"So, where do you think it looks better? The living room, or the second floor hallway?" Katherine asked JR.

JR looked at the large rose-patterned rug that he and Katherine had bought earlier that day. It was one of the many items that they had purchased over the last week back when Katherine had announced that she was finally ready to start unpacking more of her belongings and decorating her house. On one hand, JR was thrilled that Katherine finally felt like she was emotionally stable enough to cope with seeing the things from her old life with her parents. But on the other hand, JR had a feeling that Katherine must have decided that they would both live in her house if she was taking the time to buy so many new things for it. JR had decided a long time ago that he was willing to move in with Katherine if that was what she really wanted. But even so, he couldn't help cringing a little when he saw a lot of the items that she had purchased so far. The rose-patterned rug, the small lamp shaped like flower petals, and the pink crystal wind chimes in the shape of hearts. JR would have to live among all of it. He had thought about asking Katherine if he could pick out some things as well. But after seeing how happy and excited she had been, JR just couldn't bring himself to suggest it. That and the fact that the house technically belonged to Katherine, made JR feel like he really didn't have a right to complain.

"I guess maybe…upstairs?" JR answered Katherine reluctantly.

Katherine looked at JR carefully. "Is something wrong, JR?" She asked.

"No. But I feel like I should ask this now. Katherine, you really like it here, right?" JR asked.

"Oh, wow. I am so sorry, JR! I didn't even think about it like that when I decided to do this! But I suppose we should discuss it before it all just gets dropped down on us at the last minute." Katherine said. She paused for a moment before continuing.

"JR, is it okay with you if we live here after…well…" Katherine trailed off in embarrassment.

JR couldn't help smiling at Katherine's reaction. She was simply too adorable for words when she got embarrassed like this.

"After what, Katherine? You mean after you become my bride?" JR whispered seductively; his face mere inches from hers as he slowly stroked her face with his hand.

Katherine smiled warmly at JR. "Yes, I was referring to that. I know it's a lot to ask of you, but I would feel better if we have some space to ourselves. If it doesn't work out after a while, then I promise that I will move in with you at Southfork. But all I ask is that we at least try living here first. Is that all right?" Katherine explained nervously.

"Katherine, you don't need to worry about any of that. I had already planned to move in here with you." JR said gently.

Katherine looked surprised. "Really?" She asked.

"Yes. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little nervous about it. But I thought about it a lot, and I know it is the right decision for us. It's hard to expect anyone you marry to move in with your family. It took me years to realize just how difficult it made things for me and Sue Ellen while we were still married. None of your business is private at Southfork, and I was selfish to ever expect anyone to live in that environment. I need a new start this time." JR explained.

"Thank you, JR. This really means a lot to me. And don't forget that this place is only about 10 minutes away from Southfork! We can visit any time." Katherine said.

"Very true. And there are things that are a lot easier for us to do here than they would be if we lived at Southfork." JR said mischievously.

Katherine blushed. "I see that you've recognized the silver lining in the arrangement!" She said slyly.

JR grinned deviously. He then pulled Katherine into his embrace and started kissing her. Eventually, he lifted her up and lowered her onto the sofa. JR was pretty much laying on top of Katherine as their heated make-out session continued. His lips traveled down her neck and collarbone, causing Katherine to sigh with pleasure. JR slid his hand under Katherine's shirt; slowly caressing every part of her silky-smooth skin without actually going under her bra. He knew what boundaries he was not allowed to cross until Katherine gave him her permission to take things farther. Ever since they had decided to start spending some time at Katherine's house after their dates, she had come up with the rule that both of them were not permitted to take their clothes off until further notice. While JR respected Katherine and was willing to wait until she was ready, it was still torture for him. He wanted her, plain and simple. Having Katherine in bed with him was something that JR fantasized about constantly now. He wanted Katherine to be his in every way, but he also knew that he had to play by her rules if he ever wanted to get anywhere with her. JR just hoped that it would not be too much longer. Ever since their first kiss, before they had even started dating, JR had not been having sex with anyone, period. Even though he could have still technically justified doing it with another woman during the in-between time before he and Katherine had truly become a couple, he hadn't been able to go through with it. Katherine deserved better than that, and JR knew that he could not do anything with another woman ever again. Even if it was just to fulfill his own needs while he was waiting for Katherine. If he did, it would all be over, and Katherine would not grant him a second chance.

I just have to wait, and that is all there is to it. JR thought to himself determinedly.

After a few more minutes, Katherine finally decided to put the brakes on things. She gently pulled herself out of JR's embrace and into a sitting position on the sofa as they both caught their breath.

"You must think I'm the worst kind of monster by now…" Katherine said ruefully.

"That's not true. You have made it perfectly clear about how you want things to proceed for us, and I agreed to it. And it's not like I expect you to jump into bed with me after we have only been dating for a month." JR reasoned.

"True. But you are a man, and that makes it a bit more difficult for you. I want to do this right, though. But don't worry. It's not like you'll be waiting for a year or anything that crazy. Because you're not the only one who is having a hard time with waiting, JR." Katherine said with a sly smile.

"Good to know. But just don't push yourself into doing anything that you are not ready for yet just to please me, Katherine." JR said gently. He had no idea if Katherine had any experience at all when it came to sex, but he would be patient, and he wasn't going to judge her for whatever might have happened between her and other men in the past. That would make him the world's biggest hypocrite.

xxx

"Wow. I didn't know that you were the editor for your school paper in high school and college!" JR said.

They were back to unpacking boxes, and Katherine was showing JR a lot of the photos and other records from her school years. Going through everything was hard for her, but Katherine seemed to mostly be enjoying herself. She only got teary-eyed a couple of times when she found some old photo albums with pictures of her and her parents in them.

"Well, it looks good on your resume if you're serious about the journalism field. Not that it ever helped me that much." Katherine admitted.

"Those idiots just didn't appreciate you." JR said bitterly. He knew that trying to be a professional reporter was extremely difficult. But it still seemed ridiculous to JR that Katherine had only been able to get her job from two years back by having her mother take advantage of the Wentworth name in order to secure an interview for her. Katherine had more skill and beauty than all of those plastic looking nitwits that seemed to litter the news every time he watched it.

"Thank you, JR. But I'm just glad that I'm now doing something that I've wanted from the beginning." Katherine said.

JR smiled. It was nice to have someone who treasured their family business as much as he did.

"You are so beautiful in all of these. I wish I could have met you earlier..." JR said.

Katherine laughed. "JR, don't drift off again on me now! We still have a lot of work to do here!" She scolded him in amusement.

"Oh, sorry. I'll be good now!" JR joked as he started to pick up another box.

Suddenly, Katherine snatched the box that JR had been about to open out of his hands; a look of alarm on her face.

"What's wrong?" JR asked in confusion.

"Sorry, JR. But that's one that I would really prefer to open by myself." Katherine said tensely.

"Well…okay. But why?" JR pressed.

"I'll tell you eventually, I promise. I just don't want to see it right now, that's all." Katherine said.

JR was curious, but something about Katherine's expression made him decide to not press the issue further.

"It's okay. I understand." JR said softly.

"Thanks. Sorry for acting like that. I knew that going through everything in here would be hard for me. But it's a lot easier with you here, JR." Katherine said quietly.

JR knew that deep beneath the strong, independent woman who knew how to make deals with anyone in business, Katherine had a vulnerable side. At heart, she was a true romantic who dreamed of having a family with the man she loved. And JR was going to make that dream come true for her.

Author's Note: I guess Katherine has pretty much defeated JR now. She decides where they live, when they will have sex, and even gets him to live among all of her girly "princess" décor. Maybe it seems OOC for JR, but I just can't help doing this. Lol. Thanks for reading!