Jason rolled his eyes as Mimi sang along with Bring It On, the movie they were watching together at her house. Mimi suggested it to get her mind off the night's events with Ethan.
"I said...brr! It's cold in here!" she shouted. "There must be some Toros in the at-mos-phere!"
Jason laughed. "How many times have you watched this dumb movie?"
Mimi gave Jason a look that clearly said 'duh'. "Well, it's only the best movie ever!"
"Yeah, cheerleader competitions are definitely Oscar-worthy," he said sarcastically.
"Like blowing a building up while shooting aliens with machine guns and using your sudden martial arts skills on creepy men all at the same time is Oscar material?" Mimi asked.
Jason grinned excitedly. "Awesome! What movie is that?"
Mimi rubbed Jason's hair affectionally. "You are seriously dense sometimes," she teased.
Jason bit his lip when Mimi touched him. He quickly reminded himself not to get his hopes up since it meant nothing. After they left the Olive Garden with Ethan in one ambulance, and Heather in another as she whined to Brady she didn't need one, Mimi gave Jason a big hug for "coming to her rescue." Jason remembered that her hair smelled like strawberries and that he didn't want to pull away. But then Mimi also said the Words-of-a-Slow-and-Painful-Death: "Jason, you're my best friend. You're like my brother!" Jason's hopes of asking Mimi out immediately fell apart right there. He shook his head free of his thoughts and pounced on Mimi, knocking them both back on the couch.
Mimi squealed as Jason tickled her sides. "I take it back! I take it back!" she screamed, laughing. Jason relented and rested his hands over Mimi's shoulders, remaining on top of her. Mimi swallowed nervously. Lately, she's been feeling things for Jason she never did before. She shook it off...Jason was her friend, nothing more. He wasn't Mimi's type...she liked romance, candy and flowers...he liked sports, beef jerky and action movies.
Jason stared into her glittering eyes and began to lower his face to kiss her. Mimi put her hands on Jason's chest. "Jase," she said softly. "What are you doing?"
Jason's mind searched for an excuse when they heard keys jingling in the front door. Jason and Mimi jumped to opposite sides on the couch as Mrs. Lockhart walked in with Connor.
"Hey, Jason!" Mrs. Lockhart said cheerily. Jason was over their house so often, he was practically a member of the family by then. Mimi sent Jason a warning glance, hoping he knew it meant not to mention Ethan since her mom would freak and Jason nodded in understanding.
"How you doing, Mrs. L?" Jason grinned.
"Ah, I'm okay," she sighed. "This little boy is a pain at the toy store." Mrs. Lockhart said, putting down the shopping bags.
"Jason!" Connor screamed happily as Mimi and her mom shared a smile. They waited for Jason and the boy to go through their tradition that began on the first day Jason came over.
"Hey, Connor, wanna tell me something?" Jason asked, dropping to his knees in front of the little boy. Jason put on his best thoughtful face. "Who is the man?" Mimi rolled her eyes...if she thought the phrase was worn out before, she knew it wasn't as bad as hearing it every time Jason and Connor said hi to each other.
"You are!" Connor chirped loudly and Mrs. Lockhart chuckled.
"Now, Connor, how can I be the man if you are the man?"
"You are the man!" Connor repeated happily, his voice squeaking.
"You are!" Jason shot back with a grin.
"You are!"
"All right, how about we both be the man?" Connor cheered and Jason laughed. "Now give me a manly growl!" he demanded before they both bared their teeth and let out growls. Connor jumped into Jason's arms, who stood up, mock-groaning at Connor's weight, and spun the little boy in circles. Mrs. Lockhart shook her head and laughed, making her way to the kitchen before patting her hand on Jason's shoulder. Jason put Connor down and as the boy ran to follow his mom, Jason turned to face Mimi, who had a goofy grin on her face.
"What?" he asked, smiling.
Mimi sighed. "It's just...you're so great with him," she said after a pause, pulling her hair behind her ear.
"Connor?" Jason asked, looking towards the kitchen.
"Yeah...it's just so..." Mimi stopped and blushed.
"So...what?"
"It's just nice seeing that side of you," Mimi admitted. "He really loves you, you know."
"For real?" Jason asked, surprised.
"Yeah, he talks about you all at time."
Jason smiled proudly. "Well, Connor's a good kid," he said, plopping down on the couch. "I guess I've always gotten along with kids," he shrugged.
Mimi sat down next to Jason. "I never would have...guessed that. Are you interested in teaching?"
Jason thought over the idea. "Yeah, that could be cool."
"You should go to Salem U., then, it's educational program has a really good reputation," Mimi suggested.
Jason looked down at his shoes. "Uh...well, I don't know about that."
"Why not?" Mimi asked. "It's a great school."
"Look, Meems, I don't wanna talk about it, all right?" Jason spat.
Mimi widened her eyes and then held up her hands. "Fine," she said defensively. Jason looked up at her and sighed. "I'm sorry, Meems. It's just I'm sick of hearing about college...my dad talks about it 24/7."
She nodded, deciding not to push. "So, have you tried out my romance lessons yet?" Mimi asked, changing the subject. She wondered why she didn't really want to know the answer.
"No, not yet."
Mimi sprung up from the couch. "Okay! Pop quiz!"
"Huh?"
"I'm quizzing what you learned."
Jason rose his eyebrows. "We can give pop quizzes?! When did this happen?"
Mimi stood in front of him with her hands on her hips. "It's just been an unspoken--"
Jason grabbed Mimi's hips and she gasped when he pulled her forward onto his lap. Her knees automatically went to either side of him and her face flew within Jason's. His breathing grew more shallow and Mimi thought she was going to faint from the wild look in his eyes.
"Jason," she breathed. Jason closed his eyes--he lived for the way she said his name. "My mom is right--"
Jason grinned devilishly. "Pop quiz--living dangerously."
Mimi couldn't even think straight and before she knew it, her lips crashed against Jason's. When she leaned further into him, Jason groaned against her lips and Mimi tried not to think about what that sound did to her. Jason slowly ran his hands down the back of her thighs and, grabbing the back of her knees, pushed her even closer to deepen the kiss. Mimi thought she was going to scream from the feel of Jason's hands so she let her energy out by slipping her tongue in his mouth. She let her hands slip from Jason's shoulders, down his chest, his stomach and--suddenly, Mimi pulled away, gasping for air. Mimi couldn't believe she lost control that way and she rolled off Jason's lap. Jason took a deep breath. "Wow," he exhaled. "That was...wow."
Mimi blushed and cleared her throat. "Well," she said uncomfortably. "Um..."
"Wanna take a retest?" Jason asked with an expression of mock-innocence.
It took all of Mimi's willpower not to take Jason up on his offer. Friends, she reminded herself. Then again, friends don't make out with each other on the couch. No! He was just helping her out, that's all. Guys like Jason didn't want girls like her and there was no point in getting hurt. "So, your turn," Mimi said, hoping she sounded carefree and breezy.
Jason sighed in defeat and leaned his head back. "All right, what's my mission?"
"Now, you have this mysterious dream girl, right?" Mimi asked.
"Right," Jason agreed. "She's...perfect," he said, staring into her eyes. Mimi didn't notice the look because she was too busy pretending that she wasn't jealous.
"Why don't you ask her out?"
"I'm just a friend to her," Jason said, looking down.
"Well, un-friend yourself. By...hm...tomorrow night," Mimi decided. The quicker she'll push him away, the less risk she'd have of falling for him and getting hurt by a guy who doesn't want her. Friend was the key word here...he obviously didn't want anything more, or else he wouldn't be using her romance lessons to use them on some other girl.
"Um...un-friend...?" Jason asked.
"Well, yeah! Oh, but, don't just prance up to her asking her to be your girlfriend. Ooh! I got it! Your test is to plan a romantic night for this girl tomorrow night and report to me the next day."
Jason nodded thoughtfully. "All right...sounds good." He swallowed. "What if...she thinks its dumb?"
Mimi threw her hands up in exasperation. "Trust me, Jase. This chick won't know what hit her."
Chloe nervously paced around her room, wringing her hands together. She needed something to distract her mind...the alarm clock. Chloe knew Nancy and Craig wouldn't be home until eight the next morning and she wanted to make sure Philip was gone by then. Nancy still held a special hatred for Philip because she thought Chloe was too young to be caught up in a serious relationship and was certain Philip was only after one thing. Also, the chicken-head incident and the bet didn't necessarily make Nancy want to jump for joy that Chloe was dating Philip.
Before Chloe could set the alarm, she heard the familiar sound of pebbles against her window. All right, two choices, Chloe. Open the window and go through with this. Or do what you feel like doing...go to the bathroom and throw up, Chloe thought as her nervousness consumed her. What if Philip thought this was cheesy? Suddenly, a handful of pebbles hit the window and Chloe laughed at Philip's impatience.
Chloe opened her window and Philip grinned before scrambling up the tree. Chloe held her hand out to help him in, but Philip tripped into the room. He knocked Chloe to the floor and he landed on top of her. "Oops," he teased, putting on his best puppy dog face.
Chloe swatted his shoulder. "That was not an accident, Philip," she laughed.
Philip kissed her on the forehead. "It was so!"
"Oh, yeah? Since when did Salem's star quarterback become clumsy?"
Philip suddenly realized Chloe wasn't wearing much. She was dressed in a long, white negligee that showed off her tan and all the right curves. "Since you started wearing stuff like that," Philip grinned.
Chloe blushed as Philip slowly looked up when he realized how dim the room was. His mouth opened slightly as he stood up in surprise. Chloe moved over to her desk as Philip took in the sight.
Candles were burning brightly all over the room. Red, white, pink, long, short. Each one flickered and shone, filling the room with a dreamy light. A big posterboard, which was tacked to the wall, had rose petals glued to it and pictures of Chloe and Philip scattered among it. Pictures from the Last Blast Dance, at dotCom, Bo and Hope's wedding, by their lockers, on dates. Philip let his eyes wander over the pictures and he grinned at the memories. He glanced over at the bed and felt his knees go weak. More red rose petals were carefully placed on Chloe's blindingly white sheets. Chloe herself had let her hair down, which fell in soft curls among her shoulders. One of her hands was resting on a nighttable that had a plate of strawberries and a small stereo on it, and another hand was slowly twirling one red rose.
"Chloe," he whispered. "Is this a dream?" Philip was mesmerized by the way the candles lit up Chloe's face, making her look like an untouchable goddess.
Chloe softly shook her head and the curls grazed her bare arms. She reached behind her and turned on the stereo. Philip swallowed as a deep voice filled the room
Wise men say only fools rush in...but I can't help falling in love with you.
Philip took a deep breath as he slowly walked towards Chloe. "I can't believe you did all this," he said gently.
Wise men say only fools rush in...but I can't help falling in love with you.
Chloe lightly kissed Philip's lips. "Sometimes the girl can be the charming white knight," she said with a smile.
Should I stay? Would it be a sin if I can't help falling in love with you?
Philip ran his hand over Chloe's cheek and his eyes were full of concern. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"
As a river flows surely to the sea...darling, so it goes...some things are meant to be.
Chloe met his gaze. "Look into my eyes, Philip." He obliged and saw no uncertainty...just love.
Take my hand...take my whole life, too. For I can't help falling in love with you.
Philip looked over at the posterboard and grinned. "All those pictures..."
Chloe smiled back. "I wanted to prove to you that I thought this through. That I know we've been through so much. And that I'm ready for this."
As a river flows surely to the sea...darling, so it goes...some things are meant to be.
Philip cupped Chloe's chin with his hand. "I love you, Chloe."
Chloe placed her hand over Philip's. "I love you, too."
Philip gently pressed his lips against Chloe's as she let her hands find their way up his neck and she ran them through his hair. Chloe felt light as air as Philip deepened their kiss. Philip's kiss. It was like listening to opera in her room while rain poured rhythmically outside. A warm bubble bath after a long day of school. Falling asleep with the window open and curling up under a bulky blanket. The feeling of... perfection...comfort...the only and every thing Chloe needed.
Take my hand...take my whole life, too. For I can't help falling in love with you.
Chloe grabbed Philip's shirt collar and slowly pulled him down on the bed with her. Philip rolled on top of her and pulled away from the kiss to breath. He kissed her chin and created a trail down her neck and to her collarbone. "You are so beautiful," Philip murmured against her skin. "You are so amazing that I can't take it," he continued, bringing his face up to Chloe's again. "Chloe, you're an angel and I don't know what I'd do without you. If you're not ready for this, I'd completely understa--"
"Philip?"
"Yeah?"
"Shut up," she whispered.
A river flows surely to the sea...
Philip grinned and brought his lips down on hers. He moved his hands down Chloe's silky smooth arms and up again. Chloe meanwhile broke the kiss to move onto Philip's neck and she slowly unbuttoned his shirt.
Darling, so it goes...some things are meant to be.
As she got his shirt off, Philip's hands trailed to Chloe's nightgown straps. He looked for approval, but Chloe was occupied with kissing Philip's collarbone and unbuckling his belt. Philip moaned from the feel of Chloe's lips on his skin, and kissed Chloe's shoulder lightly. He slowly moved the straps of her negligee down and Chloe arched her back to help him slip it off.
Take my hand...
Neither able to find words, their lips met again, driven with more passion and love than either could think possible.
Take my whole life, too.
Philip pulled away, gasping. "Are you okay?" he asked gently as Chloe unbuttoned his pants.
For I can't help falling in love with you...
Chloe answered by pulling Philip's forehead against hers. "I want this," she whispered.
I can't help falling in love with you...
Philip nodded as he watched Chloe's eyes fill with tears. Tears of anticipation, love, nervousness, excitement and happiness. Everything that was pounding in Philip's heart.
I can't help falling in love with you...
"I love you," the two said together, before joining in a kiss that was the beginning of a new type of love neither had known before.
I...can't...help...falling...in..love...with...you
Chapter 36
Heather got up from her seat. "Let me help you with that, John," she offered, picking up her dinner plate.
"No, no," the man said, taking the plate from her. "I've got it."
"Are you sure?" Heather asked, reluctantly sitting back down.
"Yes! You don't need to help with the dishes," John claimed cheerily, picking up the rest of the plates. "We've really missed having you around here, Heather," John added, cocking an eyebrow. "And that's a fact."
Brady rolled his eyes at his father as John made his way out of the room whistling. Heather giggled and shook her head. "Some things never change."
Brady grinned sheepishly. "And some things do, huh?"
Heather sighed. "Brady, I'm tired of talking about this. We can't expect things to be like exactly like it was in the past," she reminded him...and herself. "Compromise is key, remember?"
Brady nodded in agreement. "Heath, you know you're the girl for me when you actually get me to compromise," he joked, rising from his chair.
"So, we've only been back together for a day and I've already got you whipped, huh?" Heather laughed, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Hmm...speaking of whips..." Brady growled, moving over to Heather's chair.
"Brady!" Heather yelled as she stood up laughing.
"Oh, come on," Brady protested. "You gave that one to me!"
Heather quickly grasped Brady in a headlock. "I'll give you something else, Black!" she teased, starting a noogie on his head.
Brady chuckled and slipped easily from Heather's grasp as John walked in. "Well, I'm off to pick up Marlena," he said happily, winking at Heather before leaving the penthouse.
"Oh, joy," Brady muttered. Heather shot him a warning glance and Brady took her hand as he sighed, deciding to change the subject.
"How's your head?" Brady asked, concerned.
"Better," Heather nodded. She grinned as she remembered the words they shared before the ambulances arrived. Since then, Brady was treating Heather just like he used to...like his princess. Of course, it wasn't exactly the same. But, Heather realized, as long as they were happy, why did things have to be a carbon copy of the past?
"Good," Brady said. "Hey, Heath. Listen to that."
"Listen to...what?"
"Absolute...silence," Brady answered, with a wicked grin on his face.
Heather laughed. "Well, silence in the Black penthouse. That's a first."
Brady wrapped his arms around Heather's waist. "Well, then, let's make some noise then," he whispered.
Heather instantly felt lightheaded when she felt Brady's breath against her skin. "Mom was right...you have sex on the brain, Brady."
"Well, your mom also thinks England and Britain are two different places," Brady muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Something's up with you and mothers," Heather mock-scolded, shaking her head dramatically.
"You're right," Brady murmured. "Enough talk about moms. Enough talk, period." Heather smiled and eagerly found Brady's lips with hers. Brady felt his heart pound...the kisses since Heather and him were back together were more intense than any they had ever shared. Each seemed more meaningful than the one before and Brady wanted to know just what that meaning was.
The phone rang and the couple reluctantly pulled away. Brady sighed and as he went to answer it, a catalog Marlena had left on the table caught his eye. Brady furrowed his brow. Could it be...a sign? He shook his head. No, definitely not.
"Um...no, I'm sorry, Belle's at Salem Place," Brady said, distracted. He just couldn't get the pictures on the catalog's cover out of his mind.
Belle put the red dress back on the rack and tilted her head back. Her stomach was urging her to get to the pub, but her hands couldn't stop shopping.
"Hey, Belle!"
Belle looked up to see Sam smiling happily at her.
"Hey, Sam," Belle said, forcing a smile on her face.
"How are you?" Sam asked. Belle swallowed nervously when she saw that Sam was wearing a leather jacket and had gelled his hair.
"That's a...new look," Belle mumbled.
"I knew you would like it, Belle," Sam grinned. Belle felt chills go down her back. The usual nervous, awkward voice of his was gone and a cocky, cold one replaced it.
"Sam, what's going on?" she blurted out.
"Well...I just thought this was the sort of guy you liked," Sam said softly, shifting his feet uncomfortably. "You know, the rebel kind of thing."
Belle sighed. "Sam, I like Shawn because he's Shawn...not because he's a James Dean wannabe," Belle said gently. Sam looked down and Belle decided she had to bring up the call before it drove her crazy. "And there's no way a guy I like would call my cell phone and freak me out," Belle added with an edge to her tone. Sure, she told Shawn it was probably just a prank, but it still scared her deep down.
Sam looked up and gulped nervously. "B-Belle...I just wanted to talk to you," he pleaded.
"Really? It sounded more like creepy breathing and a threat to my boyfriend," she countered. "Not exactly a fun filled conversation, Sam," she said, losing the edge to her tone as she grew more ready to listen what was going on with Sam.
Sam was about to respond but looked over Belle's shoulder and his eyes clouded with fear. Sam bolted from the store and Belle turned around in confusion.
"Shawn!"
"Who was that?" he asked as he sipped on a Slurpee, nodding towards the retreating figure.
Belle shrugged. "Just some...salesperson," she offered hopefully. Shawn handed her his Slurpee and she took a long sip.
"Must not be a very good one if he got scared away by a customer," Shawn said in suspicion, tilting his head to the side.
Belle looked away from him and sighed. "Shawn, just don't get all Rambo on me, okay?" She asked, giving him back the Slurpee.
"What are you talking about?"
"It was Sam," Belle squeaked out.
Shawn stared at her blankly and Belle rolled her eyes when she saw him grip the Slurpee tighter. "Shawn...chill okay?" she chirped. "No biggie. Let's go shopping...I won't even get mad when you complain all day--"
"Did he try anything with you?" Shawn asked tensely.
"Shawn, stop. It's just a crush, you're making this bigger than it is."
"I'm going to punch that kid right in the face," Shawn growled.
Belle's eyebrows rose. "Taking this a little too far, Brady? I can take care of myself."
"Well, you don't seem to be doing much to stop all this," Shawn shot back.
"Stop all what? Shawn, you are so overreacting! I'm just being nice to him!"
Shawn rolled his eyes. "Belle, you don't have to be nice to every single person in the world. Didn't you get the memo that you weren't Mother Teresa?"
"I'll be nice to who I want to be nice to!" Belle said angrily. "Sam's just lonely and I'm offering my friendship. So, he might have some crush on me and doesn't know how to act. So, he made a prank call. Big deal, he'll get over it!" Belle spat, trying to convince Shawn as well as herself.
Shawn crossed his arms skeptically. "Okay...you're telling me Sam doesn't creep you out, then?"
Belle cleared her throat and spun around to look through the rack again. Shawn sighed and turned Belle gently by the shoulders to face him. "Truth, Belle."
"Fine...so he kinda makes me nervous." Shawn opened his mouth and Belle continued before he could interrupt. "But! It's just because it's weird seeing someone so reserved become so forward, especially when it's directed towards me." Shawn opened his mouth again and Belle quickly planted a kiss on him. "Don't worry about it, baby, okay?" she said slowly. Shawn reluctantly nodded and Belle smiled in response. "Now, you get to help me decide if I should get the blue halter or the yellow tank top!" Belle said cheerily.
Shawn groaned. "Can't wait," he said with a grin. Belle lightly smacked his shoulder before bounding over to the sales rack. Shawn tried to smile as he watched her hands zip through the hangers, but Sam stayed implanted in his mind. Despite what Belle said, Shawn knew something was up with that guy. Shawn felt chills go down his back when he thought he saw Sam near the doors in the corner of his eye. But when Shawn looked again, Sam was walking quickly away from the entrance of the store.
"Good morning, beautiful."
Chloe slowly fluttered her eyes open to see Philip's dimples. Oh, what a way to wake up in the morning.
Philip gently brushed Chloe's hair back off of her forehead. "Sleep okay?"
Chloe's memory was instantly flooded with images from last night. Her perfect night. "Definitely," she whispered, as she snuggled closer into Philip's arms.
"I could get used to this," Philip murmured into her hair. "How about we do this every night and I wake up with you in my arms every morning?" he suggested, grinning.
Before Chloe could even respond, her bedroom door swung open.
"Good mor--what the hell is going on here?!"