Kate woke up at 7:00 am, uncharacteristically early for her on a Sunday morning. She was restless and she knew why. She squeezed her eyes shut to try to force herself back to sleep. She still had eight hours until she would see him again and she wanted the time to pass quickly. She laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, falling back asleep was an attempt at futility.
She headed into the kitchen to grab something to eat. She saw Sam sitting at the counter, hunched over reading the Sunday paper.
He looked up, "Mornin' sleepy head. This is an early start. What has you out of bed at this hour?"
She tried to hide any expression that could possibly give her away. Oh Dad, if you had any idea….
"Nothing, I just couldn't sleep for some reason."
Out of the corner of her eye, Kate could see her dad looking at her.
"What, Dad?"
He was still peering curiously at her, "I don't know, you're wearing an expression as if you were caught with your hand in the cookie jar."
Kate paused and wondered if he had some kind of sixth sense. Can fathers know whether their daughters have just had sex? There was no way she could possibly look different, right?
She took her time in responding, "Nothing daddy, seriously. I think I just have a lot on my mind. Graduation is in a few months, need to decide on college…," she trailed off.
"You're right, big changes ahead," Sam contemplated before he shook his head in agreement.
Kate slowly relaxed and let him resume the paper as she began to prepare some toast. She was a better liar than she imagined.
The day dragged on and when 3:00 approached, she suddenly became anxious and insecure. She began to worry that he may have forgotten about her visit or perhaps he had a change in heart and would ask her to leave. She bit her bottom lip and squeezed her eyes shut. Part of her wished that he could be the one to come to her, but that was an impossibility, she knew. She entered the garage and started the car. She had to go, if she didn't, Jack would think that she was an immature kid. Was this even a date? She wasn't sure.
In the vestibule of the building lobby, she buzzed Jack's apartment. She waited a moment and through the intercom speaker, she heard his quiet voice.
"Hello?"
Looking at the large glass door that led outside, she thought she still had a chance to run.
Instead she responded, "Hey, it's me."
"Hi Kate, I'll buzz you in."
Why was she convinced that he smiled as he said 'Kate'? There was the subtlest inflection in his voice.
As she landed on the twenty-third floor, the elevator chimed as the doors opened. He was waiting for her in the elevator bank.
His eyes brightened when he saw her, he still couldn't believe that she was real and here for him.
"Hi Jack," a sheepish grin evident on her face.
"Hi Kate," he paused, not sure whether to give her a kiss on the cheek or not. Instead, he opted to place his hand on the small of her back and gently guide her in the direction of his apartment.
As they entered, he gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa. Instead she walked over to the large windows that overlooked downtown LA.
"Would you like something to drink? I wasn't sure what to plan for today. I thought that maybe we could go for a ride out of town, but the rainy weather ruined the idea. So I thought we could watch a movie on TV. And I could order something for us to eat if you're able to stay for dinner?" He asked somewhat hesitantly, but distinctly hopeful.
At the sound of his voice, she had looked over her shoulder in his direction and let out a quiet sigh of relief. His proposal sounded like a date.
"That all sounds perfect. I'll just need to call my dad and let him know to have dinner without me. Ummmmmm…." She struggled to remember what she was going to say until she looked over his shoulder and saw his kitchen, "A glass of water would be fine. Thanks."
He emerged from the kitchen carrying the glass and offered it to her. He opened his bottle of beer and took a long swallow as he stood next to her and followed her gaze. They stood silently for a few moments. Kate was aware of a tightening in the room, some emotion from him that she couldn't identify. She pulled herself away from the window and took a seat on the sofa. He followed her and sat on the chair to the right of her, "Since you're the guest, you can pick out the movie."
He picked up the remote and went directly to the movie channel and handed it to her.
"That's a big responsibility, Mr. Shep-," she caught herself before she finished his name. She looked at him and saw for the briefest moment he appeared uncomfortable at being referred to so formally - a reminder of that important aspect of their relationship. That was a habit that she needed to shake. But he then quickly shed that look and instead gave her a big smile as he chuckled.
"I think you can handle it. You're my best student, after all," he winked at her and she relaxed her shoulders and leaned back into the sofa.
She let out a heavy sigh that sounded as if she had been holding her breath. Then again, maybe she has been holding her breath. "This is crazy. You're my Physics teacher. And now, we're, we're…."
"I know," he started, as he shortened the distance between them by gently maneuvering himself to the spot next to her on the sofa. Jack placed his arm around the back of the sofa as he turned to face her.
"Why don't we slow down a little. Let's call this our first date and just try to relax and have some fun. Does that sound like a plan?"
A sigh of relief was followed by a slight curl of her lips, "Sounds like a good plan." She lifted the remote and asked, "So… do you like sci-fi? Suspense?"
They commented and laughed throughout most of the generic and predictable thriller Kate had selected, half the film was spent poking fun of the ridiculousness of some the characters' actions and dialogue.
When it was over, Jack went into the kitchen and re-surfaced carrying a few take-out menus. He plopped them on the coffee table as he resumed his position next to Kate. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and reached to touch some curls that fell below her shoulder.
"Just let me know when you're hungry and I"ll order whatever you're in the mood for."
"I wouldn't have guessed you for the type that loves Thai food." Kate crinkled her nose playfully at his suggestion, "Really? Why would you say that?" She looked up from her plate and watched him ease some fish into his mouth with the chopsticks. They were sitting at his dining room table which was very sleek and modern. She briefly wondered how often he sat here. She could see the sprinkling of city lights in the dark backdrop over Jack's shoulders. His apartment really did have a nice view, she observed.
"I actually don't know why that should surprise me. Everything about you is not what I expected and I mean that in a good way." He shook his head at himself, wishing that he hadn't said that. Kate looked at him curiously and wanted to push him and get more of an explanation, but she could tell that he would feel uncomfortable.
"You have a really nice apartment Jack. I can only imagine that you are the envy of your colleagues." Jack laughed at that. It was true, Ted was always chastising him for having such an expensive apartment. "Yeah, I've received a few comments, but the only reason I could afford it is because my relatives were very well off. I can't say that I earned it on my own."
"Well that may be true, but you have worked hard, right? I believe you deserve it and be grateful that you have a place of your own. I have no idea what it's like to settle down. My dad's career has always uprooted us. And soon we'll be off again." Suddenly, she felt too chatty and quickly took a bite of her chicken.
"Where is your dad going to be transferred to next?"
"Brooklyn, New York, if you could believe it. They are shutting down a base there and he is part of the transition team. He is supposed start there next spring. That's why I applied to Columbia and I should be hearing from them any day now." Jack felt a tiny ache in his chest, he knew that she was going to start a new life soon and he felt like he was missing her already.
"I think you'll like Columbia, I enjoyed going there. Soon I'll give you a rundown on the professors and which ones to avoid." He gave her a big smile that was almost trying too hard to hide his disappointment.
"Thanks, I would appreciate that."
Jack looked down at his plate and his brows furrowed as if he was deliberating something, he then raised his face to her, "Kate, did you ever think of staying here and going to college in LA?" Kate's heart flipped. Was he asking her to stay here with him?
Her eyes watered a bit, "I can't. I can't be so far away from my dad. I'm all he has. It's just the two of us and I promised myself that I would always be near him." Jack's voice was then uncharacteristically quiet, "Oh. I see."
Kate tried to shake off the uncomfortableness of their conversation, "Well, who knows if I'll even get in. I'm probably getting way ahead of myself." She then gave a nervous laugh.
His tone was flat, "You'll get in. I actually contacted the Dean myself and gave you a glowing recommendation." Kate dropped her chopsticks at that, "You… what?"
He nodded at her and then rubbed the back of his neck.
Kate shook her head in disbelief, "Why would you do that for me?"
Shrugging his soldiers, he answered "I think you're a gifted student. It's my alma mater … I wanted to help you, Kate." He then awkwardly looked down again.
She nearly choked on that disclosure, "Thank you, Jack."
After they both cleared the table and stood next to one another by the kitchen sink, she could feel him place his arm gently around her waist. She tensed up in anticipation as she turned to face him. She licked her lips, readying herself for that kiss and her stomach dropped as he stepped away.
He leaned against the opposite counter, his hands at each side resting on the ledge. Jack's eyes were trained on her face as she looked at him expectantly. He drew in a deep breath as he took the three steps towards her.
He cupped the sides of her face and bent down to offer the gentlest feather-like kiss on her lips. He pulled back to read her expression. Her eyes were still closed, chin up, lips slightly apart waiting for him. He bent his head, but this time placed a firmer kiss that made Kate lean into him. He moaned and dragged himself away, quickly glancing at the clock on the microwave.
"Kate, it's 8:15. I think you should probably head home."
Kate was crushed and Jack knew it.
"Kate, if I had my way, you'd stay here all night. But that can't happen... yet."
Wiping the tear that was slowly developing at the corner of her eye, she nodded,"I know. But what about tomorrow and school?"
"We act as we always do and pretend nothing has changed."
As she stepped into Jack's classroom she let out a breath and stiffened her shoulders. She was nervous about seeing him after the way last night ended. When she had gotten home, it occurred to her that he may be trying to break it off with her. She was second-guessing everything. Sour thoughts clouded her mind all day, thinking that perhaps the thrill was over for him now that he had finally managed to get her into his bed.
And then he smiled at her. A smile that made her weak in the knees. The bitter thoughts instantly vanished and she smiled back at him before furtively looking away. Their behavior in class betrayed nothing of their new relationship. But as she sat in class watching him conduct his lesson plan, her mind wandered, all she could think about was the fact that this man had slept with her and knew her in a way that no one else ever had. There were moments when she physically shook remembering it.
Kate visited him at his apartment a few afternoons that week and as with their first date, Jack was reserved and held back on getting physical. However, by late afternoon on Saturday, Jack's resolve all but disappeared. Everything had started off innocently enough with them drinking coffee on his balcony, but soon that gave way to them entangled breathless on his sofa, with her wearing nothing but a string bikini bottom and Jack in a pair of boxers. He was on top, his hips cradled in between her legs, his fingers gripping Kate's left thigh where it was hooked over his hip. He kissed her with a crazed fervor that until her had been unknown to him.
He roughly caressed her breasts and sucked on her neck, enjoying the softness of her skin. Their breathing was shallow and uneven. Kate stroked the muscles on his back and ran her hands up to the nape of his neck. She whimpered as she raised her hips to meet his and she let out a low gravelly moan from these newfound sensations. His painfully sensitized erection pressing and grinding into her to the point she was convinced he would break through the fabric of her underwear.
Panting, he lifted his head and stared into her eyes as he asked or perhaps even pleaded, "Do you want to make love?"
He didn't wait for a response, he rose, grabbed her around the waist and slung her over his right shoulder. Kate giggled as he carried her into the bedroom and unceremoniously dropped her onto his bed. He stood before her as he pulled off his boxer briefs and then crawled towards her on the bed. He sat back on his calves as he took her in, the way she laid there before him, so bashful, with tousled brunette curls spread everywhere. At that moment, he felt it. He knew that he actually may be in love with her. He gently tugged down her underwear, the last remaining piece of fabric between them. He stroked her inner thigh as he simply stared at her. He leaned in to kiss her naval and then he gradually moved downward. He inhaled the scent of her obvious desire and with his hands, he gently gripped her trembling thighs as he dipped his mouth and tasted her. He worked at her and she eagerly held onto the back of his head, raising her hips to meet the movements of his tongue. He felt her press herself against his mouth as she held onto him. She moaned louder and he knew she was close, but he pulled away and crept up so they were now laying face to face.
Kate stared incredulously, if not also unamused. Jack laughed inwardly at her reaction and began to explain himself to an unhappy looking girl, "Kate, this time, I want to be inside you when you come."
Jack positioned himself above her and then steadily pushed himself inside. Kate winced ever so slightly and gripped his shoulders, her body still sensitive and not fully adjusted to sex. Jack looked at Kate's face as he laid within her and then he kissed her along her jawline to the back of her ear. The kisses tickled and Jack had to muffle her laugh with a hard kiss on her lips. With a sudden movement, he flipped her over and he was now laying on his back. Kate sat above, straddling him. Surprised by this new position and… unsure. She had an idea of what was supposed to happen next and had seen as much in movies, but now that she was in this situation, she wasn't sure how to begin. She instinctually covered her bare breasts with her forearm.
He saw the hesitation in her expression and all he wanted was for her to know that she was perfect. There was no way she was going to do this wrong.
With his thumb, Jack stroked the freckles along her upper cheek, "Kate, sometimes it's easier for a woman to orgasm when she is on top. I just thought that you may want to try it this way. And don't cover yourself, you're gorgeous," he teased as he gently pulled her arm away from her chest. As she sat still on him, his fingers began to tease her pert breasts.
"Jack, I'm not sure how I'm supposed to do this," with an exaggerated flare she lifted her hands gesturing towards their shared position.
He held in his chuckle and with a straight face, he told her, "Kate, there is no right way to do this. I just want you to enjoy my body, I want you to enjoy me. Just do what feels right."
Kate turned her head and looked away from him, casting her eyes downward. She bit her bottom lip in consternation. She was still not wholly convinced and Jack read it in her body language, so he moved his hands and placed them on her hips. With his hands he began to rock her into a steady rhythm. Once he felt her finding her own pace, he moved his hands behind her and gently cupped her soft behind allowing her full control. Her eyes were closed and lips slightly agape letting out the sweetest breathy sounds.
Jack felt the tension building within him and he sat up so he could harshly take her engorged peaks into his mouth. She leaned into his open lips and groaned from the sensation. He moved one hand to her thigh and allowed Kate to grind and rub herself against him.
With her hands placed flat on his chest, he saw that she was on the edge. To encourage her, Jack placed his finger on that little bundle of nerves and pressed down. He then felt her tighten around his length and she let out the quietest 'ohhhh'.
She collapsed forward onto his chest, her jagged breaths puffing into his right ear and then he felt her shudder. As she came down, he gently stroked her damp back and allowed her to rest a moment before he positioned her onto her back so they could resume what they both had started.