Since it's been a little bit longer since my last update, I made this chapter longer and full of Jate fluff. But get ready, because next chapter there's more angst and bigger twists revealed! Please review, and enjoy!
When Jack called a day later, trying not to sound too desperate or overanxious, he offered to meet Kate for lunch the following Tuesday. They agreed to meet at her day-time job, so Jack set off, GPS guiding him through the congested streets of L.A. while he tried to find some obscure little building with a name that did nothing to hint at what kind of place this actually was.
Jack showed up ten minutes late, after getting lost twice and then trying to find parking. When he strode briskly through the doors, his body immediately stopped as soon he passed through the threshold of what turned out to be one sparsely decorated, hip, art gallery.
He looked around nervously at the bare white walls, trying to catch his breath, and walked over to the reception desk tucked back in the corner of the gallery.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Kate—"
But a wry smile met Jack's unsure eyes when he realized who was sitting behind the desk.
"I thought you got lost or something." Kate said, standing and smoothing down a wrinkle in the simple navy blue jersey dress she wore. Jack stared for a moment, unused to seeing Kate in anything other than the waitress uniform from the club or the ultra-casual clothes that she'd thrown on at her apartment. He swallowed hard as he eyed the long, tanned expanse of her legs and the low dive of her neckline.
She came around the desk and pressed a kiss to his cheek, stepping back and laughing at the somewhat glossy look on his face.
"What's with you?" She asked playfully, nudging his shoulder and forcing his eyes to snap back towards hers.
"I just…this is weird. I'm not used to seeing you like this."
She rolled her eyes and cocked an eyebrow. "At a real job or in real clothes?"
Jack relaxed a bit, shuffling his feet bashfully, hands finding their way into his pockets as he rocked back on his heels. "Both, I guess."
They stared at each other a moment longer, eyes warm, before Jack cleared his throat.
"So, lunch. Did you have anywhere in mind? I'm not sure I know any place close by…"
Kate smiled. "I know a place. Let me just let my boss know I'm taking my break."
Ten minutes later they were walking down the street and Jack, ever the over-thinker, was pressed with the simple yet perplexing issue of whether or not to hold Kate's hand, slip an arm around her waist or shoulder. They hadn't even kissed since their date at Kate's apartment four days ago.
"Jack, did you hear me?" Kate asked curiously, looking towards Jack, who'd been too lost in his thoughts to catch her suggestion.
"Sorry, what's that?" Jack asked, eyes settling on hers and she smiled gently.
"I asked if you liked Thai food."
"I'll eat anything."
Kate rolled her eyes. "A true man."
Jack found that he did like Thai. Although, he wasn't sure whether it was because he especially fancied the exotic taste or the way Kate seemed to enjoy it so thoroughly from where she sat next to him, side-by-side at a small corner table where he could feel the length of her side press against his.
The restaurant was noisy and crowded, but if it meant that Kate had to stay so close, that he had to lean nearer towards her to hear her words clearly, he didn't mind the lack of ambiance.
She was telling him some story about Claire, how she had managed to come here from Australia when she was only eighteen. But Jack was too distracted by the movement of Kate's lips to think too hard on what she was telling him. Jack imagined the spice he'd taste on them, the tanginess that would touch his tongue if he pressed his to hers. He imagined the sigh that would escape into his mouth when he pressed her into the wall and—
"Jack." Kate said, long and drawn out like a scolding, but the playful twinkle in her eye let him know that he wasn't in trouble though he'd been caught.
He shook himself out his daze, laughing lightly. "Sorry. I keep getting distracted."
"Jeez, I guess the mystery has already gone out of our fling, huh?" She joked, taking a sip of her water and tucking a curl behind her ear.
"Trust me, I don't think you have to worry about that."
Kate quirked an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What were you thinking about just then?"
Jack laughed, ducking his head. "You really want to know?"
She hesitated a moment, smile playing at her lips before nodding decisively.
He leaned closer to her, so close that he could smell the heady mix of her perfume, the hot moisture of her breath, the spice of the restaurant and the one scent Kate had that he couldn't identify.
"I was thinking about kissing you." Jack said in a low voice and Kate's eyes, close to his, looked dark and wide and endlessly deep.
"You're just saying that." She argued gently, but made no move to back away, her eyes only flickering down to Jack's mouth before flickering back up to the brown of his eyes, almost black now.
Jack shook his head slowly, licking his lips and leaning closer. Just before he moved to bridge the tiny gap between their mouths, their waitress appeared with the check, unceremoniously plopping the bill down on the table, making the two jump apart as if caught.
Embarrassed, Jack sent an impish grin at Kate before signing away for lunch, Kate sending him a meaningful look as a thank-you for picking up the bill.
This time, when Jack and Kate made it to the street, he didn't hesitate. He took her hand into his with confidence, interlacing their fingers and in turn, making her squint up at him with a smile.
When they arrived back at the gallery, Kate didn't wait for Jack to release her hand, instead turning to look back at him and place a free finger over her lips to signal silence, then pulled him through the gallery towards a small door behind the reception desk.
"Where are we going?" Jack whispered conspiratorially, unable to mask the wide, boyish grin spreading over his mouth. She looked back at him with a mischievous smile and pulled him through the door and into what seemed to be a very small closet.
As soon as Kate shut the door behind them, the room was plunged into near darkness, the only light cast from the crack under the door.
"What the hell—" Jack began, but two tiny hands pushed him back into the wall behind him, cutting him off and sending his blood pumping a little quicker through his veins.
"Shhh." Kate chided before sidling close to him, body almost flush against his.
Jack gulped, throat bobbing as his hands fluttered at her waist, unsure of where to set themselves.
"Thanks for lunch." Kate said softly, just before her lips closed over his, his eyes flickering closed at the touch of her mouth.
He was right. He could taste the spice on her lips, the sweetness of some kind of lip-balm, and something else unidentifiable. But before he could attempt to match the taste, he felt Kate's compact palm sliding up his arm and sliding around to the nape of his neck, pulling his head down closer.
He let out a near-silent groan into her mouth, hands tugging her closer by the waist, fingertips gliding up and down the small of her back and upwards, then down again. After another moment more Jack let his tongue venture out and curve into her mouth, pressing against her tongue and making her sigh, just as he'd imagined. He gripped her hips harder, their pelvises bumping and making her gasp a faint breath before she recovered and set back to kissing him hard, tongue dueling with his for dominance.
With a reluctant sigh Jack pulled away, catching his breath and wishing he could see Kate through the darkness.
"We're in a closet." He panted, amusement trailing in his voice and he could almost feel her smile through the dim in the room.
"Yeah." She huffed a laugh, leaning into him again, a hand resting on the strong plane of his chest.
Jack felt his cheeks heat.
"How much longer do you have?" He whispered, hands floating back down to glide along her hips, making her fidget closer to him.
"My break was up five minute ago." She said, just as Jack lips found hers, tongue not waiting for permission, only diving deeper when her sigh opened her mouth for him wider, and she smiled into him just as he smiled into her.
After another ten minutes of kissing, Kate pulled away reluctantly, biting back a laugh at the hint of Jack's arousal that she felt pressing against her thigh. She couldn't blame Jack for getting worked up when she'd dragged him into some closet like a pair of horny teenagers.
He invited her over for dinner at his place the next evening, letting her know he'd pick her up from work.
When Kate walked into Jack's apartment for the first time she was struck by the differences in their lifestyles. Not only was Jack's apartment in an pricey area, lush and green with parks and palm trees and ocean views, but Jack's apartment no where near resembled the mismatched, shabby chic look of Kate's. Jack's furniture and apartment design was modern, style-over-comfort, and expensive looking.
He closed the door behind her and tried to gauge her reaction.
"I moved in here a couple months ago—my mother got some decorator…" Jack proffered as a way of explaining the coldness he knew Kate took from the apartment.
She nodded, smiling. "No, it's nice. Very stylish."
Jack ducked his head, leading her towards the kitchen. "Well, it still needs a few homey touches I guess. But I spend a lot of time working."
"At the hospital." Kate supplied.
He laughed. "Yes."
"And your dad's a doctor, too."
"Yes."
"And your grandfather?" Kate pressed, smiling impishly and making Jack blush.
"Let's not talk about medicine tonight." He said easily, rounding the counter and leaning low to a cupboard, pulling out a bottle of red wine.
Kate raised an eyebrow. "Trying to get me drunk, huh?"
Jack blushed, uncorking the bottle and pulling two wine glasses from another cabinet and filling each halfway, sliding one of the glasses in her direction.
"First, I'm going to make you dinner. Then I'm going to get you drunk."
"And have your way with me?" Kate joked, but a in voice with a hint of sultriness that turned the teasing into something more, making Jack's eyes find hers meaningfully.
She didn't say anything, only shuffled nervously, realizing her mistake.
"Do you mind if I use your bathroom to get changed? I don't feel like being stuck in this waitress uniform all night." Kate asked, walking towards the door where she'd left her bag.
Another five minutes and Kate emerged from the bathroom, dressed in a nice green shirt and a pair of jeans, barefoot again, Jack noticed with a faint smile.
"So what's on the menu?"
"Breakfast." Jack said automatically, already a host of ingredients spread out along the counters.
Kate blinked. "Breakfast?"
Jack flashed her a smile. "I think it's the only thing I can cook. So…how do you like your eggs?"
An hour and one giant mess later, Kate and Jack sat close on the couch, two glasses of wine perched in their hands while they watched some TV movie. Kate was nestled into Jack's side, his arm draped over her shoulder contentedly while he took another sip of his wine.
Out of the blue, Kate let out a mischievous giggle, making Jack turn and quirk an eyebrow.
"How many glasses of wine have you had?" He teased, taking her glass and setting on the coffee table.
She smiled wide. "Three."
"Three?" Jack repeated, surprised.
She nodded. "I snuck one while you were burning the pancakes."
Jack sent her a pointed look before bursting out laugh.
"You're cute when you're tipsy." He said, tweaking her nose and kissing her forehead. But Kate took it as an invitation to get closer. In one swift and surprisingly coordinated movement she slung one leg over Jack's lap so that she straddled him where he sat on the couch.
Automatically, his hands came up to brace her hips and steady her. She laughed again, sitting back onto thighs and letting her hands rest on her his chest.
He watched her carefully, wondering if it was wise to let her carry on when she was tipsy.
"Jack." She said after a moment, her fingers toying with the top button of his shirt.
"Kate." He repeated, waiting for her to continue, fingers smoothing up and down her back.
"Why do you like me?" She said in a whiny voice that Jack knew the wine was responsible for.
He laughed. "Because you're different." He said immediately, but Kate only frowned.
"I'm not like the girls you normally date, am I." Kate said, not a question, only a statement.
"No, but I think that might be a good thing." Jack corrected, brushing a curl away from her face and making her smile.
"I haven't dated anyone in a long time." Kate sighed, and Jack bit back a smile, wondering just how much she'd say after three glasses of wine. In truth, it wasn't that much alcohol, but Jack was realizing quickly that Kate was quite the lightweight.
"Yeah?" Jack said, encouraging her to go on.
She shook her head. "Nope. I mean…there have been men. But they were really mistakes. Just in it for the sex, I guess." She said conspiratorially, but Jack found this twist made him not only uncomfortable and guilty, but also jealous.
"Kate, maybe we should get you some coffee or something." He suggested, trying to shift her off of his lap, but she wouldn't budge.
"No, I hate coffee."
The pout Kate donned almost made Jack gave in, but he could see the glossiness in her eyes and knew their date would have to be cut short.
"Kate, c'mon. Let me take you home."
She shifted closer to him on his lap, inadvertently rubbing over him and making him wince at the feeling of arousal that shot up his spine. His fingertips fluttered at her waist and he didn't stop her when she leaned in and pressed a wet, openmouthed kiss to his mouth, her tongue diving towards his brazenly just as her hands glided up his chest to cup his chin.
Jack kissed her back for a long few minutes, meeting each thrust her tongue made into his mouth, his hands tight and secure on her waist and letting her shift on top of his lap, but when she broke away for air he could taste the alcohol on his tongue and knew this had to stop.
"Kate, you're drunk." He said breathlessly, moving her off his lap effectively and standing, moving towards the kitchen to brew some coffee.
"I'm not drunk." She protested, standing and wobbling after him. He opened one cabinet and she shut it before he could reach into it.
He met her eyes cautiously. He'd never seen her this way, and he wasn't sure if he liked it. She looked at him unabashed, eyes vulnerable and wide, and he couldn't help but reach for her arm.
"You okay?" He asked softly, and she bit her lip and nodded, but he could see the hesitance in her eyes, the hurt.
"Don't you want to?" She questioned softly and Jack almost laughed.
"Of course I want to. But you're not in the best shape right now. Have some coffee and I'll take you home. You can sleep it off."
Kate looked around nervously and Jack tried again. "You could stay here if you wanted…"
Her eyes shot to his and he gulped, but stood by his offer. "I'll take the couch."
Kate smiled then, and he could sense her coming back to him. "You don't have to do that."
Jack only shrugged. "I don't mind. It's a pull-out."
She shook her head, "No, I mean…we could share the bed."
Jack looked hesitant, fearing that Kate's inebriation was somehow behind the forwardness her offer suggested.
Kate seemed to sense this and laughed, maybe a little too loud, "No, I mean…I don't mind we would have to…you know."
He had to smile at her awkwardness and shuffled closer to her, hand finding her hip and drawing her closer to him.
"Okay. Let's get you to bed." Jack said softly, leaning down and pressing a chaste kiss to her lips.
"I'm not tired." She pouted, leaning up and kissing him again.
Jack sighed, but his eyes twinkled with amusement. "Well, you'll be tired tomorrow, trust me. And just maybe, I'll make you another round of pancakes in the morning. If you're lucky."
Kate grinned, brushing her palm over the stubble on his checks and stepping up on tiptoes to kiss his chin, taking his hand in hers.
"Okay. But no funny business. I'm very innocent you know. I never do this sort of thing." She mused, following his lead towards the bedroom. He laughed, thumb rubbing circles on the back of her hand.
"I'm going to remind you of that statement come eight o'clock tomorrow, sunshine."
She laughed at the nickname. "Sunshine. That's good. That's a good one."
Jack pulled the sheets back to his bed, Kate immediately climbing into them and making him smile warmly at the image, unable to stop himself from imagining her there again, after the sheets had been rumpled from all day lovemaking sessions.
"You getting in?" Kate sighed sleepily, rustling under the covers and coming up with her jeans in hand, making Jack blush.
"You sure want to take those off?" Jack asked, taking them from her waiting hands and folding them, placing them on the chair in the corner of the bedroom.
She didn't answer, only snuggled deeper into his pillow, curls wild and endearing as Jack slipped on a pair of pajama pants over his boxers and stripped down to his white t-shirt.
He climbed into bed, facing her, smoothing her hair back from her forehead and watching her eyelids flutter.
She seemed to sense his gaze and cracked an eyelid open.
"Maybe I shouldn't have had that last glass of wine." She grumbled, but Jack could see the smile edging out her lips and he couldn't help but trace a finger over them.
"Are you going to remember this tomorrow morning?" He mused aloud, watching her eyelids droop open and closed, fighting an inevitable sleep.
"I'm not that drunk." Kate supplied, eyes slipping closed as she turned over, then shifted back closer to Jack so that he lifted an arm over her side and let it curl around her, pulling her back snugly into his chest so that they spooned.
Though Jack's nerve endings were on fire from the contact—Kate's warm body soft and pliant against him—Kate let out a content sigh, mumbling a goodnight before her breath evened and Jack didn't wonder what he was getting himself into, only warm in the security that he was happy finding out.
Hope you liked it! The next chapter should be up soon, but this week does look really busy for me right now. I'll try and update with the next chapter soon. To come: angst, a big reveal about Kate that show she lied to Jack about something, Christian makes another appearance, and more! Someone mentioned that they didn't want JEX to be in great detail. Do most readers feel this way, too? Also, to the reviewer that asked, yes the title of this story is from the Missy Higgins' song. Thanks! R&R!