The blood drained from Princess' face. No… she hadn't. She hadn't lost to Jason.
But the scene of her defeat told her otherwise. Her last moments were replayed over and over, until she couldn't stand it any longer and she slammed the console in frustration.
"Well, Princess…" Jason drawled, "I guess it's time for bed."
He was standing, and holding out his hand to her.
Princess gulped nervously. She wasn't too happy about this state of affairs, but a deal was a deal. She couldn't renege. Placing her hand in Jason's, she let him pull her up from the floor.
She allowed him to lead her from the room. It wouldn't be so bad. They were just going to sleep, right? But with every step she grew more and more nervous.
She was in way over her head. She was a virgin, and in fact had very little experience of any kind, beyond that one brief kiss with Mark. She also knew that Jason was experienced… or so the rumors at school would suggest.
She was terrified.
They walked into Jason's room, and Princess' eyes fell on his bed: a twin bed. Meant for one person. Two people would have to get very cozy to fit on it.
She began to tremble.
Jason turned, and saw her face. It was white with fear, and she looked as if her world was about to collapse around her.
Damn it all to hell! This was not what he had wanted. Not even close.
"Hey…" he said softly. "Prin… it's me, Jase. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise…"
She looked in his blue-grey eyes. This was Jason, the brother she'd known for years. He had always made her feel safe and protected.
She was flooded with relief as she realized that this wasn't going to change now.
"Okay…" she said, still a little nervous. "I… I trust you, Jase."
"I promise." he repeated. It seemed to help.
"Would it make you feel better if I turned off the lights?" he asked.
Princess nodded. If he turned off the lights he wouldn't be able to see her.
And she wouldn't be able to see him.
It wasn't quite that simple, though. Filtered, silvery light came in through Jason's window, despite the blinds that covered it. Certainly it was dark, but she could see Jason's shape as he…
She turned away quickly as she realized that he was taking off his pants.
"Prin? Everything okay?" he asked.
"Uh… yeah…" she mumbled.
"I just thought… it might be uncomfortable to sleep fully dressed."
It made sense. And when she thought about it, it would be uncomfortable to sleep in jeans.
"Oh… kay…" she sighed. She should have her head examined. Whatever had possessed her to make that deal with Jason?
She heard the bed creak as he got in.
"Turn around!" she demanded.
Jason complied without protest.
Quickly, Princess divested herself of her own jeans, leaving her shirt on. She got into the bed, pulling up the covers rapidly so Jason couldn't see her.
"Okay. You can turn around now." she said.
She had been so concerned with Jason not seeing her that she had forgotten how small the bed was. As soon as he turned around his face was only an inch from hers.
"Hi." he whispered.
"Hi." she whispered back, giggling. It was an incredibly silly thing to say, given the circumstances.
Jason was relived to hear her laugh. He tried to maintain the mood.
"Welcome to my humble abode." he grinned.
"It certainly isn't very big…" she answered.
He nearly choked on her innocent double entendre.
"But it's cozy." he smiled, recovering himself.
Princess snuggled down under the covers a little more.
"I guess it is." she said. She blew on her forehead, trying to displace a piece of hair that had fallen in front of her eyes.
"Here, let me…" Jason said. Gently, he brushed the hair off of her forehead. It was like silk. Enjoying the feel of it, he continued to slide his hand slowly over her hair, down the back of her head, and then around until he was cupping her cheek in his palm.
Princess was confused. Within the last couple of minutes she had gone from terrified, to nervous, to embarrassed, to… she couldn't put a name to the emotion she was feeling now. But she wasn't afraid. In fact she felt… good… safe… loved.
Her emerald eyes widened in bewilderment. This was not what she had expected.
Jason saw the panoply of emotions cross her face.
"It's okay." he said softly, "Just go to sleep."
Reluctantly, he took his hand away from her face. But he couldn't stop staring at her.
Damn, she was beautiful. How long had it been since he had noticed her in that way? It sometimes seemed like he had always loved Princess. He had dreamed of being close to her, of holding her, but had never anticipated that it would be quite like this.
Princess looked back at Jason intently. In the silvery moonlight his features were highlighted, and she could see his mouth and eyes soften as he gazed back at her.
She suddenly wondered what it would be like to kiss him, and blushed at the thought.
Even in the dim light Jason could see her embarrassment. He hoped it was because she was having the same thoughts he was. He didn't want to push her. He remembered how terrified she had been when she had entered his room. But it was agonizing being only inches from Princess, and yet not touching her.
He let out a long breath through his mouth.
Princess felt his breath on her face, and was unnerved by the feelings it provoked. Quickly she turned around, facing away from Jason.
"Good night, Jase." she whispered.
As she turned around, her bottom stuck out and rubbed against him. Her bare legs brushed his. Slowly, Jason reached out his right arm and put it around Princess, drawing her close into his body when she didn't resist.
"Good night, Princess." he breathed in her ear. It sent tingles down her spine.
She was surprised at how natural it felt, spooning with Jason this way. She snuggled closer to him and gave a quiet, contented sigh.
Jason's body was on fire. Her innocent movements were causing very naughty thoughts to go through his mind. He squeezed her tightly around her waist, vainly trying to keep his hand in a relatively safe no-man's land… between two places he desperately wanted to touch her. Biting his lip, he buried his face in her hair.
Princess was so relaxed that she was nearly asleep when she felt Jason's body stiffen. Something was pressing into her back, and her eyes opened wide when she realized what it was.
She turned her head back slightly to look at him, but his face was so close that she ended up brushing her lips against his.
Surprised at the unexpected contact, they both felt the electricity that sparked between them.
Throwing caution to the wind, Princess gently pressed her mouth against Jason's.
Jason groaned. His left hand moved around behind her head, his right turning her body so that she faced him again. Princess pressed her palms against his chest, feeling his heat through the thin material of his shirt. Their legs intertwined as she put her thigh over his.
Princess was overwhelmed by the feelings rushing through her. She had never experienced anything like it. Mark's kiss had been pleasant, but this… this made her blood boil.
Slowly, Jason ran his tongue along her lips, and was gratified when she opened them in surprise. The kiss deepened, each of them sharing themselves with the other.
Jason ran his hand along Princess' back. Unconsciously she moaned, and pressed herself closer to his body. Encouraged, Jason let his hand wander lower until it brushed against her panties.
"Jase!" she gasped, pulling away from him.
"Sorry…" he whispered, but his eyes betrayed him. He wasn't sorry at all.
Princess couldn't believe the situation she had gotten herself into. Even more, she couldn't believe how much she was enjoying it. Enjoying this… closeness… with Jason.
"I think…" she gulped, "this is all happening a little fast for me."
He was immediately contrite.
"You're right." he said, "I should have been more sensitive…"
"God, Jase, if I were any more sensitive, I'd be…" her voice trailed off.
"Then I can dream." he laughed softly.
Princess laughed too. "If you keep this up, you never know…" she flirted.
Jason's body responded immediately to her words, but he struggled to keep himself in check.
"Listen, Prin…" he said through gritted teeth, "If we keep doing this, something's going to give. I think we need to go to sleep. Now."
Princess smiled to herself as she finally realized the power she held over him. It was an incredible awakening.
"Whatever you say, Jase." she teased, as she turned around again.
Jason let out a low growl as he pulled her into him. She conformed her body to his shape, and snuggled into the pillow. Sighing happily she closed her eyes.
Within minutes, she was asleep; her quiet, regular breathing the only sound in the room.
Jason took much longer to relax. As he held Princess in his arms, he marveled at the circumstances that had brought them to this point. He would never have guessed that things between them would work out so… perfectly.
Eventually he was able to relax his aching body and join her in sleep.