| ZAC: My jaw dropped to the floor, and she laughed as I stood there gaping at her like a fool. I finally got over the shock and I felt a slow grin spread across my face. "Why? Have you been a naughty girl...miss WATTLEY.." I teased back. "Not yet.." she smiled up as she wrapped her arms around my neck and combed her fingers through the end of my ponytail. I bent my head and kissed her lips and she responded immediately, sucking on my bottom lip gently and pulling the tie from my hair. She raked her fingers throught it and pressed her body closer to mine. "Leigh.." I whispered, tugging the tiny elastic that held her braid together off and separating the pieces with my fingers, "I do love you.." I combed my hands through her honey blonde hair, watching, mesmerized as it feel in soft waves over her golden toned shoulders and small wisps tickled her face. "Oh Zac.." she breathed, "Zac... I love you too..." she closed her eyes as I laid my hand on her cheek. "I'll miss you so much..." she whispered and then hugged me, hard. "Leigh?" I tilted her chin to make her look at me. Tears shone in her green eyes, threatening to slip dpwn her cheeks. "Leigh, what's wrong?" I asked. "I try not to do this to you, Zac...I know you have to leave. But I will miss you. Maybe I just try to be brave.." suddenly she was talking so quickly I had to concentrate to catch it all. "Leigh what are you talking about, baby? Slow down.." I said, surprised at this uncharacteristic outpouring. She took a deep breath and pulled me to the couch, sitting down and tugging my hand until I was sitting next to her. "Zac," she sighed, "I guess I try a little too hard to be brave when you leave...like I see Jess doing for Tay. I know it just about kills her. She doesn't want him to worry while he's gone, anymore than I want you to..maybe it just comes off looking like I don't care. Especially when you were so angry that I wanted to take the TV spot Zac. Is that why? Did you think I don't care?" she asked a single tear slipping down her cheek. I opened my mouth to answer her, but she spoke again before I could. "I HATE it when you're gone. Yeah Jess and I stay busy..Lacey too. But it's the only way we know to make the time go fast. Zac I want you here. I want to be able to touch you, talk to you, just BE with you, everyday. But it's buisness...it has to be done. And if I do well on this show, then I can negotiate, well Jake can, other deals more on MY terms. And I was proud of myself, Zac. They didn't bother going to Jess first and let her turn it down, they asked ME. I love her so much Zac, like the sister I never had. But as far as careers? SHE is the BEST. The one to beat to prove that all the work and time I put into what I do is worth it, and having Jess to compete against makes it fun, but they offered it to ME." "Damn Leigh..." I said softly. "I sort of DO understand, having two older brothers to compete with at times. It's not the same, but I know the feeling. Believe it or not, I am proud of you too. I also know you will be great. Which, to me, means you may end up that far away permanently." I stroked her hair back again. "No way, Zac. Not as long as YOU are HERE. I can make a trip like that once a year, but never permanently. I want to be with YOU..." she pulled my head down and sealed her mouth over mine and plunging her tongue in. "Zac.." she breathed again as we came up for air, "I LOVE you.." "I love you too, Leigh. It'll work..I promise.." I whispered back, kissing her and holding her close. |
| TAYLOR: Once we were home, and Dave had given us the ok to go inside, Jess immediately relaxed. She dropped her sandals neatly by the door and set her bag on the cushioned bench in th enrtyway. I locked the door behind us and turned to her. "Jess? Baby why were you so tense?" I asked, massaging her shoulders. She dropped her head forward and let out a soft sigh. "Was I?" she asked, her voice low. "I didn't realize. I dunno Tay." I kept up the massage, enjoying the feel of her strong muscles under her baby soft skin. "Tay..god..that feels wonderful.." she groaned. I chuckled and moved my hands to the outsides of her shoulders. "Good. Did you still wanna sit out on the deck awhile? It's nice out, and I'm not all that tired.." I grinned down at her as she smiled up. "Wouldn't be because we slept all day, would it? Yeah, it is nice out there, just let me run up and change..." She stood up on tiptoe to kiss my cheek. "Kay, baby...but I kinda like what you have on.." I smirked. "Thank you. But I think this poor dress has been ABUSED enough today." she giggled. I smiled back. "I'm getting a beer..want something?" "Yeah, just water sweetie, thank you." she ran up the stairs and as I watched her go, I got another glorious glimpse of her sexy, pantiless butt. I took a deep breath and went into the kitchen, grabbing a beer and one of her water bottles. I kicked off my shoes and left them near hers, then went through my music room and opened the slider. I wondered if I'd ever be able to come into this room without getting a massive lump in my throat. I started to filp on the outside light, just as I felt Jess almost float up beside me. She quickly reached out her hand to stop me. "Don't Tay...look at the sky.." she said softly. I looked up and saw all the tiny white sparkles against an almost black sky. "It's gorgoeus tonight." she added, her voice a mere whisper. I turned to look at her and my heart stopped in my chest. It was warm so she had put on a royal blue, short satin nightie, with thin straps and a matching short robe that hung open. I could see the way the slippery fabric hugged her body, and her nipples strained against it. She had taken her braid out and I licked my lips as she sighed and ran her hand through her hair, making it fall in soft waves to one side of her face. I wanted to caress her strong tan legs as I watched her stride gracefully on bare feet to the other side of the deck. She put her hands on the rail and leaned out, looking at the sky. I slowly joined her, and when she turned to me and looked up into my eyes, my heart about exploded in my chest. Her eyes reflected the starlight and in them I also saw all the loved that she saved just for me. I set our drinks on the railing, took her into my arms and pulled her close. She wrapped her arms around my waist and pressed her cheek to my chest, as I combed my fingers through her soft waves. "Tay?" her voice sounded shaky. "What's wrong, Jessie?" I asked, leaning back to look in her eyes again. Her bottom lip trembled slightly and her eyes were glassy with tears ready to pour down her cheeks. "Baby, what?" I urged, worried. "Nothing, never mind. I just want you to hold me." she choked. I hugged her tight and stroked her hair. "Tell me Jess.." I urged again. "I just am realizing that after tomorow this whole wonderful week will be over and I will go crazy missing you. I'm torn between wanting to go upstairs and climb into bed with you and stay there with your arms around me, and being scared to death of falling asleep, back to the nightmares..and unable to realize that YOU are next to me.." "Jess.." I held her more tightly and my own eyes filled up. "It'll be alright. I promise." I told her. |