A/N: don't own don't sue
The lyrics at the beginning are from 'One More Night' by Maroon 5
Set after Season One, before Abel is kidnapped and Gemma is raped and Jax turns into a jerk and the whole club hates each other. Generally back when the show had fun and all the coolest characters were still alive. Because I can, it's called artistic license.
One More Night
Chapter Six
You and I go hard at each other like we're going to war
You and I go rough, we keep throwing things and slamming the door
You and I get so damn dysfunctional, we start keeping score
You and I get sick, and I know that we can't do this no more
But baby there you go again, there you go again, making me love you
Yeah, I stopped using my head, using my head let it all go
Got you stuck on my body, on my body like a tattoo
And now I'm feeling stupid, feeling stupid crawling back to you
So I cross my heart and I hope to die
That I'll only stay with you one more night
And I know I said it a million times
But I'll only stay with you one more night
Try to tell you no, but my body keeps on telling you yes
Try to tell you stop, but your lipstick got me so out of breath
I'll be waking up in the morning, probably hating myself
And I'll be waking up feeling satisfied, but guilty as hell
But baby there you go again, there you go again, making me love you
Yeah I stopped using my head, using my head let it all go
Got you stuck on my body, on my body like a tattoo
And now I'm feeling stupid, feeling stupid crawling back to you
So I cross my heart and I hope to die
That I'll only stay with you one more night
And I know I said it a million times
But I'll only stay with you one more night
Yeah baby give me one more night
Juice squinted irritably at the obese buffoon currently hollering into his face. Apparently the guy driving his truck into the ground without following any proper maintenance procedures, seemed to full believe that the truck breaking down on one of the hottest days of the year in the middle of nowhere was somehow Juice's fault. And he was making his argument for that, loudly. In fact his face was so red, veins bulging on his forehead and neck, Juice was hoping for a coronary to strike. Once Opie had finished hooking the guy's vehicle up, they handed him a card for the garage and climbed gratefully back into their truck. The guy had insisted he could find his own way home and would be retrieving his truck from them within the hour. Fat chance. He'd be lucky if they could get the beat up old jalopy road-worthy again in a week.
"You good?" Opie asked in his gruff voice as they headed towards the garage.
"Hot." Juice grumbled uncharitably, swiping sweat from his face with the back of his forearm.
Actually he was hungover. Apparently all those shots the night before were a bad idea when you'd only nibbled some bread and sipped fizzy wine all evening. He'd woken that morning with a raging headache and a swirling stomach, but he'd shrugged it off and dragged himself into the garage anyway.
Frankie had texted him around lunchtime as normal, no mention of their behaviour last night or their date. Except to say she'd had a lovely time. He had pushed it all to the back of his mind, apart from when he'd suddenly feel a sweep of embarrassment wash over him out of nowhere, followed by a painful stab of lust below his belly. At least she was still talking to him. The guys had figured out that he was still "dating" and had been taking the piss out of him non-stop. It probably didn't help that he blushed like a girl every time his phone vibrated with a text from her.
Opie eyed him in amusement as he fumbled his beeping phone of his pocket, but he was kind enough not to make a comment. Actually that made it all more awkward.
There's a funfair in town, let's go :) x
He frowned as he stared at the message. That was problematic. All of their dates had been in public, but her public not his. He'd been successfully able to keep her away from the dark parts of his life so far, but Charming was a small boring town and even the Sons would descend on a carnival with their families. What if people saw them together?
"You okay?" Opie asked again, squinting sideways at him as he manoeuvred the truck towards the garage.
Juice shrugged, his hangover pounding behind his eyes. He reached over and jabbed the air-con on with one ringed finger. The truck rattled ominously as the fans kicked in, a weak lukewarm breeze filtering into the steaming hot truck. It did little to break the hideous heat in the cramped vehicle, or to improve his mood. He glanced at his phone again. The screen was still blank. Waiting on his response.
"You know… your wife…"
Opie lifted his broad eyebrows at him, his mouth dropping into a confused frown.
"We've met." He cracked, wondering where the younger man was going with this.
"Does she… mind?" Juice averted Opie's enquiring gaze, feeling heat staining his cheeks again. "This life?"
Opie was silent for a long minute, staring out at the dusty road.
"It's complicated." Opie finally grunted, wanting to laugh at how insufficient that word was.
They fell into a mutual brooding silence as they continued rattling home.
"You sure you're up for this?" Frankie asked doubtfully as they parked the bike.
Juice forced a smile, that he could tell she didn't believe for a second. He was nervous. He knew there was a big chance they were going to bump into one or more of his brothers today and he still wasn't sure how he felt about that. She looked stunning as always in denim cut-offs, a purple Metallica t-shirt knotted at her navel and Doc Martens. There was an over-sized shirt tied around her waist for later. She stood out amongst Charming folk with her pale freckled skin and flaming hair, oozing class and grace. This was the first time they'd been out together while he was wearing the "uniform" and it made him feel very strange.
She was bubbly and enchanting as always as they purchased their entrance tickets and joined the surge of people trickling through the gates. He forced himself to relax as they wandered through the various booths and games, breathing in the scent of popcorn and candy floss, listening to the happy screams of the crowds as they passed the rides. There was something about a carnival, it made you feel young again. Feeling a surge of courage, he reached over and took her hand. She blinked at him in surprise, then her pretty face lifted into a smile and he felt heat pulsing all over his body.
"What shall we do first?" She asked, linking her fingers with his.
Juice grinned, tugging her through the crowd and towards the game booths.
"It's not a date unless I win you something."
She dropped her head back and laughed, letting him guide her past strolling couples and giddy children. They stopped at a ball-toss game where the prizes were stuffed dinosaurs in vibrant bizarre colours. Juice traded tickets for the scuffed balls and took up his position, fully expecting to be able to hand her a dinosaur of her choice within minutes.
"This game is rigged." He snarled twenty minutes later as the ball bounced out of the bucket and rolled back towards him.
"Of course it is." She giggled. "Here, throw gently and slightly to one side." She whispered, leaning so closely against him that he had to force himself to concentrate.
Juice scowled doubtfully, but followed her instructions. It took a few more tries but eventually, the mutinous-looking man that ran the booth was handing a poisonous-yellow stegosaurus over to Frankie.
"Thank you, handsome." She beamed, leaning onto her toes to brush a kiss against his cheekbone that made him flush.
The dinosaur accompanied them as they tried a few more games, Frankie easily winning a keychain in the shape of a pink cactus that she handed over to him as a gift. They stumbled across a psychic that Frankie insisted on visiting. Juice eyed the woman doubtfully. She could have been anything between thirty and sixty, dressed in numerous layers of skirts and blouses with at least two cardigans on and a shawl around her shoulders. A similar shawl was tucked over her hair, completely hiding it from view. But Frankie's eyes were sparkling with excitement and her fingers were so warm in his. With a martyred sigh, Juice handed over the money for a reading.
The old hag tried to claim extra for a double reading, but Frankie levelled her with a flat gaze and she rolled her eyes. There was a lot of waffle about their auras and their vibes, some vague hints about the future and true love. Juice couldn't keep a straight face as it went on. He glanced at Frankie to find her utterly absorbed with what she was hearing. He blinked in surprise, shocked to find her buying this claptrap. When the psychic lowered her gaze to the crystal ball between them, Frankie turned to him for a split second and winked. She wasn't buying it either. He felt a flush of warmth in his belly, pleased to have a secret between them.
"Do you think it was true?" She asked him as they stepped out of the dimly lit tent and squinted at the bright sunlight.
Juice shrugged, holding up his free hand to shade his sensitive eyes.
"Maybe we should come back to see her again in a year and check." She grinned.
Juice felt a surge of pleasure in his chest at her linking the two of them together for so long. A year. Would she still be here in a year? She lived in a hotel, she was here on business.
"It wasn't that bad." She laughed, catching sight of his frown.
He shook it off and gave her a grin, squeezing her fingers a little where they still linked his.
They agreed to try rides before food, for obvious reasons, and Juice surprisingly found himself having a blast as they went from ride to ride. They did the cheesy ghost train three times because it was her favourite, laughing uproariously at the terrible "ghosts" that leaped out at them as she pretended to cling to him with fear. Juice flatly drew the line at the Tunnel of Love ride despite her teasing, planting his feet as she tried to tug him towards the fluorescent pink entrance to the ride. As they were making their way to get hot dogs, they bumped into Opie and his family.
"Hi." Donna's sharp eyes flicked between them curiously, and Juice could feel his ears going red again.
Introductions were made, compliments were paid to Frankie's stuffed dinosaur, and Opie stared at his friend with a knowing smirk behind his beard.
"Is she your girlfriend?" Ellie asked innocently, and Opie snorted.
Frankie lifted her eyebrows but didn't respond, turning towards Juice expectantly. He stammered awkwardly for a moment, before peering entreatingly at Frankie.
"Not yet, sweetheart." Frankie smiled at Ellie, who beamed back.
Donna opened her mouth to say something, but her son took that moment to dash off after a balloon-seller and they hurried away to catch up before he could get too far. Hot dogs finally in hand, they found a quieter patch of grass to sit on while they ate and considered their next move. She'd told him once that she loved people-watching, and she was doing it now. He studied her as she watched the crowd flowing past them, her glittering eyes beneath her long thick lashes focusing on different people as each one took her fancy. She'd put the dinosaur behind her to lean against and her delicate lean body was arched, her long slender legs stretched out before her. It shouldn't be possible to make eating a hotdog sexy.
Juice's body was warm all over, and not just from the hot sun on his leather-clad back.
"You've got-" She laughed and reached over, brushing her thumb on his chin to swipe away the ketchup.
When she put her sticky thumb in her mouth he made an audible noise in the back of his throat, unable to help himself. Her lips curved around the digit and he couldn't look away.
"Juicey-boy!"
Oh no. He got hurriedly to his feet, feeling safer on the same footing. He hesitated for a moment, before holding his hand out to Frankie to help her to her feet. He turned to face Tig, Half-Sack and Bobby as they approached them, the crowd parting before them.
"Juicey!"
Frankie's fingers squeezed his and he felt a tiny bit braver.
"Hey guys."
Bobby punched his arm and Tig grabbed him in a momentary headlock, forcing him to let go of her hand reflexively. After the usual ribbing was over, they turned predatory eyes on Frankie.
"Introduce us." Tig ordered, his eyes flashing behind his dark glasses.
Juice made the introductions awkwardly, skipping over how he knew everyone to avoid having to call Frankie his date and deal with even more mocking. Bobby took Frankie's slender hand in his and dropped a kiss on the back of it. She laughed in surprise, looking at Bobby's bent head in amusement.
"What's a pretty little thing like you wasting time on Juice for, eh?"
She tilted her head slightly, withdrawing her hand from Bobby's.
"Oh I wouldn't say it's time wasted." She replied sweetly.
Bobby chuckled but didn't push her, exchanging a few more words with Juice as Tig loomed menacingly before leaving them to it, Half-Sack trailing behind them loyally.
"Are you okay?"
Juice blinked at her, feeling embarrassed without knowing why. She didn't look angry at the awkward encounter, more confused. He ran his hands over his head uncomfortably.
Frankie absolutely refused to leave the carnival without going on the Ferris wheel. It was non-negotiable, she calmly informed him in that commanding tone of hers that made his groin throb with need. He didn't want to think about what the guys would say if they saw him on the Ferris wheel, but how could he say no?
"You're not afraid of heights, are you?" She asked as they neared the front of the queue for the ride.
Juice shook his head and she smiled. She was very pretty when she smiled. They pushed through the gate and climbed into a candy-pink carriage, her dinosaur tucked neatly beside her. She pressed against him as the safety bar was lowered, warm and pliant, and he bravely extended an arm around her shoulders. He half-expected her to recoil, even after the times they'd spent together he still knew she was far out of his league, but she pressed tighter against him instead. She let out a little giggle when they started to move and the carriage gave a sudden jerk. He squeezed her to him as they start to climb, the carnival spreading out beneath them. She smelt like coconut and violets.
It was starting to get dark and the lights had all been switched on across the carnival in anticipation. Charming was spread before them in all its glory. He felt her little hand slide under his cut, her palm warm on his belly through his thin t-shirt. She shivered a little as the carriage swayed in the breeze as they climbed higher.
"Cold?"
She shook her head, her face turned to the view as the wheel stopped. He brushed her bare arm lightly with his fingers. There were tiny string lights on the roof of the carriage over their heads and they made her hair sparkle, shining on her bare shoulders so pale against his darker hand.
"It's lovely." She breathed, and for a second he thought she looked sad… wistful.
She turned towards him suddenly and her eyes were unreadable.
"Am I going to have to ask you to kiss me every time?"
He shook his head, obediently ducking to press his lips against hers. The small carriage was not conducive to his long legs and they kissed awkwardly, their knees bumping and his neck at a painful angle. When he tried to adjust his position, he banged his elbow sharply on the back of the carriage and bit down on her lip in shock. She burst out laughing as he frantically tried to apologise.
"Be careful." She giggled as he lurched backwards to try and give her a little space.
The whole carriage rocked dangerously as he fought to catch his equilibrium in such a small space and she grabbed onto his upper arms, still laughing. Eventually they steadied themselves as the wheel started to move again.
"Maybe this can be continued on safer ground."
He nodded sheepishly and she lay back against him.
They left the carnival relatively early, stopping on the way back into town to grab some food. Juice relaxed immediately once the risk of running into his brothers diminished. Most of the town were still at the carnival, so the streets and stores were nice and peaceful and the engine of Juice's bike roared as they drove.
"Why don't you come up, for a while." She murmured as he was kissing her goodbye, her clever little hands sliding over his ribs.
He couldn't muster up a response so he just nodded, his eyes wide. She flashed him a dangerous grin, taking his hand and leading him up the steps towards the revolving doors of the hotel. The lobby was empty, their boots thumping on the marble in unison as they headed for the lifts. The heavy boots she wore made her step with more force than usual, resulting in her whole body jiggling pleasantly as she walked, something he was painfully aware of. The lift doors closed in front of them and he stared at his own reflection awkwardly. They couldn't have looked more different, him swarthy and dangerous-looking in his leather and chains with vivid tattoos, her willowy and graceful with her long pale limbs and shining hair.
He had to get over this inferiority complex he had developed. Out of his league or not, she was with him and seemed to intend on staying that way. He could feel her hand, warm and reassuring in his, her arm pressed against his and still slightly chilled from the night ride home. He could smell her sweetly feminine scent in the enclosed space, fruity and floral and enticing. He followed her down the plushly carpeted hallway, his heart racing just as it had that first night when she'd led him home from The Bad Penny. That time he'd had a pleasant drunk buffer that had kept him out of his own head.
The door beeped as she used her key-card to swipe in and she immediately ducked to greet the bundle of fur lolling slowly towards them. He'd forgotten she had a dog. He eyed the bassett-hound warily as it made its steady way across the room. It eyed him back balefully as Frankie fussed him, tugging his ears and making kissing noises. She got back to her feet and led the dog away. There was a huge dog-bed in the corner of the room that the dog obediently hauled itself into with a huff of disdain. He hoped the dog hadn't been there when they'd been in bed together.
The first time he'd been in this room he'd been in no condition to study its layout so he was surprised to see that there was actually a big adjoining room. It had two plush sofas facing each other and a big fireplace. She led him into this room and dropped onto one of the sofas to remove her boots.
"Nice dog." He said quietly, his mind blanking on anything suave to say.
"Elvis is my travel buddy." She smiled, her face shining with affection. "There's a bell boy here who loves him, he takes him on walks whenever I'm working. Poor Elvis gets walked much more than he'd prefer in his old age."
Juice felt jealousy pinch his gut. Who was this bell boy, wriggling into her life via her lazy dog? Was he going to be a problem? He pushed the thought away as she gestured for him to join her and remove his boots.
"Do you want a drink? I can have something sent up."
He shook his head with a grin. He didn't want to make any wrong movements that might change her mood.
"You didn't have fun today, did you?"
His smile dropped immediately. Oh no. She wanted to talk. For Christ's sake.
"I did." He protested weakly.
She shook her head.
"Don't pretend. I'd prefer you were honest." She was looking at him intently, her face expectant.
"I did have fun, mostly." He admitted, feeling like he needed to squirm uncomfortably but not wanting to look childish.
"Were you ashamed to introduce me?"
He jumped as if he'd been physically struck. That was the stupidest thing he'd ever heard, and coming from her it sounded beyond ridiculous. How would he ever be embarrassed of her. Had she seen herself? But he could hardly tell her the truth, that he was scared of being mocked even more by his brothers. That they thought she was playing with him since she hadn't put out yet. That would go down real well.
"No!" He refuted immediately. "Never. It's just… weird." He saw her face flicker and hurried to reassure her. "I don't usually… date. None of us do. I liked having you… secret. To myself."
He was babbling and getting more nervous with every second of silence from her. What was he saying, he was making things worse! His visions of a night in that big canopied bed were rapidly diminishing into nothing.
"Did you think I was going to run away with someone else?"
He ducked his head, feeling himself blush again. He was always blushing these days, it was embarrassing.
"No." He mumbled uncertainly.
She cocked her head to the side, studying him in silence. Her face was calm and a little amused, no negative emotions on her face. Now was the right time to make a move, as long as it was gentlemanly and not horny, he decided. He could see it written on her face and he really didn't want her to have to ask him again. That would be so humiliating.
He felt her smiling as his lips brushed hers, his arms going around her waist and tugging her against him. She fell against him willingly, her arms coiling around his neck. He could feel her breasts pressing against him. He let himself fall back against the sofa, taking her with him until she lay on top of him with a breathless giggle against his lips. He took advantage to slide his tongue against hers and she gave a little sigh, squirming a little in his lap. He ran his hands over her back through her thin t-shirt, then slid his palms over the curve of her cheeks. He felt her intake of breath when he squeezed the soft plump flesh.
She pulled away from him, tracing kisses along his jaw and down his bare neck. Stroking her fingers over his shoulders and arms. He massaged her cheeks through the denim of her shorts, dancing his fingertips over the frayed hem until he felt bare skin. Her kisses turned to nips, her flawless teeth grazing his sensitive flesh. She leaned back far enough to take hold of his shirt and push it up towards his chin, before continuing to kiss and nip all over his bared chest. She traced his tattoos with her tongue and then bit down on his exposed nipple, just hard enough to make him grunt in surprised pleasure. He lost his grip as her body moved further down the sofa, so he twined his fingers into her hair. He tugged lightly at the silky strands and she let out a sigh of pleasure against his bare skin.
"Take this off." She ordered, tugging on the shirt.
She sat back on his thighs as he hurriedly stripped off his leather and the shirt, dropping them soundlessly onto the expensive carpet. When she leaned down to kiss him again, he caught her against him and put his lips against her ear.
"Fair's fair." He rumbled, tugging lightly on the tiny hoop in her ear with his teeth.
She laughed, sitting back up and stripping off her shirt. He eyed her blue lacy bra greedily, it gave her fair skin a warm glow in contrast and he felt himself stirring. She sat proudly above him for a moment, letting him trace his hands over her bare navel. He cupped her breasts gently, rubbing his thumbs over her nipples through the delicate lace and she shivered. She kissed him again, her hair falling like a wave around him. He stroked her bare back and the little bumps of her spine. In one swift movement, he unhooked her bra. She gave a little gasp of surprise against his mouth and he grinned. Truth be told, he never usually got that move right, but then again he was sober for once.
"Sneaky." She chastised lightly, taking his lower lip between her teeth and nipping.
He helped peel her bra straps from her arms, tossing it into the depths of the dark bedroom behind them. He traced his fingertips over the marks her bra had left on her skin after wearing it all day, digging in slightly until she groaned in satisfaction.
"What's that?" She grumbled, leaning up and away from him.
Distracted by the sight of her bare breasts in all their glory, it took him a long moment to register what she was talking about. She was frowning sulkily at his crotch. It took him another minute to realise that his phone was vibrating. He hurriedly yanked it out of his pocket and squinted at the display. Jax. Not good.
She leaned back against his thighs as he took the call, tracing the taut skin of his navel. He wanted to beg Jax to leave whatever this club business was until tomorrow, but he knew he couldn't. He almost wanted to cry. This entire universe was working against him to make sure he died of blue-balls. It was a conspiracy. He was sure of it.