In the time between Christmas and New Year Kim finally managed to focus of the list of charities that needed checking. Once again it was her and Milton and Jerry getting into Geronimo and setting out to investigate. Milton was embracing the whole experience, putting on a faux english accent and channeling Sherlock Holmes and his 'deductive method.' Jerry was in it for the thrill and free food. This time around all three were very much focused and even took pictures and notes. Unlike Milton, Kim felt like Veronica Mars and tried to emulate the cool and snappy delivery.
Despite the entertainment and culinary factors, the trip proved that her theory was right. Not only there were two more shelters listed that did not exist, but there was at least one more affluent one that did not seem like it needed any grants. She compiled the total amount of funds these scheme netted so far and it looked to be a little under one million. Enough to tempt a lot of people. Milton helpfully suggested that this number was based on just the few charities they could confirm. It was entirely possible that there were more, but the three of them had to way to travel that far for investigation.
Her next logical choice was to report it all to her supervisor, Steve. She could hardly believe that he would be implicated: he seemed harmless and cared about animals. He also did not exhibit any signs of having any money. She was almost convinced to tell him, but there was this niggling thought it her head that not every monetary recompense would directly benefit someone. She and her dad were a perfect example: the medical debt was hanging over them and if they suddenly came into some money most of it would go to cover the debt. Could it have been that Steve had a similar problem? Some debt that needed to be paid? She mulled over the situation and could only decide that she should investigate further to have more proof than "they seem too rich to need money." To that end, she planned to check the applications and see if the fake charities had been properly registered and if they still exist or have they disappeared after receiving the grant. Ideally, she would follow the money trail, but she had no legitimate way of getting that information.
All this sleuthing was only a small part of Kim's winter break. Major part of it was working and Jack.
Jack, who was passionate, sweet, funny and whose kisses were driving her mad. She still blushed every time she recalled their encounter in the car after the gala. She marveled at her own responses and wondered how was it that she kissed other guys before and thought that it was good. Jack was incomparably better at this and somehow made Kim better at it too.
The school started again and the routine reinstated itself. Kim had few classes with the cheer squad members and was thus insulated from most of the murmurs about her. Still, she heard that it addition to being dumb blonde, she was now a gold-digger slut. It wasn't exactly unexpected and she understood that most who repeated the slur weren't even all that invested in her life and her feud with Lindsay. But, like some old proverb went 'people wanted bread and entertainment'* and this idle curiosity fueled most of the rumors. As much as she did not care - it was not life altering to her - about the rumors, she did notice that it was chipping away at whatever renome she established so far at school. To those who did not know her personally, she went from 'that new girl' to 'that new girl who stole Jack from Lindsay.'
Lindsay herself continued to show up at the GreenBean and insist that everything Kim prepared was terrible and wrong. She insisted on seeing the manager and complained about Kim. She could honestly say that she was almost impressed with the other girl's tenacity. Lindsay even showed up at the Two Palms and Kim was somewhat lucky that the vindictive girl and her family were not seated at her section. She had no qualms about her job, but she hated the idea of forced interactions with Lindsay, where she would have to be polite and the other girl didn't. Internally thanking universe for small favors, she went back to bussing tables and helping bring orders. Still, Lindsay tried to call for Kim's attention when she passed by and when Kim ignored as if she did not hear, Lindsay loudly proclaimed that 'it was true that blondes were dumb.'
Still, Kim thought, that some many years down the road she probably would not remember being poor or having to work or dealing with jealous girls. She would remember being happy and floating through days punctuated by the interactions with Jack. He was busy like her, but now they got better at finding time for each other, stealing away to his car and even dojo to make out like crazy. And talk. So much. He would call in the evening and they'd talk about everything, although she would be hard press to recall all the topics. She startled every time her phone rang or pinged hoping, expecting, him to be the one calling or texting. She was hopeless, really.
Jack was sort of disgustingly happy right now. He knew that his team mates basically written him off because he was either day-dreaming about Kim or texting and calling her. Lunches were spent at her table, sneaking in kisses and holding hands under the table. Brody told him to stop being so sappily in love or it would ruin the reputation of the entire team. Jack could only smile dopily back completely proving the point. Not that he cared.
His mother was smiling the secretive little smile whenever he missed her questions or answered out of order. Father was frowning more and Alex just laughed outright when he saw Jack practically dive for his phone when it beeped with an incoming message. Rudy was not so happy that Jack was losing concentration and insisted that Jack try and channel the new energy into a better fighting technique. Finally, his sensei lost it and knocked Jack down three times in a row. It sort of brought it home to Jack that he needed to reign in his focus and he promised to try better next time.
Only next time Rudy had a surprise for Jack: he brought a friend to test Jack's ability to adapt quickly to the new opponent. Somewhat aware that he might actually be hurt if he did not try, Jack concentrated and centered his mind on the upcoming sparring match. Unbidden Kim's smiling face popped into his head and almost shook it trying to rid himself of the distraction.
Distraction... An unwelcome chill run down his spine as he heard his father's voice in his mind: "Distractions, Jack, even the most pleasant ones..."
Now he did shake his head. No, she was not a distraction. He was happier, lighter, better now that he was with her. She was never a distraction. He recalled the last time he fought when Kim's name was brought up. Yes, it was Kai and his acid tongue. Familiar anger rose in Jack and he held onto it now, bringing it up to hone his focus.
When Rudy called for fight, Jack was ready.
Adrenaline pumped through his veins, coursed through his whole body like liquid fire. Ignited every one of his senses. His racing heart supplied him more fuel; kept him focused; kept on his bouncing feet. The blood pulsing in his ears was like the war drums of the old, it spurred him on. If you don't fight back, you can never win. Jack was going to come out victorious in this match, if only to prove to everyone and himself that he had it in him.
His opponent was good and strong. Jack exerted himself more than he expected. Dimply he agreed that it was a brilliant move by Rudy to bring a new sparring partner and throw Jack in into the deep end. His body registered the places where his opponent landed hits, but he kept moving.
Faster, I have to be faster!
He dodged a swing to his head, ducking low and then rising like quicksilver, fist flying for a uppercut; he caught the stubbled jaw of his opponent. The man's head snapped back from the blow and he staggered. He danced back and thought that Kim certainly would be proud of him.
Jack side stepped quickly on jittery legs as his opponent struck with a forward kick; twisting his body and swinging his own leg into a round house, his hit landed on the neck of the man who crumpled down like a rag doll.
Jack stood over his opponent still high on the adrenalin and exhilaration of the fight. Rudy came up to the mats and looked over at him. "I am proud Jack! Whatever you did helped you with your focus issues. Hold on to that trick. I think you might be ready for another rank match."
He barely registered his sensei, when he heard a loud Wow and turned his head to see Jerry and Milton at the entrance to the dojo. He could see the excitement literally wafting off from his friends.
"Guys." He managed, focusing on the Jerry, who was bouncing up and down.
Jerry acknowledged him with an even wider smile, "Bro! Bro that was awesome! Man, bro that– shit– that was the best I've ever seen!" Jerry clapped his hands for emphasis.
Jack could only smile back, "I'm glad. You came...?" He managed not sure why he was seeing his friends here.
"Oh, we thought we'd take Rudy on his offer and try this whole karate thing too. And, boy, are we glad we decided to come today. That was magnificent." Milton said and was staring at Jack with wide eyes.
"All right, boys. Let's get you started on your applications then." Rudy offered taking both boys with him to the office. Jack turned to see that his opponent was already going to the locker room to change. Deciding that he is done for the day, he went the same way.
He was alone the main dojo room when the chiming sound of bells over the front door being pushed open rang in his ears, and he turned to see Kim standing there. She was flushed, like she had just run a marathon, her golden blonde hair stuck out at odd ends. His heart swelled with elation just by her presence alone.
"Jerry called and sent me the video... Are you all right?" she strode over to him. Jack wanted to envelope her into his arms, but he was tired and his body ached. So he instead buried his face into the crook of her neck, drawing her closer with his arms so she stood between his legs, breathing in her lavender scent. He didn't care that Rudy was still in the office with guys. Kim wrapped one arm around his shoulders, another hand combing through his hair. He hummed in response.
"Jerry rang me up, but I was at work so I couldn't come right away. Surprise sparring match..." She stroked his cheek gently and Jack leaned into her touch.
"I won." He murmured against her shoulder, she chuckled, lightly pulling at the strands of his hair.
"I know, Jerry all but screamed it at me the minute I answered the phone." Jack nuzzled against her neck.
"Not that I am unhappy to see you, but why did you come?" He asked.
Kim spared a glance to the office door, "I'm pretty mad with your sensei at this surprise move. You could have been hurt more..." he tried to pull away, but she held on to him. "I mean, you are obviously prepared and won against an unknown and strong fighter, I'm so proud of you." As she said that her hand slid up his thigh just a fraction.
His eyes locked in with hers and he cupped her face with his right hand, wanting to feel the press of her lips against his own. She gasped against his mouth, and he let his tongue slide between her parted lips. His veins filled with warmth, hot and coiling with every caress of their tongues. Different than an adrenaline rush from fighting.
Her nose bumped his and they laughed a little. She pulled back sheepishly mumbling a small apology and then pressed a kiss to it. He felt the same humming of energy fill his body only now it was different, sensual, hot, possessive... He kissed her and walked them to the locker rooms, which he knew were empty at the moment. As soon as they got in, he pressed her back against the door. Jack met her hooded gaze, obscured by her hair and his heart sped up in anticipation when she reached for her jacket, pulling it off slowly. She shook it off, and it fell to the cemented floor in a heap.
He opened his mouth to remind her of how filthy these floors were, but his breath hitched as she swiftly pulled him back to her and snuck a hand under his shirt to touch the skin on his back. Oh... oh... He took of his own jacket and it pooled to the floor alongside hers, and he vaguely registered that she wore the same ripped jeans he so often saw on her. Stunning, he thought, beautiful. No matter what she wore.
"Um..Kim," He rumbled pulling away form the kiss and plucking her hair band off to let her blonde strands free. It curtained over her face as she dropped her head back against the door.
"Kim," He rasped, smoothing out her long hair, "We probably should be doing this elsewhere..."
He trailed off as she lifted up on her toes and kissed him deeply, steadying herself with hands on his hips. He wrapped his hand around her and one of her small hands run up his hard abdomen catching the fabric and sliding underneath, leaving burning trails of awareness in its wake. Jack exhaled, his pants doing very little to hide his growing excitement. And all she was doing was touching him.
Jack swallowed thickly, running his hand down her waist, lightly grazing at the pale skin there. He could feel the goose bumps on her flesh. God, she was small and soft and so responsive. He lifted her up and she naturally wrapped her legs around his waist and the contact with his already hard cock was so good. He pressed her back to the door again and now they were so close, panting and kissing like it was their last chance.
He nibbled on her plush bottom lip, moving to the junction of her neck and shoulder and leaving little love bites there. She keened against him, arched her back slightly, biting down her lip to stifle a moan as he started to gently rock his hips against her. Jack sucked on a pulse point on her neck, admiring the little bruises he left after. The only bruises he would ever want to see on her. He dragged his lips down to her collarbone and pushing the shirt as low as it could go, his hand sliding to her breast and finding her nipple already puckered.
Soon they both fumbling to discard their shirts and when they were off Kim, now clad in her small bra and jeans, leaned back and looked at him. Her hands touched lightly and began to move over his now naked upper half and he could not contain the moan at the sensation. Too much and not enough. Her nimble fingers grazed his nipple and he jerked his hips in response making her gasp and he had to stop this torture. He leaned in to kiss her hard and trapping her hands between them. She wrestled them free and plunged them both into his hair, hoisting herself higher against him and the friction between them was just too much. He pushed her back again and ground into her, only remembering to put his hand behind her back to prevent the worst of discomfort from being pressed into the unyielding door.
Kim seemingly got the message and rolled her hips into him.
"Kim, I–ah," She rocked against his hardness; and even with their clothes still on, the sensation was too overwhelming. He could feel how damp she really was and it was making him impatient. He dropped his head against her shoulder; wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her possessively against him. Closer than they already were. Kim writhed deliciously against him causing a groan to spill from his lips.
No, no, too soon, too unromantic...
He was trying to cool off, thinking of blue cheese, when Kim just whimpered, "So good, I... so close..." and he simply lost the battle with his body. He slid his fingers down into the waistband of her jeans; quick work of the buttons and he was in, reveling in how she whimpered when he made contact with her wetness for the first time. Her head dropped against the door again and she closed her eyes. Not that Jack noticed much at that moment. He was going blind, but her whimpers and biting of the lip and gasps led him on to explore her.
She was hot and it felt like she trimmed there and the images his senses created were so erotic he had to breath through the onslaught of desire.
"So hot, so soft," He whispered against her heated skin; delved one finger into her tight warmth (so tight, good god!) and searched for that precious nub at the top. He knew when he found it, because Kim suddenly froze up, her spine straightening with a breathy whine. He swiped over it again and she leaned forward sinking her teeth into his shoulder, whimpering, keening, into his skin.
Jack smiled, "That's it. Let me take care of you."
And he did.
His knees would not be happy with him later on and his hand and arm were sore already, but Kim was right there, on the cusp, and with few more forceful swipes and a biting kiss to her neck she came apart, drenching his fingers and gasping his name.
She hang onto him limp and breathless and he just could not hold them up like this anymore. He wrapped both arms around her, turned them around and slid down the door surface onto the floor, his knees finally buckling under him. He kissed her lightly anywhere he could reach, reveling in this moment that brought them closer yet. His on hard-on could wait. This was monumental so he just waited for her to catch her breath.
She sighed and laughed a little, her voice coming out raspier and deeper than usual, "that is not what I expected would happen when I ran here." He almost recoiled thinking that he pushed her too far, but then she lifted her head to look at him right in the eyes. "This was... I mean... You are..." She was so adorable, lost for words, so unlike her usual self, that he smirked back.
"That good?"
She smiled back moving a little to give him a light slap on the chest, but her movement caused her to shift over his still hard cock and he hissed at the sensation. She froze and looked down, mouth dropping into a perfect O. She looked back at him and, without breaking eye contact, slowly scooted down, her hands going to the waistband of his pants. He felt like her eyes trapped him and he kept looking at her as her clever hands undid his pants and snuck in.
But the first, tentative touch made him break the eye contact his head falling back against the door with a thud. She kept palming him, so softly and gently, keeping him so sensitized, he just ground his teeth to keep the noises to a minimum. It was good and he was enjoying himself, but then her hand slipped lower and lower until she reached his balls. Her other hand went to the tip that was left uncovered and she whispered almost to herself, "it's sort of big for one hand. How..." She trailed off and he felt his cock jerk at her words.
"Oh! Did I do something wrong?"
Her innocence cut at him brutally. She has never done anything like that before... How? How was he so lucky? To be her first for so many things. And maybe more... She was his... Yes...
He shushed her that nothing was wrong and moved his hand to show her how and where to touch him. She followed eagerly and soon she developed a rhythm and he simply fell back against the door again, enjoying the ride. He did not last long after that. He could not. The entire experience was farther than he's ever gotten with her and he lusted after her for so long... When he came with a whole body jerk and a savage grunt he felt like his entire being just pooled into the floor, the release was so strong. And then his innocent little Kim swiped a bit of the cum and licked her finger clean.
He breathed through the rising want and thought that he was really glad that he asked her out, even it it was in the middle of the fight.
*This comes from a ancient Roman Satire X by Juvenal and talks how people only want two things: bread and circuses. It is an idiomatic expression now.
