A light snow began to fall around the cab as Samantha's head rested on his shoulder. He was warm and inviting. She peered out at the familiar sights as the cab drove toward the Upper East Side. 

JC absentmindedly played with her hair while he breathed in her distinctive smell. 

"I might get in trouble for leaving early. But it's all so worth it," he mumbled up against her temple.

She smirked lightly. "Someone just bid $25,000 to take me on a dinner date. I'll probably be the one in trouble." The cab came to a stop in front of a small storefront with a simple neon sign that read Ma's: Fine New York Delicatessen. "I hope you're hungry, Josh."

"Starving." He grinned and paid the cabbie, opening the door first then helping her out of the cab, careful to keep her dress from getting covered in snow. "And I won't let you get blamed for anything. It'll all be my fault." 

She gave him a soft smile as she gazed up at him. "I'll let you accept responsibility for me." She reached over to grab his hand.

They walked inside the deli, a small hole in the wall. It was a 24-hour-a-day deli, with a light mix of people spread out at tables. A small brown counter greeted guests by the door with chalkboard menus behind the counter, listing tons of choices. The deli smelled faintly of pickles, sandwiches and brisket. JC grinned. This place looked like the kinds of places he loved to find in cities, local and kind of eclectic. 

"Mmmm. Breakfast. Sandwiches, or just dessert?" Sam mumbled with a cute smile, glancing up at the menu. JC stood close behind, pretending to hide behind her as he looked at the menu board as well. 

"Samantha, hello!" the hostess said with a grin. "What brings you in tonight?"

"Oh, a first name basis," JC laughed.

"Hi Darlene!" Sam smiled, offering a wave. "We just came from an event. This handsome man here hasn't ever had your amazing food and he wants a New York experience."

JC smiled, looking down at Sam from behind. "Tell me your favorite things on the menu and I'll choose from those."

Sam made a thoughtful face, looking up at the chalkboard. "Oh." She leaned back a bit at the counter. "For breakfast it's their chocolate brioche french toast with the raspberry syrup. If we're talking about a sandwich, it's the Bernie and Bob with roast ham, pastrami and turkey on rye. And also their brisket. Oh and of course matzo ball soup. And their pumpkin bread pudding is amazing."

"Well damn," JC laughed, shaking his head. "I think I need to try them all." His arms casually wrapped around her waist, pulling her tighter into him. "Maybe I'll get that sandwich you mentioned and side of the soup."

"Hmm. If I order a bowl of soup too, will you split the sandwich with me?" Sam smiled, "Might be worth it since it's already after 11."

‘I'd love to," he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "For here or to go?"

Sam made a cute and thoughtful face. "Well. I could eat this at home in my pajamas. But I do love this place. It's cozy... and yes." She took one small step forward. "Yes Darlene, we're ready. We're going to do two bowls of the Matzo Ball soup, splitting a Bob and Bernie on rye please, extra pickles on the side. And we'll have two waters and a chocolate eggcream. For here please." 

JC quickly slipped his wallet out of his pocket and threw down his credit card to pay before she could make another move. "It's on me, sweetheart," he smiled. He signed for the bill and took the plastic number from Darlene. He followed Samantha into the side of the restaurant and settled in a corner booth, under autographed pictures of Broadway stars that had eaten at the restaurant. 

"Mmm. Upside is, we get to eat this sooner." He looked over at her, smiling at the way she was seated next to him in the booth. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"You speak the truth Josh," she grinned softly and snuggled into him in the booth. The diner was warm but there was still a chill in the air from being outside in the snow.

He draped an arm around her as the waters were placed on the table. "Are you cold?" 

"A little bit." She smiled and rubbed her arms. "My fur wrap is warm, but it's no match for a New York City snowstorm. Also hence the order of soup."

"Well that's unacceptable isn't it?" he moved slightly to take his tuxedo jacket off, slipping it over her shoulders. "I'm usually a hot box."

She smiled and draped it over her, immediately getting a strong scent of his Gucci cologne. "Well you're not kidding," she said with a grin, "this is nice and warm."

He slowly uncuffed his sleeves and rolled them up to his elbows. "Good. I'm glad it helps."

She smiled and snuggled into his coat  before she leaned forward to take a sip of water. "It's nice to have some peace and quiet. And normalcy. Don't get me wrong, I feel so fortunate that I get invited to these fancy dinners and galas but it's exhausting sometimes to be so... fancy all the time."

He grinned. "Exactly my thoughts, little lady. And absolutely, I haven't been able to walk into a place like this in years and not be mobbed or recognized. So I apologize in advance if it happens. I'll handle it." He licked his lips.

She shrugged lightly and looked up at him. "Okay. It won't upset me if it does. As long as I don't get you into trouble."

"I won't get into trouble. I promise. And I have an idea after we eat." He grinned as the food came up, two plates with a half sandwich, pickles and a bowl of soup plated neatly. "Oh wow.  Perfect."

"Oh, you've got ideas?" she laughed softly, looking at the food as it was plated. "Mmm. This looks delish. It's so predictably good. My favorite." She took half of her sandwich up to his and toasted them together, like they were two wine glasses. "Cheers Josh. I hope you enjoy it."

He couldn't help but grin so hard as he watched her take the first bite of her sandwich. She was enjoying herself, and so was he. He took a big bite of his sandwich and began to chew. Once he got his first taste, he closed his eyes and mumbled, still with a mouthful of food, "Oh my god."

Sam laughed softly after she swallowed her bite. It made her smile to see him enjoying her little hole in the wall. "The owners make everything from scratch. They bake their challah bread and their rye bread every day to sell. All of their meats and everything are specially bought and sliced for each sandwich. They're amazing."

JC swallowed and took a sip of the chocolate egg cream they were sharing. "Mmm. Holy Shit. They need to come to LA." He took another large bite and made a satisfied grunt. "I may need to get one to go for tomorrow at the hotel." He smirked. 

She grinned and took another bite of her soup. "Well, I guess we'll need to find you a new deli of your own in California, won't we?" She nibbled on her sandwich and watched him for a few long moments. The silence was comfortable. 

He grinned. "Mmmm. Maybe we both will when you come to Los Angeles to finish this video then." He licked his lips slowly, watching her face.

Her eyebrow shot up as she looked at him. "Video? What video?"

He smirked, "The one we started tonight at the Founder's Gala."

"Joshua Chasez!" she exclaimed, staring at him. She could feel her cheeks getting redder and redder. Of course, this was why he seemed to be so into her at the gala. It was all for a video. Why did she even for one moment think he actually liked her? All these boyband guys were the same. "I can't believe you are all that sneaky."

"The world will get a little snippet as a teaser tomorrow, then that way you and Ashley will need to come to LA and finish it." He gladly took a bite of his sandwich, happy eating that last bite, proud like a little kid who just let go of a big secret.

Sam mumbled in return, looking down at her soup. She felt like a complete idiot.

JC was all smiles, feeling clever. "And that's why I made my way over to you to pick you first. I didn't want anyone else to get to you. I told them you were mine."

"Oh, I see." she replied dryly.

JC took a few bites of his soup, watching how her body language stiffened up. He studied her closely for a few long moments. "I feel like I said something."

She shook her head in response and took a long sip of water before reaching for her pickle and taking a hasty bite. 

"Samantha. There's something you need to know about me." He reached over for her hand and took it in his gently. 

She looked down at their hands and then up at him. She had no response for him, just looking at him and waiting for him to continue. She was ready to take his tuxedo jacket off and run out of the deli, back to the comfort of a warm car and her regular life in her apartment. 

"If I feel a connection to you, chemistry, anything like that, then I'm connected to you forever. You can't bullshit me or lie to me with serious intent and expect me not to feel it deeply. I upset you in the last 10 minutes and I really didn't mean to." He lifted their hands up and placed a gentle kiss on hers. "Be honest with me please."

Sam sucked in a deep breath and let out a sigh of exhalation. She tilted her head to really truly examine him. His eyes were that vulnerable blue again, the way she had seen it only once before. "Then you're being completely serious with me in return? No bullshit, only honesty?"

He nodded while his gaze was locked on hers intently. He made no move to even blink. "Completely,"

Her voice was soft. "I'll be honest with you," she smiled softly up at him, "I refuse to date men in the entertainment industry because I've always been cautious of motives. And I don't let people in my world easily. I feel like I let you break down my walls over the last month, then you just told me about this video. It made my question everything that we had. If what we had on that dance floor was real or just for your music video. You're a boy band member. You know how to look romantic on camera."

JC nodded, listening to every word of hers intently. He wanted to be a better man than he had been recently, listening with the intention of understanding, not just to reply. 

"I can see where you are coming from. I know I can look romantic on camera for a video even if I wasn't feeling it. However, you cannot deny the way that  I look at you and the way that I kissed you. I'm not an actor, I'm a musician. My heart is on my sleeve with you and believe me, I wasn't planning on you happening. You just did. I want you to be in the video, but I also want you outside the video. I want you sitting next to me at football games, and I want you showing me your city. I want to show you my life and see if you like it. I want you in any way that I can have you, Samantha Bentley. And fuck, I've never admitted that to anyone in my entire life."

She looked at him and could see in his eyes he was completely serious. "I can't deny it... I definitely can't. I like you a lot Josh," she sighed softly, "And I like that you can admit that to me." She reached up and touched his face softly, letting her fingertips run against the 5 o'clock shadow that was forming along his jaw. "I didn't mean to happen to you just like I didn't mean for you to happen to me either."

He leaned into her touch and smiled. His eyes fluttered closed for a moment. The softest touches from her were becoming the most debilitating. "We didn't get a choice in the matter, pretty," he smiled down at her, "Now let's get you home safe and warm okay?"

She nodded, "Let's go."

He slid out of the booth, reaching down to help her out as well, making sure his tuxedo jacket was still draped over her shoulders. He slipped his arm around her as they walked out into the falling snow. 

There was something magical about the first snowfall of the season. The air had a different vibe to it, the kind of vibe that felt like anything could happen. Sam looked at JC with adoring eyes as they lazily strolled down the street. It was quiet by Manhattan standards.

Their quiet daydreamy walk was interrupted by a scream, followed by an "OH MY GOD!" Sam's dreamy smile faded as two teenage girls ran up to them, clapping their hands and grinning big.

"Whoa, whoa," JC said calmly with a smile, "Hi. No need to scream. If you cause a scene you're less likely to get time for a conversation, hi girls."

The first girl looked at JC with heart eyes. "Oh my GOD," she said, "you're real."

Her friend rolled her eyes. "Of course he's real. Get a life." She looked at JC with a bright smile. "We are huge fans of *NSYNC. Do you mind if we get a picture with you?"

Sam looked at the girls and JC and laughed softly. She stepped back to let them have their time with him. 

JC nodded with a smile. "Of course, Samantha sweetheart, would you take the photo for us?"

"Of course!" Sam replied with a smile. 

The first girl handed Sam the camera with a big smile. "Oh my gosh! Samantha! You two know each other?!"

JC chuckled. "We sure do, Kinda close friends actually." He put his arm around each of the girls with a smile, getting ready for the picture.

Sam laughed as she snapped the picture. "Yes, that we are."

The first girl stopped and looked at Sam breathlessly. "Do you mind if we get a picture with you too? You're like, BOTH of our idols. You're like the most beautiful woman ever!"

Sam giggled softly and wrapped her arms around the girls this time. "Of course, c'mere girls! Josh can you take this one?"

JC grinned really big. "I have a better idea." He grabbed the digital camera from Samantha and leaned in with all of them in a huddle. "I'll take all of us together!" His grin was extra big as he was posing in his first picture with Sam.

Sam laughed so cute after JC took the photo. "Girls, make sure you send it to me on MySpace when you get it uploaded! I'd love to see how it comes out." She hugged each of the girls. "Have a good night, beautiful girls!"

The girls squealed as they took their camera and ran away, ready to go online and upload what they had just found walking along the streets in New York City.

JC pulled Samantha into his body again as they both started walking again. "I'm grateful there were only 2 girls instead of 50." He looked down at her and smiled. It was even colder now and she was draped in his jacket, not to mention he was starting to get cold. "Should we get a cab back to your place?"

"I'm grateful too," Sam laughed, "And yes please. It's cold! You want to try hailing this cab?" She grinned up at him.

"On it sweetheart," JC grinned as he stepped forward onto the corner and whistled with his fingers loudly. A cab came to a stop in front of them. 

"Look at you, so persuasive," she giggled, climbing into the cab. "You're something else, JC..." she leaned forward to the driver, "Thompson Street and Grand Street in SoHo please."

"So are you, Ms. Bentley," he replied, leaning back against the seat to watch her as the cab began driving downtown.

They drove in silence for about 10 minutes before either of them spoke.

"It's about 5 more minutes from here," she said softly, looking up at him. "You can leave the meter running and leave me off if you'd like."

JC pursed his lips as he looked closely at her. "You mean just to drop you off?"

Sam nodded, watching him with a smile. "I mean I can make my way upstairs myself. If you've got other plans or you need to get back... or..." her lips curled up into a grin as she continued to look up at him. 

"I'd rather walk you upstairs. I can get another cab later or pay him to say and wait for me. I wouldn't just drop you off, ever." 

Sam smiled. "That's fine." She peeked out the window as her building came into view. "How warm do you feel your tuxedo jacket is?"

JC looked at her and tilted his head slightly. "I mean, it's warm but it's not going to keep me from getting frost bite if I was left out in the cold." He smirked.

Sam laughed lightly. "Right, so I won't leave you in the cold. Noted." The cab slowed to a stop in front of her building. She could see John standing under the awning, watching the cab. "I'd suggest paying that cab now..." she added, biting her lip.

JC looked at her and nodded. "Okay then." He leaned forward and paid the fare before opening the door and helping her out. The snowflakes were falling a little bit heavier than they were at the Mandarin Oriental, and a light white blanket was coating the sidewalk. 

John smiled. "Ms. Bentley, good evening." He offered a polite nod to JC.

"Hi John," she offered him a cute grin. "Have a great night!" She grabbed onto JC's hand and walked into the building. She put her code into the elevator and they rode up to the top floor. 

She looked at him with a tilted head and a small smile. "Hi."

He returned her smile and stroked her hand with his thumb. "Hello beautiful."

She looked down at their hands interlocked and smiled before looking back up at him. With a slight ding, the elevator opened up to her foyer. She stepped out, leading the way. "I hope you're not ready to leave yet."

"I wouldn't leave until you were ready for me to." He smiled as they walked inside and he looked around. He had been there the night of Halloween but he couldn't remember too many details of her loft. It was bigger than he remembered, but just as sharply decorated and home-like.  "This place is beautiful, Samantha."

She smiled. "It's home. C'mere." She walked with him into her hallway and coat closet. "Here." She slipped off his tuxedo jacket and handed it back to him. Opening the coat closet, she grabbed her black down jacket and a plush purple Ugg blanket. "Take this blanket too. I'm getting my coat as well. Now. C'mere you." She tugged at his arm as they walked to a third door in the hallway, which she opened to several steps up. They ascended up onto the rooftop patio of her loft. On the wall near the door, she flipped a switch and little lights illuminated all around them. The Manhattan Skyline stretched out for miles in front of them as the snow swirled all around them. 

JC couldn't help but do a low giggle of his own as she tugged him around her hallway, up to the rooftop. "My goodness woman!" He pulled his jacket on and buttoned the top two buttons. "No wonder you love it here."

"New York has a special place in my heart. Isn't it amazing?" She stepped next to him and took her big soft blanket and wrapped it all around the two of them from behind, creating a warm cocoon. 

He couldn't help but shiver slightly as the cold hit him, but the sight of New York, the view, the lights, her proximity made him smile so big. "I'm starting to feel that it's taking a special piece of my heart too."

She felt him shiver under the blanket next to her. "You're shivering sweetheart. Let's go inside. You can warm up... I'll make us some tea."

"No, no," he said, "I want to stay out here longer with you." He grabbed hold of her and the blanket and pulled them both closer. 

She smiled softly, looking over at him. "We can keep each other warm." She snuggled into him, letting the blanket envelope the two of them. He was warm and steady and it made her smile.

JC let out a soft sigh and his breath made a cloud in front of them. "Can I take a picture of us right now? Please?"

She laughed softly. "One picture tonight wasn't enough for you?"

He grinned. "Without two little fangirls." He pulled his new phone from his pocket. His camera on his phone wasn't great but he wanted this memory to be captured forever. "Besides, it's not like I can save the picture. It belongs to the girls." He put his arm out, holding the camera phone out toward them, faces smooshed together as he snapped the photo. The snow continued to swirl around them, only amplifying the incredible feelings he was having. 

Her face was pressed against his perfectly as she smiled for the photo. "You'll share it with me too right?"

He grinned. "You're making it to my MySpace post. I'll even tag you in it."

"Ohh, the big time," she laughed, leaning in to kiss his cheek as he snapped one more photo.

"The big time," he mumbled with a smile, turning his face so that his lips were touching on hers again and he began to smile up against hers.

Sam mumbled against his lips, between tiny kisses she was leaving him, "The snow is sticking. It's too slippery..." her hand reached out and touched his face gently. "Stay with me tonight?"

His soft and slow kisses that were breaking into smaller ones were interrupted by his smirk. "Mmm. Only if you promise not to take advantage of me." He grinned so cute against her lips.

She laughed softly, "That's a promise." She was leaving him soft little kisses in between smiles too. She had to have some restraint. This man had her body and mind on fire in ways it hadn't been in ages, and she knew she needed to practice some self restraint before she got carried away.

"Mmmm. We should probably go inside now," he mumbled before taking one little tug on her lip. 

She broke away from his kisses with a smile. "Mmm. You're right. Let's go warm up and have some tea." 

They walked downstairs into the living room, closing the door to the patio behind them. The warmth of her loft was inviting and made him smile. He took his coat off and rested it on the back of a chair, and he took his hands to get some of the flakes out of his hair.

She smiled and leaned up to help him shake the snowflakes out. "Why don't you curl up under some blankets on the couch while I start the tea? Maybe you can start the fireplace so it'll be nice and warm for later."

"My pleasure," he watched her for a moment before he walked toward the fireplace to put some wood inside. "This snow brings in the holiday season."

"Mmm, it is. I need to start decorating. After Thanksgiving." She put the tea kettle on the stove and watched him across the room shuffling around the fireplace. "I'm going to put some pajamas on. Make yourself at home."

He nodded slightly, "I'll be here." As she walked into the bedroom, he kicked his shoes off and untucked his shirt. He took his tie off and tossed it on the chair with his tuxedo jacket. He was looking like a sloppy gentleman as he plopped himself down on the couch. Her loft was warm and inviting. He tried to take notes of all of the little things that made it uniquely hers. It made him smile.

A short time later, after hanging up her gown and changing, Samantha emerged from the bedroom with buffalo check pajama bottoms and a white vneck tshirt. She removed all of her makeup and the bobby pins from her hair. She was cozy and happy. A faint whistle of the tea kettle made her walk to the kitchen. "Josh, how do you like your tea?"

He looked up at her in the kitchen and he grinned so big. "Just a little bit of sugar. And you know, you could have gone to the Founder's Gala dressed like that and I still would have tried to win that date with you."

She looked up at him with a little smirk from the kitchen as she poured a little bit of sugar in his Chamomile Tea, mixing a little bit of honey in hers. "Yeah? You still think I would have been worth 25 grand in PJs?"

He smiled softly. "You're worth way more than that." In front of him, the fire was glowing big and healthy. He looked at her with his head cocked to the side slightly. "Way more."

She smiled and walked out to him with two mugs. A big Washington Redskins mug for him, and a green and white polka dotted mug for herself. "You're sweet," she said as she handed him his mug, then settled onto the couch, "Nice fire you built."

"Oooh, I see you trying to win me over with the Skins mug," he grinned, taking a sip of his tea with a smirk. "And it's cold out. I wanted a big fire. You happen to have the perfect fireplace for it."

She laughed in reply. "Oh I'm trying sooo hard you know." She smirked and took a sip of her tea before putting the mug down on the end table. She pulled her big sherpa blanket over the two of them so the fire and the blanket could do their job. "Oh, it's perfect."

He let out a soft sigh, holding the mug to his lips and watching the fire, almost becoming mesmerized by it. "Your condo is gorgeous. So comfortable."

She smiled and grabbed her mug again to take a sip. "It's just right. I love having something like this to come home to every night. When the world is crazy with different shoots around the world, meetings and such, it's nice to have something this comfy to call my own and relax." She leaned back against the pillows, holding her mug in both hands. "What's your house like?"

He thought for a moment. "Mmm. Lots of windows. In the Hollywood Hills. Four bedrooms, four bathrooms. Stainless steel kitchen. Lots of art. The most amazing views from the windows. You'll have to come and see it."

She smirked. "When I come to LA for the video?"

He laughed all low. "Oh yeah, that'll be a great time to show you. It won't be as cold as New York, that's for sure."

"Well in that case, I'll be sure to pack exclusively swimwear," she giggled.

He laughed. "I mean, I'll leave that one up to you." He smirked as he looked over at her. "I ain't mad at it."

She laughed all softly before leaning over to put her mug down again. "Typical." She poked him in the side teasingly before she let out a little yawn, bringing her head down to his shoulder where she let it rest.

He poked her right back in the side before putting his mug down next to hers. "You suggested it... don't you typical me Ms. Bentley." His poke turned to a light tickle of her sides.

She giggled as she began to wiggle. "I totally did. You set yourself up for that one, Chasez." she licked her lips and smirked, "I ain't mad at it."

"Oh no you didn't!" JC began belly laughing as he tickled her a little bit more intensely.

"EEEEP!" She yelped and started moving away from his tickles. She was powerless against him. "Joshua Chasez! Stop!" Her giggles were uncontrollable. 

He couldn't help but smile at the way she was reacting to him. He followed her to the other side of the couch, getting her almost pinned against the arm. "No way!"

"Ugh!" she said between giggles, "You!" she pushed at his arms to try and move away, but she was no match for his flexed arms. 

JC began laughing so hard he was losing strength. "I have you at my mercy, Samantha Bentley!" 

"Ughhhhh!" she laughed, "I could totally knee you right now. But that wouldn't be nice." She tried to smirk but it was interrupted by more giggles. "And someday... Joshua Chasez, I will be saying the same thing to you."

He stopped tickling and grabbed harshly at her arms. "Is that a promise I hear?"

She smirked and looked up at him. "Mmm. I'd prefer to think of it as a threat." Her giggles began to subside. "A promise will do too." She grinned softly. His arms were flexed and straining against the white of his button down. She had a moment of all things JC... taking in just how attractive he was. 

"How about both?" he mumbled, leaning down to hover over her lips. "I like your threats and promises." He closed his lips over hers. He smiled against her lips as he heard a moan escape from hers, noting how she let him take over with the kisses. He opened and closed his lips over hers, sucking on them lightly. She melted into his body and it made him emit a light groan. His arms were tight around her, keeping her locked in place, but she moved her body to get her legs closer to him. She met his kiss with her own light tugging on his lips, mixed with light kisses.

"Ohh Josh," she whispered, pulling away from his lips.

JC closed his eyes. He made a soft moan at the whole situation, unable to say anything else. He brought his lip between his teeth for a light bite. 

She looked up at him, smiling at his daydreamy reaction. He had to be feeling it, just the way she was. She leaned in for one more soft kiss before whispering, "You want to sleep by the fire tonight?"

"If that's where you'll be, then yes," he said as he opened his eyes with a smile. 

"Mmm. If that's where you'd like me, you did mention staying with the condition of not letting me take advantage of you." She smirked. "So I figure I'd offer this space. My bed is also available if you'd rather be more comfortable."

"Mmm. It'll be hours before the fire is out. Let's get comfortable here." He kisses her forehead and moved himself off of her. "Just bring me the pillows and blankets... I'll make us a bed."

Sam rose from the couch and smiled. "Okay, I've got that down." As she stood up, she fixed her PJ pants that had slid down her hips from all of the wiggling and tickling. She gave him a soft smile as she walked into her bedroom to gather up the blankets and pillows.

As she walked away and JC caught a glimpse of the bare skin between the shirt and the pants, he let out a grunt and fell back into the couch pillows. This was taking all of his self-restraint to not devour her. He was certain he could feast his lips over every inch of that body.

A few minutes later she returned, holding a pile of fluffy warmth: blankets, pillows and her comforter. "Work your magic big man," she grinned, dropping all of the fluff on the floor.

"Ooh, I love a challenge," he grinned, standing up and moving the coffee table before spreading out pillows, blankets and such to create a perfect masterpiece of fluff bed on the floor. He even tucked the sheets in neatly, just like they were at a hotel.

Sam grinned, watching him. She took her camera phone out and snapped a picture of him hard at work, with his tongue sticking out. "A genius at work. Look at that."

"Please tell me you're going to post that," he grinned, "because I can't wait for the comments on THAT."

"Oh please," she laughed, "You just want the world to know you're about to get into bed with me."

"Maybe I think it would be fun to let them judge yes," he said, "but I also want you to send me that picture." He removed his socks and began to unbutton his shirt.

She looked up at him and smiled, then down at her phone to send him a picture message with the photo. "The text is yours," she said softly. She put her phone down on the table and pulled the blankets down.

JC slipped his shirt off, tossing it along with his tie and shoes and shirt on the armchair. He undid his belt and tossed that over as well, leaving his white wifebeater and dress pants on. He stretched out long with a yawn and a moan. "Mmmmmmmmm. Thank you."

She smiled. "You're welcome," she replied, sitting down in the middle of his fluff bed.  "Do you have a side preference Josh?"

"Mmm. I know this will sound weird, but not really. I don't. If I do, it's usually the side closest to the door," he grinned, "And you?"

"Don't really care. I move around to wherever." She smiled up at him and moved herself to the left side of the bed. "I'll take the left since the right is closer to the door." She licked her lips all cute.

He took one more sip of his tea before he laid down next to her. "Do you snore?"

She smirked, "Do you want to call my ex boyfriend for a reference check?"

He laughed, "That was a good one." He rolled on his side to look at her thoughtfully. "I don't snore."

"I don't either. Sometimes I mumble in my sleep. So I'm sorry in advance." She smiled and pulled the covers over them before leaning in to kiss his cheek softly. She grabbed her pillow and snuggled up to it. 

He took his time to observe her, noticing the gentle slope of her nose, the freckles lining her cheeks, her long upturned eyelashes. She was pretty much perfect in his eyes. He didn't realize how long he was staring at her, but a smile played at his face the entire time. 

She let out a soft and cute sigh before pulling the pillow closer to her. "Goodnight Josh,"she whispered.

"Goodnight Samantha," he whispered as he rolled onto his side. He wasn't quite ready to fall asleep yet, he was enjoying watching her and the fire.

She left out a soft little noise, snuggling deep into her pillow. She rolled onto her side, facing the fire. He took those moments after he realized she was asleep to really study her, he leaned over and stroked her blonde hair for a few long moments before sleep fought his body and mind and he drifted off.

***

They slept with minimal space between their bodies all night. Somewhere in the middle of the night the fire died, but the living room remained warm with the leftover heat of the fire and their bodies under the warm bed. 

JC let out a moan when he heard his phone buzzing on the table over and over. "Mmmmm."

Sam moaned and hugged her pillow closer to her. "Noooo," she said into her pillow. 

JC sat up all fast to grab the phone from the table. "Justin. Leave me alone. I'm fine. Bye." He hung up all fast.

Sam laughed softly and rolled to the middle of the bed, looking at him with sleepy eyes. 

"Fuck," he hugged his pillow closer to him. "I hope you can fall back asleep beautiful."

"Mmm. I'm going to try. I don't have to go to the gym early or to a photo shoot so I'm not planning on dragging my ass anywhere until at least after lunch," she mumbled and rolled on her side so her back was to him again. "Snuggle with me."

If there was one rule in the JC Chasez playbook of dating that was always at the top of the list, absolutely positively no snuggling after sex was at the top of the list. The women were always gone before the sunrise, never invited to sleep in his bed.  Snuggling was a waste of time and emotional energy. But this time, he smiled softly at the way she invited him to snuggle with her. There was never a more enticing invitation he had received than that one, in this very moment. He knew he was breaking every one of his rules with women, but fuck... rules were meant to be broken, right?

"Mmm. I don't have shit to do today either. So I'd love to." He slid up behind her, bringing her closer to his body as his face fell into her neck.

She adjusted her body so it rested perfectly against his, pulling her hips forward just slightly, knowing she couldn't handle feeling his hips pressed against her bottom, not yet at least. She smiled softly, bringing one hand down against his hand that rested against her stomach, just around her hip. 

He hummed softly against her ear, before placing a kiss on her head. "Sweet dreams again." He knew, too, that he couldn't press his hips into her ass just yet... as tempting as it was, he knew it would be all over for him if he got a feel. 

In the next few hours, he pulled her even closer with a leg over her. He was comfortable and she was a perfect fit for him. She smelled amazing and as his body began to wake up slowly, the feeling of comfort and contentment he felt even scared him a little bit. Sam let out a yawn as she heard an alarm go off on her cell phone. She knew it would eventually shut off on its own, but as she woke, she let out a long stretch. As she stretched, she felt her body really press into his. Feeling his hips against her bottom, it woke her up instantly, tensing her up just a little bit.

"Mmmmm..." JC moaned softly, pulling her back into him, bringing her cuddly close. His arms tightened a bit around her as he too began to wake up more. 

She let out a soft sigh, letting her body relax against him. His little moan made a matching little moan escape, as she enjoyed being cuddled. 

He moaned again softly and out of reflex he kissed her head over and over, along her ear and to her face. "Mmm. Did you sleep okay?"

"Mmm. Morning Josh. Yes. Your bed was perfect," she smiled again, sighing too. "You?"

He smiled on her jaw and mumbled, "Mmmm. I slept perfect. Good morning again, beautiful."

Sam rolled herself over on her side, facing him now. She rested her head on his chest and brought one hand onto his stomach, not saying a word, just touching him lightly.

He looked down at her with sleepy, sated eyes. He began to play with her hair a little bit and got lost in his thoughts. Here she was, laying next to him... it couldn't have felt more right. He let out a soft sigh as he realized just how much he truly liked her, right there, in that very moment. 

Sam peered at him with a sleepy smile. She could see his brain working overtime as she too began to wake up a little bit more. When he sighed, she did as well out of reflex. 

He smiled at her sigh, letting his fingers continue to play at her hair. "I don't know that I've cuddled with someone in a long ass time."

She laughed softly and looked up at him. "Ugh. I love to cuddle. If I could do it every day, all day, I would." She grinned up at him. "You're not too bad for someone who's out of practice."

He laughed all half sleepily. "Maybe I just need to practice with you."

She grinned softly, leaning up to kiss the tip of his nose. "Just say the word." Her fingertips traveled up the hem of his wifebeater, feeling at the outline of his abs. She couldn't help it, there was something that was just calling out for her.

He twirled more of her hair as he looked down at her with a smile. "Spend today and tonight with me then. Date me... cuddle me. I'm yours."

She smiled and sighed softly. "Okay. Just lay here with me... I like this." 

He rested his lips against her temple and pulled her closer into his body. If this is what life was going to be like with her everyday, he could get behind it. One day and night in New York City made him feel like things could change forever.