Chapter 15

    Jonathan woke me up with kisses just before dawn on Saturday morning so I could sneak back into my house. As I let myself in through the kitchen door, I thought about how I couldn't wait for Jonathan to meet my dad so that we could finally begin to date openly. Jonathan and I had decided we'd go out Sunday evening to have dinner at Horizons with Darryl and Sarah. We'd really be killing two birds with one stone, a double date with his brother and my best friend, plus meeting my dad while he was at the restaurant.

    Once I was in my room, I got undressed and crawled into bed to sleep for a few more hours before I had to get ready for work. I had the early shift and then Jonathan and I were going to Alishia's to hang out with her for the night.

    Four hours later I was walking into the store to begin my shift. Terry who was technically the opener, looked up from where she was opening the cash register with a huge grin on her face.

    I arched an eyebrow as I asked, "Is there something I should know?"

    She giggled, "Why would you think that?"

    I shrugged, "No reason." I walked up to the counter and leaned towards her, "Had some hot action last night huh?"

    She giggled again, "And then some!"

    My eyes went wide, "Really? Do tell!"

    "He proposed," she said with a dreamy sigh.

    "No shit!" I squealed as I reached across the counter and hugged her tightly.

    Terry had been seriously dating her high school sweetheart for the last five years. She'd met Zach her freshman year of high school, but they hadn't started dating until they were sophomores. The moment both had graduated, she'd moved in with him.

     Zach was currently in his third year of college, aiming for a career in the music industry.  Currently, he was working as the assistant to a booking agent for one of the hottest clubs in town. Terry had told me that Zach wanted to one day own his own recording studio and club because he loved helping others jump start their careers.

     Even I knew Zach had a knack for being able to recognize fresh, raw talent and he knew how to build it up into something spectacular. That's why he had the job as assistant at that particular club. His boss had recognized the talent Zach had and knew it would benefit everyone to take Zach under his wing and give him the opening he needed to succeed.

    Terry beamed as she showed me the engagement ring he had given her, "I was totally surprised! You know I honestly didn't think we'd start thinking of marriage until after he'd graduated and got the job he really wants, but he said he wanted to get engaged now." She giggled, "He said he already felt like we were married and he just couldn't wait any longer to put the rock on my finger."

    I laughed, "He must have had it planned for a while then?"

    "Oh yeah. Turns out he'd been having this ring designed for the last year and he'd been steadily paying for it. It was finally finished and paid for last week, but he wanted things to be just right before he proposed."

    "Were they?" I asked.

    "Perfect." She breathed, as I stared at the rock on her finger. It wasn't huge or gaudy. And I could see that it had definitely been designed by Zach.

    He and Terry were what I'd always liked to call a happy rock and roll couple.  They were so laid back and cool, yet both were hard workers and serious about their crafts. I knew Terry was madly in love with Zach even though she didn't show it much when we were together. However, the moment Zach appeared anywhere near her, she turned into a giddy, love struck girl. Of course, Zach was exactly like her.

     When I'd first met him, I'd thought he was intimidating. Tall, dark, with lots of tattoos and piercings, and a permanent scowl on his face; it was easy to see why most people steered clear of him. Yet he'd look at Terry and suddenly he was like this big, soft teddy bear. I was always smiling when the two were together. Somehow, they always looked great together.

    I gave her another hug, "It's beautiful. Congratulations."

    She returned my hug with a thanks. As we got the store ready for opening, she continued to tell me about how he'd proposed and that they both agreed to wait until he'd graduated to have the wedding. However, they were already beginning to plan it and I could see that not only was Terry excited about planning her wedding, but apparently Zach was totally into it too. Yep, they were such a rock and roll couple. I knew their wedding would be extravagant, in that cool, hip kind of way.

    After work, I returned home to change and grab my overnight bag before heading over to Jonathan's apartment. I was spending that night and the next with Alishia since Danny would be away until Tuesday morning. Once I got to Jonathan's place, I waited for him to get off the phone with Darryl, who was getting pointers from Jonathan on how to broach the subject of going steady with Sarah.

     As Jonathan and I walked to our cars, I couldn't help but grin as Jonathan told me how nervous Darryl was about asking Sarah since he wasn't sure how she really felt about him. Jonathan had assured him that Sarah liked him because I always told Jonathan what Sarah told me about her feelings for Darryl. Still, Darryl was not used to dating girls. Where Jonathan had been the charmer, Darryl was the elusive artist.

    We arrived at the apartment complex that Alishia and Danny lived in, parking our cars next to each other in the lot adjacent to the reserved spots for the residents. Jonathan carried my bag as we walked hand in hand up to the apartment. I knocked on the door and we waited for Alishia to answer.

    A few moments later, the door opened revealing a smiling Alishia. She immediately saw Jonathan standing next to me and launched herself into his arms. "Jon! God, it's so good to see you again!"

    He laughed as he hugged her tightly, "It's good to see you too, Ali."

    She stepped back to scrunch her nose at him, "You still haven't forgotten that name, huh?"

    "No more than you've forgotten mine," He hinted.

    Alishia laughed and held the door open for the two of us to enter.

    As I took the bag from Jonathan so that I could put it in the hall closet, I asked, "What name?"

    Jonathan groaned, "It's not worth mentioning."

    Alishia gave him a smirk, "Not worth mentioning! Oh please! You know it was the cutest nickname ever."

    As Jonathan and I made ourselves comfortable on the couch, he rolled his eyes, "It was not!"

    I looked at Alishia, "What was his nickname?"

    Jonathan mock glared at Alishia in warning, "Alishia!"

    She stuck out her tongue before turning to me with a smile, "He certainly looks like a Jonny boy when you're with him."

    I laughed so hard it brought tears to my eyes. Jonathan just sat there with a scowl. Once I could breathe again I looked at him, "Jonny boy! How did you get that one?"

    Jonathan sighed, "It was given to me by someone I'd really wish I'd never met and unfortunately it stuck."

    Alishia chuckled and proceeded to fill me in, "There was this girl. She was one of his groupies I guess. Anyway, she followed Jonathan everywhere he went, like his biggest fan. And she'd literally sigh his name when she'd address him, but when Jonathan tried to politely tell her that he wasn't interested, she just got more obsessive and began showing up at the studio with freshly prepared lunches and other gifts. That's when she started calling him that and someone at the studio heard and it spread like wildfire."

    Jonathan nodded, "Yeah. She became my very own stalker. I swear she was following me everywhere. My job, my home, even to the grocery store! And all because I made the mistake of going out on a date with her."

    I laughed, "Oh, so she thought you were serious."

    Jonathan shrugged, "I don't know why. I never led her on. We went on one date. Dinner and a movie. I treated her like I treated all my dates. I swear I was the perfect gentleman and I only gave her a kiss on the cheek at the end of the date. Nothing else, not even a promise to call her again. So, why she thought we were suddenly on the road to being a couple is something I've never been able to figure out."

    "Did she know who you were?" I asked.

    Alishia frowned, "She knew he was a model. That's how she met him. Her sister was one of the assistant make-up artists for one of his shoots and she'd tagged along." She looked to Jonathan as she continued, "But I don't think she knew who you really were."

    Jonathan shook his head, "I didn't tell her anything. You know I never said anything to anyone I hardly knew. She never hinted if she knew anything either, so I don't think she did."

    "Hmmm." I murmured, "Wonder why she was stalking you then?"

    Alishia rolled her eyes, "Because he's Jon." At the puzzled looks Jonathan and I gave her, she went on, "Oh come on! This is Jon! Hot model, charming playboy! The ladies loved him."

    Jonathan gave me a sheepish grin, "I wasn't that bad, I swear!"

    I chuckled and slid my arm around his shoulders, "I know. You didn't do it on purpose." I kissed his cheek as I added, "You just can't help it if you are just naturally a girl magnet."

    Jonathan actually blushed at that, which made Alishia and I both chuckle.

    We spent the rest of the evening talking about their lives when they were both modeling and the things they'd done as friends. I enjoyed listening to Jonathan and Alishia as they reminisced about their times together and I knew Jonathan enjoyed visiting with Alishia again. We ordered takeout from the burger joint down the street and while Jonathan went to retrieve it, Alishia and I got the sofa bed ready for me.

    When Jonathan returned, we ate our dinner and watched  television for a bit before we started talking again. Jonathan asked Alishia about what she'd been up to since he'd last seen her and told her how surprised he was that she'd actually gotten married. He was certain she would have made modeling a career. Alishia agreed that at that time she would have, but she'd met Danny, and she had realized that he meant much more to her than a modeling career ever could.

    Jonathan had smiled at that before looking at me and saying, "I think I know what you mean."

    We talked some more about how Jonathan and I had met and let her know that we planned on telling my family about Jonathan. Alishia supported our decision to introduce Jonathan to the family, but she agreed that it was better to just let them get to know Jonathan as a person before we came out and told them who he really was. Even she agreed that the moment my father knew the truth, he'd have us married in less than a heartbeat.

    "So, when do you plan on introducing him to the rest of the family?" she asked.

    "Tomorrow." I replied. "Jonathan and I are going on a double date with his brother Darryl and my friend, Sarah to Horizons. We figured we could introduce him to dad while we ate there. Dad's always on his best behavior when he's at the restaurant and I know he's at his calmest then too. It seems like the easiest way to let him meet Jonathan, along with my friends."

    Alishia nodded, "Sounds good. Let's hope it works."

    I nodded as Jonathan sighed, "Yeah. I'm hoping he'll think I'm decent enough to hang with his daughter."

    We all laughed at that.

    Alishia stood up, "Well, I'm beat. I'm going to get some sleep." She leaned over and gave Jonathan a peck on his cheek. "It was good to see you again, Jon. I know I'll be seeing you a lot more again." At Jonathan's nod, she turned and gave me a hug, "You guys can stay up here as long as you like, just be sure to lock the door when he leaves okay, hon?"

    I smiled, "Okay. Thanks. Night Alishia."

    She waved as she disappeared into her room, "Night, Alex. Goodnight Jon."

    "Night Ali." Jonathan replied.

    Jonathan and I reclined on the sofa bed and watched television with the volume on low so as not to disturb Alishia's sleep.  When I began to nod off against his chest, Jonathan gently nudged me and told me he should get going. I sighed and mumbled that I didn't want him to leave. He chuckled and said we'd see each other the following day. I walked him to the door, gave him a goodnight kiss, and told him I'd call him as soon as I got up so he could come over and we could spend the day together before we had to go to dinner with Darryl and Sarah.

    Jonathan graced me with a bright smile, "It's a plan." He kissed the tip of my nose before pulling away and walking down the stairs. "Sleep good, baby. Love you."

    "Night Jonathan," I sighed as I closed the door and locked it for the night.

    Alishia and I were up early the next day. At least for me, it was early, especially since it was a Sunday. We made brunch together in her kitchen and shared a little girl talk about the men in our lives. I tried not to let the fact that we were discussing my older brother's loving ways bother me as we giggled about things we liked about our men. After brunch, we cleaned up and I took a shower before calling Jonathan.

    By the time Alishia had taken her shower and dressed, Jonathan had arrived to take us both shopping. This time we went to a mall. Of course, it was a mall on the other side of the city, one where we all knew we wouldn't run into anyone who knew us. As we shopped, Jonathan and I held hands and giggled amongst ourselves. Alishia couldn't help teasing Jonathan by calling him Jonny boy since she pointed out that he was acting so cute with me. Eventually Jonathan gave up and allowed her to call him that especially since she didn't mind when he called her Ali. The three of us enjoyed our day shopping together.

    As Jonathan and I dropped Alishia off at the apartment, we asked if she wanted to go to dinner with us later. She declined, saying she didn't want to interfere, but Jonathan and I felt bad about leaving her home alone while the rest of us went out, especially since he and I were going to spend the rest of the afternoon together. We finally got her to agree and told her we'd be back in a few hours so that I could get ready and we'd all go to Horizon's together.

    Jonathan chuckled as I sat back against the couch with a huff, arms crossed over my chest. He turned to look at me with an innocent look, "Don't you like the movie?"

    "You don't even like the movie, Jonathan." I growled.

    After dropping Alishia off, Jonathan and I had debated on what we'd do for the afternoon before finally deciding to rent a couple of movies. We had argued over what to rent while at the store and called a truce by renting one suspenseful thriller for him and an action movie for me. We'd decided on watching the thriller first, but thirty minutes into it, we'd both realized how boring it was.

     We had been lying on the couch on our sides, my back to his chest. He had one arm draped over my waist and as the movie had progressed, his hand had started to wander. I had let him touch me, enjoying the feel of his fingers against my skin. His hand had moved under my shirt, over my stomach in circular motions, then cupping my breasts through my bra. As his hand reached under my bra to tease my nipples, I'd closed my eyes since the movie had long since lost my interest.

    I rolled over onto my back to allow him better access. Jonathan had kept his eyes on the movie, feigning interest, yet his hand didn't stop its wandering. Soon, he'd slipped his hand into my jeans and past my panties, stroking my folds. I'd turned my head to kiss his neck, moaning against his skin as he stroked me. Slowly, I'd turned towards him and began to kiss his neck and undo his shirt. When I'd tried to kiss him, he'd pulled away as if to say he wanted to watch the movie. I decided there was an even better way to get his attention and had proceeded to undo his jeans. He was hard when my hand closed around him and I had stroked him a few times while continuing to nip and suck on the skin of his neck.

    Suddenly, he had shifted away from me, his hand disappearing from between my legs before he rolled onto his stomach and tucked both arms under his head. That was when I had sat up with a huff. I knew he was teasing me, he really wasn't interested in the movie. He just wanted to see what I'd do.

   With a soft laugh, he sat up next to me and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me against him. He nuzzled my neck, "Don't be mad, baby. I thought you wanted to watch movies."

    I rolled my eyes, "It's a boring movie, Jonathan. I wanted to watch the other one, but noooo.....this one was your idea."

    He pulled back, arching an eyebrow, "So, you want to watch the other one then." Before I could even respond to that, he let go of me and started to get up.

    I grabbed his arm, "No!"

    "I'm going to put the other one in."

    "I don't want to watch the other one!"

    "I thought you just said..."

    "Jooonathan!" I pouted.

    With a smirk, Jonathan bent down and pulled me up until I was flush with him. His mouth covered mine in a hungry kiss, devouring me instantly. I didn't even have the chance to figure out what he was doing until I felt his fingers pushing past my clothes to stroke me once more. With a moan, I lifted one leg and wrapped it around his leg as his fingers slipped inside of me. One arm around my waist, Jonathan bent me backwards and fastened his mouth to my breast through my shirt. Shamelessly, I rode his fingers, sliding one hand into his hair and the other into his jeans to grip him in my fist.

    He growled as I pumped him a few times and just when I thought I was going to explode, his fingers disappeared again. My agitated whimper quickly turned into a gasp of surprise as Jonathan turned me around and pulled me back against him. I sighed as his hands began to roam over my body and slowly he undressed me. Closing my eyes, I leaned back against him tilting my head back to kiss his chin. He took my lips in his and deepened the kiss as his fingers kneaded my breasts. I pushed my hips back, rubbing my behind against his erection through his jeans.

    I knew Jonathan had reached his limit when he pushed me away and proceeded to yank his clothes off of himself. Smiling, I removed my own clothes and leaned back into the couch watching as he tossed his clothes aside, retrieved  a condom, and then knelt on the couch besides me. He pulled me up to my knees and kissed my lips as he rolled the condom on. I slid my hands up his chest, grazing his nipples with my nails making him groan into my mouth. As I slid my arms around his shoulders, he pulled away and looked into my eyes.

    "Beautiful, what you do to me." he breathed.

    "I know Jonathan." I tried to lean back, gently tugging him to me, "Come here, baby. Make love to me."

    He pulled me back up to him, gave me a quick, hard kiss, then whispered in my ear, "Turn around, beautiful."

    Slowly, I let go of him and turned around. Jonathan moved up behind me and took my wrists in his hands. With his chest pushing against my back, he leaned me forward until my hands rested on the arm of the couch. I closed my eyes as his hands brushed up my arms and down my sides. He held my hips steady and pushed against me from behind. I gasped as I felt him fill me completely. In that position, he was thicker, stretching my walls farther than I ever thought possible.

    Jonathan's movements were slow at first, as if he were savoring the feel of my walls surrounding him. I could feel his breath against my neck as he wrapped his arms around my waist. With each thrust, he began to pick up speed, arms tightening too. I tossed my head back against his shoulder and pushed back against him, needing him deeper.

    I moaned in frustration, "Baby, please, I need more."

    Jonathan didn't disappoint. He bent me forward a little more and slid one hand between my legs to caress my nub. I dug my fingers into the couch as he began to pound harder into me, in time to the stoke of his fingers.

    "Yes! Oh Jonathan, that's it baby!"

    He groaned, "Fuck, baby! So tight!"

    "Jonathan! I'm close...hurry!"

    He pressed his face into my neck as he growled, "Come for me, beautiful, scream for me."

    "Oh God, Jooonathan!" I screamed as my orgasm finally washed over me.

    Jonathan continued to pound into me as my body shuttered around his, his fingers never stopped stroking me. I arched back into him, moaning my pleasure and clenching my walls around his thickness.

    With one forceful thrust Jonathan let go, "Shit! Yes!" he yelled. I held him tight, milking him as I felt him throbbing inside of me. I felt him shudder, just before he collapsed against my back.

    We remained like that until we both managed to get our breath back. As Jonathan slid out of me, I turned and collapsed against the couch, a satisfied smile on my face. He chuckled as he rested besides me, his fingers entwined with mine. "Note to self, rent more boring movies."

    I laughed at his joke as he got up to go dispose of the condom.

    Jonathan soon returned to scoop me up and haul me to his bedroom where we cuddled up for the remainder of the afternoon.