Chapter Four: Push or Pull

Disclaimer: I own everyone not recognizable

John and Carli made love one more time before going to bed. He loved the way her body fit into his as they cuddled on the bed. It was as if she was tailor made for him. It was almost dawn when they fell asleep and both slept with smiles. Carli was deep in a dream and incorporated the knock on her hotel door into her dream. John didn't even stir. Stephanie, Paul, Ric, Shawn and Dave were knocking on her door. All the guys were golfing this morning and would meet the girls for lunch and then the rehearsal. When Paul, Ric and Shawn went to get Dave and John, Dave told them John didn't come back last night and he found a note that read 'with Carli'. They got Steph and the five of them went to Carli's suite to make sure everything was okay. She had given Steph a spare keycard and she used it now since Carli wasn't answering. They walked in and saw the chaos. The coffee table had been moved and clothes, two sets were on the floor.

"That lucky son of a bitch." Dave and Ric both said and Shawn laughed. Stephanie rolled her eyes and shook her head. They went to the bedroom and found the two lovers tangled up in eachother and sound asleep. Dave went to John's side and crawled in next to John. He began to stroke John's hair and face. The other four tried to contain their laughter. John lazily swiped at Dave's hand.

"Please, baby. I'm exhausted. Five more minutes." John mumbled. Dave kept teasing John and the others were silently laughing real hard. "Carli, baby girl. No more." He tried to sound firmer this time.

"Johnny, wake the fuck up." Dave said loudly and in his deepest voice possible. John's eyes shot open as did Carli's. They both looked at eachother wide eyed as they were face to face. Then Dave smacked John's ass and the group broke out in gales of laughter. "Get up you piece of shit." Dave got out of the bed, "You have five seconds to get up or I'm flipping over the bed." Dave found the handles on the mattress and began lifting. "One…two…"

"You bastard!" Carli said and quickly wrapped the sheet around her and John grabbed the blanket just as Dave flipped them out of bed. John landed on top of Carli and even they had to laugh. Steph started going through Carli's clothes to speed up the process and Dave yanked John from the floor and then Carli. She ran to the bathroom with John right behind her.

"Oh, no, forget it. You can wait until she's finished." Paul said as he stood in front of him.

"Dick." John said. Steph walked out and John threw on basketball shorts. He went to the fridge and got two bottles of water. He glanced over at the group who just kept looking at him with smirks on their faces. "So, what time did you two go to sleep?" Steph asked.

"What time is it now?" John looked at his watch on the counter. "Assholes. It's only 8. I can't possibly golf on 3 hours of sleep."

"Maybe we should call you the animal." Dave said as the others laughed.

"Maybe you should." Carli said as she walked out and took the other bottle of water from John giving him a wink. She turned her back to the group and leaned against the counter. Her towel fell to her feet, "Oopsie." John groaned at the sight of her. He bent down to pick up her towel and kissed her inner thighs. She let out a moan and threw her head back.

"Will you two knock it off already? Shit." Steph said as she came into the kitchen. John and Carli laughed and went back into the bedroom. John took a shower as Carli dressed. She and Steph talked about the plans for the next 24 hours. The schedule was so tight they had to write it in a planner. "You will tell me TODAY what the hell has gotten into you. This really is so out of character for you." Carli rolled her eyes and fell back on the bed.

Steph fell back next to her and they both started giggling. "Alright I'll talk, but not until we're alone." Carli responded. She went into the bathroom to put her hair in a pony. She was wearing a white sleeveless cotton dress that hugged her frame and flowed loosely at the bottom. It came down to her calves and looked amazing next to her tan skin. John got out of the shower and kissed her bare shoulder.

"What are you two doing today and when will I see you again?" John asked as he dried off.

"First we are getting facials and massages. Then we're having lunch with all of you. After that we're picking up our dresses for tomorrow. We have a few other last minute things to do and then the rehearsal is at 3 this afternoon. After that we're having dinner and a small party after. I expect you to go with Paul and Shawn to the rehearsal, with me to dinner and the party and then you're free." Carli said nonchalantly.

John laughed and said, "I don't want to be free later." Carli turned and grabbed his chin in her hand.

"Very good answer, aren't you a smart boy." She kissed him and finished her hair.

"Baby, I'm serious. Listen to me. I know it's only been what 12 hours, but I don't want to be free." She looked at him and realized exactly what he meant. She leaned into him and kissed him tenderly again. She gave him a smack on the ass and they both walked out. John got dressed as Carli straightened the bedroom. "No answer?"

Carli looked at him and smiled. She took a deep breath as she walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and said, "I'll let you know at the rehearsal." John bent down and kissed her gently and she leaned into him. They both deepened the kiss and let their tongues dance around. Carli moaned into his mouth and John responded by holding her tighter. Steph walked in and rolled her eyes.

"Will you two stop?" Steph laughed as she pulled Carli from John. They walked back into the living room and they all grabbed their things to leave. As they waited for the elevator, the group of bitches emerged also. Dawn Marie glared at Carli when she saw John wrapped around her.

"John, baby, we're busted. Your wife sees us." They all laughed as Dawn Marie huffed. Just to spite Carli, they got on the elevator also. Dawn made sure she was next to John. Carli turned to him and said loudly, "Just us?"

"Just us, baby girl." He replied as he kissed her nose. Carli turned back around and leaned into John and he wrapped his arms around her. The elevator stopped at the lobby and the five girls got out. As Dawn Marie was leaving Carli swatted her in the ass. Everybody started laughing and the doors closed as Carli waved. You are so bad and I love it."

"Not like she didn't have it coming." Carli replied snottily.

"What did she do to you?" Shawn asked.

"Remember the bottle of beer I was wearing last night?" Carli said.

"So that's what happened." Steph said. "Honestly, they never would have been there, but it would be rude to invite the entire company and leave out a handful. They're not invited to anything else, so no more problems. As a matter of fact, they should be leaving today. Remember to watch yourself though, no trouble." Carli felt her blood boil. She never reacted this way to jealous girls, but something got her stirred. The elevator stopped at the garage and they all went to their cars. The guys piled into Paul's Tahoe and Steph and Carli rode in Carli's Mercedes. John and Paul walked the girls to the car and Paul kissed Steph. John put his forehead on Carli's, touched noses and closed his eyes. She placed her hands on his hips and sighed.

"I'll see you in a few hours." John kissed her and was pulled away by Paul. They went their separate ways and the guys spent the morning making fun of John and how whipped he was already. But they all knew that feeling. They had all been there and still were. John took the verbal beatings like a man knowing they were right. He was never like this with Liz and he found himself feeling like an 18 year old in love. Steph grilled Carli and she spilled it all. She also felt like an 18 year old in love.

"This is so not you, Car. You've never been this goofy. What is going on with you?" Steph laughed at her friend.

"Weird isn't it? Usually I'm completely bored by now." Carli started to question herself and Steph saw her frown. She reached over and held her hand.

"This is a good thing, Caroline. Just go with it." Stephanie knew John was a good fit even before they met. She planned on introducing them this weekend, but Carli beat her to it at the airport. "Does John know what your day job is yet? Does he recognize you?"

"I don't think he's ever seen me there. He hasn't said anything and I haven't told him." Carli replied. The girls fell silent as they finished their massages. When they were leaving Carli's phone rang and she answered smiling.

"Miss me already?" She giggled.

Steph grabbed the phone and said, "John, you'll see her in two hours. Can I please spend time with my best friend?" Steph laughed at John's response and handed the phone back to Carli.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"I'm great, but my golf game sucks today. I just wanted to tell you if you're not ready to answer me I understand and I won't push you. I'll take whatever you're willing to give." John struggled to say these words because he wanted her so badly.

"I appreciate that, John, but I already know what I want and you'll just have to wait. Bye, baby." Carli hung up and giggled. At the other end John smiled. Stephanie and Carli picked up their dresses, met the guys for lunch and finished their errands. Afterwards they went to the church for rehearsals. The guys pulled in at the same time and everybody helped Carli empty her trunk and carry things inside. John greeted her with a quick kiss so they wouldn't get yelled at again and after all, this was a church. Carli whispered in his ear and let her lips touch him. "Just us." And she walked away. He wanted to jump up and down but refrained and just smiled from ear to ear. Paul and Shawn were looking at him and he gave a thumbs up and a cocky smirk. They ran through the rehearsal three times because Carli and Shawn were goofing off and making everyone laugh. They finally finished and left for the rehearsal dinner back at the hotel ballroom. John sat with Dave and Ric and their wives, Shawn's wife, Rebecca and Randy. He watched Carli and how she interacted with everyone. She really was care-free and a lot of fun. She was constantly laughing with Steph. He couldn't believe how lucky he had gotten in just 24 hours. Carli and Shawn both made goofy, ridiculous and embarrassing toasts to start the party and everyone moved to the other end of the ballroom. There was a DJ and a full bar and everyone had a wonderful time. Carli and John were the talk of the party and they were having such a great time. They danced together, he made her laugh and even rapped one of his famous free-styles about her. He didn't say anything rude or disrespectful, but it was quite hilarious. By the end of the evening, they had completely fallen for eachother.

Carli knew she had an early day so she and John bid an early goodnight to everyone. They went back to Carli's suite and laid on the couch together. They watched a movie and it didn't take long for them both to fall asleep. Sometime in the middle of the night, John got up. He watched Carli sleep and felt his chest sell and emotions brim at the surface. He was falling hard and fast and there was no stopping this freight train. He just hoped there wouldn't be a train wreck. He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. He climbed in next to her and she instinctively moved closer. He wrapped her up in his arms and fell back to sleep.