A/N: Many thanks to SWWoman! And to all my faithful readers your support is heartfelt!
The Real Connection 3
As Joss sat across from John in the secluded booth, her fingers curled around his, she gazed into his handsome face, and couldn't help the feeling that she had seen him somewhere before, especially his deep, expressive, silver-blue eyes. Although the lighting in the bar was dim, there was still enough light to make out his features. Her eyes traveled over the planes of his chiseled face with sharp cheekbones, square jaw, and slightly crooked nose, and tried to place where she could have seen him before, but nothing came to mind, only a vague awareness that she knew him.
Then Joss noticed him smiling at her quizzically as John asked, "What is it? Do I have something on my face?" And he chuckled.
A little embarrassed that she had been caught staring, Joss laughed softly, shaking her head. "No, no, it's just that…well, honestly, I get the feeling that we've met before," she replied honestly, and she saw surprise in his eyes then also thought she saw wariness before it was gone quickly, and replaced by laughter, she thought she had imagined it.
"I probably have one of those faces that look like a hundred other men," John replied, hoping Joss didn't make the connection between their meeting at the precinct and now. He had been a stinking drunken bum with long scraggly hair, and an unkempt beard covering most of his face when he had been arrested for a fight with some punks on a subway then brought to her several months ago. He looked very different now with his hair cut brutally short, clean shaven, and with decent clothing.
Joss clasped his hand firmer, and leaned in over the table separating them, gazing directly into those extraordinary eyes. "Uh, no, John. You are definitely one of a kind," she whispered huskily, making goosebumps rise all over John's body.
John leaned in, pulled her hand to his lips, and kissed the soft skin of the back of her hand, letting his lips linger for a moment. "You, Joss Carter, are also one of a kind," his voice was like silk across her skin, making her tremble.
Joss smiled coyly. "I guess that makes us a pair then." She didn't know what had gotten into her. She never behaved this way on a first date, no matter how attracted she was to a man. But John seemed to bring out something primal from her that she couldn't, and didn't think she wanted, to control.
Thankfully at that moment the waiter came by, and asked for their drink order. While they placed their orders Joss was able to regain some semblance of decency so as not to embarrass herself by throwing herself at the man before they even had their first drink. She was already flushed from his kissing the back of her hand. She would probably catch fire if he actually kissed her, which she desperately wanted him to do.
As Joss gave her order to the waiter, John took a minute to breathe. His pulse was racing, and his blood felt like lava rushing through his veins. He had known he was attracted to her, but he hadn't realized that being in her presence would have such an affect on him physically. When he had kissed the back of her hand all he had wanted to do was continue down the smooth skin of her arm till he reached the curve of her shoulder, then take her in his arms, and kiss her senseless. She seemed to bring out something primal inside of him that he wasn't sure he could control or if he wanted to.
After the waiter left to get their drinks, they both relaxed back into the booth, both sensing that they needed to cool things down. Despite the pulsing sexual energy radiating between them, John and Joss managed to carry on a stimulating conversation, and as they both had thought, they had a lot of interests in common.
John loved the way Joss's face lit up when she talked about her son, Taylor. He seemed to be the center of her universe, and John respected the mother/son bond between them. John would very much like to be a part of that universe, but knew, except for these few days to protect her, he would never really be a part of her life. He would just have to enjoy the time he had with her, and cherish the memories later. A sadness swept over him at the thought that he would have to leave her just as he was getting to know her.
Joss was genuinely enjoying John's company. He was definitely a man of few words, and preferred to let her lead the conversation, but what she was able to pry out of him was illuminating. Tidbits such as being adopted, and his father dying when John was very young. He was most animated when he talked about his time in the service, and how fulfilled he felt serving his country. She got the feeling, however, that he was not telling her everything, but it was their first date, so she didn't push. Then she noticed a sadness sweep over him as she was talking, and it concerned her.
Joss reached across the table to grasp his hand again. "Hey, John, what's the matter? Are you ok?" She asked with concern.
John noticed the little frown between her eyes, and smiled softly. "I'm fine, Joss. Really. I just got a little nostalgic listening to you talk about Taylor. My Mom and I were very close until she died before I joined the Army," He replied with a little honesty because it was true. He had been thinking of his Mom while Joss talked about her relationship with Taylor, but he was also saddened by the fact that he could never be a part of a family again; A part of her family or her life.
Although she knew John wasn't telling her the whole truth, Joss left it at that, and didn't inquire further. Instead, she asked for more details about his Mom which, to her surprise, he was more than happy to give. They continued to discuss family life and values, discovering they had a lot in common in that area as well. As they talked, Joss realized with sudden clarity that she could very easily fall in love with this man. There was a lull in the conversation, and they both looked into each other's eyes, and the sexual tension that they had kept at bay was suddenly right in front of them.
John felt the shift in the air as he gazed into Joss's beautiful soft brown, eyes. They were wide with anticipation and excitement, and that excited him. He reached out, and brushed her soft cheek with his hand, and watched her eyes close slowly at his touch. "You are such a beautiful woman, Joss. In every way," he whispered huskily, and she leaned into his touch as she opened her eyes.
"John…take me home," Joss breathed, and heard his sharp inhale of breath. She couldn't believe what she was saying, but she meant every word. She wanted him to take her home, and whatever happened would happen.
John stared into her eyes for a minute, and then stood, holding his hand out to Joss, helping her stand. He threw some money on the table for their drinks, and then wrapped his arm around her waist, leading her from the bar.
As they stood on her front stoop, John was close behind Joss while she unlocked her door with trembling fingers, and then she let them inside her two story brownstone. In the foyer she took his brown leather bomber jacket, and hung it up along with her own coat then led him into the den where she asked him if he would like to take a seat on the couch. Once she knew he was comfortable, she went to the kitchen to pour them both a glass of wine, and give herself a chance to breathe..
When she returned, Joss handed John his glass, and then took a seat beside him. His eyes never left her, even when he took a sip of his wine. Now that they were here she didn't know what to do, and she said as much. "Now that I have you here, I don't know what to do with you," she laughed nervously as she sipped her wine.
John reached out, took her wine glass from her hand, and placed both their glasses on the coffee table in front of the couch. Then he took Joss by the hand, and looked deep into her beautiful, brown eyes. "Joss, we don't have to do anything you don't want to. You just met me. I don't expect you to do anything at all. We can just talk or sit here, whatever you're comfortable with," he said tenderly, and gently squeezed her hand then let it go.
Without thinking, Joss reached out, took John behind the neck, and pulled him toward her, smashing her lips against his in a passionate kiss. He sighed into the kiss, running his fingers through her hair, and returning the kiss with equal passion. The kiss deepened, and Joss moaned softly as his tongue slipped into her mouth, licking the sides then tangling with her own. When they came up for air, their breaths coming in short gasps, they both smiled, and then laughed like silly teenagers.
John's eyes sparkled with laughter and desire as Joss gazed at him in wonder. He was like no other man she had ever met before, and made her want to do things she would never do before. She caressed his face, and brushed her lips against his again, feeling that thrill of discovery run through her body as she heard his soft moan of her name on his breath.
John swallowed hard as he felt Joss's soft lips brush against his jaw then down his neck. He had to stop this before things got too far out of control, and he couldn't stop himself. He placed his hands on each of her cheeks, and pulled her away from the divine torture she was doing to his body. He caressed her cheeks with his thumbs, and tenderly kissed her lips, and was nearly undone by her moan of pleasure.
"Joss, as much as I hate to end this, I really do have to go," John said with a breathless kiss.
"I don't want you to go," Joss demanded, grabbing his shirt collar, she pulled him closer, and she buried her face in his neck.
"Oh god, Joss, you're not making this easy," he breathed into her hair as he held her close. He didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay and love her till she shouted his name in exquisite release, but he didn't want to take advantage of her either. He ran his hands over the smooth, warm, skin of her back, his fingers gliding along the delicate curve of her spine. She was absolute perfection.
"Your hands on me are making me crazy, John," Joss moaned into his ear.
"Oh god help me," John whispered huskily against her neck as her breasts pressed against his chest. "I can't fight this."
Joss leaned her head back to look into his stormy, blue eyes. "Let's not fight it. I've never felt like this with any man before. I want you to stay. I want you," and she kissed him with all the desire she had inside her.
With a growl of surrender, John grabbed her by the waist, picked Joss up from the couch while she wrapped her legs around his waist, and made his way to her stairs. There would be time for regrets in the morning, but tonight he was going to make a memory, a memory for the both of them.
A/N: John decides to make a memory, but will it be bittersweet? What happens when Joss finds out who he really is? Will he tell her? Oh John, what a dilemma you've found yourself in...again. See you soon...
