Just The Way You Are
Chapter 1
December 14th, 2006
0300 hours
Jack Mercer surveyed his surroundings with drowsy, blurred eyes. He stood in the kitchen of a tiny, cozy apartment that was filled wall to wall with books. A green, over-stuffed couch sat in the middle of the room, a modestly-sized TV sitting opposite it. The apartment was darkened, as it was half past three in the morning, as Jack groped his way to the fridge.
He pulled the ancient fridge open, the light illuminating his nude figure as he browsed for something to drink. He'd woken, with his mouth unbearably dry and tasting bitter. So he went in search of something to wet his mouth and wash away that taste. Jack grabbed a carton of orange juice, unscrewing the lid, before he tipped his head back to take a swig of it, and replaced the carton in the fridge.
He turned around, surveying the apartment again. How ironic was it for Jack Mercer, the first class fuck-up, third class rockstar, to feel so utterly at home in an apartment that was so not…crazy. This apartment was a bookworm's retreat; with its wall to wall books, cozy surroundings, and in a way, it was rather unexciting. But Jack didn't see it as such. The apartment was warm, welcoming, stable and secure. It was exactly what Jack needed, after the year he'd had.
His mother was murdered, he got shot and nearly died…It had been insanity. But Jack Mercer had found peace, in this apartment and the woman it belonged to. Jack padded back to the bedroom, which contained the smallest double-bed ever made (Jack suspected), and his girlfriend, Audrey.
She lay in the exact middle of the bed, which meant she had rolled over since Jack had gotten up. Audrey lay on her stomach, blankets bunched around her waist, which meant the rest of her was bare- leaving her flawless back for Jack to admire.
And admire he did, as he crept onto the bed, sliding underneath the covers and pulling them up farther. Then he reached over Audrey, lightly running his hand up her back, watching as she shuddered at his touch. Her eyes opened, bleary and sleep-filled, making them a hazy green, peering at Jack in a sort of confusion. Realization seemed to settle in, and without a word, Audrey scooted across the few inches that separated them, snuggling to Jack's chest. Her dark brown hair was mussed and baby-fine underneath his fingers as he toyed with a lock or two.
There was no questioning, or the need to speak, they were content in their silence. Audrey hummed softly under her breath, running her fingers up and down Jack's arm. And she did not stop until her fingers fell slack in sleep.
But Jack hadn't noticed. He had fallen asleep before that, under Audrey's gentle ministrations.
Jack never slept better, than he did when Audrey was around. Jack was a lively person, never able to sit still, and he had nightmares occasionally. Audrey was a quiet, down-to-earth person, and her power to make Jack relax was unparalleled. If Jack was feeling particularly stressed one day, all it took for Audrey to calm him was a look, sometimes accompanied by a touch and a soft murmur.
And when Jack had a nightmare, Audrey never questioned him. She just took him into her arms and didn't let go, stroking his hair until he fell asleep again. She was his rock.
And Jack was hers. Audrey was meek by personality, and it was Jack who spurred her to stand up for herself, prove herself. He made sure she didn't just play it safe to avoid getting hurt. Hell, their whole relationship was a testament to that.
Audrey and Jack were a definite case of opposites attract. Jack was the punk, the rockstar type. Audrey was the bookworm, the nerdy type, content to stay home in her apartment and read a book or watch a movie. And it was pure chance that they'd met- and eventually hit it off.
At first, there had only been mutual dislike between the two. Jack didn't understand how she could possibly live the way she did- avoiding all forms of excitement as she did. And Audrey detested Jack, for he had pestered her relentlessly. There was little appeal in a punk following her around a bookstore.
At the time, Jack had just returned to New York a month after he'd been shot. He still had a heavy limp and had to take it easy, not that Jack liked to. And he had an enormous surplus of time on his hands- his band had kicked him to the curb for some chick who looked hot in a leather skirt and could play a little guitar.
So Jack occupied his time with walking. He walked until he couldn't walk anymore. Then he would duck into the nearest shop and rest until he could walk again. And one day, on a whim, he entered a little dive of a bookstore.
Where Audrey Stewart just happened to work. He'd pestered and annoyed Audrey with his presence until she got used to him. Audrey wasn't the girl the type of girl that Jack usually spent time with. She wasn't the flirty, loose girl. Audrey was cute; in her cuddly sweaters and baggy jeans. And it was a revelation for Jack to like her, and not just want to get in Audrey's pants. So Jack asked her out. And the rest was history, as far as they was concerned.
0900 hours
The next morning Jack woke alone. The sheets were still warm beside him, meaning Audrey hadn't been up long. He could hear running water coming from the bathroom. Jack groaned, reluctantly lifting himself out of bed, and trudging into the bathroom, intending to join that shower Audrey had started.
Her petite silhouette, scrubbing herself behind the curtain had Jack nearly salivating. He moved quicker, pulling the curtain back and stepping into the tub. Audrey squealed in surprise, arms immediately clapped around her exposed body. Jack chuckled, wrapping his arms around her middle as Audrey's eyes lit with recognition.
"Jack! You scared me!" She cursed, turning in his arms to smack him on the chest. His chest rumbled with amusement, only pulling her closer as he pressed his lips to her slick forehead.
Audrey rested her chin on Jack's chest, her green eyes gazing up at him as she snaked her arms around his waist. "I'm not going to be able to finish this shower for awhile, will I?" Audrey asked, her lips curving up slightly, as if to say she wouldn't mind that all too much.
Jack laughed down at her- he was so much taller than her, Audrey only came up to his chest, and she had a few inches before she'd hit his shoulder, even! Jack found the height difference adorable. She fit perfectly in his arms. "Why ask questions you already know the answers to, baby?" He replied, leaning down to close the distance to her lips.
Audrey melted into this kiss, her lips parting slightly to grant his tongue entrance to her mouth. Her arms tightened around his back, her short, blunt nails digging into his skin. The kiss was dazzlingly intense, and short. But the exertion still left Audrey panting, her cheeks painted scarlet, as she gazed up at Jack with such emotion, such adoration, in her eyes it made him want to ravish her even further.
"If I didn't ask now and then, we'd never talk, Jackie," Audrey said in a breathy tone, one she reserved for after being kissed senseless, Jack had decided.
He growled deep in his throat, before attacking her lips again, with such a fervor that had his manhood standing at attention, pressed against his lover's stomach. Audrey wasn't idle during his kisses, her hands traveled up and down Jack's arms and abdomen, tracing each tattoo with care, going lower and lower until she gripped Jack's cock in her hand.
Jack broke away from her mouth, a tortured moan escaping his lips as Audrey began to pump him, lightly. "How do you like this, Jack?" Audrey questioned, a confident smirk on her lips as her man nearly buckled at the sensation.
Jack groaned, his eyes rolling back into his head as Audrey continued to stroke him, even going so far to brace himself on the wall. "Enough," he growled, before he seized Audrey around the waist and lifted her to his height, where she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips. Audrey gasped as he pinned her to the cold tile wall behind her, kissing and biting any skin she could find; as Jack entwined one hand in her short hair and the other gripping her hip. Then he fumbled with lining himself up.
Audrey squeaked in surprise as the head of his cock teased her slick folds, her nails pressed harder into his back. Jack's eyes flickered up to hers, his crystalline-blue eyes asking some unspoken question. "I love you, Jackie," Audrey said, quietly, meaning that as her answer, raising a hand to comb through his soaked hair.
"I love you too, baby," Jack replied, his voice thick before he crushed his lips to hers. At this time, he flicked his hips, driving into her. Audrey moaned into his lips, tightening her legs around his hips, before beginning to raise her own hips to meet his thrusts.
With her whole being, Audrey clung to Jack as he drove his hips into hers with such force that she idly wondered if they might- the thought was driven from her mind as Jack hit that perfect spot inside her. Audrey gasped, digging her nails into his shoulders and raking them across his skin. Jack grinned as she began to chant his name under her breath, knowing her climax was getting close by the way her face was screwing up.
This only spurred Jack to plunge harder and faster, making Audrey's pants turn to quick little gasps, as stars began to fill her vision. "Oh Jack, don't stop, please don't stop," she begged, before smashing her lips against his.
"Never, baby," Jack replied, huskily, and with one more well-placed thrust, Audrey's entire body seized, she whimpered his name as her walls came slamming down around him in climax.
Jack gritted his teeth, forced to stop and hold still lest he lose control. After a moment or two, Audrey's body relaxed, allowing Jack to continue. And so he did, bringing Audrey to another climax before he reached his. With that, the pair sunk to the tile floor of the shower, chests heaving from the exertion.
Audrey lay languidly against him, her cheek pressed to his chest as she panted quietly. Jack had his head thrown back against the tile as he fought to regain his breath. He raised his head, before leaning down to press a series of gentle kisses to Audrey's lips. Audrey ruffled Jack's hair, before untangling herself from him to stand, albeit a little awkwardly. "It's time to get washed up, Jackie," she murmured, a small smile at him as he pouted up at her. "I'll wash your hair," she offered, at which Jack grinned, and lifted himself up to sit on the edge of the tub.
If nothing else, Jack loved the feel of Audrey's fingers massaging his scalp- it was comforting and soothing in so many ways. Audrey poured a dollop of shampoo into her hand, and moved to stand between Jack's legs as she massaged it into his hair. Jack closed his eyes, contently, but sniffed the air. "Aud, you're not putting that girly vanilla shit in my hair, are you?" He demanded, his hands curling around Audrey's waist as she kneaded his scalp.
She giggled, harmlessly. "So? I like it," she replied, knowing he wouldn't really object to it.
"I don't! If Bobby knew, he'd never stop calling me fairy. Ever." Jack retorted, wrinkling his nose.
Audrey pecked him on the nose, as she began to rinse his hair. "Well, I like it, Jackie. It makes you smell better, and when you smell good...I can't keep my hands off you!" She teased, making his lips lift in a hint of a smile.
"Oh, is that what it is?" Jack inquired, softly, opening his eyes just as Audrey rinsed the last of the shampoo from his hair. Audrey tenderly smiled at him.
"Well, it's not only that…" She trailed off, making Jack smile.
"Care to enlighten me?" Jack requested, directing Audrey to sit between his legs as he reached for the shampoo to return the favor. Audrey leaned against his leg, leaning her head back as he began to lather her hair up.
"Well...there's a lot, Jackie," She told him, softly.
Jack couldn't help but grin, rubbing the shampoo gently into her hair. "I've got time, baby," he replied, making Audrey break into a lazy smile.
"If I must..." She murmured, at which Jack nudged her as if to say she must. "My Jack Mercer is brave and strong, sweet and caring, even if he is a bit of a punk." At this, Jack chuckled and Audrey opened one eye, smiling up at him. "I love that you don't let me get away with anything, that you won't let me just sit back and let life pass me by, though you'd never make me doing anything I didn't want to. I love that." Audrey continued. Jack's smile turned soft, and he let one hand slip down to caress her cheek, before slipping down the line of her throat.
"I love how you're never afraid to help in the kitchen or with housework. And God knows I don't expect it. I love how you always want to cuddle when we're relaxing. I love your passion, your dedication to getting what you want. I love your loyalty, to your family, me. I love so much about you," Audrey went on.
Jack couldn't contain his smirk. "Tell me more," he requested, as he rinsed the shampoo from her hair. Audrey held out her arms to Jack, who helped her to her feet.
Audrey grinned at him. "I will. In the kitchen. I'm hungry," she replied, pressing a kiss to the corner of Jack's lips.
He watched, speechless, as she pulled the curtain back and slipped out. Jack sighed and stood, grabbing the bar of soap, intending to finish his shower quickly.
Outside, Audrey was toweling herself off, before tying it around her as she padded into the bedroom. She rooted through her dresser, finding clean underwear and a bra, pulling them on quickly, before searching for other clothing. In the bathroom,the water shut off, signalling the end of Jack's shower.
Audrey pulled on a pair of jeans from where they rested on top of her dresser, and then a long-sleeve purple shirt, and a white cardigan over that. Audrey was finished dressing just as Jack emerged from the bathroom, freshly shaven, and a towel wrapped around his waist. She flitted over, kissing him on the cheek. "I think your clean clothes are in that pile over there. I'm gonna start breakfast," Audrey told him, squeezing his arm before she strode out from the bedroom.
Jack just smiled and shook his head, as moments later he could hear her clattering around out there. He headed over to the pile of clothes, and slipped his best clothes on- a pair of jeans with the least rips, and a white button-up that he left untucked. With that, Jack headed out to the kitchen, where he found Audrey rummaging through the kitchen.
She looked up with a bright smile, running a hand through her damp, messy hair. She hardly ever blow-dried her hair, and it was only special occasions that she styled it at all. Jack liked it that way- it left her hair healthy, and baby-fine. He loved how soft it felt. Audrey whistled at him, as he slid onto the stool before the counter. "My man's looking good," she called, flying over to place butter and cinnamon-sugar on the table. Jack grinned and caught her by the waist, pulling her into his lap.
"Interview today, huh?" Audrey asked, softly, looping an arm around his neck.
Jack nodded, swallowing his anxiety. "Its a desk-job, baby. Nothing I want," he felt the need to remind her.
"I know, Jackie. But even rockstars need to start someplace. Gotta make money somehow, until you make that big break," Audrey replied, kissing him softly. She knew all too well how much he wanted to be a musician, and be able to provide for himself and whoever he chose to.
"Yeah, and then you can stop being my sugamamma and stop paying for everything," Jack retorted, a smile playing at the edge of his lips, though he wasn't really joking. It hurt his pride more than he wanted to admit, not having a paycheck to contribute, especially when his girlfriend was working two jobs plus going to school full-time.
"Please, I don't pay for all that much, Jack. Just a little extra with food. Plus, once you get that job, we can split things down the middle just like you want to," Audrey retorted, jumping up from his lap when the toaster went off.
Jack watched her with narrowed eyes. Getting Audrey to voice any unhappinesses or displeasures was like pulling teeth with her. "If you're getting tired of me mooching off you, just say it, Audrey. I don't want to impose." He remarked.
Audrey shook her head as she carried over the plate of toast to the counter. "Where is this coming from, Jack? I've told you a thousand times I don't mind. Honestly. As long as you're out there trying to better yourself, to get a job, whatever, you will have my support. And you have been as long as I've known you," She answered, coolly, as she buttered a piece of toast and handed it to Jack.
"I just feel like if I had work, money, whatever...you wouldn't have to work so hard. You could quit one of your jobs..." Jack commented, taking a bite of toast.
"This is a macho thing, isn't it?" Audrey asked, biting into her own piece of toast. "You don't want me working, you want to be the man that's bringing home the bacon," there was nothing accusatory in her tone- she spoke as if it was all cold, hard fact.
Jack didn't answer for a moment, staring into her dark eyes until his shoulders slumped. "I just hate sitting around and watching you work yourself to the bone while I do nothing. I want to help, baby, I don't want you to be so overwhelmed all the time," he told her, making her eyes soften at him. Audrey knew exactly what he was talking about. She went to class in the morning, went straight to work after, before coming home to crash in complete exhaustion. She worked every other day at each job during the work-week, and would often take a shift from each job each day during the weekend. 4 eight hour shifts. She worked 32 hours of her 48 hour weekend. What she made barely covered the bills. It was the grace of her family that kept her afloat when ends didn't meet. And she worked so much, she barely had time to work on her school-work, which she tended to push off till the last minute, which had her scrambling to get it done the night before.
Today was one of Audrey's rare days off, on a Friday. She'd requested the day off because she'd just finished her finals at college the day before, and wanted to relax. Audrey leaned across the counter and took hold of Jack's face in her hands. "Jack Mercer, you are not to worry about me. I am fine. I've got you keeping me together, and without you I would have fallen apart a long time ago," she told him, firmly. "You will get this job because you deserve it. And everything will be fine," Audrey assured him.
Jack nodded, slowly, before he closed the distance between their lips. When he broke away, he left Audrey with a noticeable glint in her eye.
"I'm glad I have the day off, Jackie. God knows I need the rest," She declared. Jack tilted his head to the side, waiting for Audrey to explain. "With the way you were trying to fuck me through the mattress last night and our shower this morning, I wouldn't think I'd be able to walk." She continued, with a giggle.
Jack regarded her with an open mouth, his cheeks flushing red. He was always surprised when she spoke like that. Apparently he was becoming a bad influence on her. His mouth opened and closed, trying to formulate some sort of reply, but was coming up empty. So he resorted to another topic as Audrey chortled.
"You're coming tonight, right?" He asked, seriously, pulling Audrey by the wrist over to him.
Audrey hopped onto his lap. "'Course, Jackie. I'd have to be crazy to miss Jack Mercer's first solo gig," she answered, snagging another slice of toast.
"Well, I know its not really your thing," Jack said softly, his hand resting flat against her stomach. He had a busy day today, a few interviews and his first gig as a solo artist.
Audrey shrugged. "It's just a coffeeshop. I'm only there for you. And I will be there," she promised, hastily swallowing her toast in order to kiss him, to seal the promise.
Jack grinned at her. "So, onto another subject...what do you want for your birthday? And Christmas? It's coming up," He reminded her, at which Audrey rolled her eyes. Audrey had had the good fortune to be born on Christmas Eve, and Jack thought it was pretty funny. "What? Its not every day that you turn 21," he added at her expression.
"You sound like my mother," Audrey told him, flatly. Jack chuckled.
"Don't try to distract me, Aud. What do you want?" Jack questioned her. Audrey smiled, playing with Jack's hair, staying quiet. "Audrey," Jack called, his voice firm.
Audrey smiled again. "All I want for Christmas is Jack Mercer, and I know I'm getting that," she answered, giving him a light peck. Jack couldn't resist the grin that formed on his lips.
"Well, that's agiven," Jack agreed, warmly. Audrey glanced at the clock, her eyes widening.
"Jack, it's 10:30! Your interview is at 11! Go, go, go!" She exclaimed, jumping out of his lap and tugging him from his seat. Jack chuckled as she dragged him to the door, and began to put his coat, gloves, scarf, etc., on. Audrey opened the door for him, waiting beside it as Jack fastened the snaps on his coat.
Then he stepped forward, kissing Audrey deeply, brushing his hand down her waist. "You know, I didn't tell you one of the things I love about you," she murmured. Jack was torn, for he desperately wanted to know, but he had to get going. Audrey giggled as the struggle showed on his face. She leaned forward, to whisper in his ear. "That thing you do with your hips..just when I'm about to..." She trailed off, loving that he blushed.
"Damnit, Aud, you know that makes me want to stay home, to do unspeakable things to you, right?" Jack swore, pulling her in for one more kiss.
Audrey giggled, nodding. "I just wanna make sure its me you're thinking about tonight on that stage," she replied, swatting him on the ass. "Call me after the interview, I'll be home all day," Audrey requested, pushing Jack out the door.
"You'll be on my mind, alright!" Jack called back to her, as he strolled down the hall.
"You be careful, Jack Mercer! When I see you tonight, you better be in one piece!" Audrey called after him.
Jack stopped at the end of the hallway, turning to flash a grin at her. "You be careful, too. Lock the door," he directed, before heading down the stairs. With that, Audrey retreated into the apartment, doing as told, and locking the door.
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