Life: Version 2.0
Chapter 11: Another Step
Author: knowhere
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Nothing.
AN: I know it's been about 2 weeks since the last update and that's not the norm I set for updates in the beginning of the story. I'm very bogged down with summer courses and I've put off writing chapter 15 which will be the last. I'm letting you know that the next update will be about 2 weeks, hopefully giving me time to finish this story completely. I want to pace the updates so that I won't be leaving the last chapter hanging.
Chapter Notes available for this chapter...you know the drill. Sign in for your review and Notes will be sent in reply.
Summary: Literati. Life doesn't always turn out like you expect. Jess and Rory meet as adults when their lives are at a transition period. Life, love, and everything else: Version 2.0. AU.
He rolled her on top, the naked length of her back stretched precariously on top of him. He held her tight as he felt her giggles.
"Jess! This is totally insane. I'm going to roll right off of you!"
He chuckled and reached up and around her to cup one breast in each palm. Her hair tickled him and was a dark curtain around his face. "Stop squirming."
"I can't help it," her giggles grew louder. "This is probably illegal in some Southern states."
She wiggled around on top, her ankle coming up dangerously close to his very sensitive area. "Rory! Baby, watch it. You're going to kick something that's irreplaceable!"
She laughed louder now, fully belly-shaking laughs. "Oh, god Jess! I can't," she practically wheezed like she was running the last leg of a marathon. "You've gotta let go. I'm going to fall!"
He relented, carefully lifting her up as he slipped out of her. Levering off the bed, he twisted so that she was under him, face to face again. "You've totally ruined it," he pouted, pretending to be disappointed.
Rory giggled anew. "You're such a poor sex deprived man."
"And here I was trying to please my girlfriend by spicing things up with new positions."
"You're such a nut!"
He slanted his lips over hers, silencing her in the most delicious manner. Kicking off the covers with his feet, he settled heavily over her, feasting on her and wallowing in the knowledge that this mouth was his to enjoy. "You taste so good. Like sunshine." Jess peppered more kisses on her, across her cheeks, her eyelids, her chin.
"You taste like the outdoors."
He felt her hands creep up under his armpits to grip at his shoulders. Her little nails dug into his skin and he growled at the feel of it, loving it. "Yeah, baby, harder."
Jess always loved when her more aggressive side came out. He was a dominant lover, he knew that, but he didn't want his partner to be passive. It always turned him on when Rory would climb on him, or push him back, or demand something of him. But he also loved it when she would let him take the reigns. Her trust in him that he would bring her pleasure always humbled him.
He felt his body tighten and harden against her thigh at the feel her of her tongue dancing with his. When she drew his tongue and sucked, he nearly lost his mind. Just as he was about to reach for a condom on the nightstand, her phone rang loudly, disturbing their heavy panting breaths and the occasional moan.
"Don't get it." He kissed her hard. "Leave it."
She went pliant under him but then tensed. "Wait! What time is it?"
He squinted at the digital clock. "Nine thirty, why?"
"Oh no! Bram mentioned that he might come this weekend." She fumbled for the phone and he rolled off of her. "Hello?"
He watched her nod and have a quick conversation. When she hung up, she turned, her expression sheepish. "He's on his way isn't he?" he asked.
"I totally forgot about him."
He groaned. "Don't tell me. He's coming in like, ten minutes."
Bram occasionally made to trip to see Rory and Jess usually kept out of their way, knowing that the two friends would settle into their routine of updating each other about their lives and eventually talk about men or bring up old inside jokes. Bram was a good man. A little eccentric, but when it came to business, he had a sharp mind and more than once Jess had asked him for financial advice. Rory seemed to appreciate that he got along with her friend and Jess was only too eager to make her happy. But Bram also had a very irritating habit of popping up relatively unannounced, usually in the mornings on a Saturday or Sunday when Jess liked to spend time lounging in bed with Rory.
"Five."
"You're killing me, Rory."
She giggled. "Sorry. I'll make it up to you."
He heard the doorbell echo from downstairs. "Was he in the driveway when he called?"
Rory rolled quickly off the bed, grabbing up her robe and tying it. He heard her run down the stairs and open the door, greeting Bram excitedly. Jess groaned again and palmed himself, his body extremely tight. Scooping up his t-shirt and jeans, he dressed quickly knowing that it would be obvious he just rolled out of bed. Running his fingers through his messy hair, he went down the stairs, and saw the two friends embracing.
"You have great timing, man."
Bram grinned, his gaze missing nothing. It was more than obvious that he had interrupted a moment and Jess thought Bram looked way too happy about it. "You two would've stayed in bed all day. I know all about it. Rory tells me all the dirty details."
Rory's eyes widened and she slapped a hand over Bram's mouth. "He's kidding, Jess."
Jess smiled, rolled his eyes, and snatched her up into his arms, uncaring that Bram was watching them with childish glee. "Doesn't matter. I kinda like that you brag about me." He smirked. Dropping a fast and hard kiss to her upturned mouth, he patted her bottom playfully. "Don't get into trouble with this guy. Save that for tonight with me."
Predictably, Rory blushed. "We're just hanging out in the backyard. Soak up some sun."
Jess held out a hand to Bram, a smile in place. "Nice to see you again."
"You too."
"See you two later." Jess closed the door behind him and he heard Bram's low mumble and Rory's giggling answer. There was no doubt why she was giggled. Jess smirked, feeling like he was on top of the world.
"You little hussy." Bram stretched his long frame out on the lounge chair, a tall glass of ice tea in hand.
Rory laughed. "And you! What were you doing, telling him that I talk about my sex life?"
He gave her a sardonic look. "You do. And if I have to hear one more time about how Mr. Neighbor has such a talented mouth, or he does things to you that you didn't know existed, or how the freaking gates of heaven open up with choir music in the background, I'm gonna scream." He could barely finish the statement without laughing.
"You love it!" Rory swatted his bare chest. "You're just jealous."
"Of course!" Bram rested on his elbow. "Seriously, Ror, that guy is like a walking shot of testosterone."
She rested her head back, enjoying the warm sunshine on her body. "He makes me happy."
"I'm happy for you." They quieted for a few moments, each just absorbing the moment of being with friends.
"Bram?"
"Yeah?"
She turned and faced her longtime friend. "Sometimes I feel like what he does leaves me in the dust."
Bram squinted into the sun. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," she stopped. Yes, she'd told Bram about the wonderful way that Jess had made her feel in bed, but contrary to the impression that Bram gave Jess, she hadn't actually given any details of her sex life. "He knows what he's doing."
Bram chuckled and slipped his aviator sunglasses over his eyes. "I'll say he does."
"No, I mean he really knows what he's doing."
"And what? You don't? A man doesn't get that look that Jess was wearing if you weren't making him happy too."
Rory paused. "What look?"
"Honey," Bram said softly, "That man looks at you like he wants to devour you. And I've seen him do it more than once. He's so smitten, I seriously am jealous."
"Really?" As embarrassing as it was to admit, there were times she still wondered how she got so lucky with a man with Jess.
Bram reached out and held her hand warmly in his. "Really, Rory. And I see it in you too. You're so gone over this man."
Jess toed off his shoes, stripped off his shirt and pants, and slipped into the warm bed.
She shifted and turned to face him. "Jess?"
"You expecting someone else to crawl into bed with you?"
She smiled sleepily and snuggled into his open arms. Her silky skin teased his senses and he settled her against him. "I was waiting for you."
They settled into an odd rhythm in sleeping habits. Jess would sneak over around midnight on the school nights and on the weekends he went over to her house early in the morning. He always grinned at her usual grumpiness whenever he woke her up late at night but she never complained when they finished. When they didn't have sex, sometimes Jess would go over to her place to just feel her warm weight against him during the night.
They'd been dating for three months now, spending most of their free time together. Jess took her out on dates during on weekends, but mostly they hung out at home. They were usually over at his house watching a movie or just cuddling on the couch. Gabe would sometimes join them and they would quietly enjoy the evening.
Gabe seemed to have warmed up to the idea of him dating Rory. The first month was a little awkward, a bit of a transitioning period. He walked in on them one night making out on the couch. Rory had been over watching television with them and when Gabe announced that he was going upstairs to bed, Jess had pulled Rory close and turned down the lights.
After a bit of giggling and frantic wandering hands, Rory stretched out on top of Jess, making out like teenagers. When the light over the stairs suddenly flicked on, Jess almost dumped Rory right onto the floor in surprise. Gabe had gotten thirsty and came downstairs for a glass of juice. With a lot of red faces on behalf of Rory and Gabe, they fumbled through the awkward situation and got past it.
They spent last weekend helping Gabe practice his history speech. Rory had pulled him aside and helped him to refine it and make it flow better. Gabe can home the next day, exuberant, after having received an A for his speech. And now, when Gabe caught Jess giving Rory a quick kiss, the moment wouldn't be charged with weirdness anymore. And neither Jess nor Rory would pull apart guiltily.
Jess had even found Gabe watching him and Rory together the other day when he helped her put together a planter for her daisies in the front yard. Gabe had gotten a soft look in his eyes and Jess wondered what it meant.
"I didn't want to sleep without you." Jess snuggled in close to her, his hands sneaking under her tank top to cup her breasts. "Actually, I can't seem to sleep without you these days."
"Hmm," she moaned and wiggled against him. "Did you come over for sex or sleep?" She turned and gave him a teasing look.
He kissed her, sighing softly at the feel of her now familiar body. "I came for you."
"Slick." She smoothed his cheek with her tender touch. "And possibly, a little dirty."
He chuckled. He loved her dry sense of humor, her quirky nature the perfect foil for his less-than-serious repertoire of jokes. He nuzzled her ear. "So…can we?"
"What?" She opened her eyes.
He raised a brow.
She smirked. "Did you want something Mr. Mariano?"
He chuckled. "Gonna make me work for it aren't you, Miss Gilmore?" He pulled her on top and settled his hands around her waist. "Can we do my naughty teacher fantasy?"
She laughed, her voice high and sweet. A blush rose to burn her cheeks, obviously thinking of a few weeks ago when he had confessed his fantasy and she suddenly turned into every high school boy's adolescent wet dream by acting it out. She had put on a short pleated skirt and a belly-baring button down white oxford. A ruler in her hand completed the outfit and Jess had just about passed out at the sight of her. When he asked about the outfit, she had admitted to attending a private high school and that it was her old uniform. Jess had been disappointed to hear that Rory was a good girl and had no sexy stories to share with him of her school days, but he made up for it by making up some of his own elaborate tales. He had been outrageous and silly, reducing Rory to tears of laughter.
"Maybe next time."
"Damn," he smiled. "I guess I'll have to settle for straight up sex," he mocked complained.
"You're so compromising." She wiggled around on his lap.
He helped her balance as she lowered her weight onto him. He caught the unexpected softness in her gaze. What had started off as playful and lighthearted suddenly turned serious with one look. He returned her gaze, steadily searching those wide blue orbs for a hidden meaning. Unblinking, he reached for her, his fingers tracing the apple of her cheek, the curve of her delicate brow, the baby hairs at her temple. There was an unfamiliar unfurling inside of him. He abruptly lost his breath.
Jess arched up his back, bent his knees, and wrapped his arms around her. His heart clamped down when he breathed her in. It was like coming home. She smelled like her usual cinnamon and sugar, but now, it was the scent of safety, of the future, of hope. Her body cradled his perfectly, her every soft curve cushioning the innate hardness of him. His hands caressed her nipped-in waist, the slender arch of her spine, and his favorite spot…the delicate curve where her lower back met her bottom where he knew there were two little dimples. He expelled a shaky sigh.
He was loosing himself and he knew it. And he was scared witless. He felt his body tremble uncontrollably, his fine hair exploding into goosebumps all over his skin.
It must have surprised her. "Hey," she whispered into his neck. "You okay?"
Jess leaned back and pulled her down on him. He rolled her on her back and thrust slowly back into her. He looked into her eyes and saw that sparkle he'd grown to love. Love.
His heart swelled to bursting. He brushed aside her hair and kissed her softly, worshipping her with his body. "I love you," he whispered tenderly.
Her eyes widened. "I—"
He hurried to calm her. "I know we initially said we'd keep things casual. But this," he thrust lazily into her, "doesn't feel casual at all. I don't know what's happened, but in the three months we've been together, I don't know," he shook his head. "I've fallen in love with you."
She smiled and he was alarmed to find tears in her eyes. "You have?"
He nodded, suddenly fearing her reaction. He'd never in his life told a girlfriend that he loved her. "Is that okay?"
She bobbed her head. "Yeah."
His eyes narrowed playfully. "Is there something you'd like to say to me?"
"Right now?" she tightened her inner muscles and wrenched a loud moan out of him.
He tried not to embarrass himself. "Now would be good."
"I've been falling in love with you for a while now."
His smile almost split his face in two. "Really?"
"Ever since our first night together."
"Took you that long, huh?"
She reached up to kiss him fervently. "Can we make love now?"
He smiled. It was the first time they labeled it like that. They were always careful not to use that term when talking about sex. But Jess knew it wasn't just sex. From that first time, he had felt something was different and he realized now that the difference was because he had always been making love to her, not just having sex.
"I'd love to." He positioned himself on top, his fingers seeking hers and holding them tight. Languid undulations of his body rode them until they were both trembling on the precipice of something great. And when she tightened up in her release, he held her tight until he shuddered as well, dropping onto her.
"This is serious, you know?"
They were snuggled together under her fluffy comforter, not that she was in any way cold. Jess radiated enough body heat to fire up a furnace in her opinion. "I know."
"Good." He hugged her tighter, one of his legs wrapping around her upper thigh from beneath the covers. "I don't want to say that we're going to end up getting married or anything, but I'm not going into this with an end date in mind, know what I mean?"
She understood. This is what her mom was talking about. Jess the conqueror. He expected all of her because he was willing to give her the same of him. "Yes."
"No games."
She shook her head and kissed him softly, sharing the same air. It was an intimacy that she never before experienced. "No games."
"Honesty?"
"Uh huh." She kissed him again, lingering on his bottom lip, nibbling it and tasting that unique essence of Jess.
"And lots of sex?" He smirked.
The seriousness of the moment was snapped and she enjoyed this silly side of him coming out to play. She swung her thigh over his lap and sat up, trapping his reemerging erection between them. "We can work something out."
His eyes got that certain gleam. "Oh yeah, ride me."
She laughed and sat up but felt his surprise when she turned her back to him. She rose up and took him in hand and letting her weight and gravity do the work.
"I bet you were one of those little girls who always wanted a pony, right?"
Her chest rocked with laughter, and though she couldn't see him, she felt him joined in, his laughter low. He levered up to his elbows and his fingers were making her crazy as he strummed her nipples, teasing her into a mass of jumbled nerves.
She looked over her shoulder and saw his smolder in heat. "I got you instead."
He bucked his hips, urging her to go faster. "I'm going to make you think the wait was worth it."
Jess closed the door behind him as quietly as he could. When he glanced up the stairs, he was met with the amused face of his brother.
"Just coming home?" Gabe raised a questioning brow.
"Uh, yeah."
"Why do you keep sneaking around?" Gabe rubbed his sleepy eyes. "It's not like I don't know you two sleep together. I'm fifteen, not stupid."
Jess laughed and took off his shoes by the door. "Never thought you were, kid."
"Then why do you always slink out of here? The stairs squeak, by the way. You might want to fix those if you keep on using them well past midnight." He puttered down the stairs and went into the kitchen.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"How long have you been seeing her now?"
"About three months." Jess followed his brother and flipped on the coffee maker. He waited for it to sputter to life and soon coffee began to filter down. "It wouldn't be too weird for you? If I asked her to stay here sometime?"
Gabe thought for a moment. "No. Not really. I've gotten used to it by now. Besides, having Rory puts you in a better mood. You don't freak out when I spill something on the couch anymore."
Jess grimaced and he didn't exactly want to delve too deeply with Gabe exactly why he was in a 'better mood.'
"Do you think you could pick me from school up after you finish work today?"
Jess poured himself a cup of coffee and sipped. "Why?"
He watched Gabe's back as he fiddled with opening the Ego box. "I decided to try out for the swim team."
Jess's smile practically split his face in two. He finally felt like he was making progress and doing something right with Gabe. "That's great!"
"Yeah, well, don't get too excited. This isn't exactly the swim team. It's more like the club. But maybe in the spring when tryouts start up again, I'll go for the team."
Jess was just damn glad his brother was getting involved with anything. Well, at least anything that didn't involve drugs, sex, or piercing his body full of holes. "Well, let me know if you need anything."
Gabe nodded but was already on his way back up the stairs.
Rory picked up her phone, juggling her sub sandwich in one hand and her Coke in the other. "Hello?"
"Hello Miss Gilmore."
"Jess! Hi." She plopped down on her desk chair and could barely stop the stupid grin from erupting on her face. She'd been with the man for three months but the new glow of saying 'I love you' was still fresh from last night.
"So, I was thinking…how would you like to spend the night over here?"
"Tonight?"
"Sure."
She picked at a piece of cheese and chewed. "We always stay at my place." And it was true. They always were cautious not to flaunt their relationship in front of Gabe. They kissed here and there and Jess didn't hesitate to hold her hand or put his arm around her while they were all watching TV, but they were also careful to keep all sex activity to her house.
"But I want you in my bed. All flushed and naked and ready for me."
Whoa. That one sentence sent butterflies straight to her tummy. "Really?" she managed to squeak out.
Jess's voice dropped low and she could hear the rumble through the phone. "I never did get that opportunity to take you in my shower. Remember the three massaging showerheads, baby? The one I wanted to watch you use?"
Hell yes she remembered. "What about Gabe?"
"He has his own shower."
She grinned. "I meant, what about Gabe and me spending the night."
"He's too young for you. Plus, you're mine."
She huffed at him deliberately misreading the point. "Jess."
"Alright, alright. Sheesh, you're no fun."
"Teachers rarely are, haven't you heard?"
"The teacher in my bed the other night was a handful of fun. Two handfuls, to be precise."
She blushed hotly. "Jess!"
"Right. I spoke with Gabe about it. Or rather," he chuckled softly, "He spoke to me about it. He caught me sneaking into the house this morning."
"Oh!"
"No, it wasn't like that. He asked why you didn't spend the night at our place."
"Was he embarrassed? Or upset?"
"No, he seemed to think that I was being an idiot for keeping you away. And to quote him, it's not like he doesn't know we're doing it."
She rolled her eyes. "He didn't really say that, did he?"
"Well, I think he said 'sleep together' not 'doing it.' But yeah, basically the same thing. So, what do you say? Dinner at my place? And when the kid goes to bed, fun for the adults?"
She laughed. "You're outrageous."
"But you love me that way," came his flippant reply.
"Yes, I do," was her serious answer.
AN: Read? Review.
Notes will dissect the original pacing of the story and why this particular chapter was originally chapter 9 but is now 11. Also, I talk about why I love writing this kind of "in-between" sex scenes more than the emotional ones!