Chapter Nine

Lizzie was excited after receiving his last letter. Johnny would be coming soon. The day after receiving his last letter, she headed into town to get him a Christmas gift. But she didn't know what to get him. She knew all he wanted was her. But there had to be something out there that she could give him. Then she remembered that she constantly had something of him with her – the necklace. She wanted to give him something that he could have on a constant basis to remind him of her. So she headed to the jewelry store. She searched through the selection of men's jewelry until she found the perfect item – a simple silver chain necklace.

Christmas came and went for Elizabeth with no sign of Johnny. Her grandparents couldn't help but see the disappointment on her face when he didn't show up. Gene said, "Sugar, he just needed to spend time with his family. He did say he'd see you soon."

She said, "I know. But it still hurts."

He said, "He will be here soon."

She asked, "Am I still doing the right thing?"

He said, "Yes. It's okay to miss him. If you didn't miss him, then I'd be worried."

Even though she was content to stay at home for New Year's Eve, Bianca and Ally convinced Lizzie to put on her red dress and go out with them to Bourbon Street. While the girls were out on the floor dancing, Lizzie was at the table watching and wishing that her boyfriend was with her. Midnight was approaching quickly, and she wanted nothing more than to share a kiss with him. Ally walked up to her, "Come on Liz. Come dance with us."

She said, "I just don't feel like it."

Bianca then came, grabbed her hand, and said, "Well you have no choice."

They both pulled her out on the dance floor to enjoy the rest of the evening. Just as the countdown was in its final ten seconds before midnight, someone whispered into Lizzie's ear, "That is one sexy, red dress."

She turned around and was met with the most amazing set of chocolate eyes. Her mouth fell open as he reached over and pulled her close to him. Before the countdown was finished, Johnny was already going in for the kill. When Lizzie pulled away for air, Johnny noticed the tears falling for her eyes. He asked, "I'd thought you'd be happy."

She said, "I am. So very much. I can't believe you're here. I was just wishing that you were."

He said, "Wish granted. A little birdy told me that you were really missing me."

She asked, "Pawpaw?"

He smiled and said, "Yep."

She said, "I've missed you so much."

He said, "Me too. But I'm here now angel."

She asked, "For how long?"

He said, "A week. So let's go. The girls knew I was coming, and they know I'm stealing you away."

She said, "Okay."

They went out to his car, and his shirt was waiting for her on the front seat. Johnny climbed into the car and said, "Don't you dare put that shirt on. That's for later. Right now, I plan on taking you to levee and admiring you in this dress for the rest of the night."

As soon as he parked the car at the levee, Lizzie straddled him and planted her lips on his for the next thirty minutes. When Johnny pulled away, she asked, "So, how much did you really miss me?"

He said, "Follow me."

Johnny turned on his headlights, escorted her to the front of the car, and he went pop the trunk. When he returned, he was holding his guitar in his hands. He said, "Angel, I'm going to play something I've been working on, and I want you to go over there and dance for me."

Lizzie walked about six feet in front of the car, and Johnny set up his guitar and sat on the hood of the car. As he started to play a slow ballad, she began to dance with the headlights acting as her spotlight. She began searching for Johnny's eyes, but she could not see him through the glare of the lights. So she decided to have some fun with him. A few seconds later, she began to move her hips more to the music. Then she allowed her hands to travel up and down her body while staring seductively in his direction. When she turned around and peered over her shoulder, she heard him falter on the guitar. Just a few moments later, she heard him drop the guitar and begin his dissent towards her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her as close to him as possible. He whispered, "Do you feel what you do to me?"

She tilted her head in his direction, and he couldn't help but notice the devilish smile on his love's face. He asked, "Do you think this is funny?"

She said, "No. I just wanted to see how long it would take you to get over here."

He said, "Oh baby, nothing could keep me away from you. However, if you keep moving your hips, I won't be responsible for what my body wants to do with you."

She giggled, and he said, "I miss that sound."

She said, "Well, I loved what you just played. What was it?"

He said, "It's a new song I've been working on. Do you like it?"

She said, "It's beautiful."

He said, "It's for you."

She said, "I love it. But what about the words?"

He said, "I'm still working on those. I want it to be perfect. Vick and I started a band, and we have a meeting set up with this guy in the city later next month."

She asked, "A meeting about what?"

He said, "He wants to listen to our music and maybe give us a recording deal."

She turned around in his arms and asked, "Really?"

He smiled and said, "Yes."

She asked, "Why didn't you tell me?"

He said, "I wanted to surprise you. I didn't know if it was going to happen, but it is beginning to."

She said, "My baby, a rock star. Making all the girls fall in love with him."

He said, "But I'm only in love with one girl."

She placed her pointer finger on her pursed lips and asked, "Hmm…wonder who that girl is?"

He pulled her closer to him and said, "She's right here."

Then he leaned in and kissed her. As the kiss deepened, she gasped, "I just can't get close enough."

He gasped, "Angel…"

She gasped, "Cry-Baby…"

When she looked up into his eyes, she saw they were full of lust. She said, "Touch me…I want your hands all over me."

He stuttered, "Elizabeth…I don't know…"

She grabbed his hands and placed them on her hips, she looked up into his eyes, bit her lower lip, and said, "I want you to."

He just couldn't hold back anymore. He gripped her hips and leaned in for more kissing. As they continued kissing, his hands began to travel up her torso. The light touch of his fingertips on the sides of her body was driving her wild. She breathed, "More. I want more."

He then removed his hands and traced his fingers along her exposed collarbone. They circled around her shoulders to her back. He dragged his fingers down her back until he was right above her ass. When she gasped at his touch, he cupped both of her checks in his hands and squeezed causing her to throw her head back in ecstasy. As her eyes met his again, he breathed, "Angel we need to stop."

She kissed him. He said, "Mmm. Angel, we need to stop."

She kissed him again. He huskily said, "Lizzie, I won't be able to stop myself."

She said, "I don't want you to."

He said, "Elizabeth. I made a promise to myself to not do that until you become my wife."

She said, "But Johnny…"

He said, "I know baby. It's hard for me to."

She asked, "But baby. Why am I so different from all the other girls? I know what you've done with them."

He said, "Because you are not just any girl. You are THE girl. When that time comes, I want it to be special. I want it to be somewhere special where I can satisfy our every desire."

She said, "I love you."

He said, "And I love you more."

He kissed her again and said, "Let's get home before we do something we'll regret later."

She said, "Okay."

Once they arrived at Gene's house, Lizzie helped Johnny bring his things in. While she was placing his small items in the guest bedroom, he walked up behind her and wrapped his shirt around her. He whispered, "Get to work. I have missed your perfume for weeks. But after tonight, I won't be able to help but imagine this shirt touching your bare skin. Lucky shirt."

He sucked on her ear lobe before giving her one last kiss and releasing her to go to her room. After she shut her door, he rushed into a cold shower to calm down. She was pushing all his buttons, and it was taking everything he had to tell her no and to stop himself from pushing forward. As he was lying in bed with nothing but a pair of pajamas pants on, he looked over when he heard the door quietly begin to open. His breathing suddenly stopped when he saw his love walk in wearing nothing but his shirt. It was an even more beautiful sight to behold now that she was within a few feet of him. When she turned around after silently shutting the door, she froze within her tracts. She had never seen him fully bare chested. The heat in the room was rising. She slowly walked over to his bed and sat on the end next to the footboard. He whispered, "Lizzie, what are you doing? I don't want your grandparents to get mad."

She whispered, "What they don't know won't hurt them. Besides, I wanted to give you your Christmas present."

He asked, "You bought me a gift?"

She smiled and said, "Yes. I wanted you to have something from me for you to have with you all the time."

He said, "I already do. I have an image of you constantly running through my mind."

She giggled and said, "Well, that's sweet. But I was thinking of something a little more physical."

She grabbed the right lapel of his shirt she was wearing, pulled it aside, and showed him his necklace that she was still wearing. Johnny looked at the necklace and couldn't help but sneaking a peek at the cleavage she was exposing and the darkness of her nipples exposed through the sheerness of his shirt. He crawled across the bed towards her and leaned over for a kiss. He had to get this over quickly before he pulled her beneath the sheets. He would definitely need another cold shower. When he pulled back, she placed the box in his hands. He untied the ribbon, lifted the lid, and saw the chain resting in the middle of the box. She asked, "Do you like it?"

He said, "Angel, I love everything you give me."

She asked, "May I?"

He said, "Yep."

She went sit behind him and had to take several deep breaths before clasping the chain around his neck. When her fingertips brushed against his skin, he turned his head towards her and whispered, "Angel, you're making it very hard for me."

She said, "You don't make it any easier either."

He said, "Angel, please go to bed. I love you, but I'm having a hard time thinking straight with you in here and looking so delicious right now."

She said, "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

He said, "Most definitely. I'll give you your present tomorrow."

She smiled and said, "Okay."

He said, "Goodnight Lizzie. I love you."

She said, "I love you more. Sweet dreams."

He said, "I plan on it."

Once the door shut again, he ran to the shower yet again. It took another thirty minute cold shower to calm him down this time. The following morning when Johnny went downstairs for breakfast, he saw that Lizzie wasn't there. Jen asked, "Would you mind carrying your and Liz's breakfast out to her? She's by the pond."

He smiled and said, "Yes ma'am."

She handed him a tray with two plates of food and two glasses of orange juice. He asked, "Is something wrong Jen?"

She said, "She seems a little upset. She wouldn't say why."

He smiled and said, "I'll get it out of her. Don't you worry."

She kissed his cheek and said, "Thanks sweetie."

He walked inside and traveled down the walkway to the pond on the back of the property. He found her sitting in a chair just staring out at the water. Johnny placed the tray of food on the table in the middle of her and the chair he sat in. Not once did she turn and look at him. A few more moments of silence passed before he turned to her and asked, "Angel, what's wrong?"

No answer. He asked, "Lizzie, what's wrong?''

Still…nothing. He said, "Elizabeth!"

When she turned and looked at him, he saw nothing but tears in her eyes. He quickly got out of his chair and went kneel in front of her. He asked, "What's wrong angel?"

She still didn't say anything. She just sobbed. He said, "You need to tell me what's wrong so that I can fix it."

She choked out, "You…you…rejected…me. You…told…me…no. You…don't…"

He quickly placed his hands on this sides of her face and said, "Oh no angel."

She garbled, "Then why did you make me leave?"

He said, "Lizzie, trust me, I want nothing more than to be with you. I had to take a long, cold shower in order to calm down afterwards. My skin burned from your touch. But I will not take your virginity away from you like this. I want to wait until we're married."

She asked, "Why wait when I want you now?"

He answered, "I want it to be just me and you. No one else around."

As he ran his pointer finger down from her nose to her thighs, he said, "I want to worship every inch of your body. I want the fire to burn within you until you're ready to explode. I want you to scream my name."

When he looked up into her eyes, the tears had stopped, and she was biting her lip. She whispered, "I want that now."

He said, "I know. But good things come to those who wait."

He smiled and then kissed her. He asked, "Can you do that for me?"

He kissed her. He asked, "Can you wait for me?"

Kissed her again. He asked, "Can you wait for me to kiss every inch of your hot, sexy body?"

Kissed her a few moments longer. He asked, "Can you wait for me to run my hands over your breasts," kissed again, "around your hips, and then slip my fingers in your panties?"

He kissed her again and slipped his tongue in her mouth. He asked, "Can you wait for me to slip those panties off your body and follow your panties with my lips down your long legs?"

He ran his finger down her leg. He asked "Can you wait for me to kiss your pussy, to eat you up?"

She giggled and said, "Johnny…"

He said, "Let me show you how much I want you."

He looked around to make sure no one was around, grabbed her hand, and placed her hand on top of his growing erection. He said, "Feel that baby. That's what you do to me. That's why I have to spend thirty minutes in a cold shower every time I read one of your letters. That is why I had to take two showers last night. Lizzie, I'm hard for you. Only for you. I want to be deep inside you. So, can you wait?"

After a few more deep breaths, she said, "Yes. But how long?"

He said, "I will not marry you until we both find our way. But I promise you that I will marry you. You will be my angel."

She grabbed his chain, pulled him towards her, and said, "I'll be your Mrs. Angel."

He said, "Mmm…baby. That sounds so good."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. When he finally pulled away from her lips, he asked, "Feeling better?"

She blushed and said, "Much."

He said, "Glad to hear it. Now let's eat and go spend the day in New Orleans."

Once they finished eating, they carried the plates back to the kitchen and went get ready to spend the day together. They spent the rest of the day just wandering around the city, and they wound up in Jackson Square by the time the sun was setting. As they stopped in front of one of the local jazz band, Johnny said, "I love this sound."

Lizzie smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist. They swayed to the music for almost thirty minutes. As they were walking back to the car, Lizzie pulled Johnny into one of the alley ways and said, "I can't take it anymore. Kiss me now."

He said "What my angel wants, my angel gets."

He pushed her up against the wall and kissed her. When she pulled away to catch her breath, he asked, "Is that what you wanted?"

She smiled and said, "More, much more."

He said, "Yes my angel."

As his body melted into hers, Lizzie felt his erection against her thigh. She slowly ran her hands down his body, but he quickly backed away when her hands got below his belt. He smiled and said, "Now angel…"

She smiled and said, "Can't blame me for trying."

He touched his forehead to hers and asked, "You're going to torture me aren't you?"

She licked his lips and said, "You betcha."

The next couple of days were a blur. They passed by too quickly for the both of them. The night before Johnny was to leave, everyone was at the dinner table. Gene asked, "Johnny, will you be joining us for the Mardi Gras season?"

Lizzie said, "Pawpaw Gene is a duke in the krewe this year. You should come. You could be my date to the ball."

He smiled and asked, "Could be?"

She giggled and said, "You should bring Suzie too. She'd have so much fun."

Gene said, "And I'll take care of making sure you both have the correct attire for the event."

Lizzie said, "Please Johnny. According to Pawpaw, it's one big party."

He said, "Alright, but on one condition."

She said, "Name it."

He said, "You must come back to New York for our birthday."

Suddenly she was as stiff as a board in her chair. He said, "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone you're coming."

Gene said, "I'll arrange for reservations at a hotel close by, and the girls can go with you."

Jen said, "And you should visit your grandparents."

Johnny said, "And I'll go with you when you visit them."

She threw her napkin on the table and screamed as she ran out of the room, "It's too soon."

Johnny asked, "Gene, Jen, do you mind?"

Jen said, "No dear. Go ahead."

As he slowly pushed open the door to Lizzie's bedroom, he knocked on it and asked, "Want to talk?"

She said, "I don't know if I'm ready to go back yet."

He said, "I understand, but your grandmother has made some progress."

She asked, "And yours?"

Johnny was quiet. She said, "Exactly."

He said, "I won't bring you anywhere near her. Lizzie, I would never do that to you."

She said, "But I won't steal you away from your family on your birthday."

He said, "Lizzie, the way my grandma is acting right now, she is not family."

She said, "And that's exactly what I didn't want."

He said, "Lizzie, that's not your fault. If she can't accept us, that's her problem."

Then he tilted her chin up with his finger and said, "One day, you will be my family. So guess what, you're all I'm worried about. When you're not happy, I'm not happy."

She said, "Well, I'm not happy that you and your grandmother are fighting because of me."

He said, "Lizzie, you know I cannot fix that. The only thing that would make her happy right now is for me to leave you. And if I'm not mistaken, that would not make you happy right?"

She nodded her head. He said, "Like I said, your happiness is what matters to me right now. If it's still too soon for you to come back, I'll respect that."

She said, "But I want to make you happy."

He said, "I am happy. Angel if it's too soon, it's too soon. I'm not going to force you. I've learned my lesson on that."

She said, "I'll think about it then and let you know."

He said, "That's all I ask."

She said, "You know, you never did give me my Christmas gift."

He said, "You know, you're right. Let me go get it."

Johnny walked to his room and returned with a wrapped box in his hand. She tore the wrapping paper and opened the box. Laying in the box was a red, silk button down shirt. He said, "Now I'll be wrapped around you each and every night. But I didn't want just anything touching that perfect body of yours. Feel how soft it is?"

She ran her fingers over the fabric and said, "It's great. I love it."

He said, "And when we get married, this is what I want you wearing on our wedding night. I have dreamed every night of seeing you wearing nothing but this."

She bit her lip and asked, "Really?"

He gasped, "Oh yeah."

She asked, "Do you wish to see it now?"

He said, "No angel. Do this one thing for me. Save it for our wedding night. But when the shirt needs to be refreshed, please send it back to me."

She asked, "Why red? Don't you want me in white?"

He said, "Angel, you'll be in white that whole day. But on that night, you'll be my vixen. You'll be the forbidden fruit that will be mine to taste, to devour, to worship."

She giggled. He said, "I love that sound. But keep looking. There's more in the box."

She pulled the tissue paper out and saw a small box. When she opened it, she saw a very delicate bracelet. He asked, "May I?"

She held out her wrist, and the clasped the bracelet around it. She said, "I love it. Thank you baby."

She gave him a kiss, and he asked, "So what do you want to do since it's my last night?"

She said, "I just want to go lay out on a blanket and fall asleep under the stars."

He said, "You grab the blankets, and I'll go change into something more comfortable."

She smiled and said, "Okay."

When Johnny went outside, Lizzie had already laid out the blankets and was in her pajamas holding two cups of hot chocolate. He asked, "Will your grandparents mind?"

She said, "No. They just said they're keeping the window open."

They both chuckled and sat down on the blanket. After drinking their hot chocolate, they wrapped up in the second blanket, and Johnny pulled her as close as he could to him. He whispered, "I love you angel."

She whispered, "I love you too."

When they woke the following morning, Johnny pushed the stray hairs away from Lizzie's face and kissed her. He said, "This has been the best night and morning of my life."

She smiled and said, "Me too."

He said, "I can't wait until we can do this every night."

She replied, "Me either."