Running High

[a_libertine]

J.C. could have kissed the big old load of lard as he sat next to Nicole. She shifted closer to him until their shoulders were touching. He lifted his hand from her thigh and wrapped it around Nicole's shoulder and hugged her gently. All the while smiling like he had won the lottery.

He felt her tense up again with the new position of his hand and arm. He didn't move a muscle. He didn't tense, didn't relax anymore than he already was, just sat and waited for her to relax into his arm and chest.

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole was surprised at the stab of disappointment she felt when JC removed his hand from her thigh. Considering how she felt like she had touched bare wire every time he had touched her knee, she didn't understand why she'd feel that way. Without having to worry if he was going to slide his hand upwards, she might actually be able to concentrate on the movie.

Thankfully explosion number 34 and 35 went off just as JC put his arm around her or everyone in the immediate vicinity would have heard her startled gasp. If she thought his hand on her thigh was bad, having his arm around her, knowing that her "front" as he called it was only a finger waggle away was worse. She waited tensely to see what he'd do, but once again, he made no untoward movement.

Gradually, when JC continued to merely sit there, Nicole slowly and cautiously began to relax. She tried to keep a little distance between the two of them, but No Neck beside her had spilled over into her seat and she wanted to avoid rubbing shoulders with him. And there was such a pleasant warmth emanating from JC... An inviting warmth that called to a person... And she was no exception as she slowly sank into his embrace, going so far as to rest her head tentatively on his shoulder.

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. Eased himself back into the chair and breathed out the breath he hadn't known he was holding, until it eased out. He sat there watching the movie, well, not really. He was breathing in her scent and not paying one bit of attention to the movie.

His heart was pounding and his blood was flowing; and flowing mostly toward the space just south of his hips, and between his legs. The feel of her tucked under his arm, body pressed against his was intoxicating, exhilarating, and there was something more to it than he could explain or justify.

In a lull of the action he whispered, "I am going to lift the arm between us, and then settle back into place, okay?"

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole watched the parade of up and coming Hollywood studs and beauties that crossed the screen without really understanding what was going on. Her heart felt like it was going to explode out of her chest as she prepared herself for JC to give an indication that he was uncomfortable with what she had done. Heck, she still couldn't believe she had done it. One minute she had been upright with his hand around her shoulders and then next she had put her head on his shoulder. What was I thinking?!?!

I am going to lift the arm between us, and then settle back into place, okay?

She immediately lifted her head from his shoulder, thinking she was making him uncomfortable with her forwardness. "S-sorry," she whispered, grateful that the darkness would hide her flushed cheeks.

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. lifted the arm between them and wrapped his arm around her again and pulled her as close to him as he possibly could. He lowered his mouth to her ear, his lips almost kissing her earlobes with every syllable, "Nothing to apologize for, Nicole. I want you as close to me as I can get you."

He saw her eyes look at him, and J.C. gambled. He cupped her chin with his free hand and turned her slightly toward him and kissed her cheek softly, making sure his lips caught the corner of her mouth. "I just wish we had a blanket to cuddle under while watching."

 

[Angeleyz]

Shifting in her seat, Nicole felt, rather than saw, the armrest move up before JC slipped his arm around her again and tucked her in against his side. Nothing to apologize for, Nicole. I want you as close to me as I can get you.

She shivered in reaction to his whispered words against her ear, and stole a glance in his direction as she tried to figure out how to respond to his statement. Part of her wanted to run as fast as her short legs could take her, from this charismatic man who seemed to know just the right words to make her heart flutter and her stomach twist, while shockingly the other part wanted to cuddle into his side.

Her thoughts were interrupted when his fingers took a gentle hold of her chin and turned her towards him. She sat there motionless when he leaned towards her and kissed her, although the darkness of the theatre must have caused his aim to be off, when he almost missed her cheek.

I just wish we had a blanket to cuddle under while watching.

Nicole shot JC a confused look and made a small sound that was neither agreement or refusal. She turned her face back towards the screen, but made no move to pull away as her two factions warred internally.

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. was almost beside himself in glee. She neither pulled away not froze up when he kissed her cheek. He wasn't sure why she didn't but didn't care. It was good progress. As they watched the movie he barely moved, enjoying her body against his. He marveled a little at how well she seemed to fit against him, and found himself yet again thinking that he could get used to her presence for a very long time.

The scent of her hair filled his nostrils and he lost himself in that aroma. He closed his eyes imagining a day that he knew could be in their future where they could have an easier relationship, but first he had to get her past her fiancée, or rather the loss of him. He wondered idly what had happened but knew better than ask, at least for now. He wondered if he did enough research if he could find out the story online. But somehow that felt wrong; it would come out eventually.

It had to, for them to get to where J.C. knew they could, and should get.

The feel of her breast against his chest was as intoxicating as her scent. The steady rise and fall of her chest with each breath marked time more so than the explosions and violence of the movie, which he paid so little attention to. Frankly it would not have mattered what the movie was; he was with Nicole. And to for that he would have gladly run through hell from one end to the other.

As the movie came to an end, J.C. found himself wishing that it hadn't. As the lug on the other side of Nicole got up to leave he tightened his arm just enough to hold her in place, whispering, "Let them go first, I don't want this to end."

 

[Angeleyz]

Once again, JC confused her by pulling her close, kissing her and then apparently ignoring her. She waited apprehensively for him to do something that she would panic over... panic and flee... but he seemed engrossed in the movie. It took her several long moments before she relaxed enough to once more tilt her head onto his broad shoulder and stare at the screen.

It was odd. Even if she closed her eyes and tried to pretend it was Jason that she was cuddled against, Nicole would have known it wasn't and she struggled to understand why. Yes, she knew he was dead. That was fact. But if she wanted to pretend... if only to wrap herself in memories before they faded, she would be aware of a difference. A difference that she didn't understand and couldn't explain, although she spent the better part of the rest of the movie with her mind racing through all the possibilities.

She wished she could just sit back and watch the movie, without trying to dissect things... to enjoy the sensation of JC's arm around her. But she couldn't... not fully, and when the movie came to an end, she would have gotten up immediately if JC hadn't whispered to her. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded, worrying about whether she should offer to get him a coffee or something since he had paid for the movie and concessions.

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. sat there pondering how he would be able to talk her into going out someplace else that evening with him. When he looked at her, she was chewing on her lower lip and he found it incredibly sexy, in an innocent sort of way; which caused him to wonder how innocent she was, or was not. Of course thoughts of sex with her made the blood rush back down to his groin again, which did not help his overall state of equilibrium.

He decided the best course was to state the obvious with a smile, "Should I buy tickets to watch it again? Maybe this time we could enjoy the movie."

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole looked at JC with indecision clearly marked on her face. She felt awful for having interrupted his enjoyment of the movie, but it seemed like a waste of money to watch it again. And while part of her had been content to cuddle up against him and enjoy the comforting heat from his body, there was another part of her that was alarmed by the sensations simply bring pressed against him wrought. Time spent with Jason had been comforting. Time spent with JC was... disturbing.... But her idea of coffee would mean having to talk and she dreaded the thought of awkward silences.

"I don't know, JC," she said hesitantly, "I'm not sure you could really eat any more hot dogs."

 

[a_libertine]

J.C.'s face lit the theater as he beamed, "Probably not, but for another hour and a half with you at my side, I damn well would get it down."

He kept his grin on his face as he admitted, "Okay, maybe not," as he stood and offered her his hand to help her stand.

He twined his fingers with hers as they headed out of the theater. "As I see it, we have a couple options. The first option is that we can head to a quiet little jazz bar I know and have a cocktail, while listening to some good local jazz. The other option is I can walk you to your car and kiss you good night, in the hopes for a second date tomorrow night."

 

[Angeleyz]

Probably not, but for another hour and a half with you at my side, I damn well would get it down.

Nicole managed not to blush at his flattery and shook her in head in amusement. Her own smile grew as he admitted that even his iron stomach might not have been able to handle more hot dogs. When he held out his hand to help her up, she didn't even think twice about accepting the assistance and it only seemed natural to keep holding it as they walked out.

As I see it, we have a couple options. The first option is that we can head to a quiet little jazz bar I know and have a cocktail, while listening to some good local jazz. The other option is I can walk you to your car and kiss you good night, in the hopes for a second date tomorrow night.

Nibbling on her lip, Nicole considered his options, somewhat surprised he was willing to keep going. The jazz bar would offer a kind of distraction should she be at a loss as to what to talk about, although there was a small level of concern about having a cocktail. And while a part of her wanted to see if she'd panic again at the touch of his lips to hers... The rest of her was tied up in knots... She chewed thoughtfully on her lip as she weighed the pros and cons.

Taking a deep breath, she replied, "I guess we can check out the jazz bar... I don't have to get up early tomorrow."

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. damn near passed out while on his feet as she said, "I guess we can check out the jazz bar... I don't have to get up early tomorrow."

He was sure the shock was written across his face for the moment before he snatched her up into his arms and hugged her in adolescent glee. The resulting crush of her breasts against his chest led to less than adolescent reactions in his body. He couldn't stop the physical reaction as blood flooded into his penis, causing it to harden noticeably, trapped as it was between their bodies.

He did manage to choke off the moan that formed in his mouth as he leaned back and looked into Nicole's warm liquid gold eyes. He caressed her face a moment, and while grinning said, "Let's go before I make a bigger ass of myself."

His eyes danced a moment before offering her his hand again, and leading her from the theater, "You want to ride with me?" He paused a moment then added, "Assuming you still want to come with me."

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole was caught off guard when JC swooped her up in a full body hug after she agreed to go to the jazz bar. There was a half minute of almost enjoyment at the feeling of his arms wrapped around her before she realized there were parts of him that seemed to be even happier than others. Oh dear god... She wasn't sure if she was supposed to acknowledge what she could quite clearly feel pressed against her in an intimate fashion and her feet shuffled backward in an unspoken attempt to escape.

Let's go before I make a bigger ass of myself.

She had thought he would ignore it to too or at least not acknowledge it, but she should have known that as direct as he was that he wouldn't. However, that didn't mean she could. She knew she was considered practically inexperienced by some, and in this case... of knowing or not knowing, what the social etiquette was, she was completely at a loss.

You want to ride with me? Assuming you still want to come with me.

Licking her dry lips, Nicole tried to figure out what to do. JC hadn't pushed himself on her, not really, and she had promised Malinda that she'd give this first outing a real try. And your night driving sucks... Not relishing the thought of driving to an unfamiliar place, she paused for a moment before responding softly, "I'll go... if you wouldn't mind driving..." Not wanting for him to get the wrong impression, she added quickly, "I kinda have issues with headlights at night."

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. picked up the trash and stacked it up in one hand, and with the other clasped her free hand and they started toward the door. He was beside himself in giddiness. He knew that he was acting like a pubescent boy who just scored, but, he was oddly okay with it. Nicole didn't need a downer in her life.

He dropped the garbage into a rubbish bin and just about sprinted out the door, as if he were worried that Nicole would change her mind. Then an idea hit him, "Text your friend. Malinda was it? And give her my phone number which is 817-555-5555."

He saw the confused look on her face and explained, "I get the feeling you don't date often, and the movie is over. She is going to expect you soon, and may panic for you if you don't let her know that we are going for a part two. Giving her the number also should show you both I have nothing to hide from either of you."

He led her to his pick up, a step side Chevy king cab, and opened the passenger door for her. He offered her a hand helping her into the cab. He stood there a moment looking at her profile, his mouth ajar. She really was incredible to look at. When she looked at him, J.C. felt his face trying to blush red, and said, "You are so incredibly beautiful. It's hard to believe."

With that he closed the door and headed around the front of the truck and stepped into the driver's seat. "Ready?"

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole smiled a little as JC maneuvered them through the departing crowd, thinking it must be nice to be able to see over people's heads and shoulders. As it was, she was forced to hang onto him for fear that they'd get separated in the jostling going on. Yeah, right.... That's the only reason...

Text your friend. Malinda was it? And give her my phone number which is 817-555-5555.

Apparently her confusion was more than evident on her face as he quickly explained his thought process. She shook her head in bemusement, having failed to even think of something along those lines. Of course Malinda would be expecting her to report in... Especially when she knew how much she had been dreading it. Oooooh - and you'll have his number....

Murmuring her agreement, Nicole decided she'd wait until they got to his car, not wanting to run into someone or something as she attempted to text and walk at the same time. She mentally composed what she'd say as JC had them weaving through the parking lot until he stopped at a pick up truck. Good grief, am I the only person in Texas that doesn't drive a pick up?

She smiled at JC as he helped her into the cab, thinking that Malinda would have awarded him all sorts of points for his behavior since she had opted to go to the jazz bar. She wondered self consciously if she had something on her face or something when he continued to stand there just looking at her and shifted a little in the seat.

You are so incredibly beautiful. It's hard to believe.

He didn't give her a chance to respond before he shut the door and headed to the driver's side. Shaking her head, she waited until he climbed in, sat down and asked if she were ready before saying, "Sure, but I think you had better put those glasses on..." Whipping her phone out of her purse, she waggled it in his direction and continued, "I'm going to check in with Malinda before she calls the state troopers on me."

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. grinned at her, quipping, "I can handle state troopers, it's the Texas Rangers that scare me."

He pat her leg then fired up the truck and headed out of the parking lot. The radio came on as the truck turned over, and the strains of Bernie Williams guitar flowed from the speakers. He remained silent as she texted, and he drove. He thought about her, himself, and them together. He knew he had certain... proclivities that most women his age found less than attractive over time. He hopped that would not be the case with Nicole.

It was a ten minute drive to the jazz club, the Elephant Room, and parked nearby. "Don't move," he said as he hopped out of the truck.

He walked around the truck and opened the passenger door, and stepped into the crook created between it and the main body of the truck. He licked his lips nervously a moment then dove in, "We have to talk about a couple points before going in, okay?"

Not really waiting for a response, he dove right in, "The first is that I will always pay when we go out together. I may ask you to go get drinks, or whatever, but, I will always pay. If you want to treat me to something, cook for me, or make me a quilt or something."

He didn't hardly pause before going to the second item, "The second is that I will almost always open the door for you, and hold it open while you pass by."

He tucked her hair behind her ear, asking, "Can you live with those?"

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole shook her head at JC's comment. She really should have known he'd say something like that. Heck, anyone in Texas would have probably made a comment like that. Her lips twitched as she wondered if she should watch old reruns of Chuck Norris' Texas Rangers show to get a better 'appreciation' of the law enforcement now that she had moved here.

She quickly tapped out the various pieces of information to Malinda as JC drove. Her friend, of course, was beside herself with glee that Nicole was actually continuing the date. A "phase two" was more than she had thought possible, and Nicole shook her head in bemusement thinking she wasn't the only one surprised. She was starting to get a little nervous with this somewhat rash decision of hers, and her best friend must have known somehow as she entreated her to stop second guessing herself and to just have a good time.

Nicole was just putting her phone away when JC parked and told her not to move. Her brows knit together in puzzlement when JC opened the door and stood beside, looking a little nervous. "We have to talk about a couple points before going in, okay?"

Of all the things she could have thought for why he would look so nervous, she never would have guessed it would be over something as almost old fashioned as insisting he pay or open doors for her. Truthfully, it made her feel bad that he would think he had to pay for everything when she knew he was a student, but she certainly wouldn't make a fuss over it.

She shivered slightly when he reached out and tucked her hair behind her head, and almost missed what he said about living with his points. Nodding solemnly, she responded, "If you insist... Although you're more likely to get brownies or something like that as I've never sewn a quilt in my life."

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. grinned at Nicole and helped her out of the truck. As the approached the jazz club he put his hand in the small of her back, gently guiding her toward the door. As they approached they were both carded and they slipped inside.

"Now this place only plays jazz, and tonight is what I call brass jazz; meaning it has a lot of horns, and such. I actually prefer strings jazz, which is loosely pianos and guitars."

They found a booth in the corner and J.C. slid in next to Nicole, his thigh brushing against hers as he settled into place. The waitress walked up and greeted J.C. by name as she placed a Marker's Mark on the rocks in front of him. She looked at Nicole and asked, "What will you have honey?"

After Nicole ordered, J.C. turned to her, "Yeah, I come here about once a week, sometimes twice." He held his hand out to her and as she placed her hand in his, he asked, "Tell me what you are feeling, and be honest."

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole had never been so aware of another person before, feeling JC's touch as he guided her towards the entrance clear down to her toes. She tried to remember if Jason had ever left her feeling breathless over so simple of a touch, and told herself she was only feeling anxious. Even still, she had a hard time pulling her wallet out to show her driver's license when they were carded at the door and hoped that it wasn't as noticeable as it felt.

The corner booth that JC selected was in an area not as heavily populated as the rest, and she sank down gracefully onto the bench. Even though she tried to slide over to make room for him, he still ended up brushing his leg against hers as he slid into position. Once settled, he didn't move away, and she once more had to contend with that fluttery feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Nicole was distracted from the feeling by the arrival of the waitress who greeted JC warmly and placed a drink before him, causing her to wonder if she had totally zoned out for a minute and missed his initial order. She panicked a little when the waitress asked her what she wanted to drink, drawing a complete blank despite her being more than capable of manning a bar, and ended up ordering Malinda's go to drink of a margarita on the rocks, no salt.

After the waitress left to get her order, JC had explained that he was practically a regular here, which explained the waitress knowing his drink order. Letting out a soft sigh of relief that she hadn't flaked out earlier, it seemed only natural to place her hand in his outstretched one.

Tell me what you are feeling, and be honest.

She looked down a moment at their clasped hands before admitting in a soft voice, "I'm a little scared... You're an overwhelming man, JC."

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. listened to Nicole's response, then raised her hand up, kissing the back of it with a feathery touch. "You aren't alone there," he said in a voice low and heated.

His eyes flicked up to hers and his breath caught in his throat yet again looking at her. "I can't stop thinking about you, Nicole," he breathed out.

He paused a moment as Nicole's margarita was delivered. His eyes widened slightly as she quaffed at it, taking in a deeper drink than he would have imagined. As the waitress, Patty, left he looked at Nicole. "I don't know that I have ever felt sensations like this with anyone."

He glanced down at their entwined hands, "It's like a warm sensation flowing up my arm frrom where you are touching, and it happens every time we touch."

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole felt her stomach twist as JC brushed his lips over the back of her hand, the almost old fashion gesture charming as well as disarming. She looked at him a little uncertainly, wondering if he was teasing her. She had a hard time believing he'd be scared about anything! He was so confident, so open... so apparently willing to put himself out there... Everything she was not.

The look in his eyes left her warm and strangely breathless and she welcomed the waitress' arrival with her drink as a means to regroup, or at least try to. Seizing the glass with her free hand, she raised it to her lips and took a healthy swallow and tried to control her shudder as the tart mixture made its way to her stomach. Oh dear lord, that was strong! She was surely going to need a glass of water to counter the liberally poured drink.

I don't know that I have ever felt sensations like this with anyone. It's like a warm sensation flowing up my arm from where you are touching, and it happens every time we touch.

Nicole bit her lip as his words washed over her. This was unlike anything she had ever experienced with Jason, and she was so beyond her comfort zone it was terrifying. She took another deep sip of her drink before turning her gaze back to JC and admitting shyly, "This is all very new to me."

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. smiled warmly at Nicole, and whispered, "Okay, so it isn't just me."

He leaned his head forward and pressed his forehead against hers a moment. Straightening up he kissed her exactly at the spot where his forehead just vacated. "Good," he declared.

He looked into her eyes and saw them swimming with all kinds of emotions, some of which he could guess at, some of which were unfathomable to him at the moment, and might stay that what.

"Jazz," he blurted out, seemingly at random. "Let's talk jazz. it is safe, or safer at any rate."

He glanced at her,,, and something happened...

An urge the likes he had never felt, and didn't know how to control washed over him as the jazz ensemble's music reverberated in his head, his heart and his soul. He leaned over and kissed Nicole.

A gentle peck on her lips followed immediately by his tongue tracing the crease between her lips. As they parted ever so slightly, his tongue crept into her mouth, working along the front of her teeth. He gently broke off the kiss and his voice was hoarse as he moaned, "God, Nicole, where have you been all my life?"

 

[Angeleyz]

Nicole's eyes widened as JC leaned forward, almost afraid he was going to kiss her, although she felt strangely disappointed when he simply pressed his forehead to hers. She was at a loss - she needed this to be slow... It was supposed to be relaxed, but he left her feeling anything but as he kissed her forehead. Oh for Pete's sake, it was just a little kiss.

Except it didn't feel like a simple kiss. She could swear she felt tingles run from the spot his full lips touched her skin all the way down to the very core. It was exciting. It was scary. It was spine tingling. It was confusing. Jason had been the love of her life, and he never made her feel the way JC did, and she couldn't fathom why that would be the case.

Jazz... Let's talk jazz. It is safe, or safer at any rate.

Nicole seized the suggestion gratefully, needing the distraction from her internal struggle and wanting to simply enjoy JC's company. She looked at him expectantly, and was unprepared for the sudden kiss he bestowed on her, nor her response when she felt his tongue sliding against her lips. What was more - she didn't understand why she wasn't the one who ended the charged kiss.

God, Nicole, where have you been all my life?

She struggled against the panic that flared bright, knowing she couldn't just get up and run like she had before. Picking up her drink, she raised it to her lips, the ice tinkling against the sides due to her unsteady hand.

"Jazz, JC... Explain to me the differences in jazz," she begged, needing that safe subject to center herself.

 

[a_libertine]

J.C. swallowed his disappointment, keeping it from his eyes, and cheerily said, "You bet."

Patty swung by with new drinks for them, and J.C. began his exposition of jazz. "Jazz is a purely American music form, and at it's base is giving into, and expressing, one's emotions. There is more feeling in a bar of jazz, than in an entire movement of a classical piece."

He began tapping the table in time with the song that was playing and improvising a little as he went. "Essentially, jazz will say what ever you want to it say. Most people associate brass, and strong wood winds with jazz, and that is the most popular form. as evidenced by the big band era of the 1940's."

He took a sip of his bourbon, "My favorite is jazz guitar. People like Howard Alden, Bernie Williams and Rik Emmet have always talked to me through their guitars. Quite frankly there is nothing like a good jazz album, a bottle of bourbon and a beautiful woman all in one night."