Chapter 21

Scratching the back of his head, JC sat up and headed toward the continued yelling spewing from the guest room next to Ellie's master bedroom.  When he popped open the door to the hall he found Daphne standing still, confusion and bewilderment stamped across her face.  It was pretty obvious that she wasn't sure if she should interrupt the girl’s rant, or not.  "I can't reach Ellie," she said quietly,with concern. 

JC shook his head, "She's probably still meeting with the attorney."  

"Should I?" Daphne loosely pointed toward the shut door where the loud one-sided conversation was coming from.

JC shook his head again, a definite no this time.  "Let's just wait it out."  He could see that she looked pretty nervous about the whole thing.  "How much longer till you are scheduled to leave?" he asked quietly.

"She asked me to stay until she returned," Daphne responded, sliding a hand into the front of her straight pocketed dark denim jeans.  Next she was looking down at her feet, which were adorned with simple nude colored flats.  JC felt bad for the girl, she was obviously uncomfortable.

Hell, he was uncomfortable too but he also felt like he should be more in charge of the situation than Ellie's one and only employee.  He wanted to tell her to go ahead and go, but thought that might be overstepping a bit.  So the two of them stood there, listening, as Rose continued to shout, clearly upset with whoever it had been that had left her stranded at the gas station where he and Ellie had picked her up the night before.

“Please just come pick me up!  I can’t stand being here!”  

JC cringed at Rose’s words.  What was so terrible about being at Ellie’s?  Was she coming down from something?  This was a terrible situation.  He had no idea what to do, and he couldn’t help but feel extremely bad over how hurt Ellie would be if she had any idea what Rose was saying.

Of course it was at that very moment that he heard the door slam from the other room.  Ellie was home.

He rushed out to the front of the house before Daphne could beat him to it.  He hoped she’d just go back to the office.  When he found her--the girl he had fallen head over heels in love with--it was clear that the appointment had gone well.  She was giddy--smiling, eyes twinkling.  All until she saw his face.  His expression must have gave everything away because her face fell blank immediately.

“What?” she was quickly asking.  “What’s wrong?”

He waited to speak until he was close enough to brush a palm down her forearm.  “It’s your sister,” he  told her softly.  “She’s been yelling for the past 10 minutes.  Apparently on the phone with whoever it was that left her last night.”

Ellie’s stomach was instantly tied in knots.  She had been through such a roller coaster of emotion over the last 24 hours.  Again, in thirty seconds time, she had just gone from the highest of highs to an extremely low.  This was the last news she wanted to hear... and the last thing she wanted JC to have to deal with.  She had so much drama in her life at the moment, she would understand if he wanted to run.  She’d be extremely hurt, but she’d still understand.  Of course, she could tell by the gentle expression on his face, the softness in his gray blue eyes, that he was going nowhere.  That made her heart skip a beat--another small dip on the roller coaster she seemed to be stuck on.

“You better go,” Ellie sighed.  “You shouldn’t have to deal with this.”

His touch was smoothing down her arm before she’d even finished her sentence.  Reassuringly he squeezed her fingers and clasped her hand.  “If you want me to go, I will, but I want to be here for you... If you’ll let me.”

Deeply she inhaled, and then let out a raspy breath.  Instead of replying with words, she nodded her head once, slow and long.  Then she watched as he leaned in toward her cheek, his soft lips pressing tenderly to one side of her face as his fingers traced softly against the other.  It felt as if her heart had swelled inside the cavity of her chest--like all the sudden it barely fit, thumping strong against the inside of her rib cage.  “I love you,” she whispered, not able to hold it in even if she’d wanted to.  Tears stung her eyes and she forced the burn away, blinking adamantly.  

Instead of responding he captured her lips in a hot and fiery kiss that warmed her from the inside out.  Then he mumbled against her, his lips barely separating from hers just long enough to return the loving sentiment.  

After a moment too short, she broke away from him, feeling a hundred times stronger.  “Thank you,” she whispered.  He had no idea the strength he gave her.   

She turned and headed through the house, not sure if JC was behind her or still standing in the hallway near the garage where she’d left him.  It didn’t matter, because this was something that could not wait one minute more.  

Stopping in the office first, she peeked in at Daphne.  “I’m back,” she told the girl.  “Thank you.  I’ll see you on Thursday.”

Daphne nodded, trying not to show her relief but Ellie knew she was thankful to be able to leave.  And truly it was for the best.  Ellie had no idea how the next few minutes were about to go down.  

Ellie’s conservatively dressed assistant was just grabbing her nude leather handbag when Rose’s screeching voice startled them both--one long, drawn-out expletive.  Daphne quickened her pace as Ellie tried her damndest to keep the strength she’d gained from the support of JC just moments ago.  

“Go,”  Ellie urged her, quietly.  “Don’t worry.  I’ll be fine.”

Daphne nodded silently, brushing past JC who was heading Ellie’s direction down the hall.  Thirty seconds later the front door slammed.  Daphne was safely out of the house.

Ellie gave JC one last look of confidence before bursting into the room Rose had been occupying.  “Hang up,” she demanded.  “Hang up the phone.”

Looking like a child who had just been reprimanded, Rose tossed the cell phone down on the bed immaturely.  Then she slammed her arms across her chest, standing stiffly.  “I don’t want to be here,” Rose finally said through gritted teeth.

Ellie looked past the shell of a person that was once her beautiful, caring sister, trying hard to not let her emotions get in the way.  “Fine, I will take you wherever it is you want to go, but do not call and ask me for help again, do you understand?  Because I am done.”

“I never said I wanted your help,” Rose countered.  “Your house is like a fucking prison.  I never asked to be here.”

Ellie wanted to argue.  She wanted to remind Rose of the call she’d made late last night, asking Ellie to rescue her from a gas station in the middle of nowhere.  But she didn’t.  She was done.  It was time to stop trying to help her sister.  She couldn’t do it anymore.  She just couldn’t.  Not until Rose was ready to help herself.

“Fine.  We’ll leave in 10 minutes.  Be ready.”

Without another word she turned and left, shutting the door behind her.

She wanted to break down, to collapse and let all of the emotion she was feeling consume her, but she didn’t.  She held her facade of strength, as she turned to meet JC’s strong gaze.  

“I’m going,” he said.  “Don’t you dare ask me not to.”

Ellie didn’t argue.  She couldn’t.

The next 45 minutes was one of the uneasiest periods of time JC had ever experienced.  He was thankful that Ellie had not argued when he’d taken her car keys to drive.  They’d spent the following 20 minutes trying to get directions from Rose, who was irrational and hardly coherent.  JC couldn’t help but wonder if she’d had something on her and taken it before they left.  She’d went from being irate at the house, to being obviously high on something after they’d got into the car.

JC’s heart was breaking for Ellie.  He couldn’t imagine his brother or sister being in such a state.  He just wanted to hold her and comfort her and tell her how much he was there for her, but at the moment he was instead doing his best to support her by being quiet and doing whatever he could to help get the situation over with as quickly as possible.

Once he finally got a solid address to punch into the GPS he felt slightly more at ease.  The area was actually very upscale.  Of course that didn’t mean the company was good. It took them 25 minutes to get there with traffic.  Rose was silent in the backseat.  He was thankful for that, because it was almost unbearable to listen to her slurred speech.

When they pulled up to a large estate with full security, JC wondered if they were in the right place.  “Just stop here,” Rose instructed, before they were able to start up the drive.  

JC did as instructed.  Ellie didn’t even say anything as Rose hopped out of the backseat.  “Thanks,” the girl managed as she stumbled out of the car.  JC couldn’t bare to watch her as she walked up to the security guard.  Ellie, on the other hand, didn’t turn away until the last moment.  

“She’s in,” Ellie sighed.  “Go.  Please, before I lose it.”

JC didn’t say a word.  He just drove.  He had no idea what to say as he headed back toward the freeway.  Using the control on the steering wheel he turned the radio on softly--his favorite jazz station on satellite radio.  It was music that soothed him.  He hoped it had the same affect on Ellie, as he found himself humming along softly.

The melodic tone of JC’s soft hum was the only thing keeping Ellie together at that moment.  She wanted to tell him how much he meant to her, how she had never received this type of emotional support from her ex-husband, or any man for that matter, but instead she stared blankly out the window, a million thoughts running through her mind.  Every time she ended an episode with Rose she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d ever see her again.  Maybe she’d been harsh to just drop her and not even say goodbye.  She would probably regret that for a long time, but it was just too difficult interacting with Rose when she was in such a state, clearly under the influence of whatever her drug of choice was at the time.  It was upsetting and disheartening, but eventually the sadness would turn to anger and that was much easier to deal with.

She needed to call her mom, but that would have to wait.  She didn’t have the energy for that either.

They were close to their exit on the freeway when Ellie finally let her gaze settle on JC’s handsome features.  His jaw was stubbled and he wore a plain black hat on his head, matching the black t-shirt and black warm-up pants he’d had on for the majority of the day.  He was casual, cute and still completely sexy, and possibly the most amazing man she’d ever met.  She was more thankful for him than she could express.  Right now, he was her rock.  It was clear that he only had her best interests at heart and that he would do anything he could to support her both emotionally and physically.  She’d never experienced that before, and over everything else she was feeling, that part felt amazing.

“I don’t want to go home,” she finally spoke, knowing that she conveyed exhaustion in her eyes whether she wanted to or not.

“Ok.  Do you know where you want to go?”  He looked over at her briefly while driving, sending more comfort and strength than he realized.

“Can we just go to your house?” She didn’t want to be reminded of all that happened at her home over the past 24 hours, but she didn’t want to be around a ton of people either.  She just wanted to forget and relax.

“Absolutely.”  Less than 10 minutes later JC pulled Ellie’s car into his driveway.  “I’ll move it later,” he said to her.  “Let’s get you inside.”

She nodded silently and popped open her door to step out.  JC was immediately at her side, wrapping an arm over her shoulders and tenderly pressing a kiss to the side of her head.  Quietly they walked up to the front door, side by side, his warmth both secure and comforting.  She found herself squeezing into his side as he unlocked the door.  She needed to feel his arms around her.  There was nothing more she wanted at that moment than to feel his strength against her.

They stepped into the house--empty and quiet--and she let him close and lock the door before snaking both arms around him.  “Hold me,” she whispered, her voice more shaky than she wanted it to be.  “Please.”  

He didn’t hesitate, his strong arms circling around her and his face nuzzling into the side of her neck.  A low hum sounded from his voice, and she felt his chest rumble against her.  She melted against him automatically, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths, trying to concentrate on nothing but him and the amazing way he felt against her.

Lovingly his hand stroked down the back of her head.  “I wish there was something I could say to make it all go away.” There was so much love and tenderness in his words.  It made her feel so much, she was overcome with emotion.  He had no idea how much his words meant to her.  Not just his words, but his actions.

Tears brimmed her eyes and she realized that he had yet to see her cry, but she couldn’t hold back and she didn’t want to.  Her emotions were real and she wanted him to know every real part of her.  Burying her face into his shoulder, she sniffled, taking in a whiff of his manly scent--fabric softener, old cologne and sweat.  “You have no idea how much I appreciate just the fact that you’re here.”  The tears were streaming now.  There was no going back.  The floodgates had opened.

Gently he pulled her head from his shirt and braced his palms at her jawline.  With his thumbs he tenderly wiped her tears away.  She blinked and more fell.  He did it again, looking at her with such tenderness and caring in his soft blue eyes.  “I’m here for you,” he told her softly.  “I want to be here for you as long as you’ll let me be here.”

She mouthed a silent thank you before reaching up to meet his lips.  She felt so much in his kiss, more than she’d ever felt from any other man.  Her eyes closed, tears stringing down her cheeks, but his mouth didn’t stop for a second, not even when the salt of her tears intertwined with the touch of their lips.  Her arms sliding around his waist, her touch slipping up the back of his shirt, she realized there was only one thing that was going to make her feel better at the moment.  Urging him to remove the top of half of his clothing, she knew he’d get the hint.

And he did, practically tearing his black tee over his head and tossing it carelessly to the floor.  His mouth left her for only a few seconds of necessity, coming back and taking her even more aggressively than the kiss they’d shared tenderly only seconds before.  He guided her backwards.  She felt slightly disoriented, but she trusted him completely to see them through the maze of hallways toward his bedroom.

Clothes flew once inside the safety and serenity of the masculine space. When JC laid her down on top of his firm bed, Ellie could hardly wait to have him.  All she wanted was to feel him, his strong body, his soothing hands, and his amazing ability to take her over the top again and again and again.

They were engaged in a steamy, passionate kiss as he finally slid into her, unsheathed and incredibly hard, she couldn’t help but cry out with pleasure.  He stilled, not moving any part of his body except for his hands, which stroked down the sides of her face lovingly.  They were completely connected--body, heart and mind.  A fact that was reiterated as he leaned in and placed sweet kisses at the top of her cheeks.  She closed her eyes and his lips softly touched down on her eyelids.  She felt herself smiling.  He was so amazing.  How did she get so lucky?

Slowly he moved inside her, one slow and sensuous movement.  Desire swelled inside of her as he stopped and returned his mouth to hers, engaging in another passionate kiss, his tongue sweeping inside, dancing with her own as he kissed her hard and deep.  Instinctively she pushed her hips into him, her eyes rolling back into her head from the sensations it caused.  “You make me feel sooo good,” she groaned against his mouth as she managed to push out her words. He didn’t say anything, instead he pulled his hips back slowly, returning just as achingly slow as her walls clenched around him.  Her arms clasped onto his back, her fingers pressed into his warm skin as she couldn’t help but curse before breathing his name.  

A pleased “mmmmm...” escaped him.  She was searching out his lips again, kissing away his smile of satisfaction.

“You feel amazing,” he finally whispered.  “I love being inside of you.”  And with that the torture ended as he initiated a steady rhythm, in and out, alternating intimate stares and passionate kisses.  Her legs tangled with his, she was always amazed at how perfect he fit and how quickly he caused her desire to climb.  She didn’t hide one ounce of the emotion she was feeling--groaning, grasping and panting as his thrusts grew more forceful and needing.

Watching his face, she could see that he was getting close as desire clouded his eyes.  Meeting her stare, he grinned, pleasure across his handsome face.  Her hands smoothed across his sturdy shoulders and down his sculpted chest, just as he groaned loudly before biting his lip.  He smiled again as his eyes returned to her face and he leaned down to brush his lips to hers, groaning again, against her mouth.

The waves were crashing in, the spring so tight she could hardly hold it together for one second longer.  Her hand clasped the back of his neck, as she kissed him so hard that her lips hurt.  He was groaning again, the sound rumbling from deep in his chest, and she knew he was starting to come.  That was all it took for her, a rush of sensation flooding her from head to toe as she tilted her head back and cried out with a rush of emotion as JC thrust into her completely, hard and strong and deep, grunts and moans pouring from his sexy voice.  

Ellie panted and groaned and practically screamed it felt so good and she’d needed it so much.  Tears fell down her cheeks but she barely felt it.  She was too caught up in the overwhelming sensation he made her feel.  He just continued to thrust and push, each movement meeting her desire to the fullest, as he filled her with everything he had, their bodies connected in a mix of pulses and sensuous throbs.  Experiencing him climax was almost as good as her own amazing experience.  She loved how incredible it made her feel knowing that she could make him feel so good.  It just intensified her own overwhelming orgasm, as she writhed and rocked against him, the quake in her body slowly calming but in the most fulfilling way ever.

When he finally collapsed on top of her, she was so consumed with emotion that she was full on crying again.  But she didn’t care.  She wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed.  She was allowing herself to feel more than she ever had.  It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, like she had found emotional freedom.  Like it was finally ok to let go.  It was indescribable.  

“Did I hurt you?” he finally asked with concern, softly brushing her tears away.  “I know I got a little carried away.”

She shook her head no, grinning at the thought of him thinking he’d been carried away.  She was the one that had been carried away.  “You make me feel, JC.”  The emotion she was feeling was evident in the shakiness of her voice.  “You make me feel so much... I can’t hold it in.  I just can’t.”

Tenderly he touched his lips to hers.  “I don’t want you to hold it in, sweetheart.  Ever.”

She was smiling and sniffling at the same time.  His weight still pressed into her, he leaned in and pressed another tender and loving kiss to her lips, but Ellie felt like she was a few seconds away from snot dripping out of her nose, and it was beginning to ruin the moment.

He lifted and she found herself giggling for no explainable reason.

“What?” he grinned, bewildered.

“Ten more seconds and you’re going to be kissing snot off my face.”

With a goofy grin, he licked her top lip.  “Nope,” he said,  “all good.”

She shook her head, surprised at his actions.  He was constantly surprising her.  Most men would have kicked her out of the bed for crying, let alone threatening to spread snot on them.  

Slowly he removed himself from her, rolling carefully to her side.  Immediately Ellie hopped up and rushed to the bathroom.  She didn’t dare look at herself in the mirror, even though it was nearly impossible.  Such a man’s bathroom to have mirrors everywhere.  Women are much more strategic in mirror placement!

JC rolled flat on his back and stared up at the ceiling.  What a crazy, whirlwind of a day.  Through it all, Ellie still managed to rock his world.  Did she have any idea how much she affected him sexually?  Just thinking about how good she felt and he was practically at attention all over again.  It should be illegal for a woman to feel so incredibly good.  

He was pulled out of his train of thought when he heard her voice only seconds later.  “Did you have all those mirrors installed or was the house like that when you bought it?” she was grinning as she stepped back into the room, still completely nude of course, the remnants of her tears barely showing.  She slid onto the mattress beside him, on her stomach, smoothing her hands across his stomach and resting her chin into his chest.

“Do you not like the mirrors?” he asked instead.

She cocked one eyebrow and the left side of her lip scrunched upward.  Instinctively he brushed a thick strand of her auburn hair away from her face.  He tried to tuck it behind her ear but it fell right back into place next to her cheek.  “It’s not that I don’t like them, exactly, it just makes it impossible not to look at yourself when you’re in there... sometimes in vulnerable positions.”

JC chuckled.  He thoroughly enjoyed this side of Ellie.  Smiling, he tried getting that hair out of her face one more time.  It was no use.  “I love looking at you inall positions,” he told her, coming across way more cheesy than he would have liked.

One of her hands was smoothing up and down the side of his abdomen as she held her weight on the opposite elbow, propped up right next to his side.  Still grinning, she pressed a kiss into the center of his chest.  “Thank you,” she said next.  “You’re amazing.”

“Well...” he remarked, “I wouldn’t say all that, but thank you for the compliment.”

“I’m serious, JC.  No one has ever made me feel this way.  NO one.  I’m so thankful that I found you.  You have no idea how thankful I am.”  Her expression had turned serious as she looked at him with eyes swirling with emotion.  It reminded him of what a fragile state she was in and suddenly all he wanted to do was hold her and comfort her.

Lovingly he leaned in and kissed her forehead.  “I’m thankful too,” he whispered, “more than you know.”  He brushed her hair back again once more.  “Why don’t you get into bed, turn on the TV, and relax.  I’m going to take a quick shower and take care of you for the rest of the night, ok?”

Simply she nodded, clearly appreciative.  “Oh... my car.”

He hadn't forgot it was in his driveway.  “I’ll take care of it as soon as I get out of the shower, k?  Don’t worry.”  He kissed her head again and sat up.  “I love you,” he told her softly.  

“I love you too.”

© BrandyRae 2013