A few days later, they were just sitting in the back of the bus.  They had pulled into the venue not long ago for the last of three sold out shows at Giants Stadium but the two decided to hang back from the group before soundcheck.  They heard someone coming and looked towards the hall.

“Can I speak to you two?”  It was Johnny.

“Sure,” JC said, sitting up. 

“I wanted to have this conversation away from the others.  I brought the original contract with me and hope you’ll sign it Molly.  I put up such a big fight about this relationship because I don’t know you and I know there are people, even the one who work with the guys, who don’t have good intentions.  It’s my job to look out for them and try and make sure they don’t get bad press. There have been times when past relationships have gotten more attention than the music and it’s not something I want.  But, as the guys have repeatedly pointed out to me over the last 24 hours, this is their lives and their careers.  So, go for it.”

“Well, not that we needed your permission, but thanks,” JC said, respectfully.

Mollie gave the contract a once over and found it to be to her satisfaction.  She scribbled her signature at the bottom and Johnny left them alone once again.  In her excitement, Mollie captured JC’s lips, pulling him down on top of her.  Her hands slid under the t-shirt he wore and she dragged it up.  He chuckled against her lips as she whimpered, frustrated at his refusal to let her take it off.  Finally she pulled back, smacking his chest as he continued to laugh.

“I’m really not seeing the humor in this,” she grumbled.  “Most guys would enjoy it, participate even, if their girlfriend was attempting to take their clothes off.  Mine? He laughs.” 

“Baby, stop trying to force it,” JC said, trying to control his laughter.

“I’m not trying to force anything!  I’m overjoyed at the news that I can keep my job and hang out with my boyfriend and I wanted to show him how much I lo…like him.  Why aren’t you making a move?” 

“You really want your first time to be on the back of my tour bus, when any of the guys could walk in and catch us?”  JC asked, noticing her almost slip of the ‘l-word.’ “I don’t think that sounds very romantic.”

“We could lock the door…” 

“What’s your rush?  Seems to me you held onto your virginity for a reason and I plan on being with you for a very long time.  We don’t need to rush into sex.”

“Why are you so perfect?” she joked, brushing a curl from his forehead.  “If you were normal you’d have ravished me ten times over by now but no.  You’re more concerned for me.  I know I should be loving and grateful…but right now I’m just hot and bothered.”

JC started laughing again and Mollie joined him.  She covered her face which, indeed, felt hot.  The couch suddenly seemed pretty small.

“Besides, I can’t see Johanna tonight if I deflower you right now.” 

“Why not?”

“She’ll know!” JC exclaimed, causing Mollie to laugh harder.  “She’s already mad at me for not telling you who I was at first, I can’t give her another reason to be mad at me.” 

“She’s not mad and how would she know?”  Mollie asked, wrinkling her eyebrows.

“Well, now I know you’re a virgin.  Just trust me, she’d know.” 

“Well, if you’re not going to ravish me then I guess I’d better get to the dressing room, it’s probably time to get hair and makeup done.”

“I have a question…”  JC said.  “I was thinking, there’s always an odd number of people between the guys and girls…what would you say if I suggested we room together for the rest of tour?  I mean it would even it out for everyone else. And then we could actually get some time to ourselves…” 

“Sold.”

“Really?” 

“I just tried to undress you in the back of the bus.  You’re offering some more private alone time, obviously I’m going to say yes.”

“Well good.  Now kiss me before we have to go get ready.”

She leaned up placing her lips on his and threading her fingers in his wild curly hair.  JC let his hands slide lower on her body and he had just slipped one onto her butt when they heard someone clearing their throat loudly.  JC looked up to see Johanna, hands on her hips, staring at them.  He quickly rolled off Mollie and sat straight up.

“Hello Jo,” Mollie said, waving from her lying down position. 

“Hey Molls.  Didn’t mean to interrupt your gropefest.  I could always go find the adorable blonde one and wait for you,” Johanna replied sarcastically.

“While I’m sure Lance would love to have you follow him around for the next few hours, we have to be getting ready anyway,” Mollie replied, rising from the couch. 

“JC, nice to see you.  Maybe one of these days you’ll give me a reason to like you,” Johanna joked.  “Lying…groping…who knows what I’ll walk into next?”

“Johanna, always a pleasure,” JC said waving as the girls stepped off the bus. 

“Why do you give him such a hard time?  He just wants you to like him,” Mollie said.

“Someone needs to watch out for you.” 

“He’s a good guy Jo.  You can cut him some slack.”

“Then he should start showing me that he deserves slack.”

They entered the hair and makeup room to find Justin getting his hair trimmed.  Mollie plopped herself in the makeup chair and directed Johann to pull up another chair.

“Johanna, my spicy Spanish senorita!” Justin yelled upon noticing the new addition 

“I am not your spicy Spanish anything.”

“I missed that sarcasm,” Justin said, hopping out of the chair and brushing the loose hair off his shoulders.  “She’s so cute isn’t she?” He directed his question to Mollie but didn’t require an answer.  “I have a feeling we’re going to be good friends,” he said, extending his hand for a shake. 

“How often are your feelings correct?” Johanna asked, ignoring his hand.

“About 99 percent of the time,” he replied, smiling.  “Bye Molls, see you later Joey.” 

“It’s Johanna.”

“I’m gonna call you Joey.”

Justin exited with a wink and Mollie couldn’t help but laugh.  Jaime had to remind her to sit still as she was trying to apply eye shadow.

 "What the hell was that?" Mollie asked. 

"Nothing."  Johanna said, squirming in her seat.

"Technically he's my boss and you're just flirty and rude all at the same time.  You could have been nicer.  I thought you guys got along when you were in Florida." 

"I was not rude or flirty.  I was just playing.  There's something about him that rubs me the wrong way."

Mollie gave her friend a disbelieving look.  They switched topics, catching up on what had been going on since they last saw each other.  Before long it was time for the show to start.  Mollie led Johanna over to one of the bodyguards, who accompanied her to her reserved seat.  Mollie got to her spot, wanting to catch the beginning of the show from the monitors backstage before her cue.  The boys were on tonight.  The stadium was huge and Mollie had a hard time believing she was performing in front of all of these people.  The adrenaline was starting to kick in and she just wanted to get out there.

She got excited when she heard the first few notes of “It’s Gonna Be Me.”  She ran out on stage, dragging some of the props behind her.  It was kind of nerve wracking, seeing the huge stadium stretched out before her but she pretended like the audience wasn’t there.  She fooled around with JC, sword fighting with some oversized crayons.  She hit all of her marks and had some fun with her expressions.  During her featured part in “Celebrity” she played it up and realized how comfortable she had become on the stage.  It was so much fun to be out there.  After the show, she showered and fixed her hair.  They were going out tonight and she was excited.

The other girls were already out of the locker room so Mollie didn’t mind walking around in just her thong.  Mollie slipped into her low rise jeans and rifled through her bag to find the shirt she’d picked.  She didn’t hear anyone come in behind her.  She got a huge spook when someone pinched her sides.  Her arms came up to cover herself and she peeked over her shoulder to find JC, hands up.

“Hey!” she said, turning to face him.  “You could’ve knocked.”

“I could’ve but I didn’t.  You mad?”  he asked, trying not to look at her chest. 

“No,” she smiled. 

She bent down to retrieve her strapless bra and slipped it on with her back to him.  JC smiled as he caught a glimpse of her sides and pretended to look away when she turned back around.  She finally found the shirt she wanted to wear and slipped it over her head.  It was a shimmery, champagne colored tube top.  It covered her breasts and not much else and had a tie around her right arm.  She had bought it a while ago but had yet to get a chance to wear it.

“And the point of the shirt is…,” JC said, sliding his hands up her sides to cup her.

“I think it’s cute!” 

“It’s adorable but I’m just going to want to take it off all night.”

“Well I want to dance.  So be a good boy and we’ll see what happens when we get back to the room.” 

“We will huh?”

            Molly nodded and leaned in to kiss him.  JC pressed to deepen the kiss but Molly knew they’d never get out of here once they got started.  She pulled back, placing on quick kiss on his cheek and led the way out the door.

The music was thumping so loudly, Mollie was convinced the building was shaking to the beat.   She slid past the lines of people at the bar and followed JC, their hands interlocked, to the VIP section.  There were already tons of people there.  The pair got drinks and mingled a while before escaping to the dance floor.  After a while, the crowd got too packed in, so the duo headed back to get some drinks.  The group had dwindled a bit by this time and JC and Mollie took a seat on a couch.  Mollie placed her drink on the table in front of them, leaning into her boyfriend for a kiss.  He smelled of smoke and tequila from the hazy atmosphere.  His taste was addictive.  She gave him a look that indicated she wanted to get out of here, and he signaled for her to meet him by the door.  She headed in that direction but a grumpy looking Justin intercepted her.

“Molls, where you going?” he said, his speech a bit slurred.

“Back to the hotel.  We’ve got to get on the road early in the morning.  Looks like you should be heading back too Jus.” 

“I can’t do this anymore Moll.”

“No you can’t, put the beer down,” she said, giggling and reaching for the beer in his hand. 

“No, I mean I can’t do this,” Justin said, signaling around him and pointing towards the other guys.  “I need to get out on my own.  I can’t do this anymore.”

Mollie was a bit taken aback by this statement.  She wasn’t sure whether to take it seriously or brush it off as drunk mumbling.  She didn’t have time to process it because JC came walking up right behind Justin.

“Hey man, we’re heading back.  You gonna hang around or you want to catch a ride with us?”

“I’m good C…you’ve got a good one,” Justin mumbled, pointing at Mollie. 

“I know,” JC said, placing a kiss on her temple.  “See you bro.”

            Mollie watched as Justin ambled away and joined Joey for a round of shots.  She brushed off his comment, though it still didn’t sit right.  JC’s hand slid to her lower back, leading her out to the car he had undoubtedly called when he stepped away.  They climbed in back and Mollie was grateful for the privacy shield that was up.  As the car started moving, she swung her leg over JC’s lap to straddle him.  Her lip explored his neck as he chuckled in surprise.

“Someone’s having a good night,” he noted, letting his hands slide down and rest on her ass. 

“Mmm,” she growled against him.

They got lost in the moment, something that happened frequently with them and JC pulled back from her lips when he felt her hands slide down to his belt buckle.  Her hips had subconsciously been grinding against his and JC couldn’t help but want to allow Mollie to take this further.  She had gotten the buckle open and managed to unsnap and unzip his jeans before JC came to his sense.

“Baby…” he whispered.  “Babe…ohhh,” he groaned as Mollie’s hand wandered into his jeans.  JC grabbed her wrist, pulling it up until he could slide his hand into hers.  “Baby we’re in the back of a car…let’s take it down a notch.” 

“No,” Mollie said, her tone slightly bratty.  “You always get to control where this goes and I’m tired of it.”

“Oh?” JC replied, amused. 

“Yeah,” she replied, smiling at him.  “I get a say too, don’t I?”

“You do,” he answered as the car came to a stop. 

“Good.  I say that we go up to our room and do whatever I want to do for a change.”

            JC chuckled at her bravado, wondering how long it would last.  He decided to roll with it for as long as it did.  He’d resisted her charms up to now for the simple fact that he did not want to rush her but if she wanted to play ball, he’d play.  He picked her up and sat her down next to him once more, sliding down to open the door.  He extended a hand for her and they both headed into the hotel lobby amidst screams and flashing lights.  The elevator seemed to be taking forever, especially with her tiny hand sliding into the back pocket of his jeans.  When it did arrive, they were the only ones there and JC swung Mollie around until her back was against the wall.  His body pressed against hers and his mouth covered hers.  Mollie felt so many new sensations all at once.  Her skin felt like it was on fire and when JC’s hand slide under her waistband to grab her bare ass, Mollie thought she might die of electrocution.

            They broke apart long enough to get out of the elevator and locate their room key.  Mollie kicked her shoes off the moment they got inside and climbed onto the bed.   JC did the same, taking a moment to unload is pockets.  When he turned around his girlfriend was on the bed and had taken her top off.  She was fumbling around with the snaps on the back of her bra when JC joined her.

“Hey,” he said.  “Save something for me.”

He lay her down on the bed, resuming their elevator activities.  Her hands roamed, excited by this new activity.  She tugged on the hem of his shirt, dragging it up towards his shoulders.  JC leaned back, allowing her to pull it over his head.  He slid his hands behind her, freeing her breasts from their restraint.  He didn’t pull it away right away.

“You sure about this?”

She nodded but he could see her confidence from earlier had faded a bit.  He tossed the material on the ground and took in the view of her perfect bare breasts.  Her nipples were hard with want and he cupped them in his hands.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said, his voice so low it was practically a growl. 

His mouth travelled down her neck, nipping at her skin as he went before pulling one of her pink nipples into his mouth.  Mollie’s back arched off the bed at the sensation running through her.  She felt her jeans being tugged down her hips and she lifted herself off the bed so he could slide them off.  Lying on the bed in just her panties, Mollie’s heart began to race.  She thought she was ready for this but now, when it was time, she wasn’t so sure.  She didn’t say anything, just latched onto JC’s lips.

JC let his hand travel down to her center.  She was hot and she bucked against him.  He picked his head up and looked into her eyes.  He could see the fear flash across her face before she put on a fake smile.

“We’re not going to do this here.  Not tonight,” he whispered in her ear.

“No, Jace, it’s okay…” she said, her voice shaking. 

“Uh-uh,” he said, shaking his head.  “I don’t want to do this here, not when you’re nervous.”  He brushed a piece of hair out of her eyes. 

“I want to,” she said, her voice betraying her. 

“Do you trust me?”  She nodded. “Let me do something?”  She nodded again.

            JC started moving the hand on her center.  He could see her face change from nervous to surprise.  He kissed her, rubbing, trying to give her a little piece of what she wanted.  She matched his movements with her hips and began to pant.  Her mind raced a mile a minute as little sparks shot off inside her body.  Her skin flushed red and she thought she was about to explode.  Just before she thought she couldn’t take it anymore, she felt a rush through her veins and her whole body tingled.  She cried out in ecstasy and collapsed on the pillows.

“Oh my god,” she said, trying to catch her breath.  “That was…”

“You keep pushing but you’re nervous.  I thought maybe if I give you a little taste…” 

“I get what the hype’s about now.”  JC laughed, shaking the bed.

“Listen.  I know you want to move this along.  But I’m cool going at our own pace.  When it’s time, you won’t be nervous.”

            Mollie fluttered her tired eyes at him.  She had a silly grin on her face and pulled his face up to hers.  She kissed him sweetly on the lips before rolling onto her side, to lie on his chest.

“I don’t know what makes me nervous when we get to that point.” 

“That’s okay.  Like I said, we’ve got all the time in the world.”