Note: Idiot Muse® is at it again. This time, he's picked up a plot bunny that has been hopping around for quite a while, hoping to get adopted. Well, as I was going through the list of themes, that cute, fluffy little tail proved suddenly irresistible, and here I am. J It's a racy little critter, though; be warned! Bunny insists it really ought to be NC-17, but I'll try to keep it in check … enjoy, and please pass by the feedback box on your way out? DB, January 2006
Forty Ranger Romance Themes: Jason and Kat
# 8: Game
by Dagmar Buse
"The mail's here."
Kat looked up from the morning newspaper. "Anything interesting?"
Jason strolled into the kitchen, riffling through the assortment of flyers and envelopes. "Let's see … junk, junk, bill, catalogue, bill … junk … oh, a letter from Billy! So he does still know how to use a pen instead of email," he grinned at his wife. "More junk … my monthly martial arts magazine, a postcard from your Aunt Naomi in Melbourne, and a letter for you from the National Ballet Association." He handed Kat a small pile of mail, poured himself another cup of coffee and joined her at the kitchen table. "You gonna eat that?" His hand was already reaching for the last cinnamon roll.
Kat smiled. "No, go ahead." She discarded a number of advertisements as he munched happily on the pastry, laid aside an application that should've gone to the school instead of her home address, and sliced open the envelope with the Ballet Association's logo. Quickly, she scanned the message.
"Oh, it's an invitation to the annual symposium," she exclaimed. "For once, they're holding it at a hotel in Las Vegas, and it's during summer break, too!"
Jason glanced up from Billy's letter. "Hey, that means you can attend this year," he commented. "Vegas isn't too far away to drive, and since it's during vacation …"
"If you think you can do without me for a three-day absence over the weekend, I'd love to," she mused.
"Shouldn't be a problem. I'll take the kids to the lake one day, I don't think they'd mind a sleepover at either grandparents', or I can park them with Kim and Tommy," he winked. "As payback for the two days they stuck us with their brood last spring, when Tommy took Kim back to Reefside for his Rangers' ten-year High School reunion!"
She laughed. "I guess so." All five of their combined children were fast friends, just as they had been, and they routinely looked after their respective offspring when one or the other couple had plans.
"So fill in your application; I'll mail it later when I drive to the car wash," Jason suggested. "I'm not in the mood for a water battle with the hellions today."
Kat snickered. "You're just afraid the boys will soak you again."
He put on a holier-than-thou expression. "I'll have you know that both my sons know better than to take on their father with a hose. It's your daughter who's getting them into mischief!"
"Riiight."
"She is!"
"Just goes to show that you three males together can't handle a tiny five-year-old girl," Kat said in a very superior voice as she got up and rummaged for a pen in the kitchen drawer. It was something they often teased each other over – besides, deep down she knew that Jason adored his blue-eyed daughter and half the time was happily wrapped around a delicate little finger. Just as Kat was proud of her strong, responsible boys.
She sat back down. "Okay, let's see … name, address, phone/email … check-in time would be Friday noon … oh no!" she suddenly exclaimed, dismayed. "Not that date!"
"Why, what's wrong with it?"
Kat looked unhappily at Jason. "I hadn't noticed before; it's the weekend of our anniversary!"
"Oh."
"Uh huh. So I can't go this year, either," she pouted. "Every year, they're holding the symposium during the school year or somewhere too far away; the one time they don't, something else is on that date. No fair!"
Jason's expression was thoughtful for a moment. "Did you have anything special planned for us?"
Kat sighed. "Not yet; it's still three months off, after all. But it's our tenth …"
"Well, yeah. But – don't get me wrong, I'm not exactly wild about being without you that day, either, but … can't we have our usual celebration afterwards, or something? I know you've been wanting to attend that meeting for ages."
Dubiously, she looked at him. "Well, maybe, but …"
Jason smiled and reached for her hand. "Then go."
-Oh my, it's tempting …- "Thanks, but I really don't know if I should."
"Hey, it's not that big a deal. Sure, I'd prefer to take you out, but we can always do that another time. Perhaps on October 15?"
The date rang a soft bell in Katherine's mind and heart, and she smiled. It was the twelfth anniversary of the day Jason had proposed to her. -Not quite as traditional, but pretty momentous, too, bless him!-
"That'd work," she murmured, already half-persuaded.
"Then what are you waiting for?" he chuckled. "You know you want to go; so register already!"
There was a sudden lump in her throat. Yes, she wanted to attend the symposium, but she also wanted to spend her wedding day with her husband, who could be quite as romantic and sentimental as she herself. Yet Kat couldn't simply dismiss his generous offer out of hand.
"I really don't know …"
Jason nodded firmly. "I think you do. Sure, I'll miss you; I wish they'd have picked the week before or after. But since they didn't and I know you've been dying to attend for ages, I honestly think you should take the opportunity. We can always postpone our private celebration."
Still torn between conflicting desires, Kat went to sit on his lap. Leaning her forehead against Jason's, she stroked his short, dark hair. "Are you sure?" she whispered hesitantly.
"Absolutely." Jason took the chance to kiss his wife's soft lips reassuringly as he held her. "Consider it my anniversary present, if you like."
Suddenly giddy with gratitude and anticipation, Kat kissed him back. "What, no flowers then?"
"They'll be waiting for you when you come back from Vegas," he promised, then decided he might as well get his reward for being so understanding right there and then. "Meanwhile, dear wife of mine, how about we use the time until the kids come home from Tanya's place for us and, um, play a little?" He slipped a hand under her t-shirt.
Kat laughed softly and leaned back a little to give Jason more room … and easier access. "Mmm. I like the way you think, husband!"
"Thought you might," Jason murmured huskily and stood, Kat still in his arms. Together, they made their way to the bedroom.
···
Kat hesitated briefly as she entered the hotel's bar. It was Saturday night, her wedding anniversary, and while she would have loved to spend a romantic weekend in the lavish surroundings with Jason, it was not to be. Jason was back home in Angel Grove, probably watching TV or hanging out at some sports event … and she was killing time here in Las Vegas, all by herself, while waiting for the closing banquet to begin. Last night hadn't been too bad; she'd met a number of interesting people at the symposium, and a whole group of them had spent the evening together. Walking the Strip, even gambling a few dollars at one of the casinos, before talking long hours about their students, developments in modern dancing, performances they'd either seen or put on … in all, a very enjoyable experience that had made her temporarily forget that Jason wasn't with her.
Tonight, though, was different. It was her anniversary, and she'd felt a little maudlin all day about being alone. During the day, the talks, lectures and workshops had diverted her, but now, when the event was all but over … in her heart, Kat knew that she'd be on the road back home if the banquet wasn't part of the official program and her room already paid for. She vowed to herself that she'd leave Las Vegas right after breakfast; she longed too much for her husband, her home and her family.
Sighing a little, she slid onto a stool at the bar and ordered a light wine. Because summer in the desert was very hot and the dinner was semi-formal, she'd dressed in an ice-blue summer dress that clung to her slender figure; the spaghetti-thin shoulder straps ensured she wouldn't be too warm, and she could show off her nice tan. The amount of cleavage visible made her a little self-conscious, but she had purchased the dress specifically for today; too bad Jason wasn't here to see her wear it!
-Get a grip, girl! You'll be seeing him tomorrow, and there's no reason to be so down! Why not enjoy your time alone?- Her pep talk-to-self was no use; Kat vowed that as soon as she decently could she'd leave the banquet and, if it wasn't too late, to call Jason again. -At least I can lie in that big, comfy bed and hear his voice …-
A discreet glance at her watch showed that she still had over half an hour before she must leave for the banquet. She'd almost finished her wine and she was trying to decide whether to order another or rather make it a sparkling water when the bar tender suddenly deposited a tall, tulip-shaped glass in front of her – filled with a milky-white liquid, complete with a straw, pink paper umbrella and a pineapple slice stuck on the rim. The scent of rum and coconut filled her nostrils.
"What's this? I didn't order a piña colada," she protested, confused.
The young man grinned. "Courtesy of a gentleman, Ma'am."
"Th-this must be a mistake," she almost stammered.
"I don't think so. The gentleman specifically said 'for the gorgeous blonde in the sexy dress'. You're the only blonde lady present," the bar tender replied. "And if I may be so forward, the description fits you to a T." His look was frankly admiring, but Kat was too flustered to notice.
-Oh my God, someone's trying to pick me up! I should never have come into the bar by myself, and in this dress!-
Straightening, Kat tried to gather her composure. She certainly had no intention whatsoever of drinking the cocktail, much less letting a complete stranger buy a drink for her. She was a happily married woman, after all! Intending to send her best withering glance – the one that made her students and children quake in their shoes – to the man, she summoned her sternest expression.
"Where is this 'gentleman'?" she asked coolly. -Hah! As if! No 'gentleman' would do this – Jason certainly wouldn't!-
The bar tender hid a knowing smile. He'd seen this scenario happen uncounted times. Unobtrusively, he pointed towards the far end of the bar. "Over there, ma'am. In the dark suit."
Kat turned her head slightly into that direction, planning to quell the would-be Casanova with a look, when she felt her heart lurch with surprise. Because as soon as her eyes penetrated the dim lighting, she found herself staring into a pair of very familiar midnight-dark eyes.
-Oh my.-
The man lifted his own glass in a smiling salute as he saw her glancing this way, and took a small sip of his own drink.
Suddenly breathless and shaking, Kat reached for the glass and lifted it to her own mouth, molding her lips carefully around the plastic straw. The potent drink was cool and tangy in her mouth, and when she'd swallowed, she smiled and daintily, seductively licked her lips. The man's smile widened; he raised a questioning eyebrow, and she nodded slightly in return. He stood and slowly walked along the bar until he reached the empty stool next to her.
-He's gorgeous!-
He was dark-haired and powerfully built; dressed all in black with only a wine-red handkerchief in his breast pocket providing a little bit of color. With his easy stride, he somehow seemed slightly dangerous as he approached. Kat sat in her stool, transfixed.
"You looked as if you might like one of those," he said in a deep, velvety voice. "I hope I've made the right choice."
"Piña colada is my favorite; thank you," she said politely, her mouth dry.
"Good. May I join you?"
"I, um, I don't know," she murmured, flustered.
He chuckled. "I'm sorry; I should probably introduce myself first. I'm … Jay."
"I'm pleased to meet you, Jay," Kat answered, intrigued almost despite her will. "I'm …" she thought quickly, searching for an alias. She really did not want to give her identity away! "… Kate."
"As in 'Kiss me, Kate'?" he murmured with a tiny grin that was just a tad naughty.
-I can't believe I'm doing this! But he's the best-looking guy I've ever met, and … I'm only passing time; it's just … a game!-
So she replied with a playful look. "Maybe."
"May I find out?" He liked the sparkle in the blue eyes; it promised things he was eager to explore.
"If that's what you want." Good grief, she was actually flirting! She'd never done that before!
"I want. Very much." Jay's voice caressed her as much as the appreciative look he swept over her, from her golden locks to her bare pink-tipped toes peeking out of her sandals. It made Kat feel warm all over, and she took another sip of her drink. -Ooh. Me, too!-
He signed for a refill of his own beverage, and while they waited for it to be delivered, he smiled at her. "I'm probably sounding like a cliché, but what's a beautiful woman like you doing all by herself in a Vegas bar on a Saturday night?"
"I'm in town for a conference," she circumscribed lightly. "Business, sort of."
"Ah."
"How about you, Jay? What brings you here?"
He waved dismissively. "Personal stuff. I was supposed to meet someone."
"Oh? Someone special?"
He was carefully not looking at her as he replied. "Just an old friend from High School."
-Old, huh? Like I believe that!- "Who didn't show up?"
"Haven't seen hide nor hair," he shrugged, then continued with another smile that made her feel hot all over. "But I don't care anymore. I've met you."
"How nice," Kat murmured. This 'flirting' business wasn't as easy as it looked! -But it's fun! With the right person, of course!- The man sitting so close to her was very much the right person, she decided. "I think I was right."
Somewhat confounded by the non sequitur, Jay tilted his head enquiringly. "About what?"
It was Kat's – no, Kate's – turn to send a rather provocative smile across the short distance separating them. "I am pleased to meet you. Very pleased."
"Great. Then … will you have dinner with me?"
She hesitated. She really ought to attend the banquet; on the other hand, there would likely be a lot of boring speeches, and from what she'd heard from her acquaintances yesterday, the food usually was mediocre at best. There were over a hundred attendees; if her seat remained empty, it might be noted, but she wouldn't be missed. Still, she couldn't afford to be seen in the hotel's dining room – not with a man who wasn't connected with the symposium, anyway!
"I might … where did you have in mind?"
"Not here," Jay assured her, boldly reaching for her hand. Automatically, Kat slid off her bar stool. She came to stand very close, not quite touching, but near enough to sense his body heat. "There's a luau at one of the smaller casinos not far from the Bellagio; and maybe, if you feel like it, we could go dancing afterwards?"
-Ah, who cares about a boring banquet, anyway?-
"Sounds just about perfect."
"Then … shall we?" Jay lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back; the intimate gesture made her shiver deliciously. Throwing caution to the wind, she nodded.
"Let's."
···
The luau was everything Kat had hoped for – delicious food in an exotic setting, a great performance by a Hawaiian dance troupe, and a wonderful, attentive companion who served and literally fed her bites of every dish, interspersed with tiny morsels of fruit to clear her palate. He also made sure her mai tai cocktail was constantly refilled. Dinner ended with a simply sinful chocolate mousse, and Kat relished every last bit of it.
"Oh dear, I'm so full, I can hardly move," she groaned as the Master of Ceremonies thanked the guests and the waiters started to clear off the dishes. "But it was worth it!"
"Just as long as you had fun, Kate," Jay said warmly.
"I did; very much so. Thanks for bringing me here."
"You're welcome. It was such a joy to see you enjoy the food; I like that in a woman."
"It was hard not to enjoy it," she answered lightly. "Everything was so perfect." -Especially the company!-
Jay helped her up from the low bench she'd been sitting on. As if he'd heard her thought, he spoke softly. "Especially the company. Intelligent, witty … beautiful …" Kat blushed with pleasure at the compliment, but before she could reply, she was rendered speechless by the next as he picked up the lei every guest had received. His was made out of white silk flowers, but hers had been bought from a special vendor wandering by their table. It was fashioned out of real pink orchids, and the sweet scent filled the air as he slipped it over her head. "I feel like I'm gilding the lily. You absolutely don't need any ornaments; not even the prettiest flower could be – or make you – more beautiful than you already are."
As she searched for a word – any word – of thanks, Jay put a finger over her lips. The contact sent tingles right down into her toes. "No, don't thank me. I'm only telling the truth."
Kat swallowed hard. After this, how could she not let him take her hand and follow him outside onto the Strip? They wandered through the balmy night air, past the magnificent hotel casinos, marvelling at the fantastic light displays. They spoke very little, but exchanged a lot of glances and smiles. By the time they had almost reached the end of the famous street, Jay's arm was slung around Kat's waist, and she'd been tempted more than once to lay her head on that invitingly broad shoulder.
He stopped before a doorway that was less lavishly lit than most. The neon sign above it read simply 'Night Away'. "We're here," Jay murmured into her ear.
Slightly dazed, Kat looked up. "And where, or what, is 'here'?" She frowned at the sign. "What kind of name is 'Night Away'?"
Jay chuckled as he drew her on to the front steps. "It's short for 'dancing the night away'," he explained. "A friend told me about it; it's supposed to be the best dance club in Las Vegas."
-Dancing? With Jay? Oh my.- Which, deep in her mind, translated as -Oh, YES!-
He looked deep into her eyes. "I'd love nothing more than to hold you," he whispered. "Are you game?"
Was she ever! "Yes."
"Then come."
Inside, the club's atmosphere was intimate; candles burned in multicolored glasses on each table, and the music was perfect – not too loud, so one could talk without shouting, but enough to shield any conversation from being overheard; neither too fast nor too slow. They found a table for two and ordered more drinks – white wine for Kat and a dark burgundy for Jay. He touched his glass to hers in salute.
"To the prettiest woman in Vegas."
"Hardly that," Kat protested, secretly pleased at the compliment. "There must be hundreds of women here who are better-looking than I!"
"Not to me." Somehow, her hand was again clasped in his; this time, his kiss was placed into her palm. Kat gasped softly, but couldn't draw away. Neither could she look away from Jay's heated glance. -Oh God, I don't even want to stop him!- To cover her confusion and excitement, she pretended to listen to the new track the DJ was playing. It was a Cool Jazz number, and seemed like the perfect escape.
"I love this song," she said, her usually light voice getting husky. "Can we dance, please?"
Jay smiled. "Certainly." He led her onto the dance floor and drew her into his arms. As they began to sway to the mellow sound of a saxophone, Kat realized her mistake. Dancing with Jay wasn't an escape, it was playing with fire … and she was getting burned. However, she was enjoying herself far too much to notice the embers that had glowed between them from the start turning into red-hot flames.
The fire was still burning brightly when he walked her to her hotel room much later; it was hours after midnight by now, and the corridors were quiet, even for a never-sleeping town like Las Vegas.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening," Kat murmured as they reached her door.
"It was entirely my pleasure," Jay replied, taking her key card with a smile. "And ditto." He slid the white plastic rectangle through the appropriate slot, and the door opened with a muted 'snick'.
Kat sighed. She didn't want her time with Jay to end just yet, but it had to eventually. "Good night then," she whispered, trying to keep disappointment and a little sadness out of her voice.
Jay looked at her for a long moment, then nodded. "Good night, lovely Kate."
"Jay …" No. It was better to end things here, and now. She took a hesitant step into her room; turn-down service had long been by, and the only light came from the nightstand. It was more than intimate, with the ready-to-slip-into bed and drawn curtains; it was an invitation.
"Good night," she repeated. -I should say good-bye instead ... but I can't!- Kat was able to say nothing more, but she couldn't command her eyes … which said plenty instead. And Jay, who had read every wish from those deep blue pools all evening, understood their silent message all too well.
"It will be," he murmured. "Because it's not over yet."
Before Kat could react, she found herself in his arms again. He cupped her cheek and gave her an instant to protest what he was about to do. When she didn't, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. With a soft moan, Kat capitulated and responded full-heartedly.
In that moment, the fire became a conflagration, and they almost stumbled into her room. The door clicked shut behind them, and wasn't opened again.
···
The next morning, Kat woke late from a deep sleep. She stretched luxuriously on the soft sheets, but when she reached out to the other side of the rumpled bed, she was startled to find the place beside her empty and already cold.
-He can't have left me here! Not after what we shared last night!-
She sat up, the cover falling to her waist. She shivered as a blast from the A/C unit hit her exposed skin; she'd never gotten around to putting on her nightgown. Clutching the top sheet to her chest, Kat glanced around the room – there was nobody there except herself. Still, she hoped …
"Jay?"
No reply. She strained her ears, but nobody stirred in the bathroom, either. Which meant that the man she'd spent all evening and most of the night with really had left her – without a word. Torn between anger and disappointment, she sank back against her pillow.
"I can't believe it!"
Grumbling, she groped blindly towards her nightstand; might as well check her alarm clock and see whether she still had time to have breakfast before she needed to pack and check out. The hotel room was only hers until noon. She fumbled among the items scattered around the lamp.
It was then that she encountered a small package that most certainly hadn't been there the night before.
Wide awake now, Kat sat up and took a closer look. A flat, oblong box wrapped in paper from the hotel gift shop. Fingers shaking, Kat tore off the bow and wrapping, and opened the lid. A carefully-folded note fell into her lap. With bated breath, she read the few lines.
"Dear, lovely Kate –
Thank you for a beautiful memory. Please accept this small token of my appreciation and gratitude, and enjoy it as much as I did spending time with you.
Jay."
Beneath the note was a slender bracelet in white gold, set at regular intervals with diamond-cut pink tourmalines. She had admired the bracelet the night before as they passed the store's window on their way out, mentioning that it was a perfect match to a ring she had at home, but never in her wildest dreams had she expected to own it the next day! Jay had been extremely generous. Laughing and crying at the same time, she picked it up and clasped it around her wrist.
"Oh, you …!"
Now feeling buoyant and cheerful, Kat bounded out of bed. Suddenly, and despite the huge dinner she'd had last night, she was ravenously hungry. -Well, I certainly had more than enough exercize with Jay!- There just had to be enough time to sample the hotel's breakfast buffet before she left! Humming one of the songs they had danced to, she headed for the shower.
···
Back in Angel Grove by mid-afternoon, Kat let herself in through the garage, dropped her overnight case at the foot of the stairs and ambled through the house in search of her family. Her children were nowhere in sight, but she found Jason lying on the double recliner on the patio, reading a book.
"Hey, I'm home!"
He hadn't heard her enter the house and looked up, pleasantly surprised. "So I see," he grinned, laid his book aside and scooted to one side. "Come here, you!"
Smiling, Kat went and sat down next to him, only to find herself pulled into an enthusiastic bear-hug and an even more enthusiastic kiss. When Jason finally let her up for air, she was laughing with delight. By now, she was lying right next to him, legs intertwined with his and snuggled happily against his broad chest.
"Does that mean you're glad I'm back?"
"You need to ask?" Jason spent the next few minutes showing Kat exactly how glad he was.
"If I get a greeting like that every time I spend two nights somewhere else, maybe I should go away more often," she teased, running her fingers through his dark hair.
"No way," Jason vetoed immediately. "I missed you too damn much, and there's no way I'm letting you go off anywhere anytime soon! Not without me, anyway!"
"How nice to know," Kat chuckled, immensely pleased. "So you did miss me?"
He grew serious and tightened his embrace. "Very much. The kids did, too, but they had too much fun with my father at the zoo to notice. It was ten times worse for me."
"I'm sorry," Kat apologized. "Where are they, anyway?"
"Over at Rocky's. Don't apologize; you wanted to go to that symposium for ages, and I'm glad you finally got to go. Was it worth it?"
"Oh, yes. The workshops especially … I learned quite a lot. I'll tell you later tonight when I've dug up my notes, okay?"
He nodded agreeably. "Fine by me. Did you attend lectures and stuff all day, or did you have some fun time, too?"
Kat shifted her head to a more comfortable position on Jason's shoulder. "Not during the day, really, but Friday night I went with a group of others to see the sights … gamble a little …" She grinned, waiting for the inevitable question. It wasn't long in coming.
"Gambling, huh? Did you lose much?" His tone was perfectly pitched – a wonderful mixture of alarm and resignation.
-As if I were a gambling addict and had just fallen off the wagon. Fink!-
But a quick glance into Jason's eyes told her he trusted her and was just teasing. Sticking out her tongue at him, Kat laughed. "No, worrywart, just $25. Gambling can be fun, but I set myself a limit and stuck to it. I'm not such a thrill junkie that I'd risk anything substantial."
"I know you wouldn't," he soothed. "I'm just messing with you a little."
"Hmph." Her mock pout earned Kat another kiss which she returned with interest.
"And last night?" Jason wanted to know next. He kept his voice deceptively casual. "What did you do then? Anything special?"
-It was incredibly special, and you know it. After all, you made it so!-
Kat leaned up on one elbow in order to better see into his eyes. She chose her words with great care.
"Actually, yes. I … played a game."
Was it her imagination, or was that a tiny flame igniting in Jason's eyes?
"A game? Interesting. Did you enjoy playing it?"
She was not imagining that Jason's voice had dropped into a low, intimate growl.
"Oh yeah," Kat said softly, memories of the hours spent in Jay's company filling her mind. She had never felt so pampered, or cared for.
"That's great," Jason murmured, stroking her hair. "Would you like to play it again someday?"
-Would I? WOULD I?-
"If I can," she whispered. "It was just about the best time of my life."
He gave her a very tender kiss.
"Well then … maybe the next time I can come and play too. What do you think?"
Kat smiled and kissed him back. "I think it'd be wonderful." Her new bracelet sparkled in the sun as she placed her hand on his heart. "In fact … it wouldn't be the same without you ... Jay."
Jason nodded, satisfied, and hugged his wife close. He felt exactly the same way. As the two relaxed in each other's arms, basking in their closeness, he remembered there was one thing left to say. Gazing deeply into Kat's getting-drowsy eyes, Jason put all the love he felt for his wife into his voice.
"Happy Anniversary, lovely Kate."