YA FIC: Thank Heaven For Little Girls
More YA fic! And I want to thank everyone for their feedback. Eight years and still getting good comments? That's just too awesome for words. :)
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Summary: Hamilton comes to visit Jake in New York.
Author’s note: This is a sequel to “Thank Heaven for Ma Bell”. You might want to read that first.
Jake paced in a restless circle around the train terminal. Hamilton was finally coming today, and his train was half an hour late, an interminable, excruciating half hour.
She couldn’t believe how eager she was to see him. She, Miss Independence 2000, was literally dying to see a guy. It had been two weeks and they had talked on the phone every day and exchanged countless e-mails, but it wasn’t at all the same as being with him, being able to to
uch him, seeing those gorgeous blue eyes smile at her, or feeling those strong arms wrap around her.
She looked at her watch and groaned. Thirty-two minutes late. Could time pass ANY slower? She looked back toward the train tracks and…there it was. She felt her breath speed up and her heart started pounding. The train moved into position at a snail’s pace and came to a halt, and she found herself bouncing impatiently in place waiting for the doors to open. They finally opened and her eyes began skipping from door to door.
Hamilton was the first one out of the third door. He hopped down the steps holding a duffle bag, and his eyes immediately began searching the crowd for her.
Jake threw one hand in the air and yelled, “Hamilton!”
His eyes found her and, as she watched, his face lit up and he smiled that smile he reserved for her. She saw him mouth her name and then he started running, dodging the other passengers milling about. She couldn’t help herself…she started to run too. Just before they reached each other, he stopped, dropped his bag and opened his arms. She flew into them without stopping and he laughed as he absorbed the impact, wrapping his arms around her for a rib-cracking hug. She just twined her arms around his neck and tried to get closer.
He took a long, deep breath. “God, I can’t believe I’m holding you again. This has been the longest two weeks of my life.”
He pulled back just enough to be able to look into her smiling face, and his eyes drank in the sight of her. His hands came up to cup her face, his thumbs lightly caressing her cheeks.
“Hi,” he breathed.
She had just managed to get out her own “hi” when his lips came down on hers. Her hands went into his hair as she clutched his head, widening her mouth to him. She rose on her toes with a tiny moan and fed every ounce of longing she had felt in the last two weeks into her kiss. As his tongue met and tangled with hers, she lost track of everything but the smell, feel and taste of Hamilton until a disgusted voice spoke from behind her.
“Jeez, get a room, will ya?”
They jerked apart and turned dazed eyes to the annoyed college co-ed whose path they were blocking. They looked back at each other and, after a startled pause, sputtered with laughter. Hamilton looked at the co-ed out of the corner of his eyes and leaned over to give Jake a big smacking, defiant kiss on the lips, grinning as the girl rolled her eyes and stepped over his bag to get around them.
Jake gave him a sparkling smile. “Let’s get out of here.”
He returned the smile with another swift kiss. “Okay.”
He grabbed his bag and they walked out of the station with their arms around each other. Once outside, Jake stepped to the curb to scan the streets for a taxi. Hamilton took the opportunity to scan Jake, who was wearing a short floral print dress and strappy sandals, the dress’s flirty skirt showing off her long, smooth legs very nicely. Jake glanced back at Hamilton over her shoulder and he gave her outfit an approving flicker of his eyebrows and that crooked smile she loved so much. Jake’s mouth puckered in an air kiss just as she spotted an available taxi. Two fingers flew to her mouth and a shrill whistle pierced the air. As the taxi pulled in front of her, Hamilton gave her an admiring look.
“I never could do that,” he said.
“Do what?”
“Whistle like that.”
She shrugged. “Well, it comes in handy when you live in the city.”
He opened the taxi door and tossed his bag inside, stepping aside to allow her to get in first. He got in next to her and settled back as she gave the driver the address. As soon as she was done, he tugged on her hand.
“Come here.”
Jake willingly snuggled against his side, resting her head on his shoulder and draping one arm across his stomach, and smiled up at him. “I’m so glad you came.”
He lifted one hand to cup her cheek, smiling into her eyes. “Me, too.” He pulled her mouth to his for a kiss, a gentle, loving caress of her mouth with his that lasted the rest of the trip home.
XXXXXXX
Hamilton whistled as they walked into the foyer of her mother’s luxurious apartment.
“Nice pad.”
“Yeah, isn’t it amazing what they pay entertainers these days? Too bad she’s never here to enjoy it.”
Hamilton followed her as she walked through the massive living room, past an impressive dining room and into the state-of-the-art kitchen, which was currently empty.
“Consuela?” she called.
“Yes?” The voice came from a matronly woman who emerged from yet another room carrying a neatly folded stack of fluffy towels.
Jake swept her arm toward Hamilton. “He’s here. Consuela, I’d like you to meet Hamilton. Hamilton, this wonderful woman is Consuela.” She put one arm around Consuela’s shoulders and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Consuela looked at Hamilton for a long, unsmiling moment. “So, you’re Jacqueline’s young man.”
Hamilton glanced at Jake, and Consuela’s eyes widened slightly at the look that came into his eyes. He looked back at Consuela with just a hint of a smile. “Yes, I am.”
Her eyes warmed and a smile crept onto her lips. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You, too. I know how important you’ve been to Jak - um - Jacqueline.”
The two smiled at each other, feeling an instant bond forming from their mutual affection for Jake. Jake looked from one to the other and decided to step in before things got mushy and they started swapping stories about her.
“Okay, Consuela, which room do we have for Hamilton?”
“I’ve readied the Blue Room. If you’ll follow me.”
She proceeded out of the room and Hamilton gave Jake a puzzled look when she rolled her eyes. “What?” he murmured.
She leaned closer to him and spoke in a low voice. “She gave you the room next to hers…at the opposite end of the apartment from mine.”
He grinned at her. “So? We’re good at sneaking around.”
“Hamilton, we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in if we were so good at it.”
He winced. “Good point.”
She shook her head with a small smile and led him into a large bedroom decorated in various shades of blue. Consuela took the stack of towels into the adjoining bathroom, and Hamilton peeked in behind her, looking back to give Jake a wicked look and say, “Nice shower.”
“Stop it,” she hissed, smacking him on the stomach and glaring at him, a look which quickly changed to a smile as Consuela came back. “Thank you, Consuela.”
Consuela nodded and left. Jake closed the door, smiling and leaning back when she felt Hamilton come up behind her. His hands slid around her, coming to rest on her stomach, and he nuzzled the side of her neck. She tilted her head to give him ease of access, her eyes drifting shut.
“So…Consuela is here all the time?” he asked.
“Yes, but she goes on vacation in three days.”
“Excellent.”
She turned to face him, resting her arms around his shoulders. “Yeah, well, she wanted to cancel, but Mom overruled her.”
His eyebrows rose. “Really?”
“Yes. She said she trusted me to be responsible.”
“What exactly does she mean by that?”
“I’m not really sure. Either she trusts me not to have sex in her home while she’s gone, OR…she trusts me to have safe sex.”
He dropped a kiss on her mouth. “I like plan B.”
She snorted. “You would.”
She pursed her lips for another kiss, which Hamilton happily gave her, lingering this time, brushing her mouth with a series of light, tender kisses. Jake sighed, closing her eyes and enjoying the play of his mouth on hers.
They both jumped as a knock sounded at the door. Consuela’s voice came through the door, “Would your young man like something to eat, Jacqueline?”
Jake looked inquiringly at Hamilton. “Are you hungry?”
He kissed her one last time before answering. “Actually, I’m starved. I was too excited to eat this morning.”
“Poor baby. Hey, you know, there’s a quiet little coffee shop downstairs that makes a mean hoagie. We could eat there and then take a walk around town. Would you like that?”
“Sounds good.”
She opened the door and explained their plans to Consuela while Hamilton rifled through his bag. She turned to see him looping the strap of a camera around his neck and fill his pockets with canisters of film.
“You’re not going to do the tourist thing, are you?”
“Nooo, I’m going to do the photographer thing. You don’t think I’m coming to New York for the first time and not taking some pictures, do you?”
“Okay, just don’t embarrass me.”
“When have I ever embarrassed you?”
He grinned as she rolled her eyes and took his hand to lead him out of the bedroom.
XXXXXXX
It was after midnight when Jake finally insisted that Hamilton go to bed. They had spent the afternoon walking and talking in the park, thrilled to be together. Hamilton had convinced Jake to let him take pictures of her, telling her the camera would love her. She privately thought that was only because he was holding the camera, but it had actually been fun. They had returned to the apartment after dusk and spent the remainder of the evening watching TV and cuddling on the sofa. Though he didn’t want to leave her, she knew he’d been up at the crack of dawn to catch the train.
“Hamilton, you can barely keep your eyes open.”
“Just a little longer.”
“No, come on.” She rolled off the sofa and held her hand out to him. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
He heaved a sigh, taking her hand and rising to his feet, and followed her down the hall. “Will you come in for a while?”
“No way, Hamilton. I’d never get out of there.”
“That works for me.”
“Shh. Consuela’s a very light sleeper.”
She stopped in front of his door and lifted her face for a good night kiss, planting her hands against his chest and pushing him away when he tried to draw it out. She whispered, “Good night.”
“Good night.”
She hid a smile at the sad sound of his voice and, with a small wave, headed for her room. She took her dress off and put it away, then went into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. She climbed into bed wearing her underwear and a T-shirt and lay back with a smile, thinking of Hamilton’s forlorn face when she left him. She closed her eyes and was just drifting off to sleep when a low knock sounded at the door. She scrambled out of bed and opened the door half a foot to see Hamilton standing there.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t sleep.”
“Hamilton. You’re exhausted. You need to get some sleep.”
“No, I need to be with you.” His eyes met hers and she felt her breath catch in her throat at the love and yearning reflected there. “Jake, can’t I just stay with you? I promise I won’t try anything.”
There was no way she could resist those eyes, so she led him into the bedroom and to the bed. She got in ahead of him, turning on her side away from him as he paused to remove his pants. He crawled in behind her, spooning his body to hers, one arm tucked around her ribs. He took in a deep breath and slowly released it, and within moments he was asleep. Jake clutched his hand in hers and slipped gradually into sleep with him.
XXXXXX
The next two days flew by. Jake showed Hamilton her city and the two of them reveled in the freedom to be themselves and be together. They learned more and more about each other, finding that it only increased their liking for each other.
And every night, after Consuela went to sleep, Hamilton would sneak into Jake’s room to sleep. Each night it got more and more difficult to control his hormones, but he had promised Jake not to push, so he didn’t. Much.
On the third day, Consuela left for vacation.
Jake closed the door behind Consuela and returned to the living roomed where Hamilton was lounging in a large armchair. As she strolled toward him, he bit his lower lip to keep from grinning, but nothing could hide the anticipatory gleam in his eye.
“So…we’re alone.”
“Yes, we are.”
She climbed into the chair with him, facing him, her knees on either side of his hips, and braced her hands on the back of the chair. Hamilton leaned his head back and let his grin loose on his face as he looked up at her. Laughter bubbled in Jake’s throat and she couldn’t resist dropping a kiss on his mouth.
“Down, boy.”
The only response she got was a bigger grin and a lusty growl.
“Okay, now you’re scaring me.”
He laughed. “Jake, do you realize that this is the first time - ever - that we’ve been completely alone? Really alone?”
“Yeah, well, I’m beginning to think it’s not such a good idea anymore.”
Unfortunately, she blew any chance that he would take that seriously by leaning down to kiss him again. His hands rose to her neck to hold her in place and prolong the kiss. It quickly turned passionate, but before it could get out of hand, Jake pulled away and backed out of the chair, holding one hand out to Hamilton.
“Come on. I think we should get out of here for a while.”
“Spoilsport.”
He wrinkled his nose at her, but allowed her to pull him out of the chair and lead him out of the apartment.
XXXXX
Jake managed to distract Hamilton from his raging impulses for a few hours by taking him to a couple of art galleries specializing in photography. Hamilton was fascinated by the pictures, and she was fascinated by Hamilton, somehow delighted to see him explore the other passion in his life. They had dinner in a small restaurant not far from where she lived, this time establishing ahead of time that Hamilton would pay. They walked hand in hand back towards the apartment, and Jake treated them to an ice cream cone for dessert. Hamilton ended up eating his and mooching half of hers. It was well past dark when they entered the apartment, right in the middle of the first argument of his visit.
“No way,” Hamilton said.
“Oh, yeah, definitely,” Jake returned.
“Get out of here!”
“Look, Tomb Raider may be technically a marvel of game design, but nothing beats the sheer classic fun and excitement of Zelda for the Super Nintendo.”
“Yeah, well, Zelda doesn’t have Lara Croft,” he said, groucho-marxing his eyebrows.
Jake rolled her eyes and smacked him on the shoulder. “You do realize that she’s just a computerized image?”
“Who cares?”
She laughed and took his hand, pulling him down the hall. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
She led him to the door at the end of the hall past her room, a room he assumed belonged to her mother. She opened the door and passed right through the room and into a bathroom the size of a large Rawley dorm room. It was dominated by a huge, deep bathtub on a raised platform. Trying not to jump to conclusions, Hamilton just quirked a brow at her and waited for her to tell him what they were doing there.
Jake stood in front of him and fiddled with a button on his shirt. “I thought, if it’s okay with you, that, instead of a shower, we could use…that.” She pointed to the tub and watched his face to gauge his reaction.
His wide eyes shifted from her to the tub and back to her. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, if you want to?”
“If I want to?”
She laughed. “Okay, stupid question.” She gave him a light shove in the direction of the door. “Wait out there and I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
Hamilton paced in her mother’s bedroom, listening to the water run and feeling his heart start to race. He had thought he would have to do some serious pleading to get her into a shower and now SHE came up with this idea. He took several deep, calming breaths, telling himself not to expect too much and not to push too much.
“Okay, you can come in now.”
He dove for the door and pushed it open, finding the room with the lights off and lit candles spaced around the room. His eyes found Jake already sitting in the tub, covered to the neck with fluffy bubbles. He looked at the pile of clothes near the tub and his eyes widened to see black panties at the top of the pile.
She was naked in there.
He swallowed hard and walked toward the tub, his eyes searching for gaps in the bubbles and finding none. He lifted his eyes to her face.
“You know, there aren’t any bubbles in showers.”
“True.” She challenged him with a look. “If you don’t want to do this…”
“No, no! It’s fine.”
“Okay, then.” She waved her hand toward his clothes. “You’re a little overdressed.”
He immediately reached for the edge of his shirt and started to pull it over his head. Jake started humming a low snippet of “strip” music and he jerked the shirt back down.
“Jake! Stop it!”
Jake laughed. “What, are you getting shy on me? Come on, Hammie, take it off, take it all off.”
“Jake!”
“Hamilton!” She laughed again, then took pity on him and said with a straight face, “Sorry. Go ahead.”
Hamilton took his shirt off readily enough under Jake’s avid stare, but he balked when it came to removing his pants. He hesitated with his hand on the zipper, looking up to see a huge grin on Jake’s face.
“Don’t look.”
“Yeah, right, just like you didn’t look back at Rawley.”
“Fine.”
He turned around himself and jerked his shirt off then shoved his shorts and underwear down. Jake’s laughter gradually died as each inch of golden skin was revealed and the candlelight danced across smooth muscles. She was just beginning to really enjoy the view when Hamilton stepped into the opposite end of the tub and sank under the bubbles.
He smiled into her eyes. “What are you doing way over there?”
She pursed her lips and turned her head slightly to the side. “I’m desperately re-thinking this whole idea.”
He crooked his index finger at her, speaking in a soft, deep voice. “Come here.”
She raised her brows and shook her head with a short huff of laughter. “Oh, I don’t think so.” When he began to drift forward, she held up one hand to ward him off. “And you stay right over there.”
“Then can you move a few bubbles?”
“No.”
“Come on, Jake. If I can’t hold you, can’t I at least look?” He looked at her with wide, “I’m harmless” eyes.
“Just look?” He nodded quickly. “Okay. But keep your hands where I can see them.”
She brought her legs under her and eased herself to her knees, carrying a fluffy coating of bubbles with her. She looked down and, seeing the layer of bubbles do a slow glide down her chest, peeked through her lashes at Hamilton. He watched the bubbles’ descent, his mouth just parted, and he appeared to be holding his breath as a few bubbles lingered on the tip of one breast, covering the puckered nipple.
He licked his lips and gulped in a breath, and his hand seemed to move of its own volition toward her breast. He raised his eyes to hers, silently asking for permission, and they both looked down to watch his hand when she gave a nod of consent.
With just the tips of his fingers, he brushed at the bubbles, once, twice. He lowered his hand into the water, scooping some up to trickle onto her skin, rinsing away the last of the bubbles. His hand stayed to cup her breast and his thumb moved lightly across her nipple. She inhaled sharply, drawing his eyes back to her face, and he flicked the hardened peak again, watching as her head dropped back and her eyes slid shut.
Totally fascinated now, he took her nipple between his thumb and forefinger and gently plucked, and his own breathing grew ragged when she bit her lip and a small moan sounded in her throat. He squeezed again, eliciting another moan. He swallowed, hard.
“Jake?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I come closer now?”
“God, yes!”
He slid forward, pulling her toward him at the same time. Straddling his legs, she gripped his shoulders and lowered her open mouth to his. He strained toward her, his tongue coming out and up to meet hers, tasting and feeling her in desperate hunger. His hand, still holding her breast, flexed and she moved against him with a pleased gasp. With one last brush of his tongue against hers, he trailed his lips across her cheek and down her neck, pausing to nip gently at the side of her neck. He scattered kisses across her collarbone and made his way down her chest, and she arched her back as his lips caressed the upper curve of her breast. She watched him from under heavy lids, seeing his lips come to rest against her nipple. The contact sent a tight tingle of heat throughout her body, and she sighed.
Hamilton looked up at the sound and he held her eyes with his as his lips parted and the tip of his tongue came out and circled her nipple. She took in a shaky breath and squeezed her eyes shut, and Hamilton’s eyes drifted shut as he opened his mouth fully and took her nipple in a tender suction. Jake whimpered and Hamilton sucked again, flicking his tongue and delighting in the sounds she was making. He stopped only long enough to switch to her other breast and give it equal treatment.
Jake, needing to be as close to him as possible, eased back and sank down, wrapping her legs around his hips and pressing her breasts against his hard chest, and pulled his mouth to hers. His hands came up to hold her head as his mouth devoured hers. Jake rubbed her chest against his, loving the feel of his muscles against her sensitized nipples, and without thinking, pressed her hips forward.
Hamilton jerked his head back with a groan, clenching his jaw and fighting for control. “God, Jake.”
Jake lowered her head to lick and then suck the tendon in his neck and rolled her hips forward again, pressing his erection firmly between them.
“Jake?” he breathed on a moan.
For answer, she tightened her legs around him and kissed him again and Hamilton lost all sense of control and returned the kiss voraciously, lowering his hands to her hips and moving her into closer contact with him. The two kissed and moved, moved and kissed, until suddenly Jake realized that the tip of his erection was nuzzling the entrance to her body. She wrenched her mouth from his.
“Hamilton, no!”
She shoved at his shoulders and it took a second for Hamilton to realize she was pushing him away. For one brief instant, he resisted, but then his hands dropped and he sank back against the tub. He gave Jake one disbelieving look then draped an arm across his eyes, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.
“Hamilton, I’m sorry -“
“I know.”
“It’s just, I’m not ready -“
She put one hand on his chest and he flinched. She looked at him with worried eyes, but he didn’t lower his arm.
“Jake, it’s okay. I understand. But just give me a minute, okay?”
She pressed her lips together and rose from the tub, stepping out onto the floor dripping wet. Without bothering with a towel, she walked over to the mirrored vanity set into the wall and began rifling through the drawers.
“There’s gotta be…” She pulled open the last drawer and flipped a few things aside then reached in and grabbed something. “Thank you, Mom.”
She walked briskly back to the tub. “Come on, Hamilton.”
He lowered his arm with a disheartened sigh, and looked at her with wary eyes. His gaze sharpened when he saw that she was standing wearing nothing but some water and a big smile. “What? Where are we going?”
“Well, when I said I wasn’t ready, I meant that the birth control wasn’t ready. Luckily, I found these…” She thrust her hand forward and he saw that she was holding several condom packets. “So, if you’re not totally out of the mood…”
He was out of the water before she could finish the sentence.
XXXXXX
Jake insisted they dry off before going to her bedroom. Hamilton insisted that he get to dry HER off. Jake figured she’d never been so thoroughly dried in her life. It seemed only fair that she should do the same for him, and by the time she was done, they almost lost their virginity on the bathroom floor. But, somehow, they made their way to her room.
She dropped the condoms onto the bedside table and stretched out on her back on the bed. Hamilton stared at her for such a long time that she became self-conscious. “What?”
“You’re beautiful.”
He sat on the side of the bed and trailed his hands down her body, a feather caress that left goose bumps across her skin. His hand came back up, stopping at her breast, and he grinned suddenly.
“The ‘girls” are beautiful too.”
She looked down, enjoying the sight of his hand against her.
“You don’t think they’re too small?”
“They’re perfect.” He gave each breast a kiss of approval and looked up at her, warmth and love flowing from his eyes. “You’re perfect.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes dropped down the length of his body and back up. Her eyebrows flickered. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
One side of his mouth lifted in a smile and, cupping her cheek in his hand, he lowered his mouth to kiss her. He lay down next to her and she rolled toward him, one leg going between his. His other hand had just settled onto her breast when the phone rang.
“Don’t answer.”
She groaned. “I have to. It could be my mom or Consuela.”
She slapped his wandering hands away as she rolled over to grab the phone, and her hello came out sort of giggly.
“Hello. Could I speak to Jake Pratt, please?”
Too concerned with keeping Hamilton’s hands away, she didn’t immediately recognize the voice, but the name Jake DID register, and she jumped off the bed and glared at Hamilton, waving frantically for him to stop.
“Could I ask who’s calling please?”
“Just tell him it’s Finn.”
Her eyes flew wide. “Just a minute, please.”
She covered the phone with her hand and squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head back and forth and mouthing “no” over and over.
“What? Who is it?” Hamilton rose to stand next to her.
She opened apprehensive eyes. “It’s Finn.”
“Oh, shit. What does he want?”
“He wants to talk to Jake.”
“So, talk to him. At least he doesn’t want to talk to Jake’s mom.”
“Okay okay.” She took several deep cleansing breaths, cleared her throat and put the receiver to her ear. Careful to use her guy voice, she said, “Hello?”
“Hi, Jake. It’s Finn.”
“Hey, Finn. What can I do for you?” She rolled her eyes at Hamilton.
“We haven’t received your crew team equipment fee yet for next semester. With the cutbacks that are going on, we have to be on top of these things.”
Her mouth dropped open and she stared wide-eyed at Hamilton. “Oh, that’s it?” She winced. “I mean - I mean - okay, I’ll get that right in the mail. Sorry about that.”
“No problem. When we didn’t receive it, I began to think that maybe you weren’t planning to return to Rawley.”
She grimaced and looked for help to Hamilton, who spread his hands and mouthed, “What?”
“Well…I…well…”
“I want you to know that whatever you choose to do in your private life is entirely your business. Having said that…I hope that you will exercise a bit more discretion in the future.”
She closed her eyes and Hamilton watched blood rush to her face. “Oh, I will.”
“Okay, Mr. Pratt, then we’ll see you a couple of weeks.”
She hung up the phone in a daze and threw herself at Hamilton. “He called me Mr. Pratt!”
“Well, what’s going on?” Hamilton wrapped his arms around her and fell back across the bed.
“He hasn’t gotten my equipment fee yet. He just wants me - us - to be more discreet in the future.”
“So, he still thinks you’re a boy?”
“Apparently.” She looked down at her chest. “Huh…I didn’t think they were THAT small.”
“They’re not, but you did have your arms in front of you and it all happened so fast. Hell, I hardly got a good look at them.”
She grabbed his head and gave him a huge kiss on the lips. “I’m coming back, baby!”
“Thank God.”
He hugged her against him. Jake pulled back when she felt Hamilton chuckling against her. “What?”
“I was just thinking of that song…”
“What song?”
Hamilton rolled her over onto her back and slid both hands up to cup her breasts, laughing as he lowered his head to nuzzle against her, and his voice was muffled as he sang to her.
“Thank heaven … for little girls.”
The End
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Summary: Hamilton comes to visit Jake in New York.
Author’s note: This is a sequel to “Thank Heaven for Ma Bell”. You might want to read that first.
Jake paced in a restless circle around the train terminal. Hamilton was finally coming today, and his train was half an hour late, an interminable, excruciating half hour.
She couldn’t believe how eager she was to see him. She, Miss Independence 2000, was literally dying to see a guy. It had been two weeks and they had talked on the phone every day and exchanged countless e-mails, but it wasn’t at all the same as being with him, being able to to
uch him, seeing those gorgeous blue eyes smile at her, or feeling those strong arms wrap around her.
She looked at her watch and groaned. Thirty-two minutes late. Could time pass ANY slower? She looked back toward the train tracks and…there it was. She felt her breath speed up and her heart started pounding. The train moved into position at a snail’s pace and came to a halt, and she found herself bouncing impatiently in place waiting for the doors to open. They finally opened and her eyes began skipping from door to door.
Hamilton was the first one out of the third door. He hopped down the steps holding a duffle bag, and his eyes immediately began searching the crowd for her.
Jake threw one hand in the air and yelled, “Hamilton!”
His eyes found her and, as she watched, his face lit up and he smiled that smile he reserved for her. She saw him mouth her name and then he started running, dodging the other passengers milling about. She couldn’t help herself…she started to run too. Just before they reached each other, he stopped, dropped his bag and opened his arms. She flew into them without stopping and he laughed as he absorbed the impact, wrapping his arms around her for a rib-cracking hug. She just twined her arms around his neck and tried to get closer.
He took a long, deep breath. “God, I can’t believe I’m holding you again. This has been the longest two weeks of my life.”
He pulled back just enough to be able to look into her smiling face, and his eyes drank in the sight of her. His hands came up to cup her face, his thumbs lightly caressing her cheeks.
“Hi,” he breathed.
She had just managed to get out her own “hi” when his lips came down on hers. Her hands went into his hair as she clutched his head, widening her mouth to him. She rose on her toes with a tiny moan and fed every ounce of longing she had felt in the last two weeks into her kiss. As his tongue met and tangled with hers, she lost track of everything but the smell, feel and taste of Hamilton until a disgusted voice spoke from behind her.
“Jeez, get a room, will ya?”
They jerked apart and turned dazed eyes to the annoyed college co-ed whose path they were blocking. They looked back at each other and, after a startled pause, sputtered with laughter. Hamilton looked at the co-ed out of the corner of his eyes and leaned over to give Jake a big smacking, defiant kiss on the lips, grinning as the girl rolled her eyes and stepped over his bag to get around them.
Jake gave him a sparkling smile. “Let’s get out of here.”
He returned the smile with another swift kiss. “Okay.”
He grabbed his bag and they walked out of the station with their arms around each other. Once outside, Jake stepped to the curb to scan the streets for a taxi. Hamilton took the opportunity to scan Jake, who was wearing a short floral print dress and strappy sandals, the dress’s flirty skirt showing off her long, smooth legs very nicely. Jake glanced back at Hamilton over her shoulder and he gave her outfit an approving flicker of his eyebrows and that crooked smile she loved so much. Jake’s mouth puckered in an air kiss just as she spotted an available taxi. Two fingers flew to her mouth and a shrill whistle pierced the air. As the taxi pulled in front of her, Hamilton gave her an admiring look.
“I never could do that,” he said.
“Do what?”
“Whistle like that.”
She shrugged. “Well, it comes in handy when you live in the city.”
He opened the taxi door and tossed his bag inside, stepping aside to allow her to get in first. He got in next to her and settled back as she gave the driver the address. As soon as she was done, he tugged on her hand.
“Come here.”
Jake willingly snuggled against his side, resting her head on his shoulder and draping one arm across his stomach, and smiled up at him. “I’m so glad you came.”
He lifted one hand to cup her cheek, smiling into her eyes. “Me, too.” He pulled her mouth to his for a kiss, a gentle, loving caress of her mouth with his that lasted the rest of the trip home.
XXXXXXX
Hamilton whistled as they walked into the foyer of her mother’s luxurious apartment.
“Nice pad.”
“Yeah, isn’t it amazing what they pay entertainers these days? Too bad she’s never here to enjoy it.”
Hamilton followed her as she walked through the massive living room, past an impressive dining room and into the state-of-the-art kitchen, which was currently empty.
“Consuela?” she called.
“Yes?” The voice came from a matronly woman who emerged from yet another room carrying a neatly folded stack of fluffy towels.
Jake swept her arm toward Hamilton. “He’s here. Consuela, I’d like you to meet Hamilton. Hamilton, this wonderful woman is Consuela.” She put one arm around Consuela’s shoulders and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Consuela looked at Hamilton for a long, unsmiling moment. “So, you’re Jacqueline’s young man.”
Hamilton glanced at Jake, and Consuela’s eyes widened slightly at the look that came into his eyes. He looked back at Consuela with just a hint of a smile. “Yes, I am.”
Her eyes warmed and a smile crept onto her lips. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You, too. I know how important you’ve been to Jak - um - Jacqueline.”
The two smiled at each other, feeling an instant bond forming from their mutual affection for Jake. Jake looked from one to the other and decided to step in before things got mushy and they started swapping stories about her.
“Okay, Consuela, which room do we have for Hamilton?”
“I’ve readied the Blue Room. If you’ll follow me.”
She proceeded out of the room and Hamilton gave Jake a puzzled look when she rolled her eyes. “What?” he murmured.
She leaned closer to him and spoke in a low voice. “She gave you the room next to hers…at the opposite end of the apartment from mine.”
He grinned at her. “So? We’re good at sneaking around.”
“Hamilton, we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in if we were so good at it.”
He winced. “Good point.”
She shook her head with a small smile and led him into a large bedroom decorated in various shades of blue. Consuela took the stack of towels into the adjoining bathroom, and Hamilton peeked in behind her, looking back to give Jake a wicked look and say, “Nice shower.”
“Stop it,” she hissed, smacking him on the stomach and glaring at him, a look which quickly changed to a smile as Consuela came back. “Thank you, Consuela.”
Consuela nodded and left. Jake closed the door, smiling and leaning back when she felt Hamilton come up behind her. His hands slid around her, coming to rest on her stomach, and he nuzzled the side of her neck. She tilted her head to give him ease of access, her eyes drifting shut.
“So…Consuela is here all the time?” he asked.
“Yes, but she goes on vacation in three days.”
“Excellent.”
She turned to face him, resting her arms around his shoulders. “Yeah, well, she wanted to cancel, but Mom overruled her.”
His eyebrows rose. “Really?”
“Yes. She said she trusted me to be responsible.”
“What exactly does she mean by that?”
“I’m not really sure. Either she trusts me not to have sex in her home while she’s gone, OR…she trusts me to have safe sex.”
He dropped a kiss on her mouth. “I like plan B.”
She snorted. “You would.”
She pursed her lips for another kiss, which Hamilton happily gave her, lingering this time, brushing her mouth with a series of light, tender kisses. Jake sighed, closing her eyes and enjoying the play of his mouth on hers.
They both jumped as a knock sounded at the door. Consuela’s voice came through the door, “Would your young man like something to eat, Jacqueline?”
Jake looked inquiringly at Hamilton. “Are you hungry?”
He kissed her one last time before answering. “Actually, I’m starved. I was too excited to eat this morning.”
“Poor baby. Hey, you know, there’s a quiet little coffee shop downstairs that makes a mean hoagie. We could eat there and then take a walk around town. Would you like that?”
“Sounds good.”
She opened the door and explained their plans to Consuela while Hamilton rifled through his bag. She turned to see him looping the strap of a camera around his neck and fill his pockets with canisters of film.
“You’re not going to do the tourist thing, are you?”
“Nooo, I’m going to do the photographer thing. You don’t think I’m coming to New York for the first time and not taking some pictures, do you?”
“Okay, just don’t embarrass me.”
“When have I ever embarrassed you?”
He grinned as she rolled her eyes and took his hand to lead him out of the bedroom.
XXXXXXX
It was after midnight when Jake finally insisted that Hamilton go to bed. They had spent the afternoon walking and talking in the park, thrilled to be together. Hamilton had convinced Jake to let him take pictures of her, telling her the camera would love her. She privately thought that was only because he was holding the camera, but it had actually been fun. They had returned to the apartment after dusk and spent the remainder of the evening watching TV and cuddling on the sofa. Though he didn’t want to leave her, she knew he’d been up at the crack of dawn to catch the train.
“Hamilton, you can barely keep your eyes open.”
“Just a little longer.”
“No, come on.” She rolled off the sofa and held her hand out to him. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
He heaved a sigh, taking her hand and rising to his feet, and followed her down the hall. “Will you come in for a while?”
“No way, Hamilton. I’d never get out of there.”
“That works for me.”
“Shh. Consuela’s a very light sleeper.”
She stopped in front of his door and lifted her face for a good night kiss, planting her hands against his chest and pushing him away when he tried to draw it out. She whispered, “Good night.”
“Good night.”
She hid a smile at the sad sound of his voice and, with a small wave, headed for her room. She took her dress off and put it away, then went into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. She climbed into bed wearing her underwear and a T-shirt and lay back with a smile, thinking of Hamilton’s forlorn face when she left him. She closed her eyes and was just drifting off to sleep when a low knock sounded at the door. She scrambled out of bed and opened the door half a foot to see Hamilton standing there.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t sleep.”
“Hamilton. You’re exhausted. You need to get some sleep.”
“No, I need to be with you.” His eyes met hers and she felt her breath catch in her throat at the love and yearning reflected there. “Jake, can’t I just stay with you? I promise I won’t try anything.”
There was no way she could resist those eyes, so she led him into the bedroom and to the bed. She got in ahead of him, turning on her side away from him as he paused to remove his pants. He crawled in behind her, spooning his body to hers, one arm tucked around her ribs. He took in a deep breath and slowly released it, and within moments he was asleep. Jake clutched his hand in hers and slipped gradually into sleep with him.
XXXXXX
The next two days flew by. Jake showed Hamilton her city and the two of them reveled in the freedom to be themselves and be together. They learned more and more about each other, finding that it only increased their liking for each other.
And every night, after Consuela went to sleep, Hamilton would sneak into Jake’s room to sleep. Each night it got more and more difficult to control his hormones, but he had promised Jake not to push, so he didn’t. Much.
On the third day, Consuela left for vacation.
Jake closed the door behind Consuela and returned to the living roomed where Hamilton was lounging in a large armchair. As she strolled toward him, he bit his lower lip to keep from grinning, but nothing could hide the anticipatory gleam in his eye.
“So…we’re alone.”
“Yes, we are.”
She climbed into the chair with him, facing him, her knees on either side of his hips, and braced her hands on the back of the chair. Hamilton leaned his head back and let his grin loose on his face as he looked up at her. Laughter bubbled in Jake’s throat and she couldn’t resist dropping a kiss on his mouth.
“Down, boy.”
The only response she got was a bigger grin and a lusty growl.
“Okay, now you’re scaring me.”
He laughed. “Jake, do you realize that this is the first time - ever - that we’ve been completely alone? Really alone?”
“Yeah, well, I’m beginning to think it’s not such a good idea anymore.”
Unfortunately, she blew any chance that he would take that seriously by leaning down to kiss him again. His hands rose to her neck to hold her in place and prolong the kiss. It quickly turned passionate, but before it could get out of hand, Jake pulled away and backed out of the chair, holding one hand out to Hamilton.
“Come on. I think we should get out of here for a while.”
“Spoilsport.”
He wrinkled his nose at her, but allowed her to pull him out of the chair and lead him out of the apartment.
XXXXX
Jake managed to distract Hamilton from his raging impulses for a few hours by taking him to a couple of art galleries specializing in photography. Hamilton was fascinated by the pictures, and she was fascinated by Hamilton, somehow delighted to see him explore the other passion in his life. They had dinner in a small restaurant not far from where she lived, this time establishing ahead of time that Hamilton would pay. They walked hand in hand back towards the apartment, and Jake treated them to an ice cream cone for dessert. Hamilton ended up eating his and mooching half of hers. It was well past dark when they entered the apartment, right in the middle of the first argument of his visit.
“No way,” Hamilton said.
“Oh, yeah, definitely,” Jake returned.
“Get out of here!”
“Look, Tomb Raider may be technically a marvel of game design, but nothing beats the sheer classic fun and excitement of Zelda for the Super Nintendo.”
“Yeah, well, Zelda doesn’t have Lara Croft,” he said, groucho-marxing his eyebrows.
Jake rolled her eyes and smacked him on the shoulder. “You do realize that she’s just a computerized image?”
“Who cares?”
She laughed and took his hand, pulling him down the hall. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
She led him to the door at the end of the hall past her room, a room he assumed belonged to her mother. She opened the door and passed right through the room and into a bathroom the size of a large Rawley dorm room. It was dominated by a huge, deep bathtub on a raised platform. Trying not to jump to conclusions, Hamilton just quirked a brow at her and waited for her to tell him what they were doing there.
Jake stood in front of him and fiddled with a button on his shirt. “I thought, if it’s okay with you, that, instead of a shower, we could use…that.” She pointed to the tub and watched his face to gauge his reaction.
His wide eyes shifted from her to the tub and back to her. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, if you want to?”
“If I want to?”
She laughed. “Okay, stupid question.” She gave him a light shove in the direction of the door. “Wait out there and I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
Hamilton paced in her mother’s bedroom, listening to the water run and feeling his heart start to race. He had thought he would have to do some serious pleading to get her into a shower and now SHE came up with this idea. He took several deep, calming breaths, telling himself not to expect too much and not to push too much.
“Okay, you can come in now.”
He dove for the door and pushed it open, finding the room with the lights off and lit candles spaced around the room. His eyes found Jake already sitting in the tub, covered to the neck with fluffy bubbles. He looked at the pile of clothes near the tub and his eyes widened to see black panties at the top of the pile.
She was naked in there.
He swallowed hard and walked toward the tub, his eyes searching for gaps in the bubbles and finding none. He lifted his eyes to her face.
“You know, there aren’t any bubbles in showers.”
“True.” She challenged him with a look. “If you don’t want to do this…”
“No, no! It’s fine.”
“Okay, then.” She waved her hand toward his clothes. “You’re a little overdressed.”
He immediately reached for the edge of his shirt and started to pull it over his head. Jake started humming a low snippet of “strip” music and he jerked the shirt back down.
“Jake! Stop it!”
Jake laughed. “What, are you getting shy on me? Come on, Hammie, take it off, take it all off.”
“Jake!”
“Hamilton!” She laughed again, then took pity on him and said with a straight face, “Sorry. Go ahead.”
Hamilton took his shirt off readily enough under Jake’s avid stare, but he balked when it came to removing his pants. He hesitated with his hand on the zipper, looking up to see a huge grin on Jake’s face.
“Don’t look.”
“Yeah, right, just like you didn’t look back at Rawley.”
“Fine.”
He turned around himself and jerked his shirt off then shoved his shorts and underwear down. Jake’s laughter gradually died as each inch of golden skin was revealed and the candlelight danced across smooth muscles. She was just beginning to really enjoy the view when Hamilton stepped into the opposite end of the tub and sank under the bubbles.
He smiled into her eyes. “What are you doing way over there?”
She pursed her lips and turned her head slightly to the side. “I’m desperately re-thinking this whole idea.”
He crooked his index finger at her, speaking in a soft, deep voice. “Come here.”
She raised her brows and shook her head with a short huff of laughter. “Oh, I don’t think so.” When he began to drift forward, she held up one hand to ward him off. “And you stay right over there.”
“Then can you move a few bubbles?”
“No.”
“Come on, Jake. If I can’t hold you, can’t I at least look?” He looked at her with wide, “I’m harmless” eyes.
“Just look?” He nodded quickly. “Okay. But keep your hands where I can see them.”
She brought her legs under her and eased herself to her knees, carrying a fluffy coating of bubbles with her. She looked down and, seeing the layer of bubbles do a slow glide down her chest, peeked through her lashes at Hamilton. He watched the bubbles’ descent, his mouth just parted, and he appeared to be holding his breath as a few bubbles lingered on the tip of one breast, covering the puckered nipple.
He licked his lips and gulped in a breath, and his hand seemed to move of its own volition toward her breast. He raised his eyes to hers, silently asking for permission, and they both looked down to watch his hand when she gave a nod of consent.
With just the tips of his fingers, he brushed at the bubbles, once, twice. He lowered his hand into the water, scooping some up to trickle onto her skin, rinsing away the last of the bubbles. His hand stayed to cup her breast and his thumb moved lightly across her nipple. She inhaled sharply, drawing his eyes back to her face, and he flicked the hardened peak again, watching as her head dropped back and her eyes slid shut.
Totally fascinated now, he took her nipple between his thumb and forefinger and gently plucked, and his own breathing grew ragged when she bit her lip and a small moan sounded in her throat. He squeezed again, eliciting another moan. He swallowed, hard.
“Jake?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I come closer now?”
“God, yes!”
He slid forward, pulling her toward him at the same time. Straddling his legs, she gripped his shoulders and lowered her open mouth to his. He strained toward her, his tongue coming out and up to meet hers, tasting and feeling her in desperate hunger. His hand, still holding her breast, flexed and she moved against him with a pleased gasp. With one last brush of his tongue against hers, he trailed his lips across her cheek and down her neck, pausing to nip gently at the side of her neck. He scattered kisses across her collarbone and made his way down her chest, and she arched her back as his lips caressed the upper curve of her breast. She watched him from under heavy lids, seeing his lips come to rest against her nipple. The contact sent a tight tingle of heat throughout her body, and she sighed.
Hamilton looked up at the sound and he held her eyes with his as his lips parted and the tip of his tongue came out and circled her nipple. She took in a shaky breath and squeezed her eyes shut, and Hamilton’s eyes drifted shut as he opened his mouth fully and took her nipple in a tender suction. Jake whimpered and Hamilton sucked again, flicking his tongue and delighting in the sounds she was making. He stopped only long enough to switch to her other breast and give it equal treatment.
Jake, needing to be as close to him as possible, eased back and sank down, wrapping her legs around his hips and pressing her breasts against his hard chest, and pulled his mouth to hers. His hands came up to hold her head as his mouth devoured hers. Jake rubbed her chest against his, loving the feel of his muscles against her sensitized nipples, and without thinking, pressed her hips forward.
Hamilton jerked his head back with a groan, clenching his jaw and fighting for control. “God, Jake.”
Jake lowered her head to lick and then suck the tendon in his neck and rolled her hips forward again, pressing his erection firmly between them.
“Jake?” he breathed on a moan.
For answer, she tightened her legs around him and kissed him again and Hamilton lost all sense of control and returned the kiss voraciously, lowering his hands to her hips and moving her into closer contact with him. The two kissed and moved, moved and kissed, until suddenly Jake realized that the tip of his erection was nuzzling the entrance to her body. She wrenched her mouth from his.
“Hamilton, no!”
She shoved at his shoulders and it took a second for Hamilton to realize she was pushing him away. For one brief instant, he resisted, but then his hands dropped and he sank back against the tub. He gave Jake one disbelieving look then draped an arm across his eyes, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.
“Hamilton, I’m sorry -“
“I know.”
“It’s just, I’m not ready -“
She put one hand on his chest and he flinched. She looked at him with worried eyes, but he didn’t lower his arm.
“Jake, it’s okay. I understand. But just give me a minute, okay?”
She pressed her lips together and rose from the tub, stepping out onto the floor dripping wet. Without bothering with a towel, she walked over to the mirrored vanity set into the wall and began rifling through the drawers.
“There’s gotta be…” She pulled open the last drawer and flipped a few things aside then reached in and grabbed something. “Thank you, Mom.”
She walked briskly back to the tub. “Come on, Hamilton.”
He lowered his arm with a disheartened sigh, and looked at her with wary eyes. His gaze sharpened when he saw that she was standing wearing nothing but some water and a big smile. “What? Where are we going?”
“Well, when I said I wasn’t ready, I meant that the birth control wasn’t ready. Luckily, I found these…” She thrust her hand forward and he saw that she was holding several condom packets. “So, if you’re not totally out of the mood…”
He was out of the water before she could finish the sentence.
XXXXXX
Jake insisted they dry off before going to her bedroom. Hamilton insisted that he get to dry HER off. Jake figured she’d never been so thoroughly dried in her life. It seemed only fair that she should do the same for him, and by the time she was done, they almost lost their virginity on the bathroom floor. But, somehow, they made their way to her room.
She dropped the condoms onto the bedside table and stretched out on her back on the bed. Hamilton stared at her for such a long time that she became self-conscious. “What?”
“You’re beautiful.”
He sat on the side of the bed and trailed his hands down her body, a feather caress that left goose bumps across her skin. His hand came back up, stopping at her breast, and he grinned suddenly.
“The ‘girls” are beautiful too.”
She looked down, enjoying the sight of his hand against her.
“You don’t think they’re too small?”
“They’re perfect.” He gave each breast a kiss of approval and looked up at her, warmth and love flowing from his eyes. “You’re perfect.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes dropped down the length of his body and back up. Her eyebrows flickered. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
One side of his mouth lifted in a smile and, cupping her cheek in his hand, he lowered his mouth to kiss her. He lay down next to her and she rolled toward him, one leg going between his. His other hand had just settled onto her breast when the phone rang.
“Don’t answer.”
She groaned. “I have to. It could be my mom or Consuela.”
She slapped his wandering hands away as she rolled over to grab the phone, and her hello came out sort of giggly.
“Hello. Could I speak to Jake Pratt, please?”
Too concerned with keeping Hamilton’s hands away, she didn’t immediately recognize the voice, but the name Jake DID register, and she jumped off the bed and glared at Hamilton, waving frantically for him to stop.
“Could I ask who’s calling please?”
“Just tell him it’s Finn.”
Her eyes flew wide. “Just a minute, please.”
She covered the phone with her hand and squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head back and forth and mouthing “no” over and over.
“What? Who is it?” Hamilton rose to stand next to her.
She opened apprehensive eyes. “It’s Finn.”
“Oh, shit. What does he want?”
“He wants to talk to Jake.”
“So, talk to him. At least he doesn’t want to talk to Jake’s mom.”
“Okay okay.” She took several deep cleansing breaths, cleared her throat and put the receiver to her ear. Careful to use her guy voice, she said, “Hello?”
“Hi, Jake. It’s Finn.”
“Hey, Finn. What can I do for you?” She rolled her eyes at Hamilton.
“We haven’t received your crew team equipment fee yet for next semester. With the cutbacks that are going on, we have to be on top of these things.”
Her mouth dropped open and she stared wide-eyed at Hamilton. “Oh, that’s it?” She winced. “I mean - I mean - okay, I’ll get that right in the mail. Sorry about that.”
“No problem. When we didn’t receive it, I began to think that maybe you weren’t planning to return to Rawley.”
She grimaced and looked for help to Hamilton, who spread his hands and mouthed, “What?”
“Well…I…well…”
“I want you to know that whatever you choose to do in your private life is entirely your business. Having said that…I hope that you will exercise a bit more discretion in the future.”
She closed her eyes and Hamilton watched blood rush to her face. “Oh, I will.”
“Okay, Mr. Pratt, then we’ll see you a couple of weeks.”
She hung up the phone in a daze and threw herself at Hamilton. “He called me Mr. Pratt!”
“Well, what’s going on?” Hamilton wrapped his arms around her and fell back across the bed.
“He hasn’t gotten my equipment fee yet. He just wants me - us - to be more discreet in the future.”
“So, he still thinks you’re a boy?”
“Apparently.” She looked down at her chest. “Huh…I didn’t think they were THAT small.”
“They’re not, but you did have your arms in front of you and it all happened so fast. Hell, I hardly got a good look at them.”
She grabbed his head and gave him a huge kiss on the lips. “I’m coming back, baby!”
“Thank God.”
He hugged her against him. Jake pulled back when she felt Hamilton chuckling against her. “What?”
“I was just thinking of that song…”
“What song?”
Hamilton rolled her over onto her back and slid both hands up to cup her breasts, laughing as he lowered his head to nuzzle against her, and his voice was muffled as he sang to her.
“Thank heaven … for little girls.”
The End