I have nothing against cook outs.  In fact, I’m a big fan of them.  I enjoy the laid back atmosphere, I love steak, and it’s usually a great way to spend time with your friends.

Now, however, I’m wishing I were anywhere else but Justin’s back yard.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the dancers and the few friends of Justin’s that are here.  They’re great people.  But, because we’re in Justin’s house he’s not afraid of being affectionate with me and I can just feel the eyes of everyone at this party on me.

I’m getting these all knowing looks and I just wish they would get it over with already and call us out on it.

Sometimes I forget who Justin is.  We’ve become so close and he’s pretty much my best friend, I forget that he’s this huge, world famous singer and that dating him is a pretty big deal.  I’m not sure we can even call this…what we’re doing…dating, but I know that having his attention is a big deal.

I have no idea how I’m going to handle all of this.  It’s hard enough having his friends and family watching me, scrutinizing me.  I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like if I get all of America up in arms because I’m boning their golden boy.

And I sound really unhappy and bitter.  I swear I’m not.

“How’s your head feeling, Jude?”  Justin’s arms snake around my waist and he rests his chin on my shoulder, placing a few chaste kisses on my neck.

“It’s OK.  I feel better now that I’ve eaten something.”  I lean against him, comfortable in his embrace.  If only I could get comfortable with the knowing glances being thrown our way.  “Does it ever get old?”

“What’s that?”  He laces his fingers through mine.

“Being watched all the time.  Even here, in your own house, you’re being watched.”

He shrugs, “They’re all just wondering how I managed to snag such a pretty girl.”  A smile tugs at my mouth as he places a sound kiss on my cheek.  “Come on, Jude, stop dwelling and start mingling.  It’s not like these people are all strangers.”

“I know.” It’s my turn to shrug.  “I guess I’m just not sure how to feel about all this.  I’m not used to being attached to you.”

I shiver a little when I feel his breath hot on my ear, “Trust me, Jude, I can arrange for us to be attached a lot more often if that’s what you need.”

I land a light punch on his shoulder, laughing. “You’re so perverted.”  He grabs my hand, pulling me away from my quite corner and toward the crowd.  I suppose I am over thinking all of this.  I should really just enjoy this night and stop worrying about what everyone else is thinking.

“That’s rugged sex appeal, Jude, get it straight.”

I laugh a little harder at this.  “Sure thing, Boss man, whatever you need to believe.”

~*~

“You’ve got a couple of radio appearances this Thursday, and a photo shoot for Cosmo on Friday.”  Sadie slides a set of papers in front of me so I can check out my schedule.  “You’re also slated to be thinking about the video for your newest single.”

“Do I have studio time still?”

“Not for a couple of weeks.  The label wants you to release at least one more single off of this album before you get into full recording mode.  They think there’s a lot more money to suck out of this one.”

“Your terms or theirs?”  I smirk at her.

“They were a little more eloquent about it, darling, but you get the idea.”  She sits back, leaning against the arm of my couch.

We’re currently sitting in my living room going over my schedule and some paper work.  Since the tour there’s been a lot of positive buzz about my album and the sales have been steady.  It’s pretty cool, actually, and I’m excited about getting out there a little more to promote my music.  I was out driving to the studio the other day and I caught my song on the radio.  I damn near drove off the road I was so excited.  My music has been out for a while now, but I’ve never actually caught my single on the radio before.  I’ll admit it, I did a little dance.

“So…Miss Rhodes…” My assistant is giving me a look from across the coffee table and I know that she’s not about to mention my schedule.

“Go ahead, ask and get it over with.”  I crunch on a piece of ice from my glass and contemplate getting up to refill my drink.  That might just take more energy than I care to expend.

“You and Justin, huh?”  I can’t help the grin that comes across my face.

“Yeah. It kinda came out of left field, though.”  I chew on another piece of ice and silently wish my glass would refill.

“Left field?”  She shrieks a little, “Abbey, my friend, I love you but you are so blind sometimes.”

I frown a little, “Was it really that obvious?”

“Honey, I’d barely been in the room with you two for five minutes and I could feel the heat.”

Hmph.  I feel a little oblivious.  “I don’t know what everyone else was seeing.  I mean, obviously things between us have progressed, but this is a new development for me.”

“It doesn’t matter when you started to have feelings, Abs, it just matters that you do.”  She gets up from her spot on the couch and snatches the empty glass from my hands.  She must have been tired of my longing looks and sighs.  I’m such a lazy ass sometimes.

“Is it really as big of a deal as everyone is trying to make it out to be?”

“Yeah, Abbey, it is.”  She settles back into her seat after handing me my sweet tea.  “It’s a big deal because it’s you and Justin.  People are just excited that he finally grew some balls and acted on his feelings.”  I cock an eyebrow at her, “From what I hear, anyway.”

“I’m just not used to all the attention.”  I wrinkle my nose at the thought, “I’m not sure I want everyone up in my business, especially something as private as a relationship.”

“You picked the wrong profession and the wrong boyfriend, then, sweetheart.  You’re dating one of the world’s most sought after bachelors.  People are going to talk.”

I shrug, playing with the droplets of water on my glass.  I suppose I can somewhat understand people’s fascination, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.  I mean, isn’t the saying ‘you can’t help who you fall in love with?’ I couldn’t help the fact that one of my best friends and the guy I’m crushing on is Justin Timberlake.  I just wish people would have their minute to gawk and speculate and then move on.

It’s not even like this has gotten out in the public, either.  I’m just talking about friends and family around us.  The cookout the other night was filled with long stares and suggestive questions and I just wish people would get over it already.

I’m a little naïve to think that this is the worst of it.  I know that it will most likely get worse before it gets better.

My name has been associated with Justin’s from the beginning.  He discovered me, he’s managing me, and he’s had his hands in all of my music.  I know that it’s not a huge deal to be connected to him and it’s only been beneficial so far.  I just have this sinking feeling that once words gets out that things between us are less than professional, people will start accusing me of using him, or worse, they’ll think that I’m only where I am because I’m sleeping with him.

“You’re looking a little serious over there, Abbey.”  Sadie’s voice pulls me from my thoughts and I shoot her a small smile.

“Yeah, can’t help it.”  I shrug, finishing off the last of the sweet tea in my glass.  This stuff is amazing.  Justin introduced me to it when we were in Tennessee for the tour and I’ve been hooked ever since.

“I’m going to tell you right now, Love, that you can’t let what other people think get to you.  If you’re serious about being with Justin you’re going to have to learn to let all that other stuff go.  People will talk, and you’ll have to let them.  At least you always know the truth.”

I set my glass down on the coffee table with a light thud.  “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.  Let’s order Chinese food, grab some beer, and watch stupid movies.”

“It’s your day off, sunshine.”  She grins at me.  I don’t think Sadie calls me the same thing twice, really.  At least most of her names are endearing.

She starts calling in for Chinese food and I search the fridge for whatever alcoholic beverages I might have.  Sadie has been with me for a little while now and I have to say that she’s amazing.  She’s become one of my best friends and she can keep a schedule like no body’s business.  She’s so much better than Trish ever was, and I truly enjoy having her around.  She’s a great sounding board and she can stay pretty objective; I appreciate that.  She’s also got a kick as shoe collection and we happen to be the same size.  Tell me that that’s not exciting.

A familiar song starts to play through my apartment and I snatch my phone off of the couch.  “What’s up, Boss man?”  The butterflies flutter in my stomach at the sound of his voice and I feel like a teenager again.

“Hey Jude, what are you doing?”

“Just hanging out with Sadie, we’re ordering Chinese.”

“Sound like fun, mind if I crash?”  The flutter in my stomach intensifies at the thought of seeing him.  I glance at Sadie and am about to ask if she’s OK with it when there’s a knock at the door.

“Hold on, Jus, there’s someone at the door.”  My jaw drops a little when I see Justin standing on the other side, a grin on his mouth.  “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I told you I was crashing.”  He leans in to give me a quick kiss and it takes me a second to collect myself and close the door.

“Hey, Justin.”  Sadie greets him.  I watch as she starts to collect her stuff and I get really confused for a minute.

“Where are you going?  I thought we were ordering Chinese?”

“I did order Chinese, but you and Justin will be eating it, not me.  Your lover boy texted me a little while ago to ask if he could steal you for the night and I told him about your want for Chinese.  So, he gave me his order, I placed it, and now I’m leaving so you two can have some alone time.”

I watch, slightly dumb founded, as she gives us a wave and exits my apartment.  Have I mentioned that I love my assistant?  Really, I love her.

“You planned all this?”  I turn to Justin who still has that sly grin on his face.

“Kinda.  I texted Sadie to see if you were busy and she told me about your plans.  She suggested that I crash.”  He slowly makes his way over to me, gently grabbing my hips and pulling me into him.  “I’ve missed you.”

“You saw me two days ago.”  I can’t help the smile that grows on my lips as he runs his hands up and down my back.

“Two days too long, Jude.”

I don’t have time to respond because his mouth is on mine and I feel my feet leave the floor as he picks me up, carrying me over to the couch.  I lean my head against the arm rest as Justin settles between my legs.  He takes his time kissing me, gently nipping at my lips.  I slide my hands under his shirt, reveling in the feel of his warm skin underneath my fingers.

I’m sure that most people are aware of it, but I’ll say it just in case.  Justin Timberlake has an incredible body.  He spends a lot of time in the gym and it pays off.  Really, I could spend my entire day touching him, especially his abs.  Those are my favorite.

My attention is taken off his body and back to his mouth as he moves from my lips to my neck, sucking lightly on the skin.  His hands have made their way to my shirt and he’s in the process of pulling it off.  Once the fabric is over my head, Justin’s mouth moves to my chest.  He kisses at my skin and I lean back, closing my eyes against the sensation.  A moment later, though, he stops.  I open my eyes to see him staring at me with a strange look.

“What?”  I’m starting to wonder if I smell or something.

“Peaches.”

“What?” 

“Peach colored.”  He snaps at the strap of my bra and I glance down to see that he’s referring to the color of my unmentionables.  I watch as he tugs at my pants, finding that my underwear match my bra and he looks up at me with a grin and wide eyes.  “These are the underwear you were wearing at the photo shoot.”

I can’t believe he remembers that.  “Yeah.” I’m really not sure what he’s getting at.  “I told you they were mine.”

“I thought you were just messing with me.”  He claims my mouth in a kiss.  “I really like these panties, Jude.  They’re hot.”

“You remember me wearing these at the photo shoot?”  I know that I should let this go and just focus on the man on top of me, but I’m curious.

“I thought about that photo shoot for days.”  He pulls at the button on my jeans until they’re undone.  “Although, right now all I can think about is seeing them off of you.”

Now I have no trouble focusing on what he’s doing.  I grab at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin on mine.  I make quick work of the piece of fabric, letting out a sharp breath when I feel the heat of him settle over me.  He reaches behind me to unsnap my bra, taking it off quickly. I shiver when his mouth connects with the soft skin and I writhe underneath him.

“Jude,” he breathes out, “go to the bedroom.”

I can’t really comprehend what he’s telling me and before I can process his words he’s picked me up from the couch and carried me into my bedroom.  I expect him to follow, but he disappears for a couple of minutes before returning and jumping on the bed.

“Food was here.”  He answers my questioning look and then settles back on top of me, resuming our activities.

I struggle with the button on his jeans, pushing at the denim as soon as I have them unsnapped.  Justin’s already rid me of everything but my panties and I want him just as naked, if not more.  His mouth is sliding across my stomach, leaving a trail of kisses in his wake.  I run my hands over his back, enjoying the feel of the muscles in his shoulders.

“Jude,” his breath his hot in my ear. “I want you.”

I don’t answer.  Instead, I slide his boxers down his legs, centering myself beneath him before I use my hands to adjust him.  I revel in the hard feel of him, watching his eyes close in pleasure as I bring him to me and slowly connect our bodies.  We both let out small gasps of air, taking a minute to adjust to the pleasure.

“Oh God,” I breathe.  This feels incredible and we’ve barely even started yet.

Slowly, Justin starts to move his hips, taking his time.  I wrap my arms around his shoulders, bringing him close so I can kiss him.  My legs snake around his back, pulling him even deeper into me.  Sometimes I wonder why we don’t spend every waking moment in bed, like this, because this is so incredible my toes are curling.

Justin grabs my leg, bringing it up and over his hip as he sinks further in before pulling out only to repeat the process again.  I can hardly catch my breath it feels so good.

“Oh God.”

Justin smirks at me, “You said that already, Jude.”  He captures my mouth in a searing kiss, picking up the pace a little as I arch my back into him.

It’s slow and sensual.  I can feel the tension building in my stomach.  Justin lowers his head to my neck, our bodies touching completely. 

I hear him mutter a “fuck” in my ear as the pace quickens a little more and I can’t help the movement of my hips as I chase the pleasure.  He stills above me some, pushing deeper and further than he’d gone before as I continue to writhe underneath him.  It doesn’t take much longer for me to reach my peak, calling out his name as I feel him move above me, his own end moments away.

He collapses on top me, our chests heaving as we struggle to catch our breath.  I feel him place chaste kisses against my collar bone.  I can hardly think straight with the waves of release still moving through my body.  After a minute, Justin rolls over and lies next to me.

“Jude,” He calls, reaching over to pull me into his arms.

“Hmmm?”  I don’t think I could walk if I’d wanted to right now.

“I’m hungry.”  He grins down at me when I give him a look.  I can’t help but smile, though.  I don’t think much could get me mad at this point.  I’m am very much a satisfied woman.

“You’re so romantic.” 

“I do what I can, Jude, I do what I can.”