by Joanna Blake
Batten down the hatches.
Set phasers to stun.
He kissed her forehead.
"Okay pumpkin, let's go."
Chapter 21
Kendall
Kendall stared at the menu in front of him, trying to pretend he gave a shit about pancakes. He didn’t, but he could tell that she did, and so he tried to focus.
Jessica had told him what she wanted, and exactly how she wanted it. It was adorable, and very specific. He gave the waitress a distracted look when she came to take their order.
“She’ll have the blueberry chocolate chip pancakes, with the syrup and butter on the side. And two scoops of vanilla ice cream on the side… and I will have the same.”
“One scoop!”
He grinned at her, and handed the waitress their menus.
“One serving of two scoops.”
He winked at Jess.
“We can share.”
She blushed at the warm look in his eyes. Maybe she was nervous about going back to the suite with him. Maybe she was afraid…
She was being shy again so he regaled her with stories about being on the road, and all the craziest things that had gone down in the boy band days.
She relaxed and he watched in awe as she put away a huge stack of pancakes.
It was adorable but also made him feel a lot better.
She wasn’t trying to avoid being alone with him.
The girl really had been hungry.
The sun was rising by the time they made it back to the suite. Jessica had nodded off a little bit after putting away a huge stack of blueberry pancakes at a world famous all night diner.
He was having fun keeping her awake, even if it was just watching her eat. And eat. And eat. She had such a pretty mouth. She even licked her fingers a few times, sending lust straight to his groin.
He knew he wasn't going to get what he wanted anyway.
She wasn't going to sleep with him. Not tonight.
Not yet.
But he had a good feeling about tomorrow night. Maybe tomorrow they could hang out by the pool, gamble a little. And there were plenty of other roller coasters in Vegas he could take her on. He had absolutely nothing planned until they left for New York on Sunday night.
Maybe she’d want to come along for that trip as well…
But once they got back he realized he was going to have to do some fancy footwork to make sure she didn’t bolt.
The suite was… not empty. There were people passed out on all the couches. Girls mostly. Apparently the party had come back here after the club shut down. He did a quick check of the rooms and cursed.
Jess looked a little uncomfortable all the sudden.
All the rooms were all taken.
Not that he didn't want her to share a room with him, but he didn't want her to feel like she didn’t have a choice about it. He shook his head. He wasn't a pig generally with women, but he couldn't remember the last time he'd been so concerned about what a girl's feeling were.
"Looks like all the bedrooms are taken. Well, except mine."
She shrugged, like it was no big deal. He could tell she was nervous though. She might have liked fooling around with him in the elevator, but she wasn't willing to go further than that.
"I'm sorry, Jess. Let me call down and get you a room."
"That's okay. I can sleep on the couch for a few hours."
They stared at the couch. It was covered in passed out people in various states of undress.
"Um…"
He watched as she looked around, hoping she would change her mind and spend the night with him. He'd really like to hold her if nothing else.
That was a lie. He'd like to do a lot of things besides hold her.
She brightened and pointed to the top of the glass staircase.
"I can sleep on that one."
He followed her up the stairs. There was a small leather chaise lounger on the second story. Just outside his bedroom.
"Are you sure?"
She grinned at him.
"Its fine. Lord knows I'll fit."
He wasn't so sure why that annoyed him so much. He'd already told the girl she didn't have to do anything she didn't want to. He had gone out of his way to make sure she didn't feel pressured. The least she could do is give him credit for being a gentleman.
It's not like he was a typical rock star, nailing groupies left and right.
He was just surprised at how much he wanted to act like one tonight. She was a fan of his music. As sweet and intelligent as she was, it didn’t mean she didn’t get all those fan girl feelings.
He wished to God he could capitalize on that, and not worry about the consequences.
The thought of seducing her into his bed, not worrying about how she might feel about it the next day, just taking what he wanted… it was beyond tempting.
"Look, I'm not comfortable with you sleeping out here. You can take the bed. I'll sleep on the couch in the room. Who knows what kind of people are down there."
"No, I couldn't take your bed. That's crazy."
"I insist."
She sighed, looking indecisive. He decided to take matters into his own hands. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her into his room, kicking the door shut behind him. They looked around together.
There was no couch.
He lowered her to her feet. She was breathing in little gasps, staring up at him.
At his lips.
He groaned and lowered his mouth to hers.
Again, there was an explosion of pleasure. Electricity where their lips touched. He pulled her against him and reveled in the feeling of her body pressed against his. She kissed him back, sweet and shy and eager all at the same time.
Finally he lifted his head, realizing he was doing the opposite of what he'd promised.
"Sorry. I promise I’m not going to jump your bones.”
She blushed, looking away.
"It's okay."
He ran his hands through his hair, unsure what to say. There were two armchairs by the window. They would have to do.
"Hey look, I can put those two chairs together. It's only for a few hours."
She stared at the carpet, shaking her head.
"No, it's alright. We can…um… share."
He inhaled sharply. She was giving him what he wanted. Or at least partially. He wasn't going to push her to do anything she didn't want to do.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded shyly. He took her hand and led her to the bed. He didn't want to give her time to change her mind.
"Wait."
He stopped, running his hands over the soft skin of her arms.
"What?"
"Can I borrow your toothbrush?"
He felt an overwhelming sense of relief mixed with something else. He wasn't sure what it was though. Tenderness maybe.
She wasn't backing out. She just wanted to brush her teeth.
"Sure."
He grabbed his backpack and fished out his toothbrush and paste. Then he opened his luggage and pulled out a soft t-shirt.
"Here. You can sleep in this.”
“Thank you.”
She smiled shyly and took them from him before disappearing into the bathroom.
He lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
He realized he had a choice now. He could behave himself. Or he could take a chance and see what happened.
As long as he didn’t push her to do anything she didn’t want, he wasn’t doing anything wrong.
Right?
Chapter 22
Jessica
Jess gargled the water to clear her mouth and spat into the sink. She looked up, staring into the mirror at herself. She looked ridiculous, like a little girl playing dress up in adult clothes.
Kendall was so much taller than her that his t-shirt fit her like a dress. A very soft, very clingy dress. She pulled it away from her chest, hoping it would not accentuate her breasts quite so much.
Nope.
It was fine. It was dark in the bedroom. So what if her nipples were clearly visible. Nipples were natural. She wasn't being a tramp by sharing a bed on a first date. It was a matter of sheer necessity.
This wasn't even really a date, right?
Just to be sure she left her bra on. There was no need to take that off. Besides, she might poke his eye out with a nipple. They were visible now, but if she really let it all hang out, it would send a clear message,
Fondle me. Um, yeah, no. She closed her eyes and said a little prayer that she would be able to control her raging hormones for a few short hours in bed with Kendall Jackson.
Well, it's now or never.
She took a deep breath and opened the bathroom door. Kendall was staring out the window. His shirt was off. The man's muscles had muscles.
Oh my god.
He turned and she saw his eyes flare when he looked at her. Like she was something delicious to eat. Her stomach did a little flip flop. He crossed the room and stood in front of her.
"You look nice."
"I do?"
He smiled at her in an intimate way.
"Yeah, you do."
He slid past her, pulling the toothbrush from her hand.
"Be right back."
She shook herself and climbed into bed, grabbing a fresh bottle of water. Hydration was very important when you were going to bed with your celebrity crush. She almost laughed at the inanity of that thought but she was too nervous.
Kendall was back in less than two minutes. He kicked his shoes off and climbed into bed beside her. Well, not too close. The bed was enormous. It could have fit ten people in it.
She blushed a little bit. It probably had fit that many people at one point or another. Kendall smiled at her and laid back, putting his hands behind his head.
He wasn't going try and kiss her?!?
She blinked at him. He must be tired. She was feeling pretty sleepy herself. She laid back and closed her eyes, snuggling into the blankets.
"Sleepy?"
"Hmmm hmmmm."
The bed moved. She opened her eyes. He had rolled over to face her on top of the blankets. He was less than a foot away. He was making eyes at her.
Puppy dog eyes.
"Are you sure we shouldn't try and keep you up… just a little bit longer?"
"I- um… sure. That would be-"
He was on her in a second, kissing her deeply. He'd been waiting for permission she realized. The covers slowly slid down her body. She whimpered as his body pressed against hers, more intimately this time. All that was between them was his old t shirt and her bra. He chuckled as he fingered the strap.
"I'd really like to take this off of you."
She wanted that too… oh boy, did she ever.
"Okay."
He moaned and kissed her again. With one hand he pulled the t shirt up and over her head. He lifted his head and looked down at her body.
"Oh God, you are so beautiful Jess."
He lowered his head to hers again. He was kissing her so intently that she almost didn't feel his hand underneath her fishing for her bra hook. He unclasped it easily and then leaned back again. He was breathing heavily as he slowly pulled the bra off of her.
He groaned as his hands closed over her breasts. She closed her eyes, loving the feel of his warm palms against her rapidly hardening nipples. She’d thought they were hard before, but now they were like sharp little spikes.
He’d done that to her, she realized.
Kendall Jackson, popping nipples since 1993.
Then she felt his warm hot mouth close over one of them. He was making contented sounds as he swirled his tongue against the sensitive tip.
She arched her back unconsciously as he worked her breasts, alternating between them. It was almost as if he couldn't get enough. Either Kendall really, really liked boobs or… he really, really liked her.
That was an interesting thought. An interesting, dangerous thought. Then she stopped thinking at all as the pleasure overwhelmed her again.
Kendall rolled to his side, pulling her with him. His erection was pulsing against her juncture. She could feel it through his jeans and her panties. It was hot and hard and very, very big.
She whimpered in fear and desire all at once. He moaned as he rocked himself against her. She stopped breathing as he slowed the grinding motion. He was holding himself back, she could tell.
"Jessica?"
He was staring down at her. She didn't say anything.
"Are you okay with this?"
She nodded jerkily. He was frozen above her for a moment. Finally he sighed and rolled off of her.
"You're not."
He lay beside her, staring up at the ceiling.
"Fuck."
"Kendall…”
She reached for him but pulled her hand back at the last second. He didn't look like he wanted to be touched at the moment.
"Oh God- just- just give me a minute okay?"
She nodded and tried not to stare at his bare chest as it rose and fell. He stood up and walked into the bathroom. A minute later the shower came on.
Oh God. He was taking a shower. A cold one.
She had really messed this up, hadn't she?
Why did she have to freeze up? Now she'd blown it with him. What was the big deal about just going with the flow?
But she hadn't wanted to. And he noticed.
Somehow, that was making her want him even more.
She pulled the t shirt back on and crawled under the covers.
A few minutes later and Kendall was sliding into bed beside her again. He was wearing gym shorts and a plain black t shirt. She wished he had left that last part off… she was already missing the feeling of him against her chest. He smiled at her and pulled her into his arms, kissing her softly.
Then he reached past her and turned the light off.
"Goodnight, Jess."
"Goodnight, Kendall."
Chapter 23
Kendall
Hmmm… he reached for the warm body he’d cuddled against for hours. But there was nothing there. The sheets were cold, chilled by the perennial Vegas air conditioning.
Kendall rolled over and stared at the light filtering through the floor to ceiling windows. The shades were partially drawn but he could tell it was late already. Around noon.
He stretched, feeling a strange sense of contentment. That's when he realized the warm soft body he'd been holding all night wasn’t just not in the bed, it was nowhere near the bed.
He turned just in time to see Jessica buttoning the top of her jeans. He sat up abruptly.
"Hey."
Her head snapped up to stare at him. She looked embarrassed and… furtive in a way. And somehow even more beautiful with her face still soft from sleep.
The realization hit him like a ton of bricks.
She'd been about to sneak out on him.
"Hey."
"What are you doing?"
She smiled apologetically as she stuffed her top into the shopping bag. He noticed that the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
"I have to go."
"What? I thought we were having a good time."
"We are. I just - I have to get to work. I already called in sick for today. Sunday is always busy at the clinic."
He ran his hands through his hair.
"Okay. Can I call you?"
Her big blue eyes blinked at him in surprise. Did she really think he wouldn't want to call her after this? She had no idea how he felt about her. Or how out of character this whole night had been for him.
"Um. Do you do that?"
He cocked his head. He was trying not to get annoyed. One thought kept rotating through his mind.
God dammit, she'd actually been about to sneak out on him! Not just sneaking out either. She’s been out to sneak out without saying goodbye.
He didn't like that. He didn't like it at all.
Kendall sat up and crossed his arms over his chest.
>
"Do I know how to use a phone?"
She frowned and looked away.
"That's not what I meant. Maybe it's better to just… leave it."
He rolled to his feet.
"Jess. I'd like to see you again."
She shook her head.
"That's not going to happen and we both know it.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Look, I’m sorry about last night. I should have told you that I’m…”
Her voice trailed off and he stepped closer, his hands brushing over her shoulders. She bit her lip and looked away.
“That you’re what?”
She sighed and shook her head.
“It doesn’t matter. Just leave it to say that I’m not as, you know, experienced as you are. I know when I’m out of my league.”
Was that what was bothering her?
“I don’t care about how many guys you’ve been with, Jess.”
“Yeah but… I haven’t been with any.”
“What?”
“Never mind, I really do need to head back.”
He stared at her. She was going to just leave. He'd never see her again. The thought sent a cold spear of fear straight through him.
He missed her already and she was standing right there!
"Listen, I have only got a few more shows on this leg and then I'll be back in LA in eight days. Can we do something then?"
She frowned and pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
"You're just saying that to be nice. I know how this works. You don't have to pretend for me."
"I'm not being nice dammit.”
She sighed and rolled her eyes at him. Clearly she did not believe him. He tried to focus, to think of what to say, and how to get her to talk to him.
"I really do have to go now, Kendall."
He followed her out into the hallway.
"How are you getting back?"
She gave him a winsome smile that gave him a twisty feeling in his chest.
"There's a bus. It's only fifty bucks!"
"That's silly. Let me-"
"No, it's fine. But- do you mind if I keep this?"
She tugged on the button down shirt she was wearing. His shirt from last night. He shook his head.