A Million Faces in a Crowd
Chapter 25

JC looked at his watch for the tenth time in the last fifteen minutes and couldn't prevent the smile that formed because of it. He had it bad and he knew it. Carly was do back from work any time now and he couldn't wait to spend time with her. Things had changed for them and he was treading slowly and trying to roll with things day to day. It seemed that having her appendix removed had changed Carly in a way JC wanted to question but he didn't. He simply enjoyed the new side of her. She let her guard down a lot more often, giving JC time to show her all of the wonderful things that could come from living with a lover, convincing her that maybe one day she'd consider moving to L.A.

Just maybe.

He loved her, there was no doubt in his mind but there were still things they had to work out. Once Carly was cleared from her doctor, she insisted on going right back to work and was busy constantly. Much to JC's suggestions of 'taking it easy', he had lost the battle but that was okay. She was happy and well and doing what she did best and her job kept her close to him so he was easily supportive. He'd even willingly insisted she take one of his cars so she wouldn't have to rely on someone else to get to and from work. That simple theory made him feel things he'd never felt before. Words like permanence and comfortable came to mind.

The one thing he wished most to get back was their romance. Sure they still shared a bed but that was it. They slept, they kissed and touched but that was as far as things had gone. It had been a while now but JC didn't feel the need to bring it up because things right now, were good. He just wished they could bring a little romance to the mix. He had intentions of showing Carly the amazing things of living with a lover; the romantic things. With each day he woke up with her, JC swore he fell more in love with her each time. She just seemed to 'fit' in that little missing puzzle piece he had in his life. If only marriage was something he could bring up withing his mouth going dry. Still, JC felt he could quite possibly be getting there. He already knew he was in love. It was today that he had decided it had been too long. Even if they never got down to the physical aspect of their relationship tonight, JC still felt it important for the both of them as a couple to spend some time alone. No interruptions, no work, just them. JC and Carly, lovers.

Checking his watch once more, he finally decided to give up in the studio and began to shut his equipment down. Not long after that, the sound of footsteps were heard coming down the stairs and long arms were being wrapped around his neck from behind. He turned, smiling up at his girlfriend.

"Hey babe. How was work?" He said as his hands covered her arms.

Carly laid her chin on top of his head, breathing in the scent of him. "It was good. We're almost done."

He lifted her hands, turning in the swivel chair and pulling her down to his lap. "Good. Think I can steal you away for a while?"

"Steal me away? What does that entail?" Carly asked as she giggled.

JC raised his eyebrows, as he wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close to him. "Well let me think about that.."

She slapped his shoulder teasingly. "Seriously, Jace."

He couldn't help but laugh at her antics. "I just want a night of us. Alone. No interruptions, no work. I even wanna cook you dinner."

She smiled softly down at him but he could tell she was up to no good. "Us huh? But what am I going to tell my boyfriend?"

JC swatted her butt playfully. "Boyfriend, huh Missy? You better tell him your taken or else I might have to do some damage."

Her face came down right in front of his, brushing her nose with is softly before she kissed him. "I am taken and I like it."

Meeting her half way, JC let her lips take charge, gently taking sips at his and reveling in the moment. "Mmm, good. Very taken, baby."

"So just us tonight huh?"

He grinned, his hands coming to rest at her waist. "Yes. You can go change and chill out for a bit while I cook dinner if you'd like."

Carly nodded. "Alright. That I can do."

"Good. I'm glad you're here." JC said, his fingers coming up to tuck her hair behind her ears.

"I'm glad too, Jace."

He took a moment to take in her features, from her long light brown, and at times wavy hair to her light green eyes and soft lips. JC was in love and if that wasn't pathetic enough, he wasn't afraid to say it.

"I love you, Carly."

She looked surprised but her eyes were soft, full of appreciation. "I love you too. Where did that come from?" He looked hurt for a second but Carly quickly interjected. "I mean you say it a lot but this was different."

JC shrugged, hugging her close to him. "I just felt the need to tell you, Carly. I know you're here all the time but I miss the old us. The romance we used to have."

She pulled back from his embrace so she could look down at him. "Oh Jace... you should have said something."

He looked away, almost embarrassed by what he just said. "I didn't want to push."

"You're amazing, you know that? You took care of me day in and day out no matter how much of a bitch I was. Some days I was impossible but you still kept pushing on."

"Carly, stop. I didn't ask for an ego boost."

"No. You need to hear this. I just, I guess after the surgery, a part of me kinda just shut off. I didn't feel sexy anymore. I figured a break might be good for us from the physical stuff and when you didn't push, I figured I was right."

JC's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you kidding me, baby? Not feel sexy? I'm pretty sure you did a fine job pulling sexy off. I don't think I've stopped being attracted to you since the moment I first met you. And i didn't push because I knew you were still healing. And I stayed because like I said- I love you."

She let out a watery giggle. "I know you do and it goes both ways. I feel silly that we're having this conversation now."

"Why?" He asked as his hands traced the hemline of her t-shirt. "At least now we understand each other. Now you know that you're still gorgeous and sexy, and beautiful..." He replaced each confession with a kiss on her jaw, her neck, finally moving up to her lips.

He smiled as she arched into him, catching her little sigh of "Ohh" on the tip of his tongue before it became tangled with his. He took his time, familiarizing them with this part they had missed. It felt good. Carly let JC take control as she tangled her fingers in his hair, scraping against his scalp and causing him to moan against her lips. He took her jaw in one large hand, tilting it to meet his lips at a better angle. The other hand trailed down to where it had been at her waist, feeling the soft curves of her hips before inching up her shirt, feeling her smooth skin. His hands trailed up and down, using his thumbs to guide the way. Carly writhed against him, realizing exactly how much she had missed this part of their relationship. Pulling apart, her lips went to his neck where she bit softly but quickly soothed the bites with her tongue. Before she realized it, JC's hands had moved up and were now caressing her breasts. She gasped and without hesitation, found herself lifting her arms where he quickly removed her shirts. She held on to his head, fingers delving into his thick tresses before his lips met skin through her bra.

"Oh Jace.."

He took his time, tracing the patters of breasts with his lips. He'd missed this just as much as she was enjoying it. "What baby?"

"I've--" She closed her eyes as his mouth settled over her sensitive skin. "I've missed you. Us."

"I'm here baby. It's okay." He stopped for a second, holding her face in between his hands as her long hair fanned around them.

"That was-- that was hot."

JC chuckled slightly, despite his heavy eyes. "Yeah, it was but I think we need to stop before this goes any further."

Carly looked confused as he his hands moved up and down her bare arms and shoulders. "Why?"

He leaned forward, kissing her once but not pulling away. "I was going to make you dinner. Maybe take you somewhere special."

"Oh. So you don't want to-?"

Suddenly, he knew what she was getting at. "That's not it and you know it babe. I just don't think taking you in the recording studio on a hot and horny whim is what is considered romance."

That seemed to lighten the mood as Carly laughed. "Not exactly but it was hot and that works."

He shook his head. "You deserve better and you're going to get it. Go change or veg out for a bit. I need to start dinner before you seduce me any more."

"Seduce you eh?" Carly teased as she began nibbling just below his ear knowing very well that it was one of his hot spots. "Little ol' me wouldn't do that."

JC held his breath, trying not to give in to her touches as he stood up, her body still wrapped around his. "Oh no you don't. Those lips are dangerous."

Carly laughed, sliding down his body and retrieving her t-shirt. "You're aren't exactly safe either, Chasez."

JC laughed, watching her put her shirt back on before kissing her quickly and swatting her butt playfully. "Go babe. Dinner will be done in like an hour."

Carly crossed the room and once she reached the stairway, she turned around to wink at JC before fully exiting the room.

JC held back for a moment, doing his best to calm his hormones.

****

It was not even an hour later when JC came into the living room to see Carly sitting on the couch with the TV on, typing away at her laptop. She smiled as he sat down, closing it and setting it on the floor beside her. She had obviously showered, seeings how her hair was slightly damp and couldn't help but note how cute she looking in a simple black pair of shorts and one of his thin white thank tops.

"Dinner is almost ready." he said as he took her hand in his, kissing her knuckles.

"The house hasn't burnt down yet?" Carly asked, her sarcasm and sassyness coming through.

JC scoffed. "Excuse me?"

Carly rolled her eyes playfully. "Baby, I've watched you burn pop tarts before."

JC look wounded. "It's not my fault someone had turned the toaster up so dang high."

Carly couldn't help but laugh as JC began poking at her stomach, tickling her until she was on her back and he was above her. "You know, that's not very nice to say to your boyfriend who's just busted his butt in the kitchen slaving over your dinner."

"You're right. I'm sorry, Jace. How can I make it up to you?" She asked, running her hands up and down his chest and wrapping her legs around his slim waist.

JC groaned. "Baby..."

"Hmm?" Carly asked, coming up to kiss him slowly, seductively. He became a full participant in no time as she arched her body up against his and tightened the grasp on his waist, smiling to herself as he sunk against her.

"Carly, dinner..." JC trailed, as he tried to fight her kisses that had now moved to his neck as she scraped her long fingers through his scalp.

"I can't help it that I want you and that you got me all hot and bothered earlier." She whispered as she trailed kisses around his neck and jaw.

JC gave up, sinking fully on top of her, feeling defeated. He welcomed her kisses and nips along his skin before leaning time and pressing his for head against hers. "The things you do to me, Carly."

She smiled, batted her eye lashes as he pulled away from her grinning face. "What do I do to you, Jace?" Carly asked as her hand came down between them and cupping him through his pants. The cry he gave was a mixture between pleasure and frustration. Carly almost felt bad.. almost.

JC gasped. "Baby....you can't...you can't do that, now." He panted.

She took full advantage and looked up into hot and heavy blue eyes before nipping at his lips, slowly sliding her tongue against his. "Why not?"

When her hand slid into the waistband of his mesh track pants, JC lost all willpower. "I take it you don't want--- don't want dinner?"

"I do" she panted in his ear. "I just want dessert first." She said seductively as her hands moved under his shirt to caress his chest.

All words were lost as JC became a full participant in her seductive little game. He had hoped for them to take things slow, to have dinner, talk and enjoy each other and get to the making love a little later but it seemed Carly had other plans. Once things were out in the open and things were understood, it seemed a new openly sexual side of his girlfriend had come alive. JC was liking this, a lot. He had planned on starting their mini reunion in his bed with privacy but if the couch was where she picked, then so be in.

He looked down to see Carly's wavy hair spread out wildly on the throw pillow of the couch. Her cheeks were flushed and he could barley make out the faint outlines of her nipples through his thin wife beater and swore at that moment that he'd never seen her look more beautiful.

"Carly, you're so gorgeous." He whispered before his head scooped down to kiss her neck. From there he moved down to the scoop of her tank top, kissing over it. Once he reached the hem, the fabric seemed to follow his nose as he left the work for his lips. He smiled, seeing tiny goosebumps form on her smooth skin.

"Jace.."

"Relax, baby. We'll get there."

"I want you." She pleaded.

He took that moment to mesh his lips with hers. "And you have me."

"Arms up. I want to feel you." She asked, as he obliged.

Her hands ran up and down his muscular arms, down to his slim waist to his abdomen, feeling each and every dip and curve of his muscles. "I've missed this."

"I'm sorry, Jace."

He brought his lips to hers in a moment of truce. "Don't be sorry. This isn't all your fault. We hit a bump. We move on."

"You're right. I love you."

"And I love you.." He said as kisses became hotter, longer, more hungry. They took that moment to get lost in one another, to familiarize their selves of the art of loving. Neither of them paid attention to anything around them. The only thing they could do was feel the caresses of the others hands, the others lips, bringing their bodies to life as they once had. Neither of them seem to hear anyone come in the house. Neither of them heard the footsteps until a surprised gasp followed bye an "Oh shit!"

JC removed his hand from Carly's shirt, and did his best to cover her up and readjust as he looked up to see her brother in the living room. "Dammit, Tyler! I thought you were staying with a friend."

"I'm sorry! I forgot some stuff I needed. I didn't know I'd be walking into..well this."

"Well get it and be gone." JC said as he sat up, and Carly buried her face in his chest.

"Carly, I'm sorry." Tyler pleaded, covering his eyes in embarrassment.

A muffled laugh came from JC's chest before she looked up at him finally. "It's fine Ty. I won't die from it."

"Good. I'm really sorry. I'll just get going and you guys can, yeah. See ya. Sorry again." Tyler stuttered and quickly exited the room.

The room was filled with silence for a minute or two before Carly's laughter broke it, followed by JC's.

"I could kick his ass." JC grumbled.

Carly turned to cup his face in her hands before kissing his cheek. "Don't be too hard on him. It was a an accident."

"Yeah well still. Any later and who knows what he would have walked in on."

"Oh yeah?"

He kissed her just behind her ear before reaching to retrieve his shirt. "Yeah. Don't act like you didn't think it too."

Carly winked as she accepted the hand he held out to her. "Oh I thought it. And I had hoped.."

He pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her after she stood. "You don't have to hope. It's a wish that I can guarantee will come true."

"Ohh promises promises. I look forward to them."

JC laughed placing a quick kiss on her nose before grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the kitchen. "Me too, babe. So... dinner?"

"Yes. Dinner. I'll behave, for now."

JC could only laugh.

****

Hours later, after dinner had been over and done with, JC and Carly has spent the evening outside on the balcony listening to soft jazz music. There were moments where they didn't say anything and moments where they did. Conversation seemed endless even though work talk was left out of it all. JC wanted to separate that part of them for now and learn about other parts of his girlfriend. It allowed him to love her from all angles and just reminded him of why he fell in love with her in the first place. Her endless musical talent was only half of it.

But this.. this was good.

JC was now looking out of the panoramic view of his bedroom as he traced lazy patters on Carly's naked back as she lay draped over him. For whatever wait and torture they had to go through to get to the final act, was all worth it. It seemed making love had been taken to a new level for the couple. They kissed, touched, licked, caressed, moved and soared together to that place that only lovers knew how to reach. JC had decided, that this was more than good. It was amazing. He imagined his life a before he had met Carly and how empty it had seemed compared to now. He wanted things to always be like this but he knew things were easier said then done. Still, it never hurt to wish, to hope.

"I don't ever want to move." He drawled out, kissing each of her on the hand draped over his shoulder.

"Me either."

He still played with the idea of asking her to move to L.A. but knew before the conversation hadn't gone well. She still had a life and family in Chicago. One long term stay with him couldn't fix that fact but still... When JC saw his future, he saw Carly in it. He only hoped she'd agree.

For once, JC didn't want to second guess anything or stress over all the unknowns. He didn't want to think of his solo career and the risk he'd taken when he had officially signed the record deal. He didn't want to think of all the baggage and uncertainty that would come with it. This was good. He and Carly were back on the same wavelength and things were good and they were in love. That's all that mattered.

JC heard his cell phone buzzing against the wood of his dresser and did his best to push it from his mind. He wasn't letting go of Carly right now. No matter who it was or what they wanted, he was staying put. Doing his best to push it from his thoughts, he tightened his grasp on Carly, pulling her body closer to his. Nothing was going to ruin tonight.