JT remained at the house, happy to have a little time alone, however short-lived. Her home was cozy, and not tiny by any means, but still much smaller than his own and the lack of real privacy was beginning to grate on his normal good nature. So was the inability to uncurl to his full length while sleeping. He pressed his palms into his back and flexed his shoulder blades, wincing at the stiffness in his spine. Damn extra-short couches should all burn in hell. He lifted his arms over his head and stretched the kinked muscles with a tight-jawed grimace. I’d volunteer to light the fire, too. With a blowtorch.
He glanced around the kitchen for his cellphone, deciding this would be a perfect opportunity to call Rafe. He unplugged it from the portable charger and hit the speed dial for his best friend’s home number.
After half a ring, a distinctive beeptone sounded, warning him that the phone had switched to roaming, then the line went dead. “Shit,” he mumbled, “here we go again.”
He hit the speed dial again, not expecting much. He wasn’t disappointed when the call failed to connect at all. He glanced down at the display for the number as he reached for the cordless phone sitting in its cradle on the wall. “Sorry, Kori,” he said aloud as he dialed the country code for England. This time the call went through and he began to count the rings.
One ring. I hope he’s home. I told him I’d be calling later, on Christmas.
Two rings. Come on, Rafe. You’ve got a phone in every room in your house. Pick up.
Three rings. Damn wanker’s screening his calls. I know it. And he doesn’t recognize the number that’s showing on his caller ID.
On the fourth ring, he heard the soft background hum of the answering machine before the message began to play. “If you got this instead of me, I’m either playing football or my bass guitar. Leave a message after the tone and if you’re very very lucky, I’ll call you back.”
Beep. “It’s me, Rafe. I know you’re screening your calls ‘cause it’s too damn early for you even to be dressed, let alone out kicking a ball around. You’re still on American time. Pick up the phone.”
Not wanting the machine to cut off, he kept talking.
“Quit playing with your hair, Westmore, and pick up.”
He waited several seconds, then, “Practicing keeping an eye on the edge of stage while doing those poses that get the ladies swooning, then? Good idea, it wouldn’t do to fall off and land on them again.”
Still not hearing his friend’s voice on the line, JT continued. “Although I hear there’s one fellow in San Francisco who claims he can levitate. You might want to head there and see if he’ll accept a pupil who really needs to learn the finer points of —”
Click. “Now that was really uncalled for, JT,” Rafe said with mock hurt.
JT snickered softly. “Ah, but it got you to finally answer the damn phone.”
“Cheeky bastard,” Rafe chuckled in response.
“I got a little time alone in the house, so I could use Kori’s phone instead of fighting with the connection in my cell.” JT glanced at the screen on his cellphone and noted the low battery indicator was still on. He put it back on the charger then ambled into the living room in search of his cigarettes and a working lighter. Finding both, he settled into the overstuffed recliner with an audible grunt. I might just start sleeping in this, instead.
“You okay?” Rafe asked.
“I will be. Damn couch is too short and I have to sleep curled up or my feet’ll hang off and go numb.”
“So, how’s it feel, Mister Rock Star, being reduced to sleeping on other people’s sofas?” Rafe ribbed.
“Sod off, Rafe. I’m all kinked up and edgy and can’t wait to get into a bed.”
“Sounds like you’re telling that to the wrong person. Maybe you ought to try looser trousers…”
“Bite me. Much as I’m enjoying you reminding me that we’re living in the same house, that I want to shag her ‘til she’s unconscious, and that there is no way in hell I can… Could you possibly dredge your mind from the gutter long enough to have a serious conversation? I don’t know how much longer they’ll be gone.” JT glanced at the clock hanging on the wall above the sofa from hell and hoped it would be a while yet.
Rafe gave an exaggerated sigh. “If I must. Won’t be as much fun, though.”
“Rafe —” JT admonished.
“Don’t get your knickers in a twist, JT. I’m just raggin’ on ya. Is this about what you mentioned in your email yesterday?”
“Yeah.” JT pulled deeply on his cigarette and let the smoke drift back out, trying to decide where to begin.
“JT? You still there?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry. This is going to sound really weird; it still does, even to me, so just hear me out, all right?”
He recounted his discoveries of the last several days, all the while wondering why he was talking to Rafe about it at all. Does it really matter how far back it goes, this tie Kori and I share?
I don’t understand why I feel the need to tell him about this, anyway. But I have to dump this off on someone and Rafe’s the only person I can do it to. And sometimes talking to Rafe is more like thinking out loud; he’ll sit and listen quietly until I’m all through and if I haven’t reached my own conclusions by then, he’ll offer me his.
As JT had expected, Rafe didn’t interject. If not for the occasional sound of a throat clearing, a cigarette lighter or a muttered, “uh-huh,” he might have wondered if Rafe had set down the phone and walked away.
“So,” JT finished after a long pause, glancing up to the clock to see nearly an hour had gone by.
“So… what?”
“So, what do you think?” JT prodded.
“What do you want me to say, JT? That this is the strangest thing I’ve heard in a long time? ‘Cause it is. That the two of you have been crawling around in each other’s lives and heads for so long that to turn your back on it would be like turning away from a part of yourself? That if you did that, you’d be making the biggest mistake either of you will ever make? What is it you want to know, JT?”
“I guess that’s the answer I was hoping for. Everything still seems so odd that it’s hard to accept that it’s actually perfect.”
Rafe let a few seconds slip by before continuing. “Don’t let her go, JT. Be patient. I know that’s near-impossible for you, but learn how. ‘Cause the way I see it, the two of you will be in each other’s lives no matter what. Better to keep that nice-looking ass where you can have one eye trained on it.”
“Fuck you, Rafe,” JT chuckled.
“You wish.”
A low rumble from the front of the house made JT bite back another retort. “I think they’re back. I’d better ring off. Kori and I were to go Christmas shopping this afternoon.”
“Alone?” Rafe jibed.
JT refused to take the bait. “Bye, Rafe. Thanks for letting me ramble.”
“You always ramble,” Rafe shot back.
“Bye, Rafe.” JT smiled and thumbed the off button.
He heard the small family pile through the door into the house; Zach was already asking to go to a friend’s house for the rest of the afternoon. Kori wavered, thinking someone should be home with Mark.
Mark stole one glance at his wife and told his son to go. “I’ll be damned if I’ll be baby-sat by my own son,” he spat.
Kori looked at him sharply.
“Look,” he sighed, now a bit tired from the afternoon and his outburst. “I’m not going to die today. I’ll be fine for a few hours home by myself.”
She looked doubtful; Zach glanced uneasily from one parent’s face to the other, unsure what to do.
“I’m going to take a nap. A quiet house would really help. What if he takes your cell so I can reach him if I do end up needing someone?”
“I guess I can live with that.”
She turned to Zach and handed him the small phone in its red leather case. “Just leave it on and don’t forget it anywhere, all right? Keep it clipped to you so
mewhere.”
Zach stared reverently at the phone laying across his palm, in awe of being in charge of such an item and of the responsibility that came along with it. He looked down and carefully inserted the clip into the coin pocket of his jeans. As he straightened, he drew himself up a little higher, feeling suddenly very important.
“And remember,” Kori said, “if the phone rings and the caller is listed in the speed dial, it’ll display who it is. If the ID doesn’t show that it’s either home or JT’s phone calling, don’t answer it. Let them leave a message instead.”
“Okay.” Zach turned to go.
She stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “JT and I will have his cell, so call us if Dad calls you with a problem, okay? He’s speed dial number two. All you have to do is hold down the ‘two’ button for a few seconds.”
“Number two. Okay, Mom.” With that, Zach turned and strode jauntily out the door.
“Did he just swagger?” Mark chuckled with a weary smile.
JT laughed. “Yeah, I think swagger’s the right word. Feeling a bit full of himself all of a sudden.”
Kori shook her head. “Enough, you two. I just hope he’s careful with it.”
“He will be. He’s quite a kid, Kori,” JT replied.
Mark nodded. “Yeah, he really is something. I just wish he didn’t have to grow up and be the man of the house so damn soon.” Mark stared at JT as he spoke.
Was that a challenge? I get this feeling he wants me to say something here, but I’d sooner snack on my own tongue.
Oblivious to the sudden friction, Kori said, “JT, we should be leaving. I hate the mall and I don’t want to be there all day.”
“Unfortunately, when you’ve got children, Christmas shopping is a necessary evil, luv,” JT said softly, thankful for a reason to look away from Mark as he shifted his gaze to her face.
She gave a quiet snort. “Necessary evil. Yeah, right. And here I am, dragging you kicking and screaming…”
“Quit bickering and just go already,” Mark grumbled, irritable and sleepy. “I’m sorry, but I have to go and lay down before I fall down. Have fun you two.” He laid a gentle kiss on Kori’s cheek and turned away, shuffling slowly down the hall to the solace of his dim bedroom and the soft, welcoming bed.
Twenty-Three
JT, she discovered, loved to window-shop. And browse. After wandering through the fifth small specialty shop and buying nothing, she huffed in exasperation and started to walk a little faster, leaving him several steps behind. He jogged to catch up and grabbed her hand. She jerked to a stop, facing him.
“Slow down, Kori. The stores aren’t going anywhere.”
She rolled her eyes. “And neither are we, at this pace.” She tried to pull her hand free but that merely made him squeeze a little tighter to keep her close.
“Don’t you like looking around?”
“Ordinarily, yes. When there’s time. But we need to get back home.”
He cocked his head to the side, regarding her. “Why?”
Again she tugged at his hand but his warm grip was implacable. “Because Mark’s home alone.”
“And he’s sleeping. So what’s the rush?”
“Because… we just do, that’s why.”
He flashed a lopsided smile, sending her stomach plummeting into her hiking boots. “Mommy-reasoning doesn’t work with me, sweetheart.” Twinkling verdant eyes speared hers. “Do you know the last time I just slouched about and browsed?”
She shook her head.
“Neither do I. And so far, if I’ve been recognized, nobody’s mentioned it. I want to take advantage of that for as long as we can.” He playfully swung their joined hands. “So walk with me, Kori.”
“Do I have a choice? It’s not like you’re letting go of my hand…” Her sarcastic tone contrasted with the warm hint of a smile that flirted over her lips.
“Nope, I’m not. I haven’t had you all to myself in ages, and I’m going to take advantage of it. Where shall we go next?”
She looked up as if her list were painted on the ceiling and began reeling it off. “We need to go to Electronica for Zach’s video game, the music store for the CDs for him and Mark, Mark’s feet are always cold now so I wanted to get him some warm slippers at one of the department stores, then of course we have to go to the toy store —”
“But what about you?” he interrupted.
“Huh?” Her gaze shifted from the ceiling to rest on his face.
JT lifted her chin, running his thumb lightly along the line of her jaw. “You heard me. I know you did.”
“But what does that have to do with Christmas shopping?”
He dropped his face a little closer, still stroking tenderly with the pad of his thumb. “Nothing whatsoever.” He held her eyes, feeling his insides turn to somersaulting jelly while the familiar sensation of their connection opening flooded his mind with warmth.
Her teeth worried at her lip and she didn’t reply.
JT picked up her twisting emotions but her thoughts remained a mystery. She could still guard those too well.
“We missed your birthday last week, Kori. Totally ignored it, in fact. And I’ve yet to hear what you might like to have for Christmas.”
“You.” The word slipped out before she could stop it.
The lopsided grin made an encore appearance, dimpling his cheek. “I hardly want to put on a show for the mall shoppers, but if you insist, love…” He tipped her chin a little higher and brought his lips to almost meet hers. “I can’t resist granting your every wish when you look at me that way.”
He breath began to quicken and she was powerless to move.
JT’s fingertips glided delicately across her cheekbone to tangle in the silky golden waves, slowly closing the final gap to graze his mouth over hers. She whimpered at the light touch. Without warning, he tilted his head back and broke contact, smiling evilly as he watched her lips still reaching for his.
“Sorry, love. That’s all you get,” he teased as he spun away, still holding her hand and attempting to drag her along behind him.
She was having none of it and stood firm. JT got to the end of their arms’ reach and was jolted to a halt. He turned back to face her and tugged at her hand. “Come on, babe. Walk with me.”
Kori slowly shook her head, a smoky smile creeping over her features. Giving in, JT loped back to her and stood too close on purpose, thigh to thigh and chest to chest. He dropped his forehead to hers, sighing raggedly, his mouth quirking into that half-smile once more. “I want more privacy than this, Kori.”
She didn’t return the smile; instead, her eyes smoldered a darker blue and her free hand slid up his side to cup the blade of his shoulder, hoping to draw him into a real kiss. JT brought their joined hands to the curving hollow of her back and pulled her close enough to feel the reaction stirring behind his pants.
“You see what you do to me?” he grumbled. The heat pulsed between them, oblivious to the passing crowds. Their little world had only room enough for two and for the bonfire that was kindling higher as they touched without touching. The stirring in his trousers rapidly became full grown and JT growled. Dammit. Why did I have to wear these tight jeans? I can’t walk around like this. Then again, if people are looking where they really ought not, maybe they’ll just think I’m well-hung. Not that I’m not, but—
Kori giggled. “Jesus, JT. Broadcast it to the entire mall, why don’t you?”
“What?”
“I won’t repeat it. But suffice it to say I heard what you were thinking. Not modest, are you?”
He couldn’t help the grin as it surfaced. “Not when I’m right, no.”
“Mommy, are those two people cold?” a tiny voice sounded from behind them.
“No, sweetie. Come over this way and give me your hand,” came the reply. “Get a room for chrissake,” the mother mumbled tersely as she pulled her child out of their proximity.
JT raised his head and met the woman’s eyes. “Sounds like
a good idea to me. Got a favorite one you can recommend?”
The woman gaped at him and hurriedly dragged the boy away.
“Mommy, why did that man say that to you?” The child’s strident voice carried through the crowded mall.
“Hush, Anthony,” came her cold response. “And stop staring at them.”
JT felt Kori’s embarrassment and knew without looking that her cheeks were flaming. It’s your own fault, Kori. If you had started walking along with me…
She moved to step away but his strong arm around her back wouldn’t let her. She buried her face in his chest and he heard a muffled, “I can’t believe you just said that, JT.”
“She may have been rude, but she did have a good idea,” JT chuckled.
Kori felt the laugh rumble from deep in his ribcage; she whipped her head back to glare at him. “Surely you’re joking.”
“Maybe.” JT saw the charming blush he knew he’d find and watched with amusement as she flushed a deeper shade of crimson. She tried to spin away from his grip but he held her firm. “Of course I was joking, sweetheart.”
“Let me go, please JT? People are staring.”
“Um, not quite yet, I’m afraid.”
“But —”
“Give me a minute to cool down. Or else they’ll be staring at something else entirely, and if you think you’re embarrassed now, how would you feel if they saw us walking around and I was sporting this?” He shifted his stance and rolled his hips gently into her stomach. “They’d know you were the cause of it, Kori, and then they’d really stare.”
Kori suppressed a glimmer of worry that someone she knew might see them hand-in-hand. She wasn’t likely to run into anyone, not being a frequent mall shopper, but the concern lingered. Who would they tell, anyway? Mark? He’s asleep more than he’s awake. Besides, there’s always the very plausible explanation that acting like a couple was to keep unwanted attention at bay so JT can have a little down time. And so far, there’s been no intrusions. Either nobody’s noticed it’s JT, they don’t believe it’s him because this is little old Albuquerque, or we’re putting out the impression that he doesn’t want to be disturbed. Whatever it is, it’s nice having him all to myself for a little while. I missed this.
Dream Me Off My Feet (Sex, Love, And Rock & Roll) Page 48