AN: Another BIG thank you goes out to my readers and reviewers for all the support. I've had a very hectic couple of weeks and was fortunate enough to get this short chapter written on the train rides to work each morning.

Special thank you goes to "Amanda England" for your kind comments on this story and others you've reviewed. I'm glad you enjoy what I and others on here have to offer. Hopefully your computer issues have resolved and you are will continue to have access to this site.

A slight warning for this chapter as it does contain a mature scene but nothing I feel to be too explicit to be rated higher than a "T".

Tanith


Chapter 31

When Jeannie arrived at Whitney's house in Pacific Heights, she thanked Irene and reassured her again that she would call Mike.

"Jeannie!" Whitney beamed when he saw his fiancé on the doorstep of their future home with what looked like an overnight bag by her side. "Is that...uh...are you staying the night?"

Jeannie smiled nervously and nodded. "Yeah, I figured I should keep an eye on you. I wanted to make sure you were okay, but if you rather I didn't..."

"Are you kidding me? Here, let me take that for you." He leaned down and gave Jeannie a quick kiss on the lips then reached down and picked up the bag.

"Really, I can manage!" Jeannie tried to take the bag from Whitney but he was already walking into the house. "How are you feeling?"

"Better now that you're here," Whitney replied. He took Jeannie's hand in his and led her up the staircase. "Come on, I'll show you our room."

"Um, Whitney, I..." Jeannie began. She wanted to say she was going to take the sofa but he was hardly paying attention.

When they reached the top landing, Whitney walked Jeannie to the master bedroom. Sure enough, the room was everything Jeannie had imagined it to be.

Wrapping his arms around Jeannie's waist, Whitney turned her toward him and kissed her. The kiss grew in intensity and passion. Caught up in the moment, Jeannie felt herself falling onto the bed, still enveloped in Whitney's strong embrace. She hooked her arms over his broad shoulders and slid her hands down his arms. Whitney's lips travelled down to her neck and his hands roamed over her slender body, caressing her breasts through her blouse. Jeannie moaned as tendrils of pleasure coursed through her and she closed her eyes, enjoying the sensations that Whitney's touch and kisses brought.

Whitney's fingers eagerly unbuttoned the top of Jeannie's blouse until he could slip his hand through the opening, cupping her left breast through her bra.

Jeannie slid her hands under the hem of Whitney's shirt, running her fingers over his taut muscles. She felt him flinch at first and she was reminded of the bruises he was surely sporting. She mumbled an apology but Whitney responded by capturing her lips with his once again. Floating in a blissful dream-like state where everything else became a blur, Jeannie wanted to ignore the nagging voice in her head that urged her to stop and think about what she was doing. Despite her body's natural responses to the attention that was receiving from Whitney, the little voice grew louder and she knew she had to listen to it. "Whitney," she said a little breathlessly. "Wait."

Whitney ignored Jeannie's plea and continued his ministrations. His right hand found it's way down her abdomen and he begun fumbling with the button on the waist band of her jeans.

Jeannie's heart lurched as Irene's voice of reason echoed in her head once again and she extricated her hands from Whitney's shirt, placing them against his shoulders. As she started to push his weight off her the phone on the bedside table rang loudly, breaking the moment, much to her relief and in contrast to Whitney's annoyance.

Whitney groaned in frustrating and rolled off Jeannie then reached across and picked up the telephone receiver. He sat up, listening to his father's irate voice on the other line. "I told you, I'd take care of it. Yes, I'm aware of the deadlines. Look, can we talk about this later? I'm in the middle of something. Now? No, dad, I'm not coning back to the office today. Yes. Okay. First thing tomorrow."

Whitney placed the receiver back on the cradle then turned his attention back to Jeannie. She had already buttoned up her blouse, though her hair was still tousled in a naturally attractive way. "Sorry about that. Where were we?" Whitney tipped Jeannie's chin and leaned forward to kiss her but felt her hesitate.

"I'm sorry, I just don't think this is the right time," Jeannie said apologetically.

Whitney planted a quick peck on Jeannie's lips instead and smiled, trying to hide his disappointment. "It's okay. I'm gonna take a shower. Why don't you make yourself at home? There's plenty of closet space where you can put your things away. Everything in this house is as much yours as it is mine. As for sleeping arrangements, I'll take the sofa tonight, okay?"

Jeannie nodded and noticed Whitney was moving gingerly. "You must be pretty sore? Why don't you take bed tonight?"

"No, a sofa is no place for a Princess unless we are both on it watching a movie," Whitney declined with a wink. "I'll be fine, really."

"Okay, but my offer still stands if you change your mind," Jeannie said to Whitney's retreating back. She waited for him to disappear into the bathroom then she brushed her fingers through her hair in an attempt to make herself look more presentable. She scanned the room, admiring the features it offered then her eyes came to rest on the telephone. Mike. She had promised Irene she would call her father and she decided now was a good time as any. She braced herself for another round of Mike's fatherly lectures then picked up the receiver and dialed the number to his office.