"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.