A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed/favourite/followed. Be prepared for a LONG chapter. That's why it's taken so long to update.
Rating: T
Characters: Beca/Jesse, the rest of the Pitch Perfect cast (eventually), plus some other characters.
Warnings: Mature situations referenced and swearing.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pitch Perfect or the songs used in this fic in any way. I'm just playing with them.
Hurricanes – Chapter 7 – A day out
Jesse was woken up by something soft and fluffy being thrown at his head. He grunted and shifted, muttering, "Five more minutes ma…"
"Get up weirdo," came a darkly amused voice.
Jesse's eyes fluttered open, remembering that he was in Boston at Beca's house with the she-devil Vicki. He stretched and flung the sheet off the bed. He saw the soft and fluffy thing that had oh so evilly woke him up. "A puppy toy? That is cute," he said, picking it up and grinning at Beca. His eyes widened as he saw she hadn't gotten changed out of her sleeping clothes. She wore the most adorable pair of black shorts with purple skulls that showed off the creamy skin of her legs. And her top was nothing more than a singlet with a matching purple skull. It was obvious she wasn't wearing a bra.
"Uh, Jesse, my eyes are up here," Beca snickered. She hadn't thought her pyjamas would turn Jesse on. It was flattering, to say the least.
"I know," he replied shyly, shaking his head to clear his thoughts and meeting her eyes. "Any reason why you're waking me up? I was having a wonderful dream about bacon and swimming through a maple syrup lake to reach a floating pancake island."
Beca laughed, "Only a nerd like you would dream about that."
"Like I said, it was a cool dream. And you still haven't explained why you woke me up."
"We're going out. Mum's already left for her day and I've told her we're going to be staying out past 7 tonight for dinner and whatever. So the day is ours," she informed him. She turned and said, "If you're not ready in 10 minutes I'm leaving without you. Because the place we're going for breakfast just happens to have the most amazing boysenberry pancakes ever."
"Pancakes," Jesse moaned in anticipation, licking his lips and bolting out of bed. He got changed (not caring if the camera was watching, Vicki could see him in his Star Wars boxers all she wanted) and was completely ready in eight minutes, standing by the front door and pretending to tut impatiently at Beca as she gathered up her keys and phone, slipping her bag over her head. "Come on…my pancakes are waiting for me," he whined.
"You know, I'm going to give you that bacon alarm clock thingy you showed me on Facebook that time on the meme page. Just because, you know, you love bacon so much," Beca muttered, rolling her eyes as they left the house, locking it up securely and hopping into the car.
Jesse's eyes widened with excitement. "Would you really?"
"I know you'd get a kick out of it," Beca replied.
"I love bacon…I'm such a bad Jew," he murmured dreamily.
Beca just snorted and back the car out of the driveway. Jesse could be such a kid at times.
They arrived at Commune in ten minutes, finding it fairly busy. It was just past 8.30am, which meant people trying to get their coffees before work, friends meeting up for a leisurely breakfast and chat. They parked and went towards the door. Jesse followed Beca, who strode confidently through the door and up to the counter. "Hey, Jordan!" she called.
A bespectacled guy about their age appeared at the counter. "Yo, Beca! How are ya girl?" he asked.
"Good. My usual, and can you add a latte in a tall glass to an order of the boysenberry pancakes? Add bacon to it please," Beca rattled off before Jesse could even comprehend that Beca was ordering for him.
Jordan smiled at her. "Sure thing. Pay later, I think your friend is a little confused," he said, winking at them both, handing them a table number before heading off to the coffee machine.
Beca grabbed Jesse's hand (taking a second to revel in the little tingle as she finally made some skin to skin contact with him) and dragged him to her favourite booth, right in the back corner below some vanilla and lavender scented candles. She shoved him into the booth and sat opposite him. Jesse was bewildered by her forwardness and said, "Not that I don't like you manhandling me, but, er, what was that about?"
"Jordan's a nosy bastard. If we had started an argument about who was going to pay – and don't lie, you know you would have totally offered to pay for me – he would have tried to find out all he could about you," Beca replied, settling back and relaxing.
"And that's a problem because?"
"It's not…it's just I want to have breakfast before introducing you to anyone. My stomach's demand is higher than Jordan's gossip gathering right now," she explained, reaching over the table and grabbing his hand, clasping it tight. Jesse squeezed back, his expression effusing with warmth for her .
"So, Jordan's a friend?" he prodded, trying to get some info from his notoriously closed off girlfriend.
"From high school. We became friends when we first moved here when I was in the tenth grade," said Beca.
Jesse snapped his fingers in realisation. "So that's why you don't have that movie style 'Boston' accent. You only moved here around four years ago," he said, some more pieces of the puzzle clicking into place.
"Yeah. Anyway, we met when I some jocks were picking on him and I basically told them to scram or else I'd claw their eyes out for ganging up on Jordan. Here I was, this new girl, and I was telling them to piss off. And they did it. Jordan and I have been friends ever since. He's one of the few friends I still have and who understands me – the only one I really keep in contact with too. Not only have his parents divorced, but his dad hates him because he's gay," Beca told Jesse in a low whisper so other people couldn't hear.
He shook his head. "That's sad when people can't be accepting."
"But I did for him, and he did for me. So that's why we're friends," concluded Beca just as Jordan made his way over to bring their coffees.
"A long black with hot milk for you Beca and a latte for you…" Jordan trailed off, looking pointedly at Beca.
She just rolled her eyes and waved her hand between the two. "Jordan, Jesse, Jesse, Jordan. Jesse goes to Barden with me and just happens to be…my friend who happens to be more than a friend." She cleared her throat awkwardly as the two men stared at her. She reddened, embarrassed – as much as she may call Jesse her boyfriend to herself, she still felt uncomfortable saying it aloud most times.
"I'm her boyfriend. Nice to meet you Jordan," Jesse broke the silence with a friendly smile and holding out his hand for a handshake.
Jordan grinned. "That's awesome. Beca has a boyfriend. This is fantastic!" he giggled, shaking Jesse's hand and slapping him on the back. "I never thought this day would come! A guy who's willing to go through the agony of breaking down her walls. Good luck."
As Jordan went back to the counter, Jesse stared at a flushed Beca in confusion. "Okay…what was that about?"
Beca mumbled something too low for him to hear, so he reached over and placed his finger underneath her chin, tilting her head up so their eyes met. "I didn't hear you."
"My nickname in high school was Everest. Go on, guess why," she muttered.
"Uh…hard to climb?" Jesse wondered cluelessly.
"As in, you're insane to think of going near it, and if you even tried to climb it, it'd break you. I was called Everest because whenever someone wanted to date me, they'd never succeed. I always turned them down flat and when some guys didn't get the memo I wasn't interested, I either keyed their car or filled their lockers with pink silly string." Beca raised her eyebrows in surprise as Jesse began to laugh. "What?"
"That is brilliant," he chortled. "No, really, that's great. It only highlights the fact that I'm lucky. I'm the only one you've ever dedicated an a capella set to!"
Beca reached over and lightly smacked his arm. "Don't go around boasting it. Jordan will never let me live it down. He'll probably call me tomorrow and try and have our three monthly catch up centred mostly on you."
Jesse waggled his eyebrows. "I'd be flattered if he did."
Beca's retort was halted by the arrival of the food. Jesse's eyed widened to Alvin the chipmunk proportions as he took in the three high stack of thick boysenberry pancakes drowning in syrup accompanied by a few rashers of bacon. "Oh yum. How delicious you are, my sweet," he crooned to the plate, knowing that Beca was probably rolling her eyes at him for making a big deal about the food. He looked at her plate to find out what a Beca special was. It was scrambled eggs, a sausage, a hash brown and avocado buttered toast. Interesting. He had her picked as a croissant girl. It gave him a thrill that Beca managed to surprise him at every turn.
They tucked into the food – with Jesse moaning in delight every now and then as he ate his pancakes. After they were done, Jordan came to the table and chatted to them before taking their empty plates away.
"Ready?" asked Beca after they paid their bill.
"Hell yeah!" Jesse crowed when they exited Commune. "Did you know that the Boston Science museum has the only domed IMAX theatre in New England?"
"No, I didn't, and no, we aren't going to watch a movie in it. We are going to see exhibits," Beca said sharply, relenting afterward at Jesse's pout. "Look nerd, I actually like looking at the science-y stuff. Can we spend a day just mucking around and we'll watch another movie when we get back tonight?"
He pretended to look like he was deliberating thoughtfully over the choice before nodding slowly. "Well, since you make such a logical point," he murmured in a posh voice. "We'll go with your plan."
"Oh stop it, you," Beca snickered.
Just before they reached Beca's car, Jesse reached out and span her around, gently connecting their lips in a kiss. "I've wanted to do that since last night on the couch," he murmured huskily.
Beca wrinkled her nose and replied, "While that's nice, I've got egg breath."
"I don't care," Jesse said, pressing back into her lips, tracing his tongue along the seam of her lips until she relented and allowed him entrance. He gently probed the warm heat of her mouth, teasing her tongue and making her laugh into their liplock. He enjoyed kissing Beca for the simple fact that she just eased into his arms. He hugged her as he broke away, fluttering kisses over her cheeks.
"Jesse…" whined Beca, flushing and writhing in his hold. His light kisses tickled.
"What?"
"We have to get going," she muttered weakly, temptation staring at her in the form of dark liquid eyes burning into hers.
Jesse sagged a little but nodded. "Okay. Lead the way mon capitan."
There was different ways to view beauty, Jesse mused. There was a fierce, angry beauty, for example the way Beca had lashed out to defend him last year at the regionals. Or the way she was so resolute and strong. There was an alive, excitable beauty, like when Beca was enthusiastic about music or when she was performing and singing. And then, there was a quiet, serene beauty about her too. Like when she would relax out in the quad at Barden and just do her mixes.
He would have to slot the sight he was gazing at into both the alive and serene categories.
They were at the Science Museum's blue wing – specifically the butterfly garden. Beca was standing about four feet in front of him, butterflies fluttering around her while she looked around with a peaceful smile gracing her delicate features. Jesse could see it in her eyes that she was happy and content. He whipped out his phone and snapped a few pictures of Beca, knowing he'd make one his background picture. Beca was oblivious, her hands dancing in the air as she attempted to touch the butterflies. A few landed on her hands for a second and it was with those feather light touches her smile widened.
Jesse could only grin at her. She was gorgeous when she was cheerful.
"Swanson…the staring is getting creepy," Beca said quietly, amused.
He just shrugged. Only Beca could break the image with something quintessentially her. "I was just admiring the view."
Beca threw a raised eyebrow his way and they continued through, Jesse casually slinging an arm around her shoulders. It was comfortable. They exited the garden and went on to more excitable exhibits. They went and saw the giant Van de Graff machine in the Theatre of Electricity, both of them reeling back, thrilled by the show, as the electric light arced from the main machine to the cage where the demonstrator was standing. They let their worries slip into the background and were as carefree as kids as they went through the optical illusions, natural mysteries, and the Investigate! Exhibit. Jesse would occasionally pull weird faces and play around with the displays, just to make Beca roll her eyes at him and smile. Beca in return would hold his hand or make sarcastic comments about the exhibits or people in the crowd around them.
They finished with the blue wing and went through to the red wing to the Discovery Centre – although Jesse managed to quickly duck into the IMAX just to geek out over it.
They grabbed muffins for a snack from the museum cafe before travelling to the Soundstair and running up and down the musical staircase with Jesse singing nonsensical words with each step he took. Beca couldn't help but laugh. His enthusiasm was infectious and didn't irritate her at all. She was so glad she had chosen to come here – she hadn't felt this happy since ICCA's.
In the Planetarium, Jesse took the chance while the general public were ooh-ing and ah-ing at the constellations to press Beca into a secluded corner and kiss her like he had been wanting to. Time faded away in that dark corner as they stood, lips joined, teasing, giggling as they made out. Beca's hands grasped at Jesse's shoulders to anchor herself because her world was spinning as he kissed her desperately. She was lost in him, in his hands sliding from her waist to cup her neck and then back again. He was so warm and smelled so good she almost forgot the fact the place was in public. Jesse was similarly affected, knowing his heart was going double time as he got drunk off their kisses.
It wasn't until an elderly woman cleared her throat loudly that they broke apart. Beca flattened Jesse's mussed up hair from where she had run her fingers through it and sniggered when he blushed. They left the museum to grab pastrami Panini at a nearby bakery and wandered into North Point Park next to the river near the museum.
"This is a pretty place," Jesse remarked as they reclined on the springy grass.
"It's one of my favourite parks," said Beca, tearing a hunk out of her sandwich with relish.
Joggers ran past and families with kids gambolled everywhere, a scene out of a movie. Jesse sighed happily. It was such a great day. After their sandwiches had been devoured, he asked Beca, "It's almost 2.30…what else is on the agenda?"
"I'm going to introduce you to one of the only other people you could call a friend of mine. Her name's Wanda. The only reason she's kinda a friend is because I visited her shop so often," she replied.
"Her shop?"
"She owns a vintage music shop about ten minutes away. I found it by accident and I've visited it ever since."
Jesse's curiosity was piqued. "What's she like?"
Beca stared up at the clouds in thought. "Generous. If she likes you, you'll know. She'll make you a pot of tea and invite you to sit and chat. If she doesn't like anyone, whenever they ask the price on something, she'll give them a ridiculous figure so they don't come back anytime soon," she murmured. She wondered if Wanda had anything from The Breakfast Club soundtrack or any Simple Minds merchandise. She was sure Jesse would get a kick out of it, although she would never, ever, not even on her deathbed, admit that she found it adorable when Jesse had his little geek outs over things.
The pair were content to laze around on the grass for another hour, occasionally chatting about random things, or Jesse humming to whatever song was in his head.
It was four that afternoon when they arrived at Wanda's vintage shop. It was about 13 by 24 feet and crammed full of music related items. Along the left side were a wide variety of CD's and tapes and on the right wall was full of shelves bulging with records. In between were random CD's, tapes and records scattered on the narrow tables in between signed pictures of famous musicians and other merchandise. Jesse's eyes widened as he took it all in. "This is so cool!" he whispered excitedly.
"I know," Beca said quietly, moving forward and running her hands over the record wall, loving the calming feeling of the cardboard along her fingertips. She wished she could just soak up all this history in this way.
"I recognise that voice!" a husky voice floated from the back of the shop behind a black curtain. "Beca Mitchell, that you girl?"
"Yeah Wanda, it's me." Beca nudged Jesse and went to the back as Wanda came out behind the curtain. By Jesse halting in his steps, she could tell Wanda wasn't what he expected.
She was an older woman approaching her 60's, with steel grey hair falling around her head in micro braids, contrasting with her inky black skin. She was blind in one eye, while the other was a dark hazel. One could immediately tell that despite her diminutive size that Wanda was a tough one. She wore Doc Martens and jeans with a floaty jade green top.
"It's about damn time you came around again. I can understand because of college, but it wasn't the same having my helper around in the past year," Wanda chided, but her countenance was friendly.
"I missed you too Wanda," Beca grinned, moving forward and hugging the shorter woman quickly.
Wanda's observant eyes caught sight of Jesse standing awkwardly behind Beca. "I see you've hauled someone in with you."
"This is Jesse," Beca introduced, indicating their more than friend status by twining their fingers together.
Jesse stuck his hand forward and smiled. "Pleasure to meet you, Wanda. Beca said this place was amazing and she wasn't wrong."
Wanda's good eye flicked over him. "Tall, strong, handsome. They need to make more men like you suitable for women my age," she winked, smiling back at him. "Come on, I'll make you some tea."
They spent over an hour just chatting with Wanda, with both of them asking her questions about the records and CD's she had. Jesse had gone into full on movie nerd mode when he had found a record of the ET soundtrack wedged underneath the Beatles. He had rapidly fired off so many facts about the score that Wanda and Beca couldn't follow. Eventually, Wanda told him to stop and just keep the record, because no one had ever shown such interest in it and she was going to mark it down for clearance anyway. Jesse was gobsmacked at the thought she would give it to him for free.
While Jesse was profusely thanking Wanda, Beca was peeking at items strewn along the tables, admiring the chains with band badges, the silly things like a Metallica toaster (that was weird) or a set of four tumblers dedicated to Kate Bush. She did feel let down by the fact that there was no Breakfast Club stuff for them.
"What are you doing?"
Jesse's befuddled voice brought Beca out of her thoughts and she glanced back to see that Wanda had Jesse's tea cup in her hands, staring into it intently.
"I'm reading your tea leaves. It's my little hobby on the side," Wanda replied calmly, ignoring Jesse's incredulous staring.
"Relax weirdo, she did it to me too. It means Wanda really likes you," Beca reassured, weaving her way through the shop and back to them. Wanda was holding the tea cup in the correct position, with the handle pointed towards Jesse opposite her.
"This is fascinating," Wanda murmured.
Beca and Jesse just waited to see what she would say next. Beca was at ease while Jesse was leaning forward in anticipation.
Her hazel eye flickered between the young couple and she smiled. "What jumped out to me most was the guitar. It usually signifies that you are finding happiness in love," she murmured. Jesse rubbed the back of his head shyly and nodded. "But there are five other symbols. You have a vase close to the guitar which signifies you have a friend in need. There is a hand pointing from these two symbols to the hollyhock, which means that this person will never disappoint you. Lastly, the oak tree means you will have a long, happy life. You also have the birdcage, which usually indicates that you will have obstacles or that you will have a quarrel with someone."
"Wow. That's a lot to take in," Jesse said softly. His forehead creased in a frowned and asked, "While this is really cool and all, but just how accurate have you been?"
Wanda smirked knowingly. "All but ten of the 112 fortunes I've told have been mostly true. Although I am about to re-read Beca's. Last time she was here I read from the leaves she was going to partake of an adventure and that she was going to fight obstacles, but ultimately, the time ahead of her would be worth it in the end. I was glad that the arch symbol came true," she replied.
"The arch?"
"It means I was about to meet my ideal man," grumbled Beca lowly beside Jesse, making he and Wanda laugh.
"I told you we were inevit-"
"Yeah, yeah, okay nerd, you had your turn, now mine," she said, shoving Jesse so she was in front of Wanda and drunk the rest of the tea and handed her cup to Wanda. Wanda prepared the cup by swirling it and then peering into it.
"Hmm."
"What?"
"Give me a moment," said Wanda patiently, scrutinising the cup. "I have the symbol of the cup, which means that you must pay attention to this reading…and also that you have good fortune in the area of love," she began pleasantly, but then she frowned. "You only have two positive symbols. That, and the car, which means you could be embarking on a new lifestyle. The other symbols could be neutral or troubling." After humming over the symbols for another minute, Wanda went on, "The butterfly and the axe close together are very telling. The axe means you are going to free yourself of burdens, while the butterfly has a similar meaning. You also have the dinosaur again, stubbornness. Then there is the goat, telling you that you must take action with bravery and judgement in order to reach your goals. Lastly, the gun and the knife are close together, possibly indicating that you are holding some kind of anger or resentment which will lead to arguments and harsh words."
"Huh," said Beca.
Wanda looked troubled. "Anything happening I should be aware of Beca? Your cup was disconcerting last time too."
Beca looked down at her hands, fiddling with the strap of her bags. "I don't think I'll be coming back to Boston after this summer Wanda. I'd had enough," she admitted quietly.
The older woman understood and she nodded. "Very well. I will miss you coming in and visiting me if this is true," she said.
"Thanks Wanda," Beca said genuinely. Wanda and Jordan were all she knew before Barden, and not being able to see them had been hard. Jesse saw she was struggling with her emotions and reached out to take her hand, which she appreciated. After they had another browse of the store's wares, Beca and Jesse farewelled Wanda and headed into the city. Before dinner, they chose to walk around and look at various shops, Beca showing places she had discovered when she had wagged school because she was bored. They talked about the culture and the lifestyle in the city, and Beca admitted that she could never picture staying in Boston anyway, even if her relationship with her mother was less strained.
"Why's that?" Jesse asked.
Beca shrugged. "I don't know. It's instinctual I guess. Boston is a cool place, but I know I'll never settle here. It's never felt like home to me," she confessed.
"I can't imagine that," murmured Jesse. This visit had been a real eye opener into Beca herself.
"What, the feeling of not feeling like home?"
"Well, yeah!" he exclaimed. "I mean, my home in Raleigh has always been home to me. I've never felt a pressing need to get out. Barden became home to me too. I guess I've always been home where I've felt comfortable and needed and happy."
"That's deep," teased Beca, feeling a little jealous of Jesse. She hadn't felt like that until she had met him or the Bellas. Not since she was a little girl in New York with her parents.
Jesse detected she needed a little comforting and pressed a quick kiss to her temple. They wandered around for a little longer before Beca decided it was time for them to have dinner.
"What's this place?"
"Just follow me," murmured Beca, grabbing his hand and leading him down a dark alley. He glanced back over his shoulder nervously, checking that some unsavoury characters weren't following them. Soon, the alley got lighter, purple spotlights shining from above. They turned a corner and met a gate, manned by a bodyguard. Above the gate was a small sign: 'Asanity.'
"Hey Harry," Beca said to the bodyguard, showing him her ID.
The heavyset man rolled his eyes. "Go on in. It's not busy tonight," he rumbled. Jesse showed Harry his own ID, and he nodded. "Have a nice evening."
As they passed through the gate and toward a set of steps the led up to a wooden door, Jesse leaned over and whispered, "You aren't leading me into a strip club are you? You said that wasn't on the agenda – ow!" He flinched and rubbed the sore spot on his shoulder where Beca had punched him. "Okay, guess the answer is a no."
"It's an illegal restaurant and dance club. Although today's not a club day. You can still dance though, they play music after 8," she explained in a hushed tone. "Only people who are trusted can actually get past Harry. Trusted people can bring one other person whenever they come though, so that others have the opportunity to enjoy the food."
"So how did you become trusted?" Jesse asked curiously.
Beca smirked in remembrance. "Jordan's brother is married to one of the cooks. We came here one night for Jordan's brother's birthday. It was awesome. And all it is inside is two small apartments that had most of the walls taken out to make it a restaurant. It's just good home cooked food," Beca replied. She opened the door and walked in, going over to the server. "Hey Mariela, table for two?"
The woman nodded and crooked her finger at them, and with a swish of her dark skirts she led them to the back, up a few steps to a secluded section with only two cosy booth tables and a crimson screen obscuring the tables from the rest of the restaurant.
"Uh, Mariela-" Beca muttered uncertainly.
"I thought you might like some privacy," Mariela replied in a thick Spanish accent with a kind, knowing smile.
"I...we-"
"It's very thoughtful of you, thank you very much," Jesse broke in smoothly, smiling gratefully as he took his seat at the second booth further in the corner. "May we get some water to start?"
"Of course." Mariela left, her skirts rustling behind her.
"That's embarrassing," grumbled Beca.
"Oh just come and sit down will you, sour puss? I'm glad. It means we can sit together and get into important things while we wait for our food. Like...making out," Jesse winked teasingly, patting the plush blue covering of the booth invitingly. Beca huffed in feigned annoyance and slid next to Jesse, letting him take his hand in her own so he could kiss her hand in a gentlemanly gesture that made her blush. "I had a great day."
"I'm glad," murmured Beca. "I did too. It feels like forever since I've had fun."
"With me around, it's inevitable," he joked, getting a light smack on his shoulder for his effort. They perused the menu and ordered when Mariela returned five minutes later. When she left to place their order, Jesse took the chance to make good on his suggestion and grabbed Beca so she could straddle him and murmured, "I think it's about time for a make out session."
"Really? You're just gonna put it out there like you're being romantic?"
"Yeah," he replied and captured her lips passionately. There was something about the dim lighting, the privacy, and the whirlwind of experiences today that gave Jesse a heady rush and such emotion to fuel his kiss. He near died when she nibbled his bottom lip and sucked on it wetly, halting his progress into frenching. He felt her slender fingers grabbing his collar and holding him in place.
"Oh God," Jesse whispered as Beca's mouth abruptly dropped from his lips to his neck, her devious tongue circling his pulse point. He couldn't repress the full body shiver.
"Ooh, have I found a sensitive spot Swanson?" Beca said mockingly, a dark glint in her eyes. Maybe it was the privacy, maybe it was Jesse, but she suddenly felt playful and warm for Jesse's form.
He choked, nodding. "No fair…" he complained.
"Even the playing field then," she retorted.
Jesse understood. She was giving him permission to find her sensitive points too. His hands slid from where he had been clutching onto her thighs and under the hem of her top, rubbing hesitantly on her skin. She was so soft and so warm it blew his mind. He smirked in satisfaction when she moaned when he rubbed over the tops of her hip bones.
"Too bad we're in a restaurant," Beca said lowly, removing herself from Jesse's lips and looking into his eyes.
"Even then, I wouldn't let it go further than this," Jesse replied honestly. He saw Beca's walls slam down and before she could angrily bait him, he placed his hand over her mouth and hastily explained, "Not because I don't want you, silly. It's for other reasons."
She growled and he removed his hand. "You're gonna have to expand on that more Jesse."
"It's just, I want it to be special," he answered, searching her expression for the reaction. It was a good one, a smile softening her features.
"You're such a romance nerd," she teased.
He shrugged. "I know you've been skeptical of relationships in general, so when we get to having sex I didn't want to rush or anything, because I don't want to make you think I'm a jerk. I want it to be meaningful. If it wasn't for the fact your mother is watching us like a hawk, I would have been comfortable there if you really, really wanted to take that step. But we aren't going to some hotel just to get our frustrations out. I can wait. I want to wait until we don't have to worry about someone watching us or judging us for doing what's completely normal in a relationship," he murmured.
Beca stroked along the side of his face, his little speech just making her fall harder for him. He was so sweet it was almost unbearable. "Did you rehearse any of that?" she quipped, hoping to joke he got it off a movie. But Jesse's eyes were serious. "No. I meant that," he replied.
Beca closed her eyes, leaning their foreheads together. She initiated the kiss this time, showing him just how frustrated she was. She felt all warm and glowy (if that was even a sensation!) when she was rewarded by a low, husky moan. She wondered how turned on she would be if he started to sing to her.
A quiet clearing of the throat got the couple to part and look at their server guiltily.
Mariela just smiled genially and announced, "Your dinner is served."
"Thank you Mariela," Beca replied, gathering her wits and plopping back into her seat. They tore into the seafood paella and kingfish carpaccio ravenously, talking with everything but their mouths. Smouldering looks and soft caresses were their way of communicating while they ate.
"This is so good. It may be illegal, but this restaurant is awesome," Jesse said determinately, spearing the last of his squid and eating it.
"Escaping reality is always awesome," Beca said in what she hoped was a cryptic manner, but as usual, Jesse saw right through her.
"Hey, don't think about going home. Just think about all the fun we had. Don't let the future spoil the present."
"Yes, oh wise one," Beca murmured sarcastically.
A soft salsa blues fusion began to play from the small dance area in the restaurant. Jesse perked up immediately and nudged his pondering girlfriend. "Come on, let's dance," he suggested.
"No."
"Please. I haven't danced with you before. I want to dance. And who cares? It's an illegal restaurant. No one can tell anyone else they saw you dancing here unless they want to lose the trusted status, right?"
Beca hated it when Jesse was logically correct. She just stood and walked off, looking coyly back over her shoulder in invitation. "Well?"
He grinned and followed her, his hand drifted to the small of her back as they came around the partition and onto the dance floor. To Beca's relief, they weren't the only ones dancing. Two other couples were also swaying slowly to the music. They assumed the position, although they both tried to lead at first, making them chuckle.
"I have to lead. The guy traditionally does that," Jesse advised her.
"Aw, why?" mock pouted Beca, but she gave herself up to Jesse and the music, leaning her head against his shoulder and closing her eyes. It was perfect, especially when Jesse started to hum along, the vibrations making her get goose bumps along her skin.
She wished that this night would never end. She never wanted to go back to the house. After all, she was home in Jesse's arms.
A/N: You exhausted from reading? :D I hope you liked it! I tried to cram in so much Beca/Jesse before Vicki does anything.
Reviews are always wonderful and appreciated.
