Disclaimer: I don't own them except for the kids!
Innocent Angel, Part 2
Isabella tapped her foot as she stared at the poster on the wall. A small smile crossed her lips as she reread it. "I think I could get him to do that," she said as she walked down the hall towards the wrestling room at the gym. Her gymnastic shoes made soft whispering sounds on the tiled floor as she pushed the door open slightly. Her blue gray eyes wandered around the room and finally spotted him on the mat going through exercises. She closed it behind her, ignoring the admiring looks she received from other guys. Her attention was centered on him. He wasn't wearing a shirt, but that wasn't what fascinated her. It was the graceful way that he was moving his body. Her eyes followed the movement of his arms as he extended them slowly. She could see the sweat on his forehead and the intense look of concentration on his face as he executed each move. "Yes, I think he'll do perfectly," she said confidently as she moved to the back of the room.
Jet breathed deeply as he lowered his arms and extended them in front of him. His eyes centered on his reflection in the mirror in front of him. He brought his arms back in to his sides, his hands in loose fists, and bowed. He took another deep breath and ended his exercises. "That'll do for the day," he said as he stood up straight and rubbed his hand over his face before pushing back his sandy hair. His eyes went to the mirror and fell on her. She was watching him. "What are you doing here?" he asked as he turned around to face her.
"I was looking for you," she replied as she walked forwards. She stopped and tilted her head back to look up at him. A slight smile crossed her lips. "I'm impressed."
"Thanks," he answered as he flushed a little. His eyes glanced down for a moment at her body conscious dark blue leotard. It left nothing to the imagination. Well, not to his imagination. His eyes went back up to her face. "You shouldn't be walking around in that," he pointed out as he picked up his shirt from the floor.
"Why not? Afraid some guy will fall head over heels in lust with me?" Isabella teased as she knelt down in front of him. An amused smile was curving her lips.
"Something like that," Jet muttered as he gazed back at her sparkling eyes. "You're too naïve anyway."
A finely arched brow was raised. "Me? Naïve? Hardly Jet. I have a brother who was a former womanizer. I know exactly what goes on in a guy's head."
"Do you really? Well, I don't think you should walk around in just that." He sent her a disapproving look. His mind on the other hand was wandering.
"That's your opinion."
"And I'm usually right. Now be good and put something else on over that."
Isabella laughed as she shook her head, sending a few wisps of her platinum blond hair to float against her cheeks. "You're just like my brothers Jet and all the other guys that I grew up with. You all like to protect little Isabella Barton from other guys and the tawdriness that goes on around us. Trust me Jet, I'm in little need of being protected. I'm not that little girl anymore." She stood up and propped her hands on her slender hips. "But if it makes you feel better, I'll go put something on. I'll wait for you in the cafeteria since I do have something to ask you," she said as she walked away.
Jet watched the gentle sway of her slim hips as she walked away from him. He also took note of the fact that she wasn't wearing tights with the leotard either, exposing her slender legs to anyone who cared to look. He frowned when he noticed there were many looks passed in her direction. "Why are you looking so disapproving at them? You were looking too. Enjoying the view very much I might add." He frowned again. "You're not supposed to think of her that way Chang. She's just seventeen years old, not even legal age. Get her out of your mind," he muttered at himself as he pulled his shirt on and left the room.
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Isabella sat in the cafeteria with a slight frown on her face. She idly stirred her fruit punch with her straw. "This might be a harder then I thought. Why does everyone think I'm something to be protected? I'm not a little girl anymore." She tapped a nail on the table as her brow wrinkled in thought. Her thought was interrupted when he slid into the seat in front of her. She leaned back and spread out her arms. "This better?"
He took in her freshly showered appearance. Her hair was pulled away from her face, accentuating its delicate features. And her pale blue ribbed sweater covered all the necessary, but it also conformed to her frame as the leotard did. "Better," he replied as propped his hands up on the table. "So what did you want to ask me?"
"I thought you would never ask," she replied, smiling as she leaned towards him over the table. "I want you to be my dance partner for a contest their holding in Marseilles."
Jet's jaw fell open a fraction. "I don't dance Izzy," he answered, shaking his head.
"Yes you do. I had you dancing two weeks ago at David and Kellie's wedding, and I got one dance out of you last week at Jonathon's and your sister's wedding," she pointed out as she smiled sweetly at him.
"That's different."
"No its not. I watched you do your exercises. You're exactly what I want. You would make the perfect partner for me."
"No Izzy."
"Why?"
"Because I said no."
Isabella sighed and then pouted as she reached forwards and placed her hands over the top of his. "For me?"
He didn't reply as he looked at her hands covering his. His skin was warmed from her touch. His eyes went to her pursed pink lips. He looked back up at her eyes. They were silently pleading. "How can I say no when she's looking at me like that? Could I really turn her down?" A sigh escaped his lips as he turned his hands palm up and took her hands in his. "If it'll make you happy."
A pleased smile crossed her lips. She leaned across the table and pressed a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you Jet. You're a real sweetheart," she said as she sat back down.
Jet blinked his eyes as she sat back down. He could still feel the imprint of her lips against his face. They were petal soft just like he thought they would be. He looked down at her hands that were still in his. "What made you ask me? I'm sure that you could've asked someone who can actually dance."
"You're available. And you can move despite your protests," she replied honestly as she looked down at his hands holding onto hers. "And I think you would be very good."
His eyes went down to their hands again. Her hands were so small and childlike compared to his. A slight flush spread across his face at her compliment. He returned his eyes to hers again. "So what did you have in mind about this whole thing?"
"You'll see," she replied mischievously as she stood and pulled him up with her. "Come on."
Jet had no choice to follow her since she was still holding onto him. She pulled him out to the convertible he knew that belonged to Miles. "Where are we going?"
"My house."
"Why?"
"Because I want to start this as soon as possible and all the music I have, is at home."
"We don't have to do this now."
"Yes we do. I like to get a head start on things," Isabella said as she pushed him into the car. She ran around to the other side and hopped over the car door.
His eyes appreciated her short clad legs as she jumped over the door effortlessly. He shot them forwards again, berating himself for noticing. "I can't believe I said yes to this."
A laughing grin crossed her lips as she started the car. "Believe it," she said as she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. She saw him roll his eyes. "Maybe this way I can show him that I'm not a little girl anymore."
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Jet followed her through the garage and into the house. It was silent. He paused for a moment in the kitchen. "Izzy?"
"Yes?" Isabella answered as she turned to face him.
"Where's everyone?"
"My parents are out. Miles and Cristal went to the beach today with Randy and Donavon. And Carin is working."
"You mean we're here alone?"
"Yes. You find something wrong with that?"
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "No, not really."
An amused smile crossed her lips as she propped her hands on her hips. "What, you think because I'm only seventeen and I'm here alone with a twenty year old guy, that I need a chaperone?"
"Well…"
"Come on Jet! You were raised with me! My parents won't find anything wrong with you being here alone with me!"
An uncertain expression crossed his face. "Are you sure?"
"Yes!" she replied with some exasperation, but she was still smiling. She took his hand again and led him downstairs to the basement, which part of it had been converted into a studio/rec room. Mirrors and a bar lined one wall, while a pool table, a couch, a TV, a fridge, and a massive stereo system took up the other. She went over to the stereo system and thumbed through the mini discs that took up two shelves since they were the combined collections of Miles, Donavon, Carin, and herself. "Do you like anything in particular?"
Jet watched her as she stood on her toes, still searching. He liked those legs of hers way too much. "You pick," he replied as his eyes shifted away from her.
She sighed inwardly as she continued to scan through the various discs looking for something suitable. "Ah, here's one." She pulled out a disc and popped it into the player. "Now, let's see what song to do," she said softly to herself. She pressed the number on the remote, immediately going to the song she wanted. She pressed pause on the remote and walked back over in front of Jet, who was leaning against the bar with his head back and his eyes closed. "Hey, I found something." She poked him in the arm.
He opened his eyes again and looked down at her. "What song?"
"You'll see. Now, you want to see me dance to it first or do you want to try dancing with me right off to it?"
"I'll watch first to see if I can even do it."
She rolled her eyes. "Go and stand by the couch and press play on the remote when I tell you to."
"Whatever you say," he sighed as he leaned against the couch and picked up the remote.
She toed off her sandals and nodded. She arched her toes. "Start."
A Latin beat filled the room as soon as he hit it. He watched as she began to move to the music. His eyes riveted on the hard swing of her hips before moving up to the rest of her undulating body.
Isabella concentrated on making sure he would be interested on doing this particular song.
They say around the way you ask for me
There's even talk about you wanting me
I must admit that's what I want to hear
So let's just talk until you take me there
Jet was wishing he wasn't noticing every time her hips moved. The way they were moving was hypnotizing.
She closed her eyes and followed the beat of the music, having an extensive knowledge of Latin dancing from being taught by her Aunt Cathy and her mother.
If it's true don't leave me all out here
Wondering if you're ever going to take me there
Tell me what you're feeling cuz I need to know
Girl you gotta let me know which way to go
Coffee brown eyes trekked up her body to her hands that were twisting and turning over her head. He could see the skin of her stomach as the hem of her sweater raised a little bit with each move. He bit his lip.
Each move to her was instinctive. She was a performer at heart, much like her father and her aunt had been.
Cuz I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cuz I need to know
I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cuz I need to know
The play of the muscles in her legs also fascinated him. The dance itself didn't seem to be that hard, but his mind wasn't totally on him dancing it. He was too entranced by her.
My every thought is of us being true
It's getting harder not to think of you
Girl I'm exactly where I want to be
The only thing's I need you here with me
He blinked his eyes as her hips swung hard again. He saw his reflection in the mirror. His mouth was hanging open. He shut it with a snap. He looked back at her. She was facing the mirror, away from him.
Isabella opened her eyes. She saw him watching with interest. She smiled inwardly.
If it's true don't leave me all out here
Wondering if you're ever going to take me there
Tell me what you're feeling cuz I need to know
Girl you gotta let me know which way to go
Her thinness was apparent this way as well. Her hips barely curved out of her reed thin waist. He couldn't stop his eyes from falling lower to her short clad backside. The black shorts were short and fit her very, very well. His palms began to sweat.
Cuz I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cuz I need to know
I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cuz I need to know
"I shouldn't be noticing this. I shouldn't be! Stop it! Stop it! She's only seventeen years old!" His mind continued to ring with the warnings, but he couldn't tear his eyes away. He didn't want to.
She slid her hands down to her hips as she moved her body in time to the music. She could still see him watching her. And the way he was looking gave her a thrill. It was the first unguarded look in his eyes that she'd seen. She moved her feet in time to the drum interlude, stamping hard, almost like a flamenco dancer.
I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cuz I need to know
Isabella turned and faced him again, making motioning gestures with her fingers. She arched a brow at him.
Jet looked at her, startled by her invitation to dance with her. He was furious at himself for watching her like he was.
If it's true don't leave me all out here
Wondering if you're ever going to take me there
Tell me what you're feeling cuz I need to know
Girl you gotta let me know which way to go
"Come on Jet," she said, motioning him with her fingers as she continued to move to the music. A teasing light entered her eyes.
His mouth was dry. He took a step forwards at her insistence.
"Put your hands here," she said as she placed them on her hips, "and move with me."
He nodded mutely and began to move with her.
Cuz I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cuz I need to know
I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cuz I need to know
Jet's eyes centered on the swinging motion her hips. He moved his feet forwards and back like she was. His palms itched to move. He could feel her skin under his fingertips.
"Very good," she commented as he moved with her. "Look up at my eyes Jet," she instructed.
If it's true don't leave me all out here
Wondering if you're ever going to take me there
Tell me what you're feeling cuz I need to know
Girl you gotta let me know which way to go
He moved his eyes back up to hers. Her eyes held his and he began to concentrate on the way her hips were moving to the beat. He was drowning.
A tingling sensation raced along the surface of her skin as she felt the heat of his hands on her hips. Those eyes of his were flickering with definite interest.
Cuz I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cuz I need to know
I need to know
I need to know
Tell me baby girl cuz I need to know
As the music slowed, she moved closer to him.
The scent of her reached his nose. She even smelled like innocence. He felt her hands come up around his neck. Shock waves roared across his nerve endings. The music stopped and all he could do was stare at her.
"That was very good Jet. I told you that you could dance," Isabella said as she withdrew her arms.
He took a step away from her. His heart was pounding uncontrollably. The close proximity even drove him insane. Angels weren't supposed to inspire thoughts less then holy. And his were very less then holy. He mentally smacked himself several times. He shrugged his shoulders at her compliment.
She saw that interested look disappear from his eyes. She frowned inwardly. "Dammit. He's shut himself off again." "Want to try again for the entire song?"
"Again? How much more can I stand?" "Izzy…"
"Please Jet."
He sighed at that pleading look in her eyes. "I suppose." "This is going to kill me."
A bright smile creased her lips again as she hit reply on the remote control. "Now just like before," she instructed.
Jet placed his hands on her hips once again. "Try not to notice. Think good thoughts, think only good thoughts." Her hips swayed hard again. "Well that intention got shot straight to hell."
The song continued to play and soon he graduated from his hands on her hips to holding one of her hands while the other one rested on the curve of her waist. They didn't hear Miles, Cristal, Donavon, and Randy return from the beach and come down the steps.
Miles and Donavon arched their brows as they observed Jet dancing with their baby sister. Both of them frowned. They didn't like it at all.
Randy turned her head and saw both brothers scowling slightly. She smirked and nudged Cristal.
Cristal turned her head as well at Randy's nudging. A smile crossed her lips and she looked back at Randy before returning her attention to the dancing couple.
Isabella was pleased how this was going. She smiled up at him. "And you said you couldn't dance."
Jet couldn't help but grin slightly at her compliment. He shrugged his shoulders. "It's because I don't like dancing, that's why I said it. By the way, when is this contest?"
"In a month."
"You really think that we could do this in a month?"
"Yes. Have faith in me Jet. I know how to get things done expediently."
He rolled his eyes at her as the song soon ended. He didn't release his hold on her. "Why are you going through the trouble of teaching me? If you had someone that could already dance as good as you, you could be doing the moves right away."
"That's a secret."
"Come on Izzy. What is the reason?"
"If I told you it wouldn't be a secret," she smirked.
"Why won't you tell me?"
"Because."
"That's not an answer."
"Because I don't want to tell you…yet."
A brow arched over his left eye as he looked at her. His hands tightened on her waist slightly. "You're up to something," he said finally.
"And what makes you say that?" she asked loftily.
"That suspicious twinkle you got in your eyes."
"Are they twinkling?" Her smile spread across her face. "I'm glad you're noticing."
He was about to open his mouth again when he heard someone clear their throats. His eyes went towards the steps and honed in on Miles and Donavon. He dropped his hands away from her. "Hi."
The corner of Miles' mouth tilted up slightly. "What are you up to Chang?"
A guilty look crossed Jet's face from the ominous glitter in those emerald eyes. "Nothing."
Miles looked back at his little sister. "What were you two talking about?"
"Jet is going to be my dance partner for the contest that's being held in Marseilles," Isabella replied as she slipped her sandals back on.
"I see," Miles said as he nodded his head. He looked back at Jet. "Why him?"
"He can move and he's available." She arched a brow at her oldest brother. She could see that look crossing his face. She had already noted that Donavon had it too. It was that protective brotherly look.
"Really," Donavon commented as he eyed Jet. He looked back at Isabella. "You actually succeeded in getting him to dance."
"It wasn't that hard. I had some persuasion," Isabella replied again as she gave Jet a sweet smile.
Miles and Donavon knew that look. She used it whenever she really wanted something and she wouldn't take no for an answer. She didn't use it often because she knew it would wear out its effectiveness. Their eyes went back to Jet. "And you want to dance with her?"
Jet swallowed hard. The similar green eyes boring into him made him feel like he was being pinned to the wall. "I couldn't turn her down. She did ask nicely."
"I bet," Miles muttered under his breath so only Donavon would hear.
"I'm impressed though. I can't believe that you can actually dance," Randy said, chuckling.
"Believe it Maxwell," Jet stated pointedly. "And sometimes I find it hard to believe an onna like yourself could have mastered the martial arts in a few weeks."
"I'm a special kind of onna," Randy replied cheekily.
"One that pesters constantly until she gets her way," he retorted.
"Yeah, but you like the competition Jet. I'm the only girl besides your sisters who can take you on and still walk away."
Jet snorted at her response. "Figure you would say something like that."
"So Jet when did you become interested in dancing?" Miles asked pointedly.
Jet felt heat rise to his face. There was an edge to Miles' voice. "Damn, he must have noticed how I was looking at Izzy. I better get out of here before I get snapped in half by two protective brothers." He looked back at Isabella. "Well, I should be going now."
"All right," Isabella sighed as she noted her brothers looks, "We'll practice some more tomorrow since it's Sunday. I'll see you at dinner."
He cast a weak smile in her direction. "If you like," he said as he nodded his head towards her. "See the rest of you tomorrow," he said as he made his way past her brothers and up the steps. He leaned against the outside wall of the house when he got outside and took a deep breath. "They noticed. I shouldn't have come here alone with her. I shouldn't be alone with her at all. I shouldn't even think about her at all like…that. I have to set myself straight on this. I won't touch her in anyway other then the dancing and I'll tell myself that she's just like a little sister." As soon as he instructed himself on the ground rules that he set for himself, he started walking home. He only lived a couple of blocks away. "Now maybe I can avoid getting slaughtered by Miles and Donavon," he sighed as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
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Isabella propped her hands on her hips and cast a dirty look at both her brothers. "What in the hell were you two doing?"
"Making sure he knew what was good for him," Miles replied shortly as he gazed at her. A soft smile touched his lips. She was the mirror image of their mother. She was closer to him then Carin was. Carin could take care of her, but he made sure that Isabella was always protected.
She snorted and shoved her hair back with her hand. "You're acting like I'm some innocent who doesn't know what goes on in a guys head."
"You are innocent," Donavon interjected.
Isabella let out a frustrated gush of air. "Jeez, I can't do anything without being protected. Why can't you guys get it through your heads that I'm not a little girl anymore! I'm seventeen years old!"
"And still under age for anything and everything," Donavon remarked sternly.
Isabella shot him and Miles a furious look before pushing past them and going back up the steps. She slammed the door to her room and looked at herself in the full-length mirror. "Do I look like I'm a little girl anymore?" She frowned at her reflection. Her height and her extreme thinness made her look younger. And she did have that angel look. She held up the long platinum blond hair that spilled over her shoulders in a tumbled heap. "Maybe I should cut some of this?" she mused as she held up her locks and looked at herself with the shorter hair, her lips quirked up in a slight smile. "I think that'll do nicely too." She let her hair fall and rested her hands on her hips again. There was nothing she could do about her abject slenderness. She ran her hands over the spot that Jet's hands had rested on. She smiled to herself. "I'll show you all just how grown up I can be. Even you Chang Jet."
Song "I Need to Know" by Marc Anthony
A/N: Well what did you think? Let me know! More will be coming soon so stay tuned for more! XOXO!