Surprise Sleepover

I held on tight to James, clutching his hand to my chest as he drove me through the quiet streets. Kell and Taylor were silent. We had left the beach wrapped around each other; arms wrapped around arms wrapped around waists. They passed me from one boy to another, each person laying claim to me in a soft caress or a gentle squeeze before settling me into the front seat next to James. Every so often I would feel my hair stroked or my shoulder squeezed. It was clear to me when it was Kell or Taylor, I didn't even have to look back, but I did. I wanted to see their eyes or catch a glimpse of their face in the lights from an oncoming car to a streetlight.

James had driven slowly, for which I was grateful. I didn't want to go to Garret and Kate's. It wasn't my house and it wasn't my family, even if there was a blood connection between Garret and I.

One month, I told myself, I can do this for one more month.

James pulled off onto the side of the road when we got into town. I looked around, confused.

"I forgot something, Lyric," James said, looking into the rearview mirror.

I turned around to look at the boys in the back.

"Will you lock your door to your bedroom?" he asked me, "just to be safe?"

"And put something on the door knob that will wake you up if it opens," Kell added.

"Or throw a chair in front of it; something someone would trip over," Taylor finished.

I nodded, feeling even more worried than I had before. They thought that Garret's behavior was suggestive of something inappropriate. I hadn't wanted to name the thing I was feeling, but that was it. I felt like he was flirting with me. I didn't feel like he was a worried cousin or a concerned family member. I felt like he was one of my mom's old boyfriends. The ones who put their fists through walls and yelled at her about flirting with the bartender or accused her of wanting to sleep with their friends.

"I'll lock the door," I told James, "and balance something on the door knob or throw a chair down or something he would trip over."

James leaned forward, taking my head in his hands, "Did he say something else to you? Do something else?"

"No," I answered.

"I fucking hate this James," Taylor said from the back seat.

James let go of my head and turned to look at Taylor, "Soon," he said, "we can do this."

He turned around and put the car back into drive, and before long we were pulling into the driveway at Garret's with minutes to spare.

The lights were on above the door and shone into the driveway. I noticed that James parked near the end of the driveway, far enough away that the car remained shrouded in darkness. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned around.

"Be safe, Priya," Kell whispered, kissing me gently on the cheek.

He pulled away and Taylor took his place, kissing the corner of my mouth, his lips firm and cool, "See you Crash."

I turned to face James. He looked like he wore the weight of the world on his shoulders. "James?" I asked, putting my hand over his where he held the steering wheel.

"I'll see you soon Lyric," he said, and flipping my hand in his brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it.

I could feel the slight stubble from his face, but his lips were cool and soft.

"Goodnight, James." I said, before looking into the back at Taylor and Kell, "Goodnight."

I got out of the car quickly, before James could come around and open the door. He stood, elbow perched on the car door, one foot out and one foot in the car. I walked quickly to the door, looking at him once, before gripping the knob.

The door swung open, "Lyric," Garret said, standing aside so I could pass by him.

"Goodnight Garret," I said tiredly, and walked past him, up the stairs and into my room. I didn't look back at the car and I didn't look back at Garret.

I closed the door behind me, feeling around for a lock. It had one of those center buttons that I had to push in to lock a door; if I turned the knob, the door unlocked automatically. I pressed my ear to the door, listening for Garret's footsteps. Sure enough, they padded down the hall, and stopped in front of my door.

"Daddy?" I heard Marie call.

He didn't answer, but I could sense he was still outside my door.

"Da-ddy!" Marie called louder and more demanding.

I heard him walk away and the door to her room open; muffled voices filtering through to me. I pressed my shoulder against the door, waiting. I needed to use the bathroom, but I didn't want to go out there until he was in his room. I was pretty quick and pretty quiet, so I thought I could make it from the bedroom to the bathroom without being intercepted. I thought longingly of my bedroom back at James' house; it had a solid door, and an attached bathroom. I realized I would be taking showers at school again and sighed. I had enjoyed the long uninterrupted showers as long as I could.

Marie's door opened and closed again and the footsteps came back to my door.

"Garret?" Kate's voice called from their bedroom.

I heard a sigh and then Garret moved away, going into his room and shutting the door. I grabbed my toiletry bag and sprinted quietly down the hall, closing and locking the door to the bathroom. I made quick work of using the toilet and washing my face and hands before brushing my teeth. I unlocked the door, listening closely for movement, before opening the door and running back into my room. I shut the door quickly, pushing in the lock.

I turned around and muffled a squeak.

"James!" I whisper-hissed.

"You need to make sure that no one is in your room before you lock yourself in," he told me, not scolding me, but telling me in such a way that the phrase teachable moment popped into my head.

I felt myself smiling hugely.

"You're here," I said.

"I couldn't let you stay here alone," he answered honestly.

He sat perched on the edge of the bed. He looked uncomfortable, like he thought I would be unhappy to see him.

I dropped my toiletries on the floor and took one flying leap toward him. His arms wrapped around me, catching me as he fell back onto the bed.

I pushed myself up, propping myself with one hand and tucking my hair behind my ear with the other so I could look at him.

"I'm so glad," I said.

His pale skin flushed, and his normally golden brown eyes darkened to a deep brown. This close to his face, I could see the faint shadow of stubble on his cheeks, and each speck of brown and gold in his eyes. I could see how large his pupils were, and I could see the faint blue shadows underneath his eyes. I tucked my hair behind my ear again, before bringing my fingers to his face and lightly tracing the shadows there.

His eyes closed, his dark lashes fanning across his pale pink cheeks. He didn't seem to mind me touching him, so I continued exploring his face with my fingertips.

I ran my index finger over his straight black brows. The hair was soft and thick, his face angular but angelic.

"You're so handsome James," I said wondrously, more to myself than to him.

His eyes stayed closed, but his lips broke into a smile. His hands stroked along the arm I used to stay above him before he moved fast, flipping me so my back was on the bed and he could hover above me.

"I love you Lyric," he said, still smiling down at me.

My breath caught. I wasn't used to hearing it, and now I had heard it twice from someone I loved back.

"I love you too, James," I said quietly, watching his face closely.

His eyes closed again, but when they opened they blazed at me. His face moved closer to mine, his eyes studying my face, watching every nuanced expression, anything that could tell him I was uncomfortable.

He was going to kiss me. I knew it. I could feel it and I wanted it. I wanted it so badly.

But what if I did it wrong. What if I was bad at it?

What if I was really really bad at it?

James pressed his lips to mine, just lightly, as if he was tasting the shape of me. I closed my eyes, focusing only on the press and release of his lips. I felt his body settle more firmly on top of mine; chest to chest and hip to hips. I moved my legs to make room for him, and gasped when the pressure of body arched along mine.

I had never felt anything like the tingles shooting up from my center and winding their way along my veins. It made me hot and jumpy and relaxed all at once. I moved my legs, trying to find a comfortable position, and ended up lifting my knees and hips.

James groaned suddenly and pulled back, rolling to the side and running his hands over his face. He sat up, and I stared at him, hoping he would come back. His face was red and glistened slightly with a sheen of sweat across his forehead.

"James," I said tentatively, reaching a hand toward him.

He was still wearing his grey wool peacoat, and he quickly unbuttoned it and shoved it off before tossing it over the bed onto the floor. I was reminded of his room, and felt myself smile; I was glad he was comfortable enough to throw his stuff around. I wanted to giggle, but that quickly died on my lips when he began to unbutton his shirt and lifted it over his head.

Holy…

He had a t-shirt on under his button-down, but it rode up as he whipped it over his head in that way guys do. His stomach was pale almost glowing in the dim light of the bedside lamp, and his arms flexed and his biceps stretched the sleeves of the t-shirt as he pulled the button-down away. I bit my lip quickly as a smile threatened my lips and I became overwhelmed by awkwardness. Was I staring? Was I making him uncomfortable? He wouldn't be taking his shirt off if he was, right?

"Lyric," James called my name quietly.

My finger came up to my lip, and I slowly looked up at him. He took my hand and pulled it closer to his face, holding onto the finger I'd put to my lips so he could bring it to his, gently kissing the tip. He never looked away from my face, just stared right into my eyes. His face was still flushed.

"James," I whispered and took a deep breath, gathering every ounce of my courage before leaning forward and kissing him.

I could feel his shock, but a moment later he was deepening in the kiss. His tongue traced my lips before pushing past them and lightly teasing the tip of mine.

Oh my god.

I had never been kissed before.

This was better than a fairytale kiss. It was the kiss that Heathcliff gave Catherine in Wuthering Heights, or MaryJane gave Spiderman when he hung upside down from that fire escape. It was everything I had ever hoped for in a kiss and never thought I would have.

I tentatively returned the touch of his tongue, making him grow bolder and thrust a little more confidently into my mouth.

My entire body felt like a wave, ebbing and flowing at the mercy of forces stronger than me. My hands moved to James' hair, playing with the short soft locks. His tongue rasped mine, stroking gently against my own. I could feel a heat rising up in my chest and I pressed myself harder against him.

"Lyric," James gasped, pulling away from my mouth, and burying his face into my neck. My hands moved down to his shoulders and then down to his back, tracing lightly up and down his spine. I could feel the planes and dips of his muscles and I followed them with my fingers. Strangely, the names of the muscle groups came to my mind as my fingers pressed against them: trapezius, deltoid, latissimus.

"I would have done so much better on those anatomy questions if I'd had you to study," I said, and then giggled.

James chuckled into my neck and I felt him press a kiss against my throat. Just like that, I was on fire again.

"What are you doing to me?" I asked in disbelief.

James' lips pressed into the hollow of my throat. I felt his tongue lightly touch the small dip there, "Supersternal notch," he whispered, his voice vibrating delightfully against me and making me shiver.

"What?" I asked.

"Right here," he whispered and kissed me again, "I think that I will use you to study as well."

I opened my eyes so I could lift my head and look down at him. His head slowly lifted from my neck, his lips were red and puffy and I wondered if mine looked that way, too. They felt wonderfully achey. A whole world of sensory experience was suddenly open to me, and I felt like I had been starving for it and never known.

James watched me carefully and I felt his fingers trace my arm. My own hands moved down his back until my hands were pressed just above his butt. I flexed my body against his, without realizing what I was doing, and I could feel him, his hardened length pressed against me. My entire body zinged, like I was an exposed nerve. James shifted against me before rolling away to prop his hand on his hand and laid next to me.

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked, worried.

He shook his head, and reached forward, his hand tracing my nose, lightly pressing against my lips before running down my neck and down my chest to my waist. I turned my head to watch him, but he wasn't looking at me. He was watching his hand. I felt him tease the edge of my sweater, lifting it, before his eyes moved to mine, asking permission. I wasn't sure what he was asking, but I nodded anyway. I just wanted him to keep touching me.

His fingers were rough and cool. I could feel callouses as he touched my skin and then continued lower. I sucked in a breath when he grazed my belly and giggled when it tickled me.

He caught my laugh with his lips and began kissing me again, his lips moving harder over mine and his tongue thrusting more aggressively into my mouth until I was frantically chasing his mouth and trying to keep up. Just when I thought I would pass out from the pace of his kisses, his fingers traveled under the edge of my underwear so his entire hand could cup me. I pressed my head back into the pillow as I gasped at the new sensations.

"Oh!" I cried out.

"Shh," James warned me, continuing to kiss me, but this time a bit more gently as his fingers began to mimic the actions of his tongue. He didn't thrust into me, but seemed to be learning each curve and dip of my body. My hips flexed of their own accord; my body controlling me in a way it never had before. In that moment, I was something else, a being who was completely and totally at the mercy of her body. I had always been led by my head, but when I was with James, my body and heart took over naturally.

I felt him press and circle a part of my body, that, while I knew it existed, I never realized what it could do, or how it would heat and spin and send out frissons of electricity through my entire body. He pressed another finger against the entrance to my body and I pulled my head back.

James opened his eyes slowly. He was panting quickly and I realized with surprise that he was just as affected as I was. He stared at me while that finger lightly pressed into me; just the tip, swirling around and around while his thumb pressed and released against that small bundle of nerves.

My breath came faster and faster until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. I could only concentrate on his fingers and the way he played me like an instrument. I didn't know what was happening, but I knew I was rushing headlong toward something that would change me forever.

I felt James breath panting at my ear, and he said, "Let go, Lyric. I'll catch you."

My entire body heated up; I could feel the fire zipping along my veins, coalescing and gathering in the center of my body until it pushed outward and consumed me.

Slowly I came back into my body. James' fingers continued to stroke me lightly and my hips continued to move against them, but my body felt turned inside out and I jumped at even this delicate touch. Eventually I could feel my legs again, and arms and hands that were squeezing James' arms tightly. I could feel my finger tips pressed into his skin and I released him quickly, worried I was holding him too tightly.

I opened my eyes to see him staring at me, a huge smile on his face. I don't know what I had expected to see, but his face was so open and happy, I couldn't help laughing.

His lips covered mine and he whispered, "We have to be quiet."

Oh my god, "Was I loud?"

He chuckled low and deep, "No," he whispered and kissed me again, "but you were beautiful."
I felt my face heat, and I suddenly shivered. My face was hot but my body felt sticky and chilly. I felt James give one final stroke against me before withdrawing his hand and sitting up. I watched him curiously. He kicked off his shoes and pulled down the covers on the bed. I shifted so he could pull them from under me, but then he was tucking me into his arms and under the blankets.

"Go to sleep, Lyric," he said to me quietly.

"You won't leave?" I asked.

"No," he answered, "I don't think I could move if I wanted to."

I giggled again and snuggled into his arms, wrapping one arm around his waist and pulling my leg up and over his hip until I could push my foot under his leg.

"I didn't know you were part octopus," he joked.

"I think that's my line," I giggled and then blushed when I realized what I'd said.

James buried his face in my hair and laughed, "I wish," he answered, "I'd be amazing with seven more hands."

Gulp.

"Um," I said, not sure how to answer.

"Go to sleep Lyric," he told me again.

"I can't sleep," I answered, "now I'm really awake."

"Lyric," he said warningly.

"What's your favorite song to play," I asked, thinking of his very talented fingers.

I felt his body still and he took a deep breath before he started to hum, his voice quiet and low, his entire body vibrating like a cat purring.

I listened to his voice, trying to follow the change in pitch and the way his voice illustrated scales and melody.

"I love that song," I whispered, my eyes closing against my will.

I felt his lips press against me again, and then his arms tightened around me, and all I felt was warmth and safety and music and happiness.

My human pillow had disappeared and I shivered. I reached out a hand, looking for the warmth and to pull it toward me, but it was gone.

The rumble of voices pulled me more fully from my sleep.

"It's all set man," I heard Taylor say, "go home."

"I don't want to leave her," James answered.

I opened my eyes, confused, "Tex?"

"Hey there," I heard Taylor answer and then I felt the bed dip with his weight, "Sleep well?"

I sat up and rubbed my eyes; it was still dark outside, "Are you guys leaving? What time is it?" My voice trembled a little at the idea of spending the rest of the night alone in the house.

"It's a little after three," James sat down next to me. He was completely dressed, even his coat was back on.

"You're leaving," I stated.

His eyebrows came together and I recognized his upset face, "It's okay," I said quickly, "if you need to go, I'll be okay."

Stay, I thought, please stay.

"I have to go," he whispered, his face torn and he looked at Taylor, "I have a job I need to do before school…"

"I'll stay," Taylor interrupted, "I'll stay until we need to leave for school."

The relief on James' face was instantaneous, the tension draining away from his body, "Thank you," he told him.

"Wouldn't call it a hardship," Taylor chuckled.

"James," a voice whispered from outside. I looked over to see Kell's head peeking into the window, "we need to go."

"How'd you get up here?" I asked, remembering we were on the second story.

"Hello Priya," Kell whispered, "a ladder. Amazing technology, that."

I giggled. James leaned over and kissed me gently on the lips, "I'll see you at school tomorrow, okay?"

I nodded sleepily again, and saw Taylor pulling off his letterman jacket before crossing his leg at the knee to untie his boots.

"Okay," I answered, "be safe."

"Of course," James answered.

"Be safe, Kell," I called out quietly, "I love you."

Kell's teeth reflected in the dim light, "Love you too."

I felt James' hand on my chin as he turned my face to his again, "I love you, Lyric," he said.

"I love you too James," I answered.

James gave me one more loaded look, making me blush, before heading out the window after Kell.

"Come on," Taylor said, crawling into bed, "time for sleep."

I looked over at him and my face flushed further. He'd taken off his shirt and had his arm behind his head. Even with the little bit of light from the bedside lamp, I could see he was tanner than James. He was also bulkier and more defined. I had the sudden desire to explore him more thoroughly. My poor body was so confused. These boys inspired feelings that were making my head spin.

Taylor chuckled, "Like what you see?" he asked waggling his eyebrows at me.

I blushed but raised my eyebrows back, and crawled over to him. The smile disappeared from his face as I crawled closer until I was right next to him. I reached across him, my face inches from his, and flipped off the light.

Then I dropped my head onto his chest and wrapped my arm around him, tickling him under the armpit, the hair soft against my finger tips. He wiggled against me, trying to displace my hand.

"You know it," I said and turned my face into his chest before giving him a light kiss and then a loud raspberry.

He laughed and sucked in a breath, "What am I going to do with you, Crash?" he asked.

"Keep me," I told him. Even though my tone was joking, I was being honest. It was what I wanted, to stay with them forever.

"Like you could get rid of me," he joked.

Both of his arms came around me, squeezing me, before one came up to my head and started stroking my hair.

"Go to sleep Lyric," he told me.

"That's what James said," I answered.

"That's why he's in charge," Taylor answered, "because he's a smart guy. Now, go to sleep."

"You too," I answered, my words split by a huge yawn.

I felt his chest heave with a sigh, "Lyric," he said, "go to sleep."

He stroked my hair lightly and his lips pressed against my forehead.

"Fine," I answered tiredly, "goodnight Tex. I love you."

"Love you too, Crash," he answered.

I could hear his heart and concentrated on the rhythm. It reminded me of James' humming, and I smiled. Each of my boys had their own kind of music to put me to sleep.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the story. Please please please comment! Leave me your thoughts and impressions!