Chapter 17

Later that evening, everyone ended up in the sitting room watching a movie. Trevor sat on the end of the sectional couch, his feet up on the coffee table. He was at Jacob’s feet. Jacob was stretched out beside him with Ashley to his right. Erik and Alex were together on a big chair across from Ashley; and Dan sat on the floor. A large bowl of popcorn was on the table---almost all of it was gone. It was late, so the cameras were gone and everyone’s mics had been taken off.

The guys had noticed that Jacob was in a bad mood when he had arrived a few minutes ago. "So, what’s wrong?" Ashley asked him. Jacob took a handful of popcorn and sat back.

"Maria. Fight," he said, his mouth full. Trevor turned his head to look at Jacob.

"About what?" Erik asked. Jacob shrugged and swallowed.

"I don’t even know. Something about how she was asked to come on the tour as our photographer and she was yelling at me about not wanting to get jobs because of me. Or some bullshit like that. I didn’t even know about this damn job until Mike told me when he was driving me home today," he said.

"You’d think she’d be happy to be coming with us," Ashley remarked.

"She’s just very serious about her career and I don’t think taking pictures of a boy band, no offense, is her dream career," Alex told them.

"Whatever," Jacob said, his eyes on the TV screen. Maria then appeared, freshly showered, wearing matching light green soft shorts and a long tee shirt. Her hair was down and it was still wet and combed back. Jacob didn’t even look at her. Maria bit her lip. She stepped over Trevor’s legs and pushed Jacob’s off the couch so that she could sit down between them.

"We can make some more popcorn," Trevor said to her, trying not to notice how great she smelled or her long, tan legs. Maria smiled at him.

"No thanks," she said, turning toward Jacob. She then looked at the others.

"He’s mad at me," she said. Ashley smiled.

"He’ll get over it," he said, nudging Jacob with his arm. Jacob just kept his gaze on the movie. Maria pulled her legs up onto the couch and leaned in Jacob’s direction.

"I’m sorry," she whispered in his ear. Jacob still didn’t acknowledge her. Maria sat back. He was going to make her work for this. Stubborn bastard. She would just have to get his attention any way that she could. Maria smiled. "He’s ignoring me, guys. I just want to say that I thought about the offer and I think it would be fun to be O-Town’s photographer on the tour. I wasn’t thinking clearly before. Jacob, if you say that you didn’t have anything to do with it, then I believe you." Nothing. He didn’t even look her way. Maria sighed, but she wasn’t about to give up.

"It will be just like the last time. We’re glad that you’re coming," Trevor said, grinning. Maria turned to him.

"Thanks, Trevor," she said, flashing him a knee-weakening smile. Turning again, she leaned back toward Jacob and putting a hand on his upper thigh for support, she lightly kissed his cheek. "Are you glad that I’m going?" she asked him. Jacob actually turned his head away from her, so that he was looking straight at Ashley. Maria looked at the side of Jacob’s head and took hold of one of his curls, twirling it around her finger. "You’re gonna have to talk to me sometime," she said.

Ashley saw the pained look that Jacob was giving him and smiled. Maria was wearing him down. Maria saw Ashley smiling and knew that she must be getting to Jacob. She reached up and buried a hand in his hair, rubbing his head gently. Jacob squirmed and Maria smiled. "I said that I want to go and I’m sorry about what I said about you getting me the job," she said. Jacob turned slightly so that she wasn’t so close to him. Maria didn’t let him get too far, though, before she turned and was now leaning flush against his body. Jacob tried to shake her hand off of his head, but it didn’t work. "What’s wrong? I said that I’m sorry." Jacob finally turned his head to look at her. Before he could say anything. Maria kissed him lightly on the lips, her eyes never leaving his. She smiled. "I [kiss] said [kiss] that [kiss] I [kiss] am [kiss] sorry [kiss]." Jacob began to respond by the last kiss.

"How sorry?" he asked. Maria smirked.

"Very sorry," she replied. Jacob smiled and pulled her to him, kissing her passionately. Everyone except Trevor applauded as Jacob and Maria continued to kiss. Jacob wrapped his arms around her as he shifted so that Maria was half lying on him. Trevor looked away. He couldn’t believe that he had almost asked Maria out today. How stupid was he? Like she would’ve said yes? ‘She’s with Jake, you idiot!’ Trevor screamed at himself.

Maria continued to kiss Jacob, not caring who was in the room. He apparently didn’t care either as his hands began to slide up the back of her shirt. Erik and Alex looked at each other with wide eyes. "Um, we’re gonna go now before we see something that we don’t want to see," Alex said, pulling Erik up and out of the room. Dan also stood up. Trevor left hastily to go play pool.

"Come on, Ash," Dan said.

"But the movie…" Ashley started. Dan pulled him up and dragged him with him.

"Come on, Ash," he said again, leading Ashley out of the room.

"At least we know what will get rid of them," Maria said, or rather moaned, since Jacob was now kissing and licking her neck. He smiled, kissing a trail back to her mouth. Maria smiled against his lips. Jacob finally released her. Breathing heavily, they looked at each other. "You are so easy," Maria said as she ran a finger down the side of his face.

"What do you mean ‘easy?’" Jacob asked, his hands still under her shirt, lightly caressing her back.

"I mean that you couldn’t resist me for even five minutes," she said, smirking. Jacob noticed the playful glint in her eyes and smiled.

"How can I when you’re all over me? Next time, no touching allowed and then we’ll see how ‘easy’ I am," he told her. Maria leaned down and kissed him again.

"Maybe we should continue this in your room," she suggested as things started heating up.

"Why?" Jacob asked, kissing her neck again. "I’m comfortable right here."

"I am not gonna do anything here where anyone can walk in on us," Maria told him. His touch was now sending shivers up her spine. He kissed her again, hungrily. "Jacob…" she moaned. He suddenly stood up and grabbing her hand, he started running, practically dragging her to the guesthouse.

Once there, he closed the door and led her to the bed where he sat down. Maria stood in front of him and wrapped her arms around him, cradling his head with her hands. She smiled down at him. Jacob reached up, his hands sliding under her shirt, lifting it over her head. He brought his head to her chest, kissing and licking her slowly. Maria’s head fell back as she concentrated on nothing but Jacob’s hot mouth on her skin.

"I’ve never wanted someone as much as I want you," Jacob said against her stomach. Maria sighed. She tugged at his shirt and pulled it off of him. Her hands slid over his bare chest. He may be skinny, but he was definitely well toned. Jacob gently brought her down beside him and she lay down. Jacob smiled and traced circles around her belly button. Maria laughed lightly. He replaced his finger with his tongue.

"Stop, that tickles," she said. Jacob grinned as he hooked his thumbs in her pajama shorts and slid them down. She kicked them off as Jacob covered her with his body. He kissed her tenderly, but Maria was too turned on to take it slowly this time. "Here, let me help you," she said as her fingers found the button on his jeans and she deftly undid it. Soon, Jacob was devoid of any clothing, too, and they were kissing frantically in the bed, the sheets tangling around their bodies. After Jacob had left the bed and prepared himself, he lay down as Maria straddled him. Her eyes were filled with desire as she lowered herself onto him and began moving at a quick pace. Jacob watched her, his control beginning to fade. After a couple of minutes, Jacob flipped them so that he was on top. He looked into Maria’s face as he made love to her. The desire to tell her how he felt about her was so strong that he had to close his eyes tightly or else he’d spill everything that was in his heart at that moment.

Maria had noticed the way that Jacob had been looking at her. It was more than lust…much more. There was desire in his eyes, yes, but it was much deeper than that. Maria knew that he loved her, but she still was unable to bring herself to tell him that she knew. She closed her eyes and moaned as their passion escalated. She wrapped her legs around Jacob, trying desperately to prolong their lovemaking, but it was no use. "Jacob…I can’t wait anymore," she said breathlessly as she felt herself going over the edge. She cried out and Jacob bit into her shoulder as he surrendered to his own release moments later. Maria held him close to her as they fought to get their breathing back under control. "There better not be teeth marks on my shoulder," she said when she could speak again. Jacob laughed against her neck.

"Sorry," he said as he rolled off of her. He got out of the bed and pulled on his boxers since the bathroom was across the hall. He left the bedroom. Maria sighed, a satisfied smile on her face. She wiped sweat from her forehead and pulled the sheet over her equally sweaty body. She was now convinced that what she had felt for Geoff hadn’t been love or even close to it. She hadn’t even had lust with him. Sex with him just didn’t compare to how she felt when she was with Jacob. It was incomparable. Her feelings for Jacob, although still confusing, were deep…very deep and Maria was a little scared of those feelings.

Jacob returned and slid into the bed, gathering her in his arms. Maria turned to look at her shoulder. "How the hell sharp are your teeth?" she asked, examining the red marks on her shoulder. Jacob kissed her shoulder. Maria smiled at him. "I really am sorry for the way that I acted earlier. It’s no big deal if you did have something to do with my getting the job on your tour. And I really do want to be with you." Jacob ran a hand through her hair.

"Well, I forgive you and I really didn’t know about the job. I would never ‘get’ you a job anyway. I wouldn’t have to. You’re too talented for anyone to pass you up, you know what I mean?"

"I know," Maria said with a smirk. Jacob laughed.

"It’s good to see that you don’t lack confidence," he said, kissing her. Maria kissed him back and the heat between them began to rise steadily.

"How can I want you again so soon?" she asked as his hands started to wander over her body, caressing her lovingly. Jacob just smiled. "Come here," Maria ordered. She pulled him to her, kissing him deeply, as their desire overcame them once again.

Trevor lay facedown on his bed. Ashley walked in and sat down beside him. "Dude, this little crush you’ve got on Maria has to end. I’m gonna find you a girl," he said. Trevor groaned, not lifting his face from the bed.

"It’s not a little crush," he said, his voice muffled. Ashley frowned.

"What?" Trevor lifted his head slightly.

"I said it’s not a little crush. Ash, I want Maria. It’s as simple as that," he said.

"But, Jake…"

"I know and that’s what’s killing me. I know what they’re probably doing right now and it’s killing me because I want to be the one who’s with her. But she’s with Jake and Jake is one of my best friends, which leaves me with one hell of a complicated problem," Trevor said, flipping over and lying on his back.

"You can’t do anything, dude. I’m serious, Trev. You’ll make things worse if you do anything. Why don’t you go to a club and, like, try to meet someone?"

"I won’t meet anyone at a club. I mean how will I know if she’s a fan or not? It’s too hard trying to find someone!" Trevor wailed. Ashley looked sympathetically at him.

"Just remember that your friendship with Jacob is on the line if you try and pursue Maria. Leave her alone," he warned, before he got up and left the room. Trevor turned over onto his side. He wasn’t stupid. He saw the way that Maria had kissed Jacob. He had had a front row seat. They weren’t having a casual affair. It was serious.

"Okay, Trevor. Ashley’s right. You have to find a girl. A girl who isn’t Maria." Unfortunately, Trevor knew that that would be harder than it sounded.

Alex was lying on Erik’s bed. He had just talked to his mother on the phone and he now sat down, pulling Alex over to him. Alex snuggled against him as he put his arm around her.

"It’s great that you’re so close to your family. I mean, look at what time it is and your mom still talks to you," she said, smiling. Erik laughed.

"I know. She doesn’t care what time it is as long as she hears from me. It’s hard not being able to see her for such long periods of time, though," he told her. Alex took a deep breath.

"Erik, Carlos wants to meet you," she said, closing her eyes.

"He does?" Erik couldn’t hide his nervousness. Alex nodded against his chest.

"I told him about you and he said that he wanted to meet you. I don’t know when, but soon. Maybe at the party." Alex decided that she wouldn’t tell him what Carlos thought about boy band members and what he thought that Erik would do to her. It would only cause trouble.

"So, do you have any tips on how I could win him over?" Erik asked. Alex opened her eyes and looked up at him.

"Don’t show up," she said. Erik laughed, but when she didn’t even smile, he looked genuinely frightened.

"You’re serious," he said. Alex shrugged.

"Carlos has always been overprotective when it comes to me. I know that we were away from each other for three years, but before he was sent to jail, he always had to interrogate my dates when they picked me up. Soon, I had to meet my dates on the corner or anywhere but my house just so the guys could avoid him. Not surprisingly, I rarely had more than one date with any one guy. There’s no way that you can win him over," she told him. Erik smiled, but he wasn’t feeling very confident right now.

"You don’t think he’ll like me?" he asked.

"He’s never liked any guy who has dated me and I don’t think he’s changed, so I’d have to say no I don’t think he’ll like you. But don’t take it personally. The important thing is that I like you. Remember that and you’ll be fine," Alex said. Erik swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. "Oh, Erik, don’t worry. It helps that you’re Puerto Rican, so you’ve got that going for you."

"Great," Erik said, unenthusiastically.

"I said don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you," Alex told him, smiling. She kissed him quickly and jumped up. "It’s late. I have to go." Erik stood up. He pulled her to him, hugging her.

"I’ll walk you out," he said. He kissed Alex passionately once more before they left his room and headed downstairs.

"Are you asleep?" Maria asked Jacob, who was still sweating from their last encounter, which had been about ten minutes ago. Jacob shook his head. He opened his eyes and turned his head to look at her. Maria turned over so that she was lying on her side. She ran a hand over his chest. "I forgot to tell you that I kinda mentioned ‘us’ while I was still hooked up with the microphone." Jacob captured her hand and kissed it.

"What did you mention about ‘us?’" he asked.

"The camera wasn’t here, but I was talking to Alex and kinda said that you and I are sleeping together," Maria told him. Jacob sighed.

"Maria, you have to be careful."

"I know. I forgot about the damn microphone. I’m not used to walking around with one on, you know," she said. Jacob nodded.

"As long as the camera wasn’t around, that’s okay. Anyone who heard it won’t do anything about it, I’m sure," he said. Maria smiled and rolled over so that she was now laying half on top of Jacob. He put his arm around her and slid it up and down her back. "You feel so good. I could get used to you sharing my bed." Jacob kissed her tenderly. Maria wrapped her arms around him and he held her close.

"We have to set Trevor up," she said suddenly. "I’m thinking that this party that Alex has asked me to help her plan will be a good opportunity to do it."

"What party?" Jacob asked. Maria told him about the party that Kyle was throwing for O-Town. "Sounds like fun. I think you’re right about Trevor, too. I’m trying to ignore it, but the way that he looks at you is starting to bother me, not that you’d ever do anything to lead him on, but he’s just so…he’s lusting after you and it’s getting on my nerves." Maria smiled and kissed his chest.

"Are you jealous?" she asked. Jacob looked at her.

"Yes," he admitted. Maria laughed.

"You have nothing to worry about. I see Trevor like a brother. He’s sweet. I never did anything to lead him on, either. I think he was gonna ask me out earlier today."

"When?" Maria smiled at the look on Jacob’s face.

"After the guys got home from rehearsal. Trevor wanted to ask me something, but Kyle called and Trevor never got a chance to ask," she explained. She felt Jacob’s body tense up. "Relax, Jacob. He’s just got an innocent crush. Nothing will come of it. I’m here with you, aren’t I?" Jacob looked into her amazing eyes and smiled. Maria leaned up and kissed him. The kiss turned passionate as Jacob pulled her tighter against his body. Maria broke the kiss and backed away. "Our relationship isn’t just about this is it?

"Sex? No, it’s not. It never was and it never will be," Jacob said. "You know that I’m not like that."

"I know. Speaking of which, you told me that when you were with Janie, you were able to ‘control’ yourself. So, you just slept with her occasionally? What’s this, then? Am I an easier lay or what?" Jacob frowned.

"Why would you say something like that? Of course I don’t think of you like that. If all I wanted was to see what it was like to have sex with you, then I would never have gotten in touch with you after the tour was over." Jacob turned and framed her face with his hands. "I couldn’t forget about you if I tried. You were constantly on my mind and I couldn’t wait to see you again. As for the sex, it’s great, I mean, I won’t lie to you. You’re amazing, but that just shows what kind of power you have over me. I want to be with you, Maria, like I said before, more than I’ve ever wanted to be with anyone. I still consider myself religious and my beliefs won’t change, but I care about you and I want to show you how much I care physically. As long as you don’t mind…"

"Mind? I don’t think so. I’ve never felt the way that I feel when I’m with you before…with anyone. And it’s more than sex with me, too. Especially when I was feeling really bad that one night and you made love to me, no questions asked. It may have seemed strange for me to have wanted you then, but I just…I just needed to feel connected and I needed to be held by someone who cares," Maria told him, looking into his intense blue eyes.

"It wasn’t strange and I was glad that I was there for you. It was more than sex that night. I felt it, too," Jacob told her softly. Maria snuggled against his warm body and held on tightly. Jacob kissed the top of her head. "I’m not gonna rush you into feeling something that you don’t feel, Maria. For now, this is fine…it’s actually more than fine." Maria laughed.

"Thank you, Jacob. For caring," she said softly. Jacob smiled. He more than cared. He reached over to turn off the lights and they settled down to get some sleep.

Alex parked in the lot to her apartment building. It was still raining and had gotten windy as well. She ran to the building and was grateful when she felt the warm interior of the community area. She shook the raindrops from her hair and walked to the elevator. Alex smiled as she pushed the ‘up’ arrow. She didn’t know what she had been worried about. Erik was a great guy and she would be stupid to let him get away. Yes, he was in a boy band, but he wasn’t like some rock star that slept with every gorgeous woman he met. He hadn’t even pressured her to do anything aside from intense kissing.

The elevator door opened and she stepped in, immediately pressing the ‘3’ button. She rode up, still thinking of Erik. When the elevator doors opened, she stepped out and walked to her apartment. The first thing she noticed was that the door was slightly ajar. Frowning slightly, Alex moved forward. She probably forgot to shut the door all the way. She had done that before. Her neighbors usually closed it for her, though.

Alex slowly pushed open the door. Before she could utter a sound, she was yanked into her apartment and a hand was clamped firmly over her mouth. The door slammed behind her. Her arms were wrenched back and held tightly. She was roughly pushed forward. That’s when she saw Carlos. He was tied up and bleeding on her couch. Alex tried to scream, but the hand that was over her mouth didn’t loosen. Carlos’ eyes opened and he struggled against the ropes that held him.

"No, no, amigo," a mean, thickly accented voice said. "This senorita is so pretty. We would hate to hurt her." Alex’s eyes moved swiftly to her left and she saw that there was another person there besides the one who held her. She started to struggle and groaned when a sharp switchblade appeared at her throat. She swallowed hard as she tried to back away from the cold knife. Carlos looked furious. Alex knew that he wouldn’t stand for anyone hurting his little sister. She suddenly felt sick and frightened.

Sure enough, Carlos lunged for the guy holding Alex. She prayed and closed her eyes. She heard a popping sound and then felt a strange sensation right below her ribs. Her side began to sting and she was abruptly released. She heard the guys run out of the apartment. Alex fell to the floor, the pain in her side getting worse.

"Carlos?" she croaked, but it was no use. She couldn’t get her voice to rise above a whisper. She was feeling sleepy. The burning pain in her side was unbearable. She forced her eyes open and reached down to her side. When she brought her hand to her face, she became extremely frightened: she saw blood. Her blood. Swallowing a cry of alarm and pain, Alex tried to turn her head to see her brother. She was too weak, though and gave up. The popping sound must’ve been a gunshot. Carlos had been shot. Alex started to cry. She was so weak. As she put her head down on the floor, Alex passed out.

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