A/N: 1) Sorry for the much longer wait than usual for an update. Life gets in the way sometimes. I hope the new chapter was worth the wait.
2) This chapter contains sexually explicit material.
October 7. Joey rolled over and winced at the bright light streaming through her window. She pulled up her sheets and sighed with pleasure as she shifted her weight to settle more comfortably into the mattress. It was then she realized Pacey wasn't next to her. She had woken to an empty bed. As memories of last night began to fill her mind, she smiled as she sank back into her pillow.
"That's right, naughty girl. Are you going to come for me?" The husky, guttural request had sent her soaring, her whole body convulsing. He hadn't stopped there, but kept pushing her, driving his fingers into her. As her body had started to come down from the peak of her release, he pushed her up and over again. That time she'd screamed, her body shivering from the release as it had rolled through her.
Lord, her body felt used. Not in a bad way. But in a pleasant, thoroughly satisfied way. The experience last night with Pacey went beyond anything she had ever imagined. Her body clenched at the memory of lying on her stomach and that orgasm brought on by his fingers buried deep inside her. He had never made her come so hard before.
And then there was the memory of Pacey waking her up—his strong body against hers, his firm but gentle touch, his uncanny ability to know where and when and how much pleasure to give. God, those hands! They belonged to a magician. She closed her eyes and luxuriated in the memory of her orgasm earlier that morning, its sweeping ecstasy that was like the slow but steady release of a pressure valve.
Eventually, Joey pulled herself away from her delicious daydreams and forced herself out of bed. After a quick shower, she dressed in her long-sleeved burgundy shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans, and found her boyfriend sitting at the dining room table, hunched over an old French cookbook that had once belonged to her mother.
"Good morning," she said, sitting down next to him. "I missed you when I woke up."
Pacey grinned at the suggestive purr in her voice, and leaned over to kiss her. "Good morning. I couldn't go back to sleep. I was lying there wondering what to make tonight for Dawson and Jen. But speaking of making something, you want breakfast?"
"Yeah, I'm starved." As she gazed into his handsome face, her thoughts again turned to last night, and she blushed.
He watched her expression change, and the corners of his mouth twitched. He cleared his throat. "So, um, how are you feeling?"
"Fine. Good. You?"
He held her gaze for a moment. "Yeah, I'm good."
She lowered her eyes to the table and giggled. "So, last night was, um…"
"I believe you said the word fun," he grinned.
"I did," she admitted. "And it was."
His brows furrowed. "Am I sensing a but here?"
"No!" Her eyes popped. "No, there's no but."
"So, is that something you'd want to do again?"
Her face flushed with warmth. "Yes," she said quietly as her toes curled.
"So… why last night? I mean, I know we joked that it was the car or the haircut…" He smirked as he ran his fingers through his messy brown hair, now much shorter than before. "It's just I know you'd been nervous or apprehensive about it and then last night—"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "I wanted to, and it felt right. And maybe… well, maybe there was a part of me that knows just how difficult it is for you to be back home in Capeside, with your family… you know, just in general, and then with the meeting tomorrow with Mr. Kapinos…"
"I needed a distraction?" he guessed.
She smiled sheepishly. "Something to get your mind off… things."
"Well, it worked," he said with a laugh.
Her eyes sparkled as she chewed her bottom lip. "I'd say it worked rather well."
He saw heat in her gaze, and felt his groin tighten. "You keep looking at me like that, and we're gonna end up right back in your bedroom."
Fighting a smile, Joey glanced over the open cookbook in front of him. "Coq au vin? My dad used to make that for my mom. It was her favorite, Francophile that she was. You know how to make coq au vin?"
"Not yet," he answered, sliding his chair back from the table. "But I follow directions really well."
A teasing smile played around the edges of her mouth. "I'll keep that in mind for later."
Desire surged through him, keeping him in his seat. "You're killing me, Potter."
Her smile widened. "Not what I had in mind, Pace, although I do think the French have a rather curious expression for—"
He held up a hand. "Jo, if you keep talking dirty, I won't be able to walk into the kitchen." Her wicked laugh delighted him. "I'm going to make us something to eat. After that I'm going to the market to get what we need for supper. Then I'll come back here and take great pleasure in following orders from you for the rest of the day… and night." He dropped a kiss on her lips before he stood up.
"So, breakfast?" he said again as he opened the refrigerator door. "Pancakes or eggs? An omelet?"
"An omelet sounds good."
He nodded, and then pulled out a carton of eggs and other items from the fridge. "How about a cup of coffee?" He walked over to the white coffeemaker on the counter and took a clean mug out from the cabinet above.
"How else will I be able to function?" she joked.
While she drank from her cup, Joey watched him work in the kitchen while he whipped up two omelets overflowing with vegetables, chopped ham, and cheese. Then he rejoined her at the table, settling into the chair beside hers. Pacey took a few bites of his omelet before he glanced at her and spoke.
"So, um, why exactly did you invite Dawson and Jen over?"
"I thought you'd like to spend some time with friends. Look, I know how hard it is for you to be back here, after you said you never wanted to come back to Capeside again, and maybe this weekend spent back home won't be all that bad if we can… enjoy each other, and hang out with friends."
"I don't recall Dawson being someone you especially wanted to hang out with, Jo."
"Well, I don't, but…" She sighed. "It's not for me, it's for you. And it's just one dinner. How awkward could it possibly be?"
Pacey tilted his head, giving her a pointed look. "Did you, uh, forget our little run-in at the convenience store?"
Suddenly the memory filled Joey's mind, of the clerk holding up the bottle of lubricant and the looks of amusement and embarrassment on Jen and Dawson's respective faces. She grimaced. "Oh, geez."
"It'll be fine," he said enthusiastically as he lifted his glass of orange juice. "You know, it'll be great."
She gave him a skeptical look and then turned her attention back to her breakfast.
Later at the small downtown market, Pacey held the shopping list and filled the cart while Joey pushed it up and down the aisles. The store needed remodeling. The aisles were too narrow, and the owner usually kept it far too cold to suit Joey. Still, the selection was good and the meat and vegetables always fresh.
They were just passing the condiment aisle when their shopping cart collided with someone coming around the corner from the opposite direction. Joey looked up to see a startled middle-aged woman who looked familiar, her fading brown hair now starting to gray. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she apologized while running through her mental database. "Mrs., uh, MacDonald?"
The woman's bright eyes focused on her, and she saw a spark of recognition. "You're the Potter girl, aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm Joey Potter."
"Mike and Lillian's youngest, yes? Your parents used to shop here all the time for the restaurant. The Ice House was such a nice spot. It was the place to be Saturday nights down on the waterfront. Shame it burned down. We sure do miss it around here, especially Dad."
Joey exchanged a look with Pacey, who gave her a small smile. "Your father still owns this store?" she asked the woman.
"Paid off the mortgage years ago. Dad keeps talking about finally closing up shop and retiring, but he says being here is better than sittin' at home and watching that damn boob tube."
Joey suppressed a smile: she hadn't heard a television called that in a long time. "Well, good for him."
The woman's gaze moved away from her. "Now let me get a good look at young Mr. Witter here."
He beamed a friendly smile. "Hi, Margaret. Still working your secretarial magic at the Capeside Sheriff's Station?"
Her eyes sparkled with humor as the corners of her mouth twitched. "Yes, Pacey, I'm still there. I just help Dad out here on the weekends. So, what brings you back to town? I don't suppose you're already sick of the city life."
"Um…" He hesitated. "Just some family stuff that I, uh…" He felt his face reddening. He hadn't really been prepared to answer questions.
"Doug had a gift for Pacey," Joey interjected, noticing his discomfort and drawing away Mrs. MacDonald's attention. "A car that had sat at the impound for a few months. We came down to Capeside so Pacey could collect it."
"Oh, that Mustang?" the woman said with surprise. "Yes, I remember Doug talking about it around the station. He'd seemed quite pleased at being able to get his hands on it."
"It's a great car," Pacey agreed.
"Well, it was good seeing you both," Margaret said with a smile. "I'll let you get back to your shopping."
They said goodbye. When they had gotten everything on the list and paid for their groceries, Pacey and Joey wheeled the cart out of the store and through the parking lot. It was a warm autumn day, and dark clouds had gathered overhead; a storm was brewing. After the bags had been loaded in the trunk, he walked with her over to the passenger side of the car. As he opened the door for her, their eyes met. Drops of rain began to fall as sparks crackled like lightning between them. He pulled her to him and kissed her longingly, a long slow kiss, his mouth playing across hers softly. Releasing her, he brushed her nose with his and she kissed his cheek before getting into the car.
"Can we stop at the craft store on Main Street?" Joey asked him as she buckled her seat belt. "I need to replenish some of my supplies."
"Sure. No problem."
Pacey waited in the car while she ran inside Capeside Crafts & Things. It was an odd little shop—part convenience store, part craft supplies, part haberdashery. She grabbed a shopping basket and wandered down the first of the cramped aisles and made her way to the back of the store. As she started reaching toward the shelf of acrylic paints, a familiar voice said her name.
"Joey?"
She turned to see little Buzz Thompson standing there smiling at her. Only he wasn't as little as he'd been the last time that she'd seen him over the summer. "Hi, monkey," she greeted with surprise. "What are you doing here? Are you here by yourself?"
"Nah, my mom's over in the other aisle getting some yarn. I needed stuff for a science project," he answered, lifting the basket in his hand. "What are you doin' here?"
"Here, as in the store? Or here as in Capeside? Well, I'm here getting paint supplies because I ran out of some colors and I need them for art class. And I'm in Capeside just for a weekend visit."
"Is Pacey here?" he said, looking up at her with a hopeful expression, his blue eyes going wide behind his glasses.
She smiled. "Yes, he's waiting out in the car," she replied, before turning back to the shelf and grabbing some paints. "He's got a brand new, cherry red Mustang that I bet he can't wait to show you."
Joey could feel Buzz's eyes on her, watching her with interest. She turned back to look at him still standing there, her mouth curving into a half-smile. "What?"
"Yeah, I think Pacey was right about you."
Taken aback, she let out a small laugh as she dropped the bottles of paint in her basket. "What do you mean?"
"He told me one time that you were so beautiful that every time he looked at you, his knees trembled, his heart melted, and he knew that there was meaning to the universe." Buzz shook his head. "What a sap."
She laughed again, her cheeks flushing pink. "And when did he say that?"
"The first time he came to my house, the day we met. He came over and brought stuff to make meatloaf and mashed potatoes and we cooked together, and he told me about you."
The memory came forward in Joey's mind. It had been March of last year. "And you remember he said all that?"
"Uh-huh. Pacey always says that it's important to remember the things people tell you, especially if they're people you care about."
Affection filled her heart. "He's right, you know."
"He usually is, which is annoying," Buzz said with a grimace.
"Tell me about it," she replied, rolling her eyes dramatically and then grinning down at him.
Once she'd paid for her paints, Joey greeted Mrs. Thompson at the front of the store and then walked back outside to see Buzz hurrying toward the Mustang. Pacey got out of the front seat and pulled the eleven-year-old into a tight hug. Then they started walking around the car together. She watched her boyfriend with Buzz, and couldn't help but feel warmth spread through her as thoughts of how good a father Pacey was eventually going to be filled her mind.
After a few minutes, they bid Buzz and his mother goodbye, and got back in the car.
Pacey pulled away from the curb. "What will these people think of me after tomorrow?" he mused with a frown. "Once they all find out the truth about what happened with Tamara. What will they think of me? How do you think they'll look at me?"
"I don't know, sweetheart. I can only hope with kindness and understanding." Yet the infamous judgmental, small-minded residents of their bleary town made her doubt her words. She sighed heavily.
"Once this shit all comes out, I can't see myself ever wanting to come back to Capeside, Jo. It's just one bad memory after another."
They drove away from downtown and out towards the creek, the rain starting to come down harder. With the stereo on, music filled the car. Joey reached over and took hold of Pacey's hand, threading their fingers. The closer they got to the B&B, the more the streets thinned of traffic. When they turned onto Creekside Road, they were the only vehicle around. Music still blaring from the radio, an idea sprang to her mind.
"Can you pull over?"
"What's going on?" His brows creased as he glanced over at her with surprise. Pacey immediately slowed down, and then pulled over to park on the side of the road. "Are you okay, Jo? Are you gonna be sick?" he asked, worrying.
"I'm fine. Do you remember the last time we pulled off the road, on our way back to Capeside from Boston?"
He grinned. "Uh, yes. I believe I had something very important I needed to finally confess."
"The weather was so cold that Sunday morning," she commented, glancing out at the rain. "That night in Boston had been a disaster, as you'd correctly predicted, much to my annoyance. And you'd spent Saturday with Buzz. You made meatloaf and mashed potatoes together, right?"
"Um…" Pacey's brow furrowed. He couldn't remember ever telling her about the meatloaf, but maybe he had. "Yeah. It was… a memorable weekend. It ended with you attacking me on the side of the road, as I recall."
She smiled, blushing as she remembered her freak-out after he'd kissed her. Getting angry had been a lot easier than dealing with the other powerful emotions that had erupted inside her. "I'm not going to attack you this time," she assured him as she unbuckled her seat belt.
"Do you have something you need to confess?" he asked with a grin. Then his face fell slightly, his eyes widening. "Are you pregnant?"
"No, I'm not pregnant, Pacey!" she scoffed.
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, so… why did we pull over?"
"As much as being back in Capeside is kind of a drag, we made some good memories here, didn't we?"
Warmth colored his cheeks as his face softened. "We did."
She gazed at him tenderly, her brown eyes full of affection. "Let's make another one."
"Okay…" He still had no idea what was happening.
Joey smiled. "Come and dance in the rain with me."
Pacey watched her open the car door, a surprised grin spreading across his face. He joined her outside, instantly being pelted with falling raindrops. She reached for his hands. He looked around, making sure the road was still clear of vehicles. There was no sign of any approaching from either side. He took her hands, and the two of them danced in the warm rain together. They found it to be freeing. They spun and laughed. It felt good.
He pulled her close, holding her in his arms, and then four words escaped her lips: "Kiss me, my love."
And he did. He kissed her with all the life and love inside him.
Up against the car, Joey pressed into him as Pacey ran his hands down to hold her hips against his. He groaned and kissed her hungrily, there in the rain, soaked to the bone. And she kissed him back with just as much passion, her hands grazing his throat, his cheek, his chest. She wanted to climb inside him. The road was empty, and there was no sound except for their heavy breaths mingled with the falling rain. They were like the last people on Earth, she thought.
Back at the B&B, they swiftly put the groceries away. Pacey pulled her against him, and kissed her exposed neck and then down to the tops of her breasts through her wet shirt. When he raised his head to look at her, her mouth was smiling, her eyes sparkling. His breath caught in his throat at her beauty and he pulled her closer, covering her mouth with his.
Joey raised her arms and encircled his neck. She pressed her body close to his and kissed him back, deeply, passionately. His hands moved from her waist to the back of her neck, entwining his fingers in her damp hair, pulling her mouth against his. He became aroused quickly, his massive erection pressing hard against her. She peeled the wet T-shirt from his body.
The way she looked at him as if he were the meal made his body harden and his brain malfunction. The way her hot mouth latched on to his nipple had his cock threatening to burst out of his zipper. And the way those soft, deft fingers of hers were trailing lightly across his skin sent a shiver up his spine.
"So, are you ready to follow some directions?" she whispered as she trailed those mind-numbing kisses over his shoulder.
"Am I," Pacey growled, spreading her legs farther apart and undoing the zipper on her jeans. "Tell me what you want, Jo."
She craved his beautiful large hands, their gentleness, their strength. "Touch me."
His hand slipped inside the denim, sliding down past the elastic waistband of her panties, through her soft feminine curls and dipping between her legs. He found her wet and aroused, and didn't hesitate before he speared two fingers inside of her.
When she cried out his name and dug her fingernails into his back, Pacey had to grit his teeth. She was so fucking responsive, so damn hot, he could barely control himself. He slowly retreated, shoving his fingers back inside of her. "That's it, baby." He leaned over her, allowing her to press her forehead into his shoulder as he continued to thrust his fingers inside her right there in the middle of the kitchen. "You like it when I fuck you with my fingers?"
"Yes. Harder. Make me come," she begged, and Pacey gave her exactly what she asked for until her pussy clenched his fingers and she moaned. A few seconds later, her body went lax right there in his arms. But he was far from done with her.
She pulled away far enough to look up into his blue eyes, darkened with arousal. "Make love to me," she whispered to him. She could feel him trembling, knew he wanted her as much as she wanted him. She kissed him again, her mouth open, her tongue probing his.
He broke away and easily scooped her up in his arms, carrying her into her bedroom. They peeled off the rest of their wet clothing and lay naked on the bed. Laid out before him, Pacey looked his fill. The way Joey stared back at him, propped up on her elbows as she watched intently, made his body hum.
Making sure she could see his every movement, he parted her with his fingers again and then leaned in and raked his tongue over her clit. Her body jerked beneath the onslaught of his tongue as he began to torture her clit, flicking back and forth over the sensitive bundle of nerves. He went at her like the starving man he was. Within seconds, Joey was thrusting her hips, trying to force him closer, whispering his name until her body tightened, her clit throbbing insistently, and she came once more.
Sliding home, Pacey thrust inside her slowly, relishing the feel of her long legs wrapping around his waist. She was wet and warm, and he lost himself to the feel of her just as he allowed himself to get lost in those soft brown eyes. Then slowly, sensuously, he made love to her. She looked up into his face, could see his love and passion for her, and it excited her beyond reason. She gasped in pleasure when he entered her over and over again, and their passions peaked and ebbed, leaving them both breathless.
Joey clung to him. When tears formed in her eyes, he was overcome with emotion. He poured himself into his movements, burying himself inside of her, slow and deep, angling his hips when he was seated fully, only to retreat and return.
They didn't speak, but no words needed to be spoken. She was overcome with the emotion, the same way that he was, their feelings transferring between their bodies, emotions stronger than any words could define.
When she gripped his jaw tighter, forcing him to look at her, he saw every emotion written on her face. He continued his torturous pace, thrusting deeper. When she leaned her head up, his mouth met hers, and he kissed her with everything he had. When he pulled back, he met her eyes again as Joey's internal muscles clamped around his cock.
He held her tightly, her body shuddering with aftershocks of bliss, and reveled in the delicious way her orgasm soaked his cock with her wetness. He wasn't ready for the moment to end, but he couldn't hang on. Then she kissed his neck, her tongue stroking one particular spot as the tight, warm clasp of her soft pussy milked him, and he came, spasm after spasm, his hot release spurting deep inside her. They clung to one another, both shaking and moaning in pleasure, for what seemed like a long time.
Afterward he stayed inside her, not wanting to separate, needing to hold on to their oneness. He looked down into her beautiful face and brushed a stray hair aside. "Do you know how much I love you?" he asked quietly.
"As much as I love you," she replied.
Joey had never imagined her heart would ever be so mastered… or exquisitely treasured by someone. Fear suddenly uncoiled in the pit of her stomach and snaked up through her chest. A fear that made her eyes well up with the knowledge that this gorgeous, enthralling young man had the power to break her heart, to shatter it into a million pieces—a power she believed no one else on Earth possessed.
"Do you know, Pacey, when we were apart over the summer, I wanted you so much, needed to feel your arms around me, to kiss you, that I ached? I mean, physically ached for you. It was like a constant stomach ache that wouldn't go away."
"Yes, I felt the same, Jo."
"Promise me it will always be like this between us," she added.
He sighed and gazed into her eyes. "Change is inevitable, and some promises are made to be broken, as the sayings go…" She frowned and a teasing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "But I can promise to love you forever, no matter what happens, and to always do everything I can to make you happy."
"Then I promise you the same thing," she said. Emotion filled her chest as she looked up at him. "I'm so glad you kissed me that day, on the side of the road."
"Me too." Pacey's lips curved into a grin and his eyes sparkled with amusement. "Despite the bruises."
She shook her head, fighting a smile. "I was a fool."
He lifted his hand to her face and softly caressed her cheek with his fingertips. "We both were."
Joey pulled him down to her, loving the weight of him pressing her into the mattress, and closed her eyes as he captured her lips in a tender, passionate kiss.
At half past six, there was a knock on the B&B's back door. Joey went to answer it, and as expected, Dawson and Jen were standing on the other side. They exchanged greetings and Joey stepped aside to let them in the house.
"Wow, something smells delicious," Jen commented as Dawson closed the door behind them.
"That would be Pacey's cooking," Joey replied.
"You're just in time," he said, walking out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on the apron tied around his waist.
"Hey, Pace," Dawson greeted with a smile.
"Hey." Pacey shook his hand, before turning to Jen. "Bring it on in, Lindley."
"Hi, Pacey," she laughed, and moved closer to give him a hug.
The dining table was already set. Joey went to the fridge to take out a bottle of Coca-Cola, before filling their glasses with ice and soda. Dawson and Jen took two seats at the table, and then Joey sat down across from them.
"These flowers are beautiful," Jen said, nodding at the vase of yellow roses in the middle of the table.
"Thanks. Pacey got them for me yesterday."
"Dinner is served." Pacey imitated a formal waiter and bowed as he went back into the kitchen.
Jen giggled as she drank the soda from her glass. "Oh, boy. What are we in for?"
Joey smiled. Her eyes met Dawson's, whose expression was unreadable, before she averted her gaze. They had yet to speak directly to each other. A ball of tension began to tighten in her stomach. She forced a smile. "Some delicious food, I assure you," she said to Jen.
"That was some rainstorm earlier, huh?" Dawson remarked.
Joey turned her head to look into the kitchen, catching Pacey's eye as he glanced over his shoulder and grinned. "Um, yeah," she answered. "We actually got caught in it while out running errands. It started raining pretty hard on our way back to the house."
"I took Lily outside for a few minutes to play in it before Mom yelled at me to bring her back in. She loves the rain."
Pacey returned carrying two plates, setting them down in front of Dawson and Jen, before going back to the kitchen to fetch two more. As he took the seat next to Joey, she looked down at the fresh salad that she had helped him prepare earlier.
"I've made some raspberry vinaigrette for the dressing," Pacey said, shaking up the bottle. "It's the Ambrosia's recipe. It's really good. Sweet, yet tangy."
"I'll bet," Jen said, pursing her lips at Joey. "I don't suppose you've also made a strawberry-flavored dressing? I bet that's also sweet and tangy."
Her face going beet red, Joey's eyes went round as quarters as she stared at her friend. She refused to allow her gaze to flicker over to Dawson.
Pacey coughed, avoiding eye contact with anyone across the table as he poured the vinaigrette onto his own salad. "Uh, nothing strawberry on the menu tonight. Sorry."
"Not the dinner menu, at least," Jen smirked.
"The dressing sounds great," Dawson said, making a point to ignore the commentary, and reached for the bottle that Pacey offered.
Joey clenched her jaw, shaking her head at the twinkling amusement in Jen's eyes, resisting the urge to kick her under the table.
While the rest of them dressed their salads with the vinaigrette Pacey had made, Joey watched him cut the bread and then serve the coq au vin. The aroma of it all enveloped her, and she felt a pang of longing for her parents to be there.
"This is excellent," Dawson praised after tasting the dish.
"Really good," Jen agreed, nodding with enthusiasm.
"Delicious," Joey added. Frankly, it was transcendent. She couldn't remember chicken tasting so good. It might've been just as good when her dad used to make it, but her memory failed her at the moment. It was likely she'd been too young to appreciate fine cooking at the time.
"Thanks," Pacey replied, his chest swelling with pride and satisfaction.
"So, what made you decide to become a cook?" Dawson asked him.
"Folly, if you ask my father," Pacey joked. "I don't know. Passion? Over the past few years, both Joey and Andie would always tell me to find something I like to do, and just do it. You know, I should just follow my heart, and I realized my heart was full of food."
He laughed low. It changed his entire face. Joey's eyes sparkled as she watched him. He was a very handsome man, but when he smiled, he was stunning.
While they ate their meal, they talked about their families. Dawson spoke of his job at Leery's Fresh Fish, his parents and baby sister, and how Mitch's physical therapy was coming along. Jen spoke of how Grams was adjusting to life in Boston.
"How's Jack?" Joey asked rather hesitantly, remembering Jen's demeanor when she mentioned him and the frat party last night when they ran into each other at the convenience store.
"I see him in the couple classes we have together, but that's really it," Jen replied with a frown. "He spends nearly all his spare time with these frat guys he met at this party we went to a couple weeks ago. It's like they're suddenly the best thing since sliced bread. And now he tells me he's thinking about pledging."
Pacey looked at her in surprise. "He's gonna move into a frat house? Leave you and Grams?"
"That's what our argument was about on Saturday afternoon. He barely has any time for me lately, and then he just drops this bomb that he wants to officially join the fraternity. I don't get what he sees in those Neanderthals."
"Jack honestly doesn't seem like the frat guy type," Dawson said, his brows furrowing. "I wouldn't say that's exactly his crowd."
"How are things with him and Tobey?" asked Joey.
Jen shrugged. "Their relationship mainly exists on the phone and instant messenger. Jack's… frustrated, which is understandable. But I know he loves Tobey, and I know Tobey really loves him. I hope they can stick it out."
As the conversation shifted to the girls' college classes, Pacey left the table to dish up dessert. After a minute, Dawson excused himself from the table to use the bathroom. As soon as the girls were alone, Jen threw Joey a shit-eating grin.
"You and Pacey seem to be having an enjoyable weekend."
Joey blushed. "What makes you say that?"
"The way you two keep looking at each other," Jen said quietly with an obvious tone. "I don't know why you haven't rushed dinner to get us out of here as soon as possible so you guys can go back to having sex on every surface available—and against all the walls."
"It's not like that," Joey scoffed.
"Maybe it's more like every orifice available…"
Joey's mouth fell open. Then she arched her brow, throwing her friend a challenging look. "And what about you and Dawson, may I ask? Anything you want to share?"
The smirk immediately left Jen's face and she looked away, grabbing her soda glass. "What? We're just friends."
"Uh-huh," Joey replied with disbelief, still arching her brows pointedly.
Dawson then returned to the table, bringing an end to the conversation.
It wasn't long before Pacey was carefully balancing four small plates donned with slices of cake as he walked back to the dining table. "And here we have Gâteau au Chocolat Fondant," he announced dramatically, setting the dessert plates down in front of them along with some forks.
"Aww, honey, you baked," Jen quipped.
"A cake with a fancy name," added Dawson.
Pacey chuckled as he sat down. "Don't let the French name impress you. It's just plain chocolate mousse cake I baked this morning."
They lifted their forks and dug into the dessert. Pacey smiled as everyone took a bite. Joey could tell how proud he was of his work, and rightfully so. The cake was magnificent.
"Did you help with any of this?" Jen asked her.
Joey snorted. "Please."
"I let her stir the batter a few times… and lick the spoon," Pacey smirked.
"Well, I did mix the dinner salad," she pointed out.
"That you did. And you mixed it perfectly, sweetheart."
Dawson was still savoring the cake. "This is…" He shook his head. "This might be the best chocolate cake I've ever had."
Pacey swelled with self-satisfaction. "Thanks. It's honestly someone else's recipe—Charlie Brock. She works with me at the restaurant. She's a bomb pastry chef."
Their plates were soon empty of cake.
"So, are you guys going to tell us why you're really in Capeside?" Jen said, her gaze shifting between them.
Joey looked at Pacey, giving him an encouraging nod and a smile before standing up to collect the dessert plates and bring them over to the kitchen sink. Pacey then proceeded to fill Dawson and Jen in on the recent events surrounding Tamara's reappearance in his life, his confrontation with her, and his conversations with Mr. Kapinos.
"I'm meeting with him again tomorrow morning, and my parents are supposed to be there. My siblings tell me they're coming as well. I'm pretty sure Principal Peskin and Mr. Vantine will be involved. And then… I don't know. We'll see how the conversation goes."
"The school board's gonna get involved?" Dawson asked.
"It's possible, yeah."
"'Cause my parents are gonna want to know, Pace."
"Does Gail still go to P.T.A. meetings?" Joey said curiously.
Dawson turned and blinked at her, seemingly surprised to be directly addressed by her. "Um… well, she did while I was in high school. Admittedly, she probably hasn't been to one in a while." He shook his head. "I can't imagine what my dad's gonna say. I told him the Ms. Jacobs thing was just a rumor, that it wasn't true. He won't be happy that I lied to him."
"You weren't the only one who lied, Dawson," Pacey said. He sighed deeply. "It's likely that forty-eight hours from now, my name and picture will be splattered across the front page of the Cape Cod Times. Probably smack right next to whatever picture they can find of Tamara Jacobs. Maybe I'll even make the evening news. Hell, it might even go statewide. Or maybe I can dream big and end up on the national news. This sort of scandalous shit always does."
Jen frowned. "I'm so sorry, Pacey. For whatever it's worth, if there is a hearing at the town hall, I'll be there."
"We both will," Dawson agreed. "My parents, too. I can guarantee they'll want to be there."
"And I'm sure Andie and Jack will come down from Boston. Will, too, and Grams."
Pacey shook his head. "That's not necessary—"
Joey placed her hand on his thigh. "Let us be there for you, Pace. You deserve to feel supported and cared for. You don't have to go through this by yourself."
He smiled and rubbed her back affectionately, but said nothing. He didn't want to be a burden, or make his friends go out of their way just for him. Yet he had to admit that the thought of having a lot of friendly faces around him lessened the anxiety he felt about whatever might happen tomorrow.
While Joey and Jen announced they were on clean up duty, Pacey retreated to the living room couch. He heaved a sigh as he watched the girls filling the sink with hot soapy water. He turned his head when Dawson took the armchair next to him.
"So, uh, what's up with you and Lindley?" he said, grinning.
"I… couldn't tell ya," Dawson said with a breathless laugh. "As soon as I figure it out myself, I'll let you know." He was quiet a moment. "Ever since my dad's accident, she's been coming down here every weekend. She started out just coming down on Sundays, but since there's been this tension with her and Jack, she's now coming down on Saturdays and staying over."
Pacey eyed him. "She sleeping in your bed? As friends?"
Dawson closed his eyed and pinched his nose. "I've long since come to the conclusion that that was an unhealthy practice, and I usually take the floor when Jen comes over."
"Smart man." He cleared his throat. "So, how's the script writing? You working on it at all?"
"No." Dawson's expression clouded over. "I've kinda… given up on that. I don't really see writing in my future anymore, or directing. I don't know what I was thinking."
His brows furrowed with concern. "What? Dawson—"
Jen walked into the living room. "You guys wanna play a board game or something? We're almost done with the dishes."
An idea springing to mind, Pacey stood up from the couch. "Sure. Right after Dawson and I get back."
In the kitchen, Joey turned from the sink. "Where are you going?"
"We're gonna take a ride in the Mustang."
Scoffing, she turned back around. "Boys and their toys."
Jen laughed and started to head back to the kitchen.
Pacey looked down at Dawson, who was looking up at him with a puzzled expression. "Come on, let's take a drive."
They were soon sitting in the Mustang, and Pacey was backing out of the Potter's driveway. As they started to make their way down Creekside Road, he turned to his friend in the passenger seat.
"Where are we going, Pacey?"
"Nowhere. I was just getting us away from the girls for a little bit."
His friend scoffed.
"So, what's going on, man? Dawson Leery, giving up on his lifelong dream? I can't wrap my head around it."
"Maybe being a dreamer is not all it's cracked up to be, Pacey."
"What, are you having some sort of crisis of faith?"
Dawson sighed, not speaking for a moment. "I was… so wrong, for so long, about so many things."
Pursing his lips, Pacey nodded. "Ah. So, I'm guessing this has something to do with a certain tomboy who lives on the other side of the creek from us."
"Story of my life," Dawson quipped. "It's just… so many of my dreams and aspirations involved her. I believed, without a shadow of a doubt, that we were soulmates, destined to be together forever. Fate would always bring us back together. There would never be anyone in our lives more important than each other. And…" He took a deep breath. "I now see just how stupid and naïve that was. I've spent a lot of time thinking about things that happened between the three of us over the years, and… I was just so blind. I was too wrapped up in myself and my future as the next Steven Spielberg to see things as they really were. I didn't grasp the reality of how things were changing. I didn't understand exactly what was happening between you and Joey."
"Well…" Pacey shrugged. "I mean, I can't really blame you. You saw how we were with each other."
"Yes, I did," Dawson stated. He turned to look at him.
"We fought all the time."
Dawson gave him a pointed look. "Foreplay."
Laughing, Pacey was speechless for a moment. "Uh, well, I guess I can't really argue with you there."
"Anyway, that unwavering belief in this destined existence with Joey fueled all my inspiration and aspiration, and now it's just… gone. I was so wrong about me and her. And the more time I spend with Jen, the more she helps me realize the truth of things Joey herself tried to tell me before when I was too blinded by jealousy and anger to listen.
"And if I was so wrong about Joey, then what else have I been wrong about? You know, I've tried to work on finishing my script, but I just can't find it in myself to continue with the magic love story that is Dawson and Joey." He laughed bitterly. "You can't write something you don't believe in. So, I'm stuck, and I haven't been able to finish my script. I'm not sure if I ever will.
"Anyway, my parents need me here. My dad still has a long road to full recovery, and my mom can't take care of him and Lily on her own. My priorities have shifted, you could say. I'm never gonna be the next Spielberg. Who am I kidding? I don't know if I'll ever make it out to USC, or if I even want to anymore."
Pacey had no idea what to say. But then he shook his head. "Dawson, I'm not buying what you're selling. Come on, man. You're still that ten-year-old kid who made us go and see Jurassic Park like five times in the theater. You've just hit a rough patch. A lot's happened over the past few months. You gotta give yourself a break. You'll find inspiration again. So, the story you'd intended to write hasn't panned out like you thought it would. It's not the end of the world. That doesn't mean there isn't a story here. This might be the realist in me talking, but maybe you should just write about the reality of our life in Capeside—the good, the bad, and the ugly—instead of the dream you wanted it to be. Just… write about life, and in order to do that, you have to get yourself one. Which brings us back to Jen Lindley."
Dawson rolled his eyes and laughed. "Jen can have anyone she wants, Pacey. She's way out of my league, and I've known it since the day I saw her step out of that taxicab three years ago."
"But that didn't stop you from going after her. Have you thought that maybe your script is just about the wrong girl? That there happens to be another girl who lived on the creek who just might be the muse you've always wanted?"
It wasn't long before they'd circled back to the B&B. Getting out of the Mustang, they started walking around to the back porch. Dawson turned to glance at the car.
"That really is a fine specimen of a vehicle you got there, Pace."
He beamed. "What can I say? I'm a lucky man. Life is pretty good for Pacey J. Witter right now, despite this shit with Ms. Jacobs." He laughed to himself. "Life is good. You know, I never thought I'd ever be able to say that."
Dawson sighed heavily and stopped walking. "Why don't you hate me?"
Pacey halted and turned, taken aback. "What?"
"You have every right to hate me like Joey does."
"She doesn't hate ya," he said kindly. "Sometimes we just outgrow people, and that's life, Dawson. Jo just… needs space, distance, time. And I don't hate you either. That stuff between you and me… it's water under the bridge. The friendship you and I had, well, it was a lot different than the one you had with her."
"You mean less dysfunctional," Dawson snarked.
Pacey chuckled, pursing his lips and shrugging. "Your words, not mine."
"Space. Distance. Time." Dawson shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at his shoes. "I've had time to think about things, and I can see where I went wrong. I can see how my actions led to the breakdown of our friendships. I was angry and laid all the blame on you and Joey." He shook his head. "The whole thing was my fault, Pace."
"Now that's not true either, Dawson. We share some of the blame. Our actions weren't always… honorable. We should've had the guts to just tell you the truth, but we were too scared. Sneaking around behind your back was cowardly."
"And knowing what went down, I guess I can't blame you. I can't say I would've reacted any better had you actually sat me down and told me. I thought I had some claim on Joey, as if we were still fifteen, as if the vows you make as children are set in stone, as if you aren't allowed to grow and change. And I can see just how much pain I caused because I selfishly couldn't let her go when she needed me to. I was the one who ruined our friendship, not you… and not Joey."
Pacey sighed. "You know, Dawson, you could tell her exactly what you just told me. I mean, I can't speak for her. I can't stand here and tell you that she wants to be your best friend, and I can't stand here and tell you she never wants to be friends with you again. That's something you'll have to square away with her. And she might, you know, let bygones be bygones."
"But who's to say we won't just end up right back there in our never-ending cycle of dysfunction? Remember what I told you at the start of junior year, Pace? Joey and I aren't good for each other. We need to grow up and move on. We need to be apart. I knew it then, but I panicked when I saw you two growing up and moving on without me. Anyway, it was true then, and it's true now. That much is obvious."
Glancing up at the house, Pacey shrugged. "It's also obvious that while the two of you can't, and maybe shouldn't, hang out one-on-one, it doesn't mean we can't go inside and play a board game together."
Shaking his head and laughing, Dawson followed him up to the porch.
The four friends ended up playing a board game and laughing until close to midnight, when Dawson and Jen left. Pacey and Joey sat together on the couch in the living room. He pulled her onto his lap, her thighs straddling his hips. He needed to be inside her again before she fell asleep in his arms.
"It's been too long since you kissed me, Miss Potter."
She grinned and pressed her lips to his. His arms came around her, and he deepened the kiss. It quickly became passionate, desperate.
He pulled back to look at her. "Christ, you're so beautiful."
Warmth flooded her cheeks. And then she remembered. She smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously. "So beautiful that every time you look at me, your knees tremble, your heart melts, and you know that there is meaning to the universe?"
Pacey laughed. "Yes, exactly." Then he stared at her, blinking. "Wait a minute. I… said that to Buzz."
"The infamous night you made meatloaf. He told me."
"That snitch. Some things should stay just between us guys."
She giggled, rolling her eyes. Then she chewed on her lip. "Speaking of things between guys… that little drive you took with Dawson?" she said, arching her brow.
He nodded, rubbing his hands up and down her legs. "He needed a listening ear. Is there something going on with him and Jen, or what?"
"I don't know," she sighed. "Jen insists they're just friends, but she doesn't sound convincing."
"Dawson's the same."
"I don't think they know what they are. Anyway, Jen told me that Mitch submitted Dawson's monster movie to some festival in New Hampshire, and it's been selected as one of the films they're going to feature. He doesn't want to go, but Jen's trying to talk him into it."
"Yeah… Dawson's a little lost right now."
"Lost?"
"Remember junior year when he took all the movie posters down from his bedroom walls?"
"Yeah."
"Like that."
She frowned.
"He'll figure it out. I'm not that worried."
"I don't really want to talk about Dawson anymore."
"You're probably gonna have to talk about him at some point, you know."
She licked her lips, her fingertips caressing his neck. "But that doesn't have to be right now…"
"Okay," he grinned, and reaching up to gently hold her face, pulled her down for another kiss.
She pressed herself against him. Their kisses once again quickly became passionate, desperate. Joey could feel his denim-clad erection against her thigh, but he didn't thrust up into her. No, the frustrating boy only continued to tease her. She lifted her arms, and he stripped her of her navy blue shirt, revealing her creamy, soft breasts. He reached up to caress her, pinching her nipples as she watched his movements, the sight so erotic, so sensually stimulating, Joey thought she might come before he ever got inside of her. Her breasts had always been sensitive, but never had she dreamed she could have an orgasm just from a touch.
He pinched and squeezed, and a shot of pure ecstasy raced through her at the sudden sensation, the erotic mixture of pleasure-pain. He continued to do this over and over until Joey was grinding against his rigid, thick length, trying desperately to ease the throb between her legs.
"I keep thinking about the way you look with your mouth wrapped around my cock."
His lewd words sent a jolt to her system, making her moan out her pleasure as he continued to fondle her repeatedly, never once moving his hands from her breasts.
"Then I think about the way you come with my tongue buried in your sweet pussy."
Oh, God. He was going to send her flying over the edge just from the rough sound of his voice.
"Or how about when I spanked that pretty little ass of yours while you came around my fingers last night. Did you like that, Jo?"
She nodded her head, unable to find the words to tell him just how much she had liked it, although some part of her knew she should feel silly and embarrassed at the very idea of being spanked.
"Tell me," Pacey demanded, the growl in his tone making her toes curl.
"Yes," she whispered as she pressed into his hands.
"Yes, what?"
"I liked it." Joey forced the words past her lips though she was on sensory overload, her body burning for that little bit that would push her over the edge.
"Tell me," Pacey bit out, kissing the sensitive area where her shoulder and neck came together.
"I liked it when you spanked me." She felt her face redden from embarrassment, but she couldn't bring herself to care, because she was so close to detonating.
"You are a naughty girl, aren't you?"
She felt her pussy grow wetter, her clit throb with anticipation. Joey had never thought she would find pleasure in that little bite of pain, or in the sensation of his fingers buried in her ass, but she had. She had loved every second of it. "Yes."
"Stand up. Let's take this to your room."
Frustrated, wet and aching, Joey took one look at the lust sparkling in his eyes, and did as she was told. While she excused herself to use the bathroom, Pacey went around making sure the doors and windows were locked. Then he stepped inside her bedroom.
Joey was on the bed, naked, waiting for him. The mere sight of her caused his heart to beat double time, his cock throbbing just as insistently. He couldn't contain his need for her any longer.
"I don't suppose there's anything strawberry-flavored in here, is there?" he smirked, closing the door behind him.
"I think there might be."
He smiled and moved towards her.
Later, they both lay naked and sated on her bed. When Joey had returned from the bathroom, she'd stretched out, humming contentedly beside Pacey. The fact he had the ability to make her lose her mind in sheer, unadulterated bliss in more ways than she'd ever imagined, never ceased to amaze her. She snuggled up against him, getting comfortable, and closed her eyes.
She lay in the comforting warmth of his arms, listening to him breathe, and relishing the feel of his strong heartbeat beneath her ear. She didn't need to open her eyes to know he was awake and thinking too much. She knew the impending events that awaited them tomorrow must've been starting to weigh heavily on him. Instead of asking him to share with her, she gave him his space to work out his thoughts and feelings, and kept her eyes closed until she drifted off to sleep.
Pacey had no idea how much time had passed, nor did he care, as he laid beside Joey, holding her against his chest, her deep, even breaths signifying she had fallen asleep. He fought the overwhelming urge to close his eyes and join her in unconsciousness. He didn't want to fall asleep, didn't want this moment to end. Didn't want this weekend to end.
He didn't want to face tomorrow. He didn't want to wake up on Monday and have to face everything that might lay ahead in Mr. Kapinos's office and beyond.
Eventually he couldn't fight off sleep any longer. He gently rolled Joey onto her side and spooned protectively around her. Wrapping an arm over her and sliding his hand up to hold her soft breast, a comforting weight in his palm, Pacey closed his eyes and slept.