Um... did I interrupt something?
Sadie leaped behind the door and yanked her robe tight around her. Blood rushed across her face and to the roots of her hair like a grassfire, heating her cheeks and ducking her head.
He was here. He was here and he was carrying a fucking rose and he had found her and he was here and he was HERE.
What... what are you doing here? she asked, head poking through the narrow space between the door and the jamb. He raised his eyebrows and smiled.
I told you Id come by today, didnt I? He furrowed his eyebrows a bit and shrugged. If she wasnt completely sane and sober at the moment, shed think he looked a bit unsure, which, of course, he wasnt. He couldnt be. Especially not looking so adorable in a turtleneck sweater and holding a rose. Nope.
Did you?
Um.... yeah. Remember? I came back and got you in the parking lot and drove you home and said Id come by today? I mean, I know Im early, but I couldnt wait, and--
Oh, Sadie said, remembering their doorstep conversation from the end of a long, dark tunnel. Right.
Wait a sec, her heart whispered. Did he just say he couldnt WAIT to see you?
No, Brain said back. Dont be stupid.
You OK? he asked, dropping the towels and rose to his sides. Im sorry...
No! Im fine. Come in.
She stepped back from the door, opening it wider, and watched, from the end of the same long, dark tunnel, as JC Chasez walked into her hotel room carrying five towels and a rose.
She shook her head. Not happening.
So...
He looked around the room for a moment, then back at her.
Do you want to get dressed? Not that I mind you in that robe or anything, I mean, you look fantastic, actually, and did you know your face is flushed?
Sadies hand flew to her cheek and felt the warm skin there, and had no doubt that it was flushed, either from the hot shower or his unwavering blue stare; she ducked her head, feeling the wet strands of her hair fall against her cheek, and prayed for strength. He was five feet away from her, and he was still holding that damn rose.
Um... yeah, I better get dressed. What are we doing today again?
Sadie brushed past him, refusing to meet his eyes, and ran to her bedroom. She tore into her suitcase. What does a girl wear for a day with JC fucking Chasez?
Well... we could go hiking or skiing or ice skating or whatever. Or we could stay here and watch TV. Up to you, I guess. Should I put this flower in water or something?
Sadie looked up from the pile of clothes and smiled. JC Chasez he might be, but he was still a guy who didnt know a thing about flowers. And she hadnt even thanked him for it. She walked back into the living room and took the rose from his outstretched hand.
Im sorry. Thank you for the rose. Its lovely. And then, against every straight-thinking cell in her body, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. As she flattened her feet and turned to find a glass for the rose, he gripped her elbows and held her fast.
Youre welcome, he said, and pulled her closer. Her robe, still untied, fell a bit open as her hands lost their grip on the lapels.
My robe... she said weakly, and ducked her head again.
I told you your robe is fine, he said, and slipped his arms around her waist. Fantastic is the word I used, I think.
Yes, I think thats the word you used... she said, fighting to take control of her breath, her words, her body. He was so CLOSE to her, so CLOSE, and getting closer all the time.
Are you going to give me a proper kiss or not? he asked, and she gasped a little, and he leaned forward, and the rose fell from her weakened fingers, and his lips touched hers, and as her mind processed the shrieking thought heskissingyouheskissingyouheskissingyou and her body processed the electrifying tenderness of his closed lips against hers, as he parted his lips just slightly, the doorbell rang.
Housekeeping, a voice called through the door, and Sadie leaped away from his lips, hands at her cheeks, and stared at his gray-blue eyes, warm and penetrating.
Later, she called to the housekeeper. Im not ready yet.
Gracias, the voice called, and she heard the squeak of the carts wheels as it rolled to the next door down the hall, and she heard the pounding of her heart in her ears.
Im going to get dressed, she said to JC, who only nodded dumbly, fists clenched, eyes cast downward.
Sadie dashed into her bedroom and sat down on the bed, head between her knees to clear her whirling mind, and exhaled.
What had she gotten herself into?