Running High

[Angeleyz]

Nicole gulped the rest of her margarita, trying to get herself together. He seemed like such a nice guy, and she didn't want to offend him by flaking out any more than she already had... And deep down, she really wanted to give this a try... She was tired of being alone, of feeling cut off from everyone but her family and close friends, and there did seem to be... something between them, even if it did scare her to death.

Propping her chin up with her right hand, she listened to JC's explanation, a small smile slowly tugging at her lips. He really did have a beautiful voice, one that she could listen to for hours. As long as he sticks to safe subjects...

She took a drink of the second margarita without thinking, and the taste had her looking down at her hand in surprise. 'Crap, this isn't water,' she thought, already feeling the effects of the first drink. She pushed the glass slightly out of reach so that she wouldn't unconsciously do that again, and went back to listening to JC.

"I don't think I've ever heard jazz guitar," she admitted after he finished describing it.

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. looked at her in shock. "What? Never?" He half turned to her and a mock, overly exaggerated despair was written on his face. "How is that possible?"

He mulled it over a moment, then said, "Fine, once we are an item, officially, I will play for you. I am no Rik Emmet or Bernie Williams, but I am pretty good."

He caressed her face gently, and asked, "Deal?"

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole giggled at JC's reaction to her confession. You'd think she had just admitted to never having watched Pulp Fiction or something to that effect. Dork, that's because you haven't...

Fine, once we are an item, officially, I will play for you. I am no Rik Emmet or Bernie Williams, but I am pretty good.

She bit her bottom lip nervously. He sounded so sure that they'd have a future of some sort, but she knew that she came with so much baggage that her baggage had baggage. Still being an official item had such an appealing ring to it. So caught up in her musing, Nicole startled when she felt the soft caress against her cheek, and looked up in time to see JC smiling at her.

Deal?

Unable to find her voice past the lump in her throat, she nodded as she fought her inclination to press her cheek into his hand. There was something incredibly soothing about his touch, and it both scared her and exhilarated her.

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. looked into the orbs of liquid gold and nodded, "It's okay, Nicole," he whispered to her. "We can do this together, you and I, just believe in me."

He trailed his hand down her neck, and despite every fiber of his being telling him not to, he skipped over her luscious breast and placed his hand on her thigh, exactly mid point between her knee and her crotch. Being so close to her, her smell, her fear and wanting, was sending electrical currents through his body. It also caused the blood to pool in his groin and his cock hardened slightly in his jeans at an awkward angle.

 

[Angeleyz]

It's okay, Nicole. We can do this together, you and I, just believe in me.

Nicole's heart felt like it skipped a beat from the sweet combination of impassioned whisper and the earnest look in his eyes. Goodness he made it sound so easy, but she and Jason had been best friends before it had morphed into a simple romance... a safe relationship between two people who knew each other inside and out. This thing between them was moving so quickly and seemed anything but safe.

She shivered as JC cupped her chin and gave it a little squeeze. Her eyelids fluttered as he stroked her neck, her lips parting slightly in reaction. She didn't understand this strange thrall he seemed to have over her, couldn't explain it but was so very tempted by it. When his hand came to rest on her leg, Nicole tensed, the toned muscles in her thigh rippling as she struggled against her natural reaction to jump away. She told herself it was just a simple touch, despite the way heat seemed to radiate from where he touched her. She managed to stay still, but it had been a struggle. Taking a quick sip of her drink, she giggled when the ice shifted and about crashed into her nose.

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. didn't move his hand while he felt the stiffness in Nicole's leg. He waited patiently and when she relaxed he squeezed it firmly but not hard. He wanted her to know his hand was still there.

As she nearly jumped he smiled and innocently asked, "What town did you move here from?"

 

[Angeleyz]

Just when she thought she had gotten used to JC's hand touching her in such a familiar fashion, he gave her thigh a squeeze, causing her to just about slam her knee into the bottom of the table. Based on the smile on his face, he hadn't noticed her knee-jerk response, which helped calm her agitation, but didn't make her any less aware of the large, masculine hand resting on her leg.

What town did you move here from?

She smiled a little as she confessed, "Will I lose points if I tell you I'm a transplant from Northern Virginia?"

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. looked at her in shock, "Virginia?" Shaking his head he muttered, "What fucking deal breaker."

He ran his hand down her thigh vertically until his fingertips touched the seat and then back up to the previous position. He smiled and said, "Too late for me to care about the particulars, this is getting to know you."

"Favorite color?" He started and then ran through the normal 20 questions that people tend to do. Then he asked, eyes full of earnestness, "What do you want to ask me?"

 

[Angeleyz]

JC's shocked response surprised a peak of laughter from her, and she blushed when patrons from a nearby table turned to look at her. 'Darn Texans and their obnoxious state pride,' she thought with a little smile on her lips. She gasped soundlessly when he ran his hand up and down her leg, a trail of delayed tingles following the same course.

Too late for me to care about the particulars, this is getting to know you.

Playing with the condensation on her glass, Nicole answered the battery of questions that JC posed so charmingly. She was a little surprised at how easily she was sharing information with him, even though they were fairly innocuous to start with, as she didn't normally share much of anything with people outside of her family and Malinda. She didn't notice how much more relaxed she became under his occasional caress, nor how she was rapidly finishing off the drink she had thought to nurse.

What do you want to ask me?

Repeating the same litany of questions he had posed to her, Nicole looked down at the table before her eyes flickered back to look at him, quiet laughter shining there. "And lastly, where's the most ticklish part on your body," she giggled as she watched his mouth drop open in surprise, thinking perhaps the margarita was a good idea after all.

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. considered the question then he grinned, "Find it your own self, sweetest. "

Another round of drinks came along while Nicole protested his lack of an answer. "Okay, okay," he chimed, "I'll give you a clue. I am most ticklish somewhere between my chest and knees."

He rubbed his hand down her leg toward her knee and then back up a little higher than it had been before. He squeezed her leg again, and really, really wanted to rip her clothes off of her and throw her across the table. He sipped the new bourbon and looked at her.

Without moving the hand in her lap her turned her face toward his. "I am going to kiss you now, Nicole." Then he leaned in bringing his lips to hers.

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole couldn't believe it when JC tried to duck her question on where he was most ticklish, and the look she gave him clearly called him out for the wuss like he was acting. She was calling foul for his not answering when the waitress came back with some more drinks.

Okay, okay. I'll give you a clue. I am most ticklish somewhere between my chest and knees.

She couldn't help but draw a line with her eyes, starting at the broad expanse of his chest and working her way down. Her cheeks flushed as she realized where her gaze had ended, and it took her a minute to realize that JC was once again petting her leg. She wished he wouldn't do that as it was making it hard to think, but savored the sensations he was causing nonetheless.

I am going to kiss you now, Nicole.

The brush of his lips against hers made Nicole sigh in a fuzzy state of contentment. The man certainly knew how to kiss, and she happily sank into the sweet kiss before she realized what she was doing. She pulled away reluctantly, looking at JC with a slightly troubled look. It wasn't like her to engage in public displays like that, and she ducked her head in embarassment.

 

[a_libertine]

The kiss sent a torrent of sexual energy down J.C.'s throat, through his torso and straight to his cock. He hardened so fast that it was nearly painful. He nearly came in his jeans as Nicole kissed him back, her tongue dancing with his in her mouth. Her body pressed against his; the press of her wondrous tits against his chest sent a different sense through him. Pride, protectiveness, something between the two.

His brain was too short circuited by her willing, eager response for him to properly process it all.

And just like that, it went away. The troubled look on her face and then hiding herself from him took the moment and slaughtered it. It took him a moment and the last of the bourbon in his glass to set it aside, remembering that at least this time she didn't run screaming away.

He squeezed her thigh and turned her face gently to look at him. "look at me," he whispered. When she finally turned her eyes to his, "Step by step, Nicole. I am not going to let you run away; this is too real for both of us."

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole tried to tell herself that her senses were reeling from the effects of the margaritas, but she knew deep down that it was really her response to JC and his kisses. She didn't remember ever feeling this intense heat with Jason and wondered if it was really real or just a function of her having cut herself off from everyone for so long. She desperately needed someone to talk to and wished Malinda was home for a good heart-to-heart.

A strange combination of guilt and elation swirled inside her muddled mind, and something flared bright when she felt JC squeeze her thigh once more. She kept her eyes downcast, however, when he took her chin between two warm fingers and gently turned her head. He must think she was a complete flake, freaking out one minute over a simple kiss and the next practically rubbing herself all over him.

Look at me.

Her first reaction to the soft whisper was to mulishly tighten her lips and keep her eyes turned down. Please don't ask me to explain what I don't understand myself!! But she knew it wasn't fair to him, so she reluctantly looked at him, his green eyes filled with a quiet patience that filled her with warmth.

Step by step, Nicole. I am not going to let you run away; this is too real for both of us.

Her lashes fell, veiling her eyes, as she tried to process what to say. " I.... You.... We....," she said floundering to put into words what she was feeling. Sighing in frustration over her inability to communicate, she closed her eyes a moment before relaxing her shoulders, opening her eyes and saying softly, "Okay, JC..."

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. looked over at Nicole and tried to judge what she was thinking and feeling. After a moment he patted her thigh and smiled warmly and took a sip of his bourbon.

His mind was racing trying to sort out his emotions regarding Nicole. He enjoyed her company and being next to her was one of the most amazing things he could have imagined.

But. .. and there was an enormous but hanging in the air.

Her fiancee. Or dead fiancee.

Maybe his uncle could provide some insight.

Or maybe he should run like he'll the other way.

One glance at her told him that he would not do that. "Okay, now that we have settled that, what next?" He grinned the quipped, "Elope?"

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole tried to continue meeting JC's gaze, but it was hard. She imagined he was quite frustrated with her. Heck, she was frustrated with her, and she wished she could just get over Jason like everyone had urged her to do. But, he had been such an integral part of her growing up, that she didn't see how that could be accomplished.

She took another sip of her drink, before looking at it in consternation. 'Lord, what number is this?' she thought as she realized her feet were numb.

Okay, now that we have settled that, what next? Elope?"

Returning his grin with a shy one of her own, she responded, "Why don't you tell me what JC stands for?" She giggled a moment before she continued, "We can contemplate eloping next month..."

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. was playing with Nicole's thigh, by dragging his fingers up to a five point stand at the top of her thigh and then pressing down, allowing his fingers to spread as he did so. He wasn't particularly paying attention to the act, or what it was doing for him or her. It was a means to touch her, feel her. It was far from the touching and feeling her wanted to do, but it was something.

"Just 'Cause," he replied with a smile. "My real name is Robert Ted, and one of my aunts once called me her teddy bear when I was five or so. I decided I would only anser to J.C. that day on and ignored anyone that called me Rob, Robert, what have you."

He grineed at her and said, "Yeah, always have been bull headed."

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole found herself breathing in and out in unison with the movement of JC's fingers on her thigh. Up... 2...3...4... Breathe... Down...2...3....4...out...2...3...4.... It was an odd movement, but one she found strangely soothing. Her shoulders and the rest of her body relaxed under his almost distracted petting.

She smiled at his explanation of what JC stood for. She could so picture his 5 year old self putting his foot down and dictating what he'd respond to. JC seemed a much more fitting moniker than Robert Ted anyway.

Yeah, always have been bull headed.

"I find that hard to believe," she teased with a matching grin.

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. smiled at her and he leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips, his tongue scrapping across her lips. His hand continued it's metronome like motion up and down her thigh, creeping ever higher up her leg. Before he realized what he was doing his pinky pressed along the crotch of her jeans.

Part of him wanted to withdraw the hand but more of him wanted to press hard against her. Even that part of his mind was of two equal parts, one to see if she would climb over him to run away, the other hoping she would moan and allow him more access to her.

His tongue pressed into her mouth, pinning her to the booth and the wall next to her. Deeper and deeper his tongue explored her mouth; his passion escalating as quickly.

 

[Angeleyz]

His fingers continued their soothing movement, and while steady progress up her leg didn't go unnoticed, it just didn't seem to be something to be concerned about, not after the way he leaned over and kissed her so sweetly. Oh very nice...2...3...4.... Let it out...2...3...4... Feels so nice...2...3...4 Let it out...2...3...4

Her eyes shot open when when she registered where his little finger rested. It didn't seem like he was aware of it, but she swore she felt his touch clear through her jeans. She didn't know what to do, didn't know what to say. Should she draw his attention to what she assumed was an accidental touch? But that would require her to pull away from the kiss, which was so very nice.

And then somehow he made the kiss hotter than any of his previous kisses. So hot, it was like the kiss was threatening to consume her as he pressed against her. Exciting and scary at the same time, but scary started to win out as she realized this was far different from what she had experienced with Jason.

Breaking free of the kiss, she said the first thing that came to mind, "Ladies room... I need to find it..."

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. was stunned and confused a moment as Nicole asked for the ladies room. Shaking his head to clear the raging inferno of lust from his eyes, he muttered, "Uh, yeah, sure. Follow me."

As he stood J.C. was acutely aware of his raging hard on and the Half dollar sized wet spot at the tip where he had oozed through boxer and jeans alike.

He led the way to the restrooms and paused asking, "Meet at the table?"

 

[Angeleyz]

Uh, yeah, sure. Follow me.

Nicole was too embarrassed over her behavior to look at JC when he stood up. He must think she was the biggest tease by the way she was acting... kissing him like she had and then stopping it, but she needed a minute to clear her head. This type of behavior wasn't like her. She swayed slightly when she stood up, and it was only a quick grab at the table top that kept her from stumbling into him. Gah... How much have I had to drink?!

She followed him to the restrooms and murmured a quiet agreement about meeting at the table. She paused for a moment, thinking she should apologize to him, but didn't know if she'd be apologizing for kissing him or stopping it. Giving him a crooked smile, she ducked into the bathroom and weaved her way to the closest stall to take care of business.

Nicole was washing her hands at the sink when the door opened and one of the wait staff came bustling in to wash her hands. The tall blonde gave Nicole a friendly smile and said, "Oh... You're the one here with our resident hottie." Laughing at the totally confused look on Nicole's face, she continued, "You are here with JC, aren't you? He's here a lot, but rarely with anyone."

"Oh... um... yes...," Nicole answered, "but this is just, um, a first... date, that is."

The other woman pulled two paper towels from the dispenser and dried her hands as she said, "Based on what was happening at the table, sweetie, I'm thinking there'll be more dates." Seeing the heat rise on Nicole's cheeks, she added in a conspiratorial whisper, "You better make your move soon, hon... JC doesn't know it, but there's a pool here to see which one of us can get his number... Unless you put a stop to it." She gave Nicole a wide smile before turning to leave, "I'm planning on winning the pool, so let me know what you're planning on doing... Will ya?"

Blinking at the unusual parting line, Nicole finished washing her hands as she considered what the other woman had said. What was she going to do? There was no denying that she found JC... appealing... but he wasn't Jason, and she wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. Rubbing her forehead, she tried to figure out what to do, but her mind felt too muddled and slow. Not wanting to keep JC waiting too long, she dried her hands and headed unsteadily back to the table. Wonder if he knows he's being hunted...

 

[a_libertine]

JC went into the men's room and pissed for what seemed for ever. At first it was difficult, after all pissing through a hard on was nearly impossible. Squeezing just behind the head of his cock for about a minute, he finally coaxed it soft enough to allow a free flow of urine.

He washed his hands and headed to the table, his cock overly sensitive and the rubbing against his underwear was driving him mad. He sighed heavily as he sat and finished off his Maker's Mark, waiting on Nicole to return. When he saw her, he was struck by how unsteady she appeared on her feet.

He dropped two $20 on the table and gathered Nicole up. As soon as his hands touched her, his cock responded, and instantly sprang to life. "Come on, let's get you out of here," he whispered.

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole's brow wrinkled in confusion when she saw the way JC jumped up from the table. She started to look over her shoulder, wondering what might have caused the look of concern to cross his face, and ended up tripping into him when she started to lose her balance.

"Oopsie," she muttered against his chest and heard him whisper something about getting her out of there.

She looked up at him with an abashed look on her face as she admitted, "Um, JC... I don't think I can drive yet... I think I'm going to need a bit more water."

 

[a_libertine]

JC laughed, "No baby, you aren't driving. I am." He collected Nicole into his arms and started toward the door with her. She stumbled a time or two, almost splatting herself onto the concrete.

JC swooped her up into his arms whispering, "It is okay; I will take care of you."

Her head rested against his shoulder and JC found he liked the feel of her in his arms. He continued whispering to her, reassuring her that everything was okay. The crush of her breast against his body and the feel of her ass against his abdomen was intoxicating in of itself, resulting in even more blood pumping into his groin.

He set her in the passenger seat of his truck and closed the door before walking around the front.

 

[Angeleyz]

No baby, you aren't driving. I am.

Liking the way his laugh spilled out, Nicole smiled crookedly at him, even if she normally would have taken exception to being called a baby. She had warned him that she had a low alcohol tolerance, hadn't she? Just because she couldn't hold her liquor the way he apparently could, didn't mean he should call her a baby, did it?

With his arm slung casually along her shoulders, JC easily guided her towards the door, and she was flummoxed as to why she seemed to keep tripping over her own feet. She really did feel like a toddler with her inability to walk correctly, and she kept her head down thinking it would somehow help her balance. She squealed in surprise when he swept her up in his arms, and her arms wrapped themselves around his neck afraid that he'd drop her.

It is okay; I will take care of you.

There was something so compelling about the way he held her, whispered to her, and she didn't protest as she told herself it was so much safer for him to carry her than to keep tripping over imaginary cracks in the pavement. It seemed only natural to rest her head on his shoulder, and her eyes closed in response to the feeling of contentment that built up. Mmm, this is nice...

Nicole felt a weird sense on loss when he carefully placed her on the seat and she lost the comforting feeling of his arms. Reluctantly opening her eyes, she tried to focus on her surroundings, but things seemed to swim in a thick haze around her. Something about swimming struck her as important, and she tried to focus on pulling the thread to whatever it was she needed to remember.

Just as JC opened his door, she remembered what it was that was so important, and turned to face him. "I hafta go back, JC," she said with a hint of singsongy urgency in her voice, "I gotta stop the pool. The hunters are gonna get you!"