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Date Posted: 14:29:10 05/09/03 Fri
Author: Kira
Subject: *Romance* Chapter Four--An Extra Present for Y'all

I'm feeling generous today. Here's another chapter. I'll trying to post more tomorrow. :) Enjoy!

Chapter 4~Unmasked

Justin led Gavrielle up the back stairs and into the large banquet hall, still clutching her hand tightly. He watched her face closely, grinning as her eyes widened and shifted around the room. Her mouth dropped open in shock and she shook her head, pressing her forehead against Justin’s arm, giggling under her hand. JC’s party had a theme. Eroticism. Cleverly decorated in wax genitals-large plastic breasts with pierced nipples, novelty vaginas, pierced penises, and giant asses- littered the walls and light fixtures. Colored condoms were filled with helium, arranged in artistic, floral designs on the walls with a large chandelier-like display rotating from the ceiling, bouncing colors around the room. Blowup dolls were placed sporadically throughout the hall, seated at tables or propped up on either side of the long table filled with refreshments. Gavrielle laughed and felt heat creep up in her cheeks. “I guess I see why my gift is so…um, conventional,” she smirked.

“This was all my idea.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“JC hasn’t had any…lovin’ for awhile.”

“That’s just mean, Justin,” Gavrielle shook her head, stifling laughter.

People were milling around, sipping on champagne, talking quietly. The party wouldn’t begin until JC arrived. Gavrielle stuck with Justin, clinging to him as he circled the room, introducing her to his friends and family. Surprisingly, Justin didn’t seem to know half of the guests that arrived. He merely grinned and muttered some sarcastic remark about his line of work and got Gavrielle a drink, champagne chilled by frozen fruit. She sipped it quietly and glanced around the room, wondering what she got herself into.

Justin grabbed her arm, and pulled her to the front of the large teal double doors, suddenly as everyone was hushed and the lights were turned off. “JC’s coming!” he squealed, crouching behind a table and chairs.

He pushed her down with him, bouncing excitedly as he heard Tyler speaking loudly. “Yeah, it’s right in here, man…come on in…”

The lights were flipped on and the entire room, nearly 200 people, jumped up and squealed “SURPRISE!”

JC’s eyes lit up and jumped backwards, nearly tripping over Tyler, who caught him under the arms, steadying him easily. JC backed up, shielding his bewildered expression behind his little brother, shaking his head with a rich, flabbergasted laughter spilling from silky lips. “Who did this?! Tyler, you little weasel!”

JC’s silvery eyes bounced around the room, taking in all the smiling faces and he clasped his hands over his heart. His attention focused on Justin, grinning deviously with Gavrielle at his side and JC starting running, launching himself in Justin’s arms. “You did this, you little fucker!”

“Happy Birthday, man!”

“I can’t believe you did this!”

“You only turn 26 once.”

“Love you, dawg!”

“Love you too!”

The words were muffled by blasting music and clapping from the guests, but Gavrielle heard them clearly. She watched the two men laugh and embrace as Justin explained the theme. JC was still beaming as he was passed a drink. Justin whispered something in his ear and clapped him on the ass before parting. JC downed his drink, handing it to usher before gazing at Gavrielle. “Hey, girl!” he leaned in, smelling of musk and strawberries, and kissed her on the cheek. “You knew about this?!”

Gavrielle nodded brightly. “Yeah. Happy Birthday, JC!” she hugged him quickly.

“Thank you kindly,” he took her hand gently. “J! I’m stealin’ yo lady,” his face, leaping with joy, was facing her, “we’re going to go dance…”

Gavrielle nodded once more and followed him. “Be gentle now, JC,” she warned.

“I’m a gentleman, baby.”

“Liar. I’ve seen you ride that bull.”

They didn’t actually dance. They simply rubbed against each other to the sultry beat. JC was gentle, as promised, his hand stroked her arms and shoulders innocently, and his other never strayed from the small of her back. He closed his eyes moving behind her, grinding softly, as Justin moved to the front. Gavrielle’s eyes drift shut, hooking on her arms around his thin waist. She turned everything off. The good and pure part of her brain that kept her wound so tightly. It felt divine, swaying and grinding and dancing carelessly.

Celebrating.

Justin’s hands slid down her hips, cupping her bottom firmly, with thick fingers and she opens her eyes sharply. He moved them to her back quickly, mouthing and apology. Gavrielle shook her head, grabbing his wrists and moving them back down.

Throwing her head back, she began to sweat.

**

The party lasted early into the morning, and Justin smiled and danced throughout the entire thing, slipping into a persona that had always been there. His armor. Although he had specific instructions that no professional photographers were allowed, a People journalist had made his way inside. He shrugged it off. He shrugged it all off. The calls from Britney continued throughout the party, before he finally shoved his phone in Gavrielle’s purse. They stayed until most of the guests had retired for the night. Gavrielle and JC danced sloppily, on the floor by themselves, as Justin paid the bills and stole a chunk of cake. Finally, they left, and Justin took Gavrielle home.

He frowned as he stumbled off the elevator. His legs weren’t working properly. Gavrielle’s hands were on his chest, steadying him softly. He leaned against the wall and blinked. He was abruptly sleepy. His eyelids seemed to heavy to lift and he rested there, leaning his head against the ugly floral wallpaper. “I didn’ have that much to drink…” he mumbled sleepily.

“Drink…Justin, you DRANK?”

“Jus’ little…”

Gavrielle slipped under his arm and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Come on, we’re just down the hall…you’re an idiot, you know that?”

“Why?”

“Because you took Motrin…you’re not supposed to drink with medication.”

“I had, like two…four? Dunno…”

Gavrielle shook her head and propped him against the wall as she dug through her purse for the key. Pushing it in the lock, she kicked the door open and took Justin’s hand again. He staggered tiredly in the room and stumbled to the bed. He was exhausted and barely coherent. Gavrielle closed the door quietly and immediately began taking off her sandals. She tossed them on the floor and padded over to him.

Her voice was serene and she pushed him fully on the bed.

Justin frowned and shook his head. “I’m jus’ tired…I’m fine,” he mumbled.

Gavrielle shook her head. “You’re runnin’ on fumes, Justin.”

“I gotta go home…my house…”

She climbed up on the bed and sat next to him. “Stay for awhile.”

Justin curled up on his side, taking the pressure off his burning back and faced her. Gavrielle was watching him carefully. He blinked blearily and sniffled into the pillow. His lashes fluttered again before flaring open quickly. Her eyes were still on him, gaze thick and green. She pushed her hair over her shoulder and laid down on the bedspread, drawing her knees up to her chest. Hesitantly, her hand cupped his face, her ringed thumb, stroking his cheek. “You’re tired, Justin…”

“No…I’m okay,” his response was automatic.

She shook her head. “You can stop now, it’s okay.”

“What?”

“You perform all day long. It’s okay… you don’t have to with me. I’m no one, just a girl that came to visit her friend. And her friend is tired. Go to sleep.” Her thumb lifted and he instinctively closed his eyes, smiling as her thumbs delicately passed over the lids. “You rehearsed all day, then danced and entertained all night. How do you do it?”

“…mmm…used to it.”

“You never got a break.”

“…didn’t want one,” he drifted, his body relaxing. Pain melded into dreams and darkness. He felt his body grow heavy as he fell into slumber.

“…you’re beautiful when you sleep…”

**

Justin’s eyed opened sharply and they fluttered nervously around the room. He rolled over, running his tongue over his teeth, and carefully sat up. A blanket was thrown over him and his tennis shoes were off, set neatly by the door. Justin drug his hands over his face and smoothed down his hair. With a grimace, he rubbed his back, still achy from the day before. Steam wafted from the bathroom and he leaned his head to the side. The door was ajar and Gavrielle was standing in front of the mirror. Her back was bare, just brown skin a dark birthmark on her right shoulder. Her hair spilled over down, between her shoulder blades and she pulled on her robe, tying it tightly, before closing the door completely. Justin’s head was fuzzy, as he licked his lips and he laid down, settling into the bed once more.

He dozed lightly and when he woke, Gavrielle was sitting next to him, smelling of vanilla, a toned brown thigh poking out from her robe, and she was licking frosting off her lips. “What time is it?” he asked hoarsely.

“Six.”

“It’s early.”

“It is.”

“You eating cake at 6 am?”

“It’s good,” her hands slid down her thigh and she pulled the thick fabric of her robe over her legs.

“Your phone rang, I didn’t know if I should answer it, so I didn’t. It’s on the nightstand.”

“Oh, thanks,” Justin sat up stiffly.

“You feeling better?”

“Yes…a little. Can I…bathroom?”

Gavrille shrugged and nodded. “Go ahead.”

Justin washed up the best he could. He found an extra toothbrush sitting on the sink and opened it eagerly. Brushing his teeth and washing his face, he then relieved himself and slid out of the bathroom and crawled back in the bed. “I’mma lay down a little more.”

“Okay…”

Justin grabbed Gavrielle’s right arm and played with her fingers. “You’re left handed.”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“That I am. Now you have a wrinkle in your brain…”

“A what?” he laughed.

“They say every time you learn something new, you get a new wrinkle in your brain, a convolution.”

Justin grunted and continued to play with her fingers. “Put some more wrinkles in my brain,” he smiled. “I want to know more…about you…”

“Like what? I’m not that exciting, Justin.”

“Oh hush. Like…anything…what’s your mother’s name?” Justin stroked her palm, his barriers had dropped. His armor gone.

“Cameron, she’s a manages a restaurant.”

“And your father?”

“Lawrence. He’s a lawyer.”

“Favorite food?”

“Anything salty or greasy,” she grimaced.

“Oh…favorite song?”

“At Last…”

Justin smiled. “Original?”

“Come on now, of course.”

“Good girl…”

Gavrielle was silent, waiting for another question, but Justin saw the light in her eyes dull a bit and he kissed her wrist. “I leave today…”

“I know.”

“I don’t want to go.”

“I don’t want you to do, either, hun. We still have like six hours before you have to be at the airport. Lay down with me.”

Gavrielle sat her plate aside and slipped under the covers. Justin’s arm snaked over her stomach, his large hand resting on it flatly, fingered fanned out over flesh. He yawned involuntarily and closed his eyes. He pressed his forehead against hers. “I’m sleepy...still.”

Gavrielle snuggled, nearly purring. “Me too.”

“Let’s sleep then.”

“K. I don’t wanna come to the photo shoot with you today. I just wanna go, okay?”

“Yeah, we’ll part here. But don’t think about that now. We have lots of time…sleep.”

**

Justin clenched his teeth as the photographer paused for a reload. The assistants picked at him, fingers in his hair, hands on his hips, pushing his pants lower. Another pair of hands draped a jacket around his shoulders and he snuggled into it. Shivering from the chilly ocean air.

He was on a beach on an unusually chilly California day, turning purple as the sun slowly began to set. The magazine’s photographers had commandeered a large section of beach, bringing in trucks and erecting tents. Setting up backdrops and lighting. Justin sat in the middle of the chaos, buttoning the jacket and waiting until the light was correct or the photographer was struck with the inspiration he seemed to be lacking all day. He licked his lips and glared an assistant, who immediately started replaced the tinted lip-gloss. Jerking his head away, he turned away from her. Gazing out into the purple ocean and the lavender sky. The clouds, without the suns’ light, turned gray and blended with the ocean as it rolled upon itself, swelling as it crashed on the beach.

He’d left Gavrielle at the hotel, sadly packing her things, sniffling as he sat in the chair, eating a quick brunch. He helped her roll up her jeans and zipped her large suitcase as she sat on the top of it. He’d kissed her on the forehead, embracing her tightly, backing out the door. He promised to email and call no matter how busy he became.

Now, he was a bit sad. His lack of energy angered the photographer and Justin did his best to lift his mood. Finally, the bearded man returned, breathing deeply to acquire patience. “Okay, we’re going to take a different approach. Gray. That’s the new fucking theme of this fucking shoot. Gray, melancholy…take that and go with it Justin,” he held out his hand and an assistant handed him his camera.

The thin jacket was ripped off his shoulders and his lips were glossed. Justin remembered how much he hated to be touched and tugged at his curls, brows knitting in annoyance. He did his best at portraying gray, ignoring the colorful language of the photographer. Finally, he hit a groove, shooting and praising, the camera lens clicked furiously and he groaned. Another person pleased.

He stopped twenty minutes later and a stool was brought it for Justin to sit down. The jacket was replaced and he was quiet for several moments. Another faceless assistant, tapped him on the shoulder. She must have been an intern because she was far too polite. She respected his personal space, keeping her hands to herself. “Um, there’s someone here for you…Mr. Timberlake.”

“Where?”

“She’s coming up.”

Justin gazed over her shoulder at the small figure in blue jeans and lavender shirt approaching him rapidly. He smiled at the assistant and waited impatiently as Gavrielle walked up to him, standing between his legs, hugging him tightly.

“What are you doing here?” he questioned quietly.

“The airport sucks. I have two hours before I go,” she answered breathlessly.

“You came out here for me?”

“Yeah. We got time, right? I don’t know…I’ve had such a great time and I really want to see you again…do whatever we’re doing again. I had such fantastic time here…”

Justin was transfixed by her lips as she spoke and overwhelmed with lovely curiosity as she blathered on and on. Without thinking, just acting on some deep compulsion, he arched his neck and their lips met softly, they touched instantaneously, and Justin drew back, his eyes opening and he met Gavrielle’s questioningly before they kissed again. He drew her closer, hands resting her lips. The kiss was passionate, a bit wet, but perfect, delicately and new.

Gavrielle pulled back and laughed lightly.

Justin licked his lips and was surprised when the assistant never returned.

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