here for the meeting until at least 8:30 or 9 and I know Joey is always the last to get up, so what's stopping us from actually walking out that door?" JC pursed his lips. 

 

"Absolutely nothing. I think my old M Class is still in the garage. I know I left it here. You want a ride with me to the hotel?" Justin grinned. 

 

"Let's go out the side door to make sure nobody gets into our business. I might kill someone tonight." JC's voice was low.

 

"Let's get the fuck out of here before I do choke someone." He shook his head and the men crept out quietly, with absolutely nothing. Near the garage, he found the keys to the Benz and they both got inside.

 

JC was laughing as the car started. "Oh my god. Blast from the past. Please tell me you have a CD in here still and it'll be the best thing ever." He put his seatbelt on.

 

"You know it's probably a mixtape I had for Ashley, okay?" He laughed all low. Once they were safely down the street, he turned the radio on and The Whisper Song by the Yin Yang Twins came on. He began to laugh.

 

A short drive on International Drive later, Justin's car circled by the Orlando Convention Center and the Ritz Carlton was back in view. JC jumped out of the car quickly in the garage, and the two men were going up the back elevator. 

 

"I'll come get you at 8:30 okay?" Justin asked, as he grabbed his room key out of his pocket. 

 

JC gave him a fast bro hug. "I'll be in the hallway at 8:30 waiting in case mama isn't up yet."

 

Justin smiled and nodded, giving him a fist bump as the elevator left them off on the 17th floor. JC went one way, and Justin went the other. 

 

JC swiped his key card and made a face when the door opened. "Samantha, you need to bolt your door," he mumbled. He closed the door softly behind him, making sure it was bolted. He walked into the room, almost in a tip toe to see an empty bed, then looked over to see her standing looking out the window staring out at the stars. "Baby... it's 4:30AM."

 

She turned around to see him and it made her smile. "Why did I have a feeling I'd be seeing you..."

 

He smiled all cute. "Because you know me. And you know that I'm not sleeping in the same city as you and NOT be next to you." He walked right over to her and slipped his arms around her. "Come to bed with me."

 

She laughed lightly, "Good thing I didn't sneak out of here to try and find my way to the compound. Can you even imagine?" She leaned up to kiss him softly. "We would have crossed paths." He stole one more soft kiss as he led her to the unmade bed. 

 

"Mannn," he laughed softly between her kisses. "I would have searched all night until we did cross paths." He smiled, pulling her against him into his favorite snuggle position, allowing himself to be the big spoon. He loved feeling her curves against him. 

 

She leaned back into his arms and smiled when she heard him breathe softly near her ear, something so familiar and comforting. Within seconds, she was asleep.

 

He stroked her hair a bit and when he realized she wasn't replying to him, he smiled, knowing it was him that she needed to be asleep. "Goodnight my sweet love." He stayed awake for just a little bit longer while his mind thought about what was to come, then he couldn't stay awake any longer and drifted off to sleep as well.

 

At 8AM, JC's alarm went off. He ignored it for as long as possible until it got louder and louder, then he moaned and reached to turn his phone on silent. 

 

As he moved, Sam mumbled and stretched against his body. "Mmmmm, baby."

 

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?" JC replied sleepily. His hand rested on her hip where he rubbed softly. 

 

"You're cozy and warm." She sighed, her eyes still closed. 

 

He stretched a bit and reached down to wrap his arms all the way around her, moving her just so, so he could roll over on top of her as he started kissing along her face softly with a smile and an mmm noise. 

 

She let out a sleepy giggle, her eyes still closed. "Joshhhh..." Her lips curled up into a smile. 

 

He kissed his way to her lips and smiled against them. "Thaaaaaaat's my name... don't wear it out. Actually, wear that shit out all you want." He kissed her once more. "I need to go baby, but when I'm done I swear I'm yours."

 

"Mmm," she smiled on his lips and kissed a few times softly. "Do what you need to do baby. I'll be here." 

 

"Gonna go kick ass and take names," he grinned then hurried out of bed with one last kiss and started the shower so he could take a five minute one to wake up. 

 

She grabbed his pillow, pulling it into her arms and snuggling into the familiar smell. 

 

***

 

Justin and JC drove in a hurry back to the compound. Johnny was waiting in the boardroom for them. Lance, Chris and Joey sat at the table with sleepy eyes.

 

JC walked into the board room confidently, his chest puffed out. He took a seat, and Justin sat down next to him without saying a word.

 

"Good morning," Johnny said. "I'm just going to start in on this because we don't have all day. What the hell happened in South Korea? There were still two more shows. Can we communicate please before we all hop on a plane running back to girlfriends?"

 

JC's fists gripped the arms of the chair, he was afraid he wasn't going to be able to keep his head screwed on right. 

 

Justin raised his hand. "I respectfully disagree with that statement. You make it sound like we blew everything off to run home and be with some random girls. We had a medical emergency that needed to be taken care of. You HAD to have heard about Chris' sister."

 

Chris nodded, "Thankfully I made it home in time to see Kate after her surgery and she's going to make a full recovery, but that whole flight home I had no idea."

 

Joey agreed. "I mean not for nothing but our communication from home was totally cut off. Having a girlfriend who is pregnant at home wasn't easy in that case."

 

JC looked over at Joey and smiled softly hearing him finally share the news. "And first of all, Samantha isn't my girlfriend, and second of all, fuck the phone system! You weren't prepared like you should have been for any kind of communication. It took frantic phone calls by Chris' mother to multiple hotels to get through to us!" 

 

"Right, I get that, but I was there with you. Could someone have just clued me in! You've all lost your damn minds. I found out later that you didn't show up for your interviews when I got home from dinner with clients! And to find you had taken Melinda WITH you!"

 

Justin shook his head. "Back it up just a little bit." His hand went up defensively. "First of all. Don't give us any kind of shit. We've given you and our fans 150% of ourselves for the majority of the last 10 years. We smiled and danced and sang our way through our biggest heartbreaks, broken bones and other painful moments. Left our families and loved ones at the expense of the band many times. I think," he looked around the table, "That all five of us have gotten to the point where we don't have anything left to give at the moment. Where we need to take some time to recharge our batteries and just BE... we just want to be US for a moment before we can come back to *NSYNC."

 

"Damnit, Justin, you hit the nail on the head. Yes, for fuck's sake, let's take some time off. Let Joey have his baby, I want to get married..." He shook his head, "Let us not start to hate our careers because honestly, I almost left all together in the snap of a moment."

 

Johnny looked at everyone with a panic. "Whoa, whoa, whoa... what?" 

 

Lance nodded in agreement. "It's not that we hate the music. It's not that we hate the fans. We love them and owe it all to them. But right now, this grind day in and day out is making many of us start to resent this career a little bit. I just want to be Lance for a while. Not Lance from *NSYNC."

 

"My personal relationships have suffered over the last few years because of being married to my job. And it took me these 5 years to mend the mistakes I did make. I'm not going to fuck it up again because someone else is telling me what to do." Justin's voice was serious. 

 

Johnny's demeanor changed and he sighed. "Guys! If this is how you have felt for a while, why is it so hard to communicate to me? I'm supposed to be in your corner but I can't do that if you don't tell me or stand up for what you want. I want *NSYNC to stay forever and thrive until the end of time. So if you need a break, okay, I'm going to be on board with that. But why did it have to get this far?" Mentally, he was freaking out that the band would never get back together.

 

"Ummm, you and the whole team just keep piling more contracts and shows on us so when are we going to be able to say no or have time to think?" JC asked.

 

"And we GET it. When the demand is there, strike while the iron is hot," Justin added.

 

"We're not saying we don't ever want to do this again. I mean after my daughter is born I know I'll want to spend time with her and be a dad. And the others are going to want to have their own personal things. But once we can live our lives as the five individuals we are, the band will be that much stronger." Joey said. 

 

Johnny let out a sigh. "Okay, fine. That's totally fine. Let's start with six months and go from there. We still need a meeting or two, and there has to be conference calls because you guys are STILL crazy big right now."

 

"And that's fine. When we need to meet, just let us know a little bit more in advance and be willing to make accommodations for our families. Joey will need Kelly and Baby Fatone to be taken care of, and I'll need Ashley to come along unless otherwise stated, just like JC with Samantha." Justin was matter-of-fact. 

 

"Not unless otherwise stated... they're both coming and that's the end. Family is family, and they will always come first. I'm not compromising." JC crossed his arms. 

 

"Giving us time to be with the projects, passions and people that are important to us is going to let us come back to the band and create art that really means something to us. I can't create from an empty tank. I need something there to draw from." Justin looked over at Johnny who was watching him intently. 

 

"Okay. It's settled then." Johnny's sigh was large but he looked at his five members of *NSYNC. "I'll work on everything and call a meeting back in LA in a few weeks." He looked around the room again. "Just fucking communicate with me."

 

JC was the first to stand up. "Okay great. We will communicate, conference all, meeting, whatever... but we're taking a break, starting right now."

"Thank you for hearing us out. And know that these four are still my best friends and it's nothing personal to anyone in this room. We all literally just need the time to grow as people and to come back stronger." Justin smiled at his friends. "But with that said...we need to relax a little bit."

 

The five guys hugged and exited the boardroom. Johnny was left sitting at the table, looking at his notebook and scratching his head. 

 

***

 

When the elevator opened on the 17th floor, JC power walked his way to the door with a grin, unlocking and throwing it open. "Honeyyyyyy! I'm hoooooooome!" He was smiling.

 

Sam was curled up on the couch in the room, watching TV. She laughed so cute, scooting over for him in her jeans and a cropped top. "C'mere baby!"

 

JC dove for the couch, almost tackling her down with his arms around her. "Ugh to see your beautiful face again just made my day so much better."

 

She smiled, wrapping her arms around him, then brought her forehead up to his. "How did it all work out sweetheart?"

 

"Went in thinking I was gonna lose my shit, but I didn't have to. We all came together and said what was on our minds and hearts, and that we needed to take serious time to focus on our actual lives and families." He rubbed his nose against hers. "We're taking a break for about 6 months." 

 

She smiled on his lips, "I'm happy for you. This was something that was on your heart," She played with the back of his hair. "So you're free for a bit..."

 

"Mmmm," He pushed his lips against hers, making a noise before he sighed. His hands came up to kiss her face. "I'm all yours is what I am. No more crazy trips, or shows where I have to spend time away from you."

 

She grinned on his lips, "And I'm taking some time off from most projects so I'm all yours. And if we want to do something, we can go with each other." She kissed him softly. "But you better not stop creating. My *NSYNC fangirl heart would be devastated."

 

"Never mama," he grinned, "You're my muse. That's not changing." He let out a little playful growl. "Ugh. Now we're gonna go back to Big Bear and we are going to tell NO ONE where we are going. And I am going to have the romantic week with my fiance that I deserve." His voice was aggressive on her lips. 

 

"Yeah? You gonna sex me in the lake like you promised?" She grinned playfully.

 

He looked down at her and grinned, then licked his lips. "I was gonna sex you all over the damn place girl. You want sex in a lake? I'll take your ass right now to one," he laughed. "Orlando has a thousand of them."

 

She laughed, "You did tell me you were going to."

 

"And you know I meant it," he smirked. "We'll be back in LA by dinnertime anyways. So we can plan on leaving in the next few days or so."

 

"Whatever happens." She grinned. "I feel better now. Sorry about earlier this week." She touched his face. 

 

"Why are you sorry?" He put his hand on top of hers that was resting on his face. "Please don't be, I'm not upset at all."

 

"I never in a million years wanted you to think that I didn't want you." She smiled softly. "That was all me, and nothing to do with you and what a good lover you are." 

 

He placed a finger on her lips and softly whispered "Shhh." He began to kiss her softly, letting her know it was okay, he didn't care and he was fine because he got some good sex the night before. He smiled softly on her lips. 

 

She grinned a bit and ran her fingers through his hair gently as she placed a few soft kisses on his lips before she whispered, "I'll always warn you ahead of time if my hormones get in the way. But I'll always be happy to try and please you in return."

 

He smiled and whispered, "If I ever need to sleep in another room because you're disgusted with me, just let me know."

 

She started to belly laugh and pushed him off of her, to where he landed on the floor. 

 

"Ohhhhh," he started to laugh heartily as well, out of sheer happiness and a little bit out of relief from the outcome of the meeting. "Samanthhhhhhaaaaaa!" 

 

He rose to his feet and scooped her up into his arms, carrying her over to the bed where he tossed her down again. "You're in for it this time, Ms. Bentley." His grin was wicked as he leaned down to capture his lips with hers. 

 

"Hey, Max," JC was standing in the laundry room over the washing machine as he dumped the contents of their suitcases inside. He was holding the phone against his ear between his shoulder. "Didn't you say you had property around Big Bear? Yeah. I'll pay you whatever you normally rent it for, I just want a really private week away with Samantha but shit keeps happening..." He paused, nodding at the response. "Man that would be amazing, thank you." He closed the door to the laundry room, walking toward the kitchen where he spotted Samantha making nachos. The smell made him grin. "Yeah, this weekend is fine. Hell NAH I'm not doing a studio track for trade though," he was laughing so cutely, "Because you know that shit would be fire and you'd make 50 grand off of me." 

Sam looked up to see him walking to her on the phone and it made her smile. She put the plate of chicken nachos out on the island, along with homemade mico and sour cream. She shuffled over to the beer fridge and popped the tops on two Coronas then climbed up onto a stool. "Cheat day!"

 

"Okay, okay, gotta go man. I'll send you the money tomorrow. Thanks." He hung up the phone and looked at Samantha and the nacho plate with the biggest grin. "Damnnnnnn baby! This shit looks amazing."

 

"I felt like we needed some nachos. And since you love all this little housewife shit, I figured I'd make them instead of calling for take out. Plus, I needed to get rid of some of those chicken breasts in the fridge." She grinned then took a sip of her beer. 

 

"Yeah, I love all this housewife shit." He walked over and took his beer, slipping his arm around her. He kissed the top of her head then leaned down and took a nacho from the pile, taking a healthy bite. "Ohhhh."

 

She leaned back into his body and grinned. "You wanna keep me around?"

 

"I think I'll keep you a little while longer baby. You can be my longest running relationship to date ok?" He smirked and took another one, licking his fingers. 

 

"I'm honored," she giggled and grabbed a nacho for herself, taking a bite. "Mmm. I'm thinking 50 years of marriage, maybe 60."

 

He nodded then took a sip of his beer. "You know what. I think we could do it, but maybe we should start with like 20. We can hit a celebratory mark and then try adding 40 to that." He licked his lips, trying not to smirk. 

 

"I mean, maybe we should shoot for a year first. That might be a fair start. Then we can double that. Then double that. Eventually, we'll get to the 20." She took a sip of her beer, leaving the bottle at her lips to stop her smirk. 

 

"Oh, I think you could be onto something. We both gonna celebrate getting through a year of marriage? That gonna be your longest running relationship?" He shoved a big nacho in his mouth. 

 

She grinned, "Celebrating you not wanting to leave me? For a whole year?" She giggled and grabbed another chip. 

 

"Ohhh yes. Exactly what I would be celebrating. You're such a damn nagging wife type baby." He laughed and looked down at her for a long moment. "You know what, I don't know that I even know what your longest relationship even is."

 

She laughed softly at his comment about the nagging wife type and hit his arm but playfully. "And you still wanted to marry me?" She laughed and smiled softly. "And 3 years. That's the longest relationship I've been in." She tilted her head to look up at him. "And you?"

 

He took a long sip of his beer and leaned into the counter a bit. "Well let's see." He looked toward the living room. "It was a little over 3 years... not quite 3 and a half."

 

Of course, the thought of him being the incredible man to another woman made her jealous, because it was human nature. But she knew she truly had the best of him for who he really was. "What happened?" She looked at him as he was looking out toward the living room, not making eye contact with her.  She wasn't sure if this was Kat he was speaking of, but from what she had heard from Ashley, 3 and a half years seemed too long for the timeline.

 

"Well..." he started, "That was the first time a woman broke my heart by sleeping with one of my childhood friends." He shook his head, then looked down at her but he smiled slightly, "I didn't always have the best taste in women. I attracted a specific type and it became a pattern. So I stopped dating altogether after I was cheated on again, and decided that I was going to be the guy that would just have fun and not let another woman in like that ever again."

 

"Oh baby," she sighed. "That's awful. Being cheated on absolutely sucks." She shook her head. 

 

"It really does," he said, "But you know what?" He brushed his hand along her face with a smile. "It led me to appreciate the kind of woman that would show up in my life so unexpectedly. A woman that was stronger than anyone I've ever met. A woman that had a heart bigger than all of the special people in my life... all of it led me to you." 

 

She smiled as she looked up at him. She knew she had a special guy in front of her, and she knew he was in a vulnerable place in his life, so willing to trust her and open up to her. "I guess we both were led to each other because we deserved to appreciate and experience each other. Somebody knew what He was doing." She couldn't help but smile softly. 

 

JC knew what she meant, but he couldn't help but grin into a smirk, reaching to pull her in up against him. "I'll agree to that. I'm a man that knows what to do..."

 

She laughed, touching his face. "You're so good to me. And I've never had that the way I do with you."

 

"Mmm, you've never had what? Love, attention, sex?" He leaned in to put his lips against her forehead, "Or all of the above?"

 

She let her fingertips play along his jaw. "I've had all of those. I mean I guess I'm kind of a lucky woman. I've had some amazing lovers. Like, really, really, really good sex. Some of it meaningful, some of it not. I've had plenty of attention in my life. Sometimes more than I want." She laughed softly, "And love...  I've experienced it in some different ways."

 

Within seconds, his body language shifted to much stiffer and he made a low noise. "Samantha, I'm going to be real and admit that I don't like hearing that you've had amazing sex and that you get a lot of attention. I'm instantly jealous. But I asked, and I really wanted to know at the same time. And I'm still marrying you so I win, but I don't have to like it... and I'm gonna need to not run out of this house to go tracking someone down..."

 

"Nobody said you had to like it, because I'm jealous of your first girlfriend. The first person to make you stop and say, oh my god she's beautiful." She looked up at him. "I'm completely willing to be an open book about all of this for you, sweetheart." 

 

He clenched his jaw slightly, looking down at her. His free hand was clenched in a fist just out of her line of vision. "I'm an open book too. I just... you are mine." He pointed to himself over his heart. "No one can love you more than me."

 

She smiled and nodded, bringing her forehead to his. "Nobody loves me more than you do. Nobody has ever loved me the way that you do, Josh. Julian and I were together for the 3 years. Things were good for awhile but then he started to get mean. Especially when he drank after games. He would take his aggression out on me. I should have left a good year before I did." She sighed, "So you're not my longest relationship yet, but you're the most meaningful and I have absolutely zero hesitations about making you my husband." 

 

JC took a long sip of his beer to finish the bottle off and he closed his eyes, nodding. "Samantha, I know I'm not your longest relationship now, but I am going to be. And I swear to God, if I do ever see him, I will not be able to keep quiet." He wrapped his arms protectively around her. "You are too precious and valuable to me. Do you know that?"

 

She smiled. "I'm in it for the long haul with you, sweetheart. I want you for the rest of my life... in the times that are going to be amazing that I know we're going to have, and when things get hard. That's when I know I'm going to lean on you the most. And likewise, I'll be here to hold you up when that shit starts." She smiled as she slid her arms around him. "I always feel valuable to you, that's the gift you gave back to me that Julian took away."

 

"I would never, ever take something like that away from you. I am here to bring you peace and be someone that you can come home to and lean on with everything. I want ALL your things. I want your happiness and your sadness, and even your anger. It's my job to be your support system and love you when you need me the most and also for no damn reason. I can promise you that you will never, ever need to be with anyone else. "He sighed harshly and put his lips against her temple, still trying to come down off his high horse. He held so much anger and jealousy toward Julian that he didn't even fully realize he had and it was coming out. 

 

She let him hold her tightly, rocking herself in his arms just a bit. "Joshua Scott, you know that I want to always be your everything. And I'll never, ever, ever need to go to someone else for anything, and likewise for you. I want you to always feel that I'm providing for you everything you want." She reached up to rub his chest lightly, knowing the way he was feeling. 

 

He squeezed her a little tighter and mumbled against her temple, "I don't need anyone else ever again in my life. I only need you... ugh Samantha. You're everything."

 

She looked up at him with a soft smile. "Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky to end up with you, Josh."

 

He glanced down at her looking up at him with such adoration in her eyes and it made him smile. Moments later, his whole body relaxed. "Baby," he sighed, "Because God must love me a lot for sending you my way when I needed you the most."

 

She smiled because her man was truly a gem and he made her heart happy. "It's moments like this I could marry you literally tomorrow."

 

He grinned, burying his face into her neck. "Mmmm, want to?"

 

She laughed softly against his skin. "And if I said yes..."

 

"Then I'd take your pretty ass to the court house and marry you, in an instant. But deep down, I know that's not what you want. And I really want to do the traditional thing with you, baby." 

 

"I do just want you..." she replied with a smile, "But you are correct." She took both of his hands and held them by their sides. "I do want a wedding that we both deserve. You're worth the wait, I can be patient." She grinned.

 

He smiled, taking a moment to look at her and enjoying the familiar flutter his heart felt when she smiled at him that way. "I can be patient too. And besides, we already started to plan it, remember?" His grin was wide, "I forgot that we did that."

 

"We probably need to start writing some of the stuff down. I should probably be one of those brides with the big wedding planners filled with stuff." She giggled and leaned up to kiss him softly. "Do you have a DJ in mind from people you've met, baby?"

 

He laughed softly. "You can be as organized as you want to be baby. I haven't really thought about it just yet. I know I'll think of the best one. He can't just be a DJ, he needs to be a phenomenal host."

 

"We'll figure it out," she grinned, "And I know Ashley is designing my dress. But, do you have anything that you'd like to see?"

 

He leaned over to reach for another nacho and put it to his mouth with a thoughtful face. "No. I want to be completely surprised, and I know that between the two of you it's going to be completely breathtaking." He smiled and popped the bite into his mouth. 

 

"I can definitely surprise you," she smiled. "I have some ideas about what I want. I've been pouring through some designs." She let out a breathless sigh and her eyes went dreamy as she looked down at the counter. 

 

It made JC smile that she would feel that way about marrying him, so dreamy. He licked his lips then picked her up, sitting her on the counter. He got between her legs and reached to grab them both another beer before turning to place between them. "Tell me a little bit about them. What ideas."

 

She smiled, loving how into the details he was right along with her. "Oh, Josh," she giggled softly. "I want lace... a full lace dress. Long, with a train." She bit her lip, watching for his reaction before she started to gush in detail. 

 

"I love the sound of lace baby, and if I know the type of designer that Ashley is, she's going to spare nothing making you the most beautiful dress and bride for me. I'm not gonna want you to take the dress off... buuuut then again I'm also gonna want you to take the dress off." He smirked, letting his hands wrap around her loosely, enjoying her being on the counter in front of him.

 

She laughed softly with a playful tone. "Oh honey, you'll have your own set of lace for the honeymoon. There's no doubt about that." Her hands slid up his white vneck, feeling along his back muscles. 

 

"Ooooooo?" He grinned so hard. "I hadn't even thought about that yet, but now that you mention it..." He licked his lips. 

 

"Oh, I've got you covered. You know this, Daddy." She grinned. 

 

He laughed then it turned into a low mmm mmm mmm. "Daddy can't wait. I'll make sure to have a good sexy suit tailor made for you too. Maybe even a pair of boxer briefs that say Samantha's husband on the waist." He grinned at the thought. 

 

"To be opened by Mrs. Samantha Chasez only... Mmmm mmmm mmm. I'll have to take my time taking those off," she giggled, watching his smirk and grin. 

 

"Oh by all means please take your team with that," he picked her back up from the counter and carried her right into the laundry  room. "Excuse the interruption, but daddy got laundry to switch." He put her on the counter in the laundry room, and started to unload the wash in the dryer, but he continually looked up at her. He was smiling. 

 

"Thanks for the ride to the laundry room." She leaned back on her hands, watching him be such a domesticated fiance and it made her grin. This was so not even close to being the man she met on that first night and she loved the hell out of it. 

 

JC took one of her nice shirts and put it on a hanger to air dry rather than putting it in the dryer. He hung it up on a rack in the laundry room before starting up the dryer. "Where should I take you next?" He scooped her back into his arms. 

 

"Thanks for not shrinking that top," she smirked, resting her forehead against his. "You're a super husband already. Where do you want to take me next?"

 

"The lake, but that's gotta wait for the weekend, so..." He stopped in the hallway and looked at her. "I want to know what you want. What do you want to do? Anything and it's yours."

 

"Mmm. Well. I mean," she laughed softly. "I wouldn't hate watching the sunset on the yard."

 

"I can do that. Would you like your drink or just some water or tea?" He shifted her to lift her in one arm so he could grab for the beer he had been sipping on."

 

"My beer would be fantastic," she grinned, "I can grab it you know," she giggled, "Though watching you lift me in one arm is sexy as fuck, so continue..."

 

He looked at her with a little wicked grin. "I love that shit too so I'm not gonna stop." He grabbed her beer then handed it to her, before taking his. He made his way to their back patio. "Maybe I just won't put your ass down."

 

"I wouldn't complain," she grinned, "I love watching you lift." She took a sip of her beer. "Your arms though..." She giggled softly, knowing how much he loved to hear how he did it for her.

 

"Shit woman, I'll lift you like a workout all day," He grinned and walked her out to the back patio. The breeze blew some of his wind chimes and his little set of potted plants stood waiting for them.

 

"I wouldn't hate on it, I'd climb on your back for some push ups too daddy, you know I've got you." She grinned.

 

He smirked and put both of their beer bottles down then flipped her so he was carrying her in both arms now. "Be careful what you wish for." He lifted her up over his head then put her down with a grin, before lifting her up and down a few times with a little grunt at the last one, then he held her in his arms. "I feel better already, what about you?"

 

She laughed softly with the cutest shake of her head. "Sometimes I can't handle you, Joshua Scott Chasez."

 

"Oh good," he grinned, sitting down on his chaise lounge. He pulled her all up between his legs to lay on him, then handed her the bottle of beer again. "I don't want you to handle me."

 

She took a sip and grinned, peeking up at him from down below. "As I recall you seemed to like me handling you last night on that airplane."

 

He had to laugh because that shit was satisfying. "You handled me very well, Ms. Bentley, and I loved that shit. And then I handled you right back and you loved it." He took a sip as well with a smirk. 

 

"Mmm, that is correct, I did." she grinned, playing with the bottle between her hands, moving it back and forth a bit. "That was my first time in the Mile High Club. I appreciate the welcome, daddy." 

 

"Oh it was my pleasure, baby." He licked his lips and put the bottle on the table so he could pull her a little closer, draping his arms around her. "It was my first one too actually. As much as we have flown. I've never done anything like that before."

 

She leaned over and put hers next to his on the table, leaning back more into his body, enjoying being there with him, his arms all around her. "Mmm, I thought you said in that game with Ash and J that you had."

 

"I did?" He made a face to think about it. "Oh, that. I didn't actually have se,x, but Justin thinks that I did." He laughed, "To this day, all the guys still think so, but it was a game of truth or dare on a flight from London to LA. We just made out in the bathroom, 7 minutes in heaven type shit."

 

She kinda grinned. "Ohhh." She peeked up at him with the cutest little mischief in her eyes. "I know this is gonna be a black hole but, tell me about the first time you had sex. I kinda want to know." She smirked so slyly up at him. 

 

"You really wanna go down this path?" He laughed with his brows raised. "Because you know I'm going to ask you the same thing when I'm done."

 

"I'm prepared," she grinned, "And prepared to remind you why you're the best."

 

He shook his head and pursed his lips a moment. "My first girlfriend. In high school, we had only been dating like 3 weeks maybe. I had a football game and we won. She snuck into my house and stayed the night. And I had NO clue what I was doing either."

 

She giggled. "I was a junior in high school, and I pretended to be 19. We went to a party on the campus of Georgetown. I hooked up with this sexy older guy... oh my god." She bit her lip, knowing she was completely lying but his reactions always made her life. Her lips then pursed and she was trying so hard not to laugh. 

 

"Wait, wait wait WAIT. You hooked up with a college for for YOUR FIRST TIME?" JC's eyebrows raised high and he felt the vein in his neck start to bulge.

 

She started laughing and it was positively adorable, leaving no room for him to be mad, just a fit of giggles and laughter and she was shaking her head at the same time. 

 

"SAMANTHA!!!! YOU LIED!" His mouth fell open for a minute then he started belly laughing too. "YOU."

 

"That story was so much better than what really happened," her fit of giggled calmed down and she wiped the tears out of the corner of her eyes. "I was a sophomore in high school. My boyfriend at the time was too. We had been going out for like 5... maybe 6 months? He took me to Homecoming and we went back to his house afterwards. We had been grinding at the dance and he led me to his room and it was like this super awkward making out for a long time." She shook her head and laughed, "And then it led to a disaster. He had no idea what he was doing, and neither did I. I actually cried." She laughed softly. 

 

"Oh, well that sounds very much like my first experience only I didn't make anyone cry. Why were you crying?" He made a face, one fist balling up by her side, "Because he hurt you? Forced you?" He was ready to throw down on some 15 year old boy he had never met. 

 

"He was a lot bigger than I expected him to be. I had never seen a penis in person," she laughed softly, "It was an adjustment." 

 

"Baby! Oh my god , I'll say." He wasn't sure how to take this information, and his brows furrowed and he let out a harsh shy "I'd at least have done show and tell first, God."

 

She laughed, shaking her head at the memory. "I mean, he did. I did. I saw it and touched it in his bathroom. Then he lost it all over me there at the counter and we had to start over. It was a disaster all around. Like... really bad."

 

JC had to laugh a little bit. "And did you continue to date him after that?" He looked down at her, "Or was that enough for you to be like PEACE!"

 

She laughed, "We dated until the summer before we were seniors. We just kept practicing. He got better at controlling himself around me, and I got used to what I was supposed to do."

 

He smirked. "I wouldn't have been able to control it around you. I barely can now... I mean c'mon. LOOK at you." He reached down from where his hands were to get a good grab at her thigh and he laughed real low. 

 

"I would probably have to say it was the 36Ds. They were boy killers. All that happened around that summer too. The hips, the thighs, all of it." She shook her head real cute then leaned up to brush her lips with his a few times. 

 

JC moaned thoughtfully. "UGH." He was having a moment, thinking about knowing her back then. "Baby, you would have slayed me for sure," He placed a soft kiss on her lips then smiled. "God saved you for last because I wasn't ready."

 

"I'll find some pictures for you," she brushed her lips against his a few more times. "God held me to last so you could have it for the rest of your life, baby."

 

The sun was just about to go all the way down, and he was laying all the way back on the lounge chair, pulling her body even more up onto his. "Please let me get a picture of you." He lifted his head off the pillow to capture her lips real good this time as he hummed against them.

 

 

September 10th, 2006

JC looked at the clock and he grinned. It was only 4:30 in the morning and he was wide awake and ready to go. His Denali was packed up in the garage with everything they needed, including her makeup and toiletries, just like Paris. In the kitchen, he was preparing a hot tea and coffee in a carafe for later. He knew that upstairs, her alarm would be going off. He set it to a gentle song with a message of Good Morning Baby. He sighed, leaning against the counter. 

 

Sam came down the stairs in a pair of old shorts and a tank, her hair a mess and she was holding her phone and rubbing her eyes. "Baby what in the world..." she mumbled.

 

He was dipping her tea bags in her big Contigo mug, smiling so cute. His glasses were on and his hair was a mess. "Hi sweetheart," he was smiling so cute. He walked to her, putting his lips to her temple. "Come with me." He held his hand out. 

 

She couldn't help but have a sleepy smile because he was so adorable. She took his hand, mumbling, "I thought you told me that you weren't a morning person."

 

"I can be on occasion," he smiled, leading her slowly to the garage where the car was already started. Her seat was leaned back and there was a pillow and blanket too. It was still pitch black outside. 

 

She looked at him with a sleepy and confused look. "We're going somewhere?"

 

"We are, and you can fall right back asleep because it'll be a few hours." He helped her into the car, buckling her in and covered her up with the blanket, adjusting the pillow behind her. He was all smiles as he ran back into the house, making sure she had everything she was going to need. He locked up the house, put their coffee and tea in the cupholders and pulled out of the garage, playing some light jazz as they made their way to the freeway. Every once in a while he stole glances at her asleep and it made him smile. He knew she was the peace in his life. 

 

She was out cold for the first 45 minutes of their trip, snuggled warm into her blanket. When her eyes fluttered open, it was still dark outside and she noticed him smiling out at the road. It made her too have a sleepy smile. 

 

He was humming along to some Sade, and he glanced over to see her awake and it made him smile bigger. He reached over and messed with her hair gently. "Hello gorgeous."

 

"Sorry for sleeping while you were driving." She smiled, fixing her seat so she was sitting up a bit more. She rested her hand softly on his leg. "I like to keep you company while you're driving before sunrise. Or always."

 

"Honey, it was early and I planned for you to sleep. Besides, you were fucking adorable okay?" He glanced at her quickly before looking back at the road. "We're going to start getting into the mountains soon and I wanted to watch the sun come up with you."

 

She smiled so cutely at him. "Once we get up a little higher can we pull the car over and just sit and watch?"

 

"Absolutely, that's why I packed your tea extra hot and the blankets," he grinned, "You are so inside my head baby."

 

"That's why I'm wifey Mr. Chasez." She snuggled into his arm, sighing softly. She noticed he had his "Samantha" playlist from his iPod plugged into his system on his Denali. The screen had the names of the songs and the playlist name there. She makes a soft little noise when one of her favorites came on, You are the Best Thing. She started singing along softly, almost into his arm. "Baby... the way you move me it's crazy, it's like you see right through me and make it easier.... Believe me you don't even havvvvvve to try!"

 

His grin was huge, humming along, letting her sing along. He leaned over and kissed her head. "You are wifey and already are to me. Missing that last name though, but you'll always be my wifey."

 

"Soon enough, baby," she grinned cute, "Samantha Chasez in like 8 months!" She leaned up and kissed his cheek softly. 

 

"Now THAT is a number I can work with." He turned his head so he grabbed at her lips, still driving. No one else was on the road with them. "Mmmm. I should pull over."

 

"Mmm, that would be wonderful," she grinned softly against his face, pushing his head a little bit more to look back at the road. 

 

He drove another mile or so and pulled over when there was more of a shoulder, parking lot type area that served as a lookout. He turned the car off, then smiled and leaned over, letting his lips give her a true good morning kiss. "Mmmmmmm. Now that's more like it."

 

She smiled on his lips, leaning in a bit more to really give him a few good kisses, letting them linger just right. "Mmm is right."

 

He let out a little grunt. "Ok...must... get out of the car." He sighed and made himself hurry to get out, he went to the back and opened it up. He pulled out another blanket and put it on the hook of the Denali with two pillows. He set it up as she watched him through the front window. He helped her out of the car and lifted her up onto the hood with a grin. After he handed her the two carafes, he climbed up after her. 

 

She smiled and immediately snuggled into him when he found his place. "Look at the tiny crack of orange that's starting. Wow..."

 

He pulled her in close, putting his arm around her. "Just wait until the mountains are backlit with the orange and pink. I bet it's going to be beautiful." He needed her to be closer to he maneuvered her to be all up between his legs and against his chest with his arms tight around her. 

 

She smiled, leaning into his body. "Mmm. I bet it is. You know baby, when you went back to LA after that first week we started really talking about seeing each other in New York, I'd sometimes sit up on the rooftop drinking coffee just like this, watching the sunrise and thinking about how you were on the other side of the country waiting for me. Or hoping you were waiting for me."

 

He leaned forward and put his lips down against the side of her face, then kept them there while he continued to watch with her. He hummed for a moment, then his voice was low. "I was waiting for you the second I left New York. You never left my mind, and you were the only thing I could think about anytime I had free time. I even sat out on my patio and looked up at the stars when I knew you were already sleeping because of the time difference and I would wish that you would be dreaming about me at least once."

 

She smiled and he could feel the goosebumps that he made appear on her neck. "I loved dreaming about you, but at the same time it was awful because I'd wake up feeling like I had so much with me, and then it was gone when I'd wake up."

 

"Mmm," he kissed along her face and down to her neck where her goosebumps were. "Thank goodness the universe heard those dreams and got us back together soon. I couldn't wait to see you again you know."

 

She couldn't help but laugh softly. "Yeah, the universe decided to have a music video shoot in a couple weeks," she grinned, tilting her head a bit as he was kissing on her, "That was a long two and a half weeks." She shook her head a bit. "I don't know that I've ever been so anxious to see someone."

 

He grinned on her skin as the sun began to peek out a bit more, casting a pretty orange pink glare through the cracks of the mountains. "I knew that I had to play it extremely cool when I saw you onset, okay? Like I already wanted to run up and hug you but I wasn't trying to be weird."

 

She grinned and interlocked her fingers with his that were resting on her tummy. "Yep. I didn't want you to think that I had spent that 2 weeks fantasizing about seeing you again."

 

He squeezed their hands together a bit, and he was looking down at her, taking a long moment to cherish this exact moment. "Did you fantasize about seeing me? I mean what were they like? Did I kiss you in them?"

 

Her laugh was soft and light. "Well in one, you really wanted nothing to do with me. That wasn't such a good one."

 

He growled playfully. "Excuse me?" He laughed, "That would never even remotely happen."

 

She laughed, "It played out in a few different ways. That one you saw me and were just appalled and that was it," she smirked at him, "Then there was the one where I ran straight into your arms and you lifted me up into a spin around kiss because you were so happy to see me. I liked that one. There was no way in hell I would have come to the shoot that way though," she giggled. 

 

He smirked. "You wouldn't have come to the shoot wanting me to pick you up and spin you around? Actually, don't I end up doing that at some point in the video with you?" He pulled her chin up to look at him as best as she could with the way she was sitting on him.

 

She smiled as she looked up at him. "Pretty sure you tossed me up into your arms to take me outside. That was hot." She grinned, snuggling a big more as the orange glow began to make its way to the beginning of the blue sky. Her voice dropped to a whisper, "Let's get married at sunset."

 

He put his forehead down to hers and made a cute ass noise just thinking about it. His eyes closed and he whispered as his lips touched her face, "It's perfect for us. And the reception can be under the stars."

 

"Perfect," she whispered, taking his lips into a slow and lazy kiss, she just loved him and this moment. He kept his hand on her chin to keep it lifted up to his face, as he slowly loved on her lips while the sun continued to rise and the lightest breeze pushed around them. His lips parted, then closed on hers a few times until he had them in a good lock. She smiled on his lips a bit, letting him take the lead on the kiss while her hand went up into his hair, getting tangled in the slight curls he had. Her lips danced with his lazily. The breeze felt cool against them, and the sunrise around them making the hood of the Denali glow only added to the moment. 

 

He let out the softest of moans, just a sensual, this woman makes me feel good and I love when we have moments like this kind of moan, appreciative. He reached to pull her up against him more, almost on his lap so he could touch her face and kiss again really slowly. There were no cars passing, no one around for miles, just them and the sunrise. 

 

She pulled away from his lips just a bit, bringing her forehead to his. Her voice was a whisper, as to not to disturb the moment. "Do you think we're ever going to run out of these moments?"

 

Without hesitation, he didn't miss a beat and he whispered back, "Have the sun, moon or stars run out of days?"

 

She made a little sigh and laughed softly. "Of course I'm engaged to a songwriter."

 

He grinned. "Baby, if I had anything to do with it, we are never going to run out of moments. Some will be new, and some repeated ones for our memory lane purpose. I promise that for the rest of my life, I am here to show you how much I love you." His lips brushed against hers once again. 

 

"And likewise," she smiled on his lips, letting hers graze again in a few more lazy and soft kisses. "Even when things repeat, they'll always be special, because we'll be at a different place in our lives, whether it's the two of us, or we're with family members or friends. Or eventually our own family will grow and change and the experience will be shaped by those around us."

 

He whispered on her lips, "I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I have started to have dreams about what our family is going to look like. What have you done with me?"

 

She grinned softly, rubbing her nose against his. "Oh have you? What does it look like baby?"

 

He licked his lips. "I don't know. There's a nanny involved." He was trying hard not to smirk. 

 

She crinkled her nose at him. "What? So you can sleep with a nanny?"

 

"Oh my god." He laughed, "Are you crazy? I'm kidding. No nanny. I just had this one dream last week, with a dark haired, blue eyed baby. It was chunky. Like, Cabbage Patch Kid chunky, the cheeks and the arms and the thighs. And I was holding this baby. Then I woke up."

 

She grinned. "Probably in a sweat. Joshua Chasez holds dream baby that could potentially be his. Breaks out into a cold sweat." She rubbed at his arms playfully. 

 

"I'm not gonna lie, I think I did wake up in a sweat." He smiled softly, "But, the baby was actually kinda cute and kinda looked like me. I just wanted to tell you that I had a dream, because I know that you've talked about family with me."

 

"You are going to be my husband," she smiled, "That does kinda make us a family even if we chose not to produce any offspring, handsome."

 

"I want to share something with you before we get back on the road. And it was a realization that I had." He touched her face, waiting a few moments before he spoke. "I think the thought of having a wife and a family always scared me so much because of my adoption. And I'm not entirely sure why, but I know there is a connection there that makes it scarier to me."

 

She was looking at him thoughtfully, nodding a little bit. "Sure. Baby, I can see why you would feel that way. I mean I often stop and think about my own mother and father and why they had to have the circumstances surrounding their relationship the way they did... and to just... give up your kid to someone else that way."

 

He nodded, pulling her into his arms for a hug because he needed that close touch, but also because he just wanted to. He put his lips into her hair. "I just know that God made you for me because there is no way we would have that very thing in common."

 

She snuggled into his hug, needing it too, even though she didn't realize that she did. She whispered, "And baby, I want you to know that I want what you want, ok? If we get to the point where we're thinking about what the Chasez family will look like, and you're not comfortable, I'm okay with it. Completely."

 

He slid his hand into her hair and looked down at her, taking a long look into her eyes. They were having an intimate moment, because of the big subject matter, and he knew she could see everything written in his eyes. She smiled softly up at him, with an unwavering glance of her own. She was telling him that she was there, willing to talk about all of that with him because she was his woman and that wasn't changing. 

 

"God am I lucky..." His voice was just above a whisper, almost a breathless tone. You could see in his eyes that he was having a real moment, one that he hadn't had yet, like he was making a connection to his past, and to her and this very moment in his life. 

 

She smiled, leaning in to touch his face gently. She didn't say anything, just the gentle touch, letting her fingertips graze his cheek and jaw, and her eye contact didn't break his.

 

He sucked in the softest breath and let out a sigh, almost one of relief, then he broke into a smile. He took her hand on his face and kissed her fingers. "Let's get to our gorgeous lake house baby."

 

She smiled at the way he was kissing on her fingers. She leaned in to place one more soft kiss on his lips before she went ahead and made the first move to slide off the hood of the car, back onto the ground. "Let's go baby."

 

He grabbed the blanket and pillows and tossed them into the back before jumping back inside the drive off. "Would you pour me some of that coffee? I could use a little more wake up baby..."

 

"Of course honey. Do you need me to drive the last part? I did get some sleep." She poured some of the coffee for him into his travel mug. 

 

"No, no, I just wanted to wait to drink it until the sun was at least coming up." He smiled at her and took the little mug and took a good, long sip. "I wanted to wait for you."

 

She smiled and took a sip of hers as well, then her head went back down onto his arm. She didn't say much, but she knew she didn't need to. 

 

As they drove the next portion of highway, the mountains were gorgeous in front of them and they were together listening once again to their favorite jazz. He caught a glimpse of her smiling at him and he looked at her, and started to smile as well. "I just had an idea. What if we got a jazz ensemble to play at the wedding while drinks and dinner are being served?"

 

"That would be romantic," she smiled, "I like that idea. Keep the vibe classy and chill"

 

"I mean, that's kind of like us anyway, right?" He smiled, "I can see everyone being all dressed up too. Should we make this semi formal at least?"

 

"I think we should go formal. Honestly you and I both love to get dressed up and we look damn good when we do it. Our friends and family can do the same." She grinned. 

 

"THAT'S my girl. That's what I'm talking about. Yes, okay so that's also settled." He smiled so big, "We're gonna have this whole thing planned before we know it. I'm so happy."

 

She laughed softly, bringing her hand onto his leg where she rubbed it softly. "Baby, if you don't mind me asking you, what changed your mind about getting married?"

 

"You did. You changed everything for me. You changed what I wanted out of life, and what I saw in my future." He watched the road, but took a second to look at her.

 

She smiled a bit, looking up at him as he drove. "I was just asking. I mean earlier you said how being adopted made you scared of having a wife and kids. So I was just curious about the wife piece, that's all." She kept rubbing his leg. "I'm happy that you were able to see your future differently, especially because it includes mine now."

 

"Well, it was clear to me like it's clear when I am about to write a song and it all fits together. When you became my girl, my heart had never grown so attached to anyone in my life like it did for you. I could no longer imagine living in a world where you weren't in my future, and that was just it for me." His voice was soft.

 

She smiled, letting out a soft little hum, snuggling back into his arm as they continued to drive. She knew she didn't need to reply, she was content. 

 

It wasn't more than another hour and they were pulling into an extremely secluded area. This time, there was nothing but words on either side of the road. JC drove up a hill that turned into a dead end, just before the dead end there was a driveway that led them to one of the most beautiful lake houses they had ever seen. It belonged to Max Martin, and JC had been there once before.

 

"Oh wow. Josh, this is beautiful," She grinned and sat up, looking out the window. There was no one around for miles and she giggled slightly when JC pulled the Denali into a garage.

 

"Oh man, I almost forgot what this looked like. We came here one time early on in our career." He got out of the car, opening the door for her. "Finally. I'll get some serious time with you."

 

"I don't even want to know what you boys were doing up here this far into the woods. Because it probably wasn't good boy material." She laughed a little bit more as he pulled her in for a kiss. 

 

"Totally not good boy material. This was the first time Joey got high and it wasn't on weed." He took her hand and led her up to the door to the house. He entered a code on the keypad that let them in. "Let's take a look around before I come back to bring our stuff in."

 

Her laugh was soft, letting him lead her inside. "Oh wow." Everything was big, open air and rustic feeling, but super charming. "Oh, nice pool table." She smirked. "Ummm, a hot tub in the living room with a water fall? Shit."

 

"Okay, so I don't remember that being there but damnnn, I'll take it," He grinned and stepped right up to her, "I can't wait to make sure that's warmed up and used to relax in with you..."

 

"Maybe y'all weren't mature enough to have friends with sophisticated tastes like that back then. I'm sure it was all PBR, flipcup and drugs." She grinned and leaned back into his body, "We'll break that in whenever you want to baby."

 

"Today, definitely today," he smiled, moving her still messy hair away from her neck so his lips could rest there. "And it was definitely PBR, flip cup and drugs." He smiled on her skin. 

 

She laughed softly, "Now that you're all grown and shit. We should probably go look at the rest of the house." Her eyes closed and she smiled, leaning back into his body. She had to let out a soft laugh because she felt him getting hard against her already.

 

"Don't laugh at me. You're sexy." He growled playfully and took her hand to lead the way through the house. "And we have been pretty damn good so..."

 

She grinned at the way he was growling at her. "You get a sticker for being such a good boy, baby." They wandered through the laundry space, and the game room with an overlook of the water. There were some chaises out on the patio, overlooking the lake. They wandered up the stairs to the top level which were all bedrooms. The main master had floor to ceiling windows, the room was full of natural wooden and red undertones, with a canopy bed and another hot tub that basically looked out into the sky, the mountains and the water. 

 

"I'll agree to that," he laughed, "And remember that you just said all that I wanted so," he smirked, being playful. He left her in the top floor bedroom as he hurried down to the car to bring everything inside. He was grinning away, happy as can be, knowing that no one was going to bug them here. But also, that he got serious time with her with no time limits or places to be.

 

Sam opened the sliders in the bedroom to the top deck, looking out with a big smile. She took a deep breath of lake air, feeling at peace. 

 

JC was behind her, carrying their bags up to the bedroom, setting them on the ottoman at the foot of the bed. He looked up as he could feel the breeze coming through and see her standing there. He smiled, noticing both of them were still in their pajamas and it was only 10AM. "I bet all the trees keep this cool even on the hottest summer day."

 

"Absolutely, and it happens to be a beautiful September day, so I can't complain too much." She turned around to look at him with a smile. "Would you like to swim a little bit and lay by the water or I'll be selfish and let you kayak me around." She smirked. 

 

He laughed all light hearted as he walked over to place a kiss on her cheek. "Is that what you want? I'll happily kayak you around the lake. I'll do anything for you."

 

"Maybe after lunch we kayak." She walked over to her suitcase and smiled as she opened it. "How much fun did you have packing all these bikinis and lingerie Joshua Scott?"

 

"Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll," she smiled, "I just wasn't sure what you would want so I packed at least half of what I knew you liked." He smiled real cute and pulled his shirt off.

 

"You did good, as always baby." She reached into her suitcase and pulled out her blue and floral bikini, and her PJs were coming off and she pulled the bikini on. She walked to the mirror to make sure the girls were in and the bottoms were on her hips the way they were supposed to be.

 

JC was staring at her through the mirror with a smirk. "I think I really like that one." He pulled on a pair of trunks that were white with dark grey palm trees on them. He was tying the waist, and they were sitting low on his hip muscles. 

 

"I think I really like those too," she kinda grinned, "Hey baby? Can you come here for a minute?"

 

"Of course," he took his glasses off and left them on the nightstand too before he walked over, standing behind her in the mirror.

 

She smiled and took his hands, wrapping them around her. She brought one of his hands down to her hip and let his fingers play at the skin there. She mumbled, "I think I'm gonna get a tattoo right here, what do you think?"

 

He swallowed really hard. "Two things. I think you knew that I would be totally turned on by touching your sexy hip, and that I'd be okay with your tattoo idea." His fingers really did graze at her skin back and forth a little bit, and he wanted to keep on grazing. 

 

"Two things. One, you are always in love with my hips. So maybe slightly yes to that. And two, I really want a key. Like the skeleton key you gave me in Paris. And I want our initials on the handle." She looked up at him through the mirror, smiling softly as his fingers were grazing her skin. She was totally feeling herself, but she had every right to.

 

He tilted his head, looking at the space on her hips and he was deep in thought, imagining it there. "Only if I get to be the one to draw it for you..." He was licking his lips, dead serious.

 

She grinned cutely, "Well, I mean, you kinda put the lock on that area so I guess it's only fitting you draw the key. I just want it to be super small, nothing razy. Covered by my bathing suit and panties most of the time. Something kinda like there just for us..."

 

"I think it's sexy. And I would love to see that there and know that it was for me and only me." He couldn't stop playing with her skin, his fingers were all under her straps. "I'll draw on you tonight to see if you like it."

 

She smiled, looking down, she truly loved his hands on her. "Okay honey... I'd like that."

 

He started biting his lip. "I better stop touching on you right now. Yes." He pulled his hands back around her back and looked at her with a smile. "Shall we get out in that sun?"

 

She laughed softly. "Right. Good boy still. I forgot." She grinned cute, "Let's go, will you give me a piggyback ride downstairs daddy?"

 

He grinned, rubbing his hands together before he bent down in the doorway. "Your chariot awaits you..."

 

She laughed so cutely. "I know you do shit like this in the gym all the time. If it's too much let me know." She climbed up onto his back and wrapped her arms all around him. 

 

"Too much? PFFFT." He hoisted her up with ease and held onto her legs as he took her downstairs. "I bench more than you weigh sweetheart."

 

She grinned, resting her head on top of his. "Why do I feel like you upped that when we met just so you could say shit like that."

 

"Oh yeah, totally my intention, just for this day," he grinned, carrying her out to the boat dock where they had everything. Chairs and rafts for lounging, kayaks, row boats, wakeboards, a fire pit... everything was there. 

 

She grinned so big, peeking at everything from on top of his shoulders. "Oh! Lots of things to do. You want to just get a raft and lay with me on it for a bit?"

 

"I would love that." He leaned down to help her off his back carefully, and his hands didn't let her leave him either, not before he made sure to get a kiss in as she was about to walk to the rafts. He made sure to pull her right back in to get a hold of her lips.

 

She grinned so cute on his kiss, letting it linger just a few seconds longer than a sweet little casual kiss. She gave his bicep a little squeeze with the sweetest little smile, then she walked to the rafts and took one of the big double ones out for them. "I should probably oil you up and let you get me. I don't want you to be out of commission tonight because you're burned and stiff."

 

"I will never be out of commission," he grinned, "And I'm going to take care of you first. I'm also NOT going to take my time on oiling you up because with my hands on you I can't EVER make any promises. So strictly business."

 

She laughed at his honesty. "Make it quick baby." She opened up the outdoor supply closet, taking out some suntan lotion and handing him the bottle. "Strictly business."

 

"Business." He made a serious face and lathered his hands up and really rubbed the oil into her neck and shoulders, down her back and hips. He got her arms and even squatted down to get her legs. "Should I let you do the front?"

 

She smirked, taking the bottle from him. "I can take care of it myself."

 

He let her get her front side while he started on his own. He lathered down his chest, arms, hip muscles and his legs. "Now all I need is my back and shoulders and we will have succeeded."

 

She lathered up some more in her hands once he was all set and she finished herself. She got the back of his neck, making sure his ears were done too. She got to work on his back and shoulders, the backsides of his arms too, all the way down his back to the band of his shorts. 

 

"Baby, I never even think to get my ears. And they always get red." He looked over his shoulder at her.

 

"And here I was thinking you were always blushing because you thought I was so beautiful." She grinned and gave his butt a playful smack. 

 

"Nahhhh," he smirked and took the raft and then her hand to pull her in the water with him. When he got in deep enough, he reached in and pulled her up to place her on the raft. 

 

She giggled softly, laying down on her back on the raft. "Don't pull me in. I know you're coordinated enough to climb up on here without getting me wet."

 

His laugh was low and nasty. "Don't even get me started girl. Because I WILL get you wet." He threw his leg on and slowly lifted himself up onto the raft next to her. "Then I'll send you down the lake by yourself." He looked at her with a smirk.

She laughed and smacked his arm playfully. "Joshua Scott Chasez." She shook her head and put her sunglasses on from the top of her head, letting out a good, long sigh. She had nothing on her schedule but Joshua Chasez time. The feeling was so foreign but so wonderful. 

 

His laugh was light and cute like he always did. His arms went above his head and he sighed. "I'd come after you in like... 2.5 seconds of course. Send you to your dangerous death but save you anyways." He was grinning, feeling playful, in such a good mood being with her.

 

"Well gee, some lifeguard. At least you look good in the red lifeguard shorts." She smirked. 

 

"Listen, you laugh. But just because they didn't properly carry my size. I can't help it that I'm over the national average in the size of the goods, ok?" He looked at her with pursed lips. 

 

She started to laugh and shake her head. "Joshua. You."

 

"You love me." he smiled to himself and kept his arms above his head, looking over at her. His eyes squinted a little bit. He knew he had left his sunglasses back in the cabin but he didn't care.

 

She smiled, leaning over to kiss his temple. "I love you and your need for extra length shorts."

 

"I love you more." He smiled, leaning into her kiss. He reached his fingers in the water and then pulled his arms in so the drops of water fell along her stomach.

 

"Oh!" she giggled against his face. "That's cold. But it feels nice." She closed her eyes and hummed softly. She let her hand that was up against his reach for his fingertips and link them together loosely.

 

He smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "If you start to get too hot, let me know honey. We can go for a swim."

 

She made a soft little noise and they both lay there in the sun, drifting off to sleep. About 45 minutes went by before she stirred slightly, feeling her hand still interlocked with his. She glanced over at him and smiled as he peeled his face off the raft.

 

"Mmm. You okay baby?" He pulled a little water up to rub his face with.

 

"Yes," she laughed softly, "Sorry that was just and I'm waking up sound. I think it's time for a swim." She grinned, rolling herself off in the raft right in the water.

 

He grinned, watching her. "Okay, bye then..."

 

She popped up under the raft and tipped it over, sending him flying into the water as well, giggling as she watched him come up to the surface. 

He was shaking out his hair as he came up. "Ohhhhhhh.... You don't even! NOPE!" He swam up to her and picked her up over his head, throwing her into the water.

 

She let out a squeal and a scream before she hit the water, then swam underwater back to him and grabbed at his ass playfully before she swam away. 

 

He grinned, watching her with a look in his eyes. "You're so lucky that I love you more than wanting to get revenge on you..." He pulled the raft up out of the water and put it back where it was, then he began to walk over to where the shore became more grassy and wooded. He continued along the edge, where he climbed up onto a log, then walked across it to get to a tree that he began to climb. 

 

Sam was treading water, relaxing as she watched him  going up the tree. "Josh, what are you doing?"

 

He pursed his lips with a great big grin, then climbed up some more. It was a big oak tree with a sturdy branch that hung out over the water. He was grinning and excited to jump in. Sam kept watching him, shaking her head, then crossing her arms across her chest. He continued to climb and it made her frown.

 

"HI BABY!" JC called out. He smiled brightly, waving down at her from the high branch.

 

"Baby..." she made a face, "That's high."

 

"I know! It's kind of amazing up here." He walked a little further out on the branch and smiled down at her. "I'm coming for you!" He jumped and did a little flip before he hit the water.

 

Sam's arms were crossed in the water while she waited on him, her eyes locked on the surface of the water waiting for him to pop up.

 

Moments later, he popped up and had a fit of JC-specific giggles, the kind she had only heard from him. He looked up to see her waiting like that and it made him grin. "Baby..."

 

Sam made a face and shook her head as she began to walk to the shore to get out of the lake. 

 

He made a face as he thought, "Oh shit," to himself. He hurried out of the water right after her. "Honeyyyyyyy."

 

She popped off the cap of her bottle of water and took a long sip, looking up at him and the way he tagged after her like a puppy. 

 

"You are mad at me," he ran his hand through his wet hair. "But... why...."

 

She let out a soft sigh. "Watching you up on that branch made me think the worst. You were going to fall and snap your neck or something and never be able to dance and walk again. Or worse, be taken from me." She crossed her arms again and her lips curled out into a pout. 

 

JC walked right up to her, wrapping his arms around her. He pulled her pouty face right up against his. "Oh honey," His lips went right against her face. "I'm so sorry for scaring you like that."

 

"I just," she sighed and wrapped her arms around him. "I know you always talk about how you're protective of me and you want to keep me safe all the time. Know it's no different than how you would feel watching me on the branch or getting myself into trouble. 

 

He made a face because he knew she had a point. "Baby, this is why you women are so much smarter than us. I literally only thought about how much fun it would be to jump in the water from that branch, but you thought of all the logical things first. See, I need you."

 

"I'm being neurotic and overprotective," she laughed softly, "But I can't help it. It's how I am when it comes to you." She took another sip of her water. "Not sure that it's going to stop me from trying the rope swing later but..."

 

"Later?" He grinned, "Or do you want to try it right now?" He gave her a little squeeze.

 

She laughed at his eagerness. "We probably should try it before lunch..."

 

"Speaking of lunch, I'm going to need a snack." He grinned. "A good one. Something rich in body..." 

 

She laughed lightly, with a small smirk. "Something full bodied huh? I mean I could interest you in a glass of Malbec or an IPA if you prefer beer..." She licked her lips, "And we could have a little plate of snacks along with that."

 

There was a long pause and JC pursed his lips together. "Ummm..."

 

Her eyes sparkled. "Oh I'm sorry... were you asking me for another kind of snack?"

 

His lips stayed pursed together as he finished making sure he was dry. "Nope. I'll have those snacks. It's fine. I'm pretty hungry. Guess I'll worry about dessert later..." He ruffled his hair with a towel and hung it over the rail of the porch before walking up the steps with a salty, playful pout. 

Sam stood at the counter preparing a snack, veggies and bruschetta and little flatbreads and she was humming with a little grin as she walked over to the beer fridge to see what was inside. 

 

With no warning, JC came out of nowhere, and from behind her, he reached down and scooped her up over his shoulder. "Matter of FACT I was talking about another snack!" He walked by the pantry and carried her inside of it, grabbing a bag of pretzels and the jar of peanut butter.

 

She squealed as her towel fell. "JOSH!" She was all giggles.

 

"Mmm, Cheez-Its or chips?" He reached behind him and got a healthy grab of her butt.

 

Her giggles were uncontrollable. "Josh! Whichever one is gonna be more full bodied for you." 

 

"UGH." He grabbed the Cheez-Its and walked her back out of the pantry and he walked right up the stairs with everything in one arm and he was balancing her on his shoulder with the other. 

 

Her giggles were still there but softer. "Yeah, you know you got the perfect table right behind me daddy." 

 

He stopped mid-stair, looked behind them and then he grinned, as he looked down at her ass, then up at her. "Are you suggesting that I get to eat off of you?"

 

She smirked. "I mean, you did want a snack."

 

He began to take the stairs two at a time. "Girl, that's the kind of snack I'm TALKING about. Shit yes." He carried her right over to the hot tub, where the windows were floor to ceiling. He dropped the snacks down first then set her down. "I'm gonna need you to be my view within a view."

 

"You got it daddy," she smirked, "You want me on the ledge in front of the windows?"

 

"That's exactly where I want you." He rubbed his hands together and walked his happy ass in the water, then pulled his snacks over to the ledge and open the boxes up. 

 

She laid down on her tummy on the ledge, kicking her legs back a little bit. She peered back at her ass behind her then a little bit farther over at her very eager fiance who was grinning ear to ear.

 

He couldn't fight his shit-eating grin. He bit his lip a bit. "You are literally perfect, Samantha Bentley." He popped a cracker in his mouth, then walked over to her, leaned forward and kissed her on the lips softly and sweetly. 

 

She laughed softly against his lips then leaned over to leave him one more soft kiss. "Mmm, not quite perfect."

 

"Yes. Perfect." He took his hand and placed it along her shoulder, then slowly allowed his fingers to glide down against her skin to feel the shape of her body. It made him smile. "Perfect to me."

 

She closed her eyes and smiled. "Mmm. Baby, I love that you love it as much as I love me. I love how I feel and look when I'm really focused on working out and eating right. I love how strong I feel and how things are when they're tighter and everything. But I also love when things are a little softer and rounder too. Everything in moderation." She kinda grinned, "And I know that you agree."

 

"I couldn't agree more. I just love you for you no matter what shape your body has. Buuuuuuuttttt, Daddy do like this body too." He brushed his hand over the curve of her ass, pulling her bottoms down a little bit to reveal more cheek. 

 

"Daddy made this body," she grinned cutely, "He upped the cardio and the squats. I've been sweating more now under your watch than I've been in a long ass time." She moved her hips from side to side, making her booty sway with her movements. 

 

"I didn't make it. Mmm, you put in the hard work. I just coach." He licked his lips. "But yes, you did put in that work and this body is getting ridiculous and why I'm always wanting a snack." He put a few crackers along her thigh and created a line up over the hump of her ass.

 

She smirked and let him continue what he was doing as she peeked over his shoulder. "Baby, I'm not just a snack, let's be real." She giggled softly. 

 

"Full bodied 3 course meal sound better to you?" He smirked, then leaned down to pick up the crackers with his lips one by one. 

 

"Mmm, much," she rested her head back down on the ledge, smiling at the tickling of his lips. "But I'll always gladly be daddy's snack."

 

"You'll always be daddy's everything." He took a cracker off of her ass cheek then lightly nibbled on it, then he smiled and placed a soft kiss near the fabric of her bottoms.

 

Her giggles were soft. "How's that dimple of yours down there Mr. Chasez?" 

 

"Ugh, it's perfect. Mine." He rested his face against her ass and he looked down at her leg, then touched at the dimple. 

 

She couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. "I've been careful to keep that in mind just for you." She sighed in a cute way, letting him have his moment down there.

 

JC let himself enjoy the moment, loving on the dimple and her booty before he kissed, and nibbled on crackers right up to her lower back. "Mmm, that dimple ain't going nowhere baby. No matter how lean and strong you get." He continued to kiss up her back until he got to her shoulder and close to her face.

 

She smiled and her eyes closed as he made his way to her face. "Mmm. Hey Josh?"

 

He smiled against her skin. "Yes love?" His fingers rested against her leg. 

 

"I think I love it here. I can see us doing this a couple times each summer. Maybe even the winter with some snowboarding together." She said softly. 

 

He walked over in the water to be closer to her and his smile was sweet. "I was thinking the same thing when we were out on the lake. I already love it here, and thought that if we had a good week we could talk about buying something when we got home."

 

She sat up so she could be closer to him as well, then slid down into the water so they could be right next to each other. In fact, she even snuggled up to him in the moment. "I would love that. I can see lots of amazing memories being made on this lake together."

 

He pulled her right onto his lap and locked his arms around her, a smile on his face. "So many good memories. Let's go ahead and start looking then. It couldn't hurt." 

 

"I mean I know we have a wedding to plan and big expenses coming up. I suppose we should be responsible." She smiled, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "But I think this will make a great future investment. We can bring our family up here to visit and relax when LA gets a little too crazy."

 

He put his lips against her temple and she could feel him smile. "Responsible... investing in our future is responsible, mhmm. Investing for our family."

 

She smiled and he could feel her cheeks turn pink against his lips. "I mean... I meant our families. Like our moms and dads and siblings... but..."

 

He kissed along her face and pulled back to smile at her. "I know. And I can't wait to invite everyone together for one of the holidays with us. Maybe next year we will have a huge cabin on the lake and can host Thanksgiving. I'd love that."

"That would be wonderful. We can have a big turkey and lots ofs food. And a game room where we can all play games together and we can watch football. Yum." She grinned, "The Chasez family Thanksgiving."

 

He pulled her even more so that she was facing him now, and he adjusted his legs to be over his. He slid his arms even more around her body, then put his forehead against hers. "I can't wait for all of that. Chasez Thanksgiving... Chasez Christmas..."

 

She smiled and rested her forehead against his, kissing him softly a few times. "Last Thanksgiving I was so quiet and my parents knew something was up. That I was so smitten with someone but I wouldn't tell them who. This Thanksgiving we'll be together, and next one we'll be married." She sighed softly. 

 

"Mmmm," he kissed slow and soft a second time, only for a moment though. "I was distracted the whole day. And barely even paid attention to football. I was actually stalking your social media on my brother's laptop." He grinned.

 

She laughed so cute on his lips. "Oh yeah? Even more important than football, hmm." She pursed her lips together all smirky and adorable. "Did your brother come to see what's up?"

 

"Oh he knew," he grinned, "He was already one of your followers."

 

"Your brother knew we had met or your brother just assumed you were stalking some model on his laptop?" She poked him playfully. 

 

"No, no, no. My brother was already a fan. I mentioned your name and he didn't believe that I had met you at a party, and was like wait THIS Samantha? Showed me his laptop and I snatched that thing out of his hand and creeped your entire page and said... yeah THAT Samantha."

 

"THHHHHHAT Samantha," She smiled on his lips. "My little stalker."

 

"Mmhmm," he slowly closed his lips on hers. "I didn't want to bring myself to search you on the Internet just yet. But I was like damn damn damn I gotta see her again. My brother didn't talk to me for like two weeks."

 

She couldn't help but giggle, he was making her mushy inside. "I need to find my phone. I'm pretty sure I got a picture of you in front of the mirror that night. I wanna say that was a definite." She smiled on his lips and kissed him a few times. 

 

"Mmmmm. Noooooo." He pushed his lips into hers a little harder then grinned, "I texted you happy thanksgiving and then asked how you were, thank you."

 

"Okayyy maybe you did first," she laughed, "I do remember you texting me now that I think about it. I had to go sit on the patio at my parents house because I may have gotten a big ol smile on my face."

 

He grinned at kissed at her nose as his hands grazed the skin along her arms. "Ah, and you didn't want ANYONE to ask you what the smile was about either." He started to laugh all low. 

 

She grinned. "Not when my parents had already tossed on the *NSYNC Christmas album."

 

He pulled back his head to look at her. "Wait, say what? Your parents listened to *NSYNC?"

 

She laughed. "You were Florida boys. My parents loved that shit. Especially the Christmas album. You didn't see heart eyes on my mother when you met her the first time?" She grinned. "So Tyler was a fan and so was Mama Bentley."

 

"I guess I was too busy focusing on you that I missed Mama Bentley crushin," he grinned, "Oh now I REALLY can't wait to get her along and have some conversation with my future."

 

She laughed. "Please. I'm sure she'd love to tell you all kinds of embarrassing stories about me. She actually loved all of you equally, though she kind of had a soft spot for Lance."

 

"Mmm so about that trip back home and planning that rehearsal dinner," He was smirking so cutely and pulled on her legs so that she slid back into position on his legs as the water caused her to float away a bit.

 

She giggled and wrapped her arms around him. "Please, feel free to dish with mama all you want." She grinned, "Your mom is just as bad. She's been into cleaning and finding old pictures of you and emailing them to me." She grinned, "I think she wants me to see what a cute little uy you were and get baby fever."

 

"My mom is sending you pictures of me?" His brows shot up.

 

"You knew she emailed me all the time to see how I was doing. The pictures are the new part," she laughed softly, "While you were away. You were an awful cute little guy." She touched his face.

 

He turned bright pink and let out a playful growl, "That mom of mine!" He started to laugh, "Next time we go home, I'm stealing her photo box and bringing it home."

 

"Oh good, so I can have them all," she laughed, "She's an amazing woman. You're a lucky guy, Josh. I can't wait for her to be my mother in law."

 

"Baby, you can have all the photos you want, whenever you want. Whatever that is mine is yours, and that includes my family." His smile was genuine. "She can't wait for you to be her daughter and she reminds me of this every week at some point."

 

"I definitely get a real copy of you in the Mighty Mouse briefs and your cape. That one is going up on the wall in our bedroom for sure." She started to giggle and she brought her hand up to cover her mouth.

 

"Ok, ok, ok... enough with my pictures. You promised me some of yours and I NEVER got one, ok?" He pinched her sides. "You're totally holding out on me and you're over here indulging in my embarrassment."

 

"What? Of me as a baby or doing something else?" She giggled, "What's mine is also yours, handsome. Likewise with my family even if you may not want them." She smirked. 

 

He was watching her intently and his hands were still slowly running along her back. "Hey Samantha, I want your whole family. I want everything associated with you because that means it's part of you. When I asked you to marry me, that meant I was asking for every single piece of your history and baggage to come along with it. I'm marrying you and I'm going to love every single dark corner that you're afraid to shed light on until the end of your life." His voice was soft but certain, and he didn't know exactly how all of that had just come out, but he meant every word.

 

She looked up at him with love in her eyes. "Joshua Scott Chasez, I love you." She touched his face. "And I'm going to love every part of you that you have. I love that you're not afraid to tell me what's on your mind and let me try to work things through with you. I love that you're my partner."

 

He put his forehead back against hers and held her close to his body for a bit. He didn't need to say anything more, they both knew why and what insecurities they had and how transparent they were with each other. He knew he just wanted and needed to hold her close, to show her he wasn't going anywhere through anything.

 

She smiled a bit against his lips, letting him hold her. She knew they both needed each other and complemented each other to the point they didn't realize how truly lucky they were- she needed a man with his patience and drive mixed with his sometimes shyness as a balance for her outspoken confidence that sometimes needed the reassurance that he loved to give. 

 

He kissed her temple after a few quiet moments then whispered, "We should probably actually eat something." He lifted her up and carried her out of the hot tub, then set her down and wrapped her in a giant bath towel and dried himself off. You could see in his body language that in his mind he was still very thoughtful.

 

She smiled up at him all wrapped up in her towel. "Everything that I started for our original snack is still on the counter in the kitchen." She dried off a bit and then let the towel fall. 

 

"Original snack," he grinned as he watched her, drying himself off too. He let his shorts fall as well, getting ready to hang them up to dry. "I'll come meet you downstairs then. I'll just put on some dry clothes." He began to walk toward their suitcases in the bedroom. 

 

She smirked as she watched his bare ass walking away. "You're a snack yourself Joshua." She reached for her sarong skirt and slipped it on over her bottoms before she started for the stairs. 

 

He yelled back as she was walking down the stairs, "I BEEN TRYIN!"

 

She giggled, walking back into the kitchen. She went into the beer fridge to get her originally intended IPAs out, popping off the tops. She added some pretzels to their original plate of food. 

 

JC came down the stairs a few short moments later in a pair of shorts. His skin was pink from the sun and his hair was a mess. "And we need to not fill up on snacks because dinner is gonna be great."

 

"I can't wait, it'll be delicious I'm sure, whenever you're in the kitchen it's an experience." She grinned, taking her phone and snapping a picture of him. 

 

"Samantha," he laughed, licking his lips. He walked right up to her and snatched her phone out of her hands to take a picture of her unexpectedly as well. "You and the damn photo taking." He smirked.

 

"You'll thank me one day." She leaned in and kissed him softly then walked back to the counter again.

 

He licked his lips and stood back to watch her with a little grin. The lake view through the kitchen window was on point, and the sunlight streaming into the natural looking kitchen was the perfect compliment to her cooking in the kitchen. He smirked and snapped a few pictures of her, getting a few different angles. 

 

She was looking out at the lake, smiling. "I got you a full bodied Pilsner baby. We can toast to our future lives at the lake."

 

He grinned, "I love the sound of that baby." He quickly put her phone down on the counter but not before connecting to MySpace mobile and making a post with one of the photos of her in the bikini in the kitchen with the caption, "By the time I even realize that my fiance has taken pictures and posted them, I will have already been loved down enough that I can't get mad at him for hijacking my phone. ~Sam" 

 

She carried the two bottles over and held hers up against his. "To being perfectly imperfect on our own, but when we're together we complete each other." She smirked, "And to future Chasez family trips to this lake."

 

"Amen baby, amen." He toasted bottles with her and took a long sip. "Mmmm, shall we go discuss our must haves?"

 

"Mmm, yes. Let's sit at the bar and chat about it." She grinned and grabbed her phone, bringing it over so she could start a list. 

 

He grabbed his phone as well and was biting his lip to hold back his smirk as he watched her with her phone. He sat at the bar by the water. "Mmm, baby this is amazing. Shit."

 

"Mmm. You're doing dinner tonight right? I'll cook tomorrow if you want." She licked her lips and popped a piece of bruschetta in her mouth. 

 

"Whatever you want love." He leaned over and kissed her cheek as he took another bite. "I'm not planning much for the rest of the week. If I only got to snack for the rest of our time and still just got to be with you, I'd be happy."

 

"I'll definitely cook. I love to cook for you, Josh." She smiled, nibbling on her carrot. 

 

"Same. So that takes us to our first must have. Kitchen. We need a giant kitchen in the new place." He began to type it in his phone. 

 

She grinned. "Mmhm. With an island for me to sit on while you cook. And other things." She giggled softly. 

 

"Are you insinuating something dirty Samantha Bentley?" His head tilts. "Like you want me to get all between your legs and shit?"

 

She grinned, "I love kitchen sex. So yes." 

 

"Okay, So island for sex... wait cross that out, I meant cooking." He licked his lips and took a sip of his beer, almost finishing the bottle. "You had enough to eat?"

 

She grinned. "Almost." She nibbled on a few more pieces. "I want a walk out wrap around deck that overlooks the water."

 

"Okay." He typed it in his phone "Anything else essential to our lake house?"

 

"Hmm. We need a bomb ass master. I like that this one has a hot tub," she grinned, "And we'll need at least 3 more bedrooms. Maybe 2. If we have my parents and yours, we should probably have at least one extra. And I want a soaking tub and a big glassed in shower. And a game room maybe?"

 

"Yeah, I'm going to need Gina to work on this ASAP. Cause we are probably going to need to renovate to get everything we want," he looked up at her, "Because I want 3 hot tubs."

 

"Three hot tubs." She laughed, "Okay Josh. We can do that. Any other must dos for you honey?"

 

"Toys. We need plenty to do for our family. I want a boat. A safe one, not a speed one. Kayaks, water skis. A dock that also stores everything so it's neat. Maybe an ATV." He grinned, "Snow stuff."

 

She smirked, "But we need to borrow a speed boat because that shit is sexy."

 

"We can rent one anytime." He leaned to kiss on her face, "But they are stupid to own and there will be young kids around and teenagers at this lake house and I won't allow it. My rules."

 

Sam made a playful growl in response. "Yes Daddy... I can see Daddy Chasez is on his way out." 

 

"Yeah, and you like that shit." He laughed and got up to get another beer for himself because he was trying to get a little bit tipsy now that this subject had him feeling some type of way. 

 

"I definitely do." She smirked, "Are you going to offer me one too or just keep it for yourself?"

 

"I didn't think you were done with your first one," he smirked and walked over, lifting her empty bottle and replacing it with the one he just opened for himself. "I'm sorry honey." He smiled and leaned down to kiss her head. 

 

"Don't apologize baby," she smiled, "You didn't know." She let out a soft sigh. "Do we have a budget for this Josh?"

 

"Well, I don't really know that yet." He smiled as he grabbed another beer and walked back to her. Instead of sitting next to her, he stood by her side. "We've never actually talked about finances, or how much either of us makes, or if we're keeping houses and adding names." He licked his lips. 

 

She looked at him and shook her head. "I'm so sorry. Sometimes I forget we haven't done those kinds of things yet." 

 

"It's okay baby," he touched her face, "We get caught up in being with one another that we don't usually have time to talk about these things. In the beginning we also had no idea how much time we would have before we'd need to leave each other." He smiled. "But, I have an accountant and finance director that handles all my investments and accounts. But what's mine is yours so I'll need to add you on to my accounting."

 

She nodded. "Okay. and Likewise. Back in New York I have a financial advisor who helps me with all of that. I'll have him add you on as well. And my only real estate is in New York. We can sell that if you want, or I'll add you and we can keep it for when we're there on the East Coast. It's already paid in full, so it's not a liability."

 

"I don't know why that just sounded so sexy to me..." He made a low moan, "My girl got her shit paid in full." 

 

"I don't have a car. Never needed one in New York." She shrugged. "But you did know that."

 

He took a long sip of his beer. "It's okay, I have 3," he grinned, "I was just going to sell one anyway, and you probably need one if we stay in LA and come up this way." 

 

"This is true. I do love driving your convertible. But the Denali is a solid car too. So I like them both." she smirked. 

 

"Yeah, and I'm not letting you drive my old Jeep. So start thinking about what you'd like to have and it'll be yours." He reached to pull her from sitting down to standing up so he could have her close to him. 

 

She looked up at him and smiled. "I can drive the Denali. You look sexy as fuck coming out of your Mercedes so that can be your everyday car." She wrapped her arms around him with a little smile. "So we'll keep New York and Orlando and LA and add each other on, and see what we can invest in this one." 

 

"Mmm. I'm down." He slipped his arms around her entirely, locking her against his body, his nose pressed to hers. "I am curious though as to what I would find if we searched for your net worth..."

 

"Oh, struggling plus sized model Samantha Bentley is using her fiance for money," she grinned on his lips and placed a soft kiss. "Go for it baby." 

"I don't even know if the internet is right, I'll tell you when I see what it says about me." He reached behind her to grab his phone and he typed in his name, he grinned. "It's off by about 5 million. I'd say the 25 million was last year. When we close on this tour ending it'll be 30 million. Now, Samantha Bentley, sexy ass, model fiance..."

 

She peeked up as he was looking, laughing softly. "The *NSYNC machine has done you well." She grinned. "Well look at me. Half of her husband to be." She smirked playfully.

 

He let out a noise, almost like a grunt. "FUUUUUUCK. My girl is killing this game." He tossed the phone to the side and pulled her all hard against his body like there was any space left. He leaned down and kissed her lips with confidence, like he was saying YES BABY.

 

She let out a soft little gasp that ended on a squeal in the way he grabbed her like that. She grinned a bit and took a nip at his lip. "You. Are. Something. Else."

 

"I know." He licked his lip and lifted her up, walking her back to the counter next to the sink, putting her right on top. He pulled her legs to the edge and said the fuck with this sarong, and with a magical motion of his fingers, he had it untied and thrown down on the floor. 

 

She leaned back on her hands and got a good look at him licking his lips, and the way he looked at her. Her lips curled up into a smile. 

 

Their eyes met and nothing even needed to be said. He was unbuttoning his shorts and pulling his briefs down already. He was ready and turned on because of her, and he had been for awhile-- their conversation only amplified his body's feelings. "You might want to take your bottoms off because I might break them."

 

She smirked, licking her lips. "Fuck, my fiance is sexy." She lifted her hips a bit and gave her bottoms a little tug off, letting the still damp fabric hit the floor. "All turned on for me..."

 

"In the kitchen, where you like it." He pulled a leg of hers over his hip, then took one of her arms and made her wrap that around him too. He steadied himself on her and leaned down to put his lips on hers. "Feels like you're turned on for me too." He mumbled harshly. 

 

"Mmm. That I am daddy." She grinned and wrapped that leg around him well, as well as her arm even pulling herself a little bit more. "I fucking love the kitchen," she whispered on his lips, "I bet there's an echo in here. Look at these high ceilings." 

 

"Ughh, I guess we're just going to have to find out." He slowly moved his hips against hers, lifting her up a bit off the counter to fit her just right. It made him moan because he already slipped against her. "Don't hold back baby..." He bucked his lips one good solid move and he was already deep enough to make himself shudder. His head went to the side with his lips parted.

 

Her eyes closed and a low moan first escaped her lips coupled with a whisper of his name. Her hand went flat on his back because it released its grip with the pleasure of him going deep right away. 

 

JC needed a moment to collect his thoughts and take in all of the feelings his body was having. He looked down at her as he pulled out and he kept his eyes on her as he grabbed at her knees to make sure she was up and around his waist good enough before he thrusted more forcefully this time, causing her ass to streak against the tile counter. He sucked in a breath and made a face because of the sound she made. 

 

She let out a noise when she moved on the counter. "JOSH!" She furrowed her brow and wasn't quite expecting him to thrust that forcefully-- it wasn't unwelcome, just unexpected. She adjusted how she was angled on the counter a bit then anchored her legs around him even tighter. "Mmmm BABY!" 

 

"Yes baby, hold onto Daddy." He hadn't pulled out yet and he bucked his hips at her again, causing him to make a low noise and a groan. He pulled her off the counter and set only a little part of her ass back on it when he pulled out and rolled his hips to slide back in and he did it again, then again at a good pace until it felt so damn good to him that he needed to go harder. His jaw was set hard. "Fuuuuck. YES!" 

 

She let her nails dig into his back and she let out a good solid scream. "JOSHHHH! UGHHHH!" She made herself lift her hips off the counter to work with those hips of his in their punctuated rhythm. 

 

He got the chills when he heard her scream his name and it echoed off the vaulted ceilings. His mouth fell open and a growl nearly escaped. He felt like he was about to release his beast. "I LOVE when you scream for me!" His hips didn't stop... the counter, the cabinets, his hands pushing and holding, everything was making a noise and it was far from quiet. He grabbed her hand around him and pulled her off so he could lay her back against the counter, to allow her head to lay down with most of her back. He still had her legs around him and his hands now guided her hips as he switched positions, right there mid session. "OH... MY... GOD." 

 

You could hear the scream shift when he switched positions on her. "OHHHMYYY DADDY!" Her scream got more high pitched and the end fell off her words in her scream. Her eyes were closed with pure contentment and she was moving on the counter, but her hips rode up in the air with his movements. 

 

"UGH!" He was watching her squirm and react to him. "That's right baby... DADDY. You're MINE!" His brows furrowed and his hips worked on hers harder. Their skin began to rub and smack together a bit. He was grunting and breathing hard and his chest was even turning red. This different level shit for him. 

 

She knew that even six months ago there was no way she would have handled the endurance for this kind of loving but she was in the game with him and she couldn't love it more if she tried. "JOSH! FUUUUUCK!" She made a face as her hips bucked wildly with him. "I can't... Ohhhh! Baby! I'm almost THERE!" 

 

"SAMANTHA!" He grabbed the counter in one hand and hoisted her ass up with the other. "OH FUCK!" His head got thrown back slightly. "Come for daddy..." His teeth gritted, "CALL ME DADDY...." His hips hadn't stopped, and he knew he was working harder on her than he had in maybe forever. It was rough, hard and more accelerated than he could ever remember. She made him absolutely unravel. 

 

Her eyes could very well have been rolling back inside her head. He was manhandling her like she had never been handled before but it felt so good she almost didn't know what to do with herself. She let out an almost primal scream as her voice carried through the entire kitchen, all the way up to the lofted floors above. "JOSHUUUUUA OHHHH DADDYYYYY...YOU!" It ended on another scream as she let go, fast, violent and causing her entire body to jolt. 

 

"OHHHH... OHHHH... OHHHHHHHHHHH!" He made sure to watch her, feel her and memorize that shit of how he just made her body do something he had never seen it do before. Then his eyes rolled back and she could feel the short stutters in his thrust as he got sent over the top. "GUHHHH... UGHHHHH... BAAAAAAAAA!!!" He sucked in for breath and it all just came out as grunts, groans and gasping. He had never not finished at least saying baby, but this time... nope. 

 

She was making these noises and grunts and gasps and moans as he rode out his climax. He knew her body and knew exactly when to slow his thrusts. Her head went back down against the counter and her body relaxed a bit from its grip around him. Her eyes were closed and she began sucking in soft breaths. She felt like she had just run a 10K. Even JC was shaking right now, but he had enough strength left to let her legs down and fall over her, still moaning and mumbling. His head fell against her chest and his body kept getting jolts and shivers, it was that good. He could barely catch his breath.

 

Everything in her body was heightened, so even the way his head had just fallen against her chest and breath against her nipple made her moan out softly, he was that good. "Mmmmm." Neither of them could make any movement or sound for at least 45 minutes. Just contended moans and groans and grunts. JC finally got the strength to pull her up with him and carry her to the living room, then crash down on the huge sofa. He pulled a lightweight blanket over them and started to kiss softly on her face. 

 

She shook her head up against his neck and moaned thoughtfully. "You are without a doubt the best lover in the world, Joshua Scott. Sometimes, I can't even." Her voice was small, just about a whisper. 

 

He let out the softest hum and stroked her hair, his voice low and cracked. "You... you are the best lover I've had. The best love I've had. The best... anything I've had Samantha." 

 

She grinned against his chest and her eyes fluttered closed, where she fell asleep on him for another hour. 

 

The sound of the waves from a passing speedboat woke her up again. She made a little noise and looked up at him, and his eyes were sleepy but waking up too. "I think we may need another beer after that." She grinned.

 

His eyes were sleepy but satisfied. "At least a beer... if not something stronger. Can daddy have some of that whiskey in the freezer?"

 

"Daddy can have anything he wants," she smiled. "You want it straight up or mixed with coke?" She reached down to play with his hair, which was officially a mess. 

 

He closed his eyes and leaned her head into her hand cutely. "Mmm yeah with coke is good for me."

 

"I'll be right back." She grinned cutely and stood up, she was a hot mess. Her right breast was hanging out completely and she had fresh teeth marks along her collar bone. She looked down at herself and let out a soft, sleepy giggle. "Ooops." She reached behind her and untied her top, then tossed it at him on the couch before she walked into the kitchen to pour his Jack and Coke, then she cracked open another beer for herself. 

 

JC grinned and bunched up her top and tossed it across the top of the sofa. "I'm not even SORRY!"

 

She smirked and stole his phone from the counter and snapped a picture of her hot mess topless self for him to find later. She took their drinks and her phone instead and brought them back to the living room. She placed her phone down on the table and handed him his drink before she settled next to him and took a nice long sip. 

He sat up enough to be able to take a good sip. "Ohhh. You made this perfectly." He smiled at her then took another sip. "Thank you my love." 

 

"My pleasure baby," she smiled, leaning back against the couch a bit between her sips with a happy little sigh. "One more thing on the wish list. A little room between us and the neighbors is going to be necessary." 

JC leaned back on the couch and his laugh was low. "Baby, I will build us a damn island MYSELF if we don't find one." He leaned up to kiss the corner of her lips softly. 

 

She giggled. "God you're sexy," She shook her head and laughed softly. She put her wine glass down and pulled her phone out. "I did promise you some embarrassing photos. I kinda forgot once we got into the kitchen and were busy." She laughed softly. 

 

He finished a long sip and swirled the ice in his glass. "Wait... you have pictures right NOW???" His grin was wicked. 

 

"Oh yes. I had some from a visit home in June. I scanned a couple. Didn't know when a good throwback Thursday was gonna come." She settled herself next to him on the couch. In the first two photos, she was about 2, then 4. Her blonde hair was almost white and she was in pigtails, first in an Oshkosh dress, second in a pair of overalls with a big grin. 

 

"Shut. Up." He snatched her phone from her and grinned. "Oh my god look at that innocent face. Baby! You are so adorable."

 

"I was a pretty happy baby." She laughed, "I was adopted at 18 months."

 

"Baby you are cute as HELL!" He was smiling so hard. "Gimme more," he looked over at her with a big grin. 

 

She snuggled into him a little bit more, scrolling through the next few. She was 6 years old in Kindergarten, smiling at her first kissing tooth. By the age of 9, she was tall and skinny with a short haircut, round glasses and a matching floral top and bicycle shorts with high top sneakers, grinning outside of her school.

 

JC started to laugh softly. "Oh my god. Baby please use this on a Throwback thursday... please... please..." He looked closer, "Uhh you gotta do a recreate with those shorts. Mhmm. Then and now."

 

She laughed. "You'd love that way too much. I'll do it if you do your Mighty Mouse undies." She poked him playfully as she scrolled to the next one. She was 13 and just at the point before puberty set in. She was still tiny and lacking any curves, at Typhoon Lagoon in Disney World with her brother, in a lime green and blue polka dotted bikini and grinning with her braces on. "We had just moved to Winter Haven." She laughed. 

 

He couldn't stop his grin. "I'd probably still be crushing on my little metal face..." he leaned over and kissed her cheek softly. 

 

"You wanna see the difference two summers makes?" She smirked lightly, kissing on the side of his lips. "I think I was just about 15 here, almost 16." In the photo, she was close to 5 '11 and had easily gained 30 pounds from the last photo, most of it straight curves, and she was 15 looking 18. She was in a super cute knit coverup on the beach over a hot pink two piece. Next to her was her first boyfriend Travis. He was 15 too in the photo and skinnier than JC was at the same age, with his fake Oakley sunglasses on and blonde tipped spiked hair. His arm was draped around her with the teenage boy smirk.

 

He grinned so big seeing her change before his eyes then his smile faded when he realized someone else was in the photo. "Mmmm, that don't look like your brother though." He shifted his weight.

 

"That's Travis. Remember, the boyfriend who lost it in the bathroom?" She laughed softly, shaking her head. Her next picture was her the next summer, sitting on the roof of her first car in a tank top and little jean shorts with the biggest smile, holding up her drivers license.

 

"Oh maybe this one. THIS should be the throwback." He grinned so big. "Maybe I want this picture for myself. Damn... I would have been.... All up in that."

 

"Baby you can have that one if you want it," she laughed, "I think this is actually the year my dad took me to see MMC with my friends. Too bad neither of us would have ever talked to each other." She leaned in and placed a soft little kiss on his lips. 

 

He made a noise but gave her lips a little bit of love for a moment, touching on her face before he pulled away with a small smile. "Baby, you don't think I would have talked to you?"

 

She smiled on his lips, nudging her face against his. "I guess we could only speculate. Mmm. One more for you." She flipped to the last photo, her very first commercial shoot with Torrid when she was 19 years old. "I was so excited to be doing catalog work here."

 

"Oh, mmmm." He licked his lips, leaning back into the touch staring at the phone for a long time. "Look at you. Your smile... those curves. Fuck."

 

She laughed softly. "A lot has happened in those 6 years since then, that's for sure. I wouldn't trade the journey. As much as parts of it hurt, it led me to you and I couldn't be happier with who I am and where I am now."

 

"Baby, c'mere." He smiled, pulling her all the way onto his lap, snuggling her into his body even more. He put his face up against hers. "I am so thankful for your life. I love you so much and I love seeing these pictures and learning more about your history."

 

"It was only right for me to get to share them with you. And doing it here at the lake was perfect. We've been making so many new family memories." She smiled and kissed his face a few times. "Is there anything else you don't know that you're curious about or have we been good at covering all these things?"

 

"Mmm," He loved her kissing on him, wrapping both his arms around her now, "We've covered fiances, buying another house, adding names and getting cars, and we've already had the marriage and baby talk." He grinned, "Anything left?"

 

"Mmm, don't think so. You already asked me to marry you, we've decided on a date timeframe and tossed around the big ideas how we want it, and we're holding off on kids for a few years. All things I'm good with," she smiled.

 

"Oh, here's one." He put her phone down and played with her hair a bit, "Your legal team and my team are going to advise us to sign a prenup. They're always going to advise it. I don't really care..." His voice was soft near her ear.

 

"Well, fuck the prenup," she giggled softly. "I mean, if you want to protect your assets from the band, by all means, we can sign one. That's not even close to a dealbreaker for me. What you've worked so damn hard for the last 10 years belongs to you, Josh."

 

"Well I guess I never thought about things with the band," he laughed softly, "But I'm not even worried about it because in all honesty, you're not after money because you have your own. And at the end of the day, neither of us are spiteful no matter how angry we get." He looked down at her genuinely. 

 

She smiled and nodded. "I'm not planning on running off with any of your shit and I genuinely doubt that you're planning on doing that with any of mine. And yes, you're right, neither of us is spiteful, thankfully." 

 

He rested his chin on her shoulder and smiled softly, holding her tight. He was always in awe at how easy these conversations were with her. Was this how it was supposed to be all along? He knew if he had ever brought up a prenup with anyone, the arguments would have started immediately and there would have been no understanding of how hard he worked with the band. But here she was, so easily reminding him of what he put into his career.

 

 

JC stood with his hands on his hips in the middle of the hotel room, shaking his head. He felt they had just returned home after the most incredible 2 week vacation in Big Bear when their doorbell rang with Ashley and Justin, all grins announcing their engagement. Justin had pulled off an epic proposal in New York City that would rival the best romance novel. JC wasn't sure how to feel about this news, but Samantha was ecstatic, squealing with Ashley and jumping up and down.

To celebrate their engagement the second time around, Justin and Lynn threw together a party in no other than Maui, Hawaii. *NSYNC hadn't been to Hawaii since early 2000 when they rang the Millennium in Honolulu, so this was a treat for everyone. They had been flown from Los Angeles to Maui on a chartered plane less than a week later and brought to a swanky, beachfront resort. 

Sam looked over at JC, looking through the gift bag that had been left on their bed. "Oh Josh," she grinned, "Justin really didn't fuck around did he?"

JC laughed, pulling things out of the bag. There were matching leis, shot glasses, two champagne flutes, a bottle of Cristal, a bag of snacks and a schedule of events for their celebrations. "I guess not, considering we're standing in Hawaii right now. And it's kinda like his second go around with her, so I guess he needs to be fucking ridiculous." 

"I guess it pays to have friends that are extra," she giggled, "And he was even nice enough to have it addressed to the Future Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Chasez."

"He knows better," He made a face. "Besides," he stopped and put one of the plumeria leis on, "He's not wrong. We were engaged first, after all." He carried one over to her and put it on her.

"Mmm. That we were. Quietly and calmly," she grinned, licking her lips. "Thanks for the lei baby." 

He smirked, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I'll give you a better lei later."

"I wouldn't mind that at all," she laughed softly, leaning in to touch his face. "I love you. And I think we are perfect." 

"Yeah?" He smiled and looked down at her. "I happen to know for a fact that we are perfect and I wouldn't change a damn thing about anything between us." He leaned in to give her a long, soft kiss.

She smiled against his lips, taking the softest little kisses from him, but they were continually interrupted by her smiles. 

"Mmm," he couldn't help but smile with her before taking a step back to reach for their welcome card with the itinerary for the day. It was not but a couple things, but of course, Justin was Justin. "So we have some time to get settled and relax before we need to get ready for this welcome luau that Justin is throwing." His voice was cut and dry. All playfulness aside, JC couldn't help but feel a little salty that Justin had planned an elaborate proposal, this over the top engagement party and all of these vacation events. He was the one who was supposed to be in celebration mode-- this was his time. But once again, he felt slightly overshadowed by Justin.

She grinned. "I hope that means relaxing by the ocean rather than relaxing in here."

"Uhhh, I am not relaxing indoors when we have Hawaii at our fingertips for 72 hours," he laughed, "I mean unless that's what you want baby, then I'll want what you want."

She smirked. "When do I ever want to be inside when there's a beach to be relaxing on?" She laughed, "Part of the reason I do love my job so much. I get paid to play around on beaches around the world."

"Annnnd you look fucking sexy when you do," he licked his lips. "I can't argue with that at all. Let's go take a walk to the beach and grab some drinks until we need to meet up. And then we can lay by the water all day tomorrow if you want to honey."

"Yes please! Bring on the sun, baby." She grinned, "My hair will be almost white by the time we are done with all these tropical adventures." 

JC was already standing at their open suitcase with a grin. He looked over at her, hanging a strappy pale yellow bikini from his finger. "Please?" 

She smirked. "Is that what you're wearing out?"

"Samantha." His voice was stern but playful. "Nobody wants to see a banana hammock on me. That's a lot of junk hanging out."

"I could argue that one, but I'll say," she smirked, walking to him to take the pieces of fabric dangling from his finger. "Any excuse to remind myself what belongs to me." She licked her lips. "Though I like knowing what's under the shorts. Lets my imagination run more wildly." 

He growled playfully as she carefully removed her sundress, leaving it on the bed. Her bra and panties were folded neatly next to the dress and she was tying and clasping the pale yellow bikini to her body. He loved how she always folded her things so neatly. Everything was always just so with her, and the predictability made him happy. He smiled, watching the light fabric compliment the tan glow their two weeks in Big Bear had left on her skin. "Let me help," he said softly, stepping to her to help tighten the strings on her bottoms and top. "Is this one new?"

"Yeah," she smiled, looking up at him. "A new designer wanted me to try it out for her line. You like it?"

"It fits you like a glove, Ms. Bentley," he smiled, placing a soft kiss on her shoulder blade. "I love it." He rested his hands on her waist, spinning her around to face him. "But I think you look beautiful in anything you wear. So maybe I'm not the best person to ask."

She grinned. "Have I ever worn anything that you haven't loved? And you know you can tell me the truth. I won't get mad."

"Wellll," he laughed, "You had that gold sequined dress that you wore in Las Vegas at the club that night. Sometimes when your dresses are tight and other people stare I don't love it. You know how I feel about other people looking at that ass. Mine." He slipped his hands down to cup over the cheeky bottoms of the bikini. "But you've gone easy on the tighter dresses recently. Everything is looser on this gorgeous body right now." He growled playfully, letting his hands travel back up to her waist.

She laughed softly. "I actually just gave that dress away before we left for Big Bear along with a few others. It didn't fit me anymore." She giggled when his growling turned into light nibbles at her neck. 

"Mmm, not complaining about anything," he grinned, resting his hands against her stomach. "I need to get ready now. Otherwise I'd stay inside and love on you. All. Damn. Day." He let his fingertips slip under the fabric of her bikini once playfully then he slipped them out and loosened his arms. "Now." He shuffled his feet over to the suitcase and pulled out a pair of blue and white floral print trunks. He laughed softly at the theming, dropping his pants and briefs and tossing them on the bed before he pulled the trunks on. 

"Oooh, so tropical," she grinned, walking over next to him to tie the strings on his trunks. "You look ready for the beach, Josh." She pulled a black knit coverup out of the suitcase and slipped it on. "Flip flops and let's go!"

***

After a short walk around the grounds of the resort, they had settled at the Beach Bar. There were scattered adirondack chairs, cushioned outdoor couches and a little tiki hut with bar stools. The beach was only several yards away and the sound of the waves crashing, coupled with the traditional Hawaiian music made the scene a charming one. JC pulled out a bar stool for Samantha and then sat next to her, looking at her with a smile. 

The bartender walked over to them with a smile. "Aloha. Can I get you started with some cocktails today?" 

JC looked up at the menu board and licked his lips then looked at Sam. "Do you know what you want, sweetheart?"

"Oooh, yes. Can I do a Blue Hawaiian please? On the rocks?" She looked at the bar tender and smiled.

"Coming right up. And for you sir?" He looked at JC, putting two cocktail napkins down in front of them. 

"These all look so good," he laughed softly. "Can I have a Mai Tai please? That looks like a great place to start." 

"You've got it," the bartender smiled, walking over to the other end of the bar to prepare the drinks. 

JC turned himself to face Sam and he rested his hand on top of hers. "This place is beautiful. I've actually only been to Honolulu. We played a show there back in 1999 into 2000. It was gorgeous. But this resort is exceptional. But that shouldn't surprise anyone," he laughed softly, "It's a Timberlake-Taylor celebration." 

Sam smiled, letting her fingertips slide in between his. "Of course. But we get to celebrate so, I can't complain too much. You holding up okay, sweetheart?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" He offered her a smile. "We're in Hawaii. Sitting at a gorgeous bar maybe 100 yards from the Pacific Ocean. I'm sitting next to the most beautiful woman in the world who happens to be engaged to me... life is pretty damn good." 

The bartender placed the Blue Hawaii in front of Sam and the Mai Tai in front of JC. He smiled.

"Mahalo," Sam said, smiling at the bartender then taking her drink. "Cheers, Josh." 

JC smiled, clinking his glass against hers before taking a long sip. "Cheers, babydoll."

Sam watched him as she sipped her drink, smiling softly. "And I was just asking because I know this engagement of Justin's caught you off guard a little bit. I know the two of you used to be incredibly close and told each other everything."

"We did, last time I even helped him plan out the engagement in Tuscany. I guess it's just a little bit weird. So much of our lives have changed the last few years... hell, the last few months. I can't say it's a bad thing. It's just different. And their love story is so... them. He chased her all the way to Ireland this summer based on a conversation they had once to win her back. He's always been about those grand gestures and everyone loves their love story. Sometimes I get in my head a little bit, that's all." He took another long sip, leaning on the bar so he could look at her with the ocean behind her. He couldn't help but smile at the way the breeze blew her hair. 

She put her drink back down at the bar and brushed a stray hair out of her face. "I know. And guess what, blue eyes?" She rested her hand on his leg and he laughed softly at the coolness of her fingertips from her drink. 

"What's that, Ms. Bentley?" he smiled, taking another sip of his drink.

"I love you even when you're in your head. I love that you're thoughtful and reflective and you care deeply. I don't know if you realize this, but the level of caring you do about others is so deep that you don't see it in a lot of other people. I know Justin is like your brother, sometimes in more ways than even Tyler is, what with the way you both grew up with each other in the band. And I know deep down, the marriage thing was supposed to be your big news for 2006, or at least the proposal. I'll have you know that I'm so happy with everything about you and the way you proposed and how honestly we just celebrated at home with our parents on the phone. And of course Big Bear." She grinned. 

He shook his head and put his glass down on the bar as well. "Jesus, Samantha. How the hell do you do this every time?" he laughed softly. "I know I always say this but how did I end up deserving this damn amazing woman who just fucking knows me so much?"

"Ehhh," she grinned, "It's probably the amazing sex you put down on her." She picked up her glass and took another sip before the giggles took over. 

"Samantha!" He started to laugh, "This is what I mean! Damnit." His eyes closed in laughter and he let out a sigh after a few good moments of laughter. "I needed that. But you knew that."

She smiled softly. "I did. But you're pretty good at knowing what I need too so I can't complain too much, Joshua." She leaned over and placed a soft, blue curacao laced kiss on his cheek. "I love that we're having all of these adventures together. I've been lucky enough to travel so many places for my job and I know you have too. Being just a tourist who is celebrating with friends is the most amazing feeling." 

He sighed again softly, lacing their fingers together at their legs before he took another sip of his drink. "Uh for sure. Like I look at you with the sunlight in your hair and freckles and I can't stand how lucky I am. We just need to be at a party later and nobody is going to care what we look like. Justin is going to have that shit tighter than Fort Knox with cameras." He grinned softly. "And I'll just get to sip on some more tropical drinks and love on my fiance." 

"You better behave," she smirked, "Mama Lynn still thinks you're a good boy you know."

He laughed. "Mama Lynn can party down with the best, my love. You'll learn this. I know you'll love her when you get to know her a little bit more. She's always asking about you when I see her," He grinned proudly. "And how I was able to land such an amazing woman like you. Not sure what that says about her faith in me or what." He chuckled. 

"Looking forward to it," she licked her lips a bit, glancing around at the small crowd of people that had gathered at the bar. There were some older couples, a few young couples that looked to be on their honeymoon and a few other groups mixed in at the tables. There were so many stages of life and celebrations happening that it made her smile. She was lost in her thoughts for a few long moments.

She looked back at JC and his gaze met hers with questioning eyes. "Just looking at the people." She brought her voice down to a quiet level that only he'd hear. "The couple at the end of the bar? I bet they're celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. And those two in the middle? Honeymoon. Maybe that couple there at the table, he's cheating on her with his secretary so he paid big bucks to bring his trophy wife to Hawaii."

"Oh my god, Samantha are you playing the airport game?" JC looked at her with wonder in his eyes. 

"What's the airport game?" She looked at him, tilting her head. The sparkle in his eyes made her smile. 

"When you watch people at the airport and make up stories about what they do and where they're going. It's a game I made up at the Munich airport in 1995. When I missed home it helped me to pass the time and feel less lonely," he explained.

"Oh," she laughed, "Got it. I call it Who's Who. I play it all the time too. I'm just usually alone and no one listens to me so I do it to pass the time when I'm traveling. I also used to do it on the Subway all the time. New York is a big place but it can get pretty lonely quickly."

He let out a harsh sigh. "See this is why you're my soulmate."

"Because I play the same types of silly games that you do?" She laughed. 

"Well yes," he replied with a chuckle. "But that was always my thing that kept me company. Justin played along with me because he had no choice. Now I know, we can play it together," he grinned, leaning into brush his lips against hers. "Now my little hula girl. I would love to make a stop to look at the water for a few moments, then let's go get ready for this luau." 

She grinned softly against his lips, taking one final kiss from him. "Mmm let's do this baby."

They walked over toward the water and she smiled. JC took a few steps forward, leaving Sam to watch him with happiness in her eyes. He walked a little bit closer to the water, stopping just before the waves crashed against the sand. He sucked in a deep breath, looking out at the sparkling waves. The sun shined down on him and he rested his hands on his hips, taking everything in. He closed his eyes, letting the feeling of contentment take over.

Sam looked out at him and smiled, taking his phone he gave her out of her purse and snapping a picture of him. While he was having his moment, she snuck onto MySpace and giggled softly, posting the photo of him and quickly typing the caption. "By the time my drop dead gorgeous fiance realizes that I've posted this photo of him, he will have fallen under my spell and be too busy to care about #payback! Xoxo Samantha"

He turned around to look at her with a squinty smile. She was already standing with his phone safely in her purse, looking at him with a little grin. He walked back to her and took both of her hands in his and leaned in for a soft kiss. "Thanks for waiting for me. I needed that baby. Now. Let's make a stop and get some things for this luau on our way back to the room." 

***

The sun was just beginning to set on the resort. Set along the water was a cove with a stage and tables with a perfect ocean and sunset view, called Luau Cove. Traditional Hawaiian music was being piped through the speakers and a small crowd had gathered. The rest of the *NSYNC members, their significant others and a few of Justin's closest friends and family members were milling around, holding drinks. Torches were lit around the space and it was cozy and felt the spirit of Aloha they had heard so much about.

On their way back to the room, JC couldn't help himself but buy both of them new outfits in the resort shop to commemorate the occasion. He was wearing a pair of nice navy swim shorts and an open button up shirt printed with white hibiscus flowers over a light green print. Justin had instructed him to wear his plumeria lei. His hand was linked with Sam's, who was wearing a beautiful flowing pale pink Hawaiian floral print sundress over her bikini. Her hair was down and curly and she wore a beautiful flower behind her left ear, symbolizing that she was unavailable. JC had made sure she stopped and asked the woman at the resort shop the correct way to wear the flower behind her ear so no one got the idea she was single. 

She strolled along the path with him, smiling and taking all of the sights in. She took a sip of her mai tai. "This is absolutely incredible baby."

Ashley was holding onto Justin's arm, wearing a long and flowy white dress with a plumeria wreath around her long, wavy hair. She spotted JC and Sam and her eyes lit up. "Ohhh!"

JC laughed softly, "And we've been spotted." He smirked, sucking on his straw.

Justin and Ashley made their way to Sam and JC and Justin smiled. "There's the Chasezes." He licked his lips with a grin. "Thanks for coming you two."

"Uhh," she laughed, "Thanks for paying for us to take a trip to HAWAII." She grabbed Ashley away from Justin and gave her the biggest hug. "Congratulations!!!"

JC looked at Justin with a grin, standing there and stirring his drink before looking at the girls, then back at Justin. "So..."

"So. This time feels even better than it did last time." He let out a large sigh of relief. He knew he could be vulnerable with JC.

"Ugh, fuck yeah man. I'm really happy for you." He pulled him in for a fast bro hug. "Last time you told me you were going to do it in Tuscany and this time I woke up to one hell of a message."

"I kept it really quiet this time," he smiled. "I knew you had your own dealings going on." He licked his lips. "Speaking of which, how was your trip to Big Bear?"

JC's laugh was low and borderline nasty. "Let's just say, it was one of the best weeks I may have ever had... ever. Outside of our long weekend in Paris and Monte Carlo." He took a sip of his drink to fight the grin that was starting.

Justin laughed. "Are we going to be calling you Daddy in 9 months?"

JC made a face. "I should ask the same question for you. I know you just the same, fucker." 

"You could ask me the same question because we had some amazing sex thank you. We're back in the game," he laughed, "I know you remember those early days."

"Yes, I remember those days, you disrespectful jerk," he smirked, "You guys didn't even try to be quiet." He started to laugh. "You made me feel better about my life because I was classier."

"Oh my god, you were NOT much better," he shook his head with a grin. "I'm sure you're not now either."

"I am ABSOLUTELY not any better now, that is for sure," he licked his lips with a grin as he looked back at the girls who were fawning over Ashley's ring and involved in girl talk. "In fact, I'm probably going to leave your dinner early tonight."

Justin let out a low laugh. "Oh it's gonna be like that huh?" He looked back at the girls as well. "Damn we are lucky. They're gonna be our fucking WIVES."

"I can't wait man. Literally can't. Well, I guess I can. We're choosing a spring wedding in May. We're going to be shooting for that last Saturday of the month. So reserve that date." JC said proudly. 

"We'll be there. To celebrate my best friend finally meeting his match? I wouldn't miss it for anything." He licked his lips. 

"You'll be up there with me too," he smiled really big. "Samantha and I planned a bit already, but you'll get all those details later. Tonight, we celebrate you guys."

Justin grinned and walked the short distance back to the girls with JC. "Ladies." He licked his lips.

Ashley was clapping her hands with Sam. "I'm excited for it!" She turned to look at Justin and smiled, taking the arm that he had extended. "I'm sorry, did we take too long talking?" She grinned.

JC leaned in and kissed Sam's cheek, putting his arm around her and pulling her into his side. "I'm feeling this drink already. That bartender was a heavy pour. They're trying to get me fucked up out here in Hawaii." 

Sam laughed softly. "Honestly it's been awhile since we've done mixed drinks. That Mai Tai is gonna get my Hawaiian lifeguard all tipsy." She giggled and snuggled into him.

JC pursed his lips and looked down at her for a few long moments because of her lifeguard comment. "You're gonna need to get you a new lifeguard is what I'm thinking."

She looked back at him with the same look. "I'll gladly audition for the role tonight..." She walked playfully away from him to their table.

He took a sip of his drink as he smiled, following her to his spot. "Audition all you want. I'll still win. I'll win every damn time, mami."

"If I'm looking for a new one then you wouldn't be eligible to audition. At least that sounds like what you're saying, telling me I need a new lifeguard. That means someone else." she replied, smirking.

"You are NOT looking." He put his drink down on the table and crossed his arms. "Samantha Bentley."

Just as he crossed his arms, the house lights dimmed and the drums began. The torches went up in larger flames as the servers began descending down the aisles.

"You probably want to sit," Sam grinned, pulling out the chair next to her. JC sat down quickly as the traditional hula dancers came out onstage just as the food began to be served.

Sam let out a cute noise and reached for a Hawaiian sweet roll, taking a bite before she closed her eyes. "Ohh yes."

JC looked at her and grinned, needing to try a piece for himself as the waiters came around replacing all the old drinks with new ones. "Ohhh boy."

Sam laughed softly at JC, her eyes darting from the family style platters of food to the stage and back to her man who was loading up his plate. She reached for some of the fresh pineapple juice and took a sip before taking a bite of the pork and grilled pineapple. "Oh wow."

The five beautiful Hawaiian female dancers swayed on the stage to the easy music. JC looked at them and back at Samantha with a smile. He brought his lips to her temple before taking another sip of his drink. 

The soft music finished and a pounding of drums took over. The female dancers were replaced with a line up of 5 men in their traditional costumes, wearing one small piece over their bottoms. From the right of them, Ashley let out a little squeal. 

JC was making a sandwich with the pork and Hawaiian roll and sat up straight as he realized what was happening onstage. Sam took a bite of her straw to stop her grinning. 

"Aloha and welcome to our celebration Luau," the main dancer said into the microphone. "Tonight we are here to celebrate the Ohana of Ashley and Justin. You just enjoyed a traditional hula story, and we are here to entertain you with our traditional fire dance."

Several of the dancers hopped off the stage and were handing flowers to the females at the party. Mama Lynn grinned as she got the first one. Another dancer stopped in front of Ashley and handed her two flowers with a wink.

JC took another big bite of his sandwich, feeling his chest puff out. He scooted his chair closer to Samantha's, pretending to make more room in the aisle. He looked over at her and made a face. Sam was intently watching the dancer in the center of the stage who began to juggle the fire all around him. She was mesmerized. 

Two of the fire dancers walked up to Sam and grinned, pulling her chair out and helping her up. The drums beat as they walked her on the stage. JC nearly choked on his Mai Tai watching her walk up nonchalantly on the stage. She started laughing so cutely, shaking her hips from side to side as she came to a stop in the middle of the stage. She was having so much fun, thinking how often people actually get to go to a private luau in Hawaii.

The main fire dancer spit out a huge flame and started dancing around her, playing with the fiery torches around her to create an illusion that she was completely surrounded in small streaks of flame.

JC crushed the umbrella in the drink with his fist, feeling his chest getting red. Sam was all giggles as the fire moved around her and she lifted her hands up like the female dancers had done earlier. 

Ashley grinned, taking out her camera. "GO SAMANTHA!"

JC grunted. "Not GO Samantha!" He poked his fork in his pulled pork and made a face. 

The song came to a close and Sam was all grins as the host thanked her for volunteering. She carried a flower back to the table with the cutest little grin.

"Next up we will need the future bride up here with us," the host walked right to Ashley with a great big smile. "For our traditional Hawaiian bridal hula."

JC took a long sip of his water as she came back to the table, sucking in a big breath. "I... you. Um. That was pretty sexy."

"That was so much fun!" She smirked, settling back in her seat as she clapped for Ashley. "YEAH ASHLEY!"

The host guided his hands to Ashley's bare waist to help her in position for the dance. "Gentle to the side." He moved his hips behind her. "Good. Just like that."

JC made another face. "Thank god that's not you right now. That's ALL I have to say." He took a huge bite of his food, rather dramatically too. 

"It's a show, Joshua Scott." She sipped her water then took a little of her chicken, watching Ashley with a cute grin. 

He glanced at Justin and felt sorry for him in the moment. "Just a show she said...'' He reached and gently rubbed on her leg over the dress. 

She peeked over at Justin and saw him about to lose his shit and she laughed softly, shaking her head. She turned back to Ashley onstage and continued to smile. She took out her camera to start taking video of her dance. Ashley was laughing as they added a second white wreath on her head as she was moving. They stepped to the side to let her dance alone as she was shown, and she was smiling as they placed leis around her neck one at a time. Her eyes caught Justin's and her eyes didn't leave him, saying to him without words she knew he was bugging out.

"You know," JC said, a forkful of noodles going into his mouth, "She's always danced like that. That's ACTUALLY how she got Justin so drunk in love with her. Her fucking hips." He scooted closer to Sam because he was still feeling a little salty himself. "I like that you can dance but you don't dance for a room full of people all the time."

"Well, you wouldn't expect someone like Justin to go for anything less than that, now would you?" she asked, watching him as she put her camera back on the table. 

"You make a very solid point." He looked at her and grinned, then put a piece of pineapple to her lips that he dipped in the teriyaki sauce. "And everytime anyone would be in a room and everyone's eyes would be on her, mine would be searching for you every time."

She smiled, taking a nibble of his pineapple. "Mmm. Well it is too bad Ashley hasn't been tearing up the dance floor in a room while I've been around recently. I'd gladly step aside and let her do her thing. Queens appreciate queens."

He grinned. "My queens. Baby you're my number one. And I cannot help but need to protect the queen and I can't even apologize for it." He scooped a little bit more pork and noodles and tried to make a mix of everything together.

"I'd never ask you to apologize for that baby." Her laugh was soft. "I wouldn't change that about you, baby. It's endearing." She pushed her plate away and sighed a little bit. The food was amazing. 

"Mmm, I hope you know they're gonna bring one some of the best dessert you've ever had." He pushed his plate away after a few more bites, "Then I think we can go take a walk if you want." He reached and leaned his head down on her shoulder with a cute smile. 

Sam smiled and rested her head on top of his. "I need to make some room in this tummy in that case." Her hand went up his back on the inside of his button down so her fingernails could lightly rub his bare back.

He made the softest noise at her hands on him, almost purring up against her skin. "Mmm. Would you like to take a walk now then?" 

It made her smile to hear the noises he was making. When he got a little tipsy he got even more affectionate and hands on with her and she loved it. "Mmm. We could sneak away for a couple minutes, baby."

He kissed her shoulder and nodded. "Just a few." He got up and pulled her up with him, taking her hand as the staff came to clear off the main course plates. "They'll usually play 3-4 more songs and then they'll serve and it'll be the end."

She interlocked their fingers as they began to slowly walk along the path from the luau cove, not too far away but they were back on the sand again. They continued to walk for a little bit, not needing to say anything to the other. His fingers played with hers, enjoying the feeling of her engagement ring rubbing against his fingers every so often. He had her pulled close to him, leaning down every few moments to place his lips on her head or shoulder. 

She smiled as they both kicked their flip flops off on the sand, walking closer to the water. The waves came and crashed against the shore, getting their feet wet. It was a relaxing sound and feeling. 

JC pulled her hand up to his lips as he was looking at her, letting the waves come and crash over their feet. He smiled softly on her skin, letting his eyes get squinty with his smile. 

She couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. He was adorable. "I'm still a little in disbelief that you're kissing on me in Maui right now. There's no place I'd rather be with you but man."

"Baby," he smiled and put his arms around her, making her turn to face him. His lips went to her forehead. "I love that we get to be here right now. And I wouldn't ever want to be with anyone else."

She grinned softly. "Though now I can't marry you in Hawaii because Justin carved all this shit out for him and Ashley," She stole a playful kiss, "Though I think I like our California idea much more."

"Mmmm. Fuck Justin," he grinned, "If my baby wanted Hawaii, she gets Hawaii." He slid his hand into her hair before getting another kiss, locking his lips to hers. 

"Mmmmm. Nope. Your baby doesn't want Hawaii." She smiled against his lips, bringing her forehead up to his. "I'm loving being here with you but this isn't what I want for us. I don't have that feeling yet. The one I know is the place that's just right for us."

"Ugh, I knew you were the one for me," he smiled, kissing only once more but leaving his hips against hers. A few more waves came crashing over their feet. "It'll feel magical when we see it baby."

"I know," she said softly, looking up into his eyes. She couldn't help but let out a cute sigh. "Ashley and Justin are getting married, we're getting married."

His smile was big and genuine. "I know, and I'm so freaking excited for this time in our lives. We have a break, I get to have you, and enjoy my time with friends and family. This is the best time or life, baby." His eyes were sparkling.

"I know, I'm so excited to be sharing this time with you. We've done so many amazing things already," she reached up to touch his face, "We'll get to do so many more too."

He smiled and then looked thoughtfully at her with his arms draped around her, hands clasped at her lower back. "Hey Samantha?" 

She smiled, being taken back to the earliest days when he would almost nervously get her attention that way. "Yes my love?"

"Tell me your most desired memory you want to make. Whether it's climbing a mountain, traveling to a place you're not even sure you have in mind yet, or just as something as simple as riding a bike through some little town... anything." He said softly.

She pursed her lips thoughtfully. She was in her mind thinking, then she looked back up at him with a soft smile. "You know, Josh... I've been lucky enough to have lots of different experiences and see so many places. I think our trip to Paris would have been pretty high on that list. So I'm not even sure where I'd want to go first, or what I'd want to do. I just see you with me." Her head tilted as she studied him. "And what about you?"

He licked his lower lip and closed his eyes for a minute. His hands pressed against her back, pulling her in closer to him. "I've already done my most desired thing. Proposing to you. I get to have that memory for the rest of my life and I know I'll cherish it. Then of course, I can't wait to marry you. That'll be the second one." He opened up his eyes and smiled at her. 

"You proposing to me was something I won't be forgetting anytime soon, Joshua Scott." She smiled, "I didn't even know how badly I wanted to be with you forever until you asked me, honestly."

He pulled her into him a little bit more, his arms wrapped around her into a hug. His lips landed on her cheek. "May will be here before we know it. I'd really like to lock down our venue when we get home. Keeping that whole thing a secret from everyone. Even our parents and friends."

She smiled, and it was the secret smile that she loved to give to him. "Baby, I think that we may have found one. I found a venue in Malibu online. I'll give them a call when we get home. I'd love you to see it with me and see if we fall in love."

"I would LOVE that. Malibu sounds perfect to me. If I fall in love with it as much as you do, we secure our date right then and there." He smiled and kissed all over her cheek and temple, "Paid in full, no one else can have our spot. I'll pay for the whole weekend depending on the venue."

She grinned at him, "I know you're the badass who makes double what I do," she licked her lips, "But you know I can help with this wedding right daddy?"

He grabbed her face playfully. "You DO realize if we were going technically on tradition, our parents would be paying? And no, you're not paying for a damn thing littlemama. Vendors and such will want to give us things for free no matter how hard we try to pay them. In photos and everything it's going to be amazing advertising. So don't you worry that pretty brain of yours."

"Mmm, won't worry about a thing baby," she grinned and rested her forehead against his, "Just the good things. Like what kind of food we're going to eat, and what our cake will look like. And the vows of my love that I get to write. And what song I'll have my first dance to with you."

"Thank you. And those are great things for you to focus on." He smiled, pushing his nose up against hers a bit, "Have you thought about the song you'd like for us or it hasn't hit you just yet?"

"Well, I hear a lot of songs and they remind me of you, but I'm not entirely sure yet." She grinned softly, "I don't think we really have a ‘song' do we? Or have I missed it?"

He smirked and pulled his head back to study her for a long moment. "No, we don't have a specific song right now. And you're fucking adorable for trying to antagonize me about this."

"What?" She laughed. "That was a genuine question baby. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing a moment."

JC stroked her hair thoughtfully. "If anything hits home for me, it's Sade. When that comes on in the car, everytime I hear it, I think of you." He took her hand as he guided her back to their flip flops. 

She stepped into her flip flops and watched him, then rested her head against his shoulder as they began to walk together. "Mmm, I think of making love with you. Every single time I hear Sade. Especially By Your Side. It comes on in the car and I'll get lost in my thoughts."

"Well, I mean is there any other way you could possibly be more intimate with someone?" He smiled softly. "Making love is not the worst thing you could think of when you hear Sade."

"Mmm, nope." She smiled as they strolled back toward the party. The music and the lights became amplified, everyone was drinking and merry and the party was back in full swing. 

JC laughed. "And we came back just in time. People are drunk." he laughed as he pulled her into his side, then he looked at her. "You game to head back to our room and turn this into a private party?"

She grinned. "I thought you'd never ask."

 

"Psst, baby," JC whispered, placing his lips against her temple, kissing a few times over and over. "Wake up."

Sam fluttered her eyes open and moaned softly. "Baby..." she mumbled. "What's wrong?" As her eyes adjusted to the dim light of the room, the faintest bit of sunlight was streaming in through the blackout curtains. JC was grinning near her face. 

"Hi," he smiled, nuzzling his face against hers. "Good morning sleeping beauty."

"What time is it?" she yawned, stretching a little bit next to him. 

"It's 6:30," he smiled, running his finger tips down along her curves. 

"6:30," she repeated, yawning. "Why are we awake?"

"We have an adventure to go on," he grinned proudly. "And we need to be ready by 7."

"An adventure," she mumbled, yawning again. "If you didn't keep me awake until 1:00 with your own adventure last night this wouldn't feel so bad," she laughed sleepily. "Okay, okay." 

He sat up, looking down at her. "This isn't fancy," he smiled, "I talked to the concierge yesterday while you were in the shower and we're taking a Jeep tour of the island today. We're going to see everything. I wanted to be a tourist with you today."

She smiled up at him with sleepy eyes. "Josh, why are you always so damn thoughtful," she laughed softly, sitting up. "I'll be ready in a few minutes." 

He grinned, leaning down to scoop her up in his arms. "We can save a few minutes and shower together. I promise I'll be good." He laughed all low, carrying her into the bathroom. He sat her down on the counter while he started the shower up. "One of our first stops is a local cafe to pick up some breakfast. So that will be all taken care of." He looked over at her, still naked from the night before on the counter and it made him grin. 

"Of course it's taken care of," she smirked, hopping off the counter. "My man takes care of it all, why would I ever guess anything different." She walked over to him and smiled, giving his butt a playful smack before she walked under the hot spray of the shower.

He let out a playful grunt as he followed her in. "You know I was just gonna carry you in mama," he grinned. "But you had to go and take the lead." He reached behind him and gave her a playful smack in return. 

"You!" Her squeal was soft and she grabbed a washcloth from the rack. "So do I get anymore information about this Jeep adventure?" she asked, putting some body wash on as she let the suds cover her body. 

He bit at his lip, watching her wash herself up. He knew he needed to be good this morning and the showering together was for the sake of time, not so he could devour her like he wanted to. "It's gonna be an all day adventure," he grinned, "Like full on through sunset. I told you, I wanted to be a tourist with my baby." He let his hair get wet and shampooed it as he watched her. "Another experience to add to our book."

"Oooh," she grinned, letting the water rinse all of the coconut scented body wash off of her. "I can get behind this idea." She grabbed the hair tie around her wrist and pulled her hair up into a loose bun so she wouldn't get her hair too wet. She knew she was going to be putting on a baseball hat for their adventures and didn't need to wash it. "Beach time too right?"

"Beach time too," he grinned, "We've got it all covered."

"Mmm," she stepped over to him and smiled at the water running down his body. "You're always thinking of me," she said softly. She let her hands run over his chest and down his stomach leaving her hands resting there gently. "If I don't tell you enough, I appreciate all of that." She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips before pulling away and stepping out of the shower. She too knew how easily they could distract each other in the shower and needed to keep moving to keep them on time. She wrapped the soft, white towel around her body after drying off.

JC let out a grunt. "You make it so damn hard to stay focused!" He called out after her, laughing a little bit as he shut off the water stream then stepped out of the shower himself, drying off as he watched her.

At exactly 7 AM, JC was leading Samantha out the front door of the hotel, holding her hand. He was in a grey tank top with a surfboard on it and a pair of green hawaiian print board shorts. His aviators were on and he was all grins. Next to him, Samantha was wearing his LA Dodgers hat over pigtail braids. She was wearing a pair of jean shorts over a black bikini and a white ribbed tank top. She was smiling herself, loving how excited JC was to surprise her.

"Aloha Mr. Chasez," the guide said. He was a middle aged man with a long beard, standing next to a red Jeep Wrangler with the top off. "Good morning Ms. Bentley. My name is Marcus. Welcome to your Jeep tour of our island."

"Aloha Marcus," JC grinned,  "Please, call me JC. We're just JC and Sam today," he said, helping Sam into the back of the Wrangler. "We're excited to spend the day with you."

Sam waved and fixed the hat on her head. "Aloha Marcus. This is going to be amazing! Oh my goodness." She looked around. "Josh! Eep." 

The Wrangler pulled out from the resort and headed along the coast toward a small town.
"Your first stop is Paia Town," Marcus said, pulling the Jeep in front of a small coffee shop. "JC said you both like a good cup of coffee. I recommend the Maui coffee in here." He nodded toward the small coffee shop in front of them, "And some scones or banana bread. You can watch the mountains here in this park. We'll take off when you two have eaten." He smiled.

"Oh excellent, c'mon baby," JC rubbed his hands together as he got out of the Jeep then helped Sam out of the back. They walked inside of the coffee shop and he stood behind her with a smile as they waited at the counter. 

"Aloha," the woman said, nodding to the both of them. "What would you like this morning?"

"Ohhh umm," Sam said, laughing softly. "Our driver told us to try the Maui coffee and the scones and the banana bread. Josh?" She looked over her shoulder at him behind her. "Do you want to order one of each and we can share?"

"Sounds good to me," he smiled. "We'll have two large Maui coffees please and an orange cranberry scone and let's do a whole loaf of the banana bread please. To go. Mahalo." He slipped his credit card on the counter to pay, smiling. Her skin smelled like coconuts and he placed a soft kiss along her neck. 

She giggled softly, stepping with him to the side to wait for their coffees and breakfast. "It smells heavenly here," she mumbled, watching the workers grinding the coffee beans for their coffee and run it through a French press. "Ohhh wow." 

"Oh this is gonna be some good breakfast," JC sighed happily, rocking her back and forth in his arms to the traditional music playing in the cafe. 

"Your breakfast is ready," the woman said, holding out the two coffee cups and bag with their pastries. 

"Mahalo," JC nodded, taking everything and then taking Sam's hand. "Have a wonderful day." 

He led her back out onto the main street and saw their red jeep parked in front of the beach about a block away. They walked the short walk to the park, a small patch of rocks leading to at least a mile of pale sand and turquoise blue waters. "Now this is gorgeous," he said, in awe.  He found a long, flat rock and he sat down with her. "Mmm, time for coffee," he mumbled appreciatively. 

"Now this is a way to wake up. Wow." She took her cup of coffee from him. "Look at the way the sun is finishing coming up." She took her first sip of coffee and made a satisfied moan. 

JC grinned next to her, taking his first sip of coffee as well. "Mmm. Yes." 

They sat quietly, sharing their scone and banana bread and taking thoughtful sips of their coffee as the waves crashed against the beach and the sun began to shine down on their faces. 

JC turned to look at Sam after he wiped some crumbs from the corners of his mouth. "That was amazing." 

She wrapped the rest of the loaf of the banana bread back in the plastic wrap and tucked it back into the little paper bag. "Snacks for later," she grinned. "This was amazing. Oh my goodness." 

He stood up and held out his hand for her. As they walked back to the Jeep, he tossed their empty coffee cups in the garbage and helped her back into the backseat of the car. "Our next stop awaits," he smiled, placing a soft kiss on her lips. 

The Wrangler took off down the highway, curving along against the coast. The roads were narrow but the views were spectacular. Sam snuggled up to his arm, glancing at the scenery all around her.

A half hour later, their Jeep pulled up under a sign that read Garden of Eden. JC's eyes grew wide and he couldn't help but giggle. "BABY! LOOK! It's the spot from the opening scene from Jurassic Park, I love that movie." 

"Josh," she laughed, "You're like a little kid. This is adorable." 

He got out of the Jeep in a hurry, pulling her out after him. "Let's explore." He grabbed a map from the kiosk and he led her down the pathway. The lush palm trees and rocks were all around them as well as lush botanical gardens.

"Oh wow," she said, looking all around them. "This place is so quiet. It doesn't even feel like anyone else is here."

"They usually get busier after noon," JC said, "The concierge said that's why the Jeep tours like to leave at 7. They give you a chance to enjoy things at your own pace without worrying about people."

They moseyed along the path way, stopping at the flowers to read about each different kind. JC couldn't help but smile and take pictures of Samantha next to each little garden section, stopping and taking some pictures of them together with the camera too. He wanted to capture these memories, something for the two of them to remember. 

"Oh, baby... look, a waterfall!" Sam pointed at the guide map. "Puohokamoa Falls. Can we check it out too?"

"Of course," he smiled, "Anything you want." He looked down at the map in her hands as they began to walk along through the more deeply forested gardens. The sounds of the birds filled their senses as the faintest sound of rushing water began to take over. 

Through the vegetation came a rocky cliff with a beautiful waterfall that fell into a pool in the middle of the rocks and plants. No one else was around and the vibe was calm and relaxed.

"Oh!" her eyes were bright. "Josh this is beautiful." 

He looked over at her as they stood looking up at the waterfall. "You know," his voice was soft, "I have said this so many times, but if I hadn't asked you to marry me already, I probably would be down on one knee right now. Look at this place, Samantha." 

She grinned. "You would have probably needed to know this was here first," she giggled softly.

"Honestly even if I didn't," he laughed, "I probably would have just made up my mind even if I didn't have a ring with me. This is like paradise." 

She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "You wanna jump off it with me?" Her eyes sparkled.

"Didn't you just yell at me about jumping off of a tree limb in Big Bear a few weeks ago?" he smirked, bringing his hand to her face. 

"The tree limb could have snapped. This is a waterfall. It's not going to break." She grinned. "You can tell me it's a bad idea and I'll get it out of my head," she poked his side gently. 

"Like I'm ever going to discourage a little adventure..." he grinned, letting his lips move from her cheek down along her jaw. "As long as you hold my hand when we jump in." He made a playful nip at her skin. 

Her giggle was soft and thoughtful. "Mmmm. Of course. I wasn't planning on holding anyone else's hand. Let's do it, baby!"

JC grinned and gave one more suck on her neck and another light kiss before he stood up. "I bet there's a path up the side. Let's leave our stuff here on this ledge so when we swim out it'll be waiting for us." He pulled his tank top and aviators off, leaving his wallet and keys underneath in a little pile. He knew the spot was just out of sight enough and no one else was around. 

He licked his lips as he watched her shimmy out of her shorts and tank top, leaving her sunglasses and his Dodgers hat next to his pile. "I'm ready!" she called out happily, leaving her flip flops in the pile.

JC laughed with delight. Watching her grow even more adventurous with him had been one of his favorite parts of their relationship. He took her hand again. "Always ready for you. And if I didn't tell you this morning, that bathing suit... damn, babydoll, you're slaying in it." He bit his lip. "I may need to walk behind you." 

"You can admire the back anytime you want," she laughed softly, stopping at the base of the rocks to steal one more kiss. "I'm all yours." 

They began to climb along the worn path up the side of the rocks. The path had been traveled many times before and wasn't too steep. He was a few steps behind her, watching out that she was walking safely. He sucked in a good breath, feeling a feeling of contentment wash over him. This was another thing they were doing that just felt so damn normal. Nothing like the lavash private party of the night before, or the chartered jet that had taken them to Maui. There was something he continued to crave about the normalcy she gave him. 

"I think this kind of thing was easier in sneakers," she turned around to look at him when they had almost reached the top. "Thankfully it's not slippery yet."

His voice broke him of his thoughtful state of mind and he smiled. "Not yet. And that's true, hiking is much easier in the right shoes, baby. But I'll just say the view from back here is top notch," his laugh was low. 

"Of course it is Josh," she laughed softly as they climbed over one last rock and were at the top of the fall. His arm immediately went around her waist and he pulled her close. The light stream of the waterfall was coming out of the rocks behind them and he looked at her with a smile. 

"We made it baby," he grinned, leaning in to crash his lips to hers. Something about the climb and having her there with him made him crave that closeness. She grinned against his lips and sucked his lips in for a good long moment. 

"I love you, Joshua Scott," she smiled, pulling away from his lips to look at his dancing blue eyes. 

"I love you most, Samantha," his voice was soft but strong. "I'm the luckiest."

She looked out at the rock pool beneath them and at the ocean in the distance. "I could say that about myself too," she nodded, resting her forehead against his once more. "Let's take this leap together before I change my mind," she laughed softly. 

"We can take any leap together, babydoll," he offered her a smile. "Now hold onto my hand. We'll take the jump on my count of 3... okay?"

She nodded, standing next to him and reaching for his hand. "Let's do it Josh!"

JC counted them in. "One... two... and THREE!" He bent his knees and looked over to see her doing the same, and they both went up in the air together. He felt them rising and seconds later they were plunging down the waterfall together, hand in hand. He had never felt so free and open in his entire life. The feeling of being weightless but connected to her made him start to laugh just before they crashed down into the water. Moments later they both popped up and he grabbed her, pulling her in for a passionate kiss. Both of his hands went to her face as he sucked on her lips over and over, hungry for more. 

He was met with her gasp before she returned his kiss, wrapping her legs around his waist. He let out an appreciative hum, breaking the kiss to look into her eyes. "I fucking love you woman," he mumbled, shaking his head slightly. 

She smiled, bringing her forehead to his. "You're the only person in this world I'd trust with my life that way," her voice was almost breathless. 

He growled lightly, beginning to swim slightly toward the opposite side of the rock pool. "Ughhh. Yes." He lifted her out of the water and placed her in a little grassy alcove hidden by a rock. "You can always trust Daddy," his voice was low and gravely. "How much do you trust me now?" He grinned, looking down at her before he knelt down next to her. 

"Hmm?" She looked up at him and saw the mischief dancing in his eyes. He licked his lips and leaned in to kiss her again, sucking her lips into his before releasing them again. "Ohhh," she grinned. "You know, Mr. Chasez, you're going to need to be direct with what you want."

"This tease game of yours is adorable Ms. Bentley," he smirked, letting his thumb stroke against her cheek. "I want you. Here in this little alcove. With only the sound of the waterfall and nature around us. Mhmm."

Her lips curled up into a smile. "You're trouble. That's what you are, Joshua Scott Chasez," she smiled, pulling him down next to her. "But the best kind of trouble."

"You bring it out in me, baby," he grinned, pressing his hips against hers. "You feel that? All you."

"Mmmm, guess we should jump off of waterfalls more often," she said, making a soft hum of appreciation for the feel of him. 

"Mmm, could also be the fact that I got to watch my favorite ass climb some rocks," he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers, "And I've told you before, you get me going any time and any place. Mmhmm." He made small circles with his hips against hers, feeling the friction between their two suits. "Now we're both wearing too much."

He reached down and untied the side of her bottoms, letting them fall and stay tied to one leg. He made quick work of his shorts, pulling them down to his ankles. "So much better," he mumbled, leaning back down against her to place a soft kiss on her lips. 

She arched her back slightly and whispered,, "Always better when you're with me."

JC couldn't help but give her a soft smile as his eyes roamed her body. He let himself push her hair away from her face as he pressed his hips down onto hers again. 

She made a soft noise when she felt him against her skin. "Ohh, Josh." Her eyes fluttered closed.

He let his hand reach down and take her fingers, locking them before pulling it over her head. He leaned down and just as his nose touched hers, he rolled his hips so it took one soft, fluid motion for him to be inside of her. It wasn't rushed, it was just perfect. He couldn't speak, but only make a low moan of approval. 

Her moan was low and matched his. As his hips stilled, she was relishing in the way he filled her up, with only the sound of the waterfall behind them, her lips found his and they opened and closed in a slow kiss.

JC's eyes made a squinty shut motion because his heart was having so many feels, her lips on his that way made him crazy every time. He slipped the hand not holding hers to lift her up at the hips so he could pull out and slip back in just a little deeper, wanting to fill her completely. "Ohhh..."

Her moan was soft as she whispered in a heated rush, "Ohhh Josh. You feel so good to me.... Yes." Her face contorted a bit as she adjusted to his new rhythm and depth and her words disappeared off into a whispered moan.

He nudged his face against hers a bit so his lips moved from her cheek to her ear and he let out a moan as he pulled and thrusted, then again, and again. The feeling of being with her was his favorite in the world and he wanted to be in the moment as long as he could. "Ohhh baby."

She began to feel like she was floating, the warmth of the late morning sun, the water around them and the sound of the birds made her senses even more heightened. He had every nerve of hers on 10. The way he was working her body felt unreal, and it was almost impossible to tell who started and ended where. "Ohhh!" It was evident in her voice that she was getting pushed to the edge with every pass. 

He felt her body tense up and how her legs were moving against his, knowing that she was close. He kept his lips near her ear as he breathed, moaning against it. "You're mine baby... always." He sucked in a breath and quickened his hips just a little, but not harder. "Ohhhh yes."

"C'mon baby," she let her feet get tangled with his as they moved slowly. She was completely lost in him and never wanted to go back. "Ohhh Josh... OH." Her moan turned into a whimper against his face.

He heard her whimper and about lost it there, just knowing he made her feel that way and he was making her feel as good as he felt was so much of what he needed from time to time. "Ohhh baby. Yes.... I'm..." he whispered as he lifted her hips enough to get more of a tilted angle. "Coming..." He felt his release begin and crash over his body in a slow wave with a moan of her name. 

Her breath caught in her throat as she felt her body let go seconds after he reached his peak and her toes curled underneath her with a satisfied moan. She let the rush take over as he rode out every last glorious drop of his climax until he collapsed into a heap on top of her body. 

***

The Jeep drove them for the next several hours from one stop to the next, several overlooks, a cave, 4 more waterfalls, each met with a smirk after the adventure at the first waterfall, finally coming to a stop at a beach in Hana town just as the sun was setting. 

JC smiled, helping her out of the Jeep. "Our final stop," he said softly, with a smile. "Picnic dinner overlooking the ocean."

Sure enough, waiting for them in front of the Jeep was a picnic basket and a blanket. 

She looked at him with wonder in her eyes. "I'm not even going to keep asking how the hell you do this," she laughed, shaking her head. She leaned over and brushed her lips against his cheek. "I love you for it. You always take care of the little, and not so little things for me."

He took her hand, and grabbed the picnic basket in the other. They walked along the path from the parking lot down to the beach, where he dropped her hand to spread out the picnic blanket. Ahead of them, the sun was just beginning to set with the volcanos and mountains as the backdrop. 

She settled down on the picnic blanket, kicking off her flip flops, watching as he settled and did the same. He reached into the basket and pulled out a sparkling white wine and popped the cork. He poured it into two plastic cups. He grinned. "I didn't think wine glasses would work well in the sand so I had them give us plastic cups," he laughed.

"Doesn't matter," she laughed softly, "Thanks baby. This works just right." She clinked her glass against his and took a sip. "Mmm. So sweet. Yum."

He rummaged through the basket and pulled out some cheese and crackers and fruit. "I thought we could snack a bit and get a late night snack when we got back to our hotel. Hopefully that works for you."

She smiled. "Anything works, Josh. I've enjoyed getting to spend my day with you today. Just you and I... paradise. I have zero complaints." She took a piece of pineapple from the plate and nibbled on it. "Ashley and Justin brought us here and still we got to celebrate us."

"Yeah, well, it's not always about them," JC grumbled cutely, looking at her with a smile. "We don't need an excuse to celebrate our love."

"You know," she popped a grape and put it in her mouth, "I know that you broke up with Kat because of her psycho cheating tendencies. I don't know that I know why Justin and Ashley broke up the first time around. All I got out of her was that your careers were crazy and she ended up sleeping with the millionaire investor that helped her launch the clothing line."

"Oh right," JC chuckled, "Don't say his name around Justin. That's like the number one rule of Justin Timberlake land."

Sam giggled. "I won't. Never again, lips are zipped."

JC laughed and took a sip of his wine. "After Kat cheated, a lot of the people that worked with us stopped trusting the women in the circle. Ashley was talked about a lot especially given the two girls arrived as a package deal in the beginning. As you know they were friends when they met us at the show backstage. The label and some of the staff started to cause a rift between the two of them. And you know the passion that's there. It was like a firestorm. Anyways, Justin and Ashley started to fight. A LOT. And Justin wasn't always the easiest boyfriend, but Ashley wasn't always the easiest girlfriend. They were engaged for a few months before the tension just got so thick. And eventually... one day the fighting came to a head. He let her go her own way... and honestly it broke the kid's heart. But he never went running after her, just continued to pine after her. But he never stopped loving her and he realized he needed to man up and go after her again. And that's just what he did. I guess it was the right timing that they were brought together by your fashion show you were in. It brought me you too," He pushed the hair from her face. "And that, by far, is the most important part of this story."

"Oh I'm so appreciative that it happened," she took a sip of her wine before popping another grape in her mouth, "I was just curious. But that explains why he's going extra big this time around." 

"Their first proposal took place in Italy," JC smiled softly. "I helped him plan it all out in a vineyard in Tuscany. Paper lanterns and tealights and all. It was pretty damn romantic," he nodded. "I had thought romance was a crock of shit at that point but for my boy it was worth it. And it definitely helped me formulate the plan I had for you. It all came together so naturally when it clicked for me."

She leaned back on one hand, watching him with a smile. "I don't think I could have asked for a more amazing wedding proposal. So thanks to Justin for inspiring that in you way back when," she giggled softly.

"It was all you being my muse," his lips pursed together as he watched her. "Every artist needs a muse, and you've been mine since pretty much day one. I was smitten and those damn songs started coming out again." 

"I'll gladly take being your muse any day of the week, love," she replied, taking another sip of her wine. "Especially when you decide to get artistic by a waterfall," her voice trailed off with a giggle.

JC's laugh was low. "I'll never forget this trip to Hawaii, that's for sure." He leaned over and placed his lips against her temple. She smiled, shifting her weight to lean into his body and relish in his kisses. She was powerless to his displays of affection, melting into him. 

October 1st, 2006 - Los Angeles, CA

Justin's house was always a gathering spot whenever the guys were not working, especially for Justin and JC to hang out. Fans always found it comforting to know that even when they didn't NEED to be together, the five members of *NSYNC still tended to gravitate to each other in their free time. Something about knowing the friendship they saw on screen truly played out in real life even after the 10th anniversary of the band had played out. 

A few weeks had passed since their 72 hour trip to Hawaii to celebrate Justin and Ashley. JC had enjoyed the time relaxing, catching up on reading and movie watching with Samantha as much as possible. Being "off" the clock was a feeling of freedom that he enjoyed, though he knew the music in him would never truly die. He was already getting the itch to produce some new songs and took opportunities to sneak into the studio to record some rough demos of songs. 

Even though he would never outwardly admit it, it was still under JC's skin that Samantha's ex boyfriend was in the NFL. It only made things worse that it was now heavily into football season and he would see his face on the TV screen every Sunday and in magazines. He made being a tight end look effortless and his physique was in top form. 

He knew now that he was 30 and a full-fledged tour with choreography was not in his daily routine; so to keep things up he knew he'd need something extra, if only for his own perfectionism. 

He had made it a habit to visit Justin's house almost every morning to work out in the new gym he had built in his basement, one that would rival the most exclusive gym in Hollywood. The boys had reignited their friendly competition that they had begun on tour so many years ago, but this time in preparation for their upcoming weddings.

By happenstance while they were in Japan, Joey had stumbled upon a store down the street from their hotel. It had all kinds of gifts and medicines, some Eastern and some Western. Being the jokester he was, he brought a bottle of something called Man-E-Tee back to the hotel, which Chris thought was hilarious given they had lived in Florida, home of the large sea cows for much of their adult lives. Upon closer inspection of the bottle, Justin and Joey had discovered that the supplements were supposed to provide an extra boost of naturally occurring testosterone to the system for better workouts and, to Joey's delight, performance in the bedroom. As one could imagine, that was all Justin and Joey needed to be convinced and they went back to the store and purchased additional bottles. Initially, JC was hesitant about what he was putting in his body but was convinced by both of his friends that this was a completely natural supplement and was worth a try. 

So it began just after their trip to Hawaii, both friends began their pre-workout with smoothies and their new supplements. They had agreed to keep this a secret from their girls and compare notes about what they were noticing and stop immediately if anything didn't feel right at JC's insistence. 

On this cool October morning Justin and JC were walking out the back door of his house to enter the side door to the basement gym. The girls were upstairs in a guest room that Justin had converted to Ashley's Los Angeles work space. They were working on Samantha's initial dress consultation. This made JC even more of a bundle of nerves than usual. He wanted everything to go smoothly and be perfect for his girl. 

"Mmm, here we go." Justin grinned, rubbing his hands together as he turned the lights on in the gym even though the late morning natural light filled the room already. "Let's do this Chasez." He peeled off his white v-neck and tossed it near the door. 

JC was shaking his head with a grin. "You even upgraded your damn gym which was FINE in the first place... can you not be so extra all the time?" He walked to one of the leg machines and started adding weight. 

"Listen shithead," Justin laughed, "You have no problem with me being extra because you constantly get to use my shit." He smirked and walked to the chest press.

JC began his reps, pushing his legs hard. "True. I'll just come over to use yours all the time now." He finished his normal set but began to push himself to begin another, feeling the extra adrenaline in his system. 

"Fine with me, unless my woman and I are making use of the space." He smirked, adding some additional weight onto his chest press.

"Ew, then I never want to touch that shit." He stood up and wiped his face with the bottom of his tank top then pulled it off, walking to spot Justin on the chest press.

***

Meanwhile, Samantha sipped on a cup of green tea on a soft off white armchair  in Ashley's office, grinning softly. "I kinda can't believe that we're standing here and you're going to design my wedding dress. And you're engaged too." Her voice was soft but excited. 

"Uh, I kinda CAN believe I'm making your dress! Hello, you are drop dead gorgeous and any man in this world would be lucky to marry you. I'm just glad it's to my friend JC." Ashley grinned, looking up from her sketches. She had a notebook full of designs that she was going to share with Samantha. She had been hard at work for weeks, sketching design ideas, researching global trends, reflecting on Samantha's style. This was going to be the most important dress that she had made in her career-- her best friend's dress. 

"Well I knew there was nobody else I'd trust to dress me for this day." She grinned, "When other designers don't want to dress me, you make it on point every damn time."

"First of all, when other designers don't want to dress you, you can tell them to fuck off. Now put down that tea," Ashley grinned, grabbing Samantha's arm and pulling her to a hot pink X on the floor, then pointed to the pedestal.  "Step up here. I just need you in your bra and panties. I promise I won't tell JC." She giggled. "Or maybe I will. He'd like that shit."

Sam laughed, leaving her tea behind on Ashley's desk. "More like he'd be up here in an instant. It's like a radar." She slipped off her long sleeved grey t-shirt and unzipped her jeans, shimmying them off. She tossed them both on the armchair then stepped up onto the pedestal. 

"Perfect," Ashley smiled. "Now, I just need you to take a deep breath for me and just relax. I need your shoulders to be good."

She squared off her shoulders and took in a nice deep breath. "Oh, I get the last laugh when I slay in someone else's shit and magazines want to know where it came from." 

"Which you always slay mama," Ashley smiled, taking her measuring tape and moving all around Sam. Sam bit her lip as she watched Ashley moving all around her. This was her least favorite part of fittings, but Ashley always had a way of making her feel at ease every time. 

"Thanks," Sam replied with a soft smile. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled as she watched Ashley move around her, pause, jot down some notes, then move the tape. 

"Uh," Ashley smirked, "Samantha... you're measuring about 2 dress sizes smaller than from when I made your costume in October." 

"Oops?" Sam laughed softly, staying perfectly still as Ashley had ordered her to. Her eyes glanced down to Ashley at her side. 

"Girl," she took a final measurement of her belly button to her hip, "Are you planning on losing anymore before May? If so, I'm going to need to know how much or turn your dress into a hidden corset style in the back."

"I mean," Sam's cheeks tinged pink as she relaxed a bit. "I don't think so. I mean I'm happy with the way I am. This wasn't overly intentional. I guess I've just been working out a lot more alone and with JC. He's very persuasive. I think anything else will be a little toning. I don't think I can get much smaller than this anyways." She laughed softly. "I haven't been since I was about 16 at least." 

"Girl, I think you look bomb. And you're happy and that's all that matters to me." Ashley looked at her friend through the reflection in the mirror. "So all I need to do now is choose what material you want from my swatch books... for the full dress. There's so many different styles."

"Thanks ma," she giggled softly in reply. "I feel strong as hell and that's a good feeling. Okay, mmmhmm," she walked over to the books on the end table next to her tea. "Oh wow. There are so many choices. What's your favorite to work with?"

"Based on the ideas you've shown me and the sketches I've started, I think I want to mix some of them up. Can I play and show you in a month and surprise you? If you hate it I can start over." 

Sam grinned. "Of course. I completely trust you. You're a genius, and you know my body and what works well for it."

"I swear I got this," Ashley grinned, "Put your clothes back on and let's have a celebratory mimosa."

***

An hour and a half had passed in a blur. Justin and JC were on autopilot, switching out on machines and spotting the other. JC was spending some extra time on his bicep curls, lost in thought. "J... don't you just feel so much more... grrr?"

Justin smirked. "I feel like I wanna unleash on babygirl harder than usual."

"RIGHT!" JC finished and he was covered in sweat, sucking in some breaths. "I keep thinking about how hard we got it at the cabin in Big Bear. And I just want to like... lose my mind on her."

Justin smirked harder. "Ashley has always liked it rough but lately she's been feeling it harder than before, so I know exactly what you're putting down bro."

"She would like that shit." He grabbed a towel to wipe his face. "I love that Sam and I keep it whatever the mood is, so it's always changing. Like when we first started dating it was nothing but fucking passion... just straight up fucking. Not even more than a hello before BAM."

Justin laughed all low. "I remember you telling me about sinking your hands into those thighs. That's all you talked about."

"Well yeah... have you SEEN her?" He grunted. "Those thighs. That ass. Everything is just UGHHHHH. Justin I can't handle it sometimes."

Justin smirked. "Yes and I've SEEN her looking at YOU like you're the snack of the year."

JC sucked down half of his water bottle in a gulp. "I think it's time for a snack."

"We are way beyond the snacks man," Justin reset the weights on the machine, then stood in front of the mirror and smirked at his reflection. "Time for a five course meal."

"I mean I might take mama up to the guest room and not come out until tomorrow. Just send food." JC laughed, cracking his knuckles as he picked up his shirt, draping it over his shoulder. 

"Bro, just go home. You don't need to smash all night in my house when you live 20 minutes away," Justin rolled his eyes. They closed the door to the gym behind them as they began to walk up back to the house.

Both men were walking up the stairs, pushing on each other. "The fuck! You never have had a problem with smashing before. What the hell has changed now?" JC looked over at him. He felt himself growing impatient with Justin's usual teasing. 

"Because it's my house! You can smash at your own place!" Justin called back. He was even shocked at how annoyed he was with JC. 

Both women were sipping their mimosas and looked up at the noise coming from the hallway. 

"Well okay..." Ashley said, looking from the two men and their commotion back to Samantha. 

"You didn't have a problem with it when you invited us and you were caught up in your own!" JC yelled at him. If you didn't know them well enough, the two friends actually sounded angry and annoyed with each other. 

"Because this is MY HOUSE! Don't get your panties in a twist because you were interrupted." Justin growled. As they both stepped into the kitchen, he looked up and grinned seeing the girls there. "Ohhh hello ladies."

"The only one wearing panties in a twist is you, trying to make your girl black out." JC sucked down his water bottle, grinning when he saw the girls. He licked his lips, watching Samantha. 

"Uhh, who's trying to get me to black out?" Ashley asked. Her eyebrow shot up and she looked at Samantha who began to purse her lips in return. This was a new side of both men she hadn't seen before. 

"This shithead, walking around talking about how he's gonna unleash on his woman. Smash in the guest house." Justin said.

"Not again." She rolled her eyes but laughed softly. When those two got started their play fights turned them into 12 year olds. "Ashley, we can't leave these two unattended."

"You liar! You said you were gonna give it to babygirl rough and harder than normal." JC narrowed his eyes at Justin. 

"Wow," Ashley shook her head, "I thought they were doing so well being mature and graduating from acting like teenagers."

"And YOU said you were gonna lose your mind on Samantha harder than Big Bear. SO." Justin retorted.

"And with that, we're going. I'll call you later this week Ashley..." Sam sighed and gave Ash a quick hug, leaving her just-sipped mimosa on the counter. Both girls exchanged looks.

"Oh GREAT," JC groaned. He sucked the last of his water bottle down and mean mugged at Justin. 

Sam looked over at JC. "Let's go Joshua. You can puff your chest out in our own house."

"Wait, wait, wait. I'm not ready to leave," JC said. He looked over at Justin who was making his way toward Ashley. 

"Joshua Scott, what could possibly be that important here?" Sam asked. 

"On that note, the car will be JUST fine." He grinned, "I like when you get all feisty with me." He grabbed his keys off the counter, took her hand and pulled her out the front door. 

"Can you at least pull your shirt on before you start to drive?" She looked at him. His chest was flaring in and out and his skin was still a shiny red and sweaty. His eyes were a steely grey the way they were just before he was ready to throw down.

"Nope." He opened her door, licking his lips. He couldn't help himself but grab her by the waist and pull her all up into his body harshly. He was hard as hell for her and had a little smirk. "Hi gorgeous."

"What were you doing up there with Justin? Wrestling?" She couldn't help but laugh softly at him, feeling him throb against her. Her hands went to his chest feeling the fine layer of sweat. His heart was pounding through his chest and felt like it was racing under her fingertips.

He lifted her ass up into his swoll and flexed arms right there, pushing his hips right against hers into the side of the car. He brought his lips to rest against hers. "Don't you worry about that." He bucked his hips into hers to let her know what was up and where his mind was. 

"Josh..." she pulled herself back a little bit. "Not right here ok? We're in Justin's driveway."

"Oh c'mon, baby. It'll be fun. Different. Risky. We've already done it outside here before." He took a playful nip at her lip. "C'mon Samantha." JC's voice was low. He let his fingers try to sink into her hips through her jeans as he held her. He was getting grabby.

"Joshua Scott Chasez." Her voice was serious as she looked at him. Something was off, not quite like her man, and she couldn't put her finger on it. 

He grinned, looking down at her, steely eyed. "That's right. You'll want to call out my entire name." He reached down and grabbed at her thigh before he crashed his lips against her jaw and neck.

"Josh. STOP." She moved her head away from his lips. "Seriously. Stop."

He made a face. "REALLY?" He scoffed, letting her down so he wasn't holding her anymore. "Fucking really... Fine." He walked over to the driver's side and stared at her for a long moment from across the car. Why wasn't she taking the bait? She had never rejected his advances before, ever. He hastily tossed on his white tank top, grumbling.

"Just drive me home please." She crossed her arms once she got into the car. As he got in the car next to her, the rain began to fall. It hadn't rained in several weeks in LA but at that moment, the skies opened up. When he started the car, she angled her body to look out the window. Tiny droplets of rain fell down the windows, then big pounding drops. 

JC's jaw was set and he could feel himself growing more and more upset. He felt rejected... this was not the outcome that he expected and as he drove his way down the hills he sped up to get to the freeway. "Get out of my way," he growled. The water pooled on the streets and made loud sounds in his tires as the car pushed through. 

She was leaning her head against the window and she made a low sound. "Josh, pull the car over if you need me to drive. Or fix your attitude because you're not going to hurt me in whatever mood you're in."

"I'm not going to hurt you, what the hell?" He looked over at her as he merged onto the freeway. "What is wrong with you? Like for real Samantha?"

She shook her head, feeling a deep sense of deja vu. He was acting just like Julian and the flashbacks were intense. She said nothing and continued to stare out the window. The car accelerated and she finally closed her eyes, feeling the familiar feeling of anxiety begin to settle deep in her chest. 

The 20 minute ride home was one of the longest 20 minutes JC could remember. No words were spoken, no music was playing, just a deep, thick tension that had settled over them. He couldn't remember being in a car with her without having his hand on her thigh or holding hands with her on the arm rest. They might as well have been in different cars. 

With a final squeal of the tires, JC pulled his Mercedes into the garage. He watched Samantha fly out of the car and storm inside and he was right behind her. "SAMANTHA BENTLEY! Are you going to talk to me or what?" His genuine concern was overtaken by the annoyance and short temper that had taken over him since the conversation began earlier in Justin's stairwell. 

She turned around to look at him. "I have nothing to say to you right now, Joshua."

He growled and stomped his foot, then ran his hand through his hair. "Fine. I can't make you do shit!" He threw his hands up in the air. He felt the veins in his neck begin to bulge with an anger he hadn't felt in ages brewing in his belly. 

"You're right, you can't make me do shit. I'm a fucking woman. Not some doll you can stick it in whenever you want because you and your friend are acting like teenagers." Her eyes were cold and void of the familiar emotion as she stared at him for a long moment that felt paralyzing to him. After she turned around, she put her purse down in the living room and walked upstairs to their bedroom feeling the suffocating need to cry take over her entire body. 

JC stood in the foyer, staring at the spot where she last stood. She had never looked at him that way before. The emotions swirling through his mind were confusing. He felt aggressive and angry that she had rejected him, but at the same time felt knocked on his ass at the way she was reacting. As rational thinking slowly began to creep back into his brain he knew he really upset her, but he needed a few minutes to make himself calm down some more and he also knew he needed to eat something. He sighed harshly and walked into the kitchen to make himself a quick protein shake. He paced around the kitchen, chugging it. He was mumbling to himself as he drank the shake. Gradually, the anger subsided and the fixated fog he was feeling began to lift. As he looked over at a photo of them framed on the kitchen island, the deep sense of dread and regret took over. 

Upstairs, Sam made a little face and sat in the armchair near the windows, grabbing a book off the table. After a few tears were shed, she needed a moment herself to cool her head. Starting from a few days previous to the kitchen at the Timberlake house, she knew something was off. He had begun to act like Julian and she wasn't sure she could handle this situation again. Her finger played absentmindedly at her engagement ring as she found herself in her thoughts, reflecting on his behavior in the recent past. She sucked in a breath and opened up the book to escape. 

JC let a good half hour go by pacing the entire lower level of the house, knowing he had finally calmed down. He had taken the peanut butter from the pantry and a spoon and walked upstairs. He walked right into the bedroom, sitting on the bed as he ate his peanut butter off the spoon. "Hey..."

She looked up at him from the armchair. "Hi." She let her eyes roam his body, more in a questioning way than the admiration he was used to. She was working in her brain to try and put the pieces together. 

His voice was softer than it was earlier, but still assertive. "What are you reading?" He took another small bite of the peanut butter. 

She held up the paperback book. "Just a novel. Nothing major. Just some light reading. A little romance."

"Ah." He nodded, then looked down at the peanut butter jar. He was about to ask a question and he was pretty sure he knew the answer. "Are you mad at me?" he asked.

"Yes." Her voice was simple and to the point. She looked up at him and put the book down on the arm of the chair. 

JC made a face. "Okay..." His heart was pounding again but this time in a different way and he knew it. 

"Yes. I am mad at you right now, because at this moment I don't feel like I'm connecting with, or even really know the man that's sitting on the bed. And I definitely do NOT know the man who was walking out of Justin's house before." She continued. She watched his gaze intently on her, noticing his eyes were returning to their more normal shade of blue. His entire body looked more relaxed. But she was used to this too... This pattern was all too familiar. 

He scooped up one more spoonful of peanut butter then put the lid back on. He took one lick while he was looking at her intently. "You know me. I'm JC... your Josh. I was just amped up from working out with J. We were talking about sex."

"There's a difference from when you're amped up about sex and the kind of shit that's been happening the last few days." She shook her head slightly. "I promised you that I wasn't going to hold back on you and be extremely transparent with what I'm feeling."

JC started to feel uncomfortable and shifted his body to face her even more. "Can you come and sit over here with me please?" The distance between their bodies felt too great. Since the day they met she constantly had him pegged and always called a spade a spade when she saw it. The one thing he loved deeply about her made that feeling of dread grow deeper inside. 

"Why don't you come over here?" She asked softly. "There's room on the ottoman."

JC left the peanut butter jar and the spoon on the edge of the bed and within seconds he was sitting on the ottoman, scooting it closer to her. Before he knew it rhe words came rushing out. "Samantha, I'm really really sorry." He nervously scratched the back of his neck. "I just... I think I thought something was going to be a great idea when it wasn't, at all."

Her voice grew soft in that moment. "Josh..." She shook her head, not in rejection of his apology, but she was in her own head with all of this because it was running a parallel to her past relationship. "What's going on with you? I need you to be honest with me."

He sighed. "Justin and I were talking while we were in Hawaii about me turning 30 and wanting better and faster results for the wedding and honeymoon. I was worried that not being on tour I wasn't going to get in shape well enough. Anyways, Joe had bought some natural supplements in Tokyo that were a natural testosterone... and J and Joe convinced me to try it. Honestly, we thought it was going to be amazing." 

Sam rubbed her face.  "Josh, do you know how bad that shit fucks you up? There's absolutely nothing wrong with your regular level of testosterone. Ugh."

"Baby, I know I have a good amount of testosterone. I just thought that there wouldn't be anything wrong with adding just a little bit more to look better and be a little more you know..." He stuck his chest out and a light growl escaped, "For you."

"I don't want you to stick out your chest anymore for me. I don't want you bigger. I don't want you to get more cut in any way. I like my guy just the way he is." She sighed softly. "Even more than your regular amount of those hormones starts to do shit to you. While you might feel more aggressive in your workouts and sex drive it starts to trickle down to everything else. Baby, I lived through being with a man who used shit like this." 

Julian. He should have known. "No, no no! I don't want to be like that. That's not at all what I wanted. I'm sorry. Shit... I'm sorry." He looked up at her and scratched the back of his head. "I can sleep on the couch tonight. I'm sorry." 

"I don't want you to get mean." Her voice got softer, almost unsure. "When he was on steroids he was so mean to me. And when you started yelling in the driveway..." She shook her head. "I can't go through that shit again Joshua."

"Oh no....." He got up off the ottoman and took her hands in his. He never liked to see the side of Samantha that Julian brought out- it made him angry for her. "I literally will never touch that shit again. I will never act like that towards you again, I promise, ok? I can't afford to lose you...  I can't. I won't." He felt his heart pound wildly.

She was looking up at him and could tell he was extremely upset. "Josh, I don't want you to lose me either. I don't want you to NOT be in my life. I'm just saying that I won't deal with what I've already been through with Julian. And I don't want you to end up with problems later on. All kinds of side effects and shit."

He started looking at her with wide eyes as he sat back down on the ottoman. His hands still held hers. "First of all, I am so, so sorry you had to deal with that piece of shit. And second... what side effects?"

"His temper. Oh god the fucking temper. He was so mean to me. Then he got addicted to taking more and more because the rush wasn't enough, and his chest started swelling because his body started turning the extra testosterone into estrogen. His back broke out like he was a teenager and it was disgusting. And I'm sure you've heard of what happens to the family jewels..." 

JC's face was set in a surprised expression as he watched her, thinking about everything she was saying. 

"I mean if you really wanted to go ahead and kill off future Chasez children." She sighed and tilted her head. "Josh, why didn't you just tell me you weren't happy with your body?"

"Wait. No, I'm not unhappy with myself at all." He looked down at his arms and chest then looked up at her. "I'm not unhappy. I love the way I am. I love working out with you and seeing the way you look at me with pride. It was just about being even better for you." He leaned forward and lifted her hands, linked in his, up to his face. 

"You don't need to be better. You're more than just right in my eyes. If you got any harder or bigger it would be like snuggling with a bodybuilder, and that shit isn't sexy to me. I can assure you that it's not the fastest way to get me wanting you." She smiled softly. 

"I won't do anything crazy anymore. I promise ok?" He pulled her hands to his lips and started kissing them over and over softly. "I don't want to look like one of those guys either. I really don't. I just want to compliment you and be strong enough to protect you."

"You already are. You're more than strong enough to protect me and love me honey. I don't need anymore or less of you. I want you to be confident and happy when we get married ok?" She smiled softly. 

He offered her a smile. "I am confident and happy right now, right here. I mean I still do feel kind of weird, this shit isn't a joke. I guess I need to tell Joey he's gonna need a bra if he doesn't stop." He bit his lip, hoping for a laugh from her. 

"Did you ever think maybe he has lower testosterone than you?" She looked up at him. "Though he does have a baby so I guess that's not an issue."

"Damn baby, you are so good at calling me out," he blushed, "I didn't think of that at all, and guys don't usually think about those things. But yeah, he doesn't seem to have any issues."

"And you definitely don't either. You work quite well down there if I do say so myself. You don't need help getting things started and you don't need help keeping it going. So let's not mess with a good thing okay?" 

JC couldn't help but laugh. "I promise you baby, promise you that I'm not going to mess with anything like that ever again." He leaned forward and put his lips to her forehead. "How can I make it up to you?"

She pursed her lips, looking at him. "I mean, we could have some ice cream in the den. You could probably twist my arm a little bit." 

"I would love that," he smiled, "But first I need to shower real quick.Why don't you get in your sweats and get the ice cream, and I'll be done and on the couch with you before you know it?"

"Okay sweetheart, I'll wait for you." she squeezed his hands a bit. "Go clean up."

He leaned in and placed one kiss on her forehead before hurrying into the bathroom. As he stripped down and started the water, he stopped in front of the mirror to take a long look at his reflection. He knew he was lucky, but he hoped he hadn't broken any part of Samantha's trust.

The TV was blaring in the den at the Chasez house. Snacks were spread out across the table and the Thursday night football game was on. Justin, Chris, Joey and Lance were over for the first time in a few weeks, watching football, drinking beer and eating food. It was a welcome boys night.

Ashley had promised JC she would return Samantha at the end of the night, claiming the need for a girl's night. The girls had stopped for dinner at the Grove and gone into Sephora and Mac, buying makeup and being silly together. 

Justin was all grins, walking into the kitchen to hand out another round of beers to the boys. "We should do this at least once a month when we're home guys."

JC was smiling because the Redskins were running against the Cowboys. He felt confident in his team's chances to win. Of course, did he want to be watching the game with Samantha and probably celebrating with some celebratory sex? Absolutely. But having the guys around was just a little bit more down the list of desired activities. He looked over at Justin and took the beer from him. "Once a month is being a little optimistic."

"I forgot I can't interrupt your time with wifey," Justin smirked, clinking his bottle against his. "To our wives."

Chris rolled his eyes. "Not again. Can we watch football without the two of you practically jacking off to the thought of your girls?"

JC toasted to Justin with a grin before taking a sip. "Just because your sorry ass isn't in love, do NOT be a hater..."

"Yeah, you'll see," Justin grinned and looked at JC. "We're gonna be fucked in about 10 minutes when they try to outdo us in this picture war. So we're gonna have to get them back too."

Ashley and Sam had been playfully posting pictures in the group text they had going, making a Boys Night vs. Girls night competition. The first photos sent were the girls posing with their cocktails at the restaurant. Justin had responded with a photo of himself holding nachos up to JCs mouth. The last photo the girls had sent were with kissing faces, trying brand new red lipstick on in Sephora. JC's response was both boys making kissing faces against their beer bottles. 

JC groaned playfully. "Knowing your girl and mine, they are totally up to something. It's been quiet for at least 15 minutes. Watch them try on wedding dresses or something. Fuck." He closed his eyes. 

***

Ashley was all grins. "They think they've got this. They're so dumb." 

The girls were walking through The Grove, holding their shopping bags.

"Oh so they think boys night will win," Sam was grinning before a little giggle escaped.

"Not when we go in on another round and start trying on lingerie or something. I know how to shut them down." Ashley's voice was full of pride, confident the girls would win. 

"You always do," Sam laughed, "I mean I wouldn't argue that. I'm in need of some new stuff."

"Wait." Ashley paused and grinned. That tone in her voice could mean only one thing... she had an idea. Her look was simply devious. "I have the BEST idea ever. You still have that piece that JC drew for you? The tattoo? Let's get them! Then take a picture at the end of the night as the end all be all and you know we'd win that way."

"Oh, I do," Sam smirked, "I took a picture on my phone right in the spot where I want it. And I have a copy on a paper in my purse too." She laughed softly, "It took him like 5 tries to draw it on me. Who knew how distracting it would be..." She smirked again.

"BOTH of you knew!" Ashley laughed, "Oh Josh." Ashley swung her bags as they walked and she grinned as the walked past a David's Bridal. "Samantha. How do you think JC would react thinking we said fuck it and just bought you a David's dress? And me too... we can find some gaudy ones in here."

"He'd kill you first. And then me." Sam replied with a laugh. 

Ashley grinned and snapped a picture of the girls standing in front of the red sign and sent it to the group text with a message of... "We don't have dresses yet. We're gonna choose them tonight. A toast to the soon to be Mrs x2!" 

***

Meanwhile, Justin had brought out a fresh plate of nachos and the guys were digging in as halftime was set to begin. 

"So don't make any plans at the beginning of November. Ash and I are going to be eloping and I want you to join us. I couldn't have my day without you... you've been there through this entire ride." Both phones buzzed and he looked down at the notification. "Oh fuck."

JC was looking over at Justin's phone as he began, "I'll make sure Samantha doesn't have any work planned but damn that's fast work." he laughed softly then groaned. "WHAT!"

"How do you always call these things? Why the hell would she even set foot in that store when she makes her own that's worth more?" Justin nearly growled. 

JC smirked. "I call these things because I'm on the outside looking in and I know the both of you in this game you play. I  also swear to god that if she convinces Sam to get a cheap dress..."

"This is just a game we play and you love it," Justin grinned, "Because I sure as hell do. And why would she convince your fiance to get a cheap ass dress? Samantha is a smart woman who doesn't settle." He licked his lips.

***

As the girls entered the store, they both tried to have a straight face. Racks and racks of white and ivory dresses lined the store, packed in tightly. 

"Let's find two dresses that are almost awful, but convincing enough," Ashley said with a big grin.

"Just enough not our style so they're like what the hell?" Sam laughed.

"Mmm, but I feel like they know us well enough to know we wouldn't be too extreme. So something in the middle to make us wonder. They're just drunk enough," Ash giggled.

"Let's do this. I need to find something to cover my curves and not be fitted at all. Like I need to hide all this," Sam made a gesture over her body. 

"Actually, I want you to go have the woman up front help you find a ball gown and tell her you want one with the biggest petticoat they have to puff it out ok?" Ashley laughed with a little snort. 

"Oh god," Sam laughed, "You'll be able to see my ass coming from 5 miles away."

"Well you said not fitted, unless you want a mermaid style," Ashley was laughing as she looked through the racks. "Oh my god this material is god awful."

Sam had wandered over to the plus sized dresses. "Nono, a ball gown is fine." She laughed from a few aisles away, thumbing through all the tulle. "Oh lord."

Ashley smiled, glancing back over her shoulder at her friend thumbing through the gowns. For as confident as she knew she was, she also knew that sometimes her self-perception was harder on herself than it needed to be. 

"Samantha over here," Ashley called out, pulling out a satin and beaded gown for Samantha, holding it up. "You're on the wrong side of things."

"Ohhh Hmmm," she met her in the aisle. "We'll need to puff that out a little bit more."

Ashley grinned. "The customer service in this place is awful too," she looked around, pulling a dress off the rack for herself. "We'll need to help each other then we can go."

"We have two winners," Sam laughed, following her into a dressing room. The girls changed into the dresses, helping each other. They were both all giggles for ten solid minutes. Sam was laughing at the giant veil and headpiece Ashley had picked out for her along with Ashley's haute couture gown with a giant bow on her head. "This is awful. I have no hips anymore," she laughed, "But the girls look killer in this one. Damn." She squeezed her breasts in the corset. 

Ashley grinned. "Sooo now I'll be making a dress that makes your boobs look amazing. Got it." She smirked, pulling the long gloves on and putting her hair up in a messy bun to accentuate the giant bow. "Do you think they'll believe us?"

"That would be great please," Sam laughed, stepping up onto the pedestal. "Gotta show off the girls and the hips please. Gotta work with what my mama gave me." She twirled around a bit. "Maybe they will, maybe they won't. But who cares... they're gonna die." She was giggling still. 

Ashley grinned, taking a picture in the mirror with the girls in their dresses, sending the text off to the boys group text with the caption of "See you boys at the alter..." "And JC will be calling me in about 5 minutes," Ashley laughed. 

"Justin will be cutting in on that call," Sam laughed.

***

Just as the girls suspected, when JC's phone illuminated he looked closely at the picture message and let out a yelp."WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Justin looked over his shoulder, "Whaaa?" He grinned at Sam in the corset then looked closer at Ashley and made a face. "What the hell?"

"This isn't... I can't." JC grunted.

"JC, do you think they're stupid enough to show us their dresses?" Justin laughed, "You know your woman is going to make you want to crawl out of your skin that day and not before." He licked his lips, "We could put on a shower curtain in response."

"I don't know, maybe!"JC laughed, looking over at the guys, "No shower curtain, but I'm making a sign that says nice try ladies, you wouldn't wear garbage to marry us..."

"Annnnd if she really is wearing that tully garbage then you're going to be sleeping on the couch tonight," Justin laughed real low. 

"And so are you," JC grinned, walking to the desk in the den to grab a marker and some white paper.

Justin was all laughs as he walked to the pantry to get some black garbage bags. "And some added accessories."

"Oh my god, we're both wearing these. Definitely." JC drew his sign and added a small smiley face at the bottom.

Justin was mid belly laugh as he maneuvered the garbage bag to fit him like a suit jacket. "Oh this is a look."

JC had tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. "Justin... Justin, oh my gosh." He was laughing so hard as he ran to the kitchen to cut some of the flowers he had bought Sam earlier in the week and taped them to the trash bags.

Lance took a grainy camera phone video of the guys in their tuxedos calling out to the girls that they'd see them at the altar, unscripted and adorable.

***

The girls' next stop brought them to a small, scene bar just at the edge of The Grove. Ashley and Sam were sipping on martinis with little smiles. 

Ashley brought her head to Sam's shoulder for a moment. "This has been so fun."

Sam rested her head on top of Ashley's with a light laugh, smiling. "You're right. It was much needed. Don't get me wrong, I love the hell out of my man but I haven't had girl time in ages."

"I know, same. Sometimes Justin smothers me with so much affection and attention I need a moment to breathe," she laughed softly, "I mean that in the best way possible."

"Ohhh I know," Sam laughed as well, playing with the base of her glass. "Not that I mind either. It's just I miss having my girlfriends around. We'll need to try and make it more of a regular thing together. Before you know it, it won't just be us anymore. I know Justin's dying to start a family and we'll all be so busy."

"Pfffft, he hasn't mentioned a family to me yet. More than once that I remember anyways. What the hell is he telling you?" Ashley laughed and took a sip of her drink. "Besides, I don't even know that I can have children."

"Oh Justin," Sam grinned, "He hit the bottle a little hard a few times before they went on tour. JCdidn't allow a lot of the crying on the couch sessions but, you know."

Ash smiled lightly. "He told me when we were in Greece about his talks with JC. I was still so cold toward him at first, it took him almost 2 weeks to break down the walls that were up."

"And I know he wasn't about to give it up," Sam smiled, "That Timberlake is a gem. He's going to be a stellar husband."

"As is Joshua Scott," Ashley was all grins, nibbling on the olives of her martini. "We are very lucky because we sure have the best guys. I really think that."

Sam smiled, taking the last sip of her drink. "We definitely are. They're incredible and so worth waiting for," She let out a cute sigh. "I honestly can't wait to be his wife and keep the rest of our lives going. I look at him and I just see everything I've always wanted to see in someone else. I see us being old together with our own children, and their children and it makes my heart so happy. I've never had that to hold on to, you know?"

"I totally know what you mean babe," Ashley smiled and hugged Sam for a long moment. "That's why this wedding and this tattoo you're about to get is going to be a memory of a lifetime." She grinned. "Think he's going to die?"

"Umm completely," Sam grinned, "The fact that he designed it to go on a place really only he gets to see, well most of the time," she giggled, "Justin will die too."

Ashley pulled her phone out and started to belly laugh. "Samantha look at these nerds," she grinned, holding her phone out to her best friend. "This is amazing."

"Oh my gosh," Samantha laughed, shaking her head. They closed out their tab for their drinks and Ashley grabbed onto Samantha's arm to lead her back out to the street. 

"I don't have anything I want yet, I have to think of something quick!" Ashley laughed, holding her arm linked with Samantha's as they walked. 

"You're gonna up and get Justin," Sam laughed, "Didn't y'all say you were thinking about hearts when you were in Greece? Do something like that."

Ash grinned, "Yeah we did, we joked about it but just never did it. He's already got like 5 tats too," she laughed, "Maybe I'll just get his name on me and regret it later." 

***

Justin stood in the kitchen, grinning at the picture he had just received of the girls arm and arm walking down the street. "They'd better be heading home soon," he said, looking down at his phone. "The game is almost over. I miss my wifey."

JC laughed, shaking his head. "I'd laugh at you for being fucking ridiculous but I'm just as bad." 

Justin pulled some homemade peach cobbler out of the container he brought over. "Dessert time while we wait," he grinned, putting the container in the microwave to warm it up.

"I'll take some. I'm pretty sure the Skins are winning tonight," JC grinned, cleaning up some of the plates and mess they made. Joey, Lance and Chris were still seated in front of the TV, watching the game and deep in conversation. 

"Oh we'll destroy them," Justin smiled, then let out a little sigh, leaning against the island for a long minute as the peach cobbler warmed up. He looked around JC's kitchen with a little smirk. "I have to tell you, your house looks good with all the little woman touches." When the microwave beeped, he took the container out and stuck his fork in the crumble topping.

JC glanced around at where Justin's gaze was going and he was studying it as he scooped ice cream over both plates. "You have totally lost your fucking mind but I understand it. And I like it too."

"You know what I mean." He grinned, "Like little pieces of her that are now yours." He took a sip of his beer as he watched the ice cream melt on the two pieces. 

"That usually means that you miss what you're noticing in my home." JC smirked. "Ashley hasn't decorated for you yet?"

"No, no, no." He laughed, "She definitely has. "I'm appreciating it because I have it. Silly things like where she hangs the dish towel. Or high heels left in the foyer." He smirked thoughtfully. "Or the first time she left her bra hanging by the shower in the bathroom. You haven't had those moments?"

"Ohh trust me, I have." He stopped and grinned, taking a big bite of Justin's dessert. "Damn J." He swallowed, nodding his head. "Honestly one of the biggest ones for me was the night that I came home after the tour. Sam had been living in the house by herself before she left for a trip. And my fucking sheets smelled like her perfume. I didn't know whether to be turned on or to cry when her smell hit my senses. It was the most overwhelming thing. And even things like the way she folds my laundry. Or puts things away. It's just so uniquely her that it gets me every damn time."

Justin grinned. "Yup. It gets me too."

JC took another thoughtful bite. "You cook as good as a woman, Timberlake. Samantha might need this recipe."

Justin laughed. "I know she has the chef talents in your relationship. But I've been told your cooking skills are improving, Chasez." He offered his best friend a grin. "But yes. I've succeeded in Ashley gaining some weight since Ireland so I've done my job."

JC laughed. "I was gonna say, she doesn't look quite so skinny anymore," He grinned, "Neither do we." He took an extra spoonful of ice cream out of the carton when his dessert was done. "Ash'll never be thick like my boo but she's aight."

"Our days of being skinny are over, bro," He laughed real low. "And Ash is perfect for me. You got your own shit to love." He licked his lips, "We can appreciate each others ladies and celebrate for our best friend." He smirked and scooped some extra ice cream too.

JC looked at him for a few long moments. "You're really going to get married in a few weeks, J?" He put his dish in the sink and grabbed a big cup of water.

"I really am," Justin sighed softly. "I've been waiting for this moment forever. I can't wait for the rest of our lives to begin. I'm making her a Timberlake." His grin was huge. 

"That is something I will give you, and I don't know that I could have been as resilient as you have with her. I'm so happy for you. I know how much you love her, and now that I have Samantha, there isn't anything that I wouldn't do for her either." He sighed thoughtfully. 

"I would chase her to the ends of the Earth. Would you have followed Samantha across the country to get back with her if you lost her? Because I can't imagine my future without Ashley. I can't see myself having children or being any farther along in my career without her being by my side."

"You know damn well that I have NEVER been in a relationship like this one, that I have never loved anyone the way  I love her. So yes, I would follow her until the world ended if I needed. I totally understand where you are coming from and I couldn't be happier for you or myself. We are at the best point in our career, or lives, and we are still so young that we have all the time to do whatever we want, and now we don't have to be alone to do it either," JC replied. 

"We have a long life." Justin laughed softly, "And I know that I for one plan on filling it with lots of babies and good memories. And good music." He grinned.

"Ok, calm your dick with the baby talk." JC said, staring at his friend.

Justin smirked right back at him. "Your dick scared of making babies?"

"My dick isn't scared. Babies are permanent. You can never ever change your mind." JC said simply. 

Justin's smirk was shit-eating. "You planning on changing your mind about Samantha?" He licked his lips. "Do I need to let her know?"

"Um... fuck you know that I wouldn't ever." JC's tone was defensive.

"Fine. You can be the cool uncle that shows up at our house with your smokin' hot wife." Justin grinned.

Lance let out a low laugh. "Guys! Come in here!"

JC and Justin walked into the room where Joey and Lance were looking at the laptop. 

"Nice disposable panties on Samantha," Joey grinned.

"WHAT!" JC called out, nearly pushing Joey off the couch. Lance had Ashley's MySpace page open to a photo of both girls laying down in the tattoo chairs, Ashley's hand up and waving with the caption, "Inked forever, its our first time!"

Justin growled. "Why isn't she wearing a top? What the hell is going on?"

JC growled. "SAMANTHA BENTLEY!" 

Justin began to pace around the living room, running his hands through his hair. "Oh fuck."

"That guy is about to be FACE DEEP in her crotch!" JC made a face. 

***

An hour later, Sam was driving a still-tipsy Ashley back to JC's house. Both girls were giggling, sharing in the fun of their girls night. 

Back at the house, JC and Justin were still pacing, looking at the clock waiting for them to come home. 

JC peeked out the front window. "I just miss my girl. I haven't gone this long in 2 months now and I need to see her."

Justin grinned. "Our codependency is crazy and I love it." He smirked, licking his lips. "Are they home yet?"

"NO. I'm about to go bash the guys face in for looking at my wife's vagina now." JC made a face. 

"He's a tattoo artist." Justin smirked, "You're just as bad as me and I fucking love it. ALL the times you went after me and Ashley. You're JUST as bad."

"Fuck off! I never came after you guys. I teased you a little bit and that was it." He pulled more peach cobbler out with the ice cream. "I'm making more."

"How many intervals are you planning on hitting to make up for that second cobbler plate?" Justin grinned. 

"I'm going to spend the next two days fucking my wife. That's how many." JC made a face, making a plate for them to share and putting it in the microwave. 

"Now that sounds like an excellent idea. Mhmm." He looked up when he heard the garage open. Both of them jolted like they wanted to run to the door but he knew they needed to practice some restraint. 

Ashley was laughing as she got out of the car. "I'll go in first so you can be whisked away." She walked into the door from the garage, which led to the foyer where the laundry room was. She headed straight into the kitchen where both Justin and JC were standing anxiously like puppies who looked like they didn't know if they needed to be happy or upset or both. "Oh..."

Justin let out a huge sigh of relief. "Oh. You made it back."

"Of course we did dum dum," Ashley laughed, "We didn't go to Ireland." She put her shopping bags down. 

Sam followed her in. "Oh, cobbler! Yum!" She took the spoon out of JC's hand, taking a bite. 

JC blinked at her a few times. "Yeah... cobbler. Justin made it."

She grinned, nibbling it. "Oh my gosh Justin!"

JC took a bite then looked from Justin to Ashley to Sam. "This is killing me. You know it is too." He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the kitchen to the den. 

"Ok... Josh, what's wrong baby?"She tilted her head as she looked at him. 

His voice was soft and low because they had company in the house. "I just. I didn't mind anything that happened tonight until the tattoo. That's something I thought I was going to get to be there for. That's my spot... my drawing on my wife."

"I wanted to surprise you." She reached up and touched his face. "I'm sorry sweetheart."

He looked at her with her hand on his face, and it made him smile softly. "It's ok.... Baby I think I'm just mad he had his hands so close to what's mine."

She laughed softly in response. "It's actually mine. But you hold the real estate title there, handsome." She leaned forward and brought her face up against his. "I love you. And I'm sorry that you had to go through it. But I'm not sorry that it's there now and from here on out it's all yours."

He needed to laugh softly, knowing his arms needed to wrap around her into a big tight hug while he squished his face to hers some more. "It's still mine okay..." He needed to bury his face in her neck while he mumbled, "I missed you."

Her soft giggle turned into a soft smile against his face. "You missed me so much you didn't enjoy your boys night? It looked like you had fun.

"Mmm no. We had a lot of fun. The Skins won and we were having so much fun with the pictures until the tattoos. Justin and I lost it. He was pacing around my house." 

"I'm glad you two are best friends, handsome," She smirked, playing with his hair. 

"Me too," JC licked his lips, "But baby?" He looked down at her. 

"Yes Josh?" Sam's eyes were sparkling. 

"I fucking want you. I need to see that tattoo in my spot and I just fucking want you so bad." His voice had taken on that irresistable, sudden low quality that she loved and his eyes were intent on her.

Her smile faded at his seriousness and it made her bite her lip. "Ohhh. Josh."

JC grinned, reaching for her waist and tossing her over his shoulder as he carried her up the stairs to their bedroom. "Justin and Ashley can see themselves out."  

His footsteps were rushed and he took 2 steps at a time to their bedroom, where he kicked the door shut. He placed her down on the floor near the bed and took a long moment to stare at her. 

Sam grinned softly. "I was hoping you'd have this reaction. I never bothered to put my panties back on after the tattoo."

He swallowed thick, reaching down to unbutton her jeans then slid them down to see if she was telling the truth and he moaned softly. All skin. He sucked in a breath as he yanked her jeans right down.

She looked down at his hasty movements and it made her smile. "Figured I'd make things easier." She brought her forehead against his, "That is, I was assuming that you'd want me when I got home."

He didn't reply to that, instead dipping his head to let his lips meet hers in a single lock. He pushed her right up against the bed so she stopped, and his hips were met with hers. She could feel all the want he had.

She smiled against his kiss, taking a moment to open and close her lips over his as she reached down to unzip and unbutton his jeans, giving them a tug down his legs. 

He let out a long moan because her being there with him like that, after waiting for her to come home was just so much of what he wanted... seeing her after wanting her was never going to get old for him. He lifted her ass up right there when she grabbed at his pants that way. They fell to his ankles and he stepped out of them, grinding himself up against her as he sucked on her lips. She was hovering over the bed as he held her up over it. 

She mumbled against his lips with a little nibble, "You told me once that if I wanted you when I walked in the door to be ready for you. Safe to assume that it included what would happen if I was thinking about you while doing something else..." She let her legs wrap nice and tight around his waist, feeling him twitch against her skin. It made her moan once, nice and low. Sometimes that little friction between his briefs and her skin made her go crazy. 

He took a good nip at her lips as he all but tossed her on the bed, onto the pillows. He pulled his shirt off and knelt on the bed to look down at her as his hand came down and grabbed himself over the briefs. "It applies to anywhere and anytime you need me. Shit Samantha."

She took a moment, leaning back against her elbows. She bit at her lip as her mind swirled around with thoughts of how sexy he was, taking that moment to drink him into her senses and remember the way he always looked at her like she was the only woman in the world. After a few moments she spoke softly, "How do you want me daddy?"

He all but ripped his own briefs off before he was pushing her legs open and putting his hips down against hers. His voice was low and thick. "I don't care. I just want you now." He didn't hesitate any longer to put himself right inside with a good strong thrust. His eyes fluttered closed. 

Her eyes closed and she let out a low moan, He felt perfect. "Ohhhh," She felt her body sink right down into the middle of their bed and her lips went to his neck where she breathed in sharp little breaths up against his ear. 

JC couldn't say anything, only a small noise escaped as his arms wrapped around her. His hips gave another soft thrust to make sure he was all the way in. His lips dragged from down her ear to her neck, forcing her face away from his a little bit. "Mmmmm...." Just when it felt right to him, he pulled out and thrusted back in a bit more forcefully. 

She went to let out a low moan but nothing came out. She wrapped one leg around him, then the other went around too, enabling her hips to lift off the bed with the movements of his body. 

He finally let out a grunt as he continued that pace, hard but slow thrusts, knowing he wanted to feel every inch of her body and the way he made her feel. He was so turned on by her and he wanted her to know it. "Ughhhhh. You're so. Fuck."

After several moments, she was able to let out a moan, her body rising and falling with each of his movements. Her body was one perfect unit with his. Her head went back against the mattress and a little whine escaped. "Ohhh Daddy... you.... Mmmm. Shit."

His lips went to her throat as he lifted her hip up more, needing to quicken the pace just a bit. She could feel his breaths grow jagge against her skin. "Ohhh fuck you feel so good."

She mumbled into a moan. "Josh. Oh.... back on your knees. Take me in your arms that way daddy." She moaned up under his ear before her tongue snaked out, licking the skin that was at the base of his ear just slightly. 

He felt goosebumps take over his skin when her tongue was against his body like that. He rolled back and pulled her up on him the way she instructed. He twitched with the shift in position and let out a low moan. Even though he loved taking charge when they threw down, something about her taking the lead made him nearly unravel every time. "Mmmmm. This the way you pictured me?"

She let her body adjust to his and the way it moved. She let her legs wrap around him nice and tight and she moaned again. Her head fell to his neck where she breathed, moaning against his skin. "Ohhhh fuck daddy. Exactly. It's not gonna take long for me... OH!"

He continued to move his hips fluidly, slowly, controlled in just that same way. "I'm ready to come for you.... But I need to feel you go first on me." He sucked in a shuttered-like breath. 

She growled against his ear, taking a nibble of his earlobe in response. She tightened her pelvis muscles, causing one little contraction which elicited a small moan again. She whispered against his ear once her teeth released the flesh. "Tell me again you want me to go first..."

He groaned out really low, knowing he had to hold himself back from letting go. The way she was talking to him was a killer. He locked his jaw for a moment, as his hands grabbed at her ass, letting his fingers sink into her skin so deeply his fingers made white marks on her skin. His hips were forceful but circling slowly. "Samantha Bentley... I want to feel you drip all over me. Come for Daddy."

Her eyes closed and her face contorted in pleasure against his neck, making her moan against his ear. Her entire body began to shake uncontrollably as she began to contract all around him, coming on fast and strong. "JOSHHHHHHHHHHHH!" She called out.. 

His face scrunched up in pleasure as she called out for him, letting it go. "OHHH YES BABY!" He let his hips get a little frantic until he too became overwhelmed with a sudden rush of climax. Their bed was moving hard against the wall and he was so in the zone, he didn't care if it went right through the wall. 

Her need for him was insane. Her body rode out the last of her glorious climate and she took in all of his, messy and frantic. Her face stayed at his neck where she moaned, kissed, nibbled over and over against his skin. 

His body was spent with the intense feelings that had taken over and he couldn't stay up in the position he was in one moment longer. He fell back down against her on the pillows and his hips finally slowed, but he still wasn't done. The vein in his neck continued to bulge out as he was grunting, moaning and trying to catch air as his body continued to be in the throes of pleasure. 

Her hips continued to work with his, even with him on top of her still, as he rode out the last of his climax, she needed a little moan and a harsh suck of breath next to his face. "Ohhhh, mmmmm." Her voice was thick and dripping with satisfaction. 

He finished off the last of his and he collapsed on her, burying his face into her neck with a shiver. "Fuuuuuuuuuck."

Her eyes closed as they lay there in the afterglow. Her body was in sync with his as they breathed, catching their breath and bearings in tune with each other. JC began to slowly kiss on her face, rolling over a little so he wasn't squishing her. He let out a soft hum of satisfaction, then more kissing up to her lips where he smiled. 

She moaned softly, nibbling on his lips. "Mmmm. Now that was a way to say hello."

"Oh my god. Please end girls night vs. boys night like that more often," He laughed and kissed her softly before he rolled on his side, pulling her into his body. 

"I think we know who the winners were," she giggled, bringing her face into his neck, burying it deeply.