Salsa - Chapter 12
A FEW WEEKS LATER
Dr. Rosa Sanchez was the director of a shelter and placement group for young girls who were living on the streets and had turned to selling their bodies for food, drugs and a place to stay. Having learned of Maria's past and her desire to help, Rosa had approached Maria about coming to work for her. In exchange for her working at the clinic, Rosa would help Maria obtain her doctorate and get her U.S. citizenship. In the weeks since they had struck an agreement, Rosa had been impressed with the young woman's drive, desire and innate understanding of these girls' situations. She had compassion, empathy and an uncanny ability to crack the toughest façade.
Maria, for her part, was in her element. She felt that she finally had a purpose and reason for all of the terrible things which had happened to her in her young life. She was content; however, JC was still haunting her dreams.
JC also was in a good place in his life. There was ABDC, some interesting movie roles which he could sink his teeth into, and for the first time in a long while, the chance to do music for himself. Maybe even put out another album. It was too soon to get his hopes up on that one; cautiously optimistic after having been burned - no scorched twice - he still was anxiously keeping his fingers crossed on getting his music out to the public. He hoped they had not forgotten him.
All the while, Jasmine and Tyler were plotting for the perfect plan to help JC and Maria reconnect on the emotional level that they both needed so desperately. After much debating, arguing and frustration, they came up with the perfect plan.
Tyler and April were flying to Chicago for a visit with his parents while JC had to be in NYC for some meetings. Normally, the house they shared would just be closed up and their housekeeper would check on the place. However, as luck would have it, her daughter had just had baby and she was leaving for a few days to help out. Thus, the plan was hatched.
Tyler called Maria and said that he needed a huge, huge favor. Could she house sit for him while everyone was away? It took some persuasion and fancy talking, but he got her to agree. He said that she could have the house to herself, he would stock the frig and cupboards. So, if she wanted to study, it would be a quiet place with no distractions. She had to be reassured that JC would not be there before she agreed. Tyler crossed his fingers and said no. He then called Jasmine telling her the dye was cast; neither JC or Maria suspected a thing.
JC flew out the next morning, the paps recording his movements. Tyler, after picking up Maria gave her a brief tour when they got back to the house, left to pick up April. Maria, thus was settled in to JC's house.
For two solid days, Maria studied, barely taking the time to eat. Unaware of the manipulations of Tyler, she was content in JC's house. It was comfortable and safe. While a bit too modern for her tastes, she still was happy. Plus, she was blissfully unaware that Tyler had put her up in JC's bedroom to sleep.
That night after getting into her pjs, she had slipped into bed and nodded off to sleep in his big comfortable dark bedroom. No soon had she fallen asleep then a key went in the back door and JC walked into his kitchen.
Exhausted from his trip, JC tossed his bags by the door, planning to take care of it in the morning. Grabbing a bottle of water from the frig, he quickly downed it and then tossed the bottle into the recycling bin. As he made his way through the house to the upstairs, he noted some books and papers along with a coffee cup on the coffee table. He wondered if Tyler had forgotten to toss it into the dishwasher. He would deal with it in the morning.
Because he had lived in the house for so long, he didn't need a lot of light to get to where he was going. After doing his pre-sleep ministrations, he slipped into his bed and fall asleep almost the minute his head hit the pillow. His dreams that night were haunted as usual with Maria, but this time he felt like she was with him. Her warm, sensuous body curled up against him as her head rested on his chest; him cradling her in his arms. It was so real, he almost expected her to be there when he awoke in the morning. Alas, when he woke up, his bed was empty save for himself.
He laid there disappointed and empty, the dream had been so real and it was then that it hit him. Something that he wanted more than anything was for it to be true; for Maria to wake up beside him for the rest of his life. He resolved to make that happen.
Just then his cell phone buzzed and picking it up he read the text message. Grinning he flipped the phone shut.
Lacing his fingers up behind his head as he was musing on the text message, he smelled a wonderful smell coming from somewhere in his house. Food - someone was cooking food and it smelled delicious. Tossing back the covers, he slipped on his sweat pants and headed to find the source of said smell.
Plodding downstairs, as he ran his hands through his hair, he determined that the source was his very own kitchen. Music was drifting through the closed door. He slowly and carefully opened the door and smiled when he saw Maria; her back to him; sashaying her hips to the music as she worked in the kitchen. He grinned to himself - Tyler had made good on his plans. He chuckled silently, Tyler should know better than to try and pull a fast one on his older, smarter brother. Truth be told, JC had just accidentally gotten a text message meant for Tyler on his phone. He knew that he had to approach her carefully and not scare her off. His one big advantage was, she couldn't leave. Well, technically she could but he was going to make it so she didn't want to do that.
Turning on a dime, JC quickly ran back upstairs. Going into his bathroom; he ran a comb through his hair, brushed his teeth and splashed on some cologne.
"Ah minty fresh," he remarked to his reflection in the mirror.
Bounding back downstairs, he caught his breath before slowly pushing opening the kitchen door for the second time that morning.
Maria, totally unaware of his presence was finishing up the chopping of her vegetables for her omelet. Still swaying seductively to the music playing in the background, she stopped when a familiar scent reached her nostrils--JC's cologne.
She chewed on her bottom lip as she pondered why she was suddenly aware of his scent.
Could it be the dream she had last night of resting in his strong arms or was it just being in his home?
Unsure, she placed the knife down on the counter and turned, her sense which normally were so acute suddenly lacking.
She let out a small squeal when she saw him standing on the doorway - grinning.
Before she had a chance to speak or further react, he strode the space between them in a few strides. Gathering her in his arms, he kissed her long, hard and deep. She returned his kisses with equal ardor and passion.
They kissed and explored each other's mouths like a starving man at a buffet. Their hunger was raw; almost animalistic.
In a swift fluid motion, their lips still locked, JC lifted her up unto the counter; as her legs wrapped around his waist for balance.
Finally he pulled away from her mouth as she whimpered the loss of his flesh on hers.
He flicked the strap of her teddy so it fell off her shoulder as he began to explore other places of interest. He could tell by her breathing and murmuring in spanish that he was finding all of the right places.
Stopping for a moment his eyes locked with hers. Warm chocolate meeting soft blue as he pulled back and stopped.
Maria's eyes registered shock and dismay.
"Don't you want...." She started to say.
He took a deep breath and sighed as he leaned his forehead on hers.
"Yes, more than anything, but not her and not like this. Years from now, I don't want you to look back on out first time as two rutting animals in heat. You are too precious to me to be a scene out of a bad porno flick." He lifted her chin with his index finger so her eyes were locked on his. "I love you, Maria."
Her eyes grew wide as a smile widen on her face.
"And I love you too, JC, with all my heart."
A FEW WEEKS LATER
Dr. Rosa Sanchez was the director of a shelter and placement group for young girls who were living on the streets and had turned to selling their bodies for food, drugs and a place to stay. Having learned of Maria's past and her desire to help, Rosa had approached Maria about coming to work for her. In exchange for her working at the clinic, Rosa would help Maria obtain her doctorate and get her U.S. citizenship. In the weeks since they had struck an agreement, Rosa had been impressed with the young woman's drive, desire and innate understanding of these girls' situations. She had compassion, empathy and an uncanny ability to crack the toughest façade.
Maria, for her part, was in her element. She felt that she finally had a purpose and reason for all of the terrible things which had happened to her in her young life. She was content; however, JC was still haunting her dreams.
JC also was in a good place in his life. There was ABDC, some interesting movie roles which he could sink his teeth into, and for the first time in a long while, the chance to do music for himself. Maybe even put out another album. It was too soon to get his hopes up on that one; cautiously optimistic after having been burned - no scorched twice - he still was anxiously keeping his fingers crossed on getting his music out to the public. He hoped they had not forgotten him.
All the while, Jasmine and Tyler were plotting for the perfect plan to help JC and Maria reconnect on the emotional level that they both needed so desperately. After much debating, arguing and frustration, they came up with the perfect plan.
Tyler and April were flying to Chicago for a visit with his parents while JC had to be in NYC for some meetings. Normally, the house they shared would just be closed up and their housekeeper would check on the place. However, as luck would have it, her daughter had just had baby and she was leaving for a few days to help out. Thus, the plan was hatched.
Tyler called Maria and said that he needed a huge, huge favor. Could she house sit for him while everyone was away? It took some persuasion and fancy talking, but he got her to agree. He said that she could have the house to herself, he would stock the frig and cupboards. So, if she wanted to study, it would be a quiet place with no distractions. She had to be reassured that JC would not be there before she agreed. Tyler crossed his fingers and said no. He then called Jasmine telling her the dye was cast; neither JC or Maria suspected a thing.
JC flew out the next morning, the paps recording his movements. Tyler, after picking up Maria gave her a brief tour when they got back to the house, left to pick up April. Maria, thus was settled in to JC's house.
For two solid days, Maria studied, barely taking the time to eat. Unaware of the manipulations of Tyler, she was content in JC's house. It was comfortable and safe. While a bit too modern for her tastes, she still was happy. Plus, she was blissfully unaware that Tyler had put her up in JC's bedroom to sleep.
That night after getting into her pjs, she had slipped into bed and nodded off to sleep in his big comfortable dark bedroom. No soon had she fallen asleep then a key went in the back door and JC walked into his kitchen.
Exhausted from his trip, JC tossed his bags by the door, planning to take care of it in the morning. Grabbing a bottle of water from the frig, he quickly downed it and then tossed the bottle into the recycling bin. As he made his way through the house to the upstairs, he noted some books and papers along with a coffee cup on the coffee table. He wondered if Tyler had forgotten to toss it into the dishwasher. He would deal with it in the morning.
Because he had lived in the house for so long, he didn't need a lot of light to get to where he was going. After doing his pre-sleep ministrations, he slipped into his bed and fall asleep almost the minute his head hit the pillow. His dreams that night were haunted as usual with Maria, but this time he felt like she was with him. Her warm, sensuous body curled up against him as her head rested on his chest; him cradling her in his arms. It was so real, he almost expected her to be there when he awoke in the morning. Alas, when he woke up, his bed was empty save for himself.
He laid there disappointed and empty, the dream had been so real and it was then that it hit him. Something that he wanted more than anything was for it to be true; for Maria to wake up beside him for the rest of his life. He resolved to make that happen.
Just then his cell phone buzzed and picking it up he read the text message. Grinning he flipped the phone shut.
Lacing his fingers up behind his head as he was musing on the text message, he smelled a wonderful smell coming from somewhere in his house. Food - someone was cooking food and it smelled delicious. Tossing back the covers, he slipped on his sweat pants and headed to find the source of said smell.
Plodding downstairs, as he ran his hands through his hair, he determined that the source was his very own kitchen. Music was drifting through the closed door. He slowly and carefully opened the door and smiled when he saw Maria; her back to him; sashaying her hips to the music as she worked in the kitchen. He grinned to himself - Tyler had made good on his plans. He chuckled silently, Tyler should know better than to try and pull a fast one on his older, smarter brother. Truth be told, JC had just accidentally gotten a text message meant for Tyler on his phone. He knew that he had to approach her carefully and not scare her off. His one big advantage was, she couldn't leave. Well, technically she could but he was going to make it so she didn't want to do that.
Turning on a dime, JC quickly ran back upstairs. Going into his bathroom; he ran a comb through his hair, brushed his teeth and splashed on some cologne.
"Ah minty fresh," he remarked to his reflection in the mirror.
Bounding back downstairs, he caught his breath before slowly pushing opening the kitchen door for the second time that morning.
Maria, totally unaware of his presence was finishing up the chopping of her vegetables for her omelet. Still swaying seductively to the music playing in the background, she stopped when a familiar scent reached her nostrils--JC's cologne.
She chewed on her bottom lip as she pondered why she was suddenly aware of his scent.
Could it be the dream she had last night of resting in his strong arms or was it just being in his home?
Unsure, she placed the knife down on the counter and turned, her sense which normally were so acute suddenly lacking.
She let out a small squeal when she saw him standing on the doorway - grinning.
Before she had a chance to speak or further react, he strode the space between them in a few strides. Gathering her in his arms, he kissed her long, hard and deep. She returned his kisses with equal ardor and passion.
They kissed and explored each other's mouths like a starving man at a buffet. Their hunger was raw; almost animalistic.
In a swift fluid motion, their lips still locked, JC lifted her up unto the counter; as her legs wrapped around his waist for balance.
Finally he pulled away from her mouth as she whimpered the loss of his flesh on hers.
He flicked the strap of her teddy so it fell off her shoulder as he began to explore other places of interest. He could tell by her breathing and murmuring in spanish that he was finding all of the right places.
Stopping for a moment his eyes locked with hers. Warm chocolate meeting soft blue as he pulled back and stopped.
Maria's eyes registered shock and dismay.
"Don't you want...." She started to say.
He took a deep breath and sighed as he leaned his forehead on hers.
"Yes, more than anything, but not her and not like this. Years from now, I don't want you to look back on out first time as two rutting animals in heat. You are too precious to me to be a scene out of a bad porno flick." He lifted her chin with his index finger so her eyes were locked on his. "I love you, Maria."
Her eyes grew wide as a smile widen on her face.
"And I love you too, JC, with all my heart."
