Chapter 3.
Carly was awoken by the bright light shining through the windows of her hotel room. Groaning, she tried to roll over only to realized a masculine arm was laying tightly across her middle. She instantly froze, trying to search the deep crevices of her brain. Who the hell was in her bed? She was never one for one night stands. She glanced down and realized she was fully clothed. Thank god. Still, who was in her bed? She tried to remember last night as best as possible. Her answer was delivered shortly as her bedmates thick morning voice met her ears.
“Morning Carly.” JC called out, running a hand up and down her arm. Carly turned towards him glaring.
“Hi.” she said coldly. “Aw, not a morning person?” he asked.
“I have to get a shower and get ready to leave. My flight leaves soon.” she said as she exited the bed and began to get her things together from around the hotel room.
“Alright. Mind if I use the little boys room real quick?”
Carly waved her hand in the general direction of the bathroom. “Help yourself.”
While JC was in the bathroom, she took the time to get out the clothes she’d need for her shower and worked quickly on packing her stuff. When JC exited the bathroom, she couldn’t help but noticed how rumpled and adorable he looked. She hadn’t even wanted the man in her hotel room last night much less her bed but couldn’t help but notice how well she’d slept in his embrace. Still, one night couldn’t’ dictate ones personality or ones motives.
JC walked out of the bathroom and took the opportunity to walk over by the window and glance down at a bustling LA. Putting his hands over his head, he leaned back and stretched, his shirt riding up just a bit and showing the smallest peak of his lower abdomen. He looked over at Carly to see turning her head quickly, trying to cover up her spying as she busied herself in folding her clothes and placing them neatly into her suitcase.
Walking in her direction, he took a seat beside her. “Were you checking me out this early in the morning?” he asked with a grin.
“Psshh, you wish Chasez!” she replied annoyed.
“Back on your broomstick I see. Do you mind if I make some coffee?”
Carly scoffed at his rude comment but nodded. “There’s a pot with all the stuff you need over on the sink.”
“Thank you. See, it doesn’t hurt to be polite sweet Carly.” he said as he sent a wink in her direction.
Rolling her eyes, she began pacing the room, searching for things she had missed. “I’m always sweet. You must be on something Mr.”
JC laughed loudly. “Oh yes Carly, your just as sweet as they come. You didn’t put me down a handful times last night. Not to mention elbow me in my most prized region of the body.”
Carly tried hard but failed miserably as she laughed. “JC Chasez has a damaged ego and penis! What will he do next? Critics say his social life as a playboy is over.”
“Ok lady, just so you know, it’d still work perfectly fine. And just so you know, that hurt. That’s it. We’re not friends anymore.” he stated firmly.
She took that opportunity to fall dramatically on the bed. “What-ever will I do?”
JC stood in front of her, coffee cup in hand waiting for it to cool before he shook his head. “You- Carly Piper are too much. And you‘d miss me, don‘t lie.”
Carly sat up and tried not to meet his eyes but they were burning into hers. Whatever she was feeling, she wasn’t sure but she knew she wasn’t going to analyze it here and now.
“I really need to shower JC. I’ve got to get ready to catch my flight home.”
“I can take a hint. Go shower. I can let myself out.” he said.
Carly nodded and grabbed her clothes and walked to the bathroom. She grinned sassily over her shoulder. “Bye JC.”
The smiled he returned went straight to her heart. “Bye Carly. I don’t suppose you’d give me your phone number for future music type discussions would you?”
“If you think of something you need me for, I’m sure you know the right people to get in contact with me, JC.”
He nodded. Damn, this woman was impossible. He heard the bathroom door click shut and took this time to down the rest of his coffee before going beside the bed to collect his shoes.
Gathering himself together, he began to tie his shoes when he heard her cell phone blare loudly. Hesitating, he picked it up and glanced at the screen. When the words ‘Mom’ blinked across it, he pondered on if he should get Carly himself or just let the voicemail get it. Deciding on the wiser choice, he left the phone alone and finished tying his shoes. The phone finally stopped ringing and clicked over to what he assumed was her voicemail service. Standing and walking toward the door, JC was once again greeted with the loud voice of Annie Lennox as he turned around. The screen once again confirmed that it was her mother and started to wonder if their was some type of reason for her constant calls. Perhaps a family emergency?
Picking up the phone, JC walked to the bathroom door and knocked. He could hear the sounds of the water hitting the tiled floor of the bathtub. When he heard no signs of her hearing him, he gently turned the knob on the door surprised to find it unlocked. Stepping half in, he called her name.
“Carly?” he called out holding her constantly ringing phone in his hand. No response. He stepped in a little further, trying to look anywhere but towards the shower. JC could already see the steam coming out of her adorable ears once she discovered he was in her bathroom.
A little louder he called out to her. “Carly! Your cells been going off like crazy! It’s your Mom.”
“JC!?” she shrieked. Shit, this couldn’t be good. Then he heard a thump of what he only assumed to be Carly losing her balance and falling. “What in the hell are you- Ouch! Son of a bitch.” she yelped.
JC bolted forward keeping a hand over his eyes. She was livid but he didn’t care. She was obviously hurt and in pain. He tossed her cell onto the marble countertop and took the three steps towards the shower. “Carly, are you okay?”
She tried to pick herself up from the slippery tub but she felt back down. “No! My ankle is fucked up!” she whimpered.
“Will you let me help you please?” he begged. “Tell me what I can do?”
“Are you kidding me? I’m sitting here naked as all get out with a man in my bathroom I met less than twenty-four hours ago. Get the hell out!” she cried.
“Carly, stop being a brat. If your hurt, let me help you. I won’t look I swear!” he pleaded.
Grabbing the towel she’d set out by the sink, he walked back to the shower. “I’m going to open the curtain now. Is that okay?”
“Let me at least try and stand again before you see me like this.” she said as she grabbed the side of the tub and shifted her weight to her upper arms and came down on her opposite foot. “Shit JC, it hurts.” she whimpered.
“Are you ready for me to help you? I’m going to open the curtain with my eyes closed, give you your towel and help you get out so we can check out your ankle, alright?” he asked.
A sound escaped her lips with a mixture of pain and annoyance before she finally replied. “Okay.”
JC opened the towel wide and slid the shower curtain back, waiting for Carly to grab it and wrap it around herself. He carefully reached over and turned off the hot spray of water that was still coming down on her, and himself.
Keeping a hand over his eyes like a sun visor, he cautiously looked at her. “You covered?”
“Yes, JC. You can open your eyes.” she said as she tucked the towel around her so it wouldn’t fall off.
He looked down at her to see her face contorted in pain and as she fought back tears. He leaned into the shower and placed one hand on the small of her back and the other underneath her knees. “Put your arms around my neck honey.”
One she did his bidding, he carefully lifted her out of the shower and brought her out into the room and sat her on he bed. “Ok, now what hurts?” he asked.
“My ankle, I twisted it when I fell!” he gently lifted her right foot in his hand to inspect it more thoroughly. It was turning a lovely shad of purple already.
“Let me get you some ice! I’ll be right back.” he spoke hurriedly as he grabbed the ice bucket and took off for the door. Less then two minuets later, he returned with a tub of ice and began placing the cold chips in the complementary plastic bag the hotel provided.
Once it was filled he placed it on Carly’s swollen foot. “Shit Carly! Your leg is bleeding!” he gasped.
“Ugh, I was shaving and the razor flew from my hands when you walked in.”
He ran into the bathroom and grabbed some quick toilet paper before coming back to her aid.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was tying my shoes and your mom called like five times in a row! I thought it might be important.”
“Oh goodness. My mother is a worry wart, but I can’t be mad.” she said as she self-consciously began trying to cover up her naked, albeit a towel clad body.
Going to the closet, JC retrieved the extra blanket that were usually in hotels and placed it around Carly’s shoulders when he suspected her nervousness. Tipping her chin up to meet his eyes, he looked at her in all seriousness. “I swear I didn’t look.” he whispered.
She nodded, not knowing what to say. She still knew next to nothing about him, nor was she sure about how she felt towards him but being a bitch right now was the last thing on Carly’s mind. Sure it was his fault she was in this position but he was taking care of her with nothing but kindness. She couldn’t find it in her heart to fault him.
“I have to hurry up! I’m going to miss my flight.” she said as she tried to stand from the bed. Once her feet hit the floor and her body weight shifted, she toppled forward only to land in JC’s arms. “Easy there girl. Why don’t you sit down. I’ll bring your clothes to you.”
He came back from the bathroom, holding what he’d guessed were her clothes she’d placed on the counter of the bathroom. Handing them to her, he turned his back. “I promise once again, I won’t look.”
Carly laughed as she attempted to dry and dress herself. Even though he had his back turned, she still felt odd changing with a man, no- a next to stranger in the room.
“Done.”
He turned around carefully to see she had indeed managed to get herself dressed. “What time is your flight?” he asked glancing at his watch.
“12:15. Could you help me stand please? I’ve got to finish getting ready.” she asked.
He nodded and was in front of her within seconds as his hands came out to help her. Gently he lifted her as she took the time to catch her balance and wincing little. “Are you sure it’s not broken Carly? I could take you to the ER.”
“Don’t be silly JC. It’s probably just sprained if anything. I’ll tough it out. Thanks for the ice.” she said as she began hobbling around the room.
“Would you like me to drive you to the airport? It’d save you time.” he offered.
“I was just going to call a cab. Really it’s fine.” Carly spoke as she bumped into her suitcase toppling forward once again. Quickly she caught herself but JC was in hot pursuit behind her, helping her remain vertical.
“Carly, you’re a hot mess. Let me help you get your stuff together and I’ll drop you off. It’s the least I can do. I got you into this mess.”
Sighing, she thought for a moment before giving in. It would be easier than catching a taxi and having to slowly haul her luggage into it. “Okay.”
“Okay good. Now tell me what I can do.” he asked.
“Nothing really. I’m going to attempt to dry my hair real quick and make my face look somewhat less frightening before I step into the land of the beautiful.”
JC snickered a bit. How could he tell her she looked amazing the way she was? Her hair was wet and going in every direction from her attempting to towel dry it. Her blue green eyes still stood out with a vivid clearness. Her face was a pale perfection from the stress of her hurt ankle.
“You worry way too much sweetheart.”
Ten minuets later, Carly appeared from the bathroom looking downright adorable. Dressed in black yoga pants and a tight pink t-shirt with the words ‘Chicago’ printed across the front, she looked as though she had planned this outfit solely based on comfort. Her now dried, and touchable looking hair had been pulled into a high pony tail and her feet looked like they had on the same black flip flips from last night. He also recognized one of her toes sparkling with a small toe ring. The simple but angelic features of her face had been lightly brushed with make up and as she breezed by him, and he caught the faintest scent of a spicy perfume she had put on.
Carly grabbed her purse from beside the bed and placed her cell phone in it. “Did you call your mom back?” he asked.
“Yes. Like I said, she worry’s. It’s been a while since I’ve spoke to her. She wanted to make sure I was coming home this evening.”
“ I just thought something was wrong.” he said sheepishly.
“It’s fine JC, really. My ankle has stopped hurting already. We can leave whenever your ready.”
“Just waiting on you Carly. I’ve got your suitcase. Lead the way.”
***
Fifteen minutes later, Carly sat in the passenger seat of JC’s expensive car as they sped down the highway towards the airport.
“So back home. To Chicago right?” he asked.
“Yea. I miss it already and I’ve only been here for 3 days.” she laughed.
JC saw a new side to Carly this morning. He knew her guard had been let down a little by her shower indecent but little by little, he started to see small parts of her personality slip up from the façade she tried to uphold. He knew he was drawn to her, weather in the fashion of a musician or a person. He knew next to nothing about her but that still didn’t stop his flirtatious notions that kept circling around in his mind.
“Do you come to LA a lot?” he questioned.
“It honestly depends. I haven’t been out here for about six months before this.”
He nodded as he turned up the radio a little tapping his fingers to the beat. He noted Carly taking in the sites as she looked out the window. He could hear her humming softly along with the tune so JC reached forward to turn up the volume a little more.
“You like this song?” he questioned. Turning her eyes towards him, she gave him a bright smile. “I love it! The piano melody does something to me. I want to absorb myself into it.”
He nodded in agreement. “I feel you there. Did you want to stop somewhere and get something for breakfast?”
“No thanks. I’ll grab something real quick before I board.”
“Okay. Sounds good.” JC said before chatter was muted in the car. The only sounds were coming from this radio in a soft whisper. Not long after, JC was pulling up to LAX and hesitant to let Carly go. He still had so much to learn about his new friend.
“Here you go Carly. Want me to come in with you?” he asked.
“No thanks JC. You’ve done enough for me by bringing me here.”
“Don’t even mention it. I’m really sorry again about your ankle. You sure it’s okay?”
She nodded and stuck her arm through her purse ready to grab the door handle.
“It’s fine JC. I know you were hoping to catch a peek. I know how you roll.”
He scoffed. “Are you sure you need an airplane to fly back on? I’m sure that broomstick of yours is handy.”
Carly laughed. He was trying to irritate her and she wasn’t talking the bait. “I think I left it back at the hotel.” she shot back.
“So I was thinking I‘d love to work with you sometime in the future and if you’d agree, how would I get in contact with you?” he hinted hopefully.
“If it’s meant to be, you’ll find me JC.”
He grabbed her hand and ran his thumb over the front of it. “Please Carly.” he whispered as his sky blue eyes bore into hers. Her heart sank and she almost gave into him. Leaning forward, she wrapped her arms around his neck, drinking in the scent of him. She tried to pull back but his arms held her against chest.
“JC, I’ve gotta go.” she spoke softly as she leaned back. Nodding, he leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Pulling away from his touch, she leaned back and opend the door. “I’m sure it’s not hard for a playboy to find my number.” Carly winked as she retrieved her suitcase from the back seat and slammed the door shut. Rolling down the window, he gave his his most flirtatious smile, sassed with all the cockiness she believed him to have.
“Carly!” he yelled. She leaned down to the opend window to hear him. “Yes?” she asked coily as she raised an eyebrow.
“I looked.” he winked as he put the car into drive and slowly drove away.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Thanks for those reviewing! The more feedback, the more it makes me want to write :)
Story Tags: love boyfriendjc showersex jc producerjc
