Jack tightened his hold on Sue, pulling their upper bodies into closer contact as she continued to nibble and lick every remnant of dip from his mouth. He barely managed to stifle his groan as she pulled away, dragging her eyelids open to stare at him with an expression akin to wonder. He grew a bit unnerved as time progressed. “What?” he asked, concern tinting his eyes.

“It’s okay?”

Cutting his eyes to the side momentarily before focusing back on her, he wondered, “Is what okay?”

Her teeth eclipsed her bottom lip before she hesitantly replied, “Me kissing you? I mean,” she fluttered, rolling her eyes as his widened comically, “I know it’s okay to kiss you now, that you are expecting it, but I meant later, on another day, when you may not be expecting it. Is it okay?” Her bottom lip immediately disappeared again, her attention directed to his mouth, awaiting his answer.

He observed the enigma in his arms, part siren, able to incite him with the simplest of touches, and part wide-eyed innocent, oblivious to how she affected him. Her expression serious, he knew she was still grappling to find her footing with him in this, their brand-new relationship. “I’m counting on it,” he assured her, his knuckles grazing her cheek, then sliding down to her chin. “I am more than okay with you kissing me any time, any where,” he stated confidently. “Just know that I plan on taking the same liberties,” he informed her, pressing the point home by leaning close and brushing his lips against hers.

“I’ve sat across from you for three agonizingly long years, yearning to have the liberty to touch you like this,” he explained moments later, demonstrating by reaching for her hand and lacing his fingers through hers. “To sneak in a caress,” he continued, bringing their connected hands up to stroke her cheek once again, running his forefinger over her full, lower lip, tugging gently. His eyes smoldered as he voiced his next desire, “And of course, looking forward to never having to deny myself the pleasure of this,” he sighed, pulling her up and catching her lips with his, having grown weary of talking.

He kissed her like he’d been dreaming of for months, long and hard, his tongue sweeping across her lips and delving deep when she instinctively opened for him. He groaned with contentment when she clung to him as if she were drowning, understanding racing through him as he was drowning right along with her.

Reluctantly raising his head, he regarded her through a passionate haze. “Does that adequately answer your question?”

She gaped at him blankly for a moment. “What question?” she asked vacantly before blossoming into a beautiful smile, warming his heart through and through.

Jack pulled her to him and hugged her closely, laughing with pure joy. “For a minute there I thought I was going to have to go through it all again,” he told her, his eyes dancing at the thought.

“I might give you the chance in a bit,” she told him saucily, “To refresh my memory. But first,” she added quickly, sliding away from him and snuggling into the corner of the swing, “You need to tell me about the conversation you had with my dad.”

Just when I thought it couldn't get better, you amaze me even more, Flip.

I have one word - and I'm probably repeating myself - WOW!!!

Joy

You MIGHT??? you BETTER!!!! Practise makes perfect you know

Yes...I wanna know about Jack's connversation with Sue's dad too...

(altho I think I already know what he talked about.. )

I love the playfulness, the tenderness, the fluffiness, the I guess I just love it all!!!

kav

I hope I'm not standing too close to the edge of the roof, becasue I may just faint and tip over, free falling down ...

What she said!

Oh dear Master of the Warm Fuzzies.....we stand in awe of your knowledge!!

Can't wait to hear about the conversation with Sue's Dad and I'm looking forward to Jack and Sue OFFICIALLY announcing their relationship to the rest of the gang!

PLEASE POST MORE AND SOON!

What a great way to get across to each other that this day is just the beginning and goes way beyond being just a Valentine's Day event.

Flip! Happy Belated Anniversary to you and that hubby of yours

Now about that story of yours..
Excellent, wow.. It's SO romantic. Do you perhaps know where to get a dessert and a guy like that???!!!

Thanks for hanging with me for the longest date in history ! Rest assured, there is an end in sight! (Just not yet! )



*~*~*~*~*~*~


He contemplated his response as he twisted to face her more fully. Making sure she was comfortable and that there was enough lighting to read him, he pulled her legs into his lap, slipped her shoes off, and began rubbing her feet, his fingers strong and sure. “Remember the day at the office when I still thought you were leaving but you had decided to stay?”

She nodded, frowning just a bit. “Of course I remember. I thought it was going to be a turning point for us. I hoped it would be.”

“It was. You just didn’t know it.”

She snorted. “You disappeared, Jack. One minute you’re telling me you are going to miss me, the next, you’re gone.”

“I went to see your parents.”

“What?” she asked, sitting upright, her eyes widening with surprise. “I...I...You flew to Ohio? You’ve been to my house?” She covered her face with her hands, peeking through her fingers to ask, “Did my mom behave? Was it terrible?”

He laughed, giving one of her feet a squeeze. “Your parents were very gracious, Sue.”

“Did they know you were coming?”

“And give them a chance to get their defenses up? No way! I was going for the element of surprise. I showed up at their doorstep. And after assuring them that you were safe, that my reason for being there was purely personal, I would say they were even welcoming.”

“You’re sure?” she asked, still not convinced.

“We’re here, together, aren’t we?”

She mulled his words over, watching him closely. “Are you saying you wouldn’t have asked me out if my parents had had any objections?” she asked.

His gaze fell to where he was still rubbing her feet, surprised to be blinking back tears. When she softly called his name, he tilted his head so she could read him. “I know how important family is to you, Sue. I wouldn’t do anything to strain your relationship with yours. And if your parents had not given me their blessing to pursue you, then I would have honored their wishes and continued to adore you from a distance.” Finally turning his eyes fully toward her, he caught her gaze and held it for a moment before lifting his chin and confessing, “But I’m so very thankful they said yes.”

“Me too,” Sue echoed, brushing absently at a tear that had escaped her own eyes. “And I’m thankful for you, Jack. You are such an upright man, full of integrity. I know I don’t have much experience to fall back on, but never has anyone who has shown interest in me honored me in such a way. THANK YOU.”

He nodded, not trusting his voice even though she wouldn’t be able to hear its thickness.

Pulling her feet from his lap, her expression turned impish as she lithely rolled to her knees and leaned forward, looping her arms loosely around his neck. “It would have been such a pity,” she murmured distractedly, drawing one of her hands forward to gently trace the rugged planes of his face, “For you to adore me from distance. It’s so much more fun to adore close up. Don’t you agree?”

“Definitely,” he concurred, caressing her face with his eyes. “I much prefer close up. In fact, the closer the better.”

She leaned a little nearer. “Is this better?”

“Closer,” he whispered, his eyes fixating on her lips.

Stopping when she could feel his breath sweep across her face, she raised an eyebrow in question.

He shook his head, knowing she was too close to read his lips, yet not nearly close enough to assuage the fire that was licking through his veins. Wrapping his hands around her waist, he slid one hand down her leg, tugging it and guiding her to straddle him on the bench, keeping their faces mere millimeters apart. Settling her as close as possible, it was his turn to trace a path to her face with unsteady hands where he cupped her cheeks, his lips covering hers, erasing any distance between the two of them.

Close is definately better!!!

wow that was so sweet !!! jack went all the way to ohio !!!!!!just to get her parents blessings


sue you certainly know how to choose them !!!!!!!! !!!!!


but a little closer wouldn't hurt now would it !!!!!!!!!!

Jack! You amaze me!!!

Jill

To do everything he has done to ensure a relationship with her is incredible. For the Jack we know and love to move at a hare's pace in complete silence is just...................

Where can I find a man with such a good intentions as Jack ... wow

He's amazing to do what he did/does to be with the woman he loves ... *dreamy sigh*

I think that says it best.

Oh and Flip, it is our pleasure to hang in with you no matter how long this date ends up being!

I can't believe he went to Ohio to see Sue's parents!! That is awesome!!! No wonder we all love him!!!

Distance is not a good thing - Closer is always better!!!

Flip, I have always been a firm believer in long dates!!!

Joy

This is soooooooo sweet!!!!

You know, I can just see the Jack portrayed on the show arranging something like this. This seems so like him. What really touched me in this post was his integrity.

That was so bautiful, and Jack is so thoughtful

Wow! Jack....

A man of honor - who's thoughtful, romantic, and handsome too!

He really knows how to sweep a girl off her feet!

I just love the interaction between Sue and Jack.



gracie

ahhh...
I'm getting too old for this but loving it....

His eyes roamed appreciatively, enjoying her disheveled state. Her hair, while more than presentable, was tousled, evidence that his hands had strayed that way repeatedly. Her lips were red and slightly swollen, her gaze unfocused, causing a purely masculine smile to span his face. “You know,” he commented casually, “That chocolate is sitting over there, going to waste.”

She dragged her eyes from him, looking over to the array of tempting treats arranged on the nearby table. Quickly choosing one, she held it to his lips, offering it to him. “Want a taste?”

“Very much so,” he responded, his hand going to her wrist and guiding it to her mouth. “It worked with dip, I bet it’ll work with chocolate too,” he explained, his eyes flashing darkly, his gaze fastening on her mouth.

“I don’t think you’ll be able to rub this across my lips like you did the dip, Jack,” Sue answered wryly, but accepted the chocolate, her eyes fluttering closed in delight as the decadent dessert melted on her tongue. “Ummm...,” she sighed, “You’ve got to try some, Jack. It’s heavenly,” she purred, licking her lips to emphasize the point.

“I think I will,” he murmured, surprising her by pulling her forward and claiming her lips, his tongue sliding deep to taste the rich, creamy chocolate that still clung to her palate. “Addicting,” he sighed, covering her lips once again, his mouth sweeping hers, swallowing any remark she might have made. “Delicious...delectable...tantalizing...,” he commented between mind-numbing kisses, forgetting all about the chocolate.

She was all but panting when Jack pulled his mouth from hers, giving her a chance to try and catch her breath, a feat that was made all the more difficult by his continued proximity as he began trailing her face with soft, provoking kisses. Trying to shift to alleviate the restlessness flowing through her, she found herself unable to because of her new position. Opening her eyes in amazement, she wondered when Jack had moved her from his lap and lowered her onto the seat, allowing his body to halfway cover hers. “How...how...how did you do that?” she wanted to know.

“Do what?” he inquired lazily, nipping at her bottom lip before languidly moving back to her eyelids, where he’d last been kissing.

“La...last I knew, I was sitting on you. Now I’m, um, not.” she whispered breathlessly.

He leaned back a bit, a slow smile spreading across his face and sparkling in his eyes. “I didn’t do it. You did,” he quipped. “I just followed.” Seeing her expression turn skeptical, he glanced down and then back, indicating that her eyes should travel the same path.

Sue watched his smile turn smug before following his gaze.
Groaning in humiliation, she slowly released the fistfuls of his shirt she’d been clutching, drawing her own conclusions.

“Hey,” he chuckled, “I wasn’t complaining. In fact, from this vantage point, I can do something I’ve been fantasizing about doing all evening,” he informed her with a devilish waggle of his brow.

Her forehead creased with doubt. “What?” she questioned, watching him warily. Her eyes followed his hand as it reached over to the dip container. His index finger disappeared below the creamy sustenance before reappearing and making its way back toward her. She licked her lips in anticipation only to have his hand bypass her mouth. Her eyes flew to his as she felt the velvety mixture against her exposed collarbone. Jack then trailed his finger dangerously lower, following the line of her sweater across her heaving chest. “Jack,” she choked breathlessly, searching his face.

“Don’t worry,” he assured her, “I’ll be good,” he promised as his head lowered, his lips scoring across the tender flesh at the base of her neck.

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she uttered into the night air before giving herself over to the perilous sensations he was evoking.

Never thought I would need that much fanning in the middle of winter!!! Dip was good, chocolat is even better....... oh no, here we go again.....

chocolate kisses!!!!

And dip!

Yum!!!

Jill

<fan myself>

Jack... is it ... I'll be good ...or ... It'll be good???






I need chocolate!

Oh Flip, I adore this story -- and frankly a date with Jack could never be long enough! Truly!!!!

kav

Ah, yes, that one letter definitely changes the meaning, doesn't it, Marlo? "

Oh, dreamy.. just dreamy

If this is what I get if I wake up in the middle of the night, I sure wanna get up every night and read posts like that

I'll never look the same at a dip sauce again, no matter what flavor.

If I could think.......I'd say something........ Have to get back to me!

Flip, your fuzzies are the fuzziest...mind numbing....and delicious

Dip and chocolate have suddenly taken on a whole different meaning!!!

Joy

I have one word and one word only......YUMMY!

....


Well pfft him being good... LOL (I told you the rating is too low... see if it were bigger it would have ... well ... you now but not since u decided to go lower he WILL NOT GO LOWER... WELL PFFT)

that was well


OH lala is my old saying... gotta get a new one...



Im guessing this is how Jack looked when he was a little boy

If WHAT were bigger????

As if you wouldn't know......
duh
the rating ... I'm thinking what were you thinking of...... hmmmm
But Yes I could have used the word "higher"... so I think what you think is what i am thinking right now .... I THINK "

The date can go on as much as you want flip, we're enjoying the ride!

amy

... I think I'm going to go sit outside in the snow for a while ... I should be able to re-solidify in two hours, after that I have to go to work and I can't drive if I'm all mushy ...

Katinka

Jack shuddered with the effort it took him to reign in his ardor, knowing he was quickly pushing the limits on his control. The realization that he would need to be the one to guard their physical relationship danced through his head as he observed the responsive woman in his arms. That Sue had high principles was not in question; that she was inexperienced and extremely trusting was. Taking a deep breath, he sat up and pulled Sue with him, nestling her in his arms, his chin resting on her head, holding her until both of their breathing returned to some semblance of normal.

“Thank you, Jack,” she whispered several moments later.

“WHAT,” he signed, reaching around her to draw his index finger down his opposite palm.

“For taking my breath away, but not my self-respect. For making my world spin and giving me something to hang on to. And thank you for taking a chance on me...on us,” she finished, raising her head to look his way.

He tenderly ran his fingertips down her face, his palm encompassing her cheek, his gaze adoring. “Thank you, too, for giving me a chance. I know I’ve done things, or rather haven’t done things, in the past that have hurt you, and yet here you are, willing to give me a chance with your heart. I want you to know I won’t treat it lightly or carelessly.”

She nodded, her eyes wide and luminous, regarding him closely. “I’m still in shock over this day I think. I can’t believe you planned all of this...for me.”

He shrugged self-consciously, enjoying her praise. “You inspire me,” he explained easily. “I’ve had fun planning this day.”

“And you’re spoiling me,” she retorted, looking around her, taking it all in again. “I don’t know of anyone whose day can touch mine! It’s been perfect.”

“You’re talking like it’s over. Are you ready for me to escort you back downstairs?”

“No,” she assured him quickly. “I am perfectly happy sitting here with you. There is no need for me to rush back to the apartment.”

“You aren’t worried about Lucy getting home before you and reading your book are you?”

“Not at all,” she replied confidently. “It’s in my coat pocket,” she winked, “Safe with me.”

“Really?” he asked, sitting up. “I want to read some of it.”

Sue rolled her eyes. “Why?”

“I just do. I want to see what a scene between us looks like in print.”

She regarded him dubiously, but rose to retrieve the book. When she returned, a beautifully gift-wrapped box was occupying her place on the swing. “Another present?” Sue asked, unable to hide her smile. “Jack, you’ve already done so much.”

“It’s the last one,” he promised, watching her check the box out from all angles. “You gonna open it or just admire it?” he finally asked.

“I’m going to open it,” she assured him, tearing the paper as she spoke. Lifting the lid of the box, she removed the ornate glass bottle, handling it with care. Admiring the intricate details, she turned her attention to Jack when he gently laid his hand on her shoulder.

“There is a message inside,” he explained, his breathing becoming a bit labored. “It’s, um, something I’d like to continue with you,” he fumbled, “As we date, and, um, stuff. A tradition, I guess you could call it...that I’d like to start...with you...tonight.”

Her eyes returned to the bottle and she reached for the cork stopper, pulling it out. Inverting the decorative container, she easily caught the paper rolled up inside. Giving him a quick smile, she unrolled the note and read:

Dear Sue,

I have been blessed with your presence in my life,
and my life has been changed...forever seen
through a different set of eyes, eyes that see
from the heart with your wisdom and kindness.

Your heart is so trusting, and your friendship
is patient and kind. You anticipate each new day
with innocence and hope. Your very presence speaks
of thoughtfulness, goodness and truth.

You trust in what is good and you hold fast and true
to your faith. You are unwavering in your trust of
your friends. You always see the good and help others
to find the good in themselves.

Because of you, others have a renewed desire to share
the optimism that they have received from you. You give hope and cause others to find hope that had long been
forgotten.

Each and every day you are a blessing. Your daily
walk displays pure and unselfish love to others.
You are completely open and honest. There is no
pretense in you.

I want you to know how very special you are to me
and how blessed I feel to have you in my life.
You are a precious and rare treasure, a true gift
from God. One that I thank Him for every day!

Forever thankful,
Jack

She threw her arms around him and hugged him with all her might, her tears flowing freely. “THANK YOU,” she signed, unable to voice anything.

“You know,” he began, wiping her tears as he set her back from him, “I can’t take you home now. What will Lucy think if you come in with red eyes and a tear-stained face? I can’t even imagine how she’d treat me at the office,” he said with a mock shudder. “I guess we’re going to have to find something to do to get your mind off of how sweet I am,” he oozed.

She lifted an eyebrow. “And what do you suggest we do?”

He leaned closer to her, his gaze dropping to her lips, his eyes deepening with undisguised desire. “I want you to read to me,” he sighed with a wink. “And I get to pick the scene,” he informed her, snatching the personalized novel from beside her, and flipping through its pages, scanning as he went.

Okay, Flip, you're going to have to come and pick me up and take me to work! I'm a puddle now and everyone knows puddles don't drive!!!

Joy

The letter was just

Somehow I'm having a feeling that he knows exactly what scenes are in the book ... ... I think he remembers the page very well that Sue has to read for him

My, my Jack. It does appear that you have have taken a look at the book before hand. Can't say as I blame you. Now, I wonder what scene you are going to choose to have her read?

(staring blankly at the screen, mind refusing to participate in the review writing process...)

I think I'll go and get some dip...might be interesting...

I think THIS can be the story that doesn't have an end.

Jill

WOW

(unable to speak too)

I'm fanning already and the reading has even begun yet ...

I must be a loss cause

There seems to be a bit of that going around!