| I woke a little later feeling Taylor's hands move to caress my breasts and I felt him kiss my neck and shoulders. My arms slid up behind me to dig into his soft hair. "Mmmm, hi sweetie..." I murmured and turned to him. "Hi." he smiled and I could see the warmth of it even in the darkness. "I must have slept deep, Tay. I didn't notice you getting up to turn out the light." "You looked so peaceful and beautiful, I tried so hard not to wake you up, Jess. You don't let yourself rest enough." he said. "But I've been watching you sleep for a while. I needed to touch you." "Mmmm...I love the way you touch me, Tay. I don't want you to stop." He lowered his head to kiss me and then buried his head in my neck, kissing me there. "I want to make love to you again, Jessie..." he whispered. I leaned into him and kissed him hungrily in answer. We reached for each other many times in the night, finally falling asleep near dawn. |
| I woke to the smell of coffee, and a mouthwatering breakfast cooking. I rolled over to look for Taylor, but of course he wasn't there. I got out of bed and pulled the shirt I had on over my underthings last night. He must put it there for me, because I distinctly remembered peeling it off in the living room. I grinned to myself, who needed rest when I had him to relax me? I ran my hands through my hair and went into the bathroom. My bladder felt like it was going to explode. I took care of that, washed my hands and brushed my teeth. He was a busy bee this morning, I thought to myself, because I hadn't unpacked a thing, yet here was everything I needed. I dried my face and hands and wandered into the kitchen. I smiled as I walked in. He was standing at the stove, concentrating on scrambling eggs just right. I looked to the little table that was off to the side, set up as sort of a breakfast nook, Walker and Diana must have done that for a little peace and quiet, and noticed that coffee was poured and the table set. Taylor looked so incredibly stunning, even in just a T-shirt and jeans, he took my breath away. He had already showered and been to the store, I noticed more grocery bags on the counter on the other side of the kitchen. I went to him and put my arms around his waist and laid my head on his back. "Morning, Tay." I said. "Hi. I thought the smell of breakfast would wake you, since I deprived you of your dinner last night. You must be starving by now." He turned his head to me and smiled. I melted. "It smells good, babe. I am hungry. But did YOU get any sleep? How long have you been up?" I asked, letting go of him so he didn't burn himself. "I haven't been up THAT long, Jess." he chuckled, "Just long enough to get a quick shower and have that grocery store deliver some stuff. I didn't want to leave you here alone, but I didn't want to wake you either." |
| He finished the eggs and divided them between two plates. He took toast from a plate and set it with the eggs and handed both to me. I took them to the table and set them down, as Taylor grabbed a bowl from the fridge, that contained sliced melon. He set it on the table between us and we sat down together. Everything was absolutely wonderful and I told him so. "Well, thank my mom, Jess, she taught us how to cook when our appetites outgrew her energy levels.." he chuckled. "I'll remember," I told him with a smile. "Thank you, though. I was starving." "Hey, how's your leg this morning, Jess?" he asked. "Feels good as new to me.." I answered. "Gonna have to hit the weight bench hard when I get back, though...can't have it all weak and ready to give out on stage, 'less I want a cruddy score." "You won't get a bad score, Jess. I saw you, remember. I can't believe how GOOD you are. You are amazing." he said and I actually blushed. "Tay, how many fitness competitions HAVE you seen?" I asked and he laughed. "More than you think, I know what channel ESPN is, and I also used to have insomnia...interesting to watch in the middle of the night." he grinned at me. "Ok, I'll take the encouragement, then." I told him. "But I feel really bad to have to tell you, even though you have given me that CD of yours, and I love to listen when you sing, you do it and you don't even realize it. I have never seen you guys play. I want to, Tay. I want to see what you feel when you perform. I know how I feel when I do..." I couldn't continue, I felt suddenly nervous. "I was thinking the same thing when I watched you, Jess. It's not something many people relate to, I'm glad you can. I want you to be there the next time we have a show. I was going to ask as soon as the first date was set...bring Jake with you." he told me. I smiled. "Jakey will be stoked. He gets into your music, Tay." |
| "Actually," I continued, taking a deep breath. "I need to ask you something.." "What is it, Jess?" he urged. "Oh man! I feel like a dork...I wanna use that song, Tay. IN The City? It fit so well...do you mind?" I asked feeling like a huge geek. "Why does it bother you to ask, Jess? Of course I don't mind." he said and stroked my cheek. "Zac and Ike will think it's cool, too. Can't wait to see.." He said and stopped. "What?" I asked. "We DO get to come watch, right?" he asked. "I'd love you to be there, baby. Can you? I mean..what about scheduling the tour, and all that?" "We will make time, Jess. I wouldn't miss it." he said and leaned over to kiss my cheek. I took his hand in mine and smiled back. |
| We spent the next day and a half just relaxing around the lake or the house. We walked together through the stretch of woods between the house and the lake, we swam and talked about all th things that we wanted out of life, the conversation turned to marraige and family. "I always get a little scared when I think about kids, Tay." I told him. "I mean, I WANT them, but I am always afraid that I wouldn't make a good mother...considering..." I stopped, and looked at the ground. We were sitting on the sand, looking out toward the water. Lake Eufala was huge. Taylor took my hand and squeezed it, looking into my eyes. "YOU are NOT your mother, Jessie. I could shake her to death when I see some of the ways she has affected you without ever being involved in your life. Your grandmother was your mother, Jessie. Don't you see that? She raised a beautiful, strong, caring woman. You would be an excellent mother. I can tell from watching you with my brother and sisters," he said. I leaned on his shoulder and sighed. "I'd be willing to take the chance for you..." I hadn't realized I'd spoken aloud until I felt him staring at me. I looked up at him, "I said that out loud didn't I?" I asked him and looked at the sand, silently cursing myself. Jess, you dumbass, it's too soon. "I'm sorry, Tay. It's true, but we'll talk about it when the time is right. I know it's too soon." I said hurriedly still looking at the sand. He turned my face to look at him. "Jess, don't be sorry. I love you, and it makes me unbelievably happy to hear you say that." he said firmly. "I love you too, Tay. But it is too soon." I said. "We bothe have so much going on.." "I know what you mean, Jess, and I can see that this subject makeds you uncomfortble. So we will wait to talk about it." He said softly and kissed the top of my head. |