Chapter 6
Sarah was on fire. Flames licked over her body, blazing a path over the most sensitive and secret treasures of her flesh. But instead of burning, the flames were igniting a passion in her that she had never felt before. Sarah gasped, and her hands shot out in an attempt to control the passion that was coursing through her body.
Instead of fire, Sarah's fingers were met with unruly locks of blonde hair. Opening her eyes, Sarah groaned as her gaze locked with Jareth's, her eyes dropping to his sensuous mouth which was slowly curving into the smile that made her body smoulder with desire.
Jareth dropped his lips to her body, his lips and tongue retracing their earlier path, making Sarah mewl with need. His fingers sought out her heat and she bucked against his fingers, her back arching as she all but screamed his name.
"Easy, Precious," Jareth whispered, his eyes burning with lust as he continued to pleasure Sarah, his voice hoarse with need, "we have all night."
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In the Underground, Jareth smirked to himself, twirling a crystal ball in his hand as he watched Sarah's dreams, delighted by the depth of her imagination. "Friday cannot come soon enough."
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Sarah woke the next morning feeling restless. Her dream had been intense and she blamed Jareth for every minute of it.
Her day was relatively quiet. Glenda left first thing that morning to catch her flight to Chicago, so Sarah had the apartment to herself.
She called the pet sitter that she hired to check in on her cat and feed him while she was gone, making sure it was confirmed and the lady had all the instructions she needed.
Her Smudge was family as far as she was concerned, though Karen teased her about becoming a crazy cat lady. She spent most of her day packing. It was only for the weekend, but Sarah liked to be prepared for anything.
Well almost anything...
She stared at the skimpy night gowns in her drawer along with the lacy underwear she usually saved for special occasions. She sighed. She couldn't believe she actually packed some of them. True they were unpacked and then packed again and again until she finally decided to leave them. Better safe than sorry right, though she highly doubted she would need them.
By the time the sun set, Sarah had her bags packed and sitting by the door. Jareth would pick her up at 7am so they could meet her parents at the train station at 8.
Sitting down on the couch with the Chinese food she had ordered for dinner, Sarah flipped through channels. It seemed to be musical night as she found White Christmas, Holiday Inn, Rent, and Phantom of the Opera on different channels.
She gave up when she flipped to Sound of Music and it was at the beginning of the Do Re Me song.
Groaning she turned the TV off and sat back and ate in silence. She chuckled as she remembered Jareth singing that song and the wrong lyrics at that.
Sighing, she grabbed her phone and after hesitating for a moment, she hit call.
"Hello, Precious, this is a surprise. Did you need something, love?" Jareth had been grinning the moment his phone rang, Sarah could hear the delight in his voice.
"No, not really. I just... well I thought of you when flipping channels just now." Sarah admitted. She honestly wasn't sure why she called him. Part of her just wanted to hear his voice.
"Did you see something deliciously naughty that made you think of me?" He teased.
"In your dreams, Goblin King." She snorted. "Sound of Music was on."
"Ah I see." He sounded disappointed.
"And by the way you got the lyrics wrong. It's "So, a needle pulling thread, " Sarah sang the correct line to him.
"Forgive me, I've only seen the movie once. I try to avoid watching musicals at home. The Goblins butcher every song they hear." Jareth told her.
She laughed as she pictured goblins trying to sing the yodeling song. "Yes," she wiped her eyes, "that could be a very bad thing."
"Though I would love to hear you sing more, Precious. You have a lovely voice."
Sarah could feel her cheeks burning at his praise. "Thanks. You have a nice singing voice too." She remembered him singing in the Labyrinth. "I should probably warn you some of my family does tend to sing horribly out of key, especially if they've had alcohol."
"Is there to be singing this weekend, Sarah?"
"Some, they do like their Christmas carols."
"I see. Well I look forward to singing with you." Jareth commented. "So did you really just call to tell me I messed up a lyric?"
"No, I was just sitting here flipping channels. Nothing but musicals on tonight, so I turned off the TV and well..." she hesitated.
"Well...what?" Jareth pressed.
"I guess I was lonely. Glenda left this morning, so I've been alone all day."
"Would you like me to come over?" He suggested.
She thought a moment a considered saying yes, but then she looked at the clock. "No, it's getting late. We'll see each other first thing in the morning."
"Or we could see each other now and all through the night until morning." Jareth continued to tease, but Sarah was certain if she said yes he'd be there immediately.
"No, I told you before, not happening." She told him as she stood and cleaned up her trash. "I should head to bed soon anyway. I always have trouble trouble sleeping before a big trip like this."
"Then I shall let you retire for the night Precious." Jareth said.
"Goodnight Jareth. I'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight Sarah, and remember if you're worried and you can't sleep just count your blessings instead of sheep. And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings." He didn't sing it but Sarah recognized the lyrics. "See you in the morning, love."
He hung up before you could reply, but she had a smile on her face. "Count my blessings huh? I think I can do that." Turning off the lights, she headed to bed.
The next morning Sarah was by the curb holding a bag in each hand when Jareth pulled up.
The driver got out hurriedly and loaded her bag in the trunk as Jareth popped the door open. "Get in, precious, it's freezing, and you should have waited inside."
Sarah was relieved when the door shut, leaving the frigid air on the outside. "I'm fine. Good morning by the way." She said, teeth chattering a little.
"Good morning, and with your teeth clattering like that you certainly aren't fine. Here."
He pulled her gloves off before she could protest and handed her a cup of hot coffee he had stopped for on the way.
"Ohhh thanks. I got up a little late and didn't get any." Taking a sip she sighed in pleasure as the brew seeped warmth into her chilled body. "This is so good."
"There is a wonderful shop on the way that makes the finest Turkish coffee. And not in those big machines. In small batches, using a percolator."
"It's very strong, but good." Sarah observed. And it was.
"I like my coffee robust." He picked up his cup and drank.
"Like your women?" She quipped.
Jareth almost spit out his coffee. "Well, that goes without saying I suppose." He laughed. "Now, didn't you sleep well?"
She shrugged noncommittally. "Okay. Just excited. Or maybe more nervous than excited. Some of each," Seeing his face she continued before he could say anything "I mean about seeing my family and the holiday."
"Ahh. Well, we will be at the station in short order, so let's finish our coffee and..." He handed her a blackberry scone, her favorite.
"Oh thank you. Didn't you get anything?"
"Coffee is all I wanted. I ate earlier. Now eat, so we can be ready." He told her.
20 minutes later they were walking into the train station Sarah searching the crowds for her family. They had already been on the train for over an hour to come there to meet Sarah and Jareth, before switching trains and traveling on together.
"Sarah! " She heard a familiar bellow from behind.
Turning she got a glimpse of pale blond hair before being hit with a tornado named Toby. At nearly 11, her brother was growing fast.
"Hey kiddo." She hugged him tight.
No matter what else happened, she was *always* glad to see Toby.
"Hello dear." Karen's smiling face appeared, followed closely by Robert carrying far too many bags.
"Hi dad, Hi Karen. Toby you should help." Sarah pushed him a bit.
"He was, but saw you and dropped his bags. I about killed myself over them." Robert admonished his son. "Thanks for that."
"Sorry dad." Toby said. He took his bags back from his father.
Karen looked up and saw Jareth standing quietly by. "Oh. And this must be..."
Her eyes widened at the handsome blond man trailing her stepdaughter.
"Yeah, I almost forgot. Jay, this is my family. Robert, Karen, Toby Williams, this is my...boyfriend, Jay King."
Jareth, his hands full, bowed his head. "A pleasure. Please forgive my manners that I'm not able to present a more formal greeting at the moment."
Robert's sharp eyes took in his daughter's companion from head to toe and back again. "Understandable. Hard to shake hands that are full of luggage. Later."
"Absolutely." Jareth replied.
Just then their train was called to begin boarding, and they were herded through the line, balancing bags, showing tickets, and being guided through the train.
To Sarah's surprise the porter waved them through several coach cars towards the front of the train to the private compartment cars, finally coming to one and opening the door. "Here you are."
Robert and Karen looked at each other. "Uh, we're in coach." Karen said.
The porter looked confused.
Jareth spoke up. " It's far too crowded back there, and noisy. I hope you don't mind but I took the initiative at getting a private compartment. We can still socialize but not have to scream over everyone to have a conversation."
Karen gave Sarah an impressed look. "That's very kind of you Mr. King. You didn't have to..."
"I wanted to. It would be very hard to get to know each other at all back there." He channeled every bit of charm he could into the smile he gave her.
Robert cleared his throat." Well, let's get settled, shall we?"
The two men with Toby's help quickly stowed the luggage while Sarah and Karen made themselves comfortable in the compartment. Sarah wasn't sure if she should thank Jareth or strangle him. It wasn't just a private compartment, it was the fanciest VIP compartment she had ever seen. The seats were large and plush. Between the seats were tables with two cup holders. Sarah's biggest concern was there were only 4 seats, and 5 of them.
Karen wasted no time claiming a window seat. "Oh this is nice. Much more comfortable than the seats in coach," the older woman said as she relaxed in the reclining seat.
Robert opened the door and poked his head into the spacous compartment. "My this is nice. We even have a private storage area for our luggage."
Sarah looked past her father at her pretend boyfriend, who was smirking, apparently very proud of himself. "I apologize that there are only 4 seats, they don't have anything larger." Jareth said as he watched Robert sit by his wife.
"Well these seats are plenty big." Robert observed. "Someone will just have to share." he was looking right at Toby.
"I want to sit by the window!" Toby protested.
"And so you shall, my boy." Jareth assured him as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Take the window seat. Sarah and I can share a seat."
Robert and Karen both looked alarmed by his suggestion, but Sarah spoke up before they could respond. Laughing lightly, she pushed her brother towards the window seat. "Jay is such a kidder. Come on Tobes, you and I will share the window seat." Sarah shot a glare over her shoulder at Jareth.
Shrugging, he smiled at her and took his seat. "Well, now that we're all comfortable," he held his hand out to Robert. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Williams. Thank you both for allowing me to join you on your family holiday."
Robert shook his hand and nodded. "Nice to meet you as well."
Jareth then held his hand out to Karen. "Thank you, Mr. King for arranging for us to have such comfortable seats."
When she placed her hand in his he lifted it to his lips and kised it. "You're very welcome, and please call me Jay."
"Very well, Jay," Karen was clearly taken by his charm. "So how did you two meet?"
"At my favorite coffee shop," Sarah replied quickly as she shifted the excited boy sharing her seat. Crossing her leg towards Jareth gave them more room. Toby was staring out the window ignoring the adults.
"Coffee shop?" Robert titled his head. "I've never understood how you meet someone at a place like that. Did you see Sarah there repeatedly and just randomly talk to her?"
Jareth smiled, the very epitome of graciousness and patience. He had expected a bit of questioning from Sarah's father. "No, it was dear Sarah that tackled me, literally." He reached over and took her hand in his. "She was rushing out the door and collided with me, spilling her very hot drink all over me."
Sarah held back a laugh, she hadn't expected him to actually say that. She had jokingly said she spilled coffee on him when they were coming up with his back story. "Yea, I was late for work. I wasn't paying attention and poor Jay wound up wearing my latte."
"And she felt horrible and bought my coffee and even offered to pay to have my suit dry cleaned." Jareth caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. "I insisted that it wasn't necessary."
Sarah glanced over at him and couldn't help but be touched at the soft expression on his face. He wasn't smirking or being a flirt, the honest affection she saw made her almost believe their story. "I wound up giving him my number and things went from there."
"So what do you do for a living?" Robert questioned. The fact that his eyes were focused on their joined hands made it obvious that unlike Karen, he wasn't thrilled with Sarah bringing a boyfriend on this trip, especially if it meant them sharing a cabin.
"I own an import/export business." Jareth replied as he met Roberts glare. "Mostly I help people by taking things they no longer wish to keep and finding proper homes for them."
"Homes? You make it sound like its people you ship." Robert said in an accusatory tone.
"Well one man's trash is another man's treasure. Even objects need homes where they are appreciated."
Seeing the glares between her father and Jareth, Sarah decided to change the subject. "So Karen, is everyone joining us at the resort? I know you said Aunt Minnie might not make it because of her health."
"She is feeling a bit better, and she was very excited about you bringing a male companion, as she worded it. So she decided to come along. She is bringing your step cousin Gordon along to help her get around. "
Toby sighed. "He's such a creep."
"Shush Toby, that's not very nice." Karen scolded him.
'He's not wrong.' Sarah thought to herself. Her stepcousin *was* a creep. He had always tried to do stuff like peek into her underwear drawer and more than once he'd been lurking outside the bathroom when she'd taken a shower and opened the door wrapped in her bathrobe, in hopes he would catch a glimpse of leg or boob.
"Oh yay." Sarah rolled her eyes internally, but Jareth saw her expression and his brow rose as their eyes met. "Later." she said under her breath, and he nodded.
Fortunately Karen had been listing various other family members attending and hadn't noticed.
Between Karen's family gossip and Robert asking Jareth all the questions they had been prepared for, much of the time passed quickly.
They chose to go to the dining car for lunch then return to their cabin, and by the time they'd reached the small station in Vermont had lapsed into a relaxed silence for at least an hour, both couples nestled together watching the beautiful winter scenery go by, Toby sleeping curled up in the corner.
The resort had sent a shuttle bus to pick them up, and 10 minutes after leaving the train, they were heading up into the mountains for the 45 minute car ride to the resort.
The car ride was filled with a hundred questions from Toby about whether or not Sarah would do various activities like building snowmen and snowball fights. Sarah agreed and asked if he wanted to learn to ski. He turned his nose up at that. "Skiing is dumb"
"It's actually quite fun once you get the hang of it. I would happily assist Sarah in instructing you." Jareth offered.
"I don't need your help, and I don't want to ski." Toby argued.
"Fine, but don't be mad when we leave you with Aunt Minnie while we hit the slopes." Sarah told him.
"No fair!" Toby protested.
"It's not," Sarah grinned. "But that's the way it is."
As the shuttle made it's way up the mountain, the group again lapsed into silence, enjoying the scenery as they traveled to the resort where the holiday gathering would take place.
